Hey guys, I'm sorry but I don't have as much time as I'd like to add all the features which VEB typically does and which make our match threads nice, but the game is in 4 hours so something is better than nothing. If VEB or anyone posts another one just ignore this. So match is on at 12 Pacific, 3 Eastern in north america, check your below for rest: My thoughts yesterday from the season thread: Barcelona's full squad list is as follows: Jasper Cillessen, Jordi Masip, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Rafinha, Arda Turan, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Alcacer. Rafinha has been given the medical green light, although midfielders Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets failed to recover in time. Marc Andre ter Stegen has made the cut due to technical decision, as Jasper Cillessen is the cup keeper. Lucas Digne too didn't make the final matchday squad, indirectly boosting Aleix Vidal's chances of playing time. An away goal will be key towards Barcelona's chances to progress to the Copa del Rey final, so Luis Enrique named his strongest squad possible for the first leg against Atletico on Wednesday. The tricky part is the midfield without Busquets and Iniesta. At DM I'd like to see Rakitic (over Masch, Roberto, and esp. Gomes); then at Rt attacking mid I'd like to see Denis (over Rakitic, Rafinha, Roberto, Turan, and esp. Gomes); finally in Iniesta's spot left attacking mid I'd like to see Turan (over all the mids already mentioned and esp. one of them). If I got that midfield wish the defense is pretty easy but includes two choices: Alba-Umtiti (over Masch)-Pique-Roberto (over Vidal). Either way the forward line is set: NSM and Jasper in goal. Couple media predictions of lineup: My thoughts from Season Thread this a.m. after seeing those lineups: Quick updates: digne apparently has an injured knee and is not just being rotated. Both lineup predictions I've seen have Masch at DM behind Denis and Raki or Arda. Ok with Masch at DM behind Raki and either Denis or Arda but not ok sitting Rakitic. Busquets close to recovery perhaps by weekend but Iniesta further behind. My predictions: We need the away goal. How about a goal fest 2-2, and I'll agree with the AS lineup (2nd one) as most likely what we see.
Hey @Gilmango have you tried asking to be assigned as a mod in the Barca forums ? at least you will be able to sticky the game threads until @Viscaelbarca come back.
Starting these threads is enough responsibility and even that is more than I signed up for, just happened I did the first one a few weeks ago when I read @Viscaelbarca could not, and it has snowballed from there. But thanks for the thought, and the reminder that if a mod could sticky this one that'd be great.
arca line-up vs Atletico: Cillessen, Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Gomes, Mascherano, Rakitic, Messi, Suarez, Neymar Damn, Gomes, instead of Denis or Arda
I'm predicting a 1-1 draw vs the roaches!! But we bring our Raid and have to control this game!! When playing at the V. Calderon (or the Roach Motel) we CANNOT leave this game in the hands of the referees!!
In Copa del Rey, 3 yellows cards = one match suspension. Alba, Neymar and Umtiti enter this first leg with two bookings each. For Atletico's part, Gabi and Lucas Hernández are each carrying two yellow cards.
See i told you so , Gomes is waaay below Denis and he still get to start because of his cost , and if Iniesta is playing then Rakitic would be benched and probably sold at the end because of this cancer called Gomes , seems like in every freaking season there is at least one player who annoys the shit out of me
Gomes bothers me too, but I also recall that Luis Suarez and Marc Andre ter Stegen annoyed the $hit out of you in the past so who knows, maybe Gomes will grow on you and the rest of us. Why he is playing? Who knows? Could be cost related but we are not clairvoyant.
LUIS Masch slide tackle pass to Luis, Luis "Mo Vaca" around the cow pass to himself then beats the keeper
At work, listening to Radio Barca. Happy to be off to a good start! The commentator said that when Gomes was fouled, it should have been a yellow?
I'd say "half a yellow" as in ref warned him and will hopefully card him up if he does it again. Could have been a 'direct yellow' but it was cynical/professional foul but not super dangerous.
Luis Suárez has scored 11 goals for Barcelona with his last 16 shots on target in all competitions Best striker
For all our wonderful, silky, skillful players there is a special place in my heart for the mighty Masch.