La Liga 2020/21

Pocho

Full Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
1,807
He should be injured constantly the way he carries Barca, instant impact yet again. You can see how deep Betis defend since he came on, they are shitting themselves now.
That’s what some people don’t understand. He is not a goalscorer. He is so much more than that.
 

MalcolmTucker

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Messages
1,810
Earlier in the season Messi genuinely didn't look like the best player in the world for a minute - but in the last few months he has shown there still isn't another player on his level.
 

Daysleeper

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
4,790
Supports
Barcelona
Earlier in the season Messi genuinely didn't look like the best player in the world for a minute - but in the last few months he has shown there still isn't another player on his level.
I think all the BS from the summer took its toll on him to start the season. He seems much better and more himself now
 

FrankDrebin

Don't call me Shirley
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Messages
19,877
Location
Police Squad
Supports
USA Manchester Red Socks
A few players in this Barca team I haven't heard or seen.
How good are the likes of Pedri, Mingueza and Araujo ?
 

Daysleeper

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
4,790
Supports
Barcelona
A few players in this Barca team I haven't heard or seen.
How good are the likes of Pedri, Mingueza and Araujo ?
araujo and pedri are our future and should be cornerstones for the next decade. Mingueza is just OK
 

MalcolmTucker

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Messages
1,810
A few players in this Barca team I haven't heard or seen.
How good are the likes of Pedri, Mingueza and Araujo ?
Pedri is quality.

Still not made my mind up on either Mingueza and Araujo - have good games and bad games from what I've seen.
 

Cait Sith

Full Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
1,379
Atlético are too far away, but I’m quite impressed how Barca have turned their season around after their horrific start.
Coinciding with Messi back in form of course.

If Messi leaves next summer they will be struggling for top 4.
 

giorno

boob novice
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
26,144
Supports
Real Madrid
Araujo is promising

Mingueza is weird. He appears to be a defender and is played as one, technically. Except he's really good on the ball and a good attacking player, and an absolutely nightmarish defender :lol:

Koeman's using him as a WB now and i'm not sure he has the pace for it. Think he should try him in midfield, which if it works would neatly solve the issue of having to include busquets in the rotation :lol:
 

Hoof the ball

Full Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
12,187
Location
San Antonio, Texas.
Coinciding with Messi back in form of course.

If Messi leaves next summer they will be struggling for top 4.
I think Messi will reconnect with Pep at City. It would have happened already this season.............and I don't think it's a coincidence that Pep is playing false nine this season. It's tailor made for Messi to play the role he did whilst under Pep for Barça.
 

Bosnian_fan

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2018
Messages
707
Supports
Sarajevo
It's still amazing how Barcelona have discarded Suarez. If anything, this season proves he was being held back by Barcelona, and not the other way around.
 

MalcolmTucker

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Messages
1,810
There is a slight difference in salary and Barca is pretty broke, so...
Just read that Braithwaite is on only 16k per week which really is a pittance.

But still, selling Suarez who is now top scorer, to your league rivals, who are running away with the league, for free is a special move.
 

Alfie092

Full Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2015
Messages
1,009
Wasn't Atletico supposed to get Cavani instead of Suarez at first? Or was the reason they didn't push through the deal for Cavani because Suarez became available for sale?

I am loving Cavani at United and would never want Suarez at United for obvious reason and I'm sure Cavani would have done well at Atletico but I do not believe he would have had a big of an impact as Suarez in the red & white shirt! Not only is Suarez more suited to La Liga, he has a point to prove to Barcelona and so far it looks like he will make them pay!
 

De Portago

Full Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
599
Supports
Red Star
Keeping both Messi and Suarez was probably not an option after that Bayern debacle which again showed that there's absolutely no way to accommodate two static players with weak defensive contribution upfront against top teams in Europe. There were rumors that he also requested a new 4 year contract, and at his age and physical state that would have been a blunder of Bale proportions.

