I guess at 0-2 up we were rampant really and had a series of half chances to finish them. When we play at that tempo then no team in this competition will touch us. We dropped off that pace and weren't helped by a mess of substitutions, both in the timing and personnel. They are a mess at set pieces and we got two very soft goals. A mixed performance, some brilliant stuff, some brutal. But 1-3 first leg win is superb. They have taken a lot of grief on here lately but Buendia and Watkins turned the game for us tonight and deserve the plaudits.
Martinez 9 - one outstanding save and was solid throughout when many struggled. Their goal got a little flick off Cash which did him.
Cash 4 - struggled with Rowe's power but left isolated far too often.
Konsa 6 - awful first half but much better after half time
Torres 7 - best of our defence, decent in possession and no calamities out of it
Digne 6 - mixed at best, a bit too safe but maybe that's what Emery wanted tonight
McGinn 5 - not often I'll criticise him but thought he was off the pace tonight. Got nowhere near Rowe for Emi's brilliant save.
Onana 5 - utterly anonymous in first half, more involved after half time but still doesn't not cover the right side anywhere near what Kamara does
Tielemans 7 - took a good while to get going, nothing wrong with footwork but surprised he played 90+
Buendia 8 - struggled like most in first half but his turnover made second for Ollie and was excellent in second half. Not everything came off, one through ball to Rogers stands out, but lots more did.
Rogers 3 - shocking unfortunately. Pathetic in first half, bar one good shot did little right in second half either. His form is a real worry.
Watkins 8 - like Buendia transformed after break. Bullied their centre backs like the Ollie of old. Loved his first and deserved the second.
Subs - Bogarde was shite for their goal, as was Bailey. Maatsen on very late.
