defence2attack

Thread of Threads, gonna put all my main tweets here and pin to profile

O’Reilly needs to be replaced now that Ake is back. Gvardiol, Ake and Ait-Nouti all need to be ahead in the pecking order. Hes not good enough to be starting for a title winning side if City’s ambition is that: good rotation player is perfect level.

Haaland poor today. Maguire dealt with him. Offers very little in games like this when he can’t get a goal. Still has to do a lot more performance-wise to justify the hype his goal record brings. Obviously excellent for City, but the criticism in these games will keep coming.

Bruno Fernandes still quality. In many ways; he’s been wasted playing for this United side for so long, when they’ve been so poor - but he’s still got all his overall qualities - and his style of play is uniquely suited to being the talisman of a upper-mid table/challenger side

United could’ve scored 4 or 5. Mount unlucky to have it cancelled out and Donarumma made a couple important stops: United definitely the side that created more and looked more dangerous from the start to the end. Dorgu, Bruno and Diallo is a very balanced three behind Mbeumo.

City got battered and couldn’t cope with United: very promising signs for Carrick, simple football - reminiscent of Ole ball at its best vs City in many ways - but more dominant, better in the duels, and more disciplined. Dorgu excellent in his left sided role - perfect game.

Garnacho with another goal and Chelsea have a fight for the last 10 minutes - great technique on the volley to hit it into the ground almost as a scissor kick. Chelsea, to be fair, really miss James and Palmer in a game like this - two players who can create a chance easily.

Composure there from Arsenal’s attackers - credit to Gyokeres and Zubimendi who worked that super nicely. Chelsea washed a lot of the first half in this game - Joao Pedro should’ve pressed more aggressively alongside Giui in a front two, and gambled on keeping Joao up high

Enzo has played a great game - passing ability, winning field, realising runners - does well there to win a ball, dribble and win the duel to lead to that attack which ends up with good work from Neto and Garnacho can finish. Giui was adding nothing so big improvement for Chelsea

Again, terrible goalkeeping from Sanchez gifts Arsenal an easy goal. White has been tremendous - his best performance since his legendary match against Chelsea a couple seasons ago where he ripped up Cucurella as well. Gyokeres is a downgrade on Havertz for what Arsenal need at 9

Arsenal scoring off set pieces guaranteed in big games at this point, but what was Sanchez doing - completely falls for the inswinger - Arsenal sometimes have a man near the GK, but there Sanchez’s free movement basically creates the goal - would’ve been better off restricted.

Very unfortunate deflection for Madrid. They’ve been really good this second half - totally squeezed Barca in the first 20 mins, creating better chances and winning duels. The turning point was subbing Valverde off for Guler - that was a big mistake by Alonso - very poor

Gonzalo and Vinicius led the line very well. Between them they had 3 one on one chances against Garcia. Poor finishing let them down on a couple occasions but Madrid are getting in behind, and will create buckets when Mbappe comes on. Shift to Tchouameni DM + Valverde RB Real win

Barca are overly reliant on Raphinha for penetration. They don’t have anyone else able to run behind the Madrid back line. Rashford is needed as a substitution for Lewandowski, otherwise it will be very easy for Madrid to overrun Barca when Mbappe comes on and they play a front 3

Alonso will be very pleased with this half. Barca have dominated possession of the ball, but Madrid have executed their game plan perfectly. They’ve sat deep and restricted Barca’s chances and gambled on Courtois strength at the back, and hit Barca harder to create at other end.

One thing that stands out is how dominant Madrid are physically. Duel winners all over the pitch. Taller, stronger, faster, fitter and more durable. Shows heavily in the set pieces and transition situations. Madrid have had a couple moments of missed one on ones through that too.

Lewandowski coming to the end of his career but still able to operate at the very highest level. Barca have dominated Madrid this half bar Vini’s individual genius. Main thinking missing has been a finishing touch, but Lewa and Raphinha have proved they have it. World-class.

Those complaining about Vinicius supposed drop in form? Hes been quietly playing very well, just without the goal return - but always able to produce in the biggest moments (just like the last Classico). Kounde was having a decent game and Vinicius destroys him and Cubarsi.

Raphinha fails to get a simple one on one on target from a wonderful Yamal pass but compensates moments later with a brilliant winger goal, sizes up the defender 1v1, and finishes it into the corner. Both chances come from Lewa/Fermin pressing sloppy Madrid passes in build-up.

Arsenal came at Liverpool with full force for the first 27’ and Liverpool create the best chance with an Arsenal mistake - almost capitalising. Arsenal started with very strong first quarter’s against City and Atleti but they failed to create a clear enough chance there.

Chelsea should still be looking at Fermin Lopez post-Maresca. This guy would be brilliant in the PL. Technically sound, solid ball-striker, great runner, good engine, and gets G/A numbers. He’s the perfect “3rd man run” midfielder to accompany a Caicedo DM and Enzo controller.