24 - Thomas Vermaelen

[Alarcón]

I've always been baffled how "clearances" is seen as something positive

 

[Mythical Revolution]

Again, why changing the system and formation that brought as an insane streak of wins after 3 years of misery displays?

We lose much more with changing formations that with playing our standard formation with 1-2 players at the wrong positions (due to injuries).
Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

And it surely isn't broken.

Because if you want to stay at the top, you need to keep getting better. I'm not advocating for radical change, unless you consider playing with 1 offensive FB instead of 2, to fall under this category.

Our current style has brought us tremendous success, and while Lucho deserves most of the credit for that, it's also partly due to the fact that we were essentially forced to play that way because we no longer had the midfield to paly tiki-taka; and since it's only been half a season since we started figuring things out, so most are yet to adapt completely to our new style.

For example, one avenue of improvement, for next season, would be to build a midfield that can seamlessly transition between our current style and a more possession heavy style of play. Regardless, rebuilding our midfield is something that we'll eventually have to do, since Iniesta isn't getting any younger and Rakitic is basically Pedro 2.0, a very capable utility player, but not of the same caliber as Xavi, just as Pedro isn't on the same level as Neymar.

 

[Alen]

I've always been baffled how "clearances" is seen as something positive

What does it mean?

 

[Ini8]

What does it mean?

Hoof the ball out of danger

 

[Neymessi]

I know its just one match but I would start him ahead of bartra and mathieu

 

[raki]

I know its just one match but I would start him ahead of bartra and mathieu

Of course.

 

[Horatio]

For example, one avenue of improvement, for next season, would be to build a midfield that can seamlessly transition between our current style and a more possession heavy style of play.

I'd say that the current style still has a lot of focus on possession. The percentages of ball possession are still highly in favour of Barcelona.
Pre-season this was not as apparent as I felt that inexperienced players would just cross the ball forward out of fear. But you can see for example that Vermaelan has been instructed and trained on just passing the ball over the ground. His play against Bilbao was completely different from the ones during pre-season.

 

[BBZ8800]

Because if you want to stay at the top, you need to keep getting better. I'm not advocating for radical change, unless you consider playing with 1 offensive FB instead of 2, to fall under this category.

Our current style has brought us tremendous success, and while Lucho deserves most of the credit for that, it's also partly due to the fact that we were essentially forced to play that way because we no longer had the midfield to paly tiki-taka; and since it's only been half a season since we started figuring things out, so most are yet to adapt completely to our new style.

For example, one avenue of improvement, for next season, would be to build a midfield that can seamlessly transition between our current style and a more possession heavy style of play. Regardless, rebuilding our midfield is something that we'll eventually have to do, since Iniesta isn't getting any younger and Rakitic is basically Pedro 2.0, a very capable utility player, but not of the same caliber as Xavi, just as Pedro isn't on the same level as Neymar.

Tiki-Taka is dead and it is not working anymore, not only because of old Xavi+Iniesta.
Also, it worked for 3-4-5 years.
Then it needed a change.

We are playing this system only for 7-8 Months with a huge success.
We still have a lot of time before we will need some tweaking.

It doesn't mean that we can't improve.
But, imo, changing a winning formation that brought success, automatism, awesome chemistry and everything isn't a way we should go.

 

[te amo barca]

His problem during the preseason was overcomplicating things. Now he just kicks it away with no potential danger, I think the coaches adressed it.

 

[God Serena]

I thought he played a great game, great in the air and some well time tackles. Tired of listening to my Arsenal buddy brag about the Sanchez for Vermaelen "trade."

Why would your Arsenal buddy brag to you? Your team sold Alexis and won the treble. His team bought Alexis and got third in the prem (Congratulations!) and a round of 16 elimination from the CL.

 

[Zinedinho]

Why would your Arsenal buddy brag to you? Your team sold Alexis and won the treble. His team bought Alexis and got third in the prem (Congratulations!) and a round of 16 elimination from the CL.

 

[xXKonan]

Vermaelen has been called up by BEL for Euro qualifiers against BOS and CYP on 3 and 6 September #fcblive #euro2016

Wilmots (coach BEL): "Vermaelen back? He never lost his quality. I saw him playing with Mascherano and he showed he's still the same player"

 

[Horatio]

His problem during the preseason was overcomplicating things. Now he just kicks it away with no potential danger, I think the coaches adressed it.

He kind of flipped things over.
Pre-season he would overcomplicate things in situations where there was pressure on him and would shoot the ball forward when he didn't need to.
During the La Liga game he would pass the ball to his right and back when is not under pressure and clear the ball when he had little time to act.
Latter makes more sense to me.

 

[UEFA_Barça_Chris]

Kanemi has been...






....






verminated

 

[Kohe321]

Tonights hero! Brilliant game from him in all regards as far as I'm concerned.

He didn't feel any injury at the end there? Just a cramp?