FC Barcelona Thread

My point with Villa - it definitely was a penalty, and a red card. No argument. But what frustrates me is that one of the reasons he was so open is because he'd just spent hte last minute rolling on the ground, feigning injury. Then when his team chose not to put the ball out, he was up in a flash and past the back line. That's gamesmanship.

As for the Messi incident, he's undoubtedly the best player I've ever been around to witness, and probably has the best attitude. My point was simply that what he did would bring a ban if a big player in England did it. I'm not saying it should, but that's the difference in our media I guess.
 
The Bermuda media, that is? I don't think they will have much influence at all.

If you are referring to Rooney. Well Rooney is a magnificent player, but he has a history of misbehaviour on the pitch (one recent example: the elbow against Wigan, it wasn't his first and it will not be his last) and he isn't exactly a role model off the field either.

Same goes for Gerrard.
Same goes for Terry.
Same goes for Ashley Cole

From the English high profile players there isn't a single one who has the exemplary behaviour Messi has on and off the pitch.
 
Barcelona just didn't want it enough, much closer than the smashing Real got last time but that was down to them actually thinking they could beat Barcelona without being on the defensive.

Expect Barcelona to win the cup quite comfortably.
 
My point with Villa - it definitely was a penalty, and a red card. No argument. But what frustrates me is that one of the reasons he was so open is because he'd just spent hte last minute rolling on the ground, feigning injury. Then when his team chose not to put the ball out, he was up in a flash and past the back line. That's gamesmanship.

As for the Messi incident, he's undoubtedly the best player I've ever been around to witness, and probably has the best attitude. My point was simply that what he did would bring a ban if a big player in England did it. I'm not saying it should, but that's the difference in our media I guess.

Messi attitude is perfect, he is there to play the game. You can't give players ban when you know how they behave and what they represent. Messi got golden balls :BOP: not only for his talant but also for his attitude on the pitch and football image he gives all around the globe.
 
This Messi is an angel bollocks has to stop. He's a good guy but is capable of diving, asking for opposition players to be booked and smashed the ball into the Real Madrid fans, which he escaped a booking for.

He's got nothing on the likes of Maldini, Giggs, Zanetti etc.
 
I wont' say Messi is an angel, because no one is. But diving? Are you serious? A guy that when tackled stands up and continues running? A guy that hardly makes unsportive actions? Yes, he was truly wrong in kicking that ball and deserved a yellow (hey, Pepe ended the match without a card, too and no one is bitching about it). But if you had to do a video of bad things done by Messi, it would be as short as a video of Bogarde's highlights. You can hardly say this of any other star out there.

By the way, I didn't see any diving by Messi, but yes from Ronaldo who did it in a very ridiculous way. Or what Di Maria or Alves usually do. Just to name two.
 
I wont' say Messi is an angel, because no one is. But diving? Are you serious? A guy that when tackled stands up and continues running? A guy that hardly makes unsportive actions? Yes, he was truly wrong in kicking that ball and deserved a yellow (hey, Pepe ended the match without a card, too and no one is bitching about it). But if you had to do a video of bad things done by Messi, it would be as short as a video of Bogarde's highlights. You can hardly say this of any other star out there.

By the way, I didn't see any diving by Messi, but yes from Ronaldo who did it in a very ridiculous way. Or what Di Maria or Alves usually do. Just to name two.

I agree that his catalogue is much shorter, and I love the lil guy, but he's not perfect.

Wasn't it just in the last Classico that he walked up and nudged Carvalho's shoulder from behind, then went down as if shot holding his face?
 
I think that was accidental. It's just the media making a big deal out of it because clearly Messi ran into Carvalho and Carvalho didn't know Messi was behind him.
 
This Messi is an angel bollocks has to stop. He's a good guy but is capable of diving, asking for opposition players to be booked and smashed the ball into the Real Madrid fans, which he escaped a booking for.

He's got nothing on the likes of Maldini, Giggs, Zanetti etc.

Giggs dives, btw, cheating cunt.


FD
 
This Messi is an angel bollocks has to stop. He's a good guy but is capable of diving, asking for opposition players to be booked and smashed the ball into the Real Madrid fans, which he escaped a booking for.

He's got nothing on the likes of Maldini, Giggs, Zanetti etc.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, and this is a point many Messi supporters like to ignore.
There are two types of divers. Firstly, there are those who have a habit of diving. We all know who they are, Ronaldo, Di Maria, etc, etc. It's usually individual players who want personal glory cuz they're hoping to win the game themselves. Its almost like a reflex to these people. You touch them, they go down. Its quite pathetic cuz they're brought up that way. I look at them like spoilt children.
The other kind are those people who using diving as a desperate last resort. When these players are losing, and failing at every attempted to make a comeback, they get frustrated and desperate. And thats when the diving comes out. These people are more sad than pathetic cuz it shows real desperation and a sign of giving up hope. Messi is one of these people.

