Messigician
Senior Member
That's where he played for liverpool and plays for Brasil...
That's where he played for liverpool and plays for Brasil...
jairzinho
Senior Member
Lost a coin for being indecisive. Takes way too long to make subs. I think his first sub was like 10 minutes before the end of the game when we were in danger of being overrun.
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xXKonan
Senior Member
I'm convinced Coutinho can play as a CM with more attacking duties in a 4-3-3 if he was paired up with someone that hold down the fort like Arthur. I'm not convinced by the Coutinho-Rakitic pair because Rakitic isn't that style of player at all.
I see Rakitic more as a supporting Midfielder. He's a guy that can help cover a lot of ground and occasionally score a good banger and have a nice long pass in him. What isn't though is a player that should be tasked with trying to control the tempo and posesssion because he simply can't. He doesn't have that skill set and he struggles under pressure and he's not the most agile and not that great in tight spaces.
Rakitic and a number of other CMs in this squad can work well with Arthur because he has the skillset to be that guy who glues the Midfield together. It will allow players to do what they do best and instead of just being forced to play in roles they aren't comfortable with.
I see Rakitic more as a supporting Midfielder. He's a guy that can help cover a lot of ground and occasionally score a good banger and have a nice long pass in him. What isn't though is a player that should be tasked with trying to control the tempo and posesssion because he simply can't. He doesn't have that skill set and he struggles under pressure and he's not the most agile and not that great in tight spaces.
Rakitic and a number of other CMs in this squad can work well with Arthur because he has the skillset to be that guy who glues the Midfield together. It will allow players to do what they do best and instead of just being forced to play in roles they aren't comfortable with.
jairzinho
Senior Member
The only thing with Rakitic is he seems uncomfortable against the high press. That's why its good to have a guy like Arthur in midfield who is more a better fit to play out from the back against the press. Plus he's more elusive and keeps the ball better when under pressure. His work rate is good too.
Tottenham was severely outcoached yesterday. Why did they allow Messi so much space in midfield? Not one Liga team would do that, many just immediately foul Messi every time he gets the ball in the middle of the field. What was Tot doing on defense, why did they allow the Barca players to receive the ball without challenge? It's like they had no clue about the Barca skill levels, that Barca would pass, one-touch pass, one-touch shot into the back of the net in about 2 seconds.
Coutinho at forward, Arthur as the fulcrum in the center of the attack, Messi dropping so deep, Coutinho going all the way back on defense, Valverde deserves huge props for his game plan. I was worried that his subs came so late, but he got by with that error. The rest key players got over the previous three games really helped their endurance.
I'm sure Pochettino would have had more success with his game plan if so many key players had not been out injured. But, bottom line, Barca outcoached Tot big time.
Coutinho at forward, Arthur as the fulcrum in the center of the attack, Messi dropping so deep, Coutinho going all the way back on defense, Valverde deserves huge props for his game plan. I was worried that his subs came so late, but he got by with that error. The rest key players got over the previous three games really helped their endurance.
I'm sure Pochettino would have had more success with his game plan if so many key players had not been out injured. But, bottom line, Barca outcoached Tot big time.
soul24rage
Senior Member
raedkuwait
Senior Member
he froze in the second half wouldn't make any subs, reminded me of the rome game
Yep ....even after Arthur's performance last night I don't expect it see him playing again for some time ...
Birdy
Senior Member
Observations after the Wembley game:
1) Arthur showed that even in a 4-3-3 he has to start always next to Busquets.
He is the missing link much needed to add some energy, some runs, some composure on the ball, and deal with high pressing.
2) Personally, i don't want to see Coutinho as a CM again. Time and time again, both for liverpool and Barca he shows how much better he is when he starts out wide to cut in diagonally on his right foot and much CLOSER to the box.
3) Suarez usually being the odd one these days - in terms of fluidity, movement with the ball, and sadly finishing as well recently - i think EV should seriously think of dropping him and try the 4-3-3 with messi as false 9 and dembele-coutinho on the wings.
1) Arthur showed that even in a 4-3-3 he has to start always next to Busquets.
He is the missing link much needed to add some energy, some runs, some composure on the ball, and deal with high pressing.
2) Personally, i don't want to see Coutinho as a CM again. Time and time again, both for liverpool and Barca he shows how much better he is when he starts out wide to cut in diagonally on his right foot and much CLOSER to the box.
3) Suarez usually being the odd one these days - in terms of fluidity, movement with the ball, and sadly finishing as well recently - i think EV should seriously think of dropping him and try the 4-3-3 with messi as false 9 and dembele-coutinho on the wings.
henias
New member
Good observation.
I have similar opinion, I really hope we can try out Coutinho-Messi-Dembele because Suarez is playing RW at Wembley, and our right side is always empty because how centrally Messi and Suarez plays. Dembele should sub for Suarez, and he can run at tired legs and help Messi during counter attacks. Then Vidal for Rakitic to provide more workrate and movement.
So Cout as left forward , Suarez then Dembele on the right
... midfield Busqs and Arthur plus Vidal ( most would prefer Rakitic for some reason ) ... .. where does Messi play
Ghostmaster
Danger Ahead
henias
New member
Only problem we are missing a RW, as both Messi and Suarez plays so centrally.
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