The Spanish Football Thread

Apparently Zubi criticised Bartomeu who in turn sacked Zubi then Puyol left and the conspiracy theorists say Messi not training due to gastonitis is part of that but tbh, Andoni should have been sacked ages ago for not sorting the defence out.

Not ideal time for change for Luis Enrique, makes his position uncertain if it wasn't before.

There's presidential elections at the end of the seasons and he'll be gone then anyway. Don't think his results make a difference. Barça is a strange job really if you think about it, managers only ever leave due to politics and it's not really down to results on the pitch.

But just like the coach question (is there really a good alternative to Enrique available?)

Would have understood this last season, but this season, I think the only period of time where Atléti have played as watchable and creative football as they did in some parts of last season was - bar some moments in other games- after the stronger introduction of Griezmann. Before that, Atléti did struggle to recreate the same creative spark and inspiration in attack from open play as last season and mostly focused on defensive organisation and set pieces (goal tallies and statistics can be misleading if you don't watch the team in question, but in this case, theirs - 21 from set pieces, including 2 penalties, out of 34 - really isn't). This is what the 'flak' they get refers to, their development since last season, which simply doesn't correspond with their strengthening in the attacking positions at all. Of course they are still capable of creating some really great goals as has been mentioned, but in the majority of games they rely even less on those types of situations and goals than last season. With Griezmann, this has improved; he just offers a lot more than, has better understanding with Arda and Koke than and is, both tactically and skill-wise, a better option in the Villa role than García, who's often just a detrimental factor for their attacking game - hence why Cholo's preference for him over Griezmann was a bit baffling. He immediately improves the attack, even more in a tactical sense than regarding immediate output, although his goal tally compared with the amounts of minute he's played speaks for itself.

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They don't have a midfielder who can drive with the ball, Iniesta is a good dribbler but he'll get pushed off the ball. Tbh think Ramsey would do well there. It's weird because they've bought Rakitic in, but he's not really had the sort of impact I expected. Thing is Barça have a good defensive record but I fear for them against City, especially if Aguero is playing or even Dzeko will get a couple.

Na City are the type of opposition Barcelona would love.

City tend to play their best when they have good possession of the ball, they're not really fast on the counter attack and if Barca's front 3 press and they play Rakitic and Iniesta City will have to struggle.

Look at what happened against Bayern, with 10men they were pressing City, when Pep decided to get the team to sit back and let City have the ball(I assume they were tired and were playing a dead rubber match so obviously are less motivated to try and win the game and decided to just conserve their energy) City then were able to score. Barca will try to keep possession of the ball at every opportunity if they have 11 men on the pitch and City can't handle that constant period without the ball and consistent pressure.

Yeah that's true. Reckon it's how they set up though, if they go 4-3-3 with Fernando and Fernandinho with Toure they can make it difficult for Barça. Also if Pellegrini had a brain he'd just man mark Xavi if he plays. Can see City going through tbh.

I guess so but I think the best way to beat Barcelona is to isolate Messi anyway as he's responsible for majority of their creative play, obviously Suarez and Neymar can offer that to a smaller extent but Suarez is most advanced atm so can't really transition from midfield to attack like Messi can.

Also this is a game for Milner to play in but then where does that leave Silva? Lamps obviously will come on at some point and Navas will be needed for pace but I have a feeling City will try to go overly defensive and Barca will find gaps. Also not really been impressed with Fernando so far this season. Fernandinho is better but goes forward too much.

Agree with this. Suppose he could play CM instead of Fernandinho with Silva LM but then thinking about this exact point makes me think that they probably can't beat Barça. They don't have a god enough defensive work rate tbh. That's not to mention that Mangala is **** and Kompany is still injured. Iirc Barça just isolated full backs last year? Alves will have a field day tbh City have a gap on the left side so Messi will just play on the right.

Enrique apparently has a 2 match ultimatum to sort **** out.

While xavi and frank de boer are favourites to take over...

Last year they scored their first goal through a gap in the middle due to Kompany messing up an offside trap, prior to that weren't really threatening too greatly but they were pulling City a little who couldn't really get much decent possession of the ball, counters weren't really too cohesive either.

After Barca scored the first goal at the Etihad the tie was over personally.



They're not even that far away from Madrid and to tell him to sort out stuff when they've got Atlético of all teams to play is pretty unfair. Don't think Barca are doing anywhere near as bad as it's being made out to be.

That said they would have beat Sociedad had they just started their first choice 11.

Enrique will go eventually but not yet. Atletico won't be easy and if there's no ideal replacement (not sure who they could promote temporarily from the B team coaching set up)

If you listen closely, you can just make out the cheers in Madrid from Getafe.