08-17-2011, 10:09 AM
(08-16-2011, 11:16 PM)ElMago99 Wrote: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editori...ould-begin-
Great Article on Barcelona. In summary, the author says that Pep Guardiola wants to creat a team of SuperMen; 11 players who play like Gattuso/Messi Hybrid's. Total Football with no positions but players who play interchangeably like blood cells in a body... Barcelona is already scary but if they start playing with 11 midfielders all 1 touch passes and they start scoring 10 goals per game, it will be scary...
I thought the article made a fundamental flaw in it's principle. Sacchi's theory isn't about using midfielders in every role, but about having players of various skills in every position, meaning ideally they can play any role on the pitch. Over the past 10 years or so football has been almost all about specialists, and while Barca have some really incredible ideas, many of their key players such as Xavi, Villa (despite what the writer says) and Puyol or Pique are very much specialists.
For Sacchi's concept to become true, the development of football talent must be changed at grassroots level to develop players with a certain mindset and of numerous skills.
(08-17-2011, 09:19 AM)Revolver Wrote: It seems we're linked with Schweinsteiger again. The news is everywhere on the web.
I said it before and I will say it again: Only Schweinsteiger would make us competitive in Champions League.
There's no other player who could fill the holes we have in midfield. It may sound weird but every of four positions in midfield could be potential weak point at the time. Van Bommel is still a great player, but when he's not in the mood you get first 45 minutes against Inter: Just like the first leg against Tottenham, two center backs passing between them, unable to create anything and there's no-one in midfield to come back and take the damn ball, a real pain to watch. Schweinsteiger can play his position equally good, as well as all of the other three positions in midfield.
Then, for other stories about our midfield...
Boateng for left or right midfield, forget that; it will happen as a part of rotation sometimes (preferably against weaker opposition) but nothing permanently. Boateng is so good because he fits in Allegri's AM position so well, as he can press, he can pounce on the loose ball and he can fill the gap in formation when Ibra comes back for the ball. But, for him to create, please no.
For Aquilani and Montolivo, I think one of them could come either now or in January. It will be nice addition to the team, because as of now it's good even for Serie A to get a player as capable as Seedorf, but who could be in form for more than one third of the season.
Ganso... Forget Ganso, as simple as that. He's nowhere near what Allegri needs. Lazy, slow moving attacking midfielder, I really can't see how Allegri would fit him in our team. We had that kind of AM (Seedorf) for good part of last season and we all know how it went.
As for Barcelona and Real, I don't think either of them is unbeatable as both have their weak points. Barcelona is what Barcelona and Spanish team in general always were: Put the pressure on them and they're dead. Athens final in '94. was the prime example, Inter semi-finals was second, the last El Classico was final. If it wasn't for at the times silly Madrid's defense, Barcelona would lose. Madrid's defense is their big weakness, and I would not take them as favorites for CL finals this years just because of that.
Agree Schweinsteiger's key for us to become a force in Europe, although I'm still sceptical about him coming.
About Boateng, I think he could be a very good midfielder, not as a playmaker/creator, but as a proper mezzala. Yes, he's good in AM because of his movement, quick passing, pressing and late runs into the box, but for while his strengths benefit us, his weaknesses also limit us.
As for Ganso, I wouldn't rule him out either. I don't know how much you've seen of him, but before his knee surgery he was moving a lot better and working a lot harder, since returning I don't think he's been quite the same. I'm sure he's a talent that Allegri can get a lot out of.
About Barca and Real, I agree, no team is unbeatable and the worst thing we can do is fear them before even playing them.
"
