La Liga Round 4: Valencia - Barca
- Thread starter Loki
- Start date
Loki
Well-known member
Velencia started the season with 2 losses against La Coruna and Betis, as well as one draw against Celta. We on the other hand are leading the league by winning all 3 games comfortably.
The players have 6 days rest and apart from the long-term injuries, everyone should be fit to play. That said CL starts also next week, so we could and probably should see some rotations here.
The players have 6 days rest and apart from the long-term injuries, everyone should be fit to play. That said CL starts also next week, so we could and probably should see some rotations here.
Loki
Well-known member
We have 5 matches in 14 days ahead before the int. break. Important part is to keep the squad fit not only for the season start. If Enrique shows anything, then how important is a good form in the second half of the season. Flick should start to balance minutes as fast as possible, especially because of his demanding playstyle. We have a good depth and for example Adeyemi should be good enough to start against this Valencia.
thestig
Well-known member
The players aren't tired yet, in this phase of the season it's much more important that they get into rhythm and that starters like Gordon and Rodri adapt to our system and other players to them. We also have games at home where the rotations should start slowly, not at Mestalla where we could easily lose points. Every point counts this season, I'm sure Madrid will go over 90 points.
Cubarsi, Pedri, Rodri, Raphinha, Yamal and maybe Gordon are the outfield players we have to play as much as possible while managing their minutes.
The others can rotate freely without affecting the level too much. Obviously some are better than others but as long as the majority of the aforementioned players are on the pitch we should be fine.
The others can rotate freely without affecting the level too much. Obviously some are better than others but as long as the majority of the aforementioned players are on the pitch we should be fine.
Loki
Well-known member
Our September schedule before the int break is:
6th - Valencia away
9th - Feyenoord home
13th - Levante away
15/16th - Racing home
19th - Sevilla away
Muscle injuries can appear out of nowhere, as we've seen last season start with all the injuries. Especially in a WC summer without a big pause. So far the squad looks fit, but it can change fast. Most important and difficult games of these are Feyenoord to start well in the CL, as well as in Sevilla who started quite good into the season.
I'd definitely use the other 3 games to balance the playing time and get all players in form.
6th - Valencia away
9th - Feyenoord home
13th - Levante away
15/16th - Racing home
19th - Sevilla away
Muscle injuries can appear out of nowhere, as we've seen last season start with all the injuries. Especially in a WC summer without a big pause. So far the squad looks fit, but it can change fast. Most important and difficult games of these are Feyenoord to start well in the CL, as well as in Sevilla who started quite good into the season.
I'd definitely use the other 3 games to balance the playing time and get all players in form.
Breskominator
Active member
Barca won 9 out of last 11 vs Valencia. Some crushing victores also. 6-0, 7-1 (worst Valencia defeat in LL since 1955), 5-0 in CdR.
Valencia won the last game though. Last time they won before that was in 2020.
Barca to win by 1 goal this time, if I had to bet.
Valencia won the last game though. Last time they won before that was in 2020.
Barca to win by 1 goal this time, if I had to bet.
FCBarça
Well-known member
Very curious how Flick manages all these attacking iterations to ensure a fluid and consistent/productive attack - he has a lot of moving pieces in front 6 alone but now with Xavi providing the lateral threat we often lack it could really take off with Cancelo at LB and Xavi at RB
Either way, I think getting rhythm in a rapid attacking setup with changing players means it is a question of time/repetition - meaning there is likely to be some experimentation on Hansi's part with how he lines up since it is basically a 4-2-3-1 with Raphina. But will he run him into the ground or wait to bed in Gabriel to play that role in rotation?
The 4 19 year old starters - will he sit Bernal who has started every match along with Xavi? Will he start Cancelo and move Xavi to RB to dislodge Eric? I predict
Either way, I think getting rhythm in a rapid attacking setup with changing players means it is a question of time/repetition - meaning there is likely to be some experimentation on Hansi's part with how he lines up since it is basically a 4-2-3-1 with Raphina. But will he run him into the ground or wait to bed in Gabriel to play that role in rotation?
