Martin Demichelis

[trevorriley]

The media are out of order! Demichelis was the best player on the pitch till he got sent off! Hope he starts at the weekend as we need to stand by him, we also need his arial ability against that lot

+1

Correct, glad to see more sense..... You need a defender to have confidence on the ball, MD is

 

[pudge]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

But the ball has gone forward and Navas has lost it. If the back-line isn't close to Navas then they leave acres of space for Barca to play in and run onto. They will have been told to keep x amount of distance between themselves and the midfield and those three have done that.

Vinny, on the other hand has dropped off, presumably to keep an eye on Messi but if you watch the clip, he's then in no-mans land as Messi gets onside and starts his run.

Vinny's probably more concerned about Fabregas, or whoever the Barca player to his right was, being onside and in line with the other 3 defenders but had the inside track on Zabs.

A simple pass by Iniesta and hes through as well.

You maintain the line of defence with your deepest defender. It was their duty to accomodate for Kompany, not the other way about. When Demichelis sees him drop back then he must too, as well as get tighter as the gap between them was too big in the first place.

 

[kp789]

While I agree with you that his criticism has been extreme, the bolded statement is the key part for me. As a ref, I know that the worst thing he could have done is what he did. As the last defender, once he commits ANY foul on the player it's automatically a red. A tackle from behind is going to end up being a foul 99 percent of the time, so he has to know he's getting sent off. His best bet in that situation was to let the GK do what he can and just be available to clear the ball if he can or simply have been more cynical in his tackle to ensure he came down well away from the box. For the record, not a penalty for me as the foul is from where the initial contact was initiated. A red card was the correct call but the restart should have been a direct free kick just outside the box.

I see where you're coming from, but he obviously thought "I can't catch him, but I have a chance of getting a tackle in and winning the ball, before he's away from me". Now that didn't happen and yes it was a poor decision in HINDSIGHT, but it was a split second choice and he/we paid a price for it. Being a ref you must've seen this sort of thing a thousand times.

I'm sure that is what MDM thought, but surely someone with his experienced has been coached that coming from behind a defender is pretty much a foul, unless he's able to slide along Messi and only poke the ball away without touching him. I recall seeing a quote attributed to David Trezeguet that goes something like "what I lack in the speed of my legs, I make up for with the speed of my mind". I think this is fundamentally where the criticism of MDM is coming from. It's quite obvious his age has slowed down the speed of his legs, but it's the numerous incidents where the speed of his mind can be suspect that have attracted so many haters.

At the same time, had he not made the attempt he would have got slaughtered for letting Messi through. You cannot win.

 

[macmanson]

I see where you're coming from, but he obviously thought "I can't catch him, but I have a chance of getting a tackle in and winning the ball, before he's away from me". Now that didn't happen and yes it was a poor decision in HINDSIGHT, but it was a split second choice and he/we paid a price for it. Being a ref you must've seen this sort of thing a thousand times.

I'm sure that is what MDM thought, but surely someone with his experienced has been coached that coming from behind a defender is pretty much a foul, unless he's able to slide along Messi and only poke the ball away without touching him. I recall seeing a quote attributed to David Trezeguet that goes something like "what I lack in the speed of my legs, I make up for with the speed of my mind". I think this is fundamentally where the criticism of MDM is coming from. It's quite obvious his age has slowed down the speed of his legs, but it's the numerous incidents where the speed of his mind can be suspect that have attracted so many haters.

At the same time, had he not made the attempt he would have got slaughtered for letting Messi through. You cannot win.

True, but those who would slate him either way already have a conclusion in mind and are just hand picking any evidence to support it. He made a pretty big mistake, but I hardly think it means he's shit. Wouldn't have been my first choice but not the reason we lost that game.

 

[Thenumber1blue]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

Spot on. Nuff Said.

I also agree ,anyone who would put Joleon in before him in that type of game is clueless !

 

[lasereyes]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

 

[skybluepete]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.i

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

Spot on. Nuff Said.

I also agree ,anyone who would put Joleon in before him in that type of game is clueless !

Opinions, opinions, opinions - how can you call people clueless for favouring jolean starting ahead of MD, they could equally say the same about you guys who favour MD!!

 

[steviemc]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

Question 1. I suggest you watch the match again. Our defensive game was pretty solid until the incident, and the back four were performing competently as a unit. Most of the work done by DM was clearance work, which was needed at the time, and was performed effectively. It wasn't the normal type of PL game where we had time to select good outlet balls and play out from the back. Didn't you notice how Joe regularly kicked rather than passing to the first defender. This hardly ever happens in our PL games - and should tell you a fair bit about how we had been set up to play.

Not gonna answer 2. as that's speculation. The words probably and very likely appearing within 2 sentences = guesswork and nothing more. Hindsight smart is actually not smart at all.

