Great finish for his goal
Marco Verratti
- Thread starter Keltoi
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) are here to celebrate rare back-to-back victories for Manchester United! They analyse the late win in the Europa League vs. Rangers and then try and find things to analyse in a pretty dour game vs. Fulham. They also chat about the latest Marcus Rashford news, and look at the latest transfer news.
Ran the game and yet I felt he was not that great by his usual big game standards.. wasn't as dynamic defensively but effortlessly at the hub of everything. I still maintain the belief he needs to leave PSG to challenge himself further as a player.
So amidst all the chaos of yesterday, seems this chap has completely flown under the radar and hasn't been scrutinised in any way despite folding with the rest of the team instead of stepping up and being the stabilising conduit they could all rely on in the eye of the storm.
He gets praised when he does well, but there's an eerie silence when he has bad games.
I rate him highly, but he's yet to really come to the fore in a maximum pressure game. When his side are doing well or it's an exciting, but even contest, he looks like a Rolls Royce, but when things are bad and he needs to step up and be counted, he's not the same player.
Pogba gets lambasted, rightfully, for his his mental strength when he's really needed, and so should Verratti, as this is supposed to be a key strength he has over Pogba.
He gets praised when he does well, but there's an eerie silence when he has bad games.
I rate him highly, but he's yet to really come to the fore in a maximum pressure game. When his side are doing well or it's an exciting, but even contest, he looks like a Rolls Royce, but when things are bad and he needs to step up and be counted, he's not the same player.
Pogba gets lambasted, rightfully, for his his mental strength when he's really needed, and so should Verratti, as this is supposed to be a key strength he has over Pogba.
Pogba is our player, we don't give two fecks about Verratti or PSG and there is no point scrutinizing anyone since the entire PSG team failed miserably.
I criticised him in another thread for his performance last night, seemed lost. But didn't he do this when PSG were down to ten men against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? Maximum pressure game and wasn't an even contest going by player count?
There's only so much you can do if your 5'5
He did it against Barcelona during every other games, he wasn't good yesterday and there is nothing more to say about it.
It's one game. Xavi was on the pitch when barcelona lost 4-0 and 3-0 against bayern. Pirlo was on the pitch in La Coruna.
Well said
He's rated as one of, if not the best, midfielder of his type by many on here, as a given, like it's irrefutable, even. He doesn't receive half the scrutiny of others who are categorised as such. PSG is a different matter, as they, as a team, aren't rated much, so them crashing and burning isn't anything unusual or new.
PSG schooled Chelsea as a whole. Everyone was on their game that night, and he was obviously a key component, but I'm talking about games where they're genuinely up against it and have to get themselves back in control of the game.
He didn't put Di Maria through which should have killed Barcelona.
Not really a good equivalency as Xavi has countless credit in the bank of stepping up and being the hub of his team in games that would have otherwise been lost. Verratti goes down with the ship - if they're bad, he's bad.
I though Rabiot or the CBs didn't do him any favours. Yes he poor yesterday though, must be said.
He and his teammates had a terrible game, there is nothing to scrutinize.
When has that happened beside yesterday?
When has xavi turned a game around for barcelona? Both are type of players that need their teammates to be able to do something to be effective. They're not Zidane(and Zidane also had bad games in his career. So did Messi. Heck, even Maradona had bad games)
Verratti's still 23, too.
For the type of player he is, he is supposed to be the dependable conduit who settles everyone else down whilst acting as the stabilising presence for his team ala Scholes, Xavi, Modric etc. he's supposed to show composure and class that is a level above the rest of his team, as comes with being classified as what he is (one of the best in the world). He could have come out of yesterday's game looking like a superstar if he had've kept his head and showed the class and competence associated with his game (when things are going well).
That's too reductive. He's a big reason why as he is their conduit others are supposed to depend upon.
PSG since Ancelotti and through Blanc rarely had to get themselves back in control of games because they were the ones controlling it with Verratti and Thiago Motta.
