Vertical Passing and Vertical Stripes: The 2014-15 Season Thread, Part II

Yes he is a genius mastermind and knew exactly what he was doing from day 1 to bring the treble no more no less!! Im wrong as always!

 

The election for president will take place on Saturday 18 July, which is, ironically, the same day the players and staff jet off for the pre-season tour of the U.S.
Potential candidates must obtain at least 2,534 signatures from fellow club members in order for their name to be included on the ballot.
They can begin collecting signatures on June 19 and will have 36 hours to deliver the required number of signatures.
The actual voting process will take place at Camp Nou on July 18 between 9:00am to 9:00pm.

 

I posted this on the first page of this season's first season thread. I don't seem to be able to quote it as the thread is closed so I had to cut and paste. I wanted to compare with this season:

OLD POST "This post would be better in the old season's thread but that is closed. We never got the 3 (or more) 20 goal scorers, and never got the 4 (or more) players with a combined 30 goals and assists. I do think we did better on Messi dependency though partly due his being injured and not putting up quite the same crazy numbers of past couple seasons (Cesc had another strong start statistically, Alexis had his best season ever and I'm offended to see him being potentially sold for less than we paid (or sold at all), Pedro did OK, Neymar did well for his first season when not injured). In total Messi was involved in 37.16% of our total goals, Alexis in 24.32%, Cesc in 20.27%, Pedro in 18.92%, and Neymar in 17.57% of total goals scored including other team's own goals.

[LAST YEAR] Messi 55 (41+14), Alexis 36 (21+15), Cesc 30 (13+17), Pedro 28 (19+9), and Neymar 26 (15+11)." That was out of 148 total goals (including 7 own goals) and 107 assists, my post then included the full season's goals and assists for all players (now in bold at the very bottom after this years stats.

THIS YEAR: We did have 3 who scored over 20 each, and all three of them had over 45 goals+assists each (but we did not get a fourth player to join them with even 30 goals+assists (Pedro came closest with 20, Rakitic had 17). Overall Messi 85 (58+27) for 48.57% involvement in 175 total goals including other teams own goals; Neymar 46 (39+7) for 26.29%; Suarez also 46 (25+21) for 26.29%; distantly rounding out top 5 were Pedro 20 (11+9) for 11.43%, and Rakitic 17 (8+9) for 9.71%. Xavi and Ini each had 11 total goals and assists for 6.29%. No one else cracked 10 total goals+assists. So Messi production is way up which makes Messi dependency appear to be up (from 37% to 49%). However, Messi support and total goals are also way up: 39 and 25 goals by 2nd and 3rd scorers, each of whom combined for 46 goals+assists vs. 21 and 19 goals last year by 2nd and 3rd scorers, each of whom combined for 36 and 28 total goals+assists, all leading to an increased output of 27 goals. And that was with Suarez missing 10 games or so due to suspension.

This year 2014-15:
Goals: 175

• Messi 58
• Neymar 39
• Suarez 25
• Pedro 11
• Rakitic 8
• Pique 7
• Sandro 4
• Iniesta 3
• Mathieu 3
• Adriano 2
• Alba 2
• Rafinha 2
• Roberto 2
• Xavi 2
• Adama 1
• Bartra 1
• Busquets 1
• Munir 1
• O.g. 3

Assists: 133

• Messi 27
• Suarez 21
• Alves 12
• Pedro 9
• Rakitic 9
• Xavi 9
• Iniesta 8
• Alba 7
• Neymar 7
• Rafinha 5
• Bartra 4
• Montoya 3
• Adriano 2
• Busquets 2
• Mascherano 2
• Munir 2
• Roberto 2
• Douglas 1
• Pique 1

Also worth adding the defensive stats though I don't focus on those in this post:
Matches played(60):Lliga: 38(30W, 4D, 4L)
CL: 13(11W, 2L)
Cdr: 9(9W)


