One thing has to be said and that is the fact that we actually were able to -- a good number of times -- create attacking movements in which the wingers got the ball with the space and momentum from which you would expect a goal or at least a dangerous chance. it just so happened that Dembele and Raphinha did fuck all with it. But those dangerous attacking situations were the type that we've often been struggling to create in previous times where we dominated games.
I remember many periods in the past where we played beautiful flowing football but almost never seemed to be able to put our attackers in that sort of space. I think this goes to the heart of what Xavi is trying to do with these advanced midfielders (even though I admit it's not working). I don't think he's that interested in dominating the midfield. I think what he's interested in is advancing with momentum and intent. It doesn't matter to him that we struggle to play it out from the back. What matters is that WHEN WE DO penetrate their press, we are able to sustain a unilateral attacking flow.
That's where the high up midfielders come into the picture. It's clearly way too difficult to get the ball to them in our current setup, but if we actually do manage to get them on the ball, we should be in a position where the opponent is spread out enough to allow a promising combination attack.
It's a constant trade-off of course. Having multiple players in the same area allows for combination attacks, but it also congests the area with opponents, tightening the space. Xavi is obsessed with spreading out the opponent which is clear from the touchline wingers as well. Now it's clear that it doesn't quite work right now. But what must be said is that you can see how it could work.
What we need is to be able to fluidly switch in and out of different approaches. Spreading them out to create space, then converging on that area to create something and so on, overloading that area and switching the play etc etc. But in the end, every coach has a beautiful vision. The difference between a good coach and a bad one is being able to execute that vision.
. A bit crazy but fuck it, go for him.
