Do you disagree?
Xavi (Spanish Lego Pep) | Barca manager - and will be next season - or will he?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Some months ago there were rumours that they would have to pay Liverpool a big chunk of money if Coutinho reached X no. of games - have they passed that threshold yet?
They are missing Messi's goals, for sure, but for some reason, Ter Stegen is crap this season and their defense concedes at least 1 goal every match. "Not always scoring+always conceding = 8th spot"; simple.
It was supposed to be 5 more games back in february 2021 so i'd say they did.
So possibly Xavi is trying to prove a point that the player is not wanted, but at his own detriment!
Xavi needs to get rid of the old guard if he is going to be successful at Barcelona, the old guard includes former teammates though, but he will have to put that aside.
Well, his post game interview was quite telling...
To be honest, they can be as shit as they like up until April. The truth is that, outside of the top 3, there's not a single team there that can put up a consistent winning run so the gap will never be too big. And if at some point it somehow clicks for Barca, they'll be 4th easily. So, I still think they will make it.
Realistically, they are looking at a multi-year squad rebuild. Especially if you consider their financial possibilities. Thomas Müller's quote after the CL game about the lack of intensity has really stuck with me.
Will be interesting to see how much time Xavi gets.
Will be interesting to see how much time Xavi gets.
instead of all those rules and fines, he should've simpy come out and said - "The phrase Barca DNA is forbidden from now on". it means nothing in 2021. their B team is rotting in lower league. their youth also got destroyed by Benfica and Dynamo youngsters and are out of CL as well. so much for that DNA. you are either physically fit for modern football or you should be playing for Zaragoza, that's it. teams without any kind of physical presence are a thing of past. just look at Eric Garcia's photos for example.
how does this compete with Mbappe or Haaland? yeah, he's slow and weak, but at least he can pass the ball. same goes for Puig who will be playing for Las Palmas in about 2-3 years. Muller was right, you don't compete with such players, period.
how does this compete with Mbappe or Haaland? yeah, he's slow and weak, but at least he can pass the ball. same goes for Puig who will be playing for Las Palmas in about 2-3 years. Muller was right, you don't compete with such players, period.
I think that probably sums up their issues quite well. They sort of revolutionized football a few years back but became a little too comfortable and overlooked a few trends. If teams operate on a similar tactical and techncal level, it is only logical that physique and intensity will make the difference.instead of all those rules and fines, he should've simpy come out and said - "The phrase Barca DNA is forbidden from now on". it means nothing in 2021. their B team is rotting in lower league. their youth also got destroyed by Benfica and Dynamo youngsters and are out of CL as well. so much for that DNA. you are either physically fit for modern football or you should be playing for Zaragoza, that's it. teams without any kind of physical presence are a thing of past. just look at Eric Garcia's photos for example.
how does this compete with Mbappe or Haaland? yeah, he's slow and weak, but at least he can pass the ball. same goes for Puig who will be playing for Las Palmas in about 2-3 years. Muller was right, you don't compete with such players, period.
Let's see if they can catch up now. We've seen quite a few players really muscling up over a few months in the past years.
It's hard not to hate Xavi.
He is getting pampered, and his media friends keep talking about the "Xavi way of playing". He is a nobody manager and needs to learn and adapt to the team, not vice versa. Today, managers are coaches first, and need to improve their players for main role. The "playing style" or "Barca DNA" is a luxury debate, and meant only to distract from real issues.
He is getting pampered, and his media friends keep talking about the "Xavi way of playing". He is a nobody manager and needs to learn and adapt to the team, not vice versa. Today, managers are coaches first, and need to improve their players for main role. The "playing style" or "Barca DNA" is a luxury debate, and meant only to distract from real issues.
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Barca DNA hasn't really meant much in a while. La Masia hasn't produced a world-class player in like 10 years.
Not that I don't agree with your POV, but I don't think any currently available elite manager wants to bear the responsibility to re-direct this sunken Barca ship. Maybe the profile of a manager like Xavi is the best suited to try to steer the wheel... But chances is he is not going to perform better than Koeman due that both face the same circumstances.
First, this Barca team is trash. It has no World Class players. No bench. They do have a couple of maybe interesting youngsters like Pedri, Gavi or Ansu Fati (when not injured), but they are currently unable to take leadership and will be an uncertainty in the near future. It has no leaders. Piqué has been semi-retired for like 5 years ago and thinking more of his entrepeneurships outside football. Alba, Sergi Roberto and Busquets are slow as hell and barely agreed to diminish their salaries. The few "good players" remaining like Ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong are most likely thinking how to flee.
