Ivan Rakitić

[YodaMaster]

So who is right? Is it 1) Me + a professional coach who trains with the players every day and who brought a double when summer of 2017 we seemed 2 levels behind Real + what every big picture stat shows OR 2) yogamaster and a gaggle of reactionary fans wishing on the glory days of iniesta, xavi and busi and anything short of that isn't the barca way and offensive to the eye.

Bla-bla-bla "professional coach choice" bla-bla-bla "statistics".
This same professional coach had his ass whopped by the almighty AS Roma in one of Barca's biggest humiliation ever. That same coach preferred Gomes over Dembele in that same game. That same coach will start Roberto over Semedo despite last weeks performances. Give me a break with that would you ?

On top of that, you're talking about last year achievements lol. Last year our midfielders were Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta, Gomes and Denis. Nobody will complain about Rakitic being a starter with such competition. He was better than Paulinho, Gomes and Denis and games showed that. This year, Arthur and Vidal are better than him, and games show this.


The most important thing that stats have ever shown in the last 3 years is that we got our ass kicked in the CL as soon as we faced decent opposition. And our midfield got completely dominated with prime Rakitic being the biggest fraud in it.


T = Tackles. I = Interceptions. KP = key passes.



Atletico 2-0 Barca 2016. Barca's midfield: Busquets Rakitic Iniesta.

Busquets. T:4. I:2. KP:0.
Iniesta. T:3. I:2. KP:3.
Rakitic. T:0. I:2. KP:0.

Rakitic attempted 0 tackles in that game while Messi the ultimate lazy boy had 2 successive tackles.



Juventus 3-0 Barca 2017. Starting midfield : Mascherano Rakitic Iniesta.

Mascherano. T:3. I:1. KP:2.
Iniesta. T:2. I:2. KP:0.
Rakitic. T:0. I:1. KP:0.

Rakitic attempted 0 tackles while Messi and Suarez had 2.



Roma 3-0 Barca 2018. 442 with 2 DMs: Rakitc Busquets.

Busquets. T:1. I:0. KP:1.
Rakitic. T:1. I:1. KP: 0.



Rakitic stats per game in Barça's most difficult and most important games in the last 3 seasons.

Tackles: 0.3
Interceptions: 1.3
Blocks: 0.
Key Passes: 0.


Wow what a great workhorse and contributor when things get complicated in high intensity matches !
But hey, he makes tackles and interceptions against Huesca, Eibar and Zaragoza. We wouldn't be able to win those games without the great Rakitic. Messi (+Suarez in 2016) is not saving Barça's ass in 90% Liga games since 2016, Rakitic is !
We would never win 2018 and 2016 Liga without legendary Ivan and his tackles.



Who is right? Is it 1) you little scotty who's unable to watch a game by himself without stats help + a boring coach who had biggest shit in bed in Barça's CL history OR 2) ME + what games show + stats ?


Now GTFO with your stats and address this:

Tell me what are Rakitic strengths then, and tell me 10 matches this season in which Rakitic was great. I'm a real football passionate I'll go and watch those games if you can name some. Show me his in game greatness. I don't care about numbers.
Fuck stats, they're lying and don't even address half of a football game aspects.

 

[Arizona Scott]

....

Now GTFO with your stats and address this:

Much better post overall, I'll share what I shared before....

....Rakitic is so very underrated in the little things key to winning (like key interceptions, kept possession and great touches, clearances in set pieces, being in then right position and helping the squad be organized and balanced--many things not very obvious or flashy) and serious obsessive overactions to him. Myself and minority of others keep pointing this out, try to moderate the madness-- the cumulative stats show the myopic view.

....
On top of that, you're talking about last year achievements lol. Last year our midfielders were Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta, Gomes and Denis. Nobody will complain about Rakitic being a starter with such competition. He was better than Paulinho, Gomes and Denis and games showed that. This year, Arthur and Vidal are better than him, and games show this.

So wouldn't winning the double in dominant fashion with that group a midfielders be quite a feat.

This same professional coach had his ass whopped by the almighty AS Roma in one of Barca's biggest humiliation ever. That same coach preferred Gomes over Dembele in that same game. That same coach will start Roberto over Semedo despite last weeks performances. Give me a break with that would you ?

