La Liga 2020/21

Morty_

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As usual, Messi was invisible.
Hasn't scored since 2018, around the same time Ronaldo left, has he?

Anyhow, RM have an advantage now, Barca and AM has to play each other, while RM are done with rival matches.
 

Daysleeper

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Hasn't scored since 2018, around the same time Ronaldo left, has he?

Anyhow, RM have an advantage now, Barca and AM has to play each other, while RM are done with rival matches.
hasn’t scored but still be solid outside of a game here or there against Madrid.
 

RG77

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Fair enough. I was only half watching it tbf in between doing other things, so you might be better versed to give an opinion.
It was a pretty meh Clasico all things considered.

Koeman seemed obsessed with dominating the midfield but by doing so played right into Reals hand. Real didn't mind giving Barcelona the ball and just played on the counter. Similar to how PSG did it.
They lacked a sense of urgency and plan in their attack, can't even recall a real chance they had in the 1st half except that Messi shot at the end I think? Endlessly passing the ball sideways without advancing onto the final 3rd.

Meanwhile Real could have been up 4-0 in the first half, but Valverde (and then Vasquez) missed a huge chance. Vinicius messed up another huge chance as well.
Second half Barca improved on getting into the final 3rd and even scored. But from then on, I think Real legit could have scored 4 goals or so. They sliced through that midfield easily counter after counter but couldn't reward themselves. It was after getting those useless subs in (Isco/Mariano) Barca had more opportunities going forward but overall I think it's a deserved win for Real.
 
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OK_computer

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Hasn't scored since 2018, around the same time Ronaldo left, has he?

Anyhow, RM have an advantage now, Barca and AM has to play each other, while RM are done with rival matches.
True, his last seven games against Real Madrid: zero goals, zero assists, numerous balls lost.

Huge win, but I'm still not sure Real madrid will finish the season ahead of Barca.
 

Robbie Boy

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It was a pretty meh Clasico all things considered.

Koeman seemed obsessed with dominating the midfield but by doing so played right into Reals hand. Real didn't mind giving Barcelona the ball and just played on the counter. Similar to how PSG did it.
They lacked a sense of urgency and plan in their attack, can't even recall a real chance they had in the 1st half except that Messi shot at the end I think? Endlessly passing the ball sideways without advancing onto the final 3rd.

Meanwhile Real could have been up 4-0 in the first half, but Valverde (and then Vasquez) missed a huge chance. Vinicius messed up another huge chance as well.
Second half Barca improved on getting into the final 3rd and even scored. But from then on, I think Real legit could have scored 4 goals or so. They sliced through that midfield easily counter after counter but couldn't reward themselves. It was after getting those useless subs in (Isco/Mariano) Barca had more opportunities going forward but overall I think it's a deserved win for Real.
Aye, it wasn't a classic by any means which is why I was only really half watching it.

What's the consensus on the job that Koeman is doing? I know for a while he was doing awful, but he seems to have drastically improved the results in recent times.
 

Daysleeper

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Aye, it wasn't a classic by any means which is why I was only really half watching it.

What's the consensus on the job that Koeman is doing? I know for a while he was doing awful, but he seems to have drastically improved the results in recent times.
Koeman has been very good considering the circumstances. Considering we had our worst start to a season since 1988, it’s a miracle we are still in the title race and today was our first league loss of 2021. Koeman has had to go through some growing pains, I wouldn’t call him a world class manager at all. But he’s been good for the transition period and if he wins any trophies this season he’ll have definitely exceeded expectations.
 

mazhar13

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It was a pretty meh Clasico all things considered.

Koeman seemed obsessed with dominating the midfield but by doing so played right into Reals hand. Real didn't mind giving Barcelona the ball and just played on the counter. Similar to how PSG did it.
They lacked a sense of urgency and plan in their attack, can't even recall a real chance they had in the 1st half except that Messi shot at the end I think? Endlessly passing the ball sideways without advancing onto the final 3rd.