Secondly, their financial crisis. No money and huge huge debt. This makes it impossible to re-new the squad within a short term. This caused Messi to exit. This will prevent any World Class player to join. Their best best will be to try free agent operations, try to kick out Pique, Roberto, Alba and Busquets as soon as possible. Obtain some revenue from their few scraps like Dembele, De Jong or ter Stegen. Continue giving chances to academy players... Maybe Ansu Fati - if completely fit - can become a leader in this painful time for Barca fans.
Third, the Barca Board. It's key that Laporta starts being decisive and diminish their debts. He should also start being honest, stop giving BS speeches and stay realistic that these will be very harsh years for Barca.
In the end, I think Barca will eventually leave this deplorable situation because they are an important world brand, but it will take a lot of time and effort. I think at least 5 - 10 years before they manage to win La Liga and compete in CL.
Does anyone know what Barca's La Liga cap is next year if they fail to get 4th and they get bounced out of the Ropey League by Napoli?
I don't see how Barcelona can leave their bad situation if it's going to take 5-10 years for them to win a league title. That's a huge chunk of a player's career; anyone good enough will just leave and they'll be constantly playing catch-up.
It's a man utd forum. They have a skewed vision of time because that's how it works for their club...
Barca still losing points, lacking offensive quality and not able to hold on to leads in a game...
Its almost as if....
<stay with me here>
almost... perhaps...
as if its wasn't all Ronalds Koemans fault...
and as if Xavi is running into the same issues with the squad..
Who would have thought?
Its almost as if....
<stay with me here>
almost... perhaps...
as if its wasn't all Ronalds Koemans fault...
and as if Xavi is running into the same issues with the squad..
Who would have thought?
Yeah but at least Xavi is pissed about it! Pissed i tells ya! Not like Maloeman who just accepts the mediocrity
Having watched a lot of Al Saad and seen Xavi's style, it's going to take time. Barca need a DNA transfusion, so to speak. They need to let Xavi play his way fully and not force him into what they think they should play.
He played a 3-2-2-2-1 at Al Saad and often dominated the middle and then two wide outlets always outnumbered the opposition. They scored for fun. This also meant they were susceptible to counter attacks but mostly they controlled games. To do this at Barca, he needs to adjust the defence, pull back the wide players and play a bit more cautious but ultimately he still needs players who can run 90 mins non stop, and that will buy into his ideals.
At Al Saad every single player idolized him and ran through brick walls for him, they bought in 100%, these guys now the older guys Busquets, Pique, Alba are too far gone to do that and buy in, they are his mates, he needs warriors with full respect. Nico and Pedri as 2 in the middle is a start, they need another midfield breaker, a tough physical unit in there with them, then Fati Depay Dembele will suffice for now. Defensively they should just stick with Garcia,Araujo and Umtiti(if he's fit). Garcia can be the ball player and calm things from deep while Araujo and Umtiti be the enforcers and cover. This will help the full backs with cover. The high energy pressing, vertical game mixed with Tiki Taka is what they need not just the 70% possession bore fest. They need to add physicality to the flair otherwise they will be bullied all over. Xavi can succeed, but it will take time and full buy in.
He played a 3-2-2-2-1 at Al Saad and often dominated the middle and then two wide outlets always outnumbered the opposition. They scored for fun. This also meant they were susceptible to counter attacks but mostly they controlled games. To do this at Barca, he needs to adjust the defence, pull back the wide players and play a bit more cautious but ultimately he still needs players who can run 90 mins non stop, and that will buy into his ideals.
At Al Saad every single player idolized him and ran through brick walls for him, they bought in 100%, these guys now the older guys Busquets, Pique, Alba are too far gone to do that and buy in, they are his mates, he needs warriors with full respect. Nico and Pedri as 2 in the middle is a start, they need another midfield breaker, a tough physical unit in there with them, then Fati Depay Dembele will suffice for now. Defensively they should just stick with Garcia,Araujo and Umtiti(if he's fit). Garcia can be the ball player and calm things from deep while Araujo and Umtiti be the enforcers and cover. This will help the full backs with cover. The high energy pressing, vertical game mixed with Tiki Taka is what they need not just the 70% possession bore fest. They need to add physicality to the flair otherwise they will be bullied all over. Xavi can succeed, but it will take time and full buy in.
You must have a lot of time on your hands then....
It's my job hehe, I'm a video analyst at Al Nasr in Dubai so I watch a lot of games from teams in the region too.
