Eh wasted? They've won 2 out of the past 3 la liga's and 3 consecutive copa's in that period?
We've got Barca fans on here saying winning La Liga is more important than winning the Champions League.
La Liga 2018/19
- Thread starter jojojo
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We've got Barca fans on here saying winning La Liga is more important than winning the Champions League.
They wouldn‘t say that if Barca were the one winning the CL
Messi should have played in sides who play better possession football, he is expected to do too much by himself. Pep, Sarri, Tuchel, those are the coaches he should be playing for to maximize his talent.
City look such an impressive outfit at the moment, they've failed in Europe to date, but for how much longer? You feel if England's miserable CL run in Europe is to end it would be on them to do it. They look better than Barcelona overall for me, but Barcelona seem to specialise in grinding results out and moments of individual brilliance (namely Messi) but in terms of attacking fluidity City look really good, even Liverpool would be a threat to Barca.
I still think that we have a good chance at the CL, mainly because Madrid are transition. There isn’t one clear top side in Europe. With that being said, EV does not fill me with confidence. He is not the right coach for Barcelona. Today he subbed Vidal for Dembele to protect our one-goal lead instead of going for the kill.
Liverpool and City are both better than us going forward. They play with pace, power and directness. We are the only big team in Europe who are still playing the football Spain used in 2010.
Unfortunately, slow possession football doesn’t work in the Champions League anymore.
I think the favourites for the champions league ought to be Barca, City and Juventus this year. Can't see Real Madrid winning it unless they make a huge signing like Mbappe before the end of the window.
We don't play "possession football" against top teams.
I was talking about Barca
No way Messi is declining, not yet at least. If so its very minimal, far less obvious decline than with Ronaldo for example.
I think people shouldn't people write PSG off so quickly, they're similar to City in Europe constantly failing yes, but eventually they're going to get it right, they're too good not too. Chelsea went through numerous failures from 2004-2011, but eventually they pulled it off.
Neymar's is in the prime years of his career now, Mbappe's a year older and will no longer be exciting prospect but now one of the best players in the world and the WC success will do him wonders, Cavani still a world class foward, Buffon and Dani Alves still have loads of experience, if Tuchel can get it right I really think they're capable of winning it.
The whole issue for me why other teams might start getting a look in and win the Champions League (as oppose to Real Madrid/Barca) is because The Messi/Ronaldo era, and their superteams that surround them, is gradually winding down. They're still world class players undoubtedly, but they're in their 30s now, and opportunities will open up for other teams to capitalize as their domination wanes somewhat.
Real Madrid were seriously lucky to win it this year, Juventus outplayed them in the 2nd leg and nearly put them out, Bayern outplayed them in both semi finals should've put them out, and it was a 50/50 game at the time when Mo Salah got injured and then relied on Karius's mistakes for two of their goals. Ronaldo's contribution was also minimal after the bicycle kick against Juve.
Teams containing Messi and Ronaldo have won 8 of the last 11 Champions League's, which is a frightening statistic, but put it this way, I'm not sure the 8 out of the next 11 CL winners will come from teams containing Messi and Ronaldo again.
Spain have also won 5 CL's in row, largely due to those two guys, its going to come to an end some point, I just don't know if this is the year.
Neymar's is in the prime years of his career now, Mbappe's a year older and will no longer be exciting prospect but now one of the best players in the world and the WC success will do him wonders, Cavani still a world class foward, Buffon and Dani Alves still have loads of experience, if Tuchel can get it right I really think they're capable of winning it.
The whole issue for me why other teams might start getting a look in and win the Champions League (as oppose to Real Madrid/Barca) is because The Messi/Ronaldo era, and their superteams that surround them, is gradually winding down. They're still world class players undoubtedly, but they're in their 30s now, and opportunities will open up for other teams to capitalize as their domination wanes somewhat.
Real Madrid were seriously lucky to win it this year, Juventus outplayed them in the 2nd leg and nearly put them out, Bayern outplayed them in both semi finals should've put them out, and it was a 50/50 game at the time when Mo Salah got injured and then relied on Karius's mistakes for two of their goals. Ronaldo's contribution was also minimal after the bicycle kick against Juve.
Teams containing Messi and Ronaldo have won 8 of the last 11 Champions League's, which is a frightening statistic, but put it this way, I'm not sure the 8 out of the next 11 CL winners will come from teams containing Messi and Ronaldo again.
Spain have also won 5 CL's in row, largely due to those two guys, its going to come to an end some point, I just don't know if this is the year.
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Agreed
We'll see this season after the games mount up. At 31/32 it will get harder physically. Agree his technique still looks the same. Dembele could have a big season, what a strike yesterday, big game player?. Suarez looks ready for the Travellers yard. Barcelona surely need a new 9?
