FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Davaeo09 · 14-02-2012 4:53pm

I think the attitude some of you have is absolutely pathetic.
For the past four seasons this thread has been bi and large for Barcelona fans and discussion has been good.

Now that Madrid are almost certainly about the take back the La Liga trophy from Barcelona after 4 years where they out classed almost every body with ease domestically and in Europe, all of you stick your head in here? Of course this season was going to be a hard one, with all of the injury's Barca have had to endure is it any wonder their away form has been so woeful? Players like Villa and Affelay could have chipped in any where between 10-25 between them. It's the equivalent of Madrid losing Benzema's 11 goals and some like Di Maria for the entire season. Barcelonas squad has been stretched more than ever this season. Pedro and Iniesta have been out more than in the squad over the past 3 months it seems. All of these are factors in why Messi looks tired, and why Cesc has been deployed as a false 10 so often.

Look I know there's a certain level of animosity that some people will always have against Barcelona but I really think it's sad how people are so willing to forget the great football that's been played by these guy's over the last 4-5 seasons, and particularly since Peps arrival. This is the team that scored 5 without response against Madrid just last season. They are the team that have twice bullied United off the pitch in the Uefa Champions league final with some amazing "tika-taka"..

I can guarantee you that not a single player in this Barcelona squad is happy about the current league standings, but this is all the more reason to push even harder in the remaining two competitions. Players like Iniesta and Pedro coming back to full fitness will reap rewards, and I expect to see a more clinical Messi soon.

SO to all you nay sayers who are calling for an end to Peps reign, and hailing this Madrid team. Let's just see have Madrid got what it takes to keep Barcelona at bay for 4 years the way Barca did to them. I really don't see it happening. If any thing, I can admit that thing's have shaped up well from a purely competitive point of view. Hell if last season was any thing like last it would have been a dull season. I know Mou hasn't exactly been the most well behaved manager at the helm of Madrid. But he has done every thing that was necessary to close the gap. Hats of really..

dfx- · 14-02-2012 5:14pm

I'm all for giving credit to Madrid, that they are what it takes to beat everyone else (except Barcelona).

It is also a testament to the rest of La Liga where Barcelona apparently play rubbish week-in, week-out that the illustrious names to stop them are Osasuna and Getafe, along with Valencia, Sevilla, Athletic, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and all but two by attacking them and being courageous.

If Barcelona don't win the league, they'll still have won 5 of the last 8 La Liga titles and one of those was lost on head-to-head, so it's still Barcelona's era. Won't be bothered by any last laugh, no matter how loud it is.

CongoPowers · 14-02-2012 5:18pm

Very good postS

(i write so slowly

)

Remember back in Rijkaard's last season and a half, and compare to how this team is playing. Worlds apart. This Barça side has a lot more to offer (with Guardiola I hope! looks likely he will sign imo) so yeah, looking forward to the rest of the season.

CongoPowers · 14-02-2012 7:24pm

Catalan radio says Xavi won't start because of calf muscle problems. lolol ffs just when the injuries were clearing up. dreadful.

edit: apparently he thought he could play on with painkillers, but Barça not taking any risks. not so bad then

Glico Man · 14-02-2012 7:56pm

The Bayer team looks very tough tonight. Won't be an easy game by any stretch

CongoPowers · 14-02-2012 8:03pm

So surprised with Kiessling being left out. Delighted though, since Puyol-Mascherano = no height.

Glico Man · 14-02-2012 8:10pm

CongoPowers wrote: »

So surprised with Kiessling being left out. Delighted though, since Puyol-Mascherano = no height.

Indeed, excellent striker and will thankfully be badly missed. Schurrle is my one to watch. Fantastic talent.

CongoPowers · 14-02-2012 8:21pm

yeah, huge potential.

Probably their biggest threat tonight with Kiessling benched, Derdiyok+Sam injured. Piqué not even starting on the bench is odd. He has been in terrible form (other than Valencia second leg) though.

LuckyLloyd · 14-02-2012 8:25pm

aaronh007 wrote: »

The Bayer team looks very tough tonight. Won't be an easy game by any stretch

They're sixth in the German league, 10 points adrift of 4th place and leaking goals. They will be dismantled.

gimmick · 14-02-2012 10:54pm

Seems Pique was dropped completely. He has not been great lately admittedly, but according to Hunter earlier, he has been extremely absent minded off the field lately as well, forgetting flight tickets, leaving car doors wide open and other daft things.

