Iniesta is better than he was back in 09 certainly. At his prime right now. But yeah, agree with the rest of that. I think decline is the wrong word though - maybe 'regressed from being out on their own as the best team by far' might be a better way of putting it.
The Decline of FC Barcelona?
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You guys should stop with interpreting and just simply read I wrote.You just immediately assumed I meant they're not in decline.What I really said and meant is that their decline is great, many teams in the world would love to go through it.
Their decline is still allowing them to compete for the biggest titles.
Oh they're a very good team, yes. But the Barcelona of a few years ago would've smashed them.
Gotcha.
In recent years, it's been shown that the only way they fail to win the CL each year is down to a side producing a miracle in the SF, having a lot of luck and parking the bus.
We're a little obsessed with Barcelona, aren't we?
Why is decline the wrong word to use? decline doesn't always have to be a major thing, as it's clearly not in Barca's case but it's hardly a 'wrong' word to use.
On the pitch Barca have declined, that shouldn't be even up for debate on here. However as Kouroux said, they're still competing for the highest of honors.
On the pitch Barca have declined, that shouldn't be even up for debate on here. However as Kouroux said, they're still competing for the highest of honors.
They've declined from best of all time to best in Europe. Probably.
Man United is going through the same decline if the PL only is taken into account tbh.
They peaked at the 2011 Champions League Final. It was always going to be impossible to maintain the unbelievable standards set under Guardiola, that 2011 side is the best club team I have ever witnessed. They are still a brilliant team but can be hurt easier than over the past 2 years.They'll say we're Barca-haters () and it's just because of a couple of missing players but that's ignoring the fact that Xavi's simply not at the level he once was and they're not dominating as they used to. Plus it looks like a few years of that incredible pressing game has really taken its toll and they're just not capable of it any more.
The thread title is a tad misleading as they are not in decline, merely not as good as the ridiculous 2011 vintage. Barcelona are still brilliant enough to be dominating the Primera and into yet another Champions League semi-final.
Agree with Brwned about Xavi. I don't think he shifts the ball as quick and as fluently as even a year ago.
The Decline continues. Champions of Spain and now into the semis of the CL.
I think the best Barca team ever is the one that did the treble in 09 and followed it with all the supercopa and club WC trophies.The football they played in that season was unreal, I remember the 6-2 win vs Real Madrid.
Some fecking sublime goals, Messi and Alves linking up on the right wing
SextupleI think the best Barca team ever is the one that did the treble in 09 and followed it with all the supercopa and club WC trophies.The football they played in that season was unreal, I remember the 6-2 win vs Real Madrid.
Some fecking sublime goals, Messi and Alves linking up on the right wing
That was a perfect year.Every single trophy available won.It cannot get better than that.
I think the 2011 side was probably better overall than the Treble side, despite not winning as many honours.
Their ruthless pressing game was at it's peak, whereas the 2009 side didn't monopolise possession to the same degree. Didn't we have slightly more of the ball in the 2009 final?
Their ruthless pressing game was at it's peak, whereas the 2009 side didn't monopolise possession to the same degree. Didn't we have slightly more of the ball in the 2009 final?
Well, both the '09 and '11 teams wanked over us in the final, so I'm envious of them both.
Fair play I can't argue with you there. I just feel that in 2010-2011 the two performances that summed up their genius were the 5-0 against Real at Camp Nou and the 3-1 (flattering to us) scoreline against United.I think the best Barca team ever is the one that did the treble in 09 and followed it with all the supercopa and club WC trophies.The football they played in that season was unreal, I remember the 6-2 win vs Real Madrid.
Some fecking sublime goals, Messi and Alves linking up on the right wing
That's why I always say it can't be bettered...Even Pep said it after that season, everything that could/would follow would pale in comparison
I agree that Iniesta is as good as ever right now, probably didn't write that clearly but I meant that it's unlikely that he'll still be this good a few years from now. He's 28 now and will probably be out of his prime in a few years, and it's highly unlikely that any player out there can replace him and bring in the same quality that him and Xavi do right now.
Without being near their brilliant best they have walked home in La Liga and made it to the semi finals in the CL.
Its not a bad decline to be in.
Before Messi arrived tonight they were very poor. And just his appearance lifted the whole side and the crowd too.
If he gets a long term inury, then we might really see a decline. Its not that they dont have plenty of amazing players, but they all seem too reliant on Messi. Which I guess is understandable.
Its not a bad decline to be in.
Before Messi arrived tonight they were very poor. And just his appearance lifted the whole side and the crowd too.
If he gets a long term inury, then we might really see a decline. Its not that they dont have plenty of amazing players, but they all seem too reliant on Messi. Which I guess is understandable.
