http://football.guardian.co.uk/continental/story/0,8018,892821,00.html didn't see this posted anywhere, but another good article. Tony
OK, maybe I should be posting in a different thread but let me offer a bit o' rebuttal. I like Sid Lowe and the Guardian is always good for ' a little stick' as the saying goes, but in all fairness he completely sidesteps the run of form that Bilbao has had recently. After stumbling to Villareal just after the break, they managed a pretty tight game at Coruna, drew with the Merengues at home, and absolutely pounded Real Sociedad the week before coming into Nou Camp (where, despite it all, Barça has only lost TWICE this campaign believe it or not). That is a 4-week stretch of results that would leave any manager happy. I was bummed they didn't nab all three points, but the fact is they hadn't even scored in three weeks, so two goals is a veritable feast. We catch a break, not having to travel per se this week...Espanyol followed by the CL at home. If we get points out of both those matches it will be a big psychological boost before Pichi and his Beticos come calling later this month. Non mollare mai! (Never give up!) OK, its the Spanish thread but I couldn't resist some Italian.
Jay, you are letting a balanced reporting of both sides (in this case Bilbao) get in the way of a good story. However, while not seeing the match, it seems like Barca could have, perhaps should have, won. Giving up a 2 goal lead isn't exactly confidence-inspiring. Your point is valid, however, that scoring two goals is a good sign. Maybe Antic's tactics, plus his driving the players to get in shape, will make a difference. Tony
A little off topic here but one thing to be concerned about is that Antic has taken both Atletico Madrid and Oviedo into Segunda A. Hopefully he doesn't do the same with Barça.
See the thread on "The Antic treble" also written by Sid Lowe I hope that we are able to smoke Espanyol this weekend, that will help greatly as we get ready for Inter (who have some injured players as well). I know Enrique was planning on being ready for the match against Inter, but I have not heard that he is training..etc... anyone read anything lately
That is the best news I have read in a while... well...except for: -LvG getting fired -Gaspart resigning effective March 1, then resigning a head of schedule this week -Barca signing a quality defender