Hopefully this dropping might give him a kick up the ass, as he is so important for the CL campaign.

CongoPowers · 14-02-2012 10:55pm

How would Hunter know that, Gimmick? Not doubting it with the car crash etc, just wondering.

Anyway, amazing result for Barça. GET INNNN

gimmick · 14-02-2012 11:02pm

I don't know, but Hunter is usually spot on when it comes to anything Barca. he does have a good inside line it seems.

Which reminds me, his new book is available from Friday

MD1990 · 14-02-2012 11:08pm

Messi was brillant tonight

Turtwig · 14-02-2012 11:09pm

gimmick wrote: »

Seems Pique was dropped completely. He has not been great lately admittedly, but according to Hunter earlier, he has been extremely absent minded off the field lately as well, forgetting flight tickets, leaving car doors wide open and other daft things.

That doesn't sound good. Hopefully it's just stress. I mean I seriously HOPE it's just stress.

Orando Broom · 14-02-2012 11:13pm

gimmick wrote: »

Seems Pique was dropped completely. He has not been great lately admittedly, but according to Hunter earlier, he has been extremely absent minded off the field lately as well, forgetting flight tickets, leaving car doors wide open and other daft things.

Hopefully this dropping might give him a kick up the ass, as he is so important for the CL campaign.

Shakira was nearly ate by a Sealion, there.

CongoPowers · 15-02-2012 8:00pm

421018_299716460083495_138589062862903_747637_43120204_n.jpeg

This jersey seems to be decided on then.

It looks much better here than in previous pics, but it seems more like a PSG jersey to me? I don't know whether I like it or not, tbh. Pics of the away kit look pretty bad. Hope it turns out better like this has..kind of.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 19-02-2012 9:45pm

Down 1-0 at home to Valencia atm, Piatti with the goal. Only Xavi and Dani Alves missing tonight.

ollie1 · 19-02-2012 9:58pm

Messi scores 2 goals in five minutes to put Barca 2-1 ahead

Blatter · 19-02-2012 10:16pm

Barca cruising here, can see them scoring 4 or 5.

ollie1 · 19-02-2012 10:36pm

Valencia's keeper has been amazing keeping them in the game.

kmart6 · 19-02-2012 10:48pm

Keeper determined not to give up the hat trick!

Johner · 19-02-2012 11:04pm

Hat-trick.

40 goals in 40 appearances this season for Messi.

Johner · 19-02-2012 11:12pm

Another one! lovely finish.

Davaeo09 · 19-02-2012 11:22pm

Blatter wrote: »

Barca cruising here, can see them scoring 4 or 5.

Good call.

Great performance tonight, looks as if Barcelona have sharpened up up-front. Now if only we could get Pedro back on form i'd be happy!

the_monkey · 20-02-2012 12:00am

letting of fireworks here tonight? :rolleyes:

Don't they realise they are 10 pts behind the glorious Madrid ?

Or maybe they are THAT deluded to think they can catch them ...

kmart6 · 20-02-2012 12:02am

Hmmm, don't know what to make of that considering your supposedly in Barcelona!

Should they just roll over now and not bother just cause Madrid are so far ahead!?

the_monkey · 20-02-2012 12:16am

of course not, but setting of bangers is a bit much, like they just won a huge cup game or cut the gap to 3 points...

kmart6 · 20-02-2012 12:39am

Well it was still a pretty emphatic won over the 3rd placed team!

Glico Man · 20-02-2012 12:46am

the_monkey wrote: »

letting of fireworks here tonight? :rolleyes:

Don't they realise they are 10 pts behind the glorious Madrid ?

Or maybe they are THAT deluded to think they can catch them ...

Do you ever stop moaning? Seriously? Don't think I've read one post by you about Barca that has ever even in the slightest not been a whinge about something. Buy a pair of ear plugs if celebrating fans bother you that much.

carlop · 20-02-2012 10:28am

the_monkey wrote: »

of course not, but setting of bangers is a bit much, like they just won a huge cup game or cut the gap to 3 points...

Are you sure this had nothing to do with it being Carnival weekend or that the final of the basketball Copa del Rey was on in the city?

