dreamLord
Established Member
Song was at fault for both of the goals. Poor awareness. He's not a defender (not even a defensive midfielder imo)
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dreamLord said:Song was at fault for both of the goals. Poor awareness. He's not a defender (not even a defensive midfielder imo)
Shadow Moses said:I know I'm one of Denilson's worst critics on here but he was immense yesterday. Never seen him play with such guts and determination. Marked Messi out and totally controlled his area. I demand more of the same week in week out.
Put Denilson on the pitch in the first 30 minutes and see how he would have coped with Messi, and Barcelona in general. Song would have thrived in midfield, once their pressure subsided, and we moved 30 yards further up the pitch.outlaw_member said:Shadow Moses said:I know I'm one of Denilson's worst critics on here but he was immense yesterday. Never seen him play with such guts and determination. Marked Messi out and totally controlled his area. I demand more of the same week in week out.
Messi's low center of gravity and agility is a major asset against bigger players but I think that it became a non-factor against Denilson as they're both of a similar build. Plus, Denilson was much better at jockeying his movements than Song who was alot more rash in his challenges.
Oh he's a midfielder all right, just not the midfielder we should base the defensive side of our midfield upon.MAK 14 said:What is he then?
absolutely (much like Porto), he would thrive in la Liga where most teams try to play football, the pace is slower, and less physical...he struggles with the style and physical presence of the prem.lagos said:This game was tailor made for Denilson. Throughout the all I kept thinking to myself was just how accurate the barca passes were and how bad ours were. Don't know if it was the nerves of our players getting the better of them but the accuracy of the barca passes and the lack thereof in ours made all the talk of us being great passers of the ball a distinct overhype yesterday!
ricky1985 said:Put Denilson on the pitch in the first 30 minutes and see how he would have coped with Messi, and Barcelona in general. Song would have thrived in midfield, once their pressure subsided, and we moved 30 yards further up the pitch.outlaw_member said:Shadow Moses said:I know I'm one of Denilson's worst critics on here but he was immense yesterday. Never seen him play with such guts and determination. Marked Messi out and totally controlled his area. I demand more of the same week in week out.
Messi's low center of gravity and agility is a major asset against bigger players but I think that it became a non-factor against Denilson as they're both of a similar build. Plus, Denilson was much better at jockeying his movements than Song who was alot more rash in his challenges.
ricky1985 said:Put Denilson on the pitch in the first 30 minutes and see how he would have coped with Messi, and Barcelona in general. Song would have thrived in midfield, once their pressure subsided, and we moved 30 yards further up the pitch.outlaw_member said:Shadow Moses said:I know I'm one of Denilson's worst critics on here but he was immense yesterday. Never seen him play with such guts and determination. Marked Messi out and totally controlled his area. I demand more of the same week in week out.
Messi's low center of gravity and agility is a major asset against bigger players but I think that it became a non-factor against Denilson as they're both of a similar build. Plus, Denilson was much better at jockeying his movements than Song who was alot more rash in his challenges.
and for the first instance he reached there and covered quite easily, and was properly positioned goal side between the keeper and the striker, only's Almunia's bizzare gaffe gave Zlatan a look in.....otfgoon said:Klaus, Vermaelen was playing on the left. If he wasn't the wtf was he going there?
Frankly they were both at fault, Vermaelen took a gamble on both occasions and left his man. Song should have stepped in and gone in to cover.
patrick42uk said:Klaus, Vermaelen was the left sided defender.
otfgoon said:Klaus, Vermaelen was playing on the left. If he wasn't the wtf was he going there?
Don't get me wrong, I was immensely impressed with Denilson when he came on. The best I've seen him play since Roma at home last season. I was screaming at the TV for us to "pass the ball sideways! Keep the ball for more than 2 passes!". Denilson did exactly that, he was cool, calm and clever on the ball, and he stood up well to Messi and whoever else he was up against, but I think it also needs to be said that Denilson would have been just as clueless, just as ineffective, and just as awestruck had he been on for the first 20 minutes, when they were playing at 100MPH and passing like gods. In fact he had very little positive impact in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, when they again had a very good spell.Captain said:ricky1985 said:Put Denilson on the pitch in the first 30 minutes and see how he would have coped with Messi, and Barcelona in general. Song would have thrived in midfield, once their pressure subsided, and we moved 30 yards further up the pitch.outlaw_member said:Messi's low center of gravity and agility is a major asset against bigger players but I think that it became a non-factor against Denilson as they're both of a similar build. Plus, Denilson was much better at jockeying his movements than Song who was alot more rash in his challenges.
Songs rashness is always there bubbling under the surface.
Messi was mostly covered by Vermaelen or Song in the second half which is exactly what should have happened in the first place. Denilson provided some urgency (!) in the challenges and presses as well the ability to relieve some pressure by actually making passes and playing with just 1 or 2 touches instead of five. He turned their players wonderfully a few times too, showing the sort of footwork he hasn't in about a year.
Klaus Daimler said:patrick42uk said:Klaus, Vermaelen was the left sided defender.
otfgoon said:Klaus, Vermaelen was playing on the left. If he wasn't the wtf was he going there?
Why do people pursue stuff like this when it's so easily settled by a rerun? Log on to whatever site that's showing highlights and have a look. Song was the closest one to Ibrahimovic on both occations. It's such a goddamn obvious tactical change too. As soon as Song stepped down to central defence it became Vermaelen's task to step up and keep track of Messi rather than one of the remaining midfielders staying deep to mark him. It's textbook stuff. We played like that for the entire second half! Vermaelen is absolutely spot on by being higher up than the rest of the line. It's Song who needs to be wary of Ibrahimovic but he just lets him past both times.