Appreciation thread: Barca’s defenders vs Atletico 💙❤️
In general, defending is done as a team. Every player is involved. Although it was solid, we still conceded a few too many chances. With that said, our defenders saved us through some world class individual defending.
We would not have beaten Atletico with another defense. That’s important to acknowledge. Without the pace, strength & anticipation of Kounde, Araújo, Christensen & Balde, we would have been forced to use a another formation/system to survive.
Kounde 🆚 Atletico:
• 90 minutes played
• 82% accurate passes
• xA: 0.2 (highest)
• 2 blocks
• 2 interceptions
• 1 tackle
• 4/6 accurate long balls
• 6 clearances
• 6 recoveries
• 2/4 aerial duels won
• 90 minutes played
• 82% accurate passes
• xA: 0.2 (highest)
• 2 blocks
• 2 interceptions
• 1 tackle
• 4/6 accurate long balls
• 6 clearances
• 6 recoveries
• 2/4 aerial duels won
Araujo 🆚 Atletico:
• 90 minutes played
• 87% accurate passes
• 1 goal line clearance
• 2 tackles
• 2 blocks
• 5 recoveries
• 2/3 ground duels won
• 100% aerial duels won
• 90 minutes played
• 87% accurate passes
• 1 goal line clearance
• 2 tackles
• 2 blocks
• 5 recoveries
• 2/3 ground duels won
• 100% aerial duels won
Christensen 🆚 Atletico:
• 90 minutes played
• 96% accurate passes
• Completed the most passes
• Most passes into the final third
• Most progressive passes
• 102 touches
• 9 recoveries
• 3 interceptions
• 5 clearances
• 90 minutes played
• 96% accurate passes
• Completed the most passes
• Most passes into the final third
• Most progressive passes
• 102 touches
• 9 recoveries
• 3 interceptions
• 5 clearances
Balde 🆚 Atletico:
• 4/4 tackles won
• 1 block
• 1 interception
• 90.6% passes completed
• 6 recoveries
• 1 aerial duel won
• 4/4 tackles won
• 1 block
• 1 interception
• 90.6% passes completed
• 6 recoveries
• 1 aerial duel won
Our defenders were tested a lot, but came out on top most of the times. They were focused, aggressive, but also very proactive. The standout performer was Christensen. His all round performance will be covered in a separate post.
Atletico were able to break our defensive system. They often played through our midfield. However, the defenders were able to stop them in dangerous situations. As a team we could have defended better, but our defenders stepped up with some incredible individual defending.
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