Modric, Kroos, Casemiro vs Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets - A Tactical Analysis

[@fexc2711]

People also forget that they are all Spanish nationals that played together since youth, On this side we have a Croatian , German and a Brazilian… chemistry on another level

[@aidanmagill6769]

That Barcelona team changed football. Like Chapman's Arsenal, they forced everybody else to adapt to the new meta. Real were more of a throwback to something football has been losing over the past two decades - that being a team that can make adjustments on the fly without waiting for the manager's instructions to do so.

[@wolviedon]

How much of that can you attribute to players themselves vs the system that they played in?

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

@@wolviedon it's the players that can make a system succeed. Modric and Kross can maybe adapt to barca's golden era system but casemiro can't.

[@vector6077]

@@fakhfakhanis3975 *Nuh* , it's *Casimero's* job to _break/destroy_ the structure. And it's pretty disappointing that he barely talks about Casimero here... He's literally a *Ball Destroyer* .

[@subhagnikpatgiri1919]

@@vector6077 Dude, Casimitto's job was to destroy opponent's structure, and he successfully did that, that's why all the trophies that he won. @Fakhfakh Anis was talking about their own team, putting themselves in a system to something as exemplary as that of Pep's Barca structure. He said Modric and Kroos would even thrive in such a system whereas Casemitto wouldn't. One of the reasons is because Casemitto isn't naturally a ball progressor and not so much a press resistant player compared to Busi. Defensively, he is the best probably. Understand the context first before you deny everything.

[@GaryCV93]

What changed barcelona trio? Everybody knows how to beat them now, but Real Madrid is unstopable

[@najmussabir6051]

XIB is better in a possession based team while KMC is better in a counter-attacking team.

[@JB-kd9wg]

But XIB is better overall

[@vb2388]

XIB is better..

[@shahdan2971]

Fax

[@samy_zain]

imo XIB is better for that very reason. Best teams always have more position compared to small teams who look to defend all the time and counter

[@patrickdiao]

@@samy_zain bruh dumbass, bayern played with counter press with a lesser posessions than barca in that 8-2 game lol, your logic is just a stupid philosophy by barca fans

[@knowyourdamnrole1]

Casemiro was most underrated peice of all great mids mentioned here.The kcm was built on the strong foundation of Casemiro. The sense of stabality and sheilding of defence he provided was the reason real madrid won so many trophies.It takes deep understanding to know how he placed himself so perfectly and reading the opposition attack.This is the reason why most of rm fans are upset of Casemiro leaving.

[@emersonmendez2262]

Underrated comment☝🏼

[@maazahmed2336]

So true. Case was the anchor. He was the wild card that brought stability to Zidane's team. I rememeber the classico when he started in 2016. Zidane pulled out a wild card with Casemiro starting. WHat a masterclass that game was from Case. Never seen Messi get checked so well in a a game

[@sebastiangamboa4586]

nah it was busquets

[@quangtrungbui675]

@@maazahmed2336 nah, you are a bit misinformed, Real's real anchor is in fact Toni Kroos, Casemiro is the sweeper to help both Kroos and Modric due to their awful defensive skills. When Real is defending against transition situations, we often see Kroos is already the deepest man while Casemiro and Modric stays higher to help Vini Jr, Benzema and Fede disrupt opposition's attacks. Casemiro's style is called Volante, meaning a box-to-box midfielder playing deeper. When Real build-up, Casemiro stays as deep as Kroos to create numerical advantage. As they enter the midfield and final third, he still goes high and roams a lot to connect with Modric and cover his teamates as a standard box-to-box guy, like Kante, Kovacic or Jordan Henderson.

[@nascimentoarantes]

Casemiro is now overrated. Check our premier league fans.

[@sagark97]

People in the chat, there's no point in debating since a bit of the bias is going to be there while defining MF trio of your choice. So rather than debating I just feel blessed that our generation got to see these legends competing each other in their prime years and gave us some unforgettable memories ✨

[@MA-go7ee]

Nah there's a point. The Madrid trio doesn't belong in the same conversation as the XIB.

[@naveenmv1493]

@@MA-go7ee yeah since they have 5 CL each

[@awesomepringlez]

@@naveenmv1493 and XIB hav 2 euros and 1wc between them, 1 sextuple, and 2 trebles

[@naveenmv1493]

@@awesomepringlez now Kroos Modric Casemiro have to change their nationality to play for single team?...i can name other teams having a sextuple and treble ...but name one team with threepeat of CL since 1992....and can you please send a source where i can find Busquets playing in 2009 Barca sextuple team or 2008 euro ?

[@zoeysiddiqi1532]

​@@awesomepringlez why do you want them to do? change their nationalities?

[@JohnMushitu]

Looking at this, I'm just glad to have seen both trios play

[@momodoudarboe1570]

I think the difference is that the XBI was a only a possession base trio playing beautifully with there style.. while the KMC can play possession base football and and counter attack as well, scoring long range goals.. basically they were more flexible and if I’m to choose one trio I’ll stand by the great KMC

[@Jykobe491]

When I saw you breaking down the best midfield trios, I was shocked and disappointed, Fred, mctominay, and Bruno where not there!!

[@lil-destiny5936]

HahahahahahhahHah

[@porpiknala]

It’s criminal

[@bewdybravo8222]

loll

[@ikbalbader1462]

Hhhhhhhhhh

[@ikbalbader1462]

Hhhhhhhhhh

[@AK-forty-seven]

XIB is indeed an all time great. They dominate everyone using possession, truly masters of their craft. Personally though, I prefer KCM, although they don't dominate their opponents using possession, they dominate them through making themselves in anyway a platform for the BBC and V&B combos to thrive. The video said it perfectly, KCM is probably the most malleable and tactically astute trio out there. They just thrive in the end no matter how much their opponents try to break them in every finals they played. Extraordinary!

[@leface30]

We did see XIB become a platform for MSN in 2014/15 though it was only for one season, where Suarez didn't play until November and Xavi had already started acting as a sub for rakitic by the start of 2015

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@leface30 Xavi was "aging" by this point. It will be a risk how to replace him like that.

