Re: Match Day Thread 21-22

[sportsczy]

Couldn't Barca partially pay the remaining wages so that they can move the players and create some room? That's what happens in the US all the time with bad contracts.

[BarrileteCosmico]

You can, but if you do that then you barely move the needle in terms of the wage bill.

[The Franchise]

Don't get the Lenglet hate. I get that he is not close to world class, but your other options are far worse.

There is only one other option and its Umtiti, so its not really saying anything that Lenglet is better than a finished player.

Araujo and Pique are obviously far better despite one's youth and the others old age.

He is really nowhere near the acceptable level. Boo-ing is too far, but he needs to be shipped off immediately.

Not sure what you see in Araujo. Apart from his superior physical strength and speed to Lenglet he is far more reckless and not as good a passer as Lenglet.

Why do I need Araujo to be a passer? He makes the simple passes and doesnt give the ball away. I would rather that than Lenglet who can make a couple longer balls over the top but messes up just as often with loose touches and hesitation to release it, therefore creating more ball pressure?

Defensively, Araujo wins duels, he is by a distance the best at this in our team. The stats and my eyes show this. Lenglet is awful in duels.

In the 1v1, Lenglet is constantly coming up short. Players go over to his side of the field so they can have an easier game. Araujo statistically has been dribbled less than anyone in our team and commits less fouls. How does Araujo manage to win more duels, 1v1s and commit less fouls yet is more "reckless" than Lenglet?

Lenglet also has given away more pens and more cards they last time I checked this.

I dont see how its even a debate. Lenglet is really not good and Araujo is.

[danyjr]

I'm not sure if I agree with you. Araujo strikes me as the type of defender who masks his shortcomings with superior strength and speed. I personally prefer more intelligent defenders to more physical ones.

Not saying Lenglet is the epitome of intelligence but definitely more so than Araujo.

[The Franchise]

I can understand that preference, but Lenglet isnt one of them.

I dont agree with you about Araujo, but even putting that aside.

Really, from my point of view Lenglet offers next to nothing against serious opponents. He will do just fine in 8/10 games against the likes of Gerard Moreno or Roberto Soldado. Slow, non-dribbling forwards who cant expose him in open spaces. Guys who's team will defend with everyone else behind the ball and Lenglet is fine to play 2v1 with another CB close to him.

Still has his problems, like those ridiculous pens he was giving away last season. But in general, those games he will be fine.

But the moment he comes up against anyone with some physical tools he's useless. Easy dribbled, no physical presence and no recovery ability.

Inaki Williams went away from Araujo to go stand next to Lenglet last season in every game he played, because he knows how much more success he will have.

Not willing to trade those faults for nice ball over the top 1 game every 10.

[Myesyats]

Depay still not registered so what will the lineup look like on sunday ?

Coutinho came back but I'm not sure if hes ready to start, Frenkie had discomfort but he could be ready

Neto
Dest Araujo Pique Alba
Busi
Frenkie Pedri
Demir Griezmann Coutinho

I dislike Braithwaite very much which is why I hope he features no more. Maybe Raj Manaj will get a shot

[The Franchise]

Pretty sure Depay will get registered.

If so, I still expect him, Griezmann and Braithwaite to be honest. I dont want Braithwaite to start either, he just doesnt read the game enough at a quick enough pace and he needs to be moved on but thats my guess.

Demir off the bench, prove his quality and gradually win a starting place.

I expect and hope for the same backline and midfield as you have there.

[Myesyats]

yeah I see it now:

Memphis and Eric García will be registered ready for Sunday’s season opener. [sport]

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 13, 2021

Braithwaite is no better than Manaj. He's linked with a move away to West Ham so I dont see the point in him playing, its not like he brings any extra quality to the team anyway.

[neuro11]

I read Depay will be registered before the game. I am sure he will play. I think Braithwaite will start it too. will Koeman risk de Jong since he had discomfort? Sociedad does well-doing counter against us. both dest and Alba are defensively poor. Will be surprised if we can keep a clean sheet.

[Myesyats]

I read Depay will be registered before the game. I am sure he will play. I think Braithwaite will start it too. will Koeman risk de Jong since he had discomfort? Sociedad does well-doing counter against us. both dest and Alba are defensively poor. Will be surprised if we can keep a clean sheet.

