2023 Preseason

[FinBarcelonafan]

The way Spurs just absolutely shat the bed in the last 10-15 mins though... Shit writes itself

Worth their image

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Spurs are even alergic to Pre-Season Trophies lmao

It's trophy season, the worst time for allergies.

 

[delancey]

When things go poorly, it’s because of Xavi. When things go well… it’s because of substitutes who won’t start regardless of how well they perform.

In other words, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Now I’m not saying that Fati, Torres and/or Yamal will all be benched, but I see a reoccurring pattern where Xavi plays his favorites over other players who do better (Gavi being a good example).

Hope I’m wrong. Lewa, Raphinha, and Gavi benched. 🤷‍♂️

 

[mc_lovin]

My main takeaway: buy a damn RB. As soon as we lose one or two CBs our Defence goes to shit (cause they have to cover it as well).

Better not talk about Balde getting injured either.

 

[Rory]

... few moments later

Won't stop Xavi playing the same front 3 that produce the most boring football known to man

 

[Porque]

Good pre-season from last year's misfiring attackers (Fati, Ferran) while Lamine showing he will arrive earlier than anticipated and that Xavi will have to be more Koeman on that one.

We all know Xavi will go with the typical 11, you only need to look at Gavi going to today's lineup ice cold.

But if we're going by pre-season then the one absolute change would be Ferran into the 11 up top. Something he has earned across the 4 games.

 

[JamDav1982]

There is no chance Xavi will drop Lewa.

He may rest Gavi if thinks he is not match fit but shit games today make little difference when it comes to Gavi otherwise.

Fati and Ferran have had good pre seasons.. Fati should be starting next weekend really and Torres getting decent minutes if Lewa looks off pace again.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Interesting common denominator... The Prem teams all seem able to cut through our defense but when we play Spanish teams it is like a wall.

That Tottenham lineup was dreadful.

 

[kattanib]

Won't stop Xavi playing the same front 3 that produce the most boring football known to man

What if one doesnt identify as a man?

 

[Cool]

I can understand why Xavi wants Cancelo, in his mind he knows that Arajuo and Christensen are both injury prone players and in the scenario one of them gets injured he can shift Kounde and bring on Cancelo as the RB.

Or god forbid Balde gets injured then Cancelo can provide for him, also he can cover for Kounde if hes injured.

Point is our defense is very injury prone and Xavi realizes that and thinks that Cancelo can solve that by allowing Kounde to play his natural position and not getting a major drop in quality by playing Garcia or that inexperienced kid we bought from the second division or Ingio (have no idea why we bought him hes injury prone).

One last point is that if Raphinha is the opposite of Dembele, the latter is a monster in 1v1’s due to his speed and unpredictability, Raphinha on the other hand depends on link up play and is not the dribbler that Dembele is so Raphinha needs an attacking fullback that excels in linkup play and can provide width while Raphinha tucks inside.

 

[Barcelonista001]

I am impressed with the new generation, I really hope we conquer the coming years 🙏🏻🌹

 

[Masetro10]

Xavi sounds like he is trying to sell Ansu in the post-game. If he does he is officially worse than Koeman

 

[Porque]

There is no chance Xavi will drop Lewa.

He may rest Gavi if thinks he is not match fit but shit games today make little difference when it comes to Gavi otherwise.

Fati and Ferran have had good pre seasons.. Fati should be starting next weekend really and Torres getting decent minutes if Lewa looks off pace again.

Oh absolutely. And most managed wouldn't.

Just that if things were just based on performance, then Ferran earned the gig.

And Ansu goes without saying, considering Gavi is not yet fully fit. And if he is, certainly lacking rhythm.

 

[Andresito]

Just a caution: we should be careful about raising some of our players to the sky after this win. The fact that all our offensive subs had a huge impact points to Spurs probably being gassed/complacent in the end and not the direct quality of our players. For example Reguilon vs Yamal or Ansu's goal where Porro and Dier look like they don't care, and Fermin's run in deep before his assist which no one bothers to follow.

 

[BBZ8800]

Just a caution: we should be careful about raising some of our players to the sky after this win. The fact that all our offensive subs had a huge impact points to Spurs probably being gassed/complacent in the end and not the direct quality of our players. For example Reguilon vs Yamal or Ansu's goal where Porro and Dier look like they don't care, and Fermin's run in deep before his assist which no one bothers to follow.

Yes

Sergi Samper looked like a mix of Xavi and Pirlo in one preseason in Usa a few years ago, dominating against Chelsea and being our MOTM in both matches where he played.

In league matches, he turned into a segunda level of a player.

Not saying it will happen here though but friendly matches are absolutely weird.
Some players play at 150%, some players are saving themselves, some don't care.

Youngsters usually fly and overachieve in these kind of games because they play at 150% and seniors don't care too much.