Meanwhile Real could have been up 4-0 in the first half, but Valverde (and then Vasquez) missed a huge chance. Vinicius messed up another huge chance as well.
Second half Barca improved on getting into the final 3rd and even scored. But from then on, I think Real legit could have scored 4 goals or so. They sliced through that midfield easily counter after counter but couldn't reward themselves. It was after getting those useless subs in (Isco/Mariano) Barca had more opportunities going forward but overall I think it's a deserved win for Real.
I think a big part of that has to be both Griezmann and Zidane going with a back 5 defensive shape. Odriozola was so central and close to the centre backs, and Griezmann working inside that left half-space meant that Odriozola was getting drawn towards him. That combined with the deeper midfield meant that Alba, Pedri, de Jong, and Messi were getting more time to settle on the ball and be influential. Mendy getting stuck on Dembélé on the right wing combined with Vinicius practically playing up front meant that Mingueza was getting lots of joy on the right flank. All of that changed with Madrid's subs, though. Marcelo not only nullified Mingueza but kept him pinned back, and Isco's mobility meant that Madrid could maintain possession and build up their attacks. In the end, Barcelona couldn't recover after those Madrid subs, and they lacked the quality in the final third to open up Madrid's defence (outside of Messi).
 

Paul_Scholes18

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Aye, it wasn't a classic by any means which is why I was only really half watching it.

What's the consensus on the job that Koeman is doing? I know for a while he was doing awful, but he seems to have drastically improved the results in recent times.
I feel Koeman is doing roughly what you expect in terms of the results, but not anything above expectations. Although I thought he would get Barca going better in bigger games.
 

Morty_

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Aye, it wasn't a classic by any means which is why I was only really half watching it.

What's the consensus on the job that Koeman is doing? I know for a while he was doing awful, but he seems to have drastically improved the results in recent times.
Considering the state of Barcelona when he took over, i think the team has improved under him after a troubling start, both in level of play and results, even if they dont win the league i think he stays for another season.

In these big games though, he needs to figure out how to make the team defend against counter attacks, Barcelona certainly struggled with that against both PSG and RM.
 

Robbie Boy

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Koeman has been very good considering the circumstances. Considering we had our worst start to a season since 1988, it’s a miracle we are still in the title race and today was our first league loss of 2021. Koeman has had to go through some growing pains, I wouldn’t call him a world class manager at all. But he’s been good for the transition period and if he wins any trophies this season he’ll have definitely exceeded expectations.
I feel Koeman is doing roughly what you expect in terms of the results, but not anything above expectations. Although I thought he would get Barca going better in bigger games.
Cheers lads.
 

Acheron

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I think what saves you from the finishing is the amazing midfield and mostly solid defense. We may have a higher attacking ceiling but for as long as we continue to lose the midfield battle to you it’s gonna be more long nights for us. Our backline has gotten worse over the years although I liked our second half effort. Congrats on the win.
That can be the case, while watching the game with a friend I was commenting on how Barcelona has a lot of firepower upfront but no focal point and lacks balance when it comes to defending. Our team has also gotten weaker since the departure of Ronaldo but I guess what we've got in our favor is experience. That being said I still can't believe both teams managed to catch up to Atlético, if they don't win the league this season then I don't know when they're going to win one ever again.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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Cheers lads.
I am not a Barca fan though so not following them very closely. Like koeman stays or not do not matter to me much.

I rate Koeman though from his past jobs, but not sure he is a big winner of the big titles that Barca wants.
 

giorno

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This is going to cost us the season :(

Hopefully we'll have 11 fit players for anfield and then for getafe i don't know what we're gonna do honestly...no lucas, no nacho, no casemiro, no varane, no ramos...we're screwed
 

Daysleeper

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That can be the case, while watching the game with a friend I was commenting on how Barcelona has a lot of firepower upfront but no focal point and lacks balance when it comes to defending. Our team has also gotten weaker since the departure of Ronaldo but I guess what we've got in our favor is experience. That being said I still can't believe both teams managed to catch up to Atlético, if they don't win the league this season then I don't know when they're going to win one ever again.
seriously, when they had that 13 point lead I would’ve just been happy with us finishing with a CL spot. And against betis tomorrow without Suarez and llorente will be interesting
 

RoyH1

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Ive had my reservations about Zidane as a manager, but bloody hell, winning a Clásico that ends with Militao, Odriozola, Isco and Mariano on the pitch is a hell of a job.
 

Robbie Boy

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This is going to cost us the season :(

Hopefully we'll have 11 fit players for anfield and then for getafe i don't know what we're gonna do honestly...no lucas, no nacho, no casemiro, no varane, no ramos...we're screwed
Who has the most favourable run-in between yourselves, Atletico and Barca?
 

giorno

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Who has the most favourable run-in between yourselves, Atletico and Barca?
What makes you think i would know that? :lol:

I barely know who we're playing next, and only because the announcer mentioned it :D
 

Ishdalar

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Of course, its Messi after all, and he created some danger today as well.
He has the best rating in whoscored today, it's not spot on, but talks about his weight in the team.

