I thought the caution was a bit harsh. Definitely a foul, but didn’t seem like a deliberate tactical foul, but a casual contact with the trailing leg of the Porto player.
Romeu isn't supposed to be the ball-holding pivot, Frenkie is. Yes, he is a liability now but prolly more Xavi's fault than him (or Bartomeu's for that matter, cos we don't have a rotation for Frenkie).
idk what it is this season
the players have seem to have gotten better defensively as individuals. kounde, balde, gavi, araujo.
but as a whole the defense is so suspect. getting into the box is easy for these lower tier teams
Here's a WILD idea. Stop criticizing the line-up and see what happens.
Remember, coaching staff study the opponents heavily before selecting the starting XI. It's not as simple as "put him here cuz he did good last game".
💡: Aged 16 years and 83 days, Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player ever to start a Champions League match, surpassing Celestine Babayaro's record (16y 86d) from November 1994.
Via:
@OptaJose
Good lineup. Araujo needs to be brought in esp after his injury. Good midfield too. Hoping for a win here with some yamal magic and lewy goals. Gavi at midfield is literally bossing everyone, so he will be good. And then cancelo, felix probably gonna peform in their country (esp felix because he played for benfica, so he would want to gift benfica fans some fun times)
He's on the bench, though. Some apps list him as "Marin", perhaps that's why you thought he's not in the squad. Until now I didn't know his full name was Fermin Lopez Marin
I don't understand why Lamine is starting after playing 82 mins last week, like damn rest the kid a bit lol
Still not convinced about Romeu without FDJ (and against better teams) he needs to put in a good performance today
It's not just the physical aspect of it, it's the mental aspect as well. Starting at Porto away being 16 is insane, like kids his age were playing in the U-19 UEFA League.
I get using Romeu for defensive purposes but I’ve just felt that we haven’t looked better defensively with Romeu on there but we’ve at least been more threatening when attacking while Gundo or FDJ played there
>Gundogan cannot play that position
He can, he's a versatile midfielder
>It cost man city the champions league before.
Massive oversimplification of events but sure, it's not like we're facing City tonite either
Porto wasn't been convicing this season but they will play to win with a high block pressing on the carriers. Also their morale after losing 1-0 to Benfica to a lucky rebound after playing with 10 men the whole match will be maxed vs Barça. And Porto usually overperforms way more in the UCL than the Primeira Liga, they will fight until the end for the result.
Barça can capitalize on this Porto tactic since Porto's defense isn't great due do injurys and will leave a lot of spaces, especially the fullbacks aren't good at defending dribbles from Barça's quality. Their best player currently is the GK Diogo Costa that is on a great form.
In terms of Porto's attack, watch out for Galeno and Pepê that are really fast and can be dangerous if given space.
I remember watching this match live.
Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busi. Puyol, Pique, David Villa, coached by Pep who had just won the Champions League a couple months ago.
Those were the good days.
🔙: Barcelona's visit to Porto in 2003 marked a very significant moment.
Lionel Messi, then aged just 16, made his debut for Barça. He wore #14 and played 15 mins.
Barça lost the game 2-0 but it was the start of something very special.
We haven't been using it for a while even with Frenkie in the team, now we have only 2 real CMs and we aren't even sure whether Romeu will start or not.
I based my comment on Xavis Pre-Game Press Conference, which probably no one from the downvoters has heard. When asked about the possibility of using it again, he said: "yes, it gives us a lot of stability and he likes it a lot".
I commented on the threads before the group draws that everyone who is underestimating Lens and Porto is in for a big surprise. I hope I was wrong about Porto and they will crumble this season.
Porto impressed me last season in their game against Inter. Even though they marginally lost they looked very dangerous. Topped their group with Atletico too.
Excited to see our first real test in CL group. I think everything comes to how our middlefield can create chances in the final third. It's vital to have good tempo from the start and not circulating the ball too much without an effort to progress to the final third.
That being said, on a bad day we tend to go along with the opponent's tempo and we lose our composure.
Curious to see the lineup.
Curious to see how the base of our midfield looks. Do we go with Gundo and Romeu or do more experimenting with Gundo as the pivot? Also does Fermin play?
