cant believe all the man u/liverpool heads here havent started a thread on this already. maybe they dont know there is soccer beyond the premiership? It really doesnt get better then this - the special one vs the special team. think barca will do it but cant wait to find out...
Liverpool were knocked out by lyon/florentina While united were knocked out by Bayern Munich ::) (maybe more interest for the Chelsea Arsenal fans?)
lack of interest when no English teams involved shouldn't take away what should be a good clash of Styles here tonight
Why is Puyol playing - was his red card agin Arsenal withdrawn?
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on April 20, 2010, 08:01:47 PM
Why is Puyol playing - was his red card agin Arsenal withdrawn?
He missed the second leg of that tie
Brutal defending there
D'oh! Senior moment there!
3-1 & could have been 5-1 maureen tactics spot on so far
Brilliant play from the Inter centre backs all night.
Inters Defence/goalkeeper are pretty much the one Brazil will have at the World Cup
That constant whistling is hard on the ears though. Dogs all over Milan must be running around the joint mightily confused.
Ref has had a stinker - definite penalty
barca needs a second goal to make a game of itl
Inter showing all the qualities Arsenal lack.
pity messi didn't start tonight
Quote from: ross4life on April 20, 2010, 09:19:29 PM
Inters Defence/goalkeeper are pretty much the one Brazil will have at the World Cup
Pretty much, except for Zanetti and Samuel who play for Argentina.
Quote from: gerry on April 20, 2010, 09:30:55 PM
pity messi didn't start tonight
On holiday in Iceland apparently.
Great performance by Inter.
Can't see Barca scoring 3 at home and keeping a clean sheet.
That Andy Gray is some boy - he says the tie is on a knife edge. Inter are up by 2 goals. What planet is he on ?
I'd agree with Gray. It's perfectly set up. Barca 2-0 and they're through. Barca could score 3, 4, 5 against anyone.
Can certainly see Barcelona scoring at least 2 in the second leg, keeping a clean sheet is another matter.
watching it on tv3 and the commentary kept saying what a manager José Mourinho is and now they going to discuss england winning the world cup, jasus lads give it a rest
Quote from: ONeill on April 20, 2010, 09:38:26 PM
I'd agree with Gray. It's perfectly set up. Barca 2-0 and they're through. Barca could score 3, 4, 5 against anyone.
Anyone bar Inter.
is there a better Centre Defender in world football than Lucio?
i hope Inter finish the Job now in Camp Nou & my prediction of Inter winning it will be one step closer ;)
He is some boy that Mourinho....
..... I miss him. :-[
That's Keown sacked from the BBC - 'England don't have a prayer.'
Some game that and a well deserved victory for the finger waggers.
Best team Barca have faced in years. Would have made a great final pairing.
Big advantage to Inter.
Messi will need to pull another hat trick next week.
Quote from: ONeill on April 20, 2010, 10:16:22 PM
That's Keown sacked from the BBC - 'England don't have a prayer.'
fecking sicking my hole with this "we" shit, ie england on tv3. feck back across the water.
they the presenter saying "our" chance about the world cup.
ok, i am up since 4am this morning and i am on the jameson the last 4 hours but have missed something with this "our" crack
Mourinho tonight ''Anything can happen. We could end up with 8 or 9 players when we go there. It already happened to me with Chelsea. The Barca players are complaining about the referee, but last year when they went to Chelsea, they had a historic referee in Ovrebo."
Also had a joust with Xavi telling him the same.
That a boy.
Mourinho was discarded like garbage by Chelsea after all he did for the club Roman Abramovich will get the two fingers if Inter go on & win the Champions league this season & it will be especially sweet by beating Chelsea along the way
Very enjoyable game alright and Inter got every break going but Jose sure knows how to get a team to play for him. Can't see Barca not conceding in the Nou Camp so Inter to go through
Quote from: Main Street on April 20, 2010, 10:22:11 PM
Some game that and a well deserved victory for the finger waggers.
Best team Barca have faced in years. Would have made a great final pairing.
Big advantage to Inter.
Messi will need to pull another hat trick next week.
A bit of an exaggeration.
Quote from: ross4life on April 21, 2010, 01:30:05 AM
Mourinho was discarded like garbage by Chelsea after all he did for the club Roman Abramovich will get the two fingers if Inter go on & win the Champions league this season & it will be especially sweet by beating Chelsea along the way
Not often I agree with you.
Quote from: ross4life on April 20, 2010, 09:43:03 PM
is there a better Centre Defender in world football than Lucio?
i hope Inter finish the Job now in Camp Nou & my prediction of Inter winning it will be one step closer ;)
Yes.
Lucio makes a lot of spectacular clearances and tackles, kind of like Puyol. He also shares a habit with Puyol of being forced to make these last ditch interventions through initial mistakes. Additionally, for someone who's an absolute tank he goes to ground crying worse than Drogba, Alves and Busquets put together.
QuoteVery enjoyable game alright and Inter got every break going but Jose sure knows how to get a team to play for him
Agree with you about Inter getting the rub of the green last night. The way Jose sets up teams to play on the edge you will either get all the refs decisions in your favour or you wont and he complains for 3 years...
Messi looked to have been fouled for the 2nd goal and it was touch and go if Milito stayed onside for his. Barca had 5 players booked v Inters 2.. Unbelievable
Barca are really up against it now. Iniesta is a huge loss to them as regards creativity and they need Ibra fully fit to trouble the Inter centre halves.
Barca might win the 2nd leg but Inter will defo score at least 1.
munich are going to regret some of those misses...
Very bad tackle by Ribery. Deserved to go.
ribery being a bad boy on and off the pitch these days.....
some goal, whats with the lyon defender ducking? as someone else said. 'who needs batman when you got robben'
see govou's on now; wonder where him and ribery are for after the match,lol
After last nights rubbish I cant wait for tonights one.
Mourinho has been up to his normal crap all week, the latest one announcing that he will have
Figo on the bench beside him!!!!
Sales of pigs head on las Ramblas has just rocketed!!!
The funniest was Mourinho accusing the Barca players of being bad losers.
Anyone hear Gift Grub's Mourinho this morning? Classic.
Barcelona v Inter Milan line-ups:
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Milito, Keita, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Busquets, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Messi.
Subs: Pinto, Marquez, Bojan, Henry, Maxwell, Thiago, Jeffren.
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta, Eto'o, Sneijder, Pandev, Milito.
Subs: Toldo, Cordoba, Muntari, Mariga, Materazzi, Chivu, Balotelli.
Barca to win tonight but Inter to win the Tie 8)
Pandev out chivu in late change
looks like inter just going to park the bus in front of their goals tonight, >:( >:(
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 07:17:07 PM
Barcelona v Inter Milan line-ups:
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Milito, Keita, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Busquets, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Messi.
Subs: Pinto, Marquez, Bojan, Henry, Maxwell, Thiago, Jeffren.
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta, Eto'o, Sneijder, Pandev, Milito.
Subs: Toldo, Cordoba, Muntari, Mariga, Materazzi, Chivu, Balotelli.
Barca to win tonight but Inter to win the Tie 8)
Pandev out chivu in late change
Ross, how do you think that all Brazilian back four of Inters will fare tonight?
