Ok the dust has settled. Its time to move on with the season. But first some thoughts. The 3-1 loss to Madrid has highlighted some key flaws in our play. And in my opinion I will sum up with this phrase LACK OF PACE. Since our last season of total domination 2011. Football has changed. In my opinion, teams that dominate football currently have great pace in forward, midfield and full back positions. Attacking is quick, whether on the counter like Real Madrid and Dortmund or with possession like Bayern Munich. Successful teams attack and defend with intensity. Barca suffer a lack of clear identity and this could be seen on Saturday. We are behind in this aspect. We have key players up front who do well to put pressure on centre backs with great technical ability and agility. The potential to counterattack is there yet we opt out instead for patient buildup. We should and can play faster. Pressure the ball high, steal possession and attack the spaces with INTENSITY. We did it so well against Eibar. Retain possession and control the game. We lack the killer punch. It may be said that Xavi and Iniesta may not have the legs to contend with the intensity of contemporary football. I say this, sensitively. But we were outrun and outplayed in midfield. The same happened against PSG where Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura exploited our lack of pace in the midfield and backline exposing our vulnerability to wide attack. Our two losses this year are very similar. For the point I just mentioned and also due to an inability to defend set pieces. Which brings me to the question of Pique. I believe he is half the player he used to be (its so sad) Exposed for (Heres that word again) pace and his decision making. Should he be starting? He should earn his place I think. As well as Dani Alves, who has become surprisingly, a 1 dimensional crossing robot who occasionally is so out of position that Pique is left exposed. We all shudder these days when opponents run at Gérard with open space. He used to have the benefit of the doubt. Now we are collectively nervous. I for one applaud Luchos boldness in starting Saurez. It paid off as he looked lively,assisted Neymar and almost left Ramos in the dust twice. I thought he was sure to score, then he was subbed. Starting Xavi was a mistake for the team. So was Mathieu at FB. The lesson is to go with the players that have been getting you results. Alba is the preferred LB. He has pace to defend and create chances in the opponents box. My thoughts are to the future. We are rebuilding. Lucho must look closely at his personnel and introduce pace and intensity into the play. Something he had done well until the clasico. Messi walking on the pitch is a request for a substitution. We defend from the front. As a team. No exceptions. Rafinha has huge potential. Samper as well. We have the option to be slightly more direct because of our front line. We can exploit over the top passes for Saurez and Neymar. They are players who like to receive the ball early. Quick movement and passing resulted in Neymars goal. This will give Messi opportunity to exploit the spaces created behind them as he drifts from a deeper central position. This is a good thing. More options as he is often frustrated by being crowded out. Lastly, a case for for mascherano. We all know his preferred position. He excels amongst the best in the world as DM. Busi in my opinion was our best player last season. He may be injured now. But critical to his relevance moving forward is his one flaw; a lack of pace. Barca are too easily breached by counterattack because we play a high line. Neither Busi nor Pique currently have the quickness to deter counters. They cannot deal with players like CR, Bale, Robben, Ribery, Moura, Reus, Hazard or Willian to name a few. Guess what, we have to deal with these players to be in contention in Europe. Our best hope to address this flaw in my opinion is to start Masch in the midfield. He has the pace and distribution to execute. We are a team transitioning. Growing pains. The loss on Saturday was a vital lesson and I hope Lucho paid attention. Not even Ancelotti won his first clasico. Madrid look much better in their 2nd campaign under him. I now see the significance of selling xabi alonso and benching Khedira. They slow the game down. We do not need to change our style of play however, the time for evolution is here. Like nature, one must adapt or perish. I believe Lucho is the correct man to steer this process and we have the pieces. He must be brave and reinvent.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:54:39 +0000
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