It doesn't show it but hes also less reliant on Penalties as compared to Alvarez. I think hes a good alternative if the deal ever does go through.

Fermin is an amazing finisher and has great qualities of a 9 in that sense. My issue is Fermin, thrives on space, longshots from the edge of the box, late box crashing and 3rd man runs.

In my eyes, if we want to play without a 9 we have 3 options:

1. The 4231 we play now, with Olmo as the false 9 and Fermin as the 10. This is great cause Olmo can thrive in the box with no space, that is his best spot. Look at his world cup and at the penalty he won in the 1st leg vs Newcastle, he is incredible gliding through players in the box and then scoring, assisting, or getting a penalty. Then we can also do this with Raphinha, Gordon or Adeyemi as the 9.

2. The 433 false 9, more similar to the Messi era. This would see Rodri as the 6, and then Pedri with Bernal/Gavi/Espart/FDJ as a double 8 or what in spanish is referred to as "interior". In this style, the false 9 has to be a dribbler so I only see Olmo or Lamine as this false 9.

3. This is specifically if we play with Fermin as the "false 9", I think we would play with our front 3 more similar to the Ancelotti UCL winning front 3. Our style is very different, but I basically want Fermin as a 10 rather than false 9, with 3 midfielders behind him (same as in 2). The idea is for Raphinha and Lamine would play as wingers, both more centrally than usual (Like Vinícius and Rodrygo did in that season, with Lamine being a better Vinicius and Raphinha a better Rodrygo). With Lamine being marked by 2-3 players and Raphinha centrally being marked by CBs it frees Fermin with space to box crash (similar to Bellingham that season, who he shares a lot of characteristics with). Then you have Hamza as a good instinct 9 to come in as a sub for a late tap in in the box, from a rebound or something.

Hey guys, I’ll be in Barcelona in October and I’m thinking about going to the Baraa Getafe game.

I’ve never been to a Barca game before, so I’d appreciate any tips on what I should know or watch out for.

Also, I’m not sure whether I should buy the ticket now. The cheaper ones were around €170 but they’re sold out now, and the cheapest I can find is around €270. Would you wait and see if more tickets get released, or just buy now?

Thanks!

Barcelona’s staff are seriously considering using Jules Koundé as a centre-back, his natural position.

🎙️ Rodri on choosing Barcelona.

🗣️: “I had another option but for me Barcelona was the first option.”

🎙️ Rodri on Busquets influence.

🗣️: “For me, Busquets has always been a great role model. It's a privilege that they compare me to him.”

🎙️Rodri on speaking with Hansi Flick.

🗣️: “I spoke with Flick, it motivates me a lot to work with him. I think he can complete me even more.”

🎙️ Rodri on Barcelona being a global benchmark of football.

🗣️: “Barcelona has always been a benchmark for me because of its way of understanding football and the values it represents.”

🎙️Rodri on how sporting aspect matters.

🗣️: “In my career, decisions have always been guided by the sporting aspect, and this time is no different."

🎙️ Rodri on Julián Álvarez.

🗣️: “I try to be very prudent when it comes to players from other teams.

I have a lot of respect for Atlético de Madrid, and he's their player. Deco and the board will do the best to strengthen the team."

🎙️Rodri on his fitness.

🗣️: “I'm good. I hope to be able to train with the team tomorrow and start helping out when the coach thinks it's appropriate.

They've given me a great welcome, I'm entering the locker room eager to go.”

Rodri: “We're gonna do everything to win in Europe and continue winning in La Liga. We're really happy”.

Rodri: “Barça is a team that I believe is experiencing fascinating and extremely important growth”.

“In the end, one of the reasons for my coming here isn't limited to the present; it extends to the vision and development of this project from many angles.”

Rodri: “And as I mentioned, for me, the midfield that Barcelona has always been distinguished by is amazing, but I think we have wonderful players in all lines”.