Soft sending off
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on April 28, 2010, 08:14:30 PM
Soft sending off
Was but always inevitable when you lift a hand, especially away from home.
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 08:15:29 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on April 28, 2010, 08:14:30 PM
Soft sending off
Was but always inevitable when you lift a hand, especially away from home.
Yea, so the wife says.
Never a yellow - never mind a second one in the 2nd leg of a Champions League semi final...
I never know how players don't flake a boy for diving like that once they get a red....
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 08:15:29 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on April 28, 2010, 08:14:30 PM
Soft sending off
Was but always inevitable when you lift a hand, especially away from home.
Play acting that Bayern would be proud of (yellow card no more)
Dunphy said pre-match about the no. of games now ruined by refs.
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 08:13:14 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 07:17:07 PM
Barcelona v Inter Milan line-ups:
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Milito, Keita, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Busquets, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Messi.
Subs: Pinto, Marquez, Bojan, Henry, Maxwell, Thiago, Jeffren.
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta, Eto'o, Sneijder, Pandev, Milito.
Subs: Toldo, Cordoba, Muntari, Mariga, Materazzi, Chivu, Balotelli.
Barca to win tonight but Inter to win the Tie 8)
Pandev out chivu in late change
Ross, how do you think that all Brazilian back four of Inters will fare tonight?
What having problems reading? i said pretty much Brazils & i was including inters goalkeeper ::) Maicon, Lucio & Cesar are what makes Brazils defence so good too
Quote from: Aaron Boone on April 28, 2010, 08:21:41 PM
Dunphy said pre-match about the no. of games now ruined by refs.
Aye will be interesting to see what he says about it. Yer man Stevens seems to be saying he was right to walk... which is bull
Messi is doing a lot of diving tonight has he suddenly become Ronaldo :o
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
There is a beauty in the 2 banks of 4 in and around the semi circle. Unless it's Spurs doing it that is.
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:17:55 PM
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 08:15:29 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on April 28, 2010, 08:14:30 PM
Soft sending off
Was but always inevitable when you lift a hand, especially away from home.
Play acting that Bayern would be proud of (yellow card no more)
build a bridge ffs
I just hope we have to hear no more about Barcelona being somehow a team of saviours of soccer, the purists' wet dream so to speak.
Undoubtedly a quality side, may well go on to win this, but when they are under pressure they are as guilty as anyone else of cheating, diving, playacting and the rest of the dark arts.
Some of the shite there tonight would sicken you. Stand up and be men for fucks sake.
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 28, 2010, 08:40:03 PM
I just hope we have to hear no more about Barcelona being somehow a team of saviours of soccer, the purists' wet dream so to speak.
Undoubtedly a quality side, may well go on to win this, but when they are under pressure they are as guilty as anyone else of cheating, diving, playacting and the rest of the dark arts.
Some of the shite there tonight would sicken you. Stand up and be men for f**ks sake.
Couldn't agree more!
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:17:55 PM
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 08:15:29 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on April 28, 2010, 08:14:30 PM
Soft sending off
Was but always inevitable when you lift a hand, especially away from home.
Play acting that Bayern would be proud of (yellow card no more)
Had he not already got a yellow card?
That's Bayern & Barca in my Champs leagues bad books for their disgraceful antics. Hopefully Inter go on and win it now on behalf of we who are without sin.
Antics?? Did Ibra tear his own shirt?
Inter are a disgrace. Even will 11 they were
hooding the ball up the field to nobody..
Can't see barca breaking then down twice the
way they are set up now
Quote from: under the bar on April 28, 2010, 08:45:29 PM
That's Bayern & Barca in my Champs leagues bad books for their disgraceful antics. Hopefully Inter go on and win it now on behalf of we who are without sin.
Yep united didn't need those antics when they won it in 99/08
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:34:03 PM
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
No one called it art when José's Chelsea did this, nor when Hiddink did it to Barca for almost 180 minutes last year. It was 'boring' and anti-football.
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:53:35 PM
Quote from: under the bar on April 28, 2010, 08:45:29 PM
That's Bayern & Barca in my Champs leagues bad books for their disgraceful antics. Hopefully Inter go on and win it now on behalf of we who are without sin.
Yep united didn't need those antics when they won it in 99/08
Keep on thread.
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on April 28, 2010, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:34:03 PM
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
No one called it art when José's Chelsea did this, nor when Hiddink did it to Barca for almost 180 minutes last year. It was 'boring' and anti-football.
last year i did & barca were only lucky they beat Chelsea it's a shame cause united would have beaten ye again in the final
Ohh BTW united did it to Barca in 2007 also anti-football if you will? but for the Ronaldos missed penalty united would have beaten them home & away
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:57:51 PM
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on April 28, 2010, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:34:03 PM
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
No one called it art when José's Chelsea did this, nor when Hiddink did it to Barca for almost 180 minutes last year. It was 'boring' and anti-football.
last year i did & barca were only lucky they beat Chelsea it's a shame cause united would have beaten ye again in the final
Based on the last three meetings since where Chelsea have won all three? Anyhow... back to the match.
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:57:51 PM
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on April 28, 2010, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:34:03 PM
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
No one called it art when José's Chelsea did this, nor when Hiddink did it to Barca for almost 180 minutes last year. It was 'boring' and anti-football.
last year i did & barca were only lucky they beat Chelsea it's a shame cause united would have beaten ye again in the final
Ohh BTW united did it to Barca in 2007 also anti-football if you will? but for the Ronaldos missed penalty united would have beaten them home & away
http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=32.14355
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on April 28, 2010, 09:02:49 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:57:51 PM
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on April 28, 2010, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 08:34:03 PM
The Art of defending has been first class from Inter in that 1st half, i hope the sending off doesn't become a turning point in this tie
No one called it art when José's Chelsea did this, nor when Hiddink did it to Barca for almost 180 minutes last year. It was 'boring' and anti-football.
last year i did & barca were only lucky they beat Chelsea it's a shame cause united would have beaten ye again in the final
Based on the last three meetings since where Chelsea have won all three? Anyhow... back to the match.
Called European pedigree & Chelsea have shot their bolt on many occasions IMO if Chelsea were to play Liverpool in the Final in a Few years! it would be pool every time
Now back to the match
Bendtner would've carved these lads open long ago.
What a goal by a central defender.
some skill by the defender :o
Adams-esque
Quote from: ONeill on April 28, 2010, 09:30:42 PM
Adams-esque
I doubt Pique had 15 Guinness before the game
Gary`Doherty-esque
Everything that is wrong with modern day soccer is on display on that game.
I can't help but feel Mourinho drags it down. Lucio is a joke as is the guy with the hat on. The goalie is wasting endless time etc etc
I know the barcelona guy bought the sending off too...
how many minutes are meant to be played?
Lucio is one of the worst culprits, always has been, from when he was at Leverkusen.
Jose's the man.
Good soaking too!!
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 07:17:07 PM
Barca to win tonight but Inter to win the Tie 8)
Now WHO.. was right again??
