Someone must have watched the Super Copa last night? No? A brilliant game of football, once again.

Ronaldo’s flick before his goal is a must see, as is Messi’s free kick.

I think Ronaldo equalled the record of scoring in consecutive classico’s now. Big game bottler

Amazing game, yeah. Very surprising performance from Real, after being so underwhelming in their first three official games. Also, was that Messi’s best long distance FK ever? I haven’t seen a better one from him.

Olivier Giroud’s mesmerizing good looks - 30 August 2012 06:17 PM

Amazing game, yeah. Very surprising performance from Real, after being so underwhelming in their first three official games. Also, was that Messi’s best long distance FK ever? I haven’t seen a better one from him.

It’s the best I’ve seen from him personally. Ridiculous precision from a ridiculous distance.

I do like Higuain, but if he had a little more confidence Real could very easily have been 4 up by half time. But that goal just before the break clearly made them absolutely shit themselves. The second half was brilliant though, with both sides having numerous chances.

Football is so much better off now that the dramatics have all calmed down a bit between the two teams. Sure, Alexis still dives in the box at least once a game, and Pepe is always lucky not to see red, but the spirit of the last 3 classicos has been so much better than before.

Nobody actually has much of an argument now to claim Ronaldo is a big game bottler, the man is a monster for a big game now.

Great game, i have to say, i think it’s becoming more apparent to how much Barca are depending on Messi. Obviously i still think they would play some amazing football, but without Messi’s goal scoring touch, they would find it difficult. But that is mainly down to not having the likes of David Villa not fully fit i guess

Sneebly - 30 August 2012 07:59 PM

Nobody actually has much of an argument now to claim Ronaldo is a big game bottler, the man is a monster for a big game now.

Great game, i have to say, i think it’s becoming more apparent to how much Barca are depending on Messi. Obviously i still think they would play some amazing football, but without Messi’s goal scoring touch, they would find it difficult. But that is mainly down to not having the likes of David Villa not fully fit i guess

But an over reliance on Messi can’t be to blame for their terrible defending over the last season - which looks to be continuing. A constantly changing back 4 can’t help, but there have just been so so so many sloppy individual mistakes.

Valdes’ last week I put down to arrogance. Tito can talk all day about how brilliant it is that he is confident enough to play it out from the back, but there’s a difference between that and genuinely trying to Fifa-Street Di Maria in his own 6 yard box!

Laurent Robert’s Left Foot - 30 August 2012 06:49 PM

Olivier Giroud’s mesmerizing good looks - 30 August 2012 06:17 PM

Amazing game, yeah. Very surprising performance from Real, after being so underwhelming in their first three official games. Also, was that Messi’s best long distance FK ever? I haven’t seen a better one from him.

It’s the best I’ve seen from him personally. Ridiculous precision from a ridiculous distance.

I do like Higuain, but if he had a little more confidence Real could very easily have been 4 up by half time. But that goal just before the break clearly made them absolutely shit themselves. The second half was brilliant though, with both sides having numerous chances.

Football is so much better off now that the dramatics have all calmed down a bit between the two teams. Sure, Alexis still dives in the box at least once a game, and Pepe is always lucky not to see red, but the spirit of the last 3 classicos has been so much better than before.

Very much agreed with the last paragraph. Refreshing. As for Higuain, IMO it’s a positive that he finds those space for fast runs and creates so many chances for himself; Benzema wouldn’t do that, he’s the kind to drop and link for more patient build-up. Surely, Barcelona is the side against which you get to regret such misses even when they play with one man less, but they’re the exception. Or maybe they’re not, they’re Real’s most often met opponent and Real needs to adjust according to their performances to Barcelona; dunno.

One hour with Sid Lowe is like pod-heaven: http://www.beyondthepitch.net/podcasts/edition/index.cfm/beyond-the-pitch/2012/08/28/sid-lowe/

Barca 8 points ahead of Real then

Madrid were really sloppy tonight, especially Higuain who was absolutely woeful in front of goal.

Yeah I’ve always been a fan of Higuain, but tonight wasn’t the first time lately that I’ve seen him wasting really good chances. Didn’t see that much of La Liga last year so didn’t really know what to expect from Sevilla this season but Cicinho (to be honest I initially thought it was the ex-Real one, should have known he wouldn’t be that fast anymore) and Navas looked very dangerous down the right.

