Tito Vilanova has recurrence of cancer and has left the Barcelona job. I wish him all the best. What is a job as compared to life. He is young enough that if things turn out well, and i hope they will, he can have shot at coaching position again. Tito was head coach of Barcelona only for one year. Year in which Barca became La Liga champions matching record points by Real Madrid though were humiliated by Bayern in CL semi finals. Overall a good season though not a great one.
Gerard "Tata" Martino is the new coach for Barca. He has a good pedigree and is coming off a successful season with Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. Tata appears to be more pragmatic in his approach. He has made right noises about commitment to Barca philosophy and attacking play. For me, this is a good thing. One of the thing which i have felt Barca lacking in last year or two is dose of pragmatism.
Coming to team and the season ahead, Tata has a few puzzles to solve if Barca are to re-claim the mantle of the best.
First challenge is integrating Messi and Neymar in same team. This should be relatively simple though. Neymar has already professed his admiration of Messi and two of them play in complementary positions. Though it will take maybe few months, i expect both of them to play well together by December at the latest.
Second challenge is buying a center half. This has been a toughie for Barca and the need for a good partner to Pique, who is fast and tall, has been apparent for quite some time. Simply put, Barca need to have a good center half.
Third challenge is how to counter high balls. Bayern effectively destroyed Barca by exploiting the tactic of going for high balls. Though this will not be a problem 90% of time, it will be against some opponents and normally these opponents will be in crunch matches so Barca needs to find a solution.
Final challenge is refreshing the hunger of the team and finding balance to make it work together. Last season, the balance was simply off. Messi was the difference maker too many times. He will always be but as a team, Barca needs to maybe add the pressing back to its game.
Overall, Tata is unlikely to find the job easy. Ancelotti is smart cookie who will guide Madrid to the title. I think that Barca will not win the Liga or CL this season. Barca will most probably come second in Liga and out at Quarters in CL. Anything better will be a bonus.
As a fan though, i do not care that much about result. I shall be happy if the team again plays with joy and provides some excitement.
Gerard "Tata" Martino is the new coach for Barca. He has a good pedigree and is coming off a successful season with Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. Tata appears to be more pragmatic in his approach. He has made right noises about commitment to Barca philosophy and attacking play. For me, this is a good thing. One of the thing which i have felt Barca lacking in last year or two is dose of pragmatism.
Coming to team and the season ahead, Tata has a few puzzles to solve if Barca are to re-claim the mantle of the best.
First challenge is integrating Messi and Neymar in same team. This should be relatively simple though. Neymar has already professed his admiration of Messi and two of them play in complementary positions. Though it will take maybe few months, i expect both of them to play well together by December at the latest.
Second challenge is buying a center half. This has been a toughie for Barca and the need for a good partner to Pique, who is fast and tall, has been apparent for quite some time. Simply put, Barca need to have a good center half.
Third challenge is how to counter high balls. Bayern effectively destroyed Barca by exploiting the tactic of going for high balls. Though this will not be a problem 90% of time, it will be against some opponents and normally these opponents will be in crunch matches so Barca needs to find a solution.
Final challenge is refreshing the hunger of the team and finding balance to make it work together. Last season, the balance was simply off. Messi was the difference maker too many times. He will always be but as a team, Barca needs to maybe add the pressing back to its game.
Overall, Tata is unlikely to find the job easy. Ancelotti is smart cookie who will guide Madrid to the title. I think that Barca will not win the Liga or CL this season. Barca will most probably come second in Liga and out at Quarters in CL. Anything better will be a bonus.
As a fan though, i do not care that much about result. I shall be happy if the team again plays with joy and provides some excitement.
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