[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbcn9XfWNFs"]YouTube- Goal Pedro (Sporting Gijon - FC Barcelona: 0-1)[/ame] Really, really tight but I would say level/on.
*Just to quoting those that responded* Perfectly offside. No worries and definitely no surprise. That's just Guti for you. He's always been like that and will never change from that nature. Part of why he's one of my favorites, but also why he pisses us off. The gift and the curse, he is.
I don't know... if you follow the shades of green on the pitch, it appears as if Pedro is exactly where it turns from a lighter shade to a darker one. The Gijon defender seems to have one foot on the light patch but another foot (the foot that is playing Pedro onside) on the darker patch. I will say though that 90+ percent of the time you will see the linesman call that offside, although that irritates the life out of me too...
Even enlarged the shade of green is faded before Pedro (from the angle we're discussing). Also as you can see, Pedro is already offsides, the Gijon players were arguing the foul and attempting to get back when they saw a quick barca re-start. I agree. Anyways, I didn't want to come here and have respectable posters think I was just blowing hot air, when I spoke of barca seemingly always getting the right end of the shoe to fall for them. The Spanish media is pointing this out big time (I'm sure they're going to keep a eye on things especially after Cristiano's treatment).
That picture is not relevant to the discussion of offside. The ball is still on Pique's foot. The rule states when the pass/ball leaves the foot of the attacker. Not while it is on it or just before it is passed. Get the next few frames down and you can have a proper discussion. Regardless, that is not one of the offside calls I'd have a problem not getting as a fan of the defensive team because Pedro is basically at a standstill/trying to get onside. The marginal calls when the attacker is not running full speed towards goal are less down to whether the player was a foot or two offside and more down to why a defender was not tight on him. There was very little advantaged gained in his position. He might have scored the same goal had he been in line (if indeed he wasn't).
Pedro is clearly offside from those pictures. It was really hard to say while watching, but the official on that flank should have spotted it. The fact that there was little unfair advantage gained isn't relevant. There was unfair advantage, the degree isn't important.
Looking at that picture and the lines of grass, Pedro is barely onside. Besides what if the ref was following the logic "give the attackers benefit of the doubt"? It looks like you cant blame the ref for getting that one wrong as its really close. Not blatantly offside.
Which rule are you reading? Can you provide a link? The version I have reads as follows: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/81/42/36/lawsofthegameen.pdf Pedro appears to be marginally offside, but if I were the linesman I would probably have to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacker.
Yeah, but he has looked good against everybody he has played lately - including us, twice - in fairness.
YS -- question (and I can't ask in the Referee forum, because for whatever reason, that's turned into the "we hate Utd players and the the Utd manager forum". How often is an thrown arm called in La Liga? It's NEVER called in the PL. Ronaldo was called for what? violent conduct or dangerous play? Man City game this morning had an elbow, and someone's nose was probably broken. No foul called.
It's not called often (usually the officials acts responsible unlike ours and stops play before things get out of hand, right?) and if it had been Messi would have at least gotten spoken to by the official when he was trying to beat up Valiente (who was trying to hold him from behind). He didn't. However, just like many of you have experienced the "bias" against Cristiano, we are. Whatever he does is not only exaggerated and put under a magnifying glass, they are in a way trying to villainize him. Pretty stupid, or it could be a smart "controversy brings more viewers, Cristiano and Madrid against Spain" type ploy. I have an example for you. During the 06-07 season, Motta (barca player) deliberately smashed Milito in the face with an elbow (not even a forearm). He was of course sent off and when RFEF met, they handed him a one game suspension (not a two game for what the official said was non-aggressive and no assault involved). Barca appealed to RFEF which stood by their decision. They then took it to CEDD which then put his suspension on hiatus, that allowed Motta to play till they ruled. Four months later, CEDD finally made a ruling. They removed the red card and gave Motta a yellow. This same CEDD met for a grand total of 10 minutes to rule that Cristiano should not play against Depor and should definitely be suspended for two games. You never here those stories though. Never hear the stories of how Villar got his job (aided by Laporta), you will however hear the great PR movement and the cries of Franco, lol. Oh and btw, Nani is proving some wrong. He's been looking quite effective on the right side.
Your link is basically what Johno said. Touches (deflection) or is played (pass/shot). Is played (past tense) implies that he has finished playing it, as in it has left his foot.
Honestly, has there been another stand out performer this season? Not Ronaldo, not Messi, not really anyone that I can think of stands out. But seeing how things go with WPOTY, the winner will probably go to the winner of the golden ball. But to this point who is the best player this half season?
If Rooney has a great ending of the season he should certainly be in the top 3 contenders for WPOTY, if he does great in the World Cup he could also win it. But it's a long, long, long way until then.
Messi at this point in the season has 3 more league goals than he did last season. He's the current pichichi and only 1 of his goals has been a PK. Barca have not looked as dominant as last season but right now they're unbeaten in La Liga. I think Rooney, Messi, Fabregas have been stand out performers this season. Ronaldo has missed a lot of matches but he's looked good as well. It depends on how the rest of his season goes. Higuain is also having a great year at Madrid. But yes since it's a World Cup year it will go to the golden ball winner.
Those three names you mentioned seem to be it right there. The reason why I asked the question is because normally the hype machine is working about now in regards to the stand out performers in world football at this time.
That photo looks edited. It's morphed to make the player look offside when he isn't. You can tell by the color lines on the pitch, and the way the stadium looks impossibly curved. (just look at the ad banners)
Messi is also the leading assister in La Liga. At this moment, for me it's between Rooney and Messi, and of course, given how it's a World Cup year, whichever of these two has a stronger one will most likely win it, unless someone else emerges in the World Cup and has a Kahn or Cannavaro-like tournament.
In a World Cup year, WPOTY is almost always a matter of who the standout player is on the WC-winning team.
When does Chelsea play Man City next? I might have to watch that game....Looks like its Feb 27 at Stamford Bridge. btw, espn says that 'insiders' says that JT will keep his captaincy for the NT.