Antoine Griezmann

[Bulgroz]

Playing him wide is retarded.
But playing him in the middle is only 1% better than playing him wide.

If you play him as a 9:
1. he will drop deep to defend into our box and the most often won't be in the opponent's half
2. when he is in the opponent's half, he again likes to drop deep to some sort of a CAM position to create and pass the ball to "someone else" who is actually a NO9, like Giroud, Costa and similar
3. if he will somehow end around the box, if you give him the ball:
1) he will be tackled since he is insanely slow
2) he can't dribble because he is slow and can't dribble
3) plus, his finishing in the last year and a half is horribly inaccurate

Basically, the only use of him as a no9 are some simple tap ins, some loose balls into the box falling to his feet, some rare headers and actions when he has 20 meters advantage over defenders, so he will have time to run and actually try a shot without players tackling him.

In this moment, I would rather have Coutinho than him.
Coutinho at least could have dribbled and can shoot from 20 meters.
Griezmann can't do even that.

Yeah so let's play Vidal instead, makes total sense.

 

[MTL_Barca]

Crazy, it's almost like he isn't a LW

Somehow making it work with Griezmann in the middle is the only way he doesn't end up as Coutinho 2.0 on LW. Not sure how but he clearly doesn't belong on the wing and if that is what they bought him for he will end up as a big disappointment.

 

[Respekt_III]

We will go for Neymar again that's a certainty. The only issue is Barto is legitimately cucked by Nasser. So there's no gurantee we can sign Neymar as Nasser can just pretend to want to sell him while wasting our time.

you and your neymar fascination are the only cucks here.

 

[BBZ8800]

He's a class player. Can't believe you guys are slating him based on Ernieball. Why can't you see that EVERY player bar Messi looks crap under Valverde? I'm sure people will be shitting on FDJ soon too. Seriously guys, EV makes every player seem like garbage. We've seen it with Coutinho too now, as proof.

Valverde is the biggest cancer to hit FCB in a very, very long time. It's just real unfortunate that I've been living in Barcelona exclusively for EV time and will probably be out of the city by the time the new board comes in. Speaking of - the atmosphere, the game, everything at the Camp Nou last night was such shit.

To be honest, again, WHICH players could have improved under EV?
1. how can Griezmann improve if he is on a physical decline?
None coach in the world can improve a player around 30 who can barely run
2. Dembele? Do we really need to comment on him?
3. Malcom? Again, do we really need to comment?
4. Coutinho? What is his position?
Also, he sucked under EV.
He sucked under Kovac at Bayern.
Do you wanna bet that he will suck even under their new coach, so he will make it 3 out of 3 (sucks under 3 different coaches in a row)?

From other players?
1. how can you improve Rakitic when he is physically declining?
2. Messi, also
3. Suarez also
4. Busi also
5. Pique also

Semedo is improving lately.
Lenglet is okish.
Arthur is better than in Brasil.

Roberto? What is there to improve? A jack of all trades, master of none. He plays only because he is a La Masia guy, and Catalonia needs more domestic guys in this tough political era.
Alba is past his peak also.
Umtiti is forever injured, his world class career is done.
Who is left? Gomes, Denis, Munir, Alena and similar players?

So, seriously, can you guys name 3 (THREE) players who:
1. were younger than 29, so they weren't on a decline
2. who had a clear position in Barca's system, on which they have played in the old club
3. who had quality for Barca's level (I am pointing fingers at Denis, Gomes, Malcom and similar)
4. who had at least some amount of IQ (you know at whom am I pointing fingers)

Our team is a joke.
Tons of old, drained, past their prime core players.
Messi is nearing retirement.
New signings are mostly bunch of overpaid/overhyped clowns where we fell for a new internet/twitter/youtube/social media era and advertising.
And La Masia products are Deulofeu, Munir, Alena and Puig, lol.

EV is a bad coach for Barca.
But I haven't seen a worse Barca's team since 2001'.
NOT because of EV, but because this set of players are more or less shit who look good only on paper.
Until you look at their real positions, age, mileage and IQ.
Not to mention that only 2-3 players out of 25 have some tiny levels of a fighting spirit and bravery in their blood.

