Saviola will miss madrid's match! I really can't understand this match... it was like there were two different teams in the first and the second half. The first half was wonderful, with a fast and very clever goal from Saviola in the second minute. magnificent vaselina! Great pass from Kluivert, good goal, and then we dominated, the equalizing goal was more lucky than great. after a FK the rebound fell in front of Tito's goal and Scaloni scored! (he was in the wall and the shot bounced in his leg) And when we went for the break it was 2-1 with Motta's action. Although the goal-pass was from a defender and not from Kluivert, but Motta undeniably finished well. And full stop! The match should have ended up there! Then an awful display of Bonano (now Im concerned I dont want him anymore as starter! sometimes brilliant and lately sucks donkey balls!) Makaay in a perfect cross from Romero and Tito thought it was out, then Makaay after a defensive failure (a perfectly executed counterattack, nice assistance by Fran) and Sergio with a perfect curly shot in front of the 16.50 (identical as Xabi Alonso's vs Madrid today!), with terrible defensive mistakes. Javier Pedro was ejected after collect a second yellow for dive he will miss the SuperClasico! With performances like this one Madrid in Bernabeu will spank us!
Depressing read on all the soccer sites about this game. SOunded like we have the game under control and those 3 points would have been crucial for our European aspirations. Tito does seem to go hot and cold, and once again certain members of the Defense seem to be prone to letting opposing forwards have their way with them (although Makkay has done that to a lot of Defenders this year). Losing Javier for the trip to the land locked hell hole is not good. WHo takes his place? ------- Tito Gabri ---- FdB-----Puyol ---Reiz Motta - Xavi -- JRR -- Overmars Kluivert --- ???????? I would say GK is a priority in the off season. Boy would I love to have a Brad Friedel in Blaugrana
Is Juanpi still banned? damn! I forgot he got a red card! Reiz in the left is good though! If Saviola misses the match (not likely, see link below!) maybe JRR will play his most preferred position behind strikers (maybe just Kluivert this time) and play with Mendieta in the middle, might look like this: Tito Reiz FDB Puyol Gabri * Xavi Motta Mendieta Overmars JRR Kluivert *(Id love to see Andersson AND Puyol as CB and RB respectively) But it seems you're forgetting our main weapon vs madrid LE21!!! With him Id run the midfield like this Xavi infront of the defenders, Motta on the left Overmars on the right JRR in the middle and LE21 and Kluivert upfront Florentino has no doubts, Saviola will play in the Bernabeu, since Barça appealed the first yellow card: "He's one of the biggest players Barça has, I'd like and Im sure he will play, because every time a team got a player ejected the game before the match vs Madrid, the clubs appeal and they play" El presidente del Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, no mostró dudas sobre la presencia de Saviola, expulsado ante el Depor, en el partido del sábado en el Santiago Bernabéu después de que el Barça recurriera las doble amonestación. "Es uno de los grandes jugadores que tiene el Barça me gustaría y estoy seguro que el sábado estará en el Bernabéu, porque siempre cuando un jugador en el partido anterior del Real Madrid ha sido expulsado, su club recurrió y pudo jugar", dijo en TV3. http://www.marca.com/edicion/noticia/0,2458,287868,00.html
I did forget about LE21...is he 90 minutes fit yet? or will he be best available as a supersub? I like the idea of JRR as a withdrawn forward/attacking mid, free him up to create. I just realized that the game is on at 2:45 here and I have a wedding at 4 PM to attend in NJ... Wonder how understanding my friend would be to me missing the ceremony and whoing up in my blaugrana tie
Eh, the ceremony isn't even the most important part, it's the reception! Showing up for free booze and food, any guy will understand. How you watching the game from New York anyway? Cuz if there's a way to watch on tv, I just might have to make the trip back home to catch it.
There was a posting that Nevada Smiths on 3rd ave and 11th or 12th (right around there) is showing it live at 2:45. They usually ding you for 10-20 at the door though. Sort of bows on the price, but had I been in town I would pay. VISCA EL BARCA
BTW, JRR wants to play as fwd withdrawn, given Antic's way to do things he probably will make it!!! http://www.sport.es/Barsa/article.asp?id=63240