In a horribly cruel night for culés, Barça forgot one of football’s most basic rules: that the game lasts for 90 minutes. After an excellent first half that saw Barça take a two goal lead, the team relaxed in the second half and then crumbled as soon as Betis pulled a goal back. Two late strikes saw Betis take the three points that had seemed destined for Barcelona for most of the game.
In the first ten minutes there were signs of what might come later as Barça’s horizontal possession game contrasted with Betis’s straight-for-goal approach. Twice Betis threatened after Barça had lost possession, but this was quickly forgotten as Barça hit back with ten minutes of superb football. Eto’o was the first to come close when he forced a save from Casto after a corner from Xavi reached him, and a couple of minutes later a Xavi shot brought another save. In the 13th minute Henry laid the ball back to Xavi whose cross found Eto’o at the far post and his volley hit the bar, as the ball came out Bojan was quickest to react, controlling the ball with his back to goal he turned quickly to shoot past the goalkeeper and two defenders into the net.
I admit that I have criticised the decision to play Eto’o on the right, but two minutes later he made another perfectly timed run from that position to meet Iniesta’s cross in front of Casto to head into the empty net. In the 19th minute Iniesta had another attempt well saved by Casto as it looked as if Barça would run riot. However, they took the foot off the accelerator and concentrated on keeping possession which until half time they did very well.
The second half started pretty much as the first half finished with Barça controlling possession but without creating any danger. In the 53rd minute Betis brought on Odonkor and Sobis who were to change the game. Barça’s precise football began to lose its precision and Betis began to create chances. Pavone had an effort saved by Valdés and then Sobis hit one wide from the left. Barça’s only reply was a timid curler from Eto’o which went well wide.
After 61 minutes Rijkaard decided top take off Barça’s talisman of recent games, Bojan, to introduce Giovani dos Santos. Why he didn’t take off Henry who had a very disappointing second half, I’ll never know. Were they already thinking of Schalke? If that is the case they made a very grave error. A minute after Bojan went off Betis pulled a goal back when Sobis turned Zambrotta this way and that before crossing to Edu who headed in unmarked from close range.
After the goal Barça fell to pieces. Abidal gifted Odonkor a chance in the 67th minute but Valdés saved the day with his knee. As Barça defended deeper and deeper Betis began to look for a penalty and twice had appeals turned down. Then in the 74th minute a pass inside saw Odonkor beat Abidal for speed and when there was a slight contact between the players Odonkor went down and this time the referee signalled a penalty. Edu blasted the ball down the middle and Valdés who was diving to his right saved the ball with his legs.
Before our celebration had finished Betis came straight back to score the equalizer. Toure misjudged a throw in and allowed Juanito the chance to chest the ball down before unleashing an unstoppable volley past Valdés. Barça were stunned and once again failed to react to adversity. Just two more minutes passed before another loss of possession, this time from Eto’o, allowed another direct counter attack from Edu who was given too much room by Thuram before cracking a 20-yard shot past Valdés.
Barça had created no danger in the second half and managed just one half chance in the remaining ten minutes when Gudjohnsen volleyed over Xavi’s long pass. This was a game that demonstrated how quickly the dynamics of a game can change if you don’t kill off your opponent. Barça played as though the three points were already in the bag and paid a heavy price for it. Betis sensed their chance and seized it, perhaps if the game had not been played in the Ruiz Lopera the reaction would not have been the same, but that serves as no excuse for Barça allowing this game to slip. There were some good performances in the first half, especially from Xavi and Iniesta, but others were far too laid back in their attitude. I lost count of the number of times Henry failed to sprint when he should have done, he really needs to learn from Eto’o that chasing lost causes can often help to win the ball back. Toure had another poor game and I don’t know how much we may regret him not getting the operation when the time was right (two weeks ago). Thuram and Abidal were also way below the level expected of them in the second half. Ultimately Frank Rijkaard will have to take his part of the blame for taking Bojan off when he did, and some serious questions need to be asked as to why Barça fell apart so easily after the first Betis goal.
Barça: Valdés 7.5; Zambrotta 5.5, Thuram 5, Puyol 5.5, Abidal 5; Xavi 8, Toure 5 (Gudjohnsen m79, 5), Iniesta 7; Bojan 7 (Giovani m61, 4.5), Eto’o 6, Henry 4.5.
Goals: m13 Bojan 0-1, m15 Eto’o 0-2, m63 Edu 1-2, m76 Juanito 2-2, m78 Edu 3-2
Barça Yellow Cards: None
124 responses so far ↓
Hilal // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:00
That was a joke. Rijkaard is a joke and if this continues Barcelona are gonna be a joke. With all the quality we have on the pitch, to put in a performance like that is beyond comprehension! The lack of leadership and mentality was so evident in the second half that it was sad to watch. Shambolic
Barça 4 lyf // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:01
Wat da fuck! Another bad display!
Morzzan // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:02
Man, we lost!!!
Winterhunt // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:03
What a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, I give up, Bring on Mourinho!!!!!!!!!
Zin // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:03
I can’t believe how he just sat there during the 2nd half. No expression, no emotion, no way of comprehending that his team was losing it. He should have been off the bench shouting at the players and trying to motivate them, not day dreaming about days past. I support Frank, but I have no words for the decision making he made today. The complacency of the team in the 2nd half was horrifying, and I can’t. . .I don’t . . .I have no idea what to say. Shocking result this, but I can’t say I’m even that surprised that this happened. As soon as it was 2-1, it looked as though we were going to throw it away.
BarcaboyUK // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:04
Im in shock. Can someone explain to me what happened at half time? It was like watching a different team in the second half. I will always support Barca but boy this season they know how to break their fans hearts.
Shahenshah // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:04
Its useless now. Nothing is going to change over the remaining of the season if things are still the same. Both Barca and Madrid had their chances now Villareal is going to win the crown
John Lopez // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:05
Today’s debacle leaves no doubt that the team has quit on Rijkard
and themselves. Everything to gain, and they fall backwards.
The problem with this team is that they have no heart. They think that
every team will fall over once they see them int he stadium.
Today is a perfect example-betis handed the first half, Barca
assumed that it would be the same int he second half, because we are Barca
and just quit. No killer instinct no committment to excellance.
Pathetic. Time to clean house, and some fancy pedigreed stars must go.
Bring in a hungry coach who is not afraid to kick asses of
“superstars” when they rest on their clippings.
pathetic.
layi // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:06
very funny match…barca playing like kids
Hilal // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:06
Too late wimterhunt, Mourinho is going to Inter. This is exactly what worried me, we would wait to long and lose him to another team not willing to wait. Well at least he isnt going to Madrid. Its a shame because despite what everybody says about his style of football I think he would have done extremely well with Barcelona. The second half display we saw today would never in a million years have happened with Mourinho as coach…..and if it did he would have benched every single player and gone with the B team in the next game. To be honest I think they would probably do better, at least they would fight for a game. We only do well when the opposing teams let us play, like Betis did in the first half. As soon as a team comes at us we completely lost control. There is a complete lack of organisation at the back, no real cohesion up front and we lack any will to win. The mentality and fitness of the team is way below par. At 1-2 it was almost as if we gave up and let them win it. I hope Villareal win the league this season, they are the only team that deserve it. Maybe we can hope for second. Forget about the CL, I dont even think we’ll get past shalke, and i hope we dont because I really do fear what Man Utd in their current form would do to our defense. I would rather lose 1 or 2 to shalke than 4 or 5 to Man utd and believe me when I tell you they can do it. I watch them play a lot and they rip open teams with much better defense than ours.
layi // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:07
despite all my support for rijkaard and my prayers and hopes for him to change some of his managerial ways, i’ve given up on him…..cant wait for the season to be over….i know we deserve nothin at this rate…its all good, there’s nothing i can do about it than look
we cant even hold a lead against betis, we just slept offfffff
Taras // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:25
I haven’t felt so bad in many years. It is like giving little kid a candy and then taking it back.
Nic- how did Dos Santos perform? I have been unable to watch the game so i’m just curious.
FCB - Canada // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:26
Meh hard to be mad when you’ve lost faith a long time ago. It’s sad that Ronnie wasn’t playing and I suspect it has to do with the club rather than an injury. I guess it’s affecting the players in some ways. It looks like Villareal will be in second place when the weekend is done and probably more deserving of the title this year. I think of any loss this season this one will have people up in arms even in the club.
Siim // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:29
We need something fresh and new - Mourinho, Benitez, sad Juande isn’t available anymore.
Rijkaard is the last sign of the Dutch era in Barca after Gio left in the summer. It’s history, I don’t have anything against Rijkaard and Neeskens but they should take over Ajax now I guess.
