Ivan Rakitić

[God Serena]

The main question is whether this was just a strange off day where Raki was in the zone, or if this is really a sign of him finding his form and that his past terrible performances were just a result of poor coaching/tactics from Lucho.

 

[Horatio]

Having to cover less space and defensive work definitely has something to do with it.

 

[xXKonan]

It helps that he finally has a Real RB next to him that doesn't shit himself bringing the ball out from the back and knows the attacking-defensive transitions vice versa. Hell this is the first time in forever that Rakitic has had a RB who not has the Pace but Intelligence together.

in the 2014/15-15-16 seasons he had Alves but Alves didn't have that explosive pace he once had so Rakitic had to work hard in covering up for Alves once he went forward, which to be fair worked as Alves was still a beast at his best.

We had Vidal and Roberto after Alves, but Vidal had pace but he was awful at defending and lacked the understanding when to attack-defensive transitions vice-versa. Roberto, didn't have the pace and he didn't have that confidence going forward Alves had and he also struggled defensively but he was at least better than Vidal in that department.

With Semedo has shown so far he has brought back Intelligence and Speed/workrate together and overall technical quality that had been missing since Prime Alves. and From this game Rakitic seems to trust Semedo due to all that and having Deulo on the right helping in support when needed had Rakitic not worry as much anymore about defending.

 

[BBZ8800]

From Juve's forum:

Barca's midfield is very slow and soft in Rakitic, Busquets and Iniesta so if we can outmuscle them, it can be the key.

Everyone knows lately how easy is to outmuscle our midfield.

 

[JamDav1982]

From Juve's forum:


Everyone knows lately how easy is to outmuscle our midfield.

Let's see if they manage it.

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

From Juve's forum:


Everyone knows lately how easy is to outmuscle our midfield.

Well, Modric, Isco and Kroos are soft as well and we saw how Juventus outmuscled them in last years final lol

 

[Devils]

That's okay we got the ace in the hole. The Chinese Dragon will mangle Juve's midfield if needed.

 

[behindbrowneyes]

From Juve's forum:


Everyone knows lately how easy is to outmuscle our midfield.

They must shit their pants then if we start Gomes and Paulinho.

 

[BBZ8800]

Well, Modric, Isco and Kroos are soft as well and we saw how Juventus outmuscled them in last years final lol

The difference:

Real: technical, somewhat soft, but very fast and agile.
Barca: technical, soft, turtles.

So, our midfield is not the same as Real's.
Luckily, it is early in the season, so Iniesta-Rakitic-Busquets will be able to run somewhat even though they played 3 days ago.
In February, March and April, they will be dead tired if they will have to run twice in 3 days.

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

The difference:

Real: technical, somewhat soft, but very fast and agile.
Barca: technical, soft, turtles.

So, our midfield is not the same as Real's.
Luckily, it is early in the season, so Iniesta-Rakitic-Busquets will be able to run somewhat even though they played 3 days ago.
In February, March and April, they will be dead tired if they will have to run twice in 3 days.

Ideally you want your midfielders to be both, technical and strong like Pogba for example.

 

[Barcaman]

Pogba? You serious mate?

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

Pogba? You serious mate?

Yes! Pogba is technical, strong, fast and good in the air.

 

[mark1nhu]

Not a fan of Pogba, but I imagine he could do better than Rakitic. Obviously there is a big difference in their price tags, so the cost benefit would be uncertain.

 

[BBZ8800]

He was so good with backpasses in the first half.
Played probably 20 000 of them and maybe 1-2 forward passes.

 

[dakt]

The pinnacle of the first half was probably Messi showing him to move forward.

No hope for him. If team is not dominating he's almost useless.