RandolphEsq · 20-02-2012 1:32pm

Montoya played very well last night, some great crosses. Tello lol bit unfortunate a couple times! Messi Masterclass.
His cheeky 4th goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMr80D7UGo

gimmick · 20-02-2012 1:41pm

Busquets deserves massive credit for that perfect through ball as well.

Re Tello - Must say I left a guffaw out of me when he did his little stepover and landed on his arse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaNRPL9KL6E

Warper · 20-02-2012 5:40pm

That was a much needed performance last night - it was awesome. Messi is just unreal. The League looks out of sight but still if we beat Madrid again in the League it will go down nicely continuing Barca's dominance over them when they meet. A CL final win would be the best though and barring meeting each other in earlier rounds, I cant see anyone else beating them. Real are playing lethal football atm and looks like the only team that can beat them in the CL are Barca.

Davaeo09 · 21-02-2012 5:57pm

Sorry for not being around these parts recently! drama :rolleyes:

Empathic performance from Barcelona the other night, Messi really looked as if he was enjoying himself and credit where it's due, what a performance. Anyone else feel that Iniesta's presence was missed? The two games he's started since his return have been our best all round performances of late. He just add's such fluidity to every thing from defence to attack!

Good to see Xavi getting a few minutes and a goal at the end too! Exactly what the maestro needed! :cool:

Athletico away at the weekend who won't be a walk over! Falcao has been an excellent signing for the side who lost two world class strikers in Forlan and Aguero. Barca will have to be careful of set pieces but I am sure Pep will address this

Oh and on a side note, as much as people can hate on Busquets he was immense against Valencia and was sorely missed in recent weeks. Positionally he is almost never at fault, and his distribution going forward was almost better than normal! If only he could cut out the diving

CongoPowers · 21-02-2012 8:03pm

Great to see Barça hitting that form again

Midfield and front three (Pedro less so but he tried hard as always) just clicked at once and when that happens, Barça just piss all over whoever is in the way.

Loved Guardiola taking the piss out of the press about Messi.

Blatter · 21-02-2012 8:07pm

CongoPowers wrote: »

Loved Guardiola taking the piss out of the press about Messi.

What did he say?

CongoPowers · 21-02-2012 8:23pm

He was asked about Messi being twelve goals away from being the club's all-time top scorer and sarcastically asked them all had they not been writing that Messi has been in a mini-crisis recently.

tbh, it's about time he took the piss out of them because they're pure bandwagoners most of the time.

Davaeo09 · 21-02-2012 9:47pm

CongoPowers wrote: »

He was asked about Messi being twelve goals away from being the club's all-time top scorer and sarcastically asked them all had they not been writing that Messi has been in a mini-crisis recently.

tbh, it's about time he took the piss out of them because they're pure bandwagoners most of the time.

Well said mate! To be honest I have criticized him in recent weeks but more for his selfishness at times that his lack of goals. There has been 4-6 times in the past 3 or 4 games where if Messi had squared the ball to Sanchez/Iniesta/Pedro they were free. But saying that, Messi is the one player who can drift past all comers, and some of his best goals are scored because he has the audacity to just trot past players.

I seen on one of the fan sites last week that Affelay is also back in training. If he can make a return over the next few weeks I would be delighted. He looks full of potential and in one of his last performances for Holland he out shone the likes of Van Persie, Van Der Vaart and Sneijder! He's got pace to equal Tello and can play the ball with both feet! I just feel his vision in the final third is slightly lacking but that comes with playing for Barcelona. Either way, exciting times now with so many thing's starting to click.

Let's hope we can carry on with this good form and take 3 points at the weekend against Atletico!

Mr Alan · 21-02-2012 10:20pm

I'm likely to be in Barcalona the weekend of the 20th April.

Just checked their fixtures there & they're playing Real Madrid that Sunday night.

Presuming chances of getting tickets to that game would be slim to none, with the emphasis on none? Any of the Barca fans know much about trying to get tickets?

CongoPowers · 21-02-2012 10:45pm

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Well said mate! To be honest I have criticized him in recent weeks but more for his selfishness at times that his lack of goals. There has been 4-6 times in the past 3 or 4 games where if Messi had squared the ball to Sanchez/Iniesta/Pedro they were free. But saying that, Messi is the one player who can drift past all comers, and some of his best goals are scored because he has the audacity to just trot past players.

