Barcelona Vs Liverpool - The European classic..

Fey wrote:Was a decent match, but I predicted that liverpool would have gone through anyway. Barca just lacks the physics to be a major team for international football. MotM: Dirk Kuyt!

look Fey, stop talking crap. We deservedly went out. But last year we won it. With practically the same team, but then the players were more on form, hungry, etc.

Parks lives wrote:

Agooner wrote:

kas wrote:Tweedle, motivation is a big x-factor in winning the CL. Last year that was what won us the games against Chelsea, and same for them this year. After beating us, Liverpool have motivation and belief as well. Otherwise their season is trophyless. Whereas Man. Utd. are more interested in the Premiership this year. Frankly, they're not even in the top 4 favourites.

You know what, i also innitially dismissed their chances of winning it but i have realised i was stupid to do so. Being favourite mean fuck all in the ko stages of the C L as the Barca, lyon and inter results have shown.

I'd only say we've got a chance as alot of the favourites have gone out.

Other than Chelsea, there's no team I'd be scared of. Still don't think we'd win it though.

Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Agooner wrote:

Parks lives wrote:

Agooner wrote:

kas wrote:Tweedle, motivation is a big x-factor in winning the CL. Last year that was what won us the games against Chelsea, and same for them this year. After beating us, Liverpool have motivation and belief as well. Otherwise their season is trophyless. Whereas Man. Utd. are more interested in the Premiership this year. Frankly, they're not even in the top 4 favourites.

You know what, i also innitially dismissed their chances of winning it but i have realised i was stupid to do so. Being favourite mean fuck all in the ko stages of the C L as the Barca, lyon and inter results have shown.

I'd only say we've got a chance as alot of the favourites have gone out.

Other than Chelsea, there's no team I'd be scared of. Still don't think we'd win it though.

Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Its not a better team though - they can only play one way (and it doesn't work in CL)

They're just more famous.

toon h wrote:

Fey wrote:Was a decent match, but I predicted that liverpool would have gone through anyway. Barca just lacks the physics to be a major team for international football. MotM: Dirk Kuyt!

look Fey, stop talking crap. We deservedly went out. But last year we won it. With practically the same team, but then the players were more on form, hungry, etc.

Yes, I agree. Barca can play great football im not denying that. But they just lack a "Momo" on the midfield imo. They can all play football no doubt about that.

the CL is anyone's competition. Look at when Liverpool won it. They finished 5th in the EPL that year. Same as Arsenal last year (almost)

And Villarreal... now disappeared off the map entirely.

I can't believe anyone watching the game tonight saw it as anything but Liverpool shitting all over Barcelona. First half, it was a dozen chances from Liverpool, hit the woodwork twice, had a couple of other opportunities that a more clinical striker than Kuyt or Bellamy would have scored. Second half, Barca only scored due to Arbeloa playing crap, and apart from the Ronaldinho effort didn't have a shot worth mentioning. Even after the goal Liverpool were the better team, creating a good chance for Crouch and a half chance for Pennant, either of which could have gone in on another day.


Well done Liverpool. I said all along that Barca would hate having to play you, and over the two legs you taught them a lesson.

Agooner wrote:Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Because Ferguson can't do half as much tactically as Rafa or Mourinho? The Man United thing is still to just go for the jugular. When was the last time that worked for anyone in Europe? Even Riijkaard kept it tight last season.

Fey wrote:

toon h wrote:

Fey wrote:Was a decent match, but I predicted that liverpool would have gone through anyway. Barca just lacks the physics to be a major team for international football. MotM: Dirk Kuyt!

look Fey, stop talking crap. We deservedly went out. But last year we won it. With practically the same team, but then the players were more on form, hungry, etc.

Yes, I agree. Barca can play great football im not denying that. But they just lack a "Momo" on the midfield imo. They can all play football no doubt about that.

Momo = Headless Chicken

Give me a Makelele or a Mascherano who can actually read the game rather than a bone-crunching tackler who pleases the masses.

Stefan Kuntz wrote:

Agooner wrote:

Parks lives wrote:

Agooner wrote:

kas wrote:Tweedle, motivation is a big x-factor in winning the CL. Last year that was what won us the games against Chelsea, and same for them this year. After beating us, Liverpool have motivation and belief as well. Otherwise their season is trophyless. Whereas Man. Utd. are more interested in the Premiership this year. Frankly, they're not even in the top 4 favourites.

