FC Barcelona - Villareal | La Liga Matchday 16 | Sat Dec 14th, 2013

Winter is Coming wrote:How is Musacchio? I've only seen him a few times. Could he be a player in out back line?

I said two years ago that, if he could improve his ball playing he can become a very good CB. And I think he's done that. That's for a guy who spent last season playing in Segunda.

Physically he is a monster, great in air (ask Bartra ), has good speed. He is not the most intelligent player I've seen but he doesn't lose concentration and tackles extremely well (reminds me of Pochettino a bit). Plays good long balls too every now and then. I don't think he's going to cost a lot of money so he's a gamble worth taking in my opinion.

But this season I've only watched him three times. I will watch him more of course.

Yes, as long as you're not thinking of him as a short term solution to a long term problem I think he's worth the gamble (certainly a better gamble than paying €20m for Song to play CB).

Even if he flops you won't lose that much money on transfer fees.

Xavi didn't change the game much, Vilareal was very tired already and we had dominated possession a lot.
Anyway, with Cesc in midfield it would have changed and Xavi would have not been needed. it's very worrying that Tata is so clueless not to see Cesc sucks at CF unless the opposition is crap.
Also, Alexis wasnt MOM by any possible measure. His first half was atrocious but did well in the second with the assist and two passes to Cesc and Iniesta.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

Khaled wrote:MOM:

Busquets #1
Alexis #2
Neymar/Iniesta #3


You're being so harsh on Montoya, he had a good game overall, but he should be faster in releasing the FINAL pass... he will improve...

Surely Musacchio deserves to be in the top 3?

MOM from Barca's side that's more accurate :-)

Donuts wrote:

Khaled wrote:MOM:

Busquets #1
Alexis #2
Neymar/Iniesta #3


You're being so harsh on Montoya, he had a good game overall, but he should be faster in releasing the FINAL pass... he will improve...

harsh? no
just because he isn't better then Alves doesn't mean he is terrible, just find it funny that Free thinks montoya could have something to teach Dani Alves.

I'm talking in general, a lot of Barcelona fans are exaggerated when talking about Montoya. Check previous posts, even on other forums and twitter. Other than his final pass, he wasn't bad. He'll improve...

We wont find many Better backups than Montoya or even any available,or atleast known ones.Alex Brister from Fulham is an exciting prospect,but he's still very young.We'd need a gem.How about we start thinking of an A replacement for Alves first.

Absolutely loved our final 25-20 mins.Thought I was watching the old Barca,passing extremely well and very small space between players and Very creative when going for the decisive ball.

You can't replace Alves lol

Am I the only one that face palmed when the starting lineup was announced? I'm glad Cesc was booed. Playing him as a 9 is flat out retarded considering we have Neymar who can play that spot so much better. And having Song as a CM? Dafaq?

Called it "interesting" when I thought it might look like

-----Busquets--Song--
-Alexis----Cesc----Iniesta-
---------Neymar---------

Even though I'm not a big fan of the 4-2-3-1.

Did end up wanting to kill Tata when I found out it was

------Busquets------
--Song-----Iniesta--
-Alexis--Cesc--Neymar

Yea. The idea of having a double pivot to be honest would of been intriguing to see. It would of been a new option that we have never used. Also that set up might also be Cescs best role being the person feeding the 9 as he played there allot with allot of success for Arsenal.

But using our 4-3-3 with Song as CM and Cesc as a 9?!! Jesus christ....

Dont think Song can play CM for us anymore than he can play CB for us. Obviously its not quite as disastrous because playing bad at CB means we are going to concede chances.

But I am not so fond of his performances in the midfield when he tries to advance. He doesnt really bring the different dimension you would expect, because he isnt a goal threat (despite hitting the post from a corner) and while physically strong, he lacks mobility to really use it. Also didnt carry the ball much.

Song the alternating False 9