The only reason you dont see this is because you rarely see Messi lose. Why would he dive if he was winning? Why would he dive if he knew his skill can let him have his way?
But if Barca were in an important 2 leg tie with Barca losing the first leg 3-0, I would honestly bet a lot of money that Messi would be diving in the 2nd leg out of desperation. He did it a few times against Inter when they lost. I've seen a rare few occasions over the years where he's done it when he's getting frustrated.
Messi's a cool headed guy, and also a very talented player. Thats why he doesnt dive often. But he's still a "diver". He just doesnt dive cuz he doesnt have to. Its still something in his "book of tricks" though, even if its the last page in the book.
 
What a celebration of Copa del Rey, i dont wanna imagine how they will clebrate if win the most important trophy of Spain "La Liga"
 
Hats off to you guys, especially to drekkard, the most sensate and sportive Barça fan in this forum. I haven't seen the match, just only the extra-time, but, no matter if you win or lose, we always should congratulate our opponent for the effort and bravery they played. You still are undoubtedly the best team in the world. (although I don't like your style that much)

Better days will come. (hopefully not that soon!)
 
Barcelona need some covers on the bench, especially attackers and defenders, but it is hard to find a good cover of Barcelona's standard willing to sit on the bench a lot.

And Iniesta doesn't stop amazing me. What a classy person also.
 
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Barcelona looked tired didn't they?! First time in a while they looked...HUMAN.

Will be interesting how many players they rest at the weekend, Real have such a strong squad they could probably do the same but field a top side.
 
C ronaldo > messi

Christ you don't half talk some shite!

I only watched from the 2nd half onwards and can't believe Madrid won the game. Cracking goal though. Credit where it's due but during the game, Messi was just quality on the ball. The way he goes past people like they aren't there is a joy to watch. He also passes the ball when he doesn't need to. Something brain dead local players who think they are good need to realise. Ronaldo is obviously a great player but Messi just seems so much more controlled in what he does.

Go back to sleep J and join us in the real world at some point ;)

Well done to Madrid though... even though 2nd half they were very negative with 8 men virtually standing on their own 18yd line. Quite poor for a team like Madrid to resort to that. Worked though. Hope Barca do them in Champs League now.
 
Very restrictive speaking imo.
If you did not see the first half, you really missed something.
It was just the opposite from the second one, with a team who played really good football. Barça had no occasion during first half because it was Madrid playing, and Barça was defending
 
Quite poor for a team like Madrid to resort to that.

What the hell mate? What I saw yesterday was the most passionate Real Madrid team I have seen in years. Players putting in everything they got for 120 minutes because simply that is what it takes to stop Messi and Barcelona. It was not even close to this with Pellegrini and Juande Ramos, even in the first game this season.

You got to do what you got to do. It is not a coincidence that two of the best coaches in the world in Wegner and Mourinho resorted to it. Mourinho was just able to do it with Inter and Real because he got the right players to get it done.

Anyway, Barcelona again proving to be year after year the biggest force to mess with in football today. I'd love to see a Milan encounter with this Barcelona team. What a game that would be.
 
I dont get why people knock teams that defend all game, or use long ball tactics, or whatever else they do that doesnt seem attractive.
If you're up against a much superior attacking team like Barca, are you supposed to just let them score if you cant score yourself?
Good fighting spirit from Madrid. Its almost even at the moment. Barca pretty much have the league wrapped up, Madrid took the Copa del Rey, now all eyes are on the 2 legged CL tie.
 
I dont get why people knock teams that defend all game, or use long ball tactics, or whatever else they do that doesnt seem attractive.
If you're up against a much superior attacking team like Barca, are you supposed to just let them score if you cant score yourself?
I think it's more the idea that apparently Barca are the epitome of everything that's right with football whereas Madrid and Mourinho are the opposite, which is why some people get a bit bitter when other teams, usually Mourinho's sides, finds a way to beat them which often involves defending quite deep.
 
are you serious? :CONFUSE:

Indeed. When the egotistical maniacs physical attributes peter out as they inevitably will he'll be half the player.

Nice to see thugs like Pepe try and break Messi's ankles as well. Him, Ramos and Ronaldo plus Busquets ought to form their own team.
 
I think it's more the idea that apparently Barca are the epitome of everything that's right with football whereas Madrid and Mourinho are the opposite, which is why some people get a bit bitter when other teams, usually Mourinho's sides, finds a way to beat them which often involves defending quite deep.

I know why. Anti-football of the worst sort. Keeping the grass longer ?

Sheer cowardice is what it is. Are they Wimbledon ? Or supposedly the greatest club in the world ?

