FC Barcelona Discussion

[SirBalon]

23 minutes ago, Paulo Dybala said:

If it's so easy to win the Champions League compared to La Liga (seems to be the prevailing school of thought in some circles) then why haven't other teams won it over Real Madrid? 

Again, priorities and winning mentality. Real Madrid have literally made it "their competition."

Winning La Liga is extremely grueling and challenging. Winning the Champions League may be even harder (at least where Barca's concerned).

I suppose it puts Barcelona's 4 Champions League titles in 12 years into perspective when you realize just how hard it is to win the competition.

To think that Real Madrid may very well win 4 in 5 years!

I shudder to think. 

 

Oh and about the stupid "Ronaldo vs Messi" debate?? Does anyone really think that either of them would be in the conversation for/contenders for the "Greatest of All Time" if not for one trying to outdo the other? Not a chance/not on your life. So let's all enjoy the both of them while we can (truly historic football times we're living in, this) without getting drawn into the silly debates as to "who's better" which seem to clog up a lot of TF365 these days. For theirs is a symbiotic relationship: one's greatness could not exist without the other.

Because of that very reason, by that very same token, if Ronaldo wins yet another Ballon d'Or and Champions League title this year it'll be because of Messi  

(certain truths are revealed in jest, mind)

 

Nobody said it was easy to win the Champions League and I’ve never heard it said before by anyobody. What’s for sure is that it’s a lot harder to win a league title and even more so in one of the bigger leagues seeing as this is not France we’re talking about here.

The Champions League is commercialised and marketed a lot more outside the continent of Europe and it has to be because it sells well and it’s how the money is created to pay the clubs who participate in it which isn’t small amounts. Plus, due to it’s marketability, winning and participating in the Champions League makes a club’s life a hell of a lot easier to market the entity outside the continent which is what brings in the £€$¥ to the clubs. It’s mainly about money and secondary about anything else which is a given anyhow. 

[Panna King]

7 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Nobody said it was easy to win the Champions League and I’ve never heard it said before by anyobody. What’s for sure is that it’s a lot harder to win a league title and even more so in one of the bigger leagues seeing as this is not France we’re talking about here.

The Champions League is commercialised and marketed a lot more outside the continent of Europe and it has to be because it sells well and it’s how the money is created to pay the clubs who participate in it which isn’t small amounts. Plus, due to it’s marketability, winning and participating in the Champions League makes a club’s life a hell of a lot easier to market the entity outside the continent which is what brings in the £€$¥ to the clubs. It’s mainly about money and secondary about anything else which is a given anyhow. 

But do you not think this a huge loss to Barcelona going out of the champions and another chance for Real to win yet another European title  or is La Liga a bigger achievement to win for Barcelona over Real?     

[SirBalon]

Just now, VanPaddy said:

But do you not think this a huge loss to Barcelona going out of the champions and another chance for Real to win yet another European title  or is La Liga a bigger achievement to win for Barcelona over Real?     

Massive loss! That’s the main issue on having been eliminated right now to be honest. It’s not about not winning in Barcelona’s case because this is football and football matches are won and lost which HAS to be accepted and is the reality (and long may it last). The problem is the modern rivalry between the two clubs which supersedes the sport itself.  

[Panna King]

3 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Massive loss! That’s the main issue on having been eliminated right now to be honest. It’s not about not winning in Barcelona’s case because this is football and football matches are won and lost which HAS to be accepted and is the reality (and long may it last). The problem is the modern rivalry between the two clubs which supersedes the sport itself.  

You would never had really witnessed in the past a Barcelona team losing a 3 nil score in the 2nd leg, it mostly happens the other way round.  

[SirBalon]

8 minutes ago, VanPaddy said:

You would never had really witnessed in the past a Barcelona team losing a 3 nil score in the 2nd leg, it mostly happens the other way round.  

