OneMoSalah

Was flashes but fatigue maybe a part in why it was only flashes. Think Sarri made right move subbing him.

Maybe but the research can go out the window. The occasion can get to players too. For me, mentality and luck is a bigger factor. Luiz was unlucky for instance. Scoring that would of altered the rest of the shootout. Players are aware that teams look at patterns and can change it up too. It does work the research but even the Munich game, Drogbas equalizier rattled Bayern and I think that and the occasion got to some of them too, especially Schweinsteiger when he took that penalty he never looked confident. Luck does play a massive part in cup finals. Also today, Agueros goal was onside I would say. We got lucky there.

Penalties is all about luck really. Doesnt matter who was in the net, Caballeros record is decent at spot kicks in his career but its hardly going to be the hugely deciding factor. Kepa was unlucky with one and saved another. Different day he saves the other one and Luiz and Jorginho score. If we won it wouldnt be an issue, in fairness we were unlucky in the 120 mins and probably should have won, Kante was really unlucky with his chance and Hazard was onside in that offside call. Agueros goal would of counted another day too. Kepas actions werent great but him staying on didnt cost us anything. Missing penalties did. 100% agree.

Na. Think that's hugely over the top. Or if not, in that regard the same should be said for Jorginho and Luiz missing penaltie. It just wasnt to be unfortunately, knew as soon as Luiz hit the post theyd win.

A proper gutsy performance. Kante desperately unlucky with his chance. Sarri has to get more of this sort of performances more often. Kepa, Kante, Eden, Emerson, Azpi, Luiz, Rudiger, Jorginho all played very very well I thought. Kepa situation is weird but it will be dealt with internally, definitely. If it was a misunderstanding it was a huge one. Also Kepa sort of looks like Josh Segarra who played Adrian Chase in Arrow haha. Although totally football unrelated.

Tbf other than CHO for Willian (even based on tonight not always straight forward, CHO faded in and out of the game a lot which you can expect with young players as well as inconsistencies in performance), Emerson and Giroud are hardly obvious improvements on Alonso and Morata if they are at all (which for me, other than a few games Emerson has done well in patches, is just as bad as Alonso). In all reality, poor squad building has left us in this mess more than anything. Can blame Sarri, Conte, Jose for playing player X over player Y but the one consistent has been that the club has been picking transfer targets 75% of the time for almost the last 8 or 9 years. Back in 2011 we were linked with Cesar Azpilicueta, Andre Schurrle, Antonio Rudiger, Willian under AVB but we ended up signing them under Di Matteo, Mourinho and Conte. If that doesnt explain a lot then I dont know what does. Not to say they havent done well, werent good players or whatever but its obvious the club identifies and recruits the players as opposed to the manager having final say. Weve had the success but it was built on aggresive, counter attacking, low block football. Go through the usual cycle of could be contenders, become champions and then fall off. Improve, hit a good level and then dont build on the success. Constant cycle and poor recruitment is a huge reason.

Its been happening all season. Not just Willian. Morata, Hazard, Kovacic, Giroud, basically everyone has not done it at one time. But the pressing has been shit, whether or not this is through a lack of effort or lack of tactical understanding, I dont know.

Kovacic was sloppy though, taking far too many touches at times, slowing us down.

If they get a favourable draw they are dsrk horses for the whole competiton I reckon. Them and Valencia, who are a hugely solid no thrills but very effective side.

Exactly. Plus everyone still thinks Kante is a 6 and should play there. Kante has shown time and time again why he is better on that right hand side. His ability to drive forward, recover, press higher up and also be more creative. But again, the football das are out in force and see him as something he isnt. A fixed pivot.

Napoli wait and see.

Well needed win. Some glimpses at times of what his style can bring but a long way to go and we have 2 huge games coming up.

Bit harsh really. But not surprised. Same with Sarri and countless others being booed or chanted at by our own fans too.

Need a bit more from CHO, faded since first half. Second goal would be nice.

You would think some fans who are completely opposed to it would of noticed before that fanny too. He managed to beat Rio Ferdinand too. But probably not hard.

I think we need to get Willian on the ball more in 1v1s and Barkley needs to turn and face the play more than continuing to go backwards. Barkley can turn and drive forward but seems reluctant to do so at times which is odd because it was a huge strength of his in the past, taking it on the half turn and being positive, going by players. I wonder if this is due to Sarris instructions or him adapting to that more withdrawn role.

Tbf hes had a much much better start in the PL than De Gea, who many Spanish fans wanted benched in favour of Kepa at the world cup. Theres no issue with hin, very good GK, few things to improve, if he can put an extra 10 or 15 lbs of muscle on he will not be as lightweight as he is now, although its never made a huge difference here. That Pogba header was a shame because hes shown time and time again hes got strong wrists and an excellent shot stopper. Courtois a superior GK right now yes but I think its not by a massive gap. Alisson, Ederson and De Gea arent hugely better either (De Gea better than them all, Alisson and Ederson are good shot stoppers but they can be nervy) , I dont think people understand how good Kepa can be.

Again. Poor in the final third. As per usual.

And yet people wonder why Sarri doesnt drop certain players. Not seen anything in terms of urgency or a desire from the guys who aren't playing to show Sarri they should be playing. CHO only one showing anything but not higher up.

That article listed him as a defender at first, so I stopped reading after that. Can see us being interested in him yeah, decent talent but still has plenty to prove. Inter will be kicking themselves they let him go to Roma in the summer.

Jesus so replace Sarri with Wenger. Yeah. No thanks. Plus he definitely wouldnt do it 😂

Think he suits Atletico down to the ground. He has a partner in attack, they play direct balls to use him as a focal point at times and cross a lot. Still disappointed how he faded here after a promising start, if he could improve his mentality he'd be a good player. Still think he needs to work on that, Simeone maybe capable of getting that from him but remains to be seen.

Think in terms of the motivational side of things, he is most definitely is, yes. Never seen a big game were they've not been up for it under him. In terms of quality they can lack at times but they function very well as a team and dont do anything that is considered reinventing the wheel so to speak. I look at Griezmann, Costa, Koke, Saul, Rodri.. all excellent players in their own right but they roll their socks up and give 100%. No doubts about it, with limited resources in terms of finances, Simeone has done an outstanding job and just needs a CL to top it off.

Jesus some of the fouls this ref has given is pathetic. I know the European ref are a bit less lenient than British refs but jesus christ, tackling and physicality really is dying out. Atletico what a team though. Contrasting style or not, big games they are always at it.

Hahaha deflection off Ronaldo. Get it up him. Prick 😂