Now, please, can you name 3 players whom EV has actually ruined?
This super slow and physically drained Griezmann who plays on a position which doesn't exist in 90% of clubs ISN'T one of them.

 

[Judoman]

Our team is a joke.
Tons of old, drained, past their prime core players.
Messi is nearing retirement.
New signings are mostly bunch of overpaid/overhyped clowns where we fell for a new internet/twitter/youtube/social media era and advertising.
And La Masia products are Deulofeu, Munir, Alena and Puig, lol.

.

Again you re being overly pessimistic. It s true that there are to many comfortable seniors in the squad. But we have a good core (midfield duo), we have Griezmann, Fati and Dembele as a "he might explode" option.
The thing that kind of worries me is that there is no obvious Barca quality FW on the market. We need that ASAP. Suarez can only be a backup.

But above all we need a coach with skills and balls. The kind who s not afraid to bench those comfortable seniors. Messi era is almost over, we need to think about the future even if that means
a short term performance dive. The longer we wait with the changes, the worst it ll be. And it all starts up top with the board.

 

[BBZ8800]

Again you re being overly pessimistic. It s true that there are to many comfortable seniors in the squad. But we have a good core (midfield duo), we have Griezmann, Fati and Dembele as a "he might explode" option.

This is what will happen:
The elections are in a summer of 2021.
Till 2012, NOTHING will change.
1. you will still have Barto, who sucks
2. you will have his board, and they have done all the mess in the last 10 years
3. you will still have HIS sporting directors who are horrible, remember that Robert guy and now Abidal
4. HE will pick coaches (Tata, EV)
5. he is obsessed with superstars (Neymar, Griezmann, Coutinho, Dembele)
6. he has give long, fat contracts to Suarez, Busi, Raki, Pique, Messi and almost to Neymar

So, 90% likely: NOTHING will change in these 2 seasons.
What can change?
1. you can only hire a new coach, who will again be Barto's pick
2. Pep and Klopp won't come here.
Why?
Because Barto sucks. Our project sucks. And our team is filled with drained oldies under long contracts whom nobody wants to buy and you can't fire them since you will need to pay out a remaining of their fat, long contracts.
Also, no sane coach will come here knowing that the elections are in 2021.
If Barto will lose the elections, that means that a current coach will most likely get fired and a new board with start with a new coach and new players.
So, we won't get Pep or Klopp.
You can only get EV, and young guys like Pimienta, Gallardo or maybe Koeman (after Euro 2020).

So:
1. the board will be the same for the next 2 years
2. sporting directors will be the same
3. players will be the same

And then, in 2021, if we will get a new board, we will start a new era.
But if, a new Rosell's/Barto's guy backed by socios and Godo group (Mundo Deportivo) will win=we will have exactly the same situation as today for the next 4-5 years.

So, basically, things might start to change in a summer of 2021'.
Until then, we will have 2 seasons of this crap.

Also, if you think that we are bad in this moment, just wait and see what will happen in the remaining 20 Months until the elections.
Messi is already a way weaker than he was 5-10 years ago.
Today he is 32 and a half.
By the end of a season, he will be 33.
In the next season, he will be 33 and a half and 34.
Remember how he was always gassed out and tired in March and April.
Imagine how dead tired and walking he will be this season and the next season in CL quarters, lol. Embrace yourself.

Suarez will be 33 in 2 Months.
And 33 and a half by the CL final.
In the next season he will be 34 and 34 and a half. Lol.
If you don't like him today, imagine how will he look in the next 2 seasons.
Pique will be 33 in 3 Months.
If you hate him now, imagine how will he play over the next 2 seasons...

Vidal is 32 and a half. The same story.
Raki is a goner.
Busi is horrible and he will be worse with each new Month.
A new problem: Alba is 30 and a half. He will be 31 in March, and 32 in the next season.
He will lose his pace, stamina and overall, he will be a way weaker version of a current, already injury prone and brainfart prone Alba.
Griezmann seems to be physically drained and on a steep decline.

