₦airaland Forum

tesppidd:
You have it all figured out don't you?

I have arranged everything in my head o. But let's wait and see what Koeman will do.

Ikennablue:
What do you guys think about this formation?

It's not bad. But ion like it.

Push Griezmann up front. Remove Fati. And let Coutinho play the AM role. He'll be more effective than Griezmann there. Fati can be used as a sub. Braithwaite can be used for cup games.

So it's, Coutinho AM, Griezmann CF, Messi RW, Dembele LW.

However,
If Depay comes, I'll pick him ahead of Griezmann as no 9. The guy is trouble in opponents box.

There are so many permutations that can be done.
Messi as AM, Griezmann as CF, Dembele as RW, Fati as LW. Or
Messi as CF, Coutinho/Griezmann as AM, Dembele as RW, Fati as LW.

If Dembele goes injured and Depay is available, he play LW.

As for the midfield, Puig and De Jong together will be interesting.

Moura7:
Fire....I'd prefer dembele to Ansu as the 9 sha cus Ansu gets bullied alot

No way! Dembele as 9?. waste of talent. Put him on the wing and expect magic.
Honestly, I want Depay to come.

tesppidd:
Seriously who's better between Kingsley Coman and a fit Dembele?

Dembele! Don't even compare. Dembele beats coman hands down. Trickery, pace, shooting. Everything.

Zedoo:
10-0 incoming. As long as semedo and alba are there

I hope not.

IKON360:
Man's the 3rd highest earner in the club

I have seen things o. See what umtiti was earning. Chai! Even Suarez!

Moura7:
Nah bro.....our top 3 matches this season were all under Valverde.
1. vs Mallorca... where Suarez scored that back heel

2. vs Betis...5-2 also Griezmann's best match ever

3. vs Valencia...5-2....tho Setien's best ever was the last league match, I think against alaves 5-0.

I think it was the Valencia match.
I just know the game was interesting. The best I've seen in a long time. Forget scoreline.

IKON360:
Dude, between Valverde and Setien who do you dislike more? Lol

Well I think the first problem was, why was Greizman signed? The attempt at signing Depay is far more sensible than the signing of Greizman. Setien was too cowardly and the powers that be made it harder for him

Na setien o. In fact, I'm confused.


No! It's setien. That man knows nothing. Valverde is dull, setien a dead brain.

Sommyroy10:
We used both formations you suggested, it was a mixed result. Fans cried to revert to 433.

Under setien? Nope!
Do you remember the game we scored 5 goals?
That was like the first time the fool played a double strike force with Suarez and Griezmann. Messi played behind.

That match is still our best match this season. That match was glorious to watch. The attacking football I saw that day was something else. He tried it again next match. The result wasn't like the first. I guess we faced a defensive side. Next thing, Barca reverted back to 4-3-3.

IKON360:
It's not a foolish question. You have termed Setien as moronic but I ask you simply, in this Barca with Messi at the right, Suarez as the striker where would you have played Greizman?

Since setien was too weak to bench Suarez and give Griezmann a chance in the middle, is it also too much to ask the fool to be bold enough to abandon the 4-3-3 system and play a 4-1-2-1-2 formation? I mean, abandon wing play and play through the middle in the absence of wingers.

Even valverde utilized a 4-4-2 system frequently with Messi and Suarez up front and we thrived a little.

Anyway, he(setien) tried it once or twice after we had surrendered the title to Madrid. It was too late. Afterwards, Griezmann went on injury.

DissTroy:
Coutinho played a free role most times in 2018. But Messi has never really been confined to any one role, not even in 2012 when he played as a CF under Guardiola. He still roamed then but not really to the middle - Iniesta was doing great there. Countinho should have been Iniesta 2.0 - that was the plan but...

Which Coutinho? Played free role?
He was pushed to the left. And that was where his problems started.

IKON360:
If you were in Setien or Valverde's boots where would you have played Greizman?

What kind of question is this? Mtcheew. Ask a smarter one.

Moura7:
Not bad....but does Messi have the pace to play on the right also considering RK's decision to play vertically this season?

Ion think he'll be running up and down the flanks. Probably roaming around the attacking areas where he can cut in to shoot, pass or create magic similar to his Enrique days.

Besides, Messi still has a little bit of pace in him. His dribbling skills and doggedness are enough tho .
Never doubt that guy. If you do. Check out his goal against Napoli on the right wing. You'll know he's dangerous as always.
Semedo will be a good support on the right for him tho. That's if barca aren't planning to sell him as rumors say.

Moura7:
IMO, I think Messi should focus on the midfield prolly the AMF role cus let's face it, there's no creativity in that team, even FDJ isn't that creative. The only other player that has a semblance of creativity is Busquests and well he's declined pretty bad. Let Grizz and MB work more on their finishing and sharpness. But I don't really know sha, if an AM has to track back on off ball occasions then this wouldn't work cus Messi can't do that

As it stands, FDJ and someone else who can burst forward and defend well will play double pivot role(Pjanic most likely)
There must be an AM in the team(Coutinho most likely)
Griezmann is likely to be the mobile striker, moving centrally.
Messi is going to stay on the right. I don't see him doing his free role job under Koeman. Maybe Coutinho is gonna do that.
Dembele sticks to the left.
Fati, Puig and the other boys are subs.

