General Football Debates!

[Totsuka No Tsurugi]

I know this game won't end up with a draw.
''...Barca scores a couple of goals...'' No man...it won't be easy for both teams to score.
Also, Messi may miss this match...:yeah:

don't be ridiculous Tito is not dumb enough to bench Messi in a match like this, especially when Leo have a pretty record against German club

I'm relaxed about EPL; ever since Everton defeated City.
That being said, now we not only got 1 hand and 4 fingers on the trophy but 2 full-grasps. Just need to lift it now with one more win

oh really ? OK i'll believe you then
but if i were Manu fans am not gonna relaxed after that Everton Defeat especially after City fodderized United in Old Trafford and with what happened last year, i mean MANU barely get 1 point from West Ham Via that blatant offide Goal by Var Persie......

it will be interesting if MANU were to lose that game..........

 

[Gatsndshanks]

ManUtd will deliberately lose to aston villa (or at most a draw) so they can go to Emirates and lift the trophy there. With RVP doing the honours.

 

[-God of War-]

don't be ridiculous Tito is not dumb enough to bench Messi in a match like this, especially when Leo have a pretty record against German club

Because Messi is still having a problem with his injury. That's why. It still isn't confirmed by the doctors if he will play or no against Bayern. If he will be able to play, sure he will be in the 1st team.

 

[Escorpiius]

oh really ? OK i'll believe you then
but if i were Manu fans am not gonna relaxed after that Everton Defeat especially after City fodderized United in Old Trafford and with what happened last year, i mean MANU barely get 1 point from West Ham Via that blatant offide Goal by Var Persie......

it will be interesting if MANU were to lose that game..........

That's why you're not a Man U fan. For all United fans realized that whatever the Derby outcome or whatever points United may lose on a slump, we knew we'll win the league.

Reasons:

- United never lost more than 3 EPL matches in a row under SAF's reign - that means we knew we would have win 3-4 minimum matches at the very least.

- We know, that as far as comebacks is concerned, no team in the world, can continuously top SAF and ManU. Thereby, it was inevitable that after City's EPL win last year, we'll strike back with success. Everyone supporting City how last year's events may re-occur but sincerely, as a longtime United fan - I know far many seasons where United never surrendered their lead and were crowned... In short, United did more seasons where they passed finish line after being in pole position than seasons like last year... That's why it's 19-3...no wait, 20-3 U_U

- Unlike delusional Mancini, United fans realized that City would never have won all their matches after the Derby Because, no matter how much Moan-cini pities himself about "unfair" lead, fact is that United are better than City. Few people realized that ManU had equal number of points as City last season, with one of the weakest United side in some years and that, with RVP/Kagawa among others, we were obviously going to extend our domination further.

I said it, after United were on top after Cty drew against bottom-last QPR (0-0) that both teams would lose points but that, at the end of the day, there's no way United will melt down while City goes into unbeatable mode. And that's simple reasoning because clearly, City are not good enough to have a lengthy winning streak

ManUtd will deliberately lose to aston villa (or at most a draw) so they can go to Emirates and lift the trophy there. With RVP doing the honours.

Doubt it! Even if we win today, I doubt we'll lift the trophy at Emirates. It's United's 20th EPL win, thereby, it shall most likely be lifted at Old Trafford in front of our fans.

That being said, RVP & Co. could get a guard of honor at Emirates if United are champions tonight. So, it's a good motivation. And anyways, the league is lingering too much for some weeks now - time to end a suspense that never really existed anyways...

I wish Villa luck to maintain themselves but Gatsy, I don't think your wish will get granted still... Though, if Aston Villa fights like the first leg, they do have some minor hope.

 

[Alleiram]

I know this game won't end up with a draw.
''...Barca scores a couple of goals...'' No man...it won't be easy for both teams to score.
Also, Messi may miss this match...:yeah:

I know it won't be easy but football is very unpredictable. But I'm not underestimating Bayern at all. Also, Messi hasn't been cleared yet but he's been included for the match. He might be starting.

 

[ReLax -]

Hmm so reports are going wild right now that Bayern just bought Gotze? Well it was good while it lasted for Dortmund. I guess Pep is priming Gotze as false 9 for Bayern and future Germany false 9.

