Toure Yaya returns to the squad sooner than expected in time for tomorrow night’s El Clasico in Madrid (kick off 10pm). With Madrid already champions the spotlight will be on the Barça players who have to applaud the Madrid team onto the pitch. I don’t really care about the supposed embarrassment of this, what is much more important is that our players restore some pride by beating them on the pitch.
Ronaldinho, Milito and Iniesta are all out injured while Eto’o and Deco are both suspended for the game. I find the suggestion from some parts of the press that these players deliberately got booked against Valencia a bit hard to believe. If it is true then neither player deserves to be at the club. However, I believe it is much more likely that it is just the press trying to stir things up to sell as story as usual.
Hopefully the Madrid players will be suffering from hangovers from their celebration party and Barça can take advantage to stop the celebration from continuing. unfortunately with all the stories about Guardiola it may be difficult for the players to be fully concentrated. If the players have any respect for Rijkaard they should go out and win this one for him.
At the start of the season this looked like it would be a massive game. It is a shame Barça have allowed Madrid to get so far in front that now the only thing at stake is pride and for Barça an outside chance of gaining second place. Pride is still important, let’s hope the players can show some.
Barça’s 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Oleguer, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Marquez, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Toure, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Messi, Giovani, Bojan, Henry, Ezquerro.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Marquez, Gudjohnsen; Messi, Bojan, Henry.
My Prediction: Madrid 2 Barça 2
66 responses so far ↓
Gonzalo // May 6, 2008 at 16:31
The whole pasillo thing has been blown out of all proportion by some sections of the Madrid press (and even some of the Catalan sports media) as some kind of humiliation for the Barcelona players. I think Puyol hit the nail on the head when he said “As a culé, it annoys me to have to do the pasillo, but as a sportsman you have to recognise the champions and that is what we’ll do”.
On the whoel Eto’o and Deco controversy, it would surprise me if they had done this deliberately to miss the game; however, it surprised me even more when the almost always diplomatic Rijkaard contradicted them saying they knew in advance that they were one booking away from suspension.
Real will be fired up by their crowd to win this game, even though the competition side of things is now over. The question will be whether Barça are hungry enough to wrest that second spot from Villareal.
Rajab of RealmadridTalk // May 6, 2008 at 17:02
I don’t think that E’too and Deco had done those things to miss El Clasico. It is so special for everyone and especially E’too.
As Gonzalo said, Real will be fired up and determined to win this one because it is a historical clash. I’m confident that we will see a fantastic game tomorrow.
For those who are looking for a Real Madrid perspective on this match, follow this link:
http://www.realmadridtalk.com/2008/05/06/real-madrid-vs-barcelona-el-clasico-is-back.html
Dr.Osmo // May 6, 2008 at 17:10
My Prediction: Madrid 0 Barça 7
Blaugrana // May 6, 2008 at 17:45
0-2 to madrid
Jay // May 6, 2008 at 18:02
I have a feeling Barca will nick this one late on when it will all be looking like there’s nothing to play for.
Madrid 0 Barca 1
Joe Henry // May 6, 2008 at 18:02
If your Prediction comes true Dr.Osmo, Frank stays and every Barca fan will cheer for him not to mention that we will all forget that we didn’t take any thing for two years such win will mean much more to us !
Gonzalo // May 6, 2008 at 18:28
If Dr. Osmo’s prediction comes true, it will be Barcelona’s biggest ever win against Real Madrid in any competition. Their biggest winning margin to date has been 5 goals a number of times (5-0, 6-1 or 7-2)
Their biggest ever defeat, by the way, was 11-1 at the Bernabéu (or Chamartín as it was then known) in a 1943 Spanish Cup semifinal.
Barca 4 lyf // May 6, 2008 at 18:49
BARCA 1-0 MADRID!!! MESSI TO SCORE!!!
