Barcelona - Santos

free_cat wrote:Unpopular comment of the day: Cesc > Xavi today.
He is that finished.

But what has Cesc done minus two tap in's basically?

An Adriano classic makes it 7.

Adriano!! We should kick every corner like this, he has mastered this play!

Adriano with a signature goal.

Everyone scores but Neymar

The Franchise wrote:

free_cat wrote:Unpopular comment of the day: Cesc > Xavi today.
He is that finished.

But what has Cesc done minus two tap in's basically?

Has given a great pass to Roberto that he chested to Messi, great pass now to Neymar, is distributing well in midfield, the free kick post and two goals. He Is playing well and Xavi was quiet even vs these bunch.

Cesc also had a defense splitting pass to Messi that left the Santos defense completely unaware.

This time Bagnack does come in, for Masche.

PIINNTOOOO!

God I missed watching Barca play.

Great save from Pinto

Even Alexis is giving great passes vs this team.

Whats going to happen when the real games starts and Cesc is nowhere to be found again?

I think your jumping the gun here, the difference is their performances are pretty minimal other than Cesc getting set up two easy chances on a plate.

Cesc will aways give more final passes than this version of Xavi, always..no matter how good Xavi plays and how bad Cesc plays...he plays like 30m closer to goal.

Dongou taps one in from a Cesc pass across who was played well by Adriano I think.

Thats 8.

Adriano  

I would happily sell Cesc, but one of our main problems is Xavi right now and we would be foolish to be blind about it. He couldn't shine even vs these scrubs.
Btw, Cesc didn't play vs the 'good teams' last season, he was benched and it was Xavi and Iniesta who were being owned in the midfield. That's a fact.

Neymar is playing okish but slowing down the play too much at the edge. He seems tired from the beginning though. Guess he needs some adaptation.

Why do you think Cesc didnt play in those games though? Because he was so bad in the other ones. Its only logical to not use him when he is struggling with the relatively easy games.

And Iniesta didnt shine today either, I dont think it means very much.

I dont need to tell you that Xavi plays a very very reserved role today compared to say his 09 self. I have no problem having an alternative to him...but right now, I will use the 2 years of Cesc performance as a bigger evidence of his game than this 45 minutes.

Lets see what happens in the actual season, I think that makes more sense.

Awesome play from Dongou and Neymar misses the 9th.

Dongou does a great job setting up a shot for Neymar, who wastes his best chance so far.

I don't think Cesc played any worse than Xavi since January. Xavi has been non existent.

Neymar keeping the ball too long at times

Dongou with a nice dribble past 2, deserved a goal.

Game over and I learned quite little because of the opponant we was up against. But a good outing and watch none the less.

free_cat wrote:I don't think Cesc played any worse than Xavi since January. Xavi has been non existent.

OK, but why do you think Xavi was still used?

I think because Xavi has a history of great play.

Whereas Cesc has nothing.

I blame Tito/Roura for a few decisions. Not using Cesc was not one of them.

Xavi's tired, he's playing like 60 games a season for club and country and at his age I can't imagine it helps his summer rest is short.

I didn't catch the first half. Was Xavi that bad?

Adriano exact replica goal from last season, with other foot.  

Pretty much everybody looked great.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I didn't catch the first half. Was Xavi that bad?

Not for me.

He just didnt "shine".

Him nor Iniesta did anything special, but both keep the ball when they got it and played the ball quickly nearly every time.

I guess Free is comparing Cesc making a couple final passes Xavi did not..but again, Xavi very rarely will be giving final balls 50m from goal.

After this game I really doubt that Neymar-Messi-Sanchez wont be the starting attacking trio.

About Neymar taking too long on the ball, thats his style, i dont think he has to change it in order to fit the team.

We play "half touch football" as Alves calls it. He'll need to drop that. I'm sure he will adapt though, he barely spent a week training for us.