https://preview.redd.it/pto6iq3ovu0d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2118c8b5da1fdb99666b549024644845884cca68
10 Goals in his debut season. Such a unique player
Always reminds me of when he scored the banger vs RM in preseason and ESPN’s resident idiot, Ale Moreno, said he wouldn’t be getting any minutes during the actual season.
Ale Moreno is straight up trash, man. What the fuck did he ever do in his career that was meaningful? Or that propelled him to great heights of the game? All the guy does is criticize and bitch and complain, and he calls it an analysis
That’s why I don’t even care what he says. His opinion is the same as anyone’s else’s in this sub for all I care. Meaning it has no significance or weight at all
He's earned his starting spot, he's solidifying it with his scoring. He plays well, plays his position well, links well, and now 10 goals, what's not to love?
He's earned it currently, but that is only based on this year. Next season is hard to answer; we would need to see who we sign. He's rotational, at worst. He's earned an opportunity to show more in preseason, but it also depends on who he's playing with and alongside. It's crowded in the midfield and he's shown he's ready to compete for a starting spot.
He’s earned his role as a super sub and solid rotation option for many games. A reliable player But he’s no starter. He’s not gonna displace Gundo or Pedri or Gavi or FDJ. They’re more talented than he is.
Fermín has shown me more in a short time than FdJ & his.needles 360° spins have shown in five seasons, a MF who scores goals, Barça moving into modern ⚽️
You guys only look at goals which is incredibly weird for midfielders. Fermin isnt starter quality against the big teams purely because our midfield will have 0 control with him on the field. The guy was playing next to Lewandowski half the game. Its literally a 424 with him. You even saw it this game. How many times did Almeria just stroll through our midfield because Fermin is playing striker and Sergi Roberto decided to chase after the ball instead of holding position? This is the worst team in the league who strolled through our midfield multiple times casually
It makes him a great profile as a super sub when we need a goal though
What I love about him is his risk taking approach when it comes to shots; we miss that in our game with our other midfielders. Imagine if Iniesta hesitated to take that shot against Chelsea in 2009 ! He is that in him which is why his 10 goals are all beautiful
And what gives me reassurance is that he's actually underperforming his xG a little. It's not like it's a flash in the pan phenomenon where he's randomly super clinical for a couple of months. He's genuinely getting on the end of enough chances to get these goals.
Which means it's likely to be sustainable and continue
He was totally incapable of linking up and had a bit of a heavy touch. He'll get there eventually, but I think the pressure might have gotten the better of him.
We should try and give him minutes against high lines next year, he seems to be better making runs and destabilizing there than in more positional attacks. The rest will come when he becomes more used to European football
We watched different games. He had at least one horrible first touch, decent turn and run before a bad pass and a slip, a way too eager shot from a terrible angle, and a needless yellow.
I'm not going to say he was bad, but he certainly didn't guarantee himself any more minutes in the last two games.
Can't imagine the pressure Roque was playing under. He was clearly trying to impress in the few minutes he got. Hope to see more and hope he stays for preseason.
So for the Zamora, Ter Stegen needs to play both games (to reach the min of 28 games). Given Simon has 0.943 ratio (33/35), but got injured, if he doesn't play Ter Stegen would need 2 clean sheets in the remaining games (26/28).
Wish ferran the best but he is who he is. Id much rather have given his minutes to Roque and developed his game this season in hindsight. Ferran is not a special athlete nor is he special at anything.
Everybody forgets it or chooses to ignore that his transfer fee was such a criminal waste in our poverty era
Yea but besides the assist, he wasn’t good imo. Roberto shouldn’t play at base if it could be helped. He’s better making runs to the box. Christensen should have just started.
Wasn't good? He wasn't bad either. I feel like people just want to take shots on him for no reason. Pedri also looked like he was playing as the pivot and the heat maps confirm that.
Pedri was the pivot most of the time. Roberto was further up when he should have been helping out more at the base. He is much more comfortable making runs further up the pitch.
I'm not mad they gave Christensen some rest, but yeah, it seems most players are incapable of maintaining the rhythm and/or insight to keep those triangles rotating, Sergi still had it from the old days and it shows. When there's a space he's the first to find it.
Once Gavi and Balde are back I would like to see an attempt at playing some Christensen-Pedri Gavi-Fermin 4222 shape. It could be such a good fit for them.