 

[Bruun]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

Question 1. I suggest you watch the match again. Our defensive game was pretty solid until the incident, and the back four were performing competently as a unit. Most of the work done by DM was clearance work, which was needed at the time, and was performed effectively. It wasn't the normal type of PL game where we had time to select good outlet balls and play out from the back. Didn't you notice how Joe regularly kicked rather than passing to the first defender. This hardly ever happens in our PL games - and should tell you a fair bit about how we had been set up to play.

Not gonna answer 2. as that's speculation. The words probably andvery likely appearing within 2 sentences = guesswork and nothing more. Hindsight smart is actually not smart at all.

The defence might be solid, but did you notice how many times Demichelis threw away the ball? I'd suggest you go watch the first 15-20 minutes again and count it.

 

[ForzaMancini]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

You're talking as if Demichellis made a conscious decision to take the red card and concede a foul. He slid in thinking he could win the ball and he wasn't far off from getting a nick on it. He had a split second to make a decision while chasing the worlds best player, I think in the grand scheme of defensive errors this isn't even noteworthy.

 

[Marvin]

Compare and contrast the Sun back pages

 

[Bluemoonbaldboy]

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

Question 1. I suggest you watch the match again. Our defensive game was pretty solid until the incident, and the back four were performing competently as a unit. Most of the work done by DM was clearance work, which was needed at the time, and was performed effectively. It wasn't the normal type of PL game where we had time to select good outlet balls and play out from the back. Didn't you notice how Joe regularly kicked rather than passing to the first defender. This hardly ever happens in our PL games - and should tell you a fair bit about how we had been set up to play.

Not gonna answer 2. as that's speculation. The words probably andvery likely appearing within 2 sentences = guesswork and nothing more. Hindsight smart is actually not smart at all.

The defence might be solid, but did you notice how many times Demichelis threw away the ball? I'd suggest you go watch the first 15-20 minutes again and count it.

Agree completely he was woeful with his pass selection giving the ball away at least 3 times. The only good part of his game one of his hair brain dive ins on half way actually worked for once

 

[steviemc]

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

Question 1. I suggest you watch the match again. Our defensive game was pretty solid until the incident, and the back four were performing competently as a unit. Most of the work done by DM was clearance work, which was needed at the time, and was performed effectively. It wasn't the normal type of PL game where we had time to select good outlet balls and play out from the back. Didn't you notice how Joe regularly kicked rather than passing to the first defender. This hardly ever happens in our PL games - and should tell you a fair bit about how we had been set up to play.

Not gonna answer 2. as that's speculation. The words probably andvery likely appearing within 2 sentences = guesswork and nothing more. Hindsight smart is actually not smart at all.

The defence might be solid, but did you notice how many times Demichelis threw away the ball? I'd suggest you go watch the first 15-20 minutes again and count it.

I've got it here. You're totally missing the point. The amount of times you give the ball away can only be balanced against how many clearances and interceptions you make during the game. Fuckin hell, I could play for forty-five minutes, make no tackles or clearances, and never give the ball away. I'd just keep away from the action areas. That doesn't make me a good player. I'm shit.

 

[knorpel]

Pellegrini is blaming the defeat on the referee. P is shaming himself - the one to blame is P himself - because of his one-eyed love of MD, his (too) old (and too slow) pal from his old club.
Anyone from the subst. bench would do a better job, Garcia, Millner etc.
Open your eyes Manuel, every pundit questions your judgment on MD! He is costing City goals, points and defeats.

 

[steviemc]

Pellegrini is blaming the defeat on the referee. P is shaming himself - the one to blame is P himself - because of his one-eyed love of MD, his (too) old (and too slow) pal from his old club.
Anyone from the subst. bench would do a better job, Garcia, Millner etc.
Open your eyes Manuel, every pundit questions your judgment on MD! He is costing City goals, points and defeats.

You've made four posts this year. One to complain about Pellers, one to complain about Hart, and two to complain about MD.

Do you only come on here for a fookin moan or what?

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

Pellegrini is blaming the defeat on the referee. P is shaming himself - the one to blame is P himself - because of his one-eyed love of MD, his (too) old (and too slow) pal from his old club.
Anyone from the subst. bench would do a better job, Garcia, Millner etc.
Open your eyes Manuel, every pundit questions your judgment on MD! He is costing City goals, points and defeats.

You've made four posts this year. One to complain about Pellers, one to complain about Hart, and two to complain about MD.

Do you only come on here for a fookin moan or what?

His anagram of Plonker tell us he's some fuckin dick spit from across the way.

 

[aguerooo93]

I agree with all those saying that he cost us the game - his tackle was an example of horrendous decision-making. He was, however, strong and composed as he broke up Barcelona's play with consistency beforehand. He embodied so many of the traits that make him our second best centre-back before he made that game-killing mistake - anticipation, composure and perfectly timed tackling.

