Champions League 2024-25

[Iniesta Ultra]

But from what we have seen today, PSG can only mantain their intensity for 30 minutes or so. After that they fell back and Arsenal couldn't do anything because of their ineptness and Saka ballhoging in the final third.

so much rubbish you're posting

Lucho preferred to hold the 1-0 lead is all

 

[JamDav1982]

Dont blame Saka for hogging ball as rest did fuck all or look a danger when had it.

Rice and Saka were a step up from the rest of Arsenal and PSG were able to double up on him a lot due to little threats elsewhere.

 

[FCBfan22]

Dont blame Saka for hogging ball as rest did fuck all or look a danger when had it.

Rice and Saka were a step up from the rest of Arsenal and PSG were able to double up on him a lot due to little threats elsewhere.

Agree with this. That's why I said the teamates were ball watching and standing still when the ball got to Saka. In general Arsenal's attacking play was almost non-existent.

 

[FCBfan22]

so much rubbish you're posting

Lucho preferred to hold the 1-0 lead is all

Like he did against Villa?

 

[serghei]

Vitinha, Neves and Ruiz move a lot to find the ball and are very fluid.

Which can lead to dominating it at times but also big gaps in middle to carry ball through when win it back.

Can imagine opportunities for Pedri/FDJ to carry ball or find Olmo fairly easily early if PSG play like that v Barca.

Good analysis. Seems to me that the method of PSG to create progression and circulate the ball can sacrifice a lot of positional stability. It's also a weakness to need to run a lot to receive the ball. It's usually a sign that technical quality is not quite high.

I saw quite a few matches from PSG and I still think that our midfield is technically superior on the ball. PSG compensates with better movement, but smarter players will take advantage of those spaces.

 

[Porque]

Right so how long is Dembele out for?

Or after injury does he return as the real Dembele?

Tune in next week to find out.

 

[jamrock]

Good analysis. Seems to me that the method of PSG to create progression and circulate the ball can sacrifice a lot of positional stability. It's also a weakness to need to run a lot to receive the ball. It's usually a sign that technical quality is not quite high.

Since when is great movement off the ball and high quality rotations a weakness?.

They aren't running to receive the ball like a low quality team that can't pass.

It's positional rotation and quality once they get the ball in any position the midfield 3 finds themselves in, they feel comfortable.

And pressing*

 

[FCBfan22]

Good analysis. Seems to me that the method of PSG to create progression and circulate the ball can sacrifice a lot of positional stability. It's also a weakness to need to run a lot to receive the ball. It's usually a sign that technical quality is not quite high.

Yeah, I also have that feeling. That's why they looked tired in the 2nd half. They basically run when they press and then they run when they pass. They ran non stop for 35 minutes at the beginning of the game.

 

[Porque]

Good analysis. Seems to me that the method of PSG to create progression and circulate the ball can sacrifice a lot of positional stability. It's also a weakness to need to run a lot to receive the ball. It's usually a sign that technical quality is not quite high.

I saw quite a few matches from PSG and I still think that our midfield is technically superior on the ball. PSG compensates with better movement, but smarter players will take advantage of those spaces.

How much of the system breaks without Dembele now though?

I guess Barcola can do the same job at 9, but Ramos won't.

 

[serghei]

Since when is great movement off the ball and high quality rotations a weakness?.

They aren't running to receive the ball like a low quality team that can't pass.

It's positional rotation and quality once they get the ball in any position the midfield 3 finds themselves in, they feel comfortable.

Since it makes you more tired if you run constantly like that. And if the ball is lost, you can suffer in transitions.

 

[JamDav1982]

If Barca meet then Olmo needs to keep Vitinha occupied and then Pedr/FDJ v Neves/Ruiz for the middle of the park.

The CBs will need to work out what they are going to do with Dembele and way he drops.

 

[jamrock]

Since it makes you more tired if you run constantly like that. And if the ball is lost, you can suffer in transitions.

We the first part is obvious, that's not a tactical weakness or a weakness of the players, they just rest in possession are in defense.

Your 2nd point fair.

 

[Porque]

I suspect LE would play any final more calculative and have the midfield hold and wait for quick direct balls to one of the front free.

 

[jamrock]

A game with PSG will be like the return let last season, their midfield will press the hell out of ours.

Only this time we'll have a fit pedri and olmo to help out, also gavi to match the intensity of we need it.

PS last season we missed gavi massively once he got injured, would have helped in that game.

 

[JamDav1982]

Dembele constantly drops to get on ball and tries to lay ball off then attack the box with run from deep like he did on goal.

Does it time and time again.

Can leave the CBs not really marking anyone and the midfield/Dembele surging into the box from deep.