El Classico

[elroy]

Really looking forward to this tonight, unlike so many big games (particularly in the EPL) i have a feeling this game will live up to its billing. Couldnt be set up much better, both tied on points at the top of the league. If there is a winner here, that winner will win the league as the rest of the league has in general proven easy fodder to the top two.

No Ibrahimovic for Barca and no Kaka for Real who is not necessarily a bad thing for either side, as neither player have reached the levels that might have been expected off them. With all the justified hype about Messi in recent weeks, will Ronaldo steal the limelight tonight?!

The winning of the match may very well hinge on the battle between Alonso/Diarra and Xavi/Iniesta (if he plays). Considering that Real are at home and will be fresher for the break during the week, I fancy Ronaldo inspired Real to take the spoils.

[mypost]

There are still 7 games to go after tonight, the league won't be won by either side tonight.

[L.T.F.C.]

for peeps that don't have it http://www.iraqgoals.tv/ch1.html
Great game so far.
Messi fouled in box. Stonewall penalty not given.

[elroy]

There are still 7 games to go after tonight, the league won't be won by either side tonight.

Mathematically obviously no, but the top two have dealt with the other teams relatively easy that I would be very surprised if tonights winners are not the ultimate winners of the league.

Good game so far, Real a bit disappointing. Expect alot more from them in the second half. Top top goal by the Messi Xavi combination again.

[mypost]

Mathematically obviously no, but the top two have dealt with the other teams relatively easy that I would be very surprised if tonights winners are not the ultimate winners of the league.

The only positive for Real was at least it wasn't 6 again. Not having Kaka was a major blow.

Real were 8 points behind not long ago, so 4 points isn't that insurmountable with 21 available.

[Dodge]

Real were 8 points behind not long ago, so 4 points isn't that insurmountable with 21 available.

No without games in hand it wasn't

[Closed Account 2]

14th & 15th - Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruña........ Almeria v Real Madrid
17th & 18th Apr - Espanyol v Barcelona........ Real Madrid v Valencia
~25th Apr - Barcelona v Xerez........ Real Zaragoza v Real Madrid
2nd May - Villarreal v Barcelona........ Real Madrid v Osasuna
5th May - Barcelona v Tenerife........ Mallorca v Real Madrid
9th May - Sevilla FC v Barcelona........ Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
16th May - Barcelona v Valladolid........ Málaga v Real Madrid
~ The Barca Inter matches are either side of the Xerez match

Those are the fixtures, Real would have to make up 4 points (as it goes on head to head if level on points), I don't think it's out of the question. Real have the easier run in, with their only really hard games being Bilbao and Valencia but both of those are at home. On the other hand Barca have a tricky tie at Espanyol (1st derby in their new stadium) just before the away tie at Inter, and then just after the home tie they have to play Villareal away. They also have Sevilla away and they already wobbled against them in the King's Cup in January. I agree that Barca are in the driving seat but it's not totally over yet. Drawing 2 of those 3 could open up the gap for Real.

[DeLorean]

Mallorca away could be tough for Real, didn't they just lose their 100% home record fairly recently as well?

[pineapple stu]

In Feb to Sevilla. subsequently beaten at home by Barca too.

[elroy]

Out of interest, does anyone else think the media in Ireland and England are so OTT reactionary over the last few days. A number of papers have run pieces about how the EPL is overrated and how this is iilustrated by the league being almost over/poor in standard this year and that all english clubs are out of the CL.
The same papers were lauding the EPL are few years ago. While I think the standard in the EPL hasnt been as good as in prior years, I think this is due to the fact that there has been a narrowing in the gap between the top teams and the rest, which is a good thing imo. Not that the rest have caught up rather the top teams have slipped back. Nonetheless I think all three english clubs were good enough to make the semis, without the injuries and the worst draw possible I think Arsenal couldve made it and united shouldve made it.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Out of interest, does anyone else think the media in Ireland and England are so OTT reactionary over the last few days. A number of papers have run pieces about how the EPL is overrated and how this is iilustrated by the league being almost over/poor in standard this year and that all english clubs are out of the CL.
The same papers were lauding the EPL are few years ago. While I think the standard in the EPL hasnt been as good as in prior years, I think this is due to the fact that there has been a narrowing in the gap between the top teams and the rest, which is a good thing imo. Not that the rest have caught up rather the top teams have slipped back. Nonetheless I think all three english clubs were good enough to make the semis, without the injuries and the worst draw possible I think Arsenal couldve made it and united shouldve made it.

And they're usually such a rational and calm bunch

I agree that there has been a bit of an overreaction to all the english clubs going out before the semi's. In truth, Barca are the best around but after that there's not a lot between the other top teams in Europe and there's a very good chance there'll be an English team in the semi's next year.

[Dodge]

The same papers were lauding the EPL are few years ago.

A few weeks ago when United dumped Milan out and Arsenal were destroynig Porto (after the Big 3 EPL teams had easily won groups) they were doing it. Almost dismissing the rest of Europe.

No doubt at all that all 3 could have won the whole thing (even with their obvious flaws)

The worst OTT reaction in recent weeks has been the lauding of Messi and Barca. Its like they just discovered him, or maybe he just needed to do it against Mikael Silvestre for them to acknowledge him. LIkewise if Madrid had've beat Barca on Saturday with Ronaldo getting 2, they'd have switched focus to the greasy one.

[Closed Account 2]

Once Liverpool went out in the group stage it meant there were only 3 possible teams, which meant any hard draw could have been curtains for the English teams - as was the case for Arsenal and Chelsea.

For instance this was the first time an English team fell at the group stage 2005-06 (when Man Utd were bottom of a group containing Villareal, Benfica and Lille, and I think Liverpool and Chelsea were in the same group due to Liverpool being the "5th team" and not having a formal association with England in the draw). That season both Liverpool and Chelsea went out in the first knockout round (to Benfica and Barca) so Arsenal were the only English team left in the quarters.

[bennocelt]

Also i have heard at least three times now how Messi isnt liked at all In Argentina. What horse ****, of course he is loved in Argentina

[Dodge]

would anyone think theres a case as somebody said to me yesterday that maradona would be jealous of messi taking over from him as the best player ever and maybe play him out of position in the world cup

No, Maradona adores him. Has been praising him to the hilt for years. He'd much rather be known as the man who won the world cup as players, and then as manager. He has a chiop on his shoulder about most things, and to him, that'd be the ultimate "F you!" to his friends in the media

[thischarmingman]

Also i have heard at least three times now how Messi isnt liked at all In Argentina. What horse ****, of course he is loved in Argentina

FWIW was told by a football-mad Argentine the day before yesterday and he was saying the exact same thing- apparently people there think he is too selfish a player and don't like him as much as you would naturally think.

[bennocelt]

FWIW was told by a football-mad Argentine the day before yesterday and he was saying the exact same thing- apparently people there think he is too selfish a player and don't like him as much as you would naturally think.

Doesnt make sense though

[Dodge]

Could be that lads' bias. Argentinian guy I know absolutely adores him. Messi isn't as loved as some over there as he didn't play for any of the local teas, but that may help him long run as someone like Riquelme was adored by Boca fans but never liked by River fans.

Messi was outstanding in the 2007 Copa America

[stojkovic]

I read somewhere that when he plays for Barca they call him Superman but when he plays for Argentina they call him Clark Kent.