View Full Version : 2002/2003 La Liga Campaign
BLAUGRANA
07-01-2002, 11:49 PM
I've started this thread a bit prematurely (like the CL thread), but I just want to keep this board organized. We can use this thread to discuss match previews, match results, player performances and anything related to league matches. ALSO, we can use this thread to discuss the Spanish Cup Campaign and even the Catalan Cup Campaign. Here's to an improved finish over last season and possible a La Liga Championship!!! :D
Roberto Abrego
07-02-2002, 04:30 AM
good job
but I dont think is a good idea to have all in the same board I think Match previews and results may have their own boards.
BLAUGRANA
07-02-2002, 06:20 AM
I thought about that, but then you have a bunch of new threads. Do you think separate thread for seperate matchdays for the league? I think the CL should be one thread though.
Olesen10
07-02-2002, 02:06 PM
Good idea with a matchpreview thread! That will stop us from posting a new thread from game to game, which will make this board very unorganized! I also like the CL thread, so we can discuss the other leagues a bit and compare them to FCB and the Spansih League. And then of course we can make CL-match previews!
Roberto Abrego
07-02-2002, 10:45 PM
ok :)
BLAUGRANA
07-11-2002, 02:55 AM
Babangida training with the first squad. LVG is really gonna give the youngsters a chance this season.
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/news/feature.sps?id=2048975&languageid=9
King Italy
07-11-2002, 05:54 AM
azulgrana, it happens in every forum throughout the net (well the organised ones :D ) that threads are posted for each particular match, whether it be for League, Europe or even friendly games. I could imagine having the whole season in one thread. Seriously, a thread for each game won't make this board crammed, but it is your board, so you have it as you want :)
BLAUGRANA
07-11-2002, 06:41 AM
Yeah, we've been discussing this one. I don't know. I don't think it will cram the board either.
Roberto Abrego
07-11-2002, 07:54 PM
I agree with King Italy...
FC Barca11
08-23-2002, 01:18 AM
Thats why he's King ;) wait a minute, is that new zealand???
Olesen10
09-02-2002, 06:47 AM
Okay result. Looks like Enrique is gonna be important this season...He's a real captain!
Xavi is getting better and better kicking those freekicks!
BTW, I'm gonna be gone for a week so don't expect me to post here until Sunday or Monday.
BLAUGRANA
09-12-2002, 04:55 AM
We got spanked by a Segunda B (Novelda) side in the first round of the Cup. NOT GOOD!!! We were w/o many key players, but that shouldn't have mattered. It sounds like from what i've read that some individual errors didn't help things as Reiziger sounded as though he played poorly and Enke supposedly made a goalkeeping gaf. Many other top sides were knocked out or nearly knocked out too. The only positive I would take from it is that at least now we can concentrate on the league and CL.
Olesen10
09-12-2002, 07:17 AM
It's a scandale! Barca scored four goals besides the two, but they were not ****ed as a score 'cause three of them were offside...
Now we have to be focused at the league so we can let out another failure!
relejado
09-12-2002, 08:16 AM
oh god, it starts again, loosing against small team. why the f*** is barca not able to just destroy those small teams, i just can't believe that. I really had a very good feeling during the presaeson, with mendieta and riquelme as new arrivals. but now after a draw at home against athletico and now a defeat against a 3th divison team....my good...what the hel is wrong ???
Who wants to win the cup anyway? ;) We're heading for more important trophies :star: ... there's no time for the Cup. :)
I want the Copa Catalunya. ;)
Olesen10
09-12-2002, 10:23 AM
Let's forget this damn result and move on. Now we have to focus!
BLAUGRANA
09-12-2002, 01:03 PM
Originally posted by relejado
oh god, it starts again, loosing against small team. why the f*** is barca not able to just destroy those small teams, i just can't believe that. I really had a very good feeling during the presaeson, with mendieta and riquelme as new arrivals. but now after a draw at home against athletico and now a defeat against a 3th divison team....my good...what the hel is wrong ???
Take it easy. I don't think it's as bad as it looks. For starters, Atletico Madrid have spent a lot of money this season and brought in some good reinforcements. I expect them to finish mid table if not qualify for a UEFA Cup spot. In terms of the Cup defeat, we were beaten fair and square. We were w/o many players and the pitch sounded bad, but we should have done better. Just look at how many Primera sides were dumped out though. Valencia scraped by themselves.
BLAUGRANA
09-12-2002, 01:04 PM
Originally posted by Olesen10
Let's forget this damn result and move on. Now we have to focus!
A win at Bilbao would go a long way towards forgetting the defeat to Novelda.
hollowi
09-12-2002, 01:45 PM
I really hope we can win against Bilbao because draw+loss in Liga combined with the loss in the first round in Copa would be something that we couldn't expect from any Primera team. At least not Barca, even without some important players.
It's true that it does sound worse than it really is but there has to be some major improvement. At least fewer goals against would help, 5 goals in two games is "a little" too much. It should be more like one or two. Maybe van Gaal really should have more defenders or at least lower midfield. Luckily it seems that scoring isn't a problem, 4 goals in two games is enough to win.
psh03
09-12-2002, 04:27 PM
The cup competitions really don't mean anything. In some ways you may benefit because you'll be rested while the other title contenders are making long trips out to the Canary Islands etc.
Frank DeBoer blamed Enke for the loss in the press. Not very professional publicly citicising team mates like that.
hollowi
09-13-2002, 02:34 PM
"With the most unbalanced team in its history, with no goalscorers and with players playing in positions they were not hired for, Barca looks to have begun on its road to Calvary." - http://212.100.224.146/news/2002Sep/20020912_15032_world_soccer.html
First of all I should ask the writer if he wants to stand behind every word. And if not, what kind of journalist is one who writes stuff one doesn't believe?
I'm astounded how people can always blame the manager for the loss and the players for the win. LVG is a great coach, although not everybody likes him. We must remember what he has offered us. . Barca lost last year also; does that make the defeat bigger or smaller, I don't know. But as psh03 said, it's only good to get some rest because I have full trust on their succeeding in CL and La Liga. That would mean almost 60 games for the team AND if that is not enough, almost everyone of the team plays in national teams.
It seems that Cruyff has also criticized the way how things are done at Barca lead. I can understand his point as Barca won 4 consecutive Primeras under Cruyff's helm decade ago. But he must also realize that the team he had was called "dream team".
The most unrealistic point that is said that "Barca doesn't have goal scorers". I'm sorry, but what did you say? Didn't Saviola score 17 and Kluivert 18 last season? Yes. Tristan was the top scorer with 21? I think that whoever wrote that should stop writing sports news. And as I have said once before, four goals in two games is easily enough. The only problem left is keeping the goal somewhat clean. Probably biggest problem is that we don't have no. 1 keeper. And the defense is too light. LVG should be playing 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 if he wants to have any use for his defense.
Anyway I would like to see some real scores, not losing (again) to a Segunda B team. Now a win against Bilbao and we're on the bright side again. Good luck for the whole team and especially LVG who's having (serious) problems with the media and some fans!
ItalianBoy
09-13-2002, 05:30 PM
I told you Van Gaal was bad!
Who will you get now?
soccer fanatic
09-13-2002, 05:53 PM
Originally posted by hollowi
"
It seems that Cruyff has also criticized the way how things are done at Barca lead. I can understand his point as Barca won 4 consecutive Primeras under Cruyff's helm decade ago. But he must also realize that the team he had was called "dream team".
Also take into concideration that Louis van Gaal and Johan Cruiff aren`t exactly friends. :rolleyes:
FC Barca11
09-14-2002, 12:36 PM
Originally posted by hollowi
[B
It seems that Cruyff has also criticized the way how things are done at Barca lead. I can understand his point as Barca won 4 consecutive Primeras under Cruyff's helm decade ago. But he must also realize that the team he had was called "dream team".
[/B]
Please don't take this the wrong way ( I still revere Johan Cryuff, 4 consecutive titles is no joke) but the guy right now sounds like a di#@head. Ever since Ferrer, followed by Rexach and now Van Gaal, the man has had nothing but negative comments for the club. When Rivaldo was here, he critisized Rivaldo like none other. We Rexach took over, he blasted Rexach for doing such a thing. Yes he's a good coach, but he also had the best players of that time playing under him. He's always giving Barcelona a hard time, and twice now Gaspart has asked him to comeback. But why doesn't he? It seems its more fun to blast people's mistakes from the outside rather than take the situation into stride and help out the team. He claims to love the club, then why does he not take up the manager's seat and show us how its done? Van Gaal is a good coach and not a wimp. He stood up for the team's performance and has refused to change tactics for the next game. He needs some time to implement his plans.
FC Barca11
09-14-2002, 12:39 PM
Now lets that big W at Bilbao!!!!
Olesen10
09-14-2002, 01:15 PM
Cruyff has done a great deal for the club, and I highly respect him player and for the coachjob he did with El Dream Team. But it doesn't help critizizing the team! It will only make things worse!
kare_barca
09-14-2002, 03:49 PM
i had a lot of hopes.after all van gaal had returned.mendieta and riquelme were signed.but after that defeat to novelda i m convinced v will have as bad a season as last one.
basically v never signed players v actually needed.enke in goal is awful.v don't even have 1 average central defender while upfront it is as bad as last one.v just keep on creating but never really finish off the moves.
i think last 2 seasons v got lucky to qualify for the cahmps lge.in 2000 rivaldo scored a fantastic hat-trick while last season celta vigo threw it all away.but v might not be lucky this season.
my predictions for this season :
copa del rey : first round
la liga : 5th
champs lge. : semi-finals
hollowi
09-14-2002, 09:21 PM
If Barca finishes fifth in La Liga that will mean out for van Gaal and Gaspart. I think the tides will turn, we have a lot of great players especially in midfield. This means that we can use anything from 3 to 5 midfielders from greats like Luis Enrique, Xavi, Cocu, Mendieta, Riquelme, Overmars, Geovanni. That's seven total, and three of them are also great in attack. The defense is the biggest problem, we really have to have defenders for every position and I really can't see what was the point selling both Coco and Sergi and NOT buying anyone to the left side.
If I had to predict, I'd say CL second group stage, La Liga 3rd. Though I have big hopes especially in Europe.
ItalianBoy
09-15-2002, 05:52 AM
I really don't have any respect for Cruyff, Platini and Van Gaal. Van Gaal is a total jerk. Cruyff the same. I recall him talking crap about Italy in the game VS Dutch, and we won! He was saying that they would have won 4-0 and that the ITA had no chance! hAHHAHAHAHA it was so fun. I wished I was there to look on his face when dutch lost!
I know Platini has nothing to do in this specific discussion, but he is a jerk.
hollowi
09-15-2002, 08:47 AM
At last! The great victory against Athletic Bilbao was something that I wanted to see from Barca. (According to documents) The team fought well and the defense was solid, which was the most important imo. Luis Enrique's on fire, three goals in two games. I'm very happy to see that our capo can make the other team fight with his play. Also I'm very happy to see our attackers to score some.