 

[Grim]

I though ManU won EPL months ago as if ... what ever! congratz! best team won :bouncy:

 

[Totsuka No Tsurugi]

Hmm so reports are going wild right now that Bayern just bought Gotze? Well it was good while it lasted for Dortmund. I guess Pep is priming Gotze as false 9 for Bayern and future Germany false 9.

then its pretty much over for Gomez and Mandzukic.........
and RIP Bundesliga..... next season will be 1 horse race
i can see Hummels,Gundogan and Kloop leaving Dortmund in the near future
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Seriously Evra ? :sy:

 

[-God of War-]

I'm happy that Bayern bought Gotze. I like his gameplay very much. At least he is a better player than Luis Gustavo.
I just see Bayern getting better and better every year.

 

[Escorpiius]

Well, I wanted to do a lengthy pre-match analysis (my usual habit) before the big match of Bayern/Barca but I've kinda been away. There's 10 minutes left before, the match starts; so I'm making this short..

1. This match is actually a 'passing of torch' match between 2 European powerhouses, as weirdly as it sounds. Bayern have been growing every year, but the question remain that they should defeat Barca if they are to prove their true might.

2. With every match, Barca have been getting tougher oppositions and with every match, they've been struggling a bit more. To the point where, they'll perhaps be underdogs in a big clash after a long long long time. So, how much is left in this Barca team and can they resist an even better/greater force than PSG?

3. I say it before every match of Barca - to have a chance of beating this team, well, you need lots of things but jokes apart, it's crucial that you have 2 hardworking wingers that are very good offensively but still, helping their full-backs as Iniesta/Pedro/Alba/Alves & Co. keep their onslaught. Well, obviously, with Lahm/Alaba as full-backs and Robben/Ribery, they got 2 crackers as wingers... That being said, Robben is not really the greatest name when it comes to defensive work rate, so this could be something interesting...

4. Both teams got 2 CBs that would be under fire tonight since they are surprises - Bartra & Dante. This is obviously one key gambles by both managers.

5. I think, we talked about it enough but how Messi will perform after his "injury"...we shall see! Especially how he might need to react if Barca goes into struggling mode yet again...

6. Barca are indisputable kings of possession with their trident Iniesta/Xavi/Busquets but given that Bayern got a strong midfield, I'd like to see if Bayern will try to dominate possession given they are at home and supposedly, more favorites that Barca.

7. Last, I, for one, see Gomez as a gamble. Let's see how it shall work...

I had other things to say, but I guess, I'll leave the talks post-the outcome now. After all...it's the green pitch that shall give the true first verdict.

 

[Itachi Minato]

plz dont let barca make another comeback

 

[Alleiram]

Fist half: disappointing. Barca, as usual, with their large possession... but they make small mistakes which turn into big problems. hmm hopefully they turn this game around. Where's Messi when you need him? He's trying to make an effort but he just keeps getting shut down

 

[hokutoshinken]

4-0 lol what a shame.I'm not surprised of the result, that's what happen when coulnd't beat psg.Messi was inexistant and Muller did probably his best match ever.Bayern handled everything in this match.

 

[OnPoint]

Bayern spanked them without mercy, though the 2nd goal looked offside and Alba was fouled for the 3rd. Looks like the shift in power on the continent has begun.

 

[Itachi Minato]

what the Hell happened here? Never mind the score robben was defending. Even better he was passing. I think him Schweinsteiger and Muller were outstanding.

 

[-God of War-]

Hahahahahahahahah!
4-0!!! Bayern were totally the best, in this match.
I'll post a review of the match tomorrow.
Suck it 4 times Barca fans...=D=D

 

[Escorpiius]

I'm kinda speechless.
Not that I'm surprised - as I often said that someday Barca's defence will drown completely against a superior side...
It's just that actually seeing that sight, was bewildering.
I'll post a review in half-an-hour or so!

 

[Olorin]

München!! The city of my grandfather and always my favourite football team!!

