Why? Because he didn't hear Fontas yelling at him because of the ball?

Then what about this?



Please be firm, and don't get easily swayed by general perception.They are not always right. Valdes = Casillas, or any other top GKs.

Apparently Pele wasn't the only legend talking about Messi.

Judging on current form, I think Cesc really deserves a shot to play alongside Xaviesta in 3-4-3. Although the system may be relatively new, I think we should focus on dominating midfield to isolate Milan's forwards.

The only worry right now is Villa's and Pedro's form. Not that its a big deal, but its still a fact that both of 'em are a bit shy of goals right now.

Just found this article.







Will the new Nou Camp stand on an island off the Barcelona coast, in the middle of the Mediterranean? Blaugrana fans say a resounding 'yes!'

A FC Barcelona member has unveiled the Barça fans' dream for a new Nou Camp-- and it is unlike anything anyone has ever seen. Catalan architect Emili Vidal's project creates a Stadium at Sea; some hundred metres off the Barcelona coast, and connected to the city with a bridge leading to the Fòrum at Diagonal Mar, the new FC Barcelona stadium would stand on an artificial island and have a capacity of 150.000 spectators, as many as

This project is the answer to the current seating problems at Nou Camp, where most matches sell out in days, leaving fans without a chance to attend. The interior design of the new Barca stadium would be curvy and wave-shaped, and two separate levels would be built, a 90.000-seater and a 60.000-seater. The stadium roof would evoke a fisherman's net.

Designer Norman Foster had been reached to ask for a project for a re-estructuring of Nou Camp, but the designer of the new Wembley stadium found no way to significantly increase the stadium capacity beyond 10000 more spectators. The current FC Barcelona stadium can only hold 100.000 of its 150.000 members.

Making Vidal's dream come true would cost as much as 1000 milion euro, but many fans have lent him his support and will campaign for the new Nou Camp - Stadium at Sea. To watch a Barca game there would certainly be something else!

sos

Really slow start to the match,in fact we conceded a goal. Thankfully they equalized, but godd***it, did Iniesta injured his thigh again??

Only a draw, but I still think we were the better side. We literally pinned them in their own penalty box for the whole game. I highly doubt Cassano even had touched the ball. Oh well

IMHO we were just unfortunate. Had Abidal didn't concede the corner easily, we would have win. Not taking anything away from Milan, as they also played well, especially Nesta, but the fact that we conquered the game from start to finish shows that there was nothing wrong with Pep's system. His players fought well from a goal down, and were going to win the match only to be cancelled by the last play of the match. We failed to win, but not because of our system.

LOL. But he really played well. A classy defender he is.

Good observation there. Yes he had pretty good 2nd half, which make me think that Pep knows what he is doing, and Keita is slowly getting it.

I'd love to see 3-4-3 again, but since we have Alves, Cesc may just fill in for Iniesta in 4-3-3. Anything Pep decides is good enough to me

LOL What did he say?

I seldom watch the show, but each time I manage to catch it, that guy offered the least input into discussion, just some trivia infos, or tried to be funny sometimes

Of course

Ricky Rubio another ex-Barca is also playing in NBA. Navarro, Barca's captain also used to play in NBA.

Based on last night game, I think if Pedro doesn't show improvement in several of next games, he'll lose his place to Cesc. It just seems worth it to sacrifice an attacker to bring in a midfielder who compliments Messi greatly.

Right now Im watching potentially another massacre of a so called title challenger,by the only genuine title challenger, in the so called the most competitive league in the world.

Serius kelakar LOLOLOL....

Believe it or not, there are quite a number of people believe in that sh!t. Stoke is the real deal apparently.

Give City some credit la. I think they can offer the nearest consiatency as Man Utd's. But I expect Utd to walk to the title again this season.

Oh, Chelsea pulled 1!! Ok la its really the most exciting league. Anybody can defeat anybody one

I think not even Osasuna would want Torres now. LOLOL.

OK now, for some analysis. Actually Chelsea played quite well in attack. However in defense, all they had was that 1 line of 4 last defenders, with no DM whatsoever (or was Meireless really useless?). A hell lot of time afforded to Man Utd players (especially Nani) to exploit the hole between their defenders and midfielders. So to go back to something Barca-related......

.......tonight, one of the BPL top teams have shown absolutely sh!tty defensive tactic, even as noob as what Osasuna showed last night. What's more, they had the supposedly rock solid Terry marshalling their defense. Who lead Osasuna's back line? Err....Riversio?

He already has his hattrick

But although Falcao is a beast, I think its pretty foolish of Atletico to spend all of Aguero's money on a player. I think they need the money to get at least one top class defender as well.

The real question is, is there no such gap between Man Utd compared to the rest?

City is catching up because of their money.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are thought to be in transition. So they should be considerably weaker than they were few years ago no? So isn't that showing the gap? I don't need to speculate anything like how you do with that Stoke bulls, I just have to show Man Utd results against Arsenal and just now Chelsea. BOTH were really horrible with their defense. Bolton also received a mauling in their own stadium too. why not BPL fanboys just point this out as the gap, like Real-Barca have in Liga? At least we have 2 horse race in Spain. Right now, BPL fans have to pray for City to keep up with Utd, otherwise, BPL should be wrapped up early.

I heard there are 6 title contenders right? Who's the other one? Spurs? I LOLed

Intensity, yes. But better competition? Better midtable teams?

Now, Malaga has been bought by Sheikhs as well. Getafe will be taken up fully by another group of Sheikh next year. Atletico is still in fine financial state. Sevilla is still pretty much a good team, as long as they keep Palop outta their team. Valencia have never seemed to be affected by their troubles. Real Sociedad held us to a draw, Levante just defeated Madrid.

