(Without) trying to sound like Adele, Sarthak Kumar talks about Adriano's latest role in the squad and why he shouldn't leave just yet.
Some say I'll be better without you, but they don't know you like I do
In the 84th minute of a crucial Champions League encounter, Adriano came in for Pedro, and watched as Jordi Alba scored a last-minute goal at the Camp Nou.
Sensing that Iniesta was tired, Adriano was brought in to cover Jordi Alba’s foraging runs forward, as well as Ignazio Abate’s runs. Iniesta would play in an advanced left position, in a lopsided 4-3-3, and Adriano would cover the entire left midfield zone. The plan worked to perfection - the three players worked together perfectly and Adriano showed some of his best qualities as a midfielder.
In the 89th minute, Adriano goes on a run, and is tackled to the ground. But the ball is already off his feet - he had passed it to Alves while on the ground. And guess who’s waiting for a rebound in the box as Jordi Alba thumps the ball for a last minute goal? Yep, it’s Adriano. A late run timed to perfection.
In six minutes, he showed accurate passing, defensive prowess and attacking intent.
Barcelona overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 4-0 against AC Milan, a match that would later be known as the Remontada. What was interesting was that no one noticed Adriano running up and down, harassing Abate as Jordi Alba and Iniesta destroyed the eastern hemisphere of the Milan side.
What was even more interesting was that Luis Enrique has used him there too.
No one knows me like you do, and since you’re the only one that matters, tell me who do I run to?
For the last 26 minutes of the 6-1 destruction against Roma, Adriano played on the left side of midfield. He was everywhere, covering Jordi Alba’s voracious runs forward, stretching the pitch horizontally as his teammates stretch the pitch vertically, defending not with tackling but with intelligent pressing to create turnovers, passing accurately especially in the final third.
He ran so that Jordi Alba wouldn’t have to. He stretched the pitch so that the wingers wouldn’t have to. He pressed so that his teammates wouldn’t have to.
He did what Rakitić does, from the other side.
Adriano’s positive contributions to central midfield give Luis Enrique some respite - this month may be the most hectic for the team - at least until reinforcements arrive in January. He gives Barcelona’s squad much-needed depth in a position that needs more depth than ever before.
I personally think the criticism laid upon him is unfair - poor form as an individual when the collective isn’t performing, being not-as-talented when in fact he is still the best back-up to the full-backs at present, being old and neglecting the value of experience. Stuff like you’re just a temporary fix…you don’t mean that much to me, you’re just a filler in the space that happened to be free.
The fact remains that he still possesses the tactical intelligence and the work rate that made him so successful at Sevilla. He still poses danger - whether in attack or in defense. And he still works hard for the team, providing energy to a team that looks battered and tired from a demanding schedule.
Adriano, some say Barcelona will be better without you. But they don’t know you like I do.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts http://ift.tt/1NR9qaR
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