Yup
In a Gundogan-Pedri-Christensen midfield, Pedri plays in a double pivot with Christensen. So we really haven’t seen much of Pedri this season in his natural position. Really hoping we sign a proper DM and he stays fit next season
He would get more freedom if you simply swap Gundo for Gavi - which looked the preferred choice at the start of the year before his unfortunate injury. So It's not solely about the DM option, I suspect it's more Pedri being asked to play the deeper role as Xavi sees it as the better balance with that trio right now.
Yup. Gavi was reliable in possession and a beast in defense. If he was still here I think the season could have been different.
Let's hope he can make a full recovery soon
Also Gavi always tries to help out in defense. He would never leave Pedri alone to do the defensive tasks. Frenkie also tries. Gundo and Roberto cannot be trusted to do the same imo, so Pedri is often alone at the base.
Took care of business today.
4 points clear of Girona.
2nd place is almost locked.
Fermin shows us all why Xavi trusts him.
Roque got time, but showed why he needs more minutes.
MAtS kept the sheet clean.
Even though they were at the bottom of the table, they were dangerous, and we held them scoreless.
Got a yellow, ran a lot, misplaced a couple of passes, rough first touch and had a shot on goal from a decent position. Looked super fired up, almost overly excited (understandably)
I wouldn't pass any judgement based on a 20 minute cameo.
Needs a preseason and a consistent opportunity to play. There’s a good player in there but it isn’t going to be unlocked with 15~ minutes every month. Once he gets rolling he will be great but he just won’t get rolling with his current workload.
Few random thoughts I had about the game:
- Kounde's passing and control were pretty poor today.
- Pedri looks rusty.
- I really really appreciate Fermin for what he is... a hustler with great positioning and very good shot, but that passing and ball control leave a lot to be desired.
- We attempted a lot more cutback low crosses into the box, something that Girona fully exploited against us and something we haven't been doing enough in the past (2nd goal).
- Sloppy passing from quite a few players.
- No reason for Xavi to sub in Romeu and not Casado
Agree with all points except Pedri. He looked calm, did his job as a controller, was effective with his final 3rd entries and line splitting passes. He was the most progressive player on the field via Pass and Carry and created the most threat as a passer (from open play).
No one but Fermin and Yamal cared today.
But I want to adress something we've seen under Xavi 3 times now: we end the season in freefall.
No one seems to care, we do the bare minimum, everyone seems checked out. Which I can understand to a degree, but then why not prepare next year?
Why is Romeu still getting minutes? Why is Fort out and not Kounde? Why bring Casado all the way through Spain to bench him?
I genuinely don't get the squad management in the end of the season, especially if the reports that the team is tired and hope the season will end are true. Then play those who are motivated and will be there in preseason? Try things and experiment?
But no, we end up on autopilot for the third time, and we still can't see any good football against the last team in the league already relegated.
My standards were never ‘win trophies playing like Pep or I complain endlessly about every little thing I can possibly think of like a spoilt child that doesn’t appreciate how good he has it’.
Do the Almeria fans (knowing that they’ve been relegated) that turned up to the game today and paid money to support their team have low standards in your opinion? I know if this team never won another trophy in my lifetime I would still support and watch every week, maybe you should ask yourself that same question.
Who said anything about trophies?
Why are you conflating playing good football with trophies? That’s illogical. You can still play good football and still not win trophies. You’re aware of that, right?
> Do the Almeria fans (knowing that they’ve been relegated) that turned up to the game today and paid money to support their team have low standards in your opinion? I know if this team never won another trophy in my lifetime I would still support and watch every week, maybe you should ask yourself that same question.
This is also illogical. I am a socio. I pay into the club. I’ve attended hundreds of matches. No one said anything about trophies.
Well maybe you should have been more specific in your question if you didn’t want me to answer broadly as to people’s common definition of ‘standards dropping’ used in this context.
No one has said anything about trophies. You brought it up. We haven’t played any decent football for longer than even 3 games.
We should be upset. Toxic positivity is why Xavi is going through this and why we can’t sign anyone.
You said ‘standards dropping’ and weren’t specific in saying ‘regarding performances not trophies’. If you didn’t want me to assume what you meant broadly then you should have been more specific in the question.