[@Belal22]

@@lexkanyima2195 aging at 35... meanwhile some blonde Croatian dude in madrid:

[@foa0695]

@@Belal22 in their prime and younger days.... no debate

[@Belal22]

@@foa0695 when did exactly xavi hit his prime? Cause in 2009 he was already 29 and he wasn't barca's best player in his "younger years" as u say... my point is his prime was fairly short like toni kroos rn

[@ojvera76]

The main difference is, one trio was taught one way of playing and they became masters of their style until rivals started to evolve and exploit their weaknesses (that is, taking the ball off them while moving it quickly to their backs)… while the other trio had to develop in time and adapt to rivals and within game phases.

[@draxmayer]

Nice words👍👍

[@sakilahamed6072]

So true

[@alphdgreat777]

Yhh bro, your comment is so precise & on point… KCM can survive any in form team’s style of play… but BIC had clear issues when it comes to physically defensive teams like 2009 Inter Milan & 2012 Chelsea…

[@ojvera76]

@@alphdgreat777 Exactly.

[@diegolisandror2]

@폭우 KoldSkoll Xavi- Busy-Iniesta won Euro-WorldCup-Euro one after another lol plus they won 4 UCL ....

[@stephanendem6641]

XIB was great at possession football. Whereas KCM was very flexible and great at Transition football, offensively and defensively, that is why they were great in many finals. We should not forget also that XIB was helped by Messi who drop to form in fact a midfield diamond to control the possession and exploit the space behind the opposition midfield. Both trios was great each in their way and style of play.

[@alokjha7802]

Xavi Iniesta busquets - high pressing - more ball dominant -main chance creation hub -best for possession based as they were from same academy. Kcm -more flexible -platform for great forward to do their work -covered each other weakness

[@brucewayne3715]

I would definitely prefer KCM, It is so well described in the video but one thing that is missed out is the shooting range and threat from outside the box. XIB although have goals to their name, they were less of a threat when it comes to shooting from out of the box. KCM were much bigger threat in that sense. I admire XIB possession-based football but the KCM are definitely more adaptive. I would also like to see you describe how these midfield played with variation in attacks like BBC , V&B, and recently with another midfield in Valverde or Isco and compare it to that of XIB with Messi Henry and Eto, with Messi and Villa and Pedro and finally with Suarez Neymar and Messi.

[@Mr.Apex99]

Great point

[@khd1451]

Do you know that Xavi was included in the world's best 11( where he joins players like C.Ronaldo, Pele, Messi, Maradona, Maldini, L.Yashine etc) and Iniesta was included in the World's best 11 runner up....But none of the other four were included in the the first 3 teams by Ballon d'or

[@gummi8409]

@@khd1451 modriç won a ballon d'or

[@PadmeGaveMeHIV]

@@gummi8409 a robbed one

[@souvanikmajhi2945]

@@PadmeGaveMeHIV penaldo fan go and cry in Saudi Arabia

[@ValtteL]

It would be really fascinating talk about these MF trios if you just could block every Barcelona and Real Madrid fan from that conversation. Usually it takes about 9.3 seconds and Messi-Ronaldo fight have started.

[@CCMjr]

Looking at this I'm slightly worried for casemiro at united coz they don't have midfielders anywhere near good enough or intelligent enough to compensate for casemiros very few short comings, united needed to buy another midfielder on top of getting casemiro

[@cliforteyamba6163]

Erickson

[@AayushKhanal]

@@cliforteyamba6163 yea completely forgot about erickson, maybe bruno erikson and casemiro could save man u

[@nemboy1567]

Frenkie has to be bought

[@car9melo]

Dont worry about it, he just went there for his retirement to get a payday

[@Mr.Apex99]

Eriksen Could play Kroos' role as he is very intelligent, an excellent passer and a shooting threat from distance just like Kroos. Bruno is by no means as good as Modric, but I think he can also perform similar functions as him, of course not to the same level of genius, but to a reasonably decent level at least. That being said, I believe Ten Hag would be looking to bring in another midfielder next season at least. Frenkie, whilst being a very difficult deal, would simply complete that midfield. I think Fabian Ruiz is a great option as well. If any of these happens, u need not worry about Casemiro's very few weaknesses. We'll see what happens.

[@AASJAG]

As a Madridista who witnessed both trios,despite my love and support for LKC. I must admit it barca trio had to much magic and fun to watch.

[@neelarghyodeb3301]

With all due respect to KCM, XIB were a system in themselves, so much that even Pep hasn't been able to replicate their style with his new teams. To all those who are saying, KCM were more flexible in adapting to different systems, you should know that playing possession based aesthetic football is one of Barca's most basic philosophies ( laid down by Cruyff) while Madrid can be outplayed for maximum part of the match and people won't care as long as they win. KCM could change their style according to their opponents while XIB managed to get the opposition to tweak their tactics. Both trios were equally successful in terms of trophies. I don't know who is the better trio but no doubt XIB were more technically gifted and graceful than KCM Edit: Pls don't bring the KCM won more UCLs argument since they played for 3 seasons more than XIB.

[@souvanikmajhi2945]

First of all tiki taka is the most boring form of football..... It is now obsolete.... And if Xavi Iniesta would have played now they had no chance against fast counter attacking team....

[@shaquillethomas1544]

​@@souvanikmajhi2945tiki taka boring?,must be a stupid clown saying this🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@ahmedsafaa1000]

I watched la liga from 2009. KCM is more balanced and effective. As BXI were effective in attack their lack of defensive ability caused them to have only one ucl from 2012-2022 even with prime Messi. While Madrid KCM had way better defensive ability as both modric and casemiro were comfortable in playing in low block. So they managed to win a ucl even without a star player like Ronaldo

[@innocentmlambo8753]

2012-2015* Xavi left remember

[@takudzwaronaldorunoinda2648]

They only played together until 2015 why go to 2022 where only busquets remains

[@takudzwaronaldorunoinda2648]

Together BIX won 3 ucls

[@KK-uy7zz]

@@takudzwaronaldorunoinda2648 2* Xavi wasn't a starter in his last 2 seasons

[@foa0695]

@@takudzwaronaldorunoinda2648 4

[@DanielMartinez-bk8fd]

I think the difference is XIB is built to dominate a league breaking down 5 at the backs and deep 442s with ease. Never dropping the easy points. While KCM is built to beat Elite teams consistently but sometimes struggle to break down weak teams. For example Barca winning the league but getting embarrassed by Bayern and Real losing the league but embarrassing Bayern the next year.