In the tie with Roma was blown at a number of levels. Many soft goals given up by school boy defending, giving up 4 goals to that team was rather pathetic. Whole team collapse in 2nd leg, Rakitic was part of this, and Valderde was a bigger part of this, however the biggest part by our back line. His biggest mistake was how he overplayed Rakitic, Busi, Umtiti, Pique and Suarez and some others in the build up the game. He royally f*cky up this tie, no question. But in the end it was about 100 minutes of bad football in otherwise a much better season that most anyone thought possible when it started.

The most important thing that stats have ever shown in the last 3 years is that we got our ass kicked in the CL as soon as we faced decent opposition. And our midfield got completely dominated with prime Rakitic being the biggest fraud in it.

Juventus 3-0 Barca 2017. Starting midfield : Mascherano Rakitic Iniesta.

Rakitic stats per game in Barça's most difficult and most important games in the last 3 seasons.
:

These matches were not the most difficult matches. Classicos were at much higher levels of play and every bit as intense. Roma should have been a cakewalk with a rested and focused team. Juv also should also have found it very difficult to score on Barca and a 3-0 scoreline killed the tie. I think the fact Mascherano played in midfield shows how poorly the roster was constructed, and unfortunate injuries, Masch could barely play a decent CB let alone CDM at that part of his career.

.....He was better than Paulinho, Gomes and Denis and games showed that. This year, Arthur and Vidal are better than him, and games show this.

Glad you acknowledge the 1st part. As for the 2nd this is a matter of debate. Vidal has actually looked worse of the 4 the last few games. The rashest and least accurate. Let's go through the 4. Most like to be rash and sent off leading to a man down, Vidal. Most likely to make the right decisions in breaking pressure and is most pressure tested in tight spaces, Busi. Most likely to be overwhelmed by moments having never played with such opponents and intensity, Arthur. Player most likely to defend and contribute to set pieces, Rakitic. Most effective player to squeeze an opponent with a 1 goal advantage, Busi or Arthur. While highlighting some differences, I honestly think each total contributions are pretty close, so the key part is getting them all mentally and physically in the best position with the CL quarters comes around, and to play them all each tie with a little dependence on the opponent and situation. I am pretty sure Vidal and Arthur will heavy minutes but not all the minutes, it is what I would do, mostly based from watching them thought the stats simply reinforce what I see a bit stronger.

Good night, looking forward to kicking sevilla off the park tomorrow.

 

[Cule4life]

So Rakitic should start because he was better than his competition in the past. Gotcha. Let's bring Iniesta back while we're at it cos he was great in the past.

 

[Arizona Scott]

So Rakitic should start because he was better than his competition in the past. Gotcha. Let's bring Iniesta back while we're at it cos he was great in the past.

No on balance Rakitic (#2) and Busi (#1) this year are our best overall midfielders. This is my opinion at observing all key parts to winning a football match (equally important what you do with possession to lead to goals and what you do without it to keep goals from happening). The data also support this. The data actually suggests a much bigger gap in overall contribution of these two relative to Vidal and Arthur than I see personally--either way I think it is just about unfathomable both players won't be well rested going into big CL ties and that each will play 70+ minutes. I do hope they are subbed at some point (65-75 minute mark, though I am afraid EV will wait longer) to bring on fresh legs if they look suffering, and I am not sure yet if I want Vidal or Arthur starting with them (or actually Coutinho if he had been used there but he hasn't so I think this isn't a consideration this year). So I think they all will have a substantive part to play and if your all worked up for Rakitic not to play substantially you will be disappointed, it is the right thing to do now.

 

[Cule4life]

No on balance Rakitic (#2) and Busi (#1) this year are our best overall midfielders.

Uh do you have anything else apart from your dear stats to show that? Cos most people who actually watch matches and don't just check whoscored the next day, know Arthur has been our best midfielder by far.

