Tony Montana wrote:
Volante wrote:

In terms of quality, it's gotten better every season.

Do you agree with Fabregas's views on the difference between the two leagues?

With a lot of it yes. What he says about space is exactly why Bale was perfect for the PL and may struggle a bit in Spain.

Great finish Sanchez. Quality strike.

That's a top class finish.

Alfonso wrote:
Tony Montana wrote:

That's why you want Italy to always play in the tournaments and also get through to the knockout stages.

Somewhat. But it's prob cos I grew up watching Seria a so I will always have a soft spot for it.

I find the English media always go on about Spanish technique and German technique but they always gloss over Italians.

Italy absolutely murdered us with higher technical ability and then they took Germany apart in the next round.

Quietly very very solid.

Alexis is having a top season. He'd rip the PL to shreds on counter attacks.

Tony Montana wrote:
Volante wrote:

In terms of quality, it's gotten better every season.

Do you agree with Fabregas's views on the difference between the two leagues?

TL;DR of what Fabregas said?

Irish gunner wrote:
Tony Montana wrote:

Do you agree with Fabregas's views on the difference between the two leagues?

TL;DR of what Fabregas said?

A lot more space in PL, far more tactical in Spain.

Alves skinned the fuck out of Ronaldo.

That would have been a fantastic goal had Alves scored there.

Song with the worst pass a Barca player has ever made

The referee has been kind to Barcelona and Madrid have been unlucky but I still can't understand Ancelotti's decisions today.

Can't wait for Athleti v Barca, they can beat the Catalans.

Fuck me, this commentator's analogies would make AnthonyG's head explode.

Volante wrote:
Irish gunner wrote:

TL;DR of what Fabregas said?

A lot more space in PL, far more tactical in Spain.

Cheers!

Claudius wrote:

Song with the worst pass a Barca player has ever made

Commentator points out his passing is not to the standards of his teammates.

Weight of pass from Benzema was immense, but Khedira is not Ramsey.

Hugo Sanchez now looks like a fake be-wigged Tom Jones

Tony Montana wrote:

I find the English media always go on about Spanish technique and German technique but they always gloss over Italians.

Italy absolutely murdered us with higher technical ability and then they took Germany apart in the next round.

Quietly very very solid.

TBF to the English media, recently, the Spaniards have beaten the Italians due to this higher technical ability!

Interesting Tata chose to start Messi on the right, his predecessors didn't have the balls to play him away from the centre. As soon as I saw the line-up I wondered whether Messi would track Madrid's left winger (Ronaldo) deep into his half when Barca lose the ball, or Madrid are on the attack down that side, but he really didn't do it, he stayed far up the pitch, it was mostly one of the Barca CMs (or Cesc on 1 on 2 ocassions) that tracked back. Worst I have seen Messi play.

Barca are done IMO. That super dominant side under Guardiola isn't there anymore, and we are unlikely to see one (of the same quality) for a long time.

Modric was very good today, Madrid's best player, and has probably been their best player this season so far.

Barca aren't 'done' by any stretch. They won't have the same level of dominance they had from 2008-2011, especially in Europe, with Xavi slowing down but they're still a top side. Barca have got plenty of top young players and this season Busquets is really beginning to blossom and get more responsibility. I said awhile back that he was Xavi's heir, not Cesc or anyone else, and that's turning out to be the case.

They still need a centre back or two, but Barca aren't far from getting back to the level they were at. Neymar and Messi are just too much.

Tactics wrote:

Interesting Tata chose to start Messi on the right, his predecessors didn't have the balls to play him away from the centre. As soon as I saw the line-up I wondered whether Messi would track Madrid's left winger (Ronaldo) deep into his half when Barca lose the ball, or Madrid are on the attack down that side, but he really didn't do it, he stayed far up the pitch, it was mostly one of the Barca CMs (or Cesc on 1 on 2 ocassions) that tracked back. Worst I have seen Messi play.

Barca countered this by making Alves stay back more than normal.
They will get better as it is clear that Messi is still unfit.
Glad Madrid lost. Have always disliked CRonaldo from his manu days and his shit performance pleased me.
Also, RMs addition of spuds players has made me prefer the Barcunts to them.

I probably worded it wrongly, not done as in they are a crap side, but I meant we won't see that super dominant side that they were under Guardiola any time soon.

Agreed on Busquets. He's much more than a DM. I have seen him excel in the Xavi role, and I also think he's much more suited to that role than Cesc Fabregas. Busquets will likely go down as a great of the game. When people talk about Barca over the years, they only mention Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta, but Busquets should be mentioned alongside them. He's that good. Super footballer.

Bold Tone wrote:
Tactics wrote:

Interesting Tata chose to start Messi on the right, his predecessors didn't have the balls to play him away from the centre. As soon as I saw the line-up I wondered whether Messi would track Madrid's left winger (Ronaldo) deep into his half when Barca lose the ball, or Madrid are on the attack down that side, but he really didn't do it, he stayed far up the pitch, it was mostly one of the Barca CMs (or Cesc on 1 on 2 ocassions) that tracked back. Worst I have seen Messi play.

Barca countered this by making Alves stay back more than normal.
They will get better as it is clear that Messi is still unfit.
Glad Madrid lost. Have always disliked CRonaldo from his manu days and his shit performance pleased me.
Also, RMs addition of spuds players has made me prefer the Barcunts to them.

Interesting, I didn't notice it.

Volante wrote:

what's so incredible about that?

Bold Tone wrote:

Hugo Sanchez now looks like a fake be-wigged Tom Jones

Tony Montana wrote:

I find the English media always go on about Spanish technique and German technique but they always gloss over Italians.

Italy absolutely murdered us with higher technical ability and then they took Germany apart in the next round.

Quietly very very solid.

TBF to the English media, recently, the Spaniards have beaten the Italians due to this higher technical ability!

But they also beat Germany yet the media always bangs on about Germany. I like their systems too, especially as their football is more similar to ours, it's just weird that Italy flies under the radar somewhat.

Not much, he does manage to take 2 players out of the game though. Busquets always gets out of pressure well with good trickery, amazing player.

If Xavi or Iniesta did that, it wouldn't be a highlight.

To be fair, Busquet is the boss in the pocket.

As a DM, i agree that is fantastic but as a Xavi replacement, i am not too sure.

Tony Montana wrote:
Bold Tone wrote:

Hugo Sanchez now looks like a fake be-wigged Tom Jones

TBF to the English media, recently, the Spaniards have beaten the Italians due to this higher technical ability!

But they also beat Germany yet the media always bangs on about Germany. I like their systems too, especially as their football is more similar to ours, it's just weird that Italy flies under the radar somewhat.

You may have a point about Germany as i wouldn't say they are technically superior to Italy but i freely admit to not being the best judge in this case as i am biased against both.

Thought watching this that the two German clubs are way ahead again. Really hope we can get a couple of Dortmund-Barca games in the CL this season.