Francesc "Tito" Vilanova

[oz187]

So you actually think Madrid don't press and play like Bayern and PSG?

No, Madrid play deeper and aim for fast transitions. PSG pressed high up the pitch, Bilbao also try to press high. Bayern defended a bit deeper but they also play a more measured passing game than Madrid.

 

[jiopi]

6 games is still alot. Also consider they were already winning against Depor 1-0 when Messi came on, they won away to Atletico after Messi was injured. Against Betis they were dominating and had just equalised when Messi came on. It's easy to complain, how about you give some substance and give a list of which teams you think Barca would struggle against if they didn't have Messi?

Barca didn't win one tough game without Messi. Dominating 0-0, yeah that's Barca allright. Messi game onto field, and scored like with second touch.

Substance, this seasons form? About every top or middle table team in 2 games a week schedule.

The PSG 2nd leg was the ultimate demonstration of this season, this Barca, and powers of Messi.

 

[oz187]

Substance, this seasons form? About every top or middle table team in 2 games a week schedule.

Where's the substance? You just contradicted yourself. If you're judging this seasons form then 6/6 including 3/3 in a 2 games a week schedule without Messi suggests they'd be very successful.

 

[jiopi]

Where's the substance? You just contradicted yourself. If you're judging this seasons form then 6/6 including 3/3 in a 2 games a week schedule without Messi suggests they'd be very successful.

Substance, where's your substance? Read again how 2/3 games were against relegation fodder and one 1-0 scrape against Levante, at home.

38 points in the league game from directly Messi's goals or assists, about the same percentage as Maradona with Napoli 89-90. Nobody in the world has carried the team as much as Messi in past two seasons.

 

[psychotsek]

The problem with Tito is that under him the team has shown no signs of development. We as a team don't press,don't attack,don't even run the way we used to.In addition to that we seem to rely less and less on Masia..Hope we do better next season.

 

[oz187]

Substance, where's your substance? Read again how 2/3 games were against relegation fodder and one 1-0 scrape against Levante, at home..

A win is a win. These are the kind of games that make up the league. If it was one or two games maybe you could have more of a case. But 6 games is 16% of the league. It is 18.75% of their wins for the season. That is a significant percentage. Would it be harder to maintain that against the top teams? Of course. But that is true even with Messi as Barca dropped 5 points to RM, 2 to Valencia, 3 to Sociedad. If you add the wins against Depor and Atletico as non Messi dependent then that is 8 wins out of 32 or 25% of the wins. You could even give the credit to Adriano for the 1-0 win against Valencia. Pushing it to 28.125%.

Those stats of what goals he is involved with are just numbers. They don't take into account that when Messi plays, the team plays for him. When he doesn't play, the three forwards and the other players too share more of the responsibility for scoring. The team adjusts. Because of that you can't say what would happen to the results as the games would be played in a different way with different tactics from both teams.

 

[oz187]

Tito Vilanova: “Neymar can score, that's something we need”

The manager believes that Neymar will "adjust quickly" to La Liga

Vilanova reiterates that he'll stay on at the Club: “I cannot say it clearer, I cannot say it any louder. There is nothing to clear up. I will be Barça’s manager next season”

The manager also says that Abidal will play against Málaga on Saturday

Tito Vilanova held a press conference this evening after the first team training session. The manager expressed his excitement at being able to field Neymar next season: “he’s a player who can play in different positions, not only on the left wing. He can also play behind the centre forward. We think he’ll adjust nicely, he’s a very talented player. He helps the team defend and tactically we’ll help him adapt to Spanish and European football. We should remember that all the big European teams wanted him and we are certain that he’ll perform at a high level. He can score goals, and that’s something we need.”

No doubt about his future

When asked about his future plans, Vilanova reiterated that he’ll be at the Barça helm next season: “I cannot say it clearer, I cannot say it any louder. There is nothing to clear up. I will be Barça’s manager next season.”

Along these lines, the manager explained that he would have understood if the Club had decided to look for a replacement while he was in New York receiving treatment, and that he’d understand the same decision if the Club looked for a replacement today. But that’s not the case, however. “When someone gets the illness that I had it’s normal for revisions to be made. It’s something the Club knows, I suggested it. No one can know what the future holds. At the moment, the doctors say I should move forward and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The future of Éric Abidal was also another hot topic of discussion during Vilanova’s conference. The manager reiterated that “it was a consensual decision by the Club” to not renew Abidal’s contract. He added: “I feel terrible about it. We know that we won’t find a left-footed centre back with his characteristics, we know that his case is exceptional. I hope he goes to a big club and that he gets the chance to show that he’s able to play at the highest level.”