 

[Raketa10]

It looks like anyone who thinks Rakic is a good player is labeled as an idiot or Rakitic lover in this forum. If you bring up stats than "fuck stats" if you try to explain what his duties as DM are than "fuck you he doesn't pass forward". If you say Busi is currently worse than he is than "fuck you Busi has brains". It's fantastic how people who attack Rakitic defend Busi while both of them are ready to be replaced. I said 100 times that Rakitic should be sold next summer but that won't cover the fact that I think the same about Busi. Problem is Busi is our legend and he won't be sold and people will tolerate his terrible displays. Against Girona Busi was way worse than Rakitic but Rakitic is again labeled as a bad player. It's great how people are blind. If some of you indeed watch games than you should have seen how Busi performed or maybe you were to busy typing bullshit in the forum chat?!?!

So lets clear some things now. First of all no one here thinks that Rakitic is on the level of Xavi or Iniesta or Modric. You have to me mental to think that. Secondly every time he hasn't played our midfield was out of balance. Fact is we all like Arthur but Arthur needs supporting players and Rakitic or Busi simply have to play to bring balance to the midfield. I hope that changes when De Jong arrives in summer. It's unbelievable how some people here think Vidal can play as a DM. You have to be blind for that. Vidal is box-to-box type of midfielder and there is no way in hell he would be able to play DM for Barca. So you can either accept the fact that we currently need both Busi and Raki until De Jong arrives or you can go fully retard and claim that Busi is smart and suitable for today's Barca while Rakitic should be benched and Vidal should play as another pivot together with Busi. IMHO it's clear as a day that our best midfield against strong teams is still Busi-Raki-Arthur and that Alena and Vidal should be supporting cast to those three.

Oh and yes when people start pulling out stats from that Roma or Juve games they should also pull out stats of Messi because if those stats are the only relevant thing than what would we conclude about our indisputable GOAT?

 

[YodaMaster]

So wouldn't winning the double in dominant fashion with that group a midfielders be quite a feat.

No.
Valverde started the exact same midfielders who won 2 Liga under Lucho (Busquets Rakitic Iniesta) plus he had €160m Coutinho, supposed to be a midfielder. Plus he decided to ignore Alena who was ready for A team football last year and who was probably already better than Gomes, Denis, Paulinho.
He also had GOAT Messi who's simply unplayable in La Liga. Valverde won a Liga, which happened 6 times in the 9 previous years without him, under several coaches. Nothing special. Barca won a Liga without a coach practically in 2013.

Main point you decided to snub: last season's Liga was one of the weakest in recent years.

Just look at the points numbers.

2017/2018
1. Barcelona 93 pts
2. A.Madrid 79 pts
3. R.Madrid 76 pts

2016/2017
1. R.Madrid 93 pts
2. Barcelona 90 pts
3. A.Madrid 78 pts

2015/2016
1. Barcelona 91 pts
2. R.Madrid 90 pts
3. A.Madrid 88 pts

2014/2015
1. Barcelona 94 pts
2. R.Madrid 92 pts
3. A.Madrid 78 pts

Last season was a dominant season in Liga because other usual top 3 teams completely flopped, not because Valverde's Barça was crazily dominant. This year, Liga is even more weak.
You can mention that double to try make it look great but truth is Barça is winning CDR each year, and wins Liga 7 times out of 10 because that 87-89 generation is still there and knows how to win the league better than anyone. Plus Real Madrid is complete shit in this competition 4 times out of 5.

In the tie with Roma was blown at a number of levels. Many soft goals given up by school boy defending, giving up 4 goals to that team was rather pathetic. Whole team collapse in 2nd leg, Rakitic was part of this, and Valderde was a bigger part of this, however the biggest part by our back line. His biggest mistake was how he overplayed Rakitic, Busi, Umtiti, Pique and Suarez and some others in the build up the game. He royally f*cky up this tie, no question. But in the end it was about 100 minutes of bad football in otherwise a much better season that most anyone thought possible when it started.



These matches were not the most difficult matches. Classicos were at much higher levels of play and every bit as intense. Roma should have been a cakewalk with a rested and focused team. Juv also should also have found it very difficult to score on Barca and a 3-0 scoreline killed the tie. I think the fact Mascherano played in midfield shows how poorly the roster was constructed, and unfortunate injuries, Masch could barely play a decent CB let alone CDM at that part of his career.

I'd say you have good excuses for Rakitic every time he's the biggest midfield flop in the most important match of the season in the biggest club competition.