I bet LVG was very happy now when he was not blamed for bad play, though the manager never gets the credit, only the blame. I feel great about the victory, I almost got worried if we could really fight for the title. And about the title, REAL LOST! THERE IS A GOD! I read somewhere that Betis' 1-0 lead would be the final score when the game was ended @ 44 minutes due to lighting problems. The best part (not really) in this is that I had a bet for Barca, Deportivo, Real and Valencia winning and when the game is not played to the final whistle, every score is right :D. No-one can't stop the money flowing!!! Though the flow lasts until about 40€ so the win didn't really shock my financial world :silly:
Anyway, great game! More of these are and we'll pose a serious challenge in both CL and Liga.
hollowi
09-15-2002, 09:12 AM
Well I'm very sorry to read this but the result will not be final (which I think would have been very odd if it had been). Also Betis lost their 1-0 lead and with Real's luck they will probably win 0-3 in rematch. Luckily there is a second chance that the teams will play the game only to the end = second half with Betis leading 1-0 at the beginning.
Yeah ... hope so too ... damn I was so happy when I read about the Betis-lead and then it got cancelled. :(
Whatever ... we've been great yesterday and that's what counts! :star:
FC Barca11
09-15-2002, 01:20 PM
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA VISCA EL BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
That result should shut Cryuff right up. Hopefully critics will get off Van Gaal's back so he can finally do his job. I was also sorry to hear that Betis wouldn't be given the three points. It would have been pretty funny if they had ;) Oh well, hope they kick Real's butt in the rematch.
FC Barca11
09-15-2002, 01:25 PM
Jeeeeez, as soon as Cryuff shuts up, Rivaldo takes his spot. Now we got to hear his rants from Italy.
FC Barca11
09-16-2002, 12:01 PM
http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/h2899.html
I don't understand this hypocritcal idiot at all. First Cryuff says we have to let Rivaldo go, then he doesn't like the way he left??? Anyone know a way i can email/write to Cryuff? I'll give him a piece of my mind. :mad:
BLAUGRANA
09-16-2002, 03:09 PM
Well, the team responded well to last week's cup debacle. Bilbao were understrenght though, so I'm not too overjoyed. I am pleased that again we seemingly created a lot of chances. It was nice to see Puyol playing too. I wasn't sure he'd make the game.
BTW, I read that i'll be able to see La Liga here in the States!!!
BLAUGRANA
09-16-2002, 03:12 PM
Originally posted by ItalianBoy
I told you Van Gaal was bad!
Who will you get now?
We're not getting anyone else. LVG is going nowhere.
VivaBarcaInter
09-16-2002, 04:57 PM
I agree that Bilbao didn't look to be at their best. But, even without a couple of star players in our team, we beat them comfortably. The system worked exceptionally well. The most important thing in my book is that we have got 4 points from 2 games, and Bilbao is never an easy place to go and get points. Atletico are also a difficult team to beat, since they always play well against Barca.
It's not just getting points, but getting hard games out of the way!
We've made a good start against two good teams. Our players are getting used to Van Gaal's way of doing things. Our defence looks reasonable and will only improve when Andersson comes back. I think things look good, in terms of La Liga. As far as the Champions League goes, I think it would be nothing short of a miracle if we won it. But hey, 2 out of Real's 3 recent wins have been done with an average team, so why not!
Talking about Real, I think Spanish rules say that the game will be continued from the time and score that it was stopped. But it's wierd that the ref didn't just call it half time, that means both teams will go out and play 2 minutes before he stops the game for half time!
Olesen10
09-17-2002, 06:30 AM
Yeah, it was a great result w/o Riquelme and Andersson!
It's too bad with Real. I would have liked to see them losing!
Olesen10
09-19-2002, 05:39 AM
YES!
What a great goal Saviola scored, and Enrique is just flying!
And a really nice freekick from Mendigol!
VISCA EL LUCHO !!! :star: the freaken best player of the world! :star:
FC Barca11
09-19-2002, 10:26 PM
Ehhhhh we're still conceding goals late in games but what they hey, OUR OFFENSE IS F@&KING AMAZING!!!!!!! :D
BLAUGRANA
09-20-2002, 03:24 AM
Originally posted by FC Barca11
Ehhhhh we're still conceding goals late in games but what they hey, OUR OFFENSE IS F@&KING AMAZING!!!!!!! :D
There is a Champions league thread in this forum FCBarca11. It's called Champion's league group H and it links you to the European Club Competitions threads where we can interact with fans from other teams. :D
BLAUGRANA
09-20-2002, 03:25 AM
Originally posted by Bier
VISCA EL LUCHO !!! :star: the freaken best player of the world! :star:
He is the man, isn't he. He is almost surpassing Guardiola in my book in terms of being a servant to the club. Also, he does have a great track record of scoring in the CL for Barca.
FC Barca11
09-20-2002, 09:22 PM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
There is a Champions league thread in this forum FCBarca11. It's called Champion's league group H and it links you to the European Club Competitions threads where we can interact with fans from other teams. :D
muchos gracias amigo.
Olesen10
09-21-2002, 09:55 PM
YAHOO!
Weve got the first place!! We're one point ahead from Deportivo!
We have a true Captain! One assist and one goal! Three goals in four matches in the league so far!!!
From now on, if we win all our games, the league title is ours! :D
VivaBarcaInter
09-21-2002, 10:13 PM
We were really good this game. When we were 1-0 up we looked strong, didn't give them a sniff of a chance. Luis Enrique is looking truly awesome, Kluivert will only get better after scoring, Saviola looks better every game. Things are looking up, we are getting better. And this is with Andersson, Overmars,Dani out, Gerard just coming back, and players like Rochemback anf Riquelme still to bed themselves into the team!
Yooooooooohoooooooooooo ... did I already mention that Lucho is the best? :star: Riquelme was a major increasement in the second half and I am glad to have seen Kluivert score after so many missed chances. Saviola would of deserved a goal as well. Great 2nd halftime from our whole team. :star: :thumbsup:
BLAUGRANA
09-22-2002, 01:23 AM
It sounds like from the reports that I read that our only problem is still finishing. I read that Kluivert missed another sitter. At least he scored one. A game we needed to win to keep the pace going and one we should have one as well, even if it was a derby. That keeps the pressure on the others and will hopefully keep the team full of confidence ahead of next week's tough trip to Ystanbul.
Luis Enrique is really proving to be a great captain. He's definately epitomizing the phrase "leading by example". Also, his personal support for Kluivert in the press seems to have paid off.
Olesen10
09-27-2002, 06:50 PM
Seems like Andersson is off injuries, so we can expect to see him back in the opcoming games. Great news IMO, since F de Boer hasn't been at his best so far this season.
soccer fanatic
09-27-2002, 09:50 PM
Although its great Enrique supports Kluivert, Kluivert wasn`t really in a form crisis. It`s true he missed to many chances but you can see with the way he controls the ball and the way he participates in the games he has the confidence (and skills). Just compare it with RVN. A while ago he failed to control balls that he normally always gets right. (He is getting back now.) Kluivert does everything right except, finishing which is partly luck. He is more than a striker, he gives other players chances to. But you all know that, because otherwise all of you would already be complaining about him. He will score more again, I`m sure.
Olesen10
09-28-2002, 09:24 PM
DAMN! If we are heading for a top 3 position in the league, we can't afford to lose to a team like Betis! (with all due respect)
Juanele
09-28-2002, 09:51 PM
Originally posted by Olesen10
DAMN! If we are heading for a top 3 position in the league, we can't afford to lose to a team like Betis! (with all due respect)
Barça had one good chance all game. Betis absolutely destroyed us. Varela dribbled through the whole Barça team before scoring.
I wouldn't dismiss Betis. They smashed Deportivo in La Coruña and they were leading Real Madrid in their match before the lights go out. It pains me to say it but Betis could very well challenge for the league title.
soccer fanatic
09-28-2002, 09:54 PM
i hanen`t seen anything of the match, what happened?
I know the result 3 - 0 BTW.
VivaBarcaInter
09-28-2002, 11:12 PM
It wasn't that long ago that on the way to the title we beat Betis 3-0 on thier own ground. It's sad that we have been so badly mismanaged (almost into the ground) that we're in a condition to get thrashed off a team like Betis and accept it. Our team looked really tired and frail.
Unbelievable ... I'm always lost for words when we impress, but I'm even more lost when we lose like this. :(
BLAUGRANA
09-29-2002, 04:27 AM
Originally posted by Juanele
Barça had one good chance all game. Betis absolutely destroyed us. Varela dribbled through the whole Barça team before scoring.
I wouldn't dismiss Betis. They smashed Deportivo in La Coruña and they were leading Real Madrid in their match before the lights go out. It pains me to say it but Betis could very well challenge for the league title.
Right as usual. I wrote off Betis at the beginning of the season, but they are for real. I think they would have beaten Madrid too. Some of the Betis players came out after that game and said they felt it was suspicious the game was called just before the half.
Well, not that I haven't said it before, but we should do anything and everything we can to get Joaquin.
BLAUGRANA
09-29-2002, 04:29 AM
Originally posted by Bier
Unbelievable ... I'm always lost for words when we impress, but I'm even more lost when we lose like this. :(
I'm sure part of it is down to fatique. However, I don't want to take anything away from Betis as they are for real this season. A loss like this will keep the squad's feet planted firmly on the ground. Hopefully they'll bounce right back like they did after the Cup defeat. Also, maybe now Riquelme will be given a starting role.
paul.turner
09-29-2002, 09:02 AM
I hate to say it but Betis outplayed us in every area of the pitch, particularly the wings. They dictated the pace which was just too fast for what looked like a very tired Barca team.
It's early days for the season but it does expose the problems LVG has with his squad. Andersson can't come back quick enough, Fernando looked completely out-classed against Joaquin, but then, so will most defenders.
BTW, I've missed something, is Riquelme injured?
FC Barca11
09-29-2002, 04:45 PM
No, Riquelme is in Aregentina with his wife to celebrate the birth of their son. But is showed how sorely we missed him .
Before critizing any of the other players and acting like an egotistical bastard, Frank De Boer needs to take a good look at himself. He was standing and smokin a cig when Joaquin took his shot to score. It was unbelieveable. A "world-class" defender......not a chance. I personally cannot wait till Patrik Andersson comes back. His expertise is sorely missed in the defence.
This is the second time Victor Valdes has given up a penalty. I thought he may have figured out how to come at a player following his game against Brugges, but he made THE SAME mistake again!!!!!! I believe it is time for Roberto Bonano to step up to the plate.
I think this result goes to show how poor our defending is, and how we lack depth in defence. If you say Varela score, you can understand what i'm saying. 5 Barcelona defenders stood back and let him run circles around them and put the ball high into the net.
My analysis may be a hit harsh, but I can't help it. It was an embarassing defeat, and yes i understand that Barca are under a very tiring fixture but many other teams are in the same boat as we are. :( Had the score been 3-2 or even 3-1 atleast, i would have been satisfied. But we took the field and stepped aside and made Betis look like we were footballers out on a Sunday afternoon at the park. :(
paul.turner
09-29-2002, 05:13 PM
Thanks for the info about Riquelme, at least one Barca player had a happy weekend!
It was a poor performance and what was really worrying was that we didn't cause Prats to make one save. The movement up front and sharp passing of previous games this season wasn't there.
