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
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...
In game images of the same:
December 12, 2024 at 6:21 PM
In game images of the same:
The best part of the half was that there weren't many Gittens vs Kounde matchups, one that was(part of the previous sequence of play), Gittens outpaces Kounde to find Guirassy in this spot, he misses the chance obviously.
December 12, 2024 at 6:20 PM
The best part of the half was that there weren't many Gittens vs Kounde matchups, one that was(part of the previous sequence of play), Gittens outpaces Kounde to find Guirassy in this spot, he misses the chance obviously.
Next time? 45', Can carries the ball to find Guirassy free, Inigo doesn't read the situation and Kounde for some reason is higher which forces Cubarsi to be attentive to Gittens. It's good that Guirassy didn't pick his head up and look for Sabitzer there.
December 12, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Next time? 45', Can carries the ball to find Guirassy free, Inigo doesn't read the situation and Kounde for some reason is higher which forces Cubarsi to be attentive to Gittens. It's good that Guirassy didn't pick his head up and look for Sabitzer there.
Dortmund built with a single pivot(Nmecha, picked by Olmo) Lewa stayed on Schlotterbeck, Lamine deeper on Bensebaini, Kounde on Gittens, m2m in the midfield and the most interesting bit, the dynamic positioning of Raphinha and Balde most...
December 12, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Dortmund built with a single pivot(Nmecha, picked by Olmo) Lewa stayed on Schlotterbeck, Lamine deeper on Bensebaini, Kounde on Gittens, m2m in the midfield and the most interesting bit, the dynamic positioning of Raphinha and Balde most...
We also had better means to play through Dortmund's press(which wasn't all that intense), either by Pedri moving to wide left to receive, Inigo driving forward at times to find Olmo btl or Raphinha on the left touchline to receive the pass from Balde, etc.
December 12, 2024 at 6:17 PM
We also had better means to play through Dortmund's press(which wasn't all that intense), either by Pedri moving to wide left to receive, Inigo driving forward at times to find Olmo btl or Raphinha on the left touchline to receive the pass from Balde, etc.
Will start with Schlotterbeck, whose over aggressiveness was pivotal in our early chances(poorly executed jumps) and consequently why(possibly) we had control for a lot of the first half. Our few early half chances perhaps helped push BVB in a more conservative 442 shape
December 12, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Will start with Schlotterbeck, whose over aggressiveness was pivotal in our early chances(poorly executed jumps) and consequently why(possibly) we had control for a lot of the first half. Our few early half chances perhaps helped push BVB in a more conservative 442 shape
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 🧵⬇️.
Ofc no system is perfect as this relies on us winning the ball in the air and mopping up the second balls but if nothing works(has to be recognised soon enough), we should(not done so far by Flick) drop into the traditional mid/low block for some spells of the game.
December 10, 2024 at 4:34 PM
Ofc no system is perfect as this relies on us winning the ball in the air and mopping up the second balls but if nothing works(has to be recognised soon enough), we should(not done so far by Flick) drop into the traditional mid/low block for some spells of the game.
Raphina would join the midfielders initially and Balde's marking would depend on where the pass is going, if Kobel passes to Can, both Balde(on Ryerson) and Raphinha(on Can) advance, Lewa takes a position b/w Kobel and Nico and both Olmo and Lamine shift across.
December 10, 2024 at 4:34 PM
Raphina would join the midfielders initially and Balde's marking would depend on where the pass is going, if Kobel passes to Can, both Balde(on Ryerson) and Raphinha(on Can) advance, Lewa takes a position b/w Kobel and Nico and both Olmo and Lamine shift across.
Though not perfect, I'd like us to try something like this:
Almost the same setup as before but m2m across the back line but with Casado FREE, to cover spaces and win the second balls, to clean up any long pass after it's been brought down.
Almost the same setup as before but m2m across the back line but with Casado FREE, to cover spaces and win the second balls, to clean up any long pass after it's been brought down.
