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

[Asylum15]

I just can't believe how poor Lewandowski is. Age and our playing style aside, he just doesn't fit. He's showed nothing like I expected. If he's not scoring, we're playing with 10. Kounde was dreadful and looks rattled the last few weeks.

This is a reality of where we are. I find myself having a longer and longer list of issues with Xavi and some of his decisions.

All of this is underlined by our incredible financial issues. Hard to know where we go from here next year.

 

[Porque]

The quality we missed in the first 11 exceeds what Man UTD did, granted, but it doesn't look like we will be going anywhere in Europe under Xavi.

 

[Masetro10]

Barca is only ever good when they have world class front 3. Look throughout history that is literally the only time. Even when blessed with great defenders or midfielders the only truly great teams had unstoppable scorers. MSN, MVP, Eto'o,Henry, Ronaldinho, etc. We cannot score anymore. Ferran, Raphinha, Dembele, Ansu do not scare anyone as scorers. They may provide something but scoring is the #1 thing that matters especially at Barca where we play at the halfway line all game. Wingers become USELESS out wide if the whole team is up against a packed defense.

 

[Neeraj]

Absolutely crazy that a simple change to put on pacey players and hit long balls behind us has us rattled like we've never kicked a ball before. Astounding how bad the squad planning, management, coaching, just everything about the club these past few years. Hard to understand how we all see United coming back and turning this over and Xavi just standing there..clueless.

 

[Kul_z]

Thing is, we have rock solid platform, finally. We should get rid of everyone in attacking department except dembele(fuck me) and we are good. So sterile and no creativity, with messi in this setup we would reach cl semi final easily

 

[El Gato]

Sup lads

How's Laportas budget

 

[Sailor Mars]

Barely created anything in the 1st leg, created pretty much nothing in the 2nd leg. Failed the litmus test in Europe again.

 

[eaman]

Decent game from balde but he turned his back for the Antony goal. Couldve blocked that

 

[Laplacian]

Thing is, we have rock solid platform, finally. We should get rid of everyone in attacking department except dembele(fuck me) and we are good. So sterile and no creativity, with messi in this setup we would reach cl semi final easily

rock bottom is getting relegated bro.

 

[eaman]

An average game between 2 europa league level teams

 

[i_bleed_blaugrana]

I mean, we are at least competing. His player judgement and over-trusting nature are the only things I really question with Xavi. Finances dont help things at all as well as Tebass and La Liga just making this rebuild as difficult as it possibly could be.

The record doesnt look good in Europe, granted but we didnt rele have our best XI in any European match this season. I dont think anyone needs to emphasize just how important Pedri and Dembele are now, especially in terms of bringing quality in the final third. Even still, bar the game at home to Bayern, most of these games were determined by our piss poor finishing.

Systemically, its all there and I think Xavi is doing a tremendous job in his training sessions, match preparation and player development. Under past managers, we get destroyed here at Old Trafford and while the loss is still unacceptable, you would be blind if you couldnt see the progress being made and insane if you want Xavi out when much of this comes down to injuries, depth and player quality / individual performance, things he cant control.

We rarely if ever get outplayed in these big matches. Just need to trust in the process but some tough decisions need to be made in terms of the squad. We need quality attackers who are ruthless in front of net and a proper RB. The pressure is absolutely on for us to close out La Liga now after tonight. Granted we do that, this result doesnt really change much for me in terms of belief in the project or the board.

Disappointing sure but honestly we got bigger fish to fry.

 

[JohnN]

We spent too much money for players that are either not performing or are too old, or both.
Without that overspending I would be more optimistic. But where does that leave us?
We can keep Mats, Araujo, Chris, Balde, Pedri, Gavi, Dembele, FDJ but everyone else are disposable. Ok, Kounde might have a say for a sub in CB and Alba for RB (not with that salary).

We didn't need Lewa, we had two attackers (clicking well) already.
We didn't need Raphinia. We already had Dembele.
We didn't need Ferran, we had Fati (hahaha).
We didn't need Alonso, we had Alba and Balde.
We didn't need Kessie, we have training cones. Granted, no money spent, but still a salary.
We didn't need Bellerin, we could use someone from the cleaning stuff of camp nou to cover RB.

Really bad choices.

 

[Asylum15]

I mean, we are at least competing. His player judgement and over-trusting nature are the only things I really question with Xavi. Finances dont help things at all as well as Tebass and La Liga just making this rebuild as difficult as it possibly could be.

The record doesnt look good in Europe, granted but we didnt rele have our best XI in any European match this season. I dont think anyone needs to emphasize just how important Pedri and Dembele are now, especially in terms of bringing quality in the final third. Even still, bar the game at home to Bayern, most of these games were determined by our piss poor finishing.

Systemically, its all there and I think Xavi is doing a tremendous job in his training sessions, match preparation and player development. Under past managers, we get destroyed here at Old Trafford and while the loss is still unacceptable, you would be blind if you couldnt see the progress being made and insane if you want Xavi out when much of this comes down to injuries, depth and player quality / individual performance, things he cant control.

We rarely if ever get outplayed in these big matches. Just need to trust in the process but some tough decisions need to be made in terms of the squad. We need quality attackers who are ruthless in front of net and a proper RB. The pressure is absolutely on for us to close out La Liga now after tonight. Granted we do that, this result doesnt really change much for me in terms of belief in the project or the board.

Disappointing sure but honestly we got bigger fish to fry.

Xavi has made numerous poor decisions this season including in the first leg of this tie by starting Alonso/Alba and putting Araujo RB and ripping our defence apart.

Xavi is/was my favourite player at the club and I'll never feel a bad emotion toward him but as our coach, I'm not nearly as optimistic as you are.
He's showing high levels of naivity in Europe.

 

[JamDav1982]

He isnt reacting at all in these games.

Looks like a rabbit in headlights.

Man Utd were battering Barca from first second of that half and it took 2-1 down and 70 mins gone to change anything.

Fucking Roberto and Kessie up and around a 34 year old striker is awful.

Shit tactics as in first leg with his defence.

 

[wisconsincule]

We coulda used Auba. He’s done too but Lewa clearly isn’t up to the task and has no back up.

Our squad is so thin that maybe this is a blessing in disguise that we have one less competition to be in.