just by the way, Frisk confirmed that Rijkaard talked to him at half time, but he told him it is not the time or place to discuss it.

It doesn't change anything. Rijkaard had not been in the referee's dressing room. The liar is still the liar.

It doesn't change anything. Rijkaard had not been in the referee's dressing room. The liar is still the liar.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,12791009-23215,00.html

he did try to go into the dressing room, but frisk sent him back...

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,12791009-23215,00.html

he did try to go into the dressing room, but frisk sent him back...I've not read in that article what you're saying..

The guys from UEFA would have denounced it.

I've not read in that article what you're saying..

The guys from UEFA would have denounced it.


According to Fratellia's report, Rijkaard made several attempts to speak to Frisk during the break.

Fratellia's report, compiled after a post-match interview, with Frisk said: "Frisk told us that he said to Rijkaard, 'It is not the moment to speak about match situations' and told him when he was in front of his (the referee's) dressing room to go back to his (Barcelona's) dressing room."

From what i understand, Rijkaard tried to talk to him about the match, he didnt go into the room, but he stood infront of the dressing room door before he was dismissed by Frisk. So he did try to influence the referee, otherwise Frisk wouldnt have sent him away.

That's your biased point of view. If that was true, Frisk could have denounced him and he would have not had any problem.

The coaches talk to the ref before the match, during the match and after the match. With your theory, when Luxemburgo talks to the linesman because he saw a doubtful offside he is trying to influence the ref too.

maybe i'm biased, but didnt Rijkaard say he only said hello to the ref, and nothing else? then he is a liar too and should be punished.

Rijkaard said that he said Frisk hello in the tunnel because he thought that all the problem came out of that. He was asked for what happened in the tunnel. We didn't know anything of the dressing rooms until one or two days after when Mourinho said: "when I saw Rijkaard coming into the referee dressing room I couldn't believe it"

well, you'll have your opinion and i'll have mine :). as i see it, Mourinho's assistant, who reported the whole dressing room thing to Mourinho was too quick to accuse Rijkaard, but he was right to an amount. And Rijkaard, as far as i remember, denied any conversation between him and Frisk, saying its all just lies, and he just welcomed Frisk to the club. That to me is the same lie as the one the assistant told Mourinho. The report says that Rijkaard tried to talk to Frisk several times. I doubt he was saying: "Welcome to Barcelona! This is a lovely club with a long tradition, we have one of the best fans, etc etc.". thats how i see it, both parties lied, and UEFA screwed up.

There were guys from UEFA and they didn't see anything illegal. This has been investigated already, man. You are supposing things.

Mourinho and Chelsea were punished because Mourinho said (and Chelsea reported to UEFA) that Rijkaard came into the referees dressing room. That LIE had consequences that we know and that affected to Rijkaard, Barça, Frisk and the ref of the second leg. Even if what you say was true, you should be capable of seeing the difference. I think you're too biased.

UEFA + Barcelona = Corruption = Perfect match for losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They tried to take Mr Mourinho down, but he is stronger than that and now the truth is out that Mr Frisk did speak to Mr Rijkard, and now we will see what Uefa do, bet you its NOTHING!!!

They had this information already yet they still try to ruin Mourinho s dream of winning the trophy again. by giving him a two match ban. Now the info is out for everyone to see that Mourinho was telling the truth. BUT UEFA still ban him, how does that work????

Yes, Jose may have said he went in there, but at least the intent of what he said, the motivation behind his words had truth to it. Now Rijkaard looks like a liar in totality: Shaking a mans hand, and what he did from this account are worlds apart, and thats undeniable. But there wont be any backlash from this, and Frisk wouldnt say a thing about him, because Rijkaard is not an "enemy of football" as that knobhead nobody decreed. I feel like an idiot because when the whole world didnt believe jose, I didnt either frankly. Anyway, while it looks bad, i know how the press is and this could be yet another case of over/misreporting the facts.

Sorry forgot to add................Forca Real Madrid, Forca Figo!!!

There were guys from UEFA and they didn't see anything illegal. This has been investigated already, man. You are supposing things.

Mourinho and Chelsea were punished because Mourinho said (and Chelsea reported to UEFA) that Rijkaard came into the referees dressing room. That LIE had consequences that we know and that affected to Rijkaard, Barça, Frisk and the ref of the second leg. Even if what you say was true, you should be capable of seeing the difference. I think you're too biased.

actually the accusation, my biased friend,was that Rijkaard was seen leaving the dressing room and not going into it.What Chelsea saw was Rijkaard walking down the stairs that come from the refs dressing room and assumed that he had just been inside,whereas Rijkaard tried to enter the refs room but Frisk told him to go away.What i would like to know is why Frisk was not asked about the incident at the hearing for Jose.I think i know that answer......Barca are UEFA's ass lickers thats why....... :)

Oh man I can't wait for this weekend... i'm gonna watch the game live.
Kicking some good ol' Real Mierda a$$ is going to be worth all 10 beers i'm gonna drink that morning! :hump:

This is what Fratellia said:
"The referee told us he had contact with Rijkaard from the pitch to the front of his dressing room door,"
"Rijkaard wished to say hello at the beginning of the tunnel and then tried to talk to him climbing the stairs.
"Frisk told him it was not the place or moment to speak about the match."
from skysports.com, the quote without BS.

Mourinho is still a liar, Rijkaard didn't came into the referee's dressing room. Frisk has not admitted anything, that's what he said after the match, not yesterday. This has been investigated and Mourinho was punished. There's nothing we can add.

The own Mourinho rectified saying that he didn't see Rijkaard coming into the referee's dressing room so..

You people and your fvcking conspiracy theory.... :rolleyes: Do me a favor and buy all the seasons of X-Files and stay away from these boards.
You think if there was something weird going on, you'd really think Rijkaard would be that dumb as to let himself be seen by anybody, especially by the chelsea staff?!?!?! I mean the guy sucks as a coach but he's not THAT stupid... for crying out loud. You people are idiots. :nape:

actually the accusation, my biased friend,was that Rijkaard was seen leaving the dressing room and not going into it.What Chelsea saw was Rijkaard walking down the stairs that come from the refs dressing room and assumed that he had just been inside,whereas Rijkaard tried to enter the refs room but Frisk told him to go away.What i would like to know is why Frisk was not asked about the incident at the hearing for Jose.I think i know that answer......Barca are UEFA's ass lickers thats why....... :)
Mourinho said in Dez Record: "When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee's dressing room I couldn't believe it. When Drogba was sent of I didn't get surprised. When the game ended I took a breath because it was not a bad result. There is something that tells me that in London the referee will be Collina, the best in the world. A perfect referee with personality and quality."

http://www.football.co.uk/champions_league_news/story_9168.shtml


..............................:)


EDITED: now you can f*ck off with your sh*t.............:)

Thanks

Barca are going to get a can of whoop ass opened on them by Real Madrid and the great man Luis Figo will score two !!! I cant wait to watch it happen!!!!! Forca Figo (Barcas greatest ever player)

Quote " We hate you so much because we loved you so much" Barcelona Banner saying why they hate the great man so much!!!!

Think its time Figo gave you a better reason to hate him, think he might even get a Hat trick!!!!!

You people and your fvcking conspiracy theory.... :rolleyes: Do me a favor and buy all the seasons of X-Files and stay away from these boards.
You think if there was something weird going on, you'd really think Rijkaard would be that dumb as to let himself be seen by anybody, especially by the chelsea staff?!?!?! I mean the guy sucks as a coach but he's not THAT stupid... for crying out loud. You people are idiots. :nape:

wow ....all the losers coming together in one thread..........thats nice...... :ewan:

I supposed Iniesta was going to play to cover the absence of Deco but Gio played in that position the last match and he scored the last goal..

Now it's a doubt who will play. I hope it is Iniesta and I believe he will be who starts.

With Iniesta the team would be more offensive, with Gio more defensive.

wow ....all the losers coming together in one thread..........thats nice...... :ewan:

Good to see that you're acknowledging yourself as a loser. :fool:

I supposed Iniesta was going to play to cover the absence of Deco but Gio played in that position the last match and he scored the last goal..

Now it's a doubt who will play. I hope it is Iniesta and I believe he will be who starts.

With Iniesta the team would be more offensive, with Gio more defensive.

Gio scored this year against Madrid and played extremely well that game.

Let's hope your manager is as thick-headed as you are, though.

Let's see Iniesta, the inexperienced player, come in! :boohoo:

wow ....all the losers coming together in one thread..........thats nice...... :ewan:Go to this post
http://www.soccergaming.tv/showpost.php?p=1418679&postcount=1

Indeed, it's the first page of this thread.

Come back when Chelsea can have a first page like that. :ewan:

I supposed Iniesta was going to play to cover the absence of Deco but Gio played in that position the last match and he scored the last goal..

Now it's a doubt who will play. I hope it is Iniesta and I believe he will be who starts.