Let's hope it is the worst performance of the season out of the way!
hollowi
09-29-2002, 06:48 PM
Our loss against Betis showed the vulnerability of the team, especially with the defense. Betis is a great team this season but we still should improve our defense. LVG could play easily 4-3-1-2 if he had a left back. You should never be happy about others' loss but I'm happy that we weren't the only ones who lost this round. I'm sure you know that I mean Real Madrid who should've played better. If they can win Roma 3-0 away they really should win Valladolid also. And it's good that they didn't win cause now they only gained one point more than we did. Of course there is so called statistical loss; no-one wins always, no matter which teams there are. Maybe this was Real's but I hope it was also ours. Actually I can't call the game that cause Betis can be going to CL next year. Although I believe that they can't keep up their form and once again the Spanish quartet will be Barca, Real Madrid, Valencia and Deportivo LC. Betis will probably be fifth and go to UEFA cup again.
Anyway we have more games than Betis but I'm sure that the players will get used to the tempo as the season goes by. The start of the season can be hard (ManU scored only 5 in first 6 games, when their average is about 15 in 6 games). I think we're fine still but we have to get more than 7 points in 4 games. The problem isn't big, Valencia won last season with an average of little less than 2, 75 pts in 38 games. Still, we should have an average of about 2.25. And Real had a tie and is one goal behind against Betis when there's 47 minutes left to play. We have 2/1/1=7 points for four games and Real has 2/1/0=7 points for three games but as I said, they have one goal less than Betis and it's 47 minutes left.
Olesen10
09-30-2002, 06:38 AM
Yes, we need a new and stronger left back to make the three defense to work.
BLAUGRANA
09-30-2002, 03:48 PM
Gaspart and Puyol have come out and said that the team played very badly and that there are no excuses. This is the sort of attitude and honest that we need to go forward and improve. Hopefully we'll bounce back vs Lokomotiv Moskow.
Olesen10
10-01-2002, 11:09 AM
I surely hope so! We need to get back togehter with a good win.
Olesen10
10-01-2002, 07:21 PM
Nice win in Russia! Saviola's second goal was really good! Puyol made a seldom fault which caused a goal to the Russians, but it was nice to see Kluivert score again. We had completly control, and made the loss in Huelva to look as a onenight stand...;)
Olesen10
10-01-2002, 07:21 PM
Nice win in Russia! Saviola's second goal was really good! Puyol made a seldom fault which caused a goal to the Russians, but it was nice to see Kluivert score again. We had completly control, and made the loss in Huelva to look as a onenight stand...;)
http://www.diariosport.com/media/articles/000000050000/000000050445000000060932.jpg
:star: what a great performance by our side today ... I think we had about 80 percent possesion of the ball. Xavi IMO was man of the match always went for the ball and played brilliant passes as well as easy ones if necessary.
nismo
10-02-2002, 10:31 AM
only saw the hightlights
but barca was impressive
despite the lobb consolation goal by loko, it was obvious who deserved the victory. A clear indication of the character at Camp Nou, able to bounce back despite poor results.
BLAUGRANA
10-02-2002, 02:48 PM
Originally posted by Olesen10
Nice win in Russia! Saviola's second goal was really good! Puyol made a seldom fault which caused a goal to the Russians, but it was nice to see Kluivert score again. We had completly control, and made the loss in Huelva to look as a onenight stand...;)
http://www.diariosport.com/media/articles/000000050000/000000050445000000060932.jpg
Originally posted by Olesen10
only saw the hightlights
but barca was impressive
despite the lobb consolation goal by loko, it was obvious who deserved the victory. A clear indication of the character at Camp Nou, able to bounce back despite poor results.
Originally posted by Olesen10
what a great performance by our side today ... I think we had about 80 percent possesion of the ball. Xavi IMO was man of the match always went for the ball and played brilliant passes as well as easy ones if necessary.
I agree guys, a great way to bounce back. The Betis loss was still a stark warning sign though. We do not look as solid in the league. I also feel as though our CL competition is weaker than what we have and will come across in La Liga. We have some very tough Liga matches in the near future. Get through those and we'll be in good shape.
ALSO, DON'T FORGET THAT WE HAVE A CHAMPION'S LEAGUE THREAD IN THE EUROPEAN CLUB COMPETITIONS FORUM. I started this one for La Liga matches mainly. There you can interact with fans of other clubs from our group and rub it in if you want!!! The thread is called CL Group H: Barça, Galatasaray, Lokomotiv, Club Brugge. You can access it from our forum too. It has the little white arrow next to it.
squirrelkanu
10-05-2002, 05:35 AM
I get mad when barcelona one of supposedly the best sides in europe loses against weak opposition like novelda and for againsr betis. That sucked. I was watching the game on fox sports coz i live in australia and i think we played like crap. We need to pick a new defender and a new striker to help out Kluivert and Saviola. I would recommend Djbril Cisse from Auxerre, Ronaldinho for PSG or Van Hoojdonk from Feeynord. LVG has got the wrong opinion of having a small squad with all the games played in a season.
soccer fanatic
10-05-2002, 01:01 PM
Originally posted by squirrelkanu
We need to pick a new defender and a new striker to help out Kluivert and Saviola. I would recommend Djbril Cisse from Auxerre, Ronaldinho for PSG or Van Hoojdonk from Feeynord. LVG
Van Hooijdonk... ... .... :D
BLAUGRANA
10-05-2002, 09:41 PM
Originally posted by squirrelkanu
I get mad when barcelona one of supposedly the best sides in europe loses against weak opposition like novelda and for againsr betis. That sucked. I was watching the game on fox sports coz i live in australia and i think we played like crap. We need to pick a new defender and a new striker to help out Kluivert and Saviola. I would recommend Djbril Cisse from Auxerre, Ronaldinho for PSG or Van Hoojdonk from Feeynord. LVG has got the wrong opinion of having a small squad with all the games played in a season.
Real Betis is one of the sides in Spain this season.
Roberto Abrego
10-06-2002, 07:03 PM
Barcelona 2
Osasuna 2
We played better but they scored a quick goal at the 2nd minute of game...
alex_10
10-06-2002, 11:22 PM
draw!uh
shame:(
BLAUGRANA
10-07-2002, 03:50 AM
I have to say that I'm very disappointed with the Osasuna result. I think it's a game we should have won for starters. Also, had we won we would have made up valuable ground. Valencia and Depor both lost while Real Betis drew. A shame we can't translate our European form to the domestic games. I think it's a matter of the quality of our opposition. Well, at least we didn't lose.
Midweek in the Cl we looked like a well oiled machine clicking on almost all cilenders as from midfield up the passing was slick,effecient and deadly,with the entire field wittnessing a fine display of one touch football and deadly finshing skills,but yet admist this fine performance our defence looked uncertain,as if the only man out there defending was Puyol leaving questions left unanswered but a well deserved win and performance put in....credits must go to the minute one whose deadly finishing skills left defenders bedazzled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday-AT home in the NouCamp aganist lowly O, it was suppossed to be our comeback after Betis,like wolves converging over prey, a pure slaughter..or was it???????
This is by far,the worst Barca performance by far,far worse than the Serra Ferrer regieme or Rexach,after a beautiful Cl game my family and I looked on in 'AWE' as our team looked disjointed and lacked motivation in the first half.We actually looked like the away team as O defended deap and counter attacked with precision and speed capped off by a delightful finish as all our jaws dropped.......Our defence was not 3 but 1 ragged haired defender playing his heart out in vain as the other 2 looked nostaligic in their play..........As the half wore on the midfield of Xavi and Mendieta lacked motivation and not one good touch from either as Cocou dropped back in defence..........Throws were given right back to the opposition,setplays wasted and I came to wondering what went on on the training pitch?????From a misguided the defence panicked and Motta pulled 1 back.............Less than 20minutes later once again our defence was embarrassed by a sucker goal and I wonderd if this was Barca or Napoli...............
Saviola and Kluviert were the only 2 who looked lively but with a midfield that lacked any push or creativity I moaned in agony at the nonsence played................then Motta played a perfect corner and again we were levelled........half time.........
AT the start Riquelme was introduced but not even he could pull us out of our slump as players dissaperred from the pitch...where was Enrique and what was Mendieta doing???Riquelme triedwith some subline touches and amazing runs as well as passing that left the defence backpeddling but,ironically,no one else par Saviola and Kluviert could get a touch on ball worth mention or of quality as the team lacked confidenceand drive .....and as Ronaldo's goals flashed on screen I wondered if this was all a bad dream but once again reality struck as our most prolific strikr this season was substited for a player notorious for midfield work and I really pondered if we were the away team attempting to tie up a result......as despite Riquelme's persistance our team lacked creativity or any good touches and I wondered tomyself .how bad ca we actually play and at that final whistle I got it............
1 set piecedelieved well out of a dozen,terrible throwins,defended out of the game,no width,creativity or push,no one touch football par Riquelme ............
IS this the barca that can fight with AC,Real and MU???
Not like this......................deviod of confidence and aching just to get off the field withoutbeing embarrsed isn't our style its attacking with reckless abandon knowing that if you score 1 we'll score 2 more (like midweek and pre betis),but VanGALL AS ACOACH HAS A JOB OF RESTOREING CONFIDENCE IN OUR PLAYERS(ESPECIALLY ENRIQUE) IF WE ARE TO EVEN COMPETE IN EITHER 2 COMPETITIONS AND WITH AN AGED SQUAD BLENDED IN WITH YOUNG EXPERINCED PLAYERS(Saviola-WC under 21,Riquelme-intoto cup200,Gerrard-champs leauge final2000,Kluviert-Cl winner) WE CAN, DO SOMETHING THIS SEASON( a splash in the ocean is better than letting the waters lie still) BUT CONFIDENCE IS REQUIRED AND WILLPOWER(the kind that Roman displayed today as he ran from midfield to outside the penalty area under a barrage of fouls) NEEDED IF WE ARE TO DO ANYTHING THIS SEASON!!!
PS-Praticeing set plays(Mendieta and Xavi) will also be usefull!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olesen10
10-07-2002, 07:55 AM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
I have to say that I'm very disappointed with the Osasuna result. I think it's a game we should have won for starters. Also, had we won we would have made up valuable ground. Valencia and Depor both lost while Real Betis drew. A shame we can't translate our European form to the domestic games. I think it's a matter of the quality of our opposition. Well, at least we didn't lose.
Teams like Osasuna we need to win against to have the chance to win the leaguetitle! We didn't win one point, we lost two!
And it doesn't make it any better that Ronaldo scored two goals in his first game!
funky6
10-07-2002, 08:29 AM
This 3 last year's comedy must stop!!!It's not just a draw against a weaker side.I've had enough of teams like Osasuna,Novelda,Terrassa and maaaaany others grabbing points from Barça easily even in our home.I personally expect another miserable year without titles.If you gyus are carried away with our C.l. performances you're wrong.There's no point analysing what's the fault.I don't care if it's V.G.,gASPART,the Boixos Nois ,our defence,our luck or anything else that we have to blame.The futbol section needs radical changes and the bad is that we're in the beginning of the year!Madrid are marching 4 their 10th c.l.triumph and we are struggling against osasunas and noveldas.Sorry but these 3 last years the futbol section has been humiliated more than it has the last 100.I'M RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE!!!!!!!VISCA EL BARHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
relejado
10-07-2002, 10:29 AM
why the f*** are we always loosing points against weaker teams. I haven't seen the game so may somebody has an explanation ??
