Re: Match Day Thread 20/21

[BarcaLearning]

axxx the virus? Although luckily it seems most of us are immune and unaffected Just depressing still though whenever it appears loool...

[BarrileteCosmico]

Hernandez showing everyone a yellow except Messi

[danyjr]

Again, no Griezmann and the team playing tonnes better.

Even La Masia scrubs are better suited to this team than Mr Ponytail.

Also very interesting to see a back 5. This might be the formation to play against tougher sides now.

[Winter is Coming]

But it was Messi holding us back, I'm convinced.























































Holding us back from being out of the top 4.

[alexjanosik]

Best we have played in a really long time against a really good physical modern team. We matched them physically, wonderful ball movement and completely dominated the game. All of the youngsters played well. Have to love Mingueza. Terrific competitor who will get in anyone's grill. Exactly the sort of fighting character we need in the team.

[danyjr]

Mistake by Koeman to bring Cringemann. This guy has no space in this team.

Same with Firpo. Both are total brainless clowns with zero skill.

Should have brought Braithwaite.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Barca soaring now that Barto is behind bars

PSG is next

[Myesyats]

Mistake by Koeman to bring Cringemann. This guy has no space in this team.

Same with Firpo. Both are total brainless clowns with zero skill.

Should have brought Braithwaite.

Exactly.... Great formation change and it was a mistake to revert to 4-3-3. Otherwise a good performance from the whole team, Dest a little disappointing. Alba amazing as always, Pedri very good, Dembele with brains this time and the best goalkeeper in the world - ter Stegen saves another penalty.


Keep Griezmann out, go 3-5-2 and we can take on P$Q.

[alexjanosik]

Seems 3-5-2 is working. More defensively solid. Another good performance similar to the weekend against Sevilla. Deserved to go through. The youngsters are really stepping up. FDJ, Mingueza, Dembele all had really good games. Mingueza is really growing on me. Not the most talented and would struggle to stand out in the 3rd didvision. But he has elite mentality and is a terrific competitor. Warrior on the pitch and his performances have improved and he is showing that he deserves to start.
Moriba also with a mature performance. Pedri was disappointing. Has the annoying tendancy to defer to Messi even when there are better options. If he stops that and starts shooting; sky is the limit for him.
Really young, really exciting team.

[neuro11]

Congrats to the team for stepping up after so many things happening off the pitch. This was just the 4th Barca match that I have watched full time this season. It was worth watching.
I think Dest was also not that bad. He looked a bit fatigued though which is understandable after so many consecutive hard-fought games.

[danyjr]

3-5-2 is for lazy slow teams and it is actually perfect for this Barça squad. It is more compact and I personally believe is more suited to teams who want to slowly build up from the back. I'm surprised no coach had tried this formation with Barcelona until now.

3-5-2/5-3-2 should be the way forward at least against top 10 percentile teams.

[Myesyats]

3-5-2 is for lazy slow teams and it is actually perfect for this Barça squad. It is more compact and I personally believe is more suited to teams who want to slowly build up from the back. I'm surprised no coach had tried this formation with Barcelona until now.

3-5-2/5-3-2 should be the way forward at least against top 10 percentile teams.

Agreed completely. The shift to 4-3-3 mid-game was bad even though the end result was positive. Sevilla immediately sat on us and we couldnt play out from the back for shit. If Koeman didnt notice that then lord have mercy.

[The Franchise]

This place is even more deserted than when I left the first time....understandable I guess.

But I cant keep talking to teenagers on Instagram who think the club's first season was 2011. While, im stuck working from home I thought id return.

Where to start?!

Im just happy we showed some intensity, some fight and some pride and made a hell of a comeback. How many embarrassing big games do we need to suffer?

[BarcaLearning]

Yes welcome back to the real place for football discussion I dont get to have Instagram here Lol, but I guess its not the best like here

Anyway, have u followed football all these time? If so, what do u think we should do this summer? Keep Koeman or not?

[The Franchise]

Your are not missing much honestly, i wouldnt worry.

This summer? Well I think we need to complete the clear out of players who no longer should be part of the squad. We started this summer but it wasnt nearly enough and even so it should have happened 2 or 3 season ago. We have kept this group together far too long and also havent added the right replacement players.

Koeman? Well, i think we cant afford to keep sacking coaches. We are still paying off the last 2 coaches i believe. Paying the rest of Koeman's contract and then paying a 4th coach just doesnt seem like a move we can make right now.

Also, alot depends on what happens with the squad. If we keep the same old, worn out guys as key players then I dont think any coach can take us to the level we need to be at.

So if we do get a new coach, Xavi, Nagglesman, whoever we speak about with new ideas then we have to give them the best chance possible and not force them into coaching big name players who no longer should be around.

[alexjanosik]

Your are not missing much honestly, i wouldnt worry.

This summer? Well I think we need to complete the clear out of players who no longer should be part of the squad. We started this summer but it wasnt nearly enough and even so it should have happened 2 or 3 season ago. We have kept this group together far too long and also havent added the right replacement players.

Koeman? Well, i think we cant afford to keep sacking coaches. We are still paying off the last 2 coaches i believe. Paying the rest of Koeman's contract and then paying a 4th coach just doesnt seem like a move we can make right now.

