I usually agree with your takes... but the only thing Dest has not done well since joining Barca is aerial crossing.
Dest will not play today. Roberto at least partially to blame for the two goals given up but what a fantastic back heel to Messi for the 3rd goal. Starting to look like Koeman still rates Roberto and Alba higher than Dest at the moment. Dest will get his chances but it certainly seems like Koeman values O more than D as Dest is already better than either defensively IMO.
Yeah... very happy that we will at least get to see one US Intl get his due today.... although we are also likely to see AR start for Fulham.
Another excellent interview with our boy. He has always had a fantastic attitude imo: Dest: It's really strange. You feel it, the pressure, but you don't really feel it. And I think the pressure is something that makes football; it makes the sport, the fans, everything around it. It's not boring because you want to play, which is always nice -- it's just way better with the fans and the support from outside. My [Barcelona] teammates told me it's so much pressure [with fans at the Clasico] but I have to see it with my own eyes. ESPN: There's more pressure on you now with the national team as a Barca player, too. Dest: I am prepared for that. You know, just play the game and don't worry about the outside. I am just in the game. When I am retired, I am out of the game, then I can worry about the things outside, but right now I am in the game, so I won't let it affect me. https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...itions?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true
This guy is bright. You could see it when he was a youth. These are honest, sophisticated, and confident answers...which has become his trademark. It’s not the Mike Bradley coach-speak which is also bright but not as sophisticated or confident...it’s more like Jermaine Jones. Dest is his own guy though. I’d say he’s the most confident and simultaneously capable player we have fielded. He’s going to be great because he sees what that looks like and knows how to get there.
Dest on the bench. #Culers! Here's 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 starting XI for #AtletiBarça!💪🟦🟥 pic.twitter.com/IJKFPbD0Eh— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 21, 2020
He fits into most rebuild schemes I would think. And for what Pep would pay for Messi, Barca could be rolling in cash for that rebuild they desperately need.
Yep. They should have gotten whatever the could have from City this past summer. Maybe City offers some cash in the winter in order to make a run at the CL. It may be their best chance of qualifying for next year's CL.
Yeah... manager seems to be on his way out. Barca is a train wreck right now. They don't have a single legit threat at striker and they are pretty small at most positions as well... so you can throw perfect crosses into the box and there are just no bodies to attack them in the air. And now they are going to be w/o one of their best CBs.... one less target on set pieces.
I've watched barca a bit lately. Messi tries to do the same things he has always done and it's not working. He can still be a very high level player but he has to adapt his game. He still dribbles well and passes very well but he definitely can't dominate anymore. He must become more of a team player..
Sergino looked fine. He went forward quite a bit and tracked vack well. It was odd for me as a YA follower, but i found myself yelling at Messi for passing to Sergino rather than taking a fairly promising shot himself.
Ouch. They lost their starting CB and RB in the same game and they are 10 points back in La Liga already. 11th place in the live standings. I never would have believed it. On the bright side.... Dest will be the de facto starting RB. Even though I think he has played well the lineups Koman has run out recently clearly show that he still rates Roberto over him. Now he has the chance to cement his place in the starting 11.... but I am worried that this is a sinking ship. Unreal that Barca can't find a way to score goals.
Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you begin to get better. They will bounce back. Just not this year. Also, have you noticed Dest doesn't play his free-wheeling self for Barca as he does for us?