FirstbornWds:
I go soon go Shiloh untop Suarez (especially) matter. The other oldies that want to make our team their birthright will get the hammer too. You wait and see.

OH! You mean they'll get injuries that will sideline them till their contract expires? Or what are you planning?

FirstbornWds:
Na MATS day worry me pass. I just hope Neto delivers

Neto?!
Ion trust him at all. How many times or chances have those past go fools called managers give him to develop?!
Enrique used Ter stegen for cups and UCL games. And used bravo for League games. That's who I call a smart manager.

FirstbornWds:
But wait fezz, what if Koeman allows Grizzy the freerole play and allow Messi play False 9? Is it not better since the latter is deadlier and more clinical. The only problem I foresee is the creativity but I hope FDJ, Pjanic, and Puig delivers. Maybe a touch of brilliance from Coutinho and Dembele can help too sha...

Lol!
Messi is actually better than Griezmann both as a false 9 or while playing free role.
But Koeman might do as you've mentioned. I don't know. Because reports have been flying than he wants Messi to focus solely on attack. That could mean allowing Griezmann the free role. Hence, no free role 'preference' for Messi. He'll play where and how the manager wants.

As for creativity, the only person I can bet on in the midfield is Puig but he's not a starter. Coutinho in the Midfield is just another attacker in the center who loves pushing forward, doing few take-ons, and looking to shoot not pass or create something. That's what he does.

The only person who creates chances regularly, is Messi. I don't what Pjanic will do tho.

As for Griezmann, the only reason he could be given a free role is probably due to his work rate (that guy get energy).

tesppidd:
Damn

That goal was insane

He had no right to score like that.

he had no right?

As the ordained GOAT, he sure did.

As for my Messi moments, I really can't pick one. There are hundreds of 'em.

The Boateng humiliation
The getafe solo run and thousands of solo runs he has produced.
His outside-of-the-box chip

And his free kick goal against Liverpool. I remember someone(barca fan too) beside me said: ''No! This one too far for Messi''.

I was like: ''Guy, e fit still score o, na Messi na".

The guy still repeated what he said. My other fellow barca fans around us said the same. Some haters were like: "una sef know say hin no be like Ronaldo".

And boom! The free kick! The way UNILAG exploded ehn. It was magic!
The excitement was crazy that the guy hugged me tight. Yea! That's what Messi can cause.

tesppidd:
Actually It's not too much of a problem if they stay, it'd just be a little distraction for the coach and the wage bill

But as long as the starting line up is properly rejigged no problems.

Exactly!
Koeman has been making 'moves' in the team:
Captaincy might be reviewed.
Reports have revealed his 'acclaimed 'incompatibility with Suarez. Which means Suarez would likely suffer.

His statement to Messi that' all privileges are over' is also bothering tho. It could mean 'your preferences won't count anymore' . Suarez and Co will definitely suffer.
He wants to make Coutinho a central figure in his plans. Hmm. Hopefully a resurgence.

He has expressed displeasure at how Griezmann was used by that moronic creature(setien). Meaning grizou for CF role.

He has said the team lacks and needs intensity and more pushing forward. I expect attacking play and not just useless, dry and uninspiring hold-and-pass-around-without-scoring style, use by..... You-know-who.

Let's just wait.

As for everyone complaining about the old guys remaining in the team. That's not a problem. The bench is always there.

The only thing I'm looking forward to is seeing the our 3 most expensive signing(Dembele, Coutinho Griezmann) and our highest paid player together on the pitch(Messi)
2 out of the Quartet(Coutinho and Griezmann) have been mispositioned. Another 1 (Dembele) as been battling injuries. Now is the time to see if they're worth keeping and if we've gotten the right coaching crew(fitness inclusive).

Talented replacements yapa. The wahala is local fans ARE HEAVILY clamouring for Fati and Puig.
Pedri dey, Trincao dey. If all strikers go injured, Braithwaite dey

De Jong, Pjanic, Matheus - Talented midfielders. Rafihna can be managed too. He's not a bad AM. He's very tricky and skillful too.

As for defence, I'm committing them in the hands of God. If barca don't start pushing Todibo, Junior and defenders from the B team, all I see is a team that will score goals, but will concede frequently as well.

Sadly, no Ter Stegen for a long time.

tesppidd:


I could remember when people were counting 9 ancestors that would leave.

I predicted that clearing out was not easy and that only a maximum of 4 out of them would leave.

I even overestimated it.

we knew it would be kinda difficult. The Messi saga distracted everyone. The board left team restructuring to focus on one man. I don't know what we should call that. Maybe, GOAT effect. Or maybe the nature of a planless and stagnant board.