Also, alot depends on what happens with the squad. If we keep the same old, worn out guys as key players then I dont think any coach can take us to the level we need to be at.

So if we do get a new coach, Xavi, Nagglesman, whoever we speak about with new ideas then we have to give them the best chance possible and not force them into coaching big name players who no longer should be around.

Whats your take on our future. I am super excited tbh and the reason is the youth. I think we have an excellent and really exciting set of youngsters who can form our core for a really long time. The likes of Fati, FDJ, Pedri, Aruajo are all elite talents. Add the likes of Demeble who has finally learned how to stay injury free and Moriba (who looks another exciting talent). That's an amazing, really talented group to build around. I think we are 2 signings away from competing for big trophies. A good goal scoring CF and an established CB to partner Araujo.
The one downer is our financial situation. I worry that we will be forced to sell the young gems. Worse still, both Font and Laporta have inidcated they would try to keep Messi. We should be doing the opposite. Getting rid of Messi cuts our wage bill almost in half and makes us instantly a financially viable business.

[BarrileteCosmico]

We are pretty used to the alba-Messi goals, but this inverted one was pretty sexy too

[alexjanosik]

Moriba
We have the best collection of elite young talent in Europe by far. La Masia with potentially another golden generation.

[The Franchise]

Your are not missing much honestly, i wouldnt worry.

This summer? Well I think we need to complete the clear out of players who no longer should be part of the squad. We started this summer but it wasnt nearly enough and even so it should have happened 2 or 3 season ago. We have kept this group together far too long and also havent added the right replacement players.

Koeman? Well, i think we cant afford to keep sacking coaches. We are still paying off the last 2 coaches i believe. Paying the rest of Koeman's contract and then paying a 4th coach just doesnt seem like a move we can make right now.

Also, alot depends on what happens with the squad. If we keep the same old, worn out guys as key players then I dont think any coach can take us to the level we need to be at.

So if we do get a new coach, Xavi, Nagglesman, whoever we speak about with new ideas then we have to give them the best chance possible and not force them into coaching big name players who no longer should be around.

Whats your take on our future. I am super excited tbh and the reason is the youth. I think we have an excellent and really exciting set of youngsters who can form our core for a really long time. The likes of Fati, FDJ, Pedri, Aruajo are all elite talents. Add the likes of Demeble who has finally learned how to stay injury free and Moriba (who looks another exciting talent). That's an amazing, really talented group to build around. I think we are 2 signings away from competing for big trophies. A good goal scoring CF and an established CB to partner Araujo.
The one downer is our financial situation. I worry that we will be forced to sell the young gems. Worse still, both Font and Laporta have inidcated they would try to keep Messi. We should be doing the opposite. Getting rid of Messi cuts our wage bill almost in half and makes us instantly a financially viable business.

Yes, I think very much the same way. I think that group you mentioned plus Dest have my belief and like you I think we need a goalscoring 9 and defender to complete what we are trying to do.

I also think a pivot is required, Busquets carries a burden he should have more relief from. Its a rare player but we need someone who can convince us the way Busquets did those years ago.

But overall, I think we are closer than people realise but we need just a little bit more. We still lack power and force in the team, Dembele, Araujo, Dest to some degree and De Jong show those qualities for their position but perhaps its the 9 we need who adds that aswell as goals.

Doing my research into our finances, I am convinced selling those assests will not be a factor and we will resist that temptation for most of those players. Having rejected offers for Trincao and Pedri already also indicates that.

But what else? I am not totally convinced by Koeman. He has my respect and overall I dont fault the majority of what he has done. I actually understand the majority of his decisions. But I dont see the type of tactical creativity I see from the likes of Pep, Naglesmann, Xavi (potentionally, we have to see how his ideas translate to higher level football but on the face of it they seem not very different to other coaches), Flick, Arteta, Ten Haag, Bielsa and others.

While the players quality and our overall project (for lack of better word) will make the biggest difference and on that, we seem to be heading in the right direction, but we need a coach who is on that same path and doubt Koeman is.

But, that being said I dont fault Font/Laporta if they keep him on for next season. Its logical.

As for Messi. As i am sure you already have said, you wont win an election by being the president who says they want Messi to leave. Then also cant go back on their words once they get in office.

That could delay us, but on the plus side of Koeman does indeed stay for next season I would much prefer the next coach to take this group doesnt have to deal with the issue of Messi, Alba, Pique and co's fate as it would be made for them and they can start from a clean slate.

[alexjanosik]

Your are not missing much honestly, i wouldnt worry.

This summer? Well I think we need to complete the clear out of players who no longer should be part of the squad. We started this summer but it wasnt nearly enough and even so it should have happened 2 or 3 season ago. We have kept this group together far too long and also havent added the right replacement players.

Koeman? Well, i think we cant afford to keep sacking coaches. We are still paying off the last 2 coaches i believe. Paying the rest of Koeman's contract and then paying a 4th coach just doesnt seem like a move we can make right now.

Also, alot depends on what happens with the squad. If we keep the same old, worn out guys as key players then I dont think any coach can take us to the level we need to be at.