[@PadmeGaveMeHIV]

Wtf are you even talking about? That 2013 year was a mess inside the club. Barca literally dominated teams like Chelsea, including Real Madrid, Bayern, Milan, United, BIG CLUBS. Madrid are only dominating small clubs like City and PSG like tf.

[@johnnyjustice]

While Busquets is exceptional and much better than Casemiro on the ball in the buildup phase, Casemiro is so much better at scoring, both in open play situations where he: (1) scores from distance being positioned lower than Kroos and Modric (although Busquets does this sometimes); (2) enters the box and plays like a CAM/forward when he starts from up high; and (3) dead balls where he is a great header of the ball. You can also argue Modric has a better passing range than Iniesta (the signature trivelas contribute to this, as these often come from tight space situation where Modric has to be dominant using his strong foot).

[@johnnyjustice]

To be fair, while I obviously like KCM more (part of it is being a Madrid fan), there's a value in aesthetics to XIB and the tiki-taka playstyle and I also love watching how Iniesta move generally. He's just serene, whereas Modric is more of the "simple and effective" style with his dribbling moves.

[@Chip_Fuse]

@@johnnyjustice Yea, being a Madrid fan, I didn't like them when they played, but now that the era is over, looking back, I like watching how barca played back then, but I like Xavi more instead. Receives the ball, beats the press, shifts his body weight, looks up for a half-second, and slots in a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to Villa/Pedro, through the defense line at the perfect time. That was effective.

[@ReXuS13]

My man said Modric has better passing than Iniesta😭😭 avg Madrid with no brain

[@hafnican]

Please cover another infamous mid trio of MVP (Marchisio, Vidal, Pirlo) when they dominating Serie A last decade.

[@trungbui1762]

If I were a manager and I want my club to get me the most optimal midfielders to form a solid backbone for my team, I will favor those who resemble the KMC trio. Their intelligence and physicality is a perfect balance, helping my team fly high and stay high longer as well. Imagine all these years Modric and Casemiro can still stand as the standardof a topnotch box-to-box midfielder and Kroos being the standard of a deep playmaker (except his lack of quick movements to skip high pressure). Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets were trained and refined in Johan Cruyff's ideology, "focus solely on brain over brawn". They were awesome don't get me wrong, but an athlete can only stay in prime performance as long as the body can maintain its peak state. Modric, Thiago, Thomas Muller, Busquets, Phillip Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo, they are the pioneers of the next-gen modern athletes, exhibit brilliant intelligence like Cruyff's ideas, but they have better dedication to treating their bodies to bring us, the viewers, their best magic in the longest time possible.

[@muhammadsultanarif2029]

i like this comments

[@williemafia4189]

i mean kroos can resist high press. I'll say he do it better than most skillers.

[@trungbui1762]

@@williemafia4189 indeed. But in the UCL he has to face high-pressing teams more often, they will know to lure the ball to Kroos and press him. In the matches against PSG and Chelsea, if Carletto had not made a hard choice replacing Kroos for Valverde, Real would have been smashed.

[@georgetsaknakis3118]

The difference between those two is what Zidane said "what Barcelona does with 30 passes to get to the goal Kroos does it with one pass at Real Madrid

[@JB-kd9wg]

That’s not always the case

[@georgetsaknakis3118]

@@JB-kd9wg yes but it's kind of truth

[@lobo981]

Goal is a goal if u score it by making 30 pases or 100 pases 😂

[@HenSt-gz7qj]

flip it and it could also be : Barcelona lose the ball after making 30 passes vs Madrid loses the ball after 1 pass. 😅

[@JB-kd9wg]

@@georgetsaknakis3118 not really tho, Xavi is perfectly capable of making 1 pass to unlock a defence, that statement ZZ made was very vague and no one has the effort to look into it, it’s mainly the system why there are many short passes amongst the Barca trio

[@suyashshukla149]

zidane is so underrated as a tactical manager🥲

[@kingshukkumar6193]

Always had this comparison going on in my mind. Glad that you made this video.

[@YeTism]

That Barcelona team was just different. It goes beyond stats and trophies

[@nananou1687]

And yet would have won nothing without unfair backing them 2009 Chelsea debacle and 2011 questionable run And of course the "win" at San Siro over Mourinhos Inter The truth is , despite Beauty they lacked Brazenness , which is why the 2015 UCL glory was their best period imo, not under Pep. Whe Messi decided to eventually drop deeper , Barca finally completed their midfield issues , and Rakitic was instrumental as well

[@Dranzer21]

@@nananou1687 Chelsea fans always cries for what happened back then but forget the first leg which is extremely unfair. Nevertheless Barcelona was a better team and humiliated man utd twice

[@jaykoey3683]

@@nananou1687 Chelsea fans need not be taken seriously. They dont mention the things in the first leg

[@xavierpinarreta5386]

XIB all came from the same academy, spoke the same language and had more or less the same upbringing. KMC are all from different backrounds, different development and speak different native tongues. This for me is why they are even more impressive as a trio. For them to have such an understanding while essentially coming from different worlds is something you will rarely see again.

[@hinewdaniel2998]

When it comes to football speaking the same language in terms of speaking to one another does help but most of the great teams of the past all knew one language and that was football. Doesn't matter where you come from. Once your in a profesional atmosphere at the highest level the great players find it easy play with each other as long as they willing to put their own personal ambitions aside. It's a give and take in the professional world.

[@lwandomadikizela2213]

This is an interesting midfield pairing battle. Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets were part of the greatest team ever seen while Kroos, Modric and Casemiro were part of a Madrid side that dominated Europe in the 2010s. It's very difficult to pick which one is better since they were brilliant to watch.

[@M.A.H.I.R]

Arguably the two best midfield trios of all time... Kroos-Casemiro-Modric were just unstoppable.

[@maazmustafa2322]

Only in UCL. Idk what happens to Madrid in that league. Even when they were winning those UCLs they'd be getting thrashed by barca in the league 4-0 (x2) and 3-0 at bernabeu, and 5-1 at camp nou. And 4-0 vs atletico at atleticos old stadium. Barca weren't that successful with ucls but barely got thrashed when that trio played. Hence they were more dominant overall.