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[Crocodile]

Oh my god. I don't think the term mauled even lives up to this game.
I expected bayern to crush them, and it happened. Barcelona's defense is holding them back. They might have messi, but if he gets marked they're ****ed. They need to learn to not rely on one player. I'm excited for tomorrow's match.

HALA MADRID

 

[Escorpiius]

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4 - 0

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Semi-finals - 1st leg - Bayern Munich v/s FC Barcelona
Fußball Arena München - Munich 23/04/2013

Escorpiius' Post-Match Review​

Well, I guess, the transition of power finally occurred as Barca handovered their 'Best Team in the World' tag to Bayern. Okay, perhaps, Barca handed it, is a cruel way to say it as credits goes to FC Bayern Munich completely. Personally, this was clearly in the air but so was the sense of skepticism as Bayern got a glorious history of blowing their own fate in random and sudden circumstances. Also, one had to be skeptical as one could rarely envision that Barca was actually going to be an underdog in a match after so many years. Yet, that is exactly what occurred.

Bayern steamrolled Barca from 2 minutes as Robben got a clear huge opportunity to score after a good combination with Martinez, but his shot was well stopped by Valdes. Had Robben been altruistic and gifted the ball to free Ribery, Bayern would have scored even earlier. Yet, despite Barca's possession, Bayern was solid defensively as the pressure and corners accumulated...Pique dealt with crosses and corners with his towering header as much as he could but at a point, the glass was to be shattered. And it did happen as Dante climbed upon Alvez and gifted a winner header for Muller.

Barca kept their sterile passing but with some more justified refereeing on 2 box-handballs of Barca, Bayern could have got 2 penalties in first half but alas...However, the refereeing turned tide in second-half... Despite receiving no favors in first half, Muller's assist-header on corner to a pretty blatantly-offside Gomez wasn't given and the break was done - 2-0! That being said, poor refereeing has been a constant thing in this year's CL; so all the controversial decisions on tonight, again shouldn't be seen as shockers.

Barca upped their game afterwards, made better usage of the wings and even created some half-chances...but the harm was done! As they kept going forward, the chances Bayern was getting on counters was definitely being more piercing than Barca's toothless approach. And in a blistering counter that started with Ribery mistifying Messi (of all players), Schweinsteiger passed it to the right to Robben who dribbled past Alba, then shockingly Muller made an illicit block on Alba to prevent the latter on coming back on Robben but it went unsanctioned...and Robben cruised it past Valdes...

And as time grew apart, seemingly Barca players seemed affected and uninspired. All to the contrary of Bayern! Led by 2 frantic wingers in Robben/Ribery and a Muller full-of-heart, the passionate Muller tapped-in to make it 4-0! Young Bartra who went through hell, gained a huge chance on a Xavi's freekick but unfortunately, flew it way above Neuer's cage. And had Valdes & Pique been more leaky, Robben & Co. nearly increased the score. But that was it! 4-0 and the biggest defeat of Barca in European stage since 1997.

I'd like to get on some tactical parts before getting on players-ratings and the aftermath!

First, Bayern exposed 2 of the most well-known weaknesses of Barca...yet again! First, the terrible frailty on set-pieces which the first 2 goals clearly reflects. And then, the battle of wings clearly won by Ribery/Alaba/Robben/Lahm. Again, the last 2 goals showed that but also, this was where most of Bayern offenses came from. Also, in Barca's best spell after 2-0, they made more use of Iniesta/Sanchez/Alba flank and were a little more interesting. Still, insufficient! In this 4-3-3 false 9, the full-backs don't get the required defensive help. Sure, Busquets compensates and so does Pedro/Alexis from time to time, but more than often Alba/Alvez are in 2-on-1 situations and where your opponents are named Robben or Ribery, well, it's a suicide tactic. But then again, this indirectly reveals another Barca's weakness from last year: They got no Plan-B!

