For sure. I'd say most of the games I saw Unai's Valencia play was against Barca/Real. But football was also still heavily influenced by the Mourinho/Rafa Benitez style at that point as well, until Guardiola's Barca came along & changed everything.
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Yeah & people forget how much of Pep's possession was also defensive, his Barca pressed! Not nearly as much as his Bayern & City 1.0 but it was there. Just had a look at Emery's 21-22 with Villarreal & they had a run of 6 or 7 where they didn't score less than 3 at home except for both Madrids.
aug 28, 2025, 2:38 pm • 1 0 • view
Wow, that Villarreal stat highlights how much Unai adapted over the decade leading up to it. Top coach. I was enthralled by Pep's Barca. It felt so revolutionary in that they played like a 6-aside team playing 11's. Their press was noticeable - Pedro was such an intense runner in that regard.
aug 28, 2025, 2:44 pm • 1 0 • view
So it was actually a run of 5 but they're good on the xG in that run too. About a week after that league run ended they turned Juve over 3-0 in Turin & start to focus on the CL.
aug 28, 2025, 2:56 pm • 1 0 • view
Such a shame they couldn't go all the way in the CL. It is definitely the trophy Unai wants most. Wonder if he'll be a bit more proactive against Palace this weekend than he has been in the previous two games?
aug 28, 2025, 2:59 pm • 1 0 • view
Got to be at home, surely you can't keep Malen in the bench now.
aug 29, 2025, 6:02 am • 1 0 • view