Whoever goes through in the second leg, I hope its even half as entertaining as this was.
La Liga 2024/25
- Thread starter carvajal
- Start date
Indeed, they went full throtle the whole match
These two teams are winning nothing with these defenses..As some wise man said..attack wins you games, defense wins you titles..its so simple..
Only caught the last 30 mins or so, but that was enjoyable. That Barca defense is some FIFA-esque way of playing 
The way they immediately all move up reminds me of the AI in those football games.
But hey, it works. They rekt us twice already.
The way they immediately all move up reminds me of the AI in those football games.But hey, it works. They rekt us twice already.
I'm only surprised Vini and Mbappe haven't destroyed this Barca high line in the two games so far. Barca leak chances for fun.Only caught the last 30 mins or so, but that was enjoyable. That Barca defense is some FIFA-esque way of playing
But hey, it works. They rekt us twice already.
Don't think Barca's defense or their lack of experience is good enough for Liga like I've said multiple times but I think they can win the CL this year as long as they keep Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri fit.
Not a chance.. exactly in the CL their poor defence will be wide exposed. Benfica scored 4 against them, imagine Salah and co having a field day against them..
It has been frustrating. Especially that first game we could have been up 4-0 ourselves but they kept missing or walking offside. Then the defense fell apart and got rekt 0-4 ourselves. Sorta similar in the second game. You’d think their playing style would be perfect for us, but so far it has been nothing but spankings and likely not much will change next time around.
These lapses in concentrations towards the end of games vs Atleti apart, Barca have actually been very good in the bigger games. They've scored 4, 5, 4, 3, and 4 past Madrid, Atleti, Bayern, and Dortmund. I believe they would punish Liverpool's defense in ways that Premier League teams just cannot. I don't really think any team has a great defense in Europe that particularly stands out.
Given that Mbappe is now in supreme form, all it takes is for Madrid to finally time their runs and they'll finally convert those chances. That being said, the defense will really need to improve to keep out Yamal and Raphinha.
The scary thing is, he puts in this performance in literally every match. He's at a Balland'or level this year.
There are things we need to improve but no one can say we are boring to watch.
A very flicking result in the end. Barca have to be kicking themselves to throw it away like that in the last seconds. 70 mins of brilliant football, 20 half asleep at the very beginning and the very end, plus seconds of clown show.
Flick ball in a nutshell.
Most fun (and stress) i have had watching Bayern in the past 15 years
It was fun that turned into horror.
My favourite time was Bundesliga games under Pep. The opponent almost always gave up after about 5 minutes.
But why stress? I haven't watched many Bundesliga games in that period if any but Bayern was hammering every opponent in CL. You were barely eliminated by PSG, who had a good team and a competent coach back then.
Because Flick played a line that was far too high, which led to even the worst opponent getting good counter-attacking chances, even in games that were completely under control. It was a setup that was completely miserable for the CBs, as there was simply a player missing in the defensive midfield. It felt like every game could end 5-3.
Betis 2-1 up against Real. Isco is still magnificent - what i would give to have a younger version of him in our midfield.
Prime Isco was something else. His main problem was perhaps keeping the ball for too long at times, his first instinct always to start dribbling unnecessarily. And perhaps work ethic off the ball. But what a technique.
I’m not surprised by our poor level. Been like this all season.
Yes, his technique is out of the world. I remember him being the stand out player against United in the Super Cup final. I think Real played a Isco, Casemiro, Modrid, Kroos midfield and our players couldn't get near you.
Betis beat Real Madrid.
I'm not sure I've seen Madrid less interested in a perfectly salvageable draw since the pre-Capello days -- possibly the first time.
Saw a bit of the game, it wasn't even close.
Even for most of the time at 2-1, Betis looked far more like scoring a third than Madrid looked like levelling it.
Tbf this has been a thing for ages. But usually we get bailed out by some superhero performance from someone
How was Antony?
His usual self. Good on the ball, failed to beat his man every time he tried to.
Decent again. Isco was the one running the show for them, but Antony kept the ball well, played some nice passes, contributed defensively and should have had an assist when Cucho Hernandez missed a sitter.
According to Kicker's xg, the scoreline was a remarkably accurate reflection of chances.
Betis were definitely the better team.
Nice, cheers! Teams will be watching in such matches, really need to sell him for above his book value. Or maybe a loan with obligation to buy for the following year.
La Liga Teams are no minnows, they are really tough for Barcelona/Real/Atletico. All teams are technically and tactically sound.
RM and defending league titles, not something that happens much.
That's quite discouraging considering we have Sociedad next Thursday
We will have to be up for it.. think they are favourites but hope Amorim can organise us well.That's quite discouraging considering we have Sociedad next Thursday
Simeone made a great move by signing Alvarez.
Why can't we have a striker like that?
Why can't we have a striker like that?
Betas, Villareal, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are really strong most of the time.
It was quite a lot of money involved, not ridiculous given sometimes DMs/CMs/Defenders are paid even more, yet it was a number.
Also he had some NT teammates to allure him, he'll live in a wonderful City like Madrid, more players with similar costumes.
As a player with the solidarity, reading and pace he has, he was tailor made in many aspects of what Simeone demands, thougth I've read somewhere that he currently is having way less shots to convert than other forwards in La Liga, that's not good. Alvarez never was an extremely prolific forward so far, he is more like an all rounder forward with lots of goals and his good share of clutch plays. They should put him more times in scoring situations before this good stretch it's over.
On the City side of things, I get that if a player wants to go, it's hard to keep him. Yet I think there was space for Pep to negotiate sthg. and mostly if not, to very fast find someone that provides what he was doing, with similar traits. They didn't and that is one major fvck up from City. On their behalf, they couldn't predict Foden's really bad start and many injuries, yet, City took a nap there.
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Bilbao could have tie at the end, Aleti should, have buried mor eof the chances they got earlier in the match.
Sociedad seemed to take 1-0 lead at Barca, but goal ruled out for offside.
Sociedad down to ten men with 70 mins to go. They should win this now.