Pique:
1. you know that answer like when Busi is bad, and people reply: we at least know that he can play well and we are hoping that he will reach that form again
2. Pique was good in a last couple matches, until yesterday
3. there are no other defenders available currently
4. a club's icon and to some extent, a symbol of Barca, a symbol of Catalonia, a symbol of their fight for an independence. For us who are not living there, it is hard to imagine how strong connection is that one
It was 2-3 Months ago, but wasn't Rafinha the best player in our preseason in every single match?
Further, that argument when people say: he used to be well, so we at least know what he can offer.
Regarding last Month, Rafinha was good against Inter.
And bad later.
But in EV's eyes, probably still less bad than Dembele.
Dembele was bad yesterday again.
Some will say: he scored a goal.
The thing is, in the last 6 matches, we won all matches (except yesterday) without Dembele.
I will put some numbers now, not a real numbers, so they will be pulled from my ass, how users like to say.
But this is just a general idea why wingers/Dembele are not playing under EV.
So, just my estimation/explanation in numbers:
433 with Coutinho-Suarez-Messi/Rafinha:
Attacking power of a team: 90%
Midfield balance due to 4 or 5 midfielders (3 midfielders plus 1-2 wingers like Coutinho/Rafinha): 95%
Defense of a team: 90%
Number of lost balls from wingers: let's say 10 per match
Now, add Dembele instead of Coutinho or Rafinha:
Attacking power of a team: 95%
Midfield balance: 80%
Defense of a team: 80%
Number of lost balls from wingers: 20 per match
So, you see, I agree with you, with Dembele (or Malcom), we really DO have a stronger attacking power.
But we are losing in other areas like midfield, defense, number of turnovers/counters.
And now, the thing is, even WITHOUT Dembele/Malcom, we have won 5 out of 6 last matches and scored A LOT of goals.
So, my point: even with Coutinho-Suarez-Messi, our attacking power is good enough, mixed with other areas of a pitch where we are quite well balanced.
Again, this is just my estimation, but in an example above:
With Dembele in a team:
+ you will get +5% points in attack (in video-games/manager games way)
- but you will lose -35% points in midfield, defense and turnovers
I would explain Dembele's impact to EV's team similar to what Rakitic is doing to a team.
For example, we all agree that Rakitic is a good hardworker and a good defender.
And a weaker passer/playmaker than Iniesta-Coutinho.
Now, the same story:
Iniesta:
Passing 99%
Defending 60%
Coutinho:
Passing 95%
Defending 50%
Rakitic:
Passing 80%
Defending 90%
Now, if you'll play Iniesta-Rakitic duo, you will lose some passing accuracy and playmaking skills, due to Rakitic.
But, if you'll play Iniesta-Coutinho, who have better passes than Rakitic, you will lose way more in terms of midfield balance, workrate, defending than you will get with a few percentages of passing.
So, with Iniesta-Rakitic, you will have:
Passing: 89,5%
Defending: 75%
With Iniesta-Coutinho:
Passing: 97%
Defending: 55%
So, you see: is it worth to play Iniesta-Coutinho to get 7,5% better passing (than Iniesta-Rakitic duo), but also to lose 20% in defending?
So, when you sum it all, Iniesta-Rakitic is on a larger sample of matches a better/more balanced duo than Iniesta-Coutinho EVEN THOUGH Iniesta-Coutinho will be more dangerous attacking wise.
But football is not only ALL about attack.
So, to some extent, I see Dembele (in EV's tactics) similar to this.
With Dembele in a team, you will earn a few points in attack.
But you will lose in all other areas.
And when you sum it all, with him on a field, you are losing more than you are gaining.
And our results in the last 6 matches showed that.
It doesn't mean that in some matches he can't be an impact sub and a better pick than Rafinha/Coutinho.
But on a larger sample, over 38 matches, a trio Coutinho-Suarez-Messi will probably bring more 2:0 victories than Dembele, who's matches will end in 3:3 4:3 and 1:3 all the time (more goals for us, more goals for the opponent, more counters, less balance in midfield, less possession for us).
Regarding Rafinha vs Dembele, EV probably thinks that EVEN Rafinha is bringing more balance all over a field to a team than when Dembele is on a field.
And Dembele will enter only in an emergency cases when a plan A with possession and control is not working good enough.
Regarding Rafinha vs Malcom, you can apply the same logic: EV is going for all-rounders and is less interested in pure attacking skills.
