16 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Said elsewhere will say again, all our RWB won't be able to stop Eden, he is just too good. Our best hope is the Kante twins are at their very best. 1 runs midfield, the other man marks Eden.

Hazard hasn’t been the player he was for us since he left. He’s been either injured, out of form or just not on its best. I’m just sad that we can’t receive him as he deserves when he comes back to the Bridge.

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Is it because of his injury record Kroos is being protected whereas Modric, Benzama and Varane are not?

I thought Kroos had a muscle injury but will be back for the Chelsea game. 

37 minutes ago, RMH said:

Hazard hasn’t been the player he was for us since he left. He’s been either injured, out of form or just not on its best. I’m just sad that we can’t receive him as he deserves when he comes back to the Bridge.

Yeah it really is a shame.

Will be a tough game. For me it depends on how fit Kante and Jorginho are. Unfortunately I am worried Kante isn’t up to 2-3 big games in a row. As between Werner Pulisic and havertz I like havertz and Werner 

hazard is great and so good to see him back  but I’ll be surprised if he gets a start over Vinicius  this leg  maybe the return  

We should be defensive for this game.  I think we are a chance but they are modest favourite. 

2 hours ago, ozboy said:

Will be a tough game. For me it depends on how fit Kante and Jorginho are. Unfortunately I am worried Kante isn’t up to 2-3 big games in a row. As between Werner Pulisic and havertz I like havertz and Werner 

hazard is great and so good to see him back  but I’ll be surprised if he gets a start over Vinicius  this leg  maybe the return  

We should be defensive for this game.  I think we are a chance but they are modest favourite. 

Not convinced of this. Reminds me of when Benitez thought JT couldn't play twice a week and benched him for the midweek games only for him to play pretty much every game under Jose the next two seasons.

Kante would be fine. Just needs the common sense for Tuchel to play he and Kovacic together rather than needing to play Jorginho every week.

It’s his hammy or whatever it is. Every time he’s played more than a couple of games this season he’s had to take time off. Nothing to do with Tuchel selection of Jorginho. 

20 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Said elsewhere will say again, all our RWB won't be able to stop Eden, he is just too good. Our best hope is the Kante twins are at their very best. 1 runs midfield, the other man marks Eden.

Eden Hazard has gone missing ever since he boarded the plane to Madrid. I don't know but "he is just too good" is a weird thing to say considering he has been terrible for a long time now. 

I feel like we can nick this first leg if we play smart and aggressive. I love Havertz but his timid play isnt needed for this game. f**k a false 9 , we need a striker that will be aggressive and  exploit the space behind Reals defence.  We also need  the attacking midfielders to be able to drop deep to support Kante and Jorginho because they will be outnumbered by Madrids midfield 3. will go for the same team in the Fa cup semis besides Kepa in goal

 

                            Mendy

              Azpi       Silva          Rudiger

James       Kante        Jorginho          Chilwell

                Ziyech             Mount

                          Werner

 

Looks like Pulisic is having the UEFA interview with Tuchel so my line up is nothing but a pipe dream  😔

Edited April 26, 20215 yr by The Don Antonio

We need to play fast on the counter and be resolute in defence. Their midfield 3 won't have the legs if we keep the game at high intensity. 

All the Hazard isn’t the same Eden as Chelsea talk, I hope doesn’t come back to bite us in the ass!

Even after a few months of Burgers everyday and carrying an ongoing injury, I still wouldn’t fancy Rudiger’s chances against him.

 

16 minutes ago, Mod Stark said:

All the Hazard isn’t the same Eden as Chelsea talk, I hope doesn’t come back to bite us in the ass!

Even after a few months of Burgers everyday and carrying an ongoing injury, I still wouldn’t fancy Rudiger’s chances against him.

Rudiger to his credit has looked pretty solid this year, i was a massive critic of his, but he seems to be very switched on nowadays, anyway he's the wrong side to bump into Eden that much, Eden will have a tough game on the left, with Azpilicueta and James? probably facing up to him. Unless Tommy throws Zidane a curve-ball and whack Callum down the wing, that would be an interesting move because we know Eden doesn't like reverse gear.

