8 - Pedri

[JamDav1982]

Then a CM with good physical attributes and box to box quality.

Don't want to repeat it constantly, but there is a reason Spain didn't use Pedri and Olmo at the same time on the field.

DLF also saw Pedri as an AM/10 until recently.

Would need to see what he would play when both available.

Merino is used to get in the box more as dont really have a 'proper' 9 more so than adding physicality and box to box in middle of park.

 

[Messi983]

I thought he can't get injured if he plays regularly.

I guess not.

 

[Behrox]

I thought he can't get injured if he plays regularly.

I guess not.

He got injured because of the red card which meant he can't play regularly

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

He got injured because of the red card which meant he can't play regularly

Good point.

 

[Jenks]

I thought he can't get injured if he plays regularly.

I guess not.

To my eye both Barca and Spain are quite irresponsible with very young players, maybe because they were so used to Messi being a freak of nature.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Hansi

“The injury surprised us. After playing against Real Madrid, he only felt fatigued. Then the injury was discovered. We have to accept it. We’re missing one of our key players. He gives us stability and a lot of possession. We have to manage.”

 

[Skalman]

Of this season's injuries, Ferran, Raphinha, Balde, Lewy and now Pedri's have all been hamstring injuries.

Maybe time we pay a little more attention to this in our strength and conditioning work?

Yeah its very telling, seems more than just coincidence. Pedri is also one of our players that run the most per game, if that can have something to do with it.

 

[Barcaman]

Very first match without Pedri and we fail to win the possession battle. Key.

 

[serghei]

Very first match without Pedri and we fail to win the possession battle. Key.

You need Pedri to win possession vs Elche? Seriously?

 

[Barcaman]

You need Pedri to win possession vs Elche? Seriously?

We shouldn't. But some folk keep riding Frenkie's shaft so there it is.

Has to be said, Elche are only behind us and Madrid in stats possession.

 

[JamDav1982]

Barca didnt even bother about trying to win any possession battle.

It was the old Lucho tactics of leaving 3 or in this case 4 attackers up park at times and dare opposition to make it and open game and back their attackers when do.

 

[serghei]

True, we rarely do bother about that. Barca is mostly a Bundesliga type team with Spanish players, who are more technical in possession but not as athletic as the players you usually see playing for Bayern, Dortmund, etc.

 

[JamDav1982]

Nah Barca do use possession when see fit but yesterday wasnt it and open game suited Barca and to go forward early.

At times front players made a lot of poor decisions but it served its purpose in yesterdays game.

 

[serghei]

Nah Barca do use possession when see fit but yesterday wasnt it and open game suited Barca and to go forward early.

At times front players made a lot of poor decisions but it served its purpose in yesterdays game.

We'll see if we face a team that actually wants to control possession and challenges us on that front. Haven't faced any side like that except PSG. Which we lost possession against.

 

[JamDav1982]

We'll see if we face a team that actually wants to control possession and challenges us on that front. Haven't faced any side like that except PSG. Which we lost possession against.

That makes no sense... Barca use possession to win games whether teams want to battle Barca for ball or not.

Plenty teams will sit back and Barca decide to be more patient than yesterday and work scenarios with more time on ball.

Barca v PSG went forward early a lot also and clearly part of the tactics then to try and get in behind them.

Most teams dont think they can get better of Barca on the ball and way Elche tried.