Luis Enrique

[serghei]

What does it change playing 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 or.... if the opponent play with 11 defenders in 20-30 meters ? nothing.

Javi Gracia (coach Malaga): "We were strong in the middle and left the wings open. It worked well, especially in defense."

Exactely. 11 defenders in 20-30 meters and absolutely close the middle (our whole game is going from the middle). To cover the whole pitch they have to choose to close the middle or the wings... easy choise when you play against us: middle. Who cares if the wings are open and we can cross ? no dangereous, we are 1.70m tall.
eg they can not do the same against RM, because they have CR, Bale and Benzema, tall players and good headers.

I would add one more thing: we are physically too weak, we are featherweights, especially in front.

With the players we have, is not easy to find a way against parked bus team.

On the contrary, all of our game went through the wings against Malaga. Rakitic to Douglas and Iniesta to Alba were the most used passes. That show very little interest towards the center area. No Iniesta to Messi, Messi to Neymar, Rakitic to Messi. Having an opponent that clogs the center makes your life tough, but many teams did that against us in 2011, 2012. Now, instead of fighting to break through the block, we try to find other ways to create chances, ways that are not suitable for us, like crosses (at least this game should put the Alves chooses to cross on his own theory to bed, Alba did the exact same thing). Our strenght is in the center, if the opponent clogs it with many players, we bring many players there too and try to pass our way through.

 

[fcbdna]

Our play is so shit and predictable now. Too much emphasis on hard-work, neglecting technicality. I am yet to see this team string a complete set of 5 one touch passes this season. Shame!

 

[Luftstalag14]

Our play is so shit and predictable now. Too much emphasis on hard-work, neglecting technicality. I am yet to see this team string a complete set of 5 one touch passes this season. Shame!

Yup, I'd say offensively we haven't improved at all compared to last season. Rakitic's screamer shot was the only new thing. Wish he would try it more often.

 

[Galning]

Yup, I'd say offensively we haven't improved at all compared to last season. Rakitic's screamer shot was the only new thing. Wish he would try it more often.

There have been 5 games...

 

[Machina]

Yup, I'd say offensively we haven't improved at all compared to last season. Rakitic's screamer shot was the only new thing. Wish he would try it more often.

May I remind you that Pep got only 1 point in his first 2 official games and everyone was screaming? Have some faith for a change!!! I'm not saying he's better than Pep, nor his equal, but you are way out of line...

 

[footyfan]

Tik-tok round the clock.

 

[pacp_96]

Luis Enrique has revolutionised Barça's system for monitoring their upcoming opponents, in all competitions.

Together with his ample technical team, composed of Juan Carlos Unzue, Robert Moreno, Joan Barbará, Rafael Pol and Joaquín Valdés, the manager from Asturias has made significant modifications to last year's system for keeping an eye on opposing sides.

It has been decided that a team of three people should analyse the team's that will come across Barça's path. These three 'spies' are Luis Enrique's extra sets of eyes. Each one has been assigned the task of scouting and monitoring six teams in the 'Primera División'.

Real Madrid is the only team not assigned a specific scout. 'Los Blancos' have been honoured with special treatment as they are considered the 'Azulgranas' biggest rivals, so the three scouts take alternative responsibility for monitoring Carlo Ancelotti's team, so as to develop the best possible understanding of their working methods.

Further to the corresponding notes on the teams' systems and dead-ball tactics, they also take their own cameras with them so they can record the games.

Once they return to Barcelona, they prepare a video highlighting standard moves of future opponents: how they play with the ball, without the ball, from dead-balls, the movements of key players, etc. They then provide Luis Enrique with a copy of the video as well as a written report. He then uses this material to prepare for the next game personally, and he also shows the parts he deems as most important to his players.

.

 

[Ritchie]

Suarez will be a game changer because we're missing Alexis and Fabregas who could offer something different. Rakitic has replaced Xavi but Fabregas hasn't been replaced and Iniesta isn't as sharp as he was.

We don't have many options in midfield creatively beyond Rakitic and Iniesta. That's what Fabregas and Thiago would have been able to provide.

 

[Ghostmaster]

Yup, I'd say offensively we haven't improved at all compared to last season. Rakitic's screamer shot was the only new thing. Wish he would try it more often.

I don't agree, our transition from defense to attack is much faster than it was under Tata when we were just moving the ball around in the second half of the season, this game against Malaga doesn't prove anything, it just shows that Lucho has to be more careful with his rotations.

 

[barcanuck]

.

Very meticulous by Lucho I like it, no one has figured out how to score on us yet.

 

[raki]

May I remind you that Pep got only 1 point in his first 2 official games and everyone was screaming? Have some faith for a change!!! I'm not saying he's better than Pep, nor his equal, but you are way out of line...

Pep had an amazing team. All younger6 years

 

[Ini8]

It seems like the foundation he laid at Celta is bearing some serious fruit now. Berizzo also deserves credit, obviously.

We'll be fine under his tenure.

 

[FC B]

Didn't knew where to post it so I'll put it in here.

How can a professional club like Barca or a coach like Lucho allow his players to eat junk food shit like this?
This is supposedly what players ate after the Malaga game.
Now it looks clear to me why Messi struggled that much with his muscular injuries, if true...
Maybe they don't eat this stuff all day but shouldn't a professional athlete like them eat differently on a daily basis ? I mean everyone could eat what they want from time to time but the club shouldn't try to make them eat healthier, better food ?

free screen capture

 

[Irish_Cules]

That food is what they eat directly after a match. After running like 10km in a match they're allowed have a pizza if they want. I'm not an expert on this but from what I understand it's actually good to eat carbs straight after a work out like that. Or even if it's not necessarily good its the best time to eat food like that.

 

[FC B]

Ok but there are other carb foods healthier than pizza which is no more than very rich in calories but offers little nutrition for what the body actually needs besides carbs

Anyhow if I were deciding I wouldn't gave pizza to my players after matches especially to those who don't run no way near the 10 km margin like Messi