Thats pretty cool!
Aye. The common thread between those various Champions League pumpings is that vulnerability to counter attacks and the lack of pace and strength in the defence. It is very difficult to play a high line in a ball dominating set-up without real pace and power to defend 1v1 in wide open spaces. Even the glory days under Pep relied partly on the physicality of Alves, Puyol and Abidal to cover a lot of ground and win the aerial battles.instead of all those rules and fines, he should've simpy come out and said - "The phrase Barca DNA is forbidden from now on". it means nothing in 2021. their B team is rotting in lower league. their youth also got destroyed by Benfica and Dynamo youngsters and are out of CL as well. so much for that DNA. you are either physically fit for modern football or you should be playing for Zaragoza, that's it. teams without any kind of physical presence are a thing of past. just look at Eric Garcia's photos for example.
how does this compete with Mbappe or Haaland? yeah, he's slow and weak, but at least he can pass the ball. same goes for Puig who will be playing for Las Palmas in about 2-3 years. Muller was right, you don't compete with such players, period.
instead of all those rules and fines, he should've simpy come out and said - "The phrase Barca DNA is forbidden from now on". it means nothing in 2021. their B team is rotting in lower league. their youth also got destroyed by Benfica and Dynamo youngsters and are out of CL as well. so much for that DNA. you are either physically fit for modern football or you should be playing for Zaragoza, that's it. teams without any kind of physical presence are a thing of past. just look at Eric Garcia's photos for example.
how does this compete with Mbappe or Haaland? yeah, he's slow and weak, but at least he can pass the ball. same goes for Puig who will be playing for Las Palmas in about 2-3 years. Muller was right, you don't compete with such players, period.
World Cup and Champions League winner.
I think it’s daft to write off players without physicality, you just can’t have 11 of them.
Why are you posting an almost naked teenage boy?
Sorry I saw @Bole Top ‘s post and assumed that’s what we were doing
The formation was unique to him but their style of play has always been pretty similar in terms of threat. The 3 at the back wasn't the most traditional, Abdul Karim is a left back who is basically a left winger. Playing him CB worked well though as teams struggled to pick him up when he overloaded. Could maybe argue that they lost a bit of attacking threat though with him being more subdued, he was exceptional at left back for Sadd and Qatar.
Xavi made them more possession based but if anything it's probably a bit of a negative. Their biggest threat under Xavi was still in turnovers high up the pitch and on the counter. They struggled to break down low blocks (on the very rare occasions that side played it, obviously pretty rare in Qatar for it to be played well) which is why they struggled in the ACL.
Also, cool job, UAE is a pretty fun league. Jealous you get to work with the legend Tag
I'm quite happy that this slow start is happening.
Hopefully now it shows the absolute dickheads of our fan base that if Xavi is still regarded as a legend after failing in management at Barcelona - then our fans should be able to do it too with Ole.
Hopefully now it shows the absolute dickheads of our fan base that if Xavi is still regarded as a legend after failing in management at Barcelona - then our fans should be able to do it too with Ole.
Yeah, midfield is a different ball game to the centre of defence. For ball domination it's mainly about cardiovascular fitness which relatively is the easiest of the qualities (strength, pace and stamina) to develop to a decent level (able to cover 11k per game, show, give and go for 90 minutes).
World Cup and Champions League winner.
I think it’s daft to write off players without physicality, you just can’t have 11 of them.
What i find even more weird is how they rate some of their youngsters. Instead of how good they're now they rate them based on their potential thinking they're all gonna become World beaters in a few years time.
Fati and Pedri are the only ones that could potentially become world's best in the next 5 years and even that's a big IF.
Ronald's track record of managing big clubs, with expectations to win, is poor.
He was never going to turn it around, not to mention the fact that he signed substandard players in Depay and Luuk de Jong.
They were on a slippery slope with him at the helm, a change of management was needed. Given the circumstances, this shouldn't put a dent in his career. The likes of Leeds and Wolves could do worse than appointing someone like Koeman.
Yeah, there is something very Le Arsé circa 2007-2012 about them at the moment. What I find most odd is that they do this without seeing much of the player before declaring it.
For me Chelsea have the best pipeline of youth quality at the moment (players between 17-22), but this is quantifiable by them getting serious minutes in the PL/Championship. However, you don't see many Chelsea fans saying that the vast majority of those players are going to become world beaters and that they won't need to buy anyone to compete.
