Barca midfield too slow for European big nights

There is no gain saying that Modern football requires not only technique but atletism and combativeness. Over the years Barcelona teams have shown lack of these attributes.

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As a result, the Rome debacle happened, which was followed by a more humiliating battering at Anfield, and the latest coming from there domestic arch rival at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday has shown that past heroic legs must be changed.

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With the midfield being marshalled by the aged legs of Sergio Busquets and less effective Rakitic, teams now need a bit of pace and aggression to completely subdue the once exalted Barcelona midfield.

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On Sunday, Zidane perfected his tactics by deploying the young talented Valverde and ever-combative Casemiro in the center of the pack which worked wonders, especially in the second half when the already tired legs of Busquets and pique couldn't go an inch further.

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The Barcelona board in a bid to cut cost has sacrificed this once beautiful midfield at the alters of weakness and a change is a necessity if fans are to breath a new breathe soon.

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Old players like Rakitic and Busquets who lack the intensity and above all legs to compete in European big nights should no longer hold down undisputable roles in the team, enabling environment must be created for young talented players with insatiable hunger to perform. Only this can bring back the lost glory of this Barcelona team.