[@hashimi995]

@@maazmustafa2322 bro they conquered UCL, the competition which matters the most and probably the most important competition in club football thats why a lot of people call them best trio in the history 🫡

[@PadmeGaveMeHIV]

@@hashimi995 no one calls them the best trio in history 🤣 only Madrid fans call them that, and even then 20% of Madrid fans think XIB was better. XIB didn’t only dominate in club football, but at INTERNATIONAL level.

[@engineerprofessor4377]

@@PadmeGaveMeHIV XIB played in the same country unlike KCM

[@IgnacioAguilarToledo]

Because of referees. I'll give you an interesting fact: Barcelona's "saldo arbitral" (as we call it in Spanish) during the last 15 years has been even crazier than the one experienced during the calciopoli for certain teams

[@danielb4468]

I personally prefer Kroos Casemiro and Modric because they're much much more complete and can play and thrive in any system. They're not reliant on a very specific system to thrive like Xavi Busquets Iniesta. They can perform in every system and play different roles and thrive.

[@nanaorgen3605]

Which other systems have you seen KMC play together in? I laughed reading this cus you just want a way to convince yourself that you made the right choice but we all know XIB is miles ahead. Besides iniesta and xavi alone are widely seen as the best if not one of the best midfielders to ever play the game. Busi is also probably the best dm of his generation as well

[@danielb4468]

@@nanaorgen3605 You sound like you're crying because people have other opinions, that's strange...

[@ejaklevv]

@@nanaorgen3605 they play counter-attacking football, possesion with short passes, they do wide overload with their fullbacks and winger, they can play direct football

[@apollo-9725]

They aren't even good other systems . Just defend and counter attack

[@Anas-kj3ej]

xavi-iniesta-busquets are a system in themselves, aragones and del bosque both had to base their playstyle according to their traits.

[@doge1590]

KMC was more flexible easily adapt to All kind tactics that way they win MORE UCL.

[@doge1590]

And barca 2009 UCL was A DISGRACE. Thank you uefalona.

[@daniaaal]

@@doge1590 imagine blaming a team for winning when the fault is at the hands of an incompetent referee

[@PadmeGaveMeHIV]

@@doge1590 cry with your overrated midfield

[@doge1590]

@@PadmeGaveMeHIV don't forget to pay your player salary

[@rohitgairola8661]

@@PadmeGaveMeHIV overrated midfielders won 5 ucl. And now if you say it was ronaldo then well well 😏

[@tommytwoshot192]

Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets would run circles around Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro. Those three were just something else in sync. Untouchable.

[@emmanuelnhabay3708]

And they only managed two UEFA champions leagues as a unit 2009 and 2011. They were more of a domestic force rather than a continental force.

[@rickyrickalvous2982]

Xavi Iniesta Busquets were a once in a lifetime, in the sense that what are the odds they all start from the same academy, cost 0$ and play a style of football that has to be almost perfect

[@craigds3745]

Together with Messi.

[@716_ハディくん]

have been waiting this video to be post here since i know it was posted earlier on patreon

[@terciosoares558]

and also there is the fact that XIB was made by La Masia, they grew up together, with the same style of playing, they were built to performance in exactly way. while KMC had do learning through the time, this skill was prove as an advantage because when tiki taka had to evolve, players were so in it that struggles a lot.

[@harry8601]

modric ...casemiro...kroos..... speed wise ....strength wise.....longevity wise........ballondoor wise ....ucl wise ......for me best trio of all time

[@elponchoman9900]

kroos is never better than xavi, casemiro never better than busquets and modric never better than iniesta lol

[@harry8601]

@@elponchoman9900 no ballon dor... Lol.... No three consecutive champions League.... 😆😆... They are the greatest.... 😇

[@rohitgairola8661]

@@elponchoman9900 keep crying

[@elijahgougon4301]

@@harry8601 no sextuple no wc no euro in fact not even a international trophy head 2 head xib destroyed kcm I’d stay quiet if I was you

[@harry8601]

@@elijahgougon4301 still the best modric .......kroos and casemiro.....no comparison......far ahead of your so called trio....my trio will win 90 out of 100 times...🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫

[@AK-ru9rs]

thanks for this analysis brother

[@XfotisRonaldo]

Xavi Iniesta Busi are the perfect trio for a Pep midfield, for tiki-taka system but Modric Kroos Casemiro is actually better, more flexible and all three got a bigger range of skillset and attributes as individuals (longshots, freekicks, headers through Casemiro etc.)

[@saiscrypto9520]

But they didn't even win more marches against Barca when XIB where there. They did not even lift more League trophies when XIB played nor did they get into world xi better than xib

[@nottingham4420]

Please don't say the truth certain fan base might get offended.

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

skillsets? All 3 combined KCM don't have iniesta's dribbling and ball control

[@Flash-mj7wp]

@@fakhfakhanis3975 laughble modric alone , has a better outside shot, long range/short pass , better defense , more speed at his age now then at iniestas prime. thats the reason he has a ballon d oro yea barca had won more league titles but we always knew that was a 2 team race, champions league is where it mattered and all they could mustered was 2 together and lets not forget they had messi in all of them unlike , KCM who lost ronaldo

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

​@@Flash-mj7wp Iniesta is faster with the ball (his ball control is way better). I don't remember Modric making fast sprints with the ball and taking defenders one on one ofently. The only thing Modric has better than Xavi and Iniesta is long range shooting and defending of course. But he's not even close in playmaking attributes. Xavi(with more than 240 assists about 2 times Modric's assists number) has won IFFHS playmaker award 4 times and Iniesta 2 times. Modric won it once in 2018. The best playmaker award of the decade 2011-2020 belongs to messi and second place to Iniesta despite him leaving in 2018. KCM had has Ronaldo for 5 seasons while XIB had Messi for 6 seasons (5 if you include Xavi's las season). I didn't take way anything from Modric's versality and his legendary career; but faking facts and saying he has a better vision and passing is just nonsense.

[@HenSt-gz7qj]

Iniesta missed the Ballon d'Or mainly due to the competition he had... Messi - Ronaldo both in their prime, then there's his own teammates Xavi, David Villa, and later Neymar & Suarez.