I have no idea if it’s happened before to Barcelona but I guarantee you that I had an inkling in the back of my mind that it was possible even if I thought it was a long shot. There was something about recent Barcelona displays that didn’t sit well for me. Anyway... It’s done and now Barça have to analyse this, fix it and move on. There are two very important titles to be won and I can tell you another thing... Real Madrid had better win that Champions League because if they don’t, all the focus will be lifted off Barcelona and all hell will break lose with Real Madrid because the reality of the matter is the facts of this season. 

[bozziovai]

just read this now --   https://www.goal.com/en/news/total-failure-in-europe-spanish-italian-papers-react-to/wb0znfhxz2o61a2xefpm9wmm2

 

it's very unfair to chastise barca with this loss.     they're just unlucky that their off-peak was in this particular game and the stupidity of Pique for that matter.     first loss but it was massive but still, if they're going to go unbeaten in La LIga till it's end, then this UCL exit will be forgotten in no time.

[SirBalon]

6 minutes ago, bozziovai said:

just read this now --   https://www.goal.com/en/news/total-failure-in-europe-spanish-italian-papers-react-to/wb0znfhxz2o61a2xefpm9wmm2

 

it's very unfair to chastise barca with this loss.     they're just unlucky that their off-peak was in this particular game and the stupidity of Pique for that matter.     first loss but it was massive but still, if they're going to go unbeaten in La LIga till it's end, then this UCL exit will be forgotten in no time.

The reaction is instant and completely normal in my opinion. Losing from a 4-1 advantage for a club like Barcelona expects a big media biting session to be honest. What occurred is completely abnormal but merited.

But it will be forgotten soon. 

[Guest]

I'm not trying to appease Teso as he clearly bases his opinions on his own vendetta's, but this season Barcelona haven't been making use of the Barcelona B as this tweet proves. Lee Seung-Woo is gone and not getting a chance at Verona when he could have gotten one at Barcelona. Both made a mistake I think. There is also Aleña, who I haven't seen but I've heard good things about.

 

[bozziovai]

4 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

The reaction is instant and completely normal in my opinion. Losing from a 4-1 advantage for a club like Barcelona expects a big media biting session to be honest. What occurred is completely abnormal but merited.

But it will be forgotten soon. 

the first words that came out of my mouth when i saw the final scoreline of the barca-roma tie ( i was watching the city-liverpool match ) was OH NO !! BARCA DID A PSG.

[Panna King]

2 hours ago, SirBalon said:

I have no idea if it’s happened before to Barcelona but I guarantee you that I had an inkling in the back of my mind that it was possible even if I thought it was a long shot. There was something about recent Barcelona displays that didn’t sit well for me. Anyway... It’s done and now Barça have to analyse this, fix it and move on. There are two very important titles to be won and I can tell you another thing... Real Madrid had better win that Champions League because if they don’t, all the focus will be lifted off Barcelona and all hell will break lose with Real Madrid because the reality of the matter is the facts of this season. 

In the past the way Barcelona kept the ball it was impossible for anyone to get close like this,  the players that they have now, they do not really have the same fear,   there are a lot of squad players at Barcelona but that is just what they are, they really are not good enough for this huge club.    

[SirBalon]

8 minutes ago, bozziovai said:

the first words that came out of my mouth when i saw the final scoreline of the barca-roma tie ( i was watching the city-liverpool match ) was OH NO !! BARCA DID A PSG.

Almost! It’s not quite to that extend as the PSG debacle was even more crazy with a 4-0 advantage, no away goal for Barça to dream about at home in the return leg and then PSG went and scored an away goal themselves. That comeback is hostorical and at top end football like this I doubt it will ever be repeated.

But again, considering this is Barça and their European pedigree coupled with the experience those players have at the highest level of the game, it’s only natural for all this to occur and for people to feel that way. 

[SirBalon]

7 minutes ago, VanPaddy said:

In the past the way Barcelona kept the ball it was impossible for anyone to get close like this,  the players that they have now, they do not really have the same fear,   there are a lot of squad players at Barcelona but that is just what they are, they really are not good enough for this huge club.    

They definitely don’t keep the ball like they used to but all the same that’s no excuse for that turnaround and I’d say 90% of the players would walk into almost every elite club’s first team.

