jairzinho
Senior Member
Like who?
Hans-Dieter Flick
- Thread starter Fati_Future_BallonDor
- Start date
Like who?
jamrock
Senior Member
Just rewatching the game. They surprised us very badly on corners. We assumed they will try to cross the ball into the box, but they executed many short passes on corners and worked the flank in wild superiority scenarios.
Both the 1st goal and the goal that was disallowed early on for hand ball came from short corners and working 3 vs 2 overloads. Too many people in the box marking nobody.
This is first disallowed goal, 3rd minute or so. Short corner, we overcomit bodies in the box while Chelsea build wild superiority on the flank. I mean I don't understand this. Maresca is one of Pep's students and Pep often played corners short. How didn't we see this coming?
Funny thing is Cucurella is placed exactly as he is on the first goal. Onside as well, asking the ball unmarked by anyone. In this play, Neto crossed instead.
This is the 1st goal. Nearly identical. Neto, Estevao and Cucurella doing what they want following a short corner. While we assume they will play like a typical EPL side and smash a cross while putting bodies in the box. Didn't do enough studying of Chelsea apparently.
Fermin and De Jong both rush towards Neto. Another stupid thing.
One triggers the press, and one cuts the best pass option. Neither cuts the pass to Cucurella. Both approach Neto on the wrong trajectory and fail to close a simple but very dangerous pass. If they assume he will be in offside, that's even worse.
Normally, Fermin does the press to block Neto (and should not be a full press, should be just a press to lock him from advancing, not a press to dispossess him, which is another tactical issue for us), and De Jong immediately closes the pass channel to Cucurella. Then Neto most likely passes the ball back to Estevao. Problem solved.
They clearly were smartedly coached, while we went into the game thinking we'll do our usual plan A and it should work.
serghei
Senior Member
Yeah, there were big problems on corners in particular, but also other issues. Surprised us totally including with the use and positioning of Pedro Neto. He played as a 9 on paper but actually spent a lot of time pulling the strings as a Messi-like false 9 in this game drifting to the right on his normal position. Used him to build superiority. Him, Cucurella and Estevao bossed us.
serghei
Senior Member
We were a mess, not knowing who to mark, standing in free space while overloads happened at will on the flanks. Poor Fermin and De Jong caught between 4 opponents, multiple threats not knowing what to do. When you are put in those situations constantly, you are bound to fuck up. Where is Ferran, where is Balde on those corners? In the box most likely expecting some crosses marking nobody. While the opponent has their no9 on paper overloading our flank and turning it into their little playground.
We had no clue about Chelsea's strongest points. Even though players like Cucurella, Estevao and Neto are probably the most gifted players on the ball for Chelsea. I have no explanation on our part how they were allowed to build superiority so easily. They are combinative players. Much more so than Garnacho who is a bit of a one trick pony.
We had no clue about Chelsea's strongest points. Even though players like Cucurella, Estevao and Neto are probably the most gifted players on the ball for Chelsea. I have no explanation on our part how they were allowed to build superiority so easily. They are combinative players. Much more so than Garnacho who is a bit of a one trick pony.
serghei
Senior Member
Open play situations weren't nearly as bad, but we botched the set pieces big time. Didn't watch the 2nd half but that's useless anyway as the game was over with the red. Easy to blame Flick for this, but Ferran was so bad, I can't be sure this is not related to his individual disasterclass. Most of the action in the first half by Chelsea came on his flank. Almost all of it.
Season is gonna get more defined when we have the full standard 11 available. If this stuff happens frequently again... then Flick will be more and more under scrutiny.
Season is gonna get more defined when we have the full standard 11 available. If this stuff happens frequently again... then Flick will be more and more under scrutiny.
There were two games last night- before the red card and after the red card. Everything analysed should be keep into those two mindsets (and those those reading that ready to jump in, well atleast the coach didn't get his ass sent off).
11v11 quite even with Chelsea taking the momentum, about 60/40 to Chelsea.
11v10, an absolute lesson in the gogoplata and every variation of a chokehold- blood or air.
In the end a humbling game for everyone involved. The pressure is off in Europe, so time to build up in LaLiga for 2026. If we can sneak in one strong winter signing then that could change alot. Bring back Busi, bring back Xavi (the player), hell, bring back Gumbau.
11v11 quite even with Chelsea taking the momentum, about 60/40 to Chelsea.
11v10, an absolute lesson in the gogoplata and every variation of a chokehold- blood or air.
