That Isco fella is pretty good.

i'm better pinkerton

Whenever that Barca team has played a high pressing, high intensity game, they have looked invincible. Why that was missing from their game last year, I have no idea.
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On the radio they said that Xavi said that they hadn't really worked on it as a tactic under Tito, or that they'd stopped when he went to NY and Roura took over, or something like that.

On the radio they said that Xavi said that they hadn't really worked on it as a tactic under Tito, or that they'd stopped when he went to NY and Roura took over, or something like that.
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Then I have been right all along. Tito(bless him) was never really the right guy for the job. It is crazy he could neglect a VITAL part of Barca's game! Peks point about the team being physically and mentally tired is also true I think.

Agree with both of you. It's also interesting that the pressing was largely missing from Spain's game at the Confeds too. In both cases (Bayern & Brazil) it was precisely the opponent's pressing that made the difference.

I was just about to say that. Very interesting if you think about it!

Offensive defensive tactics are so important these days.

If Barca can keep up that kind of pressing throughout the season and maybe sign a good centre back then i can see one last CL for Xavi

The Levante game was verging on a joke at times. The gulf in class was immense.

British media still insisting that Utd can get Cesc....what's the point?

Was just reading this on goal.com. Yeah I know.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2013/08/19/4197176/xavi-barca-didnt-do-tactics-last-year?ICID=AR_PN_4

Xavi says it was when Tito went to NY, but in all honesty the pressing had been leaking out of their game since Pep's last year in charge, which is why I think Peks also had a good point re fatigue. Hard to tell if it was purely mental or partly physical too, I think prob a combo of both.

I'm confused, I thought Cesc had 4 or 5 assists vs Levante, but Espn only credits him with 2.

Definitely both! Actually most likely mentally than physically. Even Pep himself had become exhausted after having sooo much expectation for so long. That kind of intensity can drain even the toughest players and managers.

4-5 assists? The hell!

I agree with you boys.

I don't want to jump to any conslusions too soon but I really do think Tata is a top tactician, it's not just brining back the pressing game which worked as a peach, I mean players like Pedro and Alexis are born for such defense and even Messi didn't look too lazy at it, neither did Neymar.

I really do think he also has plan B preapared if things don't go right. Furthermore I loved how he subbed Messi in min 70 when Messi hasn't been subbed for 3 years, why play him when you're 7-0, takes guts to do that.

No disrespect to Tito but him and Roura but they are suited to be managing teams like Cadiz not Barcelona.

I wish Barca had kept Begiristain on so they could play tiki-taka under Txiki-Tata

No disrespect to Tito but him and Roura but they are suited to be managing teams like Cadiz not Barcelona.
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I did ask the question about Tito a few months back to spark some debate but got no response I was actually pretty worried Barca would again so arrogantly attempt to get someone at the club to take over from Tito because it had worked with Pep before. What they didn't understand is that even if a manager understands the style of play at the club, the tiki taka and what not, it still needs to be complimented with some great tactics and management something I never felt Tito and Roura were capable of bringing to the team. I mean all they did is try and turn Barca into a passing machine that fed Messi which spectacularly backfired on them.

I got to run and run some errands friends. I will catch up with you later.

CroCop - Neymar will be used to pressing with Brazil.

If Barca can press like they were pressed against last season and maintain their level of attacking quality then i think they can win the CL again this season. Not even Bayern at 100% would be able to cope with that.

i really hope this doesnt mean Farza start playing like they did up until 2011

No disrespect to Tito but him and Roura but they are suited to be managing teams like Cadiz not Barcelona.
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Cadiz's one of the tip-top destinations in world football, please don't disrespect us.



I wish Barca had kept Begiristain on so they could play tiki-taka under Txiki-Tata
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I love it!

Uppy?

IOAG

It was hard for me to judge Carlo's first Real game. It was all a bit disjointed and stuff

Just meant to add:

Mind the gap.

Look at me, i'm IOAG and i got more points than an alcoholic.

Really well done.

Thanks for your sincere congratulations.