I think despite the difference in the scoreboard the 5-1 and this 1-1 weren't that different. The 5-1 was closer than the result said, until we scored the second and your team started getting exposed to come back, it wasn't an stellar performance.
The first 15 minutes and the last 10 minutes were mostly Madrid and I agree that Madrid had the better first half overall, but Rakitic hit the post and we had as many shots as you did and only one shot less on target the entire match.
Without Messi the squad is a little more than average, the game in Sevilla proves what I'm saying.
How so? Top teams struggle against other teams in their league all the time. And Sevilla are a very good side. Which squads in world football would you place ahead of Barca’s?
Not one game proves anything, especially away to Sevilla. They beat Madrid 5-1 without Messi ffs. Every game has its own story.
Suarezzz! The pass from MessiMessi and Alba are a brilliant combo and even Suarez couldn't mess that up.
Yup, that's arguably just the best striker in the world Luis Suarez there. Now imagine if Messi was playing next to Giroud and Kalinic like Griezmann, next to Mandzukic and André Silva like Ronaldo, next to Morata and Lukaku like Hazard, next to Cavani and Jesus like Neymar, etc.
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By merit would mean 4 substitutions in starting 11. Both FB's, Casemiro for Llorente and Ceballos for Kroos. Playing Marcelo is pure masochism at this point.
The problem with Suarez is that some games who easily looks like the worst player on the pitch and others (like the first clasico) he looks like the best #9 in the world. He was woeful yesterday and with him it's hard to figure out which version of Suarez we are going to get. He absolutely should not be playing every wee, he is too old for that now. He's looked exhausted these past few weeks.Not one game proves anything, especially away to Sevilla. They beat Madrid 5-1 without Messi ffs. Every game has its own story.
The squad is full of world class players who are the absolute best at what they do with capable back ups in nearly every single position. It's the best squad in the world, the constant need of Messi fans to downplay it is truly remarkable. The fact so many get wound up when I point it out but refuse to name one better team says everything really.
There isn't one star player in world football as lucky as Lionel Messi when it comes to the squad around him. There also isn't one star player in world football whose fans love to shit on the squad around that player more than you guys. It was funny at the World Cup but now it's hilarious.
Here you go, all from the past 2 years just to give an example:
Yup, that's arguably just the best striker in the world Luis Suarez there. Now imagine if Messi was playing next to Giroud and Kalinic like Griezmann, next to Mandzukic and André Silva like Ronaldo, next to Morata and Lukaku like Hazard, next to Cavani and Jesus like Neymar, etc.
That's just one example to show the sort of thing I'm talking about. It's prevalent in most sports forums. Just wait and see how extreme it gets if Barcelona actually fail to win the Champions League this season.
So everyone that says we don't have such a mighty squad is just a Messi fanboy looking for apologies right?. You're the guru of objectivism because you totally won't try to turn the debate around how good are our players and how one particular superstar underperforms years after year with them, when you don't have any interest to put another player above him.Not one game proves anything, especially away to Sevilla. They beat Madrid 5-1 without Messi ffs. Every game has its own story.
The squad is full of world class players who are the absolute best at what they do with capable back ups in nearly every single position. It's the best squad in the world, the constant need of Messi fans to downplay it is truly remarkable. The fact so many get wound up when I point it out but refuse to name one better team says everything really.
There isn't one star player in world football as lucky as Lionel Messi when it comes to the squad around him. There also isn't one star player in world football whose fans love to shit on the squad around that player more than you guys. It was funny at the World Cup but now it's hilarious.
Here you go, all from the past 2 years just to give an example:
Yup, that's arguably just the best striker in the world Luis Suarez there. Now imagine if Messi was playing next to Giroud and Kalinic like Griezmann, next to Mandzukic and André Silva like Ronaldo, next to Morata and Lukaku like Hazard, next to Cavani and Jesus like Neymar, etc.
That's just one example to show the sort of thing I'm talking about. It's prevalent in most sports forums. Just wait and see how extreme it gets if Barcelona actually fail to win the Champions League this season.