This great Barca team couldn't even make back to back Champions league finals like united did last year!
i hope Inter now hammer Bayern for the justice of Football
unbelieveble
Barca turned on the sprinklers to get the Inter Team off the pitch
Bad Losers
Quote from: Shortso79 on April 28, 2010, 09:46:16 PM
unbelieveble
Barca turned on the sprinklers to get the Inter Team off the pitch
Bad Losers
was supporting them tonight but with their antics at the end, glad they got beat now
Brilliant again by The Speical One. The man's a genius.
will be shouting for Bayern
got them in the office sweepstake
"a diminished human being"
says Johnny Giles
;D
Jose!!!
(http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w360/mattsharklfc/a095b62ba601cdf2e9b5ff3d0e9c8069_bi.gif)
Jose knows how to play Messi i think that's 7 times & he didn't score v his managed teams
The man's a genius? What was genius about what he achieved tonight? "OK, lads, go out there tonight, you 3 on Messi, the rest of you stay in around the box, Eto'o and Milito, under no circumstances must you cross the halfway line." I could've done that!
RE: The yellow card. Before the match Thiago Motta accused the Barca players-rightly so, in some cases-of being divers, in that case keep your hands down by your side! Red card or not, he had already been booked, and would have gone anyway.
Quote from: paco on April 28, 2010, 10:14:05 PM
The man's a genius? What was genius about what he achieved tonight? "OK, lads, go out there tonight, you 3 on Messi, the rest of you stay in around the box, Eto'o and Milito, under no circumstances must you cross the halfway line." I could've done that!
RE: The yellow card. Before the match Thiago Motta accused the Barca players-rightly so, in some cases-of being divers, in that case keep your hands down by your side! Red card or not, he had already been booked, and would have gone anyway.
There are no such things as stupid comments, only stupid people
Fair play Mourinho. You done a job on them tonight.
with jose you just have a look at his home record in the league at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. Around 130 games unbeaten on the trot
He won it for inter more or less in the 1st leg as for tonight when it gets to this stage of the CL I would rather play negative football and go to the final than play beautiful football and get knocked out! jose takes all the Credit for getting them through while Guardiola made poor choices at key times
Come on Scud. I would call his tactics in the game against Chelsea genius, everyone expected him to park the bus then, but he surprised everyone with a very attack-minded line up. They went at Chelsea from the start and went through deservedly. Genuine question, What was genius about Inter's tactics tonight?
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 10:22:08 PM
with jose you just have a look at his home record in the league at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. Around 130 games unbeaten on the trot
He won it for inter more or less in the 1st leg as for tonight when it gets to this stage of the CL I would rather play negative football and go to the final than play beautiful football and get knocked out! jose takes all the Credit for getting them through while Guardiola made poor choices at key times
I know I will be sorry I asked, but what were the poor choices Guardiola made at "key times" ?
A dodgy handball decision is difference between genius
and loser so??
Throw in Bojans woeful miss and it's more that Barca
blew it..
The next time someone spins out some bull about the specialness of Barcelona, I'll remind them of the crass way they switched on sprinklers at the final whistle. Sore losers
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 10:25:29 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 28, 2010, 10:22:08 PM
with jose you just have a look at his home record in the league at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. Around 130 games unbeaten on the trot
He won it for inter more or less in the 1st leg as for tonight when it gets to this stage of the CL I would rather play negative football and go to the final than play beautiful football and get knocked out! jose takes all the Credit for getting them through while Guardiola made poor choices at key times
I know I will be sorry I asked, but what were the poor choices Guardiola made at "key times" ?
Better Choice of Subs... wasn't Henry on the bench the whole game? he needed to change tactics also! a odd high ball into the box may have upset the Inter defence..... most of there play was through the middle they should have used the wings more with inter only having 10 for 60mins
He got lucky last Year when iniesta cracked in that winner v Chelsea & lighting wasn't going to strike twice (i don't think Guardiola learned from last year)
Based on his form this season, Henry being pitted against Maicon would probably just have made it even more frustrating to watch. Being patient is one thing, but with no goal threat from Inter, Pique should have been up front a lot earlier.
Should have used the wings? Almost every attack went through Alves on the right. Henry? Have you seen him play lately ?
Ross4life Obviously you haven't seen
too much of Henry this season. He is finished
at this level and his total lack of interest
when brought on on emirates pissed off alot
of Barca fans. He is gone in the summer.
Might have got lucky with Iniesta last year but they
were unlucky that same man missed these 2 games..
The old masters of anti football, Arsenal, could at least get the offside line spot on, time and time again.
Inter's anti-football has some room for improvement.
A lot of barca's attacks were through crosses. No high balls were having any impact. Ibrahamovic was, as usual in a big european game, useless.
Guardiola could have moved Pique up front earlier but there was just no way through in most cases...
Ive seen Barca play as much as anyone! Henry may not be the player he once was but he could still do something special! & minder Alves crossing is awful! Barca were more worried about playing pretty But i do agree Iniesta could have made the difference again
Quote from: Rossie11 on April 28, 2010, 10:41:52 PM
Ross4life Obviously you haven't seen
too much of Henry this season. He is finished
at this level and his total lack of interest
when brought on on emirates pissed off alot
of Barca fans. He is gone in the summer.
Might have got lucky with Iniesta last year but they
were unlucky that same man missed these 2 games..
Teaming up with 'he's not a SOLdier' again? Delighted for the special one, adds a bit of craic to an otherwise dull exercise. I love it KK style if he pitched up at Eastlands next season.
Unusual to see so many big decisions going against a team over both legs.
Will this now stop the BBC's and sky's love fest with Barca being the best club team ever? For me they aren't even the best club side in Europe over the last three seasons
Quote from: paco on April 28, 2010, 10:54:57 PM
Unusual to see so many big decisions going against a team over both legs.
i think we have talked enough about the Bayern v United tie ;)
I wonder how the Boys at Real Madrid feel now? they sold Sneijder & Robben now they have to watch them play in the Champions league in there home pitch.. it's like united having to watch Real Madrid v Man City in Old Trafford :D
Quote from: David McKeown on April 28, 2010, 10:56:45 PM
Will this now stop the BBC's and sky's love fest with Barca being the best club team ever? For me they aren't even the best club side in Europe over the last three seasons
Who in your opinion is the best club team in Europe over the past 3 seasons?
Quote from: David McKeown on April 28, 2010, 10:56:45 PM
Will this now stop the BBC's and sky's love fest with Barca being the best club team ever? For me they aren't even the best club side in Europe over the last three seasons
Best club team ever sky/media?
Come back when you've won three league titles on the trot and get to two consecutive Champions League finals, and then we'll talk
Don't tempt fate Ross!
Quote from: paco on April 28, 2010, 11:11:01 PM
Don't tempt fate Ross!
Tempt Fate that's what a Certain team has done last three seasons regardless of what happens this...
Quote from: Main Street on April 28, 2010, 11:07:58 PM
Quote from: David McKeown on April 28, 2010, 10:56:45 PM
Will this now stop the BBC's and sky's love fest with Barca being the best club team ever? For me they aren't even the best club side in Europe over the last three seasons
Who in your opinion is the best club team in Europe over the past 3 seasons?
