Champions League: FC Barcelona - Paris Saint Germain 3-1

[anguy]

One thing is certain, there's no way Blanc was able to prepare PSG for this formation . The team that will be less confused by all the changes wins...

 

[PhilS]

On the other hand PSG came up with a completely predictable line-up

PSG line up: Sirigu, Van der Wiel, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell, Verratti, Motta, Matuidi, Lucas, Ibrahimović, Cavani

Thanks goodness, no Pastore, he killed Barca last time.

So, Barca will line up like this:

Ter Stegen
No RB, Masche Pique Mathieu Bartra, no LB
Busquets
Iniesta
Messi goes wherever his genius takes him
Pedro Suarez Neymar

I remember Maradona fielded Albiceleste 2010 WC squads missing at least one fullback, this was not very successful. Removing Alba's superspeed against speedy PSG is a radical move, Lucas may do terrible, terrible things to this defense. Other than that concern, Lucho certainly has selected a high proportion of the defensive talent on the entire roster. One or two CBs can screw up, and there will still be plenty of CBs left to pick up the slack.

The players Lucho has selected have all been playing quite well recently (except maybe Busquets), I'd say they all deserve to start.

 

[Afro]

I'm all for tactical ingenuity but trying this in a must-win game is a bit erm, mad.

 

[Howlgrana]

Oh lord why has he drastically changed the formation again.

 

[Howlgrana]

FFS

 

[Barcaman]

3-2-2-3?

 

[Howlgrana]

Barca are suffering on the wings atm. Too much space allowed down each channel, and Bartra and Mathieu are allowing far too many crosses into the centre. Barca should have conceded a second goal from Lucas because of a cross from the left.

 

[BrianSwan]

Barca's passing is so slow compared to before it's sad to see.

 

[Devils]

Our coach is a fucking joke.

 

[Zincubus]

Oh well at least one of our ex players won't be out to prove a point tonight ...

Oh wait ...

 

[Zincubus]

Our coach is a fucking joke.

Up until a week or so ago Southampton were playing more like Barcelona than we are .... and Arsenal are still playing better than we do ..

 

[Zincubus]

Did some guy just stamp on Neymar then !??

 

[BrianSwan]

beauty

 

[Devils]

Positive: We are winning.

Negative: Our defence is laughable, Mathieu is a disaster at LB (Gee, who would have guessed right?), Suarez and Neymar are way to isolated and our midfield isn't up to par.

 

[DrPepper]

Mascherano's role is basically the same that Busquets played against Real Madrid in the December 2011 league Clasico. A hybrid CB/DM.

Also funny to see Barca defending in a back five at times, with Neymar and Pedro as the wing backs.

Still not convinced about our build up play. It's so horribly static with no one offering any real movement. Quite fitting that our second goal was from a counter attack.