football test

Barcelona Vs Valencia, Camp Nou.                                   More game reviews:

“I am not even sure if they will be as tempted to fight for this game as they usually are against Barcelona ... Three points in this game is a jewel, but greediness is a devil. They may try- lose-get-injured-and collapse in the following games where they can’t afford to be defeated. My bet is that they will try to start the game in a strong way, and then decide about the second half based on what happens in the first.”

“If Keita is not ready to start then I wish that we use Yaya in his place”

“Don’t struggle against Valencia in the first half even if it means guarding possession and dominating the midfield without taking risks to score. With their fitness level problem, time will not work for Valencia interest. Make them run after the ball in the first half while you control possession, and they will hand you the three points in the second half.”

“The most important key to win: Leave no spaces between the lines for counter attacks. Valencia will not play a patient buildup style; they will try to move the ball from their third to offense in a glance.”

I thought it’s better to start the analysis of this game by pasting some of the remarks I made in the preview, so any critic here do not sound like some hindsight thoughts. The best thing about this game (for a cule) is that Barcelona won. Three goals, three points and a big stone blocking the liga path was moved so the team keeps on marching toward the title. The win was also good because now I can be even more critical. As there will be no emotional frustration involved.

The starting lineup had two important defects that I showed my concerns about before the game. No Henry, No Yaya/Keita. For the first one, I can give Pep and co. the benefit of doubt. May be, it was a smart decision to keep Henry fresh till Valencia players collapse fitness wise, so he can easily run over them. As for the second, it’s one of my problems with this technical staff since last season (again, expect more about it in my article tomorrow), they do not give enough focus on the midfield demands for specific games. It will always happen, when this midfield play against a technically gifted opponent who can knock the ball forward with pace, we suffer. Yet, when we use this midfield while having two offense oriented fullbacks behind, we shoot ourselves in the leg (two legs to be specific).

Yaya is not in his best form. I can agree on that. This fact was mentioned on this blog more times than it is mentioned on all Barcelona blogs added together. But he could have served in the midfield much better than Bojan served the offense. Iniesta on the flank serves better than Bojan when he plays there as well. So it was better having Yaya (midfield), Iniesta (offense) rather than Iniesta (midfield), Bojan/Pedro (offense). Valencia generously decided not to get advantage of this defect. How? By missing lot of chances in the first half, added to one tiny foul Emery did in his selection, which left a significant impact: Using Dominguez instead of Zigic in the first half. And Zigic instead of Dominguez in the second.

With Busquets being the only midfielder doing the major defensive job in the first half, and with the lack of defensive contribution of the offense especially on the flanks, and with two offense oriented fullbacks trying to run forward anytime possible, Valencia players had it easy to slice through the midfield toward Barcelona’s area, regardless of the brilliant job Busquets did through creating lateral cover for the two flanks, he was always outnumbered. Valencia problem was not to reach Barcelona’s Zone, but what to do afterward. Zigic as a focal point in the box would have served them better than Dominguez work rate in the first half, while Dominguez work rate could have served them better in the second half than Zigic. See, the period where they were close to score, they kept the piece that’s needed to complete the offense puzzle on the bench. And when their fitness level dropped –in the second half- they had no Dominguez to bring to the game so he put more fresh pressure on Barcelona’s defenders and midfielders. Most of Barcelona threat in the second half was initiated by Barcelona’s defenders who had it easy to move the ball forward. Zigic is not the right guy to prevent that. That’s the beauty of this game, the little things that make or break.

Back to Barcelona, the moment I saw the selection I set my objective for the first half, and that’s to see no goals. If we do not concede in the first half, we will win this game, as Valencia will not be able to survive fitness wise for 90 minutes. Forget about scoring, that selection can’t score. The players were moving the ball around the box with satisfaction that it’s all what they can do. No striker in the box to cross the ball to, or to pull the defenders and create spaces for the technical midgets to penetrate, and no Keita-type midfielders who can run into the box to catch the defense by surprise. Add all that to the fact that shooting from outside the area is forbidden, where will the goals come from? When you have no strikers to start, use Chegrnskiy. I bet he could have improved our offense significantly there. It sounds like a joke, but I am barely joking.

Valencia missed as many chances as luck can deliver so they earn the three points. The second half started by fixing a bug: Henry in.

I didn’t expect him to do a great job, as his form lately was not encouraging. But it was certain that his presence will be more than enough to improve offense. I said it before and I say it now, offense needs a landmark to move per se. It’s like the North Pole for the compass, even if you have no intentions to go north, you need to know where the north is to draw your roadmap toward your destination, the net in this case. There was no focal point to lean on in the first half; there was a Henry in the second. With the pressure on the ball he generated he lead by example, as we saw more aggression and dedication to earn back the ball. With his movement he created spaces and offered outlets IN FRONT OF THE BALL, which was not the case in the first half where all the players were playing behind the ball even in the offense third.

