The Dissentient
@dissentient.bsky.social
Bias and ignorance are the biggest enemies of reason and reason is what makes human, human.
Process+performance over results, always.
@_Dissentient_ on X/Twitter
Process+performance over results, always.
@_Dissentient_ on X/Twitter
Pinned
Continuing from yesterday's Barca's Squad Profile vs Minutes Played in 2024/25 season so far, here's the same for Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
Reposted by The Dissentient
NEW with @simonkuper.bsky.social:
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
May 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
NEW with @simonkuper.bsky.social:
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
Reposted by The Dissentient
Don’t usually think of Barcelona as natural crossers, but it’s proving very handy this season
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
Hansi Flick has turned Barcelona into an unusually complete football team
Diego Simeone describes Barcelona's crossing as a 'natural' part of their game - but that's down to the changes Flick has implemented
www.nytimes.com
March 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Don’t usually think of Barcelona as natural crossers, but it’s proving very handy this season
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
15 game rolling averages for Expected goals for(xG) and against(xGA) in La Liga from the 2021-22 season(data: fbref.com). 👇
Flick's arrival has seen a clear rise in xG(created) but it has also coincided with a rise in xGA(conceded) however with a superior xGD;
...
Flick's arrival has seen a clear rise in xG(created) but it has also coincided with a rise in xGA(conceded) however with a superior xGD;
...
December 23, 2024 at 4:08 PM
15 game rolling averages for Expected goals for(xG) and against(xGA) in La Liga from the 2021-22 season(data: fbref.com). 👇
Flick's arrival has seen a clear rise in xG(created) but it has also coincided with a rise in xGA(conceded) however with a superior xGD;
...
Flick's arrival has seen a clear rise in xG(created) but it has also coincided with a rise in xGA(conceded) however with a superior xGD;
...
The match against Atleti is extremely pivotal for Flick's side moving forward in the league. Lose that and you will be 6 points behind Atleti and 5 behind Madrid if they win their games in hand.
We will lose more points across the season, it's very evident in the way we play...
We will lose more points across the season, it's very evident in the way we play...
December 18, 2024 at 2:11 PM
The match against Atleti is extremely pivotal for Flick's side moving forward in the league. Lose that and you will be 6 points behind Atleti and 5 behind Madrid if they win their games in hand.
We will lose more points across the season, it's very evident in the way we play...
We will lose more points across the season, it's very evident in the way we play...
Observations from the Dortmund game, UCL MD 6(first half):
Short 🧵⬇️.
Short 🧵⬇️.
December 12, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Observations from the Dortmund game, UCL MD 6(first half):
Short 🧵⬇️.
Short 🧵⬇️.
Reposted by The Dissentient
If we turn up with the same pressing structure as we always do, against Dortmund, we might get smashed to smithereens as it would very well play into Dortmund's strengths.
🧵👇
🧵👇
December 10, 2024 at 4:31 PM
If we turn up with the same pressing structure as we always do, against Dortmund, we might get smashed to smithereens as it would very well play into Dortmund's strengths.
🧵👇
🧵👇
We'd be better served by utilising whatever margin we are preparing for him in January on a creative LW on loan that would actually be available.
Olmo has played 12/22 games so far and started in 7 of them, with 6 G+A after us having paid €47M+ for him in a dire financial situation.
Olmo has played 12/22 games so far and started in 7 of them, with 6 G+A after us having paid €47M+ for him in a dire financial situation.
#FCBarcelona star Dani Olmo can leave the club for free in January if he is not registered for the second half of the season. (MD)
December 10, 2024 at 5:37 PM
We'd be better served by utilising whatever margin we are preparing for him in January on a creative LW on loan that would actually be available.
Olmo has played 12/22 games so far and started in 7 of them, with 6 G+A after us having paid €47M+ for him in a dire financial situation.
Olmo has played 12/22 games so far and started in 7 of them, with 6 G+A after us having paid €47M+ for him in a dire financial situation.
If we turn up with the same pressing structure as we always do, against Dortmund, we might get smashed to smithereens as it would very well play into Dortmund's strengths.
🧵👇
🧵👇
December 10, 2024 at 4:31 PM
If we turn up with the same pressing structure as we always do, against Dortmund, we might get smashed to smithereens as it would very well play into Dortmund's strengths.
