Arthur

[eaman]

How can you not have Busquet's in this equation however, Vidal was certainly more present than he was.

Not really. Also busquets played alot more forward passes through the lines than both

 

[abiabi]

I just rewatched the 2nd half and all Arthur's contributions were really positive. He found Messi in a dangerous position many times by turning quick and passing between the lines, also found Alba in a good position etc. Its a huge difference having someone who will turn to the opponents direction with the ball, compared to a Rakitic who will pass it back when pressured, inviting even more pressure

 

[DonAndres]

Before he was on we were still drowning under their pressure and the game was played almost exclusively in our half. Once he got on is when we started to play on the front foot and get them retreating again and we dominated the ball after that. But by then they had so much momentum and energy and defended everything we threw at them while our guys were playing gut scared and disorganized.

He was also playing several balls between the lines and finding Messi. Also played many good balls for Semedo who did fuck all in offense and was too pussy to take the game the way Arnold did for Liverpool (best RB in the world).

If he started, this nightmare never happens.

 

[mc_lovin]

Our midfield was shocking (same as at home, really). Arthur may lack highlight scenes, but at least he has quality touches that get the ball forward. We setup for a Messi masterclass or disaster. No idea why Valverde is such a coward and doesnt trust in talent. I mean Vidal and Rakitic are just not world class talents (never were) - just have some faith.

 

[Arizona Scott]

I think he would have really helped had we had the Arthur for this tie that we had about 2 months ago (those Classicos). I think that last hamstring issue affected the outcome of this season pretty big. Not blaming him, but him and Dembele's fitness issues this spring were terribly unfortunate.

 

[El MeSSiaS]

I think he would have really helped had we had the Arthur for this tie that we had about 2 months ago (those Classicos). I think that last hamstring issue affected the outcome of this season pretty big. Not blaming him, but him and Dembele's fitness issues this spring were terribly unfortunate.

Because he is not tall and doesn't run 20 km per game for Valverde he doesn't count.

 

[Arizona Scott]

Our midfield was shocking (same as at home, really). Arthur may lack highlight scenes, but at least he has quality touches that get the ball forward. We setup for a Messi masterclass or disaster. No idea why Valverde is such a coward and doesnt trust in talent. I mean Vidal and Rakitic are just not world class talents (never were) - just have some faith.

Maybe not the time to mention it but the future of the midfield with him and Jong is very very bright and I think ways we were overmatched today will not be followed in upcoming seasons.

 

[Centauri B]

Yep, athleticism Y passion. I'll add one more thing, conditioning.

I have said this many times before. Football is fundamentally 2 things: a) Talent, which is what Messi or Iniesta have in spades. b) Conditioning, ability to physically exert yourself more than the average football player, i.e. what Alves & Puyol used to have.

Everything else is secondary at best.

The game vs Liverpool showed that in *fundamental parameter* b), Liverpool is superior to us by a massive margin. That's it.

 

[Arizona Scott]

Because he is not tall and doesn't run 20 km per game for Valverde he doesn't count.

Not sure what you are getting at. He was the regular starter under Valverde until his recent injuries. That is why I said Arthur and Dembele's fitness issues--and I don't think fair to blame them it happens in footy--were very costly to this side IMO. This does not excuse Valverde blowing a 3-0 lead with a fresh squad and a year to learn from the 1st disaster in Roma. I mean Klopp adjusted with no Salah, Firmino and Keita--they played passionately and cohesively, Liverpool crushed us while having more fitness issues than we did, as Centauri B pointed out, they were vastly superior as a squad of 15 some men across the 2 legs.

 

[Centauri B]

Arthur is one of the few that will survive this wreckage.

 

[SeloBarca]

Arthur would have helped breaking up Liverpools preassure.
He werent great the few minutes he got today, but he did more than Rakitic and Busquetes in those few minutes nevertheless.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Maybe not the time to mention it but the future of the midfield with him and Jong is very very bright and I think ways we were overmatched today will not be followed in upcoming seasons.

He needs to work in his stamina and vision. It is time to have a player who is "the full package". He isn't there yet and it hurts actually, even if he deserved to be starter today.

 

[mc_lovin]

The full package is a balon d or winner. Those players are not there yet (in other teams or on the transfer market). Arthur and Frenkie are two of the best bets to become world class midfielders. Nothing more we can do - other than having a coach, who trusts in talent.

 

[Andrew M]

I have said this many times before. Football is fundamentally 2 things: a) Talent, which is what Messi or Iniesta have in spades. b) Conditioning, ability to physically exert yourself more than the average football player, i.e. what Alves & Puyol used to have.

Everything else is secondary at best.

The game vs Liverpool showed that in *fundamental parameter* b), Liverpool is superior to us by a massive margin. That's it.

The mental aspect is very important

 

[underoath]

Our midfield was shocking (same as at home, really). Arthur may lack highlight scenes, but at least he has quality touches that get the ball forward. We setup for a Messi masterclass or disaster. No idea why Valverde is such a coward and doesnt trust in talent. I mean Vidal and Rakitic are just not world class talents (never were) - just have some faith.

Get the ball forward ? Vidal and Rakitic not world class ? Ok