Village Idiot

After a long wait, Laporta is finally going to address the Negreira scandal this Monday. We'll see what kind of explanation he gives - he can't go "this is Bartomeu's fault" route like with everything else, because he was part of it too in his prior stint as president, the only reason he's not indicted himself is because of the statute of limitations. That said, the case file is public and so far there's no evidence of actual referee bribing - don't get me wrong, we didn't give that money to Negreira out of the goodness of our hearts. but it will make the harshest penalties more difficult if the prosecutors can't uncover a smoking gun. That's for the criminal case, of course, outside of that UEFA/FIFA will do what they will do.

Spanish anti-corruption law can still do us in, although the burden of proof for getting the heftiest penalties (barred from taking part in sports competitions or downright dissolution of the club) is pretty high. The criminal case will take years anyway. But even if we get away with it, it's still embarrassing and a dark blot on the club. Hard to feel pride these days.

Man, will all that's going on at the club, this has probably been the most "whatever" Clásico win I can remember. Hard to muster happiness these days.

He needs legs around him for it to work (Piqué did us a massive favor by retiring since Xavi insisted on playing them together), but his ability to make the right decision is still uncanny.

Busquets was missing. We have a hole at DM since we still rely so much on him to stabilize the defensive unit. And he's probably leaving in the summer.

Well, I meant on the pitch. Off the pitch we're a disgrace and we're not going to get better with Laporta in charge.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game despite the not-so-good result. Pedri and Gavi will be missing the return leg so it will take a monumental performance to win at OT... I feel we are in the cusp of really being a great side, but there's just something missing.

Here it goes, as I say it's probably geolocked.

What's the highlights policy nowadays? Can't find the forum rules anywhere. Want to post a wonder goal from Spanish second division, from an official source (might be geolocked I guess).

Yeah, the whole thing was at first reported as Alves touching her without consent under her garments at a night club (which is still a felony), but then yesterday the judge remanded him for rape and the whole story emerged. It's quite ugly and it looks like the victim had enough presence of mind to seek help immediately and go to the hospital to get forensic evidence secured.

Pedri-Gavi this game

Yeah, he's not been good, but I'm willing to cut him a pretty large break given his injuries - he's had flashes of his pre-injury self here and there.

Terrible attitude, he let himself go physically and mentally.

41.35 for me - I thought he was just joking "he should have sent Di María back in!" but then he genuinely wonders if that's allowed

Chuffed that he finally got his big moment in the WC, tbf. At his age, and given Argetina's continued disappointments, I feared that he would never get that. Feels like that his legacy is finally complete now.

It still stings that he's not here. I want him to win, but finally getting a WC while not playing for Barça would be slightly bittersweet.

Tbf he's always given it all for Argentina, dude is a total diehard. It's just never quite worked out until these past few years.

Man, those 5 or so minutes we were out nearly did me in.

I'ts going to sound odd but I recall 1998 being a bit of an upset. Yes, France were hosts with a set of players that in hindsight is one of the best WC teams ever assembled (I'm talking of course of the likes of Guivarch, which you'll surely fondly remember), but at the time they were still unproven and France had been poor in the runup to the tournament, while Brazil were massive massive favorites.

Can't see us bailing on Xavi unless the rest of the season goes terribly, and we're pretty much guaranteed to finish at least second because the rest of the league is pretty crap. And I'm not sure Lucho would fancy a second stint anyway? Rather have him for sure. No idea where he'd go. He might not take a job just yet.

Getting ahead of some scandal maybe?

Luís Enrique is a far better manager. His Barça side gets kinda overshadowed by the Guardiola years, but it was brilliant to watch. Wonder where he'll end up after the WC, since everybody takes it for granted he'll leave Spain after it.

Gavi with a first WC goal

Love the draw myself. I'll play the CL anthem on my headphones before the game starts and pretend it's a CL tie

Piqué announced his retirement yesterday. This weekend's game will be his last. There was a lots of rumors he'd retire after the season since Xavi benched him and he didn't want to go out like that, but this is pretty surprising. But he's always been quite mercurial off the pitch. He's had a steep decline these past seasons, but nonetheless he was world class in his prime and one of the best CBs we had at the club. Him and Puyol were a legendary pair. He has loads of business outside football nowadays, but I get the feeling he'll get involved with the club down the road.