Being in the final is all that matters. I don't think Ajax will be quite as awful 'cos they're a much younger team and we won't be going in with a lead to defend...
That said, that was atrocious. Like, properly atrocious, for a crucial European home game at OT at least. Martial and Mata were the obvious subs to make. One to keep control of the ball, and the other to provide a fresh, pacey counter attacking outlet. Obvious, but never likely to happen. Jose plumping for the most defensive changes imaginable was as infuriating as it was predictable.
Starting with such a defensive/hard working lineup conceded the early initiative, and once we failed to get a second, Jose was never going to bring on attacking players to change it up. It's the other way around, or not at all. The trouble being that it's never worked. Either way. We've lost points by taking off good technical players for strong physical ones (Arsenal H, Everton A, Anderlecht, half of our drawn games) and we've lost points starting with a physical side and failing to change the dynamic by brining on attackers (Arsenal A, Everton H, the other half of our drawn games!) and yet we never seem to learn...
Point in fact, the one time we were positive late on (courtesy of Fellaini of all people) we scored, albeit illegally. But rather than keep doing that, and suring up the tie, we played promising 25 yard FKs into the corner!
It's weird because Jose got us playing some really good stuff mid-season, which if we end up winning this, will be a great springboard. But this last month has been soul destroying. Almost as if Jose is terrifyed of the situation we've found ourselves in, and has defaulted to the worst posssible stereotype of himself, when what he was doing at the turn of the year was so promising.
Bring Martial and Mata on at half time and we win that comfortably. The fact it ended up as a nail biter is our fault alone.
Odds on that same team starts the final. And it'll be the same story. We'll score early, miss chances, sit back then ride out the last 20 with our hands over our faces...Sigh.