Come on Barca

[Son of Leeds]

There was one interesting tactical thing, though, that will give Barca something to think about.

The full-backs played narrow as bodies were thrown in a British do or die Zulu-filmy sort of way (I know most of them aren't British), but sped out as Barca pushed the ball wide. However, they did not double up, so plenty of defenders stayed around the penalty area to place their manly hearts in the line of fire. The full backs invited the opposing player inside, and heroically stopped them getting to the goal line.

If it lines up the same way in the 2nd leg the ball to the wide player should be played in front of them to run onto rather than to feet, forcing the full-backs to turn.

Amusing article in the Guardian recently on how annoying Barca are: the perfect anti-fashion response.

Even in this game Barca should have won comfortably. Hit crossbar and post. Missed two more easy chances.

[the flying pig]

Barca are fuckin ace, even when they lose.

They didn't look "fuckin ace" t'uther night, they looked like a bunch of scared rabbits scampering around in the woods trying to find a way out. Boring as fuck, with no ideas. Still 90 minutes left to "play".

it was them not-in-any-way-lame blue & white plastic flags wot won it.

[Man Called Sun]

Barca are fuckin ace, even when they lose.

They didn't look "fuckin ace" t'uther night, they looked like a bunch of scared rabbits scampering around in the woods trying to find a way out. Boring as fuck, with no ideas. Still 90 minutes left to "play".

They looked fuckin ace to me, Chelsea parked the bus but they still enough ideas that they should've scored 3.

It's definitely not the foregone conclusion people seem to assume though, Barca have the very real prospect of a home defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday. The more I think about it the more I think Chelsea might do em.

[Mustafaster]

I thought they were streets ahead of Chelsea, too. Fair play to the blue cunts, they took their only chance and did a good job of stifling Barca, with a fair bit of luck thrown in.
I reckon Barca will stuff 'em in the Camp Nou, but you never know, Chelsea have ridden their luck massively so far, it's also true that you make your own luck. Be interesting to see if they choose Torres ahead of Drogba for the return.
Massive week of quality football, this, I'm really enjoying it. CL semis, Europa League semis, Barca v Madrid.
The season could fall apart for either Barca or Madrid by Wednesday night.
I was thinking about why I should care so much, and I suppose part of the reason I'm so bothered about it is that we have fucked up so completely this season, we are such a fuckin shambles of a club that I have to get the fix from somewhere else.
Bates out!

[gazurtoids]

Meh. Give me Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund any day. They secured back-to-back title wins this evening, the first team other than Bayern to do it since Dortmund themselves in the mid-90s. Cracking side.

[Mr Reality]

barca needed a plan b tonight a traditional striker would be a useful sub

[Mustafaster]

barca needed a plan b tonight a traditional striker would be a useful sub

Needed summat.
They looked knackered, poor passing, no movement off the ball, joke defending ...
Fair play to Madrid, they were much better on the night.

[tommydski]

barca needed a plan b tonight a traditional striker would be a useful sub

I don't understand Guardiola, he must really have his eye on the Champion's League. I know they're unlucky with injuries at the moment but playing with no strikers is actually ridiculous. You can sometimes get away with it against skint, knackered and rubbish teams in La Liga (most of them, sadly) because they're going to be psychologically intimidated by the midfield etc. However, against good teams like Real Madrid, you're presumably going to find it very tough.

[Mr Reality]

Just watching yesterday messi was crowded out and had to come deeper and deeper and when he did run he looked dangerous, there are plenty of options of players who could the role, just think it would take the pressure of messi who was getting a bit frustrated last night

[the flying pig]

Pah, yeah, barca might well be the best team ever, but knackered and with a few inferior stand-ins started they're very beatable, certainly by a very good side like Madrid. No big deal that they lost IMO.

[jackos]

Maybe not a big deal, but it'd be worth a little smile if they ended the season without a major trophy:) Not quiet as funny as Scum not winning owt would be, but y can't have everything I suppose.

[jackos]

Fucking hell, Scum threw their game away n all Could be in for a double here

[the flying pig]

Fucking hell, Scum threw their game away n all Could be in for a double here

ooh, you beauty. i went out the house at about half past two, sure that was a done deal at 4-2

[Man Called Sun]

So, erm, anyone got a link?

[OWETB]

Put it on, turned it off when I heard Gary fucking Neville. I cannot wait for the 9th of next month when it gets switched off.

Lively, vibrant commentary destroyed by that monotone, annoying cunt - get fucked, I refuse to pay towards his wages.

[Man Called Sun]

Put it on, turned it off when I heard Gary fucking Neville. I cannot wait for the 9th of next month when it gets switched off.

Lively, vibrant commentary destroyed by that monotone, annoying cunt - get fucked, I refuse to pay towards his wages.

Amen brother.

Can you put it on, mute it, and let me know what's going on?

[AndyPaul]

Terry sent off, silly cunt - knee straight into the back

[jackos]

Terry sent off, silly cunt - knee straight into the back

Yeah, Cahill in Terry off, game over.

[AndyPaul]

Fuck me! 2 nil down, 1 man down and Ramires has just scored a quality goal after just being shown a yellow that means he wont play in the final

[jackos]

Well fuck me, that shocked hm:D