Winterhunt // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:31
Hilal,
Not so sure about Mourinho & Inter. He came out today and categorically denied any contact whatsoever with them. Believe me, with todays result, he won’t be making any quick decisions. This is the job he covets more than any other, to return as the conquering hero after once being just a translator, to be able to replace Frank, to be able to show that he can play beautiful football if he has the players at his disposal, and more than anything to be able to have the wealth of talent (and especially young talent in Bojan, Messi, Yaya) and ability to get more as we are pretty flush with cash. Also, almost anything positive that he does will look good compared to how we have underachieved these last two years. I bet anything you will see him here, and I bet they will play just as beautfully, only they will be organised along the back and never give up games like today. People forget that he played very attractive football at Porto and didn’t have nearly the talent at his disposal. I’ve never liked the guy but I am so sick of seeing so much talent go to waste. Laporta must feel the same way despite his loyalty to Frank. Really for our exact problems, lack of cohesion, fitness, motivation, defensive organisation, mental toughness, Mourinho is the best man. He’ll be on the sidelines next year, and he’ll be a man on a mission, and any player not down with the program will be on the bench or just gone. By the way, on a different note, the sooner we can sell Dos Santos and still get a decent amount for him the better….. This whole disaster started when Bojan came off as Nic mentioned…. Not that I think that is the cause but it really is a curious development….. It’s like Betis stopped worrying about our attack, as soon as Bojan was gone, and just attacked us fearlessly. And I can’t remember who said this last week about Abidal, and I defended him, but Abidal was absolutely abysmal, Thuram saved us two goals by himself cleaning up for Abidal, plus the penalty save….. It’s crazy because he plays so well for France…. I have to blame Frank….. Makes me sad, as I’ve always thought Frank was just the coolest…… Damn this just hurts…..
Nic // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:40
Taras - It would be totally unfair to blame Giovani for the defeat. He hardly saw the ball in the half hour he was on the pitch, and when he did he failed to do anything. It was more a problem of the positioning, because when Giovani came on he played on the left, with Henry in the middle and Eto’o on the right. It would surely have made more sense to put Giovani on the right with eto’o in the middle and Henry on the left. But hey, what the hell do I know?
Taras // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:47
Nic, you surely know much more than our coach. I think half of this great blog does.
blaugranaboy // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:05
this has to be one of the most ridiculous games of all time. after a solid 45 minutes,with some very attractive and creative attacking, to one of the most stupifying performances in the 2nd half ever. there is so much to criticize. i know rijkaard loves his chilled appearance, but he needed to get off his ass and shout at the players and tell them to man up and run. it was me who criticized adibal last week, and wow wasnt he terrible again. how ridiculous was his pull to give away the penalty??!!? i never rated him at lyon or france, always thought evra is far superior, which he is. but its mostly his attitude letting him down now. thuram showed his age big time, and now just uses his strength to make up for his lack of pace, and just fouls people. im also glad that nic commented on henry’s just pathetic display, i was getting sick of being the only person signing that tune. and today for the last 15 or 20 min he was in the middle and etoo hit the left, and he was just as awful. this was just the biggest self implosion ive seen in ages. at half time i thought this game was done and i was happy with the play.
i agree with hilal about jose that he wouldnt play that terrible style of football he is associated with. he knows the club and understands the culture that winnig isnt the only thing that matters, the means to the end are equally as important. but i agree with winterhunt that jose will be there in the summer. i def think he wants this over the inter job and it seems almost destined to be. plus there have been numerous stories to credit it. him being in ghana with our VP, his wife was in the city lookign at real estate and schools, and his assistant has been seen in camp nou several times. but now u hear rafa is also in the hunt so who knows for sure. i agree with hilal that villareal deserve it more. they are showing that hardwork and commitment can win it. and i would also be terrified playing united. i see them almost every week, and like today, they are unforgiving upfront and have a solid defense. plus CR is the best and most produtive player in the world and the moment, no matter what any stupid FIFA award says. if he get thrashed by them, it would be one of the most horrible moments in my life.
everyone knows something has to change. i cant wait for this season to end. it cant happen fast enough.
Nic // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:06
Taras, do you think they would give me Rijkaard’s job? I could certainly do with the money.
El // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:19
man, this is a disaster.. how on earth he could sit on the bench during the whole match? Or maybe he was receiving pleasure from the “training process” of his team after 0-2? Why he didn’t shout on them to stop playing ridicuously and put at least 2 more goals and then to calm down such way?
It was such a big pain to watch the 2nd half.. my godness, this team looked as a school team, without no mentality and will to turn things back. Henry spoiled 90% of his performance.. and Bojan, why he changed him, the SOLE person who played really good this match along with Xavi?
Stop blaming Roni, this is the team and the coach who should be blamed. Ridiculous decisions and easy attitude are the main reasons of all this shame performances. I expected that he will resign today, but he didn’t.. no surprise! Bring Mourinho Laporta, at least he would shout on the team when they are soacking!!!!
Winterhunt // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:26
By The Way, Thank You Nic, You’ve created far more than a Blog here…. You’ve basically created a Barca self help group where we can all comisserate….. It’s nice to just be able to vent all this frustration with others who are equally upset about it…. My girlfriend certainly doesn’t want to hear about it….. on one positive note, How Amazing a Player Is BOJAN???!!!!!!! My God, I thought I’d seen it all with Leo but Bojan at his age may actually be surpassing him if that is possible….. to see one phenom is amazing but then to yet another right n his heels is almost surreal….. At this point he is the main reason I’ll keep watching, as I agree with Hilal, I think I’d rather lose to Schalke then get humiliated by Man U
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:31
nic, this is not joking time(i’m also joking)
about abidal….i’ve been singin about him since when he started becomin complacent which was allowed by who else? - rijkaard…..how much i prayed for rijkaard for him to see d light but he didn’t….
villareal hav won with a beautiful 3-0 display…up to second…best we can do now is to root for them, please how far are sevilla and athletico…..let me tink of worst case scenario
Vorksi // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:33
Michael Laudrup anybody
sure as hell he’ll do a good job for us
who cares about his past
he’s a good coach and sadly i think rijkaard’s time’s up
and we do need new reinforcements during the summer
btw want to congratulate bojan
8 league goals in his debut season, and hes only 17
definately Blaugrana’s future
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:36
bojan for life
laudrup sounds good also, few good coaches around
PHaft // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:37
blaugranaboy,
I could not agree with you more; all of your points are right on.
1st off I really do believe that the team has given up on Rijkaard. No guts, no desire, no killer instinct. Its very funny to me that we have a team full of veteran players that have played in many big games in their career–and we seem to wilt under pressure. We take one goal and we wilt like a skinny weed. Unbelieveable. I have always backed Rijkaard, even until this game. But this one tells me that Rijkaard has to go — he’s too passive, not imploring his players to perform— please bring Mourinho! I think Ronnie has also given up on Rijkaard.
2nd: I think our entire back line is old and slow — Abidal is playing with poor fitness and too lazy and not alert enough. Thuram has no pace; even Milito has looked shaky at times this year. The common thread is that we jave no YOUNG defenders — we are too old at the back. Look at Madrid, they have several talented young defenders (we don’t have 1 young defender)–Puyol is the only player playing with any pride.
3rd: I think its time to give Pinto a try — Valdes does not make enough saves for us (yes the PK save on Edu was nice, but it was a poor kick from Edu straight at Valdes). Valdes does not keep us in games, and commits his fair share of blunders.
We need new defenders and we need to unload Henry and go for some players that have the testicles to go out and perform!! Again, my suggestions:
Lucio (B. Munchen)
P. Lahm (B. Munchen)
Diego (W. Bremen)
D. Capel (Sevilla)
Any other realistic suggestions; I’d like to hear some comments from you guys.
Keep: Messi, Bojan, Xavi, Iniesta, Eto’o, Puyol, Milito, Marquez, Sylvinho, hopefully Ronaldinho
Drop: Henry, Abidal, Zambrotta, Valdes, Thuram, Gudjohnsen
I’m not sure: Deco, Dos Santos
John // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:39
Another awful performance….. At last I hope Laporta wakes up and comes to his senses and makes a move for Mourinho….. Barca tonight were spineless, lazy and arrogant!!! The team is on the slide and it is getting worse week by week…. Disgrace an absolute disgrace…. Mr Laporta… did we lose with “diginity” or lose in disgarce!!!!
