This guy has been putting in some monster efforts in the last 3 or 4 games. If you think that Madrid stuck a lot of money in Hazard and Jovic and have gotten nothing from them, he’s plugging a lot of gaps. Been really impressed by the efforts of Benzema, Modric and Ramos. Which is why guys like Knutson need to be careful how they talk about the age curve. While it may be true of players in general, it won’t apply equally to all players. And why I’m not worried about Aubameyang but would say we should in general steer away from older players.

Claudius wrote:

This guy has been putting in some monster efforts in the last 3 or 4 games. If you think that Madrid stuck a lot of money in Hazard and Jovic and have gotten nothing from them, he’s plugging a lot of gaps. Been really impressed by the efforts of Benzema, Modric and Ramos. Which is why guys like Knutson need to be careful how they talk about the age curve. While it may be true of players in general, it won’t apply equally to all players. And why I’m not worried about Aubameyang but would say we should in general steer away from older players.

Yeah, players are able to stay in top shape now compared to the past. Less bad lifestyle habits. and I guess some PEDS?  

It's crazy to see Modric still running like crazy at 35 now. He's been Real's best player this year in my opinion. David Silva has also been very good with La Real too. 

I’m disappointed that we didn’t get David Silva. I really would’ve preferred him to Willian, especially when people were talking about Willian as a 10. Bringing in Silva for 2 seasons to help us set up the offense and then transition to guys like ESR and Szoboszlai would’ve the kind of veteran signing that made sense. He knows Arteta and we are really weak in that area. Instead we brought in Willian to block Pépé because Kia put a slate of his very best offerings before us.

Silva said staying in England wasn’t an option if I recall correctly

Yeah, won't play for any other english club than City. He is absolute class even at this age. City is toothless without him and Aguero pulling the strings

Guedes channeling his inner Quaresma:

Pretty entertaining game. Looks like Messi kind of quit on Barca though. We should save Riqui Ring out of that mess.

Bryant wrote:

Guedes channeling his inner Quaresma:

Pretty entertaining game. Looks like Messi kind of quit on Barca though. We should save Riqui Ring out of that mess.

I actually feel like he’s largely been the only guy playing at an elite level this season. I detest Barca but it fills me with heartache whenever I see Messi working his socks off only for Griezmann to run in front of him as he’s taking a shot. He deserves better

Talk about dodgy VAR calls. That blatant dive by Diego Costa was disgusting.

Benzema turning up for Real once again. A goal and assist within first 15 mins against Eibar.

One new coach to look at Eduardo Coudet of Celta Vigo.

The team has been suddenly transformed since the Argentinian took over in November and are playing some fantastic football.

Iago Aspas has been excellent (as he always is when playing in Celta colors).

Outrageous goal by Kike against RM.

https://streamvi.com/watch/1608496124

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Outrageous goal by Kike against RM.

https://streamvi.com/watch/1608496124

Brilliant. My favourite type of long range goals. Pure finesse. And to think we used to be masters of those with Henry, Bergkamp and Pores. Hell even Freddie scored a few most notably in the FA Cup final.

Looks like Atletico Madrid’s season this year.

flobaba wrote:

Looks like Atletico Madrid’s season this year.

Conceded 5 goals all season. Simeone does it differently.

flobaba wrote:

Looks like Atletico Madrid’s season this year.

Torreira making the difference for Atletico.

Speaking of, I read they're going to send him back in January apparently because he's not up to code there.

He’s barely played. Such a pity that he couldn’t break into the starting lineup without Partey

A lot to ask when they have Llorrente, Koke and Saul, especially if they're playing 4-4-2. Still, would've hoped for more than he's gotten. Why were they even interested?

Probably as a short term replacement for Partey until they signed Kondogbia. Especially as they weren’t expecting us to stump up the cash.

Claudius wrote:

flobaba wrote:

Looks like Atletico Madrid’s season this year.

Conceded 5 goals all season. Simeone does it differently.

that's my dawg.

nah it won't get embarrassing. atletico keep you in the game enough to where you think you can get something from it until you realize you never had a chance of scoring. on aggregate the score line won't look bad for them.

I watched the highlights yesterday. At first I just saw the score and noticed Barca had scored five without Messi being on the scoresheet (wouldn't have been that weird this season), but from the highlights it looked like he was still involved in almost everything they did.

Also, while I have absolutely no love for PGMOL, there are quite a few terrible VAR decisions in Spain as well.

jones wrote:

Granada Barcelona in the CdR quarter final was one of the best matches I've watched in years. Perfect advertisement for football and an antidote to the poisonous dogshit the PGMOL is feeding us in England.

If you haven't seen the result here's a link to watch either the full game or extended highlights of it

Youtube highlights of it. Thanks for the shoutout, looks incredible from the highlights. That last goal by Alba and the assist by Griezmann, wow

Youseff En Nesyri has been pumping in goals like crazy for Sevilla over the past 30 days. One to watch out for.

Too many hot young French defenders...

[Twitter]

That's outrageous for a CB

Claudius wrote:

Too many hot young French defenders...

[Twitter]

Yup, France are well and truly stacked.

And I would not be surprised if most of these young hot shots don't even make it to the Euors come summer.

How can they? We have to assume Varane is a lock. And Lenglet. Maybe Upamecano takes another spot at this rate. Kimpembe and Zouma are dispensable. And then it’s a fight to the death for the last 2 spots.

Claudius wrote:

How can they? We have to assume Varane is a lock. And Lenglet. Maybe Upamecano takes another spot at this rate. Kimpembe and Zouma are dispensable.  And then it’s a fight to the death for the last 2 spots.

I would say that Lucas is probably above likes of Upmecano in the pecking order because of his versatility. Pavard can also fill in at center back if needed.

There is Laporte / Konate as well who are in contention.

The much hyped Ilaix Moriba making his Barca debut today against Alaves.

Barca 2-0 up at half time. Trincao and Messi the goal scorers.

Trincao really coming good. Leicester unlucky not to finish the deal this summer, could have had a real gem

mentalvortex wrote:

The much hyped Ilaix Moriba making his Barca debut today against Alaves.

Barca 2-0 up at half time. Trincao and Messi the goal scorers.

Big mistake by the teenager as his hospital pass was intercepted by an Alaves attacker who went on to score.

Messi and co turned it on after the Alves goal.

Braces for Trincao and Messi (two fantastic finishes tbf) as they won 5-1.

Pedri and De Jong were excellent.

Atletico's unbeaten run is finally over as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Levante.

Lets see if Barca/real can take advantage of the dropped points.

Real are only 3 back now. Zidane is pushing his grumpy old men hard

Bad week for Barca as they dropped points at home against Cadiz.

All thanks to a last minute retarded tackle by Lenglet giving away a penalty.

Barca should killed the game much before that with several clear cut chances missed, Dembele one of main culprits.

9 goals in the last 6 games for Alexander Isak after his hattrick today:

Finally feeling good about him?