CL Round of 16: Napoli - Barca 1-1

[Andresito]

Didn't Barca start preparing for Napoli 20 days back?



Pretty sure I read reports saying this. Prioritising the CL coz they're out of other competitions.

What does that even mean in reality?

Xavi has hardly rotated in these league games, so what else?

 

[Temptation]

What does that even mean in reality?

Xavi has hardly rotated in these league games, so what else?

It generally means starting tactical work and devising a game plan way before this tie. Also, the players getting into the right headspace for this tie in particular


Given your coaching staff, it does sound a bit laughable and gimmicky but you never know: maybe this will be the actual masterclass by Xavi and Oscar in their Barca tenure.


Realistically, Barca should be defeating Napoli comfortably. They are absolutely shocking on and off the field this season. But Xavi's record in European Knockouts is equally horrendous.

 

[Andresito]

It generally means starting tactical work and devising a game plan way before this tie. Also, the players getting into the right headspace for this tie in particular


Given your coaching staff, it does feel a bit laughable but you never know: maybe this will be the actual masterclass by Xavi and Oscar in their Barca tenure.


Realistically, Barca should be defeating Napoli comfortably. They are absolutely shocking on and off the field this season. But Xavi's record in European Knockouts is equally horrendous.

Yeah don't expect a tactical masterclass from those two lol.

 

[Temptation]

Yeah don't expect a tactical masterclass from those two lol.

Barca has looked very nervous in big games this season. More so than last season.


There's zero arrogance(in the positive sense) in this Barca team. The grit, shithousery and character is totally absent. Maybe Gavi would help in this regard.


Barca's best strategy would be to play a calm and composed possession based game and get Gundogan and Yamal on the ball in those RW/Number 10 pockets and play in RL9 while using Roque as a decoy/distracting pest in the final third to create more space.


The most important players for Barcelona in this CL run would be the 2 oldies and the kid. It's all about how they'll combine and produce visible output. MATS in goal needs to be at his usual best and not the European knockout bottler he has been very often.



The first signing Barca need is a proper cunt of a DM. The current Barcelona is so so easy to play through. No grit, no tactical fouls, no dark arts. So many goals this season Barca could have prevented with a little bit of shithousery!

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Xavi after 20 days of intensive discussions with the team about tactics: Play the ball to Lewa and hope.

 

[Andresito]

Felix is back. Other than that no surprises.

 

[Porque]

@Temptation

Xavi should be confident in this tie. He done Napoli good a couple years back.

Now only thing is that Xavi is feeling the squeekybum syndrome these days and will never go for a front three of actual forwards ever again.

 

[Andresito]

Koundé could be benched tonight! It's expected that Iñigo and Cubarsí will form the centre-back pairing against Napoli, with Araújo moving to the right. @martinezferran

Xavi scared of Kvara eh?

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Koundé could be benched tonight! It's expected that Iñigo and Cubarsí will form the centre-back pairing against Napoli, with Araújo moving to the right. @martinezferran

Xavi scared of Kvara eh?

“It is fundamental that we defend well against Napoli, not allowing Politano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia to hurt us in the transitions. They are players who can make the difference.''

 

[Andresito]

Think it's more important to have Araujo vs Osimhen and Kounde vs Kvara than Cubarsi vs Osimhen. Feels like a bad matchup if Araujo is RB.

 

[te amo barca]

Think it's more important to have Araujo vs Osimhen and Kounde vs Kvara than Cubarsi vs Osimhen. Feels like a bad matchup if Araujo is RB.

I don't trust Kounde vs Kvara. I think he could be absolutely destroyed. He is the worst 1v1 defender at the club. WIth Osimhen at least Inigo and Araujo could help out Cubarsi.

I would trust Balde at RB to contain Kvara relatively well. IMO Xavi should have tried Cancelo LB and Balde inverted RB more often this season before he got injured

 

[delancey]

Are we getting spanked tonight?

 

[Messi983]

@Temptation

Xavi should be confident in this tie. He done Napoli good a couple years back.

Now only thing is that Xavi is feeling the squeekybum syndrome these days and will never go for a front three of actual forwards ever again.

Good old times. We actually played some nice football back then.

 

[Porque]

Suggestions the lineup will be

-----------------Stegs---------------
Araujo-Cubarsi-Inigo-Joao
-----------Frenkie-Christ---------
--------Gundagon---Pedri-------
-----Lamine--------------------------
-----------------------Lewy-----------


Is Osimhein fit? Don't like the idea of Araujo on the wing to counter Kvara while dropping all defensive pace down the middle.

 

[Loki]

Cubarsi didn't look good against Granada. I prefer a bad form but experienced Kounde anytime to an unexperienced youngster, with whom you risk dumb mistakes/red card/penalty which could decide a knock-out game.