[THREAD] I've seen a lot of takes like this on Setién over the past 2 days.
The thing is that this is both true, and untrue.
Here's my take:-
The thing is that this is both true, and untrue.
Here's my take:-
Before I discuss the similarities, I want to make this abundantly clear:
The team has improved A LOT under Quique.
Those that deny that are not separating the performance from the final score-line.
The team has improved A LOT under Quique.
Those that deny that are not separating the performance from the final score-line.
During the break I analyzed Barcelona's improved pressing under Setién.
Although our pressing was poor vs Mallorca (PPDA=13.4), I believe that was mostly due to a lack of match sharpness. I'll start to worry, if this continues going forward.
Although our pressing was poor vs Mallorca (PPDA=13.4), I believe that was mostly due to a lack of match sharpness. I'll start to worry, if this continues going forward.
It's also easy to recognize that the team has built up attacks better. Setién's side averages more possession, control the game better, and circulates the ball better.
This has lead to more fruitful attacks (see next tweet).
This has lead to more fruitful attacks (see next tweet).
We average fewer positional attacks under QS [due to circulation in the lower+mid 3rds], but on average they have led to more shots [6.22 vs 5.74].
Not only do we have more possession, we utilize that possession better (convert it into more chances/shots)
Not only do we have more possession, we utilize that possession better (convert it into more chances/shots)
Moreover, we've counter-attacked more often under Setién, and converted the same percentage of counter-attacks into shots (42%).
This has all translated into better underlying xG numbers.
This has all translated into better underlying xG numbers.
Under Setién, we average more shots, and those shots have been of better quality. Consequently our xG/G improved dramatically.
This has been despite Suarez, our second best goalscorer, playing less than 45 mins for Setién so far.
[credit: @_FTSofficial].
This has been despite Suarez, our second best goalscorer, playing less than 45 mins for Setién so far.
[credit: @_FTSofficial].
Moreover, Messi's xG metrics have taken a significant jump. Despite playing 350 fewer mins under QS, Messi has already comfortably beaten his xG number under EV.
If it weren't for a poor spell of form in front of goal for the Argentine, we may not be having this conversation.
If it weren't for a poor spell of form in front of goal for the Argentine, we may not be having this conversation.
Messi has averaged an xG/90 of 0.98 in league play so far under Setién, compared to 0.58 under EV [source: understat]. This is extremely important considering how little we've been able to create for Messi in our toughest games in recent years.
All in all, there is no doubt that Setién has improved this team by a considerable margin. You might not put too much stock in these numbers or metrics, but you also can't simply ignore them.
With that said, yes there are problems that both managers have shared.
With that said, yes there are problems that both managers have shared.
The first, and biggest, is poor wing play. Despite placing an emphasis on the flanks at the weekend, Barcelona posed little threat from those areas (especially on the right).
[credit: @StatifiedF].
[credit: @StatifiedF].
Poor play down the flanks has helped opponents defend narrow with little consequence for years now.
Moreover both managers have suffered from a generally incomplete squad. It is true that the squad does not possess all the tools required to play the way we want to play.
Moreover both managers have suffered from a generally incomplete squad. It is true that the squad does not possess all the tools required to play the way we want to play.
This all results in half-baked solutions, and compromises.
This is not Setién's fault, and to a large extent isn't Valverde's either. Barcelona's transfer policy has been horrendous for years now. It has spanned multiple managers and can't really be blamed on Valverde.
This is not Setién's fault, and to a large extent isn't Valverde's either. Barcelona's transfer policy has been horrendous for years now. It has spanned multiple managers and can't really be blamed on Valverde.
Still, Valverde didn't utilize the squad as well as he should have. He could have done better in that regard. Valverde has generally had a better squad than Setién has had so far.
Setién hasn’t had another high volume goal-scorer like Suarez until now.
Setién hasn’t had another high volume goal-scorer like Suarez until now.
He doesn't have another central playermaker like Iniesta for a full season. He doesn't have a winger like Dembele (even if only sporadically). He doesn’t even have a backup winger like Malcolm.
Not to mention that our ageing core were all 3 years younger and fitter.
Not to mention that our ageing core were all 3 years younger and fitter.
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot that Setién can be improved on [even without a transfer window].
I will discuss some of the tactical aspects that QS can still work on for these upcoming features in another thread.
I will discuss some of the tactical aspects that QS can still work on for these upcoming features in another thread.
But, despite all this, Setién's work after taking over during such a chaotic time is commendable.
Don't ignore it. Be patient. Give him time.
Don't ignore it. Be patient. Give him time.