I didn't say anything about Maradona-esque, I said games that would have otherwise been lost, or to extend upon that, games where their midfield would not have held up if Xavi was not being an everpresent force constantly showing and using the ball in the way he did.
It's a fair point about his age, but that's not brought to the table when he's rated as one of the best midfielders in the world or when he is brilliant. He's measured by the standard of player he's supposed to be rather than his age, isn't he?
No he isn't, football particularly at that level is a collective game. You don't take the midfield back against Barcelona with one player, you don't do it against Madrid or Bayern either. Verratti is the most important cog in the machinery but he isn't the machinery.
When have xavi, scholes or modric done that in big games while the entire team played like a bunch of 8 year olds?
In the CL QF stages or rd of 16, which they get knocked out at every year?
Yes, because Barcelona have had the best team in the history.
horrible stain on his career, I hope his fecking agent di campli shuts the feck up for a while now
How is he not? Get the ball to him, he kills the onrushing team, opens up the field, brings his team-mates into the play, shows the composure others cannot and generally settles his team. He is the quintessential midfielder of that type - they all do the exact same role.
They don't play Barca every year they are knocked out.
He missed the first leg against barcelona in 2015, where they lost 3-0 at home. He missed both games against city last season. Was running the show at the camp nou in 2013 as a 20 year old until messi came on and the whole of PSG folded.
Because you need 10 other players.
Which requires his teammates to do something. The few times he did that yesterday, he'd look up and see not a single open teammate to pass the ball to
I'm still waiting for examples of big games in which scholes/xavi/pirlo/modric single-handedly turned their teammates performances around like you're saying
however ... like for like verratti is xavi reloaded and would not be surprised he goes there, even iniesta is impressed with him (interview few weeks ago)... I also think the rats will leave the sinking ship en masse
Looks like he's nailed on to join Barca after his questionable comments after the game.
Barca don't have the money to buy him. Not even close.
they just signed two record breaking sponsorship deals...
Game's starting now, anyway. When you have a conduit, he enables the rest to a degree, which is the strength and weakness of that kind of player. If they're bad the others will not find their feet as they rely on the hub to settle the game down.
Come on... that practically absolves him of any of the key responsbilities of his role. You're basically saying he was on it, but those around him were not.
You're waiting for me to give examples of the cornerstone of these players' entire career? It's what they did and why they have the reputation that they do. I'd ask how often were they found lost or wanting in games, not the other way round. Scholes settled us countless times in Europe and gave others the platform to perform that they had.
Then who does?
No, i'm saying he had a bad game, but because of the type of player he is, he was bad in part because his teammates were so very bad.
No. I'm asking for examples of big games in which United/Barcelona/Milan/Juve/Madrid were comically inept as a team and scholes/xavi/pirlo/modric turned their teammates performances around
That's not a rule and more often than not, it works the other way around. His teammates being really bad don't allow him to use his tools effectively.
I think Pirlo and Xavi know some things about football.
Tuesday March 7 2017
Pirlo: ‘Verratti is Italy’s future’
By Football Italia staff
Andrea Pirlo agrees that Marco Verratti is “the future of Italian and European football”.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and is seen as the heir to Pirlo.
“Verratti is a very good player,” the 37-year-old said in an interview with L’Équipe.
“He is and will be the future of Italian and European football for the next 20 years.
“He plays more or less in my position, but we’re very different in our style of play. He plays with more short passes, he dribbles more than me and he holds onto the ball more.
“He’s the best Italian player for now and the future. We had good times together with Italy.
“A lot of people say that good players can’t play together, but as long as everyone is involved then things work. Between us, it worked.
“We had a very good rapport, we still talk and we see each other sometimes. When we were with the national team, one would often go into the other’s room to speak.
“We spoke a few days ago for a TV show, right after his game against Barcelona I congratulated him by text. He told me my message was the one he most appreciated.