I also liked to notice how Bayern defended with all their players - yes, even Robben! - instead of fighting for possession. Well, it was a given that Barca would probably dominate possession but I wanted to see if Bayern will swim in risky waters being at Allianz Arena and tries to dominate possession. But they remained wise and well-disciplined as they left possession to Barca but still nullified them. One surprise tactic in my eyes, was that Iniesta was man-marked by J.Martinez. Sure, it makes sense to man-mark the strongest players on paper but still, in football, Iniesta is probably the hardest player to man-mark in today's football. His ball control, movement, passing and dribbling skills are so good that it's a real gamble to man-mark this player. A big hats-off for trying it and actually managing to succeed in most parts... I wonder how Del Bosque felt by seeing a budding Martinez, doing so well defensively against the savior-star player of La Roja!

Players-ratings wise: Neuer probably got the most at-ease match a goalkeeper must have had against the Catalans. I think he had one save in the whole match, which I kinda speechless to explain. Lahm was fantastic both offensively and defensively. World-class as usual. Boateng-Dante was a poker duo to play but they did admirably well; Dante also grabbed the first assist. Alaba made a fantastic combination with Ribery and blocked Alves very well.

Martinez, as I said above, did a fantastic job - marking Iniesta of all players and doing lots of interceptions in the match. Schweinsteiger was less influential since Xavi dominated in the passing section on the other side but his passing was mostly pin-point and his work-rate was very good. Muller was MOTM by far for me! Passionate and a heart of lion that roared with 2 goals and an assist and his energy and skills blend created a nightmare scent for Barca players. Ribery & Robben were live-wires and constant dangers. Robben started the match with a great chance that should have been a goal, if he was less egoistic. But the guy actually transcend himself in second half. Apart from some great dribbles, he made some good passes, defended (yes, even this happened) and his big-head wasn't used to rant as he even placed a good header that went closely off-target.. Ribery, on the other hand, didn't get on the score-sheet albeit having many chances. Yet, he not only brought danger offensively but he was amongst the ones with highest work-rates and defensive tasks. Great performance!

Gomez did a match to his team's contrast and scored a goal. Yet, he wasn't really high-class. Mandzukic or Kroos could have brought more on the table, not to say what Gotze and perhaps Falcao/Cavani ect... could bring on the table next year...Gustavo did well-defensively as Heynckes switched to defensive 4-3-3 in last 20 minutes.

At Barca, it's mostly critical. Valdes and Pique did whatever they could but far from enough, to stop the onslaught of Bavarians. Bartra was a real disaster as he constantly, was under pressure as crosses & corners kept arriving. Alba seems a bit on a down slope to me, ever since he was injured before France/Spain match and with Robben, being on the other hand, on full-regain of his best self, he was really struggling tonight. Unfairly not given a foul on Muller's block in 3rd goal though. Alves was much less able to deliver his self against Alaba/Ribery who well-dominated him both offensively & defensively.

Xavi was imo, the best Barca player as his control and passing was mostly perfect. But despite being the control center that won his one-on-one duel against Schweinsteiger, the possession spells never signified any dangers for Neuer. Busquets was average...Iniesta did some good things but thanks to Martinez, he never was able to deploy his whole arsenal. Messi clearly isn't at 100% - made much less movements across the field, rarely created any chances and this time, his sole presence wasn't enough to motivate his teammates. Pedro/Alexis didn't brought what was asked from them offensively. They often helped Barca's defense but the offensive players will have to bear the responsibility that Barca had a meager 4 attempts tonight and were crushed 4-0.

This victory will inevitably lead to consequences. First, Bayern finally got their big victory that is going to prove their mettle and scrapping their tags of 'chokers' or 'FC Hollywood'. Perhaps, also the boost needed to complete the treble. On Barca, it will be interesting how they'll bounce off! Luckily, for them, they have more than scrap La Liga title. But they'll most likely do huge turnover to keep their key players fresh for the return leg against Bayern, even if the hope might never have seemed so small. And despite interesting tie against At.Madrid or Malaga, I think Barca will indeed win La Liga but their Champions League route shall really end this time...even if never say never!

Just to give an approximation, Alba is going to be missing the return leg, joining the long lists of missing defenders... And if Bayern do score one goal at Camp Nou, which looks like an inevitability given their fiery performance of tonight, then Barca will need to unleash at least 6 goals... It's more than sci-fi now... This battering has indeed been coming but still, when it came, it was shocking. Bayern has more than one foot in Wembley!
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