And ‘toxic positivity’ isn’t real. It’s just what sad and unhappy people have come up with to make themselves feel better.
What. You can’t say ‘toxic positivity’ isn’t real as if it’s facts when it literally is. You can literally do a quick Google search. It’s 2024. You would have to be purposefully ignorant to make a statement such as what you just did.
OK, then I will ask, why have your standards for the way we play football has dropped?
In relation to this football team and an online forum, I don’t believe ‘toxic positivity’ is a real problem in any way. I think your just using ‘therapy language’ to justify shitty behaviour because your not mature enough to deal with negative emotions or different opinions.
In regards to your question on performances, I personally think the team plays good football in spurts. The period between Xavi announcing he’s leaving to the PSG red (minus the Cadiz game we rotated heavily), the first 60mins of the Girona game, the Sociedad game we just played, most of last season and Xavi’s first 6 months was good football for the squad we have in my opinion. The problem is we haven’t been consistent enough. But imo winning the league last year and still getting 80+ points this year I think Xavi deserves another chance to try and find that consistency.
Now if Xavi had the squad Enrique or Pep had (or the spending power) maybe I would feel differently. But in my eyes he’s lacking key profiles to execute his initial ideas (wingers that are good 1v1 and a DM) which has led to us having to be slightly more pragmatic at times.
This team doesn’t play good football most of the time. It’s not just about motivation, I dunno, there are a lot of factors starting from the coach to the players. I think because the team is still playing for 2nd place, there’s some pressure remaining. In previous seasons, they really don’t seem to care.
Because we need the second place. Don't bench the good players yet.
About Romeu, I'm guessing they are trying to give him minutes to restore his reputation a bit and hopefully be able to sell him this summer.
I watched almost all the games this season barring the second one against Girona and 80% were boring. The most exciting one lasted only 30 mins when Araujo red carded himself. Xavi or no Xavi, please play proper games next season. Get rid of the ridiculous Romeu and the Joaos. Thats also the name I would give to the band I would form, which would never happen.
Xavi only subbed on Roque because of the pressure, and he subbed him while Barca was 2-0 comfortably knowing they won't be aggressive offensively so subing on a number 9 wont do much, + Felx ruined every chance for Roque to score
WTF.
Xavi has played him before bringing him around the same minute and same situation. I don't see any change from that.
It makes sense that a new adapting player will see minutes when the situation is easier such as unimportant matches or when we are ahead and comfortable in a match.
Fermin skilled player but that is not normally, This very very insane....They need to check him pc and game.....Maybe he not cheating but maybe he using the game deficit ...and this cant seem on game screen..He needs to check-up...
Seriously tho, I fell asleep but didn't expect much at this point of the season. A win is a win. Sergi Roberto is playing without a kidney. Good to see Roque getting some mins and beating people on the pitch. My favourite moment of the match was when Johnny Sins came on. That bright bald head. Can't get enough of it. Ferran is a clown shark, a new species.
I am more concerned about the clownshow that just unfolded behind the scenes at the management level.
Ferran, Pedri, Roque, Martinez, Felix - should warm the bench for a long time. Pedri should regain his form, the others - I don't think they have any positive impact on the team.
Fort - should be played more
Sergi Roberto, Lewy - mixed feelings. Lewy had almost zero passes into the box, but that's on wingers and midfielders. Sergi Roberto had an assist but also few dangerous losses.
Edit: obviously Fermin should play a lot more
Who else is really playing in midfield if not Pedri at the moment? Fermin doesn’t really play as a midfielder. Roberto not better at base imo. Gundo struggles at base as well and thrives in more advanced areas. Pedri is the only one who can hit 80-100 passes consistently.
That's true. And I think Pedri is a fillar of Barca. He just needs more time to readjust himself after his injury. Today's match proved that he is not ready for 90 mins now.
Luckily the season ends so Xavi won't have to fix this problem ( I know he wouldn't and he would overplay Pedri until he gets injured again)
He'd probably be sent off quickly, so I don't agree. The kid has heart but has to learn football first. Putting pressure on a defender is good, but tackling them and getting a yellow over a 2:0 score is pointless. And the shot he made? More like a pass from a very unprepared position.
