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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Rangers versus Barcelona


Barcelona is a club that is not always easy to comprehend; it is often referred to as the unarmed army of Catalunya. Perhaps the result of the club being such an important institution in Catalunya is that there is almost always a power struggle at the club, or surrounding the club. A power struggle that divides rather than unites and is often more harmful than helpful.

After a year full of disappointments the question was not if the club needed a revolution or not, it was if it should be a brutal or subtle revolution. The board and coaching team opted for a subtle one, and rather than looking for a scapegoat, they decided to reinforce the team with first team players who would make no player feel that they would play whatever their performance, not even Ronaldinho, Eto’o or Deco. The players would not be allowed to relax; there would be no time for complacency. Logic said that existing players were not really that bad, they are even world class, it was just that they were not hungry anymore, were not willing to put in that extra bit of scarification that is needed at top level in order to fight for trophies consistently. That logic is proven to have been correct, even though at the beginning of the season nothing seemed to have changed. Performances were half-hearted, Rijkaard seemed distant and it was even thought he was quite close to being sacked. How quickly things change in football.
It may be a coincidence that with Ronaldinho’s absence the team began to perform, and they reassembled the side that took the world by storm. Strong in defence, aggressive at retrieving the ball and lightning quick en-route to goal. Ronaldinho seems to have the effect of slowing games down, as everything needs go through him, he uses more touches than Iniesta, who is simply playing much better than Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho who has not really performed consistently since the final in Paris 2006, has almost become a burden for the team, admittingly a luxurious burden. With Henry still adapting, Eto’o out with a knee injury and Ronaldinho kind of missing Messi has taken over the crown as the teams star and he is the one they look for when in need of a result or to make things happen. His form since his comeback from injury last season has been sensational. He is scoring crucial goal after goal, creating master pieces in almost every game and is still only 20 years old. The team does not consist of only Messi and Iniesta as three of the four signings this summer have been of an extreme importance in becoming defensively secure. Abidal is simply a Defender, in a serious mould, Milito seems to have played in the team all his life and Touré, Yaya Touré (Arsenal’s Kolo Touré’s younger brother) is perhaps the most important signing of them all. It is no coincidence Rijkaard’s main headache for the game against Rangers is getting Touré fit, which will be tight. He is the kind of player they so much missed last year, not only a strong and physical presence at that crucial defensive midfielder position, but he is also a neat passer of the ball and wins almost every aerial ball. He will be needed against a physical and aggressive side such as Rangers. If Touré won’t be fit, it is likely that Iniesta will play there, which will be a huge advantage to Rangers, as he is frail, even if he does recuperate more balls than you would think due to his intelligence, but that will also result in the rest of the formation being predictable, not only on paper, but also on the field. Messi’s and Iniesta’s quick passing play has brought out the best in both Henry and Deco, while Ronaldinho’s slow pace makes it much easier for the opposite to gain position and defend themselves. With Iniesta and Messi at the front, it will be Rangers who will have to be alert to their interchanging of positions, where you never really know where the danger might come from.
Barcelona is suffering various injuries to their backline and they will suffer if both Márquez and Touré are out (they are their best players at defending high balls). The fantastic results Rangers have gained mean that Barcelona will have to take the match extremely seriously if they are going to stay top of the group. It will remain to be seen if Rangers manage to surprise Barcelona and get a result or if the nerves of Catalunya will be calmed and not calling for a new revolution.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

They say "don't talk about revolution until you're willing to eat rats to survive," but I don't know if eating rats would be that much worse than watching Ronaldinho playing his own little game and hurting the team like he did tonight. Again.

It's so frustrating to see all the good guys work bravely and then having him slowing the offence down while also refraining more or less completely from defending.

Like seeing Henry again and again run off his heels in a position that doesn't allow him to shine - just so Ronaldino can play his ridiculous game in the center without having to move or cover too much.

And it's even more frustrating to see all the dedication and commitment Samuel Eto'o brings every day go unrecognized. Seeing Samuel continnally get critized and questioned for this and for that - while the other guy get's drunk and shoots another commercial.

So, if showing Ronaldinho the way out of town is what you consider a revolution... Catch his body, head for Houston!

Or Milan, or wherever his brother wants. Not before June, though, to keep it realistic.

Until then it's up to Franklin to keep the rats off the menu. I.e. to keep the rat off the pitch, if necessary. Or at least let him work and suffer on the left. If he can't do this longer than 45 minutes, even better. Saves me 45 minutes of watching him.

12:02 AM  
Blogger Ulague said...

I pretty much share Senyor Klimowicz sentiments on Ronaldinho.
But since Iceland is big in this blog, a few words on my friend Just Ice, the Original Gudjohnsen, who last night did just everything right. He did what Van Bommel did for a year, just incredibly better. Play pressing, go where it hurts, use your size in midfield, and what Bümmel can't do, keep the ball.
What's more important, it showed his attitude and professionalism, although I have heard from some catalan friends, that Eidur is a Disco Stu doppelgaenger himself, but Eidur had this performance after everyone, from Txiki to even Rijkaard telling him that he has no place anymore at Barca. He didn't have a chance, so he used it.
Once Yaya is back, I hope Iniesta returns to Ronaldinho's position and Eidur plays central midfield with Xavi and Yaya.

3:25 PM  
Blogger Yrsa Roca Fannberg said...

I think that Ronnie has this year to prove himself. I also think for what he did he deserved some margin, after all the club claims to be human, does not have to be a charity, but yes some values. That doesn't last forever though and he is not really performing. I agree that he seems to be training and at least willing to try, but perhaps he just has a menta exhaustion, not strange and that is perhaps worht another post - how long can a top player last being a top player today - 3 years? It would be good to take pressure of Ronnie, try different methods, as if he would return to 88 % of what he was it would be fantastic. But not now. Worth a good try.

It also is true that the team plays much worse with him. He is becoming the Riquelme tollbooth - baptisized by Valdano.

Eidur, yes I am happy for him, I think he has been lynched (not as in David) but he just has been judged far too quickly and for the wrong reasons. Last year let's not forget he actually scored against all important big teams. He is valuable in CL especially.
Eidur does go out, but comes home at 1 am. I have heard.
Til Hamingju Eidur.

3:46 PM  
Blogger Ulague said...

really, he is back at 1?? good boy..

and yes, he was judged way too early and very unfairly. Henry hasn't scored so far more goals than Eidur did at this stage, yet the criticism against Henry is less than it was against Eidur and few people really gave him credit for all the hard work he did on the field.

5:28 PM  

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