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 0:55
please another major decision
RONALDINHO over RIJKAARD
on goal, after the match, rijkaard says he warned them at half time about complacency and they all agreed to be motivated and keep putting pressure, they then went out and did waht?
against almeria(not sure), 3 matches ago where he said they watched almeria’s previous matches and they saw most of their goals cam from set pieces and he and the team decided to focus on defending set pieces, what happend, they scored 2 goals from setpieces against us
this shows total lack of ledearship and respect needed for a coach
another note is that abidal was complacent in the second vs betis(remeba passing d ball to odonkor and other silly actions) and he also left his markers in d 2 set-piece goals conceded against almeria…..is he doing all these intentionally or what???
about henry, never supported his purchase….most players now are peaking at25/26….apart from that, he’s not even playing like he likes barca…i can remeba in the champions league final agaianst us when he was coming back to defend for arsenal….there are just few matches left for us…every match is meant to be like a final but instead the players dont even care(apart from the regular performers)
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:01
i asked for you guys opinion about the fact that iniesta and xavi always stroll back while we are being counter-attaacked…i’m aware of the fact that they contribute a lot to the attack but i don’t think its right for them to be strolling backwards while those remainin stupid defenders are under attack, they are midfielders not forwards…though its a consequence of our devotion to attack but there should be a limit to it especially with the score in our favour and especially when they scored their first, i believe there was a limit to it when we won our double in 2006(i mean a limit to how much freedom-not-to-defend our 2 attacking midfielders should have)…wat do y’all think
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:07
ook..valdes has made mistakes and hes let in many easy goals but thats not even a kind of good reason for why we’ve been losing….thats y every1 says casillas is better than valdes!……if casillas saves easy shots everyone is like HE IS AMAZING!! when valdes makes saves no1 cares…..he had a gr8 game 2day and he saved the penalty!! no, there is no such thing as an easy penalty save, when valdes doesnt save a penalty, ppl whine, when he saves it, ppl are like it was an easy shot! i agree that the defense is a bit slow and we need to get younger players for next yr.
ronixavi // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:21
there’s definitely a split right down the middle at camp nou - what the hell is going on around there? how many bloody times are we going to find ourselves questioning a dismally abysmal performance from the same team that destroyed and commanded in the game beforehand? i will not be surprised if the moron of manager we call rijkaard walks within the next few weeks…it is particularly embarrasing given the potential of the squad and the fact we are champions league favourites! for me there isn’t a question of ability - just the problem of attitude…ronaldiniho, rijkaard, henry, valdes, abidal, deco, edmilson, oleguer, marquez - please go now and give your contracts to those more willing…i don’t know what else to say?
PHaft // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:31
FCB–
You can’t tell me that Valdes is better than Casillas — I am a Barca fan but I am not crazy or blind. Casillas is better than Valdes, so is Hildebrand. Valdes’ save on the PK tonight was ok, but it was a bad shot by Edu, straight at Valdes.
I am not saying that Valdes is the reason we are losing, I am just saying that he does not bail us out of some games like Casillas (or Hildebrand does). Hildebrand is a big reason why Valencia beat us in Copa del Rey. He was tremendous at the Camp Nou. Valdes makes some crazy errors at times that you will never se Casillas or Hildebrand make.
I would like us to get Kameni from Espanol, perhaps. Or maybe make a bid for Schalke’s keeper.
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:33
forget goalkeeper issue for now, thats not even our secndary problem…even if they allow us to put casillas and buffon at the post at the same time, it wouldnt still help us…we can think about the issue when we’ve solved the primary problems
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:41
the primary problems are that we have a terrible president….terrible coach….most of our players r terrible, except iniesta, xavi, puyol, bojan, messi, toure, so get rid of the rest! and its time for ronaldinho to leave barca i think….hes faking his injury and this obviously isnt helping the team….i would understand if he is really hurt but he keeps missing game after game….yaya is fighting through his pain and ronaldinho should learn from him.
Speeka // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:49
Every one talking about how bad Barca were in 2nd half, but no one mentioning how good Betis were. Those Goals were pure class & they did to us what they did to R Madrid. No point whining about new manager’s or lack luster player’s, i read the same ol’ crap whenever we loose & frankly its irrelevant & boring.
Here’s hoping that the other team from Seville can do us a favor.
layi // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:50
FCB, u dont have the real facts so no conclusion on that
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:54
hopefully we can get messi back and win champions league! i think this loss will help the players focus even more on the game on wednesday. madrid will not win the league every yr so wen barca finally wins, its gonna feel gr8!
Rafael // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:55
What happened!?
I dont think its the players fault, I think it is more of a higher management conflict.. obviously the players are not responding to Rijkaard anymore.. for those who play on sports teams.. how can you play properly if you don’t get along or agree with the coach? It will affect your performance right?
And.. of course the players have to keep things professional.. they cannot just open their mouth and speak wildy, as it will reflect on the club.
You can tell Ronnie is not injured.. he has problems with the management, if Barcelona let go of Ronnie before Rijkaard.. its definitely a mistake.
Shahenshah // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:56
You would think Henry has totally lost his speed when he has the “ah scew it, maybe next time” attitude when a throughball or cross is a bit out of reach but then out of nowhere he loses the ball, hustles all the way back to the defence top speed, overtaking everyone including the opponent with the ball and snatch it away from him. Should I be confused?
Piotrek // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:19
http://blaugrana.pl/newsobr/22570_1.JPG rijkaard’s face after 2goal for Betis.This guy has no clue WTF is going on..And not surprisingly he has no ball to leave the team.
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:28
Winterhunt I definitely hope you are right about Mourinho. I have no doubt in my mind that he would be the best thing for our team right now. Complacency would never be an issue anymore and neither would fitness. Mourinho would clean up shop first and foremost. I am also convinced that he would play the football we are used to. No manager can come to this team and expect to play anything but beautiful football. I think he will surprise a lot of his doubters.
blaugranafan // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:33
That’s a great picture, Piotrek.
Couldn’t watch the match, but it sounds like the Copa del Rey semifinal against Getafe last year…except all in one game. Shame.
Come to Barcelona, Jose!
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:46
Thats is exactly what is was like blaugranafan! Shame is right…
On a brighter note, Bojan is getting more impressive every time he plays. That boy is going to make one hell of a partnership with Messi one day. His confidence is growing, he’s getting stronger and some of his movement off the ball is amazing for a boy of his age. It is no coincidence that all of our best players are Barca bred. Now all we need is somebody for the left wing. Bojan should be used as sub for Eto’o, Henry is useless on the left, Ronnie is gone, so who do we get?
Oh btw PHaft I agree with all of your buys. Although I dont think we will end up getting Diego cos Real want him bad and they will be willing to pay more than us. He would be amazing though, Modric would be an excellent 2nd choice as well. Not sure about Lucio though, is he that good that it justifies buying ANOTHER aging defender? Garay would have been PERFECT, yet another Rijkaard mess up. Maybe they’ll fix it now that they must realise he has to go!
FCB - Canada // Mar 30, 2008 at 3:26
Lots of activity today. What do you guys think about this idea. If Ronnie goes, I hope he doesn’t but say he does, we get rid of Henry and Eto and go after Kun Aguero. Imagine him and Messi.
Droool. No chance in hell? I agree we also need some good young defenders with speed.
I would unload these guys.
Zambrotta, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Deco, Dos Santos, Oleguer, Edmilson, Marquez (borderline as I think he does give some great passes but he has a temper and gives stupid fouls) and Rijkaard.
e10 // Mar 30, 2008 at 3:50
Wat a F*CKING EMBARRASSMENT!!!!!
Wat the hell was that.
all i can say is HOPELESS.
Barca have now dropped to third and that’s wat they deserve after that horrible second half.
Rafael // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:02
We need defenders first.
Dani Alves and a young CB.
e10 // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:04
Wat Barca need is a build a new team and get rid of the old and useless players.
Such as: Edmilson, Oleguer, Thuram, Zambrotta, Gudjohnsen and Valdes.
And go into the transfer window and spend big.
Go for: Alves, Garay, Diego/VDV, (as FCB-Canada said) Aguero, BENZEMA, and even make a bid for C.Ronaldo( who is in very hot form ) that Man Utd can’t reject.
They will all be great additions.
Keep Ronnie and Eto’o, Henry was a shocking purchase..
Rijkard should stay, all he needs to do is rebuild his team and we’ll be back on track next season.
This season is over, FORGET all about this season.
Blaugrana // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:35
I can’t believe how the boys always piss their pants @ the 1st sign of danger, i watchd arsenal cum back 4rm 2goals down wth ten men to win the game and they all a bunch of inexperiencd kids.RIJKAARD HAS N0 PLAN B,RIJKAARD HAS NO PLAN B. Laporta i hope u
Shahenshah // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:59
Why the hell would you get rid of Eto’o? He has been one of the most consistent player in this heavily inconsistent team. Scores goals every game and today even though he was on the right and totally out of position, he put in quite a convincing performance in the first half.
