Administrator Stan Posted May 18, 2018 Administrator Share Posted May 18, 2018 Saturday 19th May, 2018 Celta Vigo vs Levante, 12.00 Leganes vs Real Betis, 15.15 Las Palmas vs Girona, 17.30 Malaga vs Getafe, 17.30 Sevilla vs Alaves, 17.30 Villarreal vs Real Madrid, 19.45 Sunday 20th May, 2018 Valencia vs Deportivo La Coruna, 11.00 Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol, 15.15 Atletico Madrid vs Eibar, 17.30 Barcelona vs Real Sociedad, 19.45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid (FT) So Real finish 3rd in La Liga this season. Lucky for Barça this wasn't them because there would be holy scriptures written up on it seeing as they've been criticised for winning La Liga by only losing one game. Anyway... The facts are in reality that this has been a comical season for the defending champions. Maybe another 9 years without being champions of their country? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 2 hours ago, SirBalon said: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid (FT) So Real finish 3rd in La Liga this season. Lucky for Barça this wasn't them because there would be holy scriptures written up on it seeing as they've been criticised for winning La Liga by only losing one game. Anyway... The facts are in reality that this has been a comical season for the defending champions. Maybe another 9 years without being champions of their country? The facts are Real are about to win the biggest club competition in the world for a 3rd season in a row, that's why nobody gives a fuck about a draw with Villarreal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 9 hours ago, Marc said: The facts are Real are about to win the biggest club competition in the world for a 3rd season in a row, that's why nobody gives a fuck about a draw with Villarreal For the sole reason that they have been able to put their whole focus on that one competition, while other clubs were focused on 2/3. I've never known such an awful team to win the Champs league other than Chelsea in 2012. European football must really be on its arse at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 11 hours ago, SirBalon said: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid (FT) So Real finish 3rd in La Liga this season. Lucky for Barça this wasn't them because there would be holy scriptures written up on it seeing as they've been criticised for winning La Liga by only losing one game. Anyway... The facts are in reality that this has been a comical season for the defending champions. Maybe another 9 years without being champions of their country? While it's not something to be critical about(far from it really), it's disappointing to have lost that game after getting so far. While being undefeated for a season may not be important when you think about it, it does cement a legacy. Nobody would have really remembered the Arsenal invincibles as fondly had they not gone undefeated for a full season and PNE from 1888-89 definitely wouldn't have been remembered in the manner they are, even though they only did it when it was a 22 game season. It would have been the first time a team had done it in Spain since it became a 20 team league and that could have been historic. On the flipside though, nobody has ever gone as many games without defeat in Spanish football history, so that in itself is historic and something we have been lucky to witness. How many games was it? 42? The other disappointment was the Roma result due to the manner in which it occurred, as I believe this side had it in them to get to the final, or at least a semi-final in this year's edition. It's true that this team doesn't play as consistently brilliant and free-flowing attacking football as past sides, but it's a side that still knows how to get the job done. This season the results against big sides and in the big games, other than that Roma game, have all been positive ones. A convincing win vs Juventus at home, followed by a draw with a clean sheet, a draw away to Chelsea in a ground that is never easy for this club, then a big win at home with a clean sheet, something that very rarely happens vs Chelsea, however good/bad they are at the time, a win vs Atletico(with ANOTHER clean sheet) at home, along with a draw away, then obviously a convincing 3-0 win away to Real Madrid, and a draw at home, along with a Copa del rey final which was almost like a training excercise. These results(and the fact the team had gone undefeated so long, which is no easy feat) tells me that it had enough to go all the way in the Champions League and when you consider how the 2 teams currently in the final are ones that are far away in their league, it gives you the impression that a big opportunity to be taken advantage of there. I think the biggest downfall was that both Valverde and the players seemed so intent on maintaining that undefeated run in the league, that it had a negative affect on the Champions League in the end. This then makes the result vs Levante a double blow in some senses and that is where the disappointment comes in. But as I have said, at the start of the season after that Spanish Super Cup result, anyone would have taken winning a domestic double, whether undefeated or otherwise. So it's been a successful campaign without a doubt and helps maintain a winning mentality going into next season where this side have a chance of winning more trophies. Coutinho, a player who wasn't available in this season's Champions league, already makes a big difference himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 53 minutes ago, The Rebel CRS said: While it's not something to be critical about(far from it really), it's