La Liga

[Bulldog Force]

Well, after real winning 4-1 this morning and Barca going down to Getafe, I don't rate our chances this year. We've peaked and now the only way is down

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Lol a La Liga game was called off the other week after part of an umbrella hit a linesman and it was thought to be fan violence then it was found out that it was just a shit umbrella and it broke apart and happened to the hit the linesman :lol:

 

[boxhead]

Well Real Madrid had to win eventually, they've spent more than enough.
I think Real's strength is the depth of their squad and the fact that could field a second XI that is still better than pretty much every other La Liga team.
First XI
Casillas
Ramos
Pepe
Carvalho
Marcelo
Alonso
Khedira
Di Maria
Ozil
Ronaldo
Higuain

Second XI
Adan
Arbeloa
Varane
Albiol
Coentrao
Diarra
Sahin
Callejon
Kaka
Benzema
Morata

Not that it would ever come to that but you get the point.

 

[Twizzle]

Well, after real winning 4-1 this morning and Barca going down to Getafe, I don't rate our chances this year. We've peaked and now the only way is down

don't worry, they just go out and buy half a new team in January

 

[boxhead]

don't worry, they just go out and buy half a new team in January

Problem is Twiz, they already have the best/second-best right back in the world, the best centre-back pairing in the world, easily the best midfield in the world, and unless they try to court players like Hazard or for example Rooney they can't really improve their forwards.
Only position they can dramatically improve is left back, which might be why they want Bale, but it's not like Abidal is a push-over.
All they can really do is boost their depth.

 

[langpark]

I saw the second half, Barcelona were poor. Always seem to be taking the difficult option, there were many times where they had an unmarked man out wide but instead the guy in possession would try and beat 3 players up the middle and lose possession. Then the longer the match went on, the more they panicked, getting so desperate that Busquets took a dive in the box despite not being touched. He got booked.

El Clasico is coming up too, 10th of December...

 

[boxhead]

At least the first one is at the Bernabeu, if it was at the Camp Nou I'd be in paranoia overdrive. I still am really. Barca have too much quality, though we are definitely in the superior form.
Time will tell, as long as we keep winning and can win the first Clasico then we should go on from there.
Big thing about this season is that we aren't reliant on Ronaldo.

 

[Bulldog Force]

don't worry, they just go out and buy half a new team in January

Complacency is a bitch twizzle. That's what it is. El Classico is what Barca need to get back to their best. I'm expecting a loss this time round, but I would like to see how we go after that in say the following 2-3 games. It will be a defining point in our season and prove whether or not we really have a chance in taking the title out this year.

 

[boxhead]

This referee in the Madrid game is a moron.
Has sent a coach to the stands, carded Callejon whilst he's on the bench, both for absolutely nothing.
The guy understandably books a player for shoulder-barging him, but aside from that, he's getting in everyone's faces and scolding them, making terrible decisions,etc.

 

[boxhead]

Oh my god he's carded another bench player, this time for Gijon :lol::lol:

 

[langpark]

To be fair, they're probably sitting there abusing the linesman and/or fourth official. I don't mind the ref getting involved, wish it would happen more often in the Prem to mouthy coaches and playing staff. Though I think the ref should give a warning to all, then if he has to come over again, only reds should be shown...

 

[langpark]

pretty shocking defence there.... MAN that looks like a nice stadium, I love that steep terracing behind the goals...

 

[boxhead]

They werent abusing him, I watched the footage; none of the three did anything different than mildly complain like any sideline official/coach/player does.
Big-nosed idiot wants his five minutes of fame.

 

[boxhead]

He's actually doing alright now.

 

[langpark]

haha, just one more yellow before the break.... He reminds me of a TV character but I can't remember who...

 

[boxhead]

I want to watch the second half but unfortuneately I've got work to do, I must say good on the red for aggressively booking players that are surrounding him, but his bench cards were on the ridiculous side. He's had a good game aside from those.

 

[boxhead]

Yeah I laughed when he booked a player for dissent then another player rushes up to him to complain, the ref just promptly tells him "go away" to put it kindly.

 

[langpark]

Yeah I agree, but if they're gonna be like that it needs to be consistent...

 

[langpark]

Wow. A seemingly full-strength Real Madrid are losing 0-2 to Malaga at halftime, at home too! (Copa Del Rey)....

 

[boxhead]

:lol: Oh dear.....