14/01/2008 06:53
Rijkaard Gets Something Right, Finally
Goal.com Editor Abhishek Thakur examines how Frank Rijkaard finally got some
decisions right after a very forgettable couple of months on the Barcelona
bench.
For the first time in a long long time, you could use the word refreshing
about the Barcelona display as the game against Real Murcia wound to a close.
Samuel Eto'o had just scored twice, Bojan Krkic once, and Thierry Henry had
enjoyed his best 90 minutes of the season, leaving the fans chanting his name
over and over.
What is more, after a long long time, Barcelona had genuine width on the
pitch thanks to Gianluca Zambrotta and Sylvinho, just like they did two years
ago when they won anything and everything.
They looked solid in midfield thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen working tirelessly
for his team, and at the same time demonstrating that he can make a few
one-touch passes.
Rafa Marquez had his best game of the season, as a defensive midfielder who
could play an open ended role just in front of the back four, and Lilian
Thuram showed that there is simply no substitute to experience. Even Carles
Puyol - embarrassed recently at right-back - looked calm and composed back in
the middle.
But the most refreshing bit was the pace up front. Barcelona's attack in 2007
was characterised by slow feet, lethargic attacking that included more passes
backwards that runs at defenders, and a tendency to pass the ball
meaninglessly until they decided it was time to give it away.
Against Murcia, there was purpose. Every time Samuel Eto'o or Thierry Henry
had the ball, there was only one direction in which the play was headed.
Nobody was hogging possession and slowing the game down, and it was
refreshing for La Liga in general to finally see a glimmer or a fight in
Frank Rijkaard's side.
It has all came about as a result of Frank Rijkaard going back to the drawing
board and finally getting the basics right again. Let us look at the three
key factors one by one.
Zambrotta and Sylvinho
Gianluca Zambrotta remains one of the best full-backs in the world, and that
Frank Rijkaard banished him to the bench for little reason was one of the
first big mistakes made by the Dutchman this season.
His idea was simple: Carles Puyol, a better defender, would lend more
solidity. But it didn't work. The Barcelona skipper showed that he had shed a
yard or two of pace since he last played on the flank, and was easily beaten
by the opposing wingers. With one stone, Rijkaard had killed two of his own
birds: Barca were without their most consistent centre-half, and without a
genuine full-back who could stretch the game.
Rijkaard corrected his mistake on Saturday, and the result was there to see.
Zambrotta looked lively on the right, provided a superb pass from the corner
flag for Gudjohnsen to turn in, and struck the post from 15 yards out to
round off a dominant display.
The same goes for the left. Abidal is most definitely a more solid defender
that Sylvinho, but does not have nearly the attacking instinct that Sylvinho
does. The Brazilian was at it throughout, overlapping with Thierry Henry,
dragging the full-back wide, and creating room for the Frenchman to run into.
No, this is nothing new. This is just what Rijkaard himself employed during
his two trophy-laden years. It was simply a case of going back to the basics.
Playing To Henry's Strength
The pace up front was almost blinding at times, with the Murcia defenders
looking like rabbits caught in the headlights for much of the second half.
Why? Because Barcelona did not have their slowest player on the pitch, and
decided to play to their forwards' strengths. Henry was used in that open
left sided position that he excelled running in from at Arsenal, Bojan ran up
the right and into the box at every opportunity, and you can only begin to
describe Samuel Etoo's movements.
Once again, it was nothing new, just a return to the basics.
Remember Ronaldinho at the Bernabeu in November 2005, leaving the likes of
Michel Salgado and Sergio Ramos for dead, and Iker Casillas motionless? The
only ones on their feet were the Real Madrid fans, handing a standing ovation
to The Gaucho.
That typified his display that season, and won him major club and individual
awards. On Saturday, it was seen again, only this time from Henry.
Eidur Gudjohnsen
The Iceland international has been impressive since late November, to be fair
to him. He had earned himself a regular midfield spot with his work ethic,
until he was shockingly 'dumped' for El Clasico for a Deco who was not even
fit, let alone in form.
Two years ago, the Portuguese was absolutely dominant in the middle, not just
creatively, but also defensively. He was hungry and motivated, and I remember
seeing him fight for his life playing right-back after Barcelona went a man
down. Now that is the kind of attitude that helps a player win two Champions
League titles.
That was then. Now, on the wrong side of 30 and rapidly losing pace and
stamina, he appears like a ghost on the pitch when Barcelona do not have the
ball. He can still make those passes, but a ghost he was against Real Madrid.
Barcelona would have had an extra man on the pitch if they had played
Gudjohnsen then (perhaps more significantly he would have been marking Julio
Baptista), and that was just what happened against Murcia. To see him
stamping his authority in midfield, defending set-pieces like a centre-half,
and then showing up in the opposite box to score the opener for his team,
suggested that Rijkaard had learnt a lesson or two from Baptista's El Clasico
strike.
For once in a very long time, the Dutchman got his selection and strategy
right. Now we have to wait and see if he actually knows he did. We will find
out soon enough.
Abhishek Thakur
--
好長，等明天考完期末考再來摘要。
--
Visca el Barca i visca Catalunya !
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