Copa del Rey 1/4 final: Athletic Club - Barca 4-2

[Neeraj]

Bilbao pouring men into that space between where FDJ might operate, but don't think we are responding well. One of our midfielders dropping back isn't enough to play through, and our static front line is too far away to make reliable balls to them. Ferran or Lewadowski need to drop in that space while we let one of the wingers hold extreme width to try and create a quick one touch out ball. The other option would require long balls over the top for which we have no pace whatsoever.

In other news - Lewandowski is absolute trash, once again, lucky goal notwithstanding.

 

[JamDav1982]

Yeah, not easy, but all three of our midfielders are considered top passers... so... they are expected to provide the goods. Movement is pretty good also imo.

Ferran helps also, by dropping deep. He's in good form these days.

They are being patient and trying to wait for Bilbao to over commit. Can look slow and laboured at times but can see what trying.

If anything it is when tried to play out quickly they were getting caught.

 

[serghei]

Yeah, especially De Jong had some very poor turnovers in bad positions near the end of the half.

Pity our defense is not good. Looks like it could concede any time from even a half chance. Pena is a scare at any cross also. You just hope he's gonna hit the ball and not some team mate's head.

 

[JamDav1982]

Would guess EV will try to get one or both Williams on Fort soon.

He is playing well though but natural to target him with pace and side with Christensen on a booking also.

 

[Neeraj]

They are being patient and trying to wait for Bilbao to over commit. Can look slow and laboured at times but can see what trying.

If anything it is when tried to play out quickly they were getting caught.

I don't think the shape is quite right. Let's see if Xavi can fix this once we come out after HT.

 

[Andresito]

Get Roque on at CF for some of that  movement

 

[Porque]

You would expect Valverde to know how de Jong thinks and moves, and you can see he has setup to try and counter that. Especially without a natural DMC to create out of alternatively.

Nice little game of chess.

Let's see how Mister changes things to win the game for Bilbao, and if Xavi can keep up with it. Xavi undoing has been losing big games at half time previously.

 

[Windhook]

Bilbao as usual rely on speed of any of the Williams brothers. Midfield have to step up and not let those former-misters strike on counter-attacks.

 

[Windhook]

Hector Fort looks solid so far.

 

[Total-Football]

Early minutes tax

 

[soul24rage]

damn you, you squatter

 

[Neeraj]

Pfft. easy.

 

[Horatio]

Dumb goal to concede

 

[malvolio]

White dutchmen can't jump.

 

[Neeraj]

Where the hell are our CB's?!