50 replies to this topic

[footballoholic]

Thats why I never bet against Barca in a Classico. You end up looking stupid.

[Nibs]

SydneyChelsea, on 08 December 2011 - 03:16 AM, said:

That's a league-challenging first-team, let alone a second string.
It's funny that under Mourinho they've become more like the Galacticos Perez wanted them to be than ever before.

Madrid will beat Barcelona this weekend and quite comfortable. Barcelona just don't have the firepower or desire Madrid do at the moment.

D'Oh!!!

[Lane]

Am i the only one who saw that offside that wasnt called right before barcas second goal?

[SydneyChelsea]

In fairness, it's the only prediction I got wrong so far this season!

You can go on about lucky decisions etc. but they are post-hoc conclusions. Barcelona basically controlled the game after their equaliser, and they reacted to "luck" better than Madrid does. Barcelona showed that if you play Madrid with confidence and arrogance to control the game you will beat them- or more accurately, they will beat themselves.

In my opinion it's this attitude that has seen Barcelona and Man United dominate Europe for the past 5 or so years.

[Mike 93]

Imagine if Ronaldo scored that header, then Xavi lucky goal wouldn't have gone in. That was the big changing point.

[SydneyChelsea]

Mike 93, on 11 December 2011 - 04:26 PM, said:

Imagine if Ronaldo scored that header, then Xavi lucky goal wouldn't have gone in. That was the big changing point.

How do you know that would definitively be the case? And how do you know Barcelona would not score again to equalise, or that they would score 2 more anyway, or that Madrid would score 6 after Fabregas was sent off and Mourinho did a nudie run down the sideline? All are possible scenarios and neither of us could produce evidence to argue that any one of them was definitely going to happen.

That's like United fans arguing that had Drogba's goal at Old Trafford in 2010 been correctly ruled out for offside, Macheda still would've gone on to score and they would've drawn the game and thus retained the title!

Unless, of course, you're talking about quantum determinism...

[SHELLY]

Some of our journos are raving on about the footballing fare provided and it was a good match, but my God some of the diving that went on is nothing short of scandalous.
And for all the people that keep saying Ronaldo has cut that out of his game...well he hasn't, but he was far from alone...

[ethicalstrategy]

Thought Madrid were a bit unlucky on Saturday, but it is tough when your best player just doesn't turn up.

Messi should have been off just before half time - a penny for Mourinho's thoughts after all the red cards they got in the classics last season.

The Barca second was a complete fluke and put Madrid on the back foot.  Even so, Ronaldo missed an absolute sitter to equalise.  Barca then went down the other end and scored and that was that.

[Zola]

That was a massive result for Barca.

I thought Madrid would win that game as they had the momentum.

Madrid have next to no chance of beating Barca in the Nou Camp (in my opinion), Madrid really can't afford any more slip ups, as Barca probably wont mess up as badly again this season after what happened at Getafe.

Looks a better race in La Liga this year.

Ultimately I think Barca will win it, again.

[TheWestwayWonder]

SydneyChelsea, on 12 December 2011 - 08:32 AM, said:

How do you know that would definitively be the case? And how do you know Barcelona would not score again to equalise, or that they would score 2 more anyway, or that Madrid would score 6 after Fabregas was sent off and Mourinho did a nudie run down the sideline? All are possible scenarios and neither of us could produce evidence to argue that any one of them was definitely going to happen.

That's like United fans arguing that had Drogba's goal at Old Trafford in 2010 been correctly ruled out for offside, Macheda still would've gone on to score and they would've drawn the game and thus retained the title!

Unless, of course, you're talking about quantum determinism...

They were;nt actually that good, SC. For me, there was no one turning point, but that Ronaldo sitter was one of the big momentum swings. After that the crowd was out of it, and then the tie was buried.

For me, this was a case of Real not playing to their ability, and many of their players once again choking in this, the biggest of their domestic games.

Benzema, Kaka, Di Maria, Alonso and Coentrao were excellent. But Ronaldo and Ozil were just terrible/invisible, and once again when losing, Pepe and Ramos started to lose their heads.

The good news is that they were not blown off the park as Barca seem to do every time to them. The bad news is that, despite a hatful of chances they created nothing good enough to score from open play.

Neither did Barca, really. But the Alexis goal was perfectly defended despite what happened, and the Fabregas goal was just a work of art.

For me, this game didnt really prove anything, other than the fact that Barca know how to win this fixture, and Madrid's players, for whatever reason, are so mentally weak they fold like a cheap suit at the sight of Blaugrana.

Next time they play, Madrid should approach the game in teh exact same way, tactically, because in my opinion they were not exposed or caught out. They just didnt take their chances, in much the same way we couldve beat Man Utd but lost to them because they were so clinical. Instead, change the lineup. Leave Ozil out because he just cant compete in this game. Play The same attacking three, but get Ronaldo a therapist to get him over this game. And lastly, put an experienced leader out there to keep a handle on the game. Make Kaka the captain and have him lead by example from the middle, rather than having Casillas or Ramos calling any shots.

The Soccernet piece by Phil Ball said much the same. That Madrid had it right but played a bunch of mentally weak players who bore the scars of previous defeats. If they can get Sahin or Altintop, and a new backline in there the next time these teams meet, they will be alot better for it, IMO.

Then again, im fairly sure Jose would contine to take Classico hidings if it means they go on to better form in the league and open up a lead against Barca in the league again.

[Mike 93]

SydneyChelsea, on 12 December 2011 - 08:32 AM, said:

How do you know that would definitively be the case? And how do you know Barcelona would not score again to equalise, or that they would score 2 more anyway, or that Madrid would score 6 after Fabregas was sent off and Mourinho did a nudie run down the sideline? All are possible scenarios and neither of us could produce evidence to argue that any one of them was definitely going to happen.

That's like United fans arguing that had Drogba's goal at Old Trafford in 2010 been correctly ruled out for offside, Macheda still would've gone on to score and they would've drawn the game and thus retained the title!

Unless, of course, you're talking about quantum determinism...

All I'm stating is that was a big changing moment. If madrid had gone 2-1 up instead of down then they would of had more confidence to win. Also xavi's goal was offside so it shouldn't have counted anyway.