too bad i got exam on the 2nd leg. sigh!

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xerez. easy game as expected. toure is just awesome!

what a dirty team xerez was. 2 red 9 yellow for them.

anyway no injuries for us

This post has been edited by sepulse: Apr 25 2010, 02:09 AM

nice three point, let focus on UCL

Pep has to start Yaya against Inter!

I don't know if I actually watched a different game or not. Maybe I watched the wrong game since it was 12 am, which Barca never played on late evening (6/7pm in Spain) this season as far as I remember

But seriously, I think we were very sloppy in this match before Pique and Messi came in. There was a period when we hung onto our lead dangerously. Valdes did well to cover his mistake, but I have to say he was very lucky on the occasion. Chyggy made 1 of his trademark horrible backpass, and still showed some tendency to put Valdes in trouble. Midfield is no better either. Xavi was having a very difficult time, as the opponent pressured him relentlessly, while Toure didn't help him like Busi always do. Toure need (as in NEED) to learn how to move to make himself available for Xavi. Sometime Xavi need a teammate to release himself from his marker. Toure failed with that task. Against Inter, if he get to play, he has a lot of improvement to work on. Generally, the team was so sloppy, although they were a bit more spirited than Inter game.

But the most annoying of all, is Ibra. I don't care about his performance, as he scored 1 goal, and assisted another. But I think he should not hang his head down too often, like he lacks interest. Its been several months now, he should have clear picture on how Barca play. Of course he may have more time to adapt, but don't show that you are mentally down. Look at Messi, if he lost the ball or his dribbling is not working, he never looked down, like praying for God's help. Body language tells a lot, and so far he never impressed me with his body language.

But a win is a win, and we still above RM. Good job for the lads.

End of my rant

nice analyse matyrze, i also worry about player performance, dont know what happen but i can see some player really play under their form

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Added on April 25, 2010, 9:22 pmbtw Xavi just set another club record, 200 win with Barcelona



This post has been edited by faris21: Apr 25 2010, 09:22 PM

REMONTADA!!!!



This post has been edited by fcbarcelona-my: Apr 25 2010, 09:36 PM

maybe goodnews for us, Wesley doubtful for 2nd leg, this guys really awesome, i love this guys, he already make big damage to us and can make it again if we leave him alone like last week

Mr. Ramzi wrote an article here, about Pep's mistakes in Inter match. I have to say this is the only review that has visual evidences to back up his views, and I have to say it has the most depth in the net. He commented on nearly every criticism that popped out in the net, including the ones Zonal Marking blog wrote. About Toure - Busi argument, about Alves' 'fault' for Sneijder's goal, about Ibra being such a waste of space.

The only problem is that article is very lengthy, so read only if you care, take only the important points, and reflect on his opinion. You will find out that our problem is not because of any individual. It is just because every styles/tactics have their own weaknesses. Barca's system do have such weaknesses, but I think Pep has really done well to limit its effect. Look at how efficient our defense has been this season.

So we can expect the same system and line-up as usual will appear at the start of the 2nd leg. Busi will start instead of Toure.

This post has been edited by matyrze: Apr 26 2010, 10:16 AM

Having somebody to depict our frailties, bit by bit, almost brought me to tears..
Very good read..

You've read it? Its a good read indeed.

The problem is, not many people are bothered enough to take the time and read it. So many people think managing a football team is just like playing jigsaw puzzle. They think, when we have a good piece of puzzle, we can try fitting it into our puzzle, and if that piece fits, then it surely is good. In reality, its not, as maybe the whole picture may not be as perfect as it possibly can be.

All they do is criticize, criticize and criticize, and praying to God so that Pep 'opens up his eyes', and realize his 'mistakes'. LOL, they are talking about the same mind that used to be the mastermind of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team.

The comeback: two goals to reach Madrid

guys...can i know when is barcelona vs inter 2nd leg?

But it hink if we play 2 DMs it has got to affect our offesnve end, won't it? Ibra blocking messi? Good thought..

tomorrow night. aka malaysian time thursday morning..

looking forward for the game. it's gonna be a long day.

Which set up are you talking about? Toure-Busi-Xavi? If you're talking about this setup, Toure will not be a DM, and Busi may not be a classic DM (i.e Makelele, Rino, Cambiasso etc etc). Toure will take up Keita's role, while Busi will become 2nd pivot (alternative to Xavi in midfield). IMO, Toure have bigger potential of playing Keita's role, while Busi's movement can help Xavi moving the ball around.

You see, Barca doesn't need a classic DM, which role people want it to be given to Toure. People said Toure is better because he is more athletic and stronger. The question is, why our DM should have such attributes? To close down opponents? That is the job for the whole team, and that job is done further high up the pitch, not just at the front of the back four.

Actually, Barca's system is so much more complicated than what we always see from other teams. That's why our football is special. This complexity may lead to confusion among fans, who tend to be misguided by pundits and writers, because they don't train with the team. I'm not saying I've trained with the team. But for me, I tend to take the positives, and I try to reflect what Pep tries to do.

And yeah, Messi-Ibra thingy is very disturbing. Do they even watch the match or not? Zonal marking is at fault for spewing this sh!t.

I hope Henry will start today. I have feeling he will be able to produce very good performance if he was to start against Inter.

tonite is the nite guyz...although seems impossible..hope barca can succeed..

For me, Henry has no hope to do any good for us tonight. His form this season has been very bad, that it seems kinda desperate to hang any hope on him. Moreover when Pedro showed tremendous ability to grab any opportunity that come his way. But if Henry does get to play, he must score for us tonight. No effing excuse, Henry!!

The prospect of meeting Van Gaal at the Bernabeu in the final makes me all salivating. C'mon Barca, please win tonight

no doubt barca can win, but the question is whether it's good enough to make it to final..