14 - Javier Mascherano

oz187

New member
His interception helped create the third goal. His intensity is matched only by Puyol. Still needs to work on his positioning.
 

barcanuck

New member
His error almost cost us but he was an interception machine against Milan. His long passes to the wings is a key to our new formation.
 

hellsangel1

New member
He's the best in our side at bringing the ball out from the back. The speed with which he makes those driving runs into midfield invites other defenders and therefore helps create space for Xavi etc. Masch starting in the second leg against Milan was largely due to offensive reasons and not defensive ones. It was a risk to start him but it was a risk worth taking because we needed to win by a margin of 3 clear goals. In ordinary circumstances, I don't want Masch starting because he is quite simply not a defender and a real liability in that department. If Niang had scored that goal , most of the people in this forum would've been screaming for Masch's head because it would be the second year in a row that he would've made a costly mistake in the CL that would've seen us out. Barca really don't have a single world class defender in their squad and I don't exactly think it's a backline that the elite clubs of Europe are too worried about.

I guess one other reason I didn't have a problem with Masch starting is that Puyol wasn't exactly looking good either but adding Puyi makes us a lot less vulnerable from corners and set-pieces because with Masch our backline is just too small.
 

Richard.H

Senior Member
He takes a crapload of risks, which I don't really know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I know that a very good striker would notice that from him and use it to his advantage. It's 50/50 with Mascherano all the time. He will either make a good tackle or he will really mess up his tackle which can lead to a foul or the player breaking through on goal.
 

evilhita666

Barçapocalypse NOW!
Think about this... Was Piqué any better?

For me Masch, while a risky bet, is a guy who will give 100% every single game and is able to keep his focus most of the time, something that can't be said about any of our defenders bar Puyol... I know that is not enough reason to make him an automatic starter, but I think it's a valuable asset to have...
 
E

estranged

Guest
He takes a crapload of risks, which I don't really know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I know that a very good striker would notice that from him and use it to his advantage. It's 50/50 with Mascherano all the time. He will either make a good tackle or he will really mess up his tackle which can lead to a foul or the player breaking through on goal.

Yea while his tackles are spectacular and fun to watch, I can't help but feel that it may cost us with a dodgy referee in a big game sooner or later.

Think about this... Was Piqué any better?

For me Masch, while a risky bet, is a guy who will give 100% every single game and is able to keep his focus most of the time, something that can't be said about any of our defenders bar Puyol... I know that is not enough reason to make him an automatic starter, but I think it's a valuable asset to have...

+1. This is why even though he was/is a dodgy CB, Pep loved him so much.
 

dostoevskij

New member
I thought Masche looked pretty shaky today. A few bad decisions in the box, but the ref was kind

come on, he barelty touched them at those two incidents, they deserved cards for diving, so the referee indeed was kind.

its true, that he takes some risk with his tacklings, but 99% they are perfectly timed.

i was satisfied with his performance today!
 

King Leo

Banned
I thought he had a good game today. Mascherano's instinct is not that of a defender that's why you see him make risky tackles at times when it should be taken in midfield. I too think he's more reliable than Pique who's playing in his comfort zone. They made the decisions to renew with aging Puyol and not get us a solid defender. Better yet they got us Song who gets to play few minutes here and there. Need someone to explain this for me! (Wait until they get Neymar and see how insane they are)
 
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