Bauza saying Icardi is "just a finisher." That is what we need!!!!! Then goes on to say that the hierarchy is 1. Higuain 2. Pratto 3. Icardi 4. Lucas Alario
Here in the States, in the NFL, when the late Buddy Ryan was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles many years ago, he cut - not traded, not lost as a free agent, but cut as in removed from the team with nothing in return - a wide receiver named Cris Carter, who as it turns out was nominated into the Pro Football Hall of Fame recently. When asked by the media back then why he chose to cut the often scoring Carter, his response is now famous in American football lore. "All he does is catch touchdowns." One day, when some Albiceleste DT has the balls to tell Messi & Masch - who we all love - to F Off Icardi is on the team, we should all hope Icardi makes Bozo Bauza's line equally historically famous/stupid.
The Barca-PSG match synthesizes why our NT sucks and why Brazil and Uruguay are doing so well: -Neymar showing huge balls even when his team is dead. -Suarez and Cavani scoring out of nowhere. -Messi being a ghost in a big game yet again. -Di Maria doesn't start cuz he's injured and when he is subbed in he misses a massive one-on-one. -Mascherano plays hard but concedes two penalties for the opponent (though the ref was so kind to overlook both). Russia 2018, here we go...
ADM wasn't fully(shocker, I know) fit for the Barcelona game but he came on. He had a 1 v 1 but he missed to close out the game. May of been a PK because he normally puts those away. But yet, PSG who have ADM, Lo Celso and Pastore managed to allow 6 goals. Nothing on our players since Lo Celso and Pastore never played and even ADM who can only play once a week but not sure if this club will recover.
Let's not push it with Cavani and Suarez scoring out of nowhere. Barcelona comedic defense allowed that goal which Pique threw himself to the ground for no reason. As for Neymar showing big balls. Messi gave him the penalty after he scored had one himself. Messi being a ghost in a big game? Maybe for us he turns into a ghost time to time but for Barcelona, he has always played big for Barcelona. He's scored in CL finals, CdR, matches vs Real. PSG had 3 players there had him surrounded for most of the game. This gave players like Neymar and Suarez to be open and expressive. Plus, both Neymar and Suarez embarrassed themselves diving all over the places. It was beyond pathetic to see but again, this is Neymar and Suarez we are talking about, they are both infamous for these tactics.
Dude, except for the 3-0 vs Bayern I can't remember a single good game of Messi against a big opponent in a high stakes match (Madrid, Bayern, Chelsea, Atlético, PSG) in the last 5 years (since Guardiola left).
I'm not a messi fan boy like many other posters on here, but um... You're a bit out of line friend. Remember the Champions League Finals of say 2009 and 2011? Even in 2015 when he didn't score, he made Suarez' winner by forcing a wonder save from Buffon. He is also the all-time top scorer in the history of the spanish Clasico. He beat some guyed called di stefano for that title so I'd say Messi has come up many times in big matches friend. PS-Youre a man city fan. You should feel shame for that.
By the way, I do agree with any criticism of Di Maria. I really hate the guy. What a dumb ass, first shhhhing the Barca fans, then he blows the match by missing a 1 v. 1 and injuring himself in the process. As the English would say, he is a real wanker.
2015 Copa del Rey goal 2015 Champions League final Even today, Messi scored his penalty and gave a tremendous ball on which Suarez was fouled for the pen. By the way, he was surrounded by 3-4 players at all times....Neymar and Suarez had every right to sparkle.
You really think that kind of post needs to be taken seriously? cmon What he said its like saying Tevez is big game player for the NT.
Messi conrtibuted almost 45% Barca goal this season. Those are much much bigger contribution than just someone who had 2-3 good performance in big matches. He scored 10+ in this season CL for intense.
