FC Barcelona Thread

Kanouté said:
The only thing I'd mention bout the match is Puyol's flawless performance. Pure legendary. :WORSHIP:
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Is that all?
After the first half i still thought Real could win it.
But Barcelona were sensational in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo let his team down IMO.

Credit to Mourinho that he wanted to play an open match.
 
gerd said:
Is that all?
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Im not sure.. Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Abidal were all great as I personally expected but Puyol was really above them all imho. The thing is I didn't expect him being that good at all. Yeah, class is permanent as it's always said.

On the RM side, sometimes I do really think that Ronaldo should skip big matches, especially against Barcelona. He seems to have mental problems, he still seems to play to prove himself as if he's a fresh youngster. He's gone way too much selfish at times and his effect on team was just like his on Portugal NT in WC2010. On the other hand, Higuain always looks isolated (even more than Ronaldo) in Barcelona matches so Mourinho can't sub him off I think. Maybe it's just me who don't want to think that Mourinho doesn't have the balls to bench the superstar. Anyway, Marcelo's performance was unexpectedly disastrous at defence, he had been looking improved at it recently, though. Finally, Benzema was the best RM player on the pitch imo, Di Maria and Coentrao was pretty decent as well.
 
We played a terrible first quart of hour, and Real was lucky to get that goal, after Valdes mistake and 2 rebounds. But about the half hour we were dominating as always and Alexis goal did justice. A fair result at halftime. We were lucky with the 2nd goal, but at that time we were already owning the match.

The second half was another show of dominance and style. Another lesson of this team (how many times Barcelona has to show this amazing level of football domination?), another lesson of Guardiola playing with only 3 defenders (how many times Guardiola has to show he's one of the best coaches ever?).

Barcelona showed again that they can totally own Real Madrid (probably the second best team in the world right now) at their own pitch by believing in a style of play and committing to it. It's not the result or the chances, it's the feeling that Messi, Xavi and Iniesta totally rule the game and do what they want. There's people who finds it boring. I think it's football played how it's meant to be played (at least in my oppinion and according to my taste).

Credit to Mourinho to be brave enough to play with only 2 dmfs for the first time, though. But I have the feeling Real is an incredible team based on raw power and this works very well against weak teams, but not so well when they face big teams (a bit what happens with Ibra as we discussed in this thread). They lack the power to dominate possession in key moments. After going 1-0, I thought they would do a lot of pressing and look for the 2nd, but they didn't and let Barcelona get the reigns in midfield.

Cristiano is a great player, but not a genius. But he had bad luck today. On the other hand, the things Messi do in midfield, displacing up to 3 or 4 defenders, are unique. He's simply sensational and terorrizes everyone. I will never tire of watching this guy play, as well as Xavi and Iniesta. There was people talking about Rivaldo here before. Yes, highlights were amazing, but really there's nothing like Messi. The problem of Messi is that he does so many thing so many times that people gets used to it. The play he did today in the first goal is matched only by Maradona. And he's done it so many times!

And credit to Alexis and Puyol. Both were outstanding. Contrary to Kanoute, I did expect this performance of Puyol, because he's the kind of player that grows on big matches. This guy has an iron mentality and this shows in matches like this or the Champions finals. He's always there, he's always performing. Big matches truly separate the mentally strong from the rest. And here's where Barcelona has a big advantage over Madrid. Mentality and confidende in the style of play.

I'm very happy that the referee did almost perfect and football was the main thing. We all really needed a Classico like this.

And now La Liga is open again! A Barcelona defeat would have been to definitive. The good thing is now we only depend on ourselves for the title. Go Pep boys!
 
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Great match! Right from the first whistle!

Benzema had a great first half! Not just the goal but a great leaping jump and header into corner which Valdes saved and that BEAUTIFUL simple set up for Ronaldo which he shot way wide and really should've scored.

In 2nd half near last 20 minutes he made a lot of mistakes and basically since Higuain came on, Real lost the attacking balance (Higuain and Benzema can't seem to play together! too similar.) and his performance went down but nonetheless, I think he did enough to justify Mourinho's decision to start with him ahead of Gonzalo and also was one of real's best players.

Xabi Alonso good as usual and Di Maria was awesome! Great running, Great energry! Lots of fight in him and only dived once! :P I'm proud of him!

