Why, How & Where Barcelona drew their game against Celta Vigo?
Flick's philosophy is at blame?
Sub-par Squad ?
[A thread]
Flick's philosophy is at blame?
Sub-par Squad ?
[A thread]
Lack of competent fullbacks on the ball, cost Barcelona the *control* against Celta.
How?
Both Gerard Martin and Kounde are terrible in progressing from deep under pressure on their own.
Thus, we saw Raphinha and Olmo dropping in, time and time again.
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How?
Both Gerard Martin and Kounde are terrible in progressing from deep under pressure on their own.
Thus, we saw Raphinha and Olmo dropping in, time and time again.
1/ x.com
One could say, Raphinha dropping deep makes sense as thats exactly what Lamine does with Kounde.
But that movement from Lamine felicitates Raphinha and Balde who'd constantly run in behind in the opposite flank.
But with Olmo (too slow) and Martin(too passive)β its useless
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But that movement from Lamine felicitates Raphinha and Balde who'd constantly run in behind in the opposite flank.
But with Olmo (too slow) and Martin(too passive)β its useless
2/ x.com
While for the left flank, many times we've seen Balde taking on a man to progress, which also allows Raphinha to make runs in behind.
But yesterday, having Olmo to drop deep meant Celta would now throw a defender with him, thus blocking the wide zone entirely.
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But yesterday, having Olmo to drop deep meant Celta would now throw a defender with him, thus blocking the wide zone entirely.
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Reduced threat from the wide zones for Celta meant more of their 1st wave of press could now focus on overloading and blocking Barca through the centre.
Thus we saw Casado (deployed as a lone-pivot), constantly overwhelmed by the Celta block and no passing options
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Thus we saw Casado (deployed as a lone-pivot), constantly overwhelmed by the Celta block and no passing options
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Barca were not able to progress the game through wide areas.
Plus, the central overload by Celta, often led us to bypass the 1st press by putting in long balls for Lewa or runners.
That did give Barca's 1st goal.
But most of the time, it meant a surrender in possession.
5/ x.com
Plus, the central overload by Celta, often led us to bypass the 1st press by putting in long balls for Lewa or runners.
That did give Barca's 1st goal.
But most of the time, it meant a surrender in possession.
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All of this resulted in Barca giving up on controlβ often leading to turnovers, allowing Celta to penetrate through deep runs in an already highline.
The fear and confusion created by those deep runs often tore apart the confidence of the backline.
6/
The fear and confusion created by those deep runs often tore apart the confidence of the backline.
6/
And that brings us into the *bigger* problem.
These are the type of games that puts Flick's methods and philosophy under scrutiny.
He's known for his aggressive and direct intent, he does not want the backline to rotate heavily committing more men deeper, and rather...
7/
These are the type of games that puts Flick's methods and philosophy under scrutiny.
He's known for his aggressive and direct intent, he does not want the backline to rotate heavily committing more men deeper, and rather...
7/
...he pushes his players forward and put the ball forward as soon as possible.
This is not a poor tactic in itself as Barca when were able to execute it, found themselves in good positions.
But the tremendous demand of physicality drains out the players...
8/
This is not a poor tactic in itself as Barca when were able to execute it, found themselves in good positions.
But the tremendous demand of physicality drains out the players...
8/
which becomes evident by minute 70/80.
Once the legs are gone, the press & back-tracking becomes atrocious.
"Exhausted" press + High line = Disaster
I would much rather want Barca to control the game with more rotations and patience in the 1st phase *with* more numbers...
9/
Once the legs are gone, the press & back-tracking becomes atrocious.
"Exhausted" press + High line = Disaster
I would much rather want Barca to control the game with more rotations and patience in the 1st phase *with* more numbers...
9/
..rather than rushing everything.
Overall, Flick's expansive way of playing football needs certain *profiles* and a *quality* squad dept which allows rotation without dropping a level.
Araujo, Lamine, Balde should be an immediate fix.
Long term?
-We'll need *top* signings
10/
Overall, Flick's expansive way of playing football needs certain *profiles* and a *quality* squad dept which allows rotation without dropping a level.
Araujo, Lamine, Balde should be an immediate fix.
Long term?
-We'll need *top* signings
10/
[ End of thread ]
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