FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

gimmick · 03-09-2012 10:32AM

Kudos to Song for his performance last night. He certainly didn't look like a guy who only joined the club 2 weeks ago. Very assured. Tackled and defended well. Brilliant addition if he can mantain and improve further.

CongoPowers · 03-09-2012 04:48PM

Thought that was a brilliant game. Barça deserved the three points, but I was impressed with Valencia, very well organised.

Davaeo09 wrote: »

but when it comes to the knock-out phases of the Champions League and such can we depend on him?

No. Not for me anyway.

But credit where it's due, he was great last night. Can't fault that performance at all.

Amazing debut for Song. Only 6 of his 67 passes weren't completed, and even more impressive was his tactical discipline considering how little time he's had with the squad, like gimmick said. Also have to take the level of opposition he was thrown in against into account.

Disappointed for Cesc coming off first again, I was sure this would be the game he'd finish because for me, he was playing well. But then again, Xavi was perfection, and one of the two had to be sacrificed once Tito thought Iniesta was needed. This midfield is ridiculously competitive.

I loved Alexis and Pedro's workrate, but man, the former has to be more selfish sometimes. He had two great chances to test the keeper and on both occasions decided to go out of his own way to try and set up a teammate instead. He's almost annoyingly selfless sometimes.

Missed the B team, but they won the local derby 2-0. Here are the short highlights. Rafinha was Barça's best player by all accounts, he's played well in all three games so far.

If anyone is interested in watching Juvenil A play the NextGen Series, their game against Spurs will be shown live on Eurosport in ten days time.

dagdha · 15-09-2012 10:58PM

Good win tonight especially coming after an international break and with so many players injured or rested. It was great to see Villa getting more and more minutes and finding the back of the net. He's like a new signing.

The bad news is that Puyol picked up another injury to his knee and will be out of action for 6 weeks. I'm suprised that there was'nt much talk about getting another defender during the transfer window as it seems that Puyols playing time is getting less and less the last 2 seasons as he is getting more prone to injuries.

Tello is getting alot of game time and his pace really adds to the team but some of his first touches and decision making tonight was pretty poor but this will get better in time as he is still pretty young.

Another positive is Real lost again

They were lucky they did'nt have both Di Maria and Higuin sent off.

miralize · 15-09-2012 11:06PM

I was pretty worried with the starting lineup when I heard it first. I was kind of thinking that Tito was giving Getafe not enough respect. We were in control, but Getafe definitely had chances. I calmed a bit when Messi came on for Thiago.

Thiago seemed very enthusiastic tonight, too many fancy passes with the outside of his foot and keeping the ball when he should have passed etc... Probably due to the fact that its his first game this year but still...

Villa... wow. What a great goal after 3 games back after 9 months out!

Turtwig · 15-09-2012 11:12PM

Madrid lost again!? W....T...F!?

Only got to see the Barca game. Thought Xavi was immense, Cesc played well his one touch stuff is nice but I don't think he's got the same situational awareness or positioning that Xavi does, and Thiago in parts. Agree with Tello really fast, but seems a bit brainless and one dimensional at times. Villa's runs were far more intelligent and penetrative. Ok, maybe the game had opened up by then but I think Villa should still be preferred to Sanchez and Tello. Pedro is becoming immense, his work rate is excellent and his link up play with Leo is excellent. Felt sorry for Masch, felt even sorrier for Puyol. Thought Busquests yellow was pretty harsh too.

Also, I know you guys think he's a defensive liability, I do too, but when you consider Andriano can play in just about any position competently and he's a goal scorer I think his value to you guys might be quite good this season .:)

Davaeo09 · 16-09-2012 03:00AM

miralize wrote: »

Thiago seemed very enthusiastic tonight, too many fancy passes with the outside of his foot and keeping the ball when he should have passed etc... Probably due to the fact that its his first game this year but still...

Villa... wow. What a great goal after 3 games back after 9 months out!

TBF Thiago was a beast in the opening 30 minutes, was our best player by a distance. He was unpredictable and wasn't afraid to break the mold now and again, some thing we need at times. He was very unlucky not to have scored this too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5n8CkK-SNw

He did look leggy and it showed that he had not played in so long especially once Getafe tightened up and the game went on though. I expect big things from the chap and given his limited chances, I think he's doing well anyway!

