The game has been cancelled for tonight...damn, i was so pumped up for it. The pitch was covered in water, the ball wouldn't even move. I don't if this is good or bad...i'm leaning towards good since by next week we'd have all our players back (Saviola, Kluivert, Puyol).
I have mixed feelings about the PP, like yo usaid, on one hand we may get Puyol and company back because of the extra rest, but who knows what condition we will be in when we make this game up.
i'm somewhat glad that the match is postponed in terms that we will get our many injured players back in action. however, i was looking to get that bad taste out of our mouth. what will this postponment do in terms of our form, we are sparkling form, but what kind of a hit has this lost to celtic accomplished? who are our next opponents? check out theirry henry's goal against Merchandise United
Looks like th Betis game was rescheduled until Wed 4/14, leaving us to battle Villareal next Sunday at Home. Does JRR jave a non-compete claiuse in his contract?
Now that i'm thinking about it, we are the only ones who got negatively affected, because as you said, we were so desperately looking to get that bad taste out of our mouth. For the team, I am now certain, absolutely, that it was the best choice. I mean if you have seen it on TV, the conditions were absolutely horrendous, I mean the ball cannot bounce even once. so this always favors the less talented team. It would have been impossible for me to guarantee a win! April 14th however, we would have everybody back. And we would be coming off wins against Villareal and whoever happens to be the next victim. oh and btw, DAVIDS MUST STAY!!! MUST!!!
i am not glad that it cancelled (if it wasnt raining that is). i would have liked to see sergio garcia getting the start.
Next week, we'll have Saviola, PK9 and Gio back. Puyol is doubtful, but considering his always speedy and ahead of time recoveries, I think he might make it. So, theoretically, Villareal will have to face an almost full-force barca at Camp Nou, which is very,very,very bad news for them. I reitirate my conviction that our winning streak is guaranteed to continue until at least the Madrid game. The result of "El Classico" can never ever be predicted since every single statistic goes down the drain for that game.
Ronaldinho didn't get the appeal so he won't be playing against Betis tomorrow. The game is on ESPN international for all those who want to watch it! GO BARCA!! I hope not having Ronaldinho won't affect the team much, with an inspired Iniesta as starter. About the appeal (in spanish): http://www.marca.com/edicion/noticia/0,2458,470177,00.html
S#it!!!! I was so confident they'll overturn it...Still though, by the time Real plays Atletico, we'll be 2 points off and breathing down their necks...too bad Torres is also suspended for the Derby
1-1 at half time. Saviola from PK. Valdes has just, maybe, ended our hopes in La Liga. The ball was on the bi-line for a throw in, when Valdes decided to shove a Betis player who was trying to attend to reiziger (who laid on the grass). Valdes gets a red, they get a penalty, they score, and now we're down to 10 men. I don't know if we'll be able to muster out a win. By the way, are you allowed to give a penalty when the ball is not in play and miles away from the Penalty Area??!?!?!?
too bad really, the 1-1 final score...Valdes might have single-handedly cost us the title chance. Even though we drew, I honestly was amazed at how good our team is. It's terrifying really. Iniesta was playing like a seasoned veteran, he had a gr8 shot hit the post, Xavi masterful, Saviola nothing short of fantastic, defence ROCK SOLID. We were 10000% on our way to a win until Valdes acted like a 12 year old child. He got angry at Dani for faking a foul in the box, even though the play was over and the ref didn't give a penalty. With 12 minutes remaining, Gio curled a wicked free kick, no chance for the keeper, but it hit the post. Gerard lost it in injury time and got dismissed too. Rustu came in for Valdes and was a joke. It is unfortunate that such a huge run by Barca is to be halted by a dumb act from an otherwise excellent keeper To his credit though, the ref was extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemely harsh since Valdes' push was so so so soft that it was almost a pat. Dani made a meal out of it. Two games in a row now we get a player harshly sent off. In Madrid's last game, Guti headbutted an Osasuna player and didn't even see yellow, while Figo went it with two legs to the knees and also didn't see yellow.
I don't think the ref was fair....was he? I really didn't see the play very well I'd love to hear you're comments...too bad van bronkhorst hit the ball on the post...nice game by iniesta though...next year is our year i know it
I saw the play many more times after the game. What can I say. The referee was a complete ass. He got fooled by Dani's theatricals (acting like he was hit by a train). It was a very light push by Valdes. At most, it's a penalty (though it was clearly just a dirty play by the Betis player), never a Red. Read the report from fcbarcelona.com and translate elmundodeportivo.es to see what I'm talking about. What pisses me off is that this year could've easily been our year. This team is so much better than everyone else it's not even funny. I tell you what though, I still haven't lost hope, specially for 2nd place
Kill the ref Im going to kill this ref. We lost so many ponits this years becouse of reds and their decissions. Fxxx all refs - they are all POS!!! I want that Colina judge the match in Madrid!!! and all other mathes too!
The Commitee has just annuled the red card given to Valdes. Well, now officially, we can say the ref has cost us another game. Valdes will play against Malaga
I finally got a chance to watch the game last night. Granted Valdes was incredibly stupid for acting out the way he did, he didn't deserve a straight red for something the ref didn't even see first hand. I think we (including Rijkaard) forget that Valdes is an inexperienced keeper and that something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately it cost us big time and a non-EU spot against Malaga (unless FR gives Jorquera the nod). Rustu was not solid. He shanked about 3 goal kicks and got caught wandering a few times, which almost cost us all the points. I thought everyone else played great, especially Xavi. Actually, it was one of the best games of the season in terms of sheer excitement. Betis were lethal as well (how come Alfonso can only play well as a Betico? He sucked for Barça). With a bit more luck, we would've taken all 3 points. We owe Malaga a little payback this weekend.
dude, my previous post highlighted the fact that Valdes' suspension has been withdrawn, he will play against Malaga. I think you would agree with my that, if it weren't for the red, we would have won the game, in spite of the penalty
Dude, I'm at work, doing 50 things at once, and I started my post before you posted yours, so I didn't see it. That's good news and the correct ruling to boot. Yeah, if we had the full 11, it would've been 3-1 at least.