Valencia gifts Kiki Sittien the flaws of Barcelona

 

It would be illogical for Barcelona fans to think that after the Granada match, with only the stats recorded in it, the team will change completely and the road will be strewn with flowers.

Rather, the team needs many and multiple tests to try out the tactical ideas and plans that can be applied with the human resources available, the speed of acceptance and harmony of the players with the introduction of the new coach.

Kiki is fortunate that the Valencia match came after his first match in Laliga and a match in the Spanish Cup, in order not to be deceived by the number of passes and possession, and to stop to think and work to develop and improve the team's performance.

In today's match, Kiki tried to start with a midfield that tends to control the ball and stay behind to keep the winning keys on the bench. Although he does not have substitutions capable of making a difference if we exclude Vidal and Semedo. 

As an idea in a match against Valencia, it is considered smart, but he is criticized for not applying high pressure on the opponent in the first 15 minutes of playing, because Valencia at the time seemed confused and determined to go backward, waiting for a counter-attack or an organized direct attack. 

The media momentum left by the numbers of the Barcelona-Granada match affected the way Valencia played at the beginning, which he did not take advantage of it at all. It may be because Kiki is aware of the lack of high-pressure capabilities with the available players. 

Kiki's plan to deprive the opponent of the ball did not work with Valencia, who took full confidence over time, as whenever Valencia took the ball, he posed a threat to Barcelona's goal due to the absence of the speed of breaking the ball, and the ability to stop the attacking enthusiasm of Valencia. 

The team did not create any opportunity to score while exaggerating the focus on Messi. In return for a lone and lasting brilliance for Ter Stegen, who sent a little hope in Kiki and gave him the opportunity to make up in the coaches' run.

In the second half, Barcelona pressed immediately after the referee's whistle and managed to get a clear opportunity that Fati couldn't turn it a goal. Normally, the coach must have read the opponent well in the first half and is expected to tackle the team's problems with different ideas and tactical drawings in the second half. 

But, as usual with Barcelona, ​​naive defensive mistakes put the team in trouble with a goal behind. Here is a new circumstance faced by Kiki, who was required to change the situation, although he was close to the success of his tactical ideas during the match.

We all agree that the best possible alternative available on the bench is Vidal, who was brought on by the coach. That's when we started to see an attacking Barcelona that creates dangerous opportunities. Vidal and Messi got golden chances to equalize and turn the table, but all opportunities were not crowned with offensive effectiveness, which prompted the players to rush and not adhere to the coach's ideas. 

Talking about Sergi Roberto, who lost his physical agility due to his resemblance to the offensive contribution and Fati's delay in defensive support. In addition to the departure of Pique, Umtiti and Alba from service today, which has cost Barcelona a second goal and a loss that may keep the team from competing for the title. 

Here I invite you to stop and go back to your memory of the match. Imagine if the Barca defense was present today and that Vidal's entry resulted in one or two goals for Barca, which could beat Valencia. What will be the reactions of journalists and analysts, what will be the opinion of the fans on coach Kiki Sittien. The point of these questions, which the majority knows the answer to, is that Kiki, in light of the existing elements, the current circumstances, and the few days he has spent with the team was able to communicate a percentage of his football ideas to the spectators and to prove his tactical flexibility. He innovates and for sure will make mistakes that he needs to correct as soon as possible, and if he does not learn, help him with a constructive feedback to build and improve the team.

Haitham Bakkioui