Quique Setien

[serghei]

I am afraid some of you seeing things that aren't there but let's wait and see. I am afraid we'll suffer a lot already against Napoli.

Could be. We always suffered away in CL in knockout games and I see no reason for that to change now with the problems we have.

 

[Raketa10]

Could be. We always suffered away in CL in knockout games and I see no reason for that to change now with the problems we have.

Problem is I doubt it will be any different even at Camp Nou.

 

[JamDav1982]

This tendency is slowly not as present imo. He's being used off the ball now too, which is an explanation of his higher numbers of 1 vs 1 with the keeper recently. Which he seems to have forgotten how to finish.

Barca had umpteen chances to break today and player chose to slow game down and pass to Messi dropping to get on the ball.

Also the midfield was constantly stretched to cover areas he was not tracking back and defending.

Team play at times is improving compared to end of EV but the same issues still persist.

 

[mc_lovin]

I am afraid some of you are seeing things that aren't there but let's wait and see. I am also almost sure we'll suffer a lot even against Napoli.

I wont dispute that, but not all is bad. We are decent enough with a very limited squad. I dont expect any wonders this season, my only expectation really is having a title decider at the Bernabeu ;D

 

[serghei]

I wont dispute that, but not all is bad. We are decent enough with a very limited squad. I dont expect any wonders this season, my only expectation really is having a title decider at the Bernabeu ;D

That won't be the title decider unless if we lose maybe. It's still early in the season with plenty to play for post clasico.

 

[mc_lovin]

That won't be the title decider unless if we lose maybe. It's still early in the season with plenty to play for post clasico.

Of course not, I meant going into the game with a shot at first place - would be glorious to win that. Step by step. After Madrid/Napoli we will be a lot wiser.

 

[serghei]

Of course not, I meant going into the game with a shot at first place - would be glorious to win that. Step by step. After Madrid/Napoli we will be a lot wiser.

Yes, but I would still consider Madrid favorite even if we win the clasico. Winning the clasico means we have a decent shot at winning La Liga, that's it. They have their full squad available, and we're fucked with multiple injuries and horrible fitness.

 

[Raketa10]

Guys you should consider one more thing. With Suarez out opponents defense can concentrate 100% on Messi alone. As much as Suarez has aged and slowed down he still puts a constant pressure on opponents defense while we are attacking. Suarez was always a cheeky MOFO who can still seriously irritate opponents and score wonder goals out of nothing on his good day. With his movement in the box Suarez also creates space for Messi while Griezmann on the other side is way more dependable on entire team tactics.

 

[serghei]

Guys you should consider one more thing. With Suarez out opponents defense can concentrate 100% on Messi alone. As much as Suarez has aged and slowed down he still puts a constant pressure on opponents defense while we are attacking. Suarez was always a cheeky MOFO who can still seriously irritate opponents and score wonder goals out of nothing on his good day while Griezmann is way more dependable on entire team tactics.

Yea, it's clear Suarez is missed no matter if people admit it or not. Fati is clearly not ready and only plays because we have no other choice. Let's not forget he is a kid, super-talented, but he's 17 ffs. And today he looked like a kid tbh. Malcom would've helped imo. Even Coutinho would've helped.

 

[serghei]

In March we'll play out our season starting with the Clasico. I hope the team will find the energy to look more lively out there. That big tape on Messi's left thigh is worrying me a lot.

Imagine if he gets injured and all of our starting front 3 are out for the season . Stuff of nightmares.

 

[El Gato]

This guy is getting whinier than Xavi, deary me.

 

[Toecrusher]

Some things I'd like to see with Setien
- A Frenkie (DM), Arthur and Vidal midfield. Busquets we know is a defensive liability against strong teams, and is now increasingly making 3-4 mistakes a game putting the team under pressure. Plus Frenkie as an advanced midfielder is a total waste of his best talents (bringing the ball out from deep, avoiding the press, through the line passes, winning the ball) and he looks very uncomfortable. And in the absence of a true AM in the squad Vidal is the best option.
- More variety in the buildup from Ter Stegen. Get playing the ball out of the back, but needs to be done quicker and once in a while variety wont hurt. Don't see us breaking the pressure consistently from the way we are doing it at the moment.
- Stop substituting on Rakitic. To say he brings nothing to attack or defence would be a compliment when in fact he makes both of them worse.

 

[M3ls]

Frankie can't play DM in a 4–3–3 system.

 

[Gnidrologist]

It's obvious his system works. We're playing some slick fluid football, even toying with good pressing teams, as long as there's gas in the engine, but there's way too many individual mistakes by players that lets the team down. It's obvious that some veterans are simply not ready to play this kind of intense football anymore and some lack quality.

 

[serghei]

It's obvious his system works. We're playing some slick fluid football, even toying with good pressing teams, as long as there's gas in the engine, but there's way too many individual mistakes by players that lets the team down. It's obvious that some veterans are simply not ready to play this kind of intense football anymore and some lack quality.

Well put.