2002/2003 La Liga Campaign

[Juan]

All I know, is that the new coach will have a hard time regainging player confidence. But it can´t reach the levels of a Serra Ferrer.

[BLAUGRANA]

I'm so disappointed right now, I can't even sum it in words. Well, yes I can. Sack LVG and get rid of Gaspart, NOW! Sacking LVG won't do it alone. I think a new manager needs to come in. Someone who isn't too high profile. I think Del Nieri would be the best option because IMO we could get him and he's good. We'll have to see though.

[barça]

There is a great quote by Puyol today, saying that the players are 100% behined the coach, not matter who it is.

It reminds me of Pep Guardiola saying that he supported the coach to the death until he ws fired.

[rshepherd1000]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
I think Del Nieri would be the best option because IMO we could get him and he's good. We'll have to see though.

the interesting thing about this is that del nieri has said he wants to coach barca so much that he would come and do the job on his current wage, which i believe to be in the region of £150,000 a year

not sure whether chievo would want compensation but if so, given del nieris contract i hardly think itll be much, and theyre pretty much resigned to losing him anyway.

[Juan]

Problem is, Del Neri apparently is top of the queue to take charge of the Italian NT.

[relejado]

zaccaroni is another name in rumours, but i dont think he would bring us glory. what are your opinions ?

[barça]

The coach for the rest of the year is Carles Rexach.

Who knows what is going to happen in the summer as Gaspart might not even last that long.

[relejado]

Originally posted by barça
The coach for the rest of the year is Carles Rexach.

Who knows what is going to happen in the summer as Gaspart might not even last that long.

what you think he would change ? or what should he change in your opinion ?

[funky6]

Oh my God he's the only one i didn't want but not being negative from the beginning.

Still remember his unbelievable tactics in the C.l. semifinals:mad:

What makes you think Gaspart won't be there till summer?I think there must be a miracle to see him out of the Club..

[Olesen10]

I personally don't like Rexach that much, but he might be the best solution right now as he know the team and the players well.

[barça]

Originally posted by relejado
what you think he would change ? or what should he change in your opinion ?

That is a great question:

First, the reasons why Rexach is the person chosen;
1. The guy is already hired as a member of the club.
2. He knows the situation at hand and all of the players.
3. He understands is only until the end of the season.

Now for changes, my guesses:
1. Change the keeper, it is known that Bonano and him don't get along and frankly I am not a big fan of Bonano either. Victor Valdes will have a decent chance to make the starting line up.
2. JRR is back in favor of the coaching staff, you will see him almost inmediately back in the line up.
3. A defense of four, always.
4, if they get a defender signed in the next 3 days, then you will see Cocu back in his normal position.
5. A more dedicated Rochemback, that might find himself in the starting line up.
6. Saviola back to the point and Kluivert back behind him.


This for now, I will add more as I see if they bring more people.

[rshepherd1000]

great post

you look at those six points you mention, all are positive

i am confident for saturday already

[Juan]

Well, Rexach´s formations won´t be very different from Van Gaal´s. What should change is the psychology aspect, and even some tactics. Romy becomes a shoo-in in the starting XI, given Rexach´s words of praise towards him earlier.

[BLAUGRANA]

Here's another point...

7. A new starting XI every week. Rexach gives squad rotation a new meaning.

[funky6]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
7. A new starting XI every week. Rexach gives squad rotation a new meaning.

Yeah,the guy is the definition of "experimental".I can't believe how we made it to the 4th spot and semis last year..

[White Ranger]

Come on Barca, accept it . Real Madrid is the best club of the world!


White Power



Originally posted by VivaBarcaInter
Especially since, apparently, Hierro and Zidane aren't playing.

I mean, Hierro isn't actually that good, but he's the closest thing they have to a good centre back.

[barça]

Originally posted by White Ranger
Come on Barca, accept it . Real Madrid is the best club of the world!


White Power

So far I have read all your 5 posts and this is all you got to say?

OK, I give up, Real Madrid is the best club in the world. Now, please write something that adds to the discussions.

:rolleyes:

[White Ranger]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by barça
[B]So far I have read all your 5 posts and this is all you got to say?

OK, I give up, Real Madrid is the best club in the world. Now, please write something that adds to the discussions.


OK, I like your style Barca, you are razonable.:angel: :angel:

[Olesen10]

Come on Barca, accept it . Real Madrid is the best club of the world! White Power
Is it just me, or smells it like KKK? :silly:
I admit Real Madrid has the best mix of players, but if they don't work together as a team, they're not even half as good as Barca is.
And besides that, wasn't Real Madrid supposed to be leading the league by now with all those great players?
:rolleyes:

[barça]

For the game this coming weekend, not only don't we have a coach so far, but Puyol got hurt yesterday in the friendly and remember that FDB and Cocu are out due to accumulation of yellow cards and Gabri is hurt.

So who will play defense?

[relejado]

kluivert is not able to play too:(

[J R R]

i heard that saviola is doubtfull too :eek:

[barça]

Saviola did not get called due to injury. Puyol and Riquelme should play.

I just noticed that I wrote FDB out, I was thinking one thing and wrote another, its Kluivert that is out due to yellow cards.

I am guessing that the line up will be:
--------------------Bonano------------------
Puyol-----Reizenger----De Boer------Christanval
-----------Xavi-------Mendieta------------
Rochemback----JRR--------------Overmars
----------------Dani------------------------

De La Cruz will probably coach, and he will most like;y stay with the 4-2-3-1 that he played against Benfica.

There are still some pending issues, Sotin might be a barcelona member by the end of today and Reizenger might not be.

Antic looks to be the new coach, but I don't think he can sit on the bench yet.

[relejado]

no, as far as i'm informed, de la cruz will be coach against athletic and antic will take over after the game.

[ilcapitano]

Antic...he used to coach Real Madrid, right?
His contract is only until next june. Do you think he can do the job? Even become a long-term coach?

[BLAUGRANA]

Saviola probably won't play, but Puyol and JRR should.

[barça]

The list of elegible players already came out, Saviola is not on it, he did not even fly to Madrid.

[KrayZ]

no kluivert!!??? no saviola!!??? :S
we be doooomed....
btw i heard enrique was soon gonna start training with the rest of the squad, any idea when he's gonna be back....?

[barça]

Kluivert can't play because he has too many yellow cards. In La Liga, when you get 5 yellow cards you are out for the next one.

Saviola is hurt.

[Juan]

Ewwwwww. That explains the 4-2-3-1 in the midweek friendly.

[relejado]

time for riquelme to show his value !!

[Olesen10]

I hope ge goes in and really shows his worth a starting position!

[FC Barca11]

Originally posted by Olesen10
I hope ge goes in and really shows his worth a starting position!

I could not agree more. That was one of my biggest complaints with Van Gaal, but now that he's been given the chance, I hope he takes it with scoring goals and tearing teams apart!!!

[barça]

I am not sure how much he will be able to do today, he is still hurt and will play with pain killers.

Lets hope he does do well.

[barça]

Originally posted by barça

I am guessing that the line up will be:
--------------------Bonano------------------
Puyol-----Reizenger----De Boer------Christanval
-----------Xavi-------Mendieta------------
Rochemback----JRR--------------Overmars
----------------Dani------------------------

De La Cruz will probably coach, and he will most likey stay with the 4-2-3-1 that he played against Benfica.



This is indeed the line up, Christanval with play in the middle and Reizenger on the left. De La Cruz, as published by the press is on the bench and Antic in the stands.

Visa Barça

Barça, Barça, Baaaaaarrrça

[doz]

GOAL! 1-0, Torres scores for Atletico on 40 minutes. Overmars looks dangerous but Barca look unconvincing, especially Bonano.

[soccer fanatic]

3-0 :(
Was the new coach on the bench today?
Anybody saw them match?

If the bottom teams win Barca can actually get into the relegation zone.
Unbelievable.

[Juan]

Torres´ goal killed the match. The 2nd half was pretty much all Atletico, with only Motta creating danger. Or at least that´s what I read from Marca´s review.

[LuisEnrique21]

Just been watching on satellite.

We looked a bit toothless up front, especially in the second half when Danni went off. Didn't seem to have anyone at centre forward!

Let's hope Antic will sort them out...

As an aside, my home team is Coventry City here in England. We've just signed Vicente Engonga on loan. Any Spanish football followers know if we've got a gem? Then again he's 37 now so can't expect too much!

Lucho

[relejado]

how did riquelme play ????

[Juan]

Originally posted by LuisEnrique21
As an aside, my home team is Coventry City here in England. We've just signed Vicente Engonga on loan. Any Spanish football followers know if we've got a gem? Then again he's 37 now so can't expect too much!

Well, he was quite good during Cuper´s days in Mallorca, to the point that he was a regular in Spain squads. But he stopped making headlines long, long ago.

[Olesen10]

Not much to say...Let's get back on track with a new coach and a new defender.

[soccer fanatic]

Was there a difference in tactics in this match?

[yks_barca]

We were trying our best to take the Champions League spot, now we are trying our best to get out of the relegation zone.

What a shame really ...

Barcelona have NEVER EVER not qualified for the Champions League in Europe's history , but i guess this year is totally different ...

[barça]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
Was there a difference in tactics in this match?

There were, but I think that Barcelona today missed the players that were out.

To beging with, Barcelona played a 4-2-3-1 that sometimes looked like a 4-4-2 as JRR did not have any defensive responsabilities. I got the feeling that if Kluivert and Saviola would have been in, then it might have been a different story. Dani created no danger whatsoever, he was a non-factor. He was substituted at the beginning of the 2nd half, but there was no player avalable in the bench, so the player that came in was Motta. He played at behind JRR with JRR filling in as a psuedo striker, but he does not have the speed to be that.

