Originally posted by kunged:
Thanks, just started posting again after a little break, so hope to post here more often.
I agree that teams are starting to adopt it and when done right it is incredibly effective. However, I would argue that a well drilled team (ala a Mourinho team) with top quality players can have a reasonable chance of stopping it. They want to draw people out of position, so if you are fit enough and dedicated enough to track runners etc you can limit it.
The Chelsea example wasn't a great example I'll give you that, they were incredibly lucky at times. However, some of the recent El Classicos have shown a blueprint of how to beat Barca on a "consistent" basis (I use the term consistent very loosely, mainly to mean having a good chance before any match)
If you mean move Dani Alves into a CB spot I would disagree. I always find he gets pulled out of position and leaves space in behind him when he plays RB (typical Brazilian wing back lol) so I think it would be even more of a problem if he played CB. I also don't think he has the height or strength to match up against a centre forward. Whilst you could argue the DMs would help protect him, I think they would end up compensating for him too much and dropping too far back undermining the DM role.
Iniesta could be effective, but I would argue that Ribery and Robben can be physical when they want to and I don't think Iniesta would be able to provide the defensive cover when they are on the attack. I know you could say if he can't cope physically on the wing he wouldn't be able to at CM, but I think as a CM you get a bit more lee way when positioning yourself and more licence to roam so he can pick and choose where he has to "get physical".
Not conceding is key. If Barca go to the Nou camp ahead, or with the away goal there is a lot less pressure and they will beat Bayern as they can play their own game. Bayern will want to win the first leg, or draw it (0-0) and grab an away goal. If that happens and Barca have to chase the game I could see Bayern winning at the Nou Camp, swift counter-attacking. But for that to happen they will need to set themselves up i.e. A long-winded way to say I agree with you about the away goal haha
I will say that Messi changed the game, as only he can, but PSG aren't quite the same team as Bayern, either way it should be interesting.
Oh yea, I agree - PSG and Bayern are on a different level.
Yea, away goal is the key. I can't wait for this tie. It's a dream match-up. There is no good option for Barca at CB...and I just feel he will be better than Adrianno. Dani Alves has himself suggested that he can fill-in at CB and I think he can do a good enough job. Yes, he is out of position at times at the wings, but a LOT of good RBs who are asked to attack leave space behind them. At CB, he won't be asked to attack and has the speed to recover. Right now, if the back-four are out of position, they have no shot at recovering. That changes with Dani Alves.
Iniesta has played a lot of games at the wing. Last year and this year. Also, during games - he does float out from time to time because it gives Messi more space in the middle. Barca has to do something to counter the speed of Bayern and the best way to go about it is either put more speed at CB or you play with two defensive mid-fielders.
It will interesting to see what they do. I'm so excited for this match-up. It should have been the final last year. Can't wait.
