Hindsight isn't 2020 - The 2019-20 Season Thread [R]

I think we will beat Napoli narrowly. 2-1 or 1-0. After that, it would be hard to predict . With our recent form, the crystal ball is too cloudy lol.

 

Wel, Lyon have a better chance than Madrid. But yup, draw could not have gone worse for Barca. Luckily its only one leg so probably can’t lose 7-0 again. Probably.

Meanwhile, one of these 4 teams will be in the final: Leipzig, Atleti, Atalanta, PSG.

 

Aug 8 (Saturday); 21h00 CET: v Napoli
If we win...
Aug 15 (Saturday); 21h00 CET: v Bayern

 

Just looking at the calendar and CL schedule from now until December, Barca (and other teams in Europe) will have to play 2 matches every week except for 1 if we are going to squeeze 18 rounds of La Liga in before Christmas (which is how many were played this season before X-mas).

With this old squad, I don't see that working out too well for us.

 

Maybe. But the surprise teams/matchups we see in the quarters all materialized pre-COVID.

I am stating the obvious there but I get the feeling that 5 years from now when its mentioned that Atalanta or Leipzig reached the CL quarters, people will instantly hit back with "but that was the COVID year..."

 

Was it when he whiffed on that sitter?

 

I'd have Bayern as favourites for the CL, followed by Man City. We are rank outsiders

 

i see Man City have gotten away with breaking FFP. Seems little point in having those rules, as in life as in football, the rich and powerful can do what they want.

 

They will be heartbroken

 

Neymar Jr. keeps thinking of returning to Barça. The Brazilian's contract expires in 2022 and PSG open the door for a transfer if he doesn't renew this summer. If Barça decide to go for him, they could use Dembélé, Umtiti, Coutinho and Rakitić as bargaining chips. [md]

 

Surely we're past Neymar by now. If his price drops below Euro 150mn maybe then it'll be worth it. Otherwise, wait to see if we can get him on a free transfer in 2022?

 

It’s reached the stage where we actually NEED Neymar ...

 

Neymar burned bridges when he forced his way out of Barca. Not on Phigo's level, perhaps not even on Saviola's level only because he didn't leave Barca for them. But he's high on the list. Screw him.

 

Yeah, hard pass unless he comes on a Bosman. In 2022 he'll be 30 so that's perfect for us.

 

😃 Happy to see you again, @Dembouz!
📍 Ciutat Esportiva
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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 14, 2020

 

He is eligible in Champions League and could really help.

 

He’ll get injured against Napoli. Probably deep into stoppage time when the tie has already been well decided.

 

What about Pjanic? When does he arrive at Barca? (I never figured-out this current transfer window - when it starts and ends)

 

I think we have Arthur and Juve have Pjanic until the end of our resumed seasons, both domestic and European, and neither can join the new team in those resumed seasons. So even if Juve lost to Lyon while we advanced vs. Napoli, we still could not add Pjanic for the remaining CL games (nor vice versa if Juve advanced and we were knocked out).

Timo Werner openly stated that he would not play for RB Leipzig in the CL, as he wants to acclimate via preseason training with his new club Chelsea (and of course not get injured, and probably being pressured by Chelsea to do this). It really stinks for RB Leipzig as they cannot add anyone to their CL roster to replace their outgoing striker. But even if Chelsea miraculously advanced in CL, Timo could not play for them, rather he expects them to lose and then will join in preseason training before whatever brief holiday players are given this year between seasons.