serghei
Senior Member
It's because our core has aged. The movement off the ball isn't anywhere close to what it was during Xavi, Iniesta days. Even Busquets this season has looked a little bit leggy. It's a different era.
That's the secondary reason. The main reason is that Guardiola is not here anymore, and Valverde is quite different in terms of tactics. If Ernie would've managed us in 2009 we would had played completely different than during Pep.
Total football rules are an enigma to Valverde (who is a way more rigid and pragmatic manager, closer to the italian school of football), whereas they are the foundation of Guardiola's principles and vision about the game.
A Guardiola team will always create more chances, move off the ball better and more cohesively, and play more creatively than a Valverde team. This goes way beyond the personnel they have at their disposal.
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