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A few clásico thoughts, now the dust has settled:
BARCELONA'S PROBLEMS
BARCELONA'S PROBLEMS
Pique and Lenglet are both good defenders. Part of the issue is that they don't have a great deal of help ahead.
But we've seen them come unstuck in big games consistently over the last few years.
Too easy to drag them out of position or in Lenglet's case, often lose his marker
But we've seen them come unstuck in big games consistently over the last few years.
Too easy to drag them out of position or in Lenglet's case, often lose his marker
Busquets has been one of the best midfielders of the last decade, but it's worth asking how valuable he is in big games these days.
Nobody helps the 'salida' as much as him, but unless the team is playing high-press possession football, he'll always be an exploitable weakness
Nobody helps the 'salida' as much as him, but unless the team is playing high-press possession football, he'll always be an exploitable weakness
And alongside him, de Jong hasn't been much better.
Neither imposes their style of play on the game and they suffer for it.
Worth remembering he looked world-class at Ajax but in perfect conditions. So did Dusan Tadic.
With the system around him so poor, he looks equally lost
Neither imposes their style of play on the game and they suffer for it.
Worth remembering he looked world-class at Ajax but in perfect conditions. So did Dusan Tadic.
With the system around him so poor, he looks equally lost
Ahead, there were players who have nothing to do with the position they're in.
Coutinho played from the left of a 4 on Saturday before 2-1, he was anonymous. Pedri on the right was neat but not influential
Alba is once again the only source of width or depth not named Ansu
Coutinho played from the left of a 4 on Saturday before 2-1, he was anonymous. Pedri on the right was neat but not influential
Alba is once again the only source of width or depth not named Ansu
Similarly with Busquets and de Jong - a lot of talented players who need a system that suits them to perform.
Griezmann being the most notable case. Both him and Coutinho need freedom to move around but only one person can occupy that role, his name is Messi
Griezmann being the most notable case. Both him and Coutinho need freedom to move around but only one person can occupy that role, his name is Messi
And while we're on the topic, that's Barcelona's biggest issue.
Can't remember Messi being so marginalised ever. With two midfielders always behind him and little movement out wide, it was relatively easy to suffocate him.
Can't remember Messi being so marginalised ever. With two midfielders always behind him and little movement out wide, it was relatively easy to suffocate him.
Ansu is the big positive. Rarely does anyone, let alone someone his age, have the intelligence of movement and decision making he does.
That's why he's so exciting - in addition to speed and technique, he has the brains to use it. Everything good that Barcelona does is via Ansu
That's why he's so exciting - in addition to speed and technique, he has the brains to use it. Everything good that Barcelona does is via Ansu
And I'm not breaking any news here - but Dest's performance was also very mature.
Showed plenty of restraint while Alba bombed forward. Got a glimpse of his own abilities from 45' to 60' as well.
Koeman will have to balance both sides to make the most of his talent
THREAD ENDS
Showed plenty of restraint while Alba bombed forward. Got a glimpse of his own abilities from 45' to 60' as well.
Koeman will have to balance both sides to make the most of his talent
THREAD ENDS