The first goal was a nice strike by Torres, who beat the defenders a little too easy and beat a Bonano to his inside post. Bonano, by the way, tried to kick save:confused: He really helped Torres on that play. That was minute 42 on the 1st half and pretty much all she wrote.

Overmars played well, created some chances but missed in all his shots. Mendieta had probably the nicest play of the game, dribbling trhough some players and dishing to Dani, who was awful at trying to put it in the net.

In the second half, down 2-0 (the goal by Luis Garcia was a beauty, continuing the great goal streak against Barcelona this year), Rochemback hit the crossbar and in the counter Atletico scored. 3-0 and goodnight.

This really was an impossible game for Barcelona.

I expect that Antic will make some big changes, including giving Victor Valdes another chance. Bonano continues to be pretty bad. One thing I was reminded of today was the worth of Kluivert, he might miss quite a bit, but he creates danger.

Another bad note was the idiot Rochemback, down in the socreboard gets into a fight and is red carded. I will continue to say, I don't like him and I wish he would be benched. At least next two games (maybe more) I won't have to see him play.

On a good note, Mendieta played well, JRR showed some flashes.

Sorry for the long post, I will now start my anti-depressions wine drinking.

[KrayZ]

rochemback, for the time he was on the field, was playing pretty well, in the sense that he was working really hard all over that midfield area....unlike some OTHER players on the pitch....
and even when he did go off, it was still even players on both sides.....it's painfully obvious to see that the players were just utter crap today, like they have been all throughout the season so far.....sure i wasn't expecting much from an away game against ath. madrid, but todays performance was just shameful, they totally gave up trying after the second goal, the third was just inevitable.....

[KrayZ]

how did riquelme play ????

nothing to write home about. infact, nothing much to even mention really......i remember early on in the second half mendieta slipped a good looking through ball to him which he had to chase with a defender side by side, and he was so completely roasted for pace it was embarassing.....the guys extremely lethargic, runs like a ****ing ox

[KrayZ]

in the first half i meant, sorry :)

[rshepherd1000]

bonano - WHY is that guy playing?

oleguer - love the (old) eddie guerrero hair cut - did ok - got caught in possession a few times but he wont do that again

mendietta - played better considering he didnt have to defend as much

we missed saviola and kluivert sooooooooooo badly - playing overmars up front by himself with riquelme in the hole (what hole?) in the second half was dreadful

why was rochemback sent off? all i saw was a push but players push each other all the time. i thought that was a bit harsh

torres - could that guy dive more frequently?

riquelme was pretty anonymous but was given nothing to work with and needs a run of games to establish form anyway

overall we were absolutely terrible - the squad needs a major injection of confidence and also quality players in the summer

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[relejado]

Originally posted by barça

Sorry for the long post, I will now start my anti-depressions wine drinking.

:D :D I already arrived at cognac !!!

[barça]

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
bonano - WHY is that guy playing?

Don't know, he shouldn't be, I want to see Antic give VV another chance.


Originally posted by rshepherd1000
oleguer - love the (old) eddie guerrero hair cut - did ok - got caught in possession a few times but he wont do that again

He did indeed, he is young but I though he has played better than Christanval.


Originally posted by rshepherd1000
mendietta - played better considering he didnt have to defend as much

He did defend some and had defensive responsabilites. What he didn't have this time was the reponsability to run the whole right side. I agree he played better and I expect to see him play inside more.

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
we missed saviola and kluivert sooooooooooo badly - playing overmars up front by himself with riquelme in the hole (what hole?) in the second half was dreadful

I wrote in my last my post that with Kluivert ad Saviola we would have created some danger up top, is a shame that they were out. The Overmars with JRR experiment was due to the fact that Dani was awful and created no danger. De La Cruz had no one else.

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
why was rochemback sent off? all i saw was a push but players push each other all the time. i thought that was a bit harsh

This has a long history, it comes from the first game where they almost came to blows, I though he punched and deserved to get kicked out. Javi Moreno, by the way, tried kicking him, they will be out for at least two games.

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
torres - could that guy dive more frequently?

He is getting a reputation already at 19 that will stay with him for the rest of his life, unless he makes changes now. Which he won't. Another Pippo Inzaghi.

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
riquelme was pretty anonymous but was given nothing to work with and needs a run of games to establish form anyway

JRR is not a speedster, he is a passer and needs speed up front or people looking for space, we had none of that yesterday.

Originally posted by rshepherd1000
overall we were absolutely terrible - the squad needs a major injection of confidence and also quality players in the summer

Agreed.

:cry: :cry: :cry: [/B][/QUOTE]

[barça]

Originally posted by KrayZ
how did riquelme play ????

nothing to write home about. infact, nothing much to even mention really......i remember early on in the second half mendieta slipped a good looking through ball to him which he had to chase with a defender side by side, and he was so completely roasted for pace it was embarassing.....the guys extremely lethargic, runs like a ****ing ox

Well, Juan Roman Riquelme is not a fast player and will never be. He does not do well running to chase a ball and gain or re-gain possesion.

JRR does well, with the ball at his feet, looking up front, gaining time with his dribling ability and looking for quick passes and passes into space. Dani was a non-factor. JRR better passes went to the wing space of Overmars, but there was no one esle to pass to.

Again we are closer to relegation (at best 3 points at worst 0 points) than a European spot (at best 10 points at worst 13 points).

May the God that punished Van Gaal (according to Ronaldo) help us.

[VivaBarcaInter]

I have a few reflections on the game, but I'd like to point out that I didn't expect anything from it other than a loss.

Bonano is strange. He can make great saves, then make schoolboy mistakes. For somebody of his obvious experience, it's amazing he hasn't learned to kick the ball properly.

Oleguer looked pretty good to me, considering all circumstances. Given time, he could be really good. Did the simple things that De Boer still won't do. Like clear the ball instead of playing around in front of our box.

Rochemback looks completely and utterly lacking in confidence. He works really hard, but nothing is coming off for him, not even simple passes. I'm not going to comdemn him, as he's proven himself to be quality, plus he is also really young. Plus, that Red card was bullshit. Motta was fouled, then complained about being fouled, then was accosted. Rochemback went in and pushed the guy, and made gestures as if to say "what's the deal?".

Riquelme isn't going to get his form, and get used to the league if he doesn't play. It's asking too much to expect him to come in every now and again and play like Maradona. Perhaps now with the new manager, he'll get his run in the team, and he can be used to his full potential.

Even with the lack of confidence and missing players, the team worked hard, and lost to what looked like a mis-hit shot by Torres, then let in a schoolboy goal from a corner. Not having a guy on each post is the single most stupid thing a defense can do. It's the sort of thing you shouldn't even have to tell them to do because it should be second nature.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by barça
There were, but I think that Barcelona today missed the players that were out.

To beging with, Barcelona played a 4-2-3-1 that sometimes looked like a 4-4-2 as JRR did not have any defensive responsabilities. I got the feeling that if Kluivert and Saviola would have been in, then it might have been a different story. Dani created no danger whatsoever, he was a non-factor. He was substituted at the beginning of the 2nd half, but there was no player avalable in the bench, so the player that came in was Motta. He played at behind JRR with JRR filling in as a psuedo striker, but he does not have the speed to be that.

The first goal was a nice strike by Torres, who beat the defenders a little too easy and beat a Bonano to his inside post. Bonano, by the way, tried to kick save:confused: He really helped Torres on that play. That was minute 42 on the 1st half and pretty much all she wrote.

Overmars played well, created some chances but missed in all his shots. Mendieta had probably the nicest play of the game, dribbling trhough some players and dishing to Dani, who was awful at trying to put it in the net.

In the second half, down 2-0 (the goal by Luis Garcia was a beauty, continuing the great goal streak against Barcelona this year), Rochemback hit the crossbar and in the counter Atletico scored. 3-0 and goodnight.

This really was an impossible game for Barcelona.

I expect that Antic will make some big changes, including giving Victor Valdes another chance. Bonano continues to be pretty bad. One thing I was reminded of today was the worth of Kluivert, he might miss quite a bit, but he creates danger.

Another bad note was the idiot Rochemback, down in the socreboard gets into a fight and is red carded. I will continue to say, I don't like him and I wish he would be benched. At least next two games (maybe more) I won't have to see him play.

On a good note, Mendieta played well, JRR showed some flashes.


Thanks for the insight Barca.
This is getting seriously depressing. :(
Were Kluivert and Savioka out due injury or tactical choice?


Sorry for the long post, I will now start my anti-depressions wine drinking.

Don`t be selfish, pass that bottle. :(

[rshepherd1000]

Originally posted by barça
JRR is not a speedster, he is a passer and needs speed up front or people looking for space, we had none of that yesterday.

i totally agree

perhaps the one midfielder in europe slower than JRR is zidane and he's ok i suppose :D

the fact that when dani went off we had no strikers anywhere apart from the treatment or disciplinary room is a ridiculous situation for a club like barca to be in.

has anyone in the team except kluivert, luis enrique and saviola scored more than once this year?

btw was christanval taken off for injury or tactical? they never said on commentary

[rshepherd1000]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
Were Kluivert and Savioka out due injury or tactical choice?


kluivert suspended for one match due to accumulation of yellow cards

saviola injured

[barça]

Christanval was taken out due to injury.

[KrayZ]

taken out, lol, u make it sound like he was murdered or something....
anyway, i agree with the guy who said it was ridiculous to have absolutely nothing to replace kluivert with should he get injured or suspended....
and about riquleme, well yes i admit that he's a terrific passer of the ball and has a good shot on him but really, even his off the ball running is pretty lame, and it wouldn't hurt to improve just a bit, to add that extra edge to his game

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by KrayZ
taken out, lol, u make it sound like he was murdered or something....


