Thiago Translantara

[Yugi]

a stuff only ronaldinho or deco could pull, when this guy matures he will be best in the world

 

[zanela]

A bit of Thiago magic for those like myself who missed the game.

 

[barcanuck]

His touch and control are top notch but he needs to slow down sometimes and learn the Xavi spin and not always rush to passing so quickly

 

[karthik]

He makes some poor decisions and loses the ball at times. The talent is obviously there, but I hope, he develops into something more than a final ball provider or a highlight reel player. Good luck to him and hope he stays injury free from here to start with.

 

[Maria]

I hope we won't see him ever again as a false 9. He was brilliant after he dropped back in midfield and Barca was able to control the game again.

 

[xaviniesta]

thats a very, very harsh statement you just made there.

 

[Jadentheman]

I want to see him PLAY! He is BRASILIAN! Thus I LOVE HIM!!!

 

[DonAndres]

I think Thiago is making excellent progress. If he could keep himself free of injuries he would be world class within a few years. He brings Ronaldinho's flamboyant/trickster style to Xavi's dictating/passing role. The best part is the combination works AND is extremely entertaining.

 

[Plip]

I hope we won't see him ever again as a false 9. He was brilliant after he dropped back in midfield and Barca was able to control the game again.

Yes, cos you know - players at 21 can never improve certain aspects of their game.

 

[Barcaman]

I think his workrate and eye for a killer pass makes him more suitable to play in midfield. He could come good as false 9 still, but I'd rather have a faster player there.

 

[Mes que un club]

I think his workrate and eye for a killer pass makes him more suitable to play in midfield. He could come good as false 9 still, but I'd rather have a faster player there.

I don't really see how speed is a criteria for a false 9 (at least not more so than in any other position in modern football). Only in the sense of having skills which enable the false 9 to hold on to the ball (be it through dribbling or using strength to hold the ball) is speed a true criteria as a false 9. In fact, one thing which have been imminently noticeable in Messi's change from right wing to false 9 is that he uses his speed a lot less; only in short bursts when dribbling is it truly vital. The two places where speed is a fundamental criteria in our system is on the flanks (full backs + wings) as those are the areas where large areas need to be covered through high tempo running.

 

[La Furia]

 

[mitkoa7x]

He came on and looked like he has been playing the whole night

 

[barcanuck]

He's wearing little kid underwear. WTF

 

[karthik]

That pass over the top for Leo was excellent. Was a little hasty and wasteful in possession apart from that. Too less minutes to judge!