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:04
BARCA!
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:17
This is the last straw. I can’t take this any more. This is it. Sorry Jay Frank can go kill him self for all I care HE MUST MUST MUST GO. I can’t believe it. There should be an award for such bad couching like the worst couching in the century. I got to tell you even after the 3rd goal i was ok then he bought in Eidur Gudjohnsen I knew it was over. This player couldn’t get a goal if the net was free without any goalkeeper or defender. I was crying here and Frank was half asleep. The other team’s couch, the winning team was up couching when they where winning when ours, I don’t know sleeping i guess. I can’t keep doing this to my self. I can’t give him another chance. I can’t keep hoping when Xavi comes out saying before we can still do it. Sorry this team dont want to do any thing. Real Madrid yes won in the end of the league but they won withe spirit and with a REAL COUCH. Curse you Rijkaard, Go to hell man GO TO HELL !!!! you will be doing me a huge favor. Because sorry i can’t, I won’t watch the end of the season because sorry guys we wont win any thing. At least under this dumb ass couching
Morzzan // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:30
Oh my god people, sack rijkaard, sack rijkaard??? Is that the solution, Henry played the worst piece of crap in the world. Bojan was substituted, if he was injured, then Im sure we all would be saying that, “bojan, the only player who can run with the ball is now injured thanks to Frank. Had he subbed him, then there would have been no problem.” Sacking Rijkaard is definitely not the problem! And hats off to Bojan, what a talent. Santos will become too gr8 if he leaves and Im sure Arsene Wenger will buy him for any amount. I feel Ronnie should go, definitely, he should know better that no player is bigger than the club itself. If he is having problems with the club, then there is no other solution to it. And one more thing, Mourinho will come, win us 1-0’s or maximum 2-0’s. He is definitely not the man for the job. Laudrup or Benitez would be better. And yes, we need younger defenders, though I feel Madrid will win Garay and Diego over us. Madrid has young defenders but, they are not all that effective. Except for Sergio Ramos ie. Yeah, barcelona definitely need younger defenders. Henry needs to go, its a shame that he was the same person who used to threaten defenses is now just a spot filler, its disheartening that he loses hope so easily. Never runs for the ball, never sprints. Its sad. I donot think that Gio had anything to do with todays defeat. He hardly saw the ball and by that time, it was Betis who were the team dictating terms and exploding with confidence. Yeah, third spot, what else do we have to see? Iniesta was good, he for some reason, IMO, is the best player Barca have had this season. He was consistent, works hard and also runs with and without the ball. Yeah, for some reason, all my anger is vented on Henry, loved him at Arsenal, hate him here. I think that is the difference an amazing coach like Arsene Wenger makes. Today, 10 man arsenal came from 2-0 down to win it 3-2. Ironically, for us, it was the other way around!!!!!
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:39
With hands held high into a sky so blue
as the ocean opens up to swallow you.
(Linkin Park )
This is what you doing to us Frank. I am on Strike NO FRANK. Nothing more to say. Join me if you may On NO MORE FRANK strike. I wont watch any more games wont post any thing, wont do any thing till Frank leaves. Please join me ! If Laporta won’t take action, we will ! at least I will.
blaugranafan // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:42
I agree, Shahenshah. Eto’o is one to keep. He may not be as flashy as some Barca fans prefer their stars, but he has one of the best strike rates around. Period. Offloading him would be a mistake the club would regret for a long time.
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:47
Joe Henry—–lol wut??? …..if u stop watching games and stop posting anything on this site….that wont change laporta’s mind….he wont sack rijkaard cuz we stop posting comments on this site.
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:49
NO mate. This is all what I can do !!! If i was in Barca i would not go to the games not care do anything. I don’t know mate tell me should i just site and watch my team lose every night because such idiot
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 5:58
YOU MISS UNDERSTOOD ME !. I don’t meant to sound like a crazy man ! Its just an example or an …… I don’t know how to explain it. Just to stop doing the things you do for Barca just till Frank leave. Laporta wont slack Frank for me not writing on the Blog this is just crazy, more than crazy talk even. I’m saying any action you take for Barca stop doing so. They get the money from the fans. If the fans is on strike or any thing…… Look i don’t know I just want to win I’m really don’t know. Better yet i just want to feel like we wanna win. We don’t have to win just feel like winning not throw it all away.
Morzzan // Mar 30, 2008 at 6:18
more like a silent protest isnt it???
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 6:20
Yes Thank You ! Couldn’t find the right word
Jay // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:03
56 comments before I write this. Expected.
To be frank, I was as livid with the team as you all here are. But we should be calm. Complacency is the biggest culprit. You guys are blaming him for removing Bojan. True, a bad substitution. But what part does a forward play in a defensive crumbling of the highest order?
We don’t want it, even if served on a silver platter. There is no thirst. And that is the fault of the entire squad at our disposal. Something is missing, despite the huge amount of talent.
I fully agree with Morzzan regarding his comments about Bojan’s substitution.
If football was played for 45 minutes, then Rijkaard would have been God.
And the problem is he knows it’s played for 90 minutes. The real culprit is football as a game. It throws up such disastrous comebacks and when your on the receiving end, it’s very likely that the coach gets the flak.
Rijkaard, I believe, really has nothing going right for him. He’s making mistakes. But I’d rather say it seems like he’s doing the right things. And they go awfully wrong after a promising start. Milito and Messi have been injured. The man has to also keep an eye on the Champions League quarter-finals.
Like Rijkaard said later on - “This defeat is inexplicable”. And he is right. None of our reasons are satisfactory.
That’s football. Live with it.
Jay // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:09
And regarding giving up on the title, I’d say that true fans never give up. Don’t give up yet. Madrid have to play Sevilla and we have to go to Madrid. And they are as bad as us right now. Or even worse. Just like last season when we stayed on top for a long time simply because we had a brilliant first half of the season. Madrid is the same case.
Think like this. They have it easier. Just the league. We have to play Schalke and potentially Manchester United and at the end of the season if we win the Champions League, finish 2nd behind Madrid(I hope not of course) and were Copa Del Rey semi-finalists, then we are a better team than Madrid.
Jay // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:33
If Madrid lose tonight, then it’s as it was. 8 games to go. 24 points to be won. If it’s as unpredictable as it has been so far, then there is always hope.
Varughese // Mar 30, 2008 at 10:14
Jay:
i do agree with you totally that the substitution is not the problem. But it looked like they switched sides in the half time. The defense crumbled, its been like this for some time. I believe its their training they are not putting good effort there, which is showing in the pitch.
Tobi Nigeria // Mar 30, 2008 at 12:29
PLSSSS no one seems to see what i saw yesterday,d 2nd 45 minutes henry was just not on the field.That was the change I was expecting Dos santos on the right Eto’o in the center or left Bojan on the left or center AND I BET WE COULD HAVE WON THAT MATCH.Rijkaard made one mistatke and that was all Betis needed.Bojan was keeping them back at the back,but immediately he was gone there was no one effective up-front as far as the second half was concernedthat gave them confidence to attack.Barcelona’s players ability to withstand pressure and fitness level this season has being extremely disappointing I don’t know if the off days Rijkaard gives the players is the course of this. Henry was the mistake in the second half,sincerely I was on My knees when the change was about to be made “Henry out Dos Santos in”.Rijkaard still applies “big name” policy,I wish we win nothing this season It’s time for Rijkaard to leave
Barca Fan_Miki // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:02
Now is enougf when is the most importent we can beat Betis what is going around .It’s time for Rajkard to go and some new players to.We have many positions to cover.And for Rajkards positions it should be or Mourinho or Rafa Benitez!!!!!!!
FCB - Canada // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:29
Jay, whether Madrid wins or loses, we are now fighting two teams instead of 1 for first place.
bnosun k // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:34
Then what happens to us when we play gatafe next week.pls stop predicting games the other time we where to win 2-0 but drew now we are to win but lose,next week predict we will lose so that no one will be heart broken like mine.meen gatafe will crush us 3-0 next week
dnzi // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:41
dude, stop the Rijkaard-hating. It’s not his fault Barça’s defense sucks. They just have a lack of mentality, they don’t seem to care. And wasn’t the Barça-defence the defence that was the less passed defence of La Liga a couple of weeks ago? Yes it was and were you guys saying Rijkaard should be sacked back then? No. You should all be ashame of yourself. It’s true that Rijkaard’s decisions are, errr, a bit wrong last weeks. But if the players would give their all, they’d beat Betis 5-0 yesterday.
Besides that, it was Xavi’s 410th game yesterday! This means that he’s gotta play 138 games and then, he’ll be the most games-playing Barça-man. ^^
Jay // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:47
Yes, Xavi will complete that I guess. He deserves it. And it was a great performance from him yesterday. World-class? You bet.