Really tough one to call in terms of who lines up. The back 3 and midfield 4 I would say I agree with most of what people are saying. Cesar, Silva, Rudi. Chilly, Kante, Jorgehh and James. Front 3 I think Mount and Werner have to start they are our highest goal contributors. Arguments can be made for all off Pulisic, Kai and Ziyech. 

I suspect he goes with experience and opts for the combo that has worked so far the duo of Ziyech & Werner with Mount the final piece.

Kovacic confirmed out for the first leg, probably be seeing him Saturday against Fulham.

Speaking to reporters, Tuchel confirmed Kovacic was the only injured player for the first leg. ‘The update on injuries is short, it is only Mateo Kovacic we are missing,’ said Tuchel. ‘Everybody else is available and in the squad tomorrow.

24 minutes ago, coco said:

Rudiger to his credit has looked pretty solid this year, i was a massive critic of his, but he seems to be very switched on nowadays....

Yea definitely, not knocking Rudiger but more I wouldn’t fancy most against a 50% steamed Hazard.

6 minutes ago, Mod Stark said:

Yea definitely, not knocking Rudiger but more I wouldn’t fancy most against a 50% steamed Hazard.

Watch out Eden, here comes Rudi !!!!!!! 

7 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

Kante would be fine. Just needs the common sense for Tuchel to play he and Kovacic together rather than needing to play Jorginho every week.

I disagree with this. With kante is not about his age but he has been injured quite often since last season. I rather be on the cautious side. 

 

I think it will be the same 3 as West spam up top,I also feel as long as we don't do what looserpool did and go into the home game 3-1 down we should be OK.

12 hours ago, ozboy said:

Will be a tough game. For me it depends on how fit Kante and Jorginho are. Unfortunately I am worried Kante isn’t up to 2-3 big games in a row. As between Werner Pulisic and havertz I like havertz and Werner 

hazard is great and so good to see him back  but I’ll be surprised if he gets a start over Vinicius  this leg  maybe the return  

We should be defensive for this game.  I think we are a chance but they are modest favourite. 

Think Kante will be ok and really pumped for such a big game. His first CL semi final.

Added to that even if Kova is not back for Fulham no way Kante plays if we are still in with a chance in the second leg.

If we get a good result tomorrow we need our important players rested against Fulham, Kante, Silva, Dave, Jorgi, Mount, Rudiger for me, no matter the risks that takes. If we get battered tomorrow then strongest side against Fulham.

Looking like Real will be matching us with 3 at the back just like they did against Atalanta.  The midfield will be key . Hopefully the Kante twins and Mount can protect Jorginho. 

                                Lucifer

                Militao      Varane     Nacho

Carvarhal   Modric   Casemerio   Kroos   Marcelo

                Benzema         Vinicious.

 

 

Lucifer in goal?  Damn, I thought it was a snake in goal for them.

And Marcelo, I have not seen him play for them for a while - is he still with Real and getting playing time?

1 hour ago, The Don Antonio said:

Looking like Real will be matching us with 3 at the back just like they did against Atalanta.  The midfield will be key . Hopefully the Kante twins and Mount can protect Jorginho. 

                                Lucifer

                Militao      Varane     Nacho

Carvarhal   Modric   Casemerio   Kroos   Marcelo

                Benzema         Vinicious.

 

 

Looks a smart plan to be as the outmanned us in midfield that way. Let's see.

Either way we finally got past the first knockout round and have done well. Credit to the team and Super Frank and TT for a very good CL campaign.

My biggest fear against Reals attack is not that they will open us up. More like their trickery will suck us to give away a stupid penalty. That's when we will go into dissaray and undo any hard work we have done prior.

Match day,champions League semi final,we have been here before as so called underdogs,let's see.....COME ON YOU BLUES !