Marc Bartra

[BarçAjax8]

Finally someone else shares this opinion. Alba only looks better defending sometimes because he's younger and faster so he can recuperate better when we're hit on the counter. I like Alba a lot but people act like he's Phillip Lahm while Dani Alves is as bad as Arbeloa.

You also forget that Alves isn't providing as many assists as he used to. His linkup play on the right side is limited, he gives away the ball far too much and almost always sends in a cross to nobody or into the stands. I'm not trying to bash Dani as I will always appreciate his contribution to our success. But I think he has run his course. Alba links up well with Iniesta & Neymar while being a threat on goal. His pace and youth allow him to get forward but also sprint back to defend. Dani can often be seen lightly jogging back in absolute urgent counter attack where numbers are needed.

 

[Co0ter]

Finally someone else shares this opinion. Alba only looks better defending sometimes because he's younger and faster so he can recuperate better when we're hit on the counter. I like Alba a lot but people act like he's Phillip Lahm while Dani Alves is as bad as Arbeloa.

I wasn't saying keep Alba over Alves because of defending; I'm saying it because Alves isn't nearly as effective as he used to be and is in his 30s. Alba is young, hardworking and has a long career ahead of him- it makes the most sense to me to get a defensive RB.

It doesn't matter if they have an understanding or not; they shouldn't be both starting in our back four. They are both weak defenders compared to defensive minded fullbacks- we can't afford to play both of them together against strong opposition.

 

[KhaledBarca]

I agree. Personally I'd like us to get 2 CBs & a defensively solid RB allowing Alba to be our new Alves.
The 2 CBs are to replace the legend Puyol who's in the twilight of his career and Pique who next to Bartra looks to have really lost the basics of defending. A good example came against Valladolid with 2 similar plays in the first half... Valla plays a through ball and one of our CBs are forced to hold off an attacker 1v1. While Bartra chased down the ball, stood his ground, contained the attacker and won the ball... Pique let the ball roll past him (his long legs are useless), he continued to back up and allowed the forward to get to our box and then even with Adriano/Busquets closing in he allowed a deadly pass to be made for an open shot. Pique's idea of defending is going to ground and other "last ditch" defending tactics.

CB: Buy Mangala & Promote either Bagnack or Edgar Ie
RB: I actually can't think of right footed Abidal at the moment. Maybe Zabaleta for his similar build, tenacity/aggression and rocket shot.

BARTRA

I think we should try Bartra as a Right Back (Abidal's role).

Bartra Pique Puyol/Masche Adriano.

 

[Jadentheman]

Yes Alves is so 2008,predictable, liable, and useless

 

[darthvader7888]

IMO, he could be a perfect replacement for Pique if the latter keeps underperforming (if Bartra keeps performing like this). He's got a similar playing style. I didn't use to rate him too highly, or think he'd ever be starter material, but he's had a great season so far. Certainly better than Pique. Hell, he's arguably been our best CB.

Still think he needs to get more experience and minutes and keep this form up though.

 

[DavidVillano1]

Always stated Bartra had the potential to be a very good defender, never understood why he received so much negative comments for some poor performances. Whilst Varane had wax lyrical comments even-though he had stinkers against the likes of Galatasary, Dortmund etc...

As for Koscienly, I like him and rate him, but he is one of the most overrated players in the world on this forum. Nowhere near as good as made out.

 

[Aryagorn]

Always stated Bartra had the potential to be a very good defender, never understood why he received so much negative comments for some poor performances. Whilst Varane had wax lyrical comments even-though he had stinkers against the likes of Galatasary, Dortmund etc...

As for Koscienly, I like him and rate him, but he is one of the most overrated players in the world on this forum. Nowhere near as good as made out.

well, Bartra failed in his first big test.... Varane did way too good for an inexperienced youngster in his

 

[DavidVillano1]

well, Bartra failed in his first big test.... Varane did way too good for an inexperienced youngster in his

What would you say was his first big test?

I think you could argue it was against Man City or Dortmund last year in the group stages and I didn't think Varane was anything great at all. Real lost 4 goals in those 2 games and struggled defensively, he wasn't the only one who wasn't great.

Varane has had the chance to play in much more games and bigger games than Bartra, so he will learn and gain experience from bad performances. Both have had shockers in big games, Bartra's two big games came against the in form team in Europe and during a two legged SF that was over after the first leg where Barcelona as a whole team were very poor albeit two decisions helped Bayern.

 

[Aryagorn]

What would you say was his first big test?

I think you could argue it was against Man City or Dortmund last year in the group stages and I didn't think Varane was anything great at all. Real lost 4 goals in those 2 games and struggled defensively, he wasn't the only one who wasn't great.

Varane has had the chance to play in much more games and bigger games than Bartra, so he will learn and gain experience from bad performances. Both have had shockers in big games, Bartra's two big games came against the in form team in Europe and during a two legged SF that was over after the first leg where Barcelona as a whole team were very poor albeit two decisions helped Bayern.

I am not saying that Bartra deserved the negative comments or that he is inferior to Varane... It's that Varane outshined even Messi in the classico which rose his fame sky-high. Bartra didn't have such a great game yet, or rather such a great game against a big team, and hence has not attracted as much fame

 

[DavidVillano1]

I am not saying that Bartra deserved the negative comments or that he is inferior to Varane... It's that Varane outshined even Messi in the classico which rose his fame sky-high. Bartra didn't have such a great game yet, or rather such a great game against a big team, and hence has not attracted as much fame

Very true.

Varane has more potential than Bartra in my opinion, I just feel it's wrong that Bartra gets slated for poor showings whilst people turn their eye in regards to Varane's bad performances. Both are learning the game and will have bad performances, Bartra needs regular football to fulfill his potential but I'm not convinced he will get it at Barcelona.

 

[Aryagorn]

Very true.

Varane has more potential than Bartra in my opinion, I just feel it's wrong that Bartra gets slated for poor showings whilst people turn their eye in regards to Varane's bad performances. Both are learning the game and will have bad performances, Bartra needs regular football to fulfill his potential but I'm not convinced he will get it at Barcelona.

Don't know about that... Our coach has certain amount of courage in him, I mean he convinsed even Messi that no one is exception for rotation. I think he will not hesitate to dump Pique's ass if he keeps on with his undeserving nonchalant attitude

 

[CatalinR10]

I am not saying that Bartra deserved the negative comments or that he is inferior to Varane... It's that Varane outshined even Messi in the classico which rose his fame sky-high. Bartra didn't have such a great game yet, or rather such a great game against a big team, and hence has not attracted as much fame

+1

 

[Icarium]

I am not saying that Bartra deserved the negative comments or that he is inferior to Varane... It's that Varane outshined even Messi in the classico which rose his fame sky-high. Bartra didn't have such a great game yet, or rather such a great game against a big team, and hence has not attracted as much fame

He will/should get his chance on 26th Oct.

 

[TornAndFrayed]

just make him happy, what a shame it would be if he decided to leave us. Thankfully he seems determined to succeed with us

 

[KhaledBarca]

I am not saying that Bartra deserved the negative comments or that he is inferior to Varane... It's that Varane outshined even Messi in the classico which rose his fame sky-high. Bartra didn't have such a great game yet, or rather such a great game against a big team, and hence has not attracted as much fame

no he didn't, One good tackle vs Messi = outshined Messi?
its much easier to defend when your team is defending with numbers at the back and playing on the counters.