FC B
Senior Member
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Icarium
Lifestealer
He did not deliver a complete game but there are many instances of best iniesta. Had many great passes, some great touches. Give it some time he can deliver a complete game but he won't be as good as he used to be. But the way he played recently any positive performance gives me hope.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
I did think he was poor, tidy enough on ball but there was next to no midfield control in the game at all.
He and Rafinha played more as individuals to me and there was not much cohesion going forward or defending and forward players rarely given ball in dangerous areas.
I remember at one point Iniesta turning back from a risky pass and player went crazy.... he played it safe to Alba who sprinted and hit shit cross. Recurring pattern.
G
Gasgas
Guest
Rafinha needs to replace him ASAP
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
No control? Control was very good, Iniesta was excellent, good pivot and many good attacking passes. Villarreal only got the ball on the counterattack, couldn't touch it otherwise.
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
Suicide against better teams. Rafinha all over the place, and Rakitic no clue how to handle pressure with his back to goal. Given the current roster options, you need either Xavi or Iniesta for balance.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Villareal only wanted the ball on the counter attack. They had no interest in taking Barca on at a possession game.
You are mistaking control of game and possession in my opinion.
They countered a hell of a lot through midfield with little to no resistance. Better teams than that will kill that Barca midfield.
FC B
Senior Member
Agreed about the lack of cohesion in midfield though that has more to do with team play rather than individual player performance. Rafinha and him don't have many games starting togheter and Villareal was sharp and well oranised in this match so it was hard to do that.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Yeah totally agree it is to do with team play. It seemed similar to the Atletico game in that Lucho told the front three to stay up park but the flip side of that is the midfield need to be strong defensively to cover for lack of numbers helping them.
Personally I didnt think they were. Rafinha was chasing the ball too much and getting up with front three while Iniesta really seems to struggle to make it back.
Scotsbarca
Banned
His best days are gone and they aint coming back, get used to it.
F
Flavia
Guest
Yes, spot on. Iniesta had some moments on attack, but he wasn't controling the match, nor the midfield.
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
When has Barça ever "controlled the midfield" on a counterattack? They've always tried to prevent the pass out from the back, or, at worst, tactically foul in the opponent's half. So that's more a matter of team pressing than the midfield scrambling back. Credit Villarreal for getting players forward, decent passing, and not being impatient with their buildup.
In any case, Villarreal had 3 shots on target: the Vietto (Busquets in the box sleeping for late arriving player), the fortunate deflected goal, and a weak Vietto header. Barca controlled the game and created more dangerous opportunities.
In any case, Villarreal had 3 shots on target: the Vietto (Busquets in the box sleeping for late arriving player), the fortunate deflected goal, and a weak Vietto header. Barca controlled the game and created more dangerous opportunities.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Part of being the midfield in a possession based game is to stop teams on the counter attack and keep control of game off the ball as well as on it.
Villareal had acres of space on the counter through midfield.
Only some good defending by back four stopped it being any worse.
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