La Liga 2020/21

Daysleeper

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It’s one of those things like the Gerrard slip, that’s just so perfect you can’t help but think it’s like a script written by their biggest rivals. The goings on at Barcelona must have been such a joy to watch for their rivals.
and yet Barca have won more trophies than Madrid in recent years despite the terrible board and Madrid are looking poor to start this season.

It’s definitely a circus with the board, but Madrid won’t walk the league
 

VBI

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This new system might have some use, although Busquets has been shockingly bad so far. The new strip looks a lot better on the players than it did in the original photos.
 

Daysleeper

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Busquets will be replaced by Pjanic, though I wish we could find a way for Puig to have a bigger role.

Crazy to be up 4-0 at halftime against a team that finished fifth last season.
 

Hoof the ball

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Some thoughts.

Infinitely more aggressive press from front to back.
The fluidity of the front three interchanging is creating a ton of space.
Tempo is really good. Counter-attacks are actually catching them in numerical inferiority.
Less focus on Messi will probably free him from constant double-marking.
Fati is insane.
De Jong has been exceptional in midfield.
 

VorZakone

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Still think that Barca back 5 will get terrorized again in the CL.
 

izec

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Some thoughts.

Infinitely more aggressive press from front to back.
The fluidity of the front three interchanging is creating a ton of space.
Tempo is really good. Counter-attacks are actually catching them in numerical inferiority.
Less focus on Messi will probably free him from constant double-marking.
Fati is insane.
De Jong has been exceptional in midfield.
Assuming they get a striker in and Dest, Busquets and their CBs will be the weak link. They need someone better there at DM and CB.
 

FootballHQ

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Emery masterplan going well again I see v Barca. :houllier:

Think it's worth noting that for all their issues last season Barca only dropped points in 3 home games last season, draws v the Madrids and a home defeat to Osasuna when I'm guessing Madrid had already won the league.

So many teams are beaten before they set foot on Camp Nou and Messi can influence games so much more on home turf. Real test for them will be in the tricky away games at likes of Bilbao, Granada and Levante, all ones they lost last season.
 

AltiUn

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These fireworks are more annoying than the vuvuzela.
 

Bastian

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What's the formation they're playing (not watching) ?

Koeman spoke about wanting to play players in their correct positions, said Griezmann was not a winger, and de Jong was a midfielder. Where are Messi, Coutinho and Griezmann positioned?
 

Bebestation

Im a doctor btw, my IQ destroys yours
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Is pau torres having a bad game or is it more the teams cohesive fault aka manager?
 

Hoof the ball

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What's the formation they're playing (not watching) ?

Koeman spoke about wanting to play players in their correct positions, said Griezmann was not a winger, and de Jong was a midfielder. Where are Messi, Coutinho and Griezmann positioned?
4-2-3-1.

Busquets and de Jong in the pivot.
Coutinho AM, Griez CF, Messi RW, Fati LW, however, it was more fluid and dynamic so the players were constantly changing position. Sometimes Messi would be CF; Griez would be RW, etc.

Tempo was much higher, pressing was very aggressive all across the field. Even Messi worked a little harder than usual in the press.
 

Xaviesta

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Decent enough first performance in a competitive game under Koeman, partiulcarly the first half. There seemed to be a purpose to the possession which was obviously good to see. Even though it's only game, I was pleased with the lack of reliance on Messi.
 
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Bole Top

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Coutinho is probably lucky there's no crowd this season. he was mercilessly booed in his last couple of games at Nou Camp before Barca sent him to Bayern. it will be interesting to see if he can revive his career and return not necessarily to his 2016/17 form, but at least to the point when he was actually wanted... by anyone.

and Aspas is a bit like La Liga's Vardy, basically untransferable. not much value in buying him in his age and even less value in selling him from Celta's point of view. money can't buy them equally good player that is willing to stay there for years only for fight relegation every season.
 

Pretzels81

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Unbearably tiresome BS in the press and multiple omens/predictions since Messi said he wanted to leave, just to start the season with a 4-0, with Fati as the new future star.
 

NieThePiet

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Courtois is winning points for Real in nearly every game.
One of the best deals for Real in the last years, especially after how we he was critised after the first season.
 

carvajal

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Mayoral finally on loan to Roma, with a purchase option
 

Pretzels81

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Dest has just signed for Barcelona.

According to the press, the RB version of Davis. We'll see.
 

Morty_

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Courtois is winning points for Real in nearly every game.
One of the best deals for Real in the last years, especially after how we he was critised after the first season.
In a different world, RM buys Kepa instead...
 

Paxi

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Fati with the opening goal. Very well taken.
 

Paxi

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Lenglet off now. Pique should have been off but for offside.

Quite harsh I think but also stupid from him.
 

Morty_

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This kid Fati. :drool:
Incredible how your team just conjure up supertalent after supertalent whenever another one decline, 17 years of this stuff.
 

Daysleeper

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Early days obviously, but Koeman has done a fairly solid job so far.
 

VBI

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There's definitely a bit more pressing and movement about the team so far.
 

MalcolmTucker

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Also noticed that there's less deference to Messi as well, look much more like a team in these past two games
 

Hansinity

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Coutinho slowly getting back to top form. According to some of my Barca friends he has been one of the best players during pre-season and the first league Games. Interesting that 2 written off position 10 players ( + James Rodriguez) are performing again.

Happy for him , such a nice player on and especially off the pitch.
 

Hoof the ball

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Great effort by Barca. Look at that counter and pressing by ten men. Messi was immense with his effort in the second half. Non-stop running on defensive and offensive end.
 

Heyli

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Coutinho slowly getting back to top form. According to some of my Barca friends he has been one of the best players during pre-season and the first league Games. Interesting that 2 written off position 10 players ( + James Rodriguez) are performing again.

Happy for him , such a nice player on and especially off the pitch.
I think he was very good. love how he moves when he receives a pass, very quick to get some space there if someone is defending him closely.

Good movement and the 2nd half was pretty good considering they only had 10 players (and the pitch was very very wet...). Not the best game ever, but solid performance overall I would say. Definitely more fun to watch than last season. They just looked hopeless in many games then...
 

wr8_utd

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That's a marvelous performance from Barca given the sending off, the conditions and the fact that they're at a ground they never win at. Messi still not remotely close to his best and he still had two crucial contributions. Coutinho and De Jong looked great as well. Griezmann looks completely finished as a footballer and even Depay would be a huge upgrade on him.