FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Warper · 07-12-2011 04:52PM

dfx- wrote: »

That 4-0 win last night is extremely impressive. BATE Borisov are an experienced European side, seeded for early draws and consistent performers and progress from the qualifiers. They're no mugs.

For the u-21s to beat them 4-0 is extremely impressive.

Agreed and it wasnt just that they beat them, they played them off the park. Practically a replica of the first team. All that work at La Masia is worth its weight in gold. The talent coming through is ridiculous.

dfx- · 07-12-2011 06:01PM

Had they drawn 0-0 or 1-1 or lost 0-1, it'd be invaluable experience, but 4-0..

Davaeo09 · 10-12-2011 01:37PM

Valdes
Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Messi, Cesc, Sanchez

That's the line up I keep finding on the internet, has it been confirmed?

If they line out like that I really don't think we will have the width to do any damage to Madrid. But I am sure Pep has some sort of game plan..

Maybe Cesc playing a little bit deeper than he normally would for us and Messi And Sanchez playing upfront

Some thing like?

Valdes

Alves--Puyol--Pique--Abidal

Busquets

Xavi

Iniesta----

Cesc

Messi----Sanchez

Allows Alves to push forward and Iniesta to roam down the left, but asks a more box to box role of Cesc and Xavi.. So many different combinations and ideas in my head. I'll just leave it to Pep =D

Sorry I'm just kinda excited, if any one has heard any thing official do post

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 13-12-2011 08:27AM

Just reading Sid Lowe's articles and a few things stood out.

This is just remarkable.

Sid Lowe wrote:

Puyol has now gone 44 consecutive games unbeaten – he was absent in each of Barça's past seven defeats

Didn't know this (about Real Madrid) before the game

Sid Lowe wrote:

it had been almost 70 games since they'd taken the lead and failed to win

gimmick · 13-12-2011 01:52PM

I decided long ago that i was never going near posting in a match thread again, and looking at the Clasico one, I am fully justified.

Anyway, I have to say Saturday was brilliant. It was a strong performance which showed thsi squads belief in themselves. Now i know everyone is going to talk about Iniesta and Messi as Barcas top players on Saturday, but I actually thought Puyol put in yet another great performance. I was slightly worried seeing him start, but my GOD, he was incredible. Not a single foot put wrong throughout the whole game. he is the perfect captain. Evertying he does is right. He rarely loses his temper, but he knows how to rile up those around him. The fact he was facing a 3 pronged attack as good as Madrids and made them all look like boys speaks volumes of thsi mans ability.

Of all Barcas great players, I think Puyol might get forgotten from time to time, but on performances like the other night, he just reminded why he is my favourite Barca player to ever wear the jersey!

MisterAnarchy · 14-12-2011 02:21PM

Villa to Leave ?

Madrid based newspaper Marca ran a story on its front cover this morning claiming that David Villa has been made available for transfer, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa all interested in signing the Spain striker in January.

However, when questioned about the report at a press conference, Guardiola replied: "Marca lies."

Guardiola was reluctant to discuss Villa and his exclusion from the first-team for the Clasico in any depth, but he added: "I have not spoken to David after the last match in Madrid, but I try to involve everyone in the team.

"I am the one who comes up with 25 different line-ups during the season because I feel that is the best thing to do. Most players will remain here this season and the next."

There have been rumblings of Villa being offered to English clubs for a while now and himself and Messi are rumoured to have fallen out as well.
With Cuenca breaking into the team and Fabregas often being played in the front 3 perhaps the rumours are true.

gimmick · 14-12-2011 02:29PM

I think he will leave, but not before the summer. He is clearly unhappy and that is very evident from his body language on the pitch. He looks extremely frustrated at all times.

I would be sorry to see him leave, as he is an excellent player and is a big game player as was proven in the Champions League final.

If he does go, I hope its not under the same cloud that Ibra left under.

kryogen · 14-12-2011 02:41PM

It seems Barca will always have trouble with that type of player in the current system though, the out and out centre forward, I know Villa can do a job from the wing, but he likes to be central and the focal point of the attack. Very much like Ibra, and thats just not the system used at Barca right now

Bohrio · 14-12-2011 04:05PM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Villa to Leave ?