[@Master-sb3jn]

Xavi and Iniesta deserved 2-3 Ballon d'or no cap

[@draca8100]

@@Master-sb3jn They deserved at least one each BUT unfortunately they were competing against arguably the two greatest players of all time in their peak.

[@tacostastegood3720]

Honestly I would put Dani Alves above Villa. He scored way less but was overal a better player. Arguably the best right-back ever

[@RR-kl4qy]

@@tacostastegood3720 Him and cafu are clear of whoever you got as ur no.3. The GOAT RBs.

[@tacostastegood3720]

@@RR-kl4qy word

[@chxrlzchucky7509]

Very good analysis explaining both their strengths and weaknesses and how the team played to both compensate for their weaknesses and to make the best of their strengths

[@nottingham4420]

I remember when Xavi said "players like Casimero dont know how to play for Barcelona" and look what happened, Casimero - 5 UCL Barcelona - 5 UCL man Xavi was always living in his own bubble.

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

he's not wrong though. He didn't mean in any way that Casemiro is a bad player. He just meant that he would be a bad fit for that system at the time. Stop making fake assumptions.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@fakhfakhanis3975 why ? Because at Barca is more movement

[@yahiakantour4384]

Yeah because casemiro is not a keyplay maker , his is just fixed on one position , that why he use ti suffer Frome Messi , rm Medfield was always useless in El classico , compered to Barça's even when Xavi left in 2015 , rm midfield were lost and had no control on the Medfield , and that what Xavi meant, rm play style is not built-in on Medfield play making opposite to Barça where the goals always came frome building the attack to score starting busquets , even when messi built attacks were forme the midfield

[@aritratalapatra8452]

Casemiro won 4 UCL not 5, most of plastic Madrid fans don’t even know he arrived in the year 2016

[@akashjha5774]

@@aritratalapatra8452 you showed your limited ball knowledge. casemiro was a part of 2014 campaign too, before going on loan. He famously stopped the Dortmound onslaught in the last 20 minutes of the second leg. but you wouldnt know that cuz you live in your own bubble.

[@umaiswaqar8075]

Everyone saw how XIB completely domianted the whole game in big games like WC, Euros, CL Finals against Man U and in El Classicos and together they won 5 La Ligas out of 7, 3 CLs, 1 WC & 2 Euros and this trio was much more consisten than MKC

[@nocapfacts9330]

They dominated wc cos they're from the same nation lol. KCM aren't from the same nation so they couldn't... lol use the brain before typing . KCM achieved everything XIB achieved even better in CL while XIB won trebel . Both are great no wrong ans

[@beastTime999]

This two are the best midfield trio's of all-time- xavi,Ineista & busquets and kroos, modric & casimero ⚽️

[@PristianoPenaldoSUIIII]

You had to be old enough to watch the Barcelona midfield in that 2008-2012 period to appreciate just how dominant they were. There is a reason not only Barcelona won everything but also Spain. But what makes them transcendent was their influence on how football is played. The same like Cruyff and the great Ajax team of the 1970s. It's something beyond just the winning they did and the way they dominated teams but also their influence on the sport that makes them better.

[@realtalkbarca6764]

Both are great, But the Barca trio had a distinct advantage being on the Spanish national team and winning the World Cup….. Extra time together means more unspoken communication, and that takes them to another level. But I’m not taking anything away from those Punks in the other jersey… the had been a problem for years…

[@jasenkosalihovic62]

That's where I give the edge to the Real Madrid midfield trio. Because Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets all played in one system since the begining of their careers and they played together with arguably the best player in history, on the other hand Modric, Casemiro and Kroos had to prove themselves in other leagues, and yet won more than Baca trio regarding the most prestigious trophies. When you look at it, that golden generation of Barca didn't win as much as they should have, especially in Europe, they have played beautifuly and all that, but the other trio has 5 CL plus three of them back to back and when you add longevity of the mentioned players,, Modric' Balon D'or to that it's clear at least in my opinion that KMC is better than BXI.

[@realtalkbarca6764]

@@jasenkosalihovic62 😂 you don’t understand Barca; they idea 💡 was and to continue to prove that you can win 🏆 trophies and play beautiful game… and The not only won a World Cup but also a Treble (Total Domination) and that’s Barca midfield!

[@jasenkosalihovic62]

@@realtalkbarca6764 No need to bring in the world cup since Modric Kroos and Casemiro don't play together. But, if you already brought it i think MCK would also win it , why? Well Modric alone carried Croatia to the WC final, imagine what the three of them would do together. And whose to say what is beautifull football? Some people like counter-attacking teams, and some people like teams that fight and defend well, you can not say possession style of football is the most beautiful, thats your own preference however it doesn't make your statment the universal truth. What matters in the end is how many trophies you won with your style of play.

[@realtalkbarca6764]

@@jasenkosalihovic62 see I live in the real world. Where if something is true it’s true, and I don’t adjust the world for beliefs and opinions. Barca midfielders are all from the same academy and played for the same teams most of their careers and that included the WC… in that tournament they won it all. Those are facts. So you tell me not to mention a fact because it doesn’t support your argument.. then you just make up an alternate reality, and create a new reality in head… and in your fake reality they are a copy of Barca’s midfielders and play together and win a WC? Lol That in the 1990’a would be a sign of insanity! But today it’s just a sign of the kids and woke adults 🤦🏾‍♂️ Total insanity! To tell me not to mention the truth then go off about a fake reality! Lol 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@jasenkosalihovic62]

@@realtalkbarca6764 I am telling you how can you take in account WC when one trio played it together and other didn't and you take that as ultimate proof that one is better than other. How can you judge someone on something they did not even take part in.?It's like saying Tyson is worse than Foreman because he didn't fight Ali basically, total nonsense. Also, the fact that they did play their entire life together under one system in one club and yet managed to win less Champions Leagues than Real Madrid trio who came from different backgrounds and had to adapt to different system explains it all. In the end f*ck you and woke culture, I am the kid from the 90's and have lived trough war and stuff you can't even imagine.

