Rijkaard - Back To Basics

[funkdoctorspock]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=387335&cc=5739

Rijkaard to go back to basics with Barcelona

MADRID, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Consecutive defeats to Chelsea and Real Madrid have forced Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard into a rethink on the team's tactics, while he has blamed himself for the side's dip in form.

'I haven't done well. The alignments and the style of play haven't been clear, and my substitutions have not helped us to win the last two games,' Rijkaard told Radio Catalunya.

The European and Spanish champions fell 1-0 away to Chelsea in the Champions League last week and followed that up with a 2-0 league defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on Sunday.

The system of rotations, that has come under fire from sections of the Barcelona-based sports press, appears to be the main area of concern for Rijkaard.

'The attitude of the team has been good, but I think now is the moment to return to basic principles,' the Dutchman said.

'Perhaps I have focused too much on individuals managing things so that one player or another plays, and failed to concentrate on what is best for the team overall.

'I have done things which have affected the team and taken us away from our usual tactics. The team hasn't functioned well and we can't continue like this. It has been a warning call for me.'

The Primera Liga leaders face a Catalan derby against third division Badalona in the King's Cup fourth round first leg on Wednesday and host Recreativo Huelva in the league on Saturday.


was reading the in game and post game assessments of Barca fans and I know you all are none too happy with the lineups that have been fielded against Chel$ki and Real.

now with Rijkaard now admitting as much (rotation selection), what do suggest the lineup should be until the great Eto'o returns?

[BarcaRulz]

I think the 'individual managing' line applies to Saviola the most, and im pretty sure Rijkaard knows this.

If it were upto me to chose a team, and this by the way is what it hink Rijkaard will go with as he has been hinting to it a bit over the past week or so, is:

Valdes
Zambo/Belleti-Thuram-Puyol-Zambo/Gio
Marquez
Xavi-Deco
Messi-Savi-Ronnie

Hopefuly he sticks to it as well, the rotations are good when you rotate the underperforming players, or at max 2 a week, but changing 5 players a week is too much, he can't expect the team to gel together if he does that.

[Zico]

This is blown out of proportion imo.

One change: Saviola starts and Gudy comes on for him instead of vice versa.

Everything else is fine... they didn't look that bad in both losses!

[funkdoctorspock]

Gudy isn't a striker though... he looked so out of place... he plays as a shadow forward... a la Rooney... so that one change can't be enough for Barca to be firing on all cylinders again.

Also, why has Thuram started? is he injured?

Is Saviola too undersized to go up against bigger defenses?

do you think another striker will be brought in come January?

BarcaRulez... that is the exact lineup a good friend of mine (massive Barca supporter) mentioned to me during and after El Classico.

keep the lineups and suggestions coming...

[lazymagician]

his line about individuals managing things, sounds like he's talking about Saviola. I wonder if it has'nt really been his decision to not play him, but rather pressure from TPTB b/c of the history of the club under the previous leadership. I'm hoping he's realizing that with eto'o out, the only suitable candidate is Savi (even though he's nowhere near as good as eto'o is), he's really the only option....Guddy just doesn't cut it imo...he's started in several big games now, and he seems to choke at the worst possible time...i think he just needs more time with team, but in the mean time, he should only be brought on as a sub. I think Savi's speed makes up for his short stature, i've seen him go up against strong defences before, and he does pretty well...i dont think it's a necessity to have a tall forward.

[Rev]

This is blown out of proportion imo.

One change: Saviola starts and Gudy comes on for him instead of vice versa.

Everything else is fine... they didn't look that bad in both losses!

I agree with Zico, the line up seems fine, it just needed a little tweeking. Both Chelsea and Real loss didn't look too bad, although Real has 2 goals and 2 shot hitting the woodwork, Barca had their fair share of chances too, just no finishing. If Eto wasn't injured I think both games could of went to Barca, so I really don't think there is something wrong with the line up.

Changes would be maybe resting Ronaldinho for a game or two and swapping Saviola into Eto's role.

[cartbran]

Well, loaning out Maxi to RCD Mallorca does not look like a great idea in hindsight.

Maybe they should look down to the B team for a little inspiration as well. Jeffren is getting called up for the next cup tie. Krkic is probably not ready yet, but Dos Santos could be.

But more wingers/attacking mids really doesn't help. They need a big, cold hearted goleador and don't really have anything right now to fill that void left by the absence of Eto'o. It makes me wonder why they didn't try to sign Trezeguet from Juve, instead of Zambrotta.

[sola_phides]

Might be a little bit off topic but still relevant: Anybody knows what formation and who are the players who played against Badalona? So we can assess how Rijkaard is improving tactically after those horrible displays.

[Dee]

best lineup

Zambo----marquez--puyol---sylvinio
Edmilson
Xavi---------------iniesta

Messi---------------------Ronnie
Savi


Rijkaard is a great coach and will sought thinks out.. People excpect Barca to win so much that whe they lose to good teams there is a problem.. No problem at barca just time to adjust to being without the greatest striker in the past 2 years... Not an easy adjustment...

Deco needs some time to get is game back.. Iniesta is peaking right now so he needs to be on the pitch.. Guddy is a center forward not a striker. Savi knows the barca system and is a great in the box finisher. With our playmakers thats alll you need.

We played well in both games i feel, just no finishing.. and a few errors.. Barca are still leading liga and are not out of champions league/ copa del ray..
We didn't lose to getafe or reading.. We lost to Chelsea and Real.. It isn't the first time and probably won't be the last.

