M
MessiCam
Guest
I would have preferred that Celta knock us out of this competition but it didn't happen and now we're expending a lot of energy against Valencia. To play the intense pressing game they played last night is sapping.
I would have preferred that Celta knock us out of this competition but it didn't happen and now we're expending a lot of energy against Valencia. To play the intense pressing game they played last night is sapping.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Pique,Messi & Rakitic should start seeing some rest along Iniesta too. Obviously not all of them will rest but should rest at least two of them
M
MessiCam
Guest
Suarez needs a break too. When is Dembele expected to return?
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
The last 3 CL titles for FC Barcelona we played in CDR final, RM won CDR in 2014 too
Not sure but should be back in about 10 days IIRC , he was injured in 14th Jan and it was 3-4 weeks
Glad you dispelled the theory that's been repeated here by some that we need to throw away the Copa.
BBZ8800
Senior Member
Imo, that only shows that in those years we were SO GOOD and in such a good physical shape that we were able to win everything IN SPITE of losing our energy on copa.
Imo, it doesn't prove that CDR ISN'T taking tons of valuable CL energy from us.
Under Lucho when we won a treble, Lucho had a madman rotations all the time, so he saved a part of our energy through his crazy rotations.
Under Pep, we were by far the best team in the world, so we won a treble IN SPITE of losing the energy on a CDR.
Plus, Messi, Busi, Pique and others were 22 and 24 aged back then.
Today, they are 30 and 31.
But today, when Messi is 30+, and majority of our core players are over 30, a few matches more in key Months of a season (compared to RM and our European top opponents) usually turns out as fatal for us in the end.
You can go back to Messi's thread in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 (saving for a WC replies) and in almost every year he lost energy around February, March, April.
He was gased out. And he returned into a form later in the last weeks of a season, when he regained some energy due to us being knocked out of a CL and no CDR matches on Wednesday anymore.
We had posts about his motivation, health problems, food which he is eating, he was visiting specialists etc.
For the last 4 weeks, he is playing ALL matches for 90 minutes. Cdr, La Liga, Cdr, La Liga, Cdr, La Liga. (He was subbed only once)
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/11119/Show/Lionel-Messi
Some other posters already mentioned some heavy legs in our team in a 2nd half.
Until a 2nd match vs Chelsea, we will play 10 matches (Chelsea matches included).
A bet: will Messi be rested in ANY of these matches?
https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/65/Fixtures/Spain-Barcelona
In key moments everything counts.
And you guys sometimes act as if it is irrelevant in a CL semis whether a player played 50, 55 or 60 matches in that season.
Those are moments where you either have 10% more energy to make a solo run in the 83 minute and win a match.
... or you will be tired and slow and Ramos will tackle you in the 83 minute when you could have shoot and scored.
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khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Xavi was as old as Messi in 2011, Iniesta was as old as Messi in 2015,we always had old players and we have one the best squad depth in past years.
Facts remain is that you are theorizing things, but the fact is that there was 4 treble winners in past 9 seasons (2 for Barca,1 Bayern & 1 for Inter). Another two has won cup in same year (RM 2014, Chelsea 2012) and one who played final (Barca 2011)
The only 2 CL champions who didn't reach CL final were 2016 RM who was knocked out by terrible mistake |(not smart at all) and last season when there team was starting full depth against Celta in QF including their 32 years old super star playing 90 minutes in both games, doesn't sound so smart at all.
You can keep overanalyzing it, but fact remain the same. no evidence to support your claim. If we get knocked out it in CL it won't be because of CDR, a trophy that has its schedule totally unrelated to CL
Alik
Moderator
As another user posted somewhere, I think Valverde's main goal is to win the domestic double. It's less ambitious than one should expect from a Barça coach, but that seems to be in line with his personality.
On the other hand, what you say may be true regarding players getting tired with CdR. However, this season we can't blame it on that I think. We have such a large lead in the league that if we want to be resting players, it should be there.
Stoichkov1
New member
We absolutely need a good CL run this year.
FC B
Senior Member
Sure and we absolutely need a good rotating pattern in order to be able to do so.
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
1. Copa matters.
2. Early Copa exit does not guarantee CL win.
3. Higher chances in CL due to early Copa exit are debatable.
Ask any player. Not a single one would prefer rest compared to success.
2. Early Copa exit does not guarantee CL win.
3. Higher chances in CL due to early Copa exit are debatable.
Ask any player. Not a single one would prefer rest compared to success.
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BBZ8800
Senior Member
Last year, Copa del rey, Round of 16.
RM played with Sevilla.
Sevilla was a top4 team back then.
If we played Sevilla, we would play with the strongest possible 11, right?
Look how RM played in a CDR against Sevilla:
1st leg: Kiko; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; James Rodríguez, Marco Asensio, Morata.
2nd leg: Casilla, Danilo, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Lucas Vázquez, Asensio, Morata, Mariano
So, Lucas Vasquez, Asensio, Morata, Mariano as 4 attacking players...
And then you have "naive" Barca
Celta 1/8, 2nd leg:
Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic - Messi, Suarez
1/4 Espanyol:
1st leg: Busquets, Messi
2nd leg: Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic - Messi, Suarez
1/2 Valencia:
1st leg: Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic - Messi, Suarez
I am quite sure that RM is "playing tactical games", losing in a CDR on purpose or playing with less motivation and trying to play with 120% in a CL in April and May.
They just don't rate CDR as our club and our fans.
Ano NO, I don't agree with a reply: it is not as if they don't care. They suck, this is why they are losing.
No, they are just playing dirty (or smart?) tricks and going all in on 2 the most important trophies.
From Messi's thread:
So, poor Real Madrid does this every season:
1. season 1, they play without key players in 1/16 and 1/8 of a CDR
They get knocked out, Barca plays with the almost the strongest lineup in all rounds and wins Cdr
2. season 2, again.
RM plays with squad players in early rounds, get knocked out.
Barca plays win key players and wins a tournament.
We "laugh at them".
Even though, in May they will win a CL...
3. season 3, the same.
4. season 4, the same.
Now, don't you think that RM would "get it" buy now (unless if they are extremely dumb) that they are losing every year in 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 of a CDR BECAUSE they play without key players?
So, if they would care about a CDR Trophy that much, they would have figured out by now that the answer how to win a CDR is: play CR7 and all key players in all rounds.
But they are avoiding that year after year (more or less).
So, imo, these are the most probable answers about RM and a CDR:
1. they are losing on purpose to save strength for a CL and let us (Barca) to lose energy on this, the least important Trophy
2. they are playing squad players on purpose. If squad players will win matches=awesome
If they will lose=who cares?
A win-win for them.
If they lose=they will save the energy.
If they will win=they will save the energy, get playing time for squad players and still win a trophy.
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JamDav1982
Senior Member
Ronaldo then played both legs in against Celta in QF as they were knocked out in the next round.
Had the first leg been close Ronaldo would have played the second vs Sevilla.
Likewise with Messi he has played games would not have otherwise if tie not close.
Had the first leg been close Ronaldo would have played the second vs Sevilla.
Likewise with Messi he has played games would not have otherwise if tie not close.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Facts beats theories
RM played starters in QF last year, played to win CDR in 2014 and it was only horrible mistake that made that 2016 run terminated early
RM desperately want treble, you can see it in their forums. for them it is the nly thing we have on them. The ultimate glory they never had and they want it. There is almost zero to support your teory except twisting things to fit for your logic. sorry bro but you are really this time
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