[SPA] La Liga 2010/2011 (80 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dostoevsky
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OP
Did you see the game Hoori? They tired alot in 2nd half and barely hold on until ET (physically couldnt keep up the defensive wall as well), but Mourinho 2nd game in a row pulled a great move with how he uses Pepe, who was MOM both games due to how he was placed. Testament to the strenght of a coach, to adapt to your opposition and find a remedy to how to deal with a usually overpowering opponent (which they were still big chunks of both games). Same story as Inter CL game last season, total midfield shutdown.
Its time for Pep to truly show his coaching ability and adept to his opponent for next 2 games. IMO ALOT of it will depend on Villa, if he will continue to let them down.
Its time for Pep to truly show his coaching ability and adept to his opponent for next 2 games. IMO ALOT of it will depend on Villa, if he will continue to let them down.
They need to get more width into their play.
A few years ago Barca were incredibly hard to play because they made the pitch big and it made it really hard for opponents to press or contain them.
Now they focus to much play through the centre of the pitch (only Alves gives width), so it is now much easier to 'park the bus' like Inter did last season in the Nou Camp, or press the game to deprive Xavi and Iniesta of time the way that Real did in these last couple of games.
When they had width they created so much space and moved the ball much quicker, so they were almost unstoppable when the played well. Now their play is much more intricate and much easier to defend against (it's still pretty hard to stop, though).
A few years ago Barca were incredibly hard to play because they made the pitch big and it made it really hard for opponents to press or contain them.
Now they focus to much play through the centre of the pitch (only Alves gives width), so it is now much easier to 'park the bus' like Inter did last season in the Nou Camp, or press the game to deprive Xavi and Iniesta of time the way that Real did in these last couple of games.
When they had width they created so much space and moved the ball much quicker, so they were almost unstoppable when the played well. Now their play is much more intricate and much easier to defend against (it's still pretty hard to stop, though).
I know what you mean, Messi used to be able to stretch any defence from the right, and Ronaldinho same on the left (and later on form Henry), with off the ball movement (just before attacks/plays start, starting positions). Now its more about Messi in a central no man zone, a Pedro who roams freely, is more about cutting in OFF the ball, not with it (and is in the wrong flank for him, better on left), allways given space to Alves there, never really doing any winger tasks. And a Villa who looks for central space at any given moment, and whenever he is on the left, its mainly to play it simply.
They are so used to outplaying anyone with short triangle passing centrally, that they even dont play quick counters initiated from the wing anymore (defenitely just Alves), or fake it to stretch out the opponent (now almost everyone's starting position is a central one). Its the same Barca football of previous years, but with less arsenal/options. They used to slow down games then quickly turn up the speed as a team, now, not as much (unless its Messi on the ball). In the league game, ONLY one who made deep runs was Messi, and he did it just couple times. Previous "golden" Barca team used to do it alot (majority of it being Eto'o).
They are so used to outplaying anyone with short triangle passing centrally, that they even dont play quick counters initiated from the wing anymore (defenitely just Alves), or fake it to stretch out the opponent (now almost everyone's starting position is a central one). Its the same Barca football of previous years, but with less arsenal/options. They used to slow down games then quickly turn up the speed as a team, now, not as much (unless its Messi on the ball). In the league game, ONLY one who made deep runs was Messi, and he did it just couple times. Previous "golden" Barca team used to do it alot (majority of it being Eto'o).