I just can't stand it anymore
hollowi
10-07-2002, 01:57 PM
Great report. Not often does any team fight well in both fronts, domestic and European, but we must expect a little better than a tie with OSASUNA at our home field! Every team in La 1ª should be expected better than that! I hope that we can put our things together so we can play well every game. Of course this is impossible but the team should be experienced enough to realize that the teams in the Spanish league are probably the most equal in all of Europe's top leagues. Hopefully the team can recover their strength in the week there is to next game. Of course the start of the season is always tough when you have to play two games every week but the next CL game is "far" away, the 22nd day. They have now two weeks with only two games total. I think they'll be better in these two games but the toughest game in the autumn is 19th Novembre when they face Real Madrid (surprise which the game was). But the other tough games, like Deportivo and Valencia should be won. This way they would take points from them. Taking points from any of the top4 teams (Depor, Valencia and RM - we're the fourth) will be good thinking the end-season when the champions are decided.
BTW van Gaal should realize that Romi can be taught to play in the far left instead of Motta - I think the gap between these two players is obvious. We have so strong and creative midfield that we shouldn't be looking these kind of games. Everything depends on the midfield cos the defense isn't too solid.
alex_10
10-07-2002, 11:03 PM
hm,really how is posible to draw osasuna at home with this roster ?V.G. sucx!!!
BLAUGRANA
10-08-2002, 01:53 AM
Originally posted by Olesen10
And it doesn't make it any better that Ronaldo scored two goals in his first game!
How Real Madrid wins is irrelevent.
squirrelkanu
10-08-2002, 06:47 AM
Pierre Van Hoojdonk is dutch a star of the future who plays up front for feeyenoord. He is only 20 so he would work well with Saviola.
And as for the Real Betis loss. We should of at least snapped a point if we are championship material. Valnecia, Depor or Real would of. Even though Real were down 1-0 when the lights went out they would of struck one back.
The Osasuna game was very disappointing.These are the sort of games that have cost barcelona a decent shot at the title in the past 3 years.
FC Barca11
10-08-2002, 05:42 PM
Hmmm, another disappointing defeat, and there is no quite way to take this. Compared to the games he's played so far, Luis Enrique was no where near his past performances during this game. He along with Mendieta was sorely missed. Its a defeat thats really hard to swallow, not to mention, the dressing room is in complete turmoil. Players and coaches going at each other's throats, another dissapointing loss to a lowly team, another dissappoint loss to a lowly team IN THE F#!KING NOU CAMP. No sir, i just can't turn my cheek on this one. We are certainly cursed, 3 YEARS AND GOING. :mad::mad::mad2::mad:
BLAUGRANA
10-08-2002, 09:39 PM
Originally posted by squirrelkanu
Pierre Van Hoojdonk is dutch a star of the future who plays up front for feeyenoord. He is only 20 so he would work well with Saviola.
He is older than 20. He's at least 30, I think 33.
BLAUGRANA
10-08-2002, 09:40 PM
Originally posted by FC Barca11
Hmmm, another disappointing defeat, and there is no quite way to take this. Compared to the games he's played so far, Luis Enrique was no where near his past performances during this game. He along with Mendieta was sorely missed. Its a defeat thats really hard to swallow, not to mention, the dressing room is in complete turmoil. Players and coaches going at each other's throats, another dissapointing loss to a lowly team, another dissappoint loss to a lowly team IN THE F#!KING NOU CAMP. No sir, i just can't turn my cheek on this one. We are certainly cursed, 3 YEARS AND GOING. :mad::mad::mad2::mad:
This dressing room turmoil is not a good thing. I read about it too. I hope it's just an exaggeration.
Olesen10
10-09-2002, 09:08 AM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
How Real Madrid wins is irrelevent.
Yes, but i can't say I wish Ronaldo luck in RM, and that's exactly what he has...
squirrelkanu
10-09-2002, 11:38 AM
Yeh sorry I think I have him mixed up with someone else. But barca could also use the likes of someone like Rogue Santa Cruz. A promising player who will only get better with age.
BLAUGRANA
10-09-2002, 04:40 PM
Originally posted by squirrelkanu
Yeh sorry I think I have him mixed up with someone else. But barca could also use the likes of someone like Rogue Santa Cruz. A promising player who will only get better with age.
I think Santa Cruz hasn't really developed much in the past few seasons as was expected. Then again, I think selection and injuries have contributed to this.
I've read that Barça played a friendly against some 2nd Division team wich they won 2:0 by goals from Gerard and Dani. :)
BLAUGRANA
10-18-2002, 03:51 AM
Originally posted by Bier
I've read that Barça played a friendly against some 2nd Division team wich they won 2:0 by goals from Gerard and Dani. :)
Yeah, and Andersson and Overmars played the full 90.
I can't wait to see Overmars back in action ... when he's in form he's very useful to the team ... he was our best man in the 2001 season IMO. He runs past the defenders as if they wouldn't exist. :star:
Olesen10
10-18-2002, 09:07 AM
He wasn't season 2001's best man IMO. He was great at last years CL though!
Okay ... maybe I've just ignored an outstanding Rivaldo. :star: :)
Oh and a breathtaking De La Pena ... in his 13 games :rolleyes: :(
FC Barca11
10-20-2002, 01:57 PM
So Valladolid it is that Juan Roman Riqulme will get his firt start of the club. Though it is not by Van Gaal's choice, as Motta is injured. There was an uncertainty that Gabri would be added instead to add some fight to the midfield, but i believe LVG is gonna stick with Riquleme :) . I hope JRR takes this oppurtunity with both hands and shows LVG what he's capable of.
FC Barca11
10-20-2002, 01:58 PM
So Valladolid it is that Juan Roman Riqulme will get his firt start of the club. Though it is not by Van Gaal's choice, as Motta is injured. There was an uncertainty that Gabri would be added instead to add some fight to the midfield, but i believe LVG is gonna stick with Riquleme :) . I hope JRR takes this oppurtunity with both hands and shows LVG what he's capable of. Real Madrid lost to Santader!!!!!!! Hehe what a kick in the butt as it was Pedro Munitis who proved to be their undoing. Athletico and Valenica tied and Depor lost. So this game could be a great time for us to make up some lost ground in the table.
Barcelona's match is thankfully over and once again it was a painfull sufferation of a match for a fan to observe as once again shades of last week came back to haunt us once again ...................
This is the flatest Barca team I've seen thus far as once again there was no one able to make a meaninfull imput on the game,not one good cross,free kick,pass or run for 89 minutes as our defence looked confused and lost squabbling amongst themselves and it once again has to beckon the question has VG time passed?
Though Rexach didn't impress at least his squad provided a sparkonce in a while and had a leader(Rivaldo), whilest this squad comprises of a central midfield of Xavi and Gabri who provided today no defence for the back four or made any insertive runs whilest Xavi hit long ball 1 after the other all of which just drifted back and forth reminiscent of the italians!!!!!Cocou on the left was a dismal loitering figure that provided nothing to the team and looked as if his walking stick was being sorley missed as he did nothing..........then there was Mendieta on the right whose dismal proformance,once again,reminded me of his Lazio days as he had no idea of his place,he made sevral runs deviod of speed so was eaisly stopped,his passing left everything to be desired and he also did nothing to issue himself a place.............................................
The strikers were once again left stranded and visibly fustrated as 2 world class strikers had no service...............with Enrique not even worth mentioning................................................................................ The defence on the other hand singly handedly earned the worst of my reviews as Navvaro and DEBOR had spats whole game as Navvaro's positioning had been terrible whole game as had been his defending along with Debors lack of pace and Puyol's off day Vallodilid looked like Arsenal on top form as the keeper also inspired little confidence .............then there was Gerrard and Geovianni................
Though both not match fit both showed signs of life and intensity that the rest of the team did't for 3 weeks now and Gerrard on 90 minutes made the second good cross of the game(the first being a Xavi cross to Kluviert who threw away his chance in the box by taking an extra step too many) which gifted Saviola with his first goal and then the game ended a little later as I sat there in disgust at what I had just saw.......................
VG has to know as does Gaspart that a flying start impresses the feeble minded and what really counts is consistency which has not been provided and the attacking prowless has been eliminated by no name teams which gain results aganist us and surley Barca need a change as VG 2 is a faliure.............with ROMAN ,the only player that can provide balance and create in midfield mysteriousaly benced whilest confidence is given to palyers like Motta and Mendieta who obviously do not play like worldclass players it is baffling !!!!!!!!!!!!D'Allessandro will not be brought in, and VG chosen eleven will remain...........................................................................THE FUTURE WILL BE BLEAK.................................
Barca cannot even do good set pieces or passes so are we to be the scarecrowes of the field and the laughing stock of the football field............or are we to be a team deviod of europe as teams such as Celta,Betis,Soceidad all clamer for the top places along with Depor and Real,Valencia what will be our fate and does it suprise that top players like Joaquin and Rui Costa don't want anything with Barca???????
WE ARE IN A SLUMP AND RECESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW SO WHEN WILL IT ALL STOP????
FC Barca11
10-20-2002, 09:13 PM
scratch all that, an hour before kick off, Van Gaal has announced that Gabri shall take Motta's spot.
funky6
10-20-2002, 09:53 PM
Another dissapointing result...we managed to lose to one of la ligas most mediocre sides..i wonder how many of these players d
eserve to wear the Barça jersey...
1)FDB:I wonder till when we will have to see this guy in the centre of our defence...his fault to the second goal and his behaviour against Navarro..he makes me sick!!Bring Andersson in NOW!
2)Kluivert:Not only he's got a scoring-phobia i'm bored of him pretendin he's johny walker in every game...and since when he's got the right to shout at his teammates like he's the leader of his school team after another horrible game?
3)Mendieta,xavi,gabri,geovanni etc.Sorry but the truth is that none of them deserves to be in the starting eleven of a club like Barça...but then who?
4)LVG:Why didn't Riquelme play in this game???When will he???It's more than obvious that xavi can't be the man to organise our game..why can't he see that we need his talent and imagination in our game????Juan was about to start crying and VG made the most stupid choices in our changes...If he had ten changes to make he would have chosen even bonano instead of juan...
The only ones to survive from this game are saviola (for his passion)and puyol(imagine the rest of our defence)
The most dissapointig is tha twe had a great chance to gain some lost ground and we s****d it....but it's just something that we have already seen and will be repeated in the whole season... when is this nightmare going to stop?????
VISCA EL BARHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!:depressed
soccer fanatic
10-20-2002, 11:08 PM
Originally posted by funky6
Kluivert:Not only he's got a scoring-phobia i'm bored of him pretendin he's johny walker in every game...and since when he's got the right to shout at his teammates like he's the leader of his school team after another horrible game?
He deserves more respect. FDB is past his prime, but Kluivert is one of the best attackers in the world and by far better than for example RVN. I think Kluivert is long enough playing for Barca to shout at his teammates. He gave the club a lot, don`t let him fall when he is in a dip. Altough when he playes for Holland he doesn`t seem to be in one.
About Riquelme is hard to comment, I don`t see him in traing and know not enough about him. If Van Gaal thinks he is better than Kliuivert he will field him.