It was a very, very severe injury. :)

[MxManiak]

It's funny... Barca has just Saviola up front except Kluivert... In my thread "best this year" i said i'm waiting Kluivert to do something big for years and then everyone on the board come in and say: Kluivert is worthless..." and now it's: "how can we score without Kluivert"...

[barça]

I think that you are taking the comments to the other extreme.

Kluivert or Dani? Well let me see, that is a hard one to figure out. Our point was that Kluivert is the best we got, for my taste he misses too much, especially the easy ones. But he creates danger, requires double coverage and Dani, well Dani should not be playing Division 1.

[KrayZ]

we can't score without kluivert because we don't another striker.....(again, Dani doesn't count, and Saviola's not really a striker in the proper sense)....but that doesn't change the fact that kluivert IS a crap finisher.....some of the misses i've seen from him over the years have been woefull, absolutely woefull, but he does seem to put in the seemingly impossible chances, i'll give him that much

[barça]

Originally posted by KrayZ
we can't score without kluivert because we don't another striker

Hey Azul, sounds familiar?

[barça]

I just read the report on the friendly with Cadiz.

In the first half, Barcelona came out with a:

-------------Bonano------------------
Reizenger---Puyol---FDB---Sorin
--------Cocu--------Xavi------------
Rochemback----------------Mendieta
----------------JRR---------------------
--------------Kluivert----------------

Sorin, by the way scored in the 1st half for Barcelona.

The 2nd half:

------------------Enke---------------------
--Reizenger---Puyol--FBD-----Sorin
-----------------Cocu---------------------
Overmars----Iniesta-------Motta
--------Saviola---------Dani-----------

Good things to come??? I think and hope so.

Looks like Antic is set on his back line of four, with Ouyol as a central defender, same as with Saez in the NT. Overmars is playing on the right, not left.

The paper said that Saviola was still not up to speed.

The stadium was full, 20K fans.

[BLAUGRANA]

Based on barca's lineups, I'd say Mendieta's still out of position.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Hey Azul, sounds familiar?

:confused: How's that?

[barça]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
Based on barca's lineups, I'd say Mendieta's still out of position.

I am not so sure, I would have like to have seen the game rather than a report. The writings talked about Mendieta with freedom of movement, to the inside or the outside. Sorin running wild down the flank, ala Roberto Carlos.

Maybe, just maybe, he can do well with this plan.

[barça]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
:confused: How's that?

I meant that you have been asking for another striker since I have been around posting.

[Olesen10]

Originally posted by barça
I just read the report on the friendly with Cadiz.

In the first half, Barcelona came out with a:

-------------Bonano------------------
Reizenger---Puyol---FDB---Sorin
--------Cocu--------Xavi------------
Rochemback----------------Mendieta
----------------JRR---------------------
--------------Kluivert----------------

Sorin, by the way scored in the 1st half for Barcelona.

The 2nd half:

------------------Enke---------------------
--Reizenger---Puyol--FBD-----Sorin
-----------------Cocu---------------------
Overmars----Iniesta-------Motta
--------Saviola---------Dani-----------

Good things to come??? I think and hope so.

Looks like Antic is set on his back line of four, with Ouyol as a central defender, same as with Saez in the NT. Overmars is playing on the right, not left.

The paper said that Saviola was still not up to speed.

The stadium was full, 20K fans.
It seems better already with a victory, even though it's a 3. divison team!
Nice to see Sorin in action and a goal in his first game can't be a bad thing! Andersson is back, and with him Sorin Puyol and FDB, it seems like we finally can get a good defense...I suggest Puyol as right back, FDB center next to Andersson and Sorin as a left back, maybe center.

[Juan]

Good. Sounds like a very balanced formation, capable of good attacking and defending. Let´s see how it works.

However, the thought of PK alone up front sends chilld up and down my spine.

[VivaBarcaInter]

I like the general look of the defense, balanced and reinforced. Plus, Overmars on the right is a good idea to me. Commentators are always claiming he's left footed, when during games he nearly always cuts in onto his right. This way he can maximise his speed and whip in balls without having to work an angle for his right foot. That first formation still looks a tad light in the offense department, unless Antic can get Cocu or (more likely) Xavi directly involved in goal scoring.

[Juan]

Overmars is righty, you knew?

PK needs a goalhunter besides him for the offense to work properly. The Saviola of River days is the best option, but Dani could do for now.

[VivaBarcaInter]

Totally. If someone is left footed, they would use thier left foot!!!

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
I meant that you have been asking for another striker since I have been around posting.

Oh, yeah. Well, we do need one. Wouldn't you agree? I'm not saying it's the #1 priority, but we could use one.

[Atalla]

i think we need a striker, BIG time...... Sav and Kli have been starting every match!!!!!!

we need reinforcement for them....... it's too bad that alfonso was doing so well for Betis, when he didn't do much for us......
:(

[barça]

I think that you will see two strikers in ANtic's game plan. My guess

[Atalla]

yeah, one striker up front won't cut it, and using three would weaken our midfield and defence, so i think that it's rational that he should utilize two, but i think that he's stuck with a very limited selection
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
crap

[Robledo]

Soccer-Fanatic, with all your Barca posts I didn't think you turned over to the dark side and became a merengue :D

[barça]

Originally posted by Robledo
Soccer-Fanatic, with all your Barca posts I didn't think you turned over to the dark side and became a merengue :D

I wrote on another posts that we should start calling him Figo:shocked:

[Robledo]

Originally posted by barça
I wrote on another posts that we should start calling him Figo:shocked:

nah, Soccer-fanatic is a good poster so that's a bit to harsh ;) Plus he can't have been influenced by the $$$$$ like Lui$ Figo :D

[barça]

Back to the players and games;

Starting line up for today's game as per the radio interviews of the week with Antic:

--------------Bonano--------------
reizenger--Puyol---FDB---Sorin
---------Xavi--------Cocu--------
Overmars---------------Menditea
-----Saviola-------PK------------

They will play as they did against Cadiz, Mendieta with freedom of movement to come inside and Sorin running the left side, Overmars strictly on the outside and Reizenger staying more put than Sorin. El conejo and PK up top, with PK coming back more than Saviola. Puyol as the central defender in a defense of four.

JRR starts in the bench, my read is that Antic is not happy with his defense.

Great news in the bench as Andersson makes a game for the first time since (well I can't rememeber).

A por la victoria!

[Juan]

SF has been seduced by the Dark Side of the Force, I own him now.

I see Romy entering if things are though at Athetic´s back. And Patrik should get some minutes near the end.

[VivaBarcaInter]

I do not believe this SHIT. Yet again, it's not the other team that stop us, it's the referee. Bad enough he was giving all kinds of nothing fouls against us, but he then decides to invent a penalty. How can a person be sure enough to give the penalty when it's obvious it didn't happen inside the box?? How? That simply can't be put down to "Human Error". If you can't see something 10 yards in front of you, you can't be a referee.

But even worse, the ref falls for Typical Bilbao cheating, and gives a soft free kick,where they fluke a goal. You could literally see the new found confidence being sucked out of the team. How the ***k are we supposed to do anything when so much is against us? It's not enough every other ref wants to condemn us, now Fate itself has decided to join in?

[KrayZ]

why am i not surprised......*shakes head*
anyway, the sole point of interest for me in this game was Philip Cocu, coz i wanted to see if playing him in midfield would improve his performance, which, needless for me to say, didn't happen. I have just lost all respect for this guy, i ****ing lost count of the number of times he got disposessed and the number of terrible passes he laid out, AND that glaring oppurtunity he missed.....*shakes head again*.....he just needs to go, as of now, he and Xavi, once again proving to me what worthless crap he actually is, past those few and far between precision passes of his....

[FC Barca11]

HOW THE HECK DID WE THROW AWAY A 2-0 LEAD?!?!?! :mad: Fine i'll give them the first one. Harsh tackle by Sorin, harsh call by referee, a little play acting by Bilbao and bam! 2-1. But the free kick?!?!?!?! who the hell was markin Yeste?!?!?!

Bah! Atleast we didn't lose and turned to gain a point. But Kluivert and Mendieta were guily of missing some really really good chances. Nice to see Saviola finding his form tho. Riquleme was only there for 20 mins and couldn't really do anything. Hopefully we get sorted out soon because Inter are going to be one hell of an opponent to play against. We're near relegation, and they're leading Serie A. Real nervous about that encounter.

[FC Barca11]

I just saw the replay of the penalty against Barcelona and contact WAS OUTSIDE THE FREAKIN BOX :mad: :mad: :mad:

God, referees in Spain really need to go back to basics and work things out. I can't believe we've just been robbed of 2 points.

[Atalla]

you know, i'm disappointed at the manner that we lost 2 points, but not at the way we played........

i was watching the match yesterday with two Inter Milan fans, and a man u fan.........

they were Sh*tting bricks at the prospect of facing barca

before, they would sit and mock the team....
but right now, they fear it so much, and i don't blame them..... our performance in the first half was unbelievable... PK showed some stunning touches on the ball, overmars was SOOOOOOOOOO effective on the right!!!! and you couldn't contain Saviola even if you tried....

the match showed me a huge performance, and if Antic can get the team to perform soooooooooooooo well after just a week in charge, then pretty soon, he will be able to shore up our defence..

i was so surprised last night, because some of the plays were magnificent, and it was so cool to watch Saviola, the shortest player on the pitch, score with his head.......

this is a team that can perform miracles, and if antic can find the key to consistency, i wouldn't be surprised if we won oursevels a CL................

