As usual we struggled against the low block. We had almost no creativity in getting through their lines and when our players made runs in behind, no one gambled and tried to find them. We played it safe from the beginning. No one looked sharp. Almost no attacking threat from either wing, starting with the fullbacks, who were both poor. Pains me to say it but we probably should have started with McFred. Pogba doesn't historically flourish in a midfield 2, and tonight was no exception. Our approach play was non-existent. What is crossing? What is a triangle? What is a 1-2 pass? No one knows.
Aside from that, our strongest available team started. Options off the bench included zero game changers. Shoulda coulda woulda but maybe saving Greenwood for the 60th minute would have injected some pace, some attacking threat when they were tired. Ole should have gone for broke in regular time. VDB, Matic, Mata were options, none of them game-winners on their own, but Ole should have changed the plan, change the tactics, effing gone for it.
Our subs took their pens well, and our 2nd set of 5 takers - the ones who don't want to take a pen - did well, except for DeGea obviously. Shoot outs are a lottery. Almost all of the kicks were beautifully taken with only a couple that the keeper could have had a chance with. Don't blame DeGea.
3 shots on target against the 7th place La Liga team. That says it all.