Valdes was the same keeper we know, and the rest of the world doesn’t. The perfect keeper for Barcelona. Maxwell and Alves had an unfair mission with the lack of cover they suffered; it wasn’t easy for them to do what they like most and do best: offense. Alves was better, Maxwell was ok. Pique played one of his best games so far this season and Milito proved again why I rate him as a great defender. Not in his perfect form yet, but he inspires confidence and dictates his leadership. Busquets was one of the invisible key performers, Xavi was Xavi, and Iniesta played slightly better than the previous game though he needs to start demanding the ball in more dangerous places rather than in a deep spot, which he improved a bit in the second half compared to the first half. Pedro and Bojan suffered from the absence of a focal point in between (Ibra or Henry). They are more a supportive type of players than leaders. One of them is fine, two of them on the flanks with Ibra/Henry in the center is a risk, without that experienced striker it’s too much, and it doesn’t work. Henry proved that he is still a need for the team whether you consider him as a super sub or an essential option. In the center he plays with ease. May be this game will inspire Pep and co, more ideas regarding the offense dynamics when both Ibra and Henry start. Something I’ve been demanding since the beginning of the season.

I do not take the “Best player in the world” seriously. I do not believe it’s a valid idea to pick one player in a team sport where you have a huge diversity of attributes related to positions and say: “This one is the best”. Ronaldinho at his best was not as good as Buffon –not even close- when it come to goalkeeping. So how can we decide who is better? Just to make it clear. But IF (a big if) we will surrender to that idea, then there is one and only one player who deserve to be addressed as the best player in the world. His personality, dedication, and talent labels him as the best and on a different level compared to the rest: The messy Messi.

Vampire bats [...] The common vampire bat feeds mostly on the blood of mammals (including humans), [...] white-winged vampire bat feed on the blood of birds. Once the common vampire bat locates a host, such as a sleeping mammal, it lands and approaches it on the ground.

Vampire bats are very agile and a recent study found that common vampire bats can, in addition to walk, run at speeds of up to 7.9 km per hour (4.9 miles per hour). They locate a suitable place to bite using their infrared sensors.[2] They then create a small incision with their teeth and lap up blood from the wound.

[...] If there is fur on the skin of the host, the common vampire bat uses its canine and cheek teeth like a barber's blades to shave away the hairs. The bat's razor-sharp upper incisor teeth then make a 7mm long and 8mm deep cut. The upper incisors lack enamel, which keeps them permanently razor sharp.

The bat’s saliva, which is injected into the victim, has a key function in feeding from the wound. The saliva contains several compounds that prolong bleeding, such as anticoagulants that inhibit blood clotting, and compounds that prevent the constriction of blood vessels near the wound. [...]

That’s the Valencia we are going to host this week. A group of Vampire bats who land and approach the host on the ground counting on their skillful players, who can knock the ball forward with a great pace and Agility. Their versatile bunch of players can create a very bat-like versatile system where you can barely figure out who is really the striker, false nine, attacking midfielder, or wing. “They locate a suitable place to bite… then create a small incision with their teeth and lap up blood from the wound.

It doesn’t matter how thick-skinned the host is. They can break down the opponents’ lines through a sequence of positioning switches and skillful passes and runs, with players like Silva, Pablo, Villa, and Mata slicing their way through the opponent troops toward the net, and the likes of Banega the bomber who in a good day can change the game’s dynamics on his own.

Valencia tactical structure is based on plenty of players capable of operating in the midfield. Whether for being midfielders like Banega or forwards who can move back to assist like Villa or defenders who can contribute in the build up like Marchena makes them a team capable of battling for midfield dominance and ball possession. In that matter, its like “The (Bats’) saliva that contains several compounds that prolong bleeding” they can torture you fitness wise. And for a team like Barcelona that is looking forward for a champions’ league game the following sunrise that will be a nightmare.

But it only happens when the bats enjoy one of the good nights…

In fact the main reason why Valencia is not competing for the title this season is the inconsistency virus. Sure there is the lack of depth and the defense concerns. But the X-factor was the lack of consistency as they dropped points where they could have won with Villa as a keeper and César as a striker. Their starting 7 (putting the defense aside) are as exceptional as Barcelona or Real Madrid lines. Their defense exceeded the expectations (my expectations at least). Their coach is as good as the team is, but as consistent as well (in terms of game management).

The question here is: Will they have one of the good nights and turn to be the legendary Draculas, or Barcelona will enjoy playing the role of Vampire slayers?

It’s the worst time for Valencia to play against Barcelona. They are playing twice a day since I can remember. They approach this game after a very physically demanding game against Werder Bremen and will have to play them again in Germany After their visit to the Canp Nou. The fatigue virus is attacking the knees of the players and getting to their minds as well. Villa is a doubt, which adds to the injury owes they are “enjoying” so far.