As for Barca, wow... what can be said! This is the best team I've ever seen in all my years watching footy like an addict! The thing is they not only have amazing players for every postion and even on the bench (Villa and Pedro on bench! lol these guys can win games on their own!) , but the cohesion, the teamwork, the unity, the mobility, the chemistry is just phenomenal!

Iniesta OWNED 2nd half! This guy looked like he's in a training session against 12 year olds. He could go past anyone he wanted. He's TOO f'n good! And his stamina very good as well because as the match wore on, you'd expect little Andres to maybe get quieter but he seemed very FRESH and full of running and energy.

Ronaldo was the decisive factor in this game I think. He was poor! Probably the worst player on the pitch today. That header he missed really should've been a goal and he also had a great chance when Benzema set him up! Both wide.. and of course 3 Freekicks (2 in very promising positions) and he hits them at the wall or right at Valdes. If he had been the usual Ronaldo today, game could've finished 3-3 but he was one of Real's worst players.

Finally about Valdes, everyone makes mistakes but it should be noted, he made not ONE but THREE crucial mistakes! Luckily for him, he only was punished for the first one. And on the other side, this match finished 3-1 and Iker still saved a couple 1-on-1's (albeit from a tight angle) and also had a great save on Messi early on, otherwise it could've been an embarrassing result and finish 5-1 or so.
 
drekkard said:
And credit to Alexis and Puyol. Both were outstanding. Contrary to Kanoute, I did expect this performance of Puyol, because he's the kind of player that grows on big matches. This guy has an iron mentality and this shows in matches like this or the Champions finals. He's always there, he's always performing. Big matches truly separate the mentally strong from the rest.
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man, don't get me wrong, my opinion about Puyol wasn't due to the 'X is not the player he was back then anymore' thing if you mean something like that but it was based on that he's not a regular starter most recently this season for some reasons. so I was actually quite a bit surprised by his performance.

P.S. even goal.com agrees with me on Puyol being the MoM. still sounds awkward they didn't put Messi instead, though. :P
 
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Kanouté said:
man, don't get me wrong, my opinion about Puyol wasn't due to the 'X is not the player he was back then anymore' thing if you mean something like that but it was based on that he's not a regular starter most recently this season for some reasons. so I was actually quite a bit surprised by his performance.

P.S. even goal.com agrees with me on Puyol being the MoM. still sounds awkward they didn't put Messi instead, though. :P
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Yes, I would have chosen Puyol or Alexis as MoM as well.

As you say, Puyol hasn't been a regular, and he's starting to look a bit old at times and injuries are affecting him a lot. But as I said, we Barcelona fans know this guy is made of steel, so his brilliant performance it's good news, but not surprising. He has always performed in big matches, because he's a competitive animal. Much in the way of legends like Maldini and Baresi. He obviously lacks the style and skill of those two, but he has that very special "something" that turns good players into champions.

In fact, there was a moment in the 2nd half, near the end, when Puyol when to the sideline and said to Pep that he was so tired and could use a substitution. Pep, from the sideline, told him he would hold until the end of the match in a very catalan expression (literally translating to "by my balls you end the match". In catalan doesn't sound so bold, mind you). So Puyol had to endure the last 10 minutes. It shows that physically he's not ok and he's not the player he used to be. But his mind is, and that allows him to go on.
 
Real start match in good way and I really saw MUCH fear on barca player i think they start match to lose or draw it but after they saw that not really much change on real and they arent much better then last season

I think Ronaldo was the key he should score those 2 chances and special 1st one so when it will be 2-1 match goes on diferent way ! u cant win match with bitches like cristina and di maria

and I dont know if just me but this match was much more calm

whatever I think Messi is going to win golden ball Ronaldo ? not near him tho

good win barca see u in next classico , (see me and barca) all tho i dont care for real too
 
The player I`m more impress with is Sanchez, he is worth every penny to play like he did against RM . Messi is not the only players that needs double-team , That gol to equalise was immense !! I couldn`t even know what position he was playing he was everywhere. He will make the difference this year me think .
 
Messi joins "Grobari" (grave diggers) :D

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Very good win, I honestly thought not even Barca could stop Mourinho's juggernaut that had won 15 in a row, especially after they went ahead so early on and Mourinho's teams almost never lose after scoring first (70 something games since that happened prior to El Clasico).

