What's Wrong With Barca? Why We Won't Win La Liga...
Most of the fans would be celebrating a 2-1 win over Valencia and potentially being still in striking distance of the top spot.
Admittedly this was the first full game that I've watched for the season, however I just didn't like what I saw and I think it exposes a few issues that will stop Barca from winning La Liga....
Tiki Taki No Longer Works....
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Everywhere in the first half there was a Barcelona player on the ball there was a Valencia player...or two...or three even in the case of David Villa camped in his area.
Messi was harried off the ball, Valencia read the attempted one- two passes as trying to unleash Messi everytime and Xavi and Iniesta had no space to turn with the ball and run with it.
David Villa had three defenders zoning him on the wing and despite repeated attempts to forcefeed him the ball produced nothing of consequence.
The midfield was in effective in this respect and whenever Barcelona reached the attacking third 10 men were in defence. Several thrusts through the middle for one-twos and little flicks to spring the offside trap failed.
I think that the footballing world has seen the scouting reports and know how to counter Barca's passing game now as admirably demonstrated by Inter and Rubin Kazan of all teams....
Too Many Of The Same Type Of Players
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Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Villa, Pedro..et al
in my opinion these guys constitute the same type of player...
- short
- skilled but on the ball skills primarily
- need room to dribble to be effective
- next to non-existent on corners, set pieces
- with the exception of perhaps Messi, unable to make a blazing run for someone to pass to spring the offside trap
the lack of versatility will be more pronounced as the season wears on....
Midfield Has Too Much To Do....
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No wonder Iniesta and Xavi are continually injured.
In Barca's offense these guys take the pass from the defender just inside the half line, turn and have to elude a defender or two and then work a one-two with a striker or winger in order to have a decent chance of scoring. Thus the number of tackles these guys are going to receive over the course of the season must make them more prone to missing time due to injury.
It was only when Iniesta looked up and had space to run at Valencia's back four did the first goal come for Barca, clearly something wasn't emphasized at half time in the Valencia locker. A more disciplined team would not have gone away from their game plan.
Iniesta and Xavi also lack the ability to put a strike on goal from distance say in the mold of a Pirlo or a Gerrard.
I spent the entire first half wondering who was playing up front with Messi and Villa and wondering why there was no right side action. Only later did I realize there was no third striker or winger that they were relying on Dani Alves to overlap and cross...more on that later.
Pep Effect Is a Double Edged Sword
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When he appeared on the scene I too hailed him as the next incarnation of the special one. He instituted the style of play that brought trophies and had everyone in Europe talking about playing like Barcelona.
Only thing is he himself stopped the team from playing like Barcelona. Sale of key players, ostracizing of Ibrahimovic and protracted contract negotiations leaves the even the casual Barca fan to wonder what is going on upstairs.
Also of note Barca of a couple of years ago would press immediately after losing the ball to win it back, that was not evident yesterday.
Perhaps he has no more tricks up his sleeve and it is time for him to take a sabbatical....
Defence.....?
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With commiserations to Puyol and Pigue, two great defenders, Valencia had Barca on the ropes in the first half and should have gone into the break 3-0 up...
their counters were swift and decisive, shredding the Barca defence and with better finishing could have secured the win...I put it to the fans that more disciplined opportunistic teams will not miss those chances
Dani Alves
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I have no problems with Alves on defence, speedy, committed, a good right back.
On offence however it is a different story...he has the pace to overlap, beat his defender and get into position but the delivery on the crosses is sporadic at best.
Like I said I like the player but he seems so wasteful on crosses and it was telling that the cross for the Puyol header came from Xavi.
If Pep is going to go with two upfront it could be a long season for Barca...
Busquets
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Is there a stat for how much time a player spends on the ground? Am I the only one left shaking my head when this guy suits up for Barca?
I just don't know what to say about this guy and the fact that they sold Toure and kept this guy is telling. Has anyone seen how well Toure adapted to the EPL and his powerful runs with the ball for Manchester City.
And we kept this flopper....?
Is Spanish pride really that strong?
Apart form that he was fairly non-existant and Keita seemed more adept at patrolling the defensive midfield.
#$@!!! Mascherano Is On The Bench???
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Mascherano, perhaps the finest defensive midfielder....is on the bench...getting 10mins or so per game....
nuff said...?
Conclusion
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I hate to admit it but I think this guy will be smiling all the way to the history books by the end of this year.
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