I mean, just look who Chelsea have in that category who are all playing in the PL at a very good level or are top players for their Champo team:
James
Mount
Odoi
Chabolah
Gallagher
Gilmour
Broja
Livramento (buyback)
Guehi (buyback or match clause)
Colwill
Maatsen
Baxter
Then they also have Amapdu who is performing well in Italy.
As a collective, that pipeline is a lot more deep and ready for modern football's physicality than Barca's set.
Didn’t they have a rough time around the turn of the millennium up until the signing of Ronaldinho? Granted it was a lifetime away and a bit weird overall (Valencia winning 2 league titles, Deportivo in CL semi) but it’s not unfathomable to fall away for 5-6 years before making a comeback.
Both the Milan clubs also had a rough past decade and are now back competing for the title, still nowhere to be seen in the CL but they don’t have the revenue stream Barca does (once they sort it out).
Yeah, went 5 seasons without winning the league, but during that stretch they also made 2 CL semifinals and a QF. But yeah, they're big enough by now, they should be able to recover
Still. Barcelona managed their comeback by hitting every big decision under Laporta - Dinho, Deco, Marquez, Eto'o, Rijkaard
That team was not as bad as this one is. In 02-03 they finished 6th in La Liga. In UCL they lost in the QF against Juve in extra time (2:1) and got an early elimination in CdR vs Novelda.
Kluivert and Saviola that season combined scored over 40 goals. Now they don't even have 1 proficient striker
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Wow, you know a lot about football from this region, Abdel Karim is a fantastic football player, one of those that could play any position at a high level. He really is a menace. Exactly why they struggled in the ACL, teams had much more quality and played the low block expertly, so many low scoring games, the Koreans and Japanese know how to manage games to a T. Xavi will get better but I feel he should try and implement the Al Saad style with Barca, bring the wide guys back a bit to negate counters and see where it gets him. If he panders he'll struggle and I can see a Lampard happening there. Needs to plant down a style and stick to it, work on it till thr summer and bring in his players to fit it perfectly.The formation was unique to him but their style of play has always been pretty similar in terms of threat. The 3 at the back wasn't the most traditional, Abdul Karim is a left back who is basically a left winger. Playing him CB worked well though as teams struggled to pick him up when he overloaded. Could maybe argue that they lost a bit of attacking threat though with him being more subdued, he was exceptional at left back for Sadd and Qatar.
Xavi made them more possession based but if anything it's probably a bit of a negative. Their biggest threat under Xavi was still in turnovers high up the pitch and on the counter. They struggled to break down low blocks (on the very rare occasions that side played it, obviously pretty rare in Qatar for it to be played well) which is why they struggled in the ACL.
Also, cool job, UAE is a pretty fun league. Jealous you get to work with the legend Tag
Yes the UAE league is fun, quality is getting better year on year, managers are better quality too, Ramon Diaz is our coach here but the only thing missing is the atmoshphere and crowds which is to be expected considering the tiny population but its a lot of fun.
How is his track record perse poor?
He managed Ajax, Benfica, PSV where you can argue he was expected to win prizes. With Ajax and PSV he won 3 championships in 5 seasons, with Benfica he was 1 season where he didn't win the league? Its not outstanding, but I wouldnt label it as poor as well.. Also I think given the financial situation Barca was in during his rain I think it's a bit harsh to blame him for the signings. And still. You can ofcourse argue Depay is substandard for Barca levels, but he is still their best attacker this season..
But my point was not that Koeman is a miracle worker who necessarily would turn it around. It was more that there were circumstances and reasons why Barca didnt perform, which were fully outside his control, but Laporta and others seemed eager to point fingers and work him out..
He won the league with PSV on goal difference. Ajax have been punching above their weight for a few years now in Europe, but winning titles with PSV and Ajax is not something to judge a manager's quality on. I mean even Frank de Boer won league titles with Ajax..
He did well at Feyenoord and Southampton because there was no pressure to win any major trophies. He's failed at every club where they expect to challenge for silverware.
Depay being Barcelona's best attacker, tells you exactly what kind of state that they're in. Koeman signed him, therefore he's also partially to blame for Barcelona's demise.
Barcelona was his dream job, a huge job! So, what does he do? He brings a film crew to shoot a documentary.. Incredible.
Where then? Only 1 season Benfica? (Apart from Ajax/PSV according to you which doesnt count for you, which is weird as they are always battling each other)
I think the 2nd bold statement is unfair? It would be like blaming you for a semi-decent Christmas dinner where you had the budget to only get some Roast Chicken, only because the years before there was someone else with the budget to get some prime steak beef.