Ajax v Real Madrid

Might as well start the discussion right away. Ajax have lost 2 of their last 3 games. How times have changed, when Ajax got us earlier in the season they celebrated, wonder what they are doing now

Solari will likely start the same XI he did today

I am afraid he underrates Ajax and starts rotating needlessly especially in attack. I hope not

Vini-Benz-Lucas should continue. They seem to have found an understanding. Solari better not change anything at the back unless it's Nacho for someone. Rest should stay the same, ESPECIALLY the LB spot. I wish he plays Ceballos but if he didn't start him against either Barca or Atleti he won't start him on Wednesday eventhough having him would be huge for our pressing and possession game

Honestly, these guys should be fit and fresh as they did nothing from September to December. But yes, Solari should keep with these STS (steady the ship) tactics. It's clearly working.

Absolutely, most of this team did nothing for about 4-5 nonths. That lastgap Betis win and the good ol' barbecue seem to have done us a world of good. The mentality is totally different now, even in thr game we lost v LaReal I saw the fight in the players so kudos to them. Now they should give us the trophies they owe us tbh.

I mean the final is at the Wanda Metropolitana, our fans are the most amazing fans in Europe when our team goes far in CL can one get any more motivated? Madrid would be crazy, especially if the final is a Madrid derby. Uff Hala don't get ahead of yourself.....

A UCL Final Madrid derby in the Wanda, oof. Like oof to the power of 1000. Nah, I don't think either fan base can deal with the trauma of losing it there.

I'd quit football if that happened

But there are still 6 games to go. Alot of tough teams left. Thankfully the Copa final wont be until May/June so as soon as we play the second leg v Barca, we won't have to worry about it one way or another

I think Bale is shite. but i want him to start over Vini against Ajax. if Vini believes he is the starter over Bale in all the games then the pressure maybe too much. Against Barca and Atleti Vini made many many mistakes. because he was nervous. also to be honest these two stadiums are tough to play at.

Bale is useless off the bench. because he can't dribble and has lost his explosiveness it seems. on other hand Vini can be a super sub with his energy and speed.

It would be even more pressure if we expect Vini to come off the bench and rescue us. Bale does not participate in the build up, having him from start will handicap us. I much prefer Vini tbh. And I don't think it'll get to his head, Modric gave him an earful for dwelling on the ball against Atleti and Kroos against Barca for being selfish. So the team is helping him get better.

He made alot of errors against those two team but I don't think we'll play in such hostile environments again this season unless we bump into Bayern in CL if we both make it past the last 16

When Vini went off against both Barca and Atletico our play suffered. He is a nailed on starter imo. Bale can start next weekend

Also I'd rather Vini who seems to have absorbed the pressure than Asensio who wants nothing to do with it and Bale too for that matter

Benzema is a doubt. Bale as striker?

Fully expect to smash the Ajax kids into oblivion even without all the starters, Mariano can start he is decent and Ajax should be about his level atm just give him service he will do fine, hopefully a couple early goals cruise through the tie.

Frenkie De Jong out injured apparently

Just had s look at who plays there. Huntelaar is their starting CF, Blind as CB ffs how bad are Bayern to nearly lose against this team

I take it back, we should smash this team. All the players can pack their bags together if we lose this tie

i really don't see any threat in ajax. teams like theirs in europe can be a bit naive and since we're playing the first leg away it works in our favor. i don't see them sitting back and defending like their lives depend on it, they'll play an open game. if we can score early its done

So, after watching Utd's insipid performance vs PSG, I do hope the lads don't disappoint like they did. Not that I think Ajax are world beaters but this is the CL and most teams at this level can beat you if you're not careful.

Ajax would be the perfect banana peel.

The games against CSKA are still fresh in my mind. Can you believe that we couldn't even score against them over 2 games.......

This team should underrate noone. No matter how inexperienced the other team is.

The players are going to have to help Vini out. One mistake and we might not be able to come back from it

The players have a full grasp of how Solari wants them to play and building on it game by game, their too experienced to slip to ajax of all teams, the club and the players are aiming for at least semi's which should be fairly possible.

How does Solari want to play? Legitimate question.

Steadying the ship, Deez. Steadying the ship.

The Demon of Carthage wrote:Steadying the ship, Deez. Steadying the ship.

Ramos: I see a penalty on the horizon. I'm definitely taking it, ya'll can go and screw yourselves.

Solari: Is Isco part of my future plans? I told him to look for my plans over there.

Marcelo: Why do I have to sit next to these guys? I don't feel like trying anymore.

That picture is pretty accurate. Ramos looking to for a chance to go forward regardless of the scenario. Solari pointing at a completely different direction but the ship is going nonetheless, bless the clown and Marcelo is sitting down.

These are facts.

Bale is starting. Solari already losing them cajones with Bale fully recovered

Lineup:

Bale has been scoring goals out of half chances lately. In a match where we need an away goal Bale any day over Lucas Vasquez.

vanDEEZ wrote:How does Solari want to play? Legitimate question.

Quick, direct, offside traps, pressing high up the pitch, and a bit of possession.

Stop trying to act like Solari doesn't know what he is doing he knows way more than JLO aka isco best friend.

Probably wants that away goal. I don't expect Bale to get involved much. Here is hoping we won't be a goal down by the time Lucas comes on

And by "scoring goals out of half chances lately" you mean two goals one against Atlético and one against Espanyol? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm genuinely asking because those two are the only ones I can think of.

Also, I would choose a technically limited hard worker over a lazy, injury-prone any day, especially if the latter can't beat a defender to save his life.

chad4401 wrote:

vanDEEZ wrote:How does Solari want to play? Legitimate question.

Quick, direct, offside traps, pressing high up the pitch, and a bit of possession.

Stop trying to act like Solari doesn't know what he is doing he knows way more than JLO aka isco best friend.

It was a legitimate question. Last I watched there was nothing, no philosophy, not even a glimpse of tactics. I'll take your opinion with a grain of salt of course, but at least it's something. No one else has been able to say exactly what he's doing.