FC Barcelona Thread [2009/10]

[adedawson]

p.s. I don't want to offend any Spanish fan with this; absolutely not. I know FC Barcelona has a lot of Spanish fans. I'm just saying what happens in Spain's Capital and how they see FC Barcelona.

Its the same everywhere.

EDIT:

For example, look what was Spain's most sold newspaper first news after the draw:

"El Barça no pisará el vestuario del Madrid"

~ "Barça will not use Real Madrid locker room"


I know they support Madrid and stuffs, but com'on, they are Spain's most sold newspaper and their first news isn't which team are Barça, the only 'Spanish' team left on competition, will face, but rather it was they won't use the locker room of some losers.

This is just an example. I know that this doesn't represent all Spanish people, but still, they are the most sold newspaper in Spain.

And, yes Dear Marca, we won't use their locker room, but we'll use their stadium, we'll celebrate in their stadium.

Exactly its Spain's most sold newspaper, they will write what sells. You got to remember the Barca fans are just a small portion of the population.

Now if several Spanish clubs got through, there would be a far more patriotic story to be had.

As it stands there probably more people in Spain angry, jealous, envious that there rival team got though. So what would sell more, a article backing the only Spanish team that are rivals to the bulk of the population or an article feeding that rivalry.

 

[kp41]

I know they support Madrid and stuffs, but com'on, they are Spain's most sold newspaper and their first news isn't which team are Barça, the only 'Spanish' team left on competition, will face, but rather it was they won't use the locker room of some losers.

This is just an example. I know that this doesn't represent all Spanish people, but still, they are the most sold newspaper in Spain.

And, yes Dear Marca, we won't use their locker room, but we'll use their stadium, we'll celebrate in their stadium.

They're so retarded.

But the thing is when Catalan people believe Catalonia is not Spain, do you think it makes them happy if Marca and Spanish media highlight Barcelona's success, they simply don't care and maybe it disgusts them.

 

[adedawson]

What do you mean coz I don't get this.

the media try to sell story's posting stupid articles... its the same everywhere.

Well, it's not exactly the same everywhere. Nobody wants to see his rival succeeding, but it's not a matter of rival now. FC Barcelona is the only 'Spanish' team left in Champions League, the only team that it's defending Spain's pride. So, whatever happens, even if they are your rivals, they deserve a respect.

I don't think this really matters but you have me curious now. FC barcelona being the only team left, doesn't that make it worse? For example I'm proud if the papers write articles when 5 British teams qualify for the champions league knockout stages Or all English Finals etc. That's something to get patriotic about.

On the other hand, if Chelsea, Liverpool or whoever were the only team left I would want them too lose.

So maybe an example for you, would you support Real Madrid if they were the only Spanish team left, wouldn't you want some other team to give them a good lashing? Anything to stop Madrid from winning another champions league etc.

But, since this is the case, then why is the point of FC Barcelona competing with Spanish Flag, when majority of the Spaniards don't want them to win.

That's a good point, you tell me? I always hear about how Catalonia wants to split away from Spain? Perhaps the founders were more proud of the Spanish Kingdom then the modern day community?

Although, I think its just extremists who rant about Catalonia and splitting away, A tiny % of the population. If I remember correct the last test referendum on independence was a big flop. I think they realise the 7 million in Catalonia would be far stronger in the Spanish collective.

 

[Mandieta6]

People in Spain really don't like Madrid and Barca, from what I've seen. I know lots of people who would rather they went out of the tournie, and were supporting Sevilla solely. When Iniesta scored at the Bridge I was watching with a lot of people, most of whom were Valencia or other fans and more people sunk in their seats than celebrated.

 

[Arnau]

well, Barça isn't very loved in valencia. You know "Valencià i home de bé, no pot ser".

 

[Sevillista]

People in Spain really don't like Madrid and Barca, from what I've seen. I know lots of people who would rather they went out of the tournie, and were supporting Sevilla solely. When Iniesta scored at the Bridge I was watching with a lot of people, most of whom were Valencia or other fans and more people sunk in their seats than celebrated.

