Ivan Rakitić
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
He was on fuckin fire. Mou ready to suck him.
Leo_Messi
New member
One of his better all-round performances this season. The goal was the cherry on the top. In any case not an incredible or otherworldly performance by any means so let us not overreact. Piqué was our MoM. That however should not really change his immediate future or the fact that a sale this summer of a 31 year old and declining Rakitic would be the best option sporting wise and economically. He for sure does not deserve a wage increase and a contract extension (his current contract runs out in 2021).
If we somehow can't sell him he can stay for the next 2 seasons (at the most) provided that his level will not drop significantly and that he will come to terms with the fact that he likely won't be an indisputable starter with Arthur's rise, Busquets going nowhere and De Jong arriving. Not even talking about the likes of Aleñà, Puig waiting to get a chance and possible new midfield signings (Lo Celso ideally or the unknown Rabiot).
If we somehow can't sell him he can stay for the next 2 seasons (at the most) provided that his level will not drop significantly and that he will come to terms with the fact that he likely won't be an indisputable starter with Arthur's rise, Busquets going nowhere and De Jong arriving. Not even talking about the likes of Aleñà, Puig waiting to get a chance and possible new midfield signings (Lo Celso ideally or the unknown Rabiot).
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Must feel a bit special for Barca fans to see their team and player praised for a typical Mourinho performance.
I was very surprised to see that team so collected despite Real pressure. The attacking potential is always there with Messi and co. With that iron defence, i really see them winning CL.
I was very surprised to see that team so collected despite Real pressure. The attacking potential is always there with Messi and co. With that iron defence, i really see them winning CL.
Leo_Messi
New member
I highly doubt that many fans care about what Mourinho is saying. Rakitic has been playing like this for the entirety of Valverde's stint here so far. Putting up solid performances (often invisible) and doing the most simple things, including much of the dirty work (defensively) that is often ignored by fans. As well as having many bad games where he was one of our biggest weaknesses.
The defensive performances have been something else since the 1-1 draw against Atlético in the league in late November statistically speaking at least. The team has only conceded 6 goals in the league in the past 13 rounds. 1 goal against RM in the CdR semifinals and kept Lyon from scoring away from home. However we have been shaky in defense in many of those games as well.
However it has to be said that RM are absolutely toothless currently. Not a surprise when you have a 31 year old Benzema (who never was a killer in front of goal) and a 18.5 year old Vinous that has had 100 shots on goals yet only managed 3 goals so far, as your most dangerous offensive players.
If we had used Murillo instead of Lenglet and Miranda instead of Alba yesterday night, I would have almost believed that we would be able to keep a clean sheet as well.
The CL is another competition entirely and many of our struggles in that competition in the past 3 seasons have been mental because you cannot explain it otherwise with us going out against inferior teams on paper and in practice while we are dominating (absolutely) the likes of RM (the last 3 years champions) and Atlético who have been one of the best performing teams in the CL, in the two domestic competitions.
What I feel that the team needs in the CL is a convincing win in particular away from home or us winning against an elite team in the quarter-finals rather convincingly. To remove that doubt and fear that the team often has in the CL knockout stage, especially away from home. Although it has to be said that the performance against Lyon was rather good and we should have won that game 1-3 or 1-4 had Dembélé, Messi and Suárez had a better day in front of goal. Some 25 shots on goal. Zero goals. One of those results that you get each season.
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Joan
Well-known member
I feel like the last night's performance was miles better than anything we've seen from Barca defensively this season. RM is toothless, but they do create. Their match against us in the Copa, no need to look further. Last night, they created literally nothing. Covered all their usual actions (not many, tbf). Very positive sign. On the other hand, their finishing is so poor that even if we didn't cover it all, they probably wouldn't have scored.
Leo_Messi
New member
Yes, not saying anything else. Look at my most recent posts. Only 6 conceded goals in the past 13 league games, 1 conceded goal against RM in the CdR semifinals and zero conceded goals against Lyon away from home is no coincidence. Our defense has improved tenfold since the beginning of the season where we were letting goals in left and right. The collective is working better as a whole and it shows defensively.
However the CL is another competition entirely. Hence what I wrote in post 9199. It's not the same thing. I hope this mental stumbling block or whatever is causing us to not perform in the CL as well as this team can perform in top games, will be corrected. We need that, badly, as I won't handle another Roma embarrassment which was very much our own doing. Yes, Valverde did us no favors but it was on the players. I don't care how much the manager fails tactically, you cannot and should not look yourself in the mirror after such a pathetic performance. If everything is not working at least show some fight, heart or run. There was none of that. Just apathy. Just like during Lucho's stint in some of those blackouts. Thinking about QSG 4-0 and the 3-0 Juve game. If it continues to happen (God forbid) under a new manager, it will be the final confirmation that it is not about managers or tactics but more about the players.
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Messigician
Senior Member
King Ivan
Joan
Well-known member
I agree. Especially this. Valverde had a terrible night, didn't do a single thing right, but can't blame it all on him. No manager always gets it right. Zidane didn't either, but then it's on the team to step up. Coaches come and go, but the core remains. I was much more worried about the team that night than about the manager. Again, Valverde has his share of blame for the night in Rome, no denying that...
El Barcelona
Well-known member
Hope we only sell for the right price before we regret it. There need a midfielder to go so that Aleñá can have more minutes next season, just like De Jong but this season I'm not so sure anymore that raketic is our weakest link in midfield. Selling raketic would definitely be the best for development of Aleñá and De Jong but we can only hope that they're ready when we play important games against European top clubs and other strong teams.
gregorrin10
Senior Member
Time to cash in on this hype, backed up by that Mourinho praise, and get 100M for him. 
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