EL Round 16: Galatasaray - Barcelona 1-2 agg.

Birdy

Senior Member
The alarming about this game was that we couldn't create any clear-cut chances:
only Frenkie's that came out of a fluke Auba's bicycle kick.

On the contrary, if Galata was any better upfront, they could have scored on the counter, especially with Pique-Eric at the back.
Plus, Xavi putting in Busi was a terrible decision.
Busi is worthless in such games where you have to crowd the opposition's penalty box. You need someone fast there to prevent the counter that will happen

IMO, Dembele-Adama should UNCONDITIONALLY be both on the pitch against so low blocks.
Then, it's a question who plays CF and who behind them.
 

Sooke

Member
Everyone is talking now about our players, but no one has mentioned the name of Don Xavi Hernandes. Having 63 - 67 % possession on the ball means nothing, when you cannot utilize it. Xavi has to understand that this tiki-taka football would not bring him any success. Millions of unnecessary passes, very slow-motion game, exposing the back for dangerous counterattacks and playing for 90 minutes without clear game plan and without any idea how to brake that parked Turkish bus. Very bad coached and managed game. Tens of useless balloon crossings from the flanks to F.Torres, when everyone knows that he is not good with headers.

Barcelona lucks some quality at many important positions like CB, LB/RB, defensive midfielder, playmaker, RW and of course, a goal-scoring center forward. Did you count them? Yes, that is almost a whole new team. This summer will be very important and very busy for our president and board members. They need to sell a lot of useless players and bring in some much-needed QUALITY. Till then, we will have a lots of disappointing games like today.
 

Sooke

Member
If you have ever seen a game at Turk Telekom Arena, you wouldn't be hopeful for the second game. 52 000 fanatics, who never stop supporting their team, thousands of drums, vuvuzelas and all kind of devices to make an incredible noise. That is why this stadium is known as the Boiling Pot. It will be very, very difficult game. Trust me.
 

ajnotkeith

Senior Member
If you have ever seen a game at Turk Telekom Arena, you wouldn't be hopeful for the second game. 52 000 fanatics, who never stop supporting their team, thousands of drums, vuvuzelas and all kind of devices to make an incredible noise. That is why this stadium is known as the Boiling Pot. It will be very, very difficult game. Trust me.

Added with the Clasico in 3 days, Gala will be super motivated to win, Araujo's (possible?) injury...

Xavi's decision to rotate massively may have cost us. Hopefully we put in a much better performance over there.
 

ajnotkeith

Senior Member
Everyone is talking now about our players, but no one has mentioned the name of Don Xavi Hernandes. Having 63 - 67 % possession on the ball means nothing, when you cannot utilize it. Xavi has to understand that this tiki-taka football would not bring him any success. Millions of unnecessary passes, very slow-motion game, exposing the back for dangerous counterattacks and playing for 90 minutes without clear game plan and without any idea how to brake that parked Turkish bus. Very bad coached and managed game. Tens of useless balloon crossings from the flanks to F.Torres, when everyone knows that he is not good with headers.

Barcelona lucks some quality at many important positions like CB, LB/RB, defensive midfielder, playmaker, RW and of course, a goal-scoring center forward. Did you count them? Yes, that is almost a whole new team. This summer will be very important and very busy for our president and board members. They need to sell a lot of useless players and bring in some much-needed QUALITY. Till then, we will have a lots of disappointing games like today.

The failure was in the choice of lineup.

Garcia,Nico,Ferran, Adama should not have played and putting Ferran CF and later Depay was also a mistake.
 

FCBarca

Mike the Knife
Barca will be better in the return leg, no question - I am disappointed a bit from Xavi's tactical decisions, even in subbing Adama out late when he was the only winger beating his marker and conceivably could've fed Luuk more

That being said, it will no doubt be a tough return leg in Turkey and Dom has them playing very sharp in possession. Just must play quicker from the start
 

Messi983

Senior Member
We've improved a lot over last two months but still a lot of work for Xavi and the team. Two consecutive poor to average games now after being good to very good in previous three. Need to get more consistent. We obviously can't expect to score 4 goals in every game but should at least create more and do more to deserve a win which I don't think we did last night despite being a better team. We've lost a bit of sharpness against both Elche and Galata and should get that back for next games to keep our good form going. If we go out against Gala and lose El Clasico then all the momentum we were building over the last month will be gone and there will be many question marks again during next international break.

Return leg in the Turkish hell won't be easy but will be a good learning experience for youngsters and also a chance for veterans to show they've got some of that mental toughness back after being continously humiliated in previous European away games. Will be a tough environment for sure but at the same time clearly also an inferior opponent compared to teams like Bayern or Liverpool.

Rotations were fine imo, we have a solid depth in the team now with new signings and players returning from injuries so should use it. Xavi has 16-17 players he trusts to to start (and then a super sub LDJ) and he'll rotate amongst them for the rest of the season. It's clear we need more depth and quality for next season though and Alemany is already working on that.
 

Barcaman

Administrator
Staff member
Surprised at people criticising Adama. Easily our best man out there. Constant danger and rarely loses the ball.
 

Fati_Future_BallonDor

Well-known member
Surprised at people criticising Adama. Easily our best man out there. Constant danger and rarely loses the ball.

Compared to the other players especially dembele yes i agree with you but usually people are expecting way more from a player of barca. His dribbling is fine, his output must get better. Anyways, i don't criticise him he is showing more than the barca standards of these days are.
 

JohnN

Senior Member
Compared to the other players especially dembele yes i agree with you but usually people are expecting way more from a player of barca. His dribbling is fine, his output must get better. Anyways, i don't criticise him he is showing more than the barca standards of these days are.

His dribbling is way more than fine. His vision though needs improvement. Had many times a choice for a pass behind the edge of the box and just ball hogged.
 

behindbrowneyes

Well-known member
That Ajax-Benfica game should be a warning signal for Barca. The longer it is 0-0, the longer the risk of a lucky punch by the defending side exists. Need to start like a fire brigade like in the game in Naples.
 

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