Gio Dos Santos played a great 1st half against Congo in the. SUB 20. He scored a pk in the 1st half. The 2nd half he got hacked a lot by the Congo players . Should be a good game on Sunday against Argentina for Quarterfinals
give me Belletti over Oleguer any day of the week. admittedly, both are rubbish, but at least Belletti makes a nuisance of himself offensively. he may not produce assists or goals, but he provides a presence going forward, full-backs have to pay him attention as they can't take the risk that he won't actually produce anything. even though we know he won't
oleguer is clearly or weakest link over the past two seasons. almost without fail, i'm willing to say without fail, everytime he appeared as a sub our defense conceded at least one goal. like belletti he is actually better moving forward, its only that belletti does it better. i'd like to see both leave, with a youth player promoted or brought in to be schooled by zambrotta. that said i really like oleguers attitude and dedication to barca. if he is content never touching the pitch i think he is an excellent personality to have in the squad. alves is by far the best rb at the moment, but i feel laporta fears he could encourage ronaldinho's partying ways. i mean the guy played at least half a match witch a santa claus hat in his shorts, i respect the hell out of that, but for what he could offer on the pitch he could cost us more off it. just speculation, obviously i have no idea.
Neither one should ever play, and Oleguer is way cooler. Oleguer is better for the bench and the training ground and the newspapers, and so as long as he never has to play, he's better than Belletti. And worst defender in the world. There's hyperbole, and then there's just dumb. That's just dumb. Oleguer would be a rock in defense in any number of leagues...just not at this level. Is he the worst defender getting playing time at a high level club in Europe? Possibly. Pascal Cygan did move on after all. Of course, there's always Khalid Boulahrouz.
Exactly. I mean, the bearded one has character and catalan identity. The other players like him, and the fans respect him. He loves Barça and is smart, and outspoken... He'd make a great team mascot, not a good defender.
i really wouldnt want to lose either. from what i see, i like both as people. belletti can be fun to watch. oleguer, not so much. i like what oleguer stands for in the club. oleguer, idk...they should make him the mascot or water-boy.
People knock him too much. Okay, so maybe he is not first choice and doesn't have that quality, but to say he's one of the worst defenders in the league is ridicolous. Saying that would make Mejia or Pavon be players that are so bad they don't exist. Oleguer is good, just not good enough to start for Barcelona. Now, I want to hear the "He cost us the title" deal. He didn't... What?! People might have this reaction but in true honesty he did not. We had several chances to bring the title back to the Nou Camp, but we were too inconsistent and that is what caused our downfall. The games from 25-32 were clutch, and that's where Barcelona were at their most disappointing. As for Belletti. Most forget that he scored the winner versus Arsenal in the Champions League. As an Arsenal fan, I would want him in my team, just for that. And like Oleguer he might not be a starter, but to say he's average is totally ridicolous. They are both good for starting cup matches, and being league subs. They are also good for Champions League games against lesser opposition like Levski Sofia.
But,shouldn't we give that chance to an up and coming defender from Barça B who might one day develop into a starter? I mean, I'd rather give someone like Marc Valiente a chance in those games.
Guys, don't be so harsh on Oleguer. He is not a world class player like Puyol but he gives a lot to the team. As a team you need players like Oleguer. Devoted to the club, never complains not to play much, possible substitution for defence, low sallary... This are all pluses. It is true that he does mistakes, but all the players do them. Look Valdes, Sylvinho, Gio, Motta, Edmilson, Marquez... You know, it very hard to become good player if you play several games in a season. Two seasons ago he played decent football, was even called to spanish national side (later on he refused to play, you must love him for that). Believe me, he is better defender than half of the players in La Liga. He wouldn't play for Barca fist team if he wasn't good. There is no way I would let Oleguer gone. He is good substitution, but not a starter. When youu need to rest players in not so important matches you must have players like him to play. So, I agree that he is not perferct, but he is need more as you think. I would rather sell Belletti. He is getting old, he is high earner (2,5 million per season) and not a starter. Keep Oleguer and sell Belletti!!!!
I don't get it. Oleguer is one of our chepest players. He doesn't have as much talent as the rest of the defenders on the squad, but he is probably still bettere than 60% of the defenders in the rest of the league. In any case, he should only be trotted out against lesser teams, but he should definately be kept. He is probably the most pro-catalonia player on the squad.
And the worst defender in the world also controlled Arjen Robben for one game. Boulahrouz also got completely embarassed by Ronnie.
For real, Khalid is a very good player, he is just no RB. I still have no idea why Mourinho put him there.
Dos Santos needs to speedy up his Eu Citizenship now that Toure has joined the team El Barça quiere a Dos Santos nacionalizado o saldrá cedido http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/barcelona/es/desarrollo/1016141.html
I was shooting at the match yesterday in Montreal. Seems like a pretty cool, levelheaded kid. When he passed by me at half-time, I said Visca el Barça and he smiled and said "goohd". I guess everyone likes to practice their "Ingles". Interesting way he plays; doesn't exert energy he doesn't need to part with. He pretty well stays up middle front, makes great moves when the ball is in possession, otherwise does a lot of observation. He always had someone glued to him like a shadow. Very good match, tough, exciting. Score was not indicative of Congo's play. On Sunday I'm off to Ottawa to shoot Mexico/Argentina... can't wait!
Actually, that's a fallacy. By stating that you are saying that Bouhlarouz did something to make Ronaldinho ineffective. When Ronaldinho had decided to not put any effort into being effective, nor did the team take an approach toward allowing Ronaldinho to be effective. In the 2nd Chelsea match, Bouhlarouz was exposed via a long ball to Ronnie which he flicked past KB with no problem and went on to lay it off for Gudjohnssen for Barca's 2nd goal. So had Barca and Rijkaard made any effort to realize that Khalid Bouhlarouz is a good centreback because he positions well and is physical, but he makes Oleguer seem fleet-footed then more balls into space for Ronaldinho to run onto and make Bouhlarouz a non-factor.
Henry ftmfw hahah Hey Should i get a Henry kit, Dinho Kit, or Marquez kit. I really want to get a Rafa kit but i dont want to feel stupid later when he is not on the team. Whats are the chance that Rafa can be cut by Barca?
I'd say it's unlikely that he'll be sold this season. With Puyol injured, he's probably going to be the starter for the beginning of the season, and if he continues playing like he did in the Copa, he can hold on to a starting spot for the rest of the season too. I think the fact that he left Mexico's camp early in order to get back to Barça and compete for his spot is a very good sign. Though, between Rafa, Dinho, and Henry, I think the best route would be to get a Puyol kit.
********ing coolest thing i have seen all week, no rep to give! someone spot me! It's like we live parallel lives in different cities!