48 responses so far ↓

• Rafael // Apr 18, 2008 at 13:40

  Good luck to Barca!!

  Put aside all the rumours etcs.. lets just hope Barca do their best in every match to come.

• bobkat // Apr 18, 2008 at 13:55

  2-1 loss at home i think tamudo to score at least one goal …

• Dr.Osmo // Apr 18, 2008 at 15:03

  —————————-V.Valdes—————————–
  ——————Puyol————–Milito——————–
  -Zambrotta————————————-Abidal———
  ————————–Yaya Toure—————————
  —————-Xavi——————–Deco——————
  —Messi———————————Henry—————
  ———————–Eto’o————————————

  FC Barcelona 3-1 Espanyol

• Blaugrana // Apr 18, 2008 at 18:34

  Fcbarcelona 3-0 espanyol

• Taras // Apr 18, 2008 at 18:52

  Barca 3-1 Espanyol.

• Jay // Apr 18, 2008 at 19:04

  Barca 2-0 Espanyol

  Barca 2-0 Man United….:-)

• Caleb // Apr 18, 2008 at 19:30

  Barca 3-1 Espanyol.

• Hilal // Apr 18, 2008 at 19:32

  1-1

• layi // Apr 18, 2008 at 23:51

  barca 3-0 espanyol

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 0:36

  2-0 barca

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 0:40

  I don’t care about the score line. If we Tie but put on the best game ever. I will be happy knowing that there is still hope in the Champions League. The League is lost so I just want to see Barca play

• Davor // Apr 19, 2008 at 2:41

  barca 2-1 espanyol
  we’ll win but the last few minutes we’ll be grinding our teeth trying to hold on

• John // Apr 19, 2008 at 7:33

  A win must be achieved tinight to ensure that we still keep second place and therefore do not have to qualify for the Champions League next season…

  Moving on, it is good to see a number of players returning from injury, hopefully tonights game will start to get them match fit, and better prepared for the game against Man Utd.

  With Puyol out for the game on Wednesday I would be tempted to leave him out for tonight… This will give the defence a chance to work together in a tough game without him… I would then bring him back next weekend and for the second leg at Old Trafford…. (which I have got a ticket for ) or play Puyol right back… so the central defence can work with out him and rest Zambrotta..

  Midfield would start with Xavi - Iniesta and Marquez - to get match fitness and rest Toure, would give deco a good half hour run out second half.

  Front 3 Henry/ bojan not sur which , Eto’o and Messi

• John // Apr 19, 2008 at 8:25

  Just had an email from Barca asking members, if they want to apply for tickets for the final in Moscow. So thought I would have a look into it!

  What idiot at Uefa decided to stage the final in Mocsow..

  Miles from the rest of Europe.. so the airlines can fleece the fans wanting to go… cheapest flight from London £500 via Copenhagen

  Restrictions on entering the host country as visas are required…. Meaning you have to pay and apply for a visa application before Barca have played man utd .

  I looked at the train and you have to pay £100 for honour of crossing Belarus to Russia… plus Russian visa and two days to get there.. cost at least £400

  That excludes ticket, hotel, and some money for vodka

  Just shows you the complete disregard the powers that run the game have for the fans.

• Taras // Apr 19, 2008 at 9:42

  John- Have you ever been to Moscow? Though you are right about our vodka. It is very good.

• dayib-sm // Apr 19, 2008 at 10:29

  Barca 3-1 Espanyol

• BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 19, 2008 at 12:17

  Barca to win 2-1!!! Anyone heard about this http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=663919 ???

• John // Apr 19, 2008 at 13:21

  Taras have not yet been to Moscow… would love to visit… it is supposed to be a a great city… merely commenting that to get to Moscow the airlines are in a great position to make a lot of money… !!

• Speeka // Apr 19, 2008 at 14:45

  3-0

• Varughese // Apr 19, 2008 at 15:12

  Why is ezquerra dumped for Henry, he played well last match. Gudjonsen has to start in the midfield. i have been saying this for some time. But we all know in the end Henry will be included and he again will have a stupid night.

• Nic // Apr 19, 2008 at 17:58

  Team announced: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Eto’o, Bojan, Giovani

• Nic // Apr 19, 2008 at 17:59

  Messi, Iniesta, Deco, Marquez and Henry on the bench

• Titi186 // Apr 19, 2008 at 18:51

  There you go!!

  Henry is on the bench tonight which will please quite a few people. I think it will do him some good as I think Barca will play him in midweek and he needs to think about his performances because I know what he can play like and he isnt doing it even though being played out of position doesnt help.