With Iniesta the team would be more offensive, with Gio more defensive.
I think Riikjaard should give a chance to Maxi and Play with a 4 4 2 intead of a 4 5 1 :jambo:

Actually our tactic now is more 4-3-3, Giuly and Ronaldinho forwards. With Maxi would be 4-2-4. Anyway I don't think Rijkaard changes the system that has been so successful against Real Madrid, it would be very imprudent. Maxi is more for emergencies when we are losing.

Anyway I don't think Rijkaard changes the system that has been so successful against Real Madrid, it would be very imprudent.

Says the person who wants Iniesta starting over Gio.

Man, you're not very bright.

wow ....all the losers coming together in one thread..........thats nice...... :ewan:

you still have to play in Munchen, and even if you pass, there are still more teams.

One year in the top teams group and you already think you can call those teams losers ...

money changes people, doesn't it? sad, very sad.

Says the person who wants Iniesta starting over Gio.

Man, you're not very bright.GIO=LB
INIESTA=AM(OMG!, that's the position where Deco plays!!!!)


What's your problem, mr bright? are you ok?

Real Madrid fans all lack common intelligence upstairs.

Emre slams Inter Milan - again


Inter Milan midfielder Emre has again declared he wants to quit the club at the end of this season.

After first criticising Inter, then denying doing so, the Turkish international again attacked the Milan club yesterday.

"I want to leave Inter: four years with the Nerazzurro is enough for me," said Emre. "This is a club that that does not know how to be patient.

"Every year they want the Scudetto, but do not understand that you need to build a base in order to make this happen, because every year many new players arrive.

"The future? I want to remain in Europe: My dream is Barcelona, while if I had to return to Turkey I would want only Galatasaray."

================================================== ===

Well he's a CAM i think, i'd prefer Van Bommel over Emre atm.

Emre should only go to Barca if he is gonna start...he can also play Left Middy

I doubt he'll start, i don't think we really need him.

Tomorrow Puyol and Ronaldinho will train with the rest of the squad :rockman:

As we expected, only Deco will miss the match.

Edited: In the training session of this morning Iniesta played in the position of Deco, Gio played as a LB.

The lineup, very probable:

--------------V. Valdés--------------
-------------------------------------
Belletti----Puyol--Oleguer---Sylvinho
-------------------------------------
--------------Márquez----------------
--------Iniesta-----Xavi-------------
-----------------------Ronaldinho----
---Giuly-------Eto'o-----------------


If it's true that f*go doesn't start the game and Beckham moves to the right, that means that they'll play with only one DM, Gravesen. I guess they'll play counter-attack and we'll have all the possession. Considering their defense I think it's a suicide.. Barça will have a thousand chances to score.

Today a friend tells me in school that Ronaldinho will miss the match, so I spend the entire f*cking day worrying, only to come home and see that he'll be ready tommorow. What a relief.

I was reading thru some articles at fcbarcelona.com...

If we score in the Bernabeu, which we will, it will the thousandth goal that Madrid will concede at home. What an honour it will be for them, to be served their 1000th by us. LOL.

-----------

As for the CFC sh*t, nothing that anyone says can ever, ever, change the fact that Mourinho is a liar.

I'm looking forward to Deco starting. I'd put Gio instead of Sylvinho, tho. I can't resist the feeling that Gio is a better and more reliable LB than Sylv. And I think he has learned his lesson after Stamford Bridge. He did save us a point against Betis... I'd play both him and Iniesta.

UEFA have spoken about the "new" report from Frisk.

UEFA clarifies Frisk report
Friday, 8 April 2005

UEFA has taken note of media comments suggesting that the report of match referee Anders Frisk was not submitted to Chelsea FC as part of the case file in the recent disciplinary proceedings against the club. These reports are completely unfounded.

Full access
UEFA confirms that the referee's report was included in the case file, together with the report of the venue director, and sent to Chelsea on 25 February 2005. All the parties involved have had full access to this case file and examined it prior to the hearing of 31 March 2005. In other words, all the parties including Chelsea, José Mourinho and UEFA were aware of the conversation outside the referee's dressing room as mentioned by the referee's report. In reaching its verdict of 31 March 2005, the Control and Disciplinary Body also took account of this element.

No further comment
Both Chelsea and José Mourinho have waived their right to appeal the decision of the Control and Disciplinary Body, which therefore needs no further comment from UEFA.

Source: Uefa.com


So it was nothing new. It was just a bullsh*t for weak minds. Expected.

I've heard that Mourinho had been instructing his assistants during the FC Bayern match. That @sshole must be addicted to scandals.

I regret that we have had the misfortune to deal with this man in the Champions League. Elimination from any other club would have been less painful.

Well Sylvinho had a pretty decent game against Betis, but i'd prefer Gio to though.

IMO Gio is better going forward and Sylvinho is better at defending. Overall I think Gio is better. None of them is a great defender anyway. I leave Rijkaard to make the decision in this case :)

News on ETO'o please!!!
:(

News on ETO'o please!!!
:(

probably nothing certain till tomorrow.

Right now the injury of Eto'o is the only thing that worries me.


They didn't learn anything from the Chelsea match. Barça lost the game in the first 20 minutes.

Gio :kader: Now I would definitely send him to the bench until the end of the season. I hope the board look for a left back to buy in the summer.

Giuly missed everything, he won't have better opportunities in the coming games.

Puyol was our only defender and he wasn't 100%..

For each chance that Real Madrid got, Barça got 2, but they missed everything. Thanks to Ronaldinho we didn't lose by 3 goals. At least..

Valdés didn't have a good day. I don't blame him though.


Let's see what happens with Eto'o. Crossing fingers.


-------------------------


According to the radio, Eto'o will be one month out..

I hope he recovers as soon as possible. He was probably our best player today.


:kader:

How much sh*t can happen in one match. El Clasico lost, Puyol suspended (I think), Eto'o injured, gap cut down to six pts...

Victor Valdés just commented in an interview on radio marca that Eto'o himself said he was okay.

So I hope the medical tests tomorrow say the same...

Indeed, Puyol is suspended. At least it's against Getafe at home.

Márquez and Xavi have got 4 yellows, they will also miss a game soon.

Let's hope the injury of Eto'o isn't that serious. It's Maxi's time.. now we'll see what he's capable.

At least we recover Deco for next game.. I missed him today. No fouls to stop counter attacks, 0 shots from outside the box.. they wanted to enter the net with the ball.

I think Eto'o will be fine. He's a strong one. The worst scenario is an 8 week injury. I doubt it will come to that.

32 Sun 17 Apr FC Barcelona - - Getafe

33 Sun 24 Apr Málaga - - FC Barcelona

34 Sun 01 may FC Barcelona - - Albacete

35 Sun 08 May València - - FC Barcelona

36 Sun 15 May Llevant - - FC Barcelona

37 Sun 22 May FC Barcelona - - Vila-real

38 Sun 29 May R. Sociedad - - FC Barcelona

Valencia being a potential defeat. I think we're fine for the title.

Yeah 6 points should be good enough but remember Real need to win pretty much every single game, and i doubt that.

Agent of Tottenham's Robinson set for Barcelona talks

Barcelona are set to test Tottenham's resolve with a £6 million bid for goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The Sunday Mirror says Robert Segal, the player's agent, was spotted in Spain last week and is scheduled to fly out for further talks this week.

The 25-year-old has been in outstanding form for Tottenham and England this season.

In fact, the Spurs hierarchy have already opened talks about a new contract, despite the fact that Robinson only moved to White Hart Lane from Leeds last May.

========================================

I don't understand this one.

=======================================

Genoa's Milito welcomes talk of Juventus, Barcelona move

Genoa striker Diego Milito insists he is happy at the club, despite interest arriving from bigger teams.

The Argentine said: "If it was up to me, I would not move from here.

"The attention of clubs like Juventus, Inter and Barcelona does appeal to me. But at the moment I only want to do great things for Genoa.

"I am contracted to Genoa and while I am happy to read in the papers of big clubs being interested, I am happy and want to stay here."

Eto'o is injured for just 10 days!!!! great news. He'll miss only one game.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/noticias/noticias/n05041028.shtml

go maxii...go maxii...go maxii:rockman::rockman:

don't get me wrong, i mean, eto'o>whatever god they got in cameroon..
but just lookin forward to see lopez grow to an a-w-s-o-m-e player:p

Great news on Eto'o. I knew he wouldn't be out for too long. Three to eight weeks...ha, screw Marca.

----

I wouldn't mind seeing another keeper in the team. Jorguera is not bad, but he is not someone who would threaten Valdes. And that is what we need. We have to get a keeper who would make Valdes feel in danger. He has to fight to keep his place. A friend of mine is a goalkeeper and he told me today that most of the goals had been Valdes' fault. And while I wouldn't criticise him too much, I must admit that I wasn't happy with quite a few of his performances. Every time we play a key match, he sucks. I don't know why Laporta glorified him so much. I like Valdes as a person with charisma, but still we need someone to prevent the ball from entering the net, not just chewing gum and sending every ball to the stands. I thought we had solved the goalkeeper problem (finally), but appareantly it isn't so.

