2011/12 Copa del Rey

It's not just a motivation thing though. Some teams, or rather their playing style, simply fit better (or worse, depending on your view) than others. And every team, even the best, tend to have a bogey team or two.

Also, Emery is a better and more detailed tactician than Mourinho. He always gets things right against Barça and makes life very tough for us.

blutgraetsche wrote:It's not just a motivation thing though. Some teams, or rather their playing style, simply fit better (or worse, depending on your view) than others. And every team, even the best, tend to have a bogey team or two.

I dont completely dispute that fact. Although I still think most of Barca's failing are usually of thier own making. I just dont see the same intensity.

Probably just onside there...

Looked a bit offside to me, but was a rather close call.

How easy is it for Messi to get assists, the way he draws so many defenders towards him all he needs to do is release the ball and whoever recieves is in shit loads of space.

It really boils down to this: If you let Messi run close to your box, and he often simply can't be stopped by fair means, you will get punished. He has the speed and close control plus the vision to provide that killer final pass on a very consistent basis. The latter sets him apart from most forwards and the combination of all those strengths makes him the best player there is.

Penalty for Barca.

Stupid foul, a gift of a penalty.

DIEGO ALVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh dear.

Poor effort from Messi and it's well saved!

Diego Alves saves. How predictable...Messi has been awful all game long, and Alves is a penalty specialist. Poor kick as well, in the middle and not in the corner.

Great save by Alves. rather crappy pen by Messi though.

blutgraetsche wrote:Great save by Alvez. rather crappy pen by Messi though.

He was already diving that way before Messi struck the ball.

It wasn't a great pen by Messi, but I have seen far worse. Saving that ball still was not a piece of cake.

That's the difference between Puyol and the rest of the team - sheer desire.

FT Valencia 1-1 Barcelona

Good game overall. Obviously Barcelona are favourites to go through now but still a small chance for Valencia.

What a Great game from two of my favorite teams ! And some people think the DPL is the most exciting league in the world hoof ball and pussy football are not exciting,games like this with so much technical quality in both teams is!



Pablo Piatti maybe a midget but he played great today, probably my motm.I've been saying it for ages Madrid need a player like Banega who can dribble out of Barcas pressing and relieve pressure rather than the less dynamic albeit great Xabi Alonso.

Once Tino Costa come on Valencia played even better, probably because he's more mobile than Albeda so the midfield and then defense could push further up to help get more possession.Costa has to start 2nd leg.

Eladio Paramés, portavoz de Mourinho - "Nueva regla: el meta puede tocarla con la mano fuera del área"



This guys is out of control on twitter! Sometimes it is amusing but someone raelly needs to tell this guy to shut up.

Well, lucky to have Pinto still on the pitch after that incident, but God, how many times we have conceded in the same manner from them, i lost count.
And we should have killed the game, win there and have an easier game back home. I'm waiting for the day that Messi will be rested. I still can't believe that he is running.

It's amazing that the likes of Piatti and Jordi Alba can skin Puyol for pace but Ronaldo cannot.

Best bit of the match

What we've all been waiting for - save Messi's hand from Pepe

http://www.sharkpie.com/messi-hand/

fcb wrote:What we've all been waiting for - save Messi's hand from Pepe

http://www.sharkpie.com/messi-hand/

fcb wrote:What we've all been waiting for - save Messi's hand from Pepe

http://www.sharkpie.com/messi-hand/

My high score was 187

FT Athletic 6-2 Mirandes

Cruel end for Mirandes but it was a heroic run to the semifinals. Athletic now reach the final for the 36th time in their history. Haven't won it since 1983-84 but I think they will have a good shot against either Valencia or Barcelona.

Cristiano wrote:

fcb wrote:What we've all been waiting for - save Messi's hand from Pepe

http://www.sharkpie.com/messi-hand/

My high score was 187

222 Great game haha

Good news - Alexis and Xavi are fit enough to possibly start tonight, while Iniesta and Pedro could make the bench. Finally the injuries are clearing up a bit...at least until the next round