Lucho: "We enjoy challenges"

[Barcaman]

Barca coach was happy with his team attitude after Barca 2-1 win over Atlético in Champions League quarter final and expressed confidence about 2nd leg at Calderón.

 

[serghei]

I have to say... it didn't seem that we enjoy challenges in the first half.

 

[Barcaman]

I said it elsewhere and after Clasico, this team is about MSN and MSN was hit by Fifa virus. Clasico and Atleti came fast after internationals and they were fatigued and thus affected Barca heavily.

Now, one could argue that Ney should be in better shape as he was suspended in last Brazil match and came back earlier.

After few days of rest and Suarez suspended for Sociedad, we'll see fresher and better Barca at Calderón.

 

[beautifulgame]

I said it elsewhere and after Clasico, this team is about MSN and MSN was hit by Fifa virus. Clasico and Atleti came fast after internationals and they were fatigued and thus affected Barca heavily.

Now, one could argue that Ney should be in better shape as he was suspended in last Brazil match and came back earlier.

After few days of rest and Suarez suspended for Sociedad, we'll see fresher and better Barca at Calderón.

then how come we looked much bettter when the midfield was changed?

 

[Barcaman]

We didn't look "much" better, if at all. What did Arda do, or Rafinha?

If you really want team could have looked better because Busquets, Iniesta and Rakitic worked their asses off for MSN and naturally got out of gas eventually.

Also, Atleti legs also got tired later in the game as they had to cover a lot of space with 10 men for most of the match.

 

[JamDav1982]

I thought Busi, Iniesta and Raki were terrible and immobile in the first half and Atleti exposed it big time.

They couldnt do that in second half and Barca played better from the first minute of the half with those three no longer having to do as much defending.

The team didnt play much better when midfield was changed. Barca were already dominating completely by that point. But the midfield were awful when Atleti had eleven men.

To be fair front three were shit as well.

 

[Barcaman]

If Lucho could he would have subbed MSN off but knowing he can't do that he subbed the midfielders.
This team is all about MSN brilliance and rest of the team sacrificing themselves.

 

[JamDav1982]

If Lucho could he would have subbed MSN off but knowing he can't do that he subbed the midfielders.
This team is all about MSN brilliance and rest of the team sacrificing themselves.

He wouldnt have taken off the front three as no matter how bad they are they can be match winners even when playing badly. Unless injured those three are never coming off in a big game no matter how bad they are unless injured.

The midfield were just awful defensively and provided nothing going forward in first half. Iniesta did in second when they could concentrate on getting forward as nothing coming back at them.

In fairness to themtThe midfield three were seriously spread out though as Raki played wider to cover Messi not being there but not the first time I have thought that midfield three look poor defensively and exposed when front three are not producing.

Unfair on Busi as he is best DM in world but he is slow and didnt have a good half but got little protection.

 

[beautifulgame]

If Lucho could he would have subbed MSN off but knowing he can't do that he subbed the midfielders.
This team is all about MSN brilliance and rest of the team sacrificing themselves.

That interesting considering msn often remind the press that the team is a team and not about he front three but hey, yunno, you live in your own world and ban everyone that points out your bias and trolling.

 

[Darko]

Funny that he's banned now.

 

[iniesta_8]

I wish we had as coach like Simeone, who makes his team work their asses off for 90 min!

International break ok ok... , just because of this Messi can't be so tired after 15min, it's much more the lack of motivation and willingness!!

 

[gasgas]

Funny that he's banned now.

 

[navidjaan]

Yes, Lionel Messi, who played his arguably best football in recent years just a month ago, is lacking motivation and willingness... It's so obvious that he's tired and that it's impossible to be rested.

 

[Topolino]

Let's just send him a 6 pack of red bulls before every match. He'll be running like an energizer bunny.

 

[Icarium]

That interesting considering msn often remind the press that the team is a team and not about he front three but hey, yunno, you live in your own world and ban everyone that points out your bias and trolling.

[MENTION=2]Bojan[/MENTION] He doesn't have a point but banning him just for this is ridiculous.

And btw the team is not all about MSN. Without Busi and Pique we will suffer a lot and MSN will struggle to get the ball out of the midfield to work their magic. MSN doesn't track back enough and doesn't contribute much to the control of the game. And when they are not proving their attacking blitz it becomes blatantly clear. We depend too much on our attacking trio that much is true but who wouldn't. We can only hope we can scrap through from a moment of brilliance from the top 3 and with good performances from Pique and Busi can keep control and defensive solidarity. Until our bad run is over at least. We have no other alternative.