Back home: in Barcelona Down but not entirely out after two big away defeats in La Liga and UCL. Why: To try to keep the pressure on Real Madrid before Clasico (but they play the earlier game), and to try to restore some pride before we host Juventus. Missing: Neymar (suspended), Rafinha, and Vidal (injured), Masip (3rd keeper), Mascherano (doubtful with injury), Arda (hopefully back but not medically green lighted yet). Cardona, Alena, and Marlon trained with first team and at least 1 could make team if Masch or Arda not in squad. Lineup guess: MAtS Roberto - Pique - Umtiti - Alba Rakitic - Busi - Denis (think Lucho wants to save Ini for Juve) M-S-Arda if healthy (otherwise Paco in more of a 4-4-2) Score prediction we win 2-0 Card Count: 4: Sergi Roberto, Alba 3:/8. Gomes, Umtiti, Busquets (8), Neymar (8 but last two led to red so not sure if all count? UncleSox?)
Basically, it doesn't reflect on (or change) his yellow card count. In most leagues (including La Liga) if a player is sent off - either by yellow/yellow, yellow/direct red or direct red - his yellow card count does not change from what he had entering the fixture. Neymar v Malaga: -- Neymar entered the contest with 6 yellows. -- When he received his first yellow his bookings count went up to 7. -- But when he received his second yellow for a double booking, it returned his bookings count to 6 since the double booking led to his expulsion and subsequent suspension. Bale v Las Palmas -- Bale entered the match on 3 yellows. -- When he received his first yellow for a foul his booking count went up to 4. -- But when he immediately received a direct red for retaliation it returned his yellow count to 3 since the direct red led to his expulsion and subsequent suspension. The format is also used in Champions League.
Btw, in the Camp Nou photo what the heck is that thing that appears to be on the pitch (in front of the overhang, slightly blocking out the 'B' in 'CLUB')?
Not sure, was in a rush today and just picked the first image when I googled "camp nou", it is the main image on the Wikipedia page entry for Camp Nou but no info I could discern about it. I cannot imagine such a seemingly bulky lighting or camera set up being affixed to an overhang, so my guess is that it actually has footing on the ground or at least the stands. Or it is some sort of X wing fighter or UFO thingy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Nou
Masch is in fact injured and Arda not cleared so they miss along with Vidal, Rafinha, and suspended Neymar. Masip also out so Alena and Cardona from Barca B make squad.
Some media predictions are scary, like this one: after the Juventus debacle I'll be surprised if Mathieu starts a meaningful game for Barca again. Not putting all the blame on Jeremy but Lucho did a rare half time subbing and he was apparently one of the players Lucho blamed afterwards. Luis Enrique was actually enraged at Neymar, Mascherano and Mathieu (not Pique), as it was reported by cat radio and TV3 earlier. [sport] Maybe a bit less scary, but does Lucho really play Ini 3.5 matches in a row and hope to get prime Ini out of him, and how do you not start Paco with no Arda, no Rafinha and one of MSN missing: Meanwhile Isco scores in extra time, move along, nothing to see there.
LPB have found ways to win through Ramos and late goals. We have not. Not sure how this match wil go, but hoping for three points.
gomes again ... this time with Paco ... can't wait to see another shit show , but hopefully this time we can win with luck somehow , enrique should've been fired a long time ago but it seems no one is brave enough to say anything
Remember when the knock on Messi was that he only scored tap-ins? And that he only scored because he needed XavI and Iniesta to set him up? Yeah, I didn't buy that sh*t, either.