“So I replied: ‘Now you’ve become number one because I’m finishing my career’…”
With half the Champions League Last 16 second legs this week, Pirlo was asked about crying on the pitch when he lost the 2015 final with Juventus.
“I also cried on the pitch after the defeat with Milan against Liverpool in 2005. But once I was in the dressing room, there was so much bitterness and disillusionment that I couldn’t even cry.
“There was a surreal atmosphere after a surreal match. Losing in that way is something impossible to repeat, I wouldn’t wish that one anyone.
“The games this week? There’s always nostalgia when you see these great matches. The Champions League was a special event for me. The music, all the fans…
“You don’t see the Champions League atmosphere anywhere else. Seeing these games always brings a bit of melancholy.
“I’ve played in so many of these matches, I know what they’re all about.”
The opposite of that emotion, however, was the 2006 World Cup semi-final win over Germany, when he provided the crucial pass for Fabio Grosso to score in the 118th minute…
“Those were perhaps the most beautiful minutes of my career,” Pirlo confirmed.
“Fantastic, interminable minutes. I thought a century had gone by between the two goals, but in fact it was only a few minutes! It was indescribable.
“To qualify for a World Cup final by beating Germany at home, in Dortmund where they had never lost…
“Then there was the endless wait for the final. When you walk onto the pitch for the World Cup final, you can see that trophy there so close to you and you don’t know if you’ll be able to lift it.
“That night of the final was unforgettable, reality is always better than dreams. The dream, like in movies and cartoons would maybe have been to play Brazil in the final.
“But playing Italy-France and then lifting the cup… it was indescribable.”
Finally, Pirlo was asked if there is any truth to rumours he almost joined PSG in 2011.
“Yes, Leonardo called one day to find out if I’d go to PSG with him. But I’d signed for Juventus two days previously so I couldn’t do it. It would have been a great experience though.
“He didn’t have to say much to me, because I always had huge esteem for Leonardo. That’s whether we were playing together, he was one of the Milan directors or he was my Coach.
“If I hadn’t joined Juve? I don’t know. Probably. I’d have spoken to Leonardo and listened to his offer.”
Keep up to date with the latest news and action from Spain's Primera Division with Football Espana - from the team behind Football Italia.
Pirlo: ‘Verratti is Italy’s future’
By Football Italia staff
Andrea Pirlo agrees that Marco Verratti is “the future of Italian and European football”.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and is seen as the heir to Pirlo.
“Verratti is a very good player,” the 37-year-old said in an interview with L’Équipe.
“He is and will be the future of Italian and European football for the next 20 years.
“He plays more or less in my position, but we’re very different in our style of play. He plays with more short passes, he dribbles more than me and he holds onto the ball more.
“He’s the best Italian player for now and the future. We had good times together with Italy.
“A lot of people say that good players can’t play together, but as long as everyone is involved then things work. Between us, it worked.
“We had a very good rapport, we still talk and we see each other sometimes. When we were with the national team, one would often go into the other’s room to speak.
“We spoke a few days ago for a TV show, right after his game against Barcelona I congratulated him by text. He told me my message was the one he most appreciated.
“So I replied: ‘Now you’ve become number one because I’m finishing my career’…”
With half the Champions League Last 16 second legs this week, Pirlo was asked about crying on the pitch when he lost the 2015 final with Juventus.
“I also cried on the pitch after the defeat with Milan against Liverpool in 2005. But once I was in the dressing room, there was so much bitterness and disillusionment that I couldn’t even cry.
“There was a surreal atmosphere after a surreal match. Losing in that way is something impossible to repeat, I wouldn’t wish that one anyone.
“The games this week? There’s always nostalgia when you see these great matches. The Champions League was a special event for me. The music, all the fans…
“You don’t see the Champions League atmosphere anywhere else. Seeing these games always brings a bit of melancholy.
“I’ve played in so many of these matches, I know what they’re all about.”