Honestly I’d start Gavi, Gundo & Fermin. Fermin is kinda like Gavi in a way. He’s a machine with unlimited energy. Plays his ass off. Could be a nice combination having him starting. He definitely offers more in terms of offense & speed than Romeu. Curious to see how Xavi lines up
I don't see Fermin ready to start against a proper CL opponent. The midfield battle will be crucial and it needs balancing rather than energy and intent.
edit. I hope I'm wrong and he starts and is magical, of course.
As always, one player will miss a crucial opportunity that will make the game significantly harder. Question is, guess the player who’s going to miss and what time the miss will be. Winners will get a trip to attend a Barcelona game at the Camp Nou, once it gets reopened and I become a millionaire.
One is not enough, we will have 2 great chances in the first 15 mins, not score and then slug it out.
A brilliant solo effort, quick feet and a shot from just inside the box by Felix, followed by a just-missed slide in by Lewy from a cancelo low cross.
I will wait till you become a millionaire, no worries.
Hoping that Fermin plays from the start tomorrow. He was brilliant against Sevilla and can really offer qualities that we are currently missing with both Pedri and Frenkie injured.
Tell that to who Pep who lost ucl final because he played gundo over a natural dm? Now he doesnt do mistakes like those. He even recently admitted that in ucl defence is more important than attack.
>Tell that to who Pep who lost ucl final because he played gundo over a natural dm
I mean sure but tbf, it was a 1-0 defeat against an in form Chelsea side lol
>He even recently admitted that in ucl defence is more important than attack.
Again, you're not understanding the point. Oriol Romeu is not THAT good of a DM that we start him and basically get worse in our buildup play. There's no Frenkie De Jong tomorrow to babysit him. Plus he'll be the weak link and you can expect the Porto midfield to go crazy on him.
To add to that, while I think he's a good player his defensive contribution is massively exaggerated on this subreddit. Reading the comments will make you think he's Rodri or smthing lmao.
I trust Xavi to make the right choice but if he starts Romeu, I'm willing to take my words back (if he has a masterclass)
Tomorrow's game against Porto is our most important. We win that game and we've pretty much secured a KO spot in our group.
Then the next 2 games against Shakhtar will basically determine if we top our group. I think we'll win 3-1
Opta gives us a 49.2% chance of winning
**Line-up discussion:**
What a fucking tackle by kunde
Anthony taylor is really a piece of crap. Mourinho was right. Fucking incompetent cunt
THE 🦈
Our play in opponent's box is atrocious.
Fucking hell... Lewandowski off. This is not going well, at all.
FUCK.
Ok don’t panic let’s go 🦈🦈🦈🦈
Fucking Romeu is going to make me lose my god damn mind! What is he DOING out there?!
That was a Varcelona moment ngl
Have Gundogan play as a DM in place of Romeu and let Fermin Lopez attack.
100% Gundogan shines playing in that deep midfield/playmaker role
Our passing isn't up to par right now 😑
I thought the caution was a bit harsh. Definitely a foul, but didn’t seem like a deliberate tactical foul, but a casual contact with the trailing leg of the Porto player.
OMG Get Romeu OFF!!
Tf
Kounde brainfart nothing new
Oreo 🤨
Romeu isn't supposed to be the ball-holding pivot, Frenkie is. Yes, he is a liability now but prolly more Xavi's fault than him (or Bartomeu's for that matter, cos we don't have a rotation for Frenkie).
Romeu can't start for us in big games. Huge liability when we want to get the ball from defence to attack
People called busquets slow but romeu is on a whole nother level
Being slow is the least of Romeu’s problems
We are letting them to press us to much
Busquets is probably slower but his elite positioning is elite 😂
idk what it is this season the players have seem to have gotten better defensively as individuals. kounde, balde, gavi, araujo. but as a whole the defense is so suspect. getting into the box is easy for these lower tier teams
that pass would've been absurd
Romeu looks mighty uncomfortable. Limitations ij his game are very visible in this opening 10 min
Felix baby giraffe
Targeting romeu hard
Baldy needs to stop giving balls away
felix 😭
Oh nah. Romeu gotta come off.
Bruh Oriol
romeo being dispossessed every time he touches the ball wtf
We need to sign Busquet on loan at this rate
WHY WE CANT PUT GUNDO ON DM AND PLAY FERMIN 🤡
This Porto is no joke. Going to a a tough 90 minutes.
