Fernando Torres

[desoe]

It's true. Torres can't play without his blonde hair.

 

[Galning]

Bad game by Torres, but still beter than Villa.

 

[Co0ter]

Villa had a bad game? Sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same game. What did anyone else do other than Villa?

 

[Galning]

Villa had a bad game? Sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same game. What did anyone else do other than Villa?

Also having a bad game? If I say Villa has a bad game, it doesn't mean he was the only one who played bad.

 

[Barcaman]

Torres in didn't change much and confirmed that having a bigger man upfront doesn't mean you'll brake in easier.
He came from an injury though and he'll surely get better just as Villa will improve in the next match.

 

[Aryagorn]

For all the crosses that we tried to put in, if it was Torres or Llorente playing instead of Villa, Spain would have won this match... so yeah we do need bigger men more than not Bojan

 

[La Furia]

For all the crosses that we tried to put in, if it was Torres or Llorente playing instead of Villa, Spain would have won this match... so yeah we do need bigger men more than not Bojan

You mean like Ibra? How did that work out again?

Playing with a tall guy doesn't magically convert crosses into goals, especially when you don't play with real wingers. Torres would have been able to reach more aerial balls, but even if he was more match fit he'd be let down by poorer touch and positioning than Villa. And it's not like Villa is a Bojan-esque weakling who gets easily out muscled.

Torres gets a pass because he's coming back from injury, but to think a fit Torres would have won us this game and to blame the loss on Villa, wow.

 

[Co0ter]

I'd like to see Torres at Barca but for many reasons other than heading ability. We aren't a crossing team although Dani Alves does it quite a bit. For the most part tho its just to put the ball in the box, not really with the intention of someone scoring an aerial goal. With Torres, and Villa, our build up play would be better and more dynamic, thats the biggest advantage. Including more crosses in our playstyle just b/c one player is a good header would overall be a bad idea imo, just an advantage when we actually do at our current rate. The moral of my story is I guess- go for the striker who brings out the best in our link up play while giving good other options i.e. Torres (heading, blazing speed to eat up through balls). Alexandre Pato would give basically the same options as Torres, while sort of injury prone as well so far he is still only 20 (without serious injury), and time for lots of improvement without losing much quality

 

[Aryagorn]

You mean like Ibra? How did that work out again?

Playing with a tall guy doesn't magically convert crosses into goals, especially when you don't play with real wingers. Torres would have been able to reach more aerial balls, but even if he was more match fit he'd be let down by poorer touch and positioning than Villa. And it's not like Villa is a Bojan-esque weakling who gets easily out muscled.

Torres gets a pass because he's coming back from injury, but to think a fit Torres would have won us this game and to blame the loss on Villa, wow.

Why would Ibra come into Spain's striker list!?

And what did Villa achieve with his better "touch & positioning" yesterday anyway!?

 

[La Furia]

Why would Ibra come into Spain's striker list!?

You are assuming that a big strong striker automatically means crosses will take advantage of.

Ibra and Torres aren't similar players, but in both cases you don't add without also subtracting. Spain's problem goes far beyond Torres' presence or not, just as neither Ibra nor Torres would magically make Barcelona thrive against strong defensive teams.

 

[Aryagorn]

You are assuming that a big strong striker automatically means crosses will take advantage of.

Ibra and Torres aren't similar players, but in both cases you don't add without also subtracting. Spain's problem goes far beyond Torres' presence or not, just as neither Ibra nor Torres would magically make Barcelona thrive against strong defensive teams.

Ibra couldn't do that last year does not automatically mean he'd never do it!! By big man I meant there would have been a better physical presence in the D, it really left me frustrated when there were numerous crosses into the box but our leading man couldn't a shit about it

 

[La Furia]

Ibra couldn't do that last year does not automatically mean he'd never do it!! By big man I meant there would have been a better physical presence in the D, it really left me frustrated when there were numerous crosses into the box but our leading man couldn't a shit about it

So we can't give up on Ibra's ability to play as a lone striker after 1 season but it's okay to dismiss Villa as an opportunist who only scores against weak defenses because of 1 game?

 

[Aryagorn]

So we can't give up on Ibra's ability to play as a lone striker after 1 season but it's okay to dismiss Villa as an opportunist who only scores against weak defenses because of 1 game?

I haven't only watched him in 1 game... and he'll have to get himself ready for such defenses because he's going to face a lot of 'em with Barcelona!! Wonder how many times he had himself found in such situations previously though!!

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Torres did play poorly today, he's still rusty from his injury. Nothing you can do about that one other than hoping he gets back into the swing of things by training more. But you can't say Villa was much better than him, he was getting so frustrated and that was definitely hurting his play, especially before Torres came in. Neither one of them were there anywhere near 100% today which is sad.

Torres, please strengthen up man, perhaps if he bounces back to form then Villa will play better as well.

 

[Sultan]

true villa was isolated. with torres healthy, they'll both play better. he was just rusty today.