Jay // Mar 30, 2008 at 13:48
@ FCB-Canada
Yes agree. Think about the pressure on Madrid….
Joe Henry // Mar 30, 2008 at 15:45
Jay it would be a dream come true if we win the league this year. And yes if Frank would pull it off I will come here to say he is a god. But actually we wont do it. I’m not losing faith in my team I’m just talking reality. Madrid played well last year in the end of the league with an Amazing couch at hand. Yes people weren’t saying he was a great couch till he did it. But the truth is they weren’t losing to to team like this. Is it possible to win the league ? Maybe ! Jay I hope Frank proves me wrong. Bringing in a Striker is a good idea ( as for my comment before ) but bringing in Eidur Gudjohnsen now that is a always a mistake. He only did one open goal mistake. I really expected him to at least miss 2 goals. So i guess as Eidur Gudjohnsen I’m happy its only one goal that he missed. Henry was crap as always, or not crap but not Henry also. To tell you the truth i don’t really see the huge mistake by taking out Bojan. It’s a risk when your winning 2 up. And he should have sent in like he did Giovani dos Santos. I mean the kid needs another chance. He proved us all correct thou a selfish guy who will never pass the ball. But Its not the sub’s I’m talking about its the couching. This is not a team, this is not a couch that is going nuts on the bench. This is not a defeasance plane. I cant say Victor is the reason we lost. Its a crappy team that need manger to stand up say IF YOU DON’T PLAY WELL YOU WONT GET PAYED !!!! Maybe Frank is the best manger in the world, But not Barcelona.
dnzi // Mar 30, 2008 at 15:57
@Jay; world class? I couldn’t have agreed more. Xavi is THE man of Barcelona.
Youssef Gazia // Mar 30, 2008 at 16:34
Simply gutted. The team is absoultly shit. Only if the team learns to love the Blaugrana shirt, things would be very different.
For all you Rikkard bashers, SHUT THE F*CK UP. Rikkard was by no means responisible for the loss. We were leading 2-0 in the first half, 2-0! Then the PLAYERS decided to layoff and relax. We got what we deserve. Rikkard was by no means responsible.
If we want to have a chance at beating Schalke or even MAN U, we need to change quickly.
Barca O Murte..
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 17:26
dnzi, how can you possibly say that the lack of defensive organisation is NOT the managers fault? That is what the manager does, he organises the team, if they are all over the place it is because he has not done his job properly. We have the same problems at the back that we have up front. If there are ANY injuries Rijkaard does not know how to react. Sorry but I do not accept the excuse that it is the players. Our back four against Betis consisted of 4 world class defenders, who all play very well for their countries. Abidal and Thuram both played well for France and Puyol and Zambrotta are also always excellent for their teams as well. The problem with our team is a lack of mentality and that stems from the manager and his staff. Take Abidal as the PERFECT example of how to make a player worse. The first two months with us he was EXCELLENT, i thought he was a really good buy. He seemed to have endless energy and fantastic pace. Where is that now? How did all that vanish in less than 6 months. Now he is lazy, slow and makes stupid mistakes. That is down to bad management and anybody who knows anything about football would see that.
Jay sorry but I have to disagree with you. First of all we didnt even play that well in the first half, Betis just made it really easy for us. No closing down, no chasing the ball, they just let us play as we wanted so of course it looked like we played well. We scored two goals and then completely relaxed.Rijkaard did nothing different or special so I dont think anybody would have been calling him God. Betis completely showed us up in the second half and the only thing that changed is that they starting closing us down and chasing our players. We have lazy, spoilt, arrogant players who want everything to go their way and when it doesnt they do not know how to react and ALL of that stems from the manager. Also I am not quite sure how you think he is doing the right things that are going wrong, he has done ALL the wrong things that then go wrong. I am not gonna go through the list of mistakes now because it is too long, but to say he does the right things is ridiculous. Oh and this: “That’s football. Live with it.” does not excuse 18 months of bad football.
I am sick of hearing excuses for Rijkaard. He is wasting the most talented team on the planet. You cannot say this is all happening because we miss Messi. We have enough quality without Messi to win anything and everything. Frank does not know how to manage his team, he does not know how to make a tactical substitution and he definitely does not know anything about adapting the formation to play to the strengths of the players who are fit. Yes if EVERYBODY is fit and on form his tactics work, but realistically we must expect to be missing key players at certain points and as long as we have a manager who cannot adapt we will not win. You can sell whoever you want and buy whoever you want to replace them, if they get injured (which they will eventually) then we will have the same problems all over again.
As for the league, I truly believe the worst thing that could happen to this team right now is to reward them for their current form and performances. Winning the league would do just that. There is no way in hell we deserve it, neither do Madrid for that matter, Villareal on the other hand do deserve it and I hope they win it. Madrid are shit right now anyways so being better than them is no great achievement, in fact it is shameful that we are still behind them and that shows just how bad we have been recently.
PHaft // Mar 30, 2008 at 17:35
I agree with Hilal completely— right on!
blaugranafan // Mar 30, 2008 at 18:27
Hilal, you are spot on in your post. The problem with the players having the wrong mentality and lacking a fighting spirit these days has to do with Frank’s philosophy on player treatment and attitude. It’s what the media have referred to as his cool and calm demeanor. Is has its benefits, but the problem is that with this kind of approach, the coach becomes the players’ best friend. And that’s problematic, because Frank has too much loyalty to out-of-form players (Deco) or is willing to put up with petty behavior issues to the detriment of the team. It also means that he is unwilling to give players the hair-dryer treatment and appeal to their pride, which is a key motivating technique.
Frank is no tactical genius. He is loyal to a fault and too stubborn, trying to fit great players into a playing scheme that does not necessarily play to their strengths. If fans want to blame the players for Barca’s poor 18 months, fine. But then they should also give players–and not Frank–the lion’s share of the credit for two seasons ago when Barca dominated.
Jay–Please don’t bring up the ‘true fan’ debate that Merv did some posts ago. It’s an ugly topic and not at all constructive.
The evil that men do // Mar 30, 2008 at 18:50
I swear some of you guys have no clue it is not the coaches fault stop with the “bring in mourinho” garbage he is not right for Barcelona, to tell you the truth I love henri but every time he is on the pitch it looks like Barcelona are playing with 10 men he looks completely lost, he does not warrant a spot in the side if Messi and Ronaldinho are not injured.
When EDU scored Rijkarrd should have then switched the formation into a 4 3 2 1.
Its crazy how the game changed, barca are playing in the best league they don’t get the luxury of playing sides like Bolton, Birmingham west ham Wigan etc, they thought they finished Betis of and got lazy and paid the ultimate price.
Winterhunt // Mar 30, 2008 at 19:48
Just to politely disagree, I know that the players are professional, and ultimately they have to play but there does have to be accountability for the Coach otherwise why do they have coaches and why are they paid so well…. I have said this over and over but I love Frank, his style, his class, his demeanor, loved him as a player and a coach and I have defended him incesantly until recently… Conversely I have never liked Mourinho, his style of play at Chelsea, his personality but I must say, I can’t help but respect the man as a Football coach, his teams are always prepared, in shape, disciplined, tenacious, and never, ever give up… so much so that it drove me crazy watching them because I always was rooting against them and I always knew that they would somehow come back and win the game in the end….. This is what we lack, discipline, a well organised defense, and will power and belief that we will win these games. I respectfully disagree with people who say that Mourinho can only play boring football, I say that he is wise enough to realise the talent that he has at his disposal and use them to their strengths…. He has never had creative players to work with like we have and when he had even a few of them at Porto they did play a beautiful game, and that was with Deco as his main creative force, Deco is one of my faves but even in his prime you cannot begin to compare the Porto roster with ours…. If he comes to us, he knows the expectations (requirements really) that we play beautifully, and I’m sure there is nothing more that he wants than to answer his critics, and play beautifully and win….. I love Frank and wish him well, but for the good of the club, I think Mourinho must come… there is just so much apathy, disorder, and wasted talent….. With Real this vulnerable and blowing points left and right, there is no excuse for us to not be leading the table…. I never thought I’d say this but I really, really will be dissapointed if Mourinho is not the coach next year…. One more overlooked aspect of Mourinho is his ability to deflect the press from his players and onto him, too often the press has torn into our team and rifts have been created, and then exploited to sell papers, a lot of what Mourinho says is often for effect so that he is the focal point, and the players are not focused upon, this is why his players are always so fiercely loyal to him, because he really forges a bunker mentality of us against the world and creates a true team…… As much as I’d like to believe and wish Frank can create that, I know that it has been two years of regression, where in truth the talent level has been raised but not the results….. I am truly sorry Frank, no one will ever forget your contributions to the club history but now it is time to Bring on The Special One!!!!!!! (Besides, Frank himself has floated this idea of needing a sabatical at the end of the season, and then what would we have… probably Mourinho fortifying Real and us suffering and hoping that some untested Coach can maybe ressurect us…..) We need a proven winner, who can deal with the spotlight and the hot seat, we know Mourinho lives for that and thrives in that situation
Just one fans opinion……
Taras // Mar 30, 2008 at 20:06
e10- You said that we should sell Valdes, but you didn’t say what goalkeeper should we buy. I wold love to see Boruc at Barca.
