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Was reading the latest issue of FourFourtwo magazine and there was a feature on how Barcelona and Real Madrid rose from relative league mediocrity in late 90s (in Barca's case more early 00s) to basically make La Liga a two team league in the later part of the 00s decade.
However I had to do a double take when I read that Barcelona had finished 18 points behind Real Madrid in 07/08 season. Indeed Villareal actually finished 10 points ahead of them in second which is interesting in itself as to me their peak was that 2005-06 season when Riquelme and Forlan were in amazing form (indeed Forlan had joined Atletico Madrid in summer of 2007).
They finished on "only" 67 points which is their lowest total for 18 years if you count to present season. The previous season they'd lost the title to Real Madrid on the final day (and that really wasn't a great Real Madrid team at all). Actually only finsihed 3 points clear of 5th place.
Now I know likes of Ronaldinho, Deco etc lost motivation and Henry signing didn't really work out but they still had Messi who was showing some great form at end of 2006/07 season (hat trick v Madrid in March 2007) and they still had Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol who'd all lead Spain to glory a month later. Also still had Eto'o upfront. Was their defence really bad that year?
They also pushed a fantastic Manchester United team very close over the two legs, certainly had long spells of possesion and chances at Old Trafford in the second leg. This was the season where Real Madrid were beaten home and away by Roma in last 16 of CL and looking at their line up it looked like a similar standard to after Ronaldo left, likes of Gago and Diarra in midfield.
Interested what the hell happened. Probably showed how well Pep did in 2008/09 considering the negativity when he took over. Mourinho was very close to getting the job that summer wasn't he before board members overruled.
However I had to do a double take when I read that Barcelona had finished 18 points behind Real Madrid in 07/08 season. Indeed Villareal actually finished 10 points ahead of them in second which is interesting in itself as to me their peak was that 2005-06 season when Riquelme and Forlan were in amazing form (indeed Forlan had joined Atletico Madrid in summer of 2007).
They finished on "only" 67 points which is their lowest total for 18 years if you count to present season. The previous season they'd lost the title to Real Madrid on the final day (and that really wasn't a great Real Madrid team at all). Actually only finsihed 3 points clear of 5th place.
Now I know likes of Ronaldinho, Deco etc lost motivation and Henry signing didn't really work out but they still had Messi who was showing some great form at end of 2006/07 season (hat trick v Madrid in March 2007) and they still had Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol who'd all lead Spain to glory a month later. Also still had Eto'o upfront. Was their defence really bad that year?
They also pushed a fantastic Manchester United team very close over the two legs, certainly had long spells of possesion and chances at Old Trafford in the second leg. This was the season where Real Madrid were beaten home and away by Roma in last 16 of CL and looking at their line up it looked like a similar standard to after Ronaldo left, likes of Gago and Diarra in midfield.
Interested what the hell happened. Probably showed how well Pep did in 2008/09 considering the negativity when he took over. Mourinho was very close to getting the job that summer wasn't he before board members overruled.