Very well managed game I must say. I haven't been impressed with him at all this season, but today everything made sense, we played well, subs were made at right time, could also respond to Villareal tactically.
It fucking boggles the mind that it took EV or Setien to play this way until now.
Clearly suits the players better than trying to force an old Suarez to play CF on his own and Griezmann playing as a touchline winger.
To be fair,Villarreal’s defense was really shaky and their line was quite high up the pitch
What is it with you guys and your obsession with Mourinho? Are you unaware of his past? Mourinho prefers older, experienced players over younger ones.
Not even a long time ago he said Rakitic was one of the best midfielders in the World.
Dont know how he did it but he turned it around and made the team look good today. Players werent gassed, looked happy and played well.
He wins some coins.
I really like your positive thinking cules attitude guys but let's not get carried away on this one.
Today's game was a good game but that was mostly due to the pressureless situation and the big spaces left by Villarreal who actually tried to win the game and were open to take risks in order to gain three points to secure the EL and maybe reach the CL next year. In the past we have often played good against midtable teams who didn't park the bus. But these busses are the biggest problem. The only proven tool we have to break them up is Messi which can't work out all the time. An opposing high line when the ball is in our half doesn't mean they don't park the bus as soon as the ball gets to Messi who is waiting a few meteres behind the half way line and slows the game down.
We also have tried high positioned fullbacks covered by CMs in the past. Rakitic behind Roberto comes to mind and it was absolutely terrible to watch how we got slaughtered on the counter by better teams.
I am all in for different systems and approaches and it feels that it can only get better at this point but please don't jump the hypetrain the minute we win a game again.