I am not even sure if they will be as tempted to fight for this game as they usually are against Barcelona. They need a game to serve as a vacation, where they rest some key players who are close to collapse on the field. They have a more important game to play in the midweek. They have more important games to play afterward. Three points in this game is a jewel, but greediness is a devil. They may try- lose-get-injured-and collapse in the following games where they can’t afford to be defeated. My bet is that they will try to start the game in a strong way, and then decide about the second half based on what happens in the first.

But we need to think about ourselves. Which means playing against the best Valencia team you can expect. It’s the team that can run over any team in the world if the teeth in front were sharp enough. Playing for a win is risky from the physical aspect and may not worth, but from the moral perspective it will be a huge boost that they may invest for the rest of the season.

Key players: Banega, Pablo, and the Silvilla machine (sigh…).

There was a draw against Almeria. Frustration! Abdication! Aberration! Abrogation! Accusation…then Wednesday arrived announcing Real Madrid elimination and a sudden ovation…celebration…affectation…flirtation…lets calm down and go back to common sense…

I will write about the lessons served by Real Madrid knock out in the coming days. The lessons that serve Barcelona, not the words that piss Madrid. But it’s important to keep our feet on the ground and let’s not start counting our chicken already (one of the lessons?). This is the last 100 meters in the league Marathon. There is no room for mistakes anymore. The most important event for Barcelona at the moment is not Perez spending another 300 Million to buy toilet papers while Mourning the 300 Millions he spent last summer. The event is not the game against Stuttgart where lot of Cules are already painting their “See! That’s how you do it!” cards to send to the inhabitants of that other city. The event is the game against Valencia. That’s the season at the moment.

Selection:

That’s my favorite selection. Then we start with the conditional statements. If Abidal is available, Maxwell can stay with Ibra wherever he is. If Keita is not ready to start then I wish that we use Yaya in his place (not as a holding midfielder), but we will most likely have Iniesta there with Pedro starting the game so he scores his inevitable goal early. Pedro may start also if Henry doesn’t (which will mean more than just…not starting a game).

With all the defense delaminate Valencia will have to deal with, I doubt they will play any kind of passive tactics. And why will they? Barcelona showed more fragility when the opponents put pressure on them than when the opponents park the bus. If Unai Emery watches Barcelona game against Villarreal again he will get lot of inspirations. Using Silva-Mata-Pablo between two holding midfielders and Villa is the way to go. Barcelona needs to be fully prepared for that.

With Banega putting pressure on Xavi to disturb the buildup process, we must be read with plan B where Xavi try –thru his movement and positioning -to pull Banega out of the operation area in the midfield opening the space for Busquets-Keita-Messi-Iniesta to make the play, accompanied by the fullbacks. It won’t differ if Emery did a more intelligent plan using the second holding midfielder to mark Xavi so he keep Banega as a pivot. We must have the collaborative contributing in the buildup section in the midfield which will be more difficult to contain.

In case Abidal started, it will be better while setting offense that he stays in defense marking Villa with Puyol , so Pique can support Busquets and push the lines forward.

Two things we lacked against Almeria we can’t afford missing in this game:

Pressure: especially the offense contribution in winning back possession.

Commitment: Alves performance against Almeria is a good example, as he is known as an extremely dedicated player. I often praise his stubbornness moving the battle into the opponents half on his flank regardless of the quality of the wing he is facing. He was strangely uncertain against Almeria. He didn’t push forward enough to contribute effectively offense wise and his transition was too slow to help defense wise. When he moves forward, his mind setup must focus on causing damage, or else stay behind.

Messi needs to play against Valencia the way he played against Almeria after Ibra’s suspension. And Iniesta has to believe more in his potentials as a goal scorer.

Keeping the quality wings of Valencia in mind, and Villa’s ability to open to channels, Busquets must position himself where he can move deep anytime needed as a supportive center back till the fullbacks complete their transition. Keita is an exceptional player the way he moves on the field, we missed him dearly in the past few games and he will be needed for this game if he is completely fit. Henry is important as a focal station for offense setup. His movement can create enough spaces in the heart of Valencia defense for the likes of Messi to get advantage of.

Another lesson we learned from Madrid’s tragedy. It’s important not to struggle in the first half so you don’t burn all the fuel you have in the last 45 minutes. Struggle against Sevilla in the first half; you collapse against Lyon in the second. Don’t struggle against Valencia in the first half even if it means guarding possession and dominating the midfield without taking risks to score. With their fitness level problem, time will not work for Valencia interest. Make them run after the ball in the first half while you control possession, and they will hand you the three points in the second half.

The most important key to win: Leave no spaces between the lines for counter attacks. Valencia will not play a patient buildup style; they will try to move the ball from their third to offense in a glance. That’s where their threat increases, and that’s the way they can score for fun.

Valencia is a team I route for 36 weeks a season. Obviously this is one of the two weeks that I don’t.