So if we do get a new coach, Xavi, Nagglesman, whoever we speak about with new ideas then we have to give them the best chance possible and not force them into coaching big name players who no longer should be around.

Whats your take on our future. I am super excited tbh and the reason is the youth. I think we have an excellent and really exciting set of youngsters who can form our core for a really long time. The likes of Fati, FDJ, Pedri, Aruajo are all elite talents. Add the likes of Demeble who has finally learned how to stay injury free and Moriba (who looks another exciting talent). That's an amazing, really talented group to build around. I think we are 2 signings away from competing for big trophies. A good goal scoring CF and an established CB to partner Araujo.
The one downer is our financial situation. I worry that we will be forced to sell the young gems. Worse still, both Font and Laporta have inidcated they would try to keep Messi. We should be doing the opposite. Getting rid of Messi cuts our wage bill almost in half and makes us instantly a financially viable business.

Yes, I think very much the same way. I think that group you mentioned plus Dest have my belief and like you I think we need a goalscoring 9 and defender to complete what we are trying to do.

I also think a pivot is required, Busquets carries a burden he should have more relief from. Its a rare player but we need someone who can convince us the way Busquets did those years ago.

But overall, I think we are closer than people realise but we need just a little bit more. We still lack power and force in the team, Dembele, Araujo, Dest to some degree and De Jong show those qualities for their position but perhaps its the 9 we need who adds that aswell as goals.

Doing my research into our finances, I am convinced selling those assests will not be a factor and we will resist that temptation for most of those players. Having rejected offers for Trincao and Pedri already also indicates that.

But what else? I am not totally convinced by Koeman. He has my respect and overall I dont fault the majority of what he has done. I actually understand the majority of his decisions. But I dont see the type of tactical creativity I see from the likes of Pep, Naglesmann, Xavi (potentionally, we have to see how his ideas translate to higher level football but on the face of it they seem not very different to other coaches), Flick, Arteta, Ten Haag, Bielsa and others.

While the players quality and our overall project (for lack of better word) will make the biggest difference and on that, we seem to be heading in the right direction, but we need a coach who is on that same path and doubt Koeman is.

But, that being said I dont fault Font/Laporta if they keep him on for next season. Its logical.

As for Messi. As i am sure you already have said, you wont win an election by being the president who says they want Messi to leave. Then also cant go back on their words once they get in office.

That could delay us, but on the plus side of Koeman does indeed stay for next season I would much prefer the next coach to take this group doesnt have to deal with the issue of Messi, Alba, Pique and co's fate as it would be made for them and they can start from a clean slate.

Forgot Dest. I am huge on him as well. He can take on players which is extremely rare as a fullback. Even Alves couldnt take on players. With a proper forward in front of him and a proper attacking system in place, Dest will come good I feel.
Agree on a pivot. I was just going in order of priority. A strong pivot with FDJ and Pedri ahead would be an epic midfield. Think striker and an established CB should be a priority. Wonder what has happened to Lenglet. I felt he was developing nicely under Valverde. He had shockers in the CL but those were more collective failures.

On Koeman, agree on tactics. But, I give him full marks for developing youngsters. Every youngster he has trusted has delivered and then some. I was listening to Lukaku who credited Koeman as having the biggest influence on his development. So, I would definitely give him one more season.
Huge Xavi fan but he is completely unproven. Would prefer to give Koeman one more season to see if he can push on from a good first season.

[The Franchise]

Indeed. I have the same opinion of Dest and once he improves with his crosses and delivery of passes, gets more experience and physical maturity he becomes perhaps the best rightback there is in my opinion. Its not normal to play his position, at his level, at a club like ours at such a young age. I struggle to remember any fullback this young who has done similar for us.

Agree, that defender and striker is more crucial. Lenglet has really lost his way and im frankly jealous at the other French defenders dotted across Europe who are far superior, from Kounde at Sevilla to Fofana at Leicester City and so many in between, we have really come up with one of the worst young French International defenders. The decision making he shows is awful at times and if we could sell him today, I would.

Agree on Koeman. I think its only logical he gets another season and I hope he continues to develop his ideas and keeps up his work with the younger players.

[The Franchise]

La Remontada?

I think no. This isnt the same PSG side we was able to trample over with Unai Emery in charge.

Looking at the PSG side that played that game, this PSG have so much more quality and we obviously dont havewhat we had back then.

Hopefully we are going with the right attitude, are competitive and put up a fight.

[Winter is Coming]

The first 25-30 mins will decide the game for me, we get 2 goals anything is possible and we can mentally get in PSG heads.

[BarcaLearning]

We've got no hope to overturn the tie Messi would need to be in god mode, and our defense perfect, which we have been so far from for so long. Basically we give away a goal or two even vs shit teams lol, so I actually just hope PSG and Mbappe go easy on us this time

Our lineup is brave, back 4 with Dest and Migueza it seems trying to contain Mbappe, and with help from De Jong hopefully.

[danyjr]

GRIEZMANN OUT!

[BarrileteCosmico]

Change my mind: with Dembélé's chances Suárez would already have a hat trick...

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