Search results

Noticed he was reluctant to have a shot after Messi's outburst, which was a shame. Actively searching for the shot is what makes attackers deadly. Thinking that you shouldn't shoot unless there's a pass open will affect not only the pass/shot instant but shape his entire game.

Really can't see how he's preferred over Puig at the 10. Clearly talented but doesn't look like he's ready for those moments.

Would probably be healthy for the team if Leo were to allocate his social graces a little more evenly throughout the squad. An approving nod to Coutinho, a 'vamos' to Frenkie, a cheeky smile to Dembele and a pad on the back for Ansu.

I wonder who he hangs out with now since the disruption of the South American clique.

i'd say this improvement is about 60% mentality, 35% simply putting more offensive players on the pitch at the same time and 5% systemic tactics.

Pique was great except for the annoying faces he made at the ref

Yes I think I'm conflating that one with the 2-3 over Osasouna with a Messi long shot matchwinner.

Very positive sensations from this. Reminds me a bit of that rainy away win at Osasouna in Pep's first season.

I liked his recent interview. As a part-time arm chair psychologising fan boy, its possible that his recent externalisations of years of built up frustration could be a very healthy thing and could mark the turning over of a fresh leave.

I was very impressed by both finishes. The first one was a very difficult technical hit placed perfectly and the second, putting it at the near post indicates confidence, composure and general ease of play. 99% of 17 year olds would have gone for the much more comfortable far corner finish.

True. The weird thing about Suarez is how few goals he scored from regular crosses. Whenever a cross was lining up, it seemed he always wanted to back away to the edge of the box. That first goal he scored for Atleti, a regular classical striker goal, he scored strangely few of those for us.

Segunda B is technically much worse of course but tempo, physicality and tactics are probably comparable to playing for a mid-table La Liga side or something. Something like Porto could have been exciting though.

He looks real dependable. I feel like you can count on him to execute the available action even if it requires skill. But whether he can invent actions and go above the expected remains to be seen.

I don't really get this. Consensus in Amsterdam is that he's not good enough to start for them. Why on earth would he be good enough to start for us?

Messi as a 10 with a striker would basically be the same setup as Valverde's 4-4-2 in 17-18 except with more offensive wingers

Solving the Messi problem is likely the most important tactical issue and I think false 9 is the correct answer as well. Messi can't play a 10 because you need to put in work as a dynamic pass station in general non-threateting play and Messi doesn't do that at all. If we get a striker then...

Looking forward to the first season with real wingers in a long time

If Koeman brings in a replacement for Suarez and puts Messi back on the wing, then the project of a new and balanced offense is dead in the water.

Never been crazy about him but still think it's a shame he never had a consistent run in a partnership with a real winger. I remember a few games with him and Dembele on the right where they sparked up a connection that he never had with Messi and actually looked good.

Because it's not a fucking issue. Look at him play. He held is own fine against a team like Atleti. At no point have I watched him play and complained about his lack of muscle. You think these mesomorphic players look ripped just because they need to wrestle with opponents? Of course not, it's...