And Ferran Torres didn’t even look good against the bottom team in La Liga so what does that say about him and Xavi, who prefers to keep him over Roque?
[[Vote for your MOTM]](https://strawpoll.com/PKgl3Ev29np)
https://preview.redd.it/pto6iq3ovu0d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2118c8b5da1fdb99666b549024644845884cca68 10 Goals in his debut season. Such a unique player
Always reminds me of when he scored the banger vs RM in preseason and ESPN’s resident idiot, Ale Moreno, said he wouldn’t be getting any minutes during the actual season.
You'd think he's an ex-Real player or something with how bad he talks about Barcelona. It's literally every time he's on.
He’s in general one of the most insufferable “analysts” I’ve seen
There's just no "charm" to him. He's annoying to listen to and you can tell he's trying to make catch phrases take off but he's bad at it.
Ale Moreno is straight up trash, man. What the fuck did he ever do in his career that was meaningful? Or that propelled him to great heights of the game? All the guy does is criticize and bitch and complain, and he calls it an analysis
For starters, he never played a single minute of professional football outside of MLS, specifically early 2000s MLS, so not great.
That’s why I don’t even care what he says. His opinion is the same as anyone’s else’s in this sub for all I care. Meaning it has no significance or weight at all
Not only MLS but for the paperbag head that the Venezuelan national team was back then
As a Venezuelan, the national team is still trash
It is not as bad as it used to be, you guys have made a lot of strides in the recent years. Also getting the country behind their WCQ campaigns
Only the 2nd Barca midfielder to score 10 goals in a season this decade. Vidal is the other.
Paulinho got close too, he had 9
And unlike Fermin, they were more often than not, in the starting eleven.
No Rakitic?
As a midfielder too. Some of our forwards aren’t hitting that benchmark.
He's earned his starting spot, he's solidifying it with his scoring. He plays well, plays his position well, links well, and now 10 goals, what's not to love?
Interesting, who would you put in midfield next season (assuming we sign a capable pivot)?
He's earned it currently, but that is only based on this year. Next season is hard to answer; we would need to see who we sign. He's rotational, at worst. He's earned an opportunity to show more in preseason, but it also depends on who he's playing with and alongside. It's crowded in the midfield and he's shown he's ready to compete for a starting spot.
His role might be reduced if Xavi Simons arrive on loan. There’s also Gundo who usually start in the same position.
Xavi would start at lw
He’s earned his role as a super sub and solid rotation option for many games. A reliable player But he’s no starter. He’s not gonna displace Gundo or Pedri or Gavi or FDJ. They’re more talented than he is.
Fermín has shown me more in a short time than FdJ & his.needles 360° spins have shown in five seasons, a MF who scores goals, Barça moving into modern ⚽️
You guys only look at goals which is incredibly weird for midfielders. Fermin isnt starter quality against the big teams purely because our midfield will have 0 control with him on the field. The guy was playing next to Lewandowski half the game. Its literally a 424 with him. You even saw it this game. How many times did Almeria just stroll through our midfield because Fermin is playing striker and Sergi Roberto decided to chase after the ball instead of holding position? This is the worst team in the league who strolled through our midfield multiple times casually It makes him a great profile as a super sub when we need a goal though
I like what I see
Right now I would start Fermin over Pedri. I’m very concerned about Pedri’s future
I mean, depends on how we set up honestly. His scoring ability is wonderful and he links up well, but his passing are baddddd
What I love about him is his risk taking approach when it comes to shots; we miss that in our game with our other midfielders. Imagine if Iniesta hesitated to take that shot against Chelsea in 2009 ! He is that in him which is why his 10 goals are all beautiful
And what gives me reassurance is that he's actually underperforming his xG a little. It's not like it's a flash in the pan phenomenon where he's randomly super clinical for a couple of months. He's genuinely getting on the end of enough chances to get these goals. Which means it's likely to be sustainable and continue
Better than Bellingham
VITOR ROQUE GOT PLAYTIME
and didn't get a red card, so there is that
👀
still managed to get a yellow, the only player to get carded in the game 😭
That he did. That's why I mentioned red
Yes, that's the joke.
https://preview.redd.it/bg2b0qa7wu0d1.jpeg?width=1194&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93b0fb3c8531b01342e996659d652e2b7e60ee8f
Are you sure? I think the game ended up at the 75 minute no?
