Hans-Dieter Flick

[serghei]

Raphinha is legit and absolutely world-class. His improvement has been astronomical and I do think Flick's direct attacking style suits him perfectly and is the main reason why he's so much better now. He needed to be put in the right place to succeed.

Other than that, I want to ask you a question. Sincerely, do you think you were wrong with your analysis on our team and Xavi in the past (your doomerism?) Our team is now performing at an elite level consistently and it is clearly not a fluke.

Raphinha was starting to improve since Xavi was still here at a fast rate. You forgot he scored 3 goals in 2 games vs PSG in CL quarters last season? But it's true he improves even more under Flick.

I haven't been wrong with Xavi at all. It's not like I said he was a world class manager or anything of the sort. He did a good job, Flick is doing a better job, but we need to see at the end of the season what he achieves to be able to compare properly.

 

[JamDav1982]

Raphinha was starting to improve since Xavi was here at a fast rate. You forgot he scored 3 goals in 2 games vs PSG in CL quarters last season?

He is better now than ever was under Xavi clearly but yes he was better when after nearly 2 years Xavi realised couldnt be a RW on touchline asked to take players on.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Raphinha was starting to improve since Xavi was here at a fast rate. You forgot he scored 3 goals in 2 games vs PSG in CL quarters last season?

I don't think there's any real connection because the improvement has been astronomical.

Lets say 'rate of change' ; he was improving gradually under Xavi and then shot up drastically under Flick. It's clear for me.

But, can you answer the second part? Genuinely interested to know.

 

[serghei]

What analysis on our team exactly? I still think our squad is not comparable to the elite teams. If we beat a big team in CL this season this will be huge credit to Flick first and foremost.

You should be happy about that btw. It means any big success that is above expectations is gonna be tied directly to Flick's work.

 

[JamDav1982]

What analysis on our team exactly? I still think our squad is not comparable to the elite teams. If we beat a big team in CL this season this will be huge credit to Flick first and foremost.

Who cant Barca compete with?

Barca have already beaten better teams in Europe this season than Xavi could in 3 years.

 

[ajnotkeith]

He is better now than ever was under Xavi clearly but yes he was better when after nearly 2 years Xavi realised couldnt be a RW on touchline asked to take players on.

Xavi, as he did with other wingers who clearly were not touchline players, stuck Raphinha out on the wing hugging the touchline and telling him to take on fullbacks at the edge of the final third, which is literally his weakest point.

As you correctly point out it took Xavi 2 years to realise that Raphinha is a better player when given freedom centrally.

Same with Ferran Torres. He brought him as a personal request, and then stuck him out on the touchline where he was useless.

Xavi was tactically clueless.

 

[jamrock]

We are absolutely blessed to have this manager.

His approach is the most innovative in Europe, there is no team who can play football like we do, we are lethal attackers and we have a near perfect offside trap.

Barca is back, teams fear us again, it's not like before where every time we faced a big team we would crumble. And whine about the players not being good enough. We are now a force to be reckoned with and opposing managers all know it.

I am not referencing Xavi in order to sh*t on him again but simply to highlight the difference between an average manager and an elite one. This guy is several levels above, tactically, mentally, man management wise, and attitude wise.

No matter what happens this season we need to fully back him. Even if we win nothing (but with Flick, I am confident he will win the league and very possibly the CL).

This guy is the Truth.

After every half decent game, this guy mentions Xavi lol

 

[Gnidrologist]

The man gives red cards away to handicap his opponents, because winning awesomely all the time is just too tiresome for such a giant. Can respect that.

 

[JamDav1982]

After every half decent game, this guy mentions Xavi lol

From the folk inspecting 'average points' when Flicks Barca went on a poor run...

 

[jamrock]

Xavi, as he did with other wingers who clearly were not touchline players, stuck Raphinha out on the wing hugging the touchline and telling him to take on fullbacks at the edge of the final third, which is literally his weakest point.

As you correctly point out it took Xavi 2 years to realise that Raphinha is a better player when given freedom centrally.

Same with Ferran Torres. He brought him as a personal request, and then stuck him out on the touchline where he was useless.

Xavi was tactically clueless.

Thankfully the club didn't listen to you constantly complaining about him after every other game and selling him then.

You wanna look at the big goals and assist raph had with us from day one!!.

Oh wait he only just started to play for Barca this here.

He was 0, now he's a 9/10.

 

[Porque]

What analysis on our team exactly? I still think our squad is not comparable to the elite teams. If we beat a big team in CL this season this will be huge credit to Flick first and foremost.

You should be happy about that btw. It means any big success that is above expectations is gonna be tied directly to Flick's work.

Real Madrid not elite? Or did they get worse getting in Mbappe to replace Joselu.

In CL beat Bayern who can reach final 4.

 

[serghei]

Anyway, if you lot want to gloat about Flick vs Xavi, at least wait until there's something to gloat about. Don't be like Arsenal fans.

In other words, wait for this.

 

[Joan]

It’s a shame the team hadn’t been professionally managed over the last few seasons. Be it Flick or someone else. Huge difference.

It is what it is, as a great man once said. Better late than never.

 

[serghei]

Real Madrid not elite? Or did they get worse getting in Mbappe to replace Joselu.

Oh if we beat Madrid in CL it's as elite as it gets. Xavi beat Madrid multiple times, in 3 competitions.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Thankfully the club didn't listen to you constantly complaining about him after every other game and selling him then.

You wanna look at the big goals and assist raph had with us from day one!!.

Oh wait he only just started to play for Barca this here.

He was 0, now he's a 9/10.

To be fair, I never said that, you can look through my post history about him, I actually said he is a good player being misused.

But I grant you that I didn't predict him becoming this good. I don't think anyone did.