I agree we haven’t seen many examples in the games this season, but this team can play well. I don’t think it’s enough to completely right off Lopetegui. There are signs there. Just look at how we compete against the big teams.
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Of course they can. It has been proven over and over. It’s obviously very difficult to get a team to play well and still defend good, create the perfect balance. But it’s much easier and less brave to get a team to defend all the time and attack very sporadically, resulting in not playing well and still not doing anything meaningful in the season.
The signs have been there since 2019-20, but the coach never capitalized on those signs and was too afraid to adapt to a better approach and game-style, so now we’re left with what we’re left.
These kind of matches like the one vs. Granada also prove over and over that it’s not about the players, it’s about the coach.
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Just watched the behind-the-scenes from the Derbi and couldn’t help but think that Lope is just so close to taking that next step in my opinion. He definitely got the passion, he has managed to create a superb team-spirit (or so it seems anyway), puts his heart out in every game and has created a real strong foundation to built on. He’s young in manager-terms and really seems to want Sevilla.
It’s easier said than done, but it just seems that he has to release the handbrake just a little and give his forward-players the go to take some risks once in a while. Playing a little conservative wouldn’t hurt on some occasions. Invest in some creative attacking runs and passes.
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Is it a fan zone here ? I feel like I’m in an abattoir with Lope’s guts on the cutting table.
I’ve criticized him enough at times but we are up there with the following prognosis ;-
Danger of relegation … Zero
Danger of mid-table obscurity … Zero
Danger of not qualifying for Europe … Zero
We are in the top 4 and I expect us to stay there.
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I don’t think anyone here is “pro-Lope.” I’m sure everyone here wants to see football that’s better pleasing to the eye. But playstyle is not necessarily something that will get the job done. Style is something only the elites can afford to care about. We haven’t made it there yet.
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Quite a standard that one. Yeah with those 3 parameters Lope is doing more than great.
Well if Lope’s job is to cement us as a Top 4 team until a suitable manager becomes available, yes he’s doing a great job.
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Would anyone take Pochettino?
I remember we were linked with him a few years back, but this time he is a top level manager and far more experienced. It was quite an achievement what he did with Tottenham in CL reaching the final in 2019.
He could be the one to actually get us comfortably in top 4 and do remarkable things in the European stage. But, I don’t think we’d be too appealing to him at this point as he’s used to the big $.
It has to be admitted though, if you want a top level coach you should pay top dollar. Simeone’s case is one of a kind - he started as an experiment, it went amazing for Atletico and now he’s in the top 3 most paid coaches in the world, along with Guardiola and Conte I think.
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I only see him as a remote possibility cause I think he’s spurned his chances at Real Madrid in the short term. I don’t think he’s the favourite for the Man Utd job, so it doesn’t leave many options left, cause i’m sure he’s leaving PSG after this season.
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The stated goal is top 4 for 4 straight seasons I believe. That is going to be achieved I believe. This team needs a player that can take it on his own, and create something out of nothing…it needs a consistent 20 goals a year scorer and I think Monchi has to find that this summer with the board giving him the funds to do it.
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A prime Diego Costa?
That can’t be Rafa?
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We are agreed then 
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We saw his willingness to pass to teammates once he got his goal. The issue is the lack of opportunities. I can’t fault him for shooting on site when no one else does. He goes too far at times, but he has the right intentions.
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I’m sure it can be Rafa if he gets enough good service. He’s just not one that can do it on his own though. You need someone with YEN’s pace and Rafa’s poacher abilities, or you play them together haha.
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The issue is the lack of opportunities.
I’m sure it can be Rafa if he gets enough good service.
This. Luuk finally gets good service and opportunities and he scores one goal every 96 minutes now. And I rate Rafa higher than Luuk.
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Luuk’s recent stats are dynamite. His last 3 goals have come within 2 minutes of entering the game, he doesn’t need to warm up.
Espanyol Barcelona 2-2 subbed on for last 2 minutes and scores in minute 96
Barcelona Athletic 4-0 subbed on for last 4 minutes and scores in minute 90
Levante Barcelona 2-3 subbed on for last 6 minutes and scores in minute 92
Also played 5 minutes against Napoli, 8 minutes against Valencia, 15 minutes Napoli again and 10 minutes against Galatasaray, all without scoring.
Total of 3 goals in 50 minutes from his last 7 games.
I’m sure his agent is happy.
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I would love Poch but don’t think it’s realistic.
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