----

A striker is unneccessary. Eto'o, Larsson and Maxi are sufficient for a one-striker system.

----

I was reading thru the official website and I must say that I am starting to feel annoyed with the statements from certain people. Everyone keeps pointing out how we have to continue playing our game, stay focused, concentrate on ourselves etc etc, and while that's all fine, someone should admit that we do not know how to position ourselves tactically in the hardest games. While reading thru the post-match statements, I got the feeling that no one wants nor tries to figure out why we fail on pretty much every away match that represents a challenge. With exceptions of Sevilla, Celtic and Deportivo.
I think we shouldn't be so centred on our own game. We have to take the opposition into account. Chelsea knew our weaknesses and kicked us out. I didn't see them attacking us in the Nou Camp. As a result, we scored 2 goals.
In Stamford B., they let us play our game and kill us in counter-attacks. Madrid did the same, so did Milan. Only Milan was unable to score more than one goal, but are also the only ones not to concede. Our opponents are consistently smarter and better positioned than us. It's frustrating because with players like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Xavi, Puyol, Deco etc etc etc etc., it's a shame that we cannot accomplish something nor play a significant role in the Champions because of our tactical limitations.

I hope Rijkaard changes his ways because while I endorse that we attack and smash anyone who steps foot on the Camp Nou, we must think of the people standing on the other side of the pitch. We are not alone out there. We sometimes have to adjust ourselves to the opponent, but we don't do that. As a result, we are out of the Champions (way too early, like I said at the start of the season, I expected semi-finals) and La Liga is not finished yet. It should have been different.

good post, mate...agreed:rockman:

I agree we need a back-up goalkeeper. Valdés didn't have a good game. The only one that he could have saved was the fourth though. Don't forget Valdés saved our asses in La Coruña two weeks ago and, for example, last year at Bernabeu he was the man of the match. He has saved our asses this year a few times. In the goalkeepers the experience is very important and I think that's the only thing that Valdés doesn't have, he's not played too many big games so far. I think he is already a fantastic goalkeeper and next season he will be still better than this one. He has been one of the most important players of the season.

We are 6 points ahead the second.. there's no reason to cry. There are 7 matches and Barça can lose 2. We're calculating how many matches we can lose.. when we have a team good enough to win all the matches.

Barça got 25 chances to score, 25. Real Madrid got 12. That's a problem and it's not the system, his name is 'efficiency'. The goals happened because we don't have a solid defense. Oleguer disappeared, Gio was... arg I would kill him and in the set pieces they were statues as always. The first 20 minutes they were sleeping again, that's what I didn't like the most. The 1-0 and 2-0 were sooo easy to score. Rijkaard should practice the set pieces in the training sessions. Barça paid the lack of experience of our players. Besides we lost Deco, who is our player more experienced and can carry the team when things are not going well. Barça have a young team and that's not always good. I think this team was built to win titles in the next 3 years. This is just the first one. Though you can't expect to win all the matches because that's impossible.

I don't think it's Rijkaard's fault. Rijkaard has had 12-13 players for all the season cause of the injuries and with the players that we have we can't play in a different way.

Oh man I can't wait for this weekend... i'm gonna watch the game live.
Kicking some good ol' Real Mierda a$$ is going to be worth all 10 beers i'm gonna drink that morning! :hump:

Ha looks like those 10 beers only helped you to get over the ass kicking that you got. Dont be so cocky next time.

Vald sucks, pure and simple. 2 goals from yesterdays game were defence faulty goals, but all 3 were vald's fault in the end. I mean how the hell did we get so far with this guy? All he does is chew gum like an arrogant piece of trash and sends the ball EVERYWHERE except to where the players are. Also, he's screw'd up alot on his hand passes. Notice he does that more than kick because he just can't kick. Replace Vald or make him work for his spot, thats what I think. Also, the defence has got what it takes but they need to concentrate more. Aside from that, the team is in good shape.

Hope Eto'o recovers well and that Maxi pulls trough for us like he did for River Plate.

For rating a player you have to see more than 2 matches, my friend.

I don't think Rijkaard is so crazy to replace Valdés because of 2 bad games. Ronaldinho, Giuly, Gio, Xavi, Belletti, Deco, Oleguer, Márquez have had more than 2 bad matches. With that theory all the team suck (except Eto'o and Puyol). We would have to change the entire squad.



Zamora table:

Name played Goals Coeff.
Víctor Valdés 30 24 0,80
Leo Franco 31 26 0,84
Casillas 29 26 0,90
Reina 30 28 0,93
Esteban 28 33 1,18
Luis García 30 37 1,23
Kameni 31 38 1,23
Aranzubia 30 40 1,33

Nuff said.

Zidane ready to exploit Barca slip-ups

MADRID, April 11 (Reuters) - Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane said his side would exploit any slip-ups by Barcelona after Sunday's 4-2 win over the leaders cut the deficit between the teams to six points.
Goals from Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul and Michael Owen were too much for a defensively suspect Barcelona, who scored through Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho.


'It was very important to win because it leaves the league much more open. There are only seven games left and we have to keep fighting to the end, and try to capitalise when Barca drop points,' Zidane told the sports daily Marca on Monday.

'Barcelona are a good team and they played a great game. It was a tough match because they had a lot of chances, and for the time being, they still deserve to be top of the table.'

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who once again pulled off some magnificent saves, took a similarly cautious line over Real's chances for overhauling Barca.

'We have achieved what we set out to do today, but it will all have been in vain if we don't go on to perform as well in our next game,' said Casillas.

Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo's decision to play England striker Michael Owen up front alongside Ronaldo, moving Raul out to a wide position, paid dividends as Owen continued his rich vein of form with his 11th league goal of the season.

Owen scored Real's fourth after being released behind the Barca backline with a delightful pass from England team mate David Beckham.

'Six points is still a lot to make up but we will put pressure on Barca and try to do our best,' Owen told reporters after the game.

'It would be nice to win the title here in my first year.'

Ronaldinho's freekick near the end of the match was the one positive for Barcelona.

The Brazilian's goal means Barca edge Real 5-4 in a head-to-head on goals scored between the sides, should the two clubs finish the season level on points.

'It was a tough defeat to take against a great opponent, and we are obviously hurt by it,' said Ronaldinho.

'We conceded goals in the most important moments of the game, and had chances ourselves but failed to take them. But we continue with an important advantage and are not going to lose heart.'

Barca captain Carles Puyol added: 'The result is deceptive. It is always hard when you lose but we are still the leaders, we have a six-point advantage, and we cannot allow our heads to drop.'

Real's run in to the end of the season appears harder with trips to Sevilla and Real Zaragoza, and home games against Villarreal and city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona also have to play high-flying Villarreal and face their sternest test away to last year's champions Valencia.

I wouldn't mind seeing another keeper in the team. Jorguera is not bad, but he is not someone who would threaten Valdes. And that is what we need. We have to get a keeper who would make Valdes feel in danger. He has to fight to keep his place. A friend of mine is a goalkeeper and he told me today that most of the goals had been Valdes' fault. And while I wouldn't criticise him too much, I must admit that I wasn't happy with quite a few of his performances. Every time we play a key match, he sucks. I don't know why Laporta glorified him so much. I like Valdes as a person with charisma, but still we need someone to prevent the ball from entering the net, not just chewing gum and sending every ball to the stands. I thought we had solved the goalkeeper problem (finally), but appareantly it isn't so.

----

A striker is unneccessary. Eto'o, Larsson and Maxi are sufficient for a one-striker system.

----

I was reading thru the official website and I must say that I am starting to feel annoyed with the statements from certain people. Everyone keeps pointing out how we have to continue playing our game, stay focused, concentrate on ourselves etc etc, and while that's all fine, someone should admit that we do not know how to position ourselves tactically in the hardest games. While reading thru the post-match statements, I got the feeling that no one wants nor tries to figure out why we fail on pretty much every away match that represents a challenge. With exceptions of Sevilla, Celtic and Deportivo.
I think we shouldn't be so centred on our own game. We have to take the opposition into account. Chelsea knew our weaknesses and kicked us out. I didn't see them attacking us in the Nou Camp. As a result, we scored 2 goals.
In Stamford B., they let us play our game and kill us in counter-attacks. Madrid did the same, so did Milan. Only Milan was unable to score more than one goal, but are also the only ones not to concede. Our opponents are consistently smarter and better positioned than us. It's frustrating because with players like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Xavi, Puyol, Deco etc etc etc etc., it's a shame that we cannot accomplish something nor play a significant role in the Champions because of our tactical limitations.

