Ernesto Valverde - V1

[Neeraj]

I have never seen so many blind posters in any other forum but this. One of the issues of EV's plan was Coutinho in an unorthodox role, once he is gone (replaced after Roberto's red) we played much better. EV was forced to make a change and introduce Semedo and Paulinho and switch to 4-3-2. What we played in the second half was obviously not part of his original plan.

But I also think we underestimate how much the players themselves improved, in terms of intensity and motive, led by Messi. As I said in another post, when we went down to 10, players start playing a little more instinctively than according to a set plan because of the disadvantage, and you could see the runs, pressing, etc. were far better in the second half.

That's why many feel Valverde is an anti coach at times. Lots of people mentioned here that we'd have beaten Roma if we had no coach and the players were left to do whatever they wanted, and this is the reason why people get that feeling.

 

[bodi16]

EV wouldn't have been sacked even if we would have lost 0-5 to Madrid. As long as Bartomeu is our president, Valverde seems to be the perfect fit for a guy whose main concern isn't to make Barca become the best club in the world again.

 

[George_Costanza]

But I also think we underestimate how much the players themselves improved, in terms of intensity and motive, led by Messi. As I said in another post, when we went down to 10, players start playing a little more instinctively than according to a set plan because of the disadvantage, and you could see the runs, pressing, etc. were far better in the second half.

That's why many feel Valverde is an anti coach at times. Lots of people mentioned here that we'd have beaten Roma if we had no coach and the players were left to do whatever they wanted, and this is the reason why people get that feeling.

I do agree that the players lacked motivation in some games including Roma. Is EV a motivator coach? I really doubt it. This is why I think next year we will face same issues. Players like Messi, Pique, Suarez, and Busquets won it all and sometimes they do lack motivation and fighting spirit (unintentionally of course). Here when you need a leader of the wolf pack, be it a lion player like Puyol or motivational managers like Pep or Klopp. Unfortunately, we lack both now.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

I don't even think it is a question of learning lessons when it comes to Valverde.

This team desperately needs mental fortitude, hunger, intensity and fighting spirit more than it needs any sort of tactical genius. And in order to achieve these things you need to make ballsy decisions like getting rid of or benching players who are not putting the work in, even if they are big names. You need to be cutthroat. Something that imo is the complete opposite of EV's character and is unnatural to him.

We've been utterly humiliated 3 times in the past two years in the CL and during those games our players walked around with their heads down sulking and accepting defeat early on in the game.

Mentally, FC Barcelona is as soft as baby lotion.

No offense to EV, but he doesn't have the character or ruthlessness to put some of these players in their place and light a fire in the team that the likes of a Simeone, Jupp or Klopp can their teams.

Neither did Lucho, and he got us triplete. We have the quality players, just need to correct tactics and a push every once in a while. Hope EV learns from his mistakes and adjusts in CL when necessary. He's earned another season to get it right with a potentially historic domestic double in sight.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

The lack of trust in Coutinho and Dembele could get very interesting as they were obviously seen as the Neymar replacements. It's going to reflect badly on the board if both their star signings don't get significant game time due to the coach not playing them.

In Dembele's case maybe EV is protecting him because he knows he needs time to learn the philosophy? This ofc is a stretch, seeing as Dortmund have a protect the ball style as well, but maybe EV has looked at some of our Masia stars and even transfers who were expected to immediately perform and fell flat and left tail tucked. Maybe, EV is trying desperately to avoid this and had a talk with him about it. We don't know. Again, pure speculation. But an interesting take, I think...

 

[FCBfan22]

[tw]993884753395929091[/tw]

------------Ter Stegen-----------
Semedo---Pique---Umtiti---Alba
-------Rakitić----Busquets-------
Coutinho------------------Iniesta
-----------Messi--Suarez---------

Till death. (And obviously Roberto playing the last 2 games)

 

[Joan]

------------Ter Stegen-----------
Semedo---Pique---Umtiti---Alba
-------Rakitić----Busquets-------
Coutinho------------------Iniesta
-----------Messi--Suarez---------

Till death. (And obviously Roberto playing the last 2 games)

Should rotate tomorrow. Clasico was demanding. Hope to see Dembele, Coutinho from the start.