Seriously those calling for Lescott to play ahead of him only needed to watch him on the ball in that second half and see how painfully slow he was at the onset of the second goal...poor on the ball and has no pace without any of the football intelligence Demichelis has which sees the latter routinely intercept and disrupt opposition's plays.

 

[lasereyes]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

You're talking as if Demichellis made a conscious decision to take the red card and concede a foul. He slid in thinking he could win the ball and he wasn't far off from getting a nick on it. He had a split second to make a decision while chasing the worlds best player, I think in the grand scheme of defensive errors this isn't even noteworthy.

No i'm not saying he chose to get a red card. I'm saying he attempted a tackle he had no realistic chance of making. He was coming in from a significant distance behind - as such, there was almost zero chance of a clean tackle. That's not a split second 50/50 decision - it's just a very poor percentage player. I'm not saying he's a bad player, but that was a very bad error for such an experienced player.<br /><br />-- Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:20 am --<br /><br />

Question 1. I suggest you watch the match again. Our defensive game was pretty solid until the incident, and the back four were performing competently as a unit. Most of the work done by DM was clearance work, which was needed at the time, and was performed effectively. It wasn't the normal type of PL game where we had time to select good outlet balls and play out from the back. Didn't you notice how Joe regularly kicked rather than passing to the first defender. This hardly ever happens in our PL games - and should tell you a fair bit about how we had been set up to play.

Not gonna answer 2. as that's speculation. The words probably andvery likely appearing within 2 sentences = guesswork and nothing more. Hindsight smart is actually not smart at all.

The defence might be solid, but did you notice how many times Demichelis threw away the ball? I'd suggest you go watch the first 15-20 minutes again and count it.

I've got it here. You're totally missing the point. The amount of times you give the ball away can only be balanced against how many clearances and interceptions you make during the game. Fuckin hell, I could play for forty-five minutes, make no tackles or clearances, and never give the ball away. I'd just keep away from the action areas. That doesn't make me a good player. I'm shit.

So how many tackles and interceptions did he make? Not many. Again, I don't think he played badly up to the red card, but you really do need to watch the first half and how many balls he gave away. Now he wasn't alone, but to argue that he had a "fantastic game" is frankly preposterous. And in case you don't want to listen to me, find me one single match report that says any different.

 

[Subbed Tskhadadze with Allsopp]

And in case you don't want to listen to me, find me one single match report that says any different.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/18/manchester-city-barcelona-tactics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... na-tactics</a>

"Then, there was Martín Demichelis against Messi – and, surprisingly, the defender actually coped well in the first half. He played proactively, anticipating passes into Messi's feet and charging forward to make interceptions. His distribution was poor, but the fundamentals of his defensive play were sound."

 

[aguero93:20]

1. MDM did not have a fantastic game up until the red card. He was ok - one great play against Sanchez, but otherwise gave the ball away too much rather than finding an outlet pass.

2. He was not "forced into making the challenge". He made a very bad choice. The options were:
(a) Not make the tackle => Messi probably scores, but you never know
(b) Make the tackle => stone certain red card and very likely penalty.

Does anyone actually think (b) was the smart option? The guy is highly experienced. His failure to think on the fly cost City the game and quite likely the tie.

You're talking as if Demichellis made a conscious decision to take the red card and concede a foul. He slid in thinking he could win the ball and he wasn't far off from getting a nick on it. He had a split second to make a decision while chasing the worlds best player, I think in the grand scheme of defensive errors this isn't even noteworthy.

No i'm not saying he chose to get a red card. I'm saying he attempted a tackle he had no realistic chance of making. He was coming in from a significant distance behind - as such, there was almost zero chance of a clean tackle. That's not a split second 50/50 decision - it's just a very poor percentage player. I'm not saying he's a bad player, but that was a very bad error for such an experienced player.

-- Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:20 am --

The defence might be solid, but did you notice how many times Demichelis threw away the ball? I'd suggest you go watch the first 15-20 minutes again and count it.

I've got it here. You're totally missing the point. The amount of times you give the ball away can only be balanced against how many clearances and interceptions you make during the game. Fuckin hell, I could play for forty-five minutes, make no tackles or clearances, and never give the ball away. I'd just keep away from the action areas. That doesn't make me a good player. I'm shit.

So how many tackles and interceptions did he make? Not many. Again, I don't think he played badly up to the red card, but you really do need to watch the first half and how many balls he gave away. Now he wasn't alone, but to argue that he had a "fantastic game" is frankly preposterous. And in case you don't want to listen to me, find me one single match report that says any different.

Go watch the game again, he turned over Barcelona possession more often than anyone except possibly clichy up till the red card. Did you watch it in the first place?