Quique Setien

[xXKonan]

We didn't remotely look like a Valverde team today.

Sure Rakitic-Vidal pairing was shit but the pressing and keeping the ball and one-touch passing was far better than what we have seen in a long ass time.

 

[JohnN]

It was a total bore fest. You can draw some positives but people in here are already calling it the game of the season
Valverde would have been murdered for this kind of shit match and result

Better watch EV's last game vs Granada on replay if you miss him.

 

[Devils]

Watching a team play 1-2 touch passes, quick transition play and press the opposition off the ball is the complete opposite of a Valverde team.

Valverde stans stay losing.

#SetienSquad we move.

 

[George_Costanza]

One thing I like about the Setien appointment, he has an active assistant. Just like with Pep and Tito, Lucho and Unzue. I still don't know who was Valverde's assistant.

 

[malvolio]

Better watch EV's last game vs Granada on replay if you miss him.

We played the same shit at home vs weak teams. Stop lying to yourself. Sure, we might improve, but tonight we played shit

 

[evilhita666]

Some good signs but there's still a lot of stuff to work on, which is understandable since he's been here just a week...

 

[kattanib]

It was a total bore fest. You can draw some positives but people in here are already calling it the game of the season
Valverde would have been murdered for this kind of shit match and result

This was one of the few games I actually enjoyed watching for 90 minutes this season. Personally I get a high from smart build ups and good team work

 

[Sailor Mars]

Team played way better and you can actually see clear patterns of play under Setien.

But most teams do show an improvement after a managerial change. Going to be interesting to see if the team can keep up with this tempo for the rest of the season.

Also, Setien's teams have also been criticised before for having nice playing style with lots of possession, but lacking end product.

 

[jairzinho]

First game under QS, new system, new tactics but 3 points. The youngsters put themselves about nicely. Puig had a good cameo, Ansu could have been more clinical but generally was ok. Rakitić was terrible and should be sold before the window closes. Have absolutely no idea why we still persist with him.

 

[malvolio]

Also, Setien's teams have also been criticised before for having nice playing style with lots of possession, but lacking end product.

Unfortunately for us and Setien, we are heading for a disaster of a season. And that's mainly because we squandered nearly a quarter of a billion on guys who can't play or score. Suarez is injured and Messi can't do it all by himself

 

[RevoTeller]

There's much, much work to be done here...

Unfortunately for us and Setien, we are heading for a disaster of a season. And that's mainly because we squandered nearly a quarter of a billion on guys who can't play or score. Suarez is injured and Messi can't do it all by himself

This I agree, totally.

 

[kattanib]

Unfortunately for us and Setien, we are heading for a disaster of a season. And that's mainly because we squandered nearly a quarter of a billion on guys who can't play or score. Suarez is injured and Messi can't do it all by himself

I don’t understand pessimists; life must be colorless and that is truly sad

 

[gregorrin10]

A bit disappointed.

- Rakitic Busquets Vidal should never play together. I understand that it could be a bit too early to start Puig, but he could have played Roberto.
- Roberto as a RCB + RB? I am sorry, but why? Semedo is not good enough? you have got Wague. We cannot afford to play 3 at the back when we only have 3 CBs.
- Fati is a LW/ CF not a RW. Is Griezmann not comfortable playing on the other side? Fine, Perez should have started then!

This is going to be my last critical post here and I will not post unless I have something positive.

I just do not understand why would any manager not utilize his players' strengths. Roberto is very good at both attacking and crossing, why was he instructed to stay back?

One thing we need to understand is that modern football relies heavily on wide players both fullbacks and wingers (Madrid, Liverpool and City for example) and also on crossing the ball. We need wide players to suffocate defensive teams and when QS instructing one of our fullbacks to stay back at the Camp Nou is worrying.

To be fair, when in possession Roberto basically played as the 3rd CB, and thus couldn't afford to get forward in that position. It was kind of a 3-5-2 with Alba playing LM and Fati RM, with Messi and Griezmann up front. Maybe someone like Firpo should/could that job better, as Setien already used him as the 3rd CB on occasion when they were in Betis together. Roberto is not solid enough in defense for this role, too prone to stupid mistakes, and one almost proved fatal tonight. Plus he can offer so much more in midfield, either as one of the CMs (game like tonight with no FDJ and Arthur the perfect game to use him there, so we don't have to play both Rakitic and Vidal) or a RM if we play like we did today.

 

[malvolio]

I don’t understand pessimists; life must be colorless and that is truly sad

I really can't see who will score for us in big games. Fati and Perez are just kids that maybe will play just to fill in a spot in attack. Griezmann is inept at playing anything else other than second striker and he doesn't seem to even get close to scoring regularly. Suarez is dead for the critical part of the season. That leaves us with Messi.

 

[gregorrin10]

I would not call that goal saved by Messi. Have you watched the goal?

It almost a tap in for Messi. It was a good build up play that start with high pressure winning the ball back.

Don't blame him, he obviously just looked at the livescore report and saw that we won only 1-0 and that Messi scored the winning goal.