OK.. thinking back about the game. So many things come to mind..
Raya - goal 100% not his fault, was faultless for everything else during the game.
Timber - Where's Vini? Where is he? (his goal aside, he was pretty much shit down by JT). Great game
Saliba - Oh Willie... One stupid mistake and they score. Ugh. That said, was magnificent the whole rest of the game and allowed Mbappe nothing
Kiwior - Take a fucking bow lad. You were the 'weak point' in our defense, but you played an outstanding game. Stood up when he needed to stand up.
MLS - Lol Rodrygo who? (again). Has things to work on, but he's gonna be oh so good.
Odegaard - Ugh, not a great first half at all. Stepped it up a lot in the second half. More of the second half, please.
Partey - He was quiet early on, grew in stature as the game went on. Overall a great performance. The yellow, though.. So stupid and unnecessary. Rudiger was already getting booked, no reason for it. Now you miss the first leg.
Rice - He is definitely not the RIce we saw in the early part of the season. He is getting better and better and was everywhere, doing everything and controlling everyone. What a fucking performance! 105 million? Easily worth it.
Martinelli - worked his ass off all game, got back when he needed to help the defense. Had a couple chances during the game, and then put Real out of their misery late on to ensure we walked away with the win.
Merino - Worked hard, did a lot of the little things well. And 2 outstanding passes for both our goals. Well done Mikel
Saka - OK, im going to conveniently forget about that terrible penno. There is a reason teams are afraid of him. They should be, because he showed again (even not at 100%) that he is world (!) class. His goal put the tie away (even though they scored, there was no way back for them once he scored). Star boy, 100%
The subs, im not gonna say anything invidually, but they came on, did their jobs, and saw the game out without conceding another goal.
Arteta - tactics and lineup once again spot on. This is the kind of game(s) we want to see, against the big clubs, deserving a place at the table, which we now have. Teams are taking notice.
Well fucking done to the whole club. This is what we hope for, these kinds of nights. Big win at home, and huge win at the Barnebeu.