Vilanova also confirmed that Abidal, who trained with the team this afternoon, will feature against Málaga on Saturday. It will be Abidal’s last match in the Blaugrana strip.

Reinforcing Barça’s defence

Without Abidal, Vilanova explained the need to bring in a new defender next season: “we need to reinforce this position, I’ve always said this. We also hope Puyol can recover well, hopefully he will be able to help us next year.” When asked about the Barça captain, Vilanova noted that it’s strange that some would “doubt his professionalism. He’s the example to follow.”

Lastly, the manager talked about three members of his team: Valdés, Villa and Thiago. On the goalkeeper, he said, “as far as I’m concerned there’s no problem with him staying another year, his behaviour has always been exemplary." He also admitted that he hasn’t talked with the Asturian forward about his future: “we haven’t spoken with him. My evaluation of his work is very positive.” Finally, when asked about Thiago’s situation, he said, “I can only say that he’s a very valued player. He’s Barça’s future and we’d like it if he stayed, but the decision is his.”

.

 

[jiopi]

A win is a win. These are the kind of games that make up the league. If it was one or two games maybe you could have more of a case. But 6 games is 16% of the league. It is 18.75% of their wins for the season. That is a significant percentage. Would it be harder to maintain that against the top teams? Of course. But that is true even with Messi as Barca dropped 5 points to RM, 2 to Valencia, 3 to Sociedad. If you add the wins against Depor and Atletico as non Messi dependent then that is 8 wins out of 32 or 25% of the wins. You could even give the credit to Adriano for the 1-0 win against Valencia. Pushing it to 28.125%.

Those stats of what goals he is involved with are just numbers. They don't take into account that when Messi plays, the team plays for him. When he doesn't play, the three forwards and the other players too share more of the responsibility for scoring. The team adjusts. Because of that you can't say what would happen to the results as the games would be played in a different way with different tactics from both teams.

Like I said Barca without Messi would struggle against any mid and top table team, when they can't get rest enough. Which Barca proved exactly this season.

You have absolutely zero case with your assessments, and repeating it don't make it right. Add win against Depor, why? Adriano? Messi assisted the goal. You are sounding delirious now.

No we can't say what would have happened, we only know what happened, and it was Messi carrying the team with 38 points directly contributed. That is most single handedly won league title since Maradona. This we know. And this is exactly why the team needs now fresh blood and change of pace. The team needs to play better, and not rest on Messi's shoulder as much.

 

[jiopi]

Here's direct comparison. Barcelona's decline started from 2011 Spanish Supercup, when Barca were playing awfully yet Messi single handedly beat Madrid. After that first other attackers started declining, then defense started declining, and lately even midfield started declining. And it's Messi who has kept Barca's steady decline in hidden. Now it was all to see in the PSG tie, when one legged Messi beat PSG that others couldn't. He even got Silva, worlds best defender to commit yellow card. He gave everything and risked rest of his season if not his prime years playing as injured that game, and it's extremely disrespectful to undermine his achievements of this season.

 

[oz187]

Like I said Barca without Messi would struggle against any mid and top table team, when they can't get rest enough. Which Barca proved exactly this season.

No they didn't prove that. Exactly, which mid and top table team did Barca without Messi struggle against?

You have absolutely zero case with your assessments, and repeating it don't make it right. Add win against Depor, why?

Barca were winning 1-0 and Messi came on as a sub in minute 70. Score ended 2-0 with Messi scoring in the 87th minute.

Adriano? Messi assisted the goal. You are sounding delirious now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF9r0aZxtME
It wasn't much of an assist. The credit for the goal goes entirely to Adriano.

The team needs to play better, and not rest on Messi's shoulder as much.

They don't rest on his shoulder, it is their strategy to play for Messi.

 

[jiopi]

No they didn't prove that. Exactly, which mid and top table team did Barca without Messi struggle against?

PSG, Levante home.

Barca were winning 1-0 and Messi came on as a sub in minute 70. Score ended 2-0 with Messi scoring in the 87th minute.

So it was all in control, 1-0 control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF9r0aZxtME
It wasn't much of an assist. The credit for the goal goes entirely to Adriano.

Didn't you just say we don't know what would have happened? Without Messi we can't say that combination would have ever happened. He assisted it and was directly involved in the goal, which we know.

They don't rest on his shoulder, it is their strategy to play for Messi.

Sure, that's why Villa missed gazillion sitters 11-12 first half, and Sanchez and Pedro about the whole two years?

 

[oz187]

PSG, Levante home.

