Ivan Rakitić

[serghei]

He was embarassingly out of his depth in the second half. I thought he looked great as a CDM in the first though. His biggest liability is that his press resistance is sub-mediocre. Think he will be exploited by heavily pressing teams away in the CL. Hope not.

I still think his main problem is overplaying. When very fit, he seems fine physically and not that easy to block. But once he is not very fit, or tired, he turns into this slow dude who crumbles under pressure even against normal La Liga sides. Now, Rakitic is not great under pressure as it is, not even when in mint playing condition, but when he's also ragged, it's just 10 times worse. Which is why the worst thing you can do to Rakitic is playing him 4500 mins a season, and that's only club games only.

 

[te amo barca]

I still think his main problem is overplaying. When very fit, he seems fine physically and not that easy to block. But once he is not very fit, or tired, he turns into this slow dude who crumbles under pressure even against normal La Liga sides. Now, Rakitic is not great under pressure as it is, not even when in mint playing condition, but when he's also ragged, it's just 10 times worse. Which is why the worst thing you can do to Rakitic is playing him 4500 mins a season, and that's only club games only.

Absolutely, fatigue also plays a role in how deplorable he looks when he is being pressed. A fresh Rakitic is a much better player than this. EV’s obsession with him, unfortunately, may cost us big time in CL. I expect us to eliminate Lyon even with a dead Rakitic, but if the following team is a top club, then we are in for a fucking ride.

 

[Arizona Scott]

I still think his main problem is overplaying. When very fit, he seems fine physically and not that easy to block. But once he is not very fit, or tired, he turns into this slow dude who crumbles under pressure even against normal La Liga sides. Now, Rakitic is not great under pressure as it is, not even when in mint playing condition, but when he's also ragged, it's just 10 times worse. Which is why the worst thing you can do to Rakitic is playing him 4500 mins a season, and that's only club games only.

I agree.

I am also surprised it is not recognized how many threats he snuffed out with his feet or head.

I thought the Alba/Lenglet side was bad, and when Busi was in he was bad. Messi-Suarez-Dembele were why Barca had a chance at 3 points.

 

[xXKonan]

He's declining like Busi, is and to make it worse he was never the greatest at handling the press.

I think he should just be a full-time DM at this point as long as he's here. He needs to be paired up with a couple of CMs who can help migrate some of his flaws and declining features such as mobility etc.

 

[FCB1987]

I feel like he gets called a workhorse or praised for his workrate just because he isn't great in possession. Compared to someone like Wjnaldum even, his ability as a workhorse is massively inferior.

 

[Ripsta]

Praying someone takes him out now, it's a fucking disgrace this snail is still in the squad let alone the starting 11.

 

[Vilarrubi]

I feel like he gets called a workhorse or praised for his workrate just because he isn't great in possession. Compared to someone like Wjnaldum even, his ability as a workhorse is massively inferior.

Or gets called a workhorse because he’s over 5 foot 9.

 

[Raketa10]

Praying someone takes him out now, it's a fucking disgrace this snail is still in the squad let alone the starting 11.

Everytime he goes sliding into a tackle I hold my breath and hope for the best.

Unfortunately he gets right back up.

[MENTION=2]Barcaman[/MENTION] does anyone gets banned in this forum nowadays? This is disgusting. Every second post from this IDIOT is about praying for Rakitic's injury. Dude honestly go and fuck yourself, you are a definition of a brainless moron.

You can like or dislike a player but hoping for someone to gets injured is just a definition of an idiot.

 

[fergus90]

His better performances are at CDM these days. I think this is his last season here unless Valverde remains in charge.

I'd like him to stay but I think if Rabiot & De Jong end up here, he's gone.

 

[Ripsta]

[MENTION=2]Barcaman[/MENTION] does anyone gets banned in this forum nowadays? This is disgusting. Every second post from this IDIOT is about praying for Rakitic's injury. Dude honestly go and fuck yourself, you are a definition of a brainless moron.

You can like or dislike a player but hoping for someone to gets injured is just a definition of an idiot.

It's the only way this cunt is going to get dropped, and I don't mean a horror injury, tweak his groin (consistently) would be sufficient enough. He's a shit player, end of. Deep down I bet you 99% of this forum is hoping the same because Valverde hasn't got any balls whatsoever.

 

[Kul_z]

It's the only way this cunt is going to get dropped, and I don't mean a horror injury, tweak his groin (consistently) would be sufficient enough. He's a shit player, end of. Deep down I bet you 99% of this forum is hoping the same because Valverde hasn't got any balls whatsoever.

No, just him to be rested. He looks and he is playing like dead man walking. He was never meant to be a full time starter, but an world class squad player that he is.

 

[Arizona Scott]

No, just him to be rested. He looks and he is playing like dead man walking. He was never meant to be a full time starter, but an world class squad player that he is.

[MENTION=2]Barcaman[/MENTION]
You can like or dislike a player but hoping for someone to gets injured is just a definition of an idiot.

Good, sensible, posts. Rakitic is a workhorse compared to the Barca alternatives. If you don't see his value for Barca, or for Croatia, it is hard to take any comment seriously. He does need his minutes cut but that isn't because he isn't world class. You have to be a tool not to see that. Personally I think within La Liga Vidal, Rakitic and Busi should be equally rotated with Arthur and Coutinho getting minutes in the more forward midfield spot. Rakitic and Busi in particular need to be fresh for the CL.

 

[messi2140]

Seems that Rakitic isn't just banging Valverde.

 

[Arizona Scott]

And it seems that Rakitic has been too slow moving off many posters' mamas, girlfriends and wives, him along with Suarez and Pique. Clearly some irrational bad blood when it comes to these 3 in particular.

 

[FCBfan22]

And it seems that Rakitic has been too slow moving off many posters' mamas, girlfriends and wives, him along with Suarez and Pique. Clearly some irrational bad blood when it comes to these 3 in particular.

I just saw that you would've given Rakitić a pay rise. At 31...

Giving Busi a bigger contract was a mistake IMO and giving Rakitić a pay rise would be another. That's why our wage structure is fucked.

He was a great servant, but just can't play as an interior anymore. He is good at DM, but at CM, we have other better options.