The result is horrible, every contender for the title dropped points, Barca didn`t profite of that and so they did bad business.
funky6
10-21-2002, 12:06 AM
Patrick has definitely served a lot in the past but the most sad is i can't remember when was the last time he proved his class.His technique is better than the whole manu's squad but as a scorer RVN is 10 times better.And that's Patrick's job(2 score).Ofcourse he has no right to shout at his teammates like that after the second goal and show that Barça's crisis is veeeery deep.I would'nt give this right to anyone.Not even to players like Guardiola or Koeman especially after a pathetic appearence.And it's the same with fdb's behaviour to Navarro -in a not so dangerous phase-that the spanish tv showed 20 times.
And after
all if he's got the right to react like that what should puyol do?
:confused: :confused: :confused:
BLAUGRANA
10-21-2002, 03:32 AM
The only thing keeping me from "panic" at this stage is that all the other big clubs in Spain are stumbling as well and our form in the CL. This is getting scary. The bad results and our place in the league table I can handle. In-fighting amongst the squad I can not handle. This has to end and end immediately. Luis Enrique and the vice-captains (Cocu and Puyol) have to take charge of the situation. LVG needs to step in too. I would argue that a player like Kluivert should have SOME liberty in talking with the other players, but it must be professional. However, he is not a captain or vice-captain and they are the ones who should be giving encouragement or CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to the rest of the squad. This in-fighting must end IMMEDIATELY though, IMMEDIATELY.
BLAUGRANA
10-21-2002, 03:33 AM
Originally posted by 10
Barcelona's match is thankfully over and once again it was a painfull sufferation of a match for a fan to observe as once again shades of last week came back to haunt us once again ...................
This is the flatest Barca team I've seen thus far as once again there was no one able to make a meaninfull imput on the game,not one good cross,free kick,pass or run for 89 minutes as our defence looked confused and lost squabbling amongst themselves and it once again has to beckon the question has VG time passed?
Though Rexach didn't impress at least his squad provided a sparkonce in a while and had a leader(Rivaldo), whilest this squad comprises of a central midfield of Xavi and Gabri who provided today no defence for the back four or made any insertive runs whilest Xavi hit long ball 1 after the other all of which just drifted back and forth reminiscent of the italians!!!!!Cocou on the left was a dismal loitering figure that provided nothing to the team and looked as if his walking stick was being sorley missed as he did nothing..........then there was Mendieta on the right whose dismal proformance,once again,reminded me of his Lazio days as he had no idea of his place,he made sevral runs deviod of speed so was eaisly stopped,his passing left everything to be desired and he also did nothing to issue himself a place.............................................
The strikers were once again left stranded and visibly fustrated as 2 world class strikers had no service...............with Enrique not even worth mentioning................................................................................ The defence on the other hand singly handedly earned the worst of my reviews as Navvaro and DEBOR had spats whole game as Navvaro's positioning had been terrible whole game as had been his defending along with Debors lack of pace and Puyol's off day Vallodilid looked like Arsenal on top form as the keeper also inspired little confidence .............then there was Gerrard and Geovianni................
Though both not match fit both showed signs of life and intensity that the rest of the team did't for 3 weeks now and Gerrard on 90 minutes made the second good cross of the game(the first being a Xavi cross to Kluviert who threw away his chance in the box by taking an extra step too many) which gifted Saviola with his first goal and then the game ended a little later as I sat there in disgust at what I had just saw.......................
VG has to know as does Gaspart that a flying start impresses the feeble minded and what really counts is consistency which has not been provided and the attacking prowless has been eliminated by no name teams which gain results aganist us and surley Barca need a change as VG 2 is a faliure.............with ROMAN ,the only player that can provide balance and create in midfield mysteriousaly benced whilest confidence is given to palyers like Motta and Mendieta who obviously do not play like worldclass players it is baffling !!!!!!!!!!!!D'Allessandro will not be brought in, and VG chosen eleven will remain...........................................................................THE FUTURE WILL BE BLEAK.................................
Barca cannot even do good set pieces or passes so are we to be the scarecrowes of the field and the laughing stock of the football field............or are we to be a team deviod of europe as teams such as Celta,Betis,Soceidad all clamer for the top places along with Depor and Real,Valencia what will be our fate and does it suprise that top players like Joaquin and Rui Costa don't want anything with Barca???????
WE ARE IN A SLUMP AND RECESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW SO WHEN WILL IT ALL STOP????
Merging this thread with the La Liga campain thread. That's what that thread was started for.
relejado
10-21-2002, 10:29 AM
unfortunately, i coulnd't watch the game, so can somebody explain, why we lost again ??
funky6
10-21-2002, 11:49 AM
It's very simple...we lost because our defence is a great joke,our midfielders did absolutely nothing to control our game(especially xavi).kluivert and Saviola need more than 10 chances to score and LVG was sleeping on the bench.
paul.turner
10-21-2002, 12:17 PM
We lost yesterday on all fronts -
1) Shambolic defence - both goals came about from our players acting as individuals instead of a unit (including Valdes). If LVG insists on a 3 man defence they need to be much more organised and aware of each other's positioning, I think Andersson will improve this.
2) Poor finishing - as uncreative as we were we still had the chance to go in 2-0 at half time. It's becoming a familiar sight, Saviola or Kluivert are in the box with only the keeper to beat and the shot is dragged wide or hit straight at the keeper.
3) No width - When our midfield got hold of the ball it took far too long for Mendieta and Cocu to push forward and allow Saviola and Luis Enrique to move in and by the time they had, Valladolid had all angles covered so we just ran into them or gave the ball away.
4) Substitutions were too late - The starting eleven never looked like changing the game, LVG needs to take control of games earlier and throw in someone new, Geovanni added a threat but it was too late.
5) Best talent left on the bench - I've always thought it's better to build systems around your players. If your formation makes you play Gabri over Riquelme there's got to be something wrong with your system!!
It's going to be a long seven months..
BLAUGRANA
10-21-2002, 04:07 PM
Originally posted by paul.turner
We lost yesterday on all fronts -
1) Shambolic defence - both goals came about from our players acting as individuals instead of a unit (including Valdes). If LVG insists on a 3 man defence they need to be much more organised and aware of each other's positioning, I think Andersson will improve this.
2) Poor finishing - as uncreative as we were we still had the chance to go in 2-0 at half time. It's becoming a familiar sight, Saviola or Kluivert are in the box with only the keeper to beat and the shot is dragged wide or hit straight at the keeper.
3) No width - When our midfield got hold of the ball it took far too long for Mendieta and Cocu to push forward and allow Saviola and Luis Enrique to move in and by the time they had, Valladolid had all angles covered so we just ran into them or gave the ball away.
4) Substitutions were too late - The starting eleven never looked like changing the game, LVG needs to take control of games earlier and throw in someone new, Geovanni added a threat but it was too late.
5) Best talent left on the bench - I've always thought it's better to build systems around your players. If your formation makes you play Gabri over Riquelme there's got to be something wrong with your system!!
It's going to be a long seven months..
You make some very good points Paul, but I think one of them is more telling than the others. Point #2. Just think, if Barca (specifically PK and JS) put away their chances even 50% of the time, they'd probably be undefeated this season. Just go to whatever website(s) you normally browse and pull up some Barca match reports. They all say that Barca controlled possession and created numerous chances, but that they didn't finish their chances. It's infuriating! Things wouldn't be/seem nearly as dire if Kluivert and Saviola would take the very good chances they've been given thus far.
J R R
10-21-2002, 06:24 PM
Originally posted by paul.turner
We lost yesterday on all fronts -
1) Shambolic defence - both goals came about from our players acting as individuals instead of a unit (including Valdes). If LVG insists on a 3 man defence they need to be much more organised and aware of each other's positioning, I think Andersson will improve this.
2) Poor finishing - as uncreative as we were we still had the chance to go in 2-0 at half time. It's becoming a familiar sight, Saviola or Kluivert are in the box with only the keeper to beat and the shot is dragged wide or hit straight at the keeper.
3) No width - When our midfield got hold of the ball it took far too long for Mendieta and Cocu to push forward and allow Saviola and Luis Enrique to move in and by the time they had, Valladolid had all angles covered so we just ran into them or gave the ball away.
4) Substitutions were too late - The starting eleven never looked like changing the game, LVG needs to take control of games earlier and throw in someone new, Geovanni added a threat but it was too late.
5) Best talent left on the bench - I've always thought it's better to build systems around your players. If your formation makes you play Gabri over Riquelme there's got to be something wrong with your system!!
It's going to be a long seven months..
youre right , bad defence, poor finishing but what really p!sses
me of is VG why the hell was Riquelme left on the bench
Olesen10
10-22-2002, 01:30 PM
It's simply not acceptable for a team like Barca to first play draw against Osasuna, and then lose to Valladolid. Something must be changed! VG should think it over one more time, why he didn't let Riquelme play, and make it up against Locomotiv.
VivaBarcaInter
10-22-2002, 08:15 PM
We NEED to buy a few players. I don't care about our supposed debts (Which I can't believe are as bad as some round here say, since Van Gaal himself said there was money and did try to buy a couple of players before the deadline). Even if we have debts, with new sponsors, Barca Card money, and new TV contracts starting next season, we'd be able to pay any tranfer debts back very quickly.
Plus, The Spanish banks and Government were happy to ignore Real's problems, let's see them do the same for our much smaller problems!
The recent results are a shambles, the squad is totally unbalanced. IT's almost like the past couple of managers tried to lead us into the ground. A club like Barca only having 3 forwards is a joke. We need to do whatever is necessary to get at least 1 forward and probably 2 defenders during the next transfer window.
BLAUGRANA
10-23-2002, 12:42 AM
We have a Champion's League Group H thread in the European club competitions forum!
funky6
10-26-2002, 09:43 PM
:D:D:D
6-1 mates!And this is how i want Barça to treat every average f**king team in our f****ng home ground:mad:
Let's hope this will be the beginning of a new era!
Everything was great!Pat scored a hat-trick:shocked: everyone played well and VG gave Romy a chance to play in the whole second half and he gave a beatiful assist for Pat's 3rd goal!
This team might be able for big things after all(with some additions)
Visca el Barça!
soccer fanatic
10-26-2002, 10:18 PM
Originally posted by funky6
:D:D:D
6-1 mates!And this is how i want Barça to treat every average f**king team in our f****ng home ground:mad:
Let's hope this will be the beginning of a new era!
Everything was great!Pat scored a hat-trick:shocked: everyone played well and VG gave Romy a chance to play in the whole second half and he gave a beatiful assist for Pat's 3rd goal!
This team might be able for big things after all(with some additions)
Visca el Barça!
Things can change quickly can`t they.
What were you saying about Patrick Kluivert?
Did I mention I always knew he could and would bring back the goals? Ithink I did.
Great result ofcourse, unbelievable actually, also nice to see Madrid screw up again with their big superstars. :)
Barca will achieve great things, but remember, this is just one match, one match, lets hope they can keep winning matches for a time.
funky6
10-26-2002, 11:10 PM
What i was saying about him is was just the true and i'm not the only one to have that opinion,believe me.It's amazing he scored a hat-trick and i wish he finds his confidence back.Ofcourse i don't change my mind about his behaviour and attitude obn tha Valladolid-and not only-game.
Ofcourse it's just a game and the season is so big that i have a headache when i think about it.Hey, let me happy for one night buddy.:D
BLAUGRANA
10-27-2002, 01:38 AM
What a performance. It sounds like everyone played well. Great to hear. Nice to see people finishing their chances as well as the defense holding up. We played a much better opponent than in previous weeks too. Interesting form lately. Hopefully the results of the last two matches continue. We need a nice streak now while the other big clubs in La Liga are also stumbling a bit.
