FC Barcelona - Campeones de España!

So, Fontas continues on his path to becoming the next full-time first team player. He has the key quality of a Barça defender: very comfortable with the ball. Still doubts on how he can handle 1-on-1 situations on a counter attack, but so far the signs are good. Has good strength as well.

I was less impressed by Thiago and Jonathan. The former in particular had a poor game IMO. In the first half he gave the ball away with every single attempted pass. And both of them still have a lot to learn in terms of positioning themselves and making themselves available for the pass. Jonathan seemed invisible in the game, and as for Thiago, too often he would ask for the ball in a position where it's either just too difficult for the passer to give it to him, or even if he did get it, he left himself a lot of work to get away from defenders and do something useful with the ball.

Interesting formation from Pep. It was a 3-4-3 with the following setup:

Pique-Busquets-Fontas
------Mascherano------
Jonathan----------Maxwell
---------Thiago
Jeffren--Bojan--Adriano

I don't think the formation worked. Busquets was excellent as the lone CB, and Mascherano's link play was also good, but the left side was the only outlet, and quite overloaded with both the wingbacks there. Jonathan didn't stay wide at all.

Once Pep was forced into changing to a 4-3-3, the football flowed more comfortably. Bartra was a natural outlet on the right wing, and with Maxwell playing at LB, this allowed the field to be properly stretched. The passing patterns going forward also looked much better.

Bojan and Jeffren didn't help themselves by getting injured. I think after this season, neither of them have a future at Barça. We'll need at least 2, perhaps 3 (if Afellay will play in midfield) reinforcements for the attack.


Potential round of 16 opponents in the CL:

Inter
Lyon
Roma
Marseille
Milan
Arsenal

Afellay will play up front so thats two and bojan won't leave barca anytime soon, regardless of whether he is good enough or not, so thats 1.

Didn't see the game, but i've heard people say thiago had a decent game.

don't know why your worried about who we could draw, the most difficult teams there are probably the two milan teams, and AC have ibra so no worries there, so all we have to do in hope inter continue their poor form all the way till the end of the season.

arsenal,Lyon,roma and marseille i'm not really worried about.

wonderful come back by barca b so far 2-2 alway to league leaders betis, after being down 2-0, already have our replacement for pep in waiting with luis.

hope they can hold on.

all with a few of their regular starts out, because they played yesterday

Yeah, I was watching the end of the game...good performance by them. And as you said, it was without Bartra, Fontas, Thiago, and Jonathan.

The inevitable is coming

Knowing Rosell even BP will be acceptable.

fcb wrote:The inevitable is coming

Mes que un club

it was always going to happen with rosell as president, might as well we just go for the most money we can get and be done with it

“With that game (El Clasico), they said ‘everybody, we are the super-favourites’ and the team which wants to win this competition has to knock us out’. That is what they said. And it was the case last year. I believe that when they played Inter last year they were physically going down. They were unlucky with some decisions too. In the first game they had some penalties turned down and in the next game they scored a regular second goal. People say Inter beat them but Barca lost it.”

I'm starting to like wenger

Am i the only the one that falls in love with pedro more and more everyday, if he continues to develop he will be one of the best wing men in europe.


really love this player, so hardworking and honest, but has enough talent to make the different in the attacking 3rd.

Fucking hell, that was utterly incredible. What a performance from start to finish, and what beautiful goals. This team is at its absolute peak right now.


Some stats (mostly taken from Sid Lowe's Twitter page):

21 games unbeaten...the last 6 have been wins with 26 goals scored and 0 against.

Messi has scored 40 goals in the 2010 calendar year, and 70 in his last 71 Barça games.

21 passes in the buildup to Messi's first (Barça's 3rd) goal in this game, 31 passes to Iniesta's goal.

Xavi made 120 passes against R. Sociedad, the most of any player in the league this season, despite playing only 67 mins!

fcb wrote:Fucking hell, that was utterly incredible. What a performance from start to finish, and what beautiful goals. This team is at its absolute peak right now.


Some stats (mostly taken from Sid Lowe's Twitter page):

21 games unbeaten...the last 6 have been wins with 26 goals scored and 0 against.

Messi has scored 40 goals in the 2010 calendar year, and 70 in his last 71 Barça games.