The thing is, we have one of the best forwards in the world and if you check the heatmaps Alba spends more time further up the pitch than Leo. 80 minutes into the game there was an action where Messi came all the way down to his area to get the ball from Mingueza and carry it forward, waste of his energy in my opinion, we'd get more from him either playing him as an "8" with a more conservative wingback (Mingueza, for example) or as a striker, than the free role he keeps playing, going up and down as he pleases, he doesn't have the engine to do that anymore, even while taking time to rest in the middle of the game, and it shows especially on the big stage games, where the team gets broken more often and the game pace goes a couple gears above any other non-top 4 team of La Liga.
 

Drygon

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Can't believe that Real fans were "boooing" Benzema few seasons ago. That guy is one of their best signings ever.
Real Madrid fans are digusting in general. They've booed even against the likes of Cristiano and Casillas...
 

OK_computer

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Whoscored ratings are idiotic. For instance, Messi is the highest rated player in CL which is absolutely absurd.
 

Acheron

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He has the best rating in whoscored today, it's not spot on, but talks about his weight in the team.

The thing is, we have one of the best forwards in the world and if you check the heatmaps Alba spends more time further up the pitch than Leo. 80 minutes into the game there was an action where Messi came all the way down to his area to get the ball from Mingueza and carry it forward, waste of his energy in my opinion, we'd get more from him either playing him as an "8" with a more conservative wingback (Mingueza, for example) or as a striker, than the free role he keeps playing, going up and down as he pleases, he doesn't have the engine to do that anymore, even while taking time to rest in the middle of the game, and it shows especially on the big stage games, where the team gets broken more often and the game pace goes a couple gears above any other non-top 4 team of La Liga.
Playing as a striker would make sense for him but he would still another forward around so he can drop a bit but not dropping as deep as in midfield. In theory I thought Griezmann would become a great partner for him but he isn't half the player he was at Atlético or at Real Sociedad.
 

Daysleeper

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Playing as a striker would make sense for him but he would still another forward around so he can drop a bit but not dropping as deep as in midfield. In theory I thought Griezmann would become a great partner for him but he isn't half the player he was at Atlético or at Real Sociedad.
Griezmann occupies the same space as Messi, was always going to be an awkward fit
 

wr8_utd

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Who has the most favourable run-in between yourselves, Atletico and Barca?
Madrid have Bilbao away and Villareal and Sevilla at home while Barca have it rougher with Valencia and Villareal away and Atleti at home so I think it's advantage Madrid. I don't see Atleti winning at all. They've bottled it now.

The only hope for Barca is that Madrid actually seem to struggle more against the poorer teams. Teams like Eibar and Cadiz seem to challenge Madrid more than a Barca :lol:
 

Irwin99

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It was a pretty meh Clasico all things considered.

Koeman seemed obsessed with dominating the midfield but by doing so played right into Reals hand. Real didn't mind giving Barcelona the ball and just played on the counter. Similar to how PSG did it.
They lacked a sense of urgency and plan in their attack, can't even recall a real chance they had in the 1st half except that Messi shot at the end I think? Endlessly passing the ball sideways without advancing onto the final 3rd.
Sounds like United vs City.
 

JakeC

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we should’ve scored more too though
Agyer watching it again, you were outplayed. Barca were allowed possession in meaningless areas, allowing Vinicius and Benzema to rotate pressing duties In leau of Kronos and Madrid having to go that extra mile fore 90 mins

Unlucky not to get the last minute equaliser, but Madrid deserved the win
Better team on the night.
 

Daysleeper

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Agyer watching it again, you were outplayed. Barca were allowed possession in meaningless areas, allowing Vinicius and Benzema to rotate pressing duties In leau of Kronos and Madrid having to go that extra mile fore 90 mins

Unlucky not to get the last minute equaliser, but Madrid deserved the win
Better team on the night.
I definitely think Madrid were the better team overall. I just think we should’ve scored more, but yes, so should have they
 

United Junkie

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Ive had my reservations about Zidane as a manager, but bloody hell, winning a Clásico that ends with Militao, Odriozola, Isco and Mariano on the pitch is a hell of a job.
The man has won three CL cups in a row and 2 la liga titles as a manager and you still had reservations about him?
 

giorno

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Lucas KO for the rest of the season.

Now we'll need a few miracles.
Yeah we're fecked. Valverde serious doubt too. I expect we'll lose more players in the next few days...
 

GatoLoco

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Yeah we're fecked. Valverde serious doubt too. I expect we'll lose more players in the next few days...
Why did you name Nacho earlier in this thread?

At some point I'm not sure whether I am reading the list of absentees for a football match or the list of losses in a war report.