The 2014/2015 season finally hit the halfway mark, with Real Madrid getting the unofficial title of winter champions after they completed a hard-fought but comprehensive win away at Getafe. There were also wins for title contenders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, while European football hopefuls Valencia, Sevilla and Villareal enjoyed a great weekend too. No surprises that this round’s best XI is largely influenced by players from these clubs. … [Read more...]
What Luis Enrique and President Bartomeu apparently don’t understand about Barcelona
After Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 last weekend—with their best showing of the season— Luis Enrique said, “Victories are the only thing that can calm this wave [of noise]…as soon as we make mistakes, the crisis will be back. That’s very clear. I will concentrate on what I can control.” A few days later Barcelona’s President, Bartomeu, is quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying, “There is a lot of tension around the club. I don’t like it. With this announcement that there will be an {Presidential} election hopefully we will reduce the tension.” … [Read more...]
Messi, Neymar and Suarez all make this week’s La Liga team of the week
Barcelona played out of their skins in a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid to keep in touch with leaders Real Madrid at the summit of the La liga table, and their unstoppable forward trio highlight this round’s best XI. In goal, Diego Marino’s saves were key for Levante in their goalless draw against Deportivo Ciutat de València. The 24-year-old made six saves to secure a point for Les Granotes, and keep them just outside the relegation zone (at least based on goals difference). How important will the point be, come May? … [Read more...]
FC Barcelona in turmoil
Any way you want to define it, Barcelona is in turmoil: Throughout this season their play has been lackluster and the team has lacked a definite identity, the transfer ban was upheld ensuring that the club cannot sign any new players till January 2016, the president had to resign due to less than professional behavior, their director of football—Zubizarreta— was fired, club legend Carlos Puyol stepped down from his administrative position, on Monday their star player skipped practice in what is being reported as a power play to force out the Luis Enrique as the coach, and if you … [Read more...]
Analysing Barca’s 3-2-3-2 formation
Predictably, after Barcelona’s 7-0 2013 Champions League semifinal defeat to Bayern Munich, when they were physically overpowered by a compact and organized 4-4-2 press, many of their future opponents adopted Bayern’s tactics in an attempt to nullify the attacking strengths and exploit the defensive frailties of the Catalan giants. It is then no surprise that Barcelona would transition to a back-3 to counteract the advantages their opposition obtained from mimicking the formation that dominated them. Playing a back-3 provides Barcelona an extra defender and free player to bring the ball out … [Read more...]
Barcelonas Best XI Since the New Millennium
115 years of football throughout Catalonia have produced some of the greatest ever players that football has ever seen, from world cup winners to South American magicians, Barcelona Football Club is one of the greats in world football. From the hundreds of players to embrace the maroon and blue jersey of this iconic club, I will try and establish the best ever 11 players to represent the Catalans on the football pitch over the last 14 seasons. This will be a selection of the best players in each position who I feel made the greatest contributions towards the team, in recent years, when they … [Read more...]
Reaction to the Champions League Draw for Spanish Sides
The top three in Spain are all in left in Europe’s elite competition, and today at 11am (GMT), they found out who their opponents would be for the round of 16 stage in the competition. After all 3 teams finished top of their group, the available teams they could face where Manchester City, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, Porto, Shalke 04, Juventus or Shakthar Donetsk. The first Spanish team to come out of the draw where 4 time winners Barcelona, who face Manchester city in the last 16. This will be a difficult task for Barca, who haven’t got the greatest of defensive records this season, … [Read more...]
Suarez displays for Barca come under heavy criticism
Luis Suarez once again failed to fire as Barcelona lost pace with league leaders Real Madrid at the top of the table, following a surprising a goalless draw to Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday. Though missing the services of the injured Neymar, and Lionel Messi uncharacteristically misfiring, it was Luis Suarez who has came under the heaviest attacks from fans and Spanish media. … [Read more...]
Ronaldo and Messi star in this week’s La Liga team of the week
Real Madrid continued their record breaking streak, equaling Barcelona’s Spanish record of 18 consecutive wins in all competitions. Meanwhile, there were also wins for Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, as well as Champions League spot favourites (at least for now) Sevilla. … [Read more...]
Why Ballon D’Or Voting Must Be Re-Evaluated
The Ballon d'Or race is down to three: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer. As the January 12th 2015 reveal date is ever approaching, we begin to evaluate who the three final contenders are, but so very little is being discussed about how the final decision and the final names are decided upon. … [Read more...]