I hope Rijkaard changes his ways because while I endorse that we attack and smash anyone who steps foot on the Camp Nou, we must think of the people standing on the other side of the pitch. We are not alone out there. We sometimes have to adjust ourselves to the opponent, but we don't do that. As a result, we are out of the Champions (way too early, like I said at the start of the season, I expected semi-finals) and La Liga is not finished yet. It should have been different.

I agree with you.

Fisrt of all, Valdés is not saving goals lately. In one-on-one with good strikers, he usually sucks... in great matches he hasn't done well. He needs someoen who puts some pressure on him. Jorquera was good when he played, maybe he deserves a chance ...

No striker is necessary but some winger is very necessary. Guily fails everything !!!

And yes, maybe more rival's study is necessary ...and some set pieces practice as well.

Anyway we're still 7 points ahead (with goal average). It's not that terrible to lose that game ... but we have to wake up.

Damm injuries!!! too many this season.

I think Riikjaard is doing the changes too late, maybe if Maxi plays when we was 2 1 the match ends up in a draw. im not saying that maxi make a goal like he did with the blues but barca attack increase when he is on pitch

Maxi is still only 20, he's got great potential, he'll be great for barca soon.

Maxi is a very different striker than Etoo. With we have to change our style and cross the ball more usually

by the way it woulnd be bad to cross the ball instead of trying to enter always through the center of opponents defence.

Hmmmm, if Robinson does come to Barca in the summer, we will have the best young keeper from England and the best young keeper from Spain, Valdes would have to perform well to keep his spot.

I don't think Robinson comes to Barça. They're looking for a back-up so they won't spend a lot of money on it. I wouldn't mind to see Rüstü back in Barcelona (if he gets the EU-passport).

Well there was a keeper from Caen that we were linked to i forgot his name, anyone know?

You are right Aquest, I'm just upset at Valds attitude as of late. It could just be me, but he's lost alot of steam. I also notice some arrogance from him. He really played horribly last game and he was acting like an idiot when he shouldve perked up and got his A game on. He has the potential, he's shown us before... He just needs to get back into it. He didn't even seem upset when they score'd those ridiculous goals on him. :\

Also, Maxi has incredible potential. One thing I notice about him is he can hold the ball in the area very well, get FK' and PK's with his style, and is generally good for his age. He needs to improve on his shot taking and he'll be incredible. Maybe we'll see 2 attackers in the future of barca? Eto'o and Maxi + Dinho in the back for making crucial passes. Sounds good to me.

Welcome to SG Rezz !!! :lui: (Y)

Valdes: Barcelona can't let nerves get to us


Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes insists they're still in the boxseat for the championship, despite Sunday's defeat at Real Madrid.

Real have now cut Barca's lead to six points, but Valdes said: "Their best player on Sunday was their goalkeeper, (Iker) Casillas.

"They created less chances than us and with better accuracy we could have enjoyed another win.

"We must avoid letting our nerves get to us in the coming games. We're six points ahead of Real Madrid and must keep fighting for the Liga championship."

You are right Aquest, I'm just upset at Valds attitude as of late. It could just be me, but he's lost alot of steam. I also notice some arrogance from him. He really played horribly last game and he was acting like an idiot when he shouldve perked up and got his A game on. He has the potential, he's shown us before... He just needs to get back into it. He didn't even seem upset when they score'd those ridiculous goals on him. :\I also was not satisfied with Víctor's performance in that match although I was more upset at Giuly.


Welcome to SG, we needed more Barça fans :ewan:

I don't know why, but I don't resent Giuly anything. Before the motherf*cking injury (:kader: (N) ), he was brilliant. And now he fails often. He is fit, but I think he has lost a lot of faith in his ability. He is far from the Ludo that played in Monaco last season.

------

I'm looking forward to Maxi playing against Getafe. Laporta has said that Eto'o had told him he would be fit for Getafe. I doubt it, tho. I wouldn't risk the injury to deteriorate.

------

Puyol says we are playing seven finals this season. I think he isn't over-reacting. That's the attitude we need now. Not just to stay ahead of Madrid, but to destroy their hopes of anything. They would surely fail in some matches (Sevilla, Atletico, Zaragoza) if they saw us playing magnificent.

Welcome, Rezz. We were getting outnumbered around here.

quality is better than quantity ... but always good to have a new barça supporting mate

hi rezz :ewan:

Yeah, i'm sure Ludo will be back to his best soon he just needs some confidence.

Looking forward to see Maxi starting against Getafe, heres an interview from fcbarcelona.com

Maxi: "We have to pick ourselves up, and we will"

With Samuel Eto'o out for ten days with cartilage problems, Maxi López looks set to take his place in the starting line-up against Getafe. In an exclusive interview with fcbarcelona.com, Maxi reveals his confidence in the team.

The signs are that Maxi López will lead the Barca attack in next weekend's home game against Getafe, a game that Barca need to win in order to silence any doubts about their position at the top of the league table. In this interview with fcbarcelona.com, the Argentine striker tells us how he's settled in to his new life at the Club and stresses that the players will bounce back even stronger from the defeat in the Bernabeu.

What's the mood among the players after the Bernabeu game?

"Well obviously the team are affected after losing a "clásico" but we're aware we've still got a six-point lead and that everything depends on us. That gives us the morale and desire to face the upcoming matches with confidence".

What did you feel about the game?

"You have to look at the positive and the negative, and learn. I think these are all new experiences that will help me in the next match."

The injury to Eto'o may hand you a place in the starting line-up. Is that a special motivation for you?

"I'm staying calm. I'm training as I have done up to now, pushing myself to the limit and trying to do my best to have an opportunity to play next Sunday".

This will be your first match without Eto'o alongside you. How do you feel about that?

"The fact is I still haven't spoken to Rijkaard and I don't know whether or nor I'll play. It depends a lot on how we play and how we approach the game, but obviously I'll try and do as well as possible".

Where do you feel most comfortable?

"I can play wide or as a centre forward. The fact is with Samuel Eto'o thats the way we play, changing positions.

A win against Getafe would be a morale boost, wouldn't it?

"We already had a big setback with the elimination from the Champions League and then we won the next league game against Athletic Bilbao. This is a similar reverse and we have to pick ourselves up, and we will. We know we've got the league title very close and that we've worked hard to get this far".

Do you think Getafe will come to defend?

"All the teams come here to defend. So we have to be intelligent and look for spaces in attack and create chances". A defensive opponent could favour your style of play "What I and the team like is to find space. I also like to take part in the build-up and with space the moves are more fluid, and that's what's best for me".

How are you fitting in to the Spanish league?

"The Spanish league has some differences and some similarities with Argentinean football. The fact is, my matches are every day in training, in learning and adapting my game as well as possible and reaching the standard needed to have more minutes on the pitch. So far, the balance is positive".

Do you think your style of play suits the European game?

"Yes, I do and I hope this helps me in the short-term because what I want most of all is to adapt rapidly. I think I'm on the right track".

According to "Sport", Barça offered €6m for Milito and Zaragoza wanted €14m but they would accept €10m.

That'd be great.

I'll be watching the Barcelona - Getafe match live. I can't wait to see Maxi from the start. Ronaldinho says that Eto'o is doubtful. I don't think he'll play. Even if he does recover. This is the perfect time for Maxi. If something, God forbid, happens to Eto'o in the remaining few games, Maxi will have to be ready and I think the match with Getafe is the time for him.

---

I just read an interview with Ronaldinho at the official site. I'm delighted with the fact that Dinho keeps stressing the importance of thinking *only about our team*. :kader:

---

There's an article about Puyol at the official website. Happy birthday, Captain. :Bow:

Thanks alot guys. :D Good to be here.

Its a good sign that the morale of the team is high after the madrid lose and it shows that they might kick it up for the upcoming games. I can't stress enough how much they need to reinstitute the way they defend. The last 2 games were given away I think because of faulty defence and a lackluster vald, so if those 2 things reform, we might have more of a chance. Dinho and Puyol(Happy-bday) will also be alot stronger than last game so thats something to look foward to. I'm still worried about Eto'o's injury and him not playing, but I rather he rest up well instead of playing a faulty game and risking further injury. This also gives Maxi a chance to show what he's got(I hope).

Hitting on the Giuly subject, I'm sad to see how he's been playing as well. Maybe he'll find himself again in these upcomming games. Speaking of which, Ronaldo had to choose the Barca game to get back into his groove. >:[ What a brilliant prick. XP

Vald better get his game together, not chew any gum, and STOP some goals! Don't dissapoint us!

Motta is already training with the team :rockman:

Since Puyol is suspended, I hope Márquez comes back to the defense and Motta can play at least 45 minutes.

I want to see this against Getafe:

---------------------Valdes

---Belletti--------Marquez----Oleguer-----Sylvinho


------------------Deco
-----------Xavi-----------Iniesta

Giuly----------------------------Ronaldinho

------------------Maxi :rockman:

...with Motta entering in the second half. If he can play.

It'll be great to see how Motta goes, maybe put him on for the last 15 or 10 minutes depends on how we are going though.