And how about Pepe Reina! Helping Villareal hold off Real. I really hope we take up the option to bring him back next summer.
Halifax FC
10-27-2002, 09:15 AM
We had a bad game. Good for you that Barca won! But when we meet, Real Madrid will win!
Olesen10
10-27-2002, 09:30 AM
SO NICE to see us get a good win! Good to see we're getting back together after that Valladolid game.
Forza Barca!
hollowi
10-27-2002, 01:06 PM
Yes, that was some game! I wouldn't actually call Valencia stumbling when winning Bilbao 5-1. Barca win is of course a great medicine for the fans' wounds thinking about games like the Osasuna one which we didn't even win! RM's tie against Villarreal shows that Barca isn't the only big team that have/have had problems in La Liga. This is great cos even though there are such teams above us as Málaga, Celta and Real Sociedad, the championship will be a game of four, and we all know these teams. Valencia has now 2 point lead against the others in top quartet. But then comes the equal line; Depo, Real and Barca are all within one point range, 12 for Depo and Real and 11 for us. This puts all the top four teams in problems again. Every one of them are in a very fragile situation. In next I count that one loses, others win. A loss would mean for
1) Valencia: Loss of first place, Depo or Real could take it (Barca also technically but we would have to have a seven-goal win, not quite possible)
2) Real: Would stay in 12 points when Valencia would raise the gap to 5 points and Depo to 3 and Barca would go past them to a lead of 2
3) Deportivo: Same as Real (though it'd be Real who'd have the three-point lead)
4) Barca: The hardest situation. The gap between BCN and Real/Depor would be four points and Valencia would be running six points away.
Anyway I'm very very happy about the win. It seems that Luis Enrique means a world to the team but with this kind of game I think our strikers have found their self-confidence. This means great when we have 10+ shots every game which of (at least) half are scoring chances. They must be used. I'm very happy that the captain is the spirit of the team and with him the team plays very well. More these games, less Valladolid-games and we're going for the gold!
BLAUGRANA
10-27-2002, 04:19 PM
Originally posted by hollowi
Yes, that was some game! I wouldn't actually call Valencia stumbling when winning Bilbao 5-1. Barca win is of course a great medicine for the fans' wounds thinking about games like the Osasuna one which we didn't even win! RM's tie against Villarreal shows that Barca isn't the only big team that have/have had problems in La Liga. This is great cos even though there are such teams above us as Málaga, Celta and Real Sociedad, the championship will be a game of four, and we all know these teams. Valencia has now 2 point lead against the others in top quartet. But then comes the equal line; Depo, Real and Barca are all within one point range, 12 for Depo and Real and 11 for us. This puts all the top four teams in problems again. Every one of them are in a very fragile situation. In next I count that one loses, others win. A loss would mean for
1) Valencia: Loss of first place, Depo or Real could take it (Barca also technically but we would have to have a seven-goal win, not quite possible)
2) Real: Would stay in 12 points when Valencia would raise the gap to 5 points and Depo to 3 and Barca would go past them to a lead of 2
3) Deportivo: Same as Real (though it'd be Real who'd have the three-point lead)
4) Barca: The hardest situation. The gap between BCN and Real/Depor would be four points and Valencia would be running six points away.
Anyway I'm very very happy about the win. It seems that Luis Enrique means a world to the team but with this kind of game I think our strikers have found their self-confidence. This means great when we have 10+ shots every game which of (at least) half are scoring chances. They must be used. I'm very happy that the captain is the spirit of the team and with him the team plays very well. More these games, less Valladolid-games and we're going for the gold!
I meant that Valencia had been struggling lately, before that match. Depor for me isn't doing too well and really miss Valeron. Their defense is getting old and slow. Donato has been a great servant to the club, but he's nearly 40! I think they also miss Djalminha. Real will get better though. I think that Real and Valencia are the two teams that are current favourites for the title. Barca just need to take it one match at time and focus on their own form and not that of others.
hollowi
10-27-2002, 05:20 PM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
Barca just need to take it one match at time and focus on their own form and not that of others.
That's so right. Nuf problems with their own. Lucky that Real have probs too :)
GOOD GAME ALL ROUND!BUT DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY WEAK OPPOSITION AND INCONSISTENCY DON'T WIN TITLES.....GOOD GAME BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLAYER RATINGS-
BONANO-8,played well throughout and finally barca looked secure in goal!
NAVVARO-7,also played well,though hardly tested but when he was made a terrible clearance.
DEBOR-8.5,though not really tested looked good in the back as the slow game played by the opposition fit his game well.
PUYOL-10,played superbly,was all over the pitch and was again the best player of the night.EXCEPTIONAL WORKRATE!
COCOU-7,did alot of the hard midfield work on the left but truly was not attacking but ironically helped out the attack by providing midfield cover.
XAVI-10,played superbly,was all over the pitch,good crossing,tackling,off the ball running and a well worked goal.EXCEPTIONAL WORKRATE!
GABRI-10,stayed back holding midfield well with good tackling and distribution on dangerous opposition plays allowing Xavi room to roam.EXCEPTIONAL WORK RATE!
MENDIETA-4,whilest the rest of Barca played well he started well with good positional play,a beautiful turn and supply to Kluviert he faded from the game after the first 15minutes and was sorley missed on the right flank (defencisive and offensive) and his positonal play lacked alot along with his work rate only made up for by the exceptional work rate.
LUIS ENRIQUE-9,for all his 45+ minutes on the field he showed signs of his early season form and capped it off by scoring but contributed alot to the game!(-1 for not finishing the game)
SAVIOLA-8,played well,good touches and off the ball running as well as beautiful passing but somehow failed to score.
KLUVIERT-9.5,played his best game of the season and finally got the service a top marksman needs !!!!!!EXCEPTIONAL WORK RATE!(-.5 for the early miss off a mendieta cross)
RIQUELME-9,EXCEPTIONAL game off the bench,looked confused on the left but floated into the centre with Kluviert pulling to the left and imprinted on the game like no one else did with crisp passing,delightfull dribbling,good vision,falling back in defence as well as providing good balls from deep as well as alot of deft touches, he looks like he was here forever,a long way off Rivaldo but getting there.
GERRARD-4,good try but did nothing since coming on.in time
ROMMEBACK-6,helped out all over the field and made his presence known!!!!!!!!!
PLAYER OF THE MATCH-PUYOL
NEEDS MOST IMPROVEMENT-MENDIETA
GOOD TEAM PERFORMANCE ALL ROND HOPE CONSITENCY WILL REPLACE SPUTTERING!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S-Rommeback made his presence known as soon as he came on to the field and has an air about him,as does KLluviert,Saviola and Riquelme, which only stars posses as he stands out!!!He posses consistant hard tackling and good passing(not like Xavi but good though) and provides great runs from deep and still is very young!!!!!!He is a star of the future and of the now if given the chance whilest Mendieta is a star of yesteryear who provides good cover but is he really a right winger.NO!A reliable central defencisive midfielder..NO!A playmaker NO!Along with a Figo like mentality that when his club was in trouble he jumped ship quickest(whilest captin) and is that the attributes we really need????
He fades from the game,lack speed and hardly tackles well whilest Rommeback is always visible,has burst of speed is dependible,tackles well!If it were R instead of Mendieta Varela run past 3rd would he have scored or gotten a free kick????
Rommeback is not dispenciable and is of more worth than Mendieta because he portrays what M does not..........the will to win and also Mendieta will cost at least 15m and why should he???15m can buy either D'Allessandro or Chivu not to mention Marquez and Van Bommel....and with Cuper wanting him back that will drive his price up to about 33m and that is out rageous for us to pay for a far from exceptional player .33m can buy Samuel...........Mendieta is not worth it ..............He is washed up!!!!!NB-If we hate real over Figo why do we do the same to Valencia?????
Salas is a waste of time buy DIEGO INSTEAD!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------10---------------
jscho
10-28-2002, 02:59 AM
Originally posted by 10
GOOD GAME ALL ROUND!BUT DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY WEAK OPPOSITION AND INCONSISTENCY DON'T WIN TITLES.....GOOD GAME BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLAYER OF THE MATCH-PUYOL
NEEDS MOST IMPROVEMENT-MENDIETA
---------------------------------------------------------------10---------------
Woo........ you really have something agst Mendieta! Please read the highlighted part of the analysis below:
Match Previews: Real Valladolid vs Barcelona
Fans favourite Juan-Roman Riquelme is set to start for Barcelona at Real Valladolid on Sunday. With Thiago Motta injured it could well be Riquelme's big chance to claim a regular first team spot. Motta is definitely out of the weekend fixture and is a doubt for next Wednesday’s Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moscow due to a calf strain. His absence opens the door for the Argentine who is out to impress since his summer move from Boca Juniors.
Another option for the Valladolid match would be to replace Motta with Gabri who is a more defensive midfielder. This is not inconceivable considering Van Gaal prefers a less attacking approach away from the Nou Camp.
Barcelona meet Valladolid at a time when the home side are in the middle of a bust-up between the coach Pep More and the most experienced player in the squad, Jose-Maria Caminero. Caminero has not been playing this season and has hit out publicly at the coach who says that he prefers someone with more strength. He said: ``I don't really know what I have got to do in order to play, I am very disappointed but I don't have anything to talk about with the coach.''
Analysis by Jeff
Although Valladolid and Barcelona are tenth and eighth on the table respectively, the gap in standards is wider than the table suggests. Barcelona is sharper in front of goal, with a shooting accuracy of 53%, the fifth highest on the table, making 64 shots on target. Another three places down is Valladolid with an accuracy of 49% and made a miserly 35 shots on target, the lowest in the Primera Liga. Barcelona scored eight goals this season, which is below the Primera Liga average. Their finishing is not the best either, managing to convert only eight out of their 64 shots on target with a 12% accuracy. Valladolid is worse, with only three goals to their name an a goals: shots ratio of 9%.
The key to Barcelona’s superior firepower is neither Kluivert nor Saviola, to our surprise, but their attacking midfielder Enrique. He had a shooting accuracy of 70%, making seven shots on target. He also converted 40% of his on-target shots into four goals.
Barcelona is also one of the most attractive sides to watch. Besides making the fifth highest number of shots on goal, they also retain possession very well. They completed 2522 passes in the league, second only to Real Madrid, but their completion rate is the highest at 82%. Valladolid’s passing is average in the league with 1585 passes and a success rate of 76%. Valladolid also made the least number of crosses and corners with 76, which is the lowest in the league. Its accuracy rate is average at 25%. Barcelona made more crosses and corners with 117, but have a slightly lower success rate at 23%.
The key to Barcelona’s possession play and higher number of crosses is their midfield engine. Barcelona’s midfielders ply every part of the field, and can launch attacks either through the middle, the flanks, on the ground or in the air. The main player is Gaizka Mendieta, who made eight successful crosses and corners, the sixth highest in the league, with an accuracy of 38%. Valladolid in contrast, is a counter-attacking team, limiting their attacking options down the middle.