I think I know the answer you are going to get.
Come on Ross! What sort of a final will it be? Mario Balotelli to silence his critics?
Quote from: paco on April 28, 2010, 11:15:36 PM
Come on Ross! What sort of a final will it be? Mario Balotelli to silence his critics?
Has all the makings of a scoreless Draw & another penalty shoot out winner maybe with Balotelli to score the deciding one?
I hope so, maybe that would silence Mourinho? Doubtful, but I live in hope. One good thing that may come from tonight is that they finally realise that Zlatan can't cut it, and do something about it. Still puzzles me why they didn't take Villa when they had the chance and he would have been so much cheaper and effective, also a proven big-game player.
An astonishing statistic from tonight's match.
A new champions league record was set tonight for mosr possession in a game when Barcelona enjoyed 86.4% possession.
Amazing.
Even more impressive then was Inter's defensive display.
I think it was ITV sport that came up with that possession Stats? bbc/uefa have it 75% but Inter with 10 men for 60mins they played what we have we hold & those stats are not surprising
Will be interesting to see how Spain cope with those type of tactics in the World cup
Sky reported the same 86.4% figure
The Times quote that Barca made 555 passes - Inter 67 !!!!!
Also, Mourinho tells the Italian press that Spanish police tried to arrest Eto'o for questioning before the game.
Quote from: ONeill on April 29, 2010, 12:04:36 AM
The Times quote that Barca made 555 passes - Inter 67 !!!!!
How many of those passes went forwards though..
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/92699741.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1272497150&Signature=WHyv0UN20cwq1BR8RvDiQNjyUYs%3D)
Quote from: ONeill on April 29, 2010, 12:04:36 AM
The Times quote that Barca made 555 passes - Inter 67 !!!!!
The most amazing stat was Xavi had more passes than Inter :D
Quote from: Minder on April 28, 2010, 11:12:50 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 28, 2010, 11:07:58 PM
Quote from: David McKeown on April 28, 2010, 10:56:45 PM
Will this now stop the BBC's and sky's love fest with Barca being the best club team ever? For me they aren't even the best club side in Europe over the last three seasons
Who in your opinion is the best club team in Europe over the past 3 seasons?
I think I know the answer you are going to get.
Probably right, solely for being the first team in 12 years to get to the final as defending champions it would have to be United. For me the 08-09 (Calender year) Utd team was better than the current Barcelona team.
Caption Time
(http://i42.tinypic.com/16gmqdv.png)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2jfnfcy.jpg)
I wonder will Valdes get a ban for his behaviour at the final whistle? Will Barce get a fine for the missles that was threw at the Inter team for several minutes after the final whistle.
The Barcelona 'more than a club' facade fairly slipped tonight.
How much was it Pep Guardiola paid for Imbrahamovic? I remember it being something shocking like 60million plus eto'o
Quote from: David McKeown on April 29, 2010, 12:14:49 AM
How much was it Pep Guardiola paid for Imbrahamovic? I remember it being something shocking like 60million plus eto'o
when i herd that the deal of bin done i taught to myself that it was the worst bit of transfer work i have ever seen..and tonight definatly proved it
Last season Barca forwards scored... 38 Messi, Henry 26 & Eto 36 amazing 100 goals between them! this Season Messi 40 Henry 4 & Imrahamovic 21 so the off form of Henry & the Selling of Eto made a difference this year
Another significance from tonight is that Mourinho is now almost certain to be managing Real Madrid next season.
Quote from: paco on April 29, 2010, 12:45:19 AM
Another significance from tonight is that Mourinho is now almost certain to be managing Real Madrid next season.
He said After the Game he'll still be here (Inter) next season IMO going to madrid would be mistake in more ways than one, given his style of play he wouldn't last more than a year there no matter how much he wins
As Capello once Said "the real board want their teams to win but more importantly win in style"
It would indeed be a bad move, he's far too outspoken for the post and there's far too much "politics" involved, i.e. the man in the dugout doesn't have as much influence as he should. Real Madrid usually get what they want in these scenarios, but it will be interesting to see what happens, given that he has now won over the Italian media, who never really warmed to him before.
Is he not widely known to want the Utd job and therefore is likely to want to hang on somewhere for a season or two to wait for Fergie to leave?
Managers don't tend to last very long at either of the big 2 clubs in Spain, so it may be an ideal pit-stop till Fergie calls it a day.
Fergie is 68 now two more seasons will take him to 70 when i expect him to leave, i wouldn't be surprised if Real Madrid Goes for Rafa
All the rattling from the epl consumers about Barca getting beat in a CL semi final. Must be a lot of sore memories from when Barca wiped your team of the pitch.
QuoteI wonder will Valdes get a ban for his behaviour at the final whistle? Will Barce get a fine for the missles that was threw at the Inter team for several minutes after the final whistle.
Jesus norf Tyrone will you lose the chip on shoulder over Chelsea
Jose was inciting the crowd. If a Barca fan ran from the crowd
and clocked him the club would be looking at serious trouble from UEFA.
Valdes in my book was doing the right thing by getting his away from them.
Its always all about Mourinho. That act last night
was more for the Madrid directors. Look what I do here
"Come and get me"
You would think it was a team of Sunday League players Mourinho moulded into a Champions League finalist the way some of you are getting on.
Just means we all support Munich in the final now!
Barcelona are still the best club team in the World by a country mile, credit to Mourinho for organising his defence so well though. Zanetti is a class act yet.
Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job. He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.
It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal. When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half.
The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.
P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.
What age is Javier Zanetti now? Really doesn't get enough credit for the standard of performances he's been putting in over the years. Showed massive commitment staying there so long, especially in today's game. Dissapointed in the result, but happy to see him getting a chance in the final.
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 09:36:36 AM
Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job. He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.
It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal. When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half.
The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.
P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.
In fairness to Inter, the first leg showed that they can play a bit when they want. I'd fancy them to have a good go at Bayern's dodgy centre backs and then maybe sit back if they get a goal or two up.
Had to laugh at Ronnie Whelan going on about Inter being a typical Italian team, they may play like one but there's not an Italian in sight. Has a club ever played a Champions League final without a single home grown player?
Quote from: paco on April 29, 2010, 10:06:27 AM
What age is Javier Zanetti now? Really doesn't get enough credit for the standard of performances he's been putting in over the years. Showed massive commitment staying there so long, especially in today's game. Dissapointed in the result, but happy to see him getting a chance in the final.
Born 10 August 1973...so 36.
Since leaving Argentina in 1995 he has only played for Inter and has played under 15 different managers!! Has played 136 times for Argentina but currently out of favour with Maradona and appears unlikely to be in the squad for the WC. Although as we know Maradona is a madman so anything could happen.
Quotea typical Italian team
I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics). They certainly knew how to play the ref. I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.
He really is a class act. Read an article in fourfourtwo a few months back about how they keep their players going so long in Serie A, Maldini, Costacurta, Cafu, etc., so we could be seeing Zanetti around for a few more years yet!
RE: Maradona, it's a shame he's in charge, so many talented players, but he doesn't have a clue. The likes of Zanetti and Riquelme won't be playing in SA, which is ridiculous. He just isn't cut out for such a career, hope he proves me wrong though.