What is left? Jack of all trades Roberto.
Average in attack Semedo.
Average Lenglet.
Always injured Umtiti.
Wague is killing everyone in every tackle.
Firpo seems like another joke.

Basically, all you have is: Mats, Frenkie, Arthur and Semedo.

Now, let's go back to the next 2 years:
Messi will play every game.
Because everyone are afraid of Messi and he wants to play all the time.
That means=NO CL wins for us, since with tired Messi=we are shit.
Also, forget about any tactics since Messi will play over the field. If he has his day=fine. If not=we will lose against anyone.
Suarez is old, but other options are horrible.
And there are no new CFs around.
Dembele is so horrible that we need to play Fati who is a few light years from being ready for Barca.
In defense: Pique and Lenglet for 2 years.
In midfield: Frenkie, Arthur and probably Busi, since he is a legend and Catalonia has political problems, so domestic guys will need to stay and play.
The same applies for Pique and Roberto.
In attack, we will have 2 years of Messi-Suarez and one out of Griezz/Fati/Dembele.

Feel free to quote me: we are miles away from the bottom.
This is just a beginning.
In the next 2 seasons, each new Month will be worse and worse.

This is an end of a cycle and an era.
We need to reach the bottom to get back to reality, from the board, players and fans.

I mean, 90% of people here think that we have the best rooster in the world, lol.
No offense, but we need to sink to the bottom for millions of people to get a reality check.
Believing that a team is very strong and that only random scapegoats (Barto, EV, Raki, Suarez, Pique) are guilty and that everything else is fine=is a huge reason why we are today on this place.

So, prepare yourself for one very sad and ugly ride until 2021'

 

[George_Costanza]

So, prepare yourself for one very sad and ugly ride until 2021'

It will be much sadder for you since Barto will think (just like you), the issue is with the players, not the coach, and boooooom we will spend another 200m+ on this guy next summer:

So, prepare yourself for summer 2020

 

[Judoman]

So, 90% likely: NOTHING will change in these 2 seasons.
What can change?
1. you can only hire a new coach, who will again be Barto's pick
2. Pep and Klopp won't come here.
Why?
Because Barto sucks. Our project sucks. And our team is filled with drained oldies under long contracts whom nobody wants to buy and you can't fire them since you will need to pay out a remaining of their fat, long contracts.
Also, no sane coach will come here knowing that the elections are in 2021.
If Barto will lose the elections, that means that a current coach will most likely get fired and a new board with start with a new coach and new players.
So, we won't get Pep or Klopp.
You can only get EV, and young guys like Pimienta, Gallardo or maybe Koeman (after Euro 2020).

Don t underestimate the politicians desire for preservation. Valverde will be the first to go if this current result trend persists.
I agree, that there is a big possibility of them choosing another weak ass coach "with La Liga experience". We ll see. Public pressure to employ someone who s actually capable could be helpful.

I don t agree with you that the team is bad, but i do agree that there is a need for significant changes. Some players need to go, some players need to be benched and it takes a good coach to do this things and establish
a clear game stile, because now we have none. This could be reasonably solved inside 1 transfer window.

There is also an option of this cluster fuck of a situation remaining until the next election, but what can we do? We ve been in worse shape than this. I ve switched in to post Messi mode inside my mind, i only hope they
don t actually risk it with Neymar.

 

[Messigician]

LMAO true

 

[BBZ8800]

I don t agree with you that the team is bad, but i do agree that there is a need for significant changes. Some players need to go, some players need to be benched and it takes a good coach to do this things and establish
a clear game stile, because now we have none. This could be reasonably solved inside 1 transfer window.

You know that I like stats and history because cycles and patterns are repeating all the time.

The problem is that new begginings, new cycles and a good work take time.
Klopp needed 3-4 years at Liverpool.

