Dani Alves

[Blue Coop]

Not arguing what I think our best 11, just highlighting the quality options we'll have in reserve on a game by game basis. I could have put anyone there - Aguero, Sanchez, KDB, Bernardo, Kompany, anyone - they will all be on the bench at some point.

The options are scary

Agreed, few more full-backs are we're all set.

Add Sanchez and we're cheating. :)

 

[Neville Kneville]

Prime for prime Maicon was the one that got in the Brazil team.

I think they're almost replica players. Gung-ho attacking footballers that always have and always will be exposed from time to time.

I hope I do end up laughing at myself.



I disagree on the Madrid game. We did play on the counter but I think we were reasonably comfortable to Maicon went off then we just fell apart.

Alves was playing in a back 5 against Monaco, you'd expect him to look more solid than any of the other fullbacks mentioned.

He'll be a good option to rotate against certain teams definitely. Our first choice RB won't be him, or at least I'd hope not.

By the way, it's funny how many people on here have completely the wrong idea about that Madrid game & how 'solid' we were first half. Count the chances. That's Higuain in front of our goal. And note the lack of Maicon or Nastasic doing anything anywhere to stop anything. It's basically Vinny & Joe Hart v Real Madrid, for most of the game then Joe chucks one in. The setup is a shambles. We were tighter under Pellegrini.

 

[conormcfc]

Sorry but that's just not true, firstly, but less importantly Dani Alves has 100 Brazil caps to Maicon's 76. Alves played more games for Brazil than Maicon in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013-2017.

Maicon and Alves are also polar opposites. Maicon was all about pace, power, bombing down the line and pulling the ball back, Alves is all about his positioning, his intelligence, his passing, late runs, delivery...and he's still got the pace and power too. Not to mention he's a much better defender.

Maicon's brief time ahead of Alves in the Brazil team corresponded with Brazil's worst period in history, and having a manager who made decisions like Maicon over Alves is one of the main reason.

In 10 years time Alves will be considered one of the great Brazilian RB's along with Cafu, Jorginho and Carlos Alberto, one of the most successful club footballers in history, and a key part of arguably the greatest club side in history. Maicon will be forgotten outside of Milan.

They're a completely different calibre and style of player, and some bad Brazil manager's decisions doesn't change that.

Obviously he has more caps now, Maicon hasn't played for them for years.

In 2010 they were both arguably at their best and Maicon got the nod, that's a fact. Maicon was the best fullback in the world in that Inter team in that point and no one even questioned the decision to start with Maicon, dunno where you've got that from. Call it Brazi's 'worst ever period' but have they been any better in the last few years since with Alves playing? Results haven't been noticably different. In fact they at least won a Copa America with Maicon starting in the team, never been near one with Alves!

If people aren't considering Maicon among the great fullbacks of his generation (not just Brazil) then they've got selective memory. Fantastic player.

 

[cadds92]

 

[conormcfc]

By the way, it's funny how many people on here have completely the wrong idea about that Madrid game & how 'solid' we were first half. Count the chances. That's Higuain in front of our goal. And note the lack of Maicon or Nastasic doing anything anywhere to stop anything. It's basically Vinny & Joe Hart v Real Madrid, for most of the game then Joe chucks one in. The setup is a shambles. We were tighter under Pellegrini.

Is that video your case against Maicon? 1 shot from 35 yards out that he could've been slightly quicker to close down?

Proves my point really. Fell apart down that side once he went off and Zab came on.

 

[lancs blue]

By the way, it's funny how many people on here have completely the wrong idea about that Madrid game & how 'solid' we were first half. Count the chances. That's Higuain in front of our goal. And note the lack of Maicon or Nastasic doing anything anywhere to stop anything. It's basically Vinny & Joe Hart v Real Madrid, for most of the game then Joe chucks one in. The setup is a shambles. We were tighter under Pellegrini.

That's what puzzled me about Mancini, domestically we were very tight defensively but in CL away games his tactics were invariably very attacking, leaving holes at the back. Exciting but nerve-shredding and ultimately costly.

 

[BlumerMooner]

Get in! Should move quickly now.

 

[harvo the blue]

He is not just cover for right back, he is also a tactical option.

Late in games Pep has tried to use people like Navas to try & stiffen up the right side (often with mixed results). Alves will be better than Navas at both ends of the pitch.

He could come on & play in front of Walker, for example & is smart enough to cause havoc on the counter attack.

This post all day long.

People have there own opinion but this signing allows Pep to spend 30-40m elsewhere what do people want.

We will have Walker the best RB in England & Alvez the best in Italy together we have 2 fucking quality players playing at the top of there game.

For fuck sake what are some of you after Danny Granville???

Pep has pulled this off & can be the best business in the league this season.

City being linked with Solmedo looks like there trying to get Spurs moving & jack his price up so UTD pay more.

 

[domalino]

Obviously he has more caps now, Maicon hasn't played for them for years.

In 2010 they were both arguably at their best and Maicon got the nod, that's a fact. Maicon was the best fullback in the world in that Inter team in that point and no one even questioned the decision to start with Maicon, dunno where you've got that from. Call it Brazi's 'worst ever period' but have they been any better in the last few years since with Alves playing? Results haven't been noticably different.

If people aren't considering Maicon among the great fullbacks of his generation (not just Brazil) then they've got selective memory. Fantastic player.

Yes, Brazil are doing much better now than in 2010, by pretty much everyone's beliefs. Particularly under Tite.

Maicon was great for a couple of years under Mourinho at Inter, definitely, but it was 2 or 3 years, not even that. Alves has been in the top 2/3 in his position pretty much every year for a decade. That's why Alves has been in the FIFA TOTY 6 times (and probaly will get a 7th this year) and Maicon got...1. It's why Alves has played in 4 CL finals, not 1, it's why he's still competing in at the top level, and didn't have his reputation ended in 2011 at 30 years old because Gareth Bale showed everyone his legs had gone, and with it, everything.

To be honest it's so immediately obvious just looking at them that they are completely different players that it's hard to imagine anyone thinking they're comparable.

 

[Neville Kneville]

That's what puzzled me about Mancini, domestically we were very tight defensively but in CL away games his tactics were invariably very attacking, leaving holes at the back. Exciting but nerve-shredding and ultimately costly.

I think he tried to defend there, but chucked in Nastasic, who was fucking woeful, & out of position for 90 mins, which left the team a complete shambles.

The myth is that it was a solid performance.

I don't see hoe Alves, as he is now, is any worse than any of the defending we see in that game, so therefore don't think people should be using his performance v Real Madrid, as a barometer.