Spanish Football thread

[m_vaughan]

Despite what could have been a late and an unfair comeback, we have beaten the photocopiers!! And I hear if Malaga and Xerez get the right results today then they go bottom. Sweet!!

[m_vaughan]

Slightly offtopic but last night while watching the late game between Sevilla and the Yellow Subs I couldn't really ignore the goal updates from the French league game between Lyon and Marseille. It ended 5-5!!

[Bibu07]

Heard that Celtics and Rangers are moving to EPL?

[m_vaughan]

That would be interesting Bibu.

Anyways Argentina have some serious issues in midfield and although they still have Messi, Kun and Maxi to make up for that, they need someone to build up the play from midfield. Their penalty was never one so in effect last night Spain should have won 2-0 and maybe more as there were chances.

[m_vaughan]

Spain ran through Austria last night and even 5-1 was a fair scoreline. Most impressive player was Jesus Navas who was a menace for the Austrians down that right flank. He just needs to work on his shooting which is where the likes of Silva, Iniesta and Cazorla have the edge.

Oh and Thierry Henry is class. Real class.

[m_vaughan]

Top of the table ahead of next weekend's classico. And by then Barca could find themselves out of the Champions League as well. Messi is looking doubtful for either game, so I think it can safely be said that things are not going to well for the catalans.

But I'd rather play a full strength side and beat a full strength side. They have played better football so far this season but dont have the points or results to show for that. Guardiola's management has not been the best and some of his selections have been amusing.

Our win last night was hard-fought and far from convincing, as has been the case on a number of occasions before. Ironically apart from the Alcorcon debacle, the other games we have lost (Sevilla and Milan) we actually played better.

All that goes out of the window though come the 29th! Can't wait for it.

[sennamor]

Even without Messi, Barca are favourites to win at Camp Nou. I think it will be a 2-0 win.

[m_vaughan]

Originally Posted by sennamor

Even without Messi, Barca are favourites to win at Camp Nou. I think it will be a 2-0 win.

While Barca have played better football than us this season (which is understandable since they have a more settled squad who have played together for a while) they have not been particularly effective.

For one I do not understand why Bojan is continuously overlooked and even seems to behind Pedro in the pecking order. Pedro has scored goals, but he is a lot more selfish and wastes a lot of chances for every goal he scores. Also last season Pique and Puyol will extremely solid at the back and yet Pep continues to play that Ukrainian dude he bought and I am pretty sure they have conceded more goals when he has been playing.

But then like I said all this goes out of the window come Sunday.

[PhilD123]

Unlucky Vaughan. Poor game though.

[m_vaughan]

I dont think it was a poor game. Barca weren't allowed to play the way usually do because we din't let them. Before their goal, I thought we had the better chances, and Ibra's introduction did provide the edge they were lacking upfront. Puyol was amazing at the back as was Valdes, who between them saved three goals. Its a shame that Puyol never plays like this for Spain, that dirty catalan.

Shame that we lost, but we played pretty well. Lot of games still remaining and two points at this stage is nothing. I am sure Pelligrini will be under pressure for having lost the three games against big sides since he took over, but if you look at it, only Sevilla had outplayed us completely. The Milan defeat was random, and yesterday was pretty even for most parts.

Hala Madrid!! 31 time champions!!

[Auwais]

Zlatan!

Isn't he the guy who always goes missing in big games?

[m_vaughan]

That was always a load of rubbish. No one outside England believed in that.

[Auwais]

Indeed.

Nice to see you again after a long time, m_vaughan!

[m_vaughan]

Good to see you back, Auwais.

[Auwais]

Barca are playing like us last season, nowhere near fifth gear, so it should be interesting to see how the season unfolds.

Thankfully it looks like it will definitely be closer.

And I hope Real give Pellegrini plenty of time, he's a very clever, astute manager, the job he did at Villarreal with limited resources was great. They actually improved without Riquelme, something I didn't expect.