In defence, Barcelona is also stronger, with a tackling success rate of 66%, which is the average in the league. Valladolid’s success rate is even lower at 62%. If you think that Barcelona’s better defence is due to Puyol or De Boer, you’re in for a surprise. They cut out opponents’ attacks in midfield, because Mendieta is again their best tackler. He is the third best in the league with 15 successful tackles and an 83% success rate. Valladolid also have their hard man in the form of defender Alberto Marcos, who made 14 tackles and with a success rate of 82%, the fifth highest in the league.
Neither sides played well recently. Valladolid held Real Madrid 1-1 at home and then lost to Sociedad 1-2 away. The recent bust up between coach and player could also impact on the team’s morale. Barcelona lost 0-3 away to Betis, and was held 2-2 by Osasuna at home. A draw is the most likely result, with bias towards a Barcelona win. Valladolid 1 Barcelona 1.
cheers
jscho
10-28-2002, 03:02 AM
Oh yeah, forgot to put in the source of the above article:
http://www2.zoomsoccer.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1500&mode=&order=
cheers
BLAUGRANA
10-28-2002, 03:39 AM
Originally posted by jscho
Woo........ you really have something agst Mendieta! Please read the highlighted part of the analysis below:
Match Previews: Real Valladolid vs Barcelona
Fans favourite Juan-Roman Riquelme is set to start for Barcelona at Real Valladolid on Sunday. With Thiago Motta injured it could well be Riquelme's big chance to claim a regular first team spot. Motta is definitely out of the weekend fixture and is a doubt for next Wednesday’s Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moscow due to a calf strain. His absence opens the door for the Argentine who is out to impress since his summer move from Boca Juniors.
Another option for the Valladolid match would be to replace Motta with Gabri who is a more defensive midfielder. This is not inconceivable considering Van Gaal prefers a less attacking approach away from the Nou Camp.
Barcelona meet Valladolid at a time when the home side are in the middle of a bust-up between the coach Pep More and the most experienced player in the squad, Jose-Maria Caminero. Caminero has not been playing this season and has hit out publicly at the coach who says that he prefers someone with more strength. He said: ``I don't really know what I have got to do in order to play, I am very disappointed but I don't have anything to talk about with the coach.''
Analysis by Jeff
Although Valladolid and Barcelona are tenth and eighth on the table respectively, the gap in standards is wider than the table suggests. Barcelona is sharper in front of goal, with a shooting accuracy of 53%, the fifth highest on the table, making 64 shots on target. Another three places down is Valladolid with an accuracy of 49% and made a miserly 35 shots on target, the lowest in the Primera Liga. Barcelona scored eight goals this season, which is below the Primera Liga average. Their finishing is not the best either, managing to convert only eight out of their 64 shots on target with a 12% accuracy. Valladolid is worse, with only three goals to their name an a goals: shots ratio of 9%.
The key to Barcelona’s superior firepower is neither Kluivert nor Saviola, to our surprise, but their attacking midfielder Enrique. He had a shooting accuracy of 70%, making seven shots on target. He also converted 40% of his on-target shots into four goals.
Barcelona is also one of the most attractive sides to watch. Besides making the fifth highest number of shots on goal, they also retain possession very well. They completed 2522 passes in the league, second only to Real Madrid, but their completion rate is the highest at 82%. Valladolid’s passing is average in the league with 1585 passes and a success rate of 76%. Valladolid also made the least number of crosses and corners with 76, which is the lowest in the league. Its accuracy rate is average at 25%. Barcelona made more crosses and corners with 117, but have a slightly lower success rate at 23%.
The key to Barcelona’s possession play and higher number of crosses is their midfield engine. Barcelona’s midfielders ply every part of the field, and can launch attacks either through the middle, the flanks, on the ground or in the air. The main player is Gaizka Mendieta, who made eight successful crosses and corners, the sixth highest in the league, with an accuracy of 38%. Valladolid in contrast, is a counter-attacking team, limiting their attacking options down the middle.
In defence, Barcelona is also stronger, with a tackling success rate of 66%, which is the average in the league. Valladolid’s success rate is even lower at 62%. If you think that Barcelona’s better defence is due to Puyol or De Boer, you’re in for a surprise. They cut out opponents’ attacks in midfield, because Mendieta is again their best tackler. He is the third best in the league with 15 successful tackles and an 83% success rate. Valladolid also have their hard man in the form of defender Alberto Marcos, who made 14 tackles and with a success rate of 82%, the fifth highest in the league.
Neither sides played well recently. Valladolid held Real Madrid 1-1 at home and then lost to Sociedad 1-2 away. The recent bust up between coach and player could also impact on the team’s morale. Barcelona lost 0-3 away to Betis, and was held 2-2 by Osasuna at home. A draw is the most likely result, with bias towards a Barcelona win. Valladolid 1 Barcelona 1.
cheers
OUCH!!! The facts sting a bit don't they 10 buddy? ;)
I was hoping to find some similar info, but my favourite source for stats, planetfootball, is a pale shadow of it's former self. They changed the website and now it's lacking.
10, Mendieta has been a very good player on both ends of the pitch as jscho has pointed out. LVG personally wanted Mendieta and brought him in because he knew what the player would add. Too bad we won't be able to pay for him next summer. :(
jscho
10-28-2002, 05:54 AM
Maybe you can fault Mendieta on his lack of speed but at 28/29 years old.... Still I don't recall Zidane, Figo, Rual, Rui Costa, Rivaldo, Beckham and a lot others being speedy but their contribution to the game cannot be fault. IMO, VG is using Mendi as his defense insurance like for instance in your last game, when you go 4-1 up, the most logical thing to do is not for Mendi to go forward but to stay behind to give some defensive coverage. Most of us would have thought hell where is Mendi ??? In Valencia, we have a solid back four when he was there and therefore he is very good going forward and puting in good crosses. And he may not be fast but he's always there to put good crosses in.
In the last couple of games, Barca met with teams rely on counterattacking and they have problems. But in their last game, Gabri was use to give the center some steel leaving the wing players in this case Navarro and Mendi some freedom down the wings and the result is for all to see. Also of course this time the forwards put away the chances and that's nice too.
They are learning from each game and hopefully they will get better.
cheers
Olesen10
10-28-2002, 04:16 PM
Just read Andersson is out for the hole season, and won't be back untill 2003. :( This is bad! We already are in lack of cash, and the defence need some new men IMO...
NOW,
I watched every Barca game for weeks and Mewndieta played badly in all and to base him as the midfield engine when he fades out of a game is biased as were it not for Gabri's defence couped along with Cocou's feriocity blended with the BOILER Xavi ,Mendieta didn't have to do much and didn't nor were he or Navarro's winged runs devestating it was through central midfield the goals came and Mendieta is a player of the past not now and money can be better spent on players furfilling thier potiental like D'allessandro for 15 million and 30m is outrageous for a player whose best performances are behind him in Valencia and also with no speed or tackling ability why buy him?????Can he run like Owen..NO!!!!
Tackle like Ballack,vieria,Davids.....no!(WHO ALL WOULD COST THE SAME 30M)
Mendieta is money badly spent if we are tobuy him there are tons of talent worth spending on like Papa Bouba Doup who is excellent,like a Vieria and Ballack combined and at only 21 being able to singly handedly thwart frances midfield and score the winner isn't that enough proof........
Like Cuper Mendieta is a loser always coming up second best and the Figo of Valencia should leave Spain in the summer!!!!!!!!!
More of a liaability than an asset..why do you think Valencia doesn't care hes back in Spain before 3 years????
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DON'T BIAS YOURSELEVES ON PAST PERFORMANCES HE IS NOT WORTH OF A BARCA SHIRT!
BLAUGRANA
10-30-2002, 05:19 AM
Originally posted by 10
NOW,
I watched every Barca game for weeks and Mewndieta played badly in all and to base him as the midfield engine when he fades out of a game is biased as were it not for Gabri's defence couped along with Cocou's feriocity blended with the BOILER Xavi ,Mendieta didn't have to do much and didn't nor were he or Navarro's winged runs devestating it was through central midfield the goals came and Mendieta is a player of the past not now and money can be better spent on players furfilling thier potiental like D'allessandro for 15 million and 30m is outrageous for a player whose best performances are behind him in Valencia and also with no speed or tackling ability why buy him?????Can he run like Owen..NO!!!!
Tackle like Ballack,vieria,Davids.....no!(WHO ALL WOULD COST THE SAME 30M)
Mendieta is money badly spent if we are tobuy him there are tons of talent worth spending on like Papa Bouba Doup who is excellent,like a Vieria and Ballack combined and at only 21 being able to singly handedly thwart frances midfield and score the winner isn't that enough proof........
Like Cuper Mendieta is a loser always coming up second best and the Figo of Valencia should leave Spain in the summer!!!!!!!!!
More of a liaability than an asset..why do you think Valencia doesn't care hes back in Spain before 3 years????
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DON'T BIAS YOURSELEVES ON PAST PERFORMANCES HE IS NOT WORTH OF A BARCA SHIRT!
LOL! You're like Il Fenomeno of the Inter forum! :D Mendieta for the right price is all anyone is saying 10. I don't think any of us would want to see him stay if the price was 30 million euros.
And to say he's the Figo of Valencia is a bit an exaggeration. He didn't leave Valencia under bad terms such as those when Figo left Barca. Also, Valencia and Barca don't have quite the same rivalry as Barca and Real do.
As for Mendieta's performances, the stats speak for themselves. That's not to mention the season is still barely under way.
jscho
10-30-2002, 08:22 AM
First of all Mendieta is not Figo of Valencia. The fans was strongly against him joining R Madrid and he consented by going oversea to Lazio, he could have play some dirty trick like what Ronaldo did, he didn't. And who say no one in Valencia care!! When the club knew he was about to join A. Madrid or Bilbao on loan (I'm not sure which) they veto the move. When it was clear that he will join Barca, Valencia created as much problem for the move as possible. There was a clause in Mendi's contract to say that if he come back to Spain, a penalty will have to be paid to Valencia. Mendi's move was almost call off until VG insist of having him that Barca renegoiate with Valencia and Lazio. Valencia is in debt and the decision was to let him go to Barca and Valencia collecting a token amount of penalty money rather than to see him come back to Spain next season and Valencia getting nothing more out of the deal.
The statistics already tell you Mendieta's tackle success rate and still you insist he is no good. And may I point out he tackle without earning too many yellow or red cards like Viera as you mention. What Mendi can do is put pin point crosses into the penalty box. There is really no point in running like there is demon behind you but lack the skill to put in meaningful crosses.
On his fees, so far I think Barca have spend wisely, and I think VG knows what he wants and don't want so lets them decide if Mendi is worth keeping.
PS: If L21 can come from R Madrid and be a valuabe player in your squard, why can't Mendi come from Valencia and be of value too. There is definitely less rivalry between these 2 clubs.
Strike
10-30-2002, 01:06 PM
Look 10. If you one year spend only on the bench so as him it needs time to come in ----> always. but I can say you one thing
mendieta is more worth than ronaldo this is sure.
For the right price its oki i would say 13-16 millions
jscho
10-31-2002, 01:19 PM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
I was hoping to find some similar info, but my favourite source for stats, planetfootball, is a pale shadow of it's former self. They changed the website and now it's lacking.
