BarcaTacticsTalk

Pressure has been well over the whole first half especially first and last 10 minutes - yet it doesn’t feel quite there. Need more play through Gordon - forcing their back to go wider, which gives Raphinha or Yamal more space. Exciting second half upcoming! Game momentum:

This is going to be a long night for Aston Villa…🤣 Lovely to see this pressure! Keep going Barca💙❤️

Today’s match: Unlucky for the game that Flick tried to save Pedri at 1-1 for El-clasico. Best player alongside Espart on the team. Yet again an unpopular opinion keep rising at @BarcaTacticTalk: Rodri is not good enough. Main issue: He moves the ball to slow, and seems lazy..

Galatasaray collect established stars — Gündogan, Sané and Leão. Their individual quality is real, and RAMS Park is one of Europe’s toughest away grounds. Barça are flying. A big win is the target. A good start is the most important, handle the crowd, don’t chase the game.🔵🔴

Let’s be grateful that we don’t have to see outworn and unmotivated players like Mbappe and Bellingham was today on the pitch. When we want to enjoy a football game🙏

🇪🇸Spain rested all Barca players in the pointless final match of the group stage. The loss to 🇪🇬Egypt means they're now facing Japan in the Quarter Finals. Given Spain played early, and didn't know the results of the other groups, loosing the match seemed to give an easier opponent in the 1/4... Now, Barca players are expected back in the starting line-up on Friday (17:00 CET)

📰 Transfer Rumour UPDATE 📣 (Most to least likely) Nico Williams🇪🇸 Likelihood: 80% (down📉) We still believe Nico is coming! However, it's clear that Athletic Club is working hard on keeping Nico for at least half a season more. They want him and his brother together in Europe, and they know they can get better money if a new contract is signed with a higher release clause. On the other hand if Nico moves, Barca is his (only) priority now. It's worrying that he hasn't announced his intensions yet, but there could be a multitude of reasons for this. Dani Olmo🇪🇸 Likelihood: 45% (UP📈) Not much has changed. It seems Barca has solved some of the funding challenges, and bids are being sent now. João Cancelo🇵🇹 Likelihood: 35% (flat) Really no updates here. Merino🇪🇸 Likelihood: 25% (flat) Not much happening here. It seems to be between Arsenal and Barca, with Arsenal taking the lead, because Barca is prioritizing to solve the front part of the pitch first. João Félix🇵🇹 Likelyhood: 25% (UP📈) No doubt Felix will not be joining Atletico again - their pressure to get him into preseason matches most likely is an indicator that they're telling him to lower his expectations and accept a good sales offer, even if it won't be Barcelona (ie Aston Villa). Felix prefers Barca (who wouldn't?), but if Nico is announced it will be a long shot, but as that's dragging out now, Felix is a bit more likely... Frimpong🇳🇱 Likelihood: 10% (flat) Injury situation must be monitored, because in an ideal world Barca wouldn't go all out this window for Frimpong - but if we will see the likes of Araujo now being able to play (and thus be registered) for the entire first half of the season, this may change. PL leading the race for Frimpong now. Kimmich🇩🇪 Likelihood: 5% (down📉) If he comes, it will most likely be on a free transfer in '25, so very very slim chance now, much bigger chance next year. Also Andreas Christensen looking solid at the DM position makes it less likely now. Luis Diaz🇨🇴 Likelyhood: 1% (down) Stay at LFC or move to PSG - no change on Diaz situation this week. Desire Douè 🥖 Likelihood: 0% (⛔️) Will not happen, he goes to Bayern (most likely) or PSG.

📝BARCA TRANSFER RUMOUR UPDATE Most to least likely 📈📉 Nico Williams🇪🇸 Likelihood: 95% (UP📈) Role: LW Nico is coming! He completed negotiations in Barcelona and is now seen in Marbella with Yamal. Of course there's the finances, but that will be solved...* Dani Olmo🇪🇸 Likelihood: 40% (UP📈) Role: COM/CF ALL involved parties want this deal to happen, perhaps except the treasury department. 6 year contract on the table (to get smaller yearly amortization and better re-sale options) For: Olmo has put his Bayern negotiations on hold. Against: Money - Only Arab clubs are showing interest in our German, Brazilian and Portuguese friends. Barca Studio and other alternative levers make take a while. João Cancelo🇵🇹 Likelihood: 35% (down📉) Role: LB & RB Can play both sides and would therefore be a dynamic piece to a puzzle which has become more complex due to injuries and money being spent on the offence. Balde's recovery and club finances still not certain, but another loan is definitely possible. Merino🇪🇸 Likelihood: 25% (down📉) Role: CM Merino is gathering interest from other attractive clubs, and he isn't #1 on Barca's todo list so we may loose this deal. Kimmich situation is both good and bad news for the "Merino to Barca" deal, as Kimmich isn't coming this year, BUT he could on a free transfer next season. João Félix🇵🇹 Likelyhood: 15% (down📉) Role: LW Negotiations and focus simply seems to be elsewhere, and for Atletico Aston Villa may be an interesting alternative. This looks more and more like yet another wasted opportunity for the unfulfilled talent. IF something should go wrong in the more likely deals, Felix will be waiting to strike! Kimmich🇩🇪 Likelihood: 10% (down📉) Role: CDM A good option for Barca, but ultimately money doesn't grow on the trees, and if Kimmich takes one more season at Bayern, he could come on a free transfer in '25 Frimpong🇳🇱 Likelihood: 10% (unchanged) Role: RB Still looking towards the PL not much Barca buzz has been heard around Frimpong. However, we keep him on the list as-is, because of Araujo's injury situation. IF Koundé has to play centre back for half a season, Barca will be in the market for a capable RB. Luis Diaz🇨🇴 Likelyhood: 1% (down) Role: LW As last time, Diaz will remain at LFC or go to PSG (who seem to be loosing out on Doué to Bayern). A lot of other things must collapse, for Barca to make a serious bid for Diaz. Desire Douè 🥖 Likelihood: 0% (⛔️) Role: LW Will not happen, he goes to Bayern (most likely) or PSG. *Note on finances and player registration: Araujo doesn't have to be registered now he's injured, so even if insufficient funding is secured we bet Nico will come.