Let's keep Clasico out of this. Everybody knows it's a unique match, and Barça has had a psychological edge over R.Madrid in the last 10 years.

Fact is: Rakitic has been biggest fraud in our midfield in the CL exit each year since 2016.

I'll tell how Rakitic is: he's the biggest crap when the team struggles in biggest CL matches and he's good when the whole team is very good/awesome. There might be 1 or 2 exceptions but that's how it is usually. That was again the case vs Sevilla last week: Arthur was the leader in midfield when the team struggled and 4 years Barca undisputable starter Rakitic hid and watched a new coming kid put his balls on the table and lead the team by example.

Arthur did what great players do in those scenarios. Rakitic shit his pants like he always does since 2016 in those scenarios.

I watch every barca match and sometimes go back. Also the age in pro sports where metrics dont matter or are not useful is LONG past. Rakitic is so very underrated in the little things key to winning (like key interceptions, kept possession and great touches, clearances in set pieces, being in then right position and helping the squad be organized and balanced--many things not very obvious or flashy) and serious obsessive overactions to him. Myself and minority of others keep pointing this out, try to moderate the madness-- the cumulative stats show the myopic view.

Yeah that's a long sentence but basically it says Rakitic' only quality left is that he's good at positioning. That's great achievement for a Barça undisputed starter since 2014 right ? You really consider that it's enough for FC BARCELONA CM STARTER ?
Come on man, you're better than this.

 

[Judoman]

It's fantastic how people who attack Rakitic defend Busi while both of them are ready to be replaced. I said 100 times that Rakitic should be sold next summer but that won't cover the fact that I think the same about Busi. Problem is Busi is our legend and he won't be sold and people will tolerate his terrible displays..

This is the truth and someone complained about hypocrisy of Rakitic fans (who are they?!) against Busi few days ago.
The truth is, that Raki was the better of the two in most games in last season, but that memory faded quickly. BOTH are ready to be replaced with faster, stronger options.

The pretentiousness level of some people on this forums is astonishing.

 

[EdmondDantes]

Bla-bla-bla "professional coach choice" bla-bla-bla "statistics".
This same professional coach had his ass whopped by the almighty AS Roma in one of Barca's biggest humiliation ever. That same coach preferred Gomes over Dembele in that same game. That same coach will start Roberto over Semedo despite last weeks performances. Give me a break with that would you ?

On top of that, you're talking about last year achievements lol. Last year our midfielders were Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta, Gomes and Denis. Nobody will complain about Rakitic being a starter with such competition. He was better than Paulinho, Gomes and Denis and games showed that. This year, Arthur and Vidal are better than him, and games show this.


The most important thing that stats have ever shown in the last 3 years is that we got our ass kicked in the CL as soon as we faced decent opposition. And our midfield got completely dominated with prime Rakitic being the biggest fraud in it.


T = Tackles. I = Interceptions. KP = key passes.



Atletico 2-0 Barca 2016. Barca's midfield: Busquets Rakitic Iniesta.

Busquets. T:4. I:2. KP:0.
Iniesta. T:3. I:2. KP:3.
Rakitic. T:0. I:2. KP:0.

Rakitic attempted 0 tackles in that game while Messi the ultimate lazy boy had 2 successive tackles.



Juventus 3-0 Barca 2017. Starting midfield : Mascherano Rakitic Iniesta.

Mascherano. T:3. I:1. KP:2.
Iniesta. T:2. I:2. KP:0.
Rakitic. T:0. I:1. KP:0.

Rakitic attempted 0 tackles while Messi and Suarez had 2.



Roma 3-0 Barca 2018. 442 with 2 DMs: Rakitc Busquets.

Busquets. T:1. I:0. KP:1.
Rakitic. T:1. I:1. KP: 0.



Rakitic stats per game in Barça's most difficult and most important games in the last 3 seasons.

Tackles: 0.3
Interceptions: 1.3
Blocks: 0.
Key Passes: 0.


Wow what a great workhorse and contributor when things get complicated in high intensity matches !
But hey, he makes tackles and interceptions against Huesca, Eibar and Zaragoza. We wouldn't be able to win those games without the great Rakitic. Messi (+Suarez in 2016) is not saving Barça's ass in 90% Liga games since 2016, Rakitic is !
We would never win 2018 and 2016 Liga without legendary Ivan and his tackles.