Taras // May 6, 2008 at 19:11
Madrid 2-1 Barca.
june16_1904 // May 6, 2008 at 19:56
Barca 2-1 Madrid
FCB - Canada // May 6, 2008 at 20:32
If I were playing for Barca I would be looking to embarass Real. You do that coming out with a 5+ goal victory. What the hell I’m gonna go with 5-0 Barca win complements of Messi.
bLinD // May 6, 2008 at 20:33
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=686143
Speeka // May 6, 2008 at 22:10
Score is not that important to me, i would just like to see a great game, thats all.
blaugranaboy // May 6, 2008 at 23:57
whatever what an unimportant classico. just hope we got out there and give them a good run. the result means nothing
dayib-sm // May 7, 2008 at 12:29
Realmadrid 1 - Barcelona 3.
if my prediction become true i will enjoy as champion.
Shahenshah // May 7, 2008 at 15:18
Damn its el clasico. I am speechless.
bobkat // May 7, 2008 at 15:56
going on a strech 3-2 to barca … i don’t know if i believe it … but i want it
forca barca, visca catalunya, y sant jordi ayudamos!
voonte // May 7, 2008 at 16:11
El Clásico is always important, no matter how good or bad the season has been. I’m looking forward to this. It’s a great opportunity to finish this season in a better way.
Dr.Osmo // May 7, 2008 at 18:05
Forca Barca !
…
Real - Barca 0-7
Goals: Messi 2, Henry 3, Xavi 1.
Dr.Osmo // May 7, 2008 at 18:06
and BOJAN
Nick // May 7, 2008 at 18:43
I was going to say “Nobody offering the classic 0-5?” but Dr Osmo has gone even further.
I’m afraid I’m going to be boring and offer up a 0-1. Messi.
Lonny-Barca // May 7, 2008 at 19:23
Real Madrid - Fc.Barcelona — (2:2)
dnzi // May 7, 2008 at 20:06
2-0 madrid
Nic // May 7, 2008 at 20:08
Team announced: Valdés, Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Messi, Henry, Bojan.
BARCA 4 LYF // May 7, 2008 at 20:29
http://www.goal.com/en/PartitaPreMatch.aspx?IdPartita=15924&stato=Pre%20Match
BARCA 4 LYF // May 7, 2008 at 20:30
Nic are you sure???
Nic // May 7, 2008 at 20:33
Who do you trust more: me or Goal.com? I got the line up from Catalunya Radio. Madrid are starting with Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Heinze, Marcelo; Gago, Diarra; Robben, Guti, Sneijder; Raul.
BARCA 4 LYF // May 7, 2008 at 21:16
You of course goal.com got it wrong now they’ve changed it!!! SORRY!!!!
BARCA 4 LYF // May 7, 2008 at 21:17
We’re losing 1-0 raul in the 12th min the ugly son of a bitch!!!
Angus // May 7, 2008 at 21:37
I’m having to deal with the most bias comentery on Sky Sports in the UK while the game is at 2-0. I’m not amused and will complain. Do “champions” get this over praise treatement all the time?
bLinD // May 7, 2008 at 21:47
2-0, no reason to continue watching the match.
FCB - Canada // May 7, 2008 at 21:49
I doubt it would be in synch but you could try. Mute the tv and open up the Barca radio link from Barca’s home page to listen to the game. Seems like a sad game though.
Joe Henry // May 7, 2008 at 21:50
Franky’s goodbye gift ! well its a nice gift i got to say Thank you. Lets just hope it stays this way not 4 or 5
Kiko // May 7, 2008 at 21:55
I cant take it anymore, I closed the tv after 2-0.
It’s embarrassing really.
Dr.Osmo // May 7, 2008 at 22:00
RIJKAARD, Suck my balls….
Hilal // May 7, 2008 at 22:19
I feel sick…..
Speeka // May 7, 2008 at 22:37
Unacceptable.
dnzi // May 7, 2008 at 22:41
Well, I guess that the trofeo Zamora isn’t going to Valdez.
bLinD // May 7, 2008 at 22:42
I don’t know why but I see the 5th one coming
Blaugrana // May 7, 2008 at 22:42
4-0 unbelievable i think im dreaming absolutly
Joe Henry // May 7, 2008 at 22:45
I think I’m gonna have a heart attack !!!
Taras // May 7, 2008 at 22:47
I hate that referee. He is a Madrid fan, 100%.
bLinD // May 7, 2008 at 22:50
I wasn’t watching the match where Xavi got the red card,can anyone tell why he got it?