Forza Barca, always

[rshepherd1000]

few quick points

the defence was 300million times better

FDB and Puyol were superb - sorin made an excellent debut apart from that unfortunate penalty incident.....

.... the ref was appalling

saviola was excellent and so was overmars in the first half

kluiverts finishing was ABYSMAL

good to hear the crowd more involved (unlike the bernabeu on saturday)

mendietta poor - dont know what to do with him. id start motta, or at least have brought him on

luis enrique cant come back soon enough

overall much better than recent

[VivaBarcaInter]

Yes, we were really good. But you have to wonder how this is going to affect the squad. Finally, with a few tactical changes, the quality of play matches the hard work, but our efforts are rewarded with pure robbery. It's as if the whole of Spain is conspiring to destroy us.

Antic HAS to get 2 main points across to the players before our next league game.

1) There was NOTHING they could have done to prevent the draw. We played better, worked at least as much as they did, made the chances and scored the goals. It's not the players fault that a combination of awful refereeing, typical Bilbao cheating and pure luck robbed us of 3 points.

2) They have to develop a "US against THEM" attitude. It's worked a treat for clubs like Man U. Antic should get the players thinking "Everyone is enjoying our problems. They want us to go down. Those facists from Madrid are pissing themselves laughing at us. Are we going to sit here and put up with that crap, or are we going to ram some words down some throats?".

[soccer fanatic]

If you are a big team people just tend too get extra adrenaline pumping and therefore get more difficult too beat, add too that the knowledge all those teams have that this is their chance too beat Barca and you have though matches ahead of you.

But see you all say Barca improved so lets hold on on that, if play gets better, results will come too.

[relejado]

Originally posted by VivaBarcaInter


1) There was NOTHING they could have done to prevent the draw. We played better, worked at least as much as they did, made the chances and scored the goals. It's not the players fault that a combination of awful refereeing, typical Bilbao cheating and pure luck robbed us of 3 points.



they could have scored one more, they had the opportunity to do so ! you're right, we were robbed two points, but it's always bad to lose points at home !!! no matter how the team played.
barca improved, especially in the first half...i can see a light at the end of the tunnel ;)

[barça]

The way Atalla and Rsheperd are looking at this is right on.

I am disappointed in lossing the two points, specially when almost all the teams above us, tied or lost. A golden opportunity to make up ground.

Barcelona looked 100 times better yesterday and before. They came out for the victory and almost had it.

Saviola was on, as was Overmars. Xavi played much better than before and Cocu, defended well. Someone wrote that they were dissapointed in Cocu, but we have to get used to Cocu being a defender not like he was three years ago.

Puyol was very good, as usual, as a central defender. Even FDB was ok, not great, but ok. Sorin made two goofy mistakes and that cost them two goals. The foul was outside the area, but it was s stupid foul, he had no chance to get the ball. Then, for unkown reasons to me, he decides to cover the near post on a free kcik and what would have been an offside goal, became the tying goal.

I was disappointed, but the more I look at it, I feel better. Sorin will get better at that, Lucho will take over Mendieta and off we go.

[KrayZ]

im sorry but nothing u say will change my mind about Cocu, did u even SEE him on the ball??? he was terrible, his passes were VERy poor, not just 'off your game every now' and then poor but 'i just don't know what to do with this ****ing ball' poor, and he got the ball stuck in his own ****ing feet atleast half a dozen times before giving it away, and guess who missed that carbon copy of bilbao's second goal?? and what good is he defending when we still concede 2 goals and prob should've conceded another, when etxeberria headed the ball straight into bonanos arms?? for all our pacy forwards (overmars, saviola) there was an astounding lack of good service to them from the midfield, i don't remember ONE good ball being played in overmars's direction in the entire second half, the forwards alone can only do something to a certain extent, the midfield has to get involved, and with mendieta still out of form, that leaves Xavi and Cocu 9given Riquleme doesn't start), which is laughable....Frank De boer was playing better long balls then Cocu...tsk tsk

[MxManiak]

I watched just the last 20 mins, but what I saw was... A bit bad... Xavi should be playing B team and not the fist division, hes so painfully bad... Our mid is a very bad part of the game, what I saw was, everyone wanted Kluivert to do something and he got maybe 1 good ball from Sorin, but Sorin could shoot on that one... What Cocu missed is just unbeliavable. Please don't think I don't like Barca, it's just how they look on the pitch... Bonano and the defence played better, and FDB made no bigger mistakes, but I still think he should be gone.Riquelme shocked me, he was playing really bad IMO, I know he's not long in here but why the hell the coaches dont play him???

[KrayZ]

finally, someone who agrees with me....:P
but seriously, u might not want to admit because u like them but Xavi and Cocu are holding back our potential attacking play.....Cocu was a good player a few years back, but now he just doesn't have any edge to his game....and Xavi is just...well, crapp0
I'll admit im a bit biased when i talk about his general play, but really, what does Xavi actually DO on the pitch??? he might not be as bad as i make him sound but he's just not good enough to be a key midfield player for a club like Barca, even though the standard has dropped in recent times :(

[VivaBarcaInter]

Xavi keeps the ball, and links the defence to the midfield, and the midfield to the attack. Watch him during a game, you can count on 1 hand the amount of times he loses possession.

But I do agree about Cocu, I don't think we need both Xavi and he. Even Motta would have been a better option there, since Xavi can do the link-up play, and Motta can join the attack. Cocu doesn't really do that. And with Mendieta playing unbelievably bad, we're left with perhaps 1 starting midfielder who will offer a goal threat.

Not enough, given our situation.

[realfan]

[

this is a team that can perform miracles, and if antic can find the key to consistency, i wouldn't be surprised if we won oursevels a CL................

and also get relegated to segunda b
Forza Barca, always [/B][/QUOTE]

[barça]

Welcome to the boards realfan. Hope you are right.

[realfan]

Originally posted by barça
Welcome to the boards realfan. Hope you are right.

maybe i didn't write what i wanted to properly.

what i m saying is that with antic's appointment barca can now not only win the champs. lge. but also get relegated to

segunda b.

[barça]

Originally posted by realfan
maybe i didn't write what i wanted to properly.

what i m saying is that with antic's appointment barca can now not only win the champs. lge. but also get relegated to

segunda b.

Well I can garantee that they won't be relegated to 2 B, they might get relegated to 2.

[KrayZ]

<I>Xavi keeps the ball, and links the defence to the midfield, and the midfield to the attack. Watch him during a game, you can count on 1 hand the amount of times he loses possession.</I>

yes, but given that fact that our other midfield options are Cocu and Mendieta, or a really struggling Riquelme when he makes an appearance, we need more from him, more then just simple passes feeding the ball to the forwards and keeping possession of the ball,....maybe that isn't his game and it's harsh to critisize him but at the very least someone who'll play from the midfield and get a bit more directly involved in the attack, scoring goals wise as well

[KrayZ]

'at the very least we need someone' i meant to say....:S
but anyway, from what we actually HAVE, i would say it'd be a better option playing Motta out wide, with Mendieta and Xavi in the middle, or Riquelme and Xavi

[MxManiak]

It would be nice if Barca had 1 player who can hit the free kick over the wall. Xavi for sure isn't the one. I pray for the moment when Enrique returns...

[relejado]

Originally posted by MxManiak
I pray for the moment when Enrique returns...

who doesn't ?? mr. 100% dynamite is missing all over the pitch !!:evil:

[VAN BASTEN]

Soldevilla looking to dump Barca

make sure it don't happen at all costs :D

http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=131984&cpid=23&title=Soldevilla+looking+to+dump+Barca

[Atalla]

Originally posted by KrayZ
finally, someone who agrees with me....:P
but seriously, u might not want to admit because u like them but Xavi and Cocu are holding back our potential attacking play.....Cocu was a good player a few years back, but now he just doesn't have any edge to his game....and Xavi is just...well, crapp0
I'll admit im a bit biased when i talk about his general play, but really, what does Xavi actually DO on the pitch??? he might not be as bad as i make him sound but he's just not good enough to be a key midfield player for a club like Barca, even though the standard has dropped in recent times :(

before you go off and burst xavi's bubble, why don't you look at some of the other failures at the club??

how about reizieger? and christanval, who do not deserve to be wearing our shirt???

christanval has the potential to be a great player, but we should have bought him in a few years time..... he's too young at the moment, and most people here would tell you he's also too lazy

reizeger should just be deported....
don't come too hard on xavi..... he has saved barca a number of times........ (remember his shot that real goalkeeper cesar fumbled, and we managed to get a draw?) he has been consistent, and he is, like puyol, emerging as a symbol for the club... he has not done anything to warrant your dissaporval, IMO, or any one else's for that matter.......

we lost to athletic bilbao on set pieces............. AGHHHHHHHH
i guess Antic knows now that he has to train the team and GK how to avoid them............

[relejado]

Originally posted by Atalla
before you go off and burst xavi's bubble, why don't you look at some of the other failures at the club??

don't come too hard on xavi..... he has saved barca a number of times........ (remember his shot that real goalkeeper cesar fumbled, and we managed to get a draw?) he has been consistent, and he is, like puyol, emerging as a symbol for the club... he has not done anything to warrant your dissaporval, IMO, or any one else's for that matter.......



xavi is a good midfielder with good passing skills. but he's not 'more' than that. he's no new guardiola.
he's able to send some leathal passes through the defence, but half a dozen other midfielder in LALIGA are able to do the same. he's just not a superstar....is this enough to play such an important role in a team like barca ???

