FCB x Malaga

7th minute: Alves proves he needs to be renewed and no other RB ever could replace him for the 6 months we’d have to rely on Adriano, Montoya, Mascherano, Bartra and DOUGLAS.
Malaga scores from his mistake.

14th minute: Neymar keeps losing the ball on the wing. When you rely so much on the flanks, you need to either combine well with the MF/FB, or complete every dribble. It’s easier to combine with team mates and generate superiority through the possession of the ball, then to beat 3 markers on the dribble each time.

30th minute: only shot on target so far was from a second ball. From a corner. Blocked, too.

32nd minute: perfect counter from Malaga. Bravo saved.

35th minute: Another shot on target for Malaga.

38th minute: our second shot on target. A header from Iniesta, who has never scored a header. Ever.
Pass from Messi.

1st Half: After 45 minutes at the Camp Nou, we only managed 2 shots on target (from a corner and a header from a man who has never scored a header). All plays from the flanks.

Busquets watches the game while we use the flanks like madmen. Iniesta and Rafinha play second fiddle to Neymar and Messi, who, even with Alves and Alba’s support, cant get past the triple marking. And that isnt because they are having an off day: it because our system is limited.

Until 2012-2013, we started everything from the middle, which allowed us to control matches from the technique and intelligence of the likes of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta. We also used the flanks there, but the game was THOUGHT OF, CONTROLLED, GUIDED by the midfielders.
Now, the CBs quickly get the ball to the FBs (Busquets does not do the one job we need him to: distribution), and the FBs run on to give the ball primarilly to Messi/Neymar, and, when they cant receive, Rafinha/Iniesta.
And when a play wont happen from one flank, instead of giving to a midfield (we no longer have) that could attract markers, and find an opening on ANY POSITION, not only the wings, we just send the ball flying over our poor midfield so the other winger tries to create something.

For over 15 times this season, we have played awful first halves. Let’s see if the team will win again from a second half performance…

Second Half:

54th minute: After another failed attack, the TV cuts to Braida and Rexach on the stands. Shows exactly how we went from bet team on the World to depending only on the 3 huge stars upfront to come up with some genius move. Thanks, Rosell and Bartomeu.

56th minute: Second time this match Messi tries to cross for a Iniesta header. Iniesta is 31 and has never scored a header on his professional career.

60th minute: Neymar awful so far. But not his fault. He wont beat 3-4 markers constantly to try to create something. Simply not sustainable.
Messi also suffering, but his Vision and Passing are the best we have.

62nd minute: Rakitic for Rafinha. Will the MF start creating something or just watch our Flanks Habit?

64th minute: Not shots on target on the second half. 2 during the whole match so far.

65th minute: Clear example of how this system works: Messi all alone on the right flank, trying to over come Malaga’s lines. All 3 of them.
Of course his pass failed. Needs partners.

67th minute: Pedro for INIESTA. The change the sums up Lucho’s System perfectly.
WHY THINK IF I CAN RUN NONSTOP?!

70th minute: Any shots on target on the second half? Nope.

71st minute: Suaraz keeps getting mugged easily by the CBs. If the CMs were closer to the area, that wouldnt happen so often. But since they play Esquire to our wingers…

72nd minute: MASCHERANO FOR ALVES. THIS SUB MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.

77th minute: On the first time we could have had a clear change (Pass from Messi), the linesman invented an offside…

83rd minute: On our Clearest chance on the whole match (from a Neymar pass), the ball gets to Pedro.
And Pedro, being the player that “doesnt need to dribble, or create chances, just run”, obviously missed it. Off target.

86th minute: Still no shots on target on the second half. Rakitic sends a long ball that doesnt reach Alba. Yawn.

92nd minute: FINALLY!!!!
A hit on target on the second half. Which is easily saved.

93rd minute: Perfect Messi pass to the area. Pique fumbles it.
The end. We lost.

I dont why I bother to write about FCB, especially after we lose.
I know exactly what people are gonna say:
“The other team plays too, you know?! And they defended/took their chances really well!”
“We played against a parked bus and conceded due to an individual mistake! It’s football, it happens!”
“If the ref had seen that ball that kinda/maybe/sports touched their CB’s arm on the 1st half, and the linesman wasnt blind, we could have won this!”
“Messi and Neymar had an off day. They are tired after so many excellent displays!”

But the truth is simple: we are too predictable. When you the flanks all the time and think Messi/Neymar will best 3-4 players constantly, matches like these will happen.
One day, We’ll get a team that will defend the flanks perfectly, and since our MF does not create anything anymore, we will have MATCHES AT THE CAMP NOU WITH 3 SHOTS ON TARGET!!!

On 12-13, he had a coach that knew, respected and loved our system. We had our MF working really well, Iniesta was superb, and Messi, FROM THE CENTER, scored 50 League goals. We won La Liga by November, reached 100 points and won 18 ou of 19 Camp Nou matches.

So far this season, besides not having a system, we have lost at home to CELTA AND MALAGA.

And Pedro came in for Iniesta.

Tata will be marked forever for saying he “wanted Messi to touch the ball the least possible”.
Lucho wont be forgive for thinking bringing in PEDRO for INIESTA would turn a match we were losing at home…