🧵👇
🧵👇
Whatever game we end up playing against Dortmund, the 11 isn't going to last the 90', subs will be extremely important, as will be controlling the tempo(which we won't be able to do) and ofc taking chances early.
BVB will press from the get go, making the game chaotic will...
BVB will press from the get go, making the game chaotic will...
December 10, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Whatever game we end up playing against Dortmund, the 11 isn't going to last the 90', subs will be extremely important, as will be controlling the tempo(which we won't be able to do) and ofc taking chances early.
BVB will press from the get go, making the game chaotic will...
BVB will press from the get go, making the game chaotic will...
Reposted by The Dissentient
Atlético Madrid's GD in the last 30/15 minutes of play in LaLiga this season (including added time):
⏱️ 61-90+ | +14 (16-2)
⏱️ 76-90+ | +12 (13-1)
Sevilla were good for long spells, and then simply disintegrated under Atlético's force: www.lapausa.digital/p/diego-sime...
⏱️ 61-90+ | +14 (16-2)
⏱️ 76-90+ | +12 (13-1)
Sevilla were good for long spells, and then simply disintegrated under Atlético's force: www.lapausa.digital/p/diego-sime...
Diego Simeone’s second wave is here
With a helping hand from an increasingly important raft of substitutes, Atlético Madrid are looking like a true squad again.
www.lapausa.digital
December 9, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Atlético Madrid's GD in the last 30/15 minutes of play in LaLiga this season (including added time):
⏱️ 61-90+ | +14 (16-2)
⏱️ 76-90+ | +12 (13-1)
Sevilla were good for long spells, and then simply disintegrated under Atlético's force: www.lapausa.digital/p/diego-sime...
⏱️ 61-90+ | +14 (16-2)
⏱️ 76-90+ | +12 (13-1)
Sevilla were good for long spells, and then simply disintegrated under Atlético's force: www.lapausa.digital/p/diego-sime...
No amount of "twisting the knife" will unfortunately compensate for a problem that lies in the tactics, game model, fatigue, a shallow bench and a squad that young.
The job of the manager has to be to compensate for a lot of these issues.
The job of the manager has to be to compensate for a lot of these issues.
December 9, 2024 at 11:20 AM
No amount of "twisting the knife" will unfortunately compensate for a problem that lies in the tactics, game model, fatigue, a shallow bench and a squad that young.
The job of the manager has to be to compensate for a lot of these issues.
The job of the manager has to be to compensate for a lot of these issues.
Continuing from yesterday's Barca's Squad Profile vs Minutes Played in 2024/25 season so far, here's the same for Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
December 9, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Continuing from yesterday's Barca's Squad Profile vs Minutes Played in 2024/25 season so far, here's the same for Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
All of the 4 sides have a much more balanced squad(which is already known) but the minutes have been much better managed.
Reposted by The Dissentient
Taking from the viz made by @theathleticfc.bsky.social
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
December 8, 2024 at 8:37 AM
Taking from the viz made by @theathleticfc.bsky.social
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
Taking from the viz made by @theathleticfc.bsky.social
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
December 8, 2024 at 8:37 AM
Taking from the viz made by @theathleticfc.bsky.social
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
, here's one for Barca so far this season(Real Betis game❌):
Squad Age Profile vs playing time 👇
The obvious takeaways:
- An IMBALANCED squad(our SD and Mr. Laporta disagree);
- Young players accumulating too many mins;
🧵⬇️
Reposted by The Dissentient
Flick faces something he hasn't before, thin squad with not many problem solvers, not in its physical prime and one that is prone to errors if exposed in challenging game states/situations.
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
November 25, 2024 at 9:56 AM
Flick faces something he hasn't before, thin squad with not many problem solvers, not in its physical prime and one that is prone to errors if exposed in challenging game states/situations.
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
Reposted by The Dissentient
Hopefully, I don't have to repost the same thing more times this season but the reasons why some of us were against Flick's appointment as a manager are becoming apparent.
Will he show adaptability and a shift from his rigid style and Plan A or nothing approach, we will see.
Will he show adaptability and a shift from his rigid style and Plan A or nothing approach, we will see.