Also take into consideration the incredible season they’re having and were having until yesterday. All of that can’t be forgotten and all the praise can’t suddenly just turn into doom over one result as important as that result is because of the nature of how it occurred and the tournament it occurred in.

[Panna King]

Just now, SirBalon said:

They definitely don’t keep the ball like they used to but all the same that’s no excuse for that turnaround and I’d say 90% of the players would walk into almost every elite club’s first team.

Also take into consideration the incredible season they’re having and were having until yesterday. All of that can’t be forgotten and allnthe plaudits can’t suddenly just turn into doom over one result as important as that result is because of the nature of how it occurred and the tournament it occurred in.

Sometimes a season does come to 1 result if it is a big one.  Overall Barcelona have been great but it shows also there is an issues somewhere as it was very much out of character, it needs to be found and dealt with. 

[bozziovai]

2 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Almost! It’s not quite to that extend as the PSG debacle was even more crazy with a 4-0 advantage, no away goal for Barça to dream about at home in the return leg and then PSG went and scored an away goal themselves. That comeback is hostorical and at top end football like this I doubt it will ever be repeated.

But again, considering this is Barça and their European pedigree coupled with the experience those players have at the highest level of the game, it’s only natural for all this to occur and for people to feel that way. 

yeah.  this is a matter of WHO lose, not the HOW  

i'm hoping this won't be the same as the collapse of Madrid in the early 2000's when they were in top of the league, in the quarters of the UCL and in the finals of the copa del rey.   ran out of steam in La Liga, went out in the quarters and lost in the finals of the copa del rey.   i can still remember the interview of Figo stating that they ran too much and there's no squad rotation.

[SirBalon]

15 minutes ago, bozziovai said:

yeah.  this is a matter of WHO lose, not the HOW  

i'm hoping this won't be the same as the collapse of Madrid in the early 2000's when they were in top of the league, in the quarters of the UCL and in the finals of the copa del rey.   ran out of steam in La Liga, went out in the quarters and lost in the finals of the copa del rey.   i can still remember the interview of Figo stating that they ran too much and there's no squad rotation.

I don’t believe the players have run out of steam for something like that to happen. There are two players in question though, which are Piqué who’s been playing injured and he also made massive positional errors yesterday that have nothing to do with his injury. And also Busquets who has come back from an injury early and isn’t match fit. Busquets is after Messi the most important player in the team. He’s just not glamorous enough and doesn’t score goals for some modern fans to understand these things.

Plus the league lead is way too big to be dissipated in my view. The Copa del Rey Final isn’t too far away though and the question is if they’ll have gotten over this before then because Sevilla are no mugs in cup competitions.

I want to add another final thing... What occurred yesterday will have been a serious warning to any complacency in the team for what’s remaining (because complacency had a lot to do with yesterday) and also help Real Madrid in today’s game. If the gods had planned another major comeback for tonight,  that’s surely dead and buried now because they’ll have been watching. 

[bozziovai]

6 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

I don’t believe the players have run out of steam for something like that to happen. There are two players in question though, which are Piqué who’s been playing injured and he also made massive positional errors yesterday that have nothing to do with his injury. And also Busquets who has come back from an injury early and isn’t match fit. Busquets is after Messi the most important player in the team. He’s just not glamorous enough and doesn’t score goals for some modern fans to understand these things.

Plus the league lead is way too big to be dissipated in my view. The Copa del Rey Final isn’t too far away though and the question is if they’ll have gotten over this before then because Sevilla are no mugs in cup competitions.

I want to add another final thing... What occurred yesterday will have been a serious warning to any complacency in the team for what’s remaining (because complacency had a lot to do with yesterday) and also help Real Madrid in today’s game. If the gods had planned another major comeback for tonight,  that’s surely dead and buried now because they’ll have been watching. 

agree on all points.

 

after the comeback of barca against psg last season.   madrid's win over wolfsburg.  this season -  the first leg win of liverpool against City and holding out on the second leg and the heroics of Roma last night.   the phrase anything can happen in football have been revived and holds some meaning now in any knockout competition.     

