Why do you claim that he is lacking in evidence when all you've posted is a random link to Barca's general whoscored page?
What exactly about "their history as players" suggests that Rakitic/Busquets have been good in the CL for well over a year now? Rakitic was downright awful in every game against Chelsea and Roma. He was basically the same player as Paulinho in that first leg against Chelsea, a passenger on the pitch. Even worse because he didn't move off the ball at all and almost singlehandedly played into Chelsea's hands by slowing the game to glacial speed and allowing them to park the bus. Busquets was at least good against Chelsea in both legs but also horrible against Roma.
Dial it back a year and Rakitic was arguably even worse in 16/17. He looked so incapable of playing in a 4-3-3 (along with Roberto at RB) that we had to change our formation to 3-4-3 just to not get ran over in midfield. We suffered with that 4-3-3 for several games in a row before Lucho finally had no choice but to change it. Even this year, Rakitic was very poor against Tottenham despite his screamer. Not looking at his goal, his performance in the midfield over 90 minutes was extremely underwhelming, especially highlighted next to Arthur who had an amazing game (his first standout performance for us).
I always hear so much about the "subtle genius" of Rakitic and how many things he does intangibly that are supposedly crucial for the team. All I find is that he looks even more unspectacular under close scrutiny. His off ball movement when we are in heavy possession is even worse than Busquets, and I'm not joking. Compare him to Arthur or Vidal he is extremely static which is one of the worst things possible for a Barca CM.
We have failed for multiple years in a row in the CL, specifically losing the battle in midfield because of our inability to deal with high pressure or parked buses. Rakitic is the clear culprit for this, and it's pointless to say we need continuation for continuation's sake just because "Rakitic is tried and trusted". What's the value of that continuation/experience if all its done is lead to multiple early CL exits?
The evidence in whoscored shows who is performing over long periods of time, and THIS SEASON. BBZ data also show this. Many things very much ignored that are key to winning, key to scoring more goals than you give up. But the data doesn't confirm to a narrative, so whatever. Yes Busi and Rakitic have been the best midfielders in all around performance, so while they are slipping they are still the best we got.
And to focus on 180 minutes is faulty. How about the Classicos, the league (and Copa) matches vs Atletico. They are matches of highest quality and effort--and Barca play the highest level of football put on that year in many of those matches. But that level has not been sustained through late spring when the CL ties around, and teams who shouldn't have had much of a chance have advanced.
The truth is Roma part II was a bomb of many levels. I would 1st start out with some very poor basic defending. There is no way Roma should have been able to score 3 in a match vs a good opponent and some came from simple balls in to a target man. Even the cheap goal in the Camp Nou give life when there should have been none. There was a problem of a whole squad, including Rakitic, playing fatigued and tired and lacking cohesion.
You bring up Tottenham. This IMO was highest level of football played this year, until Liverpool-City. Barca went to London and absolutely schooled one of the 7 or so most consistently well performing and balanced clubs over the past 4 years. Let's see how a neutral saw it:
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...tspur-barcelona-champions-league-match-report
Barcelona player ratings
Barcelona (4-3-3)
Marc-André Ter Stegen Made a one-handed save to keep out a deflected Lamela cross. He could do nothing on the goals. 7
Nélson Semedo Has pace to burn and showed confidence on the ball. Beaten too easily by Kane on goal. 6
Gerard Piqué After three error-strewn games in La Liga, he looked a bit more convincing. Stayed tight to Kane. 7
Clement Lenglet At fault for Lamela’s goal, which deflected in off him. Made a vital late block to deny Lucas. 6
Jordi Alba Pressed high to provide a potent outlet on the left. Laid on three of the goals. 8
Ivan Rakitic His goal looked better with each replay. Sumptuous technique. Assured in possession. 8
Sergio Busquets Booked for cynical foul on the breaking Lamela. Difficult to argue with much of his positioning. 7
Arthur Preferred in the lineup to Ousmane Dembélé, showed flickers of skill. Hard to dispossess. 7
Lionel Messi Extraordinary in tight spaces. Shimmered with menace. Hit post twice before finding range. 9
Luis Suárez Superb dummies key to both Messi goals. Part of a slick attacking unit. 8
Philippe Coutinho Showed his twinkle toes. Lovely finish for goal and most remarkable of assists for Rakitic. 8
Ivan Rakitic like normal world class players has his up days and down days. Same with Busquets, Suarez, Pique. Messi really is an exception--though even in him we have evidence for his mortality in he can be worn out and down spirited with enough cumulative fatigue. The relentless attacks for many of you are like you are stuck in a fake news loop where one poster reinforces another reinforces another--all while ignoring many plays where he saves our bacon or a simple flick to the right player in stride. And while static isn't good, it isn't the worst thing for Barca, that is inaccurate passes and losing your man on a break--either to let that cross come in that shouldn't have, or letting opponent to nick ahead to ball where if we focused defensively we get there 1st.
So no, Rakitic has not been the chief culpret of some very disappointing CL matches over many years, and he has been a major part of winning the most difficult league title race all but 1 year since he arrived, and multiple doubles.
Due we hope to have better midfield options that the current and next year's Rakitic, yes absolutely. Can we win with Rakitic in the rotation or starting important matches, yes. Are their 3 better midfielders on the team at present? No there is not, though Vidal and Arthur are players with the quality to also play midfield for Barca, and it is good to have 4 to turn to based on fatigue and opponents threats and weaknesses.
