SAF speaking at Balon d'or about Barca and Messi

KingMinger22 · 13th January 2012, 04:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortitude

That's quite an ambiguous statement.

Later could be 5 years, 10.. or the cycle may simply go full circle.

It's not unfeasible to think they could go on for a seriously concerted period of dominance more akin to Real Madrid of the 50's early 60's than Liverpool of the 70's and 80's or us in the 90's and 00's.

They have all the pieces in place, and more importantly, a system with rock-solid foundations, to really put their marker down as the greatest club side of all time factually rather than aesthetically.

As others have said, the core of their team is young, and more importantly, those who wish to challenge are a long way off having a side who are even close to being par with them. I'd say there's more likelihood of them reining for a long time yet, than them falling off or being usurped.

It's going to take something very special for any side to be able to knock them off their perch in at least the next 2-3 years. I'm inclined to say 5, but that's too long in football and opposing stars not currently on the map may well have emerged by then.

There is a chance that City or Real may assemble the right team. They have the money and contrary to what some say that counts.

gza the genius · 13th January 2012, 04:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adzzz

We can't rise to a challenge that isn't there. We're out of the CL.

We could potentially morally stop them though, right?

Claymore · 13th January 2012, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treble

The thing with Barcelona is that most of their players are under 30. Only Puyol is about to retire in the next 1-2 years. Messi and Fabregas are only 24, imagine if they get better in the next years! Busquets and Sanches are younger than them, they've got rising stars like Thiago Alcantara, their academy regularly produces great talents etc. Real are buiding a great team, too. The challenge is huge, in fact, the biggest in Fergie's career thus far.

Then there's the challenge of Man City over here and their spending power too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidic_In_Moscow

The only way SAF will win the CL again is if he throws money at the team on some big, and I mean BIG stars.

Barcelona don't just have the top players, they have the team as well. The way they play, the way they train and are coached is mental. They'll get beaten at times but they always seem to be there or there abouts, have been for a long time now.

We're not suddenly going to play on the deck football like that with lovely through balls and one twos because we buy a top player or two costing ££m.

Fortitude · 13th January 2012, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingMinger22

There is a chance that City or Real may assemble the right team. They have the money and contrary to what some say that counts.

A very remote chance given Real Madrid are mullered on a seasonal basis after throwing a quarter of a billion pounds at this conundrum and still look a mile off cracking it.

City are a long way off and have yet to go through the growing pains of CL competition, let alone face the best of the best.

Money is only one part of the problem, and let's not forget that along with flawless synergy, Barcelona acquire, and will continue to acquire, top talent - upcoming or established - as and when they see fit.

They have everything in place to keep at least the current equidistance they've established for a good few years yet.

Interval Level · 13th January 2012, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingMinger22

There is a chance that City or Real may assemble the right team. They have the money and contrary to what some say that counts.

Of course money counts. But I'd rather see my club 10th than bankrupt.

Glazers suck.

Feed Me · 13th January 2012, 08:56

Interesting reading, this thread.

FWIW, Barca do have an exceptional crop of players lying in wait to replace the current starters, but the question is, are they as exceptional as the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, etc. ?

It only takes a couple of players coming into the side to be 5-10% below what the previous players were and all of a sudden they are a less formidable collective.

Xavi is the hub and, for me, he'll be nigh on impossible to replace - neither Fabregas or Alcantara (from what I've seen) can replicate his gifts.

Barca will always be one of the top sides in Europe, but they won't always be the most exceptional. Football always works in cycles.

Zen86 · 13th January 2012, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Pavan

Later being more likely as the core of their team is still very young except Xavi but they have bought Fabregas to compensate for that, as well as having Thiago Alacantara and others who will step up once Xavi retires.

They've got a ready made replacement lined up, but I suspect that Barca will decline along with Xavi somewhat.

Zen86 · 13th January 2012, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortitude

That's quite an ambiguous statement.

Later could be 5 years, 10.. or the cycle may simply go full circle.

It's not unfeasible to think they could go on for a seriously concerted period of dominance more akin to Real Madrid of the 50's early 60's than Liverpool of the 70's and 80's or us in the 90's and 00's.

They have all the pieces in place, and more importantly, a system with rock-solid foundations, to really put their marker down as the greatest club side of all time factually rather than aesthetically.

As others have said, the core of their team is young, and more importantly, those who wish to challenge are a long way off having a side who are even close to being par with them. I'd say there's more likelihood of them reining for a long time yet, than them falling off or being usurped.

It's going to take something very special for any side to be able to knock them off their perch in at least the next 2-3 years. I'm inclined to say 5, but that's too long in football and opposing stars not currently on the map may well have emerged by then.

It'll be sooner rather than later, you don't keep up a level of play like that for too long a period. Players get older, lose that enthusiasm and level of fitness.

As I said above, Barca will decline with Xavi, but that's not to say they'll be rubbish, their pedestal just won't be as high. All it takes is a serious injury to Iniesta or Messi for things to go tits up.

sammsky1 · 13th January 2012, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SittingBull

I think Fergie realises that we cannot compete in terms of buying the biggest name in football, thus cannot realistically compete with Barcelona for the next 2 years. However, he had gone for another route which should be all too familiar to us. He's got for youth with worldclass potential, eg Smalling, Jones, De Gea, Cleverley, Rafael, etc. This is a transition period for Manchester United, and i'm pretty sure we will be dominating Europe in a few seasons time, like when we did with blooding Rooney, Ronaldo and Nani. The question is, can the fans be patient enough to see the fruits of his labour?

If they can't, Im glad they will fcuk off to support the plastic team that can give them their instant sugar feel good ness they seek!

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13th January 2012, 08:56	#46 (permalink)
Feed Me I'm hungry Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Berbatov has Cantona’s knack of being the man amid a stampede towards the door who stops to notice a side exit that nobody else has seen. Posts: 19,732	Interesting reading, this thread. FWIW, Barca do have an exceptional crop of players lying in wait to replace the current starters, but the question is, are they as exceptional as the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, etc. ? It only takes a couple of players coming into the side to be 5-10% below what the previous players were and all of a sudden they are a less formidable collective. Xavi is the hub and, for me, he'll be nigh on impossible to replace - neither Fabregas or Alcantara (from what I've seen) can replicate his gifts. Barca will always be one of the top sides in Europe, but they won't always be the most exceptional. Football always works in cycles.