Goals conceded(38):
Lliga: 21
CL: 11
Cdr: 6


Clean sheets(all comps.): 33
Lliga: 23
CL: 6
Cdr: 4






2013-14
GOALS: 148

• 
  
  
  • Messi 41
  • Alexis 21
  • Pedro 19
  • Neymar 15
  • Cesc 13
  • Tello 5
  • Adriano 4
  • Alves 4
  • Pique 4
  • Xavi 4
  • Busquets 3
  • Iniesta 3
  • Bartra 2
  • Puyol 2
  • Dongou 1
  • O.g. 7
  • ASSISTS: 107
    • Cesc 17
    • Alexis 15
    • Messi 14
    • Iniesta 11
    • Neymar 11
    • Pedro 9
    • Xavi 7
    • Montoya 5
    • Adriano 4
    • Alves 4
    • Tello 4
    • Alba 2
    • Busquets 2
    • Bartra 1
    • Song 1"
      Messi 55 (41+14), Alexis 36 (21+15), Cesc 30 (13+17), Pedro 28 (19+9), and Neymar 26 (15+11).

 

Interesting take on the squad next season, one which only adds youth or on loan players to the current squad: http://www.totalbarca.com/2015/opinion-pieces/looking-forward-luis-enriques-challenges-in-201516/

Here's the last paragraph and "ideal squad":

Luis Enrique has already proven himself an excellent manager, able to whip his squad into shape, instill a fire in their belly and put together the pieces tactically. His challenges for this summer are the more subtle aspects of management: developing young talents, building a long-term core, and keeping players that have won it all competitive and focused. While the club’s politics may be in turmoil, the transfer ban means that the sporting project is as stable as it will ever be this summer. After a much-deserved holiday, it’s time to look forward.

My ideal squad for 2015/16:

Ter Stegen, Bravo, Masip,
Piqué, Mascherano, Mathieu, Bartra, Vermaelen
Alves, Vidal, Alba, Grimaldo
Busquets, Samper
Iniesta, Rakitić, Rafinha, Denis Suárez (if Suarez cannot be brought back he suggests Samper work on playing up)
Messi, Suárez, Neymar, Pedro, Sandro, Adama

To me that promotes too many youth - five including Denis Suarez - and drops out too many first teamers from last year - five including Xavi (plus Adriano, Montoya, Douglas, and Sergi Roberto). I would promote three and ship out three, keeping one of Adriano or Montoya and also Sergi Roberto.

 

Javier Tebas, president of the LFP, told a Spanish radio station that there will be changes to some kickoff times in La Liga beginning with the 2015-16 season.
To satisfy the demands of British broadcasters, Saturday's 18:00 kickoffs will be pushed back 15 minutes to 6:15pm (12:15pm U.S. ET). I believe this has to do with a law in the UK in which no live football can be shown on tv between 3pm - 5:15pm local UK time.
Sunday's 17:00 and 21:00 matches (11am and 3pm U.S. ET) will begin earlier but Tebas did not specify the new times.
No changes will be made to games played on Fridays and Mondays, while simultaneous kickoffs of some matches have not been ruled out.
Tebas also suggested that the Saturday 16:00 and 18:15 kickoffs and the Sunday 19:00 kickoff would host the top matches of the weekend."
http://www.marca.com/en/2015/06/11/en/football/spanish_football/1434041299.html

 

Hopefully they will push back the start times of the 20h00 and 22h00 CET kick-off games on Saturday as well otherwise there will be overlap, which kind of sucks for US-based viewers since the same network is showing all the matches.

Similarly, not good if the 21h00 Sunday match is moved earlier, although I don't believe that it will despite what Tebas says.

 

^^ In the ideal line-up, I think there are three problems:

Midfield is too weak: needs one midfielder more who is instantly better than Rafinha.

Too many attackers: isn't 5 enough? Why take both Adama and Sandro when even Pedro has hard time getting enough minutes?

Too many promising B players wouldn't play enough: if we want to make first teamers out of B teamers, we gotta give them enough playing time. For example, take Samper. Everybody says he is superb. But wouldn't a year-long loan be better for his game than sitting on the bench for a year? Well, I think he might have his career outside Barca anyway, as his timing is horrible: Busquets is still only 26. How can he be patient enough to not leave for starter minutes elsewhere if he evolves well?

My ideal squad:

GK: Ter Stegen, Bravo, third choice (Masip/other)
CB: Pique, Masch, Mathieu, Vermaelen, Bartra
FB: Alba, Alves, Vidal, Adriano
DM: Busquets (* Masch as 2nd choice; hence no back-up)
AM: Iniesta, Rakitic, Rafinha, S. Roberto, new signing who'd challenge to be a starter instantly
ATT: Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Pedro, one of B teamers (Dongou, Sandro, Adama, Munir all good picks)

So I'd promote 1-2 B teamers (depending on Masip), sign two new players, and would end with Montoya and Douglas.