Winterhunt // Mar 30, 2008 at 20:18
This Kid at Schalke, Neuer is an amazing keeper….. Also Kameni at Espanyol (some people have questioned him but Ferguson at Man U is hot to sign him and I’ve seen him singlehandedly keep Espanyol in a game that they ended up winning at Sevilla this year despite Sevilla completely dominating the run of play the whole game and when he was continually hung out to dry by his defense……) If Valencia can find Hillendbrand for a free transfer, surely we can find a keper to at least challenge Valdes, and hopefully beat him out by being more quality….. I agree with those who say he has excellent reflexes but he really allows so many soft goals, and so often it is based not on his physical ability but his decision making…… For me he really has been the weak link on this team for two years running…….. I know everyone says he won’t be replaced because he is a local guy, and I really hope that is not the case, the team really should come first, and to me it is a rare week when he is not outplayed by the other team’s keeper despite us having a better defensive corps in front of him (granted they should e better organised)…. There is something wrong when a club of our stature is seemingly alwats putting the keeper on the pitch who is turning in the lesser performance…. Yesterday was no exception, even with Valdes saving the penalty (a pretty poor shot in all honesty), the other keeper made several stunning saves in the first half preventing the 3rd goal that would have clinched the game….. and I don’t even know who that keeper was…….
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 30, 2008 at 20:21
I heard Liverpool target Rafinha the Brazilian full back who currently plays for Schalke 04 wants to move to barca as he is a big fan of the clubnd says it would be his dream to move to Barca!
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 20:39
Winterhunt everything you said is exactly spot on. I just hope Laporta sees it the same way!!
As for all the comments saying to lay off Rijkaard and that it was the players who were at fault. Please I would like to understand how you can defend him still!?!? Rijkaard came out after the defeat and said he told his players not to get complacent and to keep working hard, they did the EXACT opposite. Is that the sign of a leader? Do you really want to keep a coach who cannot get his own players to follow his instructions? The players do not trust him and they do not believe in him, its over, suck it up and accept the Rijkaard era is done. It is time for the special one, and I can guarantee that he will not play Chelsea football at Barcelona. He will play to our strengths, as he did at Chelsea and as he did at Porto (where they played very nice football). What I would give right now for Rijkaard to play ONE game, just ONE where he plays to the strengths of the players we have available!!!
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 20:54
Winterhunt Neuer would be perfect and I tell you what if we do get Mourinho I think the keeper will be the first big change. Mourinho knows the importance of a good keeper and he can spot them too (Cech). Why we have kept Valdez for so long is beyond me. Yes he is local, so is Oleguer, that does not mean they deserve to be in the team, let alone the first 11. Valdez is a liability, simple as that, he is a good keeper but we need a WORLD CLASS KEEPER. One that wont makes mistakes like the one he made against Liverpool last season. The fact that there are teams a lot lower than us in the table with better keepers says it all. Look at what a difference Casillas makes for Madrid, or Cech makes for Chelsea. Madrid would not be top if it wasnt for Casillas and Chelsea would not have won the PL two years in a row without Cech.
Winterhunt // Mar 30, 2008 at 21:21
Hilal, from your mouth to Laporta’s ears… you are bang on with The Liverpool fixture….. It put us in too deep a hole to dig out of at Anfield when Benitez played his whole team behind the ball…. Also if I recall a very soft goal to Lampard in the Chelsea fixture at Nou Camp in the group stage, doomed us to second place in the group and the disadvantage of playing Liverpool in the first place…. For every great save he makes that shows off his reflexes, he makes at least a couple of blunders that are purely mental…. This can’t make the defense feel secure and I would guess play more uptight because they know they have so little margin for error…. You’re right too in Mourinho bringing in a new keeper, no sentimentality with him, he’s a results guy….. Yes Yes we need not a good keeper (God he can’t even make the Spain squad behind Casillas & Reina) but A World Class Keeper… a difference maker in the positive sense…. watching all those Real Games early in the year and seeing Casillas singlehandly keeping them in games was tough to watch, even in our loss at the Nou Camp to Real, Casillas saved at least 4 or 5 shots that would have been goals had Valdes faced them…. For me, what I would give to see Casillas play just One game for us, and Valdes for Real and then see how shocking the difference would be……. Damn it’s like a holiday anytime Casillas gives up a goal and it’s like New Year’s Eve every time Valdes goes even one game with some his brain locking up and him making some costly blunder…….. Yet one more shout out for Mourinho….. if only Laporta could read this blog, and at least try and see things from everyone of the fans point of view… I honestly think we probably care more than 95% of the team does about the state of their playing…. Their probably sitting by their respective pools right now, sipping cocktails while we are agonizingly typing away into cyberspace hoping someone in power can discover some sense of reality and act upon it deciseively….. Fingers crossed, my friend……..
Hilal // Mar 30, 2008 at 21:30
Lol…..i feel your pain man! As we speak Casillas makes two game winning saves and Real score to make it 3-1. If Real had Valdez I doubt they would even be in the top 3!
Shahenshah // Mar 30, 2008 at 21:35
Goddamn, now Man u fans are saying:
“hey I will be so happy if we get barca in champs league semi cause man u will dominate them. Barcelona is pretty much trash now”
I couldnt really stomach that comment. It really unnerved me. Even with all that quality we are playing so horribly that people are regarding us as trash or easy fodder to get to the final.
From looking at the performances in the past few games especially this one, I am left with so many concerns. Will we even get past Schalke if this keeps up? Even if we somehow get past Schalke and face a heavy opposition in Man United, will they trash us completely? Will Barca suffer the same humiliation as Roma did last year?
I want to believe they will shed off their poor form but at the same time I dont want to see a team with such quality that I admire, be in danger of total humiliation.
Morzzan // Mar 30, 2008 at 22:09
Gr8 performance by Real….. made Sevilla look like a bunch of amateurs.
FCB // Mar 30, 2008 at 23:30
wasnt pinto amazing at celtic?? y doesnt he ever get the chance to play??
joan amenos // Mar 30, 2008 at 23:33
Is the end. The Champions League is our last frontier. Forget the Liga.The attitude of players is cold. Are they professionals?
Winterhunt // Mar 30, 2008 at 23:51
Getting past Schalke would be like putting a band aid on a gunshot wound, and maybe give Laporta some way to justify keeping Frank…… I’m torn, I’ve never wanted us to lose and can’t really go that way but then I think in the long run we would be better off if we crashed out to Schalke and their keeper put on a clinic like he did against Porto…. Then there would be no way to justify keeping Frank, and we could see the difference a World Class Keeper makes….. World Class Keepers win games for you even when you are dominated Ala Hillendbrand in the first Leg of the Copa del Rey…. I have searched mt memory and I can’t think of one instance where we have been completely outplayed but still one the game because of Valdes….. Yet I can think of a half dozen at least that Casillas has done it this season, and saw Hillendbrand do it to Real, he out-Cassilased Casillas in that one….. Buffon does it on a regular basis, as does Cech, just off the top of my head…. sorry to be so obsessed with all this negativity, I guess yesterday just broke something inside of me, and I’m just venting…..I apologise if it is too much…. Please Please Pease let us get Mourinho and a keeper….. Please….. Oh, by the way Shahenshah, there is no way we would be thought of as weaklings if Mourinho were coaching us… I’m sure of that…. He absolute strikes fear in all those Coaches in England (maybe with the exception of Benitez, but I prefer Mourinho by far….Benitez and his whole rotation thing…. he just bothers me for some reason) Jose he seems to especially revel in tormenting Fergie (Can’t stand that guy), and the whole mental warfare thing really would be some great entertainment…. And that is something we are missing here, the Pure entertainment factor of Jose, Press Conferences, Quotes, jabs at other coaches, the guy really is kind of a riot, a total ball busting, comic tour de force, and Boy would he have a field day with needling Schuster and Calderon and the whole Real ethos and history….. That would really stoke the fires….. That would be something to see…….. Plus his whole “I want to kill Chelsea” thing… He just cracks me up, and the thing about him is he backs it up….. We can still be “More Than A Club”, and have a little swagger, and toughness to us… I don’t think those are mutually exclusive attributes…..
bobkat // Mar 30, 2008 at 23:53
@shahehnshah: can you really say we are anything but trash right now? That is exactly how the rest of europe sees us and it is exactly right. With the last 2 months of football we are lucky we are still in 3rd place and we are lucky that we are still in the champion’s league. There’s no arguing with the truth (however much it hurts).
