Well, our only chance against Real was to have our first choice defence available with the addition of Saka returning. Just when we get Saka back, we have one of our first choice CB's go down. And potentially Timber injured... And White has a niggle, and Cala is out for a couple weeks.
Finishing second is as good as it gets this season.
This season is cursed.
swider What did you think of Ode's pass for Martinelli's disallowed goal? Also check out his outrageous pass for Oryazabel's goal against Alaves. He's having a mediocre season, which is very normal at the top level. However he'll be better next season, mark my words. I also feel he's a different type of midfielder than what most people have in mind.
Rice isn't a playmaker which is why I don't like him as a 6 but he's a quality player IMO. It depends on how we use him and the players he has around him. I'd say he's a better ball player than Gattuso for example who was an integral part of that great Milan side. Rice is good enough to be a key player in a title winning midfield IMO.
Tactics
Two things, it is easy to execute the pass to the player in offside position or at the very least much easier than normally. And secondly if the majority of play goes through one player he is bound to produce something, sooner or later. There is no question that he underperforms in my opinion, the lack of quality is very visible especially that it wasn't the case in previous seasons, I also think Rice has similar issues, but his role is slightly different, so it is easy to overlook, but IMO it is a very big problem for the team.
BTW I do not fault Ode for lack of commitment or not giving enough, he applies himself and it is very evident, but the quality of his game is very concerning.
swider ridiculous. every club in the league would bite our hands off for either of them. im old to remember when people said Henry was a big problem after the 2001 fa cup final. you don't bench or sell your best players after a poor few months, especially when there's enough of a body of work to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Tactics I turned off before the Fulham goal, but I really should've known this. Was commenting to my barber this morning (a United fan) that I still know fuck all about football 
Martinelli. Put some respect on this guy's name. Ripped them to shreds. That assist was out of this world.
Partey overhyped, Odegaard slandered, Rice playing with his back to goal in the worst tactical innovation of the century, and Merino scores. As you were, I guess.
Big Gabby going down is so this season. Make it work, Mik! (just not with Kiwior, please)
Great to have Saka back but the already very slim chances against Real now feel pretty much impossible without Gabriel. Kiwior against them is just not going to work out. Where's White too?
We're just going to have to play Kiwior against Everton and hope its enough to get him up to speed for Real. Arteta might need to adjust tactically to help cover him because Saliba-Gabriel really was our best hope against Real. Its an awful shame we don't get to see Europes best defence vs its best attack now.
Qwiss Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Getafe have statistically been better defensively then us this season. Madrid put plenty past 2 of them.
But with us there is no point in thinking in terms of quality in big champions league games. The players and Arteta will shit the bed mentally just like they did vs Bayern for example last year. No doubt over 2 legs we will gift them at least a goal or even own goal, and the old reliable' red card.
Kiwior in a CL quarter final again. Ugh.
We have no chance really. Just "enjoy" the last two games of the season.
I think we’ve conceded almost every time he’s been on the pitch. Only game they we didn’t was against United. He’s worse than Holding as a CB
Lets just pray Ben White will make it...
Gabriel's injury is the very last bit of air snatched from us all in terms of this season I think.
With him, and Saka returning, there was a (small) chance of an upset. Without Gabby, I think we might be in for a CL KO round we are all too familiar with over the last 15 years or so. Could be ugly. First leg being at the Emirates is a bitch too.
Tam yep, the kind of games where Rice sticks out like a sore thumb a bit.
Tam yeah I agree we've been pretty poor in Europe in these knock out scenarios and we've gone out pretty meekly. Gabriel would be a massive loss especially this season I think Saliba hasn't been at his best, which is natural with a young player, but it will be a big miss not to have him. I felt before it was probably 70% chance that Real progress but that would move up a little if Gab is out.
