The 2-0 victory over Coppenhagen could be viewed as a match that easily could have been a five or six goal rout, but wasn’t. David Villa was the only player in the box on what seemed like every cross or through-ball. Whether Barcelona was playing a 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, or whatever, the important thing to point-out was that their midfield consisted of Maxwell, Sergio Busquets, and Javier Mascherano. That’s a lot of steel and distribution, a moderate amount of creativity, and no finishing ability. Ok. Ok. I know Xavi was hurt and we are talking about Coppenhagen here, but why so defensive? The possession was 70% as usually. Isn’t that Barcelona’s defense, possession and pressing? Perhaps Guardiola feels that Mascherano needs to be used simply because his price-tag.
Twelve goals scored and six conceded in seven La Liga games. That’s 1.7 goals a game. This is not the same high-flying Barcelona side of last year or the year before. However, it’s not time to hit the panic button either. Possibly, Guardiola is just experimenting with more defensive approaches as to make Barca more well-rounded and the goals will come after he’s done tinkering. The obsessive thing to do is grasp on to Cesc Fábregas as the only long-term heir-apparent to Xavi. Arsene Wenger expressed confidence in Fábregas’ commitment to Arsenal this week. If there is a one-year deal in place or not, we won’t know until the Summer. Cesc will not be in a Barcelona kit this year. More importantly, instead of signing Mascherano, Barcelona let Mesut Özil slip right through their fingers into Madrid’s hands for half the price of Mascherano. Özil will cost one third to one fourth of the cost of Fábregas and there isn’t much difference in quality between them from my point of view.
The cornerstone of this team has been Xavi, Puyol, and Iniesta. In the not so distance future, father time is going to catch-up to Xavi and Puyol. Xavi nursing his Achilles tendon could not be a more accurate representation to Barcelona’s slow-ish start. Xavi may send a lot passes back or laterally, but everything the past few years came through him. Biblical in a way, all great things to Barcelona come through “The One True Xavi”. This could almost be literally with sheer number of completed passes he generates in a game. In many ways he could be the most boring player of all time, yet this is what makes him and Lionel Messi great. Xavi hypnotizes the opposition like a snake and then Messi strikes for the kill with his directness.
Nevertheless, even if Barcelona hypothetically lose Xavi permanently, scoring opportunities should still be created via Messi, Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa and Dani Alves. However, Barcelona’s three-headed beast of Henry, Eto, and Messi from two years ago still rings as the best model for Barcelona; there scorers and creators upfront, Xavi and Iniesta running the engine-room in the midfield backed-up by the multi-dimensional Busquets. This year, something similar will not be the formula, unless somehow in the winter transfer window Fernando Llorente or someone else signs. Probably more so than any other team on the planet, you can any formation and be able to make good line-up because Barcelona has so many flexible players. This may be tempting Pep to tinker with defensive possibilities.
It’s early, but it’s never too early to be a little paranoid as Barca supporter if Madrid sits atop the table and Rosell wants to put restrictions on who can join the club. At least the next few days should be a respite with games against Real Zaragoza and Ceuta. Then again, there was Hercules only a few weeks ago.
0 yorum:
Post a Comment