I have watched a lot of decent games in the epl. Madrid remind me a lot of the top english sides, only slightly better. Strong, fast counter attacking side. I have never seen a team like Barca though. they play passes that put their team mates in trouble.....but it isn't really trouble as their touch and control is so much better than anyone else. Pinto last night did the same as Valdes. No booting it long, start right from the back. After Celtic, I have to look at them. It annoys me when other teams destroy their artistry.
Glad you're a big fan! Yea, I believe that the passes to players, who appear to be marked, are tactics deliberately used as a probing mechanism in trying to draw the opposing players out of position in their effort to tackle - of course the idea being that the player receiving the ball will pass it back or on immediately. I particularly love this aspect of Barca's game - and the 12-second rule (when they lose possession they are meant to go all out to retrieve it within that time). You should see the kids at Barca being taught the same tactics -the end result being the development of close ball control and total confidence on the ball. The tactics are so obvious and simple (though require the skills to deliver them) - if you're in possession of the ball you control the game and your opponents can't score! They also play 'tennis' football -tennis with a football but using only their feet. (Apologies if this is all blindingly obvious and/or laborious but I couldn't help myself - I am totally enthralled by it!) Added:- Of course, my love of Celtic goes back a long way and I must add that the slating from some ignorant, insular, Southampton fans on another thread is so laughable I wouldn't even bother posting on it.....Celtic are known, as a massive club with a wonderful history, throughout the European footballing world and indeed the footballing world at large (rest assured, South American football fans, many now living in Spain, whom I have met, also concur with that viewpoint!)
Is this Pud? If so, looks like he won't be back there anytime soon! "Stephanie Valentine nights are nothing different. They just toss fairy-lights lights onto anything, use coke boxes for decoration and hang Japanese lanterns no matter what the theme! The staff are also horrible people who give nothing but cheek! The only redeeming factor is that the nights always come to an end. Lots of love, Leo Giamani. XXX"
Part II Madrid should have scored in the first couple of seconds. I remember watching Kaka float around the field against us and I thought he was incredibly graceful and intelligent. I remember eto'o burning us up and Ronaldinho playing through us for fun. Now I look at Kaka hanging off Messi in a rather ungainly fashion and I think........I'd love Celtic to have another crack at these lads. Kaka at Milan we coulda shoulda woulda won that. we got mashed that day by Barca, but still got a draw. BBJ admittedly affside.
Six Royal Madrid ****s chasing Lionel Messi. He drops the ball to Pedro to bag a goal. Madrid at war now. Messi took a bite out of Pepe and he rolls around like a dick. Diarra (on a yella) boots Messi and stays on. Cassilas gets booked for the melee. The resultant free kick gets cleared to Alves... BOOOOOOOM 2-0
Ramos had one ruled out for a foul on Alves. Great shout by the ref. Mourinho builds teams around legends like that disallowed goal. It was rightly ruled off, but it is going to be hard evidence that Madrid have been hard done by. Iniesta's injury is a concern for them. Mourinho ain't special at all. Muck merrchant.
I agree - he has also brought a very nasty and wholly unnecessary aspect into the game. Even though I am an ardent Barca fan I never had the dislike of Real Madrid that other Barca fans had....until that so-and-so came on the scene! Seems a strong sentiment but I hate the portogeezer with a passion and of course I'm sure you will remember the low tactics his Porto side employed, particularly in the second half against the Celts in that final?
He's a ****! Takes great players and makes them play to a negative system all about spoiling the game!
BOOO Ronald O just got a nice goal. Not just what Mourinho did to us, but the luck he got the next season, particularly against Man Utd was unreal. At Inter his magnificent defensive display against Barca (A game they lost) at the Nou Camp could have seen Inter out had the ref not ruled out a goal for a ****ey handball. Another one for Madrid. Benzema... come on Barca. Fabregas off also.