Anyone know why there aren’t any sponsors on the player’s shirts in the Athletico/Rayo game?

Triggs - 16 September 2012 08:48 PM

Anyone know why there aren’t any sponsors on the player’s shirts in the Athletico/Rayo game?

Is it just that they don’t have sponsors? There were quite a few last year who didn’t.

Nickperson - 16 September 2012 09:00 PM

Triggs - 16 September 2012 08:48 PM

Anyone know why there aren’t any sponsors on the player’s shirts in the Athletico/Rayo game?

Is it just that they don’t have sponsors? There were quite a few last year who didn’t.

Ah, you’re probably right. Surprised I only just noticed it.

Did anyone here buy Real Oviedo shares?

Atletico just lost their first game last night, at Valencia. Looking forward to the highlights.

Also, this Sid Lowe article on Athletic Bilbao’s troubles is a must-read, even if a bit old: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/oct/29/athletic-bilbao-surreal-crisis-silence?CMP=twt_gu

Why oh why did Athletic Bilbao ever release Beñat Etxebarria? Surely they of all teams can’t afford to waste talent like that.

Here’s what he did today against Real Madrid.

Excellent finish by Benat last night. Real Madrid looked really disjointed. Some of the players looked like they’d never played together before. Ronaldo’s suffering a dip in form. He couldn’t be bothered last night. I’m sure he’ll pull himself out of it though. If Barca win tonight the title is all but done.

Atletico Madrid looking the business tonight. Enjoying Koke in midfield.

Ouch, 3 reds for Sevilla.

Wizard - 25 November 2012 08:34 PM

Atletico Madrid looking the business tonight. Enjoying Koke in midfield.

Ouch, 3 reds for Sevilla.

Sevilla win the derby and follow it up with a 3-0 loss and 3 reds and main striker injured. Betis lose derby and beat Real Madrid 1-0. A week is a long time in football

It was strange last night, on one hand I was enjoying Betis winning, on the other my objective mind wanted Real to win in order to keep the league interesting.

Jeremy Toohlalaan - 25 November 2012 08:48 PM

It was strange last night, on one hand I was enjoying Betis winning, on the other my objective mind wanted Real to win in order to keep the league interesting.

I was the same. It could be a nice fight for second though with Real and Athletico going at it. The 8 point gap between the two could make it interesting, but you probably after factor in 2 derby wins for Real

La Liga has been brilliant so far this season. Don’t see how Premier League is said to be the best in the world now, quality has been better in La Liga for a good few years now, but as a league itself it’s better.

Everyone in La Liga has won a match whilst QPR haven’t. The argument that anyone can beat anyone in the premier league doesn’t seem to be vaild. whilst in La Liga it seems to be the case. Madrid

Bigger gap between top and bottom in Premier League.

Matches in general have been better. Deportivo 4-5 Barcelona is an example

And finally La Liga fans have good evidence that there aren’t ”  only two good teams and the rest shit in a league which is practically the SPL with Messi in it innit”. Atletico are now 8 POINTS ahead of Real, and are level with Barca. Happy times

+ Malaga have been in beastmode in the CL this season, despite their financial difficulties and losing Santi. Means that all 4 teams already through to the next round, with a game to spare. 25% of the teams left in the CL will be Spanish.

rickie lambert for england - 25 November 2012 09:14 PM

La Liga has been brilliant so far this season. Don’t see how Premier League is said to be the best in the world now, quality has been better in La Liga for a good few years now, but as a league itself it’s better.

Everyone in La Liga has won a match whilst QPR haven’t. The argument that anyone can beat anyone in the premier league doesn’t seem to be vaild. whilst in La Liga it seems to be the case. Madrid

Bigger gap between top and bottom in Premier League.

Matches in general have been better. Deportivo 4-5 Barcelona is an example

And finally La Liga fans have good evidence that there aren’t ”  only two good teams and the rest shit in a league which is practically the SPL with Messi in it innit”. Atletico are now 8 POINTS ahead of Real, and are level with Barca. Happy times

+ Malaga have been in beastmode in the CL this season, despite their financial difficulties and losing Santi. Means that all 4 teams already through to the next round, with a game to spare. 25% of the teams left in the CL will be Spanish.

