FC Barcelona Thread

ref had a stinker. Red card changed the game, no matter how much you want to say that Barcelona were better. Better in a 11-on-10 game. Who knows what would have had happened in the last 10-15 minutes, had it been an 11-on-11 match.

i still can't believe referees can destroy matches like that. With a single decision.
I think Barca totally needed help from the ref and they got it plenty. Had it decided the outcome over two legs? I believe it did.
 
barça 19 shoots to goal
arsenal 0

hahahahaha

2 penaltys, 1 in emirates, 1 yesterday. 1 goal anuled in emirates...in the penalty to pedro, the center back have a yellow card....

red card to van persie? crying....
 
last time i checked, it wasn't the number of shots on goal that determine the winner of the match, but the number of goals scored. Besides, you don't really need to shoot yourself, if you can get the opponent to score own goals for you.

But go on, praise this awesome Barcelona team. Why not, they've got great players. They've also got players who should be sent off before the start of the match, like Abidal and Dani Alves, but that's just my opinion. You cannot deny though that Barca were more than a little bit nervious in the middle of the match, and help from the ref arrived very timely.
 
Last edited:
Just the same way that the help of the ref arrived at the precise times at the Emirates, lad? You've got selective memory?
 
Barca are a joy to watch. Enough with the excuses from Arsenal fans. They had loads of the ball with RVP on pitch too and it was only a matter of time before they ended up scoring a few. They are just too good. Arsenal are lucky Almunia made loads of saves in all fairness otherwise it could have been a landslide.

I've followed Barca for about 25 years. They aren't my main team but nevertheless, I've always liked them. Even went there for my stag and watched a game too. I have nothing against Arsenal and actually really enjoy watching them play as they play the right way imo. They just came up against a superior team. No shame in losing to a quality side. They worked hard and can hold their heads up high. If the side sticks together and gets a few more players in, they should dominate the EPL for years to come.
 
Look, no one with a straight face could argue that Barcelona didn’t outpass, outclass and out-guile Arsenal. Over the 180 minutes it was embarrassingly one way traffic.

But, football isn’t about that. As a fan of one of the ‘big’ clubs, I know all about sucker-punches and losing when you deserved to win. And while no one knows what would have happened, that was probably the harshest red I have ever seen in 30 years of watching football. As my dad would always say, as a referee you don’t always make the right decisions, but you need to always try your best to adhere to the spirit of the game (he was a FIFA-qualified professional ref). I just wish that the referee would explain how he was keeping with the spirit of the game by sending RVP off. That’s all.

By the way, to the Barca fans, the reason that so many opposition fans just can’t quite join in the love fest is because your players are, with a few exceptions, the most self-entitled little sh*ts in world football. Yes, they’re also the best club team in history, and yes they are generally gorgeous to watch but that just makes it so much worse. I don’t know what words are littered about the Barcelona dressing room, but humility is not one of them. When you compare the ‘grace’ and ‘professionalism’ of the other great athletes through time – Jordan, Federer, Sampras, Aikman, Woods, Nicolas etc – and then look at Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, it really highlights the true gap in class off the pitch.
 
beachryan said:
Look, no one with a straight face could argue that Barcelona didn’t outpass, outclass and out-guile Arsenal. Over the 180 minutes it was embarrassingly one way traffic.

But, football isn’t about that. As a fan of one of the ‘big’ clubs, I know all about sucker-punches and losing when you deserved to win. And while no one knows what would have happened, that was probably the harshest red I have ever seen in 30 years of watching football. As my dad would always say, as a referee you don’t always make the right decisions, but you need to always try your best to adhere to the spirit of the game (he was a FIFA-qualified professional ref). I just wish that the referee would explain how he was keeping with the spirit of the game by sending RVP off. That’s all.

By the way, to the Barca fans, the reason that so many opposition fans just can’t quite join in the love fest is because your players are, with a few exceptions, the most self-entitled little sh*ts in world football. Yes, they’re also the best club team in history, and yes they are generally gorgeous to watch but that just makes it so much worse. I don’t know what words are littered about the Barcelona dressing room, but humility is not one of them. When you compare the ‘grace’ and ‘professionalism’ of the other great athletes through time – Jordan, Federer, Sampras, Aikman, Woods, Nicolas etc – and then look at Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, it really highlights the true gap in class off the pitch.
Click to expand...