[VivaBarcaInter]

Yes, it is. Not every player in a team is going to be a world beating superstar. He does an important job for us. He doesn't score goals, but that's not his game, it never has been. It was the same with Guardiola. What we need is a guy like Enrique to replace a guy like Cocu, so our midfield has more of a balance between defending and attacking. Xavi might "look" like he's not giving us much, but that's because there are to many players in the side that do the same. At home especially, we don't need to play Cocu AND Xavi.

[MxManiak]

I think we shouldn't be playing any of them. We should sell them both and get a decent player. And with them FDB and Rochemback. That's my opinion

[Atalla]

selling players to buy new players is not always the best idea......
sure it works in soccer games, but not in real life..... a coach is only good if he can revitalize his worst players, and get them to perform up to par......

sociedad don't have any world class players, and they find themselves on the very top of La Liga.... wheras Valencia have players like Aimar, Gonzalez, Baraja, Carboni, etc.. etc..
and Madrid have a Dream Team.....

so let's not overdo the whole purchasing is vital thing. we have the players we do, not much can be done about that......
let's purchase players we need, i.e. a striker.......

it's this shopping frenzy that has landed us with cocu, FDB, Rochemback, Gerrard, Christanval, etc.. etc...

let's be sensible and not go overboard, if we can get Riquelme back on form, Mendietta back on form, and play consistently, then we can get out of this mess we find ourselves in........

i am seriously delighted with our performance against Bilbao.... we were simply stunning in the first half......
although a few ref decisions went against us, we sent out a message to all the teams in la liga, and all the teams in Europe,
"fear us"

[BLAUGRANA]

Some great discussion in my absence guys.

As for the Bilbao match, what a difference. It put a smile back on my face (despite the unfair result) and I have more hope. The defense definately looked more solid than before. I think Sorin is a bit excited at the moment and will calm down. I hope he comes good for us and we can get him on the cheap. I'd prefer a 3 man backline, but the 4 did look more solid. I think Puyol and FDB make a decent enough combo in the middle for us until the end of the season. I'd still try a B team player at the back (either in the middle or on the right) to see if there's any gems down there. Overmars did very well, and as i've said before, he's still got it. If he can stay clear of injuries, this sort of form from him will become common place. Kluivert still can't finish, and it's getting more frustrating by the match. Overall, I think the match will instill some confidence into the team, which could be the most important thing.

As for Xavi, I think he's an important player for us. He is an important link between the defense and attack. He can and hopefully will improve, however I think he's getting a bid of a bad rap here by some of you.

[MxManiak]

I've heard FDB wants to leave or finish his playing career, something like that... Anyone heard of that? And about Xavi... no comment

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by MxManiak
I've heard FDB wants to leave or finish his playing career, something like that... Anyone heard of that? And about Xavi... no comment

Why no comment?

FDB's contract is up this summer and I doubt the club will want to renew it. This old news though that's just come up again due to a new interview with FDB. I suspect he'll end up at Ajax, Gers or somewhere in the EPL.

[Atalla]

i fully agree on the apparently sensitive Xavi issue...

there is no such thing as a bad player, there are only those who can handle pressure, and give 110 percent, and those who are in this business for money and walk on the pitch and play each match giving only 25 % or 50 %.. some just can't handle the pressure, perform great at certain instances, and then suddenly fade into obsecurity, i think each of you can mention players of both caliber. i think that xavi is fantastic. he is industrious, tireless, and constantly giving his all to the team. unlike cocu, or Frank De Boer, who seem to tire fast, and in my opinion, (and this is strictly my opinion) are not performing up to their pure potential. FDB has been responsible for many goals that have scored on us. and has seemed like he hasn't been putting any effort into the games, two specific instances come to mind......

against Atletico madrid, he simply stood, as Torres just hopped skipped and jumped his was across.

against real madrid, when figo was on the counter attack near the end of the game, he did not bother to persue him, and simply stuck out his leg, tripped him, and was book, in what was a very dirty move and a bad tackle.

i haven't seen such laziness from xavi, who is still young, and has much to learn, but nonethelss, has been sooooooooo effective, and has demonstrated some nice touches on the ball. his passing is accurate, he holds his position well, and he can win the ball back..... that's why he is dubbed the "next Guardiola". he is not peps age, and is still at the very very beggining of his career, and already, he has a key position in the team. and is rather important.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Atalla
i fully agree on the apparently sensitive Xavi issue...

there is no such thing as a bad player, there are only those who can handle pressure, and give 110 percent, and those who are in this business for money and walk on the pitch and play each match giving only 25 % or 50 %.. some just can't handle the pressure, perform great at certain instances, and then suddenly fade into obsecurity, i think each of you can mention players of both caliber. i think that xavi is fantastic. he is industrious, tireless, and constantly giving his all to the team. unlike cocu, or Frank De Boer, who seem to tire fast, and in my opinion, (and this is strictly my opinion) are not performing up to their pure potential. FDB has been responsible for many goals that have scored on us. and has seemed like he hasn't been putting any effort into the games, two specific instances come to mind......

against Atletico madrid, he simply stood, as Torres just hopped skipped and jumped his was across.

against real madrid, when figo was on the counter attack near the end of the game, he did not bother to persue him, and simply stuck out his leg, tripped him, and was book, in what was a very dirty move and a bad tackle.

i haven't seen such laziness from xavi, who is still young, and has much to learn, but nonethelss, has been sooooooooo effective, and has demonstrated some nice touches on the ball. his passing is accurate, he holds his position well, and he can win the ball back..... that's why he is dubbed the "next Guardiola". he is not peps age, and is still at the very very beggining of his career, and already, he has a key position in the team. and is rather important.

I think you're a bit tough on Cocu. He's been a great servant to the club (perhaps the best of the Dutch crop of players). He is struggling this season, but he's not lost it.

As for FDB, he's getting older. He's not one for pace, that's for sure. He still offers distribution from the back and he makes up for some of his physical shortcomings with his experience. He's also having a less than stellar season, but he's been a good performer for us in the past. Were neither of the two Dutch, I doubt they'd recieve half of the criticism they do from Barca fans.

[soccer fanatic]

Frank de Boer played amazing against Argentina yesterday BTW. He is now one cap short of reaching the milestone of 100 matches for the Dutch NT. Cocu was great too, even Reiziger, who came in for the injured Jaap Stam at halftime, played good.

Kluivert was better than RVN and Makaay added up, but still not as good as he should have been.

[barça]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
Frank de Boer played amazing against Argentina yesterday BTW. He is now one cap short of reaching the milestone of 100 matches for the Dutch NT. Cocu was great too, even Reiziger, who came in for the injured Jaap Stam at halftime, played good.

Kluivert was better than RVN and Makaay added up, but still not as good as he should have been.

Argentine did not have the best of games, did you see Solari get out of the way of seedorf in the play that resulted in the goal? (an amazing shot for the goal, by the way)

I agree with your assessment of the Barcelona players. Cavallero denied PK some great headers. FDB looked like a different player. I am not sure I agree with you and Reiziger, I would just say that he did not play bad, no mistakes. Cocu, great? No, good is more like it.

Lets hope they come with batteries charged for the rest of the season and for the re-start of the CL.

[KrayZ]

ok, so i'll admit i am taking out my frustration rather harshly on Xavi, but he just doesn't strike me as being a 'great' player in the future, and he sure as hell isn't one right now. But, if we actaully had a more creative and versatile midfield i think Xavi would blend in nicely there and be quite effective as the link man.....but that is a big but, what with the kind of form our current midfield is in....
anyway, enough with negativity already, i'm just really glad overmars is having a decent run of games, he used to be my favourite player even before he joined barca :)

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by barça
Argentine did not have the best of games, did you see Solari get out of the way of seedorf in the play that resulted in the goal? (an amazing shot for the goal, by the way)


We werent exactly rocking either. Besides, they did have a good squad, ofcourse they missed Crespo, but they took the match seriously and went for victory. We played especially in defence great, Seedorf played pretty good but also made some really stupid mistakes. Overall we were the deserved winners and the Barca players played well.


I agree with your assessment of the Barcelona players. Cavallero denied PK some great headers. FDB looked like a different player. I am not sure I agree with you and Reiziger, I would just say that he did not play bad, no mistakes. Cocu, great? No, good is more like it.


F de boer played great because he feels comfortable and confident playing for the NT, and also because of the team around him, especially Stam is important in that, if you want FDB too shine more for Barca, put a player like Stam next too him, a pure defender, so that FDB cn combine solid defending with a fantastic built up from defence.

Reiziger made no mistakes defensively, he was solid and very agressive, he was good. Cocu is so incredible important for our team, he got so many loose balls, is almost always on the right spot too receive the ball and also is solid in defensive and built up work.


Lets hope they come with batteries charged for the rest of the season and for the re-start of the CL.

Especially FDB should have gotten a confidence boost by this and he needed it much, Kluivert always plays good for NT so he will find little change I think.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic


Kluivert was better than RVN and Makaay added up, but still not as good as he should have been.

Yes, he was better. He had some great chances and should have had a couple of goals. At least he put his efforts on target. Thing is, his shots were always right at the keeper. Great goal by Gio though. Looked like it took a deflection, but from the goal cam it was apparent it did not.

[yks_barca]

Anywayyyyyyyyyy ,

To all of you Barca fans ... i wish you a very happy Valentine's Day .. Hope you all get drunk tonight and get back home with at least someone :D ...

But don't forget that tomorrow we'll be one hell of an anxious Deby Match ...

We either get 3 points or that's it , DOWN !!

Buena Suerte para todos los Culés esta noche y mañana ;)

[barça]

Originally posted by yks_barca
tomorrow we'll be one hell of an anxious Deby Match ...

We either get 3 points or that's it , DOWN !!

Then it will be all three. Antic will repeat 11 and tactics, lets see how Mendieta responds to the confidence this time. PK looked great against Argentina and did Sorin against Holland.