Motta has been called.
Etoo hasn't (medical reasons, although he was willing to play).

I'm glad Eto'o won't play. Some rest and safety for him and a chance for Maxi. It's all good.

yeah, agreed:jap:

now, let's hope axi gets a hattrick:p

Maxi has potencial, he shoud take this chance, I hope he make a goal or two, ITS maxi Time

Last time we played Getafe we narrowly won, with Rafa had that awesome FK goal. (Y)

We need this win....
I don't think that Madrid would catch us, but I would never hear the end of it from my brother!!! :kader:

Pretty certain we will win, maybe a 2-0, or 3-0 scoreline, lets wait and see. (Y)

No, don't Jinx us! lol

I *hope* we win. With this lineup, its possible. I'd be a bit more relaxed with Eto'o.

I'm sure Maxi will play well, i'm looking forward to seeing Motta out there, can't wait for the game. :D

Go Go GO Barca!!!

I hope DT comes up with the highlights, lol just figured it isn't going to be televised here. :(

Barça better score a goal soon against Getafe.. Deco.. with a deflection if it's possible..

I don't have a good feeling about this game, I miss Puyol and Eto'o already.

We will miss Puyol more than Eto'o. He is our defense, while Maxi on the other hand will be dying to prove himself and I think will do well.

I don't see a reason to fear this game. Last time it was Getafe - FCB 1:2.
And we know how reserved we are on those 'easy' away games. If I remember correctly, Getafe was an equal opponent in that match. And despite that, we won.

I'm not worrying. We are going to rock them.

You're wrong, Barça were Lucky in Getafe, that was the best match of Valdés. At Camp Nou it will be a match completely different but I fear the counter-attacks.

Maxi might have a bright future but he has been 3 months in Spain and has played only 15-20 minutes in some matches. I don't know if you're expecting too much from him. I can't even rate him yet. I hope he scores a hattrick but at the moment he's not a guarantee for me, honestly.

Barça better score a goal soon against Getafe.. Deco.. with a deflection if it's possible..

I don't have a good feeling about this game, I miss Puyol and Eto'o already.

I tought the game started already. :crazyboy:

Can't wait to see this one tomorrow. It will be very interesting to see what changes Frank makes in the absence of both Eto'o and Puyol.

You're wrong, Barça were Lucky in Getafe, that was the best match of Valdés. At Camp Nou it will be a match completely different but I fear the counter-attacks.

Maxi might have a bright future but he has been 3 months in Spain and has played only 15-20 minutes in some matches. I don't know if you're expecting too much from him. I can't even rate him yet. I hope he scores a hattrick but at the moment he's not a guarantee for me, honestly.


Getafe definitely deserved at least a point from that match, especially because both of our goals had been solo efforts (I think). But at Nou Camp, we will be attacking and they'll be defending. It won't be an equal match. That's why I don't worry.
We will be missing two very important players, but seriously, even without them, if we can't beat Getafe at home, we don't deserve the title.

As for Maxi, I don't think I'm expecting too much. He did a great job against Chelsea. And if we're gonna say "I don't know, he hasn't gotten too much experience in the league" every time he is expected to play, then we won't benefit from his presence and he won't be getting that experience we're talking about. I would rather have his baptism of fire against Getafe than against someone like Valencia or Villarreal, if we are to miss Eto'o again for some reason.
He has to start and we have to expect goals. He's a Barca player. The staff wouldn't have brought him if he hadn't satisfied the criteria. They have done a great job so far and I believe if they brought him to the Club, he's great. It's only natural to expect such things from a Barca player.

I see the line-up and at the moment Maxi is not a reason to feel safer. I still don't know how he will answer as a striker. I also expect him to do great things but if I have to put my confidence on someone, then that's Deco, Ronaldinho, Xavi or Giuly. They are who should carry the pressure. That's what I mean when I say that maybe you're expecting too much from Maxi. Maxi has not played too much and I don't think we should expect him to be our saviour. Who knows if tomorrow he scores 1, 2 or 3 goals.. but right now.. .. mystery..

Getafe are 3 galaxies behind Barça's level but we know how this is. I don't know why but I think this is a trap game, I'm pessimist.. so Deco better scores another goal with a deflection like I said, that will relax me.

This is interesting.

Barcelona's Rijkaard wants coaching deal for Albertini

Barcelona trainer Frank Rijkaard wants to add midfielder Demetrio Albertini to his coaching staff at the end of this season.

Albertini, signed in January, is off contract in June and was expected to return to Serie A next season. But Rijkaard wants his former AC Milan teammate to stay at the Nou Camp and is discussing a possible player-coach role for the veteran with the club's directors.

Rijkaard has told Barca chiefs the club would be mad to let Albertini's experience slip through the net and they should do all they can to hold onto a player, who has won everything there is in the game.

Nah he'll come back to Milan and coach there (H)

My prediction is

Barcelona - Getafe 3:0
Maxi
Ronaldinho PK
Giuly

Barça-Getafe

Line-up:
--------------V. Valdés-------------
------------------------------------
Belletti--Márquez---Oleguer------Gio
------------------------------------
----------------Deco----------------
-----------Xavi-----Iniesta---------
-----------------------Ronaldinho---
---Giuly-------Maxi-----------------

I expected Gerard as a DM.

I prefer Iniesta, of course.

Sylvinho is injured..

40 min. to start

c'mon barçaaaaaa:rockman::rockman:

3-0 imo...maxi, ronaldinho, xavi

WE must win :nape: :nape:


Real madrid is getting close :(

VAMOS BARCELONA!

29', Ronaldinho 1-0, nice free kick.

1-0 in Haltime

Getafe doesn't exist in the field.

GOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Grandes de ESPANA 2 getafe 0

Oh, man, we are seeing some wonderful things. I'm delighted. Delighted.

Yea, Ronaldinho is on Nikefootball commercial mode

Yea, Ronaldinho is on Nikefootball commercial mode


:rockman: :rockman: :rockman:

and we are lovin it:rockman: ronaldinho is da man

I want the highlights!!!!!!!! :)

:p we all do

Ronaldinho kickin ass every week :D that's the Dinho I love

relax dude...it's not over yet....

dinho's gonna score 3 more...plus maxi has to score too:p

Eto'o the P.I.M.P. :rofl:

Have you seen him in his P.Diddy-white outfit? :fluffy:

FT 2-0

This match was to sit down and enjoy. Getafe was a toy in our hands.

We are not going to lose la Liga. No way.

barçaaaaa:rockman::rockman:


screw real!!! we are the champions!!

Eto'o the P.I.M.P. :rofl:

Have you seen him in his P.Diddy-white outfit? :fluffy:

I tought that was Lou Vega (Mambo #5 guy)
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00001U046.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

I want the highlights!!!!!!!! :)


Barcelona vs Getafe Highlights


1-0 (http://rapidshare.de/files/1312410/ron.mpg.html)
Ronaldinho Nutmeg!! (http://rapidshare.de/files/1312930/ronnutm.mpg.html)
2-0 Giuly (http://rapidshare.de/files/1313140/giuly.mpg.html)


:ewan:

thanks guys.. wonderful game

lol....that guy retired and made 'Popular'..or perhaps not:(

Excellent game. I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl. XP Thank god Valdes didn't have to touch the ball much.

I guessed the line-up (not that hard to guess), two scorers (I thought Maxi would score as well) and almost the scoreline (3-0 was my pick). :hump:

The match was delighting. Beautiful football plus solo efforts from Ronaldinho. He was the man of the match today. Brilliant tricks, so easy and relaxed. I am especially happy with his performance since he sometimes shuts down and just passes the ball to the nearest team-mate. I'm so glad he was in the mood tonight. Simply amazing.

I can't praise them enough. I was also satisfied with Belletti's yellow in injury time. Smart move. That was his 9th. Now he has to get booked against Malaga (A) and he will miss an easy match at Nou Camp against an already relegated Albacete.

Oleguer impressed me. He was very active in the back line. Gave Marquez a feeling of safety throughout the match. Deco, on the other hand, wasn't so great. I think he didn't make a single successful corner kick... But he was good as DM. Did his job OK.

Giuly finally scored. I think that's the most important detail tonight. This will give him so much self-confidence. He deserved the goal, though his crosses were low and not too accurate. Belletti's are high and inaccurate as well. No one can cross...
I wanted Maxi to score badly. But he'll get a goal next time.

This was fantastic.


----

I saw the Levante - Madrid highlights. RM weren't too good. Casillas saved them. I don't know if he can fly or something, but he is too f*cking good. If Madrid manage to put up a serious title challenge, it'll be because of him. It's good tho. Madrid need to play better football than what they displayed today.

The league is OURS !!

Madrid didn't deserve to win. I can't stress this enough. I actually felt bad for the other team, mostly because they played thier hearts out I think. Casillas was insanely amazing, I couldn't belive what he did today.