You get plyers like that in all teams. There are plenty of Barca players with class and dignity so don't think it's fair to lump them all in the same boat.
 
Can't really see how people wouldn't like Barca's style of football. Surely every club wishes they could play like that (although maybe a bit more clinical)?
 
beachryan said:
I don’t know what words are littered about the Barcelona dressing room, but humility is not one of them. When you compare the ‘grace’ and ‘professionalism’ of the other great athletes through time – Jordan, Federer, Sampras, Aikman, Woods, Nicolas etc – and then look at Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, it really highlights the true gap in class off the pitch.
Click to expand...

I don't think you're right there. Alves and Busquets, and maybe Pique tend to behave like twats now and then. But tha's it. Abidal is usually a very calmed player who never acts like this. And players like Messi, Iniesta and Xavi are a lot more humble than players like Bendtner, to say something.

There are idiots everywhere. But some people find this as a perfect excuse to try to obscure our success. I think Messi, being aronud the best players ever, behaves better than 99% of little stars out there.

Just don't blame the whole team for 1 or 2 specific players, because that way we could do the same to absolutely all clubs in the world.
 
beachryan said:
When you compare the ‘grace’ and ‘professionalism’ of the other great athletes through time – Jordan, Federer, Sampras, Aikman, Woods, Nicolas etc – and then look at Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, it really highlights the true gap in class off the pitch.
Click to expand...


They might be superb husbands right enough. :P


FD
 
If i'm not mistaken FD, the man who wrote the piece you are quoting is a Man Utd fan. I could make a list of "classy" Man Utd players and their acts, but people would only say that i do that because i hate that club.

The thing is that most fans only see the shortcomings of other clubs or other players...

I think Barcelona is a class club that stands for a certain fair-play and that most of the time acts very fair. IMO more than most other clubs (while i will not say that most other clubs do not act fair).

The fact is that some English fans (and not necessarily Arsenal fans) thought that this time the English club could eliminate Barcelona and it did not happen...worse: there was a huge gap between both teams...
 
drekkard said:
I don't think you're right there. Alves and Busquets, and maybe Pique tend to behave like twats now and then. But tha's it. Abidal is usually a very calmed player who never acts like this. And players like Messi, Iniesta and Xavi are a lot more humble than players like Bendtner, to say something.

There are idiots everywhere. But some people find this as a perfect excuse to try to obscure our success. I think Messi, being aronud the best players ever, behaves better than 99% of little stars out there.

Just don't blame the whole team for 1 or 2 specific players, because that way we could do the same to absolutely all clubs in the world.
Click to expand...

I'm not blaming the whole team, but would comfortably put Valdez, Puyol (remember his face grab against Henry?), Pique, Busquets, Alves, and Macherano into the moan whine bitch and cheat through matches category.

Much respect to Messi, he's a class apart. And to be fair Pedro looks reasonably honest too. Quite enjoyed Villa's tumble in the second half after getting touched by the Arsenal defender, I counted 8 full rolls. That's momentum for you I guess.
 
beachryan said:
Look, no one with a straight face could argue that Barcelona didn’t outpass, outclass and out-guile Arsenal. Over the 180 minutes it was embarrassingly one way traffic.

But, football isn’t about that. As a fan of one of the ‘big’ clubs, I know all about sucker-punches and losing when you deserved to win. And while no one knows what would have happened, that was probably the harshest red I have ever seen in 30 years of watching football. As my dad would always say, as a referee you don’t always make the right decisions, but you need to always try your best to adhere to the spirit of the game (he was a FIFA-qualified professional ref). I just wish that the referee would explain how he was keeping with the spirit of the game by sending RVP off. That’s all.

