Barbara

You said everything I wanted to say. I think he had a very solid debut and even surprised me with his willingness to track back (something he doesn't do in Brazil). There was a very dangerous attack by Barça early in the match and he was the player that took the ball away from the Barça player IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR BOX, just in front of Courtois. Literally seconds before he was in the right wing attacking. He tracked back, not only to make a number, but he effectively chased the players leaving the right flank and going to the center of the box. That's the kind of attitude Mourinho is (rightfully) expecting from a youngster that receives a chance to play with the seniors, something RLC failed to do over and over and over. I also agree about his technique, his bad choice making when it comes to dribble (yesterday he tried to pass by three players surrounding him, thinking he was Messi, but while here in Brazil he made it a few times a matches, yesterday he did it only once), many times he doesn't pass when he should and doesn't dribble when he should. It seems like his football brains haven't been there yet. But he's 19, it could change. I don't like much this kind of player because they tend to keep this brainless behavior throughout their whole career. I've seen few grow out of it and I hope that's the case for Kenedy as his attitude (more than his talent) impressed Mourinho a lot. He aced the attitude and maybe under Mourinho's wing he can grow in the right way. Huge maybe though.

His set piece delivery seemed to be even better than last season's. I'm positive if he stays healthy he'll break the assists record this season and add some more.

Just noticed the tag Jason used on the thread. Does he think he's funny?

no

LOL forever and ever

attack wins you titles. Can you imagine if we have a very good Falcao? Maybe that's too much optimism and hope, but I can't help, been like that since I was born My glass is always half full, about to spill all over

none of which remotely his fault. Azpili (and before him Cahill) should be held accountable for the first and Sandro's talent for the second.

interesting enough, his side today was well taken care of. I don't know if it's because Suarez attacked from Azpili's side (and made him his bitch on a few occasions). He was solid and I hope he carries on. Maybe the captaincy will help him to be more 'responsible' let's say.

I agree about Remy, but our title last season wasn't won on defense and midfield. Actually our midfield wasn't that sharp for a couple of months this year. Our attack with Had and Costa and then Cesc providing assists is what won us the title last season. Our defense wasn't nearly as solid as in years before, although it didn't exactly compromised. We need to move from the defensive approach and get onto higher things. We have the personal for that, Mourinho needs to be more unpredictable this season as he said twice in his latest interviews. I hope he remembers it and actually brings that to the pitch.

I don't agree with everything, but I do with the gist of what you're saying. we dominated their midfield with that 4-3-3 in the first half. You replace Kenedy for Willian, demand some defending from Iva and I suppose that's our best system starting the season. He's been working really well deeper and has given the stability we need to dominate the midfield. Even if he doesn't create much, he allows others to. But in his good days he'll create as well, so I'd give it a try if I were Mourinho... even if Willian has to keep Iva at the back of his mind

too bad when he came to play tonight there wasn't anyone remotely able to provide him with some service... I'm actually looking forward to see him play... if he gets even 60% of the form he had before his latest injury we're in for a feast. I can even see us really challenging for UCL. If only we also got that midfielder. Damn, this season could be memorable.

I don't see any reason to be concerned. I think it's more possible he just put his hand there because he knew he had a bad match (finishing wise) and was trying to save some face rather than being really injured. Chill people

I think people should look at this with the right eyes... It's clear we need another midfielder as our bench players aren't slightly good enough to replace any of the titulars come a suspension or injury. That is a fact that few would contest. We seem to be intended on using our academy players, but I don't think we have one for this specific position. Second, winning, drawing, losing those games says absolutely NOTHING about our form, condition, status and chances as a team in the upcoming season, NOTHING AT ALL. This is pre-season, we started training only two weeks ago, and while it may have been a bit more late than I would have liked, it is what it is. When we had most of our first team players - which will remain the same from last season: Courtois, Iva, Cahill, JT, Azpili, Matic, Cesc, Oscar, Willian, Hazard and Costa, at least today, we looked very decent (except the defense, but then again JT wasn't there in the first). José is hoping to make Zouma the new Luiz, which creates a further problem for our limited options in defense. We're good with Zouma as the immediate CB replacement, not as a MD. We really need a new guy there. I think Moses, Cuadrado, but especially Remy is enough to cope with the RW option. And we have plenty of talent in the AMs position in the academy if everything else fails. I'd get two defenders (a LB and a CB), but above all a DM or at least a good box to box. We don't have a good enough in our squad and please, can someone go in a trance and actually make a bid for Mikel? If we're going with the one in one out policy, we desperately need someone to bid for him.

at least we've been practicing penalties in case we need to take them on Sunday

some tough love for Ruben from Mourinho there

Ramires inability to string two passes together has nothing to do with opposition and more with the lack of a brain. Mikel has been set to believe passes can only be backwards - again nothing to do with opposition.

people talking about tactics, about not being able to beat Barça's bench boys, lack of dominance and what not, really should get a reality check Mourinho is doing the same as Enrique, giving all players some time, so they get fit. Friendly reminder this isn't a competitive match, in case you missed the note.

Mikel, Ramires, Moses, it's obvious we didn't show up to play.... which is fine, this isn't worth anything, but having this kind of player as our subs... Bring on Cuadrado and we're set.... for the horror show.

Mikel? Well, I'll be calling it a night then. I know they all need minutes, but I'm not here for this lol

Willian for Kenedy was an improvement, but Ramires for Oscar was not. But well, everybody needs minutes

Cahill first and then Azpili later. Neither had been on their best. Suarez have been making them and some others his bitches...

Come on, Mourinho, I'm here for Falcao, bring him!

I'd bet you are... except maybe for Henrique, but I suppose he never liked him in the first place, so it doesn't count.

in a competitive match though they'd have more yellows. They've been stopping all our counters with fouls. Those bastards

I'm very happy with how we played considering we've been training for only a couple of weeks. Haven't seen any part of the previous matches, except the highlights against NYRB We look balanced, our defense was a bit shaky at moments, but I don't know if they were really a bit off or if Suarez and Barça were just that good. Maybe a combination of both? Either way, I think we did more than okay, no complaints at all. This is a pre-season friendly, my expectations are low.