EL: Manchester United - FC Barcelona (4-3)

[Rory]

maybe Xavi has been reading this forum and knows there'll be plenty defending him should we get bounced out of another european competition for not having our best defence out there

 

[ajnotkeith]

The only explanation is Christensen might have had a bout of anxiety for this game or Xavi doesn't trust him to mentally hold up or something because that truly is bizarre.

Changing a very strong CB partnership to put Alonso in... why?

Man U's lineup looks very weak though so we should be able to win the quality battle.

 

[jamrock]

Alonso? wtf? Is Christensen injured or having a mental breakdown?.

 

[Sailor Mars]

Xavi has sabotaged this team with his choice of Alonso. There is no way anyone watches Alonso play and thinks he should be anywhere on the pitch in a big game.

Man is slow as a turtle and turns like a boat. Major L by Xavi to not play Christensen.

 

[Gari]

Xavi: "The two changes in defence are because there are many games in the next few days, seven in twenty one days and we have to use all the players to prevent injuries. We need to rotate."

 

[JamDav1982]

Accordng to Catalan media Alonso/Alba are both tactical.

 

[Rory]

The only explanation is Christensen might have had a bout of anxiety for this game or Xavi doesn't trust him to mentally hold up or something because that truly is bizarre.

Changing a very strong CB partnership to put Alonso in... why?

Man U's lineup looks very weak though so we should be able to win the quality battle.

Christensen played 60 mins of a ucl final keeping a clean sheet.

 

[JamDav1982]

Xavi: "The two changes in defence are because there are many games in the next few days, seven in twenty one days and we have to use all the players to prevent injuries. We need to rotate."

He isnt even admitting it is tactical incase it goes wrong.

'We had to do it'.

 

[te amo barca]

It's not tactical, Xavi is just rotating.

 

[fergus90]

Would've thought Cadiz on the weekend would have been more suitable given the lead of 8 points but either way, come on Barca!

 

[Rory]

la liga obviously far from over but this europa league tie is massive for us, rotation can be done vs the likes of Cadiz at home on Sunday. We need to win this badly for our pride, the group of players, the amount we've spent and for our revenue.

 

[JamDav1982]

It's not tactical, Xavi is just rotating.

It is tactical.

Rotate Balde for what?

Probably the most rotated player in back four and one of most rotated in starting line up.

Cadiz is easier game to rotate in if that is the plan.

 

[mc_lovin]

Wouldn't be the same without the usual drama in here

 

[KingLeo10]

One of Xavi's glaring weakness is his arrogance. He probably thinks the Europa is beneath Barcelona and doesn't realize that a solid result v United could boost our morale for future European nights.

Now, we'll get clowned and it will be the same story running - 7 years of European failures and ongoing.

 

[jamrock]

Would've thought Cadiz on the weekend would have been more suitable given the lead of 8 points but either way, come on Barca!

Exactly.

I don't really care about the EL one way or the other, but doesn't make any sense to start Alonso here.