You do realise you are slating a guy whose record this season is Played 46, Won 35, Drawn 10, Lost 1!
I don't think there is much that needs correcting there... even if it's not pretty Cruyff football. There is more than 1 way to play football.
5 players are occupying a vertical column because they are more than likely instructed to do so.
Centre back are so far apart because they are probably instructed to do so.
I disagree. Results should never be the sole measure of success, if not just check for the result.
For example, if the defender stays on the inside column(closer to the centre) and passes to the outside lane (channels/furthest column), if he loses the ball, his body shape will be such that if the ball is lost he will be inside facing outside meaning that he can cover the opposition passing lanes quicker and cover the space either behind or in front quicker. This is a very basic example.
The way Pique and Umtiti are set up, so far apart and on the outside columns in the build up whilst all their forward options to progress the ball are on the inside columns. This means that when they play from outside to inside and forward that the receiver is facing backwards if receiving such a ball. This is logical that if you are facing backwards this limits half your options immediately so it is far less optimal. This is just common sense. The second disadvantage of this is that if the receiver loses the ball, the area they have to all defend is now much larger as the centre backs are too spread out and the receiver is behind the ball on ball loss so there is larger space for the opposition to attack.
Watch Barcelona's build up when pressed, they are subpar it is pitiful to watch. They pass it to a cb whose passing lane a lot of the times to the inside is blocked because of the large space to the inside and then they then play it to the full back who is facing backwards and is then already covered. What happens next? They pass back and forth the defence with no route to progress the ball and they end up just playing a long ball towards Messi or Suarez who almost always close the ball and then they are back under pressure. This is a consistent issue. There is no movement in the centre to pull opposition players away top create space and open up passing lanes.
5 players occupying one column is inept and increases the chances of ball loss exponentially which is one of the reasons Barcelona cannot effectively circulate the ball and play progressive diagonal balls in behind opposition lines consistently. Moving a few players 2-3 players would make it easier to pass between the lines and progress the ball instead of always depending on the opposition coming on to you as a game plan when you have players with the ability to execute it.
Corrected? Why?
They're on their way to winning a treble by going the league and the CL undefeated ffs
See above
They need to be corrected because anything other than the Cruyff way is a crime against football
It's mathematically the best way to play regardless of aesthetics.
I'd be shocked if they win it.
I think Valverde is a very average coach being made to look good/great by the genius that is Messi.
They've abandoned all of their principles almost.
I agree.
Ah yes, the Cruyff-ites crawl out of the woodwork, waiting in anticipation for their own team to fail so they can say told you so.
Where were you weirdos when Rijkaard won your team a league + CL double with Edmilson and van Bommel in midfield?
You'd think Guardiola invented football or something. Time's change, teams adapt.
Rijkaard played Deco and Xavi together with Marquez as the holding midfilder in a lot of games. Xavi's injury meant he wasn't able to play that Champions league final. Rijkaard was the head coach of Barcelona because Johan Cruijff told Laporta to give him a chance. The same thing with Pep Guardiola. It was under Cruijff's advice he became coach.
He didn't invent football but he initiated the current era both in terms of coaching and tactics and even the way statistics have been applied to football. He is the most influencial coach since Johan Cruijff and that isn't up for debate.
How are City stronger in every department? Barcelona have better players in pretty much every single position.
I can see it going the way 2015 semifinals went with Pep being too adventurous and paying for it.
Did you watch that game? Pep tried man marking Messi, Neymar and Suarez but changed it after 10/15 minutes.
Bayern were missing Alaba, Ribery and Robben. That would be the equivalent of Luis Enrique facing a full strength Bayern side without Neymar, Messi and Dani Alves.
They lost the game in the last 15 minutes because Benatia decided to dribble in his own half which Pep Guardiola forbids, when he could have played a vertical or diagonal pass forward with less risk of a counter.
As much as City can definitely put a few past them, I also think City's defence has frailties and could ship a few too. It would be a very interesting clash. I do think City would pose a great threat though and have a great chance to beat them.
Manchester City have the best team at stopping opposition creating chances. The opposition make the fewest passes in theri halves, they concede the least shots in volume and XG.
With how poor Barcelona press and how easy it is for the opposition to play diagonal balls behind their midfield, Manchester City could really punish them if they play to their capacity.