By the way, to the Barca fans, the reason that so many opposition fans just can’t quite join in the love fest is because your players are, with a few exceptions, the most self-entitled little sh*ts in world football. Yes, they’re also the best club team in history, and yes they are generally gorgeous to watch but that just makes it so much worse. I don’t know what words are littered about the Barcelona dressing room, but humility is not one of them. When you compare the ‘grace’ and ‘professionalism’ of the other great athletes through time – Jordan, Federer, Sampras, Aikman, Woods, Nicolas etc – and then look at Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, it really highlights the true gap in class off the pitch.
Click to expand...
I agree to come in mind I think Evra is the only player(EPL) that has a go in front of the media...calling other teams names well Arsrnal :LOL: but other than that no star players come off as arrogant. Barca players are probably the most arrogant even their beloved PEPE. Saying Jack is a good player and our 2nd team are full of jack lol The best is Messi n Xavi they lost on accident giving Arsenal no credit at all. Most likely they`ll start up in the summer about Fab needs to leave Arsenal again typical arrogant ,but world class players the little shites I tell ya
 
the jealousy and bitterness towards fc barcelona is seriously ridiculous and unfuckinbelievable.arsenal were outplayed,over two legs as well.move on now.

@beachryan:barca players "the most self-entitled little sh*ts in world football"???this form a united fan?other than sir ryan of giggs and paul scholes,youve always had a team of cunts.no exceptions for the manager as well.and the tea lady as well just for shit and giggles
 
1. It just goes to show how winning your group is so important. If not, this happens. Considering how poor Arsenal's group was, it's unforgivable. It's somewhat 'unfair' to go through this emotional stress 'only' to be in the quarter finals!

2. A consequence of winning your group is having the 2nd leg at home. Again I think we saw how important that can be. Just ask Utd or Spurs or Chelsea in a weeks time

3. Further to above, that away goal in the first leg, even if you lose, is crucial. It proved to be the difference last night

4. Barca deserved to go through, although they're still a massive bunch of c u next Tuesdays. Had the monstrous plonker Dane that is Bendtner have scored at the death, it would've been an injustice in view of the 2 games overall. If the shoe was on the other foot and we went out like that, despite dominating both games, we'd be absolutely livid. And gutted

5. Wenger can blame the referee until he's 70. It won't make any difference. Stop blaming other factors and go home, watch both DVD's back to back and ask yourself if the referee is the reason why you haven't progressed. This Arsenal squad has a massive inferiority complex that will haunt them for quite some time

6. You can't beat great teams with average players let alone hope to win the damn thing. If it were up to me, 4 of our 10 outfield players that started last night would be moved on at the end of the season. Would Rosicky and Diaby ever get into Utd or Barca's team? Is this supposed to be some sort of joke. Can Wenger not see how horribly average they are and have been for quite some time. It's laughable. Sickening. Embarassing.

7. If your players aren't fit, don't play them!

After all is said and done, the comments from Guardiola hurt the most this morning:

Quote:
The reality is Arsenal were not able to string together three consecutive passes and they were not able to shoot once on goal
Click to expand...
 
PLF said:
I wrote it in the Arsenal thread and I'll say it here again, on the balance of both legs, if you look at the incidents, Barca have not only NOT been favored but they've even been screwed by referee decisions.

One silly red card which is debatable and everyone's coming up with theories.

What about the disallowed Messi goal in first leg?

What about 1st half penalty on Messi?

What about no 2nd yellow card for Koszcielny on the penalty?


Barca didn't need any help from ref. If anything, they could do without them as they cost them a couple goals over both legs.
Click to expand...

For the record, I think Barca were the far better attacking side over the two legs and deserved their win.
But you cant compare RVP's red card to things such as the disallowed goal or penalty. If a penalty is not given, you can always continue to play and score again If someone is sent off, he's gone and the game is changed.
Lets say things were different and that penalty was allowed and Barca were winning 3-1. The ref might have been more reluctant to award a second penalty later on. And if Van Persie was on the pitch to score that very late chance that Bendtner got, Arsenal would've been through on away goals.

Yes, Barca still deserved it based their performance. But Arsenal's unfair decisions made a bigger impact on the outcome imo.
 
Ryan, you're one of my fav posters here as you're a very reasonable and logical guy. But I have to disagree with you on the whole rant about Barca and lack of sportsmanship or being cocky etc.