Originally posted by yks_barca
Buena Suerte para todos los Culés esta noche y mañana ;)

Igualmente.

[barça]

Barcelona wil start the the same XI tonight, but there will be a new face in the bench. Luis Enrique has made the team for the first time in way too long. I doubt he will play and may not even be on the bench, but made the list. Andersson makes the team, two weeks in a row. Good signs everywhere.

It is raining a lot in Barcelona, with high winds, the mountain of Moutjuic will not be easy tonight.

Team:
Porteros: Bonano y Enke
Defensas: Puyol, Reiziger, Frank de Boer, Sorín, Andersson
Medios: Gabri, Xavi, Cocu, Mendieta, Riquelme, Motta, Rochemback, Luis Enrique
Delanteros: Kluivert, Saviola, Overmars, Dani

Starting XI:

--------------Bonano--------------
reizenger--Puyol---FDB---Sorin
---------Xavi--------Cocu--------
Overmars---------------Mendieta
-----Saviola-------PK------------

[J R R]

good news about LE

we really need the win......vamos barca!!

[Juan]

Now, they really really need Pat Anderson to return.

[zoolazorts]

i haven't seen any games from Barca recently, so i want to know - does Saviola play in the "hole" between Kluivert and the midfielders or next to Kluivert?

[hollowi]

At least he played in the game vs Bilbao.

[VivaBarcaInter]

VICTORY!!!!!

2-0 against our friendly neighbourhood whupping boys!

Cocu and Xavi!

The match reporter on Eurosport said Barca were rock solid in defence! :eek:

[hollowi]

A win at last. After last week's defeat this victory seems fair and just. Also Barça broke their 5 game's run of conceded goals.

To analyse a bit, this win seems huge. It gives confidence beyond imagination to the continuing Champions League. I was losing all faith in their ability to actually win games but this is a valuable victory, especially when Barça's away stats were (and are still) ugly: 2-2-7. At least the #1 club of Catalonia is indebatable :P. Now we'll have to see if Barça is to snatch the CL record of continous wins.

PS Does the CL winner automatically qualify for CL next year? Cos I'm not sure and that's the easier way to get into CL for Barça (thought no-one would ever say this but it's true)...

[barça]

For the second week in a row, Barcelona came out flying in the 1st half. The defense was excellent, even Reizeger, Sorin was making some great runs in support of the attack.

A nice free kick by Xavi with a perfect header from an open Cocu and the first goal. Only two minutes later, an incredible pass from Saviola to Xavi and wide open from just outside the area, Xavi puts it at the back of the net. Complete domination by Barcelona in the 1st half.

Overmars made great runs with nice crosses, Xavi was the Xavi that we need. Defended, attacked, held the ball. The four defenders were solid.

The 2nd half was a diffirent stroy, I have no more fingernails left. Overmars was complaining of muscle pain so Rocemback came for him, then Mendieta was taken out for Motta and we had the midfield no more. Espanyol had five clear chances in the first 15 minutes, but Bonano was up to par and the strikers of of Espanyol were awful.

Negatives, only PK, he missed everything. Mendieta, was still finding his way.

Man of the Match, I have two, XAVI and COCU, ironic after so much criticism last week.

Lets keep it up and beat Inter.

[hollowi]

Hmm... If Valladolid and Mallorca lose and Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao and Alaves do not win, Barca will be climbing the table all the way to the 10th!

Although Alaves' win would be acceptable cos they are playing Villarreal who are only one point ahead Barça and this way Barça could climb more next round.

Practically their climbing to the top six is impossible but with some luck they'll be there... Though it requires about zero losses in the spring season. Barça are now 17 points behind leaders Sociedad, 9 points after Deportivo (prolly 12 after, it's now 1-0 for them) who are keeping the last CL spot and hanging only 6 points behind Betis. And Betis and Sociedad are playing tomorrow. Hopefully Sociedad win because Barça are not tracing the championship but rather a CL or at least UEFA cup spot.

Thinking that Deportivo is only 12 points ahead (Valencia being winning their current game thus 15 points ahead) it requires theoretically four wins/12 points more in the remaining 17 games than what Deportivo gets. Sounds luckily possible for a team of Barça's caliber.

Games could go like this: Betis(H):W, Osasuna(A):W, Valladolid(H):W, Alaves(A):W, Santander(H):W, Villarreal(A): D, Deportivo(H):W, Real(A):L, Sociedad(H): D, Rayo(H):W, Sevilla(A): D, Mallorca(H):W, Recreativo(A):W, Malaga(H):W, Valencia(A):L, Celta(H):W. That would make 36 points from the games - Totalling to 63. Valencia won the whole league with 63 points last year but Deportivo must not get more than 24 points from the 17 games. That's really the hard point.

Deportivo have games against Alaves(H):W, Santander(A):W, Villarreal(H):W, Rayo(H):W, Real(A):L, Sociedad(H): D, Barça(A):L, Sevilla(H):W, Mallorca(A): D, Recreativo(H):W, Malaga(A):W, Valencia(H):L, Celta(A):L, Atletico(H): D, Bilbao(A):L and finally Espanyol(H):W. This is a slightly optimistic view but even this way Depor would get 24 points. Then it's a matter of goals difference. Then I think that it would be our benefit because Deportivo - being fourth - have +6(31-25) and Barça being something between 10 and 15 have +1(31-30). If both teams would win and lose always by one goal it would make +10 for Barça and +9 for Deportivo. What a perfect plan for the rest of the season :D... Man, I have to sell this to Antic :)

Well anyway long post for a comeback... Hope this is going to be :)... Anyway easier is (as I said) to win the Champions League :P

[soccer fanatic]

Hollowi, you are a genious!! :)

[hollowi]

That's me - lol... I only thought how games could end and it happened to be that we would have one goal more :D

It shows long-ranged thinking from God of Football who clearly has thought this plan for a long time. He wanted to make Barça fans feel a little down so He frightened us but only a little. Or then huge luck in the timing :D

[barça]

Thanks Hollowi, but:

I am really taking this one game at a time. Next is inter, we need to continue the run we have started. 4 goals in two games, and concentrate to keep the same form in teh 2nd half, as the 1st half.

[hollowi]

Yea, I was just counting if it's even possible. CL is more important now because there we have everything open all the way to the winning the whole league.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by hollowi


PS Does the CL winner automatically qualify for CL next year?

Yes.



Originally posted by barça


Negatives, only PK, he missed everything.

Yes. This is becoming increasingly frustrating. He NEEDS to start finishing, NOW!

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
Hollowi, you are a genious!! :)

No, you're the GENIUS! :silly: :evil:

Originally posted by barça


Man of the Match, I have two, XAVI and COCU, ironic after so much criticism last week.

Lets keep it up and beat Inter.

Ditto, on both points. I was thinking the same thing.

[BLAUGRANA]

A very important win today, IMO. Then again, they're all important. Today's was especially important after last week's bad luck. Also, it was a derby match and Inter awaits on Tuesay. Game will be live on ESPN 2 for us Cules here in the States.

Based on what i've read and the highlights I saw, we did very well for ourselves today. Not the toughest competition, but it's still a derby match. Xavi involved in both goals. No criticism of him for a while now I'd wager. Kluivert could have given us an even bigger win. Fine he missed them today, but the remainder of this season is crucial. If this continues, I'd drop him for a game and give Dani a chance. Perhaps that will spur PK on. The side seems to be gaining in confidence though and that's perhaps the most important thing. Antic should have them fitter and more stable in terms of squad selection and formation as the weeks go on. Here's to a win over Inter (i'm an Inter tifosi too, but we need it more than they do). VISCA EL BARCA!.

My man of the match does battle:


http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/footballcentral/FootballCentral/54281_600X400.jpg

[barça]

Great picture Azul, thanks.

[Veritas]

Uhhhhhhhhh finaly we won :)
Hope to see next victory on Tuesday
We'll definitely win this nerroazzuri and continue our winning strake in CL ;)

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA

No, you're the GENIUS! :silly: :evil:


I was testing you all. :smoking:

[Olesen10]

Good to finally be out of that damn crisis! And Xavi seems to fight his way through! I read in a match-report that his shoulder was hurt after a fall, and he needed to be carried off the field. But he said he wanted to play, even though the doc had to put his shoulder in the right place, which is very painfull. But the team doctor did it, and twenty minutes after, he made an assist and scored a goal. It's nice to have a player who's willing to fight for his team like that!
But what goes for PK, I agree with Zul. Put Dani in his position and see if he can stand not being in the startup-line...

[KrayZ]

hey, hey hey.......we won.....somebody pinch me!
i guess i'll have to eat my words for critisiznig Xavi, hopefully he can play like this in every game from now on....i hope Overmars isn't carrying an injury again, that would be a huge blow.....we really need to get a good run here

[Juan]

Well, you had a very good 1st half, but were lucky not to concede anything in the 2nd.

Xavi and Saviola were the best for you lot, and Maxi for Espanyol

[MxManiak]

Originally posted by KrayZ

i guess i'll have to eat my words for critisiznig Xavi

Same goes for me

[relejado]

Originally posted by MxManiak
Same goes for me

so do I !

[barça]

One part that still has me smiling is Luis Enrique. He was added to the list of playrs as a moral booster to the team, He is the great captain of the team and although he was not available to play, I am sure he had a positive impact on the team.

Lets walk out with 9 points tomorrow in the CL.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
One part that still has me smiling is Luis Enrique.

Hopefully he'll be back in the lineup soon. He scores important goals for us.

[Olesen10]

One part that still has me smiling is Luis Enrique.
Yeah, he's really a great captain and he can only make the team better, and he's been really good in the CL!