I think it's too soon to put him out to grass, it usually takes him a few weeks at the beginning of the season to be a good version of himself. Just last year he scored 25 in La Liga (just one short of Ronaldo, and one goal every 116 minutes). His accuracy was decent as well: 60% of shots were on target, again, significantly better than Ronaldo himself (55%) or Bale (51%). He added 12 assists to his numbers. His stats in CL were not good though, that much is true. My point is that I believe he will prove (at the very least) serviceable for Barça again this year.
Athletic tempt Oyarzabal with a big salary.60m clause
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Think they have fancied having him before. They do have the money to do it.
Goals are not his problem. His overall play is just unbelievably horrendous. Even basic control of the ball is lost on him and that won't do in a Barca team.
Facebook will offer la liga for free in India, Bangladesh, Afganistan, Bután, Maldivas, Sri Lanka, Nepal y Pakistán
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How did Malcom play? Didn't watch the game.
He didn't play at all. Dembélé on the other hand was fine, much better than expected actually, especially in the second half, and not just because of the goal
There are still rumours about him leaving. Barca should keep him, instead. Expect big things from him this season.
Barça need to be patient with him IMO. There's no doubt his first season was a disappointment, but there were mitigating circumstances (he arrived very late in the summer, had a long injury, etc), and we've got glimpses of what he is capable. He's not a bad player at all and could be very, very useful for Barça if properly used (and backed, as he doesn't look particularly strong mentally speaking). Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the transfer fee Barça paid for him is weighing heavily on his mind as well.
la liga transfer update. I'll update it if any major transfer happens and might extend the list to other clubs (top7 so far):
Barcelona:
in: Malcom, Lenglet, Arthur, Arturo Vidal,
out: Digne, Aleix Vidal, Andre Gomes, Andres Iniesta, (Yerry Mina)
Atletico Madrid:
in: Thomas Lemar, Rodri, Kalinic, Arias, Gelson Martins
out: Gameiro, Vrsaljko, Gabi, Fernando Torres
Real Madrid:
in: Vinicius Junior, Courtois, Odriozola (Federico Valverde from the second team)
out: Ronaldo, Kovacic, Theo Hernandez, Achraf
Valencia:
in: Gameiro, Mouctar Diakhaby, Piccini, Daniel Wass, Michy Batshuayi, Cheryshev (Guedes is very likely to join them again)
out: Montoya, Maksimovic, Vietto, Pereira
FC Villarreal:
in: Gerard Moren, Ekambi, Santiago Caseres, Funes Mori, Layun, Santi Cazorla
out: Rodi, Carlos Bacca, Roberto Soriano
Betis Sevilla:
in: William Carvalho, Sidnei, Canales, Inui, Pau Lopez
out: Fabian Ruiz, Riza Durmisi, Adan
FC Sevilla
in: Amadou, Gnagnon, Aleix Vidal, Vaclik, Sergi Gomez
out: N`Zonzi, Lenglet, Correa, Guido Pizarro, Soria, Rico, Carole, Layun
Bilbao:
in: Berchiche, Ander Capa, Dani Garcia, Christian Ganea
out: Kepa, Xabier Etxeita
Celta Vigo:
in: Fran Beltran, Nestor Araujo, Okay Yokuslu, Mathias Jensen
out: Jonny Castro, Daniel Wass, Sergi Gomez, Guidetti, Pablo Hernandez
Real Sociedad:
in: Mikel Merino, Theo Hernandez
out: Odriozola, Canales
Barcelona:
in: Malcom, Lenglet, Arthur, Arturo Vidal,
out: Digne, Aleix Vidal, Andre Gomes, Andres Iniesta, (Yerry Mina)
Atletico Madrid:
in: Thomas Lemar, Rodri, Kalinic, Arias, Gelson Martins
out: Gameiro, Vrsaljko, Gabi, Fernando Torres
Real Madrid:
in: Vinicius Junior, Courtois, Odriozola (Federico Valverde from the second team)
out: Ronaldo, Kovacic, Theo Hernandez, Achraf
Valencia:
in: Gameiro, Mouctar Diakhaby, Piccini, Daniel Wass, Michy Batshuayi, Cheryshev (Guedes is very likely to join them again)
out: Montoya, Maksimovic, Vietto, Pereira
FC Villarreal:
in: Gerard Moren, Ekambi, Santiago Caseres, Funes Mori, Layun, Santi Cazorla
out: Rodi, Carlos Bacca, Roberto Soriano
Betis Sevilla:
in: William Carvalho, Sidnei, Canales, Inui, Pau Lopez
out: Fabian Ruiz, Riza Durmisi, Adan
FC Sevilla
in: Amadou, Gnagnon, Aleix Vidal, Vaclik, Sergi Gomez
out: N`Zonzi, Lenglet, Correa, Guido Pizarro, Soria, Rico, Carole, Layun
Bilbao:
in: Berchiche, Ander Capa, Dani Garcia, Christian Ganea
out: Kepa, Xabier Etxeita
Celta Vigo:
in: Fran Beltran, Nestor Araujo, Okay Yokuslu, Mathias Jensen
out: Jonny Castro, Daniel Wass, Sergi Gomez, Guidetti, Pablo Hernandez
Real Sociedad:
in: Mikel Merino, Theo Hernandez
out: Odriozola, Canales
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La Liga Table Prediction
1. Barcelona 98pts
2. Atletico 86pts
3. Real Madrid 81pts
4. Sevilla 78pts
5. Valencia 76pts
1. Barcelona 98pts
2. Atletico 86pts
3. Real Madrid 81pts
4. Sevilla 78pts
5. Valencia 76pts
Cheryshev on loan to Valencia
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Exactly. He is young and arrived in one of the best teams in the world. Just need time to settle in.
