Shiva Tech Guru: October 2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Barcelona 3-1 Olympiakos

Barça played with 10 men for about an hour after Pique was sent off due to his second yellow card in the game. Meanwhile Messi scores his 100th UEFA goal, a freekick. Here are a few things from the match:

1) Ter Stegen wasn't tested at all till the 90th minute. The goal scored by Olympiakos was through a corner, a perfect header. Gomes/ Paulinho should've covered the player well.

2) Digne played well, scored a goal. Was good in the defence too. He is young and energetic. Roberto had a decent game. Pique, received his first yellow for shirt pulling, it's unavoidable technically, as the opponent player was alone and had a lot of space. The second yellow, was due to a handball, the ball clearly hit his hand, but it didn't look intentional, however, it was a 50-50 decision. Umtiti was solid at the back. He's going to be the best centre back for sure. Masche came in the second half, and he was good.

3) Busquets played well. As usual, was cool, calm and composed. Had a pass accuracy of 98%. Iniesta was good in providing through balls, he was trying to create voids in their defence. Paulinho played well. Hit the woodwork once, and had another close chance, both of them with his head. He has got into the team well. Rakitic and Gomes came in the second half. Gomes is certainly improving, almost created a beautiful chance. Rakitic was decent. One thing that is evident here, is Valverde doesn't want Denis to play in the midfield. So he has to compete with Deulofeu for the attacking past. The gaffer's decision isn't bad, as Valverde expects his midfielder to be physical and press deeper. Maybe he can play in Iniesta's position, in a match or two.

4) Deulofeu was constantly creating threats through the right flank. If u have watched every game of barça this season, we mostly attack through the right. Suarez isn't fitting into the role of left winger well. Valverde quickly needs to find a solution for that. 4-4-2 might be a solution. Suarez and Messi, both playing centrally, means there's some element missing in the wings. Suarez not scoring too many goals this season, it's not his fault entirely. He was looking with a discomfort in his knee, towards the end of the match. Maybe he should perform his surgery as soon as possible. (If he really has some problem in his knee) Messi was silent in the first half, but in the second half he played well.( A goal and an assist) Since Messi is playing centrally, he isn't getting balls that often. In the last season, u can see Messi creating numerous chances for Suarez, (he still is making chances) , but it has reduced.