21 passes in the buildup to Messi's first (Barça's 3rd) goal in this game, 31 passes to Iniesta's goal.

Xavi made 120 passes against R. Sociedad, the most of any player in the league this season, despite playing only 67 mins!

that was the stat that impressed me the most when i saw it yesterday,i don't care what anyone says he is right up there with zidane as the best midfielder, though they are different players.

iniesta on the other had keeps remaining me of him, 4 goals, 7 assist already this season, matching his goal out put for 08/09 season, and as he said yesterday, he is only 26 and can still improve, by the time xavi starts losing form due to age, iniesta will be at the peak of his powers.

we are looking at two of the best midfielders of their time playing in the same time, which is why i am rarely worried when both start a game together and was so against pep playing iniesta on the wings.

Lots of off-the-pitch talking points in the past few days:

- Busquets and Bojan (why? ) will be renewed till 2015.

- Still no breakthrough on Dani Alves. Apparently his agent met with City representatives on the day of the Clasico

- Cruyff and Rosell have never been on the best of terms, and nothing has changed. Cruyff criticised the decision to sign a deal with Qatar, Rosell pointed out a contradictory article from Cruyff 5 years ago which said sponsorship was necessary.

- According to SPORT, this deal with Qatar is just the tip of the iceberg. Rosell has many more "commercial" plans in the pipeline to help ease Barça's debts (basically an excuse for him to do what he does best...exploit football to the max for commercial benefits).

- According to AS, Rosell has used his Brazilian contacts and already has a pre-agreement with Brazilian wonderkid ( ) Neymar and is also working on Ganso

- Yahoo Sports claim that a club source has told them that if City make a big offer for "75m euros or more" for Iniesta, Barça will "listen"

- Guardiola/Zubi/Rosell had a meeting at Rosell's house a couple of days ago to plan for next season. Guardiola's contract renewal was discussed, as well as a summer transfer budget...SPORT claimed that a sum of 50m euros will be made available, but I find that hard to believe.

Bojan contract will be renewed because he is born and raised in barcelona and came up through the ranks breaking almost all the records along the way and has shown that if given a proper run of games he can do a job, he won't be leaving barca unless he wants to leave.

i won't be surprised if he gave pep 50m to spend even after constantly sighting the "huge" debts

Barcastuff and a few other barca sites are reporting the neymar to barca rumor, guess rosell Brazil links have people going crazy.

http://www.footballmood.com/2010/12/barcelonas-first-sponsership-inspired.html

Ramzi's article on the whole sponsorship situation, a bit lengthy but a great read as usual

This is going to be more or less what the final shirt looks like. Unicef logo goes on the back

I hope they don't put the fucking tree there...and what's up with the green colour

the way messi can redefine himself to fit the opposition is amazing.

Espanyol didn't give him much in behind as they constantly pressed him when he had possession high up the pitch (ignore the horrid miss for a second, because Alves created that by robbing a defender) so he came deep to help ignite the play as it entered the final third. some of his dribbles were beautiful, Espanyol couldn't touch him. then later on, with them still pressing him, he held the ball and distributed it to others who had run into space as the defence collapsed on him.

Yeah, some of his dribbling out of tight spaces in midfield was just fantastic, helped to create good attacking chances. 2 assists too, as well as an indirect one when Pedro finished off his rebound shot which Kameni had saved.

A 10/10 from Pedro. I was one of the doubters on whether he's good enough as a permanent starter, but it's clear now that he owns that spot. He's gone from being a head-down dribbler into blind alleys, to an all-round player who understands much better how to link with others, and can always get in the right position to score goals. Two footed, and one of the hardest working players in the team. Another gem from La Masia.

Incredible performance by the team. The scoreline was a bit flattering though, because the last 2 goals came when Espanyol changed their formation and played a very high defensive line, going all out for goals.

It says a lot that I'm annoyed about the goal conceded, because even that could have been avoided. No idea why Valdes stuck to his line...normally if the CBs get turned and can't catch up, he always charges out to close the angles.

Speaking of Valdes, I need to find a replay of the stunning save he made in the first half. And I also need a replay/gif of that little interplay between Alves, Puyol, Abidal and Xavi (I think) deep in their own penalty box, to bring the ball out. Stupidly risky to try it, but brilliant since it came off.

