Match thread
1/n
1/n
If you had told me that the post-Messi era would start with a Piqué goal, a Sergi Roberto goal and a two-goal plus one-assist performance by Sir Lord Braithwaite the 3rd, well....
Football is a curious game, and our squad has the potential to be better after removing the best player of the world then if Messi were still with us.
That does not mean that losing Messi was good, but just that on the pitch it does not necessarily mean the end of the world.
That does not mean that losing Messi was good, but just that on the pitch it does not necessarily mean the end of the world.
One of the advantages of losing the best player in the world, is that when you can no longer pass him the ball and watch him bail us out, everyone needs to be 100% involved.
The team needs to play like a team.
The team needs to play like a team.
And I think that our team has at least shown us that they have the ability to do this.
Will they do so consistently is the big question, the answer to which will determine how successful we will be this season.
Will they do so consistently is the big question, the answer to which will determine how successful we will be this season.
Griezmann had the kind of monster performance that typically goes unnoticed (no goals, no assists, huge influence).
Look at his pressure stats. Bananas.
Look at his pressure stats. Bananas.
Some videos to go with those numbers.
Early in the game, robs the ball with a sliding tackle and immediately switches play to the other flank.
Beautiful.
Early in the game, robs the ball with a sliding tackle and immediately switches play to the other flank.
Beautiful.
In the 87th minute.
Still pressing, still winning balls.
Still pressing, still winning balls.
Both Griezmann and Depay are dynamic players who move the ball fast and full of purpose.
Here is Antoine receiving in between the lines, turning and finding Memphis in space.
Here is Antoine receiving in between the lines, turning and finding Memphis in space.
I remember a time when super stars primes lasted a couple of seasons. Especially the ones at Barça.
Memphis has all the potential to become an icon for us.
Memphis has all the potential to become an icon for us.
Fan favorite - cough - Jordi Alba had an excellent game, both on offense and on defense.
Here he is cutting off an attack and immediately offering a passing outlet for Neto.
Here he is cutting off an attack and immediately offering a passing outlet for Neto.
Again Alba, defending forward. Intercept enough balls in the opponent's half, and goals will follow.
I said intercept enough balls in the opponent's half and goals will follow.
And they said Eric Garcia was slow.
Based on yesterday's game, Marc-André Ter Stegen will improve this team a LOT.
Neto's passing is simply not good enough. On the few cases he finds a good opening, interesting things happen.
Neto's passing is simply not good enough. On the few cases he finds a good opening, interesting things happen.
That's all, guys. It is not a comprehensive thread nor a very analytical one, just a couple of outtakes of plays that I liked.
As mentioned before the game started, if we ignore the goat in the room we have a very nice season to look forward to!
As mentioned before the game started, if we ignore the goat in the room we have a very nice season to look forward to!
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