 

SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS, NOT YELLING!
Rana catesbeiana WROTE THE LOWERCASE STUFF, AND I ADDED UPPERCASE THOUGHTS^^ In the ideal line-up, I think there are three problems:

Midfield is too weak: needs one midfielder more who is instantly better than Rafinha.
YES, IF WE BUY ANOTHER PLAYER THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO TARGET. HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT JOIN TILL JANUARY WHICH COMPLICATES THINGS. HENCE DENIS SUAREZ IS EXPECTED BACK IMMEDIATELY (WELL AFTER ELECTIONS) WHICH I THINK IS INSTANT COMPETITION FOR RAFINHA AND AN UPGRADE OVER S. ROBERTO, THOUGH I'D KEEP S. ROBERTO AS D.M. BACKUP AS I'D PREFER MASCH FOCUS BEING A C.B. I THINK INIESTA AND RAKITIC ARE GREAT AS STARTERS AND EITHER RAFINHA OR DENIS SUAREZ (OR POSSIBLY SAMPER) COULD EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER FOR INIESTA. http://www.marca.com/en/2015/06/11/en/football/barcelona/1434023410.html

Too many attackers: isn't 5 enough? Why take both Adama and Sandro when even Pedro has hard time getting enough minutes?
AGREE, FIVE SHOULD BE ENOUGH, AND CAN STILL PLAY WHOEVER IS NOT PROMOTED OR LOANED OUT IN CASE OF INJURIES OR JUST TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE

Too many promising B players wouldn't play enough: if we want to make first teamers out of B teamers, we gotta give them enough playing time. For example, take Samper. Everybody says he is superb. But wouldn't a year-long loan be better for his game than sitting on the bench for a year? Well, I think he might have his career outside Barca anyway, as his timing is horrible: Busquets is still only 26. How can he be patient enough to not leave for starter minutes elsewhere if he evolves well?
LOTS OF TALK OF SAMPER NEEDING TO MOVE UP TO ATTACKING MID FOR JUST THAT REASON BUT IF DENIS SUAREZ JOINS AND ESPECIALLY IF S. ROBERTO STAYS THEN LOAN HIM OUT. IF S. ROBERTO GOES THEN PROMOTE SAMPER AS BACK UP DM (WHILE STILL TRYING TO DEVELOP HIS ATTACKING MID SKILL SET)

My ideal squad:

GK: Ter Stegen, Bravo, third choice (Masip/other)
CB: Pique, Masch, Mathieu, Vermaelen, Bartra
FB: Alba, Alves, Vidal, Adriano
DM: Busquets (* Masch as 2nd choice; hence no back-up) S. ROBERTO
AM: Iniesta, Rakitic, Rafinha, DENIS SUAREZ, S. Roberto, new signing who'd challenge to be a starter instantly
ATT: Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Pedro, one of B teamers (Dongou, Sandro, Adama, Munir all good picks)

So I'd promote 1-2 B teamers (depending on Masip), sign two new players, and would end with Montoya and Douglas. AND SERGI ROBERTO BUT ONLY IF SAMPER PROMOTED

 

Bold text is where it's at.

 

Delay the 10pm kickoff?
Don't the local fans hate that late start as it is?

 

LOTS OF GOOD POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I THINK SAMPER PLAYING AS AM IS AN OPTION, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM THERE EITHER!!!!! TO GET SIGNIFICANT MINUTES IN BARCA MIDFIELD, YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY ******* EXCEPTIONAL, AND SAMPER ISN'T THAT GOOD AS OF NOW. MAYBE IN THE FUTURE HE IS, BUT HE NEEDS THOSE MINUTES: GET LOANED IMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, surprised that the latest talk re enticing Sevilla to end the 2 year loan of Denis Suarez is revolving around Halilovic rather than Samper, but both could benefit from a loan if they get playing time. Frankly, after the Deulofeu situation I wonder if Alen Halilovic would similarly end up in Unai Emery's doghouse. I guess it is all rumors till it happens but I do think we get Denis back as only he can improve our midfield before January. I don't think Halilovic or Samper or any other Barca B mids would be an upgrade over S. Roberto at this point.

edited for unclesox

 

I like this except I'd keep Adriano and send Grimaldo and Adama out on loan or keep them on the B team. Maybe sell Adama with a buy-back clause -- does he really look like he could make it on the Barcelona front line anyway?