Who is right? Is it 1) you little scotty who's unable to watch a game by himself without stats help + a boring coach who had biggest shit in bed in Barça's CL history OR 2) ME + what games show + stats ?


Now GTFO with your stats and address this:

Those are some truly atrocious stats by Rakitic there. Over a large and significant sample size as well. Yet, BBZ never bashed him, I wonder why.

 

[YodaMaster]

It looks like anyone who thinks Rakic is a good player is labeled as an idiot or Rakitic lover in this forum. If you bring up stats than "fuck stats" if you try to explain what his duties as DM are than "fuck you he doesn't pass forward". If you say Busi is currently worse than he is than "fuck you Busi has brains". It's fantastic how people who attack Rakitic defend Busi while both of them are ready to be replaced. I said 100 times that Rakitic should be sold next summer but that won't cover the fact that I think the same about Busi. Problem is Busi is our legend and he won't be sold and people will tolerate his terrible displays. Against Girona Busi was way worse than Rakitic but Rakitic is again labeled as a bad player. It's great how people are blind. If some of you indeed watch games than you should have seen how Busi performed or maybe you were to busy typing bullshit in the forum chat?!?!

Lol everyone knows Rakitic is a good player. But he's not good enough for Barça anymore, especially in a 433 alongside Busquets where he's supposed to be a CM but plays on same line as Piqué.

About typing bullshit you're an expert at writing useless stuff with 0 arguments it seems. I'm actually impressed by this message of yours, first time I see you elaborate a lil bit. I'm still waiting on your arguments about Coutinho on Arthur topic btw.

Fact is we all like Arthur but Arthur needs supporting players and Rakitic or Busi simply have to play to bring balance to the midfield.

Rakitic or Busi ? So you're literally asking for the same thing that I am. Rakitic and Busquets in competition for the DM spot.

Oh and yes when people start pulling out stats from that Roma or Juve games they should also pull out stats of Messi because if those stats are the only relevant thing than what would we conclude about our indisputable GOAT?

Here you're exposing your bullshit yourself. Talking about Messi vs Juventus and Roma LMAO.

Against Juventus in that away game in 2017, Messi had a great match and was better than all his 10 teammates combined lol. I believe he was among top 3 performers on the pitch that night. Go rewatch that game before you write yet another nonsense. First thing that comes to my head from that game (except Dybala's brace) is Messi giving an incredible pass to Iniesta who misses his 1v1 against Buffon. That should have been an assist and that would have completely changed that game and that tie. A minute later Dybala made it 2-0 for Juve.

Against Roma, Messi was probably the best Barcelona player and again gave what could have been an assist to Sergi Roberto at the beginning of the game. Messi wasn't great in that game, but managed to create something out of nothing more than once. All that while playing in a poor copy of Mourinho's parking bus team. I'm sure his average position in that game was DM. He received 0 interesting balls in the last third. And to give balls to attackers is midfielder's job (say hi to Rakitic among others).

Against Atletico away in 2016, I believe that time Messi indeed had a bad game.

No matter what, in all those games Messi was miles ahead of Rakitic in terms of general contribution. It's not even comparable. Messi also won 4 CL's and was the absolute main actor in 3 of them. That's why we can tolerate 1 or 2 average performances in CL exit games over more than 10 years. Rakitic played in 4 CL seasons and was garbage in 3 of them when things got complicated.


Now let's check Messi's stats in those 3 games since you morons can't live without them.

away vs Atletico 2016

3 successful dirbbles
1 key pass
2 tackles (which is more than Raki's 0 in that game lol)



away vs Juventus 2017

5 successful dribbles
3 key passes
2 tackles (while Raki had 0 lol Messi even outworked him defensively based on stats in this game)



away vs Roma 2018

3 successful dirblbles
2 key passes
2 interceptions (once again outworked Rakitic defensively based on stats)

 

[Vilarrubi]

Those are some truly atrocious stats by Rakitic there. Over a large and significant sample size as well. Yet, BBZ never bashed him, I wonder why.