[Carnivore Chris]

4 hours ago, SirBalon said:

I have no idea if it’s happened before to Barcelona but I guarantee you that I had an inkling in the back of my mind that it was possible even if I thought it was a long shot. There was something about recent Barcelona displays that didn’t sit well for me. Anyway... It’s done and now Barça have to analyse this, fix it and move on. There are two very important titles to be won and I can tell you another thing... Real Madrid had better win that Champions League because if they don’t, all the focus will be lifted off Barcelona and all hell will break lose with Real Madrid because the reality of the matter is the facts of this season. 

If Leganes had some fire power then they could have scored 3 or 4 in the second half the other day and not to mention the Sevilla game, which I'm surprised didn't end about 5-2 to them as they were THAT superior.

There is a lack of spark in midfield and no creativity, no razzmatazz, although last night there was nothing in terms of pace in attack and this where Dembele had to play for me. The lad's class and getting better. why not continue to help his confidence by starting him in these games? He was good against Chelsea and gave them something to think about.

I don't think Valverde should be sacked or any of that nonsense for the record, as some others have mentioned. He has Coutinho to use for the rest of this season and next season. The Brazilian will improve the team a lot alone, he's the creativity that is lacking, he has a deadly long shot on him and is hungry. Himself and Dembele with Messi and a new number 9 next season would be compatible and exciting to watch. You don't go undefeated in 31 games in a top league if you require a major overhaul, but at the same time  you don't go out in the Champs league quarters 3-0 after being 4-1 up from the first leg unless there are some changes that need to be made in order to continue to be successful.

 

4 hours ago, SirBalon said:

Massive loss! That’s the main issue on having been eliminated right now to be honest. It’s not about not winning in Barcelona’s case because this is football and football matches are won and lost which HAS to be accepted and is the reality (and long may it last). The problem is the modern rivalry between the two clubs which supersedes the sport itself.  

It was one of the biggest comebacks in Champions league history, in fact it may have been THE biggest had it not been for Barcelona vs PSG last season.

It's not about going out, it's the manner.

 

2 hours ago, SirBalon said:

The reaction is instant and completely normal in my opinion. Losing from a 4-1 advantage for a club like Barcelona expects a big media biting session to be honest. What occurred is completely abnormal but merited.

But it will be forgotten soon. 

The thing is, 4 champions league in 12 years(if going back to when Ronaldinho was at the club until now as that is when we truly start to witness the rise) is an achievement by any club's standards, but then you look at these players, these teams during this period and you realise that 4 could have been a few more. In terms of domestically, a side couldn't be more dominant but I think there could have been more done in Europe during this "Messi period", which has also been complemented by some of the finest players I've seen in their respective positions in the likes of Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta and Dani Alves(just before that Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Deco).... You may not get players like this again at the club simultaneously and you need to make the most of them. Xavi and Puyol have obviously gone and trophies have been won since(even if neither have ever truly been replaced), but now we are seeing the end of Iniesta, who you can see is now starting to slow down(sad to see) and then the next will be Busquets and Messi, I'd also say Alba given how much his importance has grown. But maybe Valverde can go all the way next season. I think it is important that the team maintain this unbeaten run now though and beat Sevilla in the final. If so, then this will have been a successful season for him minus this result and he should be allowed to build on it if he wins the 2 trophies still on offer this season. What could he do next season with an eligible Coutinho, a new attacking(talk of Griezmann who could answer that problem), a more experienced and settled young Dembele and Arthur?

It's now about the team going on and going for that unbeaten run. No Champions League now means the full focus(other than the Copa Del rey final, which should also be prioritised) can be on maintaining that.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2018 by The Rebel CRS

[Panna King]

13 minutes ago, The Rebel CRS said:

If Leganes had some fire power then they could have scored 3 or 4 in the second half the other day and not to mention the Sevilla game, which I'm surprised didn't end about 5-2 to them as they were THAT superior.

