Barcelona (H) Pre-Match Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Feeling pretty confident we will get something from the game. Barca, by all accounts, were poor at wkend and inteterestingly appear tired and lacking in energy, so that may negate the press some what.

Teams worse teams than City have picked up results against them this year. I think tomorrow is a great opportunity to make a huge statement.
 
franksinatra said:
Feeling pretty confident we will get something from the game. Barca, by all accounts, were poor at wkend and inteterestingly appear tired and lacking in energy, so that may negate the press some what.
Click to expand...
They were shite, if Granada's striker had stayed onside (quick enough to leave any of their back four for dead) they could have been buried before half time and they only really created 2 chances in the first 80 minutes, whether we'll have a similar Leicester style tactical plan as Granada though is a different story really.
 
If we can dominate posession and starve the front 3 of the ball we shoild be fine. KDB being back is a massive boost as he is a big game player.
 
I guess it depends whether their poor performance against Granada was because they had one eye on Tuesday night, and just did the minimum amount to win, or whether the injuries are starting to take their toll.
 
Ric said:
I guess it depends whether their poor performance against Granada was because they had one eye on Tuesday night, and just did the minimum amount to win, or whether the injuries are starting to take their toll.
Click to expand...
They missed Iniesta and Busquets badly imo, didn't look like they had another gear to go up to and they were at danger of dropping vital points for most of the game. Even the goal they scored was more down to Granada starting the second half slowly and a couple of fortunate bounces.
 
aguero93:20 said:
They were shite, if Granada's striker had stayed onside (quick enough to leave any of their back four for dead) they could have been buried before half time and they only really created 2 chances in the first 80 minutes, whether we'll have a similar Leicester style tactical plan as Granada though is a different story really.
Click to expand...

Lackluster perhaps but 95% of teams would love to be that 'shite'.

Granada sat back in a deep block and never threatened to score. On Barcelona's side, Lucho gave most 1st team players time off and their rustiness showed.

And, no, Pep will not be sitting back or looking to counter
 
Barca are there for the taking, they hate being pressed as they are used to teams sitting back and letting them have the ball, the front men will have to work hard to close their defenders down and hurry them into releasing the ball or pressuring them into mistakes. I'm confident of a result
 
aguero93:20 said:
You must have been watching a different match.
Click to expand...

The one where Granada had one 1 shot and 1 corner over 90 minutes? Clearly you were watching a different match or didn't understand what you were looking at - perhaps the defensive back line of 5 defenders and having 8 in the box confused you by Granada. For the record, that's sitting in a deep block
 
FCBarca said:
The one where Granada had one 1 shot and 1 corner over 90 minutes? Clearly you were watching a different match or didn't understand what you were looking at - perhaps the defensive back line of 5 defenders and having 8 in the box confused you by Granada. For the record, that's sitting in a deep block
Click to expand...

The one where their striker was constantly getting called offside when through one on one when he could have stood in his own half and still left your defenders eating dust. Btw that's one chance for Granada and only 2 for your lot. You'll improve with Busquets in for Rafinha but it won't improve the defence or the service to your front three.
 
Sounds like Zabaleta did train after all, so maybe he will be involved tomorrow.
 
aguero93:20 said:
Rather not see either in this game on their first game back from injury. If we're playing a back 4 Maffeo, Otamendi, Nando, Dinho and Navas are all options.
Click to expand...

Dinho at RB would be madness. Its essential that he's the pivot.

Not sure what is the least worst option. Dont fancy a back 3 against their front 3, with or without Kompany. Is a 90% fit specialist RB a worse option against Barca than a midfielder playing out of position? For all of Sagna or Zabaleta's limitations, I think having a player who understands the positional requirements of the role is the most important factor. If they're not fit then Maffeo.
 
cibaman said:
Dinho at RB would be madness. Its essential that he's the pivot.

Not sure what is the least worst option. Dont fancy a back 3 against their front 3, with or without Kompany. Is a 90% fit specialist RB a worse option against Barca than a midfielder playing out of position? For all of Sagna or Zabaleta's limitations, I think having a player who understands the positional requirements of the role is the most important factor. If they're not fit then Maffeo.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of having Navas there, he's quick and tenacious enough to mark Neymar, has plenty of experience against Barca and is easily good enough on the ball to drop into midfield and boost numbers when necessary.
 
Jazzman said:
Very hard. Barca enjoys a special protection by the refs, and an integral part of their play is to "search and get" free-kicks when they loose the ball. Besides that players like Suarez and Neymar always roll 5 times around on the floor to make things looks worse than they are.
Click to expand...
This all day. Has anyone else noticed their best play only comes when they are winning? If they are a goal or two down the play acting is unbearable and is definitely used as a tactic - which to me is totally unacceptable given how good their players are. Why fall around like spoilt kids. Happens a lot when they meet teams of a similar standing. I remember the so-called ' Clasicos' of recent years. They were anything but with all the theatrical diving and play acting. Totally ruined the games.
They began doing it with us last time when they were becoming under sustained pressure in that first 20 mins. Expect to see more of it tomorrow if they are not getting their way.
 
nico1 said:
This all day. Has anyone else noticed their best play only comes when they are winning? If they are a goal or two down the play acting is unbearable and is definitely used as a tactic - which to me is totally unacceptable given how good their players are. Why fall around like spoilt kids. Happens a lot when they meet teams of a similar standing. I remember the so-called ' Clasicos' of recent years. They were anything but with all the theatrical diving and play acting. Totally ruined the games.
Click to expand...
It's improved since Maureen left. Ancelotti and Zidane don't seem to have a lot of time for it thankfully and the Barca players have eased off now Madrid aren't at it as much although Suarez, Neymar, Busquets, Pepe, Tranny and James are still ****s of the highest order.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top