La Liga @Valladollid

We have a chance to get back within 3 points of Atletico (they have a game in hand), let’s see if we can scratch a win here. Atletico are starting to lose pace with their recent results and a win here helps to apply pressure on them. La liga is still open, with Barca and Sevilla just behind us

This is indeed a test. All of bench strength except Isco are Castilla players.

futbol_bill wrote:This is indeed a test. All of bench strength except Isco are Castilla players.

Already lining up the excuses, aren't we Bill?

Seriously though, we are not taking on prime Guardiola's Barça here. This is 19-placed Valladolid. I expect the three points and nothing less.

Asensio looking like a Segunda player.

Decisions poor. Movement poor. Intensity poor

Team is missing Benzema in that half 9 role. His passing and movement.

Cyborg wrote:Asensio looking like a Segunda player.

Decisions poor. Movement poor. Intensity poor

Team is missing Benzema in that half 9 role. His passing and movement.

yup and Vinicius only relies on his speed, his movements are horrible. We get 0 production from out wide.

Thankfully Casemiro is a menace on set pieces now, we just got to hold on

Another solid win

Courtois. An absolute monster. How a GK can win you a game

Not pretty but we got the shit done.

Tibu has been fabulous for two seasons straight. I deserve to eat crow on this one. He's been huge

I haven't watched Courtois this season, but I think he's been more solid than spectacular, for the most part, since he stopped making blunders regularly. I still rate Navas above him.

Tibu has saved us many a times. His weaknesses are shots that he parries into dangerous areas and penalties that seem to be sure goals. But he's been excellent imo. He's saved this defence on multiple occasions. No more misunderstandings with his defence like happened in his first season and more assured all round

I also rate Navaa higher because he fit this team like a hand in a glove. Tibu's profile is probably more suited to teams with a lower block in defence. Had Tibu played for Atleti he probably would've been considered the best keeper in Europe. Credit where credit is due

Casemiro is soooo clutch. This guy is our best defender and goalscorer. No wonder we won so many CLs with him, Ramos and Ronaldo. The best allround CDM that i have ever seen

Against Atalanta, i don't think we can dominate with this forwardline, we'll have to sit back and counter imo. A 1-0 will be huge for us but i doubt we'll stop them from scoring

Tibo is better than Navas stop the nonsense

I don't know how good Courtois has been this season, but I've seen more sustained, solid to great performances from Navas over the course of his career. That pretty much sums up my current impression of the two.

Despite PSG's general drop in form this season, he's been a substantial upgrade for them over their past goalkeepers. Good to see you there, Chad's account number 856.

Vini and asensio are products of madrid media and fan base need to overhype every attacker to bullshit levels to undermine benzema, now they think the rubbish their doing on the pitch is good, it's funny that I don't either one names being dragged through the mud on a weekly basis like a certain forward, what happened? Doesn't fit the narrative? If was bale could you just imagine it marca would have like 10 articles out by now, lets keep worrying about the cf position that the real problem for the attack lol.

Chad, that’s why there is interest in Mbappe, as well as Haaland. Whoever is CF, Benz or Haaland, they still need offensive partners. I think it is pretty clear, none of Hazard, Asensio, Vinicius or Rodrygo are up to the task, at least the starting position. The only other kids in the organization that play those positions; Kubo and Brahim are probably not either. So it sure looks like they have to buy or go use one of these as the 3rd offensive role or as you suggested earlier change formation to play two strikers.