CL Round of 16: Barca - Napoli 3-1

[kattanib]

Think lineup is OK. We are starting with the runners in Fermin, Raphi and Lamine.

Napoli can be overrun then last 20/30 can bring on Felix and Guiu/Roque(preferably) when there is more space.

Ofc if we start lethargic and trying to play slow and controlling then we are dead. Because there is no "pausa" in attack or midfield bar Gundy.

I bet you from the first 15 minutes you will realize how tactically inferior is this linup .. Napoli have no pressure to score a goal and will play with 5 midfielders and 1 attacker utilizing counters only .. we do not need RUNNERS .. we need CONTROL .. this is a chess game in the first 45 minute, runners are for the second half in case Barca find them selves in lead and wants to counter or in case there is an urgency to go much more aggressively in attack

 

[kattanib]

Xavi is making a big mistake betting on Raphinha LW instead of Felix imo. Yes, Felix's form is bad, but he scored in most of the big games he played during first half of the season. If he's motivated, he plays on his top level and today is such a game. Raphinha on the other hand didn't have one good game on the left side since he joined, he is absoltely useless there.
I hope I eat my words later, but there is zero feeling from Xavi. He simply follows last game's performance.

100% .. I hope I am wrong but I truly believe Xavi screwed up big time in playing 3 wingers (Cancelo + Raf + Yamal) instead of 2 and went with Fermin instead of someone more mentally stable and mature to control his youthful urges .. we will lose the ability to control the game and Napoli will play on counters and will screw us

 

[kattanib]

I think Fermin is LW, Raphinha is in midfield. He doesn't work on LW, I think even Xavi knows this by now.

Raphinha played in midfield vs. Mallorca.

Raph in midfield last game was horrible, best thing happened was him getting injured.. he literally was all over Yamal sabotaging his game, probably out of jealousy or stupidity

 

[Loki]

Raphinha played in midfield vs. Mallorca.

I know and he was useless there as well. Ha passed the ball more often to the opponent than to our players. His strength is his work rate and speed, his weakness technique and passing. Xavi is a genious letting him play midfield.

 

[Windhook]

Looks logical starting XI with crippled midfield without Frenkie and Pedri. We'll be playing mainly through the wings.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

If nothing works in midfield without Pedri and Frenkie, someone should say Xavi in half time to make himself ready for the second half

 

[kattanib]

Looks logical starting XI with crippled midfield without Frenkie and Pedri. We'll be playing mainly through the wings.

No

Roberto could have played

Felix could have played

Romeo could have played

All these 3 would have added more stability in the 1st half in comparison to playing Raf & Fermin .. given that Yamal and Cancelo are playing as well

 

[Windhook]

No

Roberto could have played

Felix could have played

Romeo could have played

All these 3 would have added more stability in the 1st half in comparison to playing Raf & Fermin .. given that Yamal and Cancelo are playing as well

Not Romeu.

 

[Horatio]

Ffs why is raphinha playing

 

[mc_lovin]

Ffs why is raphinha playing

Pick your poison… all our options are a bit shit.

 

[kattanib]

3 mentally unstable players starting is a bit too much .. 1 is plenty (Cancelo)

 

[iniestaGOAT]

@iniestaGOAT Your predicton for today?

My prediction? The same as always.
We will give them a proper spanking.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Lets gooooooooo

 

[Horatio]

Owh nice. Raphina allowing lamine to play rw

 

[Andresito]

Vamos