Lliga: (El Clasico) FC Barcelona - Real Madrid 2-1

[Kohe321]

We created more big chances that were sadly thrown away due to poor finishing or passing decisions with the final ball. Had all the good chances been scored in the match, it would've been more a 5-3 or something I think. Maybe a 5-4, either way we won deservedly in the end because of how we played the second half and the chances created in it.

The first half was such a fart tactically, and the focus and synergy in the team disintegrated more and more as the first half went on much thanks to Neymar who kept hogging the ball and subsequently gave it away with sloppy dribling or passing almost every he got it. And he got it a lot.

Man did he play badly the first 45 minutes. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. After sloppy turnover number 8 or 9 I had to get up and walk away from the TV, it was so frustrating I couldn't watch.

 

[KingMessi]

Rasix

 

[raskolnikov]

Dbz Real Madrid as Freeza and Barca as goku with Suarez stepping in with the vegeta outfit
Always thought the Goku vs Vegeta battle was very suited for Messi vs Ronaldo as well.

 

[Mido]

Rakitic's and Iniesta's performances proved that some members here haven't got a clue about tactics in football. We suffered but still were very disciplined. Busquet's and Xavi's entrances literally liberated us and imposed our technical superiority at the end.

If we ever play Real Madrid again I don't wanna see Rakitic and Iniesta together in this form. I would reather play with this midfield :

------------------------------------Mascherano---------------------------------------
--------------------Busquets----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------Xavi------------------------

It offers technical superiority and defensive solidity. We wouldn't get outplayed like we got in the 1st half. That was horrific.

Someone's gotta be blind to think Iniesta brings more than Xavi offensively. The only reason that could back up this choice would be Iniesta's defensive workrate that is superior.

Anyway, Barca earned the victory and was very disciplined. Credit to every player shall be given.

 

[dakt]

Let's not be deceived....RM outplayed us in the 1st half, mostly in the midfield....we were running like headless chickens. If they were up in form, we would experienced mild ******.
I think all teams we are going to face in CL will exploit that.
With that said, Luch should really consider 4-4-2, with Messi pulled back as an attacking midfielder maybe?

 

[Mido]

We created more big chances that were sadly thrown away due to poor finishing or passing decisions with the final ball. Had all the good chances been scored in the match, it would've been more a 5-3 or something I think. Maybe a 5-4, either way we won deservedly in the end because of how we played the second half and the chances created in it.

The first half was such a fart tactically, and the focus and synergy in the team disintegrated more and more as the first half went on much thanks to Neymar who kept hogging the ball and subsequently gave it away with sloppy dribling or passing almost every he got it. And he got it a lot.

Man did he play badly the first 45 minutes. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. After sloppy turnover number 8 or 9 I had to get up and walk away from the TV, it was so frustrating I couldn't watch.

Rakitic and Iniesta are the reasons why we played badly in the first half. But I think that Enrique wanted to let Real spaces on purpose to break them down.

 

[KingMessi]

Rakitic's and Iniesta's performances proved that some members here haven't got a clue about tactics in football. We suffered but still were very disciplined. Busquet's and Xavi's entrances literally liberated us and imposed our technical superiority at the end.

Yeah sure. Use this game in which both midfielders had an off day because they were so isolated to prove your point. I could similarly use the Bernabeu defeat or the Anoeta defeat to say XIB should never start together again. The biggest factor was the fact that Busquets was missing, not that Rakitic and Iniesta played. If you hadn't noticed we've won several huge games this calendar year with a midfield of Iniesta-Busquets-Rakitic.

 

[Mido]

Let's not be deceived....RM outplayed us in the 1st half, mostly in the midfield....we were running like headless chickens. If they were up in form, we would experienced mild ******.
I think all teams we are going to face in CL will exploit that.
With that said, Luch should really consider 4-4-2, with Messi pulled back as an attacking midfielder maybe?

That, to me, is the best 4-4-2 we can get out of our team ( and we wouldn't need Rakitic's defensive coverage anymore) :

------------------------Neymar--------------------------Suarez-------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Messi-----------------------
------------------------Xavi-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------Busquets-------------------------
--------------------------------------------Mascherano------------------------------------------------
-------------------------Alba----------------------------------------------------Alves-----------------
-------------------------------------Mathieu--------------------Piqué--------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------Bravo----------------------------------------------

 

[Mido]

Yeah sure. Use this game in which both midfielders had an off day because they were so isolated to prove your point. I could similarly use the Bernabeu defeat or the Anoeta defeat to say XIB should never start together again. The biggest factor was the fact that Busquets was missing, not that Rakitic and Iniesta played. If you hadn't noticed we've won several huge games this calendar year with a midfield of Iniesta-Busquets-Rakitic.

Rakitic literally got out-manoeuvered by Real Madrid. It's as simple as that. Iniesta, in my opinion, may have motivation/mental issues. He was unrecognizable yesterday apart from his solid defensive work.

 

[Alik]

The last 10 mins of the second half was really end to end stuff. We should have played it safe there in my opinion. We didn't even get the additional goal that we were looking for.

 

[dakt]

That, to me, is the best 4-4-2 we can get out of our team ( and we wouldn't need Rakitic's defensive coverage anymore) :

------------------------Neymar--------------------------Suarez-------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Messi-----------------------
------------------------Xavi-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------Busquets-------------------------
--------------------------------------------Mascherano------------------------------------------------
-------------------------Alba----------------------------------------------------Alves-----------------
-------------------------------------Mathieu--------------------Piqué--------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------Bravo----------------------------------------------

Yeah, I would love to see that on the pitch.

 

[Mido]

Yeah, I would love to see that on the pitch.

I am burning inside waiting for Enrique to let that team start against Psg !!

I am really gutted for Xavi. He still delivers excellent performances.

Visca Xavi, king of Cataunya !

 

[pacp_96]

Not bad. Better than your previous efforts anyway

Rakitic should be playing though. He has done more this season than just running. I think we should stick with 433 for the rest of this season at least, now is no time for radical changes. We should rotate Xavi and Iniesta a bit more though. Iniesta/Xavi - Busi - Rakitic.

 

[Alik]

What worries me the most, is not the difficulty of Sevilla/Valencia/Espanyol (games which are tough no doubt) but the fact that they are sandwiched by a massive QF two-legged-tie versus PSG (who are on high spirits and confidence after their heroic elimination of Chelsea)

PSG have a busier schedule than we do, if I recall correctly.

With regards to the La Liga matches, it shouldn't be a problem if we rotate. Busquets will be back and for the first time in ages we won't have a player injured at this crucial part of the season. I would expect Pique-Masch/Bartra-Mathieu duos rotating, Masche/Busquets at DM etc.

Only problem is MSN playing every match.

 

[Mido]

Not bad. Better than your previous efforts anyway

Rakitic should be playing though. He has done more this season than just running.

Rakitic delivered great performances this season no doubt about it. My only concern with him is his ability to play in tigh spaces and to temporize. Busquets runs less, but he is techncally superior.

Rakitic would be an excellent replacement for Busquets in the 4-4-2 I just posted.

Rakitic against teams such as Atletico is a must in my opinion.