Ivan Rakitić

[te amo barca]

Through ball specialist, this man.

 

[Antimadridista1]

Still think that he's our best transfer . What a player!

 

[anguy]

It's pity he has not tried to shoot with his right foot after that Neymar's pass... Could have had 2 goals.

 

[namaria]

Rakitic: "Celebrating with Ter Stegen? He was telling me all week that I will score. We have a great friendship"

 

[te amo barca]

Rakitic: "We knew it would be a difficult game. We worked hard and I think we deserved the win." #fcblive

 

[6 Ballons for Messi]

Incredible.
Just miles and miles better than the invisible man fabregas.

 

[Vlom]

Excellent game from rakitic ! No doubt a very good signing

 

[Icarium]

Rakitic steps up when we need him, unlike cesc. Few weeks back people wanted to cesc back. If iniesta improves we can manage next season but if he does not we need a quality midfielder who can put defensive effort so that rakitic has more freedom in attack. Verrati would be my choice but have to sign if we can afford him.

 

[BBZ8800]

I can't imagine our first 11 anymore without Messi, Ney, Suarez. And then Iniesta and Rakitic behind them.
Any other first team player currently is somewhat replaceable.

I just don't want to watch any "key" match without any of these 5.
Well done, Raketa (The Rocket on Croatian).

 

[namaria]

 

[linetty]

I can't imagine our first 11 anymore without Messi, Ney, Suarez. And then Iniesta and Rakitic behind them.
Any other first player currently is somewhat replaceable.

I just don't want to watch any "key" match without any of these 5.
Well done, Raketa (The Rocket on Croatian).

Busquets is still irreplaceable IMO. Pique as well, currently. Not sure about Alba but I'd say it'd be pretty hard to replace him too.

 

[Irish_Cules]

Keeps getting better and better.

 

[BBZ8800]

Busquets is still irreplaceable IMO. Pique as well, currently. Not sure about Alba but I'd say it'd be pretty hard to replace him too.

Ok, my point was, in order.
For example, if someone told you: You have to play either without Messi or Rakitic in the next match.
I would have to drop Rakitic then, and play with Iniesta and Xavi/Rafinha.

But if you ask me: would you rather play without wthout Rakitic or Pique, I would rather drop Pique and play with Masch-Mathieu or Masch-Bartra, than dropping Rakitic.

It doesn't mean that Pique or other players are not important, but after Messi, Ney and Suarez, who are our key players, I just can't imagine our team without Rakitic.
Whenever Iniesta-Rafinha play against tougher/decent opponent, the midfield is a mess.
Rakitic just brings some "strange" combination of offensive, defensive and positional balance.

For me, he is starting to be one of our key players.

 

[linetty]

Ok, my point was, in order.
For example, if someone told you: You have to play either without Messi or Rakitic in the next match.
I would have to drop Rakitic then, and play with Iniesta and Xavi/Rafinha.

But if you ask me: would you rather play without wthout Rakitic or Pique, I would rather drop Pique and play with Masch-Mathieu or Masch-Bartra, than dropping Rakitic.

It doesn't mean that Pique or other players are not important, but after Messi, Ney and Suarez, who are our key players, I just can't imagine our team without Rakitic.
Whenever Iniesta-Rafinha play against tougher/decent opponent, the midfield is a mess.
Rakitic just brings some "strange" combination of offensive, defensive and positional balance.

For me, he is starting to be one of our key players.

Good point. Agreed.

 

[Icarium]

Mathieu and Bartra are half the players pique is right now. But i get your point. Rakitic is very important for the team, without him we never play good.