 

You’re aware that you only hear that the PL is the best because you’re in England, right? In Spain they call La Liga the best league in the world. Hell, they probably call Serie A the best in the world down in Italy!

Eighty. One.

Eighty. Two.

I just flicked over to the Levante/Barca game and thought Barca were wearing their traditional home kit. A ball was lobbed from deep onto Obafemi Martins and I sat in stunned silence trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

Thankfully my son told me Barca were in yellow, wearing that god awful away kit.

If I had been right I think I would’ve quit watching football. Thank you son. Thank you.

5 for Falcao after he’s been quiet for a couple of matches. He ain’t going to be there long. Its a pity for Athletico that they couldn’t provide some opposition for Real last week.

Words don’t describe how much I hope he doesn’t go to Chelsea. I want to go on liking him.

Warming himself up nicely for the match at the Nou Camp next week.

Messi now level with Muller’s record

He’s done it.

Record done and dusted.

What’s next?

Betis have been amazing tonight, more than a match for Barca. Unfortunately Betis decided to let Messi get the record then start trying.

Adriano’s goal…wow.

woof (you ninja’d me)

Busquets is god.

falcao’s finish was brilliant too.it was like a wedge shot in golf…

Zaragoza - Betis tonight, for those hungry of European football.

Unbelievable. At the halfway stage, Barcelona have played 19, won 18, drawn 1. They are now 11 points clear of Atletico and 18 clear of Real Madrid. And they score on average 3.4 goals a game.

Just Fontaine - 14 January 2013 01:08 AM

Unbelievable. At the halfway stage, Barcelona have played 19, won 18, drawn 1. They are now 11 points clear of Atletico and 18 clear of Real Madrid. And they score on average 3.4 goals a game.

How the fuck has Tito Villanova managed to improve Barcelona!?

Marc271 - 14 January 2013 01:33 AM

Just Fontaine - 14 January 2013 01:08 AM

Unbelievable. At the halfway stage, Barcelona have played 19, won 18, drawn 1. They are now 11 points clear of Atletico and 18 clear of Real Madrid. And they score on average 3.4 goals a game.

How the fuck has Tito Villanova managed to improve Barcelona!?

I suppose one thing is (Correct me if I’m wrong) a lack of injuries or at least less that they have had before. Last year there were times when they were missing quite a few players, this year the only first team player I can see who has missed so many games that he wouldn’t make a first team XI is Puyol.

Also their squad has improved. Alba and Song have come in and they have only lost Keita,  who was a quite important player for them but the other two help cover that.

The other thing is that while the above points make them better, I’m not sure any other teams have really improved since last year.

Finally, I wonder if the fact that it is the former assistant who is in charge which has helped. As such nothing has changed, he’s been there for these players as much as Pep had including when he was bringing some of them through in the B team, so changes are going to be quite slight and still keep people in the setup they are comfortable with. Really wonder how long it will be until we start seeing other teams trying to do similar.

Nickperson - 14 January 2013 01:59 AM

Marc271 - 14 January 2013 01:33 AM

Just Fontaine - 14 January 2013 01:08 AM

Unbelievable. At the halfway stage, Barcelona have played 19, won 18, drawn 1. They are now 11 points clear of Atletico and 18 clear of Real Madrid. And they score on average 3.4 goals a game.

How the fuck has Tito Villanova managed to improve Barcelona!?

I suppose one thing is (Correct me if I’m wrong) a lack of injuries or at least less that they have had before. Last year there were times when they were missing quite a few players, this year the only first team player I can see who has missed so many games that he wouldn’t make a first team XI is Puyol.

Also their squad has improved. Alba and Song have come in and they have only lost Keita,  who was a quite important player for them but the other two help cover that.

The other thing is that while the above points make them better, I’m not sure any other teams have really improved since last year.

Finally, I wonder if the fact that it is the former assistant who is in charge which has helped. As such nothing has changed, he’s been there for these players as much as Pep had including when he was bringing some of them through in the B team, so changes are going to be quite slight and still keep people in the setup they are comfortable with. Really wonder how long it will be until we start seeing other teams trying to do similar.

Liverpool were doing all that internal appointment stuff for decades back in the Shankly, Paisley, Fagan etc. days. Worked pretty well for them