First 30 mins were horrible. Felt like 2nd half of many games where we come out flat. After that Atletico weren't as much of a threat. Still, not a good performance after that. The team really miss having good FBs. Very underrated aspect of the team over the years. Right now they are mostly useless.
Firpo is another Douglas. Firpo + Griezmann on the left = no left side at all. I try to understand De Jong's game but I don't see it. He doesn't lose the ball too often and makes easy safe passes. Not really creative. Just very solid overall.
Is this guy daft or insane? Messi was the one who scored the winner. He criticises Messi non stop and wanks Ronaldo even after making mistakes. Doesn’t he realise that a manager is key to a player’s mindset?
Agreed but also very glad that FDJ can play there oh so well. Eventually he is there behind Arthur and Puig or Alena, I hope.
FDJ should play alongside Arthur. He should play as a central midfielder. He would do pretty well had Klopp or Pep managed the club.
Rewatched the game and the 1st half wasn't as bad as first impression. Even though Atletico had some clear chances. The team also improved once FdJ and Arthur switched sides. Not sure why Valverde started with Arthur on the right and FdJ on the left. Arthur typically plays on the left. Arthur had a good game overall. Rakitic only "improved' throughout the game because he wasn't under any pressure playing the ball of the back. The 2 times he got caught in the 1st half could have cost goals. Messi was a bit off with his passes but he came up clutch at the end. He could have also hit Griezmann with a pass in the goal but it was a tight one. He was also pissed at Firpo for not checking for a pass when he was running across the middle. Just a show of lack of chemistry. It's obvious this teams needs its quality FBs and misses Iniesta, Xavi type players who are good with passing but also can dribble past players and break some lines at times. Coutinho was supposed to be able to do that. I think FdJ can a little bit but Arthur is not that type of player. It's also infuriating sometimes to see the wings or FBs not attack the open space in the wing without the ball when the space is there. The team is just really predictable overall.
Pretty sure Arthur and FDJ can dribble past players. They’re still relatively young for midfielders. It’s impossible to find a player on Xavi’s level.
He very rarely makes a mistake. Fewest on the team. Slick dribbling, progressive passes with ~95% completion every time. Involved in another nice goal in this match. What more do you want?
He’s got more time on the ball than those around him .. he kinda looks like the big kid on the playground playing against toddlers where it all looks so easy .. Zidane was like that .. Just my take on things