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    6 - Carles Alena

    To me he didn't look ready for the level of match yesterday. Some loose control and kind of got in the way instead of moving to open space. I want to see him in La Liga matches and see how he comes along, except for Real and Atletico, but not the CL if the tie result is in doubt. We have 4...
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    Sergi Roberto

    I think he has to use Bob and Semedo as fullbacks this weekend b/c of Alba suspension. Might have played Bob instead of Alena with the benefit of hindsight, but good he got the match off and can focus on Bilbao. I'd rather see Bob used to rotate with Alba and Semedo, particularly to keep...
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    Luis Suárez

    He still makes great plays in spurts. He did have 2 of our 3 best shots that didn't score and played others into ope space. But the more tired, the more basic mistakes and he loses more on the 1st step. He should be conserved--at his best there are few #9s as good as him and he interlinks well...
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    Copa | Semi Final: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona 1-4 agg.

    No we were much worse 1st leg vs Sevilla and Eibar quite recently, and in that period in Sep-Oct we were throwing away league points. We were pretty good against one of world footballs 8 best teams after 30 minutes.
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    Copa | Semi Final: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona 1-4 agg.

    I think there are some good points but some over-generalizations. I re-watched the game this morning. Arthur and Busi were absolutely fantastic after settling in (maybe 25 min mark). These two are 90 minute starters the big games. Rakitic is the next choice. He had one really bad play (as did...
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    BF's Flop of the Match - 2018/19

    The one player who completely looked like he didn't belong when out on the pitch was Alena. Rakitic, Arthur, Busi, Couts, Lenglet, Suarez & Alba all made some major mistakes that could have costs us--Alba/Lenglet cost the away goal of course--but all did some good things too. Pique and Semedo...
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    Man of the Match thread

    Malcom Pique Semedo I think Malcom and Semedo's best games in Barca jerseys. Pique put on an absolute massive display and kept the tie from getting out of hand..
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    Copa | Semi Final: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona 1-4 agg.

    1-1 draw not bad with the intensity Madrid put in to try to end the tie in the 1st half. Have to consider no Dembele, Messi for only 30 minutes and 3rd intense match in 1 weeks time where Madrid were sitting on this game a little bit. Only conceding 1 away goal squarely puts the tie in Barca's...
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    10 - Lionel Messi - V6

    Even if Valverde decides Messi can't play it is more than worth that than keep that information to himself and have Messi in uniform on the bench. He can even pretend to warm up. That is more than worth than having an extra guy (say Vermaelen) you all but know you are not going to sub into the...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    They just don't get to see the state of central midfielders in world football. Not that Rakitic is the be all end all, but he could play for most any club. But then again watching other midfielders and clubs maybe wouldn't matter either to this groups perceptions, on this board they seem to...
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    17 - Jeison Murillo

    Agree. Pique needs multiple league games off. I think he should have had last weekend off. Murillo is the safest sub for Pique. Like to see Murillo-Lenglet in more league matches, they might well be better than Pique-Vermaelen all things considered right now, and of course Lenglet is much...
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    17 - Jeison Murillo

    Pique seriously needs some rest, one of the the last things the team can afford is Pique getting an oversuse injury. So Murillo needs to play on saturday vs Bilbao and sprinkling in some more league matches here on out. Tobido would have to shown amazing adaptability to be ready for 1st team...
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    Denis Suarez

    We will see, Gomes & Digne all are doing OK or better for the new teams, Rafinha in Italy when not injured too. (I know Paco is a better player--but still illustrates you can look kind of sucky at Barca and the next year have the look of a very good professional footballer). I think Denis is a...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    I agree with a lot of your assessment, I have some twists though 1) this year we still need an effective Rakitic; 2) this year absolutely isn't "wasted"--we are are favorites or co-favorites for every competition; 3) in the offseason we can assess which vets should go; 4) your logic applies...
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    6 - Carles Alena

    I want him to start the Bilbao match but not vs the craftier and skillful Real mids. Depending on situation he could sub in the Real match.
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    Copa | Semi Final: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona 1-4 agg.

    I like this plan though Rakitic should start on the bench or be subbed for. He has played all but 14 minutes in 3 tight scheduled matches leading up to this match. Either Vidal starts or Vidal & Roberto need to come in for him. Here is what I got: (4-3-3) MATS---Roberto, Pique, Lenglet...
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    10 - Lionel Messi - V6

    The chasers have those same cl matches (atleti much more difficult actually) and league matches equally tough. Barca just has to not totally implode and the league is had. I think we should see if a half starter/half sub team gets it done in bilbao. Again me personally, smashing real out of CDR...
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    Nicolas Pépé

    Who says dembele cant also begin to share some #9 roles if Pepe couldn't. Playing for barca is different, may want interchangable forwards. Look at how salah moves between wing and forward, mane and firmino can also make runs common to a #9. Could be different ways to sooner or later start...
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    10 - Lionel Messi - V6

    We are 8 on madrid (surely with the tiebreaker) and 6 up on atleti we with a home match with them. I am not that stressed about the league. Right now knocking out real from copa and supercup to me is more important than any random league match.
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    11 - Ousmane Dembélé - V1

    Great news, the attack needs a lift and outside of messi he can be of unique trouble to Real.

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