 

[FCBfan22]

Should rotate tomorrow. Clasico was demanding. Hope to see Dembele, Coutinho from the start.

Well at least Semedo will start for sure and probably Vermaelen. I hope to se Dembele starting too. How is Villareal's left back? Is he good? Because if he isn't he should stick Dembele in there.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

EV wouldn't have been sacked even if we would have lost 0-5 to Madrid. As long as Bartomeu is our president, Valverde seems to be the perfect fit for a guy whose main concern isn't to make Barca become the best club in the world again.

U wot???

 

[Joan]

Well at least Semedo will start for sure and probably Vermaelen. I hope to se Dembele starting too. How is Villareal's left back? Is he good? Because if he isn't he should stick Dembele in there.

Jaume Costa. Not a world beater. I don't think Dembele would have problems with most of them, actually. It's so hard to defend as a FB.

 

[bodi16]

U wot???

Playing safe (or trying to, like EV does) is the only option when you have the likes of Gomes/Vidal on the bench and guys like Paulinho as the first option for midfield coming off it (don't get me wrong, he's an ok-ish player - more of a destroyer, but he's unable to deliver the simplest through pass most of the times unfortunately). What i don't like about Valverde though is his lack of reaction when things go obviously wrong, despite his tactics (which can be relative to our squad or not , we'll see next season if that's it).

 

[Birdy]

I have never seen so many blind posters in any other forum but this. One of the issues of EV's plan was Coutinho in an unorthodox role, once he is gone (replaced after Roberto's red) we played much better. EV was forced to make a change and introduce Semedo and Paulinho and switch to 4-3-2. What we played in the second half was obviously not part of his original plan.

Coutinho's role this year has always been on the right when Iniesta was on the pitch at the same time. And if you think he always played badly there, you are wrong: look at CdR final for example.
If the question is in which position is Cou better? Definetely on the left, but when you have to accommodate two people playing much better on the left you have to make concessions. Next year without Iniesta, we will be seeing him on the left all the time.

As for the rest, the team was forced to play what we have been playing all year long when we were left with 10 players. You should be wondering and pondering, though, on why is it possible a certain game plan to be working with 10 (!) men and another one not with 11 men

 

[henias]

Coutinho's role this year has always been on the right when Iniesta was on the pitch at the same time. And if you think he always played badly there, you are wrong: look at CdR final for example.
If the question is in which position is Cou better? Definetely on the left, but when you have to accommodate two people playing much better on the left you have to make concessions. Next year without Iniesta, we will be seeing him on the left all the time.

As for the rest, the team was forced to play what we have been playing all year long when we were left with 10 players. You should be wondering and pondering, though, on why is it possible a certain game plan to be working with 10 (!) men and another one not with 11 men

One Cdr final dont mean shit. Coutinho has struggled significantly on the right, he doesnt has the pace to play as a wide player.

This lineup had zero threat against Madrid until Semedo came in to offer some sort of pace on the right side.

 

[Barcaman]

Just can't understand why he didn't even call up Denis and Vidal in meaningless match against Villarreal.

He is humble guy and press and locker room like him. Guess that makes the difference between him and Van Gaal (also won double AND developed youth in process) who still got under fire.

I'd rather see Alena, Denis play than chasing unbeaten "trophy".

Such a shame Valverde is so short-sighted.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

One Cdr final dont mean shit. Coutinho has struggled significantly on the right, he doesnt has the pace to play as a wide player.

This lineup had zero threat against Madrid until Semedo came in to offer some sort of pace on the right side.

Put Dembele in and Marcelo has tougher time.. Dembele is what this team needs, pace. We are slow grandpas without him.