So Vinicius, a winger, is not supposed be tracking back? All "great coaches" let the fullback get overloaded by 2-3 players as the winger chills idly? Zidane made Jr. run on the flank like a rabid dog btw. Xabi never said this by the way. You did. And somehow you believe being a "LB" is the expectation from Vini when the coach got a capable defensive-minded LB and regularly puts Bellingham on the flank to offset Vini's lack of press and support. And my man, Vinicius doesn't even press up top adequately. Let me guess, "Not true"?
Like I said an attacking winger should not be expected to become an extra defender. You find other ways to make them effective. Flick gets it, how doesn't Xabi. And with your last sentence. That should be a topic of discussion, not the part above.
Disagree wholeheartedly. Playing a deep block, you would have expected us to launch long balls over the high line to Vini on the break. I can barely recall a single ball that was placed for him behind the line. There were so many instances beyond the goal where it was Vini carrying the ball 30-40 yards dragging us out of our half and into theirs. We weren't catching their high line too high. Positionally, Barca was well organized between Vini and their goal every time. Vini scored that goal and had a quality performance without service. He was forced to hero ball and did so effectively. I don't understand how to call that a bad game other than agenda-driven.
It was by design. He played the same role Mbappe played at that game in Madrid against Barca. There's a bit of varience due to him slotting on the left where he prefers rather than more centrally, but the challenge he presented is to make defense a track meet, his speed vs theirs. It was a Xabi decision. There's also a philosophical question whether a player can have a great perfomance in a effort where his team got stuffed, but that's besides the point.
I don’t necessarily feel that Vini is a slacker but what is this take that wingers shouldn’t defend? Wingers became a thing in modern football in large part due to the fact that they are expected to defend and press
@MadridXtra Diego Simeone: “I’d like to apologize to Mr. Florentino Pérez & Mr. Vini Jr. for what happened the other day. It was not right, and that’s why I’m apologizing.” meanwhile his lackey here is fighting tooth & nail to justify how vini was the villain. Thibaut Courtois: “We didn’t take advantage of this version of Vini Jr. today, he was a NIGHTMARE for them and we didn’t take advantage of it.”
Attackers defend from the top. If our pressing and counter pressing weren't so bad we wouldn't be expecting our wingers to run down to our box for 90 minutes every game. Teams like Barca and Klopps Liverpool press(ed) from the top. We defend in a mid to deep block and want our offensively minded players to track back every game. At most you can expect that of them for a few games during a Cup competition but against a Betis or Celta they are never going to do it and no other winger will either.
All criticism aside that goal was an absolute beauty, and I think he played a good game overall. Definitely a performance that shows what he has to offer when he is motivated and pulls his head out of his ass.
None of the media outlets (AS, marca, SER, COPE, etc) and Ramon + Pepe Alvarez + Pedrerol et al. had any idea about Xabi leaving..this indicates that Xabi quit and that the club has complete control on what and when the media knows/says..
How is this his fault? I mean it's hardly the first time a player has reacted angrily to being substituted. Look how Klopp or Carlo handled it without letting it get bigger. He has actually got subbed many timss after that and kept his gob shut. Not only that but he was booed for multiple games after that. We are just reaching for a scapegoat and Vini fits that profile after his Clasico outburst.
That "twat" fought tooth and nail yesterday for the manager and did so for the previous ones How about you not be a "twat" and actually give credit where it's due.
The moment he through a tantrum it was over. He believes he’s bigger and better than he is. He’ll get his contract “we’re waiting to see what happens with Xabi”. ******** him. Sell him but the cowards at the top won’t entertain it.
He was more than the goal. He was our best player. You guys are literally worse "twats" then the players you insult. Simple as.
******** the man child. Imagine having to baby this imbecile who couldn’t even respect the orders of his coach. ******** him.
How can it be over after a single tantrum. Did you see Manes multiple outbursts for Liverpool. Why didn't the same happen then? Klopp didn't have to drop him to pour cold water over it. He handled it impeccably. So did Carlo with all the players who also reacted angrily to being substituteed. If a single outburst was the last straw then I fear for Xabis coaching career. Ronaldo reacted angrily at ZZ, instead of wilting he went and got him into buying into being substituted and that was that. Please
All control went at that precise moment. Xabi lost all control in how he plays, who he plays and who he subs in to make tactical changes. Then started the rumours and now the rumours have come to fruition.