CL: Barca - Man City 1-0 (3-1 agg.)

Bucky

Penya Member
Getting so f'n confusing which game we're on about, City or Clasico with these posts :lol:

This is the v City thread :masip:
 

ATLBarcaFan

Senior Member
I would like this formation,

[formation=barca,8]
Mats
Alves-0-Pique-0-Mathieu-0-Alba
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
0-0-0-Masch-0-0-0
0-Raki>Xavi-0-0-0-Iniesta>Rafinha,c-0
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Messi-0-0-Suarez-0-0-Neymar>Pedro
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
[/formation]

Me too, except I have more confidence in Bartra then Mathieu. That's the only change I would make
 
G

Gasgas

Guest
Rakitic is a must against City. My only concern is that he woudn't keep up wit Real Madrid's midfield considering their high technicity this season.

If Mascherano doesn't put on a great performance against City, I would play with the following Midfield against Real :

------------------------------Rakitic---------------------------------------
--------------Xavi------------------------------Iniesta--------------------

Alves and Alba's positioning will be crucial if we play with this midfield against Real. The Xavi---Iniesta pair is not what it was in 2012 for instance, BUT with the right adjustments they can deliver extraordinar performances. Let's not forget that Rayo Vallecano put on a huge pressure against us and Xavi--Iniesta did great.

Of course Rayo is not Real but do you really believe that if they put us under pressure Xavi--Iniesta would have big issues ? I don't think so. Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are the best players in the world when it comes to foiling adverse pressure.

My only concern against Real would be their counter attacks. That's why we should have a totally balanced and symetrical attacking system. Imagine Xavi has the ball 40 meters from Real Madrid's goal, that's how I could well figure out how we can avoid their counter-attacks :

--------------------------------------------------Alba--------------
------------Alves-----------------Rakitic--------------------------
--------------------------------------------Iniesta------------------
---------Xavi(b)-------------------------------Neymar------------
-----Messi---------Suarez------------------------------------------

No way will Real have great counter opportunities if we widen their midfield. This is all about keeping the ball and methodically breaking them down. Against teams such as Real and Bayern, having at least 65% of ball possession is a must in my humble opinion.

Anyway this is off-topic at the moment. Let's see what Enrique has in his mind. :)
You happen to have missed out on most if not all of the big games for barca and Spain which featured xavi and. Iniesta. For the past few seasons. That duo is obsolete, it has been overrun time and time again no tweaks nor tactics can keep that from happening
And real madrid>>>>>>>>rayo
By widening their midfield are you referring to playing xavi and iniesta wide? Even worse
And rakitic at DM is the worst thing you could do to a player and what replace his position with players playing at a lower level :facepalm:
 
G

Gasgas

Guest
I dont understand the obsession with xavi-rakitic-iniesta midfield
This is what i observed There are two groups
1. Those who want to avoid Mathieu as CB at all cost so they would rather bring masche to CB where he can be exploited, Drag rakitic to DM. Where he is a lot weaker and then leave the. Position. For xavi whose all round. Game is weaker than rakitic's so basically weakening three positions just so that :mathieu: doesnt play
'2. Thse who still live in the pep era and want to shoehorn xavi into the formation... They still think that xavi-iniesta is the best duo right now and can outplay any team despite them having been torn apart too often (e.g vs real madrid in the last mou season, vs psg, vs ac milan ,vs ateti in the ucl ,vs bayern ,vs real madrid last season where we either lost or got bailed out by individual performances of messi n or neymar, spain Vs brazil, spain vs netherlands etc). These lot are obliivious to the fact that rakitic is our best CM this season and they brannnnd. Him as not good enouugh and that player who will leave in one season.
 

DonAK

President of FC Barcelona
[formation=name.of.the.shirt,8]
ter Stegen
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Alves-0-Pique-0-Bartra-0-Alba
0-0-0-Mascherano-0-0-0
0-Rakitic-0-0-0-Iniesta-0
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Messi-0-0-Suarez-0-0-Neymar
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
[/formation]
 
Last edited:

Bucky

Penya Member
I'd play Mathieu against 2nd rate teams, my "B team" selection, in CB. Bartra has been proving time and time again he is first team material to shoulder alongside Piqué.

That does leave Masch for me open to where he should be fielded because he too is a great defender; although a bit aggressive at times and needlessly gets yellow cards whether deserved or not. So perhaps he should fill that slot against City in DM.

In current shape v City... I'm still a maybe on Mathieu being in CB as that allows Bartra to rest up for Clasico. However I agree with you Gasgas, Raki in DM is a no. His position on the right CM has been brilliant so far this season.
 
L

linetty

Guest
City fans are hoping for a miracle at their forums and we're just having a laugh and make fun of everything. lol
 

Bucky

Penya Member
Monday, bloody Monday.

What's on tomorrow... hmm.. Arse v Monaco & Atl Madrid v Bayer...

Should be interesting
 

Darko

New member
Will be disappointed with anything less then a 2 goal victory considering how we humiliated them last time.
 

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