I think we need to put this defeat in to some context. We have not been playing well all season and largely it's down to choices we made in the Summer. On top of that we where playing arguably the world's best team right now and for periods of the game, we controlled matters. The disappointing thing isn't that we where the architects of our own demise yet again, but the fact our heads seem to go down after the first goal. It was as if all belief in ourselves evaporated all of a sudden. Yes we made mistakes in defence again but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept that you where beaten by a better side.
The first goal would have been saved by a better keeper (there's an article on TAW that explains this; it's to do with his stance. Go read it, it's enlightening) but it was also a sublime piece of skill by potentially the best player in the world right now. The second goal started with a punch that wouldn't have knocked the skin off a rice pudding, continued with not one but two defensive mistakes and failures to take responsibility, and ended in a goal. Given the context of our defence since Rodgers took over, it's hardly surprising is it? The third goal was a complete cluster F**k but again, is nothing new for us.
But there where encouraging signs as well. We where playing arguably the world's best team right now and they had to resort to pulling down Sterling every time he broke in attack. If we'd had Danny on the field it would have been an entirely different game. I was also sceptical about the signing of Lallana during the Summer but each and every time I see him, he's proving just how wrong I was on that point. He's going to be a very important player for us over the next few seasons. BR also made important tactical changes whilst there was still time for them to take effect which all too often this season he's been guilty of not doing. This shows he's learning and willing to adapt to changing circumstances. He did it at QPR and he did it here today which silences the critics who accused him of having no Plan B.
We always knew these two matches would be tough and have worked on the principle of finishing second in the group. With Ludogorets beating Basel that's still to play for. We're an inexperienced side with an inexperienced coach with injuries to one of our most important players, playing against one of the best teams in the world, with highly experienced players and a veteran coach and people are surprised we got beat? There where a lot more positives to take away from this match than there where the last. Very few teams beat this Real side and we improved immeasurably from the QPR match so really, I don't know what all the drama is about.
Logged
