Lliga | Round 01: FC Barcelona - Deportivo Alavés S.A.D 3-0

[serghei]

For me the problem was that we almost mechanically played wide all the time from midfield and refused to even try to play through the middle. That's very far from the Barca we're used to seeing. I don't like this approach of always giving the ball to feet for wingers and let them do something on their own mostly. We should be making plays and combinations in midfield as well. Barely saw any of that before Arthur came in. Only some good Rakitic long balls.

Roberto quite poor as a midfielder, a bit better as a rb. Semedo average as well with poor decision making.

 

[Barcaman]

I am not defending Valverde, I don’t like him at all but some of you forgot that even under Pep we struggled in some home games when the opponent parked the bus and we didn’t score an early goal.

With Pep we played best football since Cruyff and with Valverde it's worst in 15 years.

 

[DonAK]

I am not defending Valverde, I don’t like him at all but some of you forgot that even under Pep we struggled in some home games when the opponent parked the bus and we didn’t score an early goal.

We did play with intent though and had a system where other players contributed too. Nowadays everything seem to hinge on a moment of brilliance from Messi or Coutinho.

 

[Barcaman]

It's like that argument when Gomes missed the shot - Messi misses too.

 

[serghei]

There were some good parts too. Messi's position was very good. He should be playing only this, or false 9. Glad that he didn't drop deep like in previous games. He's wasting his energy by doing that. Also liked that we moved a bit more than in the Supercup, though we still have work to do here.

 

[DonAK]

I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not even asking for a CL title or demanding a La Liga title or sack.

The only thing I'm asking for is to play entertaining football, faster football, incisive passing and movement with decent pressing. Even fucking Chelsea are starting to implement that even though they're shaky defensively, but it's been just a few weeks for them while over 12 months for us.

 

[serghei]

I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not even asking for a CL title or demanding a La Liga title or sack.

The only thing I'm asking for is to play entertaining football, faster football, incisive passing and movement with decent pressing. Even fucking Chelsea are starting to implement that even though they're shaky defensively, but it's been just a few weeks for them while over 12 months for us.

Chelsea have a better manager in the offensive phase.

 

[DonAK]

Chelsea have a better manager in the offensive phase.

That's the point though. Surely it cannot be that all our players suck? That Sane and Sterling play so amazingly well and Firmino has improved a lot. That Willian and Pedro have looked like gold the first two games this season while Dembele and some other talented players have looked meh.

Seriously, I don't understand why people get so annoyed. I'm not saying Valverde is a fucking hack. He's good manager, but that doesn't mean he's the right one for Barcelona.

 

[serghei]

That's the point though. Surely it cannot be that all our players suck? That Sane and Sterling play so amazingly well and Firmino has improved a lot. That Willian and Pedro have looked like gold the first two games this season while Dembele and some other talented players have looked meh.

But the flipside is that Chelsea were much more exposed in defense. When a team like Arsenal can score you 5-6 goals it's not a great sign. Valverde is much too conservative and worried about potential risks on the counter to develop a more fluid setup, because that's what we're talking about.

Might be better to just replace Valverde at the end of the season than to have him trying things he's not great at and ruin our season for good.

 

[DonAK]

But the flipside is that Chelsea were much more exposed in defense. When a team like Arsenal can score you 5-6 goals it's not a great side.

That's true, but it takes time to implement a new style, especially for Chelsea that's pretty much only been a defensive team for as long as they've been relevant.

But you can see big improvements in their offensive phase already and it's only been a few weeks. Perhaps in 2-3 months they'll be very stable defensively too?

 

[serghei]

That's true, but it takes time to implement a new style, especially for Chelsea that's pretty much only been a defensive team for as long as they've been relevant.

But you can see big improvements in their offensive phase already and it's only been a few weeks. Perhaps in 2-3 months they'll be very stable defensively too?

Another problem is Chelsea aren't expected to win big titles though. At Barcelona you have to win titles.

I don't think we were too bright or playing too entertaining football in 14-15 mind you if you look at tactics. Entertainment came through MSN mostly in an individual way, not some great tactics by Lucho. We were playing much in the same way but with a more motivated side and a rejuvenated Alves.

 

[DonAK]

Another problem is Chelsea aren't expected to win big titles though. At Barcelona you have to win titles.

You are expected to win the Premier League there with Roman Abramovich or else you're pretty much booted out.

But yes, Barcelona different animal altogether that requires a manager with vision, plan and the charisma and balls to pull it off.

 

[serghei]

You are expected to win the Premier League there with Roman Abramovich or else you're pretty much booted out.

But yes, Barcelona different animal altogether that requires a manager with vision, plan and the charisma and balls to pull it off.

He'll be fired then because they won't win it probably.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Goals from the two key game deciders- Messi and Coutinho are going to be responsible for the great majority of winning goals this season. I'll track them.

 

[Stoichkov1]

I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not even asking for a CL title or demanding a La Liga title or sack.

The only thing I'm asking for is to play entertaining football, faster football, incisive passing and movement with decent pressing. Even fucking Chelsea are starting to implement that even though they're shaky defensively, but it's been just a few weeks for them while over 12 months for us.

Apart from Pep no one plays entertaining football and wins titles.

Chelsea will look amazing and will keep conceding goals with Sarri which means they won't win the PL.

Defence wins titles, not entertaining football.