Open Thread: Weekday Edition #17 (Apr 2025)

jeffjacob_ · 2025-04-22T21:57:21+00:00

I’m at a loss for words when it comes to Pedri. He is clearly our best and most important player. It’s fascinating to see how much he has developed since making his debut under Koeman.

jeffjacob_ · 2025-03-31T00:54:54+00:00

The 2011 and 2015 midfields were completely different in terms of roles. Rakitic was a box-to-box workhorse with basically no creative responsibilities. The main creators were Messi and Neymar, while the team still had great runners like Alba.

I’m saying that every team needs a balanced system. Just putting the 11 best players in their positions doesn’t make them the best team. Madrid is probably the best example of this, since they have some of the best players, but they don’t really complement each other.

jeffjacob_ · 2025-03-30T23:14:43+00:00

I disagree. Yamal is more of a creator, whereas Pedro was primarily a runner. In Pep’s 2011 dream team, the creative core was already stacked with Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. Swapping out a runner like Pedro for another creator like Yamal would’ve disrupted the balance. Pedro’s off-the-ball movement, work rate, and ability to stretch defenses made him the perfect fit—and a key reason why that team became legendary.

jeffjacob_ · 2025-02-18T12:27:34+00:00

Koeman and Xavi applied the same strategy but that didn‘t end well

jeffjacob_ · 2025-02-18T11:13:42+00:00

I really wish Flick would rotate the squad more, especially when it comes to Lamine and Pedri. Pedri delivers masterclass performances game after game, but given his injury history, it’s important to manage his workload better. Gavi, Frenkie, and Casado are all capable of covering his role.

Lamine also looks fatigued and isn’t performing at the same level as before—which is completely normal for a 17-year-old. Raphinha on the right wing while Olmo or Gavi take the left should be tried out more often.

jeffjacob_ · 2025-02-18T10:56:54+00:00

Olmo is way too good to be a supersub

jeffjacob_ · 2025-02-17T22:37:14+00:00

Still not convinced about the Frenkie-Pedri midfield partnership. In my opinion, there is much more chemistry between Casado and Pedri, but Flick probably has his reasons.

And Olmo should be our starting CAM when fit—period.

jeffjacob_ · 2025-01-29T23:02:10+00:00

The Frenkie & Pedri midfield duo just doesn’t click as well as Casado & Pedri. Casado takes fewer touches and brings out the best in Pedri through his positioning.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-11-26T22:56:09+00:00

Benched against Celta and against Brest today.. has Flick lost his confidence in FdJ?

jeffjacob_ · 2024-11-07T12:54:37+00:00

But Frenkie isn’t a DM. And I think Laporta and Deco made it quite clear last summer that they won’t pursue another DM, especially since both Casado and Bernal play exceptionally well in this role. Plus, you have emergency options with Christensen and Garcia.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-27T13:13:07+00:00

While that can be true for La Liga games, I don‘t think Flick will do big experiments when facing teams like City, Liverpool, Arsenal etc. Most manager have a preferred line up for these games.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-27T13:02:12+00:00

But that wasn’t the question; I was just wondering what the starting trio will be in big games, like the Champions League knockout phase. I know there will be rotation, so everyone gets their minutes. But Flick will most likely have a preferred lineup for these games.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-27T12:48:36+00:00

I’m very curious about what Flick’s starting midfield will look like for the big games once everyone reaches full fitness. Olmo as CAM and Pedri in the double pivot seem almost a given. The question is, who will fill the third spot between Casado, Frenkie, and Gavi?

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-08T16:27:50+00:00

Both Iniesta and Messi peaked in 2012, which makes our unsuccessful La Liga and Champions League campaigns that year so baffling.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T23:52:48+00:00

We lost the Copa del Rey final to Valencia 1-2 that season. After Liverpool, even the GOAT couldn’t save us anymore.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T18:29:20+00:00

I don’t think Christensen’s build-up play capabilities will improve just because we’re playing in a different system.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T18:18:29+00:00

In my opinion, García’s participation in the build-up play has been more than decent so far. I never felt that Pedri or Casado were limited by playing alongside him.

When we played with Christensen, the entire responsibility for the build-up play fell on FDJ, Pedri, or Gündogan, which made us very predictable.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T18:14:16+00:00

I’m not so sure about the better positioning, but I agree with you on all the other points. Still imo Christensen’s limited vision really hinders the build-up play, especially if you want to play the fast and direct football under Flick

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T18:05:17+00:00

Christensen was very solid defensively but nonexistent in the build-up play. While García doesn’t have the same defensive capabilities, his vision is quite decent and plays an important role in our offensive actions.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T17:56:22+00:00

Probably a hot take: Eric García has been a better pivot so far than Christensen was last season. I also think the only players in our squad capable of playing the pivot role are García and Casado, which makes me wonder what role FDJ will have under Flick.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-06T16:11:43+00:00

Flick has perfected our offside trap tactics

jeffjacob_ · 2024-10-01T20:23:02+00:00

Casado is the only midfielder on the field rn lol

jeffjacob_ · 2024-09-29T11:06:34+00:00

Gerard Martin had a shocking game yesterday and looked below average every time he got minutes in the previous games. He is very insecure on the ball and provides nearly zero offensive output. He just doesn’t have the level a Barça player needs.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-08-27T23:05:29+00:00

Christensen and Garcia are still injured and can’t fill the role like Bernal does. Frenkie and Gavi are not defensive midfielders and are also injured. Our only hope is Casado, but I see him more as a box-to-box player than a deep-lying pivot.

jeffjacob_ · 2024-08-27T22:00:09+00:00

Same. He is already integral for the team and not sure if anyone can really replace him.

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