Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
Is this based on key passes? Ronaldo does have marginally more key passes per game than Messi, 2.8. vs. 2.6, but that doesn't necessarily translate into chances created.
Is this based on key passes? Ronaldo does have marginally more key passes per game than Messi, 2.8. vs. 2.6, but that doesn't necessarily translate into chances created.
Mitchell1978
Senior Member
He must be talking about key passes, though the player with most key passes this season in the top 5 leagues is Payet from Marseille folowed by De Bruyne and Fabregas.
Key passes doesnt have to mean clear chances, does it?
Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
Nope, a key pass simply means the final pass to a teammate who had a shot on goal. It might or might not be an opportunity created.
Therefore I have no idea where the notion/myth that Ronaldo created the most chances come from.
Barcelona will always have a better conversion rate, its only natural. Barca plays a slow game, very few risks and steady buildup, they will get fewer chances this way, but often bigger ones, and closer to goal. Real play both possession and counter, alot of pace and more uncontrolled attacks, and we hav better shooters from a distance,so more shoots will be taken from afar. All of this will naturally give us a lower conversion rate.
Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
Yeah, overal Real Madrid definitely has more shots than we do. Hence more key passes.
Chainsaw
Killahead
More like Barca shoots a lot less.
Icarium
Lifestealer
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
I think people, even commentators, don't see this in the context of how Barça plays. There are certainly times I'd like Barça players in good positions to take a shot rather than look for another pass. However, the whole style of play has been to work the ball into the box for a player to take a "can't miss" shot. Most teams play quantity over precision- they take lower percentage shots, but they take many more of them (including corners and free kicks for headers), hoping the odds will even out.
In a way, Barça is playing quantity odds, too, but it's not quantity of shots,- it's quantity of combo passing runs into the box. With teams sitting back inside their own box, it has become much more difficult to penetrate with technical 1-2 passes or through balls. But Barça would rather hammer the opponent's box with passing runs than with outside shots. So when I see Barça make 10 runs and get off only 1 or 2 shots, it's not like there is no offense. It's that they are trying to get off 1 or 2 shots that give the keeper little chance, rather than take 10 outside shots that are more easily saved. Even with 2 banks in the box, all it takes is one mental/physical slip from a defender, and someone is through on goal. Which is why Barça tends to score later in games, after breaking down the opponent.
This is why Alves' crosses are so infuriating. It's not just that they are poor crosses- it's like the rest of the team is trying to work the ball inside, and Alves just says "fuck it," negating all their hard work.
This isn't to say Barça shouldn't try more variety.
Chainsaw
Killahead
"In the end, we (Bayern Munchen) will be unwatchable like Barca. They'll be passing it backwards on the goal-line. My vision is different. If I have the chance to shoot from distance, especially in front of a crowded defence, I'd take it. It's the most efficient way." ~Franz Beckenbauer
The whole idea of 1-2 quick passes is to disorganize the opposition not helping them organize even more. What Barca tries to do with so many pointless passes do nothing but help the opposition to get even more tight in the back. You'll need to find an alternative if you no longer know how to play proper tiki taka, and that includes long range shots. Even if it's no properly taken, it still makes more danger than screwing around with all of these sideway passes with no penetration. In the words of Pep Guardiola himself: "You don't pass the ball around just for the sake of it." It's not less ugly than anti-football tbh. You don't give the ball to the opposition but neither you are playing forward.
Watch the first Atletico's goal against Athletic. That's what Barca needs to revive in their passing system once again.
Exactly I was seeing a replay of a Rayo match and damn I saw an attacking move with literally 8 touches to get the balls from defense to a shot and such smart movement and intricate short passing, 1-2s really left me baffled how Jemez can weave that magic with the mediocre midfield he has at Rayo and we can't with all the talent we have in Barca
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