This Barça team is close to achieve perfection. Good goalie, superb balance with defense and offense, the best transition game on the planet. PHEW! They are amazing.

Espanyol's stadium was a fortress (my Reds were destroyed there albeit a friendly game), and Barça destroyed that building.

Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

Alberto wrote:This Barça team is close to achieve perfection. Good goalie, superb balance with defense and offense, the best transition game on the planet. PHEW! They are amazing.

Espanyol's stadium was a fortress (my Reds were destroyed there albeit a friendly game), and Barça destroyed that building.

Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

I've read some of your posts, and-sorry- IMO you have exaggerated the quality of American clubs. American clubs are nothing special as I've watched them in some Libertadores or Toyota Cup games.

I'm so jealous with Barca, their the best team ever

fcb wrote:Yeah, some of his dribbling out of tight spaces in midfield was just fantastic, helped to create good attacking chances. 2 assists too, as well as an indirect one when Pedro finished off his rebound shot which Kameni had saved.

A 10/10 from Pedro. I was one of the doubters on whether he's good enough as a permanent starter, but it's clear now that he owns that spot. He's gone from being a head-down dribbler into blind alleys, to an all-round player who understands much better how to link with others, and can always get in the right position to score goals. Two footed, and one of the hardest working players in the team. Another gem from La Masia.

Incredible performance by the team. The scoreline was a bit flattering though, because the last 2 goals came when Espanyol changed their formation and played a very high defensive line, going all out for goals.

It says a lot that I'm annoyed about the goal conceded, because even that could have been avoided. No idea why Valdes stuck to his line...normally if the CBs get turned and can't catch up, he always charges out to close the angles.

Speaking of Valdes, I need to find a replay of the stunning save he made in the first half. And I also need a replay/gif of that little interplay between Alves, Puyol, Abidal and Xavi (I think) deep in their own penalty box, to bring the ball out. Stupidly risky to try it, but brilliant since it came off.

Yeah pedro is on his way to becoming not quite WC, but that level or two below it, his game overall game has improved so much from last season and that goals are coming back in his game as well

Alves needs to stop talking about Mourinho. The rest of the players and Pep manage to avoid it, so I don't know why he keeps responding, even if it's just a joke like this latest comment:

A Dani Alves le cae bien el entrenador del Real Madrid. El lateral del Barcelona contesta con humor cuando le preguntan por la valoración que José Mourinho hace sobre su trabajo en 2010. El portugués se ha dado un 11. "Pues yo le pongo al Barça un 12, para estar por encima", dijo sonriendo el azulgrana. "Es una buena nota. Un sobresaliente. Respeto que se la ponga porque soy partidario de las personas con la auotestima alta", comentó tras el entrenamiento dominical del equipo.

Alberto wrote:Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

The most impressive thing about this Barcelona team, as well as Ajax in the mid-90s, is the amount of players who've come through the youth system. Though this Barca team is better than that Ajax team (even the manager is from Catalonia).

Barcelona would win every trophy every season in South America, and that's just if they sent their Under 16s. True story mes amis

Messiah wrote:

fcb wrote:Yeah, some of his dribbling out of tight spaces in midfield was just fantastic, helped to create good attacking chances. 2 assists too, as well as an indirect one when Pedro finished off his rebound shot which Kameni had saved.

A 10/10 from Pedro. I was one of the doubters on whether he's good enough as a permanent starter, but it's clear now that he owns that spot. He's gone from being a head-down dribbler into blind alleys, to an all-round player who understands much better how to link with others, and can always get in the right position to score goals. Two footed, and one of the hardest working players in the team. Another gem from La Masia.

Incredible performance by the team. The scoreline was a bit flattering though, because the last 2 goals came when Espanyol changed their formation and played a very high defensive line, going all out for goals.

It says a lot that I'm annoyed about the goal conceded, because even that could have been avoided. No idea why Valdes stuck to his line...normally if the CBs get turned and can't catch up, he always charges out to close the angles.

Speaking of Valdes, I need to find a replay of the stunning save he made in the first half. And I also need a replay/gif of that little interplay between Alves, Puyol, Abidal and Xavi (I think) deep in their own penalty box, to bring the ball out. Stupidly risky to try it, but brilliant since it came off.

