The Spanish Football Thread

It's a premature and unwarranted one. This season, Sergi Roberto has produced much better performances as RB than Vidal, yet it didn't spark a discussion regarding Alves. Vidal has shown some promise and offers a slightly different approach to RB, but it's not as if he's been mind-blowingly good to warrant a discussion about a permanent starting spot; at least if the same applies to Sergi. He's still improving his defensive skills and developing in that RB role from being a winger more than anything; he hasn't been properly tested either. His main role for the time being is to provide depth for various positions much like Sergi, such as on the wings, as RB and perhaps even LB.

The condition behind keeping Alves was always to bring in competent competition, because Alves needs that sort of motivation to perform at his best level (cf. last season: the spike in his performance when his renewal was under threat). And at his best level, Alves is irreplacable and the best option because of his unique midfield linkup and contribution to build-up, Messi connection and defensive superiority over most options; some of these qualities get overlooked.

Think the article is sensationalist anyway. That talk about a "Gala 11" and pointing out Alves as the notable exception is ignoring the fact that a lot of the clear starters have been rotated this season, not just Alves. Would also disagree with this being the most or only curious debate for Barcelona's team; there are a few more interesting (and much more warranted) ones. CM roles this season? GK situation? Etc.

I've heard you talk about midfield roles a few times. What exactly do you mean by midfield roles and what about it needs to be changed/has there been any sort of change since the start of Enrique's tenure?

Another draw for Neville and Negredo bags a late header, well taken admittedly.

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Real were knocking on Celta's door towards the end there, but couldn't fashion a clear cut chance and it ends 1-1 after Benzema's equaliser.

They played Real Betis

The first goal was a beauty. The swivel and shot was fantastic. Real were fortunate with the equaliser considering James was clearly offside.

Real were much better second half.

There was one former Real youth team play on show yesterday. .. and he played in goal for Betis. Adam had a good game. Zidane needs to drop Danilo immediately.

I've heard you talk about midfield roles a few times. What exactly do you mean by midfield roles and what about it needs to be changed/has there been any sort of change since the start of Enrique's tenure?

I guess the GK situation already has been decided(league bravo cups ter stegen) but surely at some point Ter Stegen will most likely take the no.1 spot(unlikely to be this season though).

Barcelona would surely be better off with Nolito, Deleufeu and Tello as their second choices in the attack, rather than Munir and Sandro.

Deulofeu is showing good promise, but had he returned to Barcelona in the summer, when he was still deemed as not ready both by Emery and Lucho, there is a very good chance he would not have shown this improvement, just like Munir and Sandro weren't able to (or Munir until recently, he's improved much).

I was referring to the developments exclusively this season. In 2014/15 the tactics tended to be very direct, the creative duty and focal point lying mostly on the front three with the midfield acting more as support, something which, inevitably, resulted in Rakitic thriving and Iniesta struggling. This season, some players have shown significant improvements in areas that allow for a more creative midfield again, & others have joined that tick that box.

Firstly, Neymar has said goodbye to his tendency to slow down the play by holding too long onto the ball; he tends to combine more and opts less for the unnecessary show-off solo. This automatically involves the CM on the left side more and more creatively. As a result, Iniesta has been thriving and become one of the key players again (and similarly, it took Rakitic almost half of the season to find back to his old form).

At the same time, a couple of very technical, creative midfielders are (re-)emerging, e.g. Roberto and Arda. Rafinha too, should he find back to his pre-injury form. And rumours point to a possible return of Denis Suárez. That means the starters are far from being as obvious as was suggested. For example, for several months, you could have argued Rakitic should've been dropped for Roberto, but now, he's beasting it again, so can't really do that.

So essentially, there's suddenly more depth and different options in midfield for different occasions/tactics. If we really want to start (unnecessary) discussions about possible changes in starting positions, then this would be a better one than Vidal/Alves.



Yes, but this "decision" is a provisorium that needs addressing. "At some point" is well and good but Ter Stegen is at an age where he possibly can't or doesn't want to afford waiting for that. If we wants to fulfill his (really amazing) potential, then it is, thanks to his age, becoming more and more urgent to get the chance to work on that *now*. IMO he could be one of the best few GKs in the world, but he won't with such sporadic game time and high pressure every game. To improve, he needs the routine of playing week in week out and also the confidence of a small easy clean-sheet-run, something which is impossible in the format of CL and copa. If, going into the next season, he's still not playing the league, he should go, and imo, he will. Otherwise, his development will be stalled and his potential partly wasted.

So do Barça want to keep playing Bravo based on the fact that he's currently the more reliable, experienced and routined option and on his excellent form, and risk losing ter Stegen with the prospect of having to cash in on another young gk in the next few years, someone who will probably not have the same 100% "Barça-style" profile and not the same potential as him? (And potentially also risking Bravo to return to his Sociedad form without the competition.)

But on the other hand, wouldn't it be mental to drop a keeper like Bravo to nurture a young talent for the future?

There's no easy answer on that and you can argue for both positions. IMO this is the most interesting personnel debate wrt Barcelona.


What has Tello ever shown to suggest he is good enough and even fits in at Barcelona, and what has he shown since leaving that indicates he's now a better fit and would now do better than back when he was still at the club though? IMO it's safe to say his departure was one of the most logical ones.

Deulofeu is showing good promise, but had he returned to Barcelona in the summer, when he was still deemed as not ready both by Emery and Lucho, there is a very good chance he would not have shown this improvement, just like Munir and Sandro weren't able to (or Munir until recently, he's improved much).

Big upset on the cards in the Cuppa Del Boy tonight, with Atletico requiring 3 goals in the last 20 minutes against Celta

Barca, Celta, Sevilla and Valencia make up the final 4. I'm surprised that Atleti didn't make it through but im sure it will help them in the league.

Barca were terrific yesterday, the first half wasn't. Williams goal was a nice finish with the outside of the boot and the midfield pressure from Barca allowed that goal. The Barca goals were nice, the Neymar finish in particular was exquisite.

Neville will be under pressure now that they are in the semi's, they will face a tough game from any of the remaining teams.

Valencia beat Las Palmas and book their place in the final four - where they'll face Barcelona.


I thought Williams took a touch too many for the goal - but he proved me wrong and still managed to convert after rounding the goalkeeper.

Barca v Valencia will be an interesting tie. The English media will play it up, I'm sure a "Sky yellow banner" will appear at some point. Celta and Sevilla should be great game too. I think the final will be Sevilla v Barca but I want Celta to make it, they have a fantastic season so far.