Barcelona vs Elche | 8.24.14 | 14:00

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Take Pedro back off. We have looked a step below since Munir left the pitch ffs.

Doesn't matter, who cares if we score 3 or 5, Munir will start the next one with more stamina.

Like windkick said Barcelona need to find a replacement for Xavi. You need that deep lying midfielder if you want to stick to your philosophy because Rakitić is not that man.

Having said that it is important to point out the evolution of Busquet's role. He was playing half a Xavi role today. He was more mobile and he had to bring the ball forward because Rakitić and Iniesta play further forward and there is no Xavi any more. I think it is a good way to utilise him especially against scrub teams that defend with a lot of men.

Great game from Messi and Munir. Rakitic is everything that Barca needs to go forward.

I like that we give our youth a chance, Munir showed promise two shots, one on post and other is a goal.
Rakitic did fine, he covered the right side incredibly well when Dani alves kept derping around.
also like mathieu, looked composed nothing spectacular but still nice.

Messi ran decent amount today no need to criticize the guy,

Was a great game to watch. The controlled possession was beautiful throughout despite being against Elche.

Messi was at his best. Not enjoyed watching him this much since 2 years ago. Great link up with the others, passing, movement. Everything was there. Hopefully Enrique sparked his mood for the rest of the season.

Munir was excellent. Physically weak though but that's understandable at his age. Could have scored another but being a kid he was obviously looking to pass rather than shoot.

Rakitic is everything Cesc wasn't as a CM. I don't think he is at his best in that role but he is still excellent at it. But bigger tests ahead to see how he does.

Mathieu. First physically solid CB barca have had since Prime Puyol lol.

Yeah, solid game for Mathieu also.

Rakitic is fine at the moment had some nice plays. Mathieu was also great had a few good defensive moments. I know its Elche lol

RealGunner wrote:Mathieu. First physically solid CB barca have had since Prime Puyol lol.

Got passed too easily on one-on-ones in my opinion.

I don't get why people are still talking about finding '' a new Xavi ''. That won't happen anytime soon sadly. No one in the game can do what he did in his prime.

Exactly closes thing to Xavi is Thiago and Verratti and we ain't getting them. There is no guarantee that they'll be as good as him either.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:
2) Which one are you talking about? Either way I was making a tongue in cheek comment, wasn't really being serious.

courtesy of harmonica, but i figured that was the pass you were talking about

either way I don't think he was just passing to pass, he looked kinda scared half the time when facing goal, but that happens when your young.

Bénin wrote:I don't get why people are still talking about finding '' a new Xavi ''. That won't happen anytime soon sadly. No one in the game can do what he did in his prime.

Samper will in all likelihood be his replacement. Until he matures we'll have to do with a different kind of midfield.

Enrique split the CM's. Rakitic and Iniesta were pretty much covering the WB's. Your wingers played very narrow as well.

yup, saw Rakitic covering Alves a lot, same with Iniesta
and it only makes sense to narrow the wingers to prep for suarez/neymar combo
Messi dropped down very often as-well

--------Neymar-----Suarez
---------------Messi
-Alba---Iniesta------Rakitic----Alves
------Verm---Buscuit---Pique
--------------Bravo

is inevitable.

Great game, happy with the win. Good to see that Masch is picking up where he left off.

Said the same thing about Messi, and I have to retract it. He was fantastic today- not only the goals, but providing some delicious through balls as well. I still maintain he's a bit wasteful in possession sometimes, but that's something I guess I'll have to accept with Messi these days. Looked motivated, looked sharp for the most part and even did some closing down/running. It wasn't for 90 minutes, but he put a decent amount of effort in. Get that effort off the ball more consistent and at a higher intensity and we have something like the old Messi back. It is against Elche however, so we'll see if he can do this week in week out.

@Donuts, no it was a different ball. I believe Iniesta fed Munir through to around the same area (a bit wider than that) and without looking- as he had no time to look up before a man was on him- he passed it into the box instinctively. Not a bad idea, that's where a #9 (or in our case, Messi) should have been to bury the ball. As BC said, it was tongue in cheek in the first place, it's just a bit funny that Munir decided instead of keeping the ball, shooting it, or doing something else, he "instinctively" passed the ball to the area where Messi should have been.

Thought most players were pretty decent. Very happy with Munir, happy with Rakitic. Iniesta looked pretty good.

Pedro looks out of his depth...the guy needs to go. Of course, I can't even say that now because we're light on numbers up front as it is...

I wouldn't think too much about it though, Munir is what 18 years old?
besides many players in our team's first instinct is to pass the ball it's been engraved in their head ever since they joined the academy.
he has plenty of time to improve.

It was mostly a joke.

Casciavit wrote:Enrique split the CM's. Rakitic and Iniesta were pretty much covering the WB's. Your wingers played very narrow as well.