Sevilla aren't terribly popular in the country either. We had a bad reputation for a long time for being physical/violent. Juande's reign helped change a lot of that, but there is still a lot of resentment, especially in some Andalusian cities like Cadiz and Malaga.

 

[adedawson]

Sounds like rivalry is very strong and lots of it. would explain the reason for the original discussion about the media.

This topic has got me reading about Spain, interesting. I never quite understood all the different states/areas of Spain. I thought they were more like British Counties.

Someone once asked me on these forums why Britain was allowed to field 3 teams in the World cup, i.e. England, Wales and Scotland. I said they each have there Own FA's and are different ("united") countries/nations.

There reply was along the lines that each different Spanish autonomous community was a nation. Also mentioned a Catalonian national team? How true is that? Do the different areas like Madrid, Catalonia have there own governments/parliaments, Laws etc.

Sorry to ask this here, not often you get to speak to people first hand from Spain.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

Sounds like rivalry is very strong and lots of it. would explain the reason for the original discussion about the media.

This topic has got me reading about Spain, interesting. I never quite understood all the different states/areas of Spain. I thought they were more like British Counties.

Someone once asked me on these forums why Britain was allowed to field 3 teams in the World cup, i.e. England, Wales and Scotland. I said they each have there Own FA's and are different ("united") countries/nations.

There reply was along the lines that each different Spanish autonomous community was a nation. Also mentioned a Catalonian national team? How true is that? Do the different areas like Madrid, Catalonia have there own governments/parliaments, Laws etc.

Sorry to ask this here, not often you get to speak to people first hand from Spain.

Well how it works is that Spain is divided into 17 Autonomous Communities, and some of the ACs have more competency devolution than others, due to their status as historical nationalities. (Catalonia/Valencia, Galicia and Basque Country/Navarra). All ACs have their own regional parliaments, but the ACs vary as to what policies they have control over; with some being exclusively reserved for the federal government, like customs at the airport.

The basic devolution for all 17 ACs is in terms of (language/cultural) education and health, but some ACs have managed to negotiate further concessions through something like mini-constitutions called Statutes. In the case of Catalonia it has its own parliament, government (Generalitat), the right to publically use Catalan alongside Castillian within Catalonia (now along with Occitian), certain regional laws and even its own police force (Mossos d'Esquadra), but one big issue is in terms of taxation/financing.

This is because in Spain there are actually two types; The Basque taxation system, and the system for the rest of Spain. The Basque taxation system is based on old medieval laws called foral laws (ley de los fueros), and how it works today is that both the Basque Country and Navarre ACs are able to collect all the tax within their territory and only have to give back a certain % back to the federal government in Madrid. For the rest of Spain, none of the other ACs are able to control how much tax they give back to Madrid, with the government redistributing the total tax from the 15 ACs on a needs basis, a process called financing (financiacion), so lesser developed regions get proportionally more money.

 

[adedawson]

wow well thanks guys, even if i'm a little more confused Sounds like Spains AC's are more like american states with the exception of catalonia, which seems to have more power then most? I find it interesting that they have the largest population out of all the AC's which would put them in a better position then most to break away if they so wish.

Would it not be disastrous if they did though? 16 other places that then possibly may do the same? Not that I could ever see it happening.

I think Europe is more likely to unite then anything in the next few decades. The EU is already a bit like an early US, now with talk of setting up a military etc. I guess in the footballing sense places would hold onto there FA's meaning unique teams for world cups etc. Interesting prospect.

Well thanks for the insite i wont bore you any more with my ramblings Back to football!

Happy birthday ronnie

 

[Arnau]

Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Maxwell, Busquets,Touré, Iniesta, Messi, Ibra y Henry.

0-4.

 

[Arnau]

Marca is clueless and so i'm, iniesta and Henry benched, keita and pedro in.