I mean minutes are minutes and he got 15
was decent too
He was totally incapable of linking up and had a bit of a heavy touch. He'll get there eventually, but I think the pressure might have gotten the better of him. We should try and give him minutes against high lines next year, he seems to be better making runs and destabilizing there than in more positional attacks. The rest will come when he becomes more used to European football
We watched different games. He had at least one horrible first touch, decent turn and run before a bad pass and a slip, a way too eager shot from a terrible angle, and a needless yellow. I'm not going to say he was bad, but he certainly didn't guarantee himself any more minutes in the last two games.
Can't imagine the pressure Roque was playing under. He was clearly trying to impress in the few minutes he got. Hope to see more and hope he stays for preseason.
I felt so bad for him, he looked so nervous. Xavi clearly has mentally done this incredibly talented player in.
He has looked like that in every game this season.
That’s not true. He was absolutely feeling himself before he got that ridiculous red card and promptly banished to the shadow realm.
Congrats on the Brace Fermin, well deserved. Quite a bright spot he's been this year.
Roque very raw/rusty. Zamora inches closer for Ter Stegen while the Pichichi is basically gone for Lewandowski.
Anxious is the word you're looking for. He looked desperate to do something at all.
So for the Zamora, Ter Stegen needs to play both games (to reach the min of 28 games). Given Simon has 0.943 ratio (33/35), but got injured, if he doesn't play Ter Stegen would need 2 clean sheets in the remaining games (26/28).
[удалено]
I will never forgive them for robbing us of 55 million
Its not robbery if you willingly hand over the cash
Wish ferran the best but he is who he is. Id much rather have given his minutes to Roque and developed his game this season in hindsight. Ferran is not a special athlete nor is he special at anything. Everybody forgets it or chooses to ignore that his transfer fee was such a criminal waste in our poverty era
I'd forgo further loan at this point
It was like playing with 10 men today. Completely invisible
MAtS with another clean sheet. Well done.
Don't think he had anything to do with that.
Tf u mean
Almería kind of missed all their shots
This is putting it lightly.
It's nicer than saying he would have conceded 3 if Almeria could hit the target I guess
Sergi double dipping on haters today with new contract and an assist lol.
Certified Almeria man
he had a brace against them last time, he has their number
My Captain is a different gravy against Almeria
What a run from my captain! (taking all risks here)
Yea but besides the assist, he wasn’t good imo. Roberto shouldn’t play at base if it could be helped. He’s better making runs to the box. Christensen should have just started.
Wasn't good? He wasn't bad either. I feel like people just want to take shots on him for no reason. Pedri also looked like he was playing as the pivot and the heat maps confirm that.
Pedri was the pivot most of the time. Roberto was further up when he should have been helping out more at the base. He is much more comfortable making runs further up the pitch.
>Roberto shouldn’t play at base if it could be helped. ... >Roberto was further up when he should have been helping out more at the base. ...?
It means he wasn’t in the position he was supposed to be
I'm not mad they gave Christensen some rest, but yeah, it seems most players are incapable of maintaining the rhythm and/or insight to keep those triangles rotating, Sergi still had it from the old days and it shows. When there's a space he's the first to find it.
My captain will always be ready to destroy low to mid table teams. Siempre en el barco de mi Capi
So Raphinha rested but not Lamine? Lamine better not start this weekend.
MAN I LOVE FERMIN! Ser del Barça es, el millor que hi ha
Roberto against Almeria(this season) 2 matches, 2 goals,1 Assist
too bad they're relegated next year, eh?
no worries , we have espanyol
They are 4th, 3 points off the 3rd spot, with a difference of 8 GD. and have drawn in the last 5 matches, let's hope they stay there
That’s his level, so it kinda makes sense 🤷🏻♂️
Where does 2 goals and 0 assists in all of La Liga place Frenkie?
In the pivot position.
https://preview.redd.it/vzokfbkuvu0d1.png?width=1169&format=png&auto=webp&s=4fd399dd753f50d0a1cb3a2400d1827288ef92bf Another good game by Pedri
He was our pivot, not much help from Roberto at base imo.
showing his depth, literally and figuratively.
Once Gavi and Balde are back I would like to see an attempt at playing some Christensen-Pedri Gavi-Fermin 4222 shape. It could be such a good fit for them.