Shahenshah // Mar 31, 2008 at 0:19
bobkat thats what concerns me to death. If we get thrashed by man united the same way they ridiculed roma last year, its going to be something I could never overlook.
Hilal // Mar 31, 2008 at 0:27
Again Winterhunt I feel exactly the same way you do, about pretty much everything you said in ur last post. Thank god for this blog because I live in the UK and am surrounded by Chelsea, Man utd, Arsenal and Liverpool fans who are absolutely loving this. Honestly i think the best thing for us in the long run would be to lose to Shalke (because of their keeper) and avoid man utd (who would embarrass us). Then at the end of the season we buy the Shalke keeper, get Mourinho and a few other players, and win absolutely everything next season. Now wouldnt that be nice
P.S If Mourinho does come it is going to make for some very entertaining stuff. Everybody loved him here, as much as they hated him, they loved him more. Match of the day is just not the same without The Special One!
Morzzan // Mar 31, 2008 at 1:29
@ nic,
This blog is simply incredible. Its so good to see fans around the world talking about their own experience, the main theme being the club.May be you should put a main slogan of the blog as
“mes que un blog”
Im from the states and have no idea abt spanish but I think it means,
More than just a blog
Winterhunt // Mar 31, 2008 at 1:59
Hilal, In an odd way I believe it is the best thing that can happen to us (on top of every other indignity, this falling into 3rd place is just insane) if Laporta makes the right moves …. ie Jose, Neuer or comparable keeper, Garay if that is still feasible, not sure why that on got called off, that kid can play, and maybe Lahm to replace Zambrotta, Diego would be nice but mabe asking too much, Alves but not really sure about his defensive abilities and Sevilla want an arm and a leg for him apparently…. not sure about Modric, lot’s of people like him but I’ve not seen enough to really rate him, and even though we do have a plethora of strikers I would try for Benzema, as I fear that Leo may always be a couple months of brilliance then a couple of months injured, or maybe a new training program gets him on track…. anyway, as the last two years have proven you do need at least 4 legitimate strikers as injuries are just a given….. I personally would sell Ronnie if they can really get the numbers people are throwing around 40-60 million Euros and Dos Santos if we can get 10-12 million euros as has been rumoured…. it’s not so much about their talent but their attitude, They are both obviously skilled and Ronnie may regain his form though I doubt it with his work ethic and fragile psyche, and Dos santos already acts like he’s a star… no player should be bigger than the team, and when your signature player ala Ronnie has a lacking work ethic it just festers amongst the others and causes resentment and complacency… I know a lot will disagree but I just don’t think we need an obviously unmotivated temperamental superstar, with a highly questionable work ethic and an attitude of a Diva…. It’s pretty aparent why their is a suppossed rift between him and Sammy as Sammy Always leaves it all out on the pitch…. Listen man, we’ll take our medecine this year, there really is no debating that we do have the best young core of players in the world with Bojan (17) Messi (20) (for me the two best strikers in the world) Yaya 24 (absolutely when healty my first choice holding midfielder in the world) Imagine those two and Benzema who is also only (20) then of course Iniesta (24) Sammy (26 I belive) that is a damn good core especially if we can get Abidal back on track, Carles is Carles, and Xavi maintains the form he has shown this year…. Hell Deco may even have a Renaissance when (notice when not if….power of positive thinking my man……) Jose comes to town….. I feel for you, man, but come on you have a taste for the beautiful game, so let your friends have their one year of glory, Next Year, They will fear us with that lunatic Mourinho in control, and every press conference will be Youtube worthy…. sometimes you need to implode to really be forced to make the big changes required….. I’m cool with writing off the season and just take solace in watching the artistry of Bojan and get ready for the war machine that we will be next year Also sort of glad Schuster rebounded, let him get his wins, and maybe get the Liga, then they’ll be stuck with that moron….. Oh, man , I can’t help but smile thinking of Jose going off about Schuster and Calderon…. We’ll get results and a bit of showmanship as well….. That is unless Laporta is a complete fool which I realy don’t think he is…. I just think he is loyal but ultimately realistic… Plus Frank’s response yesterday really made me think he will just step down…. Well I’m in NYC and no one even knows who Barca are except a few of my friends…. here is like wattered down version of where you are as everyone who follows football is an EPL supporter Mostly Man U (God I just hate them) and Liverpool (hate them as well), and while Arsenal plays attractive football, Wenger just annoys me still for his unethical poaching (in my view) of Fabregas & Merida… I must admit that as much as I disliked them, I really was astounded and a bit in awe of Mourinho’s ability to instill such mental toughness in his team, that every time I watched them if they were behind they drew even and usually won, and if they were tied they always won, and it was always late… those guys fought to the death, and I did admire that….. Can you imagine if we can have that attribute embodied in Barca, and combine it with attacking, beautiful football, and a well organised defence…. Football Nirvana….. I’m saying my prayers…. Hang in there my man… better days are right around the corner (and I just found out Barca is coming to NYC this Summer, so I’ll get to see that lunatic Mourinho in person as well as Bojan etc….) Let ‘em gloat while they can…. Nobody develops talent like us…….
Winterhunt // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:20
This what I’m talking about intensity, passion, and a bit of good old fashioned showmanship too boot…. and of course results….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu7rAlIhVvY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAI5×4BBD6o
(ignore the cheesy Bon Jovi music if possible)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fICEw26WA7c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyvk6NjeGGw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhMgFnAzaJw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ai5C-pBhc
Now that’s Entertainment!!!!!!!
Or we can have another year of Frank stoned out of his mind and abslutely inert on the bench and ignored by his players at half time…..
Morzzan // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:32
Winterhunt, I totally agree with a lot of your points. Yes, Mourinho’s players fight till the death, they try hard, but when was the last time Chelsea won convincingly. 1-0, 2-0, that was all that was there and it lead them to the title. And donot forget the fact that United destroyed them too last year. Personally, I feel he is too much of a bad mouth, and I am and will always stand against him being the coach of Barcelona, for Barcelona deserve better. Schuster is an infant of a coach, yet he is there outclassing almost every team in La Liga. We cannot ignore that fact, whether you are in Barcelona or Mumbai or Tokyo.
Without doubt, we have some of the best young talents in the world. But it has to be said that Real are not far behind. Though not as talented as Messi and Bojan, Madrid have their fair number of youngsters. Sergio ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago (no doubts he is better than Toure), pepe, Torres, Sneijder, drenthe, not to mention Reuben De La Red and Granero (loan to getafe who were said to be incredible there) . Yes, even FCB has a lot of youngsters, but the difference is that Madrid plays these players every weekend. Bojan and Toure and Messi, Iniesta are the only youngsters we use, whereas there is no young defender in the team. What point does that make towards the entire youth issue. Madrid are a step ahead of us as far as youth is concerned.
As far as transfers are concerned, the Lyon president is supposed to be an asshole, he always over charges for his players and Benzema to that matter wont come cheap. Diego has already as mentioned by the German media, is committed to Madrid. Garay seems to be a lost cause, though i thought he signed for FCB.
And Casillas, yeah Barcelona will need someone world class to beat him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCdr3p8Ppb0
PHaft // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:45
@Morzzan
Gago is no way better than a fit Toure Yaya — Toure is the best young holding midfielder in the world today (when healthy) — Gago is at best, inconsistent.
PHaft // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:50
We need to do what Bayern Munchen did last offseason and shell out the big bucks to rebuild our side……Laporta needs to get the wallet out and sign some big names (Madrid seem to have the head start — if they sign Diego, we are in big trouble without a comparable big signing) Would love to see Benzema in a Barca uniform.
Winterhunt // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:56
Well, I think you have to take into account the talent Jose had in regards to Strikers… Drogba (Yes) but no one else near Messi, Sammy, Bojan Or even Henry…. plus it is the second half of the score that I would emphasize, the zero scored against him… Our strikers will score, our problem is defense and attitude, something a Mourinho team never ever lacks….. At Porto he scored goals, played beautiful football, and had 1% of the talent we have… I really think you are underestimating him greatly as a coach…. look you don’t have to like him or his comments (which I think are hilarious, and are designed to take the heat off of the players, something we could definately use) but I really think you have to give him his do…..