December 10, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Though not perfect, I'd like us to try something like this:
Almost the same setup as before but m2m across the back line but with Casado FREE, to cover spaces and win the second balls, to clean up any long pass after it's been brought down.
Almost the same setup as before but m2m across the back line but with Casado FREE, to cover spaces and win the second balls, to clean up any long pass after it's been brought down.
all over the field and find it really hard to recover back on time.
While Dortmund would have superiority in the first phase, there would also be acres of space for Guirassy to drop into who Kobel could very easily find.
While Dortmund would have superiority in the first phase, there would also be acres of space for Guirassy to drop into who Kobel could very easily find.
December 10, 2024 at 4:33 PM
all over the field and find it really hard to recover back on time.
While Dortmund would have superiority in the first phase, there would also be acres of space for Guirassy to drop into who Kobel could very easily find.
While Dortmund would have superiority in the first phase, there would also be acres of space for Guirassy to drop into who Kobel could very easily find.
Lewandowski marking Schlotterbeck while our wingers mark their fullbacks. This would also keep them deeper, at least to get Kounde some more help against Gittens, b/c he will need it.
But this shape would mean our midfield going m2m who could very easily get dragged...
But this shape would mean our midfield going m2m who could very easily get dragged...
December 10, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Lewandowski marking Schlotterbeck while our wingers mark their fullbacks. This would also keep them deeper, at least to get Kounde some more help against Gittens, b/c he will need it.
But this shape would mean our midfield going m2m who could very easily get dragged...
But this shape would mean our midfield going m2m who could very easily get dragged...
With Anton and Sule out, Can would likely fill in at RCB, however it's Schlotterbeck who needs to be attended to when he is on the ball.
To do that, we could do what PSG did against us in the second leg last, leaving Araujo free(Can in this case) and covering others with...
To do that, we could do what PSG did against us in the second leg last, leaving Araujo free(Can in this case) and covering others with...
December 10, 2024 at 4:32 PM
With Anton and Sule out, Can would likely fill in at RCB, however it's Schlotterbeck who needs to be attended to when he is on the ball.
To do that, we could do what PSG did against us in the second leg last, leaving Araujo free(Can in this case) and covering others with...
To do that, we could do what PSG did against us in the second leg last, leaving Araujo free(Can in this case) and covering others with...
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...
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.
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;
🧵⬇️
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.
This would also allow Pedri some much needed rest, who has played almost all the minutes in the last 5 games in the last 2 weeks for club and country. It's not optimal.
December 4, 2024 at 3:03 PM
This would also allow Pedri some much needed rest, who has played almost all the minutes in the last 5 games in the last 2 weeks for club and country. It's not optimal.
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....
Finally, what needs urgent attention is the general sloppiness in our play. Opposition teams are already looking for a transitional game state, we make it even more to their liking by TOO MANY UNFORCED ERRORS IP. Look what it does to our manager.
End of 🧵.
End of 🧵.
December 3, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Finally, what needs urgent attention is the general sloppiness in our play. Opposition teams are already looking for a transitional game state, we make it even more to their liking by TOO MANY UNFORCED ERRORS IP. Look what it does to our manager.
End of 🧵.
End of 🧵.
Would also add that if Balde had not been injured, we'd have won the game, he was looking really good in and out of possession, giving Viti(LP's RB) trouble before he eventually had to leave the field. Sandro not even getting a YC is something that can only happen in La Liga.
December 3, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Would also add that if Balde had not been injured, we'd have won the game, he was looking really good in and out of possession, giving Viti(LP's RB) trouble before he eventually had to leave the field. Sandro not even getting a YC is something that can only happen in La Liga.
On the most important bit, are teams getting smarter at exploiting our offside line? YES. Put that in bold if possible. Look at this for instance, our press hasn't been great throughout the season btw, especially closing downs. However, this is smart, two players...
December 3, 2024 at 1:08 PM
On the most important bit, are teams getting smarter at exploiting our offside line? YES. Put that in bold if possible. Look at this for instance, our press hasn't been great throughout the season btw, especially closing downs. However, this is smart, two players...