It's VERY wrong to take a TEAM sport like Football and compare it to likes of Federer and Sampras because they're ONE individual and have no one else to worry about. But how are you gonna find 22 saints in a squad of professional football players? There's no WAY! Not a single team in the world has that. And you mention the likes of Jordan, well he had guys like Dennis Rodman on his team and so again nobody could say the Bulls are full of class and grace, some players were, some weren't.

It's a very unfair and unfounded argument my friend. Barca as a team is in fact one of the most classiest/humble teams out there. Sure, you're gonna have bad apples, but which team doesn't?

IF anything, despite the world-class level so many of their players have, they happen to have some of the most down to earth and humble. You look at guys like Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Seydou Keita, Villa, Puyol (The henry thing doesn't count, we gotta judge over whole career, he's a very tough character but rarely 'dirty') are all good guys and world's very finest in their positions and yet so humble and down to earth. They're confident in their ability but the thing you talk about the arrogance and all that, half of what we see in Nani or C. Ronaldo, your Man U players isn't evident in them.

But it's a big squad of players, you have guys like Dani Alves, Valdes (Good shout on this one! He's one of the worst! And previously somebody forgot to mention him), Mascherano, Pique and Busquets (tho he's not the animal everybody makes him out to be) and Pinto who can be shady as well.

Abidal might have pissed off a lot of Arsenal fans this game and I understand that frustration but he can't be labeled a dirty player either, usually very cool and classy and good guy.

So for me, your argument doesn't stand my friend. If anything, this team has less bad apples than most others. 99% of whom aren't even on the same level yet think of themselves as much better. And all of this for a team coached by one of THE classiest, most humble and nicest guys in all of football world, Pep Guardiola.

It's sad and unfortunate but I'm gonna go with misfit on this one. When people notice greatness, they can't accept it. If they do, they wanna do it partially, not fully and bring up other 'reasons' to try to explain it and downplay it.

EDIT:

RuneEdge said:
For the record, I think Barca were the far better attacking side over the two legs and deserved their win.
But you cant compare RVP's red card to things such as the disallowed goal or penalty. If a penalty is not given, you can always continue to play and score again If someone is sent off, he's gone and the game is changed.
Lets say things were different and that penalty was allowed and Barca were winning 3-1. The ref might have been more reluctant to award a second penalty later on. And if Van Persie was on the pitch to score that very late chance that Bendtner got, Arsenal would've been through on away goals.

Yes, Barca still deserved it based their performance. But Arsenal's unfair decisions made a bigger impact on the outcome imo.
Click to expand...

Well the bolded part is where we really disagree I guess dude.

For me, a disallowed goal and a penalty IS comparable to playing with a man down. If van Persie had been sent off unfairly in the 3rd minute of the match and Arsenal had to play 10 vs. 11 for all that time, then sure, your argument would be a lot more valid in my opinion. But it wasn't. It was 30 mins or so they played 10 vs. 11 wasn't it?

And for the whole match up until the sending off where it was 11 vs. 11, what did they do? what little threat did they even pose? Pretty much NOTHING. Nada. The ONE shot and goal they had came from an own goal and a mistake from Barca player. :P :LOL:

It's sad but the gulf in class was simply too evident to notice in both matches.

Also if we're gonna keep harping on about the harsh red card then I think the fact that Koszcielny should've been off for a second yellow but didn't despite ref awarding penalty (and those penalties always get a yellow at least), then it offsets it.

Plus for me, Van Persie and the way he lost his temper and retaliated and completely had his eyes on Alves and attacked him on that first yellow, considering how cynical that was, it could've been a straight red. So he played an extra 20 mins or so if anything perhaps though of course if he hadn't lost his cool, then Arsenal wouldn't be in the situation and nobody could've blamed the ref anymore.
 
