11 - Raphinha

[Valiant]

If it's the weakest CL in 10 years what does that say about us if we tank early again? These questions need to be asked.

Always looking for a subtle way to shit on flick. How about you calm down and watch how the season goes?

 

[Horatio]

Always looking for a subtle way to shit on flick. How about you calm down and watch how the season goes?

they’re “setting themselves up” for win-win.
If success can say right to get behind coach. If not, xavi would’ve done better job.

 

[Horatio]

If it's the weakest CL in 10 years what does that say about us if we tank early again? These questions need to be asked.

Weakest doesn’t equate easiest. Easiest CL we could’ve won was the one where we would face Tottenham in final. Easy group stage. Then Lyon - United before Liverpool. Liverpool was first serious contender and wouldve remained only won if we made to final.

 

[JamDav1982]

If this was FM you'd take that 120m and invest in other ways. But we all know this isn't how Barca works, neither from a club POV or for a player of this type.

Is Raphinha really better off somewhere else? I doubt it, and he knows that. Only way is if the club completely alienates him and forces him out, but don't think that will be appreciated from neither fans or teammates and will be a bad look on the player who is a Ballon d'Or candidate.

I don't think Raphinha will replicate this season ever again so selling when his stock is at its highest wouldn't be a bad idea. But I would be really surprised if he leaves this summer.

Yeah he wont want to leave and cant blame him.

At one of the biggest clubs going, living around Barcelona and best ever season on the pitch.

It would be unfair for club to try and force it also.

The only way could see it is if say Bayern or City wanted him and would offer a much bigger salary.. then maybe if did not feel value by Barca but other than that he is living for the moment he fought in his career for.

 

[JamDav1982]

A year ago Barca squad was far too young to ever compete as need to be in mid 20s.. while needed hundreds of millions more spent to compete.

Now it is all about team should be expected to win and how bad the CL is...

What has changed? Xavi was in charge and now its Flick.

Different rules.

 

[Joan]

Few players that could replace Raphinha. Even fewer available. Bar Musiala who is more likely to stay, no safe bets out there.

 

[TheStig]

Weakest doesn’t equate easiest. Easiest CL we could’ve won was the one where we would face Tottenham in final. Easy group stage. Then Lyon - United before Liverpool. Liverpool was first serious contender and wouldve remained only won if we made to final.

Easiest ever was the CL that Flick won.

 

[jamrock]

Easiest ever was the CL that Flick won.

Should be advantage Barca this season then.

 

[serghei]

A year ago Barca squad was far too young to ever compete as need to be in mid 20s.. while needed hundreds of millions more spent to compete.

Now it is all about team should be expected to win and how bad the CL is...

What has changed? Xavi was in charge and now its Flick.

Different rules.

Nope. The team already made important steps in CL last season and we should be looking to improve that and do better. If we were so close to a CL semis last season before Araujo's blunder, it is normal to expect more as we are more experienced now than 3-4 seasons ago. Same for the players individually, not only for Flick.

Compared to the 2021-22 season when we were trashed by Benfica, the team is much improved now.

 

[JamDav1982]

The team beat an awful Napoli and that doesnt change what was claimed about players being too young and not spending enough to compete.

Folding against a poor PSG was not some huge achievement and wont be if they do v similar level this season.

The best team Barca got better of last season in CL was an imploding Napoli... the best Xavi ever got better of in Europe.

This age and money spent argument was literally made last season not 3/4 years ago.

Same players are still young and the huge money not been spent but the coach has and those arguments go out the window.

 

[KingLeo10]

Serghei is right about one thing though: you have to seize the moment.

I remember my convo with Konan from when we were playing Juve for the 14-15 treble. At 1-1, the convo became whether we could run it back in 15-16 if we somehow lost to Juve. And I told him that to be truly great, you have to seize the moment. If we hadn’t beat Juve who knows if MSN ever win a treble/ CL together.

This is also why the World Cup is so highly regarded. The actual playing level is lower compared to top CL games since about 2000ish, but it’s the ultimate tournament of moments and bravery (and luck, but fortune favors the brave).

All this to say, we might not be on such a roll with Flick again. We need to get it done in Cl and this team will become Barca legends.

 

[DonAK]

We'll see how this team does in the CL, but playing scared is always going to cost you.

Araujo's retarded decision and red card hurt us a lot last year, but I didn't like Xavi taking out Lamine who was having a great game. We started playing scared and passively when the team had never proved they could soak up pressure in games like that vs. a good team and hold on.

You cannot let the other team put you under a siege unless you really know how to defend like it.

Had a golden chance last year, but Araujo + a couple of other things meant they didn't seize the moment to go on a great run.

 

[jamrock]

We'll see how this team does in the CL, but playing scared is always going to cost you.

Araujo's retarded decision and red card hurt us a lot last year, but I didn't like Xavi taking out Lamine who was having a great game. We started playing scared and passively when the team had never proved they could soak up pressure in games like that vs. a good team and hold on.

You cannot let the other team put you under a siege unless you really know how to defend like it.

Had a golden chance last year, but Araujo + a couple of other things meant they didn't seize the moment to go on a great run.

Did Flick keep Lewa on in a game we went down to 10 recently?.

Not trying to be a dick, genuine question pretty sure he did.

Point being their was some logic in keeping in Lewa and he almost scored in the end.

That being said Lewa kinda cost us that game almost as much as araujo, missed a few chances you would expect him to take.

 

[JamDav1982]

Its as much about how the players that stayed on were set up.

PSG still had to score 3 to tie the game and 4 to go through in 90 mins they did it with ease.

Barca were still favs to go through even with the red card.

Also the red card comes from the opposition targetting Araujos weaknesss. If he is picked and left to repeat those weaknesses that is also in part on coach when goes wrong.

PSG missed a ton of chances even with the 6 goals they scored. Think they hit woodwork another 3 times as well.

If the mistake of Araujo is bad luck for Xavi then Donnaruma playing like a buffoon in first leg was his luck.

 

[DonAK]

Did Flick keep Lewa on in a game we went down to 10 recently?.

Not trying to be a dick, genuine question pretty sure he did.

Point being their was some logic in keeping in Lewa and he almost scored in the end.

That being said Lewa kinda cost us that game almost as much as araujo, missed a few chances you would expect him to take.

I understand the logic. Not hating on it, but I personally didn't like it at all.
If Lewandowski was a more mobile and quicker striker or great at headers so spamming crosses was a legit option I'd maybe like it more.