Don't worry I'm still not on the bandwagon. Not because he doesn't offer good things. But because if we want to win big we need higher quality wingersY'all were complaining about raphinha and every turn and talking about how poor he is.
Lol
Me and @serghei were the ones ride with raphinha for season one and 1 or 2 other guys.
Now the entire forum is a fan, typical reactionary from Barca forum.
If it was up to 98% of the forum, Raphinha would be sold a long time ago, not for financial reasons, but because he wasn't "good" enough.
Bunch of bandwagonist, 😆.
When you recall many of his crucial plays that season, where were they done from? Towards the middle of the park and closer to goal, or out wide?Raphinha is very good both wide and in AM. Rubbish to say wasn't good wide since he had the best end product per 90 mins played in the entire team probably.
His problem last season was injuries and being benched too often and too early by Xavi. His efficiency was always there. People still ignore the fact that we won the title in 2023 due to his clutch goals and assists late in the season.
When you recall many of his crucial plays that season, where were they done from? Towards the middle of the park and closer to goal, or out wide?
He was not clutch from out wide and was mostly useless there. This is not debatable. Just because it says RW or LW on the line up sheet doesn't mean that when he had a good moment it was actually from out wide.
I like Raphinha a lot, but he needs to be closer to goal and involved in the middle where his runs and pressing are most effective. Isolating him wide on the wing was total shit tactics and man management by Xavi.
I think Flick will have him tuck in if he plays him on LW, letting the LB provide 99% of the width. Could do it on the right, but not nearly as effectively since although Kounde has been a great defensive RB, he doesn't offer much going forward.
You're missing the point.Bro he literally only played out side out title winning season, where he won us 15 points directly.
With Xavi, if I remember correctly, he kept his wingers very rigid, providing width, they were not very flexible, plus they used to be high up the pitch while building.You're missing the point.
I'm perfectly aware he was played out wide that season. My point is he was mostly ineffective WHEN out wide, and when actually securing us those points with key actions it was not from out wide- not from a wide dribble, not from winning a 1 vs 1 out wide etc It was when he was closer to his teammates and towards the middle of the pitch.
Playing far out wide wasn't helping him provide clutch plays, it was hindering him from making more.
I think Flick for sure figured the wingers isolated out wide on both sides was ineffective, particularly with Raphinha. He's doing a good job so far playing the players to their strengths. I'm hoping he cooks up something good once all or most our players are healthy.With Xavi, if I remember correctly, he kept his wingers very rigid, providing width, they were not very flexible, plus they used to be high up the pitch while building.
With Flick, I see the wingers are more inverted and the Fullbacks are being used to provide that width.
I think Raphinha is more suited for this type of play.
And I agree with your assessment, that Xavi's system was a hindrance for him.
Bro he literally only played out side out title winning season, where he won us 15 points directly.
I was talking about him as a workhorse. I think he can reach Pedro's level of finishing. Pedro played with Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi beside him, you will always get more opportunities to score in that system. But I think Raphinha will fair good, he won't be a detriment.
Link up not so much, Pedro was amazing for that.
Maybe it's a character flaw in me, but I will always have rose-tinted glasses for players who give their all like 110% for the club, even though they may not be great at it. He, Pedro, and Bob, they all fit this bill for me. They may not be the best at it, but they give it their all........
Maybe it's a character flaw in me, but I will always have rose-tinted glasses for players who give their all like 110% for the club, even though they may not be great at it. He, Pedro, and Bob, they all fit this bill for me. They may not be the best at it, but they give it their all.
I always have a hope players like these will eventually improve on what we are looking for.