The 4 19 year old starters - will he sit Bernal who has started every match along with Xavi? Will he start Cancelo and move Xavi to RB to dislodge Eric? I predict
Garcia
Eric-Pau-Andreas-Xavi
Pedri-Rodri-Fermin
Lamine-Raphinha-Adeyemi
Eric-Pau-Andreas-Xavi
Pedri-Rodri-Fermin
Lamine-Raphinha-Adeyemi
Draconifire
Well-known member
I would want us to rest Cuba & Yamal. Also would like the new keeper to play some minutes.
My hopeful lineup:-
LIvakovic
Eric - Kounde - Christensen - Balde
Rodri - Fermin - Pedri
Adeyemi - Rapha - Gordon
Flick's most likely lineup:-
Joan
Eric - Cuba - Christensen - Xavi
Rodri - Fermin - Pedri
Yamal - Rapha - Gordon
My hopeful lineup:-
LIvakovic
Eric - Kounde - Christensen - Balde
Rodri - Fermin - Pedri
Adeyemi - Rapha - Gordon
Flick's most likely lineup:-
Joan
Eric - Cuba - Christensen - Xavi
Rodri - Fermin - Pedri
Yamal - Rapha - Gordon
malvolio
Well-known member
Should be a clean sweep over the next 5 games. Levante and Sevilla being potential banana skins.
State of LL is dire though. And I think it also reflects on the top three's results in CL over the past seasons.
Breskominator
Active member
October is harder, PSG, RM, Galata, Betis etc.
More worried about fatigue than any opponent in particular.
Breskominator
Active member
You aren't scared of Paris? KO'd Barca in 2021 and 2024, beat them last season, 4-0 in 2017 etc, won 2 CL on the trot, one of few team that have positive h2h vs Barca over a large sample size. (6w 5d 4L in 15 games).
Barca should be scared about no one though.
Okay, it's not a knockout game, Barca will progress anyway, even if they lose.
Dunno about the Special One and Clasico. I just dont see RM pipping Barca to title this year. What I do know is that Flick got Madrid number ; 6 wins in 7. And it's a home game, where he got 19 out of 19 wins last season.
Loki
Well-known member
Exactly. Most important in the first half of the season is to bring a healthy squad on its peak into the second half, rather than racing after each and every point, if you want to win the CL. Enrique showed it for two consecutive years now. They were better because they were fitter.
RedxMAK
Well-known member
Courtesy of an Araujo red card and Xavi meltdown, but we move on.
FCBarça
Well-known member
I have to believe Hansi is planning in a similar manner considering the acquisitions, they underscore a drive to have quality depth which can be better served with higher frequency of rotations. Mitigated by opponent, injuries and rhythm - I think the biggest mitigating factor at this stage is recognizing we're still in pre-season form. I am certain we are far from a gala XI with any sort of certainty yet which suggests he will experiment with the right combinations until it is really thriving
I've been watching these lineups and rotations over first 3 matches, clear approach is evident with his selections/rotations as well as the players he always plays so far - Raphinha, Lamine, Joan, Xavi & Bernal. All of the 6 others have been rotating. Presumably at some point those 5 will rest as well but that would appear to be early indication of his preferred 5 in a gala XI
I think Fermin & Dani have to rotate and I guess Gavi & Pedri will do similar to Bernal & Rodrigo. The FBs is more a question since Xavi's rise to prominence. LB depth has Cancelo, Balde, Gerard and Xavi. RB depth has Eric, Jules, Cancelo and Xavi. Key here is that among all fullbacks, Xavi is first name on scoresheet for Hansi. Now it is about a tactical option to combine better on left or right side - I think there it'll be Cancelo on left & Xavi going right while Eric at right & Xavi at left makes hierarchal sense it is not ideal IMHO
Once a reliable gala XI is established then you can really rest your key stars by rotating the rest but this is on Flick on how best to manage squad, minutes, competitions etc.