Topic: Champions League QF first leg. Real Madrid away

[Robotforaday]

Real Madrid es la puta de Franco

[Gaz75]

Kin ' ell.

I haven't been this excited for a game since Atleti at home.

yeah it's going to be a long day.

[Captain Caveman]

if it's one thing Real know it's how to win in Europe, I think think the refs we have seen in European games have been pretty good and have seen it all before so I would be hopeful that they won't fall for it.

You're using doublethink there. Or maybe just overthinking things.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Nothing like waking up on a morning of a big European fixture.

[Jookie]

Do Madrid play 3-5-2 nowadays?

[Gaz75]

You're using doublethink there. Or maybe just overthinking things.

you think?😁

[Damian V]

Into these twats.

Their midfield is world class though, and arguably Courtois as well on recent form. The rest not so much. Benzema is amazing but he needs service and others around him. It's a shame this isn't in a full Bernabeu but at their training ground.

[gamble]

Not been feeling football for a year now but tonight's game has got something stirring in me loins.

Let's get into them, high tempo, high up the pitch.

[Ray K]

Rafael Varane is out too (covid), meaning both their first choice CBs are out.

[MD1990]

Rafael Varane is out too (covid), meaning both their first choice CBs are out.

Out for both games.

Madrid will go defensive tonight. Park the bus

[Ghost Town]

Rafael Varane is out too (covid), meaning both their first choice CBs are out.

Smokescreen for...oh, wait...

[HardworkDedication]

Out for both games.

Madrid will go defensive tonight. Park the bus

I very much doubt this will happen. Maureen isn't managing them.

[StevoHimself]

Both their first-choice CB's out, eh? That sounds familiar.

[redwillow]

Can't see them going defensive with both first choice CB's out

[JackWard33]

Okay Varane out is huge for us
Don’t play 3 dms - go for their throat .. we can end the tie tonight

[MD1990]

I very much doubt this will happen. Maureen isn't managing them.

they'll be playing 3 at the back.

           Courtois

   Milatao--Nacho--Mendy
                Casemiro
Vazquez--Modric--Kroos--Marcelo

            Benzema---- Vinicius



That is how I think they line up. They'll be quite defensive

It wont be at Mourinho level but Zidane is a pragmatic coach,
           

[slaphead]

Rafael Varane is out too (covid), meaning both their first choice CBs are out.

He's a good player him, big miss.  Welcome to our world.

[TepidT2O]

Both their first-choice CB's out, eh? That sounds familiar.

Fuck that.

We’ve got so far past that.... they don’t know they’re born...

[PaulF]

No first choice CBs on the pitch. That hurts us more than them.  This one could be lots of fun.

[redforlife]

Can't wait for this, this is what being a football fan is all about.

Get to watch the reds up against Real Madrid, with a genuine chance of winning tonight and certainly progressing in the tie

We have the best manager in world football leading us which means anything is possible.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Okay Varane out is huge for us
Don’t play 3 dms - go for their throat .. we can end the tie tonight

Jota imo is certainly starting, but it will be interesting to see if Klopp goes with a front 4 because of this.

[Circa1892]

I assume Big Nat is in the CL squad now? (He wasn’t before was he?)

If so, 84th minute winner from him. (Header from the half way line)

[classycarra]

I assume Big Nat is in the CL squad now? (He wasn’t before was he?)

If so, 84th minute winner from him. (Header from the half way line)

Yeah was registered over January in time to play the last round against Leipzeig

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I assume Big Nat is in the CL squad now? (He wasn’t before was he?)

If so, 84th minute winner from him. (Header from the half way line)

Did you not see him play against Leipzig? 

[rawcusk8]

Did you not see him play against Leipzig? 

Haha

[Ray K]

Did you not see him play against Leipzig? 

He's not registered for tonight. But Jordan Ibe is.

[Clint Eastwood]

Good opportunity tonight given their absences. They still have that solid experienced trio in midfield but I'm not worried about the rest.

[Jm55]

No first choice CBs on the pitch. That hurts us more than them.  This one could be lots of fun.

Whilst I accept that you can argue that point from a personnel perspective, at least we’ve had a month now with a settled back 2 and we have prepared accordingly. Madrid have lost both their centre halves in under a week.

[Too early for flapjacks?]

Rafael Varane is out too (covid), meaning both their first choice CBs are out.

We can go one better with our 1-3 out.

[Crosby Nick]

He's not registered for tonight. But Jordan Ibe is.

Lovely stuff. Although would be hitting to be kicked out for fielding an ineligible player because isn’t it actually Jordon Ibe?

[PaulF]

Whilst I accept that you can argue that point from a personnel perspective, at least we’ve had a month now with a settled back 2 and we have prepared accordingly. Madrid have lost both their centre halves in under a week.

Very true. And with Fab in front they might as well bring along something to read with their cup of tea.

[bornandbRED]

The universe providing equilibrium. Maybe Karma is real

[jepovic]

Good opportunity tonight given their absences. They still have that solid experienced trio in midfield but I'm not worried about the rest.

Bit of an understatement that  We need to try to limit their control in midfield and stop their passes into Benzema. Therefore, I think we're much better off using Fabinho in midfield, where he can help slow down their passing, than in the box trying to deal with Benzema. Gini's pressing will also be vital.

[dalarr]

This is what football is about for me. European night, two heavyweights, everything on the line. I’m extremely nervous but still looking forward to it.

[disgraced cake]

We have to score when you look at their defensive absences. Varane is a far better defender than the other c*nt so his absence is welcomed. Doesn't Vasquez play full back now as well? I think he's decent from what I've seen but it's not his natural position. If the forward three (or four?) turn up things could get very, very interesting.

[JC the Messiah]

They have their two centre backs out, and they don't have Nat Phillips.

[wampa1]

Last time we played them we couldn't get near Modric and Kroos.

We were the better side until Ramos assaulted Salah.

[number 168]

Lovely stuff. Although would be hitting to be kicked out for fielding an ineligible player because isn’t it actually Jordon Ibe?

Isn't Jordan cup tied?

[RedSince86]

Great news that Varane and Ramos are not playing now.

We could really tear them apart Porto away style.

[Robotforaday]

Great news that Varane and Ramos are not playing now.

We could really tear them apart Porto away style.

Given that our strategy was surely to tear Ramos apart limb from limb, this will require a 11th hour rethink of our whole gameplan.

(Only joking, I'm sure Klopp is more professional than that, as are the lads. But I'm a petty man and would like to have seen revenge on Ramos.)