disappointing to have lost that game after getting so far. While being undefeated for a season may not be important when you think about it, it does cement a legacy. Nobody would have really remembered the Arsenal invincibles as fondly had they not gone undefeated for a full season and PNE from 1888-89 definitely wouldn't have been remembered in the manner they are, even though they only did it when it was a 22 game season. It would have been the first time a team had done it in Spain since it became a 20 team league and that could have been historic. On the flipside though, nobody has ever gone as many games without defeat in Spanish football history, so that in itself is historic and something we have been lucky to witness. How many games was it? 42? The other disappointment was the Roma result due to the manner in which it occurred, as I believe this side had it in them to get to the final, or at least a semi-final in this year's edition. It's true that this team doesn't play as consistently brilliant and free-flowing attacking football as past sides, but it's a side that still knows how to get the job done. This season the results against big sides and in the big games, other than that Roma game, have all been positive ones. A convincing win vs Juventus at home, followed by a draw with a clean sheet, a draw away to Chelsea in a ground that is never easy for this club, then a big win at home with a clean sheet, something that very rarely happens vs Chelsea, however good/bad they are at the time, a win vs Atletico(with ANOTHER clean sheet) at home, along with a draw away, then obviously a convincing 3-0 win away to Real Madrid, and a draw at home, along with a Copa del rey final which was almost like a training excercise. These results(and the fact the team had gone undefeated so long, which is no easy feat) tells me that it had enough to go all the way in the Champions League and when you consider how the 2 teams currently in the final are ones that are far away in their league, it gives you the impression that a big opportunity to be taken advantage of there. I think the biggest downfall was that both Valverde and the players seemed so intent on maintaining that undefeated run in the league, that it had a negative affect on the Champions League in the end. This then makes the result vs Levante a double blow in some senses and that is where the disappointment comes in. But as I have said, at the start of the season after that Spanish Super Cup result, anyone would have taken winning a domestic double, whether undefeated or otherwise. So it's been a successful campaign without a doubt and helps maintain a winning mentality going into next season where this side have a chance of winning more trophies. Coutinho, a player who wasn't available in this season's Champions league, already makes a big difference himself. Most sensations are created and boosted by the media mate. The sports media in Spain is extremely powerful and what they do is go on campaigns (both sides of the spectrum depending which club and where sympathies lie) also infuence the media elsewhere (i.e. Other countries). We can forgo the fans because they do their own job and the plus for this fans in the modern day social media boom is that they can then give even more extensive sensations by echoing whatever their preferred directive is. But in reality it's simple... Already without Real having even won the Champions League, all of this propaganda has managed to create this sensation while Barça have already bagged both the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey. Before the campaign officially even got underway the Madrid based media cavern (post the Barça Supercopa de España debacle pre-La Liga commencement) were already talking about Real Madrid ripping all the competitions they were about to participate in apart and with a sensation of witnessing possibly the greatest side in the history of the game. All of that has mysteriously been forgotten and a disastrous La Liga campaign from Real with a comical exit from the Copa del Rey and a very stuttering advancement in the Champions League (although credit to get to the final itself by eliminating top sides along the way) has turned into a mistake and nothing to worry about... "Forget about it, don't talk too much about the situation because it's not all that much of an issue!". That's the reality, that's how it works and that's how we have always known how everyone unknowingly is manipulated by the media first and foremost without even noticing it's actually occurring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 11 hours ago, The Rebel CRS said: For the sole reason that they have been able to put their whole focus on that one competition, while other clubs were focused on 2/3. I've never known such an awful team to win the Champs league other than Chelsea in 2012. European football must really be on its arse at the moment. I agree with that completely. Real Madrid will win the Champions League because of squad quality. Bayern this year were their worst side in ages, Manchester City bottled it, Juventus grinded out their league win and Barcelona weren't that good either despite almost going unbeaten. Its been the worst quality UCL in ages, granted the most interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 6 minutes ago, Blue said: I agree with that completely. Real Madrid will win the Champions League because of squad quality. Bayern this year were their worst side in ages, Manchester City bottled it, Juventus grinded out their league win and Barcelona weren't that good either despite almost going unbeaten. Its been the worst quality UCL