Champions League: PSG - FC Barcelona 3-2

[Barcaman]

Barca X1 vs PSG: Ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi and Neymar.
*not official yet

I'm struggling to see the point od signing both Mathieu and Vermaelen if Mascherano is considered first choice cb.

 

[Flavia]

Barca X1 vs PSG: Ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi and Neymar.
*not official yet

It's official.

 

[Ursegor]

Mascherano-Mathieu first choice pairing.

Pique is Mascherano's backup.

Vermaelen is Mathieu's backup.

Bartra is making up the numbers.

:eusa_think:

 

[Flavia]

I'm struggling to see the point od signing both Mathieu and Vermaelen if Mascherano is considered first choice cb.

Vermaelen is Mathieu's backup, I guess. Both LCB. Masch is benching Pique and Bartra.

 

[Barcaman]

Also, Pedro didn't really deserve the start. Sandro playing in future Suárez role sounds better imo.

 

[Irish_Cules]

I'm struggling to see the point od signing both Mathieu and Vermaelen if Mascherano is considered first choice cb.

Maybe Vermaelan will be used to cover left back as well? Didn't he play there in the game for the B team? Lucho might have asked Eusabio to play him there.

 

[amircule]

Also, Pedro didn't really deserve the start. Sandro playing in future Suárez role sounds better imo.

You realise how much pressure can this match put on a 19 year old kid ? This could kill him .
I think we shoud have used 4-4-2

 

[PhilS]

Barca X1 vs PSG: Ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi and Neymar.
*not official yet

Pedro, interesting. This would be just the time for him to make an impact, he's about due. I know we can count on him to wear the defense down, play the good d, soften PSG up for Munir coming on at 60 minutes.

 

[Sumlit]

Pique officially relegated to bench CB. Masche and Mathieu look to be the official starting pair, and judging by results one can hardly blame Lucho.

People were complaining last year for lack of CB depth and competitiveness. Now I'm sure they'll complain because X and Y player are not getting heavy minutes.

 

[BarcaGirl]

Good line-up minus Pedro.

 

[barcanuck]

Mascherano-Mathieu first choice pairing.

Pique is Mascherano's backup.

Vermaelen is Mathieu's backup.

Bartra is making up the numbers.

:eusa_think:

Unreal eh?? There is just no such thing as Mighty Masch not starting the big match. I feel for Pique a bit, 2 straight games now benched. Hope Lucho doesn't force him out.

 

[Sumlit]

I think Pedro might score today. I've got a gut feeling.

 

[Barcaman]

Vermaelen is Mathieu's backup, I guess. Both LCB. Masch is benching Pique and Bartra.

Stil no sense. It's 5 cb's and Lucho said few times he wants a smaller squad.

I really would have liked 2 tall cb's and use Mascherano in midfield sometimes and give Busquets a bit of competition.

 

[DonAK]

I think Pedro might score today. I've got a gut feeling.

:thumbsup2:

 

[Flavia]

Stil no sense. It's 5 cb's and Lucho said few times he wants a smaller squad.

I really would have liked 2 tall cb's and use Mascherano in midfield sometimes and give Busquets a bit of competition.

It's still early on, and we don't know much about Pique hip issues. If Pique gets back to his back, we could see Pique-Mathieu more often.
But psg have great headers, playing Masch against them is really risky.