Go and get me the points!
Finally…FINALLY!!! A new team to play against! I like Sevilla, I like honey as well, but I don’t eat a Jar on daily basis. No more Sevilla, it’s a Real Valladolid this time.
And they host Barcelona at the worst time. It’s possibly the first week since WWI that the team had no games in the midweek, and has nothing to worry about for the following midweek. It even seems odd not to worry about games pressure, who to play and whom to save for next game, etc…etc…
Not only that, but our Missiles Bomber is back. After firing that free kick against Malawi he was labeled unsafe to keep in the tournament. Algeria and Angola made sure to exile him back to Catalonia.
Valladolid are in the red zone of the table. They are struggling so far to put a balanced performance that guarantees their survival in the first division. Though there is no easy game in football, but I am not Barcelona coach so I am allowed to consider this game as a winnable battle.
No hint about Pep approach in this game. The natural prediction is starting the best eleven available, something like this:
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Keita, Iniesta, Xavi, Henry, Ibra, Messi.
But then, we must take in consideration That Puyol is coming back from injury. Though not serious but is there any need to gamble?
Keita left to Africa with an injury. All predictions were insuring that he may not play any game during the group stages. I am not sure if he was rushed to contribute too early after his team struggled in the opening game. It may prove more secure to give him a break. So we end up starting:
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Marquez, Abidal, Chegrnskiy, Iniesta, Xavi, Henry, Ibra, Messi.
Pedro and Bojan insertion in Henry position will not be a surprise. But the lack of understanding between Henry, Ibra, and Messi requires more playing time so they gel. I want the trio to start and I want Henry to cut inside getting advantage of the space Ibra creates when he pulls his marker out of the box, and then pick Ibra assist inside the box and score. The same as I want Messi to run forward off the ball and get it in the space rather than getting the ball in the midfield and running over the whole defense of the opponents. Waiting…
It has to be Iniesta and Xavi show in this game. If we played Chigrnskiy or Marquez as holding midfielder then we may enjoy more Abidaling invading Valladolid flank.
Now that we are doing fantasy assumptions, it may worth trying to have Pique as a holding Midfielder in this game as he is more than capable of doing the Busquets job. He may not have the same agility, but he has the quality passes, quality runs, and don’t forget: He is a goal scorer. At least it will be good to see him switching roles with the holding midfielder every once and while.
Finally, even though I prefer introducing the youth after sealing the deal, but if Pep had a different opinion, I will not complain at all. I desperately want them to get more playing time as soon as possible. That’s a strategic need –especially for the midfielders- so they can change the way we approach the following transfer period. Hopefully.
chris809 Said,
Once again our lineup is way to strong against this team. (like against Tenerife)
These matches are perfect for rotation so I don't understand why is Pep using the best eleven again?
Apart from this I have only one (big) problem with this selection. Even though this isn't a strong team and even though our first and second choice DMs aren't available, using Keita in that position is the worst option. Our midfield (and defense) is much more vulnerable this way.
Posted on January 23, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Waleed Said,
I think as we had been relegated from CDR we'll see less rotation from now on, at least till the CL kicks off again in February, we need our best 11 to keep their form, it's also important for Zlatan to understand the "starting 11" more.
Posted on January 24, 2010 at 2:02 AM
Romyan Said,
Xavi turned 30 !
It might be great to write about our midfield LEGEND !
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Ramzi Said,
I was extremely busy this week. Xavi article is on the schedule (since a while though).
Tomorrow will most probably do some publishing:)
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Romyan Said,
Can't wait !
Posted on January 26, 2010 at 9:06 AM