Nelson Semedo

[Vilarrubi]

Can't believe how much space he's had at times in the last few games. He could go 90 minutes under Valverde without there being any gaps for him in the wide right position. Goes to show what a change of system can do.

 

[serghei]

Can't believe how much space he's had at times in the last few games. He could go 90 minutes under Valverde without there being any gaps for him in the wide right position. Goes to show what a change of system can do.

Exactly. The more you play centrally, the more the other team will drive more players there, the freer your fullbacks are, the more you effectively employ the wings. If you do not show this willingness to engage in short-spaces central combinations, the other team won't leave your wings that free.

That is unless you have like 2-3 strikers who are great at headers, in which case you can employ a crosses-based strategy. We don't have that, so for us it's better to go with quality over quantity on the wings.

 

[Vilarrubi]

Exactly. The more you play centrally, the more the other team will drive more players there, the freer your fullbacks are, the more you effectively employ the wings. If you do not show this willingness to engage in short-spaces central combinations, the other team won't leave your wings that free.

That is unless you have like 2-3 strikers who are great at headers, in which case you can employ a crosses-based strategy. We don't have that, so for us it's better to go with quality over quantity on the wings.

What you mentioned there is another reason why I like Vidal playing in this system. He seemed to link up well with Messi centrally in tight spaces and move the ball forward, unlike our resident backpasser.

 

[serghei]

What you mentioned there is another reason why I like Vidal playing in this system. He seemed to link up well with Messi centrally in tight spaces and move the ball forward, unlike our resident backpasser.

Yes, you need players who can combine and attack well centrally. Because this asks a question that is lose-lose for the attacking team. Not overcrowd in the middle, and these players can cut you open there. Overcrowd in the middle, and fast fullbacks push up and use space that opens up. Liverpool are masters at this. They get their Mane-Firmino-Salah in close proximity to each other (like a very narrow front 3, similar to our Pedro, Messi, Villa), all shorty quick players with good technique in short spaces. If fullbacks follow them and go narrow like they do, Robertson and Arnold both push up in space. If fullbacks stay wide and block Arnold and Robertson advancing in space, Firmino-Mane-Salah create progression centrally.

 

[Vilarrubi]

Yes, you need players who can combine and attack well centrally. Because this asks a question that is lose-lose for the attacking team. Not overcrowd in the middle, and these players can cut you open there. Overcrowd in the middle, and fast fullbacks push up and use space that opens up. Liverpool are masters at this. They get their Mane-Firmino-Salah in close proximity to each other (like a very narrow front 3, similar to our Pedro, Messi, Villa), all shorty quick players with good technique in short spaces. If fullbacks follow them and go narrow like they do, Robertson and Arnold both push up in space. If fullbacks stay wide and block Arnold and Robertson advancing in space, Firmino-Mane-Salah create progression centrally.

Yeah man, the amount of time and space Robertson and Trent have every game is mental. No wonder Trent’s breaking records for assists.

 

[serghei]

Yeah man, the amount of time and space Robertson and Trent have every game is mental. No wonder Trent’s breaking records for assists.

Yep. They don't procure that space for themselves though, nor do they have to cross to slow turtles, but to three very fit and dinamic strikers who demand and show up for pass every time. So, once again, another proof that things in football, as in any team sport really, are inter-connected.

 

[pregra]

The feck was he and Umtiti doing after their goal?

 

[serghei]

The feck was he and Umtiti doing after their goal?

I know . But honestly, if they lump the ball forward, Bilbao pick it up easily.

 

[FCBfan22]

Needs Messi on RW to drag defenders inwards, so he can run into space IMO, while Griez is playing centrally and occupies one or both CB's.

Because of this we need another attacker, who can sub for either Griez or Leo.

 

[Gari]

Semedo: This is my best season with Barcelona, and I'm happy with how I am playing. Setien trusts me a lot.

 

[Vilarrubi]

[tw]1227163008700469248[/tw]

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I never understood why Valverde treated him the way he did. Great performance followed by two week bench. It was so messed up. Who the hell can produce good performances in that sort of situation? Also the system was lacking. There was no player front of Semedo! Now Setien is trying to use both sides to attack, which made Semedo come to alive.. Surprise? Not really.

 

[wisconsincule]

If he starts the second leg against Liverpool do they go to the champions league final?

 

[JamDav1982]

If he starts the second leg against Liverpool do they go to the champions league final?

Well he started vs a worse Roma side that put Barca out so who knows.

 

[Sailor Mars]

If he starts the second leg against Liverpool do they go to the champions league final?

Not just him. I would say the popular opinion is that Semedo and Arthur needed to start over Sergi Roberto and Rakitic.

But the front 3 was also a problem because neither Suarez or Coutinho are a 1v1 dribbling threat, and it allowed Liverpool to be aggressive and pressure further up the field.

A real winger instead of Coutinho would have helped as well.