Fair enough, and really weird that they took off Vazquez to play him, as V had one of the better games in the 0-3. But the article really goes into detail about how Pique in particular helped shut down the danger which Vini Jr created in the 0-3, which together with the defensive efforts of Lenglet, Roberto, and Rakitic, allowed Barca to convert that side of the pitch (our right, their left) into an area of strength (exhibit a the goal by Rakitic, created by Raki-Roberto-Raki move up the right channel).
Damn, so many good memories evoked in this Graham Hunter recap of how Barca could've been the ones who lost to Sevilla, then to Madrid twice... razor sharp edges, from 2-1 down in Sevilla to 8 straight goals, all un-answered on the road against 2 of the top teams in Spain. To come into this week-long football inquisition on pretty stale form and beat not only Sevilla but the European champions --twice -- in a week is exceptional. But to do it on an 8-2 aggregate across three away matches is just sensational. Particularly as neither of the two clubs who constitute the 90+ years of the Clasico rivalry had ever even played twice at their rival's headquarters twice in three days, let alone won twice away from home in the space of 72 hours! Love the recap: http://www.espn.com/soccer/spanish-...lasicosbut-were-perfect-heres-how-they-did-it Seriously, read the whole thing.
Could've lost the second of these games and dropped points in Sevilla for sure, but "could've lost all 3" is a stretch IMO. Though I agree with the rest (scandalous to start the same 3 men in midfield by Solari; the importance of Rakitic, etc.).
Yeah, I agree with the math, just not with the "could've easily lost all 3 games". LPB had one clear scoring chance in the Liga match! We had at least 4 or 5. The third goal against Sevilla was a bit lucky and without it there is probably no 4th goal, but at worse we draw that match. So could've easily dropped 2 points in Liga and been out of CdR (while they could've easily dropped 3 points in Levante ).
Seeing that Jose’s apparently in the fray for the Real job it would suit him if we flamin well kept Raki !!
Mourinho also stated that Ter Stegen keeps getting better and better. So you’ll want to get rid of him, too, since you’re into the reverse psychology thingy (?)
We just signed someone that is a direct replacement for Raki! Its not like nobody else sees that we need to recruit someone else for that position. So why harp on it and what the obsession about? Does his wavy blonde hair make you sexually insecure or something? Not sure why you post in this forum or what you have ever contributed to it(?). In the England forum your posts are generally more positive, or at least about a variety of topics/players, not just beating the same drum over and over and over. Can we at least agree that perhaps you are not the best judge of player talent and of how players fit into a squad? I mean, you thought Umtiti was going to suck, and Coutinho was one of the top three #10s in the world before they came to Barca. You even defended Gomes, who ironically is about as good as Coutinho right now!
I wasn't referring to your opinion. If you actually read my post I implied your viewpoint isn't ridiculous because FDJ has been signed as an apparent replacement for him. So most people recognize that Rakitic has been on the decline for at least 2 years and needs replacement. But why talk about nothing else, to the point where even while he's scoring/playing well you don't pause from criticizing him for even a couple of hours?
I was referring to the part where you questioned my contributions to the forum... not the Rakitic part
Its directly related. Repeating the same opinion over and over, including sometimes copying and pasting the same post in multiple threads within 5 minutes to get attention ==> contributing nothing to this forum.
Flashback to Wednesday, Reguilón is in tears after the Copa ouster. 1100888101017260033 is not a valid tweet id Now the short segment reviewing Saturday's match on the program El Día Después en Movistar+. Translation below thanks to /u/centremidfielder TRANSLATION Ramos, swings his arm into Messi’s face. Messi is left rolling on the pitch. The referee is convinced that Messi is exaggerating: “He dived, he dived.” Ramos goes to Messi to give him a hand, Messi rejects him, Ramos doesn’t like it. Both captains, literally, go head to head. The two captains separate, by appearance of the referee. Messi calls out to Ramos, “Your mother’s c—t!” Son of a b—h!” (South American version of “f—k off”.) Suárez insists a VAR review. Messi shows the referee his bruised mouth. Alba walks over to the tunnel, pushing Chendo aside. Through all of this intense controversy, Valverde stays quiet. Valverde then reacts to the “handball” from Suárez: “How is that a handball? How is that a handball? Don’t f—k with me. (Spanish version of f—k off.) Handball? Handball? Come on, man. Come on.” In that same moment, Suárez goes over to the linesman and questions his decision. There’s no one to help the poor official. Ramos gets booked. Ramos insists he dived. Ramos then comes to a conclusion: “Everyday it gets worse, everyday.” Piqué goes over to Ramos and mentions his foul on Messi. Ramos justifies by admitting he did swing his arm, but it was a soft hit. And over to Reguilón and Suárez, a friendly conversation brews between them. Reguilón: “You’re a clown. Don’t touch me.” Suárez touches him. Reguilón: “Don’t touch me, alright?” He continues to Suárez: “You really are ugly. You really are ugly.” Reguilón, already chatting with Suárez, picks on another. Reguilón to Messi: “What do you say? What’s bugging you? Flea. [Messi] What? What’s happened to you now?” Later on, Reguilón faces Messi yet again; they exchange hands in each others faces. Suárez gets up and reminds Reguilón from Wednesday, that he’s “cried enough.” Reguilón responds with yet another insult: “Rabbit,” (Spanish insult) and tells Suárez he is still ugly. Afterwards, the stands take a look over at the visitor’s bench. A fan yells, “They [Barcelona players] like to cause chaos!” The final whistle blows, and Busquets, along with his fellow Blaugrana signal to the crowd, “Let’s go!” And through all the encounters, fouls, arguments, and chaos, it is concluded that this Clásico is definitely a Clásico.
Vidal's tackle on RM newest resident punk kid at the end of the game was poetry in motion....pretty sure Messi celebrated the tackle in the background
Yeah he is a promising young talent but when I read how he was talking shit to Leo and Luis, well damn kid, not so fast.
Sid Lowe writing about the two Clasico victories/defeats, before Ajax: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-el-clasico-stranglehold-real-madrid-bernabeu and after Ajax: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...othing-left-to-play-for-champions-league-ajax
All the goals vs Real Madrid! 🤤🔥How many times have you watched this?#UCL #reaaja pic.twitter.com/ZppSa8JxGX— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 9, 2019