Umm no, otherwise I would have posted like this. Major NT-tournament sf and final matches (WC, EU/CA) Goals (Scored + Assisted + Involved) Messi 11 (2 + 5 + 4) out of 13 team goals in 8 games = 85% importance (+ 2 SO goals and 1 miss) Maradona 5 (2 + 1 + 2) out of 6 team goals in 5 games = 83% importance (+ 1 SO goal) Platini 6 (3 (1 pen) + 1 + 2) out of 8 team goals in 4 games = 75% importance (+ 1 SO goal) G.Müller 7 (7 + 0 + 0) out of 10 team goals in 4 games = 70% importance Pele 11 (6 + 3 + 2) out of 17 team goals in 4 games = 65% importance Xavi 6 (1 + 4 + 1) out of 10 team goals in 6 games = 60% importance Zidane 6 (5 (3 pen) + 0 + 1) out of 11 team goals in 7 games = 55% importance (+ 1 SO goal) Ronaldo 10 (6 + 2 + 2) out of 19 team goals in 8 games = 53% importance (+ 1 SO goal) Romario 4 (3 + 0 + 1) out of 8 team goals in 3 games = 50% importance (+ 1 SO goal) Cruyff 1 (0 + 1 + 0) out of 2 team goals in 2 games = 50% importance
To be fair, I don't blame Di Maria for shhhing the Barca crowd. Perhaps he still has a bit of loyalty to Madrid. He did get fouled in 1 v 1 but regardless. Lets not forget, Bati did the same things 20 some years ago vs Barcelona. I wouldn't say I hate the guy, that is a bit harsh. What I hate is that he is never fit and is always pulls out during tournaments. When he is on, that 1 out 5-7 games(for us) he is exceptional. But I do not trust him as he takes up a spot. He'd only be useful as a sub, and you bring him in ET of a tournament. Granted his IQ for the game is low and is a headless chicken but he is useful at times when needed. When you badmouth Messi, look for BadaBing to come to the rescue. He's like Batman.
Aguero and ADM always entered a final only like 50% fit (ADM sometimes 0% fit). I mean, 3 consecutive tournaments.... today its the same case for him but in CL.
Bati shhhhed the Camp Nou after scoring a screamer to tie the game at one into the top corner. He can also do what he wants
Messi has had numerous great matches against Man City, then again they are only a big opponent on paper.
Yes, the big games are not the only ones against big teams. Barca would be mid-table in the league this year if it weren't for Messi. The game against Sevilla, last minute freekick against Villareal, the winner against Atletico, the 2 goals against Leganes, etc.....just some of the games he has had to drag Barca along in the past few months. The games against Ahtletic Bilbao in this year's Copa. In fact, this year, more than ever, Barca has been a one-man show.
What an entertaining match between Juventus and Milan. On Milan's side, Ocampos was terrible, he's still young enough to become a good player but he has yet to really progress since moving to Europe. Him bouncing around teams at such a young age should be an indicator that he probably won't ever be a top level player. I was surprised to see Sabella' bastard child, Jose Sosa playing. He wasn't very bad, but he did end up getting sent off by picking up two yellows. Apparently, last season he was the Turkish League's best player. His days with the national team is over though or at least we can hope. Vangioni came on really late. On a side note, Milan's GK, Donnarumma is an absolute monster. He just turned 18, when Buffon retires after the 2030 World Cup, he will be Italy's #1. He is a special, no doubt about it. He shows zero nerves between the goal posts. ----- Dybala had a much, much better game because Allegri decided to drop Manzukic, and what do you know? He and the team played much better. Without the heroics of Donnarumma, Juventus would've won 6 or 7-1. He had some fantastic moments(a moment of magic in this video) and he scored a perfect PK in the 90+ minute to give Juve the win. 😱😱😱 My word!!! Paulo #Dybala!!!#JuveMilan pic.twitter.com/NUGIH1IDm6— Kush (@footballkush) March 10, 2017
I got to see the second half of that match replay when I got home last night, usually don't root for Milan - yesterday the exception as my second favorite team anywhere is the one playing Juventus on any given match day -really on basis that they have had shamefully small # of Argentinos on their roster throughout the last 2 decades. This excludes Paletta, as he did that for us... So pleasantly surprised to see Sosa, Ocampos, Vangioni on their roster and on the field. Agree, didn't really see any of them do much, Jumerdus really dominated that second half. Feel awful for Vangioni, former Newell's, on the field maybe 6 minutes and will get blamed for the typical BS LATE home game Giuve penalty award. Easy to say in hindsight that he should not have had his arm out, but ref should have blown game over after the 4 minutes of stoppage time elapsed. As a Juve hater, I have seen this sort fot hing transpire too many times over too many years. Anyway, point of the post was that Milan finally have some Argentinos on their roster and on the pitch.
It is a bit perplexing that Milan hasn't had many Argentines on their side. I can only think of a few. Redendo Crespo Chamot Ayala was there for a short period of time. Guly Coloccini And when you compare that to Inter, who have had dozens. Hell, I think one year Catania had more on their roster than Milan have ever had. Then again, they did get relegated. that season.