I also like the idea of having Samper on the first team for a bit. Practicing with the first team day-in, day-out is helpful in some respects even if you are not playing that much and sending him on loan seems a bit risky until January.

 

Great interview with Xavi: http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/xavi-time-had-gone-4266528

 

I'm talking only by 10-15 minutes. It would be almost necessary to do if the earlier match gets pushed to 18h15. I mean, off the top of my head I can't think of any UEFA league that schedules a kick-off at a time when another match(es) in that league are in the 85th minute or thereabouts.

 

5 of 11 starters and 6 of 18 total players. This helps make up for Dani being the only Barca starter not named to the 18 man CL team of the season. Of those overlooked here we could make arguments for defenders Masch and Alba, and for attacking mids Rakitic and Iniesta but I think Busquets in the most glaring omission, though I know he played some of the season with some pain in his groin. At one point there was even talk that he'd be sitting out / resting if the games weren't so important. Through all that and the nasty high ankle sprain he later suffered vs. Villarreal which forced him out of action and actually may have helped his groin heel, he seemingly re-gained health and great form.

 

Busquets missing is a joke. Starter and an absolute key player for the team that won the competition: not even on the bench? Ridiculous.

 

I've noticed over the years that we rarely play well if Busqs isn't playing . I also recall Pep saying that Busqs was the FIRST name on his teamsheet .

He's always been my FAVE Barca player as well

 

Michael Cox (the guy who writes Zonal Marking) compares Barca's four UCL winning teams.

"Which side is best? It probably depends on individual preference. The 2006 team was the most simple, 2009 the most powerful, 2011 the best in possession, and 2015 had the best individuals. It's difficult to look past the 2011 side, though, simply because of the cohesion across the pitch.

The most important thing, however, has been the overall philosophy, which has ensured that Barca segued between these approaches marvelously. The record books won't show the gradual evolution, but "The Barcelona Way" will be understood and celebrated for years to come."

 

Laporta has officially announced that he will be running for president of Barca next month:

"As you know, I will be a candidate ahead of Barcelona presidency elections. I am doing it to make Barcelona a club for everyone. I have to say that I feel more prepared than ever to be the president of this club.

"I have more experience, I have my faults too as you know, but I have the same principles. For me this club is more than a club. It’s a model based on Johan Cruyff, La Masia, Catalunya and Unicef.

"I will defend this model with all my strength. For many years I have received the support of many Barcelona fans, I thank you with all my heart. It’s one of the reasons I want to be president again.

"I will need your support more than ever.”

 

I'm not against Laporta winning. In fact, I listed him as my choice to win in the End of Season survey thread.
However, there's something I don't quite get:
- He won the 2003 election (First 8 days of presidency ruled to be first year of four-year term )...
- Won a second term in 2006 after no other member provided the required number of signatures for nomination...
At some point during Laporta's tenure the club voted that no president would be able to serve more than two consecutive terms. But this doesn't prevent him from seeking a third term after he has served his first two terms.
Just seems a bit crazy. I can understand how Josep Lluís Núñez's 22 year reign as president (1978-2000) would appear to be overkill but if the president is doing a great job, is well liked and the members continue to vote for him, why limit consecutive terms when he can come back later and regain the seat?
The term limit proposal was no doubt instigated by Rosell supporters in an attempt to oust Laporta and dismiss the positives he had achieved by shaming him with contrived findings. My, how that backfired!
Can't help but wonder if the limit on consecutive terms will try to be be revoked if Laporta wins the election.
Should it be revoked or should it stay? I'm undecided.

 

Authorities supposedly investigating many cases of money laundering. - hope we aren't involved - I've seen so many suggestions online that quite a few of our past deals involving potentially good Brazilan youngsters were simply a way of money laundering for some money men ...

 

Like Douglas? [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

It's about next season:

Marca belives that both Barca and Real can get 125 million each for next year. So they basically lose 15 million while the other teams will receive more

http://www.marca.com/en/2015/06/17/en/football/real_madrid/1434531360.html