PSG v Dortmund

[ElectroClaret]

Hoping for a good game tonight, can Mbappe and co overcome the one goal deficit from the first leg. Ian Maatsen starts again.

On the domestic front, Bolton seem to have one foot in the L1 playoff final, leading 3-1 from the away leg.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Any decent links ?

[NewClaret]

Maatsen looks much improved defensively to me. Working very hard to get back in to position, well positioned when defending, not taking so many risks going forward, etc.

[ElectroClaret]

Yes, lM doing really well, wouldn't have dreamed he'd be at this high level last season.

Good luck to him.

[Buxtonclaret]

Any decent links ?

Not watching it but, think this works?


https://streamed.su/watch/champions-lea ... dortmund/1

[ElectroClaret]

Barnsley winning 0-1 at Bolton.
3-2 BW on agg.

[Ric_C]

Maatsen is good at picking passes between the lines. Something we've lacked from the left hand side this season

[aclaretinstevenage]

Barnsley winning 0-1 at Bolton.
3-2 BW on agg.

2-1 to Bolton 10 minutes laetr now 5-2 on aggregate

Franchise losing 0-3 at Crawley in the first leg of League 2 play off - come on Crawley, come on Crawley!

[ElectroClaret]

Dortmund 0-1
0-2 agg.

[Swizzlestick]

Maatsen is good at picking passes between the lines. Something we've lacked from the left hand side this season

We’ve missed him (or a player like him) so much this season.

[Pickles]

Maatsen's an excellent player who'll spend the next decade or so playing at this level. We were very fortunate to have him last season.

[IanMcL]

How does Maatsen play at this level, when he was hopeless, defensively for us and couldn't make Chelsea team, after the manager assessment.

[IanMcL]

Their back 4 look well drilled.

[Tricky Trevor]

The coaching of German sides is fantastic. They are so athletic also, a different game altogether to the English style.

[Tricky Trevor]

How does Maatsen play at this level, when he was hopeless, defensively for us and couldn't make Chelsea team, after the manager assessment.

Him and Adayemi blend so well. One goes, one covers. He has come on defensively with coaching.

[Swizzlestick]

How does Maatsen play at this level, when he was hopeless, defensively for us and couldn't make Chelsea team, after the manager assessment.

He clearly wasn’t hopeless defensively for us and was played on the right wing at Chelsea for reasons only known to Pochettino.

[NewClaret]

Dortmund go 5 at the back with 20-25 minutes to play. Think Kompany would get pelters on here for that. Let’s see how it pans out.

[IanMcL]

He clearly wasn’t hopeless defensively for us and was played on the right wing at Chelsea for reasons only known to Pochettino.

He had opportunities down the left and for us it was his going forward which was his strength.

[Swizzlestick]

He had opportunities down the left and for us it was his going forward which was his strength.

And part of a defence that had the best defensive record in the league last year

An excellent player.

[IanMcL]

And part of a defence that had the best defensive record in the league last year

An excellent player.

Hardly troubled.

[ElectroClaret]

Come on, lan, he really wasn't "hopeless defensively'' for us. Yes, going forward was his major strength, but to say he was in any way hopeless is absurd.

[NewClaret]

He had opportunities down the left and for us it was his going forward which was his strength.

He was definitely poor for us defensively, especially early doors. He was targeted in the first 10 games where we were mainly drawing games due to defensive errors.

He improved throughout the season though and obviously that’s continued.

In this game he’s just been a traditional LB though. Not played high and wide as more of an attacking player, like he did for us. So our system may have contributed to his perceived defensive frailties.

[Taffy on the wing]

Maatsen was just fine last season.
Just a bunch of people who have no idea what they’re talking about ….. saying he couldn’t defend.
Good luck to him!

[ElectroClaret]

2-1 to Bolton 10 minutes laetr now 5-2 on aggregate

Franchise losing 0-3 at Crawley in the first leg of League 2 play off - come on Crawley, come on Crawley!

Now 2-3 Barnsley, five mins to go.
5-4 Bolton agg.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I thought Maatsen’s defensive nous improved a lot even in the 2nd half of last season for us. No surprise he has kicked on further.

[Ric_C]

Psg won't score if they played all night. One of those days

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Ian Maatsen, CL finalist

[ElectroClaret]

Bolton through to the L1 final.

[gandhisflipflop]

In a game that is saturated with teams wanting to play tippy tappy football and are woeful at it, that defensive performance was a breath of fresh air tonight by Dortmund.

[helmclaret]

What a year Tella and Maatsen have had!

Fantastic for both of them.

[n_ero]

HUGE congratulations to Ian Maatsen.

Genuinely thought he would struggle after watching him for Chelsea early in the season, he looked like Rocky chasing chickens.

Actually taken an interest in Bundesliga this season what with Tella and Maatsen playing, as well as some bloke called Kane, and he’s actually looked really good for Dortmund.

Almost feel a sense of pride in what him and Tella have achieved this season.

[Walkerpool]

Totally agree

[Taffy on the wing]

I thought Maatsen’s defensive nous improved a lot even in the 2nd half of last season for us. No surprise he has kicked on further.

He’s a very intelligent & talented footballer.

[willsclarets]

Find it incredible is ability was ever questioned on amongst some. I predicted somewhere on here when he left he'd win champions league medals, but I didn't think he'd have the opportunity this early! Fantastic player, and still only 22.

[JR1882]

It was a most uncharacteristic BVB performance, they were to their credit, everything that they are normally not.

Solid, tactically disciplined & pragmatic - No chaos whatsoever! Lots of pot shots and woodwork hits but PSG didn’t create many clear cut chances.

I think they will want Real in the final, Bayern live rent free in their heads. Either way it’s a free hit for them and a great occasion.