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The most ridiculous thing is that I've seen him completely downplay the likes of Kroos, Modric, Marcelo, Ramos, Benzema and what not when Ronaldo was playing while simultaneously going completely over the top when rating players like Rakitic, Jordi Alba and so forth.So everyone that says we don't have such a mighty squad is just a Messi fanboy looking for apologies right?. You're the guru of objectivism because you totally won't try to turn the debate around how good are our players and how one particular superstar underperforms years after year with them, when you don't have any interest to put another player above him.
A couple days ago you talked about agenda and narrative, like anyone who has more than 5 posts in the mvr thread is free of any sin and doesn't act on a totally biased way.
Best striker in the world has had stinkers in 95% percent of the UCL games in the past 3 seasons yet you insist on pointing at him as the best, if the 10 was on the back of that shirt you'd be digging his grave
I still remember our little discussion just before WC in which he claimed Dembele had much better season than Bale. yes, Dembele who missed 4 months of football and played only 15 games in which he scored 4 goals vs Bale's 21 goals and motm in CL final = Dembele wins
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They definitely don't have the best squad in world football.
You what? No, that most certainly is not a fact.
Man City have the best squad
Yup, such a pity, they play gorgeous football, maybe if they have enought time to finish their project they can start showing around Europe in EL or even UCL legs.
Their midfield is crazy, even their second unit would compete against any other midfield in Europe
If they kept playing so well sooner or later the big clubs would come to gett their best players and even Setien.
Disagree. The 5-1 was a battering. We had a great 20 minutes early in the second half and could have even equilized sure, but in the other 70 minutes you were good for 5 goals. This time, while you were probably the better team, and certainly controlled most of the match, it was a fairly even affair
Yeah, i meant best chance the win the game after the 1-1
City don't have Messi
They also have the likes of Arthur, De Jong, Dembele, Malcolm, Semedo, Roberto, Lenglet, Umtiti, Ter Stegen, Alena, Coutinho (probably to be sold), etc who are all 26 or younger so its HARDLY an ageing squad..
Already getting your excuses ready. Really convenient.
Sure they have, just like Bayern had for a few years until they would come up against Spanish opposition in Europe. Then it's the referees and bad luck.
Wonder how much is left of that "fanbase" after Messi retires.Worst fanbase in the world bar none. There is no support for anyone whatsoever. Even booed one of their own legends, Luis Enrique, who won them the treble and double because of 1 average season. Imagine calling Ole names after he wins treble and double but then wins only the Cup in his third season.
Real Madrid, Juve, City, Psg, Bayern, Liverpool. All of them are better teams than Barcelona without Messi.
That's utter nonsense.
The only decent midfielder they have is Pjanic and he's sucked this season. Definitely wouldn't start for Barca ahead of Arthur, Busquets or Rakitic.That's a load of nonsense. Seriously woow!
Gnabry and Coman weren't assured starters before this season (not sure they even are now?). Their man stars (Ribery, Robben, Mueller, Boateng) are ageing. I didn't say anything incorrect.
What an idiotic post. Enrique will always be respected in Barca. Mourinho won more trophies for United since Fergie and people still hated him and wanted him out ASAP. United fans aren't much better, so quit with the dumb takes. There are far worse fan bases who have whistled/booed their own players and coaches (Madrid/Chelsea) than Barca.Barca have a comfortably better squad than City.
Valverde is also not average. The Barca fanbase is average, if anything. Actually below average: appaling is the fitting word.
Man goes unbeaten 37 league games, wins the double, is in pole position in every competition again, several blowouts in Clasicos (3-0 in Bernabeu, 5-1 at home, even without Messi) and they think they have an average manager because of 1 loss when the entire team mentally switched off for 90 minutes after a 4-1 first leg result.
They think Suarez, the guy who is already Barca's top 5 top scorers of all time and will end up 2nd highest by the time he retires, is average as well because he is clumsy at times.
Bunch of teenage kids who started watching around 2009 earliest and think Barca must forever play like prime Xavi, Iniesta, Alves days.
Worst fanbase in the world bar none. There is no support for anyone whatsoever. Even booed one of their own legends, Luis Enrique, who won them the treble and double because of 1 average season. Imagine calling Ole names after he wins treble and double but then wins only the Cup in his third season.