Also, I really, really , really have to respectfully disagree with you about Gago being better than Yaya…. Man, they are truly not even on the same planet…. Gago intimdates absolutely no one, and don’t underestimate how important that is in a holding midfielder, and in protecting your strikers…. Plus he is playing in constant pain.. I have not heard anyone, do anything but rave about him and to me he is worthy of every compliment, skilled, tenacious, good touch, very physical…… but that’s just me…. To me Higuian is really a joke not in the same universe as our guys, Sjneider is hot and cold but mostly cold… Sergio Ramos, granted is great as is Robinho (but he tends to dissapear once he is roughed up a bit) Drenthe, we turned down when he was offered to us first, and Pepe they paid 40 million Euros for which is just absolutely insane…. Dela Red & Granero may or may not be back but they having watched them, they are very good but not in the same universe as Iniesta….. I really must disagree with you on the talent level… As far as Benzema, we have a very good relationship with Lyon (Abidal the latest addition) and he has stated that Barca is his fave team and is learning Castillian plus we loaned them Crosas, so we are definately in pole position if we want him and we are loaded with cash which will only grow if we sell Ronnie & Giovanni….. Now as far as Schuster, damn man, I hate to sound like a contrarion, but he was won absolutely nothing, and to me Real hastaken a huge step back from where they were under Capello…. I’m not sure how often you have watched them but I honestly don’t think much of Schuster as a coach….. Look I’d probably look pretty good as a coach too if I had a wall in front of the goal like Casillas…… Sorry, but I really do beg to differ….. The other thing is our core youngsters Bojan, Messi, Iniesta are all developed by us, and Yaya was bought for less than 1/4 of what they spent for Pepe alone, less than they spent for Drenthe, and then they buy Robben for 24 million Euros when everyone knows the guy never got on the pitch with Chelsea as he was always injured or ineffective…… I don’t know man, I respect your opinion but I really do see a completely different take on all of this…..
Morzzan // Mar 31, 2008 at 3:37
Yes, you are right on what you said. But, while considering Gago and Toure, gago is still just 21, compared to Toure who is 24. I did feel that Gago is not that good, but when Gago plays, he makes one wonder. He single handedly stopped every attack by Sevilla. I had heard a lot about him, but today simply changed my mind. He was so good. He assisted in attack, defended well. What more can you ask of him. Wesley Sneijder, this is his first season at Madrid. Even Ronnie did not impress as much as he did in the debut season in La Liga. Whatever we say about other players Madrid bought, it is because they have too much money. You said that they paid 50 mils for robben and pepe, but what say tomorrow, lyon puts a price tag of 25 mil, barca agree and Madrid come and put in 40 mil. To whom do you think Benzema will be sold to? A team giving 25 mil or a team offering twice as much. Schuster as a coach, yes he isnt gr8 or nething but you have to give him credit. He transformed Real into a different squad altogether. When Capello was there, he played with 2 CDMs and wasnt attractive football by any chance. Capello’s squad were invincible because of the fact that they were hungry last year. madrid deserved to win last year, they were without doubt phenomenal. It was rumored that Schuster was the coach Calderon wanted last season, but they decided on capello considering the fact that he was available. Schusters getafe defeated real and Barcelona last year. And that proves that he is capable. The number of goals scored by madrid this season proves my point. I love rijkaard, yes, but it was his team that defeated a stronger Chelsea a few seasons ago. Capello had to go, they were very defensive, Real were trailing us till they came back superstrong and won the league last year. Schuster has already done stuff which even Rijkaard didnt achieve in his first season at madrid. And even though Robben is injured a lot, when that guy plays, he makes everyone smile. Drenthe is young, his pace shows that he is good, Ramos is consistent every game, every every game, Higuain, winterhunt, u really need to see the guy play. He wasnt offered a spot on the Argentine and French national team for nothing. Higuain is young and time is all that he needs to make a mark.
robert // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:21
HEY does anyone now how rafa marquz is doing and his future and also milito’s
Winterhunt // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:33
Well, we’ll agree to disagree….. Higuain is older than both Messi & Bojan and really in all fairness you can’t even begin to compare them….. Drenthe is pacey for sure and young but is mistake prone, and it looks like they are going to get rid of him anyway…. Gago….. well I don’t care how young Gago is, he will never be the destroyer that Yaya is, 3 years isn’t going to make him grow three inches and give him that physique, combined with those skills…. It’s not really fare as they are different types of holding midfielders but in truth I don’t think there is a coach in the world that would take Gago over Yaya….. I just really don’t see it at all….. I’m not sure about this Robben making people smile thing, me I want health and goals and he provides neither, just a hefty price tag….. Now, listen let’s be honest here, are you really making a case that Schneider is going to be comparable to Ronnie at any pint in his career???? I mean do you really think that???? Just curious, are you a Real Madrid fan???? It’s cool if you are and it would explain your point of view on a lot of your points…… Yeah Schuster beat us once last year, and so?????? Would you really prefer Schuster coaching your team over Mourinho???? Honestly?????? Look Schuster may have done things that Frank didn’t do in his first year but Schuster also inherited a team that won the Liga last year, and Frank helped to build this team into Champion’s of the League and then the double ….. He also came from 15 points back in his first year and finished aheadof Real (though behind Sevilla)…… Look, I respect your opinions and don’t want to go tit for tat over every little point…. I’ll just say that if Barca adds Mourinho, and a couple of key transfers I far prefer our chances to Real’s chances…… By the way, if we do sell Ronnie and want Benzema, there is no reason we should be outbid…… We didn’t spend nearly as much as Real did last year, and we are flush with cash which will only be enhanced if we sell Ronnie & Gio…… Let real Have Diego and pay a crazy amount for him….. We neatralized him last year when we beat Werder, and they had Klose as well….. he’s a very nice player but I would prefer Iniesta over him any day of the week but that’s just me….. anyway, if you are a Real fan than congrats on your lead, and the fact that you are happy with Schuster…. I’m praying that they keep Schuster as I think he is a stubborn hothead and makes a lot of excuses and has yet (with the exception of 3 or 4 games) to play anything resembling beautiful football…. For my money I thought Capello’s team was far far more imposing an opponent, but once again just a matter of opinion…. take care
blaugranafan // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:43
Madrid’s youth system may have a lot of talent as well, Morzzan, but not necessarily in the list you provided. Most of the Madrid names you mentioned are imports, not home grown players.
But I agree that we should be giving our youths more of a chance, and I think that Laporta has done a good job in promoting and implementing such a policy. Hopefully Platini will also succeed in stamping down on the poaching of young players. Wenger is unethical, plain and simple, as are the other English football officials who engage in the dodgy practice of tapping up foreign youths.
FCB - Canada // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:48
Morzzan I think you have your facts a little mixed up there and I don’t know if you watch all of Madrids games this year or last but seems like you haven’t. Real Madrid weren’t invincible because they had heart . They were actually bad through the first half of the season. Capello is the reason why they won it last year along with the fact that Barca just gave it to them. It seemed like he always made the correct substitutes when they needed it the most. It was mind boggling to see those substitues have a direct impact on the way the games turned out.
As far as this season goes for Madrid I will say that today’s game was great. Everyone worked well and were involved in the win. Sneijder for most of the season has not been doing so well. He started off great with some good goals but since that spell has been rather dull. Today he was very good however.
I don’t think Madrid is miles ahead of last season this year. Personally I don’t think it has changed “that” much. If Barca were doing much better and leading 10-15 points ahead and RM were where they are now they would be hearing it. Last year they lost 7 games. This year they have lost 7 games as well so far. What does that tell you? By the way Robinho (apart from Casillas, Ruud, Raul) has a lot to do with the success of the team this year more so then any of the new guys I think.
Rafael // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:55
Mes Que Un Blog lol
Varughese // Mar 31, 2008 at 5:09
for me Rijkaard made some crucial mistakes.
1. He sat there simply doing nothing and allowing Betis to dominate.
2. Then he substituted the best player of first half and brought Giovanni, This was the biggest mistake. It was clear Barcelona was going to defend the 2 goal lead. then he should have taken Henry and brought Gudjonsen. Gudjonsen is a senior player and is better adaptible in a situation where we have to defend the lead.
3. But the biggest mistake was not taking Abidal off and bringing Sylvinho in. That would have installed doubts in Betis and Sylvinho would have caused troubles because of his runs.
Can someone explain why Ronaldinho is not being picked? If rijkaard interested on playing him against Schalke he should have been in the squad.
Now coming to the possible ManU clash in semi final; there is too much matters to be taken into consideration. If we reach Semi Final , then we should have Messi and Ronaldinho in full force available for that clash. Then it cud be interesting.
FCB - Canada // Mar 31, 2008 at 5:11
Oh and Gago is no