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 09:36:36 AM
Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job. He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.
It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal. When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half.
The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.
P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.
Would have to agree with all of this Billy, though I think over the two games Inter probably just shaded it. I've always been against video replays in soccer as I don't think the games lends itself to this being a help, but the standard of refereeing is getting shocking. Now I realise Thiago Motta had been booked already but if that hand off was a straight red card then there is no hope for soccer. In 10 years it will be a non-contact sport and games will be finishing 9-8.
Oh for back in the day when you could go through the back of your man "just to let him know you were there"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t_5sZ4-LRA
Quote from: Doogie Browser on April 29, 2010, 09:35:33 AM
Just means we all support Munich in the final now!
Barcelona are still the best club team in the World by a country mile, credit to Mourinho for organising his defence so well though. Zanetti is a class act yet.
Big statement, tis not even confirmed they are the best team in Spain yet
Not pretty to watch but at a semi-final with a 2 goal lead it wasn't going to be any other way! Typical Mourinho display, whens he's yours you must love him but from the outside he's an awful p***k. Even after the game it was all about him in his interview - "i'll never manage barca now, I'm the most hated man in Barca even above Figo....". Still he gets results.
Final won't be a thrill a minute thats for sure.
Cambiasso was different class and the keeper pulled off one of the great saves of all time in first half from Messi.
Ref was shite, thought Barca had a great shout in second for peno after about 15 mins. Defender just jumped in back of attacker from wrong side, no attempt at ball.
After all the stick that Arsenal get for having no english players on their team, i was interested to see that Inter had no Italians no their starting 11 last night!
Quote from: Rossie11 on April 29, 2010, 07:56:15 AM
QuoteI wonder will Valdes get a ban for his behaviour at the final whistle? Will Barce get a fine for the missles that was threw at the Inter team for several minutes after the final whistle.
Jesus norf Tyrone will you lose the chip on shoulder over Chelsea
Jose was inciting the crowd. If a Barca fan ran from the crowd
and clocked him the club would be looking at serious trouble from UEFA.
Valdes in my book was doing the right thing by getting his away from them.
Its always all about Mourinho. That act last night
was more for the Madrid directors. Look what I do here
"Come and get me"
Sorry? José had just qualified for a final and was celebrating in front of his own fans. Is he not allowed to do so?
A wee bit like this chap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp0VWxcsjZ8&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp0VWxcsjZ8&feature=related) was allowed to do so last season.
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 10:23:50 AM
Quotea typical Italian team
I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics). They certainly knew how to play the ref. I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.
It was a classic Italian Catenaccio, brilliantly executed by excellent defenders, but brought to cynical ugly extremes (the Mourinho factor) with things like time wasting from the first minute.
Not much in it at the end, Barca's disallowed second goal was a close enough call.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 12:41:40 PM
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 10:23:50 AM
Quotea typical Italian team
I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics). They certainly knew how to play the ref. I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.
It was a classic Italian Catenaccio, brilliantly executed by excellent defenders, but brought to cynical ugly extremes (the Mourinho factor) with things like time wasting from the first minute.
Not much in it at the end, Barca's disallowed second goal was a close enough call.
Except it was a Portugese manager and no Italian players?
Quote from: BennyHarp on April 29, 2010, 12:45:09 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 12:41:40 PM
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 10:23:50 AM
Quotea typical Italian team
I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics). They certainly knew how to play the ref. I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.
It was a classic Italian Catenaccio, brilliantly executed by excellent defenders, but brought to cynical ugly extremes (the Mourinho factor) with things like time wasting from the first minute.
Not much in it at the end, Barca's disallowed second goal was a close enough call.
Except it was a Portugese manager and no Italian players?
Doesn't matter where the players are from, they played the Cantanaccio to a tee. The Mourinho factor I mentioned.
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 09:36:36 AM
It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal.
Can you blame them? They were down to 10 men for 70 minutes away to the European Champions. At that stage it is all about holding onto what they had.
Think a few on here are being a little "ungenerous" towards José and Inter. They proved against Chelsea and in the first leg against Barca that they can play football when they need to. Last night they went into an away second leg 3-1 up of course they were gonna keep it tight and waste time. Then they go down to 10 men after 30 minutes, a little harshly in my eyes, it was never gonna be pretty. Had it remained 11 v 11 I'd of fancied them to nick a goal in the second half as Barca pushed forward..
Maybe Barca are mere mortals like the rest of us
Quote from: David McKeown on April 29, 2010, 01:00:23 AM
Is he not widely known to want the Utd job and therefore is likely to want to hang on somewhere for a season or two to wait for Fergie to leave?
Only on United forums.
If you had taken the time to read my previous posts, you would know that I'm not being 'harsh' on Inter - they played their football when it suited them, in the first leg. It was up to Barcelona to take the initiative last night, and Inter did enough to prevent them doing that.
What we were discussing was the application of the old Italian cattenaccio 'system' by a non-Italian manager, with non-Italian players. Main St. reckons the Mourinho 'variation' is even more cynical than the original - I'd be inclined to agree somewhat, though this modern version is less physical.
I think what they have lost in hacking opponents limbs off, they have gained in feigning injury, time wasting and general cynicism. I criticised Barcelona's antics in the first half last night. Inter were no better. Jaysus if Lucio was as injured as he let on to be he'd be put down today. He spent more time on his arse than on his feet.
I thought it was a terrible advert for soccer, just when I was building up anticipation for the World Cup as well. Very disappointing.
I think Dunphy got it right last night.
QuoteI thought it was a terrible advert for soccer, just when I was building up anticipation for the World Cup as well. Very disappointing.
Agreed. I know refs get calls wrong but if lads are trying to con them the whole time then it's nearly impossible for them to tell the difference between a real foul and a dive
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 01:09:16 PM
I'd be inclined to agree somewhat, though this modern version is less physical.
Not much room for the overt physicals these days.
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 01:12:16 PM
I think what they have lost in hacking opponents limbs off, they have gained in feigning injury, time wasting and general cynicism. I criticised Barcelona's antics in the first half last night. Inter were no better. Jaysus if Lucio was as injured as he let on to be he'd be put down today. He spent more time on his arse than on his feet.
I thought it was a terrible advert for soccer, just when I was building up anticipation for the World Cup as well. Very disappointing.
I think Dunphy got it right last night.
While I do not disagree with you you have to factor in the fact that they were playing for a place in a CL Final, defending a lead against one of best, if not the best, attacking team in Europe. Moratti obviously had the instructions out to Jose ealry on that there was no way they were going to lose the tie and who can blame them.
The biggest disappointment for me was the way Barca played the game. The had no real cutting edge and they looked to Messi the whole time to create the chances without really spreading the ball and creating the space. Also they were unlucky with some dubious decions, ie handball, but were also m,asters of their won downfall.
I reckon the Final could be a decent game as they are bothe technically good teams with a number of excellent ball players. It won't be a 4-3 game but will still be an exciting game I reckon.
