football test

One more week passed, and Barcelona still heading the march of the league. This is one of the games you can include in any category, beside A or Z. Not a game to remember for the brilliant performance we enjoyed (A), nor a game that broke our hearts, where we were outplayed and defeated (Z). Just another game that you don’t appreciate or remember. Not even after winning a title that is based on gathering points. In this game we earned three of them.

Nothing special about it, beside using Puyol on the right back to cover Alves absence and using Pedro instead of Henry.

I am still waiting to see how the combination of Puyol-Maxwell as fullbacks can work and how far it can compete with that’s of Alves-Abidal. Probably we need to wait a bit more, but I think It would have been better trying it in this game. I will come back to that later.

As for Pedro, I think the guy disserved to start. He’s been performing on the highest level this season whenever he was called for duty. This game will not be an exception, the rotation between Henry and Pedro is a must.

Some may argue that Yaya should have started instead of Busquets. That’s a close call. Busquets came back from an injury. Yaya came back from international duty. Pep had to see their performance during the training sessions to decide who was fit for this game. I guess we will need to wait at least one more week to see if Yaya comeback from Africa will deliver a comeback to expected form. Which has to be better than what he showed so far this season. Wish, pray, or toss a blessing spell.

Sporting Gijon were up to the reputation. Organized team that plays smart football. Its not strange that this is one of the most “lovable” small clubs in the liga.

As for Barcelona, It was really one of those games. We’ve seen this scenario many times last season. Getting locked in the cycle of fruitless possession. That’s one of the side effects of having a Xavi-Iniesta playmaking duo, another demonstration. But just before we get into all that, lets serve all the teams we will play against a favor. It’s getting boring that they are not getting it:

That’s a map of a football field. As you see, there is a restricted Area on the left flank. I still wonder why teams even bother attacking Barcelona there. That’s suicidal. That Abidal guy is on his peak at the moment. Will they ever get it?!

Still a remark must be mentioned about his over-dribbling risks. He is getting used to it these days, especially inside the box. So far it is working, we praise him. If once he fails and we concede a goal, we will bash him like never before. That’s the rule in this gambling show, and he knows it. Just saying…

On the opposite flank we had Puyol. And he showed how far we are dependent on Alves to perfect our offense mechanism. Puyol was doing well defensively. Offense wise he created an outlet on the flank. That’s the first loss. Alves on the right is a contributor in the playmaking process and the offense dynamics. He attacks with and without the ball. His diversity destabilizes any defense. He is a threat to be concerned of, while Puyol acts as a supportive alternative rather than a creative initiative.

Puyol reached the box many times. That’s for his credit. But if you watch Sporting Gijon reaction, you will see them keep being tight in the center marking the forwards. They were that certain Puyol is not going to shoot on the goal, but will search for a pass. He had two good opportunities to take his shots, but he crossed to the crowded area. Guaranteed, if it was Alves in his shoes, Sporting players will jump on his legs preventing him from taking the shot which he may still take and score. At least the Gijon defenders response, running toward Alves may free another Barcelona player to get the pass.

For a player who is playing out of position Puyol is the best cover when the Brazilian is not available. But he just can’t cover the impact of Alves offense wise. We’ve seen it notably in this game.

In the center it’s always unsecure to play two almost identical defenders like Marquez and Pique. But I think they did well. No brilliance, but satisfying. Both were able to move the ball forward by initiating offense. Had some naps from time to time, but in general nothing special to say. They did a decent job.

The midfield was as good as always when it come to dominating possession. Playmaking ball flow was extremely good. The midfield trio performed decent one-touch sequences and collaborated to win back the ball through putting pressure on the opponent. Xavi was...Xavi? Nothing more to say as a praise I guess. I think there was a need for Busquets to move forward more often as he can deliver direct passes in the space to break the possession fruitless cycle from time to time. Besides, it’s better to get free kicks on the edge of the opponent box than in our half. Iniesta is getting better and better and he is almost back to his perfect form. It’s not the first time I say it, but having both Iniesta and Xavi in the midfield require some customization to avoid fruitless possession, especially now with Messi playing more and more in the center. Iniesta has to open more to the left leaving Xavi in the center orchestrating the show, with Alves on his right and Messi roaming in front. That will give the Left forward (usually Henry) the chance to cut inside the box without compromising the width. Now with Ibra being added to the list of roaming forwards who move back to the midfield as well, this suggested structure is no more an option, but a must.

It didn’t happen, and that’s one of the reasons why we didn’t score more goals. It didn’t happen because we are still not up to that offense approach. It didn’t happen because we missed Alves. And It didn’t happen because we had Pedro on the left flank, who for his all good, not a striker. This brings us to the offense line.

Pep started Pedro instead of Henry. There are many guesses why. First, Henry is not exactly the best performer this season. Secondly, Pedro is almost the best performer between forwards this season if we take minutes Vs output in consideration. Thirdly, it can be a part of a rotation process that will take place from now on, and I like it. Finally, to cover Alves absence. Alves is the player who stretch the field from the right side. Henry roams on the left, but his impact is usually more notable the more he approaches the box. Without Alves, our game may end up being too centered with Henry playing beside Ibra and Messi. Pedro got the node instead.

Pedro started the game as you can expect. The anxiety of being a starter. He joined the party of losing possession that lead to some counters. Pique, Busquets, Abidal, and Xavi joined that party as well. Then we regained our calmness and Pedro started to operate better. A very balanced performance from the young player helping in defense, build up and offense. He showed enough character, yet, he can do much better.

For once, I am not going to talk about Messi and Ibra. It will be a repetitive text. Ibra was slightly better than the previous games, but the guy needs a goal. I can see Keita starting the following game, which means Ibra getting back to his scoring days (you think there is no relation there, right?).

Messi had his ups and downs. Sometimes he gets himself in troubles, trying to dribble the whole city. But without that mentality, Messi will not be as messy. Which is not cool at all.

The most important concern in this game was the set pieces. We either need to force Xavi, Marquez, Alves, Ibra, Messi, (Valdes if possible)… to take 2756943 free kick attempt in each and every training session till they perfect their quality, or :

There was a slim chance this week to extend the distance between Barcelona and Real Madrid to eight points. But with Deportivo producing a “Beat me please” performance, we have to wait for one more week. The most important thing is that Barcelona keep on doing their job, the same old continuous improvement approach.

Read More:

Who score goals for Barcelona?
From Ronaldinho to Ibra, Txiki in numbers
The Curse of Brilliance
Post-Laporta: Ibra, Marquez, or Chegrnskiy?