  Hopefully this rest will focus him more and he will play well against Manchester United on Wednesday.

  Oh… still ten minutes to kick off then, I predict a 1-0 to Barca, Henry to score from the bench lol

  Titi186

• Titi186 // Apr 19, 2008 at 18:58

  I just really hate Giovanni! He never ever ever ever looks up to pass the fcuking ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Come on Barca!!

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 20:57

  HAHAHA really expected it from Frankyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Such a bad game. You can tell from all the dam yellow cards. I said i wouldn’t mind seeing a draw and see a good game from Barca. WHITE is the new color in the Camp Nou. finally I can see Barca fan like my self with the same point of view. Well as I dream of us beating Man. I wish we wont lose with a big score from either Man or Madrid.

• Dr.Osmo // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:05

  0-0

  F*** Rijkaard…

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:08

  we need a player hoo can finish but we dont have that yet

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:16

  @ FCB
  I don’t agree. Henry Bojan Deco Xavi Eto …… all of these can score they just need a Manger to lead them to victory

• Hilal // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:18

  U know i saw an improvement tonight and while we didnt score only luck and some excellent goal keeping kept us from scoring. It happens in football and to be honest it doesnt really matter at this point, we were NEVER winning the league anyways. I hope Real win tomorrow that way the players can really focus on the CL. I think Messi had a huge impact on the game. We had a lot of chances, even though we had no space whatsoever to play our game. We will get a lot more space against Man utd (who also drew today btw). If Frank does not do anything stupid, like starting Deco, then we have a very good chance. We all know Eto’o can finish but he had his eye on Man utd today. I think all the players had their eye on man utd and with that in mind we could have done a lot worse! I was expecting a draw and i got it.

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:20

  Joe Henry: today barca had many many chances but they couldnt score…it wasnt rijkaards fault…explain…im talking about today only so dont mention any other games…

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:29

  FCB
  One of the main Jobs of Rijkaard is to get out the best out of these players. He isn’t doing that at all. Is this Eto that can hat trick. AGAIN with the luck excuse people no more excuses Barca is in crisis. 6 yellow cards. GOD. Besides its not only my point of view its the hole Camp Nou ( white flags ). Don’t tell me this is the best of Barca. I was only happy to see Messi coming back. Well done Messi. Other than that really boring game. When did we come to a point when the 8th position in the league is a hard game and fighting to be second and saying that Frank is a good Manager. Maybe you guys are better fans then I am. To feel that this is the best of Barca. And Poor Poor Frank didn’t do any thing wrong.

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:35

  Joe Henry: i didnt say this is the best of barca, they were embarrassing…but u didnt answer my question…barca had many chances today and they couldnt score…tell me why…its not rijkaards job to put the ball past kameni…and again im talking about today only

• layi // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:39

  just watched like the last 20 mins and i think our performance and mentality has improved a bit and even’s rijkaard’s behaviour….but its too late for the season…all we hav left is the champs league…this season, its been very little things that hav caused us chaos, im still not sure about givin rijkaard a 2nd chance but i tink he tried his best according to his perspective but that is not enough

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:43

  What can I say as tonight goes MAYBE he did nothing wrong. But its kinda of a series. You can’t expect a player to light up like a bulb. It takes training, hard work…. ect. Eidur Gudjohnsen was crap like always he shouldn’t have played but that is not why we tied I agree. I just want him to give the moral. This is all we need. Why is Kameni such a hard thing to get past, when did we reach this point. Do you see where I’m going. Its a series !

• Diatus // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:43

  We played a great game I think. We played well in transition both offensively and defensively. I think Gudjohnsen had a rough puting but overall I was pleased with the output. I feel very encouraged ahead of this huge showdown against Man U. I saw some of things that I and many others on this forum called for: a more compact motion up and down the field. I was very encouraged to see Eto’o defend as well as he did and Bojan truly support Sylvinho on the left. It was difficult for Espanol to play square balls in the midfield because our forwards really stepped quickly to close down the open man. Thus, our opponent today had very few opportunities. I have to admit that I am not sure that I like Rafa being played in the back line, not because he is not a great defender, but simply because of the fact he is a great opportunity generator with his ability to break opponents’ play and initiate goal opportunities. To be nuanced, I think that Frank made the right call on him since the midfield war was won hands down all game and we do need Puyol for Man U. Now, was this a game for Thierry Henry? this in mind remains an open question. Granted, it is always easy to Monday Morning Quaterback, I still remain convinced that he could have made a difference today. Why? Espanol’s defense was very motion filled and not stagnant at all. Thierry Henry is not a great creator but is fantastic at taking advantage of non stagnant defenses. Over the years, he has performed well with defenses that moved up and down with attacks, of course when played in the middle.Only God knows what might have happened with him on the field. I am not convinced that we’ve lost the title yet to Real Madrid since they face Racing Santander Sunday and that team has shown great poise this year. On the other hand, I look forward to our rendez-vous with destiny against Man U.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:44

