Deserved win today. I think the team played well enough, but still quite a ways from their full potential. Granted we’re missing so many key players. I thought Athletic Club were quite poor as well. A few thoughts:
-I think you saw it last week and maybe a bit less this week, but under Flick the team’s physical condition is better and long may that continue.
-Bernal had a good first half and this was IMO his best performance with the first team (including preseason). The difference? You might say experience, but despite playing a double pivot on paper I felt as though it was less so today with Pedri.
-Still didn’t understand the decision to play Torres, Lamal and Raphinha at the same time. Raphinha is better out wide and I’d have started Pedri there and moved Raphinha out left.
-Raphinha is better on the right, but he’s better than I thought on the left. If Yamal plays regularly and stays fit, I would give Raphinha that wide left spot. And since I’m on him, I liked Raphinha’s second half. He also works to get back and he presses better than the rest of the forwards (at least in this match).
-Like I said last week, Lewandowski will score more goals than last season. In fact, he might score as many as he did the first season.
-Flick can not keep playing Bernal in front of Cubarsi and Martinez. The three of them have a combined horsepower of less than 100 and a team with pace and good progressive passing will thrash them.
-I thought Kounde did well handling Nico Williams, but he also had support at times which definitely helped.
Rayo away in only three days. Curious if Flick rings a few changes.