I would rest Iniesta, Alves, Suarez. Specially Suarez, he's missing too many easy chances lately. he's visibly tired, a res for him would do wonders. Atleast won't start the match with them.
FC Barcelona 2015-16
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The team are tired but I'm not sure that Luis' misses are all just down to fatigue, the best strikers in history all had cold spells where they failed to convert ones they normally would bury. Last night had all the anticipation an inevitable goal from Suarez since he never stays cold for too long.
Still they need to rotate and better integrate Arda, Vidal & Bartra along giving valuable sub minutes to Munir, Sandro & Vermaelen
Still they need to rotate and better integrate Arda, Vidal & Bartra along giving valuable sub minutes to Munir, Sandro & Vermaelen
Neymar looked likea spring chicken yesterday, outsprinting everyone, darting left and right and full of ideas compared to his other amigos.
Messi and Suarez need a rest. Iniesta too, just so he can continue go into god mode in the big games.
Messi and Suarez need a rest. Iniesta too, just so he can continue go into god mode in the big games.
Ozil's been much better than Sanchez this season, big games included.
What have you been watching this season. Ozil has been miles better than Sanchez in nearly all games (including the big games)
The whole Barcelona team seems comfortable on the ball and fully trusts one another. The amount of times they get out of a squeeze with easy is amazing.
We might want to play possession and all that but we all know Blind cant trust Smalling with the ball. And alternatively Smalling cant trust Morgans touch will stick and it goes on and on...
We might want to play possession and all that but we all know Blind cant trust Smalling with the ball. And alternatively Smalling cant trust Morgans touch will stick and it goes on and on...
I wasn't comparing the two of their seasons, I was commenting on them vs Barcelona.
Fair enough
That line is actually incorrect though.
I suppose they play every game not just because of their incredible individual abilities and understanding but also due to the lack of quality that could replace them. They do lack the depth and if a couple of them get injured, there is a chance of them struggling against good teams.
I don't think that they are that good as a team, but their forward line is just exceptional. I can't remember a time when a team had the 3 best players in the world playing for them at the same time. They also don't seem to have big egos, which is very rare on such talented players.
I can't decide between Bravo and ter Stegan. None of them deserve to be dropped.
Don't recall when we had such quality keepers at same time. Don't think most teams have such luxury.
Don't recall when we had such quality keepers at same time. Don't think most teams have such luxury.
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Has to be Mats - Bravo is an elite keeper but he's very poor in terms of playing the ball with his feet. This was inevitable, IMHO. Can't keep two excellent keepers in the same competitive squad and expect them to be happy longterm
I've always felt Bravo was the more assured of the two. I've seen Stegen look nervy at times whereas Bravo has always been rock solid. Stegen has improved this season?
Might be the wrong place to post this but CAFU vs Dani alves; who do you regard as better?
Dealing with pressure on the ball, for me, there's no contest that Mats is basically an outfield player compared to Bravo - equally adept with both feet. Command of his area, I think it's only natural that young keepers show more nerviness than a veteran but I never have any concerns with him in goal.
With Valdes, early in his career, there was always a concern about set pieces and leaving his line to deal with crosses - in that regard both Bravo & Mats have similar strengths. Curious how their numbers compare but, the combo of youth & ability on the ball make the German the preferred keeper, for me
Edit. Found the stats for both
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Even Dani cites Cafu as the greatest but Dani's accomplishments (Cafu benefitted with better teammates with the Selecção) with club dward the legend. Even Cafu cited Alves as his natural heir, whatever that means
Barca increase their annual donation to UNICEF to two millions euros per year.
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Interesting. For all dani alves attacking ability; his defensive abilities have overtaken them now. Especially when you compare him to someone like Marcelo.
That's an amazing graphic. I wish there was more of those
Marcelo in the same sentence as Cafu & Alves
Cafu comfortably
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Nice stats. But it has physically taken a toll on the players Hope we can recover soon.
According to whoscored.com rating, Barcelona are behind Madrid and PSG (though marginally). It's odd that RM are like 12 points behind Barca at this stage and looking at this ratings.
Agreed, Cafu is the GOAT in the RB position, his world cup record, club record and attributes absolutely insane, even in the latter stages of his career still could run the flanks like an 18 year old.
shows how lucky Milan were to have 2 GOATs in their team in Maldini and Cafu at one period.
Piqué indirectly trashing Cesc & his 'loyalties' as well
Got to love him
Rakitic has been such a terrific signing for them. An allround top midfielder at the age of 26 entering his prime years, already proven in La Liga, for just 18-20m euros.
Well, he wouldn't be the first one to make a U-turn if he'd change his mind.
Somewhat funny that four months or so after telling Mourinho to ''shut up'', Fabregas then joined Chelsea. We're fine without him.
Fine is putting it lightly, he was dead weight or as Tata described 'a rotten apple'
Tata Martino is an incompetent fool.
Probably why he recognized another in Cesc
And why he lost the league to a team with a fraction of his resources.
36 match unbeaten streak, even more remarkable when you consider a number of factors that do not show up in the streak. One, they are coming off a treble season and having played more matches than any club in European football last season. Two, they had no preseason. Three, they had more than 2 months of their schedule so intense that they were averaging a match every 3 days (And already playing the most matches of any club in Europe, this season). The normal & all too understandable complacency that can arise in a team that has won & played so much already - there is an insatiable appetite for winning among the players
They now get a week's rest, the first time since some time in December
They now get a week's rest, the first time since some time in December
Two, they had no preseason
what?
what?
That really shows how important that link with Alves is to Messi's game.
Im also surprised Iniesta has a relatively low pass number. Would have been great to see that graphic when Xavi was around.