"Ronald Koeman, Southampton Manager" by Ronnie Macdonald is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The season that started with club politics and Messi's potential exit, has finally railed on to what matters the most - official games. The first two games have put Barcelona against not too easy opponents. And Vigo in the context of the weather and history would have made the fans and probably the team and coaching staff quite anxious.
But here we are - after two full matches, Barcelona has 7 goals with two clean sheets. Koeman surely could not have hoped for a better re-start to his career in Camp Nou. And he deserves it. And so does the squad for pulling in a shift and what looks like a strengthening of fortitude as well. These two matches and the background activity in the club over the period has generated tremendous interesting topics. However, I wanted to pen down my review of the players and the coach based mainly on the matches against yellow submarine and Celta Vigo.
Messi - The GOAT has been the pulga this season as he has been for the club thanklessly for so many years. He's still weaving his magic and running past multiple players and directly forcing goals. Sadly and as can be expected and forgiven- his speed has reduced and so has his reliability of always skipping past players with any difficult ball played to him. But, still he's killing it. He however needs to be rested. Not sure, how easy that will be for Koeman without stirring the ever reactive FCB locker room.
Coutinho - He has been in groove the last two outings. It's good that he is staying in a position which suits his strengths. Good thing is that he can be even more devastating as his link up play develops more with players around. Already, he, Fati, Messi, Alba, De Jong are combining at elite level. He's pressing hard as well and defending. He looks to only get better everytime and that's sweet for us fans and nightmare for opposition.
Fati- This boy brings a joy which Barca fans haven't had since Messi broke in to the ranks of Barca first team. This boy in number 22 can play some ball. He stretches wings, has exceptional decision making, dribbles past players with ease, scores nonchalantly, sees and tries defence splitting passes and is breaking all sorts of records. Currently sits on the pichichi pedestal (of course ridiculously early). And he's only 17.
Griezmann - He does so many good things and then he does few wrong ones. There's no denying that he's had solid contribution in some of the goals so far, including Fati's goal against Celta. But, tactically he's probably not quite the right fit. Also, he has to focus more on his offensive duties rather than defence. Doesn't mean he stops the exceptional hustling he does, but he should never miss a forward pass inside the penalty area like he did today. Don't remember who was the passer. He should be more ready for these quick grasp of forward nudges by players around the dee. Of course, it's very unfair on him, that his amazing runs are never picked by any of the Barca players. But then again, he has a great opportunity today to at least do better justice to the through ball by De Jong.
Dembele - He's the player with that flair which the elite players have. Unfortunately, he's still rough on the edges and for some reason gets too much flak. E.g. he was the creator of the potential 4th goal against Pool. Any other player from that squad won't have created the chance starting the play from the centre of the field. His goal against Spurs is not something which any other player other than Messi can score. So, he has talent but for reasons known and some unknown he's just not breaking into the team. Bartomeau might well sell him to make the books as palatable as possible before his eminent exit. But sportingly, he's that one player who would leap frog either side of our wing from average to elite. Of course, Fati is for now deservedly untouchable.
Trincao - He has looked very good every time he's stepped in. But, for some reason he's a fan favorite for performances which would have got someone like Coutinho or Dembele daggers. He looks to have a lot of promise but so far certainly seems to not have that decisiveness. Of course, he has not got enough time on the field. Definitely looks like a very good purchase.
Pedri - He has basically displaced Puig and that itself speaks volumes about his potential and his ability. Whenever he's come on, he's looked very assured with the ball. Puig is really good but Pedro looks more naturally mobile with and without ball. He's done all good things on field but not yet got enough time to show his impact. Great purchase.
De Jong - He was purchased to do what he's finally doing this season. He will only get better. He's good defending, transitioning from defence to attack, makes good runs. He has a tendency to make mistakes but between the two matches, he just showed how he has improved on that consciously as well.
Busquets - Sorry legend, but he can not be a starter (since Roma). He will have these occasional good games and always fail against fast, pressing or elite teams. Pjanic needs to start.
Pjanic - In the few minutes, he played against Villarreal, he looked like a player who had been with us since few seasons. That's what he brings to the table. He covers ground and has a little more pace and incisiveness than current Busquets. He needs to start and establish if he's going to improve the team or not. He's performed very well in the champions league games last season unlike Busquets.
Alba - He's put in two amazing performances. Trouble with him is that he doesn't perform against strong teams. We don't have anyone better in the position and he's still showing how he tilts attacks on his side because he's that good. However, he needs to keep up his level against quality sides this season. Koeman needs to put in a plan to ensure that.
Pique - Two solid performances but he's on the decline and Araujo should have started sharing minutes with him. Pique will struggle against quality and pace. Araujo might struggle as well but he's a better bet.
Araujo - Misfortune for Lenglet potentially gives Araujo his first start. I personally think he's a starter material. However, he has to make sure there's no blunder or nerves that damages his stake to claim a starting position. Despite doing well, he would find it very difficult for Koeman to drop Piqué for him. Koeman definitely doesn't tinker with strong heads in the locker room. E.g. substituting Messi, sticking with Busi, Alba, Pique, Roberto - albeit there are strong reasons to do so as well.
Lenglet - The most understated consistent player of Barcelona. The only player who can make those long goal scoring passes from the back. He backs up his strong decision making with his great ball control. He and Araujo should be the starters by the second half of the season. His red card was little harsh.
Sergi Roberto - He will come a cropper against good side and any side with good attackers on his side. Time and time again, he makes this ridiculous back passes putting his own defenders and our goal at jeopardy. Against, Celta the only clear chance Vigo created was because he completely left his area and his man. He did make up for it by his last minute dive that luckily still didn't make it into the goal. But that goal would have Sergi Roberto written all over it as did the eventual save. Semedo should have stayed but Barto had to work on his accounting books. Great finish by Roberto though although to be honest the goal is easier to score than it looks. No, I don't want to play it down but just stating facts being a player myself. I don't know if Dest will be an improvement on him overall but the coach thinks so.
Neto - Not surprised at all that he's done so well. This is what he's always done. In fact, I have always thought is effectively as good a stopper as Ter Stegen is. And there was an opportunity to make money by selling Ter and using the money to buy a solid CB. That would have made our defence stronger. Even a outwordly goal keeper can only do so much in overall defence.
Koeman the coach - Finally, there's a real change in the way the team plays. There's an improvement in the pressing. Weak backline is better protected by double pivot. He nonchalantly walked in and won an away game in Balaidos. The team play has looked beautiful. No more dull, trying to wriggle a win away performance. While we can rejoice and hope, we can't let our excitement take flight yet. We are yet to take on the big boys. Also, few negatives I think Koeman has. He's definitely not got a very strong institutional position. Often, he admits that player transfers and promotions are outside his rein. His fault or not, it doesn't augur well for the team. Secondly, he seems to be scared of upsetting big egos in the team. It did look like there was a case for Messi substitution today but he didn't. Also, his body language standing in the periphery of Messi, Pique arguing with ref didn't look like a coach who has his players behind him. Thirdly, he hasn't touched any Catalan veterans in the team despite the obvious need for doing so. He has contradicted himself quite a few times since joining. Although, there's nothing wrong with having maturer reflections on things as long as desirable final outcome is achieved.
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