Mavericky Puig

[Porque]

It's clear that he has a great short pass, is press resistant and quite energetic in his movement. But it's also clear that because he lacks minutes, and because of that he tries too hard sometimes, consequently being extremely erratic on the ball at times and is prone to making stupid mistakes, especially if he starts looking to pass backwards instead of forward, because he's afraid to fuck up. Ironic that when he did that because he didn't want to fuck up, he ended up doing exactly that, twice in the last 15 minutes and almost gave Mallorca a great chance.

Must improve on a lot of things before he's ever considered to be more than role player for us (starting only against bottom of La Liga and in the cup). Like Berkeley said, a decent game by him. Nothing more, nothing less.

Very good post. Might edit in some thoughts later, but they wont be any better than what you have expressed here.

But anyways, for the 6th midfield option (Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie, Gavi, Nico) an excellent game. I dont think many top clubs in Europe can put out a better 6th midfielder.

Riqui Puig, formally best 10 minute midfielder in the world.

Upgraded to
Riqui Puig, best 6th midfielder in the world.

 

[Andresito]

Very good post. Might edit in some thoughts later, but they wont be any better than what you have expressed here.

But anyways, for the 6th midfield option (Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie, Gavi, Nico) an excellent game. I dont think many top clubs in Europe can put out a better 6th midfielder.

Riqui Puig, formally best 10 minute midfielder in the world.

Upgraded to
Riqui Puig, best 6th midfielder in the world.

Interesting. Real Madrid's midfielders are Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos and Isco.

Atletico: de Paul, Koke, Herrera, Kondogbia, Llorente, Lemar

City: Rodri, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, KDB, Bernardo

Bayern: Kimmich, Tolisso, Goretzka, Sabitzer, Cuisance, Marc Roca

Is Riqui better than any of those? Maybe Bayern could do with a better 6th midfielder for their 2-man midfield

 

[MTL_Barca]

Interesting. Real Madrid's midfielders are Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos and Isco.

Atletico: de Paul, Koke, Herrera, Kondogbia, Llorente, Lemar

City: Rodri, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, KDB, Bernardo

Bayern: Kimmich, Tolisso, Goretzka, Sabitzer, Cuisance, Marc Roca

Is Riqui better than any of those? Maybe Bayern could do with a better 6th midfielder for their 2-man midfield

The real question should be is anyone of those actually better than Puig?

 

[Porque]

Interesting. Real Madrid's midfielders are Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos and Isco.

Atletico: de Paul, Koke, Herrera, Kondogbia, Llorente, Lemar

City: Rodri, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, KDB, Bernardo

Bayern: Kimmich, Tolisso, Goretzka, Sabitzer, Cuisance, Marc Roca

Is Riqui better than any of those? Maybe Bayern could do with a better 6th midfielder for their 2-man midfield

The short answer is all of them.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

There can be only one Puig and one best midfielder in the world.

 

[Messi983]

Top 90 midfielder in the world.

 

[BusiTheKing]

Thought he was quite good. Solid short passing, positive movement, several clever turns to get out of trouble and turn the tide of the game. A few dumb mistakes and some positioning issues, yes.

Also made 9 ball recoveries, most of anyone on there.

Can hardly ask much more of someone who doesn't play more consistently.

 

[fergus90]

He was decent, a little careless at times but I definitely notice he isn’t recklessly pressing as much which has probably been something the coaching team told him.

If he’s happy with his role then so be it, he serves his purpose.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

He was decent, a little careless at times but I definitely notice he isn?t recklessly pressing as much which has probably been something the coaching team told him.

If he?s happy with his role then so be it, he serves his purpose.

He stole the ball nine times yesterday. No headless pressing as sometimes he is critized of.

 

[mc_lovin]

Pretty much the standard game you expect from him. Nice and tidy on the ball, very good in transitions and small moments, but not really a part of the team structure. The role he played yesterday (free flowing #10/AM?) won't be gifted to him on a regular basis here (and rightfully).

He's miles more talented than the likes of Denis, Alena and co though.

 

[Porque]

Xavi has the team turn two 2 DMC off the ball with the third midfielder (Puig in this game, Gavi in previous) pressing at the forward line. That's pretty much the best use of Puig.

If he can bring that workrate while playing more, and not let the intensity drop off then he will get more opportunities.

Of course, we can't overlook the level of the opposition, but the way Xavi setup largely nullified them. Very good tactical stuff from him.

 

[Bobo32]

Interesting. Real Madrid's midfielders are Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos and Isco.

Atletico: de Paul, Koke, Herrera, Kondogbia, Llorente, Lemar

City: Rodri, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, KDB, Bernardo

Bayern: Kimmich, Tolisso, Goretzka, Sabitzer, Cuisance, Marc Roca

Is Riqui better than any of those? Maybe Bayern could do with a better 6th midfielder for their 2-man midfield

I prefer him to everyone there but Modric, Bernardo and maybe Kimmich. But it's a definition of what is "better". He surely couldn't do what Fernandinho does, but neither could Fernandinho do what he does.
Gavi is perhaps better, or will become better, at what Puig does, but it shouldn't be the question, but Puig is a player who can play like yesterday after the playing time he has gotten, I think he is spectacular.

 

[George_Costanza]

He gave a few balls away but otherwise, it was a very solid performance. He has fight in him and can’t forget his pass from the far left to Mingueza on the far right to assist Luuk's goal.

Puig already played more La Liga minutes this season than the entire 20/21 season.

 

[fergus90]

I’ve said it here a 100 times but Kimmich would be the perfect player for Barca. Anyway, back to reality

Do love Bernardo though too, amazing player.

 

[serghei]

I?ve said it here a 100 times but Kimmich would be the perfect player for Barca. Anyway, back to reality

Do love Bernardo though too, amazing player.

Closest player to Iniesta.