[@csvsbharadwaj4423]

People saying KCM is better my god......The xavi iniesta busquets not only tripped everyone in the ucl but also during euros as well as world cup. Spain was dependent on this trio during their peak and was a joy to watch. Xavi, Iniesta were the best players in those respective tournaments and busquets was different gravy. Man to man KCM is not even close.

[@Chip_Fuse]

That's what you think though. Doesn't mean that's true, but do feel entitled to your own opinion 👍🏼.

[@wakanda4eva740]

Another deluded Barca fanboy who doesn't realise that kcm didn't have the privilege of playing for the same fucking country especially not for Spain's golden generation

[@emmanuelnhabay3708]

KCM are of different nationalities and there was no way that could be possible for them to play together for the same country. So take winning Euro or world cup out of the debate.

[@amit9838831064]

Kcm started in 10 finals and won all

[@NomadJoe0323]

This video is interesting as it points out the limitations of Casemiro who won’t have Modric or Kroos over at MU. There’s going to be a lot of tinkering in that midfield this season to find the right combination. Hopefully EtH can figure it out.

[@ryanlee315]

At least, he does not leave as many holes as McFred while defending.

[@QuotidianStupidity]

He will have Fernandes and Eriksen doing the same things… just not as well

[@xenoeovo649]

Fernandes and Eriksen will do the talking.

[@BubblesChika]

@@QuotidianStupidity Except Fernandes is freaking horrendous and can't play football

[@BubblesChika]

@@xenoeovo649 Except Fernandes is an atrocious footballer who can't play ball. He's being found out as the horrific footballer he always was in ETH's system

[@turtlewitht9484]

Whenever I play FIFA I always use 2017 Real Madrid, that team was different gravy

[@tevol7448]

Very astute analysis thanks. I think that Messi made the job of Barca's midfield easier since at times he dropped to form a diamond or a trio in front of Busquets. Also the role of the wide forwards holding their position to leave more space inside. Taking Casemiro out of the build up is very interesting tactically.

[@Latimish]

They did the samevthing for Spain

[@biki7192]

In real also it was benzema who used to drop in midfield to link up the play.

[@kingscook9579]

LIKE IT IF IT IS TRUE : Ancelotti said KMC is Bermuda triangle, but it is nowhere near ball possession of Xavi Iniesta and Buskets. They were a way better than KMC. But adaptation and professionalism go for KMC

[@Karim-rl1xk]

The similarities of both sides is they achieved back to back UEFA champions league and 40+ wins a season. each of them revolutionized football in their own way as guardiola did it with style, zidane did it with man management. Those 2 things are what makes any club successful.

[@mousadawod5875]

Barca never won back to back UCLs. i agree with the rest tho

[@AtlantaSamurai]

I'm glad that you went back to your old format

[@ongeziwebesi23]

Casemiro, Kroos, Modric are the best midfield trio. They can do everything on the pitch, they can play in multiple systems. Have faced more difficult opposition and came out on top.

[@tryitworks]

lol

[@vismong102]

More difficult competition? Seriously? They’ve never played anything close to that inter team or those Chelsea teams..

[@ongeziwebesi23]

@@vismong102 ok

[@sam_alimi]

@@vismong102 yea Liverpool and Bayern are NBA teams I guess

[@mvce5336]

@@sam_alimi that Inter team was something else man

[@Karim-rl1xk]

this video is a good platform for you to do another one about the similarities, differences of zidane and guardiola as managers

[@kirangurung1211]

2009-2011, XIB won almost every trophies for club and country not just ucl, you can also count 2012 euro.

[@hewraymond5369]

No biased but imo, XIB is what every club/manager dream of, they provide creativity and were dominant in possession. No one could take their ball away from them. They made viewer thinks that they're just playing simple football by passing the ball around. The chemistry they had were beyong unimaginable. Legendary trio 👑👑

[@shajuthomas3677]

the main difference is Real Madrid build a competitive team and Barcelona's team was messi and 3 midfielders. the complete team won more UCL's. whereas 4 players won barcelona many leagues and a couple UCL.

[@angelamengualcortinas3614]

What are you smoking??? Barcelona just 4 players? They had pime Puyol, Pique, Alves, Valdés, Alba, Etoo, Villa, Henry its second season, Yaya Touré, Pedro, etc.

[@jaspineouma1693]

And a world Cup and two euros

[@shahwaadkhan675]

Great work Team "Football made simple" very much detail explanation

[@Ali-xh8du]

the XIB was just something else. I'm a barca fan and obviously biased, but the way these 3 players played was literally as if they were 1. And yes i know that they're from the same country, but there you'll never find a trio like them even when all from the same country or playing in the same team when kids. I'm not saying the KCM are not good, they're an amazing trio no doubt about that. But XIB was something else and way more enjoyable to watch.

[@Champagnedaddy10]

The difference between these two amazing trios is that CMK is capable of adapting to each phase of the game like controlling the ball, defending without it, counter attack, or high press, it is actually impressive how it doesn’t matter if they are losing 1-0 or 3-0 if they are winning of drawing, they will still win the game and controlled it not in terms of possession but in terms of game management.

[@ayuubilmogeahmed3828]

Football provided us watch the legendary trios.

[@sascharakic8688]

Jeder einzelne super, alle Top. Das sind Doktoren in ihrem Gebiet. Einfach nur genießen wenn man es sieht wie sie spielen.

[@nomad350]

I’d go KMC coz of the tactical flexibility. XIB are just too rigid and once the gameplan isn’t working then they’re done

[@barcalegend7640]

Did that happen in the world cup final,ucl final, euro finals or vs kcm in el clasico?

[@saiscrypto9520]

Didn't Madrid get trashed by trash Barca last season when benzema and vini didn't play. Why were they rigid even when they were losing 4-0

[@yahiakantour4384]

Surely you are watching football in another universe , RM's KMC were always trashed by. Barça trio XIB , wait by EVERY BARÇA MIDFIELD TRIO even in Madrid they do not build play on midfield , always on counter attacks or individual improvise, and they only score because they have good attackers

[@KK-uy7zz]

@@saiscrypto9520 u good? Modric and Kroos were literally playing as strikers that game and the midfield was so open for Barca to take control completely. But in the end that trio won the UCL and the league..