It was experiance with age and bad luck that determined that game tho, and Casillas. lol

Madrid didn't deserve to win.

What else is new, we should just accept, thats their playing style is crap and thats how they win.

Casillas is on a roll, on good form at the moment, it would be nice if he leaves RM in the summer.

Barcelona aware Van Nistelrooy unsettled at Man Utd

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Ruud van Nistelrooy's situation at Manchester United.

The Dutchman is considering his future at Old Trafford after a frustrating season plagued by injury and poor form in front of goal.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson privately accepts that changes must be made to his attack next season after one of the lowest season's for goals scored by the club since his arrival.

Van Nistelrooy rejected an offer to join Real Madrid last summer weeks after helping United lift the FA Cup, but is now seriously considering a move to Spain.

Its reported that United are willing to offload the Dutchman for just £12 million and close friends have been quoted stating he would jump at the chance of Barca president Joan Laporta came knocking.

Rijkaard told Barcelona players to show more humility

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard put his players through the wringer this week ahead of last night's clash with Getafe.
Rijkaard held several player meetings, rapping them for lacking humility in interviews and also ordering two training sessions behind closed doors.

The Dutchman took the drastic measures with the blessing of president Joan Laporta, who said yesterday: "Rijkaard has made the players aware of the seriousness of the situation and forced them to refocus their minds.

"The talks have been used to boost their confidence and I am confident they are prepared for the last seven games of the season - which are all being approached as finals."

I hope these news are not true.

We have Eto'o, Maxi, Larsson and Saviola for next season. Our attack is strong enough.
I have the utmost respect for Ruud and I think he is amazing, but we shouldn't waste money (which we don't have) on attackers when that's the last thing we need.

I hope these news are not true.

We have Eto'o, Maxi, Larsson and Saviola for next season. Our attack is strong enough.
I have the utmost respect for Ruud and I think he is amazing, but we shouldn't waste money (which we don't have) on attackers when that's the last thing we need.


very well said. don't forget ronnie and guily, they play upfront as well. i think we need to focus on buying some defenders, and not mess with our midfield and attacking lineup. having ruud play for barcelona at some point in the future would be amazing, but this is not the time.

According to the press we'll sign the half of the strikers of Europe. I don't even believe that the board is looking for a striker.

Yeah, the most important is VB, i'm certain he will come to Barca in the summer.

van Bommel is also negociatin with Milan.

He won't decide where he will play next season until the Chamions League is over.

You guys think that we will get the services of Milito?

I think Milito should leave Zaragoza for the sake of his NT play for Argentina.

I really hope he doesn't go to Barca though. That would put a dagger in my heart.

He'd be great playing for us we wouldn't have been such dicks and let him play for us. He's the reason we lost out on La Copa del Rey. :(

Hmmm, Rusi, would you prefer to have had Eto'o instead of Owen at Madrid?

eto,o

Yeah, Eto'o purely owns Owen !!! (H)

well, considering all the **** Eto'o said about Real, i would never want him in Madrid. Hes an excellent player, but he talks too much. Just like he did about Chelsea. And what would he do in Real? Sit on the bench? Because thats what Owen's role has been in the whole season.
Although i agree, Eto'o has been one of the best forwards this year. Maybe next season, he'll have a crap season. I hope :).

What are Barca gonna do with Saviola after this season?

Why was he loaned in the first place? At that time Barca only had Eto'o, Giuly and Larsson as strikers :|

What about Riquelme? Is he still owned by Barca? And he was loaned to fit into La Liga, right? Well, now he's Villareals best player. Its time he's called back. Then Barca can play an even better midfield.

Loaned out Saviola who scored goals.. to bring in Maxi... :kader:

Saviola - Rivaldo was one of the most entertaining strikeforces at one time. Damn.

I don't know what will happen to Saviola but I believe he will be sold.

Riquelme is playing really well at Villarreal and he's being one of the best players in la Liga, but we have Xavi and Deco who are similar players. Xavi-Deco-Riquelme would be a too weak midfield without too much defensive skills. I wouldn't replace Xavi or Deco for Riquelme. I think he will be sold too. Depor, Betis, Villarreal and Atlético are interested. His high wages will be a problem (€5m), not every team can pay it.

Saviola was loaned out because he played the Copa America and then the Olympics with Argentina, what supposed a problem. Before that, he had some "problems" with the board because he didn't want to sign a new contract according to his performance.

I think Laporta/Txiqui/Rosell didn't expect to sign Maxi, he only came because of the serious injury of Larsson.

Yeah, Eto'o purely owns Owen !!! (H)

Because Eto'o plays more than Owen does. I also agree with Drvar big mouth but great player.

Who cares how many time does Owen play? The strikers have good moments and bad moments. Eto'o has played always. It's more difficult to score goals regularly all the season than in a few matches. Or do you think Owen is better than Ronaldo?

Eto'o=pichichi, the rest are just excuses.

how is it more difficult to score if you have 90 minutes in a match than if you have 15 minutes?
we'd have to have a season where both Eto'o and Owen played the same amount of minutes, to determine who's better. and even then, the strikers depend on the team. no sense in saying Eto'o is better than Owen, or the other way around, everyone will just say the one they like more.

Then it's impossible to rate any player.

Just looking at them when they've played 90 minutes, if you choose Owen you deserve the jail.

Owen doesn't deserve to be compared with Eto'o. I'm not saying this because Eto'o is better or because Owen sucks or anything. I'm saying it because Eto'o has played almost every match this year, while Owen hasn't. That's why the comparison is impossible, but if they were to be compared, the advantage is of course on pichichi's side.

But then again, Ronaldo > Owen. Eto'o > Ronaldo.

This is stupid. Eto'o owns them both. He plays more, he scores more. Nothing left to be said.

Márquez is suspended and won't play against Malaga.

I hope Xavi-Deco-Iniesta start.. and also that Ronaldinho moves to the centre again. I mean, I hope Rijkaard repeats the line-up but with Puyol instead of Márquez and Eto'o instead of Maxi.

i just hope ronaldinho wins....after last game, i have no doubt that if he played alone with valdes, we would win no matter what:p

plus we have all the rest of those wonderful players...:rockman:

I would have made excuses too, if club was treating me, just like Real Madrid to Eto'o..

Barcelona president Laporta: Six finals now left

Barcelona president Joan Laporta refused to get over-excited after Sunday's victory over Getafe.

The win maintains Barca's six point lead at the top of the Liga table and Laporta calmly said yesterday: "We have won the first final. We go game to game and now we have six left."

Barca sports chief Txiki Begiristain was more enthusiastic about the result, saying: "It was fantastic. After a defeat as the one last Sunday, it was important to win at home.

"The players have shown perfectly that they're in control."

Match-winner Ronaldinho added: "We've won our first final. Six now to go. I am very happy with the goal and the result. We won, we played well and have another three points. That's all that matters."

how is it more difficult to score if you have 90 minutes in a match than if you have 15 minutes?
we'd have to have a season where both Eto'o and Owen played the same amount of minutes, to determine who's better. and even then, the strikers depend on the team. no sense in saying Eto'o is better than Owen, or the other way around, everyone will just say the one they like more.


maybe we should be comparing raul and owen instead of eto'o and owen. however, we can't because there is no comparision between the two. raul has been crap while owen has been amazing all season, but yet owen has failed to win a consistent spot in the starting lineup. i think once raul allows himself to be placed on the bench and lets owen deservedly take his place in the starting lineup, only then can we begin to make comparisions between eto'o and owen. as of right now, owen simply hasn't played enough to warrant comparision to the leading goal scorer in la liga.

Yeah, he's been great for Madrid so far, he has adapted well IMO, he's class. :)

Pressure puts squeeze on Barcelona contracts

Barcelona's directors are beginning to feel the pressure of Real Madrid's late championship push.

AS says meetings between president Joan Laporta and his fellow directors have revealed a growing tension with the Liga's situation.

A quirk in the fixtures means when Barcelona next play - at Malaga on Sunday - they could be just three points ahead of Real if their title challengers manage to defeat Villarreal on the Saturday evening.

The Barca board had hoped to have wrapped up the championship at this stage, with many lucrative deals hinging on title success.

The renewal of coach Frank Rijkaard's contract, summer signings, shirt sponsorship, the future of vice-president Sandro Rosell and those players, the Sandristas, who side with him are all yet to be decided.

All these major issues won't be settled until the Liga is won - or lost. Laporta is desperate to get to work on building for next season, but everything is on-hold as the Liga chase goes down to the wire.

This info is based in an article from AS so you can guess how accurate it is...

Pressure? look who is 7 points behind and playing crap and you'll see who has more pressure

Yeah well i swear AS is licking Madrid's ass..... :P

Six points.

Madrid can't win the league by themselves. They have to use the media. It's their style. That's the Madrid we all know and hate.

Six points.

Madrid can't win the league by themselves. They have to use the media. It's their style. That's the Madrid we all know and hate.

