Ivan Rakitić

[Barcilliant]

Always knew this guy would be a success here.
A thorough professional.
Thank God we got rid of Cesc.

 

[Co0ter]

Laser beams!!!

 

[xXKonan]

Rakitic: “Every game is special to me, even if it is a friendly, and it is an honor to defend this shirt with a full stadium.”

I love His Attitude a Player who gives it his all every game.

 

[DonAndres]

That was a beauty of a screamer.

He also seems to be developing a *much* better touch than he had when he arrived, and cleaner passing. We'll have to see how he does against teams that press well, which is where he had the most problems last year (facing away from goal, under pressure). I have a feeling he's improved in that regard as well.

It's pretty clear that he has improved vastly in that regard considering that some of his best performances last season were against Bayern, Athletic, and Juve (who isn't a high pressing team by nature, but has Vidal/Pogba/etc. in midfield who don't give opponents time or space). The Bayern game in particular showed Rakitic bypassing pressure with great effectiveness. I'd even classify that 3-1 Atleti match as a performance where Rakitic deftly overcame high pressure considering how Atleti always has multiple men pressing even when the team is sitting deep.

It's not even a matter of him using completely superior technique a la Iniesta or Verratti to evade pressure and make a fool of opponents. Rakitic uses positioning and anticipation to render pressing obsolete. Knowing where to be and what his move is well before he gets the ball is crucial to his MO. It's not common to have a player who fully understands his strengths/weaknesses and knows how to bring the best out of himself. He's elevated his game to another tier in the past year, certainly one of the best central midfielders in football with his passing range, defensive reliability, and general big-game mentality.

 

[SocalBarcaFan]

To get some playing time with the regular line-up.

Most of the regular lineup had been taken out at the 60th min

 

[Barcilliant]

If Turan integrates as well as Rakitic we will have a dynamite midfield.

 

[serghei]

Rakitic has the best mentality. Love that about him.

If Turan integrates as well as Rakitic we will have a dynamite midfield.

He will.

 

[EdmondDantes]

Superb strike, he's looking really sharp this pre-season.

 

[messi2140]

That was a beauty of a screamer.

He also seems to be developing a *much* better touch than he had when he arrived, and cleaner passing. We'll have to see how he does against teams that press well, which is where he had the most problems last year (facing away from goal, under pressure). I have a feeling he's improved in that regard as well.

The game against Bayern in the Camp Nou. He was amazing against one the best teams when it comes to pressing. I think at that moment it was clear he improved in those aspects (passing , scanning the pitch around before receiving a pass and his composure when he gets pressured). He really came along way , when you watch his first matches for Barcelona and then his last matches of the previous season.

 

[Horatio]

I am jealous of Rakitic for his football skills and smoking hot girlfriend.

 

[El Flaco]

Rakitic's definetly one of the best signings we've made in years IMO, especially when you consider the sum we bought him for. How many still says that we should've bought Kroos instead?

He's a complete midfielder who possesses everything.

 

[Andrew M]

Some people were saying that he was only of Keita's quality. No offense to Keita, but......

 

[hardyboy]

I am jealous of Rakitic for his football skills and smoking hot girlfriend.

wife

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

Club's 3rd best #4 already?

 

[silvia]

definitely better than pogba