robsblubot

Yeah disagree regarding kepa. Again, I did not say mendy would’ve caught that, but he has better reach and would’ve had a better chance at that. these games are decided on a detail and The goalie is a big part of that. I also never said we lost because of the keeper. We lost because Leicester defended very well.

Same here hopefully carrying some learnings regarding how some players react in the final. And also not showing too much of our hand. it was a heavy pitch so that affected players like vardy but also all our attackers esp first half when it was pouring down. Giroud may have come on a bit too late considering the conditions but hindsight is easy. Heavy pitch and all Werner was very poor. And I can’t shake off the feeling that one side had a competent goalie while the other did not. Thankfully mendy will be there in the big final.

Completely agree. The rule says same level is onside and the idea is to give preference for goals, but VAR is going against that now finding offsides that otherwise wouldn’t have been.

reading this thread … Fantastic news then! It means that all tuchel needs to do is getting the starting xi right and man city has no chance! 🙄 Also good news here is that this is probably the last game kepa played. They are trying to increase his sell value from negative that is. But it’s an impossible proposition because he’s completely out of his depth at this level.

Great shot but there lies the difference between kepa and mendy. While mendy would’ve had a chance of reaching that ball, kepa does not.

right but from what I read there is a risk of aggravating the injury. Besides we are not playing man city this weekend, but a much lesser team. Yes, they are strong enough to beat us, but a good game by us, regardless of starting XI (Jorginho got us to the CL final and is a shoo-in for tomorrow), should get us there silverware.

We are far more likely to win the FA cup than the CL without Kante, so I hope he's rested if he's not 100%. Sorry, but there is simply no comparison (of importance).

It's all valid criticism, of course, but there is also the lineup change as a factor. It's not like you have a lot of time to think when under pressure at this level, so every little bit helps (or not). Personally, I think the truth lies somewhere between shit and world class. I don't find any world class player in the Italian side at this time actually, and Jorginho is no exception. He seems to be a a good player for a very specific role, and that's about it. Another issue we have is that neither Kovacic nor Gilmour complement Jorginho very well. Only Kante is able to, and he obviously can't always play.

well, do you think Odoi's performance was acceptable? I mean I expected him to show desire and intensity at the very least, and yet it was just an insipid showing all around. Let's not forget we mostly dominated the game. Had a clear cut chance while still zeroes. well, yes, but the GK was not where Jorginho assumed he was. Perhaps the starting one would've been there. I'm not saying Jorginho isn't wrong in making that assumption to being with tho. We will concede goals for any number of different reasons and we will need to find ways to score against teams who sit back like Arsenal did for the most part. Guariola might have been reassured that we struggle against low defense lines, which he was likely going to use against us anyway (Werner + Pulisic pace). The team loses a lot when Kante and Werner aren't on. I know the latter is controversial here, but not in my head. They both up the voltage of the entire team in a very obvious way to me.

I think the backline change played a part in the goal itself, esp goalie. It's all connected. Just to be clear, I'm not overly critical of the starting XI, just slightly the second half since arsenal had already moved to a very low block. Just unlucky with the bad pass, gk positioning (a bit weird). Arsenal kid even missed the shot and was lucky it went in.

Odoi performance was indeed unacceptable. A lot players disappointed Tuchel today and will have a hard time getting minutes. However, we are not taking into account the lineup change in itself. It causes disarray esp in a well oiled machine that we appear to be. Our 2 best players did not play tho, so there is that.

This was not our best starting XI, but I understand why we rested a few players. There were fairly poor performances everywhere. Yes, Jorginho made a costly mistake, which allowed arsenal to move to a super low block which reduces spaces for our pacy attackers. However, we had plenty of time to turn it around. Thought Giroud and Alonso should have started the second half, but a lot easier in hindsight (and still no guarantees). We are competing in too many fronts. There is a cost for that, but I still rather be in our situation than Arsenal's (or Liverpool) who are just thinking PL.

it's the same. Tie all matches without conceding (which isn't possible anyway) and we drop. It was a costly mistake, but let's not make it more than it was. Plenty of time to recover, but too many bad performances to do that. Pulisic was shit. Kai missed a sitter. Odoi was even worse when he came on. Just to name a few.

Werner too his qualities are evident esp when he does not play. Missing that impetus big time today.

looks like that sloppy pass will cost us the 3 points today 😞 May be unfair given how poorly Arsenal played, but goals change games and that gifted goal allowed arsenal to sit back in a super low block. Giroud should've come on sooner, but it was the right move. Can't really complain about the subs by Tuchel, just unfortunate that Odoi has been so poor today.

need to keep him fit and fresh for the final. It will take a massive performance by Kante - one which he's fully capable of delivering - for us to win it.

No disagreement here. I wasn’t really talking about the fairness of it all. just that that was a clumsy play by zouma which could’ve easily led to a penalty. His last-ditch tackle earlier was great tho.

Great game! Very good performance and great result! Rotating too! another assist by Werner. Tuchel said that, “Werner worked like a dog.” 😆

True and he got it. It’s still a penalty despite intention. IMO of course.

Ok that was a penalty(by zouma).

He sure did make a mistake, but he’s been in excellent form in all comps. Personally I’d be very worried with zouma in the final. He’s very susceptible to press being so poor on the ball. And that’s what city does best.

Andreas is out of the final unfortunately.

I don’t understand how VAR looks at that and says it’s ok tho. I mean if there is any doubt do not call it!

Ridiculous penalty call good that Sergio followed it with a ridiculous shot.

yeah maybe, but I'm not a fan of Navas. Real is a fair point, while Costa Rica not so much imo (different standards). This has been my issue with Kepa all along. Think goalie is the position where you want a towering giant with huge reach - being able to attack crosses is a massive attribute. Navas simply does not have the physical attributes for any of that.