Eh, I'd give it to halftime. If this lineup can get it to 2-0 by then, I'd "keep going for it." If not, clear the bench at half, congratulate Atleti, and move on to the next match. But none of the typical Flick bullshyte of "1st sub at minute 88," so that the team risks injury and fatigue.
Sure, but this isn't PlayStation. This is with human players and human fans in the stands. Once you start a best XI, you're committed. You can't make a triple sub taking out Lamine, Raph and Pedri at halftime or even early first half if leading 1-0. Especially after burning a sub early on. The approach to this match is really counterproductive to Barca's season.
Why not? Setting some sort of limit as to how far Flick is willing to go happens all the time in the game. And just rolling out a B team send the wrong message to the players and to supporters.
Ok, so we're at the 2-0. I do hear @BocaFan and his concerns. Because Flick was slow to make subs in the previous matches, Pedri has had 24, and then 32 minutes in his return from injury. He's now at 45, so I wonder just how much further HE can go. The backline are thin, between the injury and Flick's security blanket Eric being out. Up front, I can't help but believe that Abuelo Robert would have finished at least one of Torres' chances. For me, its 3-0 by 60 minutes, or clear the bench.
If you can't throw out the likes of Roony in a match like this, you're not doing yourself or the fans any favors. Heck, Barca used to play guys like Pinto in the Copa - even in the final against Real Madrid!
Martin already looking like he played 120 minutes , Ferran useless as usual , let's see how long Flick will keep them on
Ok, if the game is still in contest, I'm thinking Olmo for Pedri, Rashford for Fermin around minute 60. If Barca aren't at 3-0 or better by minute 60, clear the bench.
No way Flick calls it quits if it's still 2-0 at the 60' That demoralizing move would sap more energy from the team than fighting for the whole 90+
Yup. We aren't making in-game decisions based on the logic that we cannot score 2 goals in 30 minutes.
I get that, but Pedri has got to be at the limits of his fitness. Yamal is in the middle of Ramadan, and so there also has to be reduced endurance. I'm still at 3-0 by 60 or bust.
Nope, based on the fact that Pedri's probably cooked for tonight by now, and Ramadan fasting has an effect on people like Yamal.