Yet they love nothing in the world more than trying to really hit a Castilian lisp. Truly England is a land of contrasts.
22/23 Barcelona: Pull the Lever(s)
- Thread starter Zososoxfan
- Start date
What a bizarre ending to this whole saga. Which isn't truly even done until Busi, Alba, and Roberto are gone too.
Pique was definitely in line to be President of the club one day, but I wonder if this will change that trajectory. All I can say is to the extent that the Nunez-Cruyff/Laporta camps still exist, I hope this doesn't push THE Barca golden era crew towards team Nunez.
Barcelona have been accused of paying former VP of Technical Committee of Referees Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira somewhere in the range of $1.5 million during the Bartomeu presidency. The club claims it was for advisory work, which Negreira also states, but who really knows. If found guilty, I would expect a point deduction of some sort. They could be relegated too, but point deductions seem to be the more common punishment. In terms of entertainment for me, that might not be the worst thing in the world. For a couple of weeks now papers have been asking "Hay Liga?" which essentially is asking if there is any competition at the top of the table. Barca have an 8 point lead and look pretty much unstoppable at this point. I don't want to comment on it too much because so many details are unknown.
On the field, Xavi looks to have settled on a system. Sure, you can call it a 4-3-3 but it's not. The LB, either Balde or Alba, play so advanced that they're basically a winger. The space is cleared because Gavi (who is the "LW") is really playing as part of a four man midfield anchored by a dual pivot with Gavi and Pedri in front, essentially a midfield box. Kounde is the RB but not in the Dani Alves mold, holding back more often than not. So in attack they look more like a 3-2-4-1. The engines up front are really Pedri providing creativity and Gavi bringing an edge along with some guile. Kounde's versatility helps because he can provide help to Dembele or Raphina, but the whole thing is held together by Ronald Araujo (we have to use his first name now that Julian is on his way to the Nou Camp). Araujo has to play as the traditional Barca CB whenever Kounde goes forward ala Pique, as well as a central CB in a three man back line. Xavi as stuck with this system despite injuries to key players. It will be interesting to see if he continues when the team is invariably rotated in the next few weeks. The tie with Man U will be a great test just to see how the system holds up against a non-Spanish team.
On the field, Xavi looks to have settled on a system. Sure, you can call it a 4-3-3 but it's not. The LB, either Balde or Alba, play so advanced that they're basically a winger. The space is cleared because Gavi (who is the "LW") is really playing as part of a four man midfield anchored by a dual pivot with Gavi and Pedri in front, essentially a midfield box. Kounde is the RB but not in the Dani Alves mold, holding back more often than not. So in attack they look more like a 3-2-4-1. The engines up front are really Pedri providing creativity and Gavi bringing an edge along with some guile. Kounde's versatility helps because he can provide help to Dembele or Raphina, but the whole thing is held together by Ronald Araujo (we have to use his first name now that Julian is on his way to the Nou Camp). Araujo has to play as the traditional Barca CB whenever Kounde goes forward ala Pique, as well as a central CB in a three man back line. Xavi as stuck with this system despite injuries to key players. It will be interesting to see if he continues when the team is invariably rotated in the next few weeks. The tie with Man U will be a great test just to see how the system holds up against a non-Spanish team.
From what I understand La Liga can‘t do anything about it due to statute of limitations issues. It’s strictly a legal matter now.
https://theathletic.com/4220645/2023/02/18/barcelona-payment-la-liga-tebas/?source=user_shared_article
The second leg of Man U showed how much a team not having its best players impacts the entire squad. In my opinion, Pedri and Gavi have been the two best players in the team for about 3 months, and watching the backup midfield struggle to deal with Man U's press or get the ball to Lewandowski really illustrated how much those two impact the game. They are both so difficult to dispossess in the midfield and seem to always know where to pass to the ball or where to stand to best navigate through pressure. The team yesterday reminded me of the midfield 3 years ago when everybody looked old or out of position so the entire match was a struggle to keep possession and full of bad turnovers. The lack of a real midfield put a ton of pressure on the defense because the ball kept getting turned over in Barca's defensive third and then on top of that the service to the forwards seemed poor all game.
I'm not really sure what to take from the match yesterday since the squad was missing 3 of the 4 or 5 best players (Pedri, Gavi and Dembele), but it was definitely not fun watching that midfield play and then Raphinha and Fati were tough to watch as they struggled with decision making and ball control in the attacking third. I think it's pretty clear some of the forwards need to be sold because Ferran and Fati need minutes to get back into form and they just aren't going to get playing time on this team with Dembele, Raphinha, Gavi, Ferran and Fati competing for two spots. Hopefully, whatever sales end up happening bring in enough money to buy another midfielder that can play in the Gavi or Pedri role in front of Frenkie and the CDM because Roberto should not play there ever again. Kessie was decent in that role, but he seemed a little too eager to run forward when Barca had the ball, which hurt the team's ability to keep possession.