Pique, Roberto and Busquets - captaincy status + Messi friendship+on going contract +no club wants old cargos
Suarez - Messi's friendship, I guess
Vidal-no club wants an old cargo(maybe few tho).

Even if they stay, I believe Koeman knows what to do best- relegate them to the bench.

FirstbornWds:
So na so we day stuck with Suarez again?


Yoruba will say Opari!!!!

Should you be concerned of Suarez or the the other oldies that are still there?
Alba, pique, Busquets, Vidal.

Only ratikic left.
Our 'proposed' signings, none have been landed.
Lautaro, Depay, Wijnaldum, Eric Garcia etc.

It's basically the same team. Same players that underperformed (Coutinho inclusive) in the past.

The only change is in the coaching department and 'talks' of change of style to 'vertical' play, as well as playing everyone in his natural position.
Maybe, the talents like Fati, Puig, Pedri, Trincao, mattheus plus todibo and Araujo give us options, but, are they enough quality and replacement to win Champions League if injuries (definitely happening) and fatigue(same too) starting kicking in?

My prayer is, Koeman doesn't flop and his proposed changes are actualized and work in our favour. Else, we're doomed.

tesppidd:
Seems Memphis Depay has agreed personal terms.

Nice. A mobile attacker on the way!
In tough, cagey games, I'll pick him over Griezmann to help out draw defenders.
His pace and skill will come in handy for us, if he is truly coming.

Update :
Reports are saying barca have denied any personal agreement with Depay tho

Moura7:
Ok...his best match was prolly that 5-2 against Betis...was he the CF in that game?

He was, I guess.

Whatever the case might be, I would still love to see a depay in the team. To encourage competition. I don't trust Griezmann absolutely even tho he's good. He's not the type that draw defenders or take them on when alone.
An attack with Dembele, Depay and messi sounds problematic for defences. Especially if Coutinho plays AM

Moura7:
Would Grizz shine in that CF role? dude played there countless times last season. What if he's paired in MB, in way that he plays behind MB....b

Countless?
Not really.
I know the times he's played there, he put few good performances. At least, it better than putting him on the wings where he can't do anything.

Mcleo007:
As for S. Busquets, I hope this coach has the courage to drop his a55 or use him sparingly, only for games against lowly sides. Dude is a huge fraud, and has Xaviesta masking his many deficiencies to thank. His been badly exposed since they left. This team cant win the UCL with him as an undsputed starter. He was bodied by Thiago and T. Muller.

Busquets has simply declined. Saying he is fraud is disrespectful. In his prime, the guy was super good on his. A typical barca midfielder (defensive tho). Probably an unsung star for years.

We lost to Bayern because we had a declining team and a useless bastard we called our manager. I hate that guy like my ex's shit.

Predicted line up tho for next season

Defence: semedo || Lenglet || Pique|| Alba
Midfield: De Jong || Pjanic ||Coutinho (AM)
Attack: Messi||Griezmann || Dembele

Likely subs: Fati||Pedri ||Puig ||Busquets||Trincao
My thoughts tho

afroduke:
why is nobody talking about ruigi puig... That guy is the closest thing to what barca midfielder looks like. Quick feet, Quick thought Quick to win it back.

barca will be fine if we find a left footed midfielder to compliment puig

He'll have his chance.

BykeLaByke:
Atletico Madrid have contacted Luis Suarez.



That's two big teams now on his head.


Is this guy really as 'finished' as we all like to think.

Suarez is arguably one of the best strikers in the last 10 years, even more.
But complacency and laziness have affected him.
Still, he possesses deadliness, a killer instincts for goal and intelligence rarely seen in most strikers.

Maybe if we had good managers since Enrique left, maybe, he would still be an option for the team.
Anyway, he has tried. Time to go.
But I expect him to still keep shining. The talent is always constant. Just extra work needed.

kodded:
depay the low budget neymar


Barcelona signing another player that will definitely struggle in their team setup

I think he'll play as a striker. but I love him as a winger(left),but we have surplus: dembele,fati,pedri.

so depay is almost certain of coming to barca. I'm kinda glad tho. cuz I've always liked him for his skill.
But I'll like someone to give our predicted line up for next season.
it's obvious barca as always won't touch that defence.

Hmm.

Okay we've heard na.

Don't mean to compare, but any bridge that doesn't beat 3rd mainland bridge doesn't impress me.

Does this one beat it? I think not.
Took 13 years to build this bridge of 1.6 km? Just imagine.

It took 10 years to build 3rd mainland bridge of 11.8 km. That's x10 in length of this one, with 3 years excess.

Now tell me, what's there to celebrate or know? The increasing inefficiency in executing social projects? Damn right!

Hmm
Forced marriage!
Marriage not outta love but compulsion and responsibility.
I know how it's like. There is never love in such marriages and families . Domestic violence is a norm. No love. And the children are gonna suffer it.

Speaking from experience(that I've witnessed) .