@Jernal regarding Pedro "becoming immense" we are simply seeing him return to his best. Last season was his worst by quite a distance, Pep said about him before that he was one of the most inventive and natural finishers he had seen. I've been on many a Pedro rant before but he is truly capable to using both feet and I consider him still highly under-rated given his age and experience at the highest level already. Goals against United and a few against Madrid bode well too.

As for Adriano, he did well again tonight, showing good form over the past month bar that Madrid game. Tackled well when called upon tonight and his pace is a nightmare up and down which ever flank he should play on.
It's nice to have Alba too :cool:

Villa was brilliant when he came on, reminds me of Eto'o when it comes to that hunger for goals! If he's not scoring he's not happy, simple.

Regarding Puyol, I hope our lack of experienced defenders doesn't come back to bite us. Pique now more than ever needs a good clip in the back of ears! He's so bloody clumsy of late. Montoya deserves a mention too actually, very impressed with him. Did this for the Spain u21's recently too..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEJBczgVyz4

MD1990 · 19-09-2012 09:33PM

so many of Messi's goals have been relatively easy finishes this season
he is a great goal poacher

NUTZZ · 19-09-2012 09:35PM

MD1990 wrote: »

so many of Messi's goals have been relatively easy finishes this season
he is a great goal poacher

He really is, he's always in the right place at the right time, it's no coincidence.

staker · 19-09-2012 09:38PM

I've yet to see him take on his man and run him ragged.

Davaeo09 · 19-09-2012 11:44PM

staker wrote: »

I've yet to see him take on his man and run him ragged.

Where have you been for the past year or two? Messi doesn't play on the wing any more, nor is he inclined to run deep. The team is almost build around his ability in and around the box and it has provided enormous success bar the Chelsea upset and some enthralling El Classicos.

It's hard to criticize the man though. One could argue that he is "off form", but a look at his goal scoring records this season already he's still the best player on the planet bar none. Not only that but he's starting to do it for Argentina too. In fact I really like there attacking options as a nation right now. Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Lavezi, and Aguero. Not to mention Banega, Pastore and Tevez. They all seem to have gelled under the new coach and I have high hopes for them at the next world cup.

gimmick · 20-09-2012 08:25AM

staker wrote: »

I've yet to see him take on his man and run him ragged.

Just off the top of my head - CL semi first leg 2011 V Real, he destroyed Marcelo and Ramos.

CL final 2011 he made dirt of the entire Man Utd midfield and defense.

staker · 20-09-2012 10:19AM

I was making an absurd statement just like the one above mine! The man can go through players like a hot knife through butter.

Davaeo09 · 20-09-2012 02:30PM

The injuries to Pique and Puyol could not have happened at a worse time. Both are almost certainly out for the Madrid game in two weeks time.

I think Tito will have some big decisions to make in the coming week or two regarding what he can do with the resources he has. Perhaps a flat back line of Busi-Masch-Song? I didn't like when we had to do it last season, we were caught out down the flanks, but with Dani, Alba and Adriano I am sure we will conjure some thing.

Really happy to see Thiago back playing again. He has such imagination and enthusiasm some times too much, but this is going to be a massive season for him.

Anyone know when Iniesta is due back?

Turtwig · 20-09-2012 03:37PM

Pique's going to be a Papa.

D'aww.:)

gimmick · 21-09-2012 10:11AM

Seems there is a quirk in this years fixtures again.

Barcas fixtures are 2 weeks after Reals.

So Real were at home to Valencia - 2 weeks after so were Barca

Real away to Sevilla - 2 weeks after Barca travel there

Real were at home to Grenada - Barca play them tmr

and so on.

Is it lazy fixture making, or is this done for a reason?

dagdha · 22-09-2012 07:35PM

Villa back in the starting line up tonight which is great to see and Song starts his first game aswell.

Valdés, Alves, Cesc, Villa, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Mascherano, Sergio, Adriano and Song

miralize · 22-09-2012 07:47PM

He started aainst Valencia no?

dagdha · 22-09-2012 07:52PM

miralize wrote: »

He started aainst Valencia no?

My mistake, you're right. I thought he came on as a sub in that game

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 22-09-2012 08:33PM

Only the third/fourth time I've watched Barca this season, but they seem to be playing more directly, certainly in this game anyway. Is this just a one off or is it something Tito has been advocating?

Turtwig · 22-09-2012 08:57PM

They definitely seem to be more direct with Tito but you can always tell when Xavi is missing. Their rhythm is all over the place. Messi & Villa certainly seem to have a nice bromance.