Defense isn't just about the 4 players at the back and the CDM though. It's a system, and if assignments are missed higher up the pitch, then the trickle down effect will make the back 4 look at fault. Yesterday wasn't an example of that to be fair; it was pretty much the back 4 making silly mental mistakes, but to use last year as some sort of indication as to how good/bad the two CBs are is not a correct approach.
Marcelo always had that problem - that is not new for him. Carvajal was terrible.. (that is 50% of your defense) and Varane and Ramos lack coordination sometimes IMO We were more solid at the back when Pepe was here.
If Benzema and Bale would warrant certain level, we would not need a complete overhaul despite selling Ronaldo.
Varane is the best at his position at his age. He is performing veru good for years now . He might have a little dip . But given the fact that he won everything at his age yet , might be an explanation. Do you always perform at your best whole year trough ? Varane is an absolute athlete , a beautyful defender who doesn't do rough things which is oerfect next to Ramos. We will need a replacement for Ramos coming years.
As I said they have been programmed to be sidekicks, so if you ask them to do a u turn and become alphas they will struggle without a reference point. Jst as it happened yesterday. And Asensio is just not a worldclass level forward as of now.
Giving the ball away to your opponent that close to the area is an amateur mistake.. it is as bad as Karius’ mistake against us.. A CB will all those qualities you mention should not be makng those attrocious brain farts, specially in a final match.
I think a lot of people are overreacting. Atletico Madrid is probably a top 8 team in all of world football. The reaction to the loss in in extra time - with : a squad that is asked to do so much different, a new coach, and the loss of such an important player (Cristiano) is pretty dramatic - even by Real Madrid standards. That being said - I did say we would definitely not win any major titles without serious reinforcements. It does not take foresight to see that.
It was one game, and a glorified final at that. Ramos has played how many CL Finals and WC Final and Euro Final?
Top 5 imo even. Not a shame to lose. I was just very scared of our mimited options off the bench. And the fact that Mayoral is even selected and gets playing time isnt very satisfying either.
I think they're behind : Liverpool, City, Barcelona, Bayren Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, PSG. I put them at 8th spot.
This is an excellent point. Our defense is usually papering over cracks left due to players not tracking back on transition and additionally having to cover their own assignment.
I don't agree. Teams do not sell their quality players so they can do a transitioning. They would do it if the veteran player can't play at an expected level for majority of the games. Only then, it is acceptable to lose them. Other wise it is better to keep a deep squad. Professional footballers can adapt to new systems.
Agree with you. Although it remains to be seen if all those succesfull guys who won everything, will give their all to win a la liga ... maybe changing up a bit and challenging thel with fresh blood is a good idea.
Most of Barca squad also had won everything before last season, still they went and fought like crazy for every match, nearly winning a league with no defeats. We can learn a thing or two maybe.
They also had a Paulinho who magically scored a hige amount of goals. And Messi was world class last year.
Yup, This is something that we have discussed before, especially when the BBC was in full nontrackback flow, other teams defending with 10, us with 6 or 7 or less sometimes and being overrun, defending can ( should) never be just about the back 4
Barca has continued to refresh their team though. Rakitic, Arda Turan, Alex Vidal, Andre Gomez, Paulinho, Dembele, Coutinho, and now Arturo Vidal all came in as midfield reinforcements. They went through Etoo, Ibra, David Villa, Alexi Sanchez, in just a few seasons and ended up with Suarez and Neymar as forwards, and now have Malcolm. We have had some turnover but Casemiro and Carvajal were in Castilla, while Varane and Modric were on the bench back when Mou was the coach. Which is fine because they were young and fought their way into the team but we have not really been able to incorporate new players except Bale, Isco, and Kroos, but we have lost Xabi, Khedira, DiMaria, Ozil, Higuain, Morata, Mariano, Chicharito, James, Kova, Illara, Pepe. That is practically a CL winning caliber team, and now we have Lucas Vasquez and Mayoral as super subs.
The problem is their expected level is one of being Ronaldo's helpers. These guys are both around 30 so they will not learn to be different players. Especially Benzema, who has no business being the top forward with Ronaldo gone. Bale can lead the team, but he's a walking injury risk who is bound to spend major time on the sidelines. Nobody says sell them and then don't replace them with players of similar or better quality. I'd swap Benzema and Bale for Hazard and Icardi/Lewandowski in a heartbeat. And I bet we wouldn't even lose any money in the process.
Truth We get comfortable and complacent with our success. It's remarkable how we have still fight and never die attitude... only lasts in the season in CL knockout matches. If not those we have players le Krops coasting through an entire season. Varane, Ramos and Marcelo coasted last night
Marcelo worries me. He can easily become our biggest liability this season and we have no real alternative.
Marcelo (marcelotwelve) on Instagram: "We will return stronger! We have a season ahead. The league begins on Sunday! We will give everything as always! Hala Madrid!" pic.twitter.com/ZeIbBWPWLN— Spectate Madrid (@spectatemadrid) August 16, 2018 Hope these are not just words. Fact that he said "always" worries me as he was super lazy in defense last season. I agree with others about our players mailing it in Liga once they win the title. Happened in 2013 and last year. Meanwhile Barca players are super hungry and even takes it to the last day when they don't win(2014, 2017). Our players have no reason to be complacent given only 2 league titles since 2008.
Marcelo needed a solid backup that could compete for that LB spot like 2 seasons ago. Its like he just doesn't care about defending anymore.