PSG are not La Liga. Levante they won the game and Levante offered no threat.

So it was all in control, 1-0 control.

It's not spectacular but they were getting the result and were the better side.

Didn't you just say we don't know what would have happened? Without Messi we can't say that combination would have ever happened. He assisted it and was directly involved in the goal, which we know.

Using that logic you have to credit the team for assisting every single goal by Messi.

Sure, that's why Villa missed gazillion sitters 11-12 first half, and Sanchez and Pedro about the whole two years?

Pretty much. When Messi plays the team plays for him. When he doesn't, the others take more responsibility and maintain a decent goalscoring record.

 

[Birdy]

Said it in the match thread. Tito complained that we lost to Bayern due to fatigue and then goes on to play the same players every week, even when La Liga was already won. This really is a last straw for me.
Hope he steps down or gets sacked as soon as possible.

I think we should contemplate on some things calmly..
It is evident that Tito uses different communicational strategies and approaches than Pep. He is less diplomatic, less neutral, less gentleman sometimes, more blunt when it comes to certain bold facts, more arrogant and protective to the team.
I think he is imitating mourinho in a more regressed way..

This is one thing. What he think inside him and what he tells the players is another. And i am sure he doesnt tell the players that everything is Ok, and we got smashed by Bayern due to fatigue and injuries.. ITs pretty obvious.. And it is also obvious that he wanted badly the 100 points record to prove something.. It was quite deserved with this astonishing first round of 55/57 points..

First season:
Pros -> 1) Better than Pep tactics wise. He made all those correct changes in games that Pep would delay or not intervene at all. The team won games like this with comebacks thanks to Tito's interventions from the bench.. Correct decision on players also. I likes his rotating at least for the first half of the season.
Cons -> 1) Leadership and Psychology. Idk but it seems that the gap btw him and Pep in this skill is abyssmal. The fact that the players are pressing less and become quite lazy and complacent is due to this mainly (and not the observations that the players are not robots. This line is pretty naive to come now, it fits almost every occasion. It could stand also since 09-10, but we saw other things from Pep.) He is not pressuring the players as much as it is needed during trainings, speeches e.t.c. The coach must be also a paternal figure, the players should respect him. He needs to work badly on all that..
2) Of course health issues. The Roura period was a really dark and gloomy interval..

He surely deserves one more full year. No sacking and stuff.. Its not Barca-like, especially to a man that has cancer.
Lets see if he can integrate Neymar, and if he can make the team work more next season.

 

[beautifulgame]

I think we should contemplate on some things calmly..
It is evident that Tito uses different communicational strategies and approaches than Pep. He is less diplomatic, less neutral, less gentleman sometimes, more blunt when it comes to certain bold facts, more arrogant and protective to the team.
I think he is imitating mourinho in a more regressed way..

This is one thing. What he think inside him and what he tells the players is another. And i am sure he doesnt tell the players that everything is Ok, and we got smashed by Bayern due to fatigue and injuries.. ITs pretty obvious.. And it is also obvious that he wanted badly the 100 points record to prove something.. It was quite deserved with this astonishing first round of 55/57 points..

First season:
Pros -> 1) Better than Pep tactics wise. He made all those correct changes in games that Pep would delay or not intervene at all. The team won games like this with comebacks thanks to Tito's interventions from the bench.. Correct decision on players also. I likes his rotating at least for the first half of the season.
Cons -> 1) Leadership and Psychology. Idk but it seems that the gap btw him and Pep in this skill is abyssmal. The fact that the players are pressing less and become quite lazy and complacent is due to this mainly (and not the observations that the players are not robots. This line is pretty naive to come now, it fits almost every occasion. It could stand also since 09-10, but we saw other things from Pep.) He is not pressuring the players as much as it is needed during trainings, speeches e.t.c. The coach must be also a paternal figure, the players should respect him. He needs to work badly on all that..
2) Of course health issues. The Roura period was a really dark and gloomy interval..

He surely deserves one more full year. No sacking and stuff.. Its not Barca-like, especially to a man that has cancer.
Lets see if he can integrate Neymar, and if he can make the team work more next season.

most sensible post in thread.

 

[Ode to Django]

Oz it's pointless. Jiopi

Can't stand it when people say 'Ibra carried the team' 'Messi carried the team' it's becuase the team is built solely through them to get the best out of them & Barcelona is one of the best sides of all times, that dominates possesion completely to let Messi do his thing, with all the freedom in the world.

Disrespectful to the other players, who also sacrifice themselves for him, who knows without him the side could be far more balanced. and play more as a team, rather than relying on one person constantly.