The ONE and ONLY solution to Barcelona’s disastrous crisis
Barcelona were humiliated by Bayern Munich (2-8) in the Champions League on Friday. This historic battering has kickstarted a tsunami which is shaking the structure of the club at every level – and rightly so, and about time! Bayern Munich embarrassed Barcelona in every aspect of the game. The German champions demonstrated much more speed, intensity, […]
Are Bayern Munich THAT much better than Barcelona?
“Bayern Munich will destroy Barcelona”, “Lewandowski will show Messi who is boss”, “Barca will be humiliated 7-0 vs Bayern again” – Signed: Anonymous Internet trolls hiding behind a keyboard all around the world. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? Barcelona qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals by defeating Napoli (3-1 on the return […]
Why Setien should NOT be sacked ahead of the Champions League restart
Barcelona are only a days away from facing Napoli in the Champions League at the Camp Nou in the return leg of Round of 16. The 1-1 draw achieved in the away game in Italy gives the Blaugranes a slight edge, but the tie is certainly far from over. Setien has been at the heart […]
Would sacking Setién help Barcelona win the Champions League? La Masia powering through, and replacing Suárez
On episode 206, Dan and Francesc discuss whether or not Quique Setién is the right man for the job in the Champions League. They review the La Liga season that was and talk Barcelona B, Luis Suárez, and much more! Running Order: What stands out from a disappointing La Liga season? Has Setién’s experiment been a failure? […]
Why Setien is right to tweak Barcelona’s formation to challenge for the Champions League
Barcelona have been far from their best post-lockdown and, unless an unexpected miracle happens, they will lose their La Liga crown to a more solid Real Madrid in the next couple of weeks. While I do accept that some VAR judgements have been puzzling since La Liga restarted, to blame referees and dubious back-handed conspiracies […]
Why Setién tweaked Barça’s formation (again), squad exhaustion, and Champions League chances
On episode 205, Dan and Francesc discuss Quique Setién’s multiple formations and tactics in Barça’s 1-0 win over Real Valladolid. They talk injuries, Barcelona B’s playoff, Champions League challenges, and much more! Running Order: Did Quique Setién tinker too much against Real Valladolid? How can the team manage squad exhaustion? What difficulties does Barcelona B face in […]
How Setien’s poor squad management is hurting Barcelona
Quique Setien joined Barcelona after years of many Culers around the world, myself included, being optimistic about what the Santander-born manager could add to the Blaugranes’ tactics and mechanisms. Setien had never managed a top-level club before and, out of his previous appointments, only Betis and Las Palmas (arguably) could be considered Primera-Division-calibre teams. However, […]
The 11 players that Setien should start for Barcelona against Espanyol
Barcelona will play Espanyol in Matchday 35 of La Liga on Wednesday. Following their refreshing 1-4 victory against Villarreal in their previous match, Culers around the world will be excited to see whether the Blaugranes can build on their recent improvements. Espanyol currently sit 20th in La Liga with 24 points having scored 27 goals […]
Why Barcelona are right to switch to the 4-4-2 rhombus formation
Quique Setien finally improved Barcelona by adopting a 4-4-2 formation (with a midfield rhombus) in the 1-4 thrashing on Villarreal on Sunday. The attacking trident of Luis Suarez and Griezmann (as the Catalans’ two more central strikers) in front of a ‘False Midfield 9’ version of Lionel Messi was clearly an improvement which made Barca’s […]
How did Setién’s 4-4-2 revive Barcelona? Griezmann resurgence, and Messi’s electoral influence
On episode 203, Dan and Francesc break down what Quique Setién got right in the win over Villarreal. They talk about the positioning of Messi, the resurgence of Griezmann, the rumors that Messi is leaving in 2021, and much more! Running Order: How did Setién’s 4-4-2 get the best out of the front three? Is the formation […]