Yeah, im totally agree the "media" will score a nice hat-trick for Malaga in Malaga vs Barça :P

Yeah, im totally agree the "media" will score a nice hat-trick for Malaga in Malaga vs Barça :P


You know very well what I mean.


Typical reply from a Madridista, tho. (Y)

Go AS.

You know very well what I mean.


Typical reply from a Madridista, tho. (Y)

Go AS.

AS = El Mundo Deportivo

Yeah, im totally agree the "media" will score a nice hat-trick for Malaga in Malaga vs Barça :P


yeah speaking of hat tricks, i'm sure riquelme will score one of his own against you guys this weekend. don't forget that he's still a barcelona player, and i'm sure playing against you b*stards will bring out the best in him. anyone that has ever played for barca knows the passion and pride that comes with beating madrid, and i hope riquelme will shine this weekend.

worry about your 7 point deficit (which will hopefully be 10 after the weekend) instead of talking about how we're going to lose to malaga.

To be honest I actually like that "La Liga" is a little bit tighter now. It adds more emotion and suspense to the whole thing. Tho I'd be happier if Madrid lost thier next game and Barca won thiers. Madrid doesn't deserve to win with the way they play, but we'll have to see if Casillas saves them again.

AS = El Mundo Deportivo

no way. I would agree with you if you said as = sport, but el mundo deportivo is much more serious.

and when i said 7 points I meant 7 points. It's 6 points+goal average, so madrid must think we are 7 points ahead.

and fcBarcelona closer to and agreement with chinese goverment to wear Beijing olimpics advertinsig.

just a few days for the confirmation

You cant compare Owen and Eto'o b/c Owen has not have enough playing time to prove that he's an amazing goal-scorer...Even though he hasn't played that much he's still doing great..Owen is the only Galactico in Madrid... :)

Madrid doesn't deserve to win the league cuz they've sucked balls all season long and it wouldn't be fair.. :rolleyes:

Madrid doesn't deserve to win the league cuz they've sucked balls all season long and it wouldn't be fair.. :rolleyes:

...what the ****, are you serious?

Yeah, just like 2003-2004 season..They have never been stable.

anyone who finishes with the most points at the end of the season, deserves the title. What was Barca doing then, if Madrid sucked so bad, yet they are only 6 (7) points behind, Madrid being 14 points i think infront of the 3rd placed team. think a bit.

Madrid doesn't deserve to win the league cuz they've sucked balls all season long and it wouldn't be fair.. :rolleyes:That's the kind of humility that Real Madrid need but they don't have.

That's the kind of humility that Real Madrid need but they don't have.

i dont quite understand what you wrote. you mean the fans should think the same way?

I mean he is being realistic. Real Madrid, fans and president, should accept it and admit it instead of being happy because you are "only" 6+1 points behind.

any true fan has hopes to win the league as long as there is a theoretical chance for it to happen. its not like we fans think Real has been playing fantastic football, but we are where we are, so lets hope for the best.

anyone who finishes with the most points at the end of the season, deserves the title. What was Barca doing then, if Madrid sucked so bad, yet they are only 6 (7) points behind, Madrid being 14 points i think infront of the 3rd placed team. think a bit.


madrid fans can make the arguement all you want that the end result is all that matters, but if you actually watch the games that madrid have played, there is no way that they deserved all 3 points in a lot of those games. thats what we mean when we say they have been playing like crap; they got points when they haven't deserved them, and it's happened all too often all season. i'm not saying barcelona have been amazing every single game, but they have been FAR FAR FAR more consistent then real madrid. this isn't an issue that can be discussed, it's a fact. if you think otherwise, you need to wake up, swallow your pride, and admit it. Barca has been much more consistent all season, and that's the end of that.

yeah, thats why they've been 11 points infront for alot of the season. noone is denying it. but if Madrid by some miracle wins it in the end, i hope none of you will whine that Madrid didnt deserve it. Consistent or not, the results are there, more or less, and thats what matters.
Barca has been the better team so far this season, but if they go on a run of bad form and lose 6 games now, and Madrid wins all 6, why would Barca deserve it more? the season is 38 games long, all of them count.
So point being, yes Barca has been the more consistent team over the season, but results count.

we have still won 21 games and Barca have won 22 games. not much difference.
to say we sucked balls this season is ignorant. :kader:

Yeah, but you win Scrappy day and out, i pity it really.

we have still won 21 games and Barca have won 22 games. not much difference.
to say we sucked balls this season is ignorant. :kader:3 coaches. We still don't know how Real Madrid will play next week. You don't even have a tactic. Your tactic is Casillas + the inspiration of the galacticos. After 32 games (only Liga) you can't play as a team.

It's not like they're going to catch us, anyway.

They're the ones who are behind, they're the ones who have to look at Barca and hope that we screw up. They're the ones with the harder schedule (that's something to discuss but the way I see it, we have it easy compared to them).
If we do well against Valencia and Villarreal, it's done. But even if we fail against those two, we are still in advantage. Madrid will have to think about all that for the rest of the season. Why are we talking about a possible trophy for Madrid?
Be real. There's one candidate for the league. Madrid is just something to keep us on our toes and make things more interesting.

And not everything is in results. Barca have played much more attractive football than Madrid, and if you look at it that way, we do deserve it more. And with the players we've got and the form they can be in when they focus on one thing and one thing only, we can't possibly miss out.

to say we sucked balls this season is ignorant. :kader:

I agree with you. Terrible mistake!
He has forgotten that you also sucked balls half last season.

Barcelona president puts Rijkaard talks on-hold

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has refused to comment on coach Frank Rijkaard's contract status.
Its understood Laporta is keen to extend Rijkaard's deal, which has two years to run, for another two years. But everything has been out on-hold because of Real Madrid's comeback in the title race.

Laporta said: "Now we are preparing for the six finals that exist and for that reason I do not want to consider questions that could destabilize the harmony of the first team.

"We must be centered on these six finals and not be drawn to outside issues."

I agree, no one should have their contract extended until the season is finished. But I'm sure Rijkaard will get his new deal once the league is won.

Rijkaard gets one over Begiristain as Gerard offered new Barcelona deal

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has dealt a blow to the influence of sports director Txiki Begiristain on the club.

Rijkaard has convinced president Joan Laporta to open new contract talks with midfielder Gerard, against the wishes of Begiristain.

The two Barca powerbrokers have had a distant working relationship since Rijkaard's arrival in July 2003 and up until now, Begiristain was believed to have had the ear of Laporta.

Gerard is off contract in the summer, but will now be offered a new deal - on reduced terms - worth around £700,000-a-year.

I think it's a good decision to offer him a new deal. Plus, if we were to decide not to offer, he would leave for nothing and we'd have to look for a replacement. That wouldn't be a great idea, financially speaking, since we are in need of reinforcements in other areas.

I wouldn't offer Gerard anything. He will be always on the bench, when he's called up, because next season we'll have Edmilson and Motta again (+Márquez) so I don't think we need him. Even with Edmilson and Motta injured he has not played many games this season.

Yeah, wasn't Depor or Atletico linked with Gerard?

Gerard is a pain in the ass and waste of money!

Who else do we not need guys? Navarro?

Eto'o is called up for the match but probably he won't play.

It seems that Rijkaard will repeat the line-up but with Puyol instead of Márquez.

I want to see Maxi score a goal this time. By score a goal, I don't mean owngoal either. :P

I think it's really important that we go out there and give a good performance. With Real Madrid managing to pull out a win yesterday, we have to play impressive football to end their momentum. If we play scrappy and miss lots of chances, they will start to believe stronger than ever that they can still come back, which is not what we want. They have a tough game next week against Real Sociedad, and if we play commanding football against Malaga today, they'll go into next weeks game demoralized. However, if we screw up, they're be very inspired next week, and that's not what we want. I know the league is ours to lose, but it certainly makes it more comfortable when you don't have someone else breathing down the back of your neck.

Come on Barca!!

We had a chance to end la Liga at Bernabeu but we lost the three points and the chance. Now I want Real Madrid to believe that can win the title and if we win the title tied with them in the table, still better.

We don't depend on what Real Madrid do or can do. They're who have to look at us and wait that we lose.

What is the tie-breaker that you guys hold ?

When two teams are tied, first we have to go to the matches between them. 3-0 + 2-4. I believe the rule of the away goals doesn't count but anyway in this case it's 5-4. If Barça, example, had lost 4-1 at Bernabeu we would have to go to the goals scored/conceded in la Liga. If they are tied in that too, I believe the next is the fair play table (yellow and red cards), where, by the way, Barça is leading at the moment.

Gracias (Y)

Malaga CF - FC Barcelona, 19:00 CET (45m. left)

Eto'o is in the starting line-up


--------------V. Valdés-------------
------------------------------------
Belletti----Puyol--Oleguer-------Gio
------------------------------------
-------------Xavi--Deco-------------
----------Iniesta-------------------
-------------------Ronaldinho-------
---Giuly--------Eto'o---------------

Let's hope Eto'o is fully healed.

