CL Round 2: Porto - Barca 0-1

[Birdy]

Playing with Romeu in this team is like putting Gerard Gumbau into our treble winning team.


Fucking insane how far off the level he is compared with the rest.

Players avoiding passing to him and forming sequences without him to avoid him miscontrolling or back passing

Xavi's choice as well.
Another serious issue: that we let him run our SD department

 

[serghei]

Xavi needs one more thing to silence his haters / wannabe tactical experts.

Make a high profile CL victim in the knockouts and reach a CL semis.

Then he did it all. On economy mode.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Xavi needs one more thing to silence his haters / wannabe tactical experts.

Make a high profile CL victim in the knockouts and reach a CL semis.

Then he did it all. On economy mode.

So if he doesn't win LaLiga and doesn't do that you're wrong?

 

[serghei]

That is knocking out a top 3 team like Bayern, City or Madrid.

 

[ajnotkeith]

I am really tired of this shit.
Because the shocking displays never stop. And it's maddening that he keeps hiding behind results.
And Laporta and the board keep hiding behind results as well and don't take the necessary decisions

How long has he been here? It's almost 2 full years since he took over.
In 2 whole years, the only period where the team looked like progressing in playing football was 2 months in early 2022.
Especially since 22/23 season started, this team is regressing rather than progressing

Because it's hard to sack a manager who just won the league and is 1 point off the leaders early into the season, much less a club legend, and one who's project already receives good investment and backing.

The only thing that would trigger a change is no LaLiga or CL this year.

 

[serghei]

So if he doesn't win LaLiga and doesn't do that you're wrong?

No. Finishing 2nd in La Liga and getting knocked out by a superior team in CL is to be expected. That's about our current level.

 

[ajnotkeith]

That is knocking out a top 3 team like Bayern, City or Madrid.

That's outstanding conviction by your standards.

Can't believe you think that is possible based on what you're seeing.

If he puts out City would be incredible.

 

[JamDav1982]

Same 'tactical experts' that wanted Xavi to make FDJ the main man in midfield and play a double pivot.......

Then he did and won league.

Experts.

 

[fergus90]

That is knocking out a top 3 team like Bayern, City or Madrid.

I thought Bayern were massively overrated?

 

[serghei]

I thought Bayern were massively overrated?

They are. Still 3rd in CL atm after City and Madrid.

Some here think Madrid are crap, and those unsurprisingly hype Bayern to high heavens.

 

[Birdy]

Because it's hard to sack a manager who just won the league and is 1 point off the leaders early into the season, much less a club legend, and one who's project already receives good investment and backing.

The only thing that would trigger a change is no LaLiga or CL this year.

The displays of the team play a role as well,
We are Barca not Madrid, not Juventus, not Bayern.
Being content with the league while we play horribly is not our culture.

What terrifies me is that Laporta might not pull the trigger even if we end trophyless or win something minor (like CdR) this season, and hide behind "the project is still developping" type of BS excuses

 

[fergus90]

They are. Still 3rd in CL atm after City and Madrid.

Some here think Madrid are crap, and those unsurprisingly hype Bayern to high heavens.

Bayern and City definitely got deeper squads this year but of course Real have many great players in the first XI. Ancelotti been hung out to dry in the defence and attacking departments.

 

[serghei]

Bayern and City definitely got deeper squads this year but of course Real have many great players in the first XI. Ancelotti been hung out to dry in the defence and attacking departments.

Don't think so. Bellingham is a hit apparently. Vincius is one of the best players in the world and rodrygo is proven at the top in CL. Have some players that have top class potential in the near future, like Tchouameni, Camavinga. Carvajal is still solid.

If they avoid City, they are almost dead on for another CL semis. Too much experience and not a single truly elite side around bar City.

 

[fergus90]

Don't think so. Bellingham is a hit apparently. Vincius is one of the best players in the world and rodrygo is proven at the top in CL. Have some players that have top class potential in the near future, like Tchouameni, Camavinga. Carvajal is still solid.

If they avoid City, they are almost dead on for another CL semis.

Completely missed the point sir.

 

[JamDav1982]

Completely missed the point sir.

As always.

Just wants to start gushing about Real.

They have won one tie past the QFs in last 5 seasons yet gets made out they beat all comers.