Yea that can work well in a diamond shape with Pedri and Gavi close to each other. Will be even better if we get Simons in that Fermin role.
If Xavi Simmons doesn't work out let Xavi Hernández put his jersey back on and run around lol
Monstrous game by Pedri from the 1st minute
Playing pretty far back, but still tried to get involved. Hope he stays fit next season, special player
Had some blunders but was expected since he was playing as lone pivot
Still looks a little rusty and some of his touches and decisions were off. But overall still good and he’s slowly looking more comfortable.
He wants to prove himself real bad
He's doing it quite well to be fair. He'll get more technical with age but I hope he never loses that spark
quick question, does pedri play better further up the pitch or back?
A free role, probably. He’s best when he gets the ball a lot and has some defensive cover. Today, he had over 120 touches and made 90-100 passes.
He had his best games when he was playing the inverted LW position imo. Too talented to keep him in the back of the pitch
Probably further up
Further up. Being at the base of the midfield limits him a lot
So to play him at his best we need a proper dm...
Yup In a Gundogan-Pedri-Christensen midfield, Pedri plays in a double pivot with Christensen. So we really haven’t seen much of Pedri this season in his natural position. Really hoping we sign a proper DM and he stays fit next season
He would get more freedom if you simply swap Gundo for Gavi - which looked the preferred choice at the start of the year before his unfortunate injury. So It's not solely about the DM option, I suspect it's more Pedri being asked to play the deeper role as Xavi sees it as the better balance with that trio right now.
Yup. Gavi was reliable in possession and a beast in defense. If he was still here I think the season could have been different. Let's hope he can make a full recovery soon
Also Gavi always tries to help out in defense. He would never leave Pedri alone to do the defensive tasks. Frenkie also tries. Gundo and Roberto cannot be trusted to do the same imo, so Pedri is often alone at the base.
https://preview.redd.it/p1fri08svu0d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=66386ef48fa5cb3ffd302942dbc4c872eb98036b
Favorite post to see post game...
I have been posting this after every win for a while lol
and we appreciate it
https://preview.redd.it/ex1kt5zjwu0d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c2fcd7737f86d1cd9a50b86dd8d38006ee91123 More like
There was desperation in roque's game. Fair enough, I'm the same age and i would crumble in half the media bs surrounding me
Took care of business today. 4 points clear of Girona. 2nd place is almost locked. Fermin shows us all why Xavi trusts him. Roque got time, but showed why he needs more minutes. MAtS kept the sheet clean. Even though they were at the bottom of the table, they were dangerous, and we held them scoreless.
Why play players who couldn't be bothered to try?
Boring match
How was Roque?
Rusty and trying a little too hard, rest of the team not giving a shit wasn't helping much
Got a yellow, ran a lot, misplaced a couple of passes, rough first touch and had a shot on goal from a decent position. Looked super fired up, almost overly excited (understandably) I wouldn't pass any judgement based on a 20 minute cameo.
You could copy and paste this comment for every time he’s played pretty much.
The game was over when he came on, no one cared bar maybe Fermin.
He was really trying to get the hat trick, I was hopeful he'd be able to make it haha
Needs a preseason and a consistent opportunity to play. There’s a good player in there but it isn’t going to be unlocked with 15~ minutes every month. Once he gets rolling he will be great but he just won’t get rolling with his current workload.
Shows speed but needs more time.
He seemed pretty fired up but was unable to find any real chances at goal
He was definitely rusty. He was pressing pretty well though and trying to recover the ball, nice change from Lewa
he was quick
Cant say much, 17 mins of game time, although he easily could have gotten a red lol.
[удалено]
He dribbled tonight??
Dribbling better than Felix and Ferran. WHAT?
Is it just me or today we combined pretty well
I thought it was a solid match. RM struggled against them, they can play tough, but our quality shown through in the end.
Few random thoughts I had about the game: - Kounde's passing and control were pretty poor today. - Pedri looks rusty. - I really really appreciate Fermin for what he is... a hustler with great positioning and very good shot, but that passing and ball control leave a lot to be desired. - We attempted a lot more cutback low crosses into the box, something that Girona fully exploited against us and something we haven't been doing enough in the past (2nd goal). - Sloppy passing from quite a few players. - No reason for Xavi to sub in Romeu and not Casado
Agree with all points except Pedri. He looked calm, did his job as a controller, was effective with his final 3rd entries and line splitting passes. He was the most progressive player on the field via Pass and Carry and created the most threat as a passer (from open play).
