Ernesto Valverde - V1

[BBZ8800]

We don't have any attacking plan for the last few years, not only under EV.
The only plan is:
1. keep possession and wait for some hole to open
2. pass the ball to Messi and waiting for some solo magic
3. keep possession again and hope that we will randomly create some team action (but not a planned one), more like: pass the ball, try some dribble, what happens=happens.
And the most often=something usually happens.

Basically: keep the ball, pass it around the box and wait for a moment when either Messi will do something or when we will randomly make some good move and create a chance (but again, without some planning, it is all just random).

It works good in La Liga.
Against Juve, Atletico or any stronger CL team, we look clueless, since, the opponents know what to do:
1. stop Messi
2. don't leave holes in defense
= and more or less that's it. Our only 2 ways of scoring a goal are neutralized.

 

[soul24rage]

We don't have any attacking plan for the last few years, not only under EV.
The only plan is:
1. keep possession and wait for some hole to open
2. pass the ball to Messi and waiting for some solo magic
3. keep possession again and hope that we will randomly create some team action (but not a planned one), more like: pass the ball, try some dribble, what happens=happens.
And the most often=something usually happens.

Basically: keep the ball, pass it around the box and wait for a moment when either Messi will do something or when we will randomly make some good move and create a chance (but again, without some planning, it is all just random).

It works good in La Liga.
Against Juve, Atletico or any stronger CL team, we look clueless, since, the opponents know what to do:
1. stop Messi
2. don't leave holes in defense
= and more or less that's it. Our only 2 ways of scoring a goal are neutralized.

we now have 1 more attacking option
4. pass the ball to Dembele and waiting for some solo magic.

If the above four points fail
5. Put Pique upfront and cross the hell of the ball to him.

 

[George_Costanza]

We don't have any attacking plan for the last few years, not only under EV.
The only plan is:
1. keep possession and wait for some hole to open
2. pass the ball to Messi and waiting for some solo magic
3. keep possession again and hope that we will randomly create some team action (but not a planned one), more like: pass the ball, try some dribble, what happens=happens.
And the most often=something usually happens.

Basically: keep the ball, pass it around the box and wait for a moment when either Messi will do something or when we will randomly make some good move and create a chance (but again, without some planning, it is all just random).

It works good in La Liga.
Against Juve, Atletico or any stronger CL team, we look clueless, since, the opponents know what to do:
1. stop Messi
2. don't leave holes in defense
= and more or less that's it. Our only 2 ways of scoring a goal are neutralized.

I see what you did there..

So you are saying we need a 7 feet tall muscle freak for a forward.

 

[Joan]

A player who can score with his head wouldn't hurt.

 

[soul24rage]

A player who can score with his head wouldn't hurt.

nope it wouldn't, I would like a Dzeko or a Mandzukic as a plan B.

 

[BBZ8800]

we now have 1 more attacking option
4. pass the ball to Dembele and waiting for some solo magic.

If the above four points fail
5. Put Pique upfront and cross the hell of the ball to him.

That's, imo, a lack of any longterm plan by 4 different sporting directors and 5 coaches in 8 years.
Some players in our team are suited for a possession style, others are for counters (Dembele).
Dembele can't play to his strengths if we pass the ball slowly and play a sterile possession game.
And then, how to play Dembele's game when majority of our players are suited to a style which is an opposite of his style.

EV is not perfect, but our team and our longterm plan is like a mixtape/random best off of everything.
And a coach is supposed to try to create something out of 20 randomly teamed up players.

Some players here are from Zubi, some from Robert, some from Abidal.
Some from Barto (Arda, Coutinho, Dembele), some from Lucho, some from EV.
When EV asked for players whom he likes (Willian, Paulinho), he received a: NO. You will have to play with this random bunch of players. And try to win as many trophies possible.

 

[Joan]

nope it wouldn't, I would like a Dzeko or a Mandzukic as a plan B.

Mandzukic is such an underrated player. Great guy. Clutch as hell, too.

 

[DonAK]

Dzeko would prob be easier to sign.

 

[Joan]

Piqué: “Valverde is doing a magnificent job and we would be delighted if he continues but it is a decision of his that we respect.”

 

[gregorrin10]

Piqué: “Valverde is doing a magnificent job and we would be delighted if he continues but it is a decision of his that we respect.”

Of course he says that, fact is that any manager with a spine would've benched Pique a long time ago, until he improves his form. Luckily he did improve it at least a little anyway, but he did it through playing every single game, even back when any one of us would've played better than him. Not that he's world class or anything like that right now too, still our weakest link in defense, alongside Roberto, but i suspect the latter's defensive flaws wouldn't have been exposed not nearly as much as they are when Pique is playing alongside him on that right hand side.

 

[Leo_Messi]

There is little point of stating the obvious time and time again but tonight was yet another manifestation of the lack of an actual system and use of "tactics" that few if anyone can see the logic in. A very familiar theme. Aside from 20-25 minutes of the first half, the team lacked direction. Not only that the intensity was underwhelming as mostly is the case.

Why is that Valverde fails to make this team perform to its potential on a consistent basis? To at least play with some intensity. It's not a massive goal to demand.

When will he learn that playing Roberto away from home against high-intensity teams like Getafe is asking for trouble? Why does Rakitic remain untouchable? Could his overall underwhelming performances this season have something to do with his lack of rotation?

Why has the issue of the team barely having a "right side" not been addressed ages ago?

Why is Coutinho looking like a guy suffering from clinical depression? What is Valverde doing to integrate the club's most expensive signing to date? Why does he refuse to use Coutinho in the midfield? 215 minutes as a midfielder so far in 12 moths. Incredible stuff.

So many questions and so few answers.

This team is a monster in the domestic competitions (league and CdR) because class is permanent and Messi being Messi (GOAT) is like using cheat codes on the long run which league formats are all about.

Piqué: “Valverde is doing a magnificent job and we would be delighted if he continues but it is a decision of his that we respect.”

[MENTION=19222]xXKonan[/MENTION] remember our talk on page 657?

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

We don't have any attacking plan for the last few years, not only under EV.
The only plan is:
1. keep possession and wait for some hole to open
2. pass the ball to Messi and waiting for some solo magic
3. keep possession again and hope that we will randomly create some team action (but not a planned one), more like: pass the ball, try some dribble, what happens=happens.
And the most often=something usually happens.

Basically: keep the ball, pass it around the box and wait for a moment when either Messi will do something or when we will randomly make some good move and create a chance (but again, without some planning, it is all just random).

It works good in La Liga.
Against Juve, Atletico or any stronger CL team, we look clueless, since, the opponents know what to do:
1. stop Messi
2. don't leave holes in defense
= and more or less that's it. Our only 2 ways of scoring a goal are neutralized.

Good post. This team needs fresh ideas. We are so easy to stop by good teams.

 

[henias]

I'm convinced I could do his job at a much lower pay anyway, predetermined subs, short-term grind, fuck-all player development, zero system, he had one goddamn job and he just can't do it properly. If he is out of depths in term of tactical knowledge, at least keep players fresh, not depend on injuries to rotate, and rush them back when they come back from injury. This is always the thing that will kill us late season.

 

[Barcaman]

Surprise, surprise, Pique and Rakitic want Valverde to renew.

 

[D10S_JC]

The problem of awful record in the CL is our resistance to pressure is extremely low.

We can put pressure on an inferior team in La Liga for almost whole game, but it's impossible in the CL especially the away game. Whenever we're under pressure, the team keep conceding a goal like a dam collapse.