Search results

This game should give Xavi chances to make more creative use of his squad. With all the injuries, when he needs subs, how about using his one surplus, all those LBs? Try Alba in midfield, Alonso at CB.

3-4-3, since all the RBs are hurt?

The Barca teenage midfielders do a lot of things awfully well. But Bayern has quite a few midfielders who are much better at putting the ball in the net. Barca can't cover Davies or Sane. Bayern's bench is better, they did without Coman pretty damn well. The Barca defense might improve as...

Deep depth only. Thanks for stepping into the breach in the past, but with this year's much-improved squad, all the playing time should go to the 5 forwards who are clearly better.

Away at Bayern is tough. I'd settle for a decent performance, not getting slaughtered, keeping hope for at least a draw at Camp Nou. This group could well end up Bayern 16, Barca 10 after getting the crucial point from Bayern, Milan 9, of course 0 for the little team that did so well to make...

Good timing for this match, Bayern has cooled off and the Barca scoring machine is in high gear. This first game of the season against a good team will be a reality check. Ter Stegen Kounde Araujo Garcia Balde Gavi Busquets Pedri Raphina Lewa Dembele Fati will win this one late, 2-3.

Even though this is Cadiz, not confident this Barca lineup will put the ball in the net.

OK, I admit I was wrong, predicting only a Pichichi this year was way too pessimistic. Ballon D'Or is coming.

This performance is how you move up on this team. If the team needs a late goal, this guy must be on the field, along with Fati. May have to be preferred over De Jong. Xavi has no reason to overplay any midfielder this season, risk no burnouts with this type of depth.

Continue to rotate. Bench Lewa, Dembele, Pedri and Kounde. Xavi can always bring the big guns on at halftime if the game remains in doubt.

He seems to be doing fine work making the most of the strengths of this squad. I see the 6 second rule again, led by Gavi. Causing all these turnovers unleashes the counterattack, which is quite a threat this year. This month Xavi will have to keep up all the early subs, and do selected...

What midfielder works harder than this kid? Who does better regaining possession? I think he is inspiring the entire midfield and attack force to go all out all game to take back the ball. The three or four early subs by Xavi every game are essential to be able to keep this up.

Same lineup as last week, except rotate out Eric.

This year, what is needed from RB is completely different from recent years, because the killer crosses from that side will be coming from Raphina. This allows a RB with lessor attacking skills - Kounde. Kounde is one of the best players on this squad, the best defensive RB I have seen for...

If Auba accepts Chelsea, keep Depay. No big deal, Auba is better but backing up Lewa is a small job. Looks like Braithwaite will just be released. Since De Jong insists on staying, Panic is smart enough to accept a move to somewhere he can play. The team is stronger with De Jong instead of...

Now Barca has a starting RB. Finally a full squad.

Bayern has been devastating so far this season. I expect those two games to be humiliating for Barca.

De Jong, Depay, Dest and Braithwaite. That's a lot to get rid of before the end of the month. I just hope that De Jong finds a new home, so Kounde can be registered. Eric Garcia should not be a regular for Barca. Araujo, Christensen and Kounde on the back line, Pique and Garcia for depth...

OK, so this year's team is not exactly balanced. There are significant holes. Got to go with what you've got, for better of worse. Switch to a predominantly 3-3-4 formation, see what happens. Probably won't win trophies, but it will be entertaining. Break the Liga team scoring record.

I've only seen one other Barca player ever have that type of impact as a sub. Messi.