So, the Yellow Submarine in the Champions League Semi Finals it is. Can’t have been too many people predicting that at the beginning of the season or too many when they were drawn against Juventus and then against Bayern Munich. Basically, no fucking way we should be taking these for granted and they have an extremely savvy manager in European competitions even if the Arse couldn’t appreciate his command of the English language in general and his managerial skills in particular.
Strong team, Thiago and Diaz to start in particular and get a good lead going into the second leg. On we go chaps, have at it.
Alberto Moreno is a long-term absentee for Villarreal, who are sweating on the fitness of Francis Coquelin and Gerard Moreno.
The latter will likely start if fit, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll recover in time from a hamstring injury to feature from the outset.
Pervis Estupinan should get the nod ahead of Alfonso Pedraza at left-back here, though the latter could start on the left flank if Unai Emery wishes to afford the former more protection against Mohamed Salah.
Yes they will be disciplined and resolute in their defending, and a threat on the counter.
As yesterday required patience so will this.
Emery as stated in the OP was a better manager than Arsenal knew. His record in European competition is obviously impressive.
I cannot see much room for rotation.
Konate and Hendo to start instead of Joel and Naby.
I think Diaz from the start with Salah snd Mane.
Any team reaching this stage of the competition should be taken very seriously.
…but they’re seventh in their domestic league and we are an excellent team. So close to another European final, we absolutely should be one of the teams to make it there and it would be a huge upset if we don’t.
Looking forward to a professional, stress free, injury free game
Spanish teams have been a massive pain in the arse for us over the last decade. Real twice, Atletico in 2020 and Sevilla 3 times. Most of it has been down to their shit-housery and dodgy refereeing.
Marciniak reffed us away to PSG in 2018 and Atletico in 2020 when he basically bought everything they were selling. I think he’s a ‘homer’ more than anything so that may work in our favour but won’t be banking on it.
I think we’ll have too much for them in both games.
I doubt it will be worse than Everton, they weren’t that bad against Bayern and it will be the same.
After all to get to this stage they have some quality will be two banks of four but Bayern spent the entire game crossing the ball in as good as Villarreal where Bayern were garbage. Diaz has to play.
This. I can understand everyone’s trepidation, but we really should be knocking the shit out of teams like this with ease. They’re not on our level or anywhere close. Juventus are shite and Bayern were incredibly naive in their tie, just as they had been against Salzburg in the first leg.
I’ll be fucking fuming with anything less than a 3-0 here, and you should be too, ffs.