Busquets and Puyol stood out for me. Pep switching Puyol to right-back and pushing Alves further forward on the wing was an excellent move tactically.
 
LOT of rumours about Villa possibly leaving in January for EPL in past couple days!

I hope it's the usual media speculation BS close to transfer windows. Barca would be crazy to sell him! He's your only out and out striker in the whole squad after all! And a guy who perfectly fits into the team because of his high level skill and being a good footballer (not just a great goal-scorer). There are lot of great forwards out there who would NOT fit into this Barca side; Zlatan being one of them. Villa is perfect for them and if anything should've moved a couple years earlier (to replace Eto'o directly)

Messi, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro, and now Fabregas who's being played in an advanced position, all great players, all can play up front but are not the natural goal getters David Villa is. They're all better at playing the 2nd forward or as a wing-forward or a false 9. He brings something to the team other than his huge experience now that very few can. I doubt Pep would be dumb enough to part ways with him. He has of course come out today and categorically denied these reports even strongly saying: "Marca LIE!" Let's hope it's true. Because it's a long season, and they'll need every member of the squad and especially Villa.
 
Just lies from Madrid press. They didn't cope well with the loss in the last Classico. They do the same every year. It's absolutely pathetic. Marca is the only rumour source and they are blatantly lying.

Villa may go away at some point but saying he's on the market is laughable. Pep even said yesterday clearly and in public that it's a lie.

How can people give even a bit of credibility to a newspaper that has even used photoshop to manipulate images and erase players to claim offsides? Not even mentioning that ACS, the company of Florentino, owns 15% of the shares of Marca...

Granted Villa is not performing as well as some expected, but that's because he has to play in the wing most of the time. If he stays or not will be down to his abbility to accept that there are other players to share minutes with. In the big matches, there's rotation now because the bench is incredibly deeper than last year. Anyway, I'm watching Barcleona against Al Sadd as we speak, Villa may score any minute now...
 
Crap! He has broken his shinbone! It's called like that?

Between 3-6 months of recovery time! Very bad news for the team and for him. We all hope him to get back as soon as possible, he's a great winner and a great striker!
 
I`m watching the match too , Barca is having a training day ,nothing more . I`m waiting for Santos vs Barca !! hopefully they play I dont know the schedule.
 
Re: Re: FC Barcelona Thread

drekkard said:
Crap! He has broken his shinbone! It's called like that?

Between 3-6 months of recovery time! Very bad news for the team and for him. We all hope him to get back as soon as possible, he's a great winner and a great striker!
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How did that happen?

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
 
Yeah I figured it was tabloid crap. I don't see him being stupid and wanting to leave what is the greatest club in the world right now nor Pep or anyone in Barca wanting to get rid of him.

Really bad news about the injury! His goals and contribution will be missed a major blow (though thank god they have good depth now!) to Barca's title and CL aspirations. Last year this would've been unthinkable!

And although the injury is really bad news, dare I say it... it was about time? I mean we've been watching Villa doing the business for years now and I can't remember ONE single long-term injury! He seemed to be ever fit, NOT injured and doing the job. Even this one is 3-6 months so it could be much worse but this is a guy who's very rarely injured and when he does pick them up, they're usually short niggling injuries like 3 weeks, etc.
 
He won't be that much of a miss. He's been off the boil for club and country this season, by his usually high standards, which is probably best illustrated in the fact he's only started half of Barca's league matches so far and benched for important games against Athletic, Valencia and Real.

He'll be a bigger miss for Spain than Barca.
 
Though he wasn't contributing as last year, that was also down to him haveing some minor problems in the shinbone during the first months. So, it seems he was a bit injured already.

It's true, PLf, he was rarely injured, but he had minor injuries during the last seasons. And that's one of the reasons he was in the bench at times, he was tired and needed a rest, just like Pedro.

I think it's a big big loss for us anyway. He's a world-class striker and his goals will be greatly missed. It's ablow to our chances of winning trophies without a doubt. Now we can only hope he gets fit quickly and we have no more injuries.

We have Villa and Afellay already out for the whole season!
 
Yeah, Pep said something about that injury before that Copa del Rey tie. Makes me wonder why he didn't leave Villa behind to recuperate or on the bench to if there was a chance that injury might worsen.
 
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