JazzG I was happy with the links actually. he would've probably ended benching martinelli, and been a capable backup for saka. always thought he was a good player who just needed the right environment to find consistency. that was one where you couldn't blame the club as he only wanted barca. he's been a top 5 forward in Europe this season.
I watched the real-barca highlights, and I can't recall if it was their 4th or 5th, but it started with the left back playing a brave pass into midfield to a tightly marked pedri, and pedri playing a one touch pass in behind for raphinha, who carried the ball, shook the defender and slotted it in. it was invincibles levels of pace and directness. liverpool often put together those types of vertical sweeping moves as well. I just remember thinking 'we can't or won't do 90% of what it took to score that kind of goal.' I sucks that tetball doesn't orgaanically produce this type of simple attacking football