I seen on one of the fan sites last week that Affelay is also back in training. If he can make a return over the next few weeks I would be delighted. He looks full of potential and in one of his last performances for Holland he out shone the likes of Van Persie, Van Der Vaart and Sneijder! He's got pace to equal Tello and can play the ball with both feet! I just feel his vision in the final third is slightly lacking but that comes with playing for Barcelona. Either way, exciting times now with so many thing's starting to click.

Let's hope we can carry on with this good form and take 3 points at the weekend against Atletico!

Yeah, don't get me wrong, no player is above criticism. Seriously though, you know what the dailies in Spain are like, sensationalist rubbish. How easily they flip-flop between bitching and supporting a player. Like I said before too, Messi has done really well in a deeper role. Some of his passing has been insane. His assist tally is also crazy, goals aside!

yeah, delighted for Ibi. He should make some apps before the end of the season. Like you said, he can do a great job in a similar role to Pedro/Tello/Cuenca etc but thing is, he has also been really good as a deep playmaker for the Netherlands. I'm sure Barça won't let him go after an injury, would be poor form (and remember how badly it worked out with Ronaldo haha).

I'm pretty confident about the trip to Atléti now that Barça have one game a week and Xavi has got more and more rest!

Mr Alan wrote: »

I'm likely to be in Barcalona the weekend of the 20th April.

Just checked their fixtures there & they're playing Real Madrid that Sunday night.

Presuming chances of getting tickets to that game would be slim to none, with the emphasis on none? Any of the Barca fans know much about trying to get tickets?

Sorry for the bad news, but it's really unlikely unless you want to pay crazy money. Regardless of the distance between Barça and Madrid when they play in April, it's a huge game even by Clásico standards. Bad blood, maybe Mourinho's last Clásico, top two in Europe etcetc.

Members get two tickets a head I'm pretty sure. There are two ticket sale dates, one for members and another for left over seats from members/sponsors who can't go. Bear in mind too that many are given to members earlier. Keep an eye out for when they go on sale (because I'm not sure) but you would be looking at the second day. They usually go on sale through the Barça site between 10-11am, but go in minutes.

Maybe your best chance would be buying in the city, but you would be looking at an outrageous price

EDIT: also, even if you can't go to the match, there will be a great buzz in the city and watching it in other places is still good craic.

Davaeo09 · 26-02-2012 7:52pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYLV2jF2o04

Interesting video

Atletico game fast approaching, Madrids win earlier means only 3 points will do.

SeantheMan · 26-02-2012 8:04pm

Mr Alan wrote: »

I'm likely to be in Barcalona the weekend of the 20th April.

Just checked their fixtures there & they're playing Real Madrid that Sunday night.

Presuming chances of getting tickets to that game would be slim to none, with the emphasis on none? Any of the Barca fans know much about trying to get tickets?

Prices could be 1k plus. And that's not taking into account the fact that Madrid may win the league at that match if fixtures/results go their way.
And as stated above, tickets cannot be purchased by general public via the net or at the Camp Nou for this game

You can now purchase tickets for any game in the 11/12 season apart from the one against Real Madrid, for which tickets are only available to members.

MD1990 · 26-02-2012 8:44pm

looking forward to seeing Affellay again
he has got great pace

Hank Scorpio · 26-02-2012 11:09pm

Messi just scored a rocket of a free kick to put Barca 2-1 up again atletico madrid

dfx- · 26-02-2012 11:10pm

If it was anyone else you'd argue it was a cross/shot, but....:pac:

Hank Scorpio · 26-02-2012 11:22pm

Finished 2-1 Barca still trail Madrid by 10 points

Thrill · 26-02-2012 11:23pm

Messi free kick

CongoPowers · 26-02-2012 11:24pm

Three great results in a row. Nice.

MD1990 · 26-02-2012 11:25pm

nuxxx wrote: »

Messi just scored a rocket of a free kick to put Barca 2-1 up again atletico madrid

he bent it the corner
it wasn't a rocket type shot

the realpigiron · 27-02-2012 12:06am

Wow what a goal, something unreal about it. Messi is the gretest player of all time - no question about it in my view.

FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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