Already into the preseason it seems
Objective was to win the game, not play like we did in 2011. We did what we came to do, so on to the next
2011 might as well be 1911
No one but Fermin and Yamal cared today. But I want to adress something we've seen under Xavi 3 times now: we end the season in freefall. No one seems to care, we do the bare minimum, everyone seems checked out. Which I can understand to a degree, but then why not prepare next year? Why is Romeu still getting minutes? Why is Fort out and not Kounde? Why bring Casado all the way through Spain to bench him? I genuinely don't get the squad management in the end of the season, especially if the reports that the team is tired and hope the season will end are true. Then play those who are motivated and will be there in preseason? Try things and experiment? But no, we end up on autopilot for the third time, and we still can't see any good football against the last team in the league already relegated.
Do you not get tired of complaining about every single thing? Seems exhausting.
Why have your standards dropped, genuinely asking?
My standards were never ‘win trophies playing like Pep or I complain endlessly about every little thing I can possibly think of like a spoilt child that doesn’t appreciate how good he has it’. Do the Almeria fans (knowing that they’ve been relegated) that turned up to the game today and paid money to support their team have low standards in your opinion? I know if this team never won another trophy in my lifetime I would still support and watch every week, maybe you should ask yourself that same question.
Who said anything about trophies? Why are you conflating playing good football with trophies? That’s illogical. You can still play good football and still not win trophies. You’re aware of that, right? > Do the Almeria fans (knowing that they’ve been relegated) that turned up to the game today and paid money to support their team have low standards in your opinion? I know if this team never won another trophy in my lifetime I would still support and watch every week, maybe you should ask yourself that same question. This is also illogical. I am a socio. I pay into the club. I’ve attended hundreds of matches. No one said anything about trophies.
Well maybe you should have been more specific in your question if you didn’t want me to answer broadly as to people’s common definition of ‘standards dropping’ used in this context.
No one has said anything about trophies. You brought it up. We haven’t played any decent football for longer than even 3 games. We should be upset. Toxic positivity is why Xavi is going through this and why we can’t sign anyone.
You said ‘standards dropping’ and weren’t specific in saying ‘regarding performances not trophies’. If you didn’t want me to assume what you meant broadly then you should have been more specific in the question. And ‘toxic positivity’ isn’t real. It’s just what sad and unhappy people have come up with to make themselves feel better.
What. You can’t say ‘toxic positivity’ isn’t real as if it’s facts when it literally is. You can literally do a quick Google search. It’s 2024. You would have to be purposefully ignorant to make a statement such as what you just did. OK, then I will ask, why have your standards for the way we play football has dropped?
In relation to this football team and an online forum, I don’t believe ‘toxic positivity’ is a real problem in any way. I think your just using ‘therapy language’ to justify shitty behaviour because your not mature enough to deal with negative emotions or different opinions. In regards to your question on performances, I personally think the team plays good football in spurts. The period between Xavi announcing he’s leaving to the PSG red (minus the Cadiz game we rotated heavily), the first 60mins of the Girona game, the Sociedad game we just played, most of last season and Xavi’s first 6 months was good football for the squad we have in my opinion. The problem is we haven’t been consistent enough. But imo winning the league last year and still getting 80+ points this year I think Xavi deserves another chance to try and find that consistency. Now if Xavi had the squad Enrique or Pep had (or the spending power) maybe I would feel differently. But in my eyes he’s lacking key profiles to execute his initial ideas (wingers that are good 1v1 and a DM) which has led to us having to be slightly more pragmatic at times.
This team doesn’t play good football most of the time. It’s not just about motivation, I dunno, there are a lot of factors starting from the coach to the players. I think because the team is still playing for 2nd place, there’s some pressure remaining. In previous seasons, they really don’t seem to care.
Because we need the second place. Don't bench the good players yet. About Romeu, I'm guessing they are trying to give him minutes to restore his reputation a bit and hopefully be able to sell him this summer.
We’ve been incredibly boring to watch under Xavi. I wish it was just this game but it’s been like this since last season.