Goal..











OLEGUER hahaha, after a corner kick.

0-1

:kader:

That shadow is really pissing me off

lol Gily scores a header

0-2

weird goals


Not only the shadows, the lines are almost invisible and the camera is too far.

F*CK

Nice header Giuly

2-0

barça just keeps getting better, no way real's gonna ever catch us:rockman::rockman:

barça just keeps getting better, no way real's gonna ever catch us:rockman::rockman:

nah, Barca still sucks ;).

barça just keeps getting better, no way real's gonna ever catch us:rockman::rockman:


Shut Up Glory Hunter

That's Bullsh*t, Malaga should have had a penalty, but damn did Valdes smash into the post or what:D

HT 2-0

The ref and linesmen are f*cking idiots :nape:

HT 0-2

Not a good match but Barça were efficient. The game started after the first goal, before it was a fight on the midfield.

Not the best Barça but still 0-2 so I won't complain.

I wonder what Deco and Xavi were arguing about. Btw if Barcelona wins, i think they will wrap it up and win the championship, which in all justice, they deserve.

Substitution
Eto'o<->Motta

Iniesta moves to the LW and Ronaldinho CF

Substitution
Eto'o<->Motta

Iniesta moves to the LW and Ronaldinho CF

what the hell? why not Maxi?

Motta needs minutes, he'll be a starter soon.

I guess Rijkaard wanted a midfield more defensive and indeed they're controlling the game better now.



Giuly 0-3

Xavi is the man though.


Another substitution:
Iniesta<->Sylvinho

Gio LW, Sylvinho LB

3-0 (N)

:nape:

Giuly

Motta can replace Xavi next week because he just got a stupid yellow that suspends him vs. Albacete

Red Card for Amoroso

(6) What a dirty play :kader:

Goal Gerard 0-4

I didn't even know that he was in the pitch..


FT 0-4

Giuly... :rockman:

**** off Madrid... :jambo:

Giuly... :rockman:

**** off Madrid... :jambo:

fanboy :D

Ft 4-0

Nice Perfomance :boohoo: :(

hehe...one step closer to he title...it just can't get away!!

barça:rockman::rockman:

Giuly... :rockman:

**** off Madrid... :jambo:

http://www.graffitipress.it/Sport/20040727TrofeoTim/cruz_trofeotim2246_std.jpg

:rockman:

hey guys, i have a question.

is this calculation correct?


if we win our next three games, we win la liga this year, regardless of what real madrid does. however, if real madrid loses next week, then we only have to win the next two games to win la liga.

is this calculation correct?

thanks.

yup.

You guys will win next week vs. Albacete, but after that it will be tough games for FCB. (6)

Villarreal at home is definately do-able. Definately after seeing Madrid-Villarreal. Valencia will be tough, though I think Villarreal is tougher than Valencia...

Xavi's yellow wasn't stupid. He'll miss Albacete. That's not dangerous. We'll rock them anyway. That way he won't fear a suspension later on, when we have to go to Sociedad and Valencia and play Villarreal at home. Those are important games and we'll have him then. A smart yellow, I'd say.


---

After the Madrid match we had 7 games left, six pts advantage. That means we had to win 5 games to win the league. We beat Getafe and now Malaga. That means we have three games left to win. If Madrid lose, that makes it two so the calculation is correct.

---

I can't see us losing this, especially after the Malaga match and Madrid's win against Villarreal. Villarreal should have done better, because Forlan and Roman had one-on-ones. Madrid will be without Zidane, Salgado and Samuel in San Sebastian. And after Soc. won against Betis, I can see them beating or at least tieing Madrid and making our job easier.

LOL. Gerard on the scoreline. He'll definitely extend, now.

yup.

You guys will win next week vs. Albacete, but after that it will be tough games for FCB. (6)


LOL. Your schedule is so much easier.

Good Result, only 3 more finals to play. :D

any one got the highlights??

http://www.graffitipress.it/Sport/20040727TrofeoTim/cruz_trofeotim2246_std.jpg

:rockman:


:O

We're not 6 points behind buddy... ;) ..We have better chances of winning something than your team..oh I almost forgot, we kicked your ass in Turin 2-0.. :)

If both teams finish level on points, Barça still takes it, so this is a no-go for Real Madrid. Maybe next season, when Luxa has a pre-season schedule with some decent friendlies, and with the players he want to coach.

Grande FC Barcelona!!1

4-0
Mierdistas sigan soñando

:O

We're not 6 points behind buddy... ;) ..We have better chances of winning something than your team..oh I almost forgot, we kicked your ass in Turin 2-0.. :)

at least we were not kicked out by a team in the fifth place in the english league....oh and not to forget, they were missing 5 players from the first team

at least we were not kicked out by a team in the fifth place in the english league....oh and not to forget, they were missing 5 players from the first team

lol...but you got kicked out by a team that lost to a team that is in the 5th place in the English league.... :kader:


:ewan: nice statement dude

lol...but you got kicked out by a team that lost to a team that is in the 5th place in the English league.... :kader:


:ewan: nice statement dude

i know at least i wouldnt be ashamed when i say i got kicked by a team in the second place not fifth

i know at least i wouldnt be ashamed when i say i got kicked by a team in the second place not fifth

w/e...we still beat you.. :)

w/e...we still beat you.. :)
we still have more CL, leagues and cups

lol, Inter can burn in hell, Juve for the Scudetto !!! :rockman:

lil kewell, i think DT has posted it, look a page back.

Barcelona close to deal for PSV's Van Bommel

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain could close a deal for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mark van Bommel by the end of next week.

Van Bommel is off contract in the summer and has offers on the table from Barca and AC Milan for next season.

DiarioSport says Begiristain has stepped up contact with van Bommel's representatives over the past week and is confident of clinching his signature.

Despite a rival offer from Milan, Van Bommel favours Barca, where he will work with coach Frank Rijkaard and also has a good recommendation from his PSV teammate Phillip Cocu.

Only minor details of the contract need to be finalised and its suggested Van Bommel could put pen to paper before the end of the month.

Great!!!

Ballack has also been linked with us.

Barça already did an offer for him last season that Bayern rejected. Now it seems he wants to leave München.

He has given to his new born son the name Jordi (George in catalan), don't know if that means anything for his future ...

I guess is van Bommel or Ballack, not both (although next season it's world cup year and that means less time to play all the games. There will be only 3 weeks without midweek games).

will be great ballack !

Barcelona vs Malaga

1-0 Oleguer (http://rapidshare.de/files/1414945/_Canal__20050424_192354.mpg.html)
2-0 Giuly (http://rapidshare.de/files/1415094/_Canal__20050424_193622.mpg.html)
3-0 Giuly (http://rapidshare.de/files/1415737/_Canal__20050424_202838.mpg.html)
4-0 amazing header by Gerard (http://rapidshare.de/files/1416020/_Canal__20050424_205034.mpg.html)
Foul Amoroso red card (http://rapidshare.de/files/1416035/_Canal__20050424_205434.mpg.html)

I was sceptical when Ballack was first linked with Barcelona. I didn't appreciate him, really. But he's made me change my opinion about him and I'd be very pleased to see him in Barca. I prefer him to VB.

em, isnt Barca's midfield already loaded, if we dont count injuries? what the hell would the formation look like?

em, isnt Barca's midfield already loaded, if we dont count injuries? what the hell would the formation look like?

A team exclusively for Champions league. :brow:

oh yeah:rockman: ballack would be s-w-e-e-t!!

Well we're close to signing Ezquerro atm. I hope the deal will collapse.

so many names ...

before any signing we'll have the confirmation of the sponsor, which is something totally new

Ballack is a very good player but we don't need him. I accept van Bommel because he will come for free. I wouldn't pay for another AM when we have Xavi, Deco and Iniesta. Ballack would be a waste of money.

yeah great idea...

Yeah well VB has an offer from Milan also but i'm pretty sure he will join Barca, thanks to a bit of help from Cocu. :D

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=33&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=205458&idseccio_PK=614&h=

Van Bommel is a Barca player now!
he'll earn 3Millions euro/year + some bonuses and he has a contract of 3years.
definetely a great signing!!

:ewan: :ewan: :ewan:

Awesome !!!!! (H)

Our Midfield will overun everyone next season, i can't wait for next season it's going to be HUGE !!!! :lui:

Just to add we are linked with Patrice Evra also, he is an awesome LB, it is reported Madrid and Barca are targeting him in the summer...

Great news!!!

Sport.es is the only one confirming the transfer. Nor El Mundo Deportivo nor any dutch sites/newspapers say anything about it. Marca says VB is close, but Sport is the only newspaper confirming it. So it's not official yet, but I expect the news soon... :)

Yeah, i wonder if Catalan Radio is airing any news about it?