Great game, great win. Shout out to the Neysayers, dude is making a lot of people eat their words. Putting the team on his back and keeping it real despite getting kicked every step of the way.
I'm still concerned about the state of our midfield however. We desperately lacked control in that first half, we couldn't coordinate a good string of passes in the center and it all had to be MSN combining to create a scoring opportunity. Rakitic-Iniesta provides no control of the game whatsoever and puts a lot of pressure on the defense and the front line.
It worries me because especially against City, that's a big tactical weakness that can be crucially exploited by the right team and City do have some quality through the center. I'm not saying we will lose but I just think this is all a bit deceiving. Especially if we play a Bayern or a Dortmund, or any team that move the ball as well as we do, our current setup might not hold up.
Time will tell but we desperately need a controlling MF to complement either Iniesta or Rakitic, neither are good about controlling the tempo at this moment so imo, either Xavi or Sergi Roberto need to be starting and getting form. If we could control the tempo through the center more, pin teams back and just deliver constant service to MSN, then it will enhance how much space we can get on the counter. Whenever teams do get the ball, they'll rush forward bc it's the first chance they have gotten for a while and that's when can open them up directly with a counter.
Lucho deserves credit bc the defense is solid and the attack is working well but this team will never be complete and balanced until we get our MF sorted out. Xavi-Rakitic and Iniesta-Sergi would be how I'd pair it.