That has got to be so tough on him. Not only is there the whole price we paid vs. his performance but there have even been rumors (complete with tabloid articles) that he is a 'mole' within Barca's dressing room, giving Barca info to Ronaldo when on Portuguese national team duty. I don't think the rumors are true but make it that much harder for him. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...tiano-Ronaldo-La-Liga-Andre-Gomes-News-Gossip http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...eymar-Real-Madrid-James-Rodriguez-News-Gossip also that he'd rather be at Real: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...Andre-Gomes-Barcelona-Real-Madrid-news-gossip
It's too bad the Pique red forced Deulofeu out of the match. Probably his most complete game since he got here. Taking people one one on one and crossing properly.
Apparently we have >99% chance of advancing. I think we can consider rotating already (but we won't, of course)
I think we will try to go for 1st place, to avoid PSG, Man City, Chelsea, etc. So that is why we will not rotate.
Right, and also we want the 2nd game at home, as group winners. Even if the 2nd place clubs have as many danger teams, that still seems to have value. I think Unclesox published some stats which seemed to confirm. But yeah, win in Greece and we will lock up advancement. But really we want psych revenge of beating Juventus in Turin, so that may not be a rotation game as much as it might (though if we have first locked up it should be), the home game v. Sporting is a bit of a question. We will want a win if first not locked up, but we should get the win with a few subs. All about the quality coach-trusted squad subs, as I see it these are them: Jasper (I assume, did great spelling MAtS under Lucho, will play in CdR), Masch (obviously), Roberto (not all trust him as RB but reports are that Vidal will only play RW not RB for Valverde, so that's big (backing Semedo), plus he is great all over midfield and truly best Busi sub), Paulinho (that's how fast his ascension has been in this club. That's it. Personally, I trust Denis, and I want him and Deulofeu to keep getting minutes. Also want to see if Vidal can deliver in Dembele's absence but if we just stop there that's a pretty thin squad. 6 or 7 trusted subs. Maybe 1 more when Rafinha comes back? Seems no return for Turan from dog house, leave on transfer or never play again. As for Verm, maybe he gets a chance to prove himself but only if there's an injury/suspension, and also if no Jan. signing of Mina.
Pique must lead the planet on dumb yellow card accumulations! Why does he act like its the end of the world when an attacker gets past him? Even if that attacker is still 50 yards from goal? A similar thing just happened in a recent league match when there were plenty of other Barca defenders covering the situation.
It doesn't matter. Players like him, with something to prove, desperately need games like this to reach their potential. Even if it's against weak teams.
The 30 passes leading to the Digne goal: https://www.fcbarcelona.com/footbal.../a-goal-in-30-passes-digne-messi-fc-barcelona