5 - Pau Cubarsí

[jamrock]

As I've said, I think we can go back to the Xavi back four, and we'll probably end on that if Flick is thinking.

I have no issues with Cubarsi's development being changed, but I'm pushing back against the propaganda Khaled is spreading that he was never good since being promoted, every single time.

I'm pushing back against the line of thinking that we need defenders with certain characteristics to improve the defensive line with Flick.

Look at his defense and freaking goalkeeper for Bayern; look at the number of goals conceded in the league. Enough said.

We need a new CB because, in my mind, we now have three and two that can play there, but don't expect any major improvements in the defense.

What will improve our team the most is a goalkeeper, as I said in the summer, and we already have that.

 

[Nello]

I agree that too much responsibility has been placed on his shoulder too soon. Let him step back a bit. As mentioned he even used to play many more line breaking passes under pressure, but has lost it a bit slowly.

Atm he is not even our best Ball playing CB, Eric and Christensen are at his level or slightly better. And Christensen much better in the air and faster aswell. Would have been interesting to see Eric and AC against PSG.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Ok fair enough, I don't want to ever see Garcia as a starting CB against a class team, his solid form is getting to peoples head imo.

At RB maybe, but even then if let's say we are facing PSG full front line, don't want to see him there either.

He's proven himself to be a good utility player, flick stubbled into him at RB, but In my eyes that's all he'll ever been until I see different.

Exactly. He is a great sub for multiple positions. As a stunt he can work for game or too, BUT he isn't long-term solution for any position really. He can play few minutes here and there. It doesn't mean he isn't valuable player. Roberto was a great sub and even starter for us. Garcia can be the same(not permanent starter). Every team needs players like them. Easy way to add squad depth for multiple positions. It's an asset.

 

[Raketa10]

Defenders are not the problem. However, high defending line is. In majority of CL games this won't work especially against top teams and smart managers. Flick needs to address this first. It's one thing to play like that against Girona but it's a whole different story against PSG.

 

[Devils]

Defenders are not the problem. However, high defending line is. In majority of CL games this won't work especially against top teams and smart managers. Flick needs to address this first. It's one thing to play like that against Girona but it's a whole different story against PSG.

Clear as day defenders are the problem.

Highline or not, the entire defense is incredible press vulnerable. The likes of Araujo, Kounde, Cubarsi and Martin are easy targets because once they are pressed, they crumble like stale bread.

There’s also the issue of Flick’s football requiring his full backs to put in a strong defensive and offensive shift. Kounde, Balde and Martin are weak to average in attack. They aren’t necessarily world class defenders either and aside from Balde, they are all slow. So you have decent fullbacks who aren’t necessarily great attackers or defenders and have below average pace.

Every single time we’ve faced PSG, Lucho has done the same thing. He’s selected players in the Barca backline and asked his full backs and front line to press those players. That’s with both Xavi and Flick btw.

Every sensible manager in the world knows that Barca’s defence is vulnerable both in terms of pace and pressure.

 

[serghei]

He is a problem for sure. But a lot could improve if he doesn't go to ground as easily. He makes stupid sliding tackles and misses the ball a fair amount of time. Not good in the air either, gets beaten for headers a fair lot. Dribbled past too easily imo also.

The main responsible for the 1st goal vs PSG, if he stays on his feet and actually defends, the goal doesn't happen.

 

[Givenchy]

He just looks slow, small and very soft for a CB. It could work out with the correct CB partnership (he was a lot better next to Inigo for example) but after the initial hype, I'm not sold on him.

I won't comment on stupid sliding tackles, that's down to inexperience which is fair given he's 18.

 

[serghei]

Age aside, him and Martin... a disaster vs PSG.

 

[Horatio]

Age aside, him and Martin... a disaster vs PSG.

watch out with what you say….apparently fb bad performances didn’t contribute to result.

 

[serghei]

watch out with what you say….apparently fb bad performances didn’t contribute to result.

They did. Cubarsi, Martin, Balde, did many stupid things. They clearly struggle to defend properly if the pressing is breached. It's either the defense is upgraded by signing better players, or Flicks starts to implement some changes to our pressing approach. Atm, the players are not good enough to cope with what Flick demands.

Or continues like this hoping they improve by fucking up. But it may never happen, and it means the team continues to suck vs bigger sides like in the last 7-8 years.

De Jong and Pedri are not that good off the ball either in defensive transition phase. The team is pretty mediocre in this area tbh, apart from raphinha and sometimes kounde... the rest lack behind, sometimes even at basic things.

 

[jamrock]

watch out with what you say….apparently fb bad performances didn’t contribute to result.

You still gotta think that one through buddy or just leave it alone lol

 

[serghei]

Balde at their 2nd goal covers centrally to form the 2 vs 1 because Cubarsi is missing. Cubarsi sees that Balde has replaced him in the backline, and instead of doing the usual stuff in this situation, meaning he acts as LB for this play only, he goes to step on Balde's toes. The two almost slammed into each other.

This, at this level, is as dumb of an error as you can make. I mean surely you should know that when a teammate takes over your position because you vacated it while going to press, you plug the hole. Play the position the situation demands. And wait for the right moment to switch back over to default setup.

 

[jamrock]

Balde at their 2nd goal covers centrally to form the 2 vs 1 because Cubarsi is missing. Cubarsi sees that Balde has replaced him in the backline, and instead of doing the usual stuff in this situation, meaning he acts as LB for this play only, he goes to step on Balde's toes. The two almost slammed into each other.

This, at this level, is as dumb of an error as you can make. I mean surely you should know that when a teammate takes over your position because you vacated it while going to press, you plug the hole. Play the position the situation demands. And wait for the right moment to switch back over to default setup.

Yea this something a lot of people missed when blaming balde for the goal, it was all on Cubarsi or 80% Cubarsi

 

[FCMessi]

fking lazy bitch playing Sevilla on side multiple times first 45

 

[Devils]

Clear as day defenders are the problem.

Highline or not, the entire defense is incredible press vulnerable. The likes of Araujo, Kounde, Cubarsi and Martin are easy targets because once they are pressed, they crumble like stale bread.

There’s also the issue of Flick’s football requiring his full backs to put in a strong defensive and offensive shift. Kounde, Balde and Martin are weak to average in attack. They aren’t necessarily world class defenders either and aside from Balde, they are all slow. So you have decent fullbacks who aren’t necessarily great attackers or defenders and have below average pace.

Every single time we’ve faced PSG, Lucho has done the same thing. He’s selected players in the Barca backline and asked his full backs and front line to press those players. That’s with both Xavi and Flick btw.

Every sensible manager in the world knows that Barca’s defence is vulnerable both in terms of pace and pressure.

^^^^^^^