In paper we win this game easily by 4or5, but we have to play it. The first half was very bad, ball movement was slow and the team played with no passion. This midfield never played together, that is one of the reasons. I would prefer gomes playing in busquets position, with rakitic and rafinha/denis suarez. Our defense will suffer against better oponents, digne and roberto lack something. Our offensive trio is the best in the world no doubt, but in midfield only busquets, iniesta(cannot play always), and rakitic. We improve the midfield comparing with last year but is not near the level of some years ago.
Liga l Round 10: FC Barcelona - Granada 1-0
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
serghei
Senior Member
We need to win vs Sevilla. We have to do it. But knowing Sampaoli, he'll have his boys pumped up for that game, and the crowd of Sevilla is really like their 12 player. Lucho has to get the best mentality from our team to go there and play a tough game like a tough game is supposed to be played, with intensity and passion. We need to catch a good period of form going into the clasico, or else we'll be left chasing other teams for the majority of this season.
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Raketa10
Senior Member
I do not think Gundogan would have been a solution, not to mention the fact that he is injury prone and nas never been so spectacular after that back injury.
I am more worried about the fact that Iniesta is injured right now and our midfield is only functioning well when Raki-Iniesta-Busi are playing. Whenever one of those 3 is misssing we really have big problem with game control. I also agree with you that Rafinha is really playing well this season and that Gomes and Suarez need time to adapt although for now I see nothing special in Gomes.
For me the main problem is that we have to much simmilar midfielders on the bench. Suarez, Rafinha and Arda are more AM or wingers than CM players and that is the reason thay do not really make ball transition from defense to attack. Last year Real Madrid had simmilar problem when Modric was injured since Isco or James are tottaly different players than he is.
My point is that we need one proper young CM or we will start to have serious problems when one of first 3 midfielders is out. Ball needs to come to attack somehow and if midfield has ZERO control we are also more vonurable in defense.
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snowy
New member
maybe it's a cyclical thing... as in, we slow down today to take a bigger leap next week. It's a game of inches. Each of MSN could've scored a few 2nite. Add in the off-sides, the duels lost and the incomplete passes and we get this 1-0 victory. Not likely we'll get the same streak of bad luck against Sevilla. We weren't top but still got the 3 points so that's pretty good considering x_D
SeloBarca
Senior Member
D. Suarez is not really new to the team, hes a lamasia product that got sold.
Rafinha has been really bad some games this year aswell, and was really bad last year completly dissapearing in many games.
Rakitic, Iniesta and Busi are good, but none of them creates, which has been a huge problem since Xavi left. Rakitic has a tendancy to dissapear and play really bad games, and Iniesta is getting old.
We have no engine in midfield to connect defence to attack with decisive passes, and if the front 3 doesnt create on their own, the rest of the team dont know what to do and our play gets compley stuck, like today.
It has happened so many times this year, and almost whole season last year, it was only that our front 3 saved us that made us win the league.
The midfield is and havent been working properly for 2 years now.
snowy
New member
serghei
Senior Member
This is part of what's wrong. We should never neglect the yellow passing option from our arsenal, especially not against Granada. Yes, it's the harder way forward, but the yellow pass is our trademark as a team. And so far this season, I saw too few of those. We're abusing the red pass though, from CB to fullbacks or long ball, and that's frustrating, especially against Granada.
Also, I expect our CM (Rafinha here) to be able to receive in that space and play a good ball from there. If not, tap it back.
Also, I expect our CM (Rafinha here) to be able to receive in that space and play a good ball from there. If not, tap it back.
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Alik
Moderator
He's not a La Masia product.
I thought there were several positives in this game:
Rafinha has to be the first choice sub in midfield. Even if he plays mainly against weaker teams, he is a fine alternative to the starters.
Rak is the best DM on this team.
Having 3 CBs as good as Pique, Umtiti and Masch is a huge strength.
Sergi Roberto is a fantastic player, even though he allows his man too much space in the right corner.
I think the rotation is shaking out. First alternative up front has to be Turan. Rafinha backs up Iniesta and Rakitic, and maybe Messi, too. Masch is the alternative at RB. Any combo of Pique, Umtiti and Masch is ready to take on the world.
Rafinha has to be the first choice sub in midfield. Even if he plays mainly against weaker teams, he is a fine alternative to the starters.
Rak is the best DM on this team.
Having 3 CBs as good as Pique, Umtiti and Masch is a huge strength.
Sergi Roberto is a fantastic player, even though he allows his man too much space in the right corner.
I think the rotation is shaking out. First alternative up front has to be Turan. Rafinha backs up Iniesta and Rakitic, and maybe Messi, too. Masch is the alternative at RB. Any combo of Pique, Umtiti and Masch is ready to take on the world.
Raketa10
Senior Member
Rafinha can't back up Rakitic, he is not playing defense at all. Gomes should have been Rakitic backup but so far he has been anything but good.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
He has played 1 season with Barca B,that is all his previous experience with Barca.
And that season was under Eusebio,and while I like him as a coach he never played Barca type of game.
So no,Denis is actually new to the team and to the system.
barcanuck
New member
And no injuries! Which has plagued up every game pretty much!
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