Guardiola has deceived me.

I've always maintained that Guardiola was mediocre and inflexible tactically. The acquisition of Ibra, bad substitutions like constantly bringing on Keita when needing a goal, having no clue what to do when a team stifles Barca's chance creation, etc.

He proved me wrong tonight. The change in tactics he used in the second half was inspired, switching to a 4-2-3-1ish shape in order to keep possession much better and completely dominate Madrid's left wing:


The same can't be said for Mourinho, who was basically bringing on big-name players from the bench in like-for-like substitions that served no purpose.

Omniscient wrote:I've always maintained that Guardiola was mediocre and inflexible tactically. The acquisition of Ibra, bad substitutions like constantly bringing on Keita when needing a goal, having no clue what to do when a team stifles Barca's chance creation, etc.

He proved me wrong tonight. The change in tactics he used in the second half was inspired, switching to a 4-2-3-1ish shape in order to keep possession much better and completely dominate Madrid's left wing:

Sanchez
Iniesta Messi Alves
Fabregas Xavi
Abidal Busquets Pique Puyol
Valdes

The same can't be said for Mourinho, who was basically bringing on big-name players from the bench in like-for-like substitions that served no purpose.

You have got it wrong. That was the formation in the first half with Messi dropping really deep and Busquets playing further up.

However, in the second half Fabregas went to the left and Iniesta dropped into the centre. Why do you think we started dominating in the second half? And Busquets dropped deep with Puyol at RB and Alves pushed up ahead on the wing. It was a master's move by Pep and he has shown it again and again in every big match. Pep really knows what should be done where and why.

Hope he wins the league and CL again.

kiranr wrote:

Omniscient wrote:I've always maintained that Guardiola was mediocre and inflexible tactically. The acquisition of Ibra, bad substitutions like constantly bringing on Keita when needing a goal, having no clue what to do when a team stifles Barca's chance creation, etc.

He proved me wrong tonight. The change in tactics he used in the second half was inspired, switching to a 4-2-3-1ish shape in order to keep possession much better and completely dominate Madrid's left wing:

Sanchez
Iniesta Messi Alves
Fabregas Xavi
Abidal Busquets Pique Puyol
Valdes

The same can't be said for Mourinho, who was basically bringing on big-name players from the bench in like-for-like substitions that served no purpose.

You have got it wrong. That was the formation in the first half with Messi dropping really deep and Busquets playing further up.

However, in the second half Fabregas went to the left and Iniesta dropped into the centre. Why do you think we started dominating in the second half? And Busquets dropped deep with Puyol at RB and Alves pushed up ahead on the wing. It was a master's move by Pep and he has shown it again and again in every big match. Pep really knows what should be done where and why.

I didnt watch the game but ZM's analysis agrees with what OP posted

Pep

It is going to be very difficult to win the league. Madrid are going to keep winning against the other teams in the league. Unless they suffer a dip in form, it is going to be very difficult!

kiranr wrote:It is going to be very difficult to win the league. Madrid are going to keep winning against the other teams in the league. Unless they suffer a dip in form, it is going to be very difficult!

Yeah the league is still theirs to lose. Barcelona need to improve their form against other teams (it's like La Liga is divided into 2 section: El Clasico and The Others ).

bhends wrote:

I didnt watch the game but ZM's analysis agrees with what OP posted

Pep

Fabregas and Iniesta sort of switched in the second half. I saw that Iniesta was deeper and Fabregas was wider. Of course, i have to watch the match again to understand what the positions were exactly...

Omniscient wrote:I've always maintained that Guardiola was mediocre and inflexible tactically. The acquisition of Ibra, bad substitutions like constantly bringing on Keita when needing a goal, having no clue what to do when a team stifles Barca's chance creation, etc.

He proved me wrong tonight. The change in tactics he used in the second half was inspired, switching to a 4-2-3-1ish shape in order to keep possession much better and completely dominate Madrid's left wing:

Sanchez
Iniesta Messi Alves
Fabregas Xavi
Abidal Busquets Pique Puyol
Valdes

The same can't be said for Mourinho, who was basically bringing on big-name players from the bench in like-for-like substitions that served no purpose.

english_jewel wrote:Hope he wins the league and CL again.

english_jewel wrote:

kiranr wrote:It is going to be very difficult to win the league. Madrid are going to keep winning against the other teams in the league. Unless they suffer a dip in form, it is going to be very difficult!

Yeah the league is still theirs to lose. Barcelona need to improve their form against other teams (it's like La Liga is divided into 2 section: El Clasico and The Others ).

On the opposite, Mourinho has deceived us! HAha! No show in the press conference, maybe he knew he had nothing new to offer and so too embarass to show up!

Guardiola I hope have now relaly showed why he is so successful, and thats becos he know shis style, has the balls to try different new tactics in the big games and gets it right!

I think Barca can really win the big 2 trophies again.

Real will lose games and drop points, it as simple as that, they just wont be able to keep winning all season. The will suffer a dip in form just like Barca, and other teams wont all lay down for them, some teams will perform and beat them or draw them, and El Classicos have such big effects on morale so they will have lose some confidence while Barca gained a lot im sure

He proved you wrong many times before... wth.

zizzle wrote:

but you would like to have him back at inter

i would love to tbh