Madrid based newspaper Marca ran a story on its front cover this morning claiming that David Villa has been made available for transfer, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa all interested in signing the Spain striker in January.

However, when questioned about the report at a press conference, Guardiola replied: "Marca lies."

Guardiola was reluctant to discuss Villa and his exclusion from the first-team for the Clasico in any depth, but he added: "I have not spoken to David after the last match in Madrid, but I try to involve everyone in the team.

"I am the one who comes up with 25 different line-ups during the season because I feel that is the best thing to do. Most players will remain here this season and the next."

There have been rumblings of Villa being offered to English clubs for a while now and himself and Messi are rumoured to have fallen out as well.
With Cuenca breaking into the team and Fabregas often being played in the front 3 perhaps the rumours are true.

I woudlnt trust them as far as I can throw them...

Marca is known to do things like this right after Barcelona have had some sort of victory or right after defeating Real Madrid...

I am not saying he will not leave (could be as he hasnt been doing very well lately) but def not because they say it...

If barcelona wins the cup of clubs of whatever is called is likely they wills ay somethuing like Guardiola is leaving to go to Madrid or who knows...

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 14-12-2011 04:09PM

RvP is better and Barca have a very good chance of getting him, especially if Arsenal finish outside the top 4. They will miss David Villa though, he is very flexible in that he can play anywhere in the front 3, whereas if it was RvP I don't think he'd be very effective on the wing.

Any other potential replacements? Adebayor is playing out of his skin atm, Spurs can't afford his wages and Man City don't want or need him. I'd love to see Pato or Neymar at Barca though, both are very quick, and would be flexible enough.

This is, of course, assuming Villa does leave. But I think Barca need another striker on the payroll anyways.

dfx- · 14-12-2011 05:10PM

In the squad for big games post Christmas, I think they need an immediate replacement or not to sell him until Summer. Cuenca is surely not quite ready yet, Alexis still has work to do (despite his finish at the weekend), Iniesta would more than likely end up out there on the left like at the weekend which while is ok, it's not where I'd want him to be.

MisterAnarchy · 14-12-2011 05:12PM

Bohrio wrote: »

I woudlnt trust them as far as I can throw them...

Marca is known to do things like this right after Barcelona have had some sort of victory or right after defeating Real Madrid...

There is no smoke without a fire.
Balague has been saying for the last few weeks that the English clubs think there has never been a better chance to get Villa .
Of course its probably just talk,who knows where half these rumours originate.

I cant see him leaving until at least the summer as Gimmick has already said.
He may have rediscovered his form by then.

CSF · 14-12-2011 05:51PM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Villa to Leave ?

Madrid based newspaper Marca ran a story on its front cover this morning claiming that David Villa has been made available for transfer, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa all interested in signing the Spain striker in January.

However, when questioned about the report at a press conference, Guardiola replied: "Marca lies."

Guardiola was reluctant to discuss Villa and his exclusion from the first-team for the Clasico in any depth, but he added: "I have not spoken to David after the last match in Madrid, but I try to involve everyone in the team.

"I am the one who comes up with 25 different line-ups during the season because I feel that is the best thing to do. Most players will remain here this season and the next."

There have been rumblings of Villa being offered to English clubs for a while now and himself and Messi are rumoured to have fallen out as well.
With Cuenca breaking into the team and Fabregas often being played in the front 3 perhaps the rumours are true.

David Villa to Aston Villa? Possibly the most ridiculous news story I can remember.

Bohrio · 14-12-2011 07:02PM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

There is no smoke without a fire.
Balague has been saying for the last few weeks that the English clubs think there has never been a better chance to get Villa .
Of course its probably just talk,who knows where half these rumours originate.

I cant see him leaving until at least the summer as Gimmick has already said.
He may have rediscovered his form by then.