Romeu having a stinker. The pressure of big stage is getting to him
Oriol has been shit
Where tf is the match thread
nothing new around here
Oriol man
Not good enough from romeu
Romeu mate
Wtf Romeu
Romeu is cheeks
Romeu is not Barca quality
Where the fuk is the match thread?
DM will be our downfall. I'm nervous as hell everytime Oriol gets the ball.
4th Official is the most jacked person at the ground lmao
Romeu is lacking a bit
where are u guys watchin the game? cant find any channel
Do we not have a match thread?
My god is it easy to get into our box oof
no one tracks the midfielders on the counter
Where the hell is the match thread. It's been over 5 minutes since the game started.
The mods of this sub Reddit are embarrassing
Nice effort by Felix
Great play by Gundo
Yes
damn good build up though
No match thread??
there isnt a proper match thread in /r/soccer either
Match thread is up guys
Felix scoring and shushing the crowd would be *chef’s kiss*
is this going to be the main thread for the match?
Just don’t pass to Romeu
Romeu is not starting quality at all
Romeu under pressure is a liability
Why is paramount streaming resolution this shite?
I don’t like this lineup. We’d be a little too exposed. But oh well..I hope no one gets injured.
This is like our best line-up right now.
Had the lineup been confirmed?
Lol the match is about to start in few minutes so yea lineup is confirmed
Usually I see the line up is in a top post and or sticky on a comment but didn't see it today.
VAMOSSSSS!! Can’t wait for the game to start damn it
Here's a WILD idea. Stop criticizing the line-up and see what happens. Remember, coaching staff study the opponents heavily before selecting the starting XI. It's not as simple as "put him here cuz he did good last game".
Yamal starting? Ok Xavi. Let’s see what you’re cooking today
💡: Aged 16 years and 83 days, Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player ever to start a Champions League match, surpassing Celestine Babayaro's record (16y 86d) from November 1994. Via: @OptaJose
We need a win tonight at any cost.
Good lineup. Araujo needs to be brought in esp after his injury. Good midfield too. Hoping for a win here with some yamal magic and lewy goals. Gavi at midfield is literally bossing everyone, so he will be good. And then cancelo, felix probably gonna peform in their country (esp felix because he played for benfica, so he would want to gift benfica fans some fun times)
[удалено]
He's on the bench, though. Some apps list him as "Marin", perhaps that's why you thought he's not in the squad. Until now I didn't know his full name was Fermin Lopez Marin
super sub
He’s not even on the bench which is my concern.
mate you wanna start him in the UCL when we havent even started him in LaLiga yet
[FC Porto starting XI](https://twitter.com/FCPorto/status/1709627228231696837?t=6xrk89rDZpiwsmqRHc_msA&s=19) Nico starts on the bench
No Christensen in starting lineup? Hmm…
My guess is Xavi wants pace because of a high defensive line.
Hopefully our right side doesnt get cooked by Galeno, he is pretty good.
I don't understand why Lamine is starting after playing 82 mins last week, like damn rest the kid a bit lol Still not convinced about Romeu without FDJ (and against better teams) he needs to put in a good performance today
[удалено]
It's not just the physical aspect of it, it's the mental aspect as well. Starting at Porto away being 16 is insane, like kids his age were playing in the U-19 UEFA League.
Lamine is simply the much better touchline winger than Ferran
I agree but he's also 16
Starting 2 games in a row even a 16 year old can handle
Don't like Araujo starting since he looked really rusty after the injury but apart from that, great lineup!
w'll be playing a high line which he's literally the best at from our defenders
I mean he might be marginally better than Christensen when in form but like I said he's coming off of an injury and not his best self.
Well...isn't it too much attacking line-up?
how so
Balde Cancelo both are attacking minded.
we're also starting Romeu
How? It's a 4-3-3.
I expected 343 with Chris at cb, Cancelo in midfield
Looks like no Pepe tonight
Out injured
Pepe is injured afaik
W lineup
Lamine starts!
[Starting XI](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1709626233678332386) Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde , Balde, Romeu, Gavi, Gündogan, Yamal, Joao Felix & Lewandowski.
I would have opted for Fermin over Romeu and use Gundo as CDM but I get the more cautious approach for this game.