Joe Henry // May 7, 2008 at 22:51
Taras we lost because we suck not because of the referee ! Thank you Frank I might just go to the hospital for a checkup at the moment its 1 am here and I really might just go for checkup. I really feel like I’m gonna have a heart attack !
El // May 7, 2008 at 22:59
SHIT, we were f….d like a …….. Completely!!!! I will die now…..
LAPORTA, RIJKIARD - RESIGN!!!!
John // May 7, 2008 at 23:05
DISGRACE - ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLAYERS TRIED. THE WORST PERFOMANCE IN YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TRULY S**T
Hilal // May 7, 2008 at 23:08
The players should be ashamed of themselves.
FCB // May 7, 2008 at 23:10
El —how is it laportas fault? we have and we get amazing players..wut else do u want him to do?? believe me rijkaard will leave by the end of the season but wuts the diff between kicking rijkaard out now or after these final two games?
voonte // May 7, 2008 at 23:11
I’m speechless. Is this the best we could do? Truly disappointing. What was the reason for taking off Gudjohnsen after 20 minutes?
bLinD, I believe Xavi lost his mind in frustration and spoke too many words.
FCB // May 7, 2008 at 23:11
i just feel bad for messi and puyol
El // May 7, 2008 at 23:14
FCB Laporta is guilty for the atmosphere in the team, in lot of speculations with players and his BLIND support to coach and team - every every time, whereas he could make some pressure on them. He needs to resign, and Sandro Rossel should come instead.
Joe Henry // May 7, 2008 at 23:23
Thank you Frank. Thank you very much. For the humiliation you gave all of barca fans. Not just lost every thing this year You had to humiliates us to the ground. Ohh Frank how I love you. Did I say this after the MAN GAME HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT !!! I wasn’t joking then.
bobkat // May 7, 2008 at 23:34
You have to feel bad for Frank. He gave us so much and his players didn’t have the heart or guts to show up and play (except messi). I feel bad for the man, a talented footballer and coach who was a victim of the ego’s at his own club. I wish him well wherever he goes.
Kiko // May 7, 2008 at 23:35
Disgraceful. Cant wait till the axe falls on em
Joe Henry // May 7, 2008 at 23:37
Bobkat FEEL BAD !!! OH CHRIST ! If he dies this moment I swear I wouldn’t be a little bit sorry its his biggest fault that we lost.
Dr.Osmo // May 7, 2008 at 23:40
My Prediction is really crazy
…
Real Madrid [4 - 1] Barcelona
GOALS:
13′[1 - 0] Raul
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1978961
21′[2 - 0] A. Robben
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1978977
63′[3 - 0] G. Higuain
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1979054
78′[4 - 0] R.v. Nistelrooy (pen.)
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1979078
87′[4 - 1] T. Henry
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/1979094
Dr.Osmo // May 7, 2008 at 23:41
My Prediction is really crazy !
bobkat // May 7, 2008 at 23:46
Joe, this isn’t a jab at you but in general at younger football fans. Speak with 50 year old barcelona fans. When you watch this sport for another 10 or 15 years you’ll appreciate what Frank did for this club. He will be remembered as one of the barca greats for what he did in 2005/2006, and it is a shame his players were not able to give him one last happiness before he leaves our great club. Visca el barca! Puta madrid!
Angus // May 8, 2008 at 0:45
Three Madrid goals were wrong and it was clear the referee favoured the “champions”. Overall it was shocking and awful to see. Barcelona must remember the good times and not dwell on this and move froward.
It is clear changes have to be made and they must be made. There is no room to have any sentimentality now. They must be ruthless and decisive.
I must complain at Deco and Eto’o for their suspensions. They knew what the were doing and it shows no part of team play at all. They should be fined and made an example of. I have no room for players who have no desire to play in important games for their club.
Rijkaard has done a good job but it is time for a change. The job has burned him out. He will be a great manager elsewhere but it is time to liven up the Camp Nou.
dnzi // May 8, 2008 at 1:54
@Joe Henry, don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh? You prob. watched the game, didn’t you? You saw Frank, how he saw his team lose. You saw his reactions. You could see how he was ashamed, shocked en sad.
