Copa semis: Villarreal-Barca 1-3 (2-6 agg.)

[instinct]

I think it's a good line-up exceptMathieu.

Mascherano is one of the best defenders in the world and certainly more able to deal with fast counter attacks than Busquets + you have an insane workrate from Rafinha which was very helpful in the last match. In attack you have the untouchables who'll basically decide tonight's match but if Villareal decided to closely mark Messi we still have 2 creative midfielders with Rafinha and Iniesta.
Would have liked to see Bartra though since Mathieu was disappointing in his last matches but I hope that Marc will play the match vs Levante.

 

[PhilS]

Somehow i feel we might have a problem with the midfield. Masch is a great DM, but he was never that great at DM in barca. I hope he plays well, busi was on fire last match i would have felt safer with busi on the pitch.

This year, I really think Masch has been better at DM than Busquets. He has been that great at DM for Barca recently.

That goal that Busquets assisted on last weekend was an offensive contribution that has been rare for either Busquets or Masch at DM, that was beautiful.

 

[KingMessi]

Meh, he went in soft into the tackle which lead to Atheltics second goal, and casually jogged back instead of getting back into position for the first goal. Not saying the goals were entirely his fault, but he could have helped out more. And situations like that have occurred to often with Busi this past year. For a DM he doesn't cover that much ground helping the back four out, and he since late last year began to dwell too much on the ball.

For me he still has a bit to go to get back his peak form, and hopefully rotation with Masch can show him he stills needs to improve.

Dude needs to get surgery for that Hernia this summer.

 

[Jägermeister]

I think it's a good line-up expect Mathieu.

If you mean except, I agree.

 

[serghei]

Sorry but Mathieu is clearly bench material. Both goals we received in San Mames were largely due to Mathieu's "positioning" (can't even call that marking).

 

[instinct]

If you mean except, I agree.

Yes

 

[KingMessi]

Sorry but Mathieu is clearly bench material. Both goals we received in San Mames were largely due to Mathieu's "positioning" (can't even call that marking).

Bartra ought to be first backup to Masche/Pique.

 

[serghei]

I hope Dos Santos won't be in a good day.

 

[Heisenberg is cooking]

Mathieu was our best defender for some months, so dont exagerate. Masch has been excellent at dm for barca this season. No prob seeing him start. World class. Iniesta....I dont know. 0 assists and goals this season. Thats flat out terrible. Shouldnt start in my opinion.

 

[serghei]

Bartra ought to be first backup to Masche/Pique.

Yea. Pique - Masche in defence and Busi in midfield for me. I would've played maybe Bartra Mathieu against Levante at home.

 

[JamDav1982]

Bartra ought to be first backup to Masche/Pique.

Bartra/Pique can look a shambles though.

Both prefer to be RCB and Pique is still developing as a leader type CB that Bartra needs beside him.

Dont think will see much of Pique/Bartra partnerships or Masch/Mathieu.

 

[Barcaman]

TerStegen - Alves Pique Mathieu Alba - Rafinha Mascherano Iniesta - Messi Suarez Neymar

 

[KingMessi]

Mathieu was our best defender for some months, so dont exagerate. Masch has been excellent at dm for barca this season. No prob seeing him start. World class. Iniesta....I dont know. 0 assists and goals this season. Thats flat out terrible. Shouldnt start in my opinion.

Not sure where you're getting your stats, but I think Iniesta has 2 CDR goals and 3 assists in the UCL.

 

[Egert]

Masche in midfield Good line-up IMO, let's see how it works.

 

[Ghosting]

Sky Sports 5 showing highlights of the 5-0 vs RM before the Villareal game, every Madrid player looking like they are about to cry, good times.