psg round 1

Bale is now declared out for this game. Ramos is in, and although James and Modric practiced today, I doubt if they will be ready.

Likely lineup.

Navas, Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kovacic, Casemiro, Kroos, Jese, Isco, Ronaldo

Sounds about right with that line up. Honestly Ramos does not fill me with any confidence i would much rather have Nacho in there than him

I wonder if it is Jese or Ronaldo who will play as the striker.

Bet you both Modric and James start.

Rafa is no Carlo. I am 100% sure both of them wont start. James hasnt even played for like 2 months while Modric is as injury prone as it gets. The Celta game is of more importance to us than this game so Modric will need the extra week to get ready

James trained separately from the squad. He won't play. In fact, you won't see him this month, not even on the sidelines.

Modric, on the other hand, might play. He might even start, though very unlikely. He trained normally with the team and looks like he's making progress. But I doubt Rafa will risk him, especially with the trip to Celta just around the corner.

oh and I really hope Danilo has worked on his crossing. A repeat of that horrendous crossing against Levante would kill me.

You guys underrate the importance here... We lose and we'll likely end up 2nd in the group and face a big team immediately in elimination rounds.

It's a very big game for our CL ambitions.

Not to be Mr. Happy go Lucky Cherry pants but losing this is not gonna guarantee we lose this group nor PSG winning it considering there is a return leg.

That being said, I smell a draw honestly.

sportsczy wrote:You guys underrate the importance here... We lose and we'll likely end up 2nd in the group and face a big team immediately in elimination rounds.

It's a very big game for our CL ambitions.

I agree................... and disagree.

It is an important game, but more so for Rafa. After the backlash he received after the Atleti game, I think he will be pressured into playing his best players, regardless of whether they are coming off injuries or not.

I don't really have concerns about this game tbh. I've never really been sold on PSG and even if they beat us, I still won't be sold. Think we'll top the group regardless.

So basicaly you are saying we need to worry more about Celta than PSG!!!!!!

Yes, yes we do need to worry more about Celta than PSG. We are gonna qualify for the next round and we would be facing a difficult team whether in the R16 or Quarter finals, doesn't matter really. League play, however, we need to be way more consistent and 3 points is ridiculously vital this weekend.

izzy wrote:

sportsczy wrote:You guys underrate the importance here... We lose and we'll likely end up 2nd in the group and face a big team immediately in elimination rounds.

It's a very big game for our CL ambitions.

I agree................... and disagree.

It is an important game, but more so for Rafa. After the backlash he received after the Atleti game, I think he will be pressured into playing his best players, regardless of whether they are coming off injuries or not.

I don't really have concerns about this game tbh. I've never really been sold on PSG and even if they beat us, I still won't be sold. Think we'll top the group regardless.

You are underestimating PSG, here.

They're no pushovers and are always keen to prove themselves in Europe. IIRC they've proven to be very difficult for both Chelsea and Barca and knocked us out last season. If you want to top the group, you have to win or draw this game, tbh.

If we lose, it will come down to goal differential because they will not lose or draw to anyone in this group. Right now, we have a +1 advantage in GD and that goes away if we lose.

We would need to beat them at the Bernabeu and, depending on how the other two games go, we may need to beat them by more than 1 goal.

So imo, this game is critical.

Psg are getting a tad overrated here. They do all this fancy dribbling in their own half but when they reach the final third they make the wrong decision 9/10 times. Not seen a team with worse attempts at 1/2s than them. Our defence have nothing to worry about regarding their attack but their midfield will pose a big problem

I dont think Rafa has "most important players" tbh apart from maybe Casemiro. He seems like a guy who prefers defensive solidity over evrything else hence why Kroos is being pushed out of his DLP position

Oh and yes Celta is more important to us than PSG. Dont think we will lose to them at all

Hala... i'll make a sig wager right here that PSG dominate us in Paris and win. You game?

futbol_bill wrote:So basicaly you are saying we need to worry more about Celta than PSG!!!!!!

Absolutely. I'm surprised you're even asking...rhetorically.

A win against Celta will give our title chance a huuuuge boost. A loss however will bring us back to square one. Meanwhile, a draw, a loss or a win against PSG doesn't really matter. We're going to qualify anyway and sooner or later we'll meet a tough opponent, whether it's in the round of 16 or the quarters.

I'd rather win against Celta and lose against PSG than the other way around.

You guys are severely underestimating this game. first off PSG is a strong team, one of the favourites in the competition. They may not win it all IMO, but they are a strong team and this game is in their home. You guys assume we walk into knockout rounds even with a loss! You can't assume anything in CL. How often does a second team from group play go on to win? Very seldom!

On the other hand Celta is not a top team. They are playing over their heads at the moment, but we all know come end of season, they will be lucky to make it to Europa play. They are playing well and should not be taken lightly, but that should not mean we blow the game against psg to be ready for them.

In any event, James has been definitely ruled out, but Modric has made the trip. I expect Modric may play half the game.

Nobody said we're better than PSG. They're a terrific inconsistent and unchallenged team who on their best day can beat any team in the world. And of course everybody gets extra motivated when they're playing against Real Madrid, so expect them to be on fire.

I believe you're the one underestimating Celta. They destroyed, annihilated even, Barça with Messi on the field. It was so cruel, brutal and humiliating that I was this close of starting to feel sorry for Barça.

I would love to win both games. But if I had to choose, I'd rather win against Celta.

Read that Bale, Benz & James didn't travel at all?

If so then RIP

LeVersacci wrote:Read that Bale, Benz & James didn't travel at all?

If so then RIP

Don't forget Di Maria. He's playing. So double R.I.P

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla and Rubén Yáñez.
Defenders: Varane, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric, Cheryshev, Isco and Marcos Llorente.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lucas Vázquez, Jesé and Mayoral.

Jese to start ?

PSG is a tough team, but I still think we can win this.

sportsczy wrote:Hala... i'll make a sig wager right here that PSG dominate us in Paris and win. You game?

I would take that bet Sports. How long?

A month

sportsczy wrote:Hala... i'll make a sig wager right here that PSG dominate us in Paris and win. You game?

Deal, dont know aboit dominating but i am confident we wont lose

Edit: Did Doc just steal my bet?

sportsczy wrote:A month

Fine, as long it isn't anything stupid. And yes Hala, I stole your bet though you can take it and if we both win, he'll have to have 2 months worth of sigs.