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 01:01:18 PM
Think a few on here are being a little "ungenerous" towards José and Inter. They proved against Chelsea and in the first leg against Barca that they can play football when they need to. Last night they went into an away second leg 3-1 up of course they were gonna keep it tight and waste time. Then they go down to 10 men after 30 minutes, a little harshly in my eyes, it was never gonna be pretty. Had it remained 11 v 11 I'd of fancied them to nick a goal in the second half as Barca pushed forward..
Maybe Barca are mere mortals like the rest of us
After the first leg I said that Inter were the best team Barca have played in years.
Inter in the first leg reminded me of Charlton's Ireland, keep it tight at the back and hit it long into the corners for the forwards to chase. They were fortunate enough to be 2 goals ahead but overall they had created the better clear cut chances.
Barca can get beaten as we have seen. Even Celtic beat them over 2 legs but I doubt if there was one deluded Celtic fan who actually thought that by stopping Barca at the Camp Nou, they were a better team.
I don't have a problem with defending, and defending in depth. Especially down to 10 men. They did the scoring in Milan, and it was up to Barca to break them down. That's as much part of the game as attacking.
What disappointed me in such a marquee game was the unadulturated cheating by both sets of players all throughout the game. I thought Barca were worse in the first half, although Alves' dive in the second half was puce (like the one he did in Milan), while Inter were abysmal in the second half.
just a very disappointing spectacle for two of the best teams in Europe. And Barca did themselves no favours whatsoever in terms of the charm offensive they have launched all over Europe. 'Més que un club' indeed.
Ronnie Whelan earned his pay last night by informing us all of the previously unknown fact that Italian teams have historically been associated with good defending.
QuoteThe had no real cutting edge
In fairness, Inter had the cheek to refuse to come out with the ball even in possession - with the result that Barcelona were allowed to run up to 30m from goal completely unchallenged. Shooting from distance didn't seem to be in their repertoire last night to do so - it was the only obvious chink in the Inter defence strategy. I'd have thought that they needed to pressurise the full-backs and drop the Inter defence a little further back, while lining up their big hitters (Xavi and Alves) to strike pull-backs or clearances from 25m. It never happened.
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Forgot to add, Ibrahomivic (sp) showed last night why many thought Barca where mad to pay such money for him. He was completely ineffective and knocked down easier than Ronon O'Gara!
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Exactly, which makes it all the more galling to see them doing a post-modernistic impression of Swan Lake when somebody goes near them. Messi was rolling around like a child in a cut meadow. Busquets was clutching his face like Quasimodo when Esmerelda was meeting him.
Pathetic, and I think it's actually sad.
By the way, I am normally glass half full. I support Liverpool, I have to be :D
Quote from: bingobus on April 29, 2010, 02:09:00 PM
Forgot to add, Ibrahomivic (sp) showed last night why many thought Barca where mad to pay such money for him. He was completely ineffective and knocked down easier than Ronon O'Gara!
Leaving money out of the equation, look at the player.
You could question the role Ibrahomivic is asked to play, I'd see him more as an attacking midfielder type striker.
He did alright against Arsenal.
Barca's game results in having at least 60% of possession, teams like Inter will just park their bus and close down the space. When Eto played with Barca he was given more license to roam and create chances. Ibrahomivic is instructed to goal hang, isolated with 3 or 4 Inter defenders around him.
I have seen Barca games where Ibrahomivic was left to cut inside from the left and he was electric..
Quote from: bingobus on April 29, 2010, 02:09:00 PM
Forgot to add, Ibrahomivic (sp) showed last night why many thought Barca where mad to pay such money for him. He was completely ineffective and knocked down easier than Ronon O'Gara!
Barca paid inter milan 40 million pounds + Samuel Eto'o for Ibrahimovic.
It makes Chelsea's purchase of Andrei look like a dynamite piece of business.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really??? Beaten comfortably by United in a semi two seasons ago, admittedly with a half fit Messi. Last season Chelsea were better than them over two legs and but for some outrageous bad luck would have knocked them out and this season well beaten over two legs by Inter.
Yes i do remember the wonderful performance in the Final last year and their football against a (poor) Arsenal side but "literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance" hmmmmm not sure.
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 02:15:17 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Exactly, which makes it all the more galling to see them doing a post-modernistic impression of Swan Lake when somebody goes near them. Messi was rolling around like a child in a cut meadow. Busquets was clutching his face like Quasimodo when Esmerelda was meeting him.
Pathetic, and I think it's actually sad.
By the way, I am normally glass half full. I support Liverpool, I have to be :D
I didn't see Messi look for a penalty once last night. Jim Beglin said he was looking for one when Chivu took the ball off his toe and Lucio came in after the ball was gone and absolutely flattened him. The momentum rolled him once and he got back up.
Going into this Tie Everyone Talked about "who can Stop Messi" apart from his one Shot in the 1st half he was totally outmarked & he ended up Diving looking for soft frees! so there was more than Ibrahimovic who was poor last night! but i wonder would Ibrahimovic have missed that Bojan header near the end?
Quote from: gallsman on April 29, 2010, 03:23:04 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 02:15:17 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Exactly, which makes it all the more galling to see them doing a post-modernistic impression of Swan Lake when somebody goes near them. Messi was rolling around like a child in a cut meadow. Busquets was clutching his face like Quasimodo when Esmerelda was meeting him.
Pathetic, and I think it's actually sad.
By the way, I am normally glass half full. I support Liverpool, I have to be :D
I didn't see Messi look for a penalty once last night. Jim Beglin said he was looking for one when Chivu took the ball off his toe and Lucio came in after the ball was gone and absolutely flattened him. The momentum rolled him once and he got back up.
That's how I saw it as well.
But Busquet's theatrics did turn a second yellow into a straight red.
Quote from: gallsman on April 29, 2010, 03:23:04 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 02:15:17 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Exactly, which makes it all the more galling to see them doing a post-modernistic impression of Swan Lake when somebody goes near them. Messi was rolling around like a child in a cut meadow. Busquets was clutching his face like Quasimodo when Esmerelda was meeting him.
Pathetic, and I think it's actually sad.
By the way, I am normally glass half full. I support Liverpool, I have to be :D
I didn't see Messi look for a penalty once last night. Jim Beglin said he was looking for one when Chivu took the ball off his toe and Lucio came in after the ball was gone and absolutely flattened him. The momentum rolled him once and he got back up.
I don't think he looked for penalties per se, but he was looking for fouls.
Messi didnt dive once last night. He fell or was felled a few times but jumped up immediately.
Busquets and Alves are known divers and they sicken me.
Jose and Inter are in a different league as regards gamesmanship. Lucio spent half the game on 1 knee.
Cant believe Barca are now been written off as been fancy dans/chokers/1 season wonders whatever.
In the 3 games they have played this season Barca lead 4-3 so it cant be said Inter are now a better team overall as Inter got the chunk of the good fortune over the 2 legs.
It was through no act of genius by Mourinho.
