Alexis Sanchez

[Kerrybai]

Martino is delirious if he thinks Cesc or SERGI?!?! are better at CF.
I have to say I was most impressed with Alexis today than I have been since his chip against RM. He had a new spirit to him that I haven't seen in a long time.

Yes it was lowly Levante but I think today is proof that part of the reason why our attack is stagnant at times is down to management. Why doesn't Alexis drift centrally when Messi is playing? He clearly has the ability and it would also create havoc for defenses. But I think management tells our wingers to stay on the flanks and work in the areas between the box lines and touch lines. When everyone is fit I'd like to see Neymar - Alexis - Messi just to see what the 3 can achieve. There's no way Neymar and Messi will stay wide so this may create the position swapping our attack desperately needs.

Alexis wouldn't provide what Messi does in the middle, he might be having a decent season but he doesn't have the ability to glide past defenders in the middle like Messi does. Messi picks up the ball and creates the attack. Alexis likes both the skill and vision to pick out those diagonal passes or leave his markers trailing behind him.

 

[CatalinR10]

he was great at false 9, has the turn of pace, acceleration and dribbling that Cesc doesnt have

+ 1

 

[ZenI]

he was great at false 9, has the turn of pace, acceleration and dribbling that Cesc doesnt have

We were give a lot of space in the second half, in situations like that Alexis is the better choice 9/10 times on false 9. But against teams that defend deep I'd rather play (if I Messi is injured or rested) Cesc on false 9 and Alexis on the wing in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.

 

[André]

He is pure 9, not false. When play there of course.

 

[Gohan]

People say that he can't take on defenders are proven wrong this season. /end

 

[BarçAjax8]

@ Serghei, Kerrybai

I know nobody else in the world can do the following except Messi...

But when is the last time we've had that kind of space in the center? My point is Messi is a magnet for defenders and our forwards should move around more to create space and exploit that space. If Messi sometimes goes out to the wings it would free up space for Iniesta, Neymar, Pedro and allow Alexis to get into central positions.

 

[Darko]

But when is the last time we've had that kind of space in the center? My point is Messi is a magnet for defenders and our forwards should move around more to create space and exploit that space. If Messi sometimes goes out to the wings it would free up space for Iniesta, Neymar, Pedro and allow Alexis to get into central positions.

this
its all about the movement, City are demolishing the PL in the way we used to demolish everyone with passing, quickness and movement

 

[Trickykid]

this
its all about the movement, City are demolishing the PL in the way we used to demolish everyone with passing, quickness and movement

Demolishing the PL? They lead with 1 point, are leaking goals left, right and center and currently have 4 losses just a few games past christmas. Comparing that to our glory years a few seasons back is hardly fair, as I see it.

 

[Darko]

Well we lost our 1st game under Guardiola and then drew the 2nd, but I am talking about the attacking side of their game(4+ goals past the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, United, and more importantly creating many more chances) and they are leaking goals due to individual errors from the likes of Hart and Demichelis.
And I was comparing our "domination" in terms of possesion and chances created with theirs, not domination in terms of position on the league table or trophies won...

 

[CatalinR10]

 

[waniamage]

Ive been lurking about for quite some time but never created an account or posted something, but just came by to post one of the better Asexis videos ive seen.

 

[Kerrybai]

@ Serghei, Kerrybai

I know nobody else in the world can do the following except Messi...

But when is the last time we've had that kind of space in the center? My point is Messi is a magnet for defenders and our forwards should move around more to create space and exploit that space. If Messi sometimes goes out to the wings it would free up space for Iniesta, Neymar, Pedro and allow Alexis to get into central positions.

I actuslly agree with this, when the time is right players shoudl switch position but Tata already knows this.

Check out that video clip and look at where Messi and Sanchez are playing. They switched positions and in the end Neymar rolls the ball into Sanchez for a goal.

Tata is a pragmatic manager who is not changing our style, but adding new ideas and helping us to evolve.

Tata said he prefers others like Cesc up front over Alexis but I think that's taken out of context. He might prefer them as a false 9 but he has played Alexis as a pure 9 like in that Celta clip, and that's what I have been saying for a while now that we don't need a new striker. All we need is for our wingers to take up positions either in front of Messi or as you said from time to time switching with Messi.

 

[BarçAjax8]

I actuslly agree with this, when the time is right players shoudl switch position but Tata already knows this.

Check out that video clip and look at where Messi and Sanchez are playing. They switched positions and in the end Neymar rolls the ball into Sanchez for a goal.

Tata is a pragmatic manager who is not changing our style, but adding new ideas and helping us to evolve.

Tata said he prefers others like Cesc up front over Alexis but I think that's taken out of context. He might prefer them as a false 9 but he has played Alexis as a pure 9 like in that Celta clip, and that's what I have been saying for a while now that we don't need a new striker. All we need is for our wingers to take up positions either in front of Messi or as you said from time to time switching with Messi.

I agree.

Seeing what Alexis could do in the center was really nice to see and I felt a lot more optimistic about our attack. Alexis plays a lot more like a 9 rather than a False 9. It wouldn't hurt us to sometimes throw a curve ball at our opposition and lineup differently than they expect once in a while.

 

[Behrox]

Martino: "Alexis playing as centre forward at the end? He can play there, although I prefer Leo, Cesc, or even Sergi Roberto."

Did he say CF as the false 9 or true poacher like 9 if its the former anyone can see that Alexis wont be able to do that but if its the latter ten Alexis does it effectively for Chile

 

[FCBarca]

Brilliant highlights

[youtube]KhXMzMEJ10Y[/youtube]