BLAUGRANA
What the hell Zul, Blaugrana!? :confused: :D What are we supposed to call you now...Bull? :silly:

Have you guys heard about the Inter and Barca fans, banding together to mage a sign saying something like: Ronaldo, where you've played, you've got few friends, you bastard! ( Don't know about the last word...Kinda my own opinion :) )

[FC Barca11]

Originally posted by Olesen10

Have you guys heard about the Inter and Barca fans, banding together to mage a sign saying something like: Ronaldo, where you've played, you've got few friends, you bastard! ( Don't know about the last word...Kinda my own opinion :) )


Yea it was supposed to read something like "Ronaldo , where ever you've played, you've left with few friends, INGRATE!" Hehe i'd much prefer "Ronaldo, you toothless M$*%F#*K#R hope you don't score another goal for the rest of your life :evil: " though it'll never happen and it'll never be true :D Oh well :D

[barça]

Well, now the team has to concentrate against a very fast Betis, Barcelona gave up two great goals against them in the first half.

Luis Enrique, Andersson and Sorin will be available. It would be interesting to see if Antic repeats the XI of La Liga.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Well, now the team has to concentrate against a very fast Betis, Barcelona gave up two great goals against them in the first half.


Big game IMO, but then they all are at this point. Perhaps Sorin can contain Joaquin. Here's to hoping.

[Juan]

It should be an interesting matchup in that flank. Like the R.Carlos-Figo encounters in older Superclasicos.

[barça]

A very scary game, almost every time (except for two) that Barcelona has won a game in the CL they either lost or tied in La Liga. Last game in Sevilla was a defensive disaster, the three goals that Barcelona gave up are still being shown in highlight reels. With Antic things will be different.

For one thing, Puyol is in the middle and he is the boss, FDB is no longer directing (thank God) Reizeger and Sorin will be on the sides and I expect Motta, rather than Mendieta in the line up for his defensive skills. Cocu won't have that much freedom to stop being Xavi's "shield" and go up and I expect him , Xavi and Motta to foul quite a bit to stop the counters. Although fouling can come back and bite you in the rear with the ever dangeruous Assunçao taking the freekicks. The fouls will have to be in the midfield. Ball possesion is the key and under Antic has been done in a more efficient manner, with purpose.

My only doubt on the starting line up is if Antic has seen enough of Bonano, but I am guessing that he will keep him there as long as the team is winning.

----------------Bonano-------------
Reizeger----Puyol--FDB----Sorin
-----------Cocu--------------------
-------------------Xavi---------------
Overmars------------------Motta
---------Saviola----PK--------------

[Veritas]

Yeah it'll be hot tomorrow on the pitch.
We need a victory to improve our league postion and keep morale of the team high.
I don't think that ball possesion is the key, it's important but not the key. Being faster than Betis is the clue. We also have to pay more attention to defence, not giving them to score stupid goals.
Good luck Barca :)

[VivaBarcaInter]

Why don't we play Motta INSTEAD of Mendieta all the time? I don't particularly think much of Motta, but he IS left footed. Plus, Mendieta still isn't offering the team anything other than running about. We can't have passengers in our situation, if he's not performing he shouldn't play. Or hey, perhaps even Luis Enrique could come in on that position for an hour.

[barça]

Originally posted by Veritas
I don't think that ball possesion is the key, it's important but not the key. Being faster than Betis is the clue.

I dsiagree, we are not faster than Betis and will never be. Betis is built around speed, we are not. If we have the ball, they can't run with it, but if they have the ball, then we have to foul to prevent them from running away. Again, being careful that the fouls happen in the midfield.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by VivaBarcaInter
Why don't we play Motta INSTEAD of Mendieta all the time? I don't particularly think much of Motta, but he IS left footed. Plus, Mendieta still isn't offering the team anything other than running about. We can't have passengers in our situation, if he's not performing he shouldn't play. Or hey, perhaps even Luis Enrique could come in on that position for an hour.

I don't mind Motta. I thought he did pretty well against Inter and has performed well for us in the past. He's so young (18-20 I think) and will get better.

[Juan]

I see Betis men running at De Boer frequently, he´s not what he used to be, and pacey players can force a yellow card or two out of him.

Also, Sorin will have to be careful protecting his side from Joaquin. As I said earlier.

[hollowi]

Originally posted by barça
Reizeger----Puyol--FDB----Sorin

Andersson rather than Reiziger or FDB.

[relejado]

i think, andersson is not 100% fit to play 90 minutes on such a high level as i expect it to be against betis. he may get some minutes, but antic will probably start with reiziger and FDB...

[InTeR_FaNaTiC]

oh u guys r really flying high , aren't ya :eek: :eek:

2 - 0 in 4 mins.


what's up today ... everyone seems to score every 2 minutes . :D :rolleyes:

tristan did it ... seedorf ... roberto carlos and ronaldo .... and now YOU :smoking:

[barça]

Well is now 3-0. the third coming from a gift from Pratts that landed on Saviola and he has already two.

Amazing as Barcelona had lost the midfield after the 2-0, but then the gift.

LUCHO is in fro Overmars who complained of an injury.

[barça]

Saviola hat trick!!!!:D :D :D Although I am sure it was off-side:angel:

[barça]

Depor also won 6-0 against Alaves:shocked:

Which means we are still 12 points away from 4th place. Although as I am writing this I am kicking myself in the ass for looking ahead.

Next is to finish Betis, 20 minutes left, after that is Inter.

[hollowi]

magnificient win. that's all :)

[KrayZ]

apart from saviola, my men of the match definitely have to be reiziger and sorin, some pretty sturdy defending and good support play up front for a change.....:)
joaquin will probably have nightmares about sorin

[BLAUGRANA]

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

What a capping off to a brilliant week. 4-0 or 1-0, I'm just thrilled with the win. Saviola is on fire and we need him to continue to finish his chances. Another HUGE confidence booster for sure, and that's very important. Still, one match at a time. First goal is a Uefa Cup spot and after than it's the CL spot. Still, just one match at a time. Whatever Radi is putting in their water, I hope he keeps doin' it.
:D

[Olesen10]

Magnificent win! Saviola is flying, and with Lucho back, we're heading for something good! Speaking of Lucho: He actually was a part of the fouth goal! :)

[Shady]

magnificent game for barcelona. secret word was SPIRIT. as if i was watching 11 puyols or luchos. having 4 players in defence gave our defence the edge over betis which we lacked this with the old formation. players covering for each others mistackes. playing like one solid teams with less gaps between players and tackling betis all the time and from everywhere. this is the barca spirit that can lead us to win games a trophies. this is a champion's spirit.

[Juan]

Even FDB had a good game! Awesome show to watch (unless you´re a Betis fan).

[barça]

Cmments from Saviola after the game:

"Ahora estoy jugando con mucha libertad.
Antic me pide que demuestre atrevimiento.
Sabemos que todos los equipos que están encima de nosotros han ganado y nos complican las cosas pero por el momento debemos recuperar la confianza en nosotros."

"Now I am playing with a lot of freedom, Antic asks me to show agressiveness. We know that the teams above us have won and that complicate things, but for the moment we have to regain our self confidence""

[Veritas]

Fantastic game :D We're doing great:D
That's what Antic said:
"Two weeks ago everyone was talking about relegation for Barcelona," he said. "But we have managed to turn things around and relieve some of the tension around the club.
I am happy with the display. We're playing good football. The players know when to speed things up, or drop their rate. They are controlling games well."
Ooo yeah they're controlling game :D
Saviola is FANTASTIC :D :D :D
Now we have to be focused on wednesday match on Meazza
Good luck Barca!!!!

[Veritas]

Four defenders....... it works ;)
I think that we have to keep using this tactics. Taking into account that Anderson will come back soon ........ our defence gonna be great ;)

[J R R]

Originally posted by Juan
Even FDB had a good game! Awesome show to watch (unless you´re a Betis fan).

yeah FDB and reizeger! amazing
its not often i have anything good to say about them especielly
FDB:)

i still cant get over how well the teams playing already and saviola is proving how good he is (are u watching vg?)
now i just want riquelme in form and im happy

[Veritas]

Originally posted by J R R
now i just want riquelme in form and im happy
I'll be happy if we win La Liga, CL and Spain cup in one season :D
just kidding

[J R R]

if you have roman playing like he did at boca then maybe next year you will:D ;)

[Veritas]

Originally posted by J R R
if you have roman playing like he did at boca then maybe next year you will:D ;)

Let's pray for it together :D
In fact one good central defender would be good as well ;)

[Veritas]

All,

Do you know that win over Betis was 1200 for Barcelona in 2215 games played in La Liga :)
The intresting think is that 1100 win was also over Betis :D it was in 1996/97 season. Enjoy our victory time :D

[BLAUGRANA]

Anything less than a win against Osasuna is unexceptable. We need to continue our run and make our way up the table. A win coupled with an Atletico Madrid loss puts us into contention for a Uefa Cup spot.

A lot of casualties going into this game, but that's no excuse. We have a huge club and a lot of players who should be ready to step into the void. Lucho should play and JRR has a chance to show what he's got. Oleguer has a HUGE opportunity to impress the new boss as he should statt. Dani also should get a chance.

[BLAUGRANA]

We've agreed to go InterToto next season should we fail to win a CL or Uefa Cup place. Fine by me if it's needed, but let's hope it's not. I think a Uefa Cup is easily within our reach. CL is still possible, but it'll be tough.

[Knex]

end result : 2-2

Osasuna [2 - 2] Barcelona

62' [0 - 1] Javier Saviola

79' [1 - 1] Ivan Rosado

86' [1 - 2] Luis Enrique

90' [2 - 2] Gerald Rivero

[KrayZ]

damn.....