Messi Didn't Dive once? well you must have watched a different game than i did last night ::) last night was the First time i ever Seen Messi Dive & not once was he booked! but at least he didn't roll around like some of the other players
I Don't think anyone is writing off Barca but they could also lose their status as Spain's best which would be a major fall back from last years achievements
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
But surely if that defender is poor at defending that point is moot
Holland (late 80s) are the only Total Football team i have seen play they could defend just as well as attack! then have been told about the Ajax (70s) the three in a row European cup winners & of course Brazil 1970!
Barcelona are good & could get better but don't believe all the hype about them
Yeah good man Ross4life, people need perspective here, if Darren Fletcher was not suspended last year United would have beat them in that final too.
Theres a difference between falling to the ground under a challenge and diving Ross4life..
Chivu went down holding his scrum cap after Messi out jumped him for a header.. Pathetic
My take is that I have rarely seen a team in all my years watching football play like Barcelona do. The pass, and move laced with skills is unreal, and that cannot be debated.
However the question remains about what is their 'plan B'?
In reality (And don't wade into a Chelsea debate here) that's two years in a row where they dominated a semi final opponent over two legs in terms of passing, posession etc etc but have collected only three goals in that period. Last year they got lucky, this year they didn't.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
I do, I'm old enough to remember the original exponents of it ;) ....
Again I'll repeat I'm not knocking Barcelona I thoroughly enjoy watching them and they have been worthy European Champions but I think the media etc has built them up into something they're not... ie some mythical superteam.
Take your point Norf and I think their plan B was supposed to be Ibra.
For the past few years the likes of Chelsea had bullied and outmuscled them in big games.
They won some and lost some of the battles
They knew they needed to change tact in order to compete physically.
Ibra has the size and the skill to be a target man and tie up tough tackling centre halves to create room for the likes of Messi and Iniesta but he has been largely disappointing so far.
Quote from: Rossie11 on April 29, 2010, 04:18:15 PM
Take your point Norf and I think their plan B was supposed to be Ibra.
For the past few years the likes of Chelsea had bullied and outmuscled them in big games.
They won some and lost some of the battles
They knew they needed to change tact in order to compete physically.
Ibra has the size and the skill to be a target man and tie up tough tackling centre halves to create room for the likes of Messi and Iniesta but he has been largely disappointing so far.
But does he have the balls...
Only after seeing the after match craic there now... While it was a marvellous victory for Inter masterminded by Mourinho - he could have had a bit more class in the way he celebrated at the end. And I know Guardiola was at it last year too at Stamford Bridge, it was equally distasteful.
Also I presume the section of the crowd where Mourinho stood in front of had the Inter fans in the top tier otherwise if it was just Barcelona fans then he should get slapped with a ban for the final.
And what were they at putting on the sprinklers at the end... very very petty. Will have lost them a lot of neutral fans I'd say
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 04:11:42 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
I do, I'm old enough to remember the original exponents of it ;) ....
Again I'll repeat I'm not knocking Barcelona I thoroughly enjoy watching them and they have been worthy European Champions but I think the media etc has built them up into something they're not... ie some mythical superteam.
This is slightly tangential to my 'Won't somebody think of the Children' rant about cheating (by both teams last night) but I agree with this Boycey. I have heard a couple of pundits say that this Barcelona team is the best club team of all time. Yes, that is not a typo, nor is it paraphrasing.
Some pundits think that this particular Barca team is better than Zidanes Real, Cruyff's Ajax, Dalglish's Liverpool, Di Stefano's Madrid, Beckenbaur's Bayern etc etc. Apart from the difficulty of comparing teams from different eras, I think it's a staggering statement to say that Barca are the best team of all time.
They are a very good team, who play lovely football.
It is only in the past month that the hype machine has kicked in.
They have played like that for the guts of 5 years and only when they lashed one of their
prized EPL teams did sky/beeb lose the plot and go over the top.
i.e they beat us =they must be supermen ::)
QuoteI didn't see Messi look for a penalty once last night. Jim Beglin said he was looking for one when Chivu took the ball off his toe and Lucio came in after the ball was gone and absolutely flattened him. The momentum rolled him once and he got back up.
That's how I saw it too - that was typical of how Inter played; nick the ball off the toe and a third man clatters into the 'melee'. As a neutral, I thought four of Lucio's 'tackles' in the box should have been penalised. But he managed to make these tackles by feigning a fall or similar - master of the dark arts (and I dind't think he had the brains for it before last night). Romeo Gentile eat yer heart out!
Iniesta was a miss last night in fairness for running at Inter. But luckily for them I don't think they'll meet too many teams like Inter over the course of a season.
Who's Romeo Gentile? Is he related to Claudio Gentile? :D
He was definitely more a fighter than a lover .
Does anyone remember the Great Red Star Belgrade team from 1991 (boring final) but in the other games they played brilliant Football & a lot of that team were the former Yugoslavia team that would have won the European Cup if not for the War (Denmark took there place)
Also Steaua Bucuresti 1986 European Cup winners were a Great team i think at the time they went 3 years unbeaten in there own league?
Less known teams today yes! but i guess if your Real Madrid, Barcelona or United you get more hype
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 04:11:42 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
I do, I'm old enough to remember the original exponents of it ;) ....
Again I'll repeat I'm not knocking Barcelona I thoroughly enjoy watching them and they have been worthy European Champions but I think the media etc has built them up into something they're not... ie some mythical superteam.
I don't pay attention to the media or pundits just what I see on the pitch.
You remember Irish legend Frank Stapleton? he is what you'd call Ireland's only decent total footballer (in the classic interpretation).
Interestingly Cruyff signed him for Ajax, but at the end of his effective playing career.
The classic interpretation is that a player can play in any position.
Here Barca have brought it on to another level, ie 11 players on the same wavelength, the forwards and attacking midfielders obsessively closing down in their part of the field.
Mourinho adopted the correct tactic in Milan, with the ball being hoofed it to the corners.
Quote from: Celt_Man on April 29, 2010, 04:00:47 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
But surely if that defender is poor at defending that point is moot
Laughable. Piqué is one of the best centre-halves in Europe.
Quote from: ross4life on April 29, 2010, 04:48:39 PM
Does anyone remember the Great Red Star Belgrade team from 1991 (boring final) but in the other games they played brilliant Football & a lot of that team were the former Yugoslavia team that would have won the European Cup if not for the War (Denmark took there place)
Also Steaua Bucuresti 1986 European Cup winners were a Great team i think at the time they went 3 years unbeaten in there own league?
Less known teams today yes! but i guess if your Real Madrid, Barcelona or United you get more hype
The Red star team probably destroyed there reputation due to that final. I was looking at the fourfourtwo magazine recently and they had a pull out on the 1990 world cup and one of the highlights was the Yugoslavia team of the day, was a savage line up and it was really the last time they graced the big stage together as it went pear shaped after that for them.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 04:51:13 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 04:11:42 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
I do, I'm old enough to remember the original exponents of it ;) ....
Again I'll repeat I'm not knocking Barcelona I thoroughly enjoy watching them and they have been worthy European Champions but I think the media etc has built them up into something they're not... ie some mythical superteam.
I don't pay attention to the media or pundits just what I see on the pitch.
You remember Irish legend Frank Stapleton? he is what you'd call Ireland's only decent total footballer (in the classic interpretation).
