He blames Evra for absolutely everything and takes only a token amount of responsibility. He also paints himself as a victim of the evil English Media throughout, as if he's some kind of innocent party who was completely undeserving of the criticism. There's some interesting bits here and there, and yes his relationship with his wife is quite special. He's an absolutely brilliant player, there can be no doubting that, my favourite player around at the moment in terms of pure performances.
I really don't think it is, though. I agree that it's all mostly in fun spirit, but behind all of that there's clearly a colossal ego and that makes him a very unlikable player. I don't think his comments are all for a media show either, he's made them to his fellow players as well. He always takes over at clubs, and has to become the centre of attention. A club can become a sideshow to Ibrahimovic very easily, especially when he makes the sort of comments he made at PSG. You find his personality endearing which is fair enough, but personally I find him extremely self obsessive and rather trashy. It's just a difference in opinion, I suppose.
Guardiola had his rules, he was strict. He didn't want players going on an ego trip, for him team work is absolutely everything, at the core of his ethos. Hence the car rule, it helps prevent petty squabbles over who has the most expensive toy and creates a sense of equality around the club. He's a control freak no doubt, but when his players buy in to his methods they win, simple as that. At Barcelona - players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets...they are perfect for this, they listen, they aren't egomaniacs. Pep is like a Headmaster, he is in full control. Ibrahimovic had more authority than the manager at PSG, that could never happen with Guardiola.
Ibrahimovic is a brilliant player at league level, but in Europe he's always flattered to deceive. In big games, he often seems to just float around and offer very little in terms of effort, it can be incredibly frustrating even for a neutral to watch. He's failed in too many big European games to call it a coincidence, and it will forever be a mark on his career. He was also very poor against Chelsea despite his goal and invisible against a poor City side. In fact, his record against English sides has actually been horrible throughout his entire career. It's not even the European games either, even in Serie A he struggled against top sides, with 1 goal in 9 games against Juventus. As for his Madrid goal...that was the only 1 he scored against them in 5 matches.
Ribery's brilliant, but he showed some of his true attitude under Pep. He's clearly not the player he was and struggled badly with injuries, and he took his frustrations out on the manager. Domenech called him a 'diva' too, he has a few attitude issues and it showed under Pep. It won't be tolerated whilst he is manager. Eto'o also fell out with Mourinho at Chelsea by the way. For top managers like these, it's inevitable that you're going to have a few players who throw a strop.
Iniesta? Weird example. VERY weird example. He's absolutely fantastic in the big games, for club & country. Honestly, I'm struggling to think of a better big game player. You're talking about a guy who was man of the match in the Champions League final against Juventus, in a Euro's final and a World Cup final. He's the only man ever to have done this. You won't find a better player for the big occasions than Iniesta - he's actually the perfect example of a quiet, reserved player who concentrates on his
Nice text, well thought out! I'm no scout, but i think that's a like!
Going reverse and taking on the biggest case:
Iniesta is a big game player, absolutely. You stated this:
'Usually the ones who are a bit quieter and do their talking on the pitch, like Lahm & Messi. Funnily enough, these players are often the best in the 'big matches.'
You put in the word 'usually', nevertheless i mentioned that Eto'o who's a different kettle of fish is for me also a big game player. My intention wasn't to discredit Andres Iniesta in any possible way, i simply disagreed that in my point of view it's impossible to generalize that in most cases big game player and 'calm', 'schoolboy' go hand in hand. So i guess it was just a misunderstanding, these things can heat up quickly, therefore i felt the urgent need to put things to bed early. No problem!
The problem with Ribery is indeed his fitness level. Now the question arises who's to blame? I have often heard that Guardiola wants some fellow country men around, some of them use i say 'controversial' methods. Guardiola doesn't want to waste any time, he wants his stars fresh for the matches, because of the pressure it's a bit unfair to blame the man, Ferguson and Rooney (~2010) comes to mind...anyway the alleged treatment with cortisone for Thiago who was the receiver 'backfired'. Ribery is a bit of a cnut, i do remember the story with Gourcuff. But only looking at this abilities, he's one of the best around despite bad mouthing a lot of people. All he needs his love...
Turning to Ibrahimovic, it's quite a task to come to terms with each other. In my view he did well against Chelsea. Was commanding, demanding, all over the place: he stepped it up when his team needed him most, imo. I don't remember him that good back in Juventus Turin, i guess in the end it's agree to disagree. For the record, the aformentioned Eto'o had his moments, as far as it's comparable, maybe even better moments, but i don't want to label Ibrahimovic 'poor', that would be too harsh, imo.
...'but when his players buy in to his methods they win, simple as that.'
Most of the Bayern players (clearly not Ribery
) were sorry that Guardiola didn't want to continue with the project. I can only speculate but guys like Boateng must have been deep in his pockets. The problem is, since the Spaniard had taken over the German powerhouse, from now on the semis had become nightmares. Before the so called 'hispanization' Bayern weren't used to getting outclassed (yeah the one odd Barca game, but the exception proves the rule). Point is, Bayern lost the game against Real (at home) because Guardiola changed tactics, he said it himself. Against Barca he always wanted to go forward, no good clearance and goal. Against Atletico he changed the linup, brought in Bernat (who was part of the reason why it didn't work out against Barca) and benched the leader Muller and Kimmich who was playing top notch. Especially this defeat is on him and him alone. So he doesn't always win, no, three times he lost in the semis with one of the best teams in the world. His overall setup is above average, he's a good coach, though, but he loses like every other manager. I don't know whether you watched the series 'Gomorrha', but this Pep isn't immortal. Yeah, you never stated that he is, but his methods aren't unbeatable.
The comment about Eto'o's age were a brain fart. Mourinho should have known better, especially with some sensitive guy like Eto'o. Nevertheless after i saw his celebration (performing the old man after scoring a goal) i think things weren't thad bad. Sometimes the going gets tough in a relationship but it doesn't mean that it's all over. I think they get along as good as always, but i could be wrong, just speculating.
Thank you for your personal insight of the Suarez book. I do think Evra made a meal of it, but Suarez should take some of the blame. Totally biased is way too simple, but i will look into it sooner rather than later.
I wondered why i didn't get into discussions for a short while, now
it's been nothing but a joy, sir.
Regards!
Paris Saint-Germain
Olympique Lyonnais
AS Monaco
OGC Nice
