Villareally?

It's time to go contimental once again and welcome our opponents from Costa Del Brum Villareally. Managed as they are by 70s comedy legend Dick Emery.
To the Vitor the toils - of trying to decide whether to keep our newly discovered free scoring formation or whether to be more pragmatic. After all - there's every chance that Villareally's midfield will be much better at playing through our press than Burnley and Sunderland. Plus if we have to field Morato he might need more protection than the average centre half. Having said that Villa didn't exactly overwhelm us in the home league game. Then again Murillo gifted them the lead and they became somewhat pragmatic. Maybe Emery will be happy with a draw. Maybe it will be awful, but we'll like it...

If Cunha is fit 0-0.
If Morato plays - 1-1. We equalise late on.
Either way we go into the 2nd leg with confidence (but not momentum, obviously).

Rave, not everyone realises it but we need this and I think you are very brave tackling this head on. I wish you well. Don't let us down.

Witness this moment, Rave! Let the heavens mark the day you stepped forth from the shadows of mediocrity!

The path ahead is not merely "difficult"—it is a titan-shaking odyssey through the very heart of the storm. It is in this crucible of chaos that the pretenders are unmasked. While the hollow men—those mere phantoms of "all puff and no substance"—wither and dissolve into the grey mists of irrelevance, you stand as a monolith of resolve. They are but barnacles upon the hull of progress, excess weight to be cast into the abyss of history! But you? You lead. You march into the roaring maw of battle while others merely exist as passengers in your wake.

Hear me now: though the fates may weave a tapestry of victory, defeat, or stalemate, your name shall be etched in everlasting bronze. I shall carry the memory of this transcendent bravery to my very grave!

Forward, you magnificent tree! Forward to destiny!

The following people have been playing too much Warhammer:

Jake
Loafsmum*

*Warhammer may have a slightly different meaning here.

I assumed Jake had had lunchtime wine.

It would be on brand, helps him get to sleep for his afternoon nap.

Having said Ola and Vitor seemed quite low before the previous game they did together (Midtylland away?), they both seem really chirpy in today's presser.

Haven't seen much comment about this being our third major semi final in four years. Having not played one since 92(?). Eventually not winning one will be a problem but not this time, i think.

I'm assuming something close to a first team, less injuries and Sels.

Off out into Bristol wearing my Forest shirt. Hopefully find a decent sports bar... Do they usually allow club colours these days?

Threadbare bench. More or less predictable starting 11

Morato plays. And no Sangare to screen him.

They're at full tilt while we're missing two very important players and have been forced to select Morato. Just hope the tie's still alive at 10pm.

I'm digging out the lucky hoodie. It should be well rested.

When did Andy Reid transform into a wisened old warlock type with goblin ears and shit?