Last edited:
drekkard said:
Just the same way that the help of the ref arrived at the precise times at the Emirates, lad? You've got selective memory?
Click to expand...

i was not talking about the match at Emirates. Frankly, i don't remember controversy about the referee there, so perhaps i do have selective memory. Are you saying that there were bad referees in both matches and it evened itself out over the two legs? I'm sorry, but that's just wishful thinking. My point was that the referee has had a big impact on the outcome of the match at Nou Camp, and that's completely independent from what had happened at Emirates.
 
You dont get my point. I dont mean losing a player is greater than a goal and a penalty disallowed. If I had to choose, I'd rather have a player sent off. My point is the knock on effect of those incidents. You have a point that Arsenal only played maybe 30 minutes with 10 men. But like I said before, it would've only taken on single goal and Arsenal would've been through on away goals. You must've seen the chance that Bendtner had at the end. Its fair to say that if RVP was still on the pitch, that chance might have gone to him and we'd be looking at a different result.
Barca's winning goal on the other hand was a penalty, and I can imagine the ref being reluctant to award a second one.

Its all ifs and buts anyway so there no point wasting too much time with this.
 
juce said:
i was not talking about the match at Emirates. Frankly, i don't remember controversy about the referee there, so perhaps i do have selective memory. Are you saying that there were bad referees in both matches and it evened itself out over the two legs? I'm sorry, but that's just wishful thinking. My point was that the referee has had a big impact on the outcome of the match at Nou Camp, and that's completely independent from what had happened at Emirates.
Click to expand...

Wake up then, I put you some things that happened at the Emirates:

- Wrongly disallowed goal to Messi. It would have been 0-2. And you talking about impact to the games...
- Penalty of Kocielny to Pedro being the last man when Pedro was vs the goalkeeper. Would have been penalty and a red card. The result was 0-1.

That's not to talk about 2 offsides wrongly signaled when 2 barcelona players were going solo vs the keeper.

So, yes, if you want to moan about the ref, do it, but at least try to be fair and accept things. The red card to Van Persie was a mistake? Probably. Surely. It had a big impact. Yes, but not as much as what happened at the Emirates. Going 0-2 or 0-3 would have totally closed the round. So if you try to make a scandal and blame the refs and all that, first recognize that it could have been very different if refeering at the Emirates had been decent.
 
i watched the first leg, and honestly i do not recall those things. Could it be that your view is biased and all of those incidents were at least debatable? There is no debate about red card at Nou Camp being too harsh, i think you would agree with that, wouldn't you?

Again, i was only commenting on the match in Barcelona. Do you not agree that refereeing was bad? That it was not up to the standard required at this level? And when you say what happened at the Emirates had a bigger impact than the red card at Nou Camp - how can that be measured or proved one way or the other? That's just your personal point of view, not based on any facts. I respectfully disagree with it.
 
I watched the first match and did remember these things well...but i'm a neutral...well i'm a Spurs fan. I'm pretty sure you will say that this explains a lot. Well any Arsenal fan that visits the Arsenal thread wil tell you that i love Arsenal...and i hope they will win the league.

Drekkard is a Barcelona fan, but i've rarely seen somebody who is more unbiased than him.
 
Last edited:
juce said:
i watched the first leg, and honestly i do not recall those things. Could it be that your view is biased and all of those incidents were at least debatable? There is no debate about red card at Nou Camp being too harsh, i think you would agree with that, wouldn't you?

Again, i was only commenting on the match in Barcelona. Do you not agree that refereeing was bad? That it was not up to the standard required at this level? And when you say what happened at the Emirates had a bigger impact than the red card at Nou Camp - how can that be measured or proved one way or the other? That's just your personal point of view, not based on any facts. I respectfully disagree with it.
Click to expand...

How do you not remember?

He's not saying that cuz he's a Barca fan. Anybody watching the first leg will tell you that Messi scored a perfectly and completely ON-side goal which was ruled out for no reason. A goal that would've given Barca a 2-0 lead at the Emirates in a period where they were really superior and enjoying themselves passing it around and frustrating the gunners in their very home.

Go watch the match or the highlights at least again. You'll see it for yourself. It's there.

Now yes whether that goal is more important or playing with 10 men for 30 mins is debatable. Though some like me think van Persie was lucky to get only a yellow for that deliberate attack on Alves anyway and also Koszcielny should've been sent off for a 2nd yellow in the given PK. The latter two being incidents in the 2nd match.
 
