Comments on: The Man Barca Missed The Most: R10

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:30:37 +0000

You are right Mat. One of Man United’s great strengths this season has been that when Tevez/Rooney/Ronaldo are all playing, they all switch positions constantly and because they all run at the defence differently (Rooney comes inside with strength, Ronaldo tries his flicks and tricks from the wing, Tevez likes to beat his man on the outside) the defenders can never set as Rio did against Messi last night.

By: Mat

Mat — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:46:30 +0000

I think one of the many many reasons Barca are out is that they never switched from what they were…so freakishly predictable..even when Messi did once get open I was just saying to myself…oh Messi do not go in towards where Rio is…and he did exactly that!…they need a really two legged left winger who can play with Messi on the other side..and they both switch sometimes

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:02:31 +0000

Mat – Its fashionable in Spain to play wingers on thier wrong sides, so that they can cut in, It isn’t like the EPL, where crosses are king. Its part of the problem Fabio originally had with El Becks last year, Becks couldn’t play left and cut inside.

The trouble with it, is that it is a bit predictible when you good wing backs, as United do. Evra always knew where Messi was going, and when he came inside, Rio could come across and cover. He worked hard though.

Sam – Yeah he may not have done anything, but there’s that element of teh unpredictable about him that might’ve changed the game.

By: Sam Hiser

Sam Hiser — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:40:39 +0000

It’s unclear what impact a healthy R10 would have had, given how together the United back four + vdS played on both legs.

(I — or anyone, for that matter — have not mentioned either Park(JS) or Hargreves who’ve both played big size.)

By: Mat

Mat — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:29:42 +0000

If Messi has only one good leg..then why not play him on the left too for some time…am I missing something here..does he not like playing on the left…I have never seen any classic crosses from Messi (or anyone on this Barca team) down the flanks..they’d always cut in…if I being an amateur can figure that out, then what abt the ManUtd think tank?