The problem with a backup striker starts when he accepts to be a backup striker and when he can't accept being a backup striker. As much as this makes no sense when you read it, it actually does.
This whole ferran Torres saga just made me realize we donโt appreciate players like de Jong and Raphinha enough. Both players were highly criticized and they werenโt even playing as bad as ferran Torres. Even when rumors of them leaving started circulating how did they respond ? They worked harder and improved, Raphinha became a ballon dor contender and de Jong is easily one of the best midfielders in the world. This kind of love and dedication towards the club coming from players who arenโt even La masia graduates, then thereโs that rat ferran Torres.
Watch these 24/25 Barcelona counter-attacks again. Notice something.
The structure is already there. The midfield progresses. Yamal manipulates the defence. The runners attack space.
The missing piece is the No. 9.
If Flick wants to build a truly fluid attack, the striker canโt just occupy centre-backs. He has to drop between the lines, combine with Yamal, pin defenders when needed, then still attack the box. Thatโs the profile that turns these transitions into something even more unpredictable.
Think of Firminoโs role at Liverpool. Not because Barรงa want another Firmino, but because thatโs the kind of connector a fluid front three needs.
๐จ Lionel Scaloni: โWas the refereeing unfair? No, no. We lost because they were the better team. We have to acknowledge that they played better.
"We probably arrived at the final running on empty, thatโs the reality.
"But sometimes itโs good to recognize that they were better, and I think doing so will make us better.โ