  im not going to comment here but you guys are being way to harsh. thank god hilal is around, he is one of the only people here with any sort of logic or understanding of the game. did you all even watch it??? barca were not bad at all. we actually looked quite good at times. it was by far the most spirited, determined display ive seen in months and months. with some more luck and clinical finishing, would have been an easy win. frank hardly sat down the whole game, he wants to win, u can tell. anyone who thinks we were bad hasnt been watching the last few years, this was far from it. ever player ran their heart out today.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:46

  diatus also has some sense. thank god. this game in general was very reminisint of the good games in the past

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:49

  Sorry Blaugranaboy and Hilal. I will never acppet that this is a good game for Barca. WHEN DID WE COME TO THIS ! If you guys are older fans to know that Barca before the 05/06 was like this. Is this Barca. Fearing the 8th position. Drawing 3 games in a row. Tell me so i can stop being harsh and offensive. My team is the best on the world and they cant even be the dam second in the League. Put aside Frank for one min. IS THIS BARCA’S Best I ask again.

• layi // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:50

  blaugranaboy, are u readin d posts well, most posts praised the improved mentality….and i also understand why those that are angry are really angry, thats just stemmed-up frustration from previous games

• Hilal // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:50

  @ FCB and Joe Henry. I dont think the Rijkaard issue is really going to matter anymore. He is gone at the end of the season, he knows it, the players know it and we know it. The players are playing for themselves right now, they know the league is over and they know they have a huge game coming up in a few days.I am happy to accept this draw as long as they now give 150% against Man utd!! Lets wait and see….

  Btw how good was Yaya today and all that playing through a pretty bad injury!

• Diatus // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:51

  @ Joe Henry

  Joe, that was not a bad game at all. Did you watch the whole thing? We really played well. I really liked what I saw. Which part (s) of our performance did you have a problem with?

• layi // Apr 19, 2008 at 21:52

  hilal, how are u sure he’s goin?

• Joe Henry // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:00

  You guys you miss understood me. The performance is good. Its the standers I’m taking about. Today was an OK match. We did give like 50% of our best. But is this Barca to fight for second place. The league in my eyes are lost wayyyyy at the begging of season when we played Racing. I guess I will wait to see what they have to offer in the CL. Ok I will put aside today. And say that just low moral. And give them a chance till the Man game. Fine lets wait and see.

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:04

  BARCA!

• Diatus // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:08

  Ok Joe I understand your frustation and I do agree that our standards might have been lowered a bit throughout the year. On the other hand, we have to always be realistic with the hand we were dealt this year(new players, mucho drama, injuries). I do not want to rehash everything that went wrong this year, trust me when I tell you that losing to real Madrid for so tough for me that I almost cried (emphasis on almost). However, we all have to admit that today’s game was a sign of progress and we should all be encouraged. I agree that we should not get ahead of ourselves but wait until after Man U. to truly assess the impact of today’s performance.

• FCB // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:09

  we’ll beat manchester

• Hilal // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:10

  Joe Henry, if you have read my posts in the past you would realise that I am probably one of the harshest critics of Frank Rijkaard this season. I think he lacks the strength to motivate a team of Barca’s stature. This entire season has been a mockery so far, especially since January. We are nowhere near our best, I am the first to admit that. All that being said though, there was a DEFINITE improvement today. I have always said that as long as the players give their all on the pitch then you cannot ask for more. While i think we probably could have given a bit more today, given the circumstances, the players showed a marked improvement in all areas; Determination, heart, closing down, running after the ball….all better. Kameni is an excellent keeper and he always puts in fantastic showings against us. They parked the bus and they were very hard to break down. I feel the Barca of two weeks ago would have lost this game and not drawn it. It makes me a bit more optimistic about Wednesday because 2 weeks ago i was sure we would lose. If they players give their all and Messi has a good game we’ll beat them.

• Nic // Apr 19, 2008 at 22:39

  The match report is now up so maybe you’d like to continue the post-match chat in the comments there - http://fcbnews.com/barca-0-espanyol-0/

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