You know what, i also innitially dismissed their chances of winning it but i have realised i was stupid to do so. Being favourite mean fuck all in the ko stages of the C L as the Barca, lyon and inter results have shown.

I'd only say we've got a chance as alot of the favourites have gone out.

Other than Chelsea, there's no team I'd be scared of. Still don't think we'd win it though.

Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Its not a better team though - they can only play one way (and it doesn't work in CL)

They're just more famous.

Agree with that.

However even you must admit, it's worked fine at home. Just away we've been poor.

Stefan Kuntz wrote:

kas wrote:

Stefan Kuntz wrote:

kas wrote:Those saying Rijkaard must go (coughOtto and StefanKuntzcough) don't know what they're talking about.

Care to elaborate ?

Well, I was just about to say, what's your reasoning for saying he should go? Poor tactics?

Yep - doesn't appear to be a great motivator either and is flakey under pressure.

I take it its someone else who decides what players they sign ?

Yes, Txiki mostly handles the signings. But that's another issue.


As for Rijkaard - the most important quality he has is being able to handle our squad of big names. You could be the world's best tactician. You could be the best motivator. You could be awesome under pressure. But if your players don't like each other then nothing will work on the pitch. Simple. Look at Capello, he can't manage the Madrid fans and players. So even his Greece-style tactics, which are usually the quickest way to win a title in football, aren't working. Van Gaal was a good manager, but fell out with Rivaldo, and look what happened.

So basically that's what I mean by "they don't know what they're talking about". The most important quality for any Barcelona coach (and this is something I've realised only in these past 2/3 seasons when Rijkaard has been in charge, and it's been emphasised by how he handled the recent Etoo situation) is being a good man-manager.

Obispo wrote:

Agooner wrote:Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Because Ferguson can't do half as much tactically as Rafa or Mourinho? The Man United thing is still to just go for the jugular. When was the last time that worked for anyone in Europe? Even Riijkaard kept it tight last season.

I don't think this is true. We've actually tried to play patiently and "European" in the CL this year. We're just not very good at it.

Samba de Baiano wrote:

Fey wrote:

toon h wrote:

Fey wrote:Was a decent match, but I predicted that liverpool would have gone through anyway. Barca just lacks the physics to be a major team for international football. MotM: Dirk Kuyt!

look Fey, stop talking crap. We deservedly went out. But last year we won it. With practically the same team, but then the players were more on form, hungry, etc.

Yes, I agree. Barca can play great football im not denying that. But they just lack a "Momo" on the midfield imo. They can all play football no doubt about that.

Momo = Headless Chicken

Give me a Makelele or a Mascherano who can actually read the game rather than a bone-crunching tackler who pleases the masses.

Sissoko is perfect for England though.

Samba de Baiano wrote:

Fey wrote:

toon h wrote:

Fey wrote:Was a decent match, but I predicted that liverpool would have gone through anyway. Barca just lacks the physics to be a major team for international football. MotM: Dirk Kuyt!

look Fey, stop talking crap. We deservedly went out. But last year we won it. With practically the same team, but then the players were more on form, hungry, etc.

Yes, I agree. Barca can play great football im not denying that. But they just lack a "Momo" on the midfield imo. They can all play football no doubt about that.

Momo = Headless Chicken

Give me a Makelele or a Mascherano who can actually read the game rather than a bone-crunching tackler who pleases the masses.

Yes, I rate both players higher as well. But I was just using him as an example. He wasnt that great tonight as well.

I haven't seen the game, but from the highlights they showed at SB at half-time, it seems like Liverpool really dominated this match (well, I only got to see the 1st half highlights, so this might not be true).

Amazing how negative Barca looked, given the fact they needed 2 goals (reminded me of when we played at the CN last season).

kas wrote:

Stefan Kuntz wrote:

kas wrote:

Stefan Kuntz wrote:

kas wrote:Those saying Rijkaard must go (coughOtto and StefanKuntzcough) don't know what they're talking about.

Care to elaborate ?

Well, I was just about to say, what's your reasoning for saying he should go? Poor tactics?

Yep - doesn't appear to be a great motivator either and is flakey under pressure.

I take it its someone else who decides what players they sign ?

