I like our chances in El Clasico ... but unfortunately they are still built to exploit our weakness ... which is speed through the wings.
I don't see him changing a thing. I think he will live and die by the sword. Make the wingers press high and also at times use the offsides trap. It does have the potential to get ugly if the high press doesn't work. We will see.
One critique I had had about Xavi was that he was tactically dogmatic, rather than pragmatic. Even to the point of not changing shape/personnel, when down a man (i.e P$G at home), or up a man. Flick, having come from the Jogi Low coaching tree, surely has sufficient pragmatism in his game to make suitable adjustments. In the next two fixtures, both sides have tremendous pace and athleticism, whereas Barça's back four lack it, especially with Inigo in, and Araujo out. So, to your point about a high press and the offside trap being a potential weakness vs Munchen or LPB, here's hoping that Flick has something up his sleeve. I do think that Kounde and Balde have the pace to deal with their marks, but to your point, positioning could be a question.
I think it was the game against Villarreal where they had a bunch of offsides. I saw an analysis of that game and we were lucky because in many of those, our back line was actually a big staggered and not lined up.
In the Libertadores it looks like it will be another all Brazilian final. Atlético beat River yesterday 3 x 0 at home. River has a slim chance at home. Botafogo is smashing Peñarol 5 x 0 right now. Some nice goals scored. Worth a watch.
Same old post-Fergie United. Fire a manager within a couple of months of extending his contract. They seem to think that giving the manager a vote of confidence will somehow make him a better manager. Do they have any clue what they are doing over there?
Pretty good La Liga match for a Monday night. Mallorca v Athletic - two teams playing quite well of late and the winner will pull level with Atleti on points in 4th position. Nice job by the referee sticking to his original decision to give Samu a yellow for his sliding tackle in the 10th minute, which VAR suggested should be a red (crazy!). Unfortunately, for Mallorca and neutrals who want to see the match continue at its frenetic pace, Samu went in for another strong challenge in the 22nd minute, this time not getting the ball, and picked up a second yellow.
not sure where you are getting these rankings, but Mbappe came 6th, Kane 10th, Yamal 8th, etc. So, that ranking you are showing doesn't seem to have anyone in the correct place. Looks like fake news.
...but it was right about #1. Rodri wins! Good to see a defensive -minded player win for a change, and makes sense in a season when no attacking players put up great numbers.
Honest question, what Brazil supporters react about this? From what i've seen, Madrid people act like Vinicius fighted and died in heroic way against alien invasion or something
Supporters themselves ? I don't know. All I see is stuff on social media. Many think he was robbed and many don't care. Many journalists however are acting like it's a funeral. Not because he didn't win, but because they believe some of the reason he didn't win is because he picked up a fight with Spanish society over racism. I don't doubt that it created some dislike among some who voted. The voting details aren't out, but apparently some journalist in El Salvador didn't even put him in the top 10. Frankly, that's just absurd. I don't doubt Florentino pulled out his whole delegation not because of he felt like Vini is being screwed .... but because he sees it as an attack from UEFA on him given they've been butting heads.
Tbf, the Bellingham v Vinny Jr race for the Ballon d'or seemed very close until Madrid started campaigning for the latter. Presumably one of the reasons for that campaign was to prevent a scenario where Vinny Jr and B'ham cancel each other out among voters that base their votes heavily on club football/CL, and someone from another club wins who did better at NT level. That's all fine, but don't cry when people's votes aren't swayed by your campaigning.