Ivan Rakitić

[KingMessi]

Player with lowest rating in Croatia today imo. Also lost the ball on 3-1 goal i think.

He was fouled by Ramires.

 

[zanela]

Looked decent in the defensive role when they were defending deep (first half). But when his team opened up, he got beat 3 times, (dispossessed once) and one of which led to a goal. Am proving to be right so far.

 

[xavi_the_Boss]

Looked decent in the defensive role when they were defending deep (first half). But when his team opened up, he got beat 3 times, (dispossessed once) and one of which led to a goal. Am proving to be right so far.

Which Goal?

 

[CatalinR10]

Hahah ok

Now you just look stupid. Don't be that guy.

By the way here's a picture of him where he wasn't even 18.

Then

Now.

Do you even know ANYTHING about balding ? If he would cut his hair , he would look the same or almost the same as Iniesta. Now what's next , Inesta isn't balding ? Even Cesc began to be balding. If you don't know the signs of balding , google it , it's easy.

 

[DonAndres]

Looked decent in the defensive role when they were defending deep (first half). But when his team opened up, he got beat 3 times, (dispossessed once) and one of which led to a goal. Am proving to be right so far.

Be fair, he was fouled hard by Ramires in Oscar's goal and he's not even a natural DM. What this game does prove (and it was never a true question to begin with) is that Rakitic is not a primary defensive player a la Busquets but rather a supporting one that will always run around providing defensive workrate and presence which will make us far more secure in terms of midfield cover.

He doesn't have the composure to win every 1v1 dribble which was clear, but he had a huge defensive output and will run around the entire pitch to put pressure. Putting him in a DM role would be the same as putting the likes of Koke, Schweinsteiger, etc. in a DM role. They have a great workrate for defense but simply aren't natural defensive players.

 

[Messi_Goal]

He better not play in a defensive roll for us...Imo he was poor, Hes obviously not a defensive player or at least he is a poor one and he fouls to may times.

 

[Alarcón]

No, I admit I'm no expert. If you say so, ok. No need to be condescending.

 

[SeloBarca]

Even if he did get fouled he was slow to pass on the ball

 

[Ode to Django]

Now you just look stupid. Don't be that guy.




Then

Now.

Do you even know ANYTHING about balding ? If he would cut his hair , he would look the same or almost the same as Iniesta. Now what's next , Inesta isn't balding ? Even Cesc began to be balding. If you don't know the signs of balding , google it , it's easy.

What's that black stuff on the top of his head

 

[NotInHere]

Rakitik wasnt bad. What the hell, he wasnt great either but he was helping out a lot in the defensive end and did a fairly good job at it


But then again we wont see him playing that deep in barca

 

[MagIX]

very disappointing tonight.

However i would choose Modric over him every day.

 

[BarcaPride]

Hardly the kind of 'marquee' signing I was hoping for if I'm honest.

Sell Cesc... and sign Rakitic? Because we all saw that coming... NOT!

 

[CatalinR10]

What's that black stuff on the top of his head

he drew it so it would seem he has more hair.

 

[zanela]

Be fair, he was fouled hard by Ramires in Oscar's goal and he's not even a natural DM. What this game does prove (and it was never a true question to begin with) is that Rakitic is not a primary defensive player a la Busquets but rather a supporting one that will always run around providing defensive workrate and presence which will make us far more secure in terms of midfield cover.

He doesn't have the composure to win every 1v1 dribble which was clear, but he had a huge defensive output and will run around the entire pitch to put pressure. Putting him in a DM role would be the same as putting the likes of Koke, Schweinsteiger, etc. in a DM role. They have a great workrate for defense but simply aren't natural defensive players.

Foul or not, he seemed casual on the ball at times. I didn't see much pressing or the huge defensive output as you say in the sec half. I'm just making an observation. Nothing against the player. But people here were ridiculing Am when he said Rakitic can't play DM, or that he's not defensively the most solid. And so far he looks vindicated.

 

[BenRobbins]

Didn't have the best game but he was playing in an unbalanced midfield, in a role he isn't really suited too. However at barca with busquets playing the defensive role he will show you what a great player he is and i would take him at united in a heartbeat.