UEFA CL Round 4 Group Stages: Celtic vs FC Barcelona

Bartra had a solid game. Yes, he made a small mistake when he left that ball to Valdes, but more than the mistake, I was very impressed by his reaction: he was super fast in recovering position and blocked Samaras shot with a lot of strength and determination. That's a great hope as Bartra used to be a soft defender, and he showed just the opposite there. I hope Mascherano hits the bench hard. He is probably our worst player currently.

Also, glad to see Alves playing at good level again! Didn't mess up defensively, was energetic and even managed two good crosses out of 20, which is better than usual.

Well i said and still stick to it. We need Lorente as a super sub for such teams. The only problem is he wont agree to the role of super sub. Maybe with Villa getting old we should go for him.

Nah, we don't need it. We are scoring vs. every team this year, even those that park the bus extremely well like Celtic. We didn't win because we were weak defensively and didn't bury some of the chances we had, not because we can't create in attack.

Pique is our supersub for those 10 minutes a year.

The point is to have a super-sub not have pique go forward for last 10 min. That's how Chelsea got us last time, while our defenders were completely in oppositions half.

Btw, Wanyama and Forster look like super players. Wouldn't mind signing them, and they are both young (21 and 24).

I cannot be bothered debating such pointless and obvious stuff. To be 100% blunt and honest, I disagree with nearly everything you say and your opinion to me, is worth almost nothing. So maybe its best I just skip right over your post because its obviously a waste of my time.

BC, I agree, he did have some good actions. In these games though, where the opponant doesnt attack much, its more about what errors you avoid.

Free brings up Bartra and Alves, for good reason. Minus that one mistake, Bartra was good I felt. He showed good speed too when he was in a difficult situation with Samaras. But that half error aside he did pretty well, good on the ball, good positionally. What I dont understand is how he is trusted for these games but not La Liga ones.

Dani Alves was very good, one of the better players with his energy and passing. He really does make a difference when he plays like that.

I also think its worth talking about set pieces. Someone needs to figure out what Alba was doing in that position...if that was the plan, what on earth are you thinking putting someone that small in such an important area. Granted we dont have loads of options, but he would be almost last on my list to have there.

And we dont need no Llorente...this plan B, targetman nonesense has to stop.

free_cat wrote:Btw, Wanyama and Forster look like super players. Wouldn't mind signing them, and they are both young (21 and 24).

Agree. Wanyama to me looks a better, faster version of Song.

Forster looked a bit questionable with his kicking, but his size and shot stopping are fantastic.

I think his kicking is very good, he made numerous passes to Samaras in the first game. His short passing and composure is a question mark though.

I also don't know if Wanyama is technical enough. He looked great in all ways, but I don't think he is as technical as Song.

Apart from these 2 question marks, they are definitely great players.

Well maybe I am being harsh, I only remember him doing only one long kick which went out for a throw in. And I didnt see any short passes I think.

I dont know about Wanyama's technique, I think its fair to say we need to see them more often. But he showed very good composure when he was being pressed, turned out of pressure and into space very well on a few occassions.

I think he is better defensively than Song for sure, while being close with the ball.

In the first game, the most successful passing connection was between Forster and Samaras.

I read that somewhere.

LOL Actually now you said it, I remember reading that too. I think that has alot to do with Samaras size, but yeah, for that to happen he has to have been making good kicks. Maybe im being a bit harsh about that 1 kick out of play.

You both read my article then That was me who said it lol.

Agree on Bartra, looked good and shouldn't have been taken off as I said.

I'd be comfortable with Bartra and Pique, his pace can compliment it nicely. He isn't Pique 2.0.

Really like Forster and Wanyama and Ambrose. Mulgrew was good too. However, difficult to talk about them playing here. We haven't really seen them do 'Barca type' play at all in these games...

The Franchise wrote:I cannot be bothered debating such pointless and obvious stuff. To be 100% blunt and honest, I disagree with nearly everything you say and your opinion to me, is worth almost nothing. So maybe its best I just skip right over your post because its obviously a waste of my time.

BC, I agree, he did have some good actions. In these games though, where the opponant doesnt attack much, its more about what errors you avoid.

Free brings up Bartra and Alves, for good reason. Minus that one mistake, Bartra was good I felt. He showed good speed too when he was in a difficult situation with Samaras. But that half error aside he did pretty well, good on the ball, good positionally. What I dont understand is how he is trusted for these games but not La Liga ones.

Dani Alves was very good, one of the better players with his energy and passing. He really does make a difference when he plays like that.

I also think its worth talking about set pieces. Someone needs to figure out what Alba was doing in that position...if that was the plan, what on earth are you thinking putting someone that small in such an important area. Granted we dont have loads of options, but he would be almost last on my list to have there.

And we dont need no Llorente...this plan B, targetman nonesense has to stop.

Thats what I was wondering too.I think Alba's poor handling just shows how good a defender Alves is.
Normally he is the one covering that far post area and he does a brilliant job of it.He is excellent in the air for his size and he almost always puts in a clearing header at that far post area.I have lost count of the amount of times he has put in a clearing header at the far post both off of setpieces and off of regular play on the counter with a player lurking just behind him.
He is very good at that.
So why was Alba in that area?I havent been paying a lot of attention to our setpiece defending.But can someone clarify if Alba has been covering that space in other games too?He is really poor at defending on the ground,let alone in the air.

In this game it should have been Alves far post, Song and Bartra covering central threats and Masch covering near post.

Alba short corner.

Bartra was good? Yeah against a team that parked the bus and barely attacked I can be good too. Watch him against a better team who actually attacks, that's when you can see if a player is worthy or not.

No discrediting him at all but any comment on his defensive capabilities based on that match should be saved for later.