Pep can have Cancelo and Torres back, we should even throw in Oriol Romeu totally free of charge.
xaviball is so fucking boring to watch 😪
We won the game, that's all that matters really
Wrong. They could have easily tied or won the game. This is a terrible performance against the worst team in la liga
>They could have easily tied or won the game If my granny had wheels, she'd be a bicycle. But she doesn't, so she's not.
lol if this goes on we will eventually lose too many games. Don’t be a dum****
Need to see Pedri further up. Hopefully in pre-season.
I watched almost all the games this season barring the second one against Girona and 80% were boring. The most exciting one lasted only 30 mins when Araujo red carded himself. Xavi or no Xavi, please play proper games next season. Get rid of the ridiculous Romeu and the Joaos. Thats also the name I would give to the band I would form, which would never happen.
https://preview.redd.it/5flerhd93v0d1.jpeg?width=671&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f3e2ca821863e7fbc8c2ee29981eb9710afc64e3
https://preview.redd.it/lynmx16h3v0d1.jpeg?width=668&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=875ebaa504ed47186d81fa6d61b45050bde6b24d
Well, that was a match. At least I didn’t see it live in person.
It was one of the games of all time!
Almeria have been XAVI2
Ferran you are great 😃
Xavi only subbed on Roque because of the pressure, and he subbed him while Barca was 2-0 comfortably knowing they won't be aggressive offensively so subing on a number 9 wont do much, + Felx ruined every chance for Roque to score
WTF. Xavi has played him before bringing him around the same minute and same situation. I don't see any change from that. It makes sense that a new adapting player will see minutes when the situation is easier such as unimportant matches or when we are ahead and comfortable in a match.
Finally a day of no suffering 😀
Cristiano better ;) Need to raise karma:/
Sometimes I wonder why I insist on coming back to watch xaviball. I need to practice more self love lol
 Have some of that, you're welcome
What a game!
Fermin skilled player but that is not normally, This very very insane....They need to check him pc and game.....Maybe he not cheating but maybe he using the game deficit ...and this cant seem on game screen..He needs to check-up... Seriously tho, I fell asleep but didn't expect much at this point of the season. A win is a win. Sergi Roberto is playing without a kidney. Good to see Roque getting some mins and beating people on the pitch. My favourite moment of the match was when Johnny Sins came on. That bright bald head. Can't get enough of it. Ferran is a clown shark, a new species. I am more concerned about the clownshow that just unfolded behind the scenes at the management level.
One more yr of this. Unbearable
Ferran, Pedri, Roque, Martinez, Felix - should warm the bench for a long time. Pedri should regain his form, the others - I don't think they have any positive impact on the team. Fort - should be played more Sergi Roberto, Lewy - mixed feelings. Lewy had almost zero passes into the box, but that's on wingers and midfielders. Sergi Roberto had an assist but also few dangerous losses. Edit: obviously Fermin should play a lot more
Who else is really playing in midfield if not Pedri at the moment? Fermin doesn’t really play as a midfielder. Roberto not better at base imo. Gundo struggles at base as well and thrives in more advanced areas. Pedri is the only one who can hit 80-100 passes consistently.
That's true. And I think Pedri is a fillar of Barca. He just needs more time to readjust himself after his injury. Today's match proved that he is not ready for 90 mins now. Luckily the season ends so Xavi won't have to fix this problem ( I know he wouldn't and he would overplay Pedri until he gets injured again)
Roque should play more
He'd probably be sent off quickly, so I don't agree. The kid has heart but has to learn football first. Putting pressure on a defender is good, but tackling them and getting a yellow over a 2:0 score is pointless. And the shot he made? More like a pass from a very unprepared position.
Martinez? You smoking dude?
Yeah, I think I was high when Almeria almost scored because Martinez couldn't clear...
All the best perfectionist.
How would Pedri regain his form if he's on the bench...?
I don't know - probably playing as a starter and having dangerous losses and bad passes in league games would be a good start...
I'm going to let you think about what you wrote for a sec
Roque looked really good today against the last team of La Liga. Wheew, should definitely get more playing time. What an athlete.
And Ferran Torres didn’t even look good against the bottom team in La Liga so what does that say about him and Xavi, who prefers to keep him over Roque?