A little bit of that thing called respect is nothing more than 100% right. You should be ashamed of yourself for treating a trainer who gave Barça a lot of chances, prizes and respect like this. You wouldn’t have a problem with his death?! Wtf?! So what?! Ya think someone cares about that?!
I do think Barça needs a new coach, but not because the one they have now sucks. No he’s the schoolexample for coaches. It’s the lack of support of the players and fans that made Barça the Barça it is now. The Barça that just lost 4-1 to Madrid.
Rijkaard should go to a club like Milan or some like that. Another topclub that needs him. ’cause he can get better than Barça. (I’m not trying to say that Barça sucks, no really, I don’t!! But there a lot more teams/clubs/supporters that dó have respect for their trainer)
And if you really think the Barça-problem is solved with the departure of Frank, you’re a disgrace to all Barça-fans.
Oh, and, Bobkat: ¡hala madrid!
bobkat // May 8, 2008 at 2:19
@dnzi:
Joe Henry // May 8, 2008 at 5:15
Work at at a good football club ya right. If it was up to me I say he would give his CV to the nearest Burger King or something. Sure every Real Madrid fan thinks that Frank should stay. @bobkat, Frank really really did so many things. BUT HE TOKE ALOT OF THINGS AS WELL. He was the only one to win Madrid 2 times in a row. We lost this season the 2 games. He gave us 2 magnificent seasons. He gave us two of the worst seasons. Adding last night lose. HUMILIATING us. Please Madrid fans congrats or what ever just don’t leave comments here, Barca Fans doesn’t need to know how you party over winning us !
bobkat // May 8, 2008 at 6:43
@Joe
“He gave us two of the worst seasons. Adding last night lose. HUMILIATING us.”
are you sure that these two are the worst seasons? how long have you been following this club or do you know it’s history? i’ll give you examples of much worse seasons and you can go look them up:
2002/2003 - we finished 6th behind madrid, sociedad, super depor, celta, and valencia
2001/2002 - we finished 4th behind valencia, super depor, madrid
2000/2001 - we finished 4th behind madrid, depor, mallorca
1994/1995 - 4th behind madrid, depor, betis
1987/1988 - 6th behind madrid, sociedad, atletico madrid, bilbao, osasuna (w only scored 39 liga points this year)
1982-1983 these were the bilbao years and we came out 4th in both seasons behind madrid
there are many many many many seasons that have been worse than these last two.
It’s in fashion to hate on frank, and if you know nothing of our club, then it’s easy to jump on that wagon. The truth of the matter is that we are left much better off right now than we were when van gaal left and he’s given us 2 liga championships and a CL trophy. that CL trophy itself is worth the price of these last two seasons … we only have two european championships. Cules … get a grip, Frank will be remembered as a legend for us.
dnzi // May 8, 2008 at 12:17
Wel said BK! And about the 3-0, naa, that was pure class. And fully deserved.
Joe Henry // May 8, 2008 at 12:32
@bobkat . I’m sure your an older fan. You have been cheering for Barca from before i was born. ( A wild guess ). But Bobkat we have the best team in the world. HAD the best team ( Ronnie, Messi, Henry, Eto’o , Xavi, Gabi Milito, Bojan ( a 17 year old wonder kid ), Iniesta, Zambrotta , Puyol, Eric Abidal ) What is the player he needs to get at least ONE thing out of this season.Even our standards are going down. Now we dream of 2nd place. Yes Bobkat you know more about the club, much more. Keep in mind I start to cheer for Barca in 2002/2003 . I liked the way the played. i was 11 or something. I live a million miles away. And I do love Barca. When they did come to my Country to play ageist a local team ( I don’t want Egyptian Football ) you guys remember AL Ahly last year ( 4-0 ) I went like 10 hours really 10 hours to take a seat in the game. in the middle of Ahly Fans. So maybe I’m not as old fan as you. Maybe i haven’t made it threw a worst year than the year i started to watch Barca. But I do Love this club and I do cheer far away. Seeing players give 110% is what i want. Seeing players give 5% is something to furies and angry. It’s not that we lose it’s how we lose.
layi // May 9, 2008 at 2:43
thats what most people still dont get…its not that we lose, its how we lose
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