+1 I've always felt in our CL defeats that Rakitic was just another shirt on the pitch. Sometimes it takes a Centre-Mid to take a hold of the game and regain control, he was just another passenger.

 

[Vilarrubi]

Lol everyone knows Rakitic is a good player. But he's not good enough for Barça anymore, especially in a 433 alongside Busquets where he's supposed to be a CM but plays on same line as Piqué.

About typing bullshit you're an expert at writing useless stuff with 0 arguments it seems. I'm actually impressed by this message of yours, first time I see you elaborate a lil bit. I'm still waiting on your arguments about Coutinho on Arthur topic btw.



Rakitic or Busi ? So you're literally asking for the same thing that I am. Rakitic and Busquets in competition for the DM spot.



Here you're exposing your bullshit yourself. Talking about Messi vs Juventus and Roma LMAO.

Against Juventus in that away game in 2017, Messi had a great match and was better than all his 10 teammates combined lol. I believe he was among top 3 performers on the pitch that night. Go rewatch that game before you write yet another nonsense. First thing that comes to my head from that game (except Dybala's brace) is Messi giving an incredible pass to Iniesta who misses his 1v1 against Buffon. That should have been an assist and that would have completely changed that game and that tie. A minute later Dybala made it 2-0 for Juve.

Against Roma, Messi was probably the best Barcelona player and again gave what could have been an assist to Sergi Roberto at the beginning of the game. Messi wasn't great in that game, but managed to create something out of nothing more than once. All that while playing in a poor copy of Mourinho's parking bus team. I'm sure his average position in that game was DM. He received 0 interesting balls in the last third. And to give balls to attackers is midfielder's job (say hi to Rakitic among others).

Against Atletico away in 2016, I believe that time Messi indeed had a bad game.

No matter what, in all those games Messi was miles ahead of Rakitic in terms of general contribution. It's not even comparable. Messi also won 4 CL's and was the absolute main actor in 3 of them. That's why we can tolerate 1 or 2 average performances in CL exit games over more than 10 years. Rakitic played in 4 CL seasons and was garbage in 3 of them when things got complicated.


Now let's check Messi's stats in those 3 games since you morons can't live without them.

away vs Atletico 2016

3 successful dirbbles
1 key pass
2 tackles (which is more than Raki's 0 in that game lol)



away vs Juventus 2017

5 successful dribbles
3 key passes
2 tackles (while Raki had 0 lol Messi even outworked him defensively based on stats in this game)



away vs Roma 2018

3 successful dirblbles
2 key passes
2 interceptions (once again outworked Rakitic defensively based on stats)

Madness when the stats are exposed. BBZ's Rakitic work horse theory destroyed...

 

[Cule4life]

Those are some truly atrocious stats by Rakitic there. Over a large and significant sample size as well. Yet, BBZ never bashed him, I wonder why.

He only uses those stats which support his propaganda.

If stats in favour- Shout from rooftops
If stats not in favour- Crickets/Not all stats matter

 

[Raketa10]

Lol everyone knows Rakitic is a good player. But he's not good enough for Barça anymore, especially in a 433 alongside Busquets where he's supposed to be a CM but plays on same line as Piqué.

About typing bullshit you're an expert at writing useless stuff with 0 arguments it seems. I'm actually impressed by this message of yours, first time I see you elaborate a lil bit. I'm still waiting on your arguments about Coutinho on Arthur topic btw.



Rakitic or Busi ? So you're literally asking for the same thing that I am. Rakitic and Busquets in competition for the DM spot.



Here you're exposing your bullshit yourself. Talking about Messi vs Juventus and Roma LMAO.

Against Juventus in that away game in 2017, Messi had a great match and was better than all his 10 teammates combined lol. I believe he was among top 3 performers on the pitch that night. Go rewatch that game before you write yet another nonsense. First thing that comes to my head from that game (except Dybala's brace) is Messi giving an incredible pass to Iniesta who misses his 1v1 against Buffon. That should have been an assist and that would have completely changed that game and that tie. A minute later Dybala made it 2-0 for Juve.