Interestingly Cruyff signed him for Ajax, but at the end of his effective playing career.
The classic interpretation is that a player can play in any position.
Here Barca have brought it on to another level, ie 11 players on the same wavelength, the forwards and attacking midfielders obsessively closing down in their part of the field.
Mourinho adopted the correct tactic in Milan, with the ball being hoofed it to the corners.
You will have to explain to me about Frank Stapleton cause i've lost ur point somewhere..
I could argue all day with u about this, I'm not even sure the way Barca play can be described as total football in its purest terms.
Quote from: gallsman on April 29, 2010, 05:01:57 PM
Quote from: Celt_Man on April 29, 2010, 04:00:47 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 01:42:59 PM
You are cup half empty guy AZ :)
Barca have brought the game of total football to new levels these last 3 seasons, providing long stretches of pure creativity never before seen. They have literally destroyed class teams, ripped them apart with their brilliance. They are not perfect, at least not yet. It's pretty scary to see where they can go, if they can build on this team.
no offence but thats bullshit..
Not knocking Barca, super team with one absolutely extraordinary talent but bought total football to new levels this last three seasons really???
You do understand the tactical term of "total football" ?
One example from last night, with a tall defender turning on a sixpence to score a well taken striker's goal.
But surely if that defender is poor at defending that point is moot
Laughable. Piqué is one of the best centre-halves in Europe.
Piqué is a good one but how would he have fared if he switched places with Lucio/Samuel last night?
Quote from: bingobus on April 29, 2010, 05:05:38 PM
Quote from: ross4life on April 29, 2010, 04:48:39 PM
Does anyone remember the Great Red Star Belgrade team from 1991 (boring final) but in the other games they played brilliant Football & a lot of that team were the former Yugoslavia team that would have won the European Cup if not for the War (Denmark took there place)
Also Steaua Bucuresti 1986 European Cup winners were a Great team i think at the time they went 3 years unbeaten in there own league?
Less known teams today yes! but i guess if your Real Madrid, Barcelona or United you get more hype
The Red star team probably destroyed there reputation due to that final. I was looking at the fourfourtwo magazine recently and they had a pull out on the 1990 world cup and one of the highlights was the Yugoslavia team of the day, was a savage line up and it was really the last time they graced the big stage together as it went pear shaped after that for them.
Yep was some team alright they walked the European championships Qualifying group(1991) but had to pull out of that too
Darko Pančev (Red star/yugoslavia) is still one of the best strikers Ive seen
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 04:37:25 PM
Who's Romeo Gentile? Is he related to Claudio Gentile? :D
He was definitely more a fighter than a lover.
Have you never heard of irony Biffo?
Pancev was rubbish when he went to Inter if memory serves me right.
Quote from: Billys Boots on April 29, 2010, 05:17:05 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on April 29, 2010, 04:37:25 PM
Who's Romeo Gentile? Is he related to Claudio Gentile? :D
He was definitely more a fighter than a lover.
Have you never heard of irony Biffo?
No, but I've heard of lads mixing up Benetti and Gentile though :D
Quote from: Minder on April 29, 2010, 05:18:32 PM
Pancev was rubbish when he went to Inter if memory serves me right.
kinda like Henry with Arsenal/Barca ;)
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 05:06:21 PM
You will have to explain to me about Frank Stapleton cause i've lost ur point somewhere..
I could argue all day with u about this, I'm not even sure the way Barca play can be described as total football in its purest terms.
I thought we were just discussing :)
Frank was a close to home example of a classic total footballer, as it was understood and practiced by the Dutch.
Barca do it differently now. They do total football but do it differently, imo, at a different level.
Cruyff is the architect of Barca's style and would be purring at the work rate of the players to choke the opposition.
i always thought Liam Brady was Irelands total footballer?
Did you ever see Liam play centre half or centre forward?
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 05:41:03 PM
Did you ever see Liam play centre half or centre forward?
no but did you ever see Iniesta & Xavi play centre half or Centre forward
Quote from: ross4life on April 29, 2010, 05:51:39 PM
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 05:41:03 PM
Did you ever see Liam play centre half or centre forward?
no but did you ever see Iniesta & Xavi play centre half or Centre forward
To recap, I said Frank was Ireland´s only decent total footballer as it was/is classically defined.
I also said Barca play the total football formation differently, Iniesta and Xavi close down and do the defending high up the pitch.
And as much as I rate Liam as one of the small group of our best ever players, I rarely saw him defend high up the pitch. Liam's ideal midfield partner would have been a Viera type player.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 05:26:26 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 05:06:21 PM
You will have to explain to me about Frank Stapleton cause i've lost ur point somewhere..
I could argue all day with u about this, I'm not even sure the way Barca play can be described as total football in its purest terms.
I thought we were just discussing :)
Frank was a close to home example of a classic total footballer, as it was understood and practiced by the Dutch.
Barca do it differently now. They do total football but do it differently, imo, at a different level.
Cruyff is the architect of Barca's style and would be purring at the work rate of the players to choke the opposition.
Ok discussing, I love a good discussion ;D.... Frank was a good striker who played a bit at centre back when pressed into service. Most notably 1983 Milk Cup final when Gordon McQueen or maybe Kevin Moran got injured?? Also played a bit in midfield late late in his career when he couldn't run, don't think he was a total footballer though. In that era it wasn't that rare for a fella to play centre forward and centre back
(http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/a095b62ba601cdf2e9b5ff3d0e9c8069_biscuitsshakey.gif)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/53qqom.gif)
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 06:14:55 PM
Ok discussing, I love a good discussion ;D.... Frank was a good striker who played a bit at centre back when pressed into service. Most notably 1983 Milk Cup final when Gordon McQueen or maybe Kevin Moran got injured?? Also played a bit in midfield late late in his career when he couldn't run, don't think he was a total footballer though. In that era it wasn't that rare for a fella to play centre forward and centre back
That was a cup final you were thinking of, when Moran got sent off.
Frank also played midfield in the old first division to a ripe enough age.
It isn't that he could just fill in at centre half, he could play the centre half role with distinction, that was rare enough for an Irish footballer.
Chris Sutton was a Frank-like player.
Quote from: Main Street on April 29, 2010, 06:22:12 PM
Quote from: Boycey on April 29, 2010, 06:14:55 PM
Ok discussing, I love a good discussion ;D.... Frank was a good striker who played a bit at centre back when pressed into service. Most notably 1983 Milk Cup final when Gordon McQueen or maybe Kevin Moran got injured?? Also played a bit in midfield late late in his career when he couldn't run, don't think he was a total footballer though. In that era it wasn't that rare for a fella to play centre forward and centre back
That was a cup final you were thinking of, when Moran got sent off.
Frank also played midfield in the old first division to a ripe enough age.
It isn't that he could just fill in at centre half, he could play the centre half role with distinction, that was rare enough for an Irish footballer.
Chris Sutton was a Frank-like player.
Was a Milk Cup Final, Moran off injured with Lou Macari replacing him then McQueen gets injured too(only one sub in them days) so he goes up front and Frank plays at the back. I know, i know i'm a nerd :-[
This is miles away from where we started, anyway Barcelona good team just not that good ;D