posted May 9, 2008

Barcelona were apalling - on a par with the ref. I've watched practically every R.Madrid-Barcelona game over the last 25 years and I can't remember a worse FCB performance, not even when they were beaten 5-0.

Impossible to rate Real Madrid on this game - almost any team would have beaten if not drubbed FCB on the night, even with a decent referee.

I'm a RM fan, but they still have a lot to do if they want to challenge for the European Cup. Overall this season they've been mediocre and have been aided by the dismal quality of the Spanish League. It took AC Roma showed very little to show them up.

As a RM fan, I'm pleased to see how rapidly FCB have declined when they looked capable of dominating Spain and Europe for several seasons.

As a football fan however, I'm sad to have been deprived of watching what could have been the most awesome display and domination of football in Europe since Sacchi's AC Milan.

P.S. Messi has all the makings of a world no.1 and I don't recall C.Ronaldo at the same level at his age - but potential is only that; reality right now is that he's had two injury-plagued seasons and very little support from a decadent team and his exploits can't be compared to CR's.

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posted May 9, 2008

BTW, I saw someone said FCB had nothing to play for. Very wrong.

Had they won, they would have kept in contention for 2nd place and direct qualifying for the group stage of the C.L. Now, they'll have to play the qualifying rounds, which affects the way they'll have to plan the season and the loss of prestige also has an important financial impact.

Beyond this, there is always something at stake in a RM-FCB game. Their rivalry is on a par with any other in the world of sport and their fans would even consider a game of tiddlywinks between the two as something important.

On the night, the players' lack of pride humiliated FCB fans and the local Barcelona press has said so in as many words. They've crucified the team for their (non-)performance, quite rightly so.

The result - or rather the display - has brought calls for the entire club, chairman down, to resign and for most of the players to be sacked.

According to the vast majority of fans, Etoo and Deco forced yellow cards in the previous fixture so as to avoid playing against RM, so the press are calling even for those who didn't play to be axed.

The only players to have been spared are Messi, Iniesta (out injured) and, to a certain extent Puyol, who is considered the embodiment of courage and pride FCB fans want to see.

It's hard to know which players will leave the club now that Guardiola has officially been named new coach for next season. Many of them were a part of the European Cup-winning side and he might hope to bring them back to their best.

Coming soon: player predictions next season.

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posted May 9, 2008

FCB Barcelona predictions 2008/09 season:

Expected departures:

Zambrotta - disputed by fans and pres, set to return to Italy

Thuram - considered too old now. Barca to sign at least 1 or 2 full-backs in the off-season

Edmilson - has played too little and using up valuable bench-space

Gudjohnsen - same case as Edmilson

Ronaldniho - everybody around the club considers him a lost cause

Ezquerro - as per Edm. and Gudj. - waste of space

Jorquera - club need to make way for a new keeper

Either-way:

Sylvinho - now injured, old, generally approved of but played v little.

Marquez - formerly a must, now disputed by many, but FCB need quality defenders.

Abidal - wouldn't be the first star signing to leave after just one season.

Eto'o - recent comments re leaving the club after next season plus his booking to miss the RM game has enraged most sectors. Right now though, there's no replacement for him. A big-money offer will see him go.

Dos Santos - very young, the club may release him on loan to a side where he can play more minutes.

Oleguer - disputed as a player, but expect him to go down well with Guardiola and the club wanting to build an 'identity-based' team

To stay:

Valdés - although a new keeper will be brought in to dispute his place. Fortunately, nobody calling for him to be called up for the national squad any more.

Milito - out for 6 months, so they won't be able to transfer him. Certain sectors unhappy, others satisfied.

Puyol - flies the club flag. Probably at Barca for his entire career.

Xavi - still an important component of the team. Likely to gradually play less in benefit of others (Iniesta, new arrivals), but sure to be on the team next year

Iniesta - the club's most promising midfielder, liked by all. A certain bet.

Touré - very good first season considering the overall team performance, played many games with a back injury, earned respect from all.

Henry - can't see any other club forking out and his experience and class are still valuable assets

Bojan - undisputed. Barca's new wonder-kid.


Any other thoughts?

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posted May 9, 2008

tryintobeneutral,

No mention of Messi? Is this in presumption that he'll off collecting more BUPA points next season?

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posted May 9, 2008

Ooh, Alex, you are cheeky.
I rate Gudjohnsen, good player.

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posted May 9, 2008

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posted May 10, 2008

just a word on Yaya Toure who was utterly superb for the Ivory Coast at the last World Cup, but somehow unnoticed by the British audience. I saw him dominate everything in their valedictory 3-2 win over, if my memory is accurate, Croatia in the rain in Munich in the most entertaining game of the finals and it was clear he was destined for much bigger things than Monaco. Of course, as he told me afterwards, Arsenal were possible for him, thanks to his brother, but he wanted a club where he could play central midfield and dominate the play. He is truly an attacking midfield player rather than defensive, however, and that is one reason why Puyol and Co were so often exposed. Last note, re CBF defence, it has lacked a true centre-half-back player for too long.

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posted May 10, 2008

SeasonedObserver52 (U11657443)

'Of course, as he told me afterwards......'

How do you know Yaya Toure?

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posted May 11, 2008

real madrid deserved to win and played some great football that match but then agian barca have been very very very very poor this season.

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posted May 18, 2008

Barcelona have shown what Real Madrid found out Too Many Galacticos dont win you titles expect a gutting out of the barca team next season especially after being humilited

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