La Liga | Round 15: Valladolid - FC Barcelona 0-3

[serghei]

Would be nice if Pedri and De Jong would get used to playing this way and would start to add more decisive passes and goals. But unfortunately, they look to pass it back to Messi far too often.

What's the point of making runs if you stop and look to pass it back to Messi lol.

 

[JohnN]

All I see is Greasmann and Coutinho missing and we play faster and more direct.
Waiting for the classic crap second half..

 

[i_bleed_blaugrana]

OK vs Eibar, Valladolid, Huesca, Osasuna, that's about it.

I get the pessimism but there is a lot here that could work for us away from home, especially if we continued to build off of it. Its his first time using this formation and it could be a lot worse. Remember the mental mess of a 3-5-2 Setien used?

 

[Joan]

It's supposed to go through Messi. This is the design. Pedri and De Jong feed off Messi more by doing runs than they feed Messi in advanced positions. Since Messi makes few runs and usually plays deep.

Well, yes, but they're supposed to do something with the ball once they get it in advanced positions bar passing it back to Messi. Even though that one two with Pedri did result in a decent chance.

As of now, Messi gets the ball deep, has to create and come back in time to finish. For some time he thinks he can do it. But really can't.

Dest did well.

 

[serghei]

I get the pessimism but there is a lot here that could work for us away from home, especially if we continued to build off of it. Its his first time using this formation and it could be a lot worse. Remember the mental mess of a 3-5-2 Setien used?

Mingueza and Lenglet doing lateral moves to track and block outside runs? We'd get blown apart imo by any decent side with a decent pair of wingers.

This only works defensively vs a good side if Alba and Dest are less offensive, and we quickly transition into a 5 backline. Which would make the system quite narrow in the offense since Alba and Dest occupy near winger positions.

 

[Horatio]

Yes, Valladolid is low tier fodder but forget future results for now. Players need to get used to higher tempo and pressing what is important. Also with good result it can give boost to individualds and team altogether.

 

[serghei]

Well, yes, but they're supposed to do something with the ball once they get it in advanced positions bar passing it back to Messi. Even though that one two with Pedri did result in a decent chance.

As of now, Messi gets the ball deep, has to create and come back in time to finish. For some time he thinks he can do it. But really can't.

Dest did well.

This is ingrained in the team for a long time. Players will always look to set Messi up as long as he is here. What we can do about it is improve at it, and hope the players develop offensively more. Because it's clear who will run the plays in midfield: Messi.

Pjanic is the only one who actually challenges Messi for this role and plays incisive through balls regularly.

 

[behindbrowneyes]

If I was a striker I'd be afraid of that tank Araujo sprinting full speed towards me. Striker of Valladolid was lucky that linesman called this offside.

 

[fergus90]

Yes, Valladolid is low tier fodder but forget future results for now. Players need to get used to higher tempo and pressing what is important. Also with good result it can give boost to individualds and team altogether.

I agree, does the confidence the world of good.

 

[Andresito]

Juninho flashbacks there

 

[Sailor Mars]

If I was a striker I'd be afraid of that tank Araujo sprinting full speed towards me. Striker of Valladolid that linesman called offside.

Yeah, I do like that that the Araujo and Mingueza are more aggressive. Pique and Lenglet are often retreating cuz they can't keep up with faster players.

 

[Joan]

This is ingrained in the team for a long time. Players will always look to set Messi up as long as he is here. What we can do about it is improve at it, and hope the players develop offensively more. Because it's clear who will run the plays in midfield: Messi.

Pjanic is the only one who actually challenges Messi for this role and plays incisive through balls regularly.

You're not wrong. But usually, we've got someone else up there bar Messi and Martin. This set up works only because they play open and are utter shite so Messi manages to catch up and be in the area in time.

 

[Andresito]

If we concede to these bums..

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Yeah, I do like that that the Araujo and Mingueza are more aggressive. Pique and Lenglet are often retreating cuz they can't keep up with faster players.

I agree. These two suite the football Koeman wants to play better.

 

[serghei]

You're not wrong. But usually, we've got someone else up there bar Messi and Martin. This set up works only because they play open and are utter shite so Messi manages to catch up and be in the area in time.

No doubt. These actions are pretty predictable but they're crap so they make basic errors.