🇷🇸 Branislav Ivanovic

[DH1988 1,348]

Good to see against the lesser teams he's gained that ability to link up well and put in a good ball however can't see him playing that high up against other teams we were caught out numerous times on the right side

[lionsden 4,689]

you mean for Schurrle's goal? Of course it was intended imo. He was ready to cross, then he saw Cesc raising his hand and passed to him. there wasn't anywhere near enough to Cesc for him to have aimed someone else, unless you mean another pass? Also I don't think it needs to have an excellent vision to spot that... it's what Choulo said, once you raise your head and look around before crossing, you know where it's better to put the ball. I'm not discrediting him, but I don't think it was a case of excellent vision, it was a case of very good vision imo. On Costa's goal I think it was a case we could say it was a fluke as it didn't seem like he was aiming to the goal, just what would have been a really bad cross, but things worked out.

The pass was clearly intended. Cesc was actively asking for the ball, so I don't think it was hard to spot him, considering that there weren't people around him.

I see where you two are coming from.

Either way i'm delighted with the way he has started the new season and I know for a fact that the Brana of last season wouldn't have spotted that run and nevermind actually executing the pass accurately. He must have been working on his offensive game in training.

[Barbara 15,149]

Someone mentioned here or on the match thread (I won't look for it now) that all dangerous Burnley attack attempts came from his side implying - or directly saying, I can't remember - that it was because Iva was bombing forward to support the attack. Wrong and wrong.

As I just said on Oscar's thread, I re-watched the first half and I paid close attention to what could have been our shortcomings when defending and you know what I realize in like 4 out 5 Burnley attacks from their left? Iva was all by himself to mark whoever was there. Schurrle wasn't there most time and neither was one between Matic and Fàbregas. So it seems like an automatic conclusion to 'blame' Ivanovic offensive inclination in the match for the easier route Burnely found on that side, but except when Oscar was on that side of the pitch (and he didn't spend a lot of time there), many times Matic, Schurrle, Hazard (according to his heat map he stayed more in the right than in the left for some reason) and Fàbregas were in the middle or in the left or even coming back from the attack and there was only Iva with Cahill behind him.

Burnley had two strikers and at some point even SkySports broadcast highlighted them and they were both closer to the left wing - exactly Iva's side. But not even in one of those attacks Iva was out of position, but in most of them (although they weren't many) he was all by himself.

It's early days and I'm sure Mourinho will fix our positioning, especially in the defense, but as I said in the fullbacks thread I think maybe we'll have a small problem to fix. With a team more intended on attacking fast and with a lot of people involved, keeping possession and exchanging fast, short passes, maybe it exposes a little bit the defense and I'm not entirely convinced JT/Cahill work that well with less coverage. JT is slow and Cahill, although much more composed these days, is still flustered and unsure on the ball. Off the ball he's much better than on the ball. So he may tackle, for example, and then get rid of the ball in any way because he doesn't feel that confident if the opposition players are somewhere near him. If with the tackle he gets the ball away or stays with the ball and leaves his opponent behind, he's excellent, but in any other situation he doesn't look confident. And although I didn't catch any particular compromising mistake by him the lack of someone else around him and Iva (as he plays in the right side of the defense most times) resulted in what we saw. A team with a little bit more quality attacking than Burnley could have explored that much better.

It's nice to have the little triangles of Oscar, Fàbregas and Matic moving around the pitch and I don't think it compromises the defense, as long as at all times one of three stays a bit behind, especially towards the right as at least with Azpilicueta in the left, our LB will rarely be much high in the pitch...

I wouldn't change a thing about the way Iva played and if Iva and Luís play together, I think they'll take turns supporting the attack and that's how it should be, but as Oscar is alternating with the pivot players, one among our three midfielders should hold position a little bit more. I'm not even talking about the big teams here, as I don't expect us to approach big teams the way we did Monday. But teams such as Newcastle, Villa, Southampton, and maybe even Everton (I say even because I expect Mourinho to keep the same approach against them) will require more attention from us in that aspect.

[Svita 10 186]

Brano is playing his best football. He has been amazing. Big surprise for me

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Da faq did they feed him pre-game? He was like Cafu in his prime today. Unbelievable performance. if only Costa picked him out for that chance, would have capped off a superb game.

[Barbara 15,149]

Unbelievable. He's been our best player in the season's two matches. He's been the one that was superb both matches and his contributions in the attack are awesome and he's a beast in the defense as well. Such a great player! Amazing, amazing, amazing. I really love Iva - o mito - and it makes my heart burst in joy to see him playing his best football in a while right now. Hope he carries it on for all the season, but there's no way this man is leaving the starting eleven. He's been fantastic and some more.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Bran-tastic

[Namika 922]

Has a hand on 4 of the 5 goals we have scored this year.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Wow, just when I thought Azpi would definitely usurp him at the RB position this season, this man is coming up with some quality performances, not only defensively, but offensively as well. Haven't seen him play this well going forward since the Ancelotti days.

[Madmax 9,219]

Considering the grief he gets for every misplaced pass/mishit cross, this thread sure is quiet on a day he's made the difference for the second time running.

[iseah100 5,612]

Luis and Azpi will have to fight for LB starting spot. Brana ain't letting go of that right side.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Eleven Ivanovic will win the CL easily.

[Jype 6,398]

Wow, just when I thought Azpi would definitely usurp him at the RB position this season, this man is coming up with some quality performances, not only defensively, but offensively as well. Haven't seen him play this well going forward since the Ancelotti days.

Yeah, he hasn't looked this good in years. The added competition has definitely lit a fire inside him and driven him to work extra hard to keep his place. I like what I'm seeing so far.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Well I know what Brana was doing during the WC. Training his fucking ass off!!!!

[Term-X 7,891]

Just goes to show what competition for places can do to a player..

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Amazing performance, hope he keeps it up.

[Henrique 9,133]

I was not a big fan of Ivanovic last season, because he was an attack killing machine. Today he was easily our best playing going forward, almost scored two in the 2nd and created a goal for Costa.

[Roquila 1,335]

Beast

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Agree, he was unbelievable today.

Did his job defensively, most burnley attacks came through the middle or the azpi's side. (him and matic had rather average games)

But more importantly he was everywhere. He bombed down the flank like a 2nd winger, but recovered so fast, leicester did not even dare to attack his side. When they did, he defended it no-nonsensestyle and got the ball our of play with a simple tackle. Playing RB, RW and ST,no problem for Iva.

Absolutely loved how a player this big gets on mazy runs in the opposition's box, easily passes players and completely roasts two defenders witha simple feint.

Could have had a hattrick today if it wasn't for some amazing goalkeeping by schmeichel

[Jase 43,479]

Have been one of those fellas who prefer Azpi at RB instead of Ivanovic but my word, he has been on 'drugs' lately. Has looked good in the opening two games and played a part in 4 of the 5 goals we've scored. Fair play.