Champions League 2014/15: Page 61 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Champions League 2014/15

USArsenal

game certainly wasnt even remotely close to accurate reflection of barca's dominance. They literally should have had 5 or 6 goals if it werent to shooting at Hart the last 25 minutes of the game. and Aguero's penalty was a complete dive, so im glad the keeper saved it

y va marquer

@ arsedoc - Six Nations.

Rex

Trying to play down Hart's performance tonight is not right IMO. He put in an absolute world class performance. Made at least 3 saves he had no right to make at all, and several class saves on top of that.

Ricky1985

Clrnc wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:
No chance, in my opinion. Watched the first leg and they were a million miles off the best sides. Dortmund are very poor atm, even given their recent revival.

Going to put good money on Barca.

I think there's going to be a surprise team in the Semis, probably Porto. Been quietly impressive in europe.

I wouldn't personally.

They're not the team they were when Guardiola was managing them. They were never tight in defence, could be got at, but they don't press like they used to - and Guardiola's personality and tactical genius will also tip the balance in Bayern's favour. I reckon he will find a way to beat them, even if Messi is unstoppable, the rest of them aren't.

I'd go Bayern.

Ricky1985

Rex wrote:
Trying to play down Hart's performance tonight is not right IMO. He put in an absolute world class performance. Made at least 3 saves he had no right to make at all, and several class saves on top of that.

Which three?

USArsenal

Hart made some good saves.. really good saves.. but i personally also saw a LOT of shots by barca players right at him when it seemed easier to score, especially given who those players were (Messi, on at least 3 occasions, Neymar, etc)

ChiliPalmer

Ricky1985 wrote:
Jed wrote:
It's Juve's year imo. Can see them going all the way.

No chance, in my opinion. Watched the first leg and they were a million miles off the best sides. Dortmund are very poor atm, even given their recent revival.

Totally agree. Juve aren't all that, the big 3 will beat them easily. Dortmund are simply awful atm, they have no clue how to break teams down as soon as they concede a goal.

Klaus

USArsenal wrote:
Hart made some good saves.. really good saves.. but i personally also saw a LOT of shots by barca players right at him when it seemed easier to score, especially given who those players were (Messi, on at least 3 occasions, Neymar, etc)

Almunia looked world class twice against them too. I think it's because Barca generate such an unnaturally high amount of chances in each game. You're used to a keeper being forced to pull off 2-3 good saves in a game, not 8-10 of them.

ultimatewarrior

Barcelona are way too open on the flanks. Messi and Neymar stay high up, and a team like Bayern will hurt them in the wide areas. Fuck Bayern though, I'd rather Barcelona thrashed them.

Bold Tone

Iniesta is no Xavi (of a few years back) and with no Busquets, the lack of midfield control was very noticeable in both games against City.
Messi has been the difference and the fact that they were that much better only emphasises how well Messi played.

Rex

Barcelona's 'lack' of midfield control is mostly, IMO, down to them these days playing a lot more longer, risky balls. If Enrique wanted, these players could keep ball in pretty much the same, boring way as they used to. Barcelona is actually an enjoyable team to watch again!

Ricky1985

Don't think that's true personally. Having the ball is never, ever a bad thing and if Barcelona were able to dominate games and control their opponents like they used to they'd have a greater chance of winning the whole thing this season. They can't and won't do that though because they don't have Guardiola.

Better to watch for us? Probably, but it'll cost them against the best.

Rex

I'd take Heynckes Bayern over Guardiola's Bayern every time. For me, not only was Heyncke's team better, but they also played more attractive football. The main difference between the teams, since most of the important players are the same, is that Heyncke's team had a lot less possession because they often looked to play the high risk longer ball. Naturally, they ceded possession more, but that team absolutely crushed everything that was in its way.

QuincyAbeyie

Of course Enrique couldn't get them to play like they did before if he wanted to, if that was the case he'd do it immediately.

Hoping for a Barca-Bayern final, by far the two best teams.

Rex

Also, Guardiola teams have always been susceptible to counter attacks because of the way they play. This Barcelona team rarely have as many players ahead of the ball BECAUSE they often play the longer ball. When they lose possession, they still have quite a few players back in good, defensive positions.

Rex

What makes you think Enrique would want that? That particular brand of football ran into difficulties already at the end of Guardiola's reign there. Other teams learned how to play against them, and they won less as a consequence. Basically, Bayern under Heynckes crushed Barcelona, and last season Guardiola's Bayern were crushed by a Madrid team that played exactly like Bayern did the year before.

QuincyAbeyie

At one point Barcelona had the three best footballers on the planet. It's not a coincidence that they "got found out" at the same time as one of them plus their two only world class defenders started to decline. "Guardiola's Barcelona" is not one team. Big difference between 08 and 12. And it's a big difference between Guardiola's Bayern last year and this year, to be fair.

Ricky1985

Agreed, Quincy.

Heynkes' Bayern also failed to win against Chelsea in their own stadium the year before.

Barcelona in their pomp under Guardiola were untouchable, in my opinion. I think they would have beaten any team I've seen before or since. The structure in their team, the way every single player fit alongside every other was a sight to behold. And required work on the training ground that I think few others could match.

This team is amateur hour by comparison, in my opinion. But they have the world's most gifted footballer and many other good ones, so they're a big threat to anyone.

Rex

His style is the same, and they are still susceptible to be hit on the counter by top teams. I think either of Barcelona and Real Madrid would beat the current Bayern over two legs this season. Think Chelsea would do them as well.

QuincyAbeyie

One thing is for sure though, today's Barcelona would never beat 08/09 Barcelona. And that's why Enrique would have them playing like that if he could.

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