PLF said:
How do you not remember?

He's not saying that cuz he's a Barca fan. Anybody watching the first leg will tell you that Messi scored a perfectly and completely ON-side goal which was ruled out for no reason. A goal that would've given Barca a 2-0 lead at the Emirates in a period where they were really superior and enjoying themselves passing it around and frustrating the gunners in their very home.

Go watch the match or the highlights at least again. You'll see it for yourself. It's there.

Now yes whether that goal is more important or playing with 10 men for 30 mins is debatable. Though some like me think van Persie was lucky to get only a yellow for that deliberate attack on Alves anyway and also Koszcielny should've been sent off for a 2nd yellow in the given PK. The latter two being incidents in the 2nd match.
Click to expand...


O and its ok for alves is assault him by laying his hands on his throat? sorry but thats an assault and should have got red carded for that or at minimum a yellow but got away scot free.
 
That was Abidal dude, and no it wasn't okay. I think ref should've given Eric at least a yellow!

But once the fight and the tussle between two teams was over and finally everybody calmed down and play restarted, moments later, van Persie still obviously pissed off over the incident, then clatters Alves. Intentionally! That was bad and worthy of a red even if it didn't make as great a contact to Alves' face as he had hoped. He lost his cool completely and for that, yeah he should've been punished. So some may argue, Robin was on the field 20 mins more or so than he should've been.
 
jonneymendoza said:
O and its ok for ABIDAL is assault him by laying his hands on his throat? sorry but thats an assault and should have got red carded for that or at minimum a yellow but got away scot free.
Click to expand...

Stop whining. He grabbed him. So what? Too many namby pambies playing the game and too many namby pamby supporters too. Grow a pair for god sake. If he went up and punched him in the face then fair enough but just grabbing somebody like he did?! Get over it.

All the ifs and buts do my head in aswell. Like I said, if my aunty had bollocks...

Fact is, Barca battered their back doors in. End of story.
 
PU6HY said:
Stop whining. He grabbed him. So what? Too many namby pambies playing the game and too many namby pamby supporters too. Grow a pair for god sake. If he went up and punched him in the face then fair enough but just grabbing somebody like he did?! Get over it.

All the ifs and buts do my head in aswell. Like I said, if my aunty had bollocks...

Fact is, Barca battered their back doors in. End of story.
Click to expand...
Bullshit. i bet you was the first one to fully agree on diaby being sent off when he pushed barton against newcastle a few weeks ago. a little push and got sent off. you agree with that? if you agree with that then your a bloody hipocrite. having your hands down someones throat is worse then a slight push on a player.

Players have been sent off for far less contact then that. End of the day. if i was to grab you by the throat, you can easily charge me with assault. simple as that. assaulting a player onfield is not part of the game. you can get done by assault by the police mate so i expect red cards to be handed out for such a thing during the game too.

By your definition it seems someone has to have a bruise, broken nose etc in order for it to be justified as an assault. dont know what fucking world you live in mate.
 
PU6HY said:
Stop whining. He grabbed him. So what? Too many namby pambies playing the game and too many namby pamby supporters too. Grow a pair for god sake. If he went up and punched him in the face then fair enough but just grabbing somebody like he did?! Get over it.

All the ifs and buts do my head in aswell. Like I said, if my aunty had bollocks...

Fact is, Barca battered their back doors in. End of story.
Click to expand...

does that constitute automatic entry? 1 goal score by Arsenal they would of gone through. That could of been an injustice yeah ,but the fact Barca didn`t receive 1 yellow is a lil` weird . I`m very bias and so I admit what everyone can see , just like some views in here are plain to see. Drekkard is a fan and a die-hard one he is no neutral. He like Arsenal a lot and shows respect to them ,but You can not support 2 clubs w/o denying one.

Barca went through and played better in both legs. Arsenal scored both gol near the end of the match and that was important . Nobody could predict when a team has no choice, but throw the kitchen sink and at 1-1 . The game could of went mental instead more of the same from start to finish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom