Village Idiot Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 None. Our lack of depth is usually pointed as our main weakness, something I'd agree on. But that just highlights another strength. Your 'main' players are seemingly incredibly fit. Very few injury problems. We are walking on the edge of the razor though. One of Puyol/Piqué goes out for a significant amount of time and we have to put Milito (woeful this season) or an out of position Abidal at CB. One of Xavi/Iniesta drops and we are stuck with Keita (decent player but not a creative force), and we have Bojan as our *only* backup forward. The signing of Afellay is meant to supplement our options in midfield and the wings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 None. Our lack of depth is usually pointed as our main weakness, something I'd agree on. But that just highlights another strength. Your 'main' players are seemingly incredibly fit. Very few injury problems. We are walking on the edge of the razor though. One of Puyol/Piqué goes out for a significant amount of time and we have to put Milito (woeful this season) or an out of position Abidal at CB. One of Xavi/Iniesta drops and we are stuck with Keita (decent player but not a creative force), and we have Bojan as our *only* backup forward. The signing of Afellay is meant to supplement our options in midfield and the wings. Surprised Afellay hasn't been given more of a role in his few games so far. Don't think he came on last night? Would have thought Guardiola would be keen to give him 20-30 minutes considering the game was won. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 We had to sub Puyol out due to a knock and then Xavi because he can't play 90 mins too often these days, so we only had one "bedding in" sub and Guardiola went with Bojan to try to give him some confidence after being criticized a lot lately. Afellay has looked handy and was the only good thing to come out of the Betis game, but his movement is still out of tune with the rest of the squad. Needs more time to absorb our tactics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delima Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Neil raises a very valid question, why are barcelona players incredibly fit n hardly injured ? Is it because they are well protected by the referee or playing culture? Players like messi twist n turn souch, accelerating n sprinting, yet he seems superman. Ronaldo os the same, but Ronaldo is still injured once in a while. N all barcelona players play regularly Milito was injured for a long time but I suppose it is an exception. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Our players aren't "incredibly fit and hardly injuried". Iniesta had a horrid injury-ridden season last year (a lot of our improvement in play this year is due to him being back and on form), Xavi had to stop playing for a month early this season due to an achilles problem and body fatigue, Messi missed a few games through a sprained ankle... I'd say that we aren't too different that most other La Liga sides, this is admittedly a league with way less contact than the PL. There was a list comparing the injuries of several of Europe's top teams last season, we were pretty much average on that regard. Wish I could find it again... Messi went through specialized conditioning to reduce the injury problems that plagued his early career (he even changed his center of gravity) and has repeatedly credited that for saving his career. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 fucking hell, Mourinho's unbeaten home record stretches back 9 years, NINE that's surely a record? one that barca will hopefully crush remorselessly in the not too distant future Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Our players aren't "incredibly fit and hardly injuried". Iniesta had a horrid injury-ridden season last year (a lot of our improvement in play this year is due to him being back and on form), Xavi had to stop playing for a month early this season due to an achilles problem and body fatigue, Messi missed a few games through a sprained ankle... I'd say that we aren't too different that most other La Liga sides, this is admittedly a league with way less contact than the PL. There was a list comparing the injuries of several of Europe's top teams last season, we were pretty much average on that regard. Wish I could find it again... Messi went through specialized conditioning to reduce the injury problems that plagued his early career (he even changed his center of gravity) and has repeatedly credited that for saving his career. And I say this, Puyol is out for a few weeks. Milito closer to starting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpal78 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 f***ing hell, Mourinho's unbeaten home record stretches back 9 years, NINE that's surely a record? one that barca will hopefully crush remorselessly in the not too distant future If there is one manager who can stop Barca, it's Mourinho. He's done it before with an inferior team in Inter imo and he can do it again especially because he has no qualms in playing defensive and hitting Barca on counter. The likes of Ronaldo, Ozil and a fully fit Kaka can tear down any defense on the counter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 f***ing hell, Mourinho's unbeaten home record stretches back 9 years, NINE that's surely a record? one that barca will hopefully crush remorselessly in the not too distant future If there is one manager who can stop Barca, it's Mourinho. He's done it before with an inferior team in Inter imo and he can do it again especially because he has no qualms in playing defensive and hitting Barca on counter. The likes of Ronaldo, Ozil and a fully fit Kaka can tear down any defense on the counter. He hasn't got the players to stop Barcelona like he did at Inter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 f***ing hell, Mourinho's unbeaten home record stretches back 9 years, NINE that's surely a record? one that barca will hopefully crush remorselessly in the not too distant future If there is one manager who can stop Barca, it's Mourinho. He's done it before with an inferior team in Inter imo and he can do it again especially because he has no qualms in playing defensive and hitting Barca on counter. The likes of Ronaldo, Ozil and a fully fit Kaka can tear down any defense on the counter. Is that Barca beat Real 5-0 then only 2 months back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I don't think last year's Inter was such an inferior team to current Real Madrid imho, particularly given the form of some players. The difference between both squads is basically Cristiano Ronaldo. Will still be a big challenge to win at the Bernabéu, of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpal78 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 f***ing hell, Mourinho's unbeaten home record stretches back 9 years, NINE that's surely a record? one that barca will hopefully crush remorselessly in the not too distant future If there is one manager who can stop Barca, it's Mourinho. He's done it before with an inferior team in Inter imo and he can do it again especially because he has no qualms in playing defensive and hitting Barca on counter. The likes of Ronaldo, Ozil and a fully fit Kaka can tear down any defense on the counter. Is that Barca beat Real 5-0 then only 2 months back. In Nou camp, I was referring to Bernabeau and the overall title race Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Aye, and what did Mou do at the Camp Nou? Certainly not sit deep and hit us on the counter. He played a high line with (timid) pressing. There's some things that Real Madrid can't do. Playing defensive football against us at their turf would be tantamount to sacrilege. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGupter Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Aye, and what did Mou do at the Camp Nou? Certainly not sit deep and hit us on the counter. He played a high line with (timid) pressing. There's some things that Real Madrid can't do. Playing defensive football against us at their turf would be tantamount to sacrilege. Especially since the way the title race is going it's looking like a must win, again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I have seen Mou rehearsing a 3-4-3 lately for some strecthes of Real Madrid games. Wonder if that's what he'll try to unleash on us. It was rather effective against Villarreal who are the closest in La Liga to Barça in style of play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGupter Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I have seen Mou rehearsing a 3-4-3 lately for some strecthes of Real Madrid games. Wonder if that's what he'll try to unleash on us. It was rather effective against Villarreal who are the closest in La Liga to Barça in style of play. If he's going to get anything against you he needs a striker, playing Benzema is just a waste of time, chances are at a premium against Barcelona, and he needs 10 chances to score 1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'll say it again, I think Messi's playing within himself at the moment. And he still got a goal (albeit a pen) and an assist tonight - maybe I'm just greedy and expecting him to be intergalactically amazing each game. In fact, IMO I think there's been a conscious effort from Pep at the moment that if the game is won, just save yourselves (due to the CL kicking back in soon). Barca only went into Top Gear v Real this season. Every other game it's been 3rd gear best for me, they will always have a gear which no team on this planet has. I think in the Madrid game one of the commentators had mentioned how the way they've based their training is to peak twice during the season (around the Real fixture) and towards the business end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 "As" reporting today that Mourinho has banned Madrid's DoF Jorge Valdano from the training ground. Fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Don't think I'll ever understand Real Madrid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 A female friend from Uni just texted to say she's watching Barca at the Nou Camp tomorrow, whie visiting her boyfriend. I want to slap her silly - she has no idea what beauty she's about to see. And no idea of how jealous I am. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormy Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 A female friend from Uni just texted to say she's watching Barca at the Nou Camp tomorrow, whie visiting her boyfriend. I want to slap her silly - she has no idea what beauty she's about to see. And no idea of how jealous I am. I wasn't allowed to take a trip to the Nou Camp last year during the holiday me and my ex went on for my birthday. Because she hates football. She wouldn't have even had to watch any! It was just a tour, that was included in the price of something she wanted to do! But no, we cancelled that part just so we could avoid a football ground. I hate women. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginola Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 It's a decent tour around the Nou Camp as well. Did it twice when I was younger when my footy team went to Spain on holiday and for a few matches against Spanish teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 When I broke up with my ex she confessed that she lied to me all along and didn't care one bit about Barça. Spiteful b***** Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 When I broke up with my ex she confessed that she lied to me all along and didn't care one bit about Barça. Spiteful b***** Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 The photo of me and my girlfriend my parents have on their mantlepiece is at the Camp Nou. Was a good little tour. Think Barça had just won the Beletti final IIRC. Remember having some craic on with mackem n all who was there, querying when they'd ever made an appearance for a competitive game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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