Yeah pedro is on his way to becoming not quite WC, but that level or two below it, his game overall game has improved so much from last season and that goals are coming back in his game as well

Too bad he'll be on the bench after you spend all that Qatari cash on Fernando Torres.

Also, remember when golsud wanted sell Xavi????

S4P wrote:

Alberto wrote:Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

The most impressive thing about this Barcelona team, as well as Ajax in the mid-90s, is the amount of players who've come through the youth system. Though this Barca team is better than that Ajax team (even the manager is from Catalonia).

Barcelona would win every trophy every season in South America, and that's just if they sent their Under 16s. True story mes amis

It is impressive, but makes it even more baffling why they splurged all that cash on the fringe players like Hleb, Kerrison, Caceres, Chrghy when they could have bolstered from within (like they have ended up doing anyway)

On another note, Guardiola finally seems to have come round to the idea that Iniesta is not a winger but a central midfielder, and that Keita should not be a starter. He's a decent player, but should certainly not good enough by any stretch to justify playing Andres out of position.

That said Guardiola does need to rotate a little more occasionally just to rest the odd player and there.

Calidad wrote:

S4P wrote:

Alberto wrote:Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

The most impressive thing about this Barcelona team, as well as Ajax in the mid-90s, is the amount of players who've come through the youth system. Though this Barca team is better than that Ajax team (even the manager is from Catalonia).

Barcelona would win every trophy every season in South America, and that's just if they sent their Under 16s. True story mes amis

It is impressive, but makes it even more baffling why they splurged all that cash on the fringe players like Hleb, Kerrison, Caceres, Chrghy when they could have bolstered from within (like they have ended up doing anyway)

On another note, Guardiola finally seems to have come round to the idea that Iniesta is not a winger but a central midfielder, and that Keita should not be a starter. He's a decent player, but should certainly not good enough by any stretch to justify playing Andres out of position.

That said Guardiola does need to rotate a little more occasionally just to rest the odd player and there.

The biggest single reason why the club has improved so much from last season and the beginning of this, is iniesta being back and playing in midfield, the Xaviesta combination is almost unbeatable

LaSecta really are shameless.

http://ow.ly/i/6wyj/original

Messiah wrote:

Calidad wrote:

S4P wrote:

Alberto wrote:Barcelona look so good, they're probably the best I've seeing club or national team ('82-'86 Brasil, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Bayern, Real Madrid, Milan), the only way to be sure that they're the best ever is if they can do what they do in Europe in South America.

One thing is for sure "they wouldn't have it so easy", and most definitely would lose here and there to Alianza Lima (in Copa Libertadores form), Fluminense, Corinthians, Estudiantes...

The most impressive thing about this Barcelona team, as well as Ajax in the mid-90s, is the amount of players who've come through the youth system. Though this Barca team is better than that Ajax team (even the manager is from Catalonia).

Barcelona would win every trophy every season in South America, and that's just if they sent their Under 16s. True story mes amis

It is impressive, but makes it even more baffling why they splurged all that cash on the fringe players like Hleb, Kerrison, Caceres, Chrghy when they could have bolstered from within (like they have ended up doing anyway)

On another note, Guardiola finally seems to have come round to the idea that Iniesta is not a winger but a central midfielder, and that Keita should not be a starter. He's a decent player, but should certainly not good enough by any stretch to justify playing Andres out of position.

That said Guardiola does need to rotate a little more occasionally just to rest the odd player and there.

The biggest single reason why the club has improved so much from last season and the beginning of this, is iniesta being back and playing in midfield, the Xaviesta combination is almost unbeatable

Yes, no idea why he persisted for so long in playing him outwide. Seemed Guardiola liked the idea of a more physical MF which is why Keita played there. The odd thing is, Keita isn't particularly that physical, and more importantly, physicality isn't and shouldn't be Barca's strength.

Iniesta is versatile, I would to this day still trust him as a DM, but he should only be used occasionally as a winger when lack of options force your hand (i.e injuries) because he is THAT good in midfield, and like you say why would you want to seperate him from Xavi? If he upped his productivity slightly, and kept up this level of performance in his all round game for another 2-3 seasons, I would compare him to Zidane.