At the end of the day when we win three titles these losses will be sorely forgotten..

[harithfakhrudin]

barca need a new and better goalkeeper. their line-up is fine except for striker spot. and everyone kinda agrees that savi should start instead of guddy. guddy is not the best at finishing. i think the roll xavi or deco has been playing suits him better.

[lpkor]

Might be a little bit off topic but still relevant: Anybody knows what formation and who are the players who played against Badalona? So we can assess how Rijkaard is improving tactically after those horrible displays.

While i don't know the exact formation, I know these were the players and most likely positions.


Jorquera

Zambrotta Puyol Oleguer Gio

Xavi Motta (Edmilson, min.46) Ezquerro

Giuly Gudjohnsen Saviola

[bennmartin]

the problem has nothing to do with the keeper or the coach or the formation.

the problem simply put is no eto and no larsson this year to back him up. against real they created chances but didnt finish. they need someone to feed off deco, ronny, and messi. i dont think savi or gudjohnson are the answer.

[chauchey]

This is blown out of proportion imo.

One change: Saviola starts and Gudy comes on for him instead of vice versa.

Everything else is fine... they didn't look that bad in both losses!
They just played arguabley the two biggest clubs in the world. Both in thie respective barns. I dont think it was entirely unexpected that they would loose one of those games...although two losses is tough.

I agree with zico, Saviola starts, gudy subs, and perhaps deco needs to be coached back into doing what made him so successfull in the first place. Hard work(which he still does most of the time), and(this is the most important) being a pitbull in the middle, so that the forwards know someone has their back. I dont want to blame this on deco. In fact, theres no reason to blame anybody at this point, as long as everyone gets back to doing what they do best. :)

There where a few times where the counter attacks looked...well...devestating because of the lack of a midfield pitbull.

[lpkor]

Franks new line up.

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/mundo-img/20061027a/60_archivo55_graphic_10_1_2_20061027_YBA01M1.EPS.j pg

[Rev]

I don't find that lineup "new". It has always been that line up except Eto isn't there.

Edit: Grammar

[Zico]

I don't find that lineup "new". It has always been that line up except swapping Eto isn't there.

I agree with you... the only difference I noticed is putting in Marquez instead of Thuram but then again that has been the lineup except for against Madrid & weaker opponents!!!

anyway I don't think Rikaard learned his lesson... maybe this is good news for the other team in La Liga :cool: ;)

[nbn]

Keeper: Valdes
Defenders: Zambrotta|Puyol|Thuram|Gio
Midfield: Xavi|Deco|Iniesta|Ronaldinho[10]
Forward: Messi|Saviola

The reason for a 4-4-2 is to keep the opposing team from countering and moving players forward into dangerous positions. With the defense at home, midfielders will have the time & space to create plays resulting in scoring chances.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Hot or cold?

http://www.geocities.com/battlegarden/images/barcelona-fc-camp-nou-41.jpg

[Rev]

Ahh the good old 442, don't know if it will work for Barca though, since they have been playing for 433 for a while now. Also, Ronaldinho in midfield isn't too bright, but then it looks like he will get push further up to where he usually plays. Hmmm, actually wait, that looks just like the formation they usually play if you put some imagination into it, Messi up front is really on the right flank, and R10 on the left is really just where he usally plays, and the middle two you can see is Xavi and Deco with Iniesta and Edmilson doing the rotation, nothing new here. :rolleyes:

[icecold]

Valdes

Zambrotta Puyol Marquez Sylvinho

Xavi


Deco/Motta


Iniesta

Messi Ronaldinho



Saviola

I felt that during the last 2 games (plus the one against Sevilla) barca's down both flanks passing policy was restricted by hard working opposition midfileders AND the lack of industry in the barca midfield especially deco who just tried to drift out towards the wing and managed to accomplish nothing.Therefore i propose a rough 3 sided diamond with xavi dictating the play and deco and iniesta ready to bombard forward PLUS defend and construct superb flowy passed from the middle which they are really capable of.
Instead of playing Ronaldinho and Messi as forwards i decided to use them as attacking midfielders with sylvinho and zambrotta overlaping very often.This leaves space for just ONE forward who has to be hardworking , able to anticipate passes from the midfield , good all-round play and should try to link up his other team mates .In short he should be killer(uhum uhum eto :P ).So ive chosen saviola! :P

[Allez.les.bleus]

I haven't watched any Barca games other than the Real Madrid one, but I do love Thuram.

I was just wondering, has Thuram been playing badly or something?
Is he not fitting into Barca very well?
He hasn't been injured, right?

I thought that by bringing in Zambrotta & Thuram (who know each other well) that it would work out pretty well... is that not the case?

I was just curious and figured you all would know best!

Thanks!

[deviant]

I haven't watched any Barca games other than the Real Madrid one, but I do love Thuram.

I was just wondering, has Thuram been playing badly or something?
Is he not fitting into Barca very well?
He hasn't been injured, right?

I thought that by bringing in Zambrotta & Thuram (who know each other well) that it would work out pretty well... is that not the case?

I was just curious and figured you all would know best!

Thanks!
They are both slower than they use to be for some reason might have something to do with the league? change of style maybe?

[Allez.les.bleus]

They are both slower than they use to be for some reason might have something to do with the league? change of style maybe?

oh ok... at least it's not injuries or anything!

pretty crazy that the style would be different when they both just played the max possible number of games at the World Cup!!

thanks for the info!