The game against Sevilla was Dembele's best in a Barca jersey. He is well worth the price is he continues to play like that.
Just 17 y.o. folks. 1st team debut
1st goal More like Bangin Lee.
Just 17 y.o. folks. 1st team debut
N'Zonzi is leaving Sevilla for Roma 
This seasons could be quite horrible, if Caparros isn't buying at least one top player. Dunno why they didn't sign Cheryshev. He'd have a realistic shot at becoming a starter, while he'll only be a squadplayer for Valencia.
This seasons could be quite horrible, if Caparros isn't buying at least one top player. Dunno why they didn't sign Cheryshev. He'd have a realistic shot at becoming a starter, while he'll only be a squadplayer for Valencia.
It was already free in India on SonyLiv. I hope they dont remove that.
edit: the CL/ Europa League are free as well.
N'Zonzi has been complaining for a year.For 30 m€ I think it's a good deal,although as you say they need more players.N'Zonzi is leaving Sevilla for Roma
This seasons could be quite horrible, if Caparros isn't buying at least one top player. Dunno why they didn't sign Cheryshev. He'd have a realistic shot at becoming a starter, while he'll only be a squadplayer for Valencia.
If Messi-Cou-Malcom-Dembelé gel, Barcelona will be the 18-19 Liga and Champions winners, possibly third Triplete as well.
Sanchez needs to step up and get his mojo back for that to happen, IMO.
They need goals, not sure where they go for those.
Not only his quality, I don't see any other player that can help Leo's playstyle more than Dembele in the next years.
Neymar was great, but he only influences one part of the pitch and he usually had to work his ass off in attack to win games from his side of the pitch, we were stagnant with the ball when Ney and Leo were playing together because it was always one of them with the ball and 9 players waiting their chance with the ball, it made us predictable.
Dembele can fit with Messi better than Neymar, he doesn't need the ball that much, he's not as good a dribbler/passer as Neymar but Leo doesn't really need that around him as he's plenty good at that, Dembele offers the wild card of swaping wings, coming inside to play short or running at the space, cutting inside or crossing... he creates a lot of chaos in defenses, something that a #10 like Messi can use in his advantage. Even if he's never going to be as good as Neymar, he could do a better job at Barcelona.
A player that not only is great skill-wise, but also meshes like no other with your best player... that's priceless for us.
Cheryshev seems really happy to live in the Valencia area, and he also had his best year playing for Marcelino back in 14/15. This loan probably happens just because he wants to play for Marcelino again, otherwise he wouldn't leave Villarreal for any Spanish team besides the top 3 and Valencia.N'Zonzi is leaving Sevilla for Roma
This seasons could be quite horrible, if Caparros isn't buying at least one top player. Dunno why they didn't sign Cheryshev. He'd have a realistic shot at becoming a starter, while he'll only be a squadplayer for Valencia.
It was coming. If it was a summer N'Zonzi should have left, then it was this one.N'Zonzi is leaving Sevilla for Roma
This seasons could be quite horrible, if Caparros isn't buying at least one top player. Dunno why they didn't sign Cheryshev. He'd have a realistic shot at becoming a starter, while he'll only be a squadplayer for Valencia.
I think Ganso is on his way out as well, as well as Ben Yedder.
Sevilla are aiming to buy at least 2 more players; one 'up and coming' striker and a replacement for N'Zonzi.
Out best signing so far has been Pablo Machin. Think things won't get so bad as they can, only because he is the coach.
Atletico and Valencia with some very good signings. Should be a balanced league this season.
Judging by the 2018 Gamper against Boca Jrs., Malcom and youngster Ricky Puig are top class.
Dembelé was abysmal though.
Dembelé was abysmal though.