[@saiscrypto9520]

@@KK-uy7zz They won actually not because of them but because of players like valverde, benzema, Ronaldo, vini, bale and so on. But when all these players are out of the picture you would notice a dip even in their performances.

[@cavemandude257]

XIB are perfect in one tactic that’s why they didn’t last as long KCM are world class in many tactics that’s why they won more they are more adaptable

[@bythecliff]

My thinking is that the Barca trio was the greatest of all time. They turned football into an art. They are simply untouchable. After Pep left, Barca lost a big part of their philosophy. Madrid on the other hand was more efficient as a whole. Even now, they are extremely clinical, well-coached and flexible and hence their continuous success over the last 5-6 years. The bottomline is, you can build another Kroos, Modric, Casemiro trio and they will get the work done. But I doubt we will ever see a Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets trio.

[@nocapfacts9330]

You can build XIB too tell pep to find such players he will. Everything in football can be build again bro. My grand father thought no one like pele will exist , then Maradona came , and my father thought no one will ever come close to Maradona then messi came... It's a cycle

[@VFox27]

we can all agree that these two trios came from the best teams in europe and not those overrated england ones

[@aviraltripathi9232]

XIB were legendary but we saw teams dismantle them (like Netherlands in International stage and Bayern UCL ) and showed their flaws ever since the high pressing system evolved. But KCM had no clear pattern that team teams could recognise and block.

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

Casemiro has been a flaw for many matches. The moment you start pressing him, he gives away misspasses. Even Madrid trio crambled in many matches (ajax 2019, city 2020, ...and guess what it was against possession-based teams)

[@shubhamsemwal2071]

They dismantled netherlands in a world cup final... What r u talking abt

[@abdoulqadeerabd1666]

What up man city & ajax against real trio.

[@bhatathar4285]

People today have recency bias and short term memory and they will think that KCM are best of all time. But the guys like me in 30's who have seen various midfield trios like Pirlo, Gattuso, seedorf, then Keane, Scholes,, but Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets revolutionized the game. XIB competed against the best teams of the era like Ferguson's Utd, Mourinho's Chelsea, Inter and Then Madrid, Jupp's Bayern. Defeating Mourinho's Madrid in Semi of UCL was in my opinion the peak of football. In last UCL you could see KCM getting dominated by midfield of PSG and City. Then it was either the heroics of Karim or oppn keepers mistakes that got the job done.

[@orbarak123]

Great video thank you man !

[@erikpuka2627]

Casemiro 2016-2020 was a mythical creature. I am taking him over Busquets in a heartbeat. Xavi is the only player better than him here. There was no duty defensively that Casemiro wasn't capable of. His timing of the tackles was impeccable

[@CarlosSoto-xe2we]

Kroos won 4 Champions league titles with Madrid but did win 1 with Bayern. Modric & Case both won 5 with Madrid. Maybe the 1 with Bayern is why you went with 4. Small detail. Great video!!

[@AjucelvesMulimela]

Great analysis!

[@ashishgyawali2574]

You can see everything in XIB. From rapid attacking ability in Iniesta to la pausa in Xavi while busquets is regarded as the best deep lying midfielder of his generation. He is not regarded as true dm that's why no one can replace him. Besides tactical ability watching XIB playing just makes anyone to fall in love with this trio.

[@gujakis4688]

All amazing players. All 6 most likely in top 10 midfielders of all time. But due to his longevity, won trophies and awards and incredible, magical moves, Luka Modrić will become the greatest MF ever!

[@josepalazuelos9092]

Exclude the international titles and awards and KCM might be better overall. They actually dominated Europe with a variety of different players in the team

[@Cicatrizs]

So you excluded interntional titles to show, that "kcm dominated with a variety off different players", while ignoring, that XIB dominated with a whole other squad having a different tactical approach between euros and WC?

[@remrunner101]

@@Cicatrizs you have to exclude international titles though, since KCM never even had the chance to win titles on an international level bc they all play for different nationalteams.

[@soundscape3566]

Kroos won a world cup, Modric went to a final with CROATIA, and casemiro has a good chance with Brazil this year 👀 so it's actually really impressive they have each individually done well int.

[@donmathew4920]

@@soundscape3566 dude..

[@rmv9194]

And why do you exclude las ligas... I mean, ligas actually prize the team with the most consistency, also, they represent most of the official games in a season. XIB have more ligas and have 2 trebles, which also are way harder to win than just winning a league or just winning the CL in a season.

[@joachimschmidt7662]

The deciding factor of the two, is just how many talents the KCM midfield had to see off. Though Modric is post--Galacticos, KCM outlasted: isco, james rodriguez, xabi alonso, khedira, essien, ozil, kaka, di maria If you look at XIB, busquets comes after Deco, pep has it in for Yaya Toure, Mascherano largely defended, so you can argue that their peers are rakitic, fabregas, thiago, arda turan. I don't know if you can say Sergi Roberto and Rafinha keep up with the crew that KCM saw off. KCM is the midfield you'd want to play with/manage.

[@alveenandrea256]

The Barcelona team was never dominated ,...n they dominated the Kroos n modric too ...so they are goats...n Iam a Madrid fan ...we always had to switch style to try and match that midfield..that's legendary

[@wuludsymbol7551]

Pirlo ,Seedorf,Gattuso back in the day was an interesting trio too but anyway maybe they were missing something.3 UCL finals think they deserve a position on the list

[@dlau9991]

Pep Guardiola's midfield trio would always be a masterpiece. 💙❤

[@lobo981]

Now also his midfield trio is Soo great KDB rodri Silva

[@rollerepic2107]

In terms of peak: XIB > any other midfield combo in history including MKC. In terms of flexibility and duration: MKC > XIB XIB was unmatchable during 08-12 but suddenly crashed into pieces after other teams knew how to effectively counter them (like 13 Bayern, 14 Netherlands) In terms of individual accomplishments: Xavi ~ Modric ~ Iniesta > Kroos >> Busq and Case

[@ichanggalicho5536]

XIB is a trio of beauty in playing the game but the trio of MCK is a trio of killers

[@akhilsanil8958]

Do a video on how casimero will adapt at united

[@randimuhammadanshori6395]

Liverpool once had Gerrard, Mascherano and Alonso together..... Actually also a dream midfield I don't understand why they almost didn't win anything with such quality. What a shame. I'm not saying which trio is better than others, but Gerrard-Mascherano-Alonso is definitely a midfield trio the football world can't sleep on.

