CL | 1/8 Final: FC Barcelona - SSC Napoli 4-2 (agg.)

[cro-man]

In such important match rakitic? Nice joke. Team setien out

 

[KingLeo10]

The reasons were bigger imo than just personnel. Basically, there was a lot more wrong with the team under EV than just the players who went on the field. As long as this changes, and the team-related aspects are better, it is logical that individuals will perform better as well.

We need to see how we do first.

I'm willing to bet we'll get destroyed 0-2 or 1-3. And the geriatric combo in midfield will be the one that folds.

 

[BBZ8800]

About Rakitic: Emery, Lucho, EV, Setien.

Setien has actually won a few coins in my eyes tonight.

Playing 442 is a nice option in Europe, when we compare it with our horrible away record since 2000.

At home: we should play like Barca.
Away: we should try something else.
EV's version of something else failed. Maybe Setien's version will be better.

But anything different than a too attacking and too naive 433 is a step forward, imo.

 

[Richard.H]

Seriously what the fuck? Rakitic is bad every single game. This is so fucking weird. He's never ever good. This is not hyperbole. Why is he being played? He's fucking awful defensively and useless offensively. I really don't get it.

Lucho, EV, and now Setien. I’m starting to think he has some dirt on bartomeu or the socios

 

[serghei]

About Rakitic: Emery, Lucho, EV, Setien.

Setien has actually won a few coins in my eyes tonight.

Playing 442 is a nice option in Europe, when we compare it with our horrible away record since 2000.

At home: we should play like Barca.
Away: we should try something else.
EV's version of something else failed. Maybe Setien's version will be better.

But anything different than a too attacking and too naive 433 is a step forward, imo.

If we do well. If we get beaten Roma style, he'll start looking like a joke.

I suppose you favor this style because you think it brings better results, right? Well... I want to see those results. Not 0-3 and 0-4 losses.

 

[Hamzah]

In before Rakitic actually plays well and scores . Let's wait for the game. And as I said, I expect guys who defended Valverde to follow logic here and defend Setien too. He put the most defensive and physical team possible here.

If BBZ and his comrades would've put the team on the field today, this is the team that would've played.

The thing is Busquets isn’t physical at all and Rakitic/Vidal are washed up. Ideally I’d have de Jong as pivot as he can at least run and the team would have some younger “workhorses” in their physical prime to play in this type of match

 

[KingLeo10]

About Rakitic: Emery, Lucho, EV, Setien.

Setien has actually won a few coins in my eyes tonight.

Playing 442 is a nice option in Europe, when we compare it with our horrible away record since 2000.

At home: we should play like Barca.
Away: we should try something else.
EV's version of something else failed. Maybe Setien's version will be better.

But anything different than a too attacking and too naive 433 is a step forward, imo.

He won coins because he started Rakitic.

Too bad I don't care about your coins but a win/draw away from home. And I will guarantee you right now we'll lose.

 

[serghei]

The thing is Busquets isn’t physical at all and Rakitic/Vidal are washed up. Ideally I’d have de Jong as pivot as he can at least run and the team would have some younger “workhorses” in their physical prime to play in this type of match

Nah, Vidal is a workhorse still, and Rakitic is good physically. Not great, but better than Arthur imo. De Jong is also top physically.

This is a less possession-oriented team, and a more transitions, counter-attacking team.

 

[Neymessi]

We could have ran up the score to 5-0 in the last 10 mins if Dembele wasn't Dembele. A 4-0 was clearly there to be had.

You didn't read my post properly. Liverpool easily deserved 2 or 3 if we deserved 5.

 

[cro-man]

About Rakitic: Emery, Lucho, EV, Setien.

Setien has actually won a few coins in my eyes tonight.

Playing 442 is a nice option in Europe, when we compare it with our horrible away record since 2000.

At home: we should play like Barca.
Away: we should try something else.
EV's version of something else failed. Maybe Setien's version will be better.

But anything different than a too attacking and too naive 433 is a step forward, imo.

When he played for sevilla and the time when he joined us he did offer atleast something. Today rakitic is the biggest liabilty. He is offering literally nothing. Also most of those coaches did bench him after they realized how shit he has become...

 

[kattanib]

The only two options available as subs are Fati and Arthur. You guys are unreasonable in asking not to have Raki as a starter

 

[serghei]

Also, if we are in trouble for the love of god, use subs fast. Don't wait until min 75 if you see us in trouble like EV did.

 

[Neymessi]

3 cdms. Such a EVish lineup.

 

[Hamzah]

Nah, Vidal is a workhorse still, and Rakitic is good physically. Not great, but better than Arthur imo. De Jong is also top physically.

This is a less possession-oriented team, and a more transitions, counter-attacking team.

Busquets is playing and he has no business in this type of match in his current state. Vidal and Rakitic are physical players but past their physical prime, they will be outmatched by Napoli’s midfield tonight . The team needs physical midfielders in their prime for this type of game but doesn’t because of poor management.

So the idea of how to play is sound but the squad is severely limited.

 

[KingLeo10]

I don't understand why mods don't open up the chat early. CL KO games don't come by often.