Koeman: Frenkie trained in the last training session and will be ready for tomorrow

[danyjr]

FFS looks like a squad from Segunda

[alexjanosik]

Garcia ahead of Araujo. What the hell? Garcia is trash and Araujo is our best defender.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Neto; Dest, Piqué, Èric, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Braithwaite, Memphis Depay y Griezmann.

Ooof going to be a long season

[neuro11]

Coutinho is even not in the squad, what's the message?

2-2 is my prediction.......

[Lucifer]

I have been in denial regarding the whole Messi saga, acting as though it doesn't bother me and then I saw today's starting eleven and it was like someone hit a hammer on my head. Felt bad my dudes felt real bad.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Nice goal by piqué

Forgot David silva was still playing football

[alexjanosik]

Squad from Sugunda. Some people should stop watching football or switch to PSG since they are more Messi fans than Barca fans.
Great half of football with EVERYONE contributing. Key word being EVERYONE.
Decent pressing although could be better. No players out of position to compensate for the lack of movement of a certain someone. Ergo. No counters or defense looking ragged.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Some great runs in the counter, even if we keep being a hair offside one of them will come good

[alexjanosik]

Clean tackle with all of the ball and they get a nonsense free kick. Referees are still against us I see.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Braithwaite playing like he has something to prove to his haters here

[Myesyats]

How was eric garcia?

[neuro11]

Well played till the 70th min when subs were made. We have exactly 11 players, nothing beyond.
Depay was the man to watch in the first half, was involved in everything, and was gone (probably gassed out too) in the second half. The good thing with Braithwaite is he is always in scoring positions. Defensively, Eric Garcia was not tested at all. Emerson played only 15 min but was poor than Dest. And then Koeman putting 5 defenders in the last 5 min vs this Sociedad team:D.

[The Franchise]

Fantastic performance, especially the first 30 minutes. The negativity I read here was not necessary at all.

They guys played with a great intensity and attitude, everyone actually running with and without the ball and a defensive strategy in which all 11 players participated.

I liked the 11, remove Braithwaite (who played excellent to his credit) for Fati and that is fair enough team. Of course we cant do anything in the CL, but this team will do better than last season in the league if they continue like this.

Depay was great, involved in everything decisive and plays with a level of confidence and attitude I enjoy.

Garcia for Araujo concerned me, until about 5 minutes into the game where I realised I was lied to and Eric Garcia is a pretty good player. On the ball he is very good and he is not as slow as I was told.

Obviously, certain opponents we will require Araujo instead.

4-2 flattered La Real, they deserved 1 goal at most. Nonsense free kick.

Shame the ref got them back into the game and we was robbed of Gavi or Demir.

[alexjanosik]

I agree Dani. The concern about us struggling for top 4 is misplaced. We should be able to comfortably get top 4 unless something really unforseen happens. I would be very happy with top 4 if we manage to develop a few more youngsters. If Niko, Demir, Balde, Gavi etc become first teamers along with the likes of Pedri, Dest, Araujo,Mingueza getting more experience under their belt, that would be a successful season along with top 4.
People don't realize that we have got a real football team on our hands. Just needs a year of experience and a couple of smart additions to compete against anyone.

[BarcaLearning]

Gotta admit ive been ever pessimistic over the past few years since our decline has been evident and I guess its a way to soften the pain with lowered expectations, especially now that we suddenly to Messi also to PSG lol...

I do hope Im wrong, but it would be quite incredible if we come out this season doing ok or better on the pitch considering our dire club situation atm. There has been examples of this, when a club or a team is down and in crisis but bonuce back that very year on the pitch and sometimes even going all the way to win things in the lowest of times... I just dont think we would be that lucky. Only thing going for us in relative terms is that Real is also suffering and decline, and Aletico still dont feel that convincing.

[Myesyats]

There is always somethnig to look forward to. Plenty of promising youngsters coming up, it's time to look to la masia again, we cant ignore it. Its the bread and butter of the club.

Frenkie, Gavi, Pedri, Demir, Ansu, A.Balde. Perhaps Dembele will overcome his plague of injuries. This could be the core of the team in this new era, young blood and all.

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