Valencia vs Real Madrid | La Liga | Match day 17 | 12/22/13 | 21:00 (Local)

Yeah, because we are clearly not doing it right. You can't play possession with a team that is split in half as much as ours is. We end up playing a pseudo-possession style that is toothless. And it starts at the back.

 

How about the support our babehs give to each other though? After Jese' goal he ran over and jumped into Morata's arms and the likes of Dani, Nacho, and Llorente were all over him. That bond they have just warm the cockles of my dark heart

And Inigo Martinez has been pretty hot and cold this season too, he is one for the future to consider but not an answer right now.

 

I personally enjoy our possession game although it leaves heaps of space in the CA. I'd mainly focus on our defence and midfield because it's looking tragic. Ancelotti really needs to do something about the defence and its already been half a season... and still no improvements

 

Our defense has been generally crappy for awhile though. Under Pellegrini we were vulnerable and Mou was going to come and fix it, didn't happen. Ancelotti hasn't fared much better though he's had his hands tied a bit with injuries. A fully fit Varane will help but the one constant with all these coaches has been a shaky midfield and attackers who refuse to defend.
Fix the "system" and I think our defense will look better.

 

Worst. Valencia. Ever.

Holy Moly, do I hope Atleti and Barça kick the living day lights out of each other in 3 weeks. It's hard to see this team winning La Liga but at least we know those 2 have to battle it out soon.

 

That pitch was terrible too.

 

That's why we are doing it wrong. There were times I was pulling my hair out because Modic had the ball and all he had as a line of four players 20 yeards away. And when I say a line, I mean a straight fuucking line.

If we want to play something that resembles possession, we need to funnel a lot more of the game through Isco.

 

This tactics is slow, predictable, it lacks depth ( which is ironic because RM has two speed machines ) and obviously causes some defensive problems. Second problem is striker position which really affects this team. The decision for not buying proper stiker and going into season with Benzema and Morata was obviously the wrong one. On the other hand, CB situation did not seem so problematic as it does now. Varane is injured to often, while Ramos is sadly stuck in dumb ******** mode.

Hopefully there are still some funds in transfer budget and some magical deal appears in January.

 

I don't think we have to go crazy with transfers (and we shouldn't unless we sell for big money).

 

If it was Iker, everyone would be blaming him, saying that he sucks at cross, should not play in champions league, bla bla bla

 

Modric was our best player, and Nacho made me have a lot more confidence in him, I don't think his yellow card was a necessary one but he had a very good game. I hope he can keep this up.

Benzema, I've lost my hope. He makes even other players like Di Maria looks bad with his terrible positioning and movement.

 

Yeah. I just rewatched the game and throughout the whole second half ronaldo and benzema weren't linking up with the midfield. They kept on calling the crosses which were deflected or missed the target. Reminds me of our game against Atletico and we all know how that went down... plus, when Isco came off we were essentially playing a 4-4-2 with Ronaldo as a striker. This is why we saw that he had no space in the game.

 

Yeah but I felt the pace at which Nacho was heading to their player wasn't needed as many referees would be already thinking of giving the yellow card, especially that the ball wasn't at dangerous position.

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah Modric, he's just sooooo THE MAN ..

 

Not to be a pessimist, but i don't think this team is winning anything this season. Unless some players improve a lot, the best i hope for is winning the CDR.

Can't believe we are behind both these ********ing teams.

 

Completely agree. Our defence is extremely pathetic and if we head onto the hectic part of the season (march, etc.) I can see a lot of big teams exposing us. HOWEVER, i'm about 75% sure we can get our sh*t together by then. the fact that we are winning games while not playing at our best should be a good positive. personally I still believe we can win la liga

 

Once again, Di Maria showing his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome. 1st half he was great (Dr. Jekyll), 1 goal, 1 assist and some good passes and runs. 2nd half he was insultingly bad (Mr. Hyde), not a single damn good pass or run and forgot his brain in the locker room...*sigh*