I am not saying it wont happen but live has tought me to be cautious with Marca. In the end they are the same newspaper who said that Kun Aguero was going to REal this summer and also bombarded everyone on daily basis on how Neymar was going to join Real Madrid before the end of the year!

Marca sells smoke, and occassionally they get it wrong. What doesnt add up is that everytime time, and this is EVERYTIME barcelona wins Real or a title they announce some sort of event just to try to desestabilize barcelona...

I wish I could trust them but I can't, Marca is more like Hello than a sports newspaper...

CongoPowers · 14-12-2011 07:23PM

Guardiola rubbished the Villa story this morning.

eternal · 14-12-2011 11:48PM

here is hoping for another trophy come Sunday.Last Saturday was amazing.I have missed a few matches being too busy but I will be glued tomorrow night!

miralize · 14-12-2011 11:51PM

tomorrow morning!

eternal · 15-12-2011 12:09AM

miralize wrote: »

tomorrow morning!

What? What time ? God I am dumb

miralize · 15-12-2011 12:17AM

It's in Japan! It starts at 10:30 am local time .. on sky I think!

eternal · 15-12-2011 12:21AM

miralize wrote: »

It's in Japan! It starts at 10:30 am local time .. on sky I think!

Cheers for telling me! Lets see how die hard I am now in the morning.

MisterAnarchy · 15-12-2011 12:23AM

Bohrio wrote: »

I wish I could trust them but I can't, Marca is more like Hello than a sports newspaper...

True,but I do think it strange that Guardiola hasnt spoken to Villa since Sat night.
That sounds like the same treatement Guardiola gave to Ibrahimovich ,where he didnt speak to him.
Ibrahimovich complained that he was ignored ,I hope its not the same issue again.

CongoPowers · 15-12-2011 01:51AM

miralize wrote: »

on sky I think!

Thanks a million

I thought I'd have to watch online, hadn't even checked ESPN.

Bohrio · 15-12-2011 09:55AM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

True,but I do think it strange that Guardiola hasnt spoken to Villa since Sat night.
That sounds like the same treatement Guardiola gave to Ibrahimovich ,where he didnt speak to him.
Ibrahimovich complained that he was ignored ,I hope its not the same issue again.

How can someone now Guardiola isnt talking to him... Anyway he is playing today. If Villa goes it will be because he is 31 and its time for him to go but thats it. To put in in perspective Villa has played 1400 minutes so far with Barcelona (this season) and Higuain 500 minutes. We dont see marca writting anything about him...

Now Marca is saying that Chelsea is interested in swapping Torres for Villa... yeah right...

Warper · 15-12-2011 10:39AM

22 Abidal E.
21 Adriano
8 Iniesta A.
15 Keita S.
14 Mascherano J.
10 Messi L.
17 Pedro
5 Puyol C.
11 Thiago Alcantara
1 Valdes V. (G)
7 Villa D.

Team currently playing - good few changes from El Clasico. Hope Villa plays well.

dfx- · 15-12-2011 10:56AM

Villa and Keita not playing well, great goal:pac:

miralize · 15-12-2011 11:18AM

Villa plays a central role.. and that happens! Hope its not too serious

EDIT : Broken shinbone according to journos.

richierichballs · 15-12-2011 11:38AM

miralize wrote: »

Villa plays a central role.. and that happens! Hope its not too serious

Yeah I noticed that and Messi is very quiet on the right.

I thought when Villa went off they would put Messi in the middle with Alexis and Pedro on either sides,
But they left Messi on the right and put Pedro in the middle...

Weird.

richierichballs · 15-12-2011 11:39AM

miralize wrote: »

Villa plays a central role.. and that happens! Hope its not too serious

EDIT : Broken shinbone according to journos.

Damn, the reply looked like he went down badly on his ankle.

Season just gone from bad to worse for Villa. :mad:

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 15-12-2011 11:46AM

Oh Jesus that's shocking news..

gimmick · 15-12-2011 12:37PM

Fractured left tibia according to the official site.

Finished 4-0. 2 for Adriano, 1 for Keita and Maxwells first for Barca (?).

Final against Santos is Sunday.

FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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