Anything to gain an advantage in a nasty way. Crowding officials, diving constantly di Maria who had a penchant for it now has it as a habit no doubt encouraged by Mourinho.

Not to mention some of their fans shining lasers at the Barca players.

Finally Mourinho who has no respect for others it would seem in the world of football. He seems to have ideal companions in Perez and his minions like Ronaldo.

I'm surprised the Bernebeau can fit their collective egos.
 
And here it goes again.
We notice a great club (and great fans) by their capacity to know how to loose with dignity.
I first thought barça was one of them, as Guardiola showed it after the match but the more it goes, the more I see it is not the case.
 
And here it goes again.
We notice a great club (and great fans) by their capacity to know how to loose with dignity.
I first thought barça was one of them, as Guardiola showed it after the match but the more it goes, the more I see it is not the case.

I'm not a fan of Barca if that's what you are implying. I dislike the way Mourinho plays the game less the actual football more the man and his personality and some of the players on that team ie Pepe, Ramos and Ronaldo.

Real Madrid were a wonderful side in the fifties and onwards but recently it is nothing more than a circus.
 
Well fair enough, you have your opinion, I have mine and i think it is useless to speak about this match days and days. There is a third one ahead, and it must be the center of discussion imo
 
I know why. Anti-football of the worst sort. Keeping the grass longer ?

Sheer cowardice is what it is. Are they Wimbledon ? Or supposedly the greatest club in the world ?

Anything to gain an advantage in a nasty way. Crowding officials, diving constantly di Maria who had a penchant for it now has it as a habit no doubt encouraged by Mourinho.

Not to mention some of their fans shining lasers at the Barca players.

Finally Mourinho who has no respect for others it would seem in the world of football. He seems to have ideal companions in Perez and his minions like Ronaldo.

I'm surprised the Bernebeau can fit their collective egos.

wow! very good point there...I thing Mourinho has a chip on his shoulders when it comes to barca. If this was a movie Mourinho will be the villian trying to cheat to win. While ,others think it`s a brilliant tactic. I`m convince He has his team practicing cheat tactics as part of their game. Honest players will find hard to cope under those condition. CR is the poster boy wink (by all means)
 
What the hell mate? What I saw yesterday was the most passionate Real Madrid team I have seen in years. Players putting in everything they got for 120 minutes because simply that is what it takes to stop Messi and Barcelona. It was not even close to this with Pellegrini and Juande Ramos, even in the first game this season.

You got to do what you got to do. It is not a coincidence that two of the best coaches in the world in Wegner and Mourinho resorted to it. Mourinho was just able to do it with Inter and Real because he got the right players to get it done.

Anyway, Barcelona again proving to be year after year the biggest force to mess with in football today. I'd love to see a Milan encounter with this Barcelona team. What a game that would be.

I appreciate what you are saying but I'd expect a side like Madrid not to stick 9 men behind the ball. Yes it worked for them but so boring IMO. They defended very well but I'd expect more from them as an attacking force.
Granted I missed the first half. So to the other guy, 75 mins defending with the odd counter attack isn't what you would normally associate with a Madrid team. Capiche? That's what I'm getting at.
 
Hey, I had a terrible week involving a broken motorbike, broken teeth, problems with official institutions trying to steal money from our company and more... And to top it all, we lost to Madrid!

First off, congrats to MAdrid fans, they were expecting this trophy for a long time.

Secondly, the first hald I saw the best Real in the last 5 years, really. They deserved a solid lead then. But in the 2nd time we saw again 9 men inside the own area. You can say a lot of negative things avout it, but then Barcelona had 80% of possession and failed to capitalize on it. So it's our fault mainly. We should have played a lot more aggressive and straight to goal.

We're being too rethorical lately, having even more possession than before. But possession MUST have a clear intentionality. That is, to shoot on goal, or cross, or do dangerous movements. When the opponent puts everyone in the area, we seem to get cuaght in a loop of possession and we should go to try the goal.

That said, we were infinitely superior then and Casillas was the real hero saving 2 sure goals. Then in the last 5 minutes Madrid had 2 counters and Pinto answered to Iker.

In the extra time, I think Madrid was lucky to find a goal, but then again we werre horrible attacking. We have no bench, so Pep put again Keita in the middle (the most useless thing he does everytime). I think it was time to bite, and I would have put young Thiago there. We needed to shoot and cross, and we didn't do any.

Granted, Madrid players were overly aggressive, wasting time (for those who like statistics: there were only 9 minutes of play in the overall extra time) and tackling hard. But that's how you're supposed to defend the lead in a final!

Overall, I'd say Madrid was show the triumph of the will over Barcelona who was the skill. I wished Madrid tried to play a little more on the skill side, but at the same time I wished Barcelona played a bit more on the strong will side. See what I mean?
 
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