Yes, Txiki mostly handles the signings. But that's another issue.


As for Rijkaard - the most important quality he has is being able to handle our squad of big names. You could be the world's best tactician. You could be the best motivator. You could be awesome under pressure. But if your players don't like each other then nothing will work on the pitch. Simple. Look at Capello, he can't manage the Madrid fans and players. So even his Greece-style tactics, which are usually the quickest way to win a title in football, aren't working. Van Gaal was a good manager, but fell out with Rivaldo, and look what happened.

So basically that's what I mean by "they don't know what they're talking about". The most important quality for any Barcelona coach (and this is something I've realised only in these past 2/3 seasons when Rijkaard has been in charge, and it's been emphasised by how he handled the recent Etoo situation) is being a good man-manager.

Fair comment.

I know Spanish football is different but is there any chance of Txiki signing the players that would give your team a greater average height than 5 ft 3ins ?

all the goals in my blog http://planetfootball10.blogspot.com/

S4P wrote:I haven't seen the game, but from the highlights they showed at SB at half-time, it seems like Liverpool really dominated this match (well, I only got to see the 1st half highlights, so this might not be true).

Amazing how negative Barca looked, given the fact they needed 2 goals (reminded me of when we played at the CN last season).

Liverpool did dominate - they created five times the number of chances that Barca did, despite having a lead to defend from the first leg. Taught them a lesson.

Stefan Kuntz wrote:Fair comment.

I know Spanish football is different but is there any chance of Txiki signing the players that would give your team a greater average height than 5 ft 3ins ?

Yeah, this summer our targets are a centre-back, full-back, and possibly a DM. So hopefully we'll get some normal sized players. But for the full-back, I don't want a big player. I want Dani Alves.

S4P wrote:Amazing how negative Barca looked, given the fact they needed 2 goals (reminded me of when we played at the CN last season).

Good analogy. That's exactly how we were, and I think Liverpool were almost surprised at how little they had to defend in that first half, just like us last year.

Supermarafado wrote:all the goals in my blog http://planetfootball10.blogspot.com/

Good work

Supermarafado wrote:all the goals in my blog http://planetfootball10.blogspot.com/

Loved the ooh-la-la from the French commentators for Mancini's goal

wooohoooo!

Samba de Baiano wrote:

Supermarafado wrote:all the goals in my blog http://planetfootball10.blogspot.com/

Loved the ooh-la-la from the French commentators for Mancini's goal

I liked how they tried to count his stepovers

Obispo wrote:

kas wrote:I felt this when the draw was made, and I was proved right - Liverpool was probably the toughest draw we could have gotten.

Shame there wasn't quite the same modesty from others. Still... I can't be bothered to go and dig up old threads. I said we'd go through and we'd easily counter your style and I think we did. Even when you scored tonight, you never really looked like doing so again afterwards.

why do we have to be modest? can we not be confident beforehand? or is that automatically being smug?

That's how messageboard politics works

toon h wrote:

Obispo wrote:

kas wrote:I felt this when the draw was made, and I was proved right - Liverpool was probably the toughest draw we could have gotten.

Shame there wasn't quite the same modesty from others. Still... I can't be bothered to go and dig up old threads. I said we'd go through and we'd easily counter your style and I think we did. Even when you scored tonight, you never really looked like doing so again afterwards.

why do we have to be modest? can we not be confident beforehand? or is that automatically being smug?

Wasn't address soley at Barcelona fans... And some of the comments about us getting "footballing lessons" and being "thrashed" were OTT.

Obispo wrote:

Agooner wrote:Porto and liverpool won it when no one gave them ahance, i see no reason why u can't do it with arguably a better team.

Because Ferguson can't do half as much tactically as Rafa or Mourinho? The Man United thing is still to just go for the jugular. When was the last time that worked for anyone in Europe? Even Riijkaard kept it tight last season.

Wenger got the better of Rafa in cup competition this year despite not being as good tactically. I also don't think Manu's style suits the euro game that much but the points am trying to make is, it's foolish writing them off. It's ko; anyone can win or lose.

Yeah, none of us actually came with the "Liverpool will be thrashed" stuff. That was all from Man. Utd. fans (for the most part).

Even Messiah only had "Football 1-0 Liverpool"

Obispo having a dig against Manchester United, this does not surprise me.

we'll thrash them next year!