Coombs poor mentality if that's the case. They're a few points behind Barcelona

Tactics we'll give them too much respect, that might be our downfall.

naz That or there will be some ridiculous own goal or howler. Said it in the Everton thread, but I can't see any scenario where we don't get fucked by some new and unprecedented red card or penalty in the 2nd leg if the tie is still in the balance.

I feel Madrid will go through 85% of the time so I'm not going in expecting us to get the result. I think Madrid do have weakness but the way we setup we are not a team that seems likely to make the most of them we are slow in attack and very cautious with a focus on trying to be difficult to beat first. If we concede a goal we are usually in big trouble so it needs a flawless application of our game.

Unfortunately our best attackers either have just returned from injury or haven't been in form. Then having lost Gabriel who has been so important particularly as I think Saliba has been a bit weaker this season I don't fancy that we don't concede and if so I don't think we can respond. Maybe we'll catch them all on an off day which can happen or we are perfect on the way we play but I just don't think it's likely we don't switch off or get tired at some point.

I'll still be at this game and the away game hoping we manage to execute a game we've struggled with for the most part.

I can't wait to embarrass these guys. This will be Saka's coronation

The one main difference that that team had.. Henry

USArsenal wasn't Henry who kept a clean sheet in both matches though.

I've watched Real only 3-4 times this season. They look really dangerous in attack, especially on the break. Defensively, on the other hand, they seem like a complete mess at times, relying on individual bail outs.

We need to learn from our mistakes against Bayern last year and not be naive going into this match. I really hope the squad is not in awe of playing Madrid and really takes it to them physically (and is allowed to do so by the officials), while also closing the match down and limiting the transitions where Madrid can kill you.

It's clear that Madrid is afraid of our set pieces so we need to be efficient with them. I'm dubious on how successful we may be on them without Havertz and Gabriel but we do still have players who can get on the end of these deliveries in Merino, Timber and Saliba. We need to be clinical if we do get those chances.

Really hoping we see Odegaard at his best tonight - there is a weakness in this Madrid squad between the lines and if he can find those pockets of space between the midfield and defenders, he can really give them trouble especially if we can get Martinelli running in behind Vazquez. That's been a common thread this season for teams that have had success against Madrid. I'm cautiously optimistic (would've been moreso if Gabriel had been available for this match) but most of all, excited that the team is finally on this stage consistently and in position to compete against the absolute elites.

Saka should have lots of fun against Alaba who has looked old and unfit recently.
Our midfield should dominate as well considering a 39 year old Modric starts and Tchouameni is suspended.
45 minutes until our lineup is out, hopefully Kiwior is on the bench

Panda in the stadium I'll be fully behind the team and hoping we can get the result don't worry.

So... almost everyone they claimed would be out for this game is magically fit. Lol.

Fuck yeah, no Valverde in CM

Rice better show up

Are we convinced Saka starts?

naz I fully expect him to.

That Madrid team looks really strong to me