Crazy anything can get done. Look how cluttered the opponents half was near the half field line.

Over all I'm very excited about what we are seeing under Lucho. Fast ball movement, lots of tracking back and pressing. New players are fitting in well nicely in to our system, and this was with some key guys out with injuries/suspensions and being down one less guy most of the match.

Hope this triggers for more Bartra at the back and less Mascherano.

Always have to be cautious with expectations early season, but it was a good first game, I definitely agree and can give it that.

Very happy with what I saw overall. Munir doing great. Will probably be out of his debt against most of the stronger sides he might face during this season but that is to be expected. Should obviously work on his physique and keep on developing well and we'll have a gem of a player. Liked what I saw from Rikitic. Is on his best going forward but I also really liked how he covered a good part of that right flank defensively. Oh, and Messi, pls tell me we are going to see more of this from him this season.  

First game that matters; things looking good. Lucho's got the kids back on track. Lucho.  

Time to eat humble pie for all of those who attacked Messi and laughed at the suggestion that he didn't run either because he was instructed not to or because he couldn't for physical reasons. Another time he has showed that when he is instructed and he physically can, he runs as the most. You can never doubt Messi's hunger, he is not a normal person.

On other notes, I'm extremely, extremely dissapointed with Luis Enrique loaning out Deulofeu, that was a cowardly move. Instead of forcing out the lazy old guard players, he turns to the younger ones. Very easy and convenient. Guardiola did just the opposite.
And secondly, he plays again Mascherano as CB insulting Bartra (he's calling him lazy, because he is 1.000.0000 times better than Mascherano at CB). Everything else I liked, but it was only Elche.

Luis Enrique wrote:"The club must always look to get stronger. Deulofeu was my decision: I don't believe he would have got enough minutes to continue his devlopment. It's a coach's decision," Enrique told reporters.

"He needs to improve a few things and show he can be at a club like Barca."

And at this point it has to be said, i had this debate with you last year free, but 3 managers have so far picked mascherano over bartra in the centerback..
(tito/tata/luis enrique)
you might not like all our managers but there has to be some reason for that..

although maybe we just picked mascherano over bartra based on form? mascherano did play a good worldcup.

Donuts wrote:

Luis Enrique wrote:"The club must always look to get stronger. Deulofeu was my decision: I don't believe he would have got enough minutes to continue his devlopment. It's a coach's decision," Enrique told reporters.

"He needs to improve a few things and show he can be at a club like Barca."

And at this point it has to be said, i had this debate with you last year free, but 3 managers have so far picked mascherano over bartra in the centerback..
(tito/tata/luis enrique)
you might not like all our managers but there has to be some reason for that..

although maybe we just picked mascherano over bartra based on form? mascherano did play a good worldcup.

Tito was normal, it was Bartra's first season with us and he was too young.
The rest, they are just either showing they don't know much about football (Tata) or being unfair (Luis Enrique) and that's worrying.

Mascherano played a fantastic world cup.... as defensive midfielder.

free_cat wrote:Time to eat humble pie for all of those who attacked Messi and laughed at the suggestion that he didn't run either because he was instructed not to or because he couldn't for physical reasons. Another time he has showed that when he is instructed and he physically can, he runs as the most. You can never doubt Messi's hunger, he is not a normal person.
.

Its just one game, settle down

Lets see how it goes for weeks and months.

Also him working hard now doesnt prove or disprove anything which happened previously.

free_cat wrote:Time to eat humble pie for all of those who attacked Messi and laughed at the suggestion that he didn't run either because he was instructed not to or because he couldn't for physical reasons. Another time he has showed that when he is instructed and he physically can, he runs as the most. You can never doubt Messi's hunger, he is not a normal person.

On other notes, I'm extremely, extremely dissapointed with Luis Enrique loaning out Deulofeu, that was a cowardly move. Instead of forcing out the lazy old guard players, he turns to the younger ones. Very easy and convenient. Guardiola did just the opposite.
And secondly, he plays again Mascherano as CB insulting Bartra (he's calling him lazy, because he is 1.000.0000 times better than Mascherano at CB). Everything else I liked, but it was only Elche.

While we are at it, how about you eat the humble pie on Pedro as well?

The Franchise wrote:

free_cat wrote:Time to eat humble pie for all of those who attacked Messi and laughed at the suggestion that he didn't run either because he was instructed not to or because he couldn't for physical reasons. Another time he has showed that when he is instructed and he physically can, he runs as the most. You can never doubt Messi's hunger, he is not a normal person.
.

Its just one game, settle down

Lets see how it goes for weeks and months.

Also him working hard now doesnt prove or disprove anything which happened previously.

It will continue the same, as long as he is fit and instructed to press after losing posession.
As it always was with Messi.