I didn't see the game tonight because I was watching the golf, but I see that Thiago and Tello both were on the scoresheet in a comfortable away win at Zaragoza. Barcelona also fielded Bartra and Montoya, and that's an impressive result considering they rested Iniesta and Messi.
These youngsters have a lot to live up to considering what's gone before them, but it's nice to see them getting game time and being victorious.
These youngsters have a lot to live up to considering what's gone before them, but it's nice to see them getting game time and being victorious.
I haven't seen the match - only looked at whoscored - but what surprised me was that (possession statistics like usually - 65% for Barcelona) Barcelona had 11 shots whereas their opponent had 12.
Is this thread bumped every time Barcelona play in the hope that there is at least some faint evidence of a decline?
Er, I think you'll find this latest bump was about the total opposite!
I didn't see all of their game tonight but saw enough to suggest that they lacked a distinct cutting edge in the attacking third. This, of course, without Messi. You'd expect Barcelona to dominate possession, which they did, but that alone isn't enough to say they're as good as ever. They look toothless and devoid of inspiration without Leo and it's apparent more than ever as to his importance to them.
I'm looking forward to the midweek game against Bayern. Many expect this game to be a "changing of the guard" as such, but it would be foolish to totally write off Barcelona just yet. Any team that possesses the genius of Messi and Iniesta alone cannot be completely dismissed. Bayern have looked supremely confident in this season's competition, but they tend to crumble when they are expected to win. Indeed two Champions League Final failures in three seasons (embarrassingly, one even on the own ground) suggests they have a lot of baggage to overcome so who knows which Bayern we'll see over the two-legged tie. Either way, we should be entertained with the talent on show.
I'm looking forward to the midweek game against Bayern. Many expect this game to be a "changing of the guard" as such, but it would be foolish to totally write off Barcelona just yet. Any team that possesses the genius of Messi and Iniesta alone cannot be completely dismissed. Bayern have looked supremely confident in this season's competition, but they tend to crumble when they are expected to win. Indeed two Champions League Final failures in three seasons (embarrassingly, one even on the own ground) suggests they have a lot of baggage to overcome so who knows which Bayern we'll see over the two-legged tie. Either way, we should be entertained with the talent on show.
Really? Never thought of that. Messi, Iniesta and Busquets are still young enough to dominate football for at least 7-8 years and it shouldn't be too difficult to build a great team around those 3. There can't be "many" people out there who think Bayern will have a superior team to Barca the next years? Barca are still favorites to go through and win the CL btw. I really start to think I'm underrating my own team.
Bayern played an outstanding season so far. The way they came back after the disappointing ending of last season is really impressive. I don't think there's any baggage to overcome for Bayern in the semi final and I don't think you should read too much into this tie. Barca had lots of problems this season, lots of injuries and the coach missing for month. Barca going through doesn't mean Bayern's mentality needs to be questioned, Bayern going through doesn't mean they will be the new Barca - in the sense of the team to beat in europe for years. It's just a two legged tie between two great teams, that's it.
Third time's a charm?
The worst I've seen Barcelona play in a long, long while. Toothless in attack and woeful at the back. Bayern are utlising their game plan to a tee.
Imagine Gotze in this Bayern team, along with Kroos back to full fitness. Scary.
Imagine Gotze in this Bayern team, along with Kroos back to full fitness. Scary.
It's amazing how un-arsed Messi looks at the moment. Alves got almost to the corner of the 6 yard box then but Messi's just ambling around the edge of the box!
It's a bit like the comparisons between Spain's 2008, 2010 and 2012 vintages. They increasingly dominated the ball in each tournament, yet their attack was at its most vibrant in 2008. Much like Barcelona's front three of Eto'o, Henry and Messi was a more decisive blend than what they've got now or in 2010/11. But by bringing in Busquets for Toure and Pedro for Eto'o their ball retention improved (and has probably got better still with Alba for Abidal).
Messi is nowhere near fit. It's not that he isn't arsed.
They remind me of Arsenal tonight.
When Messi isn't there or on his game, they really are toothless.
When Messi isn't there or on his game, they really are toothless.
They never used to be "toothless" without Messi. They've become over-reliant, like the Lion is reliant on the Savana. They need to become like the healthy leopards, whom can adapt to their surroundings.
Yeah I take that comment back, Messi is clearly not even close to being fit like you say. I just assumed he wasn't up for it but his movement looks so awkward.
So in this analogy, toothless Barcelona is the lion?
Definitely just as good as they used to be
The amount of fannying around is unreal. Absolutely no incision whatsoever.
Forget Falcao and Bale, I think we should be making Messi our main summer target. He won't feel so attached to that club now.
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