[@abcd6304]

Champions League is above any achievement footballer would dreamed of.

[@krell2130]

Yes, I remember when a Gerrard inspired Liverpool beat Real Madrid home and away, 5-0 on agg in the UCL. Gerrard was a force of nature, matchwinner in his day, perfectly supported by Mascherano and Alonso. One to get, one to give and one to go.

[@lepari9986]

Both are absolutely amazing trios but KCM edges it as the GOAT.

[@simrock8893]

The other Trio has 2euros and A Wc to their name tho.

[@lepari9986]

@@simrock8893 yeah Kroos Modric and Casemiro really fucked up everytime they played together at Euros and World Cup :(

[@lepari9986]

@@simrock8893 and I like how you credit the 2008 Euros for that trio even though Busquets had absolutely nothing to do with it :P

[@joelgriffin8222]

I think the reason why KCM won more Champions League's is because of their flexibility and ability to adapt

[@xxdarioxx4622]

Do a best duo midfilders like scholes and kean and explanaiton on how it works

[@atx6249]

KCM would've won at least a couple of World cups had they played for the same country

[@etto1184]

True

[@crotiger5639]

Actually Croatia had very good mid trio with Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric. Their synergy is huge but the problem is you don t have much time to train together as national team if you compare it to games played for clubs. So Kross, Casemiro and Modric would have an edge for sure but real problem for Croatia is having avarage defense most of years with decent goalkeeper which costs you in some of matches. So i agree with you but in context of KCM playing for Brasil or Germany where whole team is world class because im Croat and i know how good our midlfield already is. I actually think Croatia have best and most balanced midlefield but since we small country we often struggle on some other parts like defense in past or attack currently. Sorry for bringing Croatia in conversation but i found your comment intersting ( am also Real Madrid fan since Kaka joined so im familiar with KCM for sure).

[@Anonymous-nv5ji]

More complete & adaptive- KCM More skillful & dominating if in proper system- XIB Better? Difficult to choose but I have to give it to XIB, too difficult to disregard them. MARGINAL!!

[@Anonymous-nv5ji]

Kroos- holding midfielder, vision, line breaking passes, can make play from deep. Casemiro- The Tank, destroyer, disruptive midfielder, defensive excellence.. Modric- creative, ball-carrying, can produce moment of magic, box to box(kinda')..

[@aryankshatriya2124]

On what basis is xib not adaptive and require a proper system ? . They never played any other system so they never failed in any other system, but if they had played maybe they would have been successful. Also they made the system,they weren't the part of it

[@lobo981]

@@aryankshatriya2124 exactly ..they made a system themselves this is the plus point .. they made a system that no one had a chance to dominate it. .

[@vb2388]

How can you say XIB isn’t adaptive when they weren’t given a chance to adapt?

[@Anonymous-nv5ji]

@@aryankshatriya2124 yeah very true. Bhadak kyu rha h bhai mai v to XIB hi choose Kiya hu..

[@axelsomerseth]

Both styles are obviously different, but both gave results!

[@IPFGaming]

People often forget that Xavi, Iniesta and Bouquets have also won 1 world cup and 2 Euros.

[@Kroz867]

That wouldn't matter if you are comparing. Kroos, Casemiro and Modric all play for different national teams

[@tight3490]

If both were to play each other we all know who will win don’t lie to yourselfs kids XIB for life 🤟🏽 BEST trio of all time no doubt

[@ddkay6478]

The big difference is that CKM played 6-7 seasons as a midfield trio while BXI played only 3-4 seasons as a midfield trio since Iniesta was sometimes LW and Busquets CB or not even in the starting line up... and in 2014-15 Xavi was on the bench

[@ddkay6478]

@@aa9179 *as a midfield trio BXI didn't play 5 seasons. Look at the starting lineups in UCL

[@Argdut1106]

@@aa9179 2015-2022 for KCM.

[@DemonDivyesh07]

Defensive contribution of modric and casemerio is what xib is not capable of but xib with the ball were better because of structure that pep set up at barca also messi was very important for that he used to drop and keep the game flowing without Messi this kind of play was not possible for them. Meanwhile madrid trio is used to getting adapt different things Just masterclass of midfield trios irreplaceable

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

Overall tha barca midfield (the team in general) was collectively better at defence because they didn't lose the ball much and prrssed immidieately after losing the ball. Individually, Modric and Casemiro were defensively better.

[@HT3897]

I prefer complete and balance midfield 3, so i choose Casemiro, kroos, modric but Busquets xavi iniesta was more spectacular and offensive (my favorite player is iniesta btw)

[@fakhfakhanis3975]

they are known for playing possesion because they played under offensive managers at Barca and spain. Do you think KCM can ne as good at possession? not even close. Casemiro won't be able to make it.

[@saiscrypto9520]

Do you know that Barca and Spain conceded less when they have xib it's not just about physicality it's about technicalities. Look at peps man city midfield they are not really physical but they concede less than most more aggressive midfield because of players high marking and game reading.

[@KK-uy7zz]

@@fakhfakhanis3975 "Casemiro won't be able to make it" that's cap Madrid played possession style in the 16/17 season Casemiro was really good with the ball never had sloppy give aways in the big games one main reason was Kroos he always dropped back deep when opponents used to press

[@slowtyper95]

I like how both team are different even in their playstyle

[@nananou1687]

Trios are great Make one on great midfield duos as well

[@TimedOut4noReason]

2008-2015 is xib trio in which xavi wasn’t a starter the last season 3 ucl, 2 trebels countless la ligas, copa del reys and 1 sextuple. Lets not talk about complete domination to real madrid Excluding how they blow kcm out of the water in international tournaments by arguably being the best national team of all time( funny how both teams they been have been in are considered the best of all time) Kcm is very balanced but in head to head, international, peak performance, changing footballing ideas etc xib were the best. Barca started going to shit when xavi left and iniesta was too old

[@donaldoflores8374]

Barcelona's midfield was on another level. Coming from a Chelsea supporter.

[@juliobojorquez1532]

Madrid player also have a world cup in kroos why wasn't that added at the end of the video