in ages, granted the most interesting. If Real Madrid win it this year, it'll be a great achievement of course, although if other big clubs had the same luxury of being able to rest and pamper players before and after every game in the Champions league and put their whole focus on it, then they themselves would have a greater chance of winning it. Imagine Messi being rested and pampered for one competition? He would murder everyone. We'd be lying if we pretended otherwise. It's much harder when playing 90 minutes 3 times a week in 3 competitions though. As for Real Madrid's squad, it's the strongest in the world and they should be challenging on all fronts, even if that meant finishing 3 points or so behind the leaders and not actually winning the league, but they have been miles away and not had to focus on it for the whole year pretty much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 12 minutes ago, The Rebel CRS said: As for Real Madrid's squad, it's the strongest in the world and they should be challenging on all fronts, even if that meant finishing 3 points or so behind the leaders and not actually winning the league, but they have been miles away and not had to focus on it for the whole year pretty much. Say that again! I caaaaan't hear yoooou! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Dodger Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 La Liga is won and lost on very small margins, Real Madrid's dreadful start rendered a title shot redundant. Obviously since Xmas they have been fully focussed on the Champions League and why not, it is the only title they can win. Last night they took off three key players when cruising and ended up drawing. It's hardly a result indicative of their true strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 That new Barcelona top is actually very nice indeed. I’ve totally changes my mind. The blue on the sleeves really does make a smart contrast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted May 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2018 great display from the Barca fans in the 8th minute for Iniesta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Iniesta is still so amazing. Such a sad loss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Just found out that the reason Barcelona petitioned La Liga to obtain permission to use next season’s kit was for Iniesta’s sake so he can be videoed and photographed in the new strip. Nice touch from the LFP to allow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted May 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2018 lovely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 No backdoor treatment for Iniesta. I always felt sorry for Raúl and Casillas to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted May 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2018 ouch. that looked bad for Dembele. Tackled by Navas, ankle-high, and it looked like Dembele's foot got caught in the turf at the sam time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 There’s something about Dembélé that looks top quality. That foul was nasty, orange or red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 2 minutes ago, Cannabis said: The way Casillas was treated was an absolute disgrace although not a surprise all things considered. Enlightenment in football misses out the reality of gratitude at times. It’s a competitive world mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 1 minute ago, Teso dos Bichos said: Nothing against Iniesta but terrible way to "end it". Xavi- like iniesta, he got greedy and money became more important than legacy but to his excuse, his form had dropped severly unlike Iniesta, who could still play with barcelona for a year or two... What the fuck was the point of the Iniesta life time contract fuckery? This move goes completely against that bullshit article on fcbarcelona? This move goes completely against that and Barto's words show what far$E is all about. Barton had the nerve to say Iniesta is a perfect role model for la masia youngsters, NO that's PUYOL. Iniesta, xavi, and the over valued signings are a clear indiciation that they said fuck the 'mes que in club' and became another victim of modern football. The club has tried (even until last night by the club president in Iniesta’s house) to convince him to stay and offering him whatever he wanted. Iniesta wants to end it at the club. He has his personal reasons which apparently have nothing to do with the club itself. I have no idea why you come out with these things without the necessary knowledge and fuelled by your dislike for the club in question. Anyway... type away señor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted May 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2018 Oh Coutinho that is sublime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 What a goal by Coutinho. For some reason, I knew he was going to score then when he picked up the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted May 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2018 Just now, The Rebel CRS said: What a goal by Coutinho. For some reason, I knew he was going to score then when he picked up the ball. definitely. as soon as he worked it on to his right foot, he just needed an inch of space to pull the trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Just now, Stan said: definitely. as soon as he worked it on to his right foot, he just needed an inch of space to pull the trigger. You commented on it before it even hit the back of the net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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