There is a lack of spark in midfield and no creativity, no razzmatazz, although last night there was nothing in terms of pace in attack and this where Dembele had to play for me. The lad's class and getting better. why not continue to help his confidence by starting him in these games? He was good against Chelsea and gave them something to think about.

I don't think Valverde should be sacked or any of that nonsense for the record, as some others have mentioned. He has Coutinho to use for the rest of this season and next season. The Brazilian will improve the team a lot alone, he's the creativity that is lacking, he has a deadly long shot on him and is hungry. Himself and Dembele with Messi and a new number 9 next season would be compatible and exciting to watch. You don't go undefeated in 31 games in a top league if you require a major overhaul, but at the same time  you don't go out in the Champs league quarters 3-0 after being 4-1 up from the first leg unless there are some changes that need to be made in order to continue to be successful.

 

It was one of the biggest comebacks in Champions league history, in fact it may have been THE biggest had it not been for Barcelona vs PSG last season.

It's not about going out, it's the manner.

 

The thing is, 4 champions league in 12 years(if going back to when Ronaldinho was at the club until now as that is when we truly start to witness the rise) is an achievement by any club's standards, but then you look at these players, these teams during this period and you realise that 4 could have been a few more. In terms of domestically, a side couldn't be more dominant but I think there could have been more done in Europe during this "Messi period", which has also been complemented by some of the finest players I've seen in their respective positions in the likes of Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta and Dani Alves(just before that Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Deco).... You may not get players like this again at the club simultaneously and you need to make the most of them. Xavi and Puyol have obviously gone and trophies have been won since(even if neither have ever truly been replaced), but now we are seeing the end of Iniesta, who you can see is now starting to slow down(sad to see) and then the next will be Busquets and Messi, I'd also say Alba given how much his importance has grown. But maybe Valverde can go all the way next season. I think it is important that the team maintain this unbeaten run now though and beat Sevilla in the final. If so, then this will have been a successful season for him minus this result and he should be allowed to build on it if he wins the 2 trophies still on offer this season. What could he do next season with an eligible Coutinho, a new attacking(talk of Griezmann who could answer that problem), a more experienced and settled young Dembele and Arthur?

It's now about the team going on and going for that unbeaten run. No Champions League now means the full focus(other than the Copa Del rey final, which should also be prioritised) can be on maintaining that.

 

 

 

 

The thing is, it will make it worse if Real went on and won the Champions League again.  Ronaldo with his silk golden precious hands on that trophy will hurt a lot of the Barcelona club and fans. 

[Stan]

good news article here about the agreement Barcelona has struck with the City council about the plans for the surrounding area after the stadium redevelopment

https://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/news/2017-2018/city-agreement-for-the-approval-of-the-urban-plan-that-will-make-the-espai-barca-possible?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=fcbarcelona&utm_campaign=4a4c48ab-1243-4667-aabf-4af5873f3fcd

[SirBalon]

5 minutes ago, Stan said:

good news article here about the agreement Barcelona has struck with the City council about the plans for the surrounding area after the stadium redevelopment

https://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/news/2017-2018/city-agreement-for-the-approval-of-the-urban-plan-that-will-make-the-espai-barca-possible?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=fcbarcelona&utm_campaign=4a4c48ab-1243-4667-aabf-4af5873f3fcd

Yeah it’s brilliant news because what the club want to recreate not only with the remodelling of the stadium but also the surrounding area by making it the biggest singular sports complex on the planet dedicated to one sports club is incredible. Nothing anywhere, even the US will come close. This will put the club in an even greater stratosphere and secure the brandname’s success for a long time... Obviously this if the political situation in a Spain revolving Catalunya and the nation as a whole doesn’t collapse. 

[Samuel Eto'o]

This almost made me shed a tear. Almost. 

Has it already been 14 years! 

Say what you want to about this guy. At least he has PASSION. Unlike the current muppet.

 

[SirBalon]

 

[SirBalon]

 

[Samuel Eto'o]

5 hours ago, SirBalon said:

 

 

[Samuel Eto'o]