:(
Azulgrana, you can still get the stats from planetfootball website. Just go to the club finder on the right hand side find Barca and under squard list and index, find individual player and they have the opta stats. Riquelme , it seems after playing 146 min already earn the highest points in Barca :shocked: Although, I think Riquelme must have gain some bais points as how can it be possible that Riquelme has earn more points than Aimar when Aimar have done so much :fed-up:
cheers
BLAUGRANA
11-01-2002, 02:22 AM
Originally posted by jscho
Azulgrana, you can still get the stats from planetfootball website. Just go to the club finder on the right hand side find Barca and under squard list and index, find individual player and they have the opta stats. Riquelme , it seems after playing 146 min already earn the highest points in Barca :shocked: Although, I think Riquelme must have gain some bais points as how can it be possible that Riquelme has earn more points than Aimar when Aimar have done so much :fed-up:
cheers
Pardon my language, but for F***'S SAKE!!! PLEASE give me a URL. When you are on the site, isn't it different? Hasn't the format changed in the last month to month and a half? I don't have that option anymore and I'm PISSED!!! :fed-up:
jscho
11-01-2002, 03:29 AM
:D ok this is the website:
http://www.planetfootball.com/club.asp?clid=178&cpid=23
Under club links, you will find squard list & index, there's where I find individual palyers' stats . The site has changed by the way.
Only thing is I still can't find stats comparison between clubs.
cheers
BLAUGRANA
11-01-2002, 03:54 AM
Originally posted by jscho
:D ok this is the website:
http://www.planetfootball.com/club.asp?clid=178&cpid=23
Under club links, you will find squard list & index, there's where I find individual palyers' stats . The site has changed by the way.
Only thing is I still can't find stats comparison between clubs.
cheers
WTF!?!??!?!?! It must be the URL. I was using www.opta.co.uk which used to take me to it. I'll try the planetfootball url.
And IT WORKS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :D :D It looks as though Opta and Planetfootball have severed ties and that's why the old URL didn't work.
VivaBarcaInter
11-03-2002, 07:34 PM
I'm watching the Santander game, and there are several problems with our team. We're 1-0 down to what was a bit of a lucky goal, but it probably wouldn't have made any difference.
Our team doesn't have any shape, players are all over the place. Riquelme is playing as well as the 2 forwards, but the team still has a weak defence. If we're going to win games, we have to have Riquelme. If we're going to have Riquelme, we need to build the team around him, not minimise his effectiveness by forcing him into Van Gaal's system.
Olesen10
11-03-2002, 08:12 PM
:(
Damnit! We need this win to hold on to Depor and Real...
Olesen10
11-03-2002, 08:15 PM
:D YAHOO!
Our fine youngster Navarro put it in! One more...!
VivaBarcaInter
11-03-2002, 08:51 PM
What have I learned from this draw.
Riquelme needs to play. Eve while not at his best, he can command and lead the team. Xavi and he played excellently together.
We NEED to buy defenders. Andersson's out for a while, and De Boer just can't cut it. It's unfair to ask Puyol to almost single handedly keep teams out. Reizeger was pretty good when he first signed, I don't see why he can't come back into the team when he's fit. At the very least, he has pace.
Both of these points are linked somewhat. We don't have defensive resources to keep a lot of clean sheets. So we should get Riquelme on and push players forward and always try to overwhelm teams with goals. It is very risky, but we don't have much other way to even try to win something. Plus, we ARE Barcelona, what other team has as much history of constant attacking as we do!!!
Today's game was a bitter sweet pill because though a draw was a fair result it whould have enabled us to gain ground on the table but we did ok today............
Navvaro and DeBor had a treacous time in defence with Munitis driving them both up a wall with his pace but yet though both didn't have a great game they didn't leak goals mainly upon the foundation of Puyol's workman like attitude as he appeared all over the pitch making good attacking runs as well as good cover play and the goal can only be faulted to luck...............
In midfield Gabri looked ok because he was slightly off his game whilest Xavi was on his and looked well as Mendieta once again started brightly but faded poorley.....................
In attack Riquelme had a good game but was being contained to an extent by a stubborn defence whilest Kluviert and Saviola never really got into it...........
MY PLAYER RATINGS~
BONANO-(8),LOOKS STEADY IN GOAL AND IS IMPRESSIVE(the goal was a fluke)
PUYOL(9.5),PLAYED EXCEPTIONALLY ,COVERING EVERY BLADE OF GRASS,WITH A GREAT WORK RATE.
DEBOR-(6),WAS GOOD TODAY TO ANY EXTENT,THOUGH TORTURED BY THE PACY ATTACK HE HARDLY MADE MISTAKES.
NAVVARO-(6.5),PLAYED OK TODAY WITH NOTHING EXCEPTIONAL ABOUT HIS GAME BESIDE TH GOAL.
GABRI-(6),HAD AN OK OUTING DIDN'T LOCK MIDFIELD DOWN BUT DID FALL BACK WELL IN DEFENCE.
MENDIETA-(3),THIS WAS NOT HIS GAME AS HE VIRTUALLY COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE PACY MIDFIELD ,ATTACK OR DEFENCE,FADED IN AND OUT OF THE GAME AND MADE LITTLE IMPACT ON THE GAME BESIDE MAKING UP NUMBERS.
XAVI,(8),PLAYED WELL APPEARED ALL OVER THE PITCH AND ACCENTED RIQUELME GREATLY,HAD A GOOD GAME.
RIQUELME-(8.5),HAD A GOOD GAME,NOT OUTSTANDING BECAUSE THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD COVER FAILED MISERABLY AS THEY HAD TO HELP OUT THE DEFENCE GREATLY ,THOUGH HE STILL PLAYED WELL WITH SLICK TOUCHES AND CRISP PASSING AND FULLY DESERVED TO PLAY THOUGH!
SAVIOLA-(5)-LOOKED OUT OF IT FOR THE PAST SEVRAL WEEKS AND REALLY NEEDS TO SIT OUT A GAME OR TWO.
KLUVIERT(5)-LOOKED OUT OF IT ALSO AS HE ALSO MAY NEED A REST THOUGH LACK OF COVER PREVENTS THAT!
ROMMEBACK(7.5)-WHEN HE CAME ON HE CHANGED THE WHOLE COMPLEXITY OF THE GAME AS HE FINALLY!!!!!!! PROVIDED WIDTH ALONG THE RIGHT AND FOUND HIMSELF IN GOOD POSITIONS AS WELL AS REGISTIRING GOOD CROSSES AND FULLY DESERVES A STARTING PLACE AS HE STAMPS HIS IMPRESSION ON A GAME AND LOOKS BETTER EACH GAME THIS SEASON!
GERRARD-(8)-PLAYED LIKE A STALLION AS SOON AS HE CAME ON COVERING THE FIELD WELL PLAYING DEEP AS WELL AS INTEGRATING INTO ATTACK AND LOOOKS READY TO PLAY WELL AGAIN!
MVP-PUYOL
LVP-MENDIETA,NEEDS ALL ROUND IMPROVMENT
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER-GERRARD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------P.S-Midfield can really use a general like Rommeback tobring something extra to the game as we're eaisly overrun there and he wolud do that well as he proved last season!!!!!!!Also we need wings because though Rommeback nor M are wingers when either pulled wide it looked dangerous and thatwould greatly accent the team!
With a poor defence (DeBor and Navvaro) we lack bite in midfield as all the players must back track to do thier jobs and not attack which is unacceptable!!We sholu purchase Chivu for Lefft back and Samuel for the central defender as well as attempt Marquez!(4man defence)
CM is looking ok but needs harder tackling because Riquelme being a playmaker should not have to defend which means something is not there wich I believe is Rommeback!
Attack basically is very good but only needs cover for times like this when strikers performances are inconsistant and competiton will keep all at top game or benched!
------------------------10-------------------------------------------------------
BLAUGRANA
11-04-2002, 03:29 AM
Nothing new here. Barca flop in the Liga again. What's going on? No disrespect to Santander, but we should have done better. We need more quality in defense. Puyol is absolutely the greatest thing going at the club right now. He is just majestic. If we don't tie up a new deal for him, i'll be furious! :fed-up: We also need to add some width to our game. The sooner we establish a wide game, the better. I think Riquelme will continue to be a permanent fixture in the side, as he needs to be. A point is great, but i'd have preferred three considering who lies ahead on the fixture list.
jscho
11-04-2002, 04:30 AM
I watch the game as well and 1 thing I notice is that with team that have like 5 men defense and counterattack tactic, prehaps Dani would have been a better forward than Saviola. I mean by the middle of the first half, I was already screaming 'don't give the ball to him, he will lose it' !!! :eek: Saviola is too small size to fight with 3 defender surrounding him IMO.
Otherwise, VG is still testing and trying to get it right. One positive note thru' Overmars is looking good. :)
BLAUGRANA
11-04-2002, 04:49 AM
Originally posted by jscho
I watch the game as well and 1 thing I notice is that with team that have like 5 men defense and counterattack tactic, prehaps Dani would have been a better forward than Saviola. I mean by the middle of the first half, I was already screaming 'don't give the ball to him, he will lose it' !!! :eek: Saviola is too small size to fight with 3 defender surrounding him IMO.
Otherwise, VG is still testing and trying to get it right. One positive note thru' Overmars is looking good. :)
I think Saviola was used a bit out of position to be fair. He's better than today though.
Hopefully Overmars will be fully match fit soon. We desperately need the depth he can bring.
jscho
11-04-2002, 05:46 AM
No offense, I like Saviola but last night's game, I watch him lose the ball on the right side, the center and the the left. This is not the only game I have seem him like this. He doesn't have the strength to ward off defenders. But while playing against slower pase team then Saviola's skill will be useful. Kluivert keeps it better. So maybe Kluivert and Riquelme in support of Dani might be better option
By the way, Riquelme looks good too. Hope to see more of him.
cheers
BLAUGRANA
11-04-2002, 04:28 PM
Originally posted by AZULGRANA
Nothing new here. Barca flop in the Liga again. What's going on? No disrespect to Santander, but we should have done better. We need more quality in defense. Puyol is absolutely the greatest thing going at the club right now. He is just majestic. If we don't tie up a new deal for him, i'll be furious! :fed-up: We also need to add some width to our game. The sooner we establish a wide game, the better. I think Riquelme will continue to be a permanent fixture in the side, as he needs to be. A point is great, but i'd have preferred three considering who lies ahead on the fixture list.
I forgot to mention the poor finishing yet again. Between the chances Riquelme, Kluivert and Rochembach failed to convert, we could have won it.
Strike
11-05-2002, 09:15 AM
And Puyol made a terrible mistake in the first minute.
soccer fanatic
11-05-2002, 11:42 AM
Be carefull man! :D
But you are right.
Did you see LVG flipping when the ref ended the match? He was not very happy.
J R R
11-05-2002, 01:33 PM
yeah VG was mad with the ref because he blew up about a
second too early
i agree with Azulgrana we really do have problems finishing
in fairness to Saviola he was out of position but hes not been
in form recently maybe he needs a couple of games on the bench
(he can keep Romy company:D ) VG got to keep playing Roman
as playmaker its were he is best but VG wants to make him
defend if we had a decent defense(Puyol is brilliant but cant do it
all) he could concentrate on what he does best
soccer fanatic
11-05-2002, 05:06 PM
That is what you get when you want to play such an attacking playing style as Barca does. They do have the playersd for it, but everybody has to work hard and defend a bit. But if you get this system rolling, there is almost no way to stop it. Good defence is needed for this system.
Strike
11-06-2002, 08:47 AM
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