 

[Xifio]

hahaha, wow, Zlatan is having a shocking period out of form ... it wasn't official before, but it is now -- that's what happens when you hit the post despite facing a virtually empty net, and then sky several others when in on goal ...

but instead of being left to feel isolated, his teammates pushed forward hard, trying to get Ibra the goal that he is so desperate for; that is just so awesome to see! Zlatan's confidence is in tatters, but the support of his teammates as they are demonstrating it on the pitch will help and will make the difference ... Leo didn't hesitate to point to Zlatan to take the penalty, and that was terrific to see ... you have to admire the whole team for supporting him the way they have ... just awesome!

with Messi in such ridiculous touch, Zlatan's lack of form is not costing the team -- even if two late goals conceded due to a drop in concentration dented the scoreline a little ... it is really lucky for him, because when he rediscovers it will be timely ... and lucky too that he had that record-breaking start to the season, along with some amazing assists, and that goal against Real, because that is keeping the fans off his back more than if this was his form was like this from the start ... can't wait for him to get back to the level I know (we know) he is capable of ...

meanwhile though, I, along with everyone else (not just Barcelona fans), can enjoy Messi getting better and better ...

 

[Arnau]

best.player.ever.

 

[kp41]

woow, just woow, how one can describe Leo Messi. We can write all day about his performance, magnificent player.

Messi makes everything look so easy (Dytza wrote this few months ago).

11 goals in 4 matches, unbelievable. Its a privilege for all of us to live in Messi era.

btw, he's a great person as well. He let Ibra to score that penalty shot (I'm sure Ronaldo would do the same).

well, Ibra performance badly reminded me the end of Kluivert but I hope that goal changes everything.

Crazy stuff at the end, but Good win by Barca. I hope Madrid looses some points against Getafe and Atletico, but that doesn't matter, we know what will happen at Bernabeo.

 

[kp41]

best.player.ever.

living legend for sure.

with all do respect to Mr. Rooney, Messi plays in another level.

 

[Arnau]

end of Kluivert? whole Kluivert career you mean, he always missed incredible chances and score awesome goals. Zlatan played a great match, he will score more goals next time playing like that.

 

[ARIAGA II]

woow, just woow, how one can describe Leo Messi. We can write all day about his performance, magnificent player.

Messi makes everything look so easy (Dytza wrote this few months ago).

11 goals in 4 matches, unbelievable. Its a privilege for all of us to live in Messi era.

btw, he's a great person as well. He let Ibra to score that penalty shot (I'm sure Ronaldo would do the same).

well, Ibra performance badly reminded me the end of Kluivert but I hope that goal changes everything.

Crazy stuff at the end, but Good win by Barca. I hope Madrid looses some points against Getafe and Atletico, but that doesn't matter, we know what will happen at Bernabeo.

*Bernabéu, unless you want to make derogatory in which case it's Mierdabéu.
Usually I'll enjoy watching Messi play like this now I'm scared (for both the WC & UCL).

 

[kp41]

Did you see Pep reaction after Ibra scored? He almost cried.

It can be a new beginning, he just needs to score in a home match.

All Hail Leo Messi, Bow down. It's impossible to describe his performance in words.

 

[KingPaulV]

I have to admit, I surrender to Messi...amazing, he's not even human man.....havents seen a player like him since R9 at his prime and R9 was not nearly the passer Messi is...this year he seems to have added so many new elements to his game, to add to what was already an amazing repertoir.....simply amazing!

 

[Dytza]

I've seen players like Ronaldo (also Cristiano), Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka (07?!), Hagi (at his career end), Henry and many other great players. But this guy is the best football player I've seen in my almost 16 years life. What a player! He can pass, he can dribble, he can score goals WITH HIS HEAD!! he cand run, he can defend. He's capable of stopping a penalty if you put him as GK . What he did tonight (again), after Valencia, Almeria, Stuttgart games was unhuman. Nobody, can do what he did at the 2nd goal and at that penalty.

Also, I'd like to point out his gesture at Ibra. He let him take the penalty. He could have get all the glory with the 4th goal, but instead of that he chose to help his teammate. Ibra is in a very bad mood, and that was clear after his first occasion.

Many people could forget Leo's age. He's only 22 but his maturity in his play is unbelieveble at his age.

I'm very happy with this night, because Leo is my favourite footie player since 05-06 season (after the Juventus Gamper match), and this time he proves again that he's without any doubt the best player in the world.