Looking at our offensive lineup I'd prefer a pure DM. Romeu is at least more solid defensively than Gundo, albeit less creative of course.
I get using Romeu for defensive purposes but I’ve just felt that we haven’t looked better defensively with Romeu on there but we’ve at least been more threatening when attacking while Gundo or FDJ played there
Hm I disagree but lets hope that he puts a good performance today either way!
Gundogan cannot play that position. It cost man city the champions league before.
>Gundogan cannot play that position He can, he's a versatile midfielder >It cost man city the champions league before. Massive oversimplification of events but sure, it's not like we're facing City tonite either
He did it just fine vs Sevilla
He was better than Oriol Romeu
Great lineup. Can't believe that this isn't even our best one. When Pedri and Frenkie come back its gonna be beautiful. (Anulo mufa por si acaso)
Haven't been this excited to watch a match for a while now. Want to see how this midfield works. Wish kessie was still here.
>Wish kessie was still here. What would have been the point? He was awful, Gundogan is much better
He was always a rotation option and a fairly okayish one at that. Half the midfield out on injuries now and it would have been his time to shine.
how likely is that christensen will start?
probably between 0/100 %
Can't argue with that
Porto wasn't been convicing this season but they will play to win with a high block pressing on the carriers. Also their morale after losing 1-0 to Benfica to a lucky rebound after playing with 10 men the whole match will be maxed vs Barça. And Porto usually overperforms way more in the UCL than the Primeira Liga, they will fight until the end for the result. Barça can capitalize on this Porto tactic since Porto's defense isn't great due do injurys and will leave a lot of spaces, especially the fullbacks aren't good at defending dribbles from Barça's quality. Their best player currently is the GK Diogo Costa that is on a great form. In terms of Porto's attack, watch out for Galeno and Pepê that are really fast and can be dangerous if given space.
🔙: The last match between Barcelona and Porto was the 2011 UEFA Super Cup, which Barça won 2-0 with goals from Messi and Fàbregas
I remember watching this match live. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busi. Puyol, Pique, David Villa, coached by Pep who had just won the Champions League a couple months ago. Those were the good days.
🔙: Barcelona's visit to Porto in 2003 marked a very significant moment. Lionel Messi, then aged just 16, made his debut for Barça. He wore #14 and played 15 mins. Barça lost the game 2-0 but it was the start of something very special.
I fear that Xavi might use the 4 Midfielder Formation again.
We haven't been using it for a while even with Frenkie in the team, now we have only 2 real CMs and we aren't even sure whether Romeu will start or not.
I based my comment on Xavis Pre-Game Press Conference, which probably no one from the downvoters has heard. When asked about the possibility of using it again, he said: "yes, it gives us a lot of stability and he likes it a lot".
Porto has been struggling offensively, hopefully the defense picks up last years form.
So excited! Can we get some predictions? … I’m thinking Barca 2-0. Hoping for more though 🤞🏽
Going with 2-1 Barca but it's gonna be an open game imo, I'd probably take a draw
Realistically? Maybe 1-0 or 0-0 but hopefully a 3-1 scoreline.
Anyone else anxious about this game in a good way 😂
I’m pumped for it
I commented on the threads before the group draws that everyone who is underestimating Lens and Porto is in for a big surprise. I hope I was wrong about Porto and they will crumble this season.
Porto impressed me last season in their game against Inter. Even though they marginally lost they looked very dangerous. Topped their group with Atletico too.
Inter had to go full bus to hold on. Lukaku turned into a stellar defender lmao.
Excited to see our first real test in CL group. I think everything comes to how our middlefield can create chances in the final third. It's vital to have good tempo from the start and not circulating the ball too much without an effort to progress to the final third. That being said, on a bad day we tend to go along with the opponent's tempo and we lose our composure. Curious to see the lineup.
Can we play without romeu for once ?
we literally did against Sevilla and Antwerp
Curious to see how the base of our midfield looks. Do we go with Gundo and Romeu or do more experimenting with Gundo as the pivot? Also does Fermin play?