Flick faces something he hasn't before, thin squad with not many problem solvers, not in its physical prime and one that is prone to errors if exposed in challenging game states/situations.
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
So far he has shown some flexibility but the current issues demand a deeper look into his core principles...
November 30, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Hopefully, I don't have to repost the same thing more times this season but the reasons why some of us were against Flick's appointment as a manager are becoming apparent.
Will he show adaptability and a shift from his rigid style and Plan A or nothing approach, we will see.
Will he show adaptability and a shift from his rigid style and Plan A or nothing approach, we will see.
A squad build around the idea of 'quantity' over 'quality'. Less and less self sufficient players, more and more specialists who are not good enough to find solutions in adverse game situations, leads to a product that's constantly declining.
December 7, 2024 at 8:11 AM
A squad build around the idea of 'quantity' over 'quality'. Less and less self sufficient players, more and more specialists who are not good enough to find solutions in adverse game situations, leads to a product that's constantly declining.
Reposted by The Dissentient
On Tuesday 🆚 #RCDMallorca, #FCBarcelona registered the highest xG total of any side in a #LaLiga match this season (5.38).
Data: Understat #RCDMallorcaBarca
Data: Understat #RCDMallorcaBarca
December 6, 2024 at 1:37 PM
On Tuesday 🆚 #RCDMallorca, #FCBarcelona registered the highest xG total of any side in a #LaLiga match this season (5.38).
Data: Understat #RCDMallorcaBarca
Data: Understat #RCDMallorcaBarca
It's both good and bad. Good that such a solution exists in the form of Lamine and bad that this dependence on a 17 yr old is so profound.
Unfortunately, the season will be decided in games where Lamine isn't available because of how small the margins are.
Unfortunately, the season will be decided in games where Lamine isn't available because of how small the margins are.
Flick asked about Barça winning 12/12 in LaLiga when Lamine Yamal starts and 0/4 when he doesn't. Q is if he's the most decisive player in Europe right now? Flick's answer short, but his face/smile the look of a man with a cheat code
December 6, 2024 at 5:46 PM
It's both good and bad. Good that such a solution exists in the form of Lamine and bad that this dependence on a 17 yr old is so profound.
Unfortunately, the season will be decided in games where Lamine isn't available because of how small the margins are.
Unfortunately, the season will be decided in games where Lamine isn't available because of how small the margins are.
Instead of deploying Gavi in Casado's place(a more horizontal presence on the ball and tasked with major defensive and pivot duties) he should take up Pedri's role next game, the deep playmaker+controller role. The only thing that'd stop Gavi excelling right now is match....
December 4, 2024 at 3:02 PM
Instead of deploying Gavi in Casado's place(a more horizontal presence on the ball and tasked with major defensive and pivot duties) he should take up Pedri's role next game, the deep playmaker+controller role. The only thing that'd stop Gavi excelling right now is match....
As much as we have seen a lot of players being out for long periods, now slowly coming back, the main 11 so far has also been lucky to sustain the minutes in contrast to other clubs. This has meant a huge pileup of minutes on their shoulders, on Flick to address it moving forward.
And here's the detailed view for the other leagues. On average, PL and Bundesliga clubs are more conservative in rotating players, as opposed to La Liga and Ligue1 teams, while Serie A has a wider spread of cases. PL is also an outlier in subs per game with 4.2 vs. 4.6 avg. for the other leagues
December 4, 2024 at 11:10 AM
As much as we have seen a lot of players being out for long periods, now slowly coming back, the main 11 so far has also been lucky to sustain the minutes in contrast to other clubs. This has meant a huge pileup of minutes on their shoulders, on Flick to address it moving forward.
Reposted by The Dissentient
And here's the detailed view for the other leagues. On average, PL and Bundesliga clubs are more conservative in rotating players, as opposed to La Liga and Ligue1 teams, while Serie A has a wider spread of cases. PL is also an outlier in subs per game with 4.2 vs. 4.6 avg. for the other leagues
December 4, 2024 at 9:33 AM
And here's the detailed view for the other leagues. On average, PL and Bundesliga clubs are more conservative in rotating players, as opposed to La Liga and Ligue1 teams, while Serie A has a wider spread of cases. PL is also an outlier in subs per game with 4.2 vs. 4.6 avg. for the other leagues