Zapping Our Mondial CAN 2021: the expectations of the Algerian people
While FC Barcelona will try to qualify for the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup this evening on the lawn of Athletic Bilbao, the Blaugranas arrive, for the first time in a long time in confidence, after reciting a very beautiful but ultimately insufficient performance against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final (2-3). The best is therefore to be noted since the takeover of the team by Xavi. Moreover, Marcelino, the coach of the Basques, has already noted some differences with Ronald Koeman‘s Barça.
Marcelino sees a better team!
Opponent of the Catalans this evening, the Spanish technician did not hide that the Culés had improved in recent months: “I think Barça played more static, with less ball rhythm (under Koeman). Maybe the defensive intensity under pressure was less, with less intensity. The transition has been similar, sometimes it depends on the players who are on the pitch” he said at a press conference in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.
He then continued: “We will have to retreat well and quickly. It is a team which, with Xavi, acquires different automatisms, with more rhythm of play. They have recovered very good players, it is a team which presses high and falls quickly. They try to get possession of the ball” he concluded. As a reminder, the two teams had left with the score of 1-1 in the league last August for the account of the 2nd day of La Liga.
to summarize
Marcelino, the coach of Athletic Bilbao has already made a parallel between the Barça of Xavi and that of Ronald Koeman. The Spanish technician thinks that Xavi has made it possible to acquire faster automation with a higher pace of play.