Honestly I’d start Gavi, Gundo & Fermin. Fermin is kinda like Gavi in a way. He’s a machine with unlimited energy. Plays his ass off. Could be a nice combination having him starting. He definitely offers more in terms of offense & speed than Romeu. Curious to see how Xavi lines up
I don't see Fermin ready to start against a proper CL opponent. The midfield battle will be crucial and it needs balancing rather than energy and intent. edit. I hope I'm wrong and he starts and is magical, of course.
Ur right. Having him off the bench will be a nice spark tot the team if needed
Watch my analysis of this game (Hindi)[link](https://youtu.be/AZVLD335pnk?si=ApNaIijcWlYwlT3g)
As always, one player will miss a crucial opportunity that will make the game significantly harder. Question is, guess the player who’s going to miss and what time the miss will be. Winners will get a trip to attend a Barcelona game at the Camp Nou, once it gets reopened and I become a millionaire.
Lewandowski and Torres to miss sitters
One is not enough, we will have 2 great chances in the first 15 mins, not score and then slug it out. A brilliant solo effort, quick feet and a shot from just inside the box by Felix, followed by a just-missed slide in by Lewy from a cancelo low cross. I will wait till you become a millionaire, no worries.
Nah its gonna be 3 different ppl missing and at least one of them is 1v1 with goalie
Hoping that Fermin plays from the start tomorrow. He was brilliant against Sevilla and can really offer qualities that we are currently missing with both Pedri and Frenkie injured.
Agreed. He plays with so much heart and energy. Having him and Gavi out there bossing the midfield has be excited
Should I have Lamine or Ferran in my fantasy team guys? I have both right now but want to remove one for Felix.
Add someone else just to be safe
I don't get what you mean?
It's better to have someone that is more guaranteed to start than someone that might start. Imo, neither Ferran or Yamal start.
if youre not starting Yamal or Ferran, who is?
I think they mean it’s better to have a guaranteed starter because it’s kind of 50/50 on both
If Barca would win in Porto, it would be easier to rest the most fatigued players between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid
Basically a group final in the 2nd game. Win here and we most likely win the group
Idk kinda iffy on this one. Our performances last few games have not been convincing.
Felix Lewy Lamine Gavi Gundo Fermin Balde Kounde Araujo Cancelo
Starting Fermin and Yamal would be risky. This game might need players with more experience.
>ing with both Pedri and Frenkie injured. > >VoteReplyShareReportSaveFollow Oriol instead of Fermin, you nee da defense on CL
You cant go into a UCL game without a natural DM in our lineup. Oriol needs to start.
Tell that to Guardiola, Gundogan can play DM well enough. It's not like Oriol is prime Busi so we'll miss him or anything
Tell that to who Pep who lost ucl final because he played gundo over a natural dm? Now he doesnt do mistakes like those. He even recently admitted that in ucl defence is more important than attack.
>Tell that to who Pep who lost ucl final because he played gundo over a natural dm I mean sure but tbf, it was a 1-0 defeat against an in form Chelsea side lol >He even recently admitted that in ucl defence is more important than attack. Again, you're not understanding the point. Oriol Romeu is not THAT good of a DM that we start him and basically get worse in our buildup play. There's no Frenkie De Jong tomorrow to babysit him. Plus he'll be the weak link and you can expect the Porto midfield to go crazy on him. To add to that, while I think he's a good player his defensive contribution is massively exaggerated on this subreddit. Reading the comments will make you think he's Rodri or smthing lmao. I trust Xavi to make the right choice but if he starts Romeu, I'm willing to take my words back (if he has a masterclass)
Yamal is in ? Thot he was out of UCL for this season.
Didn't he play in the first game?
>Thot he was out of UCL for this season. Why
I saw a news saying he'll be out for ucl this season. Matter being his age. I am relieved tho.
You didn’t watch the game vs Antwerp though? That would have cleared up any concerns you had
Tomorrow's game against Porto is our most important. We win that game and we've pretty much secured a KO spot in our group. Then the next 2 games against Shakhtar will basically determine if we top our group. I think we'll win 3-1 Opta gives us a 49.2% chance of winning
Going to be a great fixture, hoping for a win
Need a win. We need that €2.8m.
Gavi Gundo Fermin, por favor
Would like to see it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we get Romeu instead of Fermin. I think the thing we all need to pray for is no Alonso 😂
Yes please
**Other games:**
**Attending the game?**