In the end a humbling game for everyone involved. The pressure is off in Europe, so time to build up in LaLiga for 2026. If we can sneak in one strong winter signing then that could change alot. Bring back Busi, bring back Xavi (the player), hell, bring back Gumbau.
malvolio
Senior Member
In open play they had proper athletic beasts in midfield, who dominated our weak ass Eric - FDJ - Fermin trio. We still don't have a proper DM who can shield our defense.
serghei
Senior Member
They did, but in the first half, only two really important chances happened in open play. Both due to fuck-ups and bad turnovers by both Barcelona and Chelsea. The shot wide by Ferran in min 5, and the Neto shot over the bar after a De Jong - Balde error not long after.
The rest of the danger Chelsea posed was through corners and set pieces. Both the disallowed and the legit goal are nearly identical plays where we defended poorly as if we barely studied our opponent.
jamrock
Senior Member
Yea 60/40 is about right.
I'd say 65/35 though lol.
After the red, everything was irrelevant, we had no chance
Devils
Senior Member
Aside from the Ferran chance, Barca were still getting dunked on by Chelsea. Couldn't cope with the intensity or physicality of their players. Caicedo, Enzo, Reece, Cucrella were bullying the Barca players with their physiciality.
Chelsea in attack just did was PSG did 3 years ago: Target the likes of Araujo, Kounde and Balde because they know they are poor on the ball.
It's very easy, if you can bully the Barca midfield and put pressure on the Barca defense, the backline will crumble like stale bread.
Until Barca gets some defenders who are good on the ball and can play out of pressure, this is a cakwalk for any team.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
Flick started by acknowledging that Barcelona should have made better use of their early chances, after which came a period of Chelsea dominance that never ended.
“We had a chance to score the first goal, and after that, playing with one man down against this Chelsea isn’t easy. We fought, and I also saw some positive things.
“But we lost a large number of balls. And that’s all I can say. We lost easy balls under pressure and in easy passes. So we need to analyse all of this,” he said.
The Barcelona coach admitted that following the Chelsea defeat, securing a place in the last eight will be even more difficult. “It will definitely be a very difficult task, but everything is possible,” he said.
It was clear that Chelsea were the better side of the two. But when asked about Barcelona’s intensity, especially compared to last season, Flick chose to hail the opposition.
“I think it’s just one match, and this is Chelsea. We started well and had a big chance from Ferran, but we could have scored the first goal.
“And in the end, with one player less, things go like this, but I also think we have the intensity we need today. As for me, I can repeat it again, I’m optimistic about the next match. We’ll see, but I’m really optimistic,” he said.
“It’s not easy to play against Chelsea, against a very good team, and you’re down a man,” he added.
When asked whether or not Barcelona’s high defensive line was the problem, Flick said, “No, that’s not it. I think we defended well, but the problem was that we lost a lot of balls.
“It wasn’t that they pressed us and we lost the ball, no. Rather, we were making easy passes and then losing them, I’m positive. I’m also positive about what we offered in the second half and how we defended as a team.”
Flick was also asked if there is a clear disparity between the intensity of La Liga and Champions League matches.
“I don’t know exactly the number of minutes, but I think we played a lot of minutes while missing a player, and Chelsea is a very good team with the ball. So we have to accept this loss, but also think positively,” he answered.
A big turning point of the match came just before half-time when Ronald Araujo’s rash tackle led to his second yellow card.
“With the red card, everything changed. So it wasn’t easy to face this great team and come back in the match while we were down a player. For me, we have to accept this defeat, but I’m also looking with great optimism toward the upcoming matches,” he said.
The German was asked what he would do to help Araujo avoid picking up red cards in important matches.
“As for me, I didn’t see what happened with the first card. So I have to talk to him, and I also have to watch the match videos again and analyse them.
“The second card happens sometimes, but perhaps he could have avoided intervening like that, or maybe guided him more on what he can do. But in the end, this happens in football. It wasn’t the right time, nor the right match, but that’s how it went,” he answered.
Flick went on to talk about what Barcelona have learnt from this match, where the opposition was clearly the better team.
“To play more aggressively, especially in 1v1 situations, when you see Chelsea, they always maintain possession of the ball. They played more physically and were more dynamic in 1v1 matchups.
“That’s also what I want from my team. Sometimes we think we can control everything with the ball, but here in the Champions League, and especially here against a club that’s second in the Premier League, that’s not the case,” he said.
When asked if we will see a different Barcelona in a few months, Flick alluded to his previous promise.
“This is what I promised you. I see how we train, I see the quality, and I also see the intensity. The situation is completely different from what it was 6 weeks ago. And the players are returning, and the quality in training is improving a lot, and this is what I see.
