Ivan Rakitić

[SeloBarca]

True that. Midfielders are playing way to far from eachother. Xavi/Iniesta played very close to eachother passing back and forth.

 

[blaugrana1987]

Should have bought Kroos. I'm Croatian and have been watching Rakitic for few years and yea, he is good AM. Like Cesc he has good final product, and his defense is very good. But he is no CM, and his technical ability is severely lacking for club such as Barcelona. Similar problem like Cesc actually, he can't hold the ball let alone control the MF.

 

[Behrox]

Should have bought Kroos. I'm Croatian and have been watching Rakitic for few years and yea, he is good AM. Like Cesc he has good final product, and his defense is very good. But he is no CM, and his technical ability is severely lacking for club such as Barcelona. Similar problem like Cesc actually, he can't hold the ball let alone control the MF.

you could have prime Xavi and Iniesta in the midfield and they would still suck in this system. You can't expect anything from the midfielders when you play without a midfield

 

[blaugrana1987]

you could have prime Xavi and Iniesta in the midfield and they would still suck in this system. You can't expect anything from the midfielders when you play without a midfield

Tactics are big problem I agree, but it doesn't help that Rakitic is just not Barca quality.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Starting to remind me of Dirk Kuyt, except Kuyt has a better touch. Under pressure, couldn't keep his passes on the ground.

 

[Behrox]

Starting to remind me of Dirk Kuyt, except Kuyt has a better touch. Under pressure, couldn't keep his passes on the ground.

fucking play him in midfield with someone to play a pass to rather than Alves, CBs and the touchline

 

[Ghostmaster]

Should have bought Kroos. I'm Croatian and have been watching Rakitic for few years and yea, he is good AM. Like Cesc he has good final product, and his defense is very good. But he is no CM, and his technical ability is severely lacking for club such as Barcelona. Similar problem like Cesc actually, he can't hold the ball let alone control the MF.

This, I was pretty excited to see him play here and it seemed that Lucho had a plan for him, but then Lucho himself started to doubt him then he benched Rakitic against RM.

 

[Andrew M]

I like him a lot. Remember Modric in the first half of his debut season with Real. Voted worst signing of the year

 

[messi2140]

I dont think you can judge the midfielders with the way LE is letting them play. Even Iniesta is looking lost in the way barca is playing. the only one who is putting good performances is xavi , but thats just because he is xavi.

 

[DonAK]

I wonder if it's because Xavi doing stuff his own way instead of listening to Lucho's instructions. You never know lol

 

[messi2140]

I wonder if it's because Xavi doing stuff his own way instead of listening to Lucho's instructions. You never know lol

I dont think LE is giving Xavi instructions on how to play. Probably letting him do what he does best.

 

[kilian]

I wonder if it's because Xavi doing stuff his own way instead of listening to Lucho's instructions. You never know lol

I think that is correct. Every other midfielder that played this season played like some wide midfielder/cover for fullbacks, only Xavi plays classic central role. It`s probably his instincts that don`t let him play like a wide midfielder.

 

[Andrew M]

Maybe even Lucho knows that having Xavi cover full backs would be like washing your car with a fine wine.

 

[xavi_the_Boss]

Maybe even Lucho knows that having Xavi cover full backs would be like washing your car with a fine wine.

Or Xavi doesn´t care about luchos tactics and does his own thing.

 

[kilian]

Or Xavi doesn´t care about luchos tactics and does his own thing.

Exactly. Usually that would be a bad thing, but in current situation I can`t blame him.