Messi plays pretty straight. I couldn't tell if Valencia got the ball first, but he definitely went through Messi.Man, that was inches away.BS foul there. Messi learned from the best though.
Tough to see with no replay. That Messi run was a thing of beauty though.Messi plays pretty straight. I couldn't tell if Valencia got the ball first, but he definitely went through Messi.Man, that was inches away.BS foul there. Messi learned from the best though.
I was thinking the opposite... how the MFs are so constantly in motion- not giant 70 yard runs, but constantly sliding around finding the gaps, and switching up who goes where.FUN first half- that 10 minutes of pressure by United to open the game had me thinking they'd be able to maintain that, but Barca's just too good at beating the pressure and slowing things down to their game.What consistently amazes me about them is how they look so static on the field, but they are always in the right place at the right time and always have tons of space in the midfield. Their positioning is perfect at all times. Other than an occasional sprint, they barely even look like they're running - so effortless.That was always something that astounded me (and really opened my eyes) about La Masia - the amount of time they train WITHOUT a ball on the field.Jesus this is Man U and Barca still makes it look like they are playing an amateur side in terms of possession
... so the rest of this game will be DVR for me.Thought he looked good in the first 10 minutes but I am not sure he even touched the ball after that.Oh yeah- Chicharito doesn't seem quite up to this game so far, IMO- good hustle, but touch and timing not there.
He's been isolated, with Rooney, Park, and Valencia being forced to largely play defense. I'm not sure there is anything he can do about it. United has only had the one chance.Thought he looked good in the first 10 minutes but I am not sure he even touched the ball after that.Oh yeah- Chicharito doesn't seem quite up to this game so far, IMO- good hustle, but touch and timing not there.
$ and £ and €Why are all the qualifying matches home-and-home, but the final is one game?
I think we're on the same page. They never look like they're running, but they're always in the right spots...I was thinking the opposite... how the MFs are so constantly in motion- not giant 70 yard runs, but constantly sliding around finding the gaps, and switching up who goes where.What consistently amazes me about them is how they look so static on the field, but they are always in the right place at the right time and always have tons of space in the midfield. Their positioning is perfect at all times. Other than an occasional sprint, they barely even look like they're running - so effortless.That was always something that astounded me (and really opened my eyes) about La Masia - the amount of time they train WITHOUT a ball on the field.Jesus this is Man U and Barca still makes it look like they are playing an amateur side in terms of possession
First time all match he didn't have 4, 5 or 6 around him. Now we know why.Someone might want to mark that guy.
He is effing 23 and it is a very fair question. He needs the World Cup though if he wants to end all doubt.GOAT?
Been waiting for them to stop trying to walk it in and just tee it up.No one expected that shot. No one in the stadium or watching TV. Only Messi.
I agree at the moment, but a few more years like this and I'm not sure it'll matter.He is effing 23 and it is a very fair question. He needs the World Cup though if he wants to end all doubt.GOAT?
I don't see why it matters at all. What if he was from Jamaica? Would we really say Jamaica has to win the World Cup for him to be considered the best ever?United is getting too tight and allowing these outside shots. I suppose they don't have much choice, but Barcelona is getting some nice chances.I agree at the moment, but a few more years like this and I'm not sure it'll matter.He is effing 23 and it is a very fair question. He needs the World Cup though if he wants to end all doubt.GOAT?
So of course the first card goes to Barca.Valencia really has to get a card at some point here.
I'm sure Barca will send Valencia a postcard of Villa celebrating with the trophy when all is said and done.So of course the first card goes to Barca.Valencia really has to get a card at some point here.

It is a fair question but it is basically the Dan Marino affect. Or to keep it on point, George Best.I don't see why it matters at all. What if he was from Jamaica? Would we really say Jamaica has to win the World Cup for him to be considered the best ever?I agree at the moment, but a few more years like this and I'm not sure it'll matter.He is effing 23 and it is a very fair question. He needs the World Cup though if he wants to end all doubt.GOAT?
I think that sports fans tend to want to quantify the intangibles that players have....some players make their teammates immeasurably better, and what better way to quantify that than the player leading his country to the win on the biggest stage of them all?Like andy said, it doesn't REALLY matter, but if he leads Argentina to a World Cup win, it'll erase a lot of questions.It is a fair question but it is basically the Dan Marino affect. Or to keep it on point, George Best.I don't see why it matters at all. What if he was from Jamaica? Would we really say Jamaica has to win the World Cup for him to be considered the best ever?
This isn't even a case where you could say Man U had an off game.
Barcelona is clearly the better team todayThere are players that went Euro, Champions League, World Cup, Champions League from 08-11. Not bad.Z, when Spain does this to the US next Saturday, remember this game before claiming how far behind the world in soccer the US is. Spanish football (club and country) is at such a peak right now it is scary.
Amazing and they should contend for Euro 2012 as well.There are players that went Euro, Champions League, World Cup, Champions League from 08-11. Not bad.Z, when Spain does this to the US next Saturday, remember this game before claiming how far behind the world in soccer the US is. Spanish football (club and country) is at such a peak right now it is scary.