“And I have a very good feeling about it and am optimistic about the future,” he said.
Finally, the German tactician talked about Barcelona’s road ahead, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
“I think I really saw some positive things from my team, and I’m also looking forward with optimism to the upcoming matches, and also the Champions League.
“We have three matches, three matches, nine points to win, and I’m really looking at it positively and thinking positively about it. We can achieve this,” he concluded.
“We had a chance to score the first goal, and after that, playing with one man down against this Chelsea isn’t easy. We fought, and I also saw some positive things.
“But we lost a large number of balls. And that’s all I can say. We lost easy balls under pressure and in easy passes. So we need to analyse all of this,” he said.
The Barcelona coach admitted that following the Chelsea defeat, securing a place in the last eight will be even more difficult. “It will definitely be a very difficult task, but everything is possible,” he said.
It was clear that Chelsea were the better side of the two. But when asked about Barcelona’s intensity, especially compared to last season, Flick chose to hail the opposition.
“I think it’s just one match, and this is Chelsea. We started well and had a big chance from Ferran, but we could have scored the first goal.
“And in the end, with one player less, things go like this, but I also think we have the intensity we need today. As for me, I can repeat it again, I’m optimistic about the next match. We’ll see, but I’m really optimistic,” he said.
“It’s not easy to play against Chelsea, against a very good team, and you’re down a man,” he added.
When asked whether or not Barcelona’s high defensive line was the problem, Flick said, “No, that’s not it. I think we defended well, but the problem was that we lost a lot of balls.
“It wasn’t that they pressed us and we lost the ball, no. Rather, we were making easy passes and then losing them, I’m positive. I’m also positive about what we offered in the second half and how we defended as a team.”
Flick was also asked if there is a clear disparity between the intensity of La Liga and Champions League matches.
“I don’t know exactly the number of minutes, but I think we played a lot of minutes while missing a player, and Chelsea is a very good team with the ball. So we have to accept this loss, but also think positively,” he answered.
A big turning point of the match came just before half-time when Ronald Araujo’s rash tackle led to his second yellow card.
“With the red card, everything changed. So it wasn’t easy to face this great team and come back in the match while we were down a player. For me, we have to accept this defeat, but I’m also looking with great optimism toward the upcoming matches,” he said.
The German was asked what he would do to help Araujo avoid picking up red cards in important matches.
“As for me, I didn’t see what happened with the first card. So I have to talk to him, and I also have to watch the match videos again and analyse them.
“The second card happens sometimes, but perhaps he could have avoided intervening like that, or maybe guided him more on what he can do. But in the end, this happens in football. It wasn’t the right time, nor the right match, but that’s how it went,” he answered.
Flick went on to talk about what Barcelona have learnt from this match, where the opposition was clearly the better team.
“To play more aggressively, especially in 1v1 situations, when you see Chelsea, they always maintain possession of the ball. They played more physically and were more dynamic in 1v1 matchups.
“That’s also what I want from my team. Sometimes we think we can control everything with the ball, but here in the Champions League, and especially here against a club that’s second in the Premier League, that’s not the case,” he said.
When asked if we will see a different Barcelona in a few months, Flick alluded to his previous promise.
“This is what I promised you. I see how we train, I see the quality, and I also see the intensity. The situation is completely different from what it was 6 weeks ago. And the players are returning, and the quality in training is improving a lot, and this is what I see.
“And I have a very good feeling about it and am optimistic about the future,” he said.
Finally, the German tactician talked about Barcelona’s road ahead, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
“I think I really saw some positive things from my team, and I’m also looking forward with optimism to the upcoming matches, and also the Champions League.
“We have three matches, three matches, nine points to win, and I’m really looking at it positively and thinking positively about it. We can achieve this,” he concluded.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
“This is what I promised you. I see how we train, I see the quality, and I also see the intensity. The situation is completely different from what it was 6 weeks ago. And the players are returning, and the quality in training is improving a lot, and this is what I see.'
Hansi is basically saying we will peak in 2nd half of the season to win the CL
Hansi is basically saying we will peak in 2nd half of the season to win the CL
serghei
Senior Member
It was pretty close in the first half if you ignore Chelsea taking their set pieces very well and us doing a piss poor job at defending them. Chelsea dominated for sure, but they played at home and we had some key injuries.
Dominating and putting pressure is not automatically such a big deal. Cucurella, Neto, and Estevao played great games, and all activated on our left flank.
Dominating and putting pressure is not automatically such a big deal. Cucurella, Neto, and Estevao played great games, and all activated on our left flank.
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