Also there is no way to prove that current form Suarez shows at ATM would replicate in Barcelona this season. It was probably good for Suarez himself to move away from comfort and play under a tough demanding coach like Simeone after the likes of Valverde and Setien who more or less let the seniors do whatever they want.
 

Daysleeper

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
4,790
Supports
Barcelona
Keeping both Messi and Suarez was probably not an option after that Bayern debacle which again showed that there's absolutely no way to accommodate two static players with weak defensive contribution upfront against top teams in Europe. There were rumors that he also requested a new 4 year contract, and at his age and physical state that would have been a blunder of Bale proportions.

Also there is no way to prove that current form Suarez shows at ATM would replicate in Barcelona this season. It was probably good for Suarez himself to move away from comfort and play under a tough demanding coach like Simeone after the likes of Valverde and Setien who more or less let the seniors do whatever they want.
Spot on. I just wish we handled his exit better.
 

giorno

boob novice
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
26,144
Supports
Real Madrid
Look. I know it's only getafe. I know we're in mega-emergency. But still. Back 3. Works. Marcelo is still *good* when he has back cover.

I've been screaming for it since the beginning if the season. Go with a back 3!
 

Daysleeper

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
4,790
Supports
Barcelona
Look. I know it's only getafe. I know we're in mega-emergency. But still. Back 3. Works. Marcelo is still *good* when he has back cover.

I've been screaming for it since the beginning if the season. Go with a back 3!
You guys looked good today considering the lineup! After the first half I thought it was going to be one of those bogey matches where the stats were heavily in your favour but a tough result. Benzema had other ideas. I also liked what I saw from Marvin Park.

I’m very anxious about our match with Sevilla. Not having Araujo could be suicide for us. They’ve been in good form lately.
 

GatoLoco

Full Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Messages
3,214
Supports
Real Madrid
You guys looked good today considering the lineup! After the first half I thought it was going to be one of those bogey matches where the stats were heavily in your favour but a tough result. Benzema had other ideas. I also liked what I saw from Marvin Park.
It was one of those games where the rival coach does not expect the new formation (product of circumstances) at all and his team completely collapses. I can imagine players like Cucurella pressing up like crazy and thinking "oh, this is not working out like it normally does vs Real Madrid".
 

Daysleeper

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
4,790
Supports
Barcelona
It was one of those games where the rival coach does not expect the new formation (product of circumstances) at all and his team completely collapses. I can imagine players like Cucurella pressing up like crazy and thinking "oh, this is not working out like it normally does vs Real Madrid".
For sure, however I doubt this formation works when kroos and modric are back? What do you think?
 

GatoLoco

Full Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Messages
3,214
Supports
Real Madrid
For sure, however I doubt this formation works when kroos and modric are back? What do you think?
I don't really know to be honest. If I had to place a bet on it, if Zidane uses it I think it will be occasionally because he's missing defenders. But 3-4-3 is rarely used in football nowadays and Zidane would have already lost that element of surprise that drove Getafe mad the other day. I don't see it as a norm.

One positive of the game is, Mendy didn't look out of place as a CB to me.
 
Last edited:

FootballHQ

Full Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Messages
18,139
Supports
Aston Villa
Huge fan of Yangel Herrera. Interested what sort of plan Man. City have for him. Can see him being loaned to another premier league club next season or Man. City do a Douglas Luiz style deal.
 

Pep's Suit

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
1,705
Huge fan of Yangel Herrera. Interested what sort of plan Man. City have for him. Can see him being loaned to another premier league club next season or Man. City do a Douglas Luiz style deal.
Yeah, like you say: PL loan or sold for €10m+ with buy-back option. Leipzig signed Angelino for €20m yesterday, Leeds should pay £10m for Harrison in summer. City will make some decent money from sales.
 

FootballHQ

Full Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Messages
18,139
Supports
Aston Villa
Didn't realise Harrison was still on loan, thought Leeds had got him permanently already. Could get 15-20m based on his prem form so far.
 

AltiUn

likes playing with swords after fantasies
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
23,494
Pellistri on the bench for Alaves against Barcelona tonight, might be worth a watch.