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by BLAUGRANA
We've agreed to go InterToto next season should we fail to win a CL or Uefa Cup place. Fine by me if it's needed, but let's hope it's not. I think a Uefa Cup is easily within our reach. CL is still possible, but it'll be tough.

I think we won`t need it, but I also think all those people saying it is embarrasing that we even have too enter are a bit shortsighted. I mean, Barca ofcourse should be able too qualify without help for Europe, but Barca isn`t too big for any competition, if we can`t get European normally, than we should just enter, it is not shamefull but needed if we don`t automatically qualify.

[Olesen10]

I'll quote KrayZ and say "damn"
We could've won this one, and too bad, 'cause those games shall be won if we want an Uefa or CL spot!

[INTER_MILAN14]

hey everyone...barca is playing really well now and its good for them i hope u and we move foward to the quartofinali together...btw..i am teaching myself Catalan an i just made my first sentence....here it is: la noia és maca...

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
I think we won`t need it, but I also think all those people saying it is embarrasing that we even have too enter are a bit shortsighted. I mean, Barca ofcourse should be able too qualify without help for Europe, but Barca isn`t too big for any competition, if we can`t get European normally, than we should just enter, it is not shamefull but needed if we don`t automatically qualify.

Exactly, no shame in InterToto. It will just make any success in next season's Uefa Cup all the more sweet as we will have to work harder for it. Also, the team's match fitness level should be better than that of any of our rivals' La Liga as a result of the tournament. The only downside to that would be we'd be more tired over the course of the season. We've got a big squad and a good youth setup though, so we should have the depth.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by BLAUGRANA
Exactly, no shame in InterToto. It will just make any success in next season's Uefa Cup all the more sweet as we will have to work harder for it. Also, the team's match fitness level should be better than that of any of our rivals' La Liga as a result of the tournament. The only downside to that would be we'd be more tired over the course of the season. We've got a big squad and a good youth setup though, so we should have the depth.

Precise, Barca could also use it too give players experiennce in playing on high level and with a new coach it can be good too play some extra matches so the team can be used too the new tactics and played in in time for next years season.

[Juan]

Look at Malaga´s hot form at the beggining of the season, all thanks to the Intertoto. And, Barça should have a deep enough squad to mitigate the effects of tiring near the end.

[barça]

The La Liga campaing thread has moved to the Intertoto?

I apologize that I was not posting for almost all last week, I was traveling and the internet conection was terrible, enough to check in with work and curse the phone line.

Barcelona had to sign up for the Interttoto, they have a dead line and that was it (it was a must). I am not sure I agree with Juan that Barcelona has the depth to survive the tiring effects of the Intertoto. So the team must concentrate on gaining Europe spots by La Liga table. With 2 wins and 2 draws in the last four games, the team is on its way.

I, now have no doubts that the team is back and playing great. I was finaly able to see the extended highligths of the game against Osasuna and like Bilbao, we drop important points but the team played to win.

Tons of injuries combined by a cold/flue that had half of the team out. Line up was:

Bonano
Oleguer--- Reiziger----FdB---Sorín
-----Motta--------------------------
------------------Xavi-----------------
Mendieta-----------------Riquelme
-----Saviola-----------------Dani

So, Mendieta back on the right, for Overmars and JRR on the left, although he played in the middle, the width on that side was given by Sorin (there wasn't much from what I saw) Olerguer in Reizeger spot while Reizeger moved to cover for Puyol. Motta in for Cocu.

Cocu was miseed, Motta did ok, and should get netter, but he looked lost with Aloisi. Olerguer did exceptionally well, I expect to see him during the CL.

Weak first half, but Saviola again, with a great 1st touch and speed, surprised Osasuna and scored a nice goal. JRR pass to Luis Enrique was a beauty, Lucho got lucky and the ball deflected right to where the keeper was not.

Mendieta had the pass that freed Saviola for the goal, but missed a goal, that I was already celebrating. One aspect from Antic I still don't understand is why he changed Overmars for Saviola???

Enke sucked and was out of position on the first header (I know that some of you will argue this, but the more I look at it, the more I am convinced) ON the second goal, he just misplayed a ball that was not that hard, and gave it to Osasuna. Two points down the drain.

Dani is out for five weeks and Bonano has a cut and should be back. Barcelona has a freindly this week, I would love to see Valdes in. The cold suffering players are all back.

Still, 8th place and with a March schedule in our favor.

[BLAUGRANA]

About the InterToto, we SHOULD have the depth as I said, but whether they can cope (or whether or not we do have the depth) or not is another matter. I'd start by using B players for the Cup (King's Cup) from the start.

As for this weekend's game, I finally saw some highlights myself. I really was excited by the Lucho goal because of JRR's pass. Saviola's goal was nice too and he's really on fire. I was disappointed with the goals we gave up though and really feel that we should have taken advantage of that game. Injuries or not, a win is the result we should have achieved. My highlights are not as extensive, but I'm glad to hear the Oleguer played well. 5th place is still very attainable and we gained a little ground and lost a little ground (depending on who you're looking at). Either way, we just need to take game by game not worry about the other sides until we come up against them.

A friendly coming up this week. Look for a lot of the B players to get their chances to impress the new boss. The likes of Nano, Iniesta, Sergio, David Garcia, etc should get their chances.

[FC Barca11]

Though we only drew the match, I think we can still take a lot of positives from this match. Most important of all I think is that we're FINALLY finishing chances. We've never had a problem creating them, even under Van Gaal we did plenty to get chances but we'd always fail miserably in front of goal. With Saviola in form we're finally showing the strenght and finesse that we once used to play with. The defense has improved considerably and we would have won had it not been a blunder by Enke. Sorin is looking great and so is De Boer. If we hadn't gotten so unlucky with injuries I think we could have come away with a "W". But even with those harsh circumstances we almost had it. After all they scored in the 92 min. After a desolate season, we're finally seeing Barcelona climb up the table and hopefully (staying as optimistic as possible) gain qualification into the Champions League and who knows maybe even win it this year ;)

[barça]

Originally posted by FC Barca11
Most important of all I think is that we're FINALLY finishing chances.

Very well said. Mendi did miss an incredible chance last week and Overmars hit the post on another great pass from JRR, but under LVG, it seemed we were missing all of them.

[BLAUGRANA]

Yep, we are finally finishing our chances. It's something we touched on NUMEROUS times when LVG was in charge. Perhaps it's the more relaxed atmosphere and the return of the players' confidence which is helping things like this along. Whatever it is, let's hope it keeps going this way.

[BLAUGRANA]

Friendly in Lorca tonight. I'd be interested in a match report if anyone gets a hold of one.

Here's the full squad:

Robert Enke, Víctor Valdés, Michael Reiziger, Patrik Andersson, Philippe Christanval, Juan Pablo Sorín, Oleguer Presas, Dani Tortolero, David Sánchez, Gabri García, Thiago Motta, Andrés Iniesta, Gaizka Mendieta, Fabio Rochemback, Luis Enrique Martínez, Marc Overmars, Juan Román Riquelme, Fernando Macedo 'Nano' and Sergio García.

[KrayZ]

FC Barcelona played some lovely first touch football in the first half and piled on the pressure in the last ten minutes. An unfortunate defensive gaff by the home team gifted them the opening goal and Barcelona dominated from then on.

The goal came from a break down the right by Marc Overmars. His centre was deflected into his own net by Lorca defender Colina. Three minutes later Riquelme fired home a penalty awarded for a foul on Luis Enrique.

Spurred on by their supporters, the local team fought back in the second half and were rewarded when Arambarri buried the rebound from an erratic Rafa Rodriguez penalty. An equalizer began to look on the cards but Barcelona soon took control in midfield under the guidance of an inspired Riquelme.

Gaizka Mendieta converted a direct free kick for the third. Sergio Garcia missed a sitter in the 67th minute but made up for it by tucking away the fourth.

[J R R]

from what i heard riquelme played really well maybe he is starting to adapt

[MxManiak]

Originally posted by J R R
from what i heard riquelme played really well maybe he is starting to adapt
Yeah, nice to have him playing at last!

[FC Barca11]

Originally posted by J R R
from what i heard riquelme played really well maybe he is starting to adapt



Hopefully we'll be able to see his true form :) :) :)

[barça]

Antic today really talked well about JRR in the press conference, saying that he showed creativity but that he was still not at full pace. My guess is that Antic is trying to bring out the best JRR, rather than just shut him out.

I am thinking that for this weekend we will see Bonano back in goal, as his injury is well. Puyol is not back yet, even though he has fitted a mask to protect him from another hit. The game is against Valladolid, a team that has not played well away from home, but that beat us at their place.

Gabri might come out and play RB, if not it will be Andersson as the second CD and Reizeger as RB. Overmars is back at full speed so I expect him to start, Motta should go bak in for Cocu, I can't see Antic making a change to that position yet. The question forme remains, who plays from: Mendi, JRR and Lucho.

----------------Bonano--------------------
Gabri-----Reizeger---FDB-----Sorin---
-------------Motta------------------------
--------------------------Xavi--------------
Overmars-----------------???-----------
--------Saviola------PK-----------------

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
The question forme remains, who plays from: Mendi, JRR and Lucho.

----------------Bonano--------------------
Gabri-----Reizeger---FDB-----Sorin---
-------------Motta------------------------
--------------------------Xavi--------------
Overmars-----------------???-----------
--------Saviola------PK-----------------

I'd have to go with Lucho. Mendi is a versatile sub off the bench and JRR could be brought on later as well.

[barça]

Pk is in danger of not making the game, so maybe Lucho will p