I'm not really sure what to take from the match yesterday since the squad was missing 3 of the 4 or 5 best players (Pedri, Gavi and Dembele), but it was definitely not fun watching that midfield play and then Raphinha and Fati were tough to watch as they struggled with decision making and ball control in the attacking third. I think it's pretty clear some of the forwards need to be sold because Ferran and Fati need minutes to get back into form and they just aren't going to get playing time on this team with Dembele, Raphinha, Gavi, Ferran and Fati competing for two spots. Hopefully, whatever sales end up happening bring in enough money to buy another midfielder that can play in the Gavi or Pedri role in front of Frenkie and the CDM because Roberto should not play there ever again. Kessie was decent in that role, but he seemed a little too eager to run forward when Barca had the ball, which hurt the team's ability to keep possession.
I thought Lewa didn't play well at all in the UEL match against United. Mostly because getting a high quality chance from inside the box to try and draw level at the very end there needs to be paid off. If you're going to be the key central striker for Barca that needs to be in the back of the net.
The mini-slide continued as Barca lost 1-0 away @ Almeria. The team looked hungover from the bummer defeat @United, but I happen to think they were more guilty of looking ahead to the Copa match with Real midweek. Either way, the loss to lowly Almeria leaves Barca with a nice cushion (7 points) instead of a commanding lead in the Liga race.
Xavi did OK with the tactics against United--he "won" the first half, but Ten Hag outclassed him with adjustments in the second. Xavi's a young manager and the club need to be patient with him as he grows and gains experience. But I think the question is whether there's enough patience in Catalunya to let him see it out. He also ripped the players yesterday--I'm not sure whether that's the right man-management attitude. Time will tell. But it certainly feels like the outcome to the season hangs in the balance of the next month.
Lewa is also reported out for the next 2-3 weeks, including the Clasico, and league matches vs. Valencia (relegation candidate) and Bilbao (8th). After that, it's the Copa return leg against Real--EGADS! Lots of injuries (Pedri, Dembele) are piling up, and FDJ and Gavi are suspended for the Liga match against Valencia at week-end.
The mini-slide continued as Barca lost 1-0 away @ Almeria. The team looked hungover from the bummer defeat @United, but I happen to think they were more guilty of looking ahead to the Copa match with Real midweek. Either way, the loss to lowly Almeria leaves Barca with a nice cushion (7 points) instead of a commanding lead in the Liga race.
Xavi did OK with the tactics against United--he "won" the first half, but Ten Hag outclassed him with adjustments in the second. Xavi's a young manager and the club need to be patient with him as he grows and gains experience. But I think the question is whether there's enough patience in Catalunya to let him see it out. He also ripped the players yesterday--I'm not sure whether that's the right man-management attitude. Time will tell. But it certainly feels like the outcome to the season hangs in the balance of the next month.
Lewa is also reported out for the next 2-3 weeks, including the Clasico, and league matches vs. Valencia (relegation candidate) and Bilbao (8th). After that, it's the Copa return leg against Real--EGADS! Lots of injuries (Pedri, Dembele) are piling up, and FDJ and Gavi are suspended for the Liga match against Valencia at week-end.
Just caught highlights and what a match!
Busi got the highlights started with a beautifully lofted ball for Raphinha to run onto and "chip" the keeper with a header. Raph has done this a couple of times this season, and it's one of his best skills. It should be used as often as possible.
Ansu got the start at CF and didn't do so hot, as his finishing was lacking. Later in the match he was arguing with Ferran for the opportunity to take a pen, with Ferran taking the shot but missing wide. It was nice to see Ansu give him a pat on the back immediately after, showing some real maturity that even I would likely lack. Ansu did hit the post later on.
Araujo had an unusual flub leading to a well-deserved DOGSO roja directa.
MATS almost gave away a cheap goal trying to be a little too cute with his ball playing skills.
Busi got the highlights started with a beautifully lofted ball for Raphinha to run onto and "chip" the keeper with a header. Raph has done this a couple of times this season, and it's one of his best skills. It should be used as often as possible.
Ansu got the start at CF and didn't do so hot, as his finishing was lacking. Later in the match he was arguing with Ferran for the opportunity to take a pen, with Ferran taking the shot but missing wide. It was nice to see Ansu give him a pat on the back immediately after, showing some real maturity that even I would likely lack. Ansu did hit the post later on.
Araujo had an unusual flub leading to a well-deserved DOGSO roja directa.
MATS almost gave away a cheap goal trying to be a little too cute with his ball playing skills.