The 2011 - 2012 Season Thread | "Return of the moc!"

Yeah, ViscaElBarca got it first, and yes, we've also dropped all 3(?) Copa Catalunya's on Pep's watch plus a Gamper to ManCity but for real trophies those are the only 3 we dropped, course by dropping the CL in 09/10 we lost out on the chance to defend our CWC and Euro Super Cup. Still what a stellar record.

 

You guys are missing one: the Helmond Cup, which we lost to Real Betis!

 

Yes, no wonder Betis is sitting at the top of the table now.

BTW, Tenerife has it right now and plays Getafe B tomorrow.

In addition to winning and losing the Gamper, we also won the Audi Cup this year, but lost the "World Football Challenge 2011" and to our hated rivals Real Madrid.

 

I keep hoping Barcelona B can pick it up.

 

http://twitter.com/#!/helmondcup

5 Jun: Albacete 3-1 Huesca
*Albacete drops into Segunda B, trophy is defended at start of new season*
21 Aug: Getafe B 1-2 Albacete
28 Aug: Albacete 4-2 Montañeros CF
4 Aug: Real Madrid Castilla 1-1 Albacete
7 Sept: Albacete 1-0 Real Jaén CF
11 Sept: Albacete 1-2 Tenerife
18 Sept: Tenerife 1-0 Coruxo CF
25 Sept: Getafe B - Tenerife

http://www.helmondcup.com/

 

Yeah, sadly that dream has died as Tenerife is in one of the 4 groups of Segunda B and Barca B is in Segunda.

We can hope that the Helmond makes its way up to Segunda or even straight to Primera via the Copa del Rey. Tenerife is already qualified for CdR having been a Segunda squad last season. Barca B is not in the tournament as only one squad per team is allowed to participate.

Otherwise we can thank (or curse) Albecete's drop for keeping it more firmly in Spain and for keeping Barca's all time record for points (we top Inter 65 to 57), goals scored (Messi the all time leader with 25, Pedrito in 2nd with 17, then Diego Milito with 14, Villa in 5th with 12, Iniesta and Bojan (and Eto'o from his Inter days) all tied for 12th with 4 a piece), etc. firmly in place.

 

Below is a link to another really good analysis of how formations like 4-3-3, etc. start to lose their meaning with this Barca squad.

Great analysis of the 5th goal, all the high pressure defensive work then movement leading up to it, then Cesc brilliant bit of skill to turn on the dime and set Messi up for an easy finish.

Also highly rec. this wordy summary for the analysis of how Thiago and Alves were used, Alves as a full on winger keeping width on the right, Thiago given more defensive duties supporting Alves while still playing lots of attacking midfield from side to side. Villa mostly keeping things wide on the left. All that allowing bits of space for Messi and Cesc in the middle to work that magic.

Great piece: http://www.barcelonafootballblog.com/11117/match-review-barcelona-8-0-osasuna-era/

MODS - I re-posted this from the Osasuna thread; if that's verboten please delete one. Thanks!

 

is it me or do we always seem to have a clasico before a CL knockout match? I'm going to try and make the clasico in April, and I'm just looking at booking my flight now. I'm guessing the match will be on the 21st April as the CL semis are the 24-25th and it's almost unthinkable that neither ourselves or LPB will be featuring.

 

What happened?

 

WHAT?! What happened?!

EDIT: I see it now on totalBarca -- ACL damage in training. Fsck.

 

so sad. i really like him and wish he had more opportunities. poor guy. hope he gets back better.

 

Just saw about Afellay. Sucks.

 

its the curse of the 3-4-3, or cesc brought the arsenal injury curse here

or maybe messi is tackling players too hard in training

 

Or maybe our preseason is catching up with us.

 

Puyol, Pique, Sanchez, Iniesta and now Affeley.

 

Man, this was gonna be Affelay's time to shine too. Without Sanchez and Ibrahim we are lacking quite possibly our quickest attackers.

 

I hope it's only a month or two.