The opposite of that emotion, however, was the 2006 World Cup semi-final win over Germany, when he provided the crucial pass for Fabio Grosso to score in the 118th minute…
“Those were perhaps the most beautiful minutes of my career,” Pirlo confirmed.
“Fantastic, interminable minutes. I thought a century had gone by between the two goals, but in fact it was only a few minutes! It was indescribable.
“To qualify for a World Cup final by beating Germany at home, in Dortmund where they had never lost…
“Then there was the endless wait for the final. When you walk onto the pitch for the World Cup final, you can see that trophy there so close to you and you don’t know if you’ll be able to lift it.
“That night of the final was unforgettable, reality is always better than dreams. The dream, like in movies and cartoons would maybe have been to play Brazil in the final.
“But playing Italy-France and then lifting the cup… it was indescribable.”
Finally, Pirlo was asked if there is any truth to rumours he almost joined PSG in 2011.
“Yes, Leonardo called one day to find out if I’d go to PSG with him. But I’d signed for Juventus two days previously so I couldn’t do it. It would have been a great experience though.
“He didn’t have to say much to me, because I always had huge esteem for Leonardo. That’s whether we were playing together, he was one of the Milan directors or he was my Coach.
“If I hadn’t joined Juve? I don’t know. Probably. I’d have spoken to Leonardo and listened to his offer.”
Keep up to date with the latest news and action from Spain's Primera Division with Football Espana - from the team behind Football Italia.
Mar 7, 2017 19:26:33
'Verratti would be the ideal signing for Barcelona' - Xavi wants PSG star at Camp Nou
The former Barca midfielder considers the Italy international to be a suitable heir to his crown in Catalonia and would like to see a deal done
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti continues to be heavily linked with Barcelona and Camp Nou icon Xavi believes he would be an “ideal signing”.
Despite having spent close to five successful years in France, during which time he has enjoyed considerable success, Verratti has seen his future called into question on a regular basis.
Verratti: PSG not stronger than Barca
A return to his native Italy has been mooted, with ambitious Inter considered to be a possible landing spot this summer, while talk of a switch to Spain refuses to go away.
The 24-year-old has sought to play down the speculation, but his undoubted ability is keeping him in the headlines.
Xavi has now helped to further fuel the transfer gossip by announcing that he considers Verratti to be a suitable heir to a midfield crown he vacated in Catalonia back in 2015.
The World Cup winner told Le Parisien: “Verratti would be the ideal signing for Barcelona in my opinion.
“I think Verratti is a bit like me. He always goes in search of the ball quite deep on the pitch and then takes it forward and dictates play.
“Verratti is small just like me and he never loses the ball. His technique is incredible.
“He is a player I would love to see at Barcelona.”
'Verratti would be the ideal signing for Barcelona' - Xavi wants PSG star at Camp Nou
The former Barca midfielder considers the Italy international to be a suitable heir to his crown in Catalonia and would like to see a deal done
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti continues to be heavily linked with Barcelona and Camp Nou icon Xavi believes he would be an “ideal signing”.
Despite having spent close to five successful years in France, during which time he has enjoyed considerable success, Verratti has seen his future called into question on a regular basis.
Verratti: PSG not stronger than Barca
A return to his native Italy has been mooted, with ambitious Inter considered to be a possible landing spot this summer, while talk of a switch to Spain refuses to go away.
The 24-year-old has sought to play down the speculation, but his undoubted ability is keeping him in the headlines.
Xavi has now helped to further fuel the transfer gossip by announcing that he considers Verratti to be a suitable heir to a midfield crown he vacated in Catalonia back in 2015.
The World Cup winner told Le Parisien: “Verratti would be the ideal signing for Barcelona in my opinion.
“I think Verratti is a bit like me. He always goes in search of the ball quite deep on the pitch and then takes it forward and dictates play.
“Verratti is small just like me and he never loses the ball. His technique is incredible.
“He is a player I would love to see at Barcelona.”