La Liga | Round 31: Levante - FC Barcelona 2-3

[serghei]

I don't see a problem in Nico starting. Pedri needs some rest, and Gavi has had a slight dip in form. Nico is the obvious choice to start this game.

True. Can't commit errors of the past with Pedri and play him non-stop, then expect him to be active and energetic all the time. Not at 19 anyway.

 

[Bobo32]

Undeserved? When is he supposed to start? When he scores a goal during the 10 min he usually gets?

Xavi clearly sees potential in him and gives him a fair chance surrounded by the gala XI, even ahead of Gavi. Those who Xavi deem deserve it are given playing time.

His position is not about scoring goals.
Until recently, he had featured in EVERY game this season. It is only lately that he doesn't automatically get to play some, but it is very long since he actually looked fit for it. He does a flashy turn and dribble here and there, but most of the time he looks too slow both physically and in the head, he has impressed less with every game he played pretty much this year.
Yeah it is a fine choice from Xavi to play Nico today, but very undeserved based on his performance in games, that's what I said.

 

[Horatio]

Undeserved? When is he supposed to start? When he scores a goal during the 10 min he usually gets?

Xavi clearly sees potential in him and gives him a fair chance surrounded by the gala XI, even ahead of Gavi. Those who Xavi deem deserve it are given playing time.

Yes. Xavi treating him fairly. Reminds me of Koeman. Thank you.

 

[ajnotkeith]

His position is not about scoring goals.
Until recently, he had featured in EVERY game this season. It is only lately that he doesn't automatically get to play some, but it is very long since he actually looked fit for it. He does a flashy turn and dribble here and there, but most of the time he looks too slow both physically and in the head, he has impressed less with every game he played pretty much this year.
Yeah it is a fine choice from Xavi to play Nico today, but very undeserved based on his performance in games, that's what I said.

I don't think Nico is great but it's not true he has gotten a lot of time, he gets subbed on for like 5 minutes a game. That 'every game' stat is painfully out of context.

I think vs Levante it's fine for him to play here whilst Pedri needs rest and Gavi has had a lot more prominence.

 

[Messigician]

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

Chills

 

[te amo barca]

Very undeserved start for Nico just based on the games, but it is probably good to give Pedri a little bit of a rest, and it is good to keep Nico match fit.

Is Gavi fit and available? He was pretty shit besides a few dribble attempts last game just as Pedri, but I'd probably rather see him than Nico still.

Last time he started a game was vs Gala at home, his chance was bound to come

 

[JamDav1982]

Nico played more before Pedri came back and Koemans tactics suited him better to get ball deeper and drive or move up park.

Xavi has him staying up park to support the attacking players more in same way Pedri does. Would imagine that is how it will be tonight again unless both he and Frenkie more box to box which would be a change of tactics.

 

[Total-Football]

Hate the fact that he played nico instead lf gavi.gavi should be given the chance to operate when pedri is absent.

 

[Bobo32]

I don't think Nico is great but it's not true he has gotten a lot of time, he gets subbed on for like 5 minutes a game. That 'every game' stat is painfully out of context.

I think vs Levante it's fine for him to play here whilst Pedri needs rest and Gavi has had a lot more prominence.

It is fine but undeserved. He started games against both Galatasaray and Napoli, but was mostly subbed in with around 20 minutes left, never leaving an impression other than being a bit slow and not managing to influence either offensively or defensively. Only lately he was given three subs with 5mins or less, before that it was at least 10 minutes every time.

 

[mc_lovin]

It is fine but undeserved. He started games against both Galatasaray and Napoli, but was mostly subbed in with around 20 minutes left, never leaving an impression other than being a bit slow and not managing to influence either offensively or defensively. Only lately he was given three subs with 5mins or less, before that it was at least 10 minutes every time.

If you apply the same standard to Puig... oh boy

 

[Messigician]

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

 

[Horatio]

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

 

[Catta]

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

Chills

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

Post it again, two times is not enough.

 

[malvolio]

The last time Barcelona won an away game against Levante was in 2018. Ernesto Valverde was Bar?a's coach and Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win.

Was always a tough ground for us. Levante like to play dirty and crowd was lively.

 

[Horatio]

guys open chat please.