Atlético Madrid

[Icarium]

After January every barca player performed at his absolute best. It is hard to judge who was more important actually.

 

[JamDav1982]

Rakitic ranks above Masche for me. The latter was shaky in big games last season whereas Rakitic never really put a foot wrong when it mattered since January. Busquets ranks above Masche for that matter as well. Pique was the one that really shored up the defense.

Rakitic was really poor against Real at home in the league and Real dominated the midfield and he had a few more games like that but would need to go back and look.

Even the CL final I didnt think he was that great and Barca started to lose control of that midfield big time before front three saved the day as they did time and again.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Busi, Alves, Pique were all better than Rakitic last season for me. He was probably on a par with likes of Masch and Iniesta overall.

 

[JamDav1982]

Rakitic is too hustly and burly to be a midfielder in this team. Unless the philosophy has been changed.......

You are dreaming of Peps days I think...... Barca cant play like that now. Teams worked out the midfield based pure possesion game and regardless you need prime Xavi/Iniesta to even contemplate that style again and that will never be repeated.

Rakitic played a big part in last seasons treble. Wrtining him off as a 'workhorse' really just shows your lack of understanding what is needed for this team to function.

 

[messi2140]

Rakitic was really poor against Real at home in the league and Real dominated the midfield and he had a few more games like that but would need to go back and look.

Even the CL final I didnt think he was that great and Barca started to lose control of that midfield big time before front three saved the day as they did time and again.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Busi, Alves, Pique were all better than Rakitic last season for me. He was probably on a par with likes of Masch and Iniesta overall.

We had Masch as a DM instead of Busquets that game , to me that was a huge part why we lost control of the midfield.

 

[JamDav1982]

We had Masch as a DM instead of Busquets that game , to me that was a huge part why we lost control of the midfield.

Perhaps but I seem to remember the game almost being totally under control when Rakitic went off and Masch/Busi were still in there.

Not blaming Rakitic solely for the lack of control anyway but he played his part and was really poor from what I can recall.

 

[messi2140]

Perhaps but I seem to remember the game almost being totally under control when Rakitic went off and Masch/Busi were still in there.

Not blaming Rakitic solely for the lack of control anyway but he played his part and was really poor from what I can recall.

While I agree with you that we started to regain control around the 70th minute , I dont think it had to do with Rakitic getting subbed off , but more with Busquets and Xavi getting in while Real Madrid looked dead tired near the end of the match.

 

[JamDav1982]

While I agree with you that we started to regain control around the 70th minute , I dont think it had to do with Rakitic getting subbed off , but more with Busquets and Xavi getting in while Real Madrid looked dead tired near the end of the match.

Yes I agree but still Rakitic played a really poor match which contributed to loss of control. He was poorest midfielder on show of the five that played that day to me.

Not trying to put any sole blame on him but saying he did have some very bad games and I didnt think he was great in CL final wither despite the goal.

 

[vigneshFCB]

The pragmatic Enrique may well consider a five man defends or two DMs for this - it is a given that Atletico will control the match.

 

[JamDav1982]

A draw in this game is not a bad result.

Could be level with Real three games in having gone to Bilba, Atletico and home to Malaga. While they have had three easier games.

Cant see Atletico being a threat for title for some reason. They have better attacking options than ever probably but their defence etc not to same level I dont think.

 

[serghei]

Atletico will be a threat for me for as long as they can keep their fitness level high. Very hard to play them when they're in great physical shape, but there will be some games this season when they will look tired. If they find a way to still win those games, they have a shot.

 

[xXKonan]

https://streamable.com/pof9

 

[Galning]

Hope they don't teach Godin too much. He knows enough of those tricks already.

 

[Morten]

Atletico looking unconvincing of late, but no matter, they will still be back at their absolute best against us, as always.

 

[raki]

They miss Arda a lot. Jackson is being a flop. Not expected this outcome.

 

[Barcafan 2304]

That's them bang out of form ahead of the Madrid derby