Against Roma, Messi was probably the best Barcelona player and again gave what could have been an assist to Sergi Roberto at the beginning of the game. Messi wasn't great in that game, but managed to create something out of nothing more than once. All that while playing in a poor copy of Mourinho's parking bus team. I'm sure his average position in that game was DM. He received 0 interesting balls in the last third. And to give balls to attackers is midfielder's job (say hi to Rakitic among others).

Against Atletico away in 2016, I believe that time Messi indeed had a bad game.

No matter what, in all those games Messi was miles ahead of Rakitic in terms of general contribution. It's not even comparable. Messi also won 4 CL's and was the absolute main actor in 3 of them. That's why we can tolerate 1 or 2 average performances in CL exit games over more than 10 years. Rakitic played in 4 CL seasons and was garbage in 3 of them when things got complicated.


Now let's check Messi's stats in those 3 games since you morons can't live without them.

away vs Atletico 2016

3 successful dirbbles
1 key pass
2 tackles (which is more than Raki's 0 in that game lol)



away vs Juventus 2017

5 successful dribbles
3 key passes
2 tackles (while Raki had 0 lol Messi even outworked him defensively based on stats in this game)



away vs Roma 2018

3 successful dirblbles
2 key passes
2 interceptions (once again outworked Rakitic defensively based on stats)

First of all your mother must be proud of you for calling people morons. No to mention you are the one who is pulling that shit all of the time. The way you write and act tells a lot about you so be more polite. Some of you here think they understand football better than Pep.

Sorry my friend but comparing stats of attackers and midfielders is stupid as it gets. Regarding Messi against Roma he was atrocious as was our ENTIRE team you don't need stats for that but you need to have eyes.

You are saying I don't elaborate things and all you do is pull some shit stats. Try to watch games instead. Stats are just one part of the game and you should know that. If stats are the most important thing there is than Fabregas is probably one of the best midfielders PL ever had and we all know that's bullshit. WTF do you know about duties Busi or Raki have in our team? Raki was and still is doing defensive duties for players who don't defend at all and our attackers basically don't defend at all. Why do you think Raki was always irreplaceable for Lucho and Valverde? Because they like his blond hair??? I would say it has to do something with tactics mate.

And regarding Coutinho, what do you want me to elaborate? That he is having bad season so far? Yes he is! Did he have a great spring last year? Yes he did! Is he a world class player? Yes he is. So what's there to elaborate, that he doesn't suit our style of play? No that's not true and he clearly showed that last year and he will show it again.

 

[YodaMaster]

You are saying I don't elaborate things and all you do is pull some shit stats. Try to watch games instead. Stats are just one part of the game and you should know that. If stats are the most important thing there is than Fabregas is probably one of the best midfielders PL ever had and we all know that's bullshit. WTF do you know about duties Busi or Raki have in our team? Raki was and still is doing defensive duties for players who don't defend at all and our attackers basically don't defend at all. Why do you think Raki was always irreplaceable for Lucho and Valverde? Because they like his blond hair??? I would say it has to do something with tactics mate.

Lol the irony of this thing. You're completely lost here boy. Go read previous pages and the initial talk before you get involved into an argument.
I'm actually having a war with BBZ and Arizona for weeks because they won't have a discussion ever without stats. Basically I'm using their own medicine against them because there's no other way around. Thought you're just another one of this kind, my bad. And now you come and say this to me lol.

This what I wrote before all those stats got involved.

Tell me what are Rakitic strengths then, and tell me 10 matches this season in which Rakitic was great. I'm a real football passionate I'll go and watch those games if you can name some. Show me his in game greatness. I don't care about numbers.
Fuck stats, they're lying and don't even address half of a football game aspects.

Now since I finally found a guy defending Rakitic who's not all about statistics, you please answer and please indicate me at least 10 matches where Rakitic put on a great Barca level display in midfield alongside Busquets this season. If you give me even 5 other than El Clasisco (a match where ever player shone), it will be a good start. As I already told I'm a real football fan I'll go and rewatch those games just to see who's biased.

I can clearly show you in game images illustrating why Rakitic is a poor CM and doesn't do enough to warrant him a starter spot. I'm all up for it, we'll finally have a true football discussion instead of this stats bullshit.


Regarding Coutinho, go read the post I wrote for you and react to my points and arguments with your counter arguments. That's how debates work and you attacked me first on my opinion about Coutinho.