Barca is back
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So many in the box when they attack. Must be nice.
It's one game ... Let's give 'em a few more games, and against proper teams, before announcing their return.
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RedZeppelin III
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spanish football will be insanely boring this season ..again .
The thing is, they are not standing in the box and waiting for the ball - they are breaking into the box at speed at a precise moment when the teammate makes a pass. I am amazed how they play against a team who defend with 10 players behind the ball and next thing you know it's a clean 2 against 1 goalkeeper break with no defenders in sight. For all our progress, we are a long way from playing like this.
Levante are horrendous and trying to play the offside trap (particularly when you'e that deep) against Barca is suicide, so yeah, you can't draw too many conclusions but it was a great first-half from them.
Apparently Martino favours a slightly more direct style so perhaps we'll see less pussyfooting about in midfield, which I think could be good for them. That and the return of their pressing game proper.
The games against A.Madrid will be an interesting early indicator.
Apparently Martino favours a slightly more direct style so perhaps we'll see less pussyfooting about in midfield, which I think could be good for them. That and the return of their pressing game proper.
The games against A.Madrid will be an interesting early indicator.
Liking the new modifications to the formation so far. Fabregas back in midfield with Messi flanked by Pedro and Sanchez. Pace, goals, flair and creativity in the right places. Like the aggressiveness in their pressing too. Must see Martino's side in action against the bigger boys before passing judgement on the effectiveness of the changes, cos, let's face it, Levante were pretty shit.
A drawback to the lineup I felt was the lack of size and power in the players on show. This lot versus Stoke would have made for an intriguing match up.
A drawback to the lineup I felt was the lack of size and power in the players on show. This lot versus Stoke would have made for an intriguing match up.
The league was over early on - more due to Madrid's poor form and focus on the Group of Death in the CL - than Barca's form. As many posters - Keni, myself etc - pointed out over the course of the year, they were not Pep's Barca that had very weaknesses. Their pressing wasn't as effective, and teams managed to put them under long periods of pressure culminating in the demolition job Bayern put on them.
At the end of the day, based on the competition of La Liga, I don't think I'll judge Madrid or Barca much by their play there but by how they deal with their European counterparts.
It's broke is what it is.
In one of the football blogs, the writer had mentioned that Martino's and Bielsa's teams ( Bielsa is supposed to be Martino's guru) often start impressively and stumble towards the end and never end up winning anything significant. Well until now they have been coaching teams with not so strong squads. It will be interesting to see if it is the same with Barca also.
There was reference to Newell's Old Boys that stuttered towards the end of the campaign. I think they were alluding to the physical toll the Bielsa / Bielsa-inspired tactics take on the squad. Barca are used to playing a high intensity though and can rotate more so I shouldn't think it'd be a problem.
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