UEFA Champions League - QF (2nd leg) Date: Apr 16, 2024 Here we go. Biggest match of the season. Advancing to the CL SF would be huge for the club. This match will see the team either break a bad streak of painful 2nd leg CL eliminations or fall back to "old habits" post 2015. The 1 goal lead is far from safe. The first 15 mins of both halves in the 1st leg showed that the team can be put under pressure in a way that can lead to conceding many goals. Things can shift on a dime. So hopefully Xavi can direct the team through the difficult patches over 90 mins. For the 2nd leg, PSG will come rested since they didn't play a game on the weekend and Lucho is talking a big game full of confidence. We should be rested as well as most players who should be starting were rested or played limited minutes vs Cadiz. Roberto and Christensen will be out for this one both with YC suspension.
Biggest question seems to be DM with no Christensen or even Roberto. Do we dare to start Romeu (hope not, not hating Romeu or even the budget signing of him, just not comfortable in this match with him out there, please prove me wrong if you get out there). Or do we do a sort of DM by committee with FDJ and Gundo both holding down some DM duties together (on defense) or alternating (when we are on the offensive), along with Fermin or Pedri as I am guessing Pedri still cannot go 90 much less 120.
If I'm Enrique, I'd assume that Xavi will have his side aligned as per usual. To me, this means that he should look to counter in the space evacuated by Cancelo on their right. If it were me, I would look to have Dembele and Mbappe swap sides more frequently, so as to run at Cancelo more with Mbappe, and to create confusion along Barca's backline. Agreed that having neither Christiansen nor Roberto hurts, insofar has not having a 6-ish MFer to play. I'm guessing that it'll be FDJ/Pedri/Gundogan in the MF to start. This concerns me, in that both Pedri and FDJ probably aren't at their best just yet, either tactically, or from a fitness standpoint. And, we've seen what a lack of pressure on an opponent's ball carrier in the MF can do to create counters. Fortunately, Veratti's in Saudi now, and not with P$G. That said, being at home and rested should provide a lift. Someone will have to step up, and impress themselves on the game, as Lewandowski and Raphinha did in Paris. I'm hoping it'll be FDJ. If Barça can score first, and head into half with a lead, I think the tie will be well won. But, if Barca are behind at half, there may not be enough on the bench to forge a remontada, especially as Pedri and FDJ are likely only 60-70 minute men at this point. It would also be ideal to win the game in 90 minutes, so as to head to Madrid as ready and rested as possible.
PSG comes in rested as all French clubs involved in Europe this week didn't have to play a match last weekend.
Look like Xavi will play De Jong and Gundogan as his pivot duo while Pedri will get enough freedom to create up front. Not sure if this is good plan cause through out of season Pedri shows that he is not effective enough as an attacking midfielder. But let's see.
Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and João Félix would be suspended from the next UCL match if booked today.
Thanks, evil allan. Their right looks more potent coming forward, but more exposed defensively. Here's hoping Raphinha can have more joy today.
You sure? I'd thought that cards reset after the QFs... FOUND IT: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsl...e-yellow-cards-how-many-bookings-lead-to-a-s/ From that link: ..."in addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."
hm. actually i'm not sure. doesn't that just mean the cards are reset if they avoid getting suspended today?
TBH, I'm not certain, either. But that link at least sounds promising. Just put P$G to the sword, and end it in 90 minutes.
That's what I thought too, but on the graphic at the start of the world-wide broadcast they showed players on yellow cards (also 3 from PSG).
The yellow card rule is, players on a yellow can be suspended for the semi 1st leg if they receive another yellow today. But get through today's quarter unsuspended, and the yellows are gone in the semi.
I am hoping Barca just have some nervous energy that will burn off in the next five minutes, and that this isn't our strategy for the game.
They're the ones needing a goal. Contain them, counter when they leave space behind, possess the ball when the break isn't on. This seems to be the tactics from what the first 10 minutes have shown.