Clubs in Spain are in financial troubles, but it is not always reflected by on-pitch performance.

This BS is the easiest and the last haters could hang onto, because in no way Barca can prove otherwise. Well, not if they somehow get into UCL

Just cut the crap OK?



Can't you just see? People only talk about Barca and Real because Malaysian generally lack the exposure towards La Liga. Thus they are not familiar Villareal, Valencia and Atletico. They just don't realize that Valencia has won just as much league titles as Arsenal did during the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, although it has been always Man Utd who managed to grab the league nearly every year, because of the fan base, EPL teams are automatically regarded much higher.

Conclusion, your example is very biased, and in no way it strengthens your argument.

Yeah it used to be like that. Not now though. Last I checked, Spain have 2 reps in UCL semis, 1 in Europa Cup semis, and 1 winner in UEFA Super Cup. In the meantime, BPL teams are continuously looking for players in the more 'inferior' La Liga.

Cheers.

Yup, its lack of exposure. While most people know how dude like Joe Cole and Benayoun play, how many people know how Piatti (Valencia), Perotti (Sevilla) and Camunas (Villareal) play? Which of them are good, which are overrated?

Oh, and how about Arsenal and Liverpool chances? Do they really have chances? If you take off you English hat, you will see that for quite a while now they haven't had the consistency to properly challenge for the title. And right now, its just all about Man Utd. Things are getting worse there

For me, who actually WATCH both leagues, in some matches, Liverpool have shown as much fight against Man Utd as Valencia have against Barca. Not much difference.

LOL, see? Your misinformation just show lack of exposure? And surprise, you just did a mistake with Arsenal record as well.

BOTH Valencia and Arsenal won their respective leagues in 01/02 and 03/04 seasons. Please refer wiki back

Oh, and for Blackburn, Deportivo la Coruna won the league in 2000.

Chelsea? I always regarded them as the only side who can offer consistency to challenge United. So for me there has always been big 2 in EPL. So I'd compare their position with Real Madrid. The difference now is, while Real is still pushing Barca, Chelsea has now slowed down at an alarming rate.

Liverpool has been shite for a long time now, just like Atletico Madrid.

But I'm actually referring to current situation. To actually roll back 10 years can be misleading.



If I were you, I'm gonna check how Spanish team fared in Europa as well Atletico and Sevilla won it remember? Villareal in the semis last year? They were not that bad, as how you guys in BPL clubs thread like to point out Sometimes reading comments that is Barca related in those thread is laughable. All of them ooze some kind of arrogance about their supposedly 'better' league, with not much of understanding about LL.

What's your comment about how Real Sociedad earned a draw against us last week? How about Hercules who defeated us in Camp Nou last year? Are those results because they are crappy teams, who likes to lie down so Barca can roll over 'em?

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Added on September 19, 2011, 2:25 pmHe is the real serial offender

This post has been edited by matyrze: Sep 19 2011, 02:44 PM

My god...

What's with all these number

For me, the best way to understand football is to watch it.

You want to understand BPL, you watch it.
You want to understand LL, you watch it.
You want to understand Serie A, you watch it.
You want to understand Barca, you watch 'em play.
Simple.

Stats are ruining football by oversimplifying the diversity of beautiful game. How can you judge psychological demand based on challenges made in a league?

In the latest Revista de La Liga, David Silva offered some interesting POV. He said the difference when playing in LL and BPL:

1) BPL is more physical and fast paced, but lotsa empty space attacking players can exploit due to defenders constantly out of position after pressuring;
2) LL is played at slower pace, but "in LL the defense is more organized" (direct quote from interview), thus leaving fewer space for attackers, and consequently they are harder to break down.

If you want to watch his interview, download Revista de La Liga 30th August episode. Of course he touched many other things, and he did pointed out the advantages of BPL. But are LL defense really that shitty?

I don't understand what are you trying to tell here so I'll pass.



Nice story there, had I not followed BPL, surely I'd belief BPL is the best already. But sadly, I did follow the league. So I'll pass.



The first one you counted was more than 10 years ago.

If you still want to count it, please, learn this...

Since the inception of EPL (92/93 season);

The league champions were:

Man Utd - 12
Arsenal - 3
Chelsea - 3
Blackburn - 1

In Spain:

Barcelona - 9
Real - 6
Valencia - 2
Depor - 1
Atletico - 1

So which stats looks prettier?



Please, put Liverpool and Arsenal outta that elite bracket. There has always been only "Big 2" in EPL i.e Man Utd and Chelsea. Because they are the only teams who have the consistency. Similar like what Barca and Real have in LL.



Ok, fair enough, although one of those Spanish team had went on to win the Uefa Super Cup against the mighty Inter Milan, but yeah Europa is a shitty tournament right?

So with deeper thought, actually both LL and EPL contain similar excitement that anybody can take off points from anybody, even the top dog in the league right? So, please, do explain to us again, why EPL has better competition than LL?

Maybe I'm one of the guy who believe that not every general opinion are correct.

I also think that Barca and Real are the safest bet to win La Liga.

Now the difference between our opinions are the number of teams could win the BPL. You believe in the so called Big 4. I say in recent seasons, chances for Liverpool and Arsenal have always been exaggarated. Thus I believe in my BPL's Big 2 theory. But since you are Arsenal fan iinm, surely you won't accept this. So we may just have to agree to disagree then.

I agree with this. Last I checked Leverkusen loss 1-4 at home LOL. I just have problem with sense of superiority of some BPL fans towards La Liga. Thats all.

So can La Liga can have its own widely claimed Big 6 then? Barca, Real, Valencia, Atletico, Villareal and Sevilla?

If we draw the game, people will start singing crisis again.