Crujff won La liga in his 3rd season.
In his 2nd season, he was 14 points behind Real if you apply 3-points per victory modern league system.

So, Crujff's ideas brought real results in his 3rd season.

When Rijkaard came, we were around the 10th place in the middle of his first season and he was 1-2 defeats away from sacking.

The only coach who didn't need time was Pep.
But he had a nice and young core from Rijkaard in Valdes aged 26, Puyol 30, Xavi 28, Iniesta 24, Messi 22 with a few other good foreigners like Henry, Etoo, Marquez.

Pep had Messi to lead his team.
A new coach will have Fati and Dembele...

So, to find a right tactics and players, you need:
1. A coach
2. Time and faith in him
3. Let him fire players
4. Let him buy new players for 1-2 seasons
5. You would also need some younger core and some young, good domestic players. It is hard to build a team without domestic players because you will get a soulless squad.
And then, our domestic players are Roberto, Alena and Puig. Ouch.

When you add a board which doesn't have time for a new project, how will you achieve it?

Rijkaard was allowed to buy 10 new players.
Pep also.
Today, a coach can't do too much because Barto will buy his Griezmanns and Neymars.

Now, let's be serious, how can you expect any changes before 2021?
Even if you sack EV, a new coach will have to play with the same players.
He can't get new players and a fresh blood.

Our team and new managers until 2021 will more or less be=beating of a dead horse.

What is even worse, Messi, Suarez, Pique, Busi, Alba, Vidal, Raki, Griezz will be worse and worse with each passing Month.
And you are expecting better results from a new coach with the same team, who will be even worse than today?

And as George said, we will probably splash another 200M on Neymar.
A dying club strengthened with another Club de amigo member.
Except that this one is the worst than all of them.

Expectations are insanely high.
And our club and a team are broken on so many levels.
We will need time for a fresh start.
And Barto will just make crazy panic buy sackings and signings of unneeded, finished superstars.

I am not sure whether I should call it a comedy or a tragedy.

 

[Judoman]

I am not sure whether I should call it a comedy or a tragedy.

It s a repeating cycle. If Barca had a (good) private owner this situation wouldn t have happened. Barca top leadership are basically politicians. They have
their own agendas, they cover each other s asses, they steal, they lie, you know how politicians are. Big transfers are their way of deflecting from the problems.
Doesn t matter if the big ass players doesn t work, they win in both scenarios.
What you re describing maybe our future, but like i said, we ve been in worse situation than this. It doesn t hurt to have hope

 

[Jadentheman]

It will be much sadder for you since Barto will think (just like you), the issue is with the players, not the coach, and boooooom we will spend another 200m+ on this guy next summer:

So, prepare yourself for summer 2020

Koeman is all but confirmed. Valverde is just the stop gap. Lazy from the board but he's not lasting after this season. Neymar will return and maybe we can get a treble in Messi's final seasons

 

[George_Costanza]

Koeman is all but confirmed. Valverde is just the stop gap. Lazy from the board but he's not lasting after this season. Neymar will return and maybe we can get a treble in Messi's final seasons

We are not going to win a UCL with an average manager like Koeman! Last time this manager won anything was in 2008 (more than a decade)! And that was Copa del Ray. His team (Valencia) finished 15th in the league table and exited the UCL group stage at the bottom.

What are you saying is spend hundreds of millions on top talents and hope those talents can win us trophies. No system, no tactics, no football style just continue where EV left off.

 

[Messigician]

We are not going to win a UCL with an average manager like Koeman! Last time this manager won anything was in 2008 (more than a decade)! And that was Copa del Ray. His team (Valencia) finished 15th in the league table and exited the UCL group stage at the bottom.

What are you saying is spend hundreds of millions on top talents and hope those talents can win us trophies. No system, no tactics, no football style just continue where EV left off.

LOL Koemam has worked in Europe. Wtf has South American maestros Gallordo won worth anything? Koeman > Tata V2

 

[eaman]

Also koeman was a legend at the club who scored the winner to get the club its first champions league trophy. He would have a lot of respect from the players