I think Emery and the players realized that beating Barca's press and exploiting their high line wasn't as easy as it looks. It's not only about timing your runs, they make the pitch smaller, block passing lanes, close you down quick, and the keeper acts as an last defender.
Now I've seen the extended highlights of last night's Villa (#avfc) Barca match. It's safe to say that the lesson learned is...
1/ You can't play out from the back against them, they have one of the most intense presses I've seen. (They were weakest to going long)
2/ That central midfield is formidable and the bench is stacked with like for like replacements.
3/ Buendia & McGinn were not suited to starting against the aforementioned, SIZE & PACE definitely mattered.
4/ No shame in losing to that Barca side at all, none.
Henry retweeted
alatafo is what we call nigerians in twi i’m sure nigerians also have a word they call ghanaians in their language
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HARRY KANE IS THE 2026 BALLON D'OR! #ballondor
Henry retweeted
"We paid billions to be ministers under Tinubu, and that's why he must complete 8 years so we can recover our money" — APC spokesperson Alwan Hassan.
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📸 - Bruno Fernandes tries to score from an impossible distance with his left foot, but the ball lands in the lake.
Like. Vitinha, Neves and Ruiz can strike the ball, and will any chance they get. You can't play a 3-man passive midfield against these lots ffs.
Pedri (10/10)
After a shaky first 5 mins, got his rhythm and couldn't have done better from then on. He was the only midfielder on the pitch for us till Fermin. Doing his job while taking both responsibilities of Bernal and Olmo. Hats off to you.
Raphinha (4/10)
Hopefully he gets back in form cause he served up nothing but poo. His decision making was poor, and as usual his only good trait is his shooting and runs, very very limited. I was hoping Jesus starts because he can create attacking plays on his own.