La Liga 2013/4

[Stuttgart88]

Is there a La Liga 2013/4 thread? I didn't notice one.

What a game tonight. Barcelona win 4-3 at Real.

Barca right back in it and Atletico stay top. Atmosphere, tension, context, skill, great goals, marginally controversial refereeing. Everything.

I actually think the ref got the big calls right. I'm not fussed if Alves's foul was just outside the box. It was a clear foul and it looked a penno all day long. The ref had to call it and I can't fault his decision - made in real time. And "morally" I don't think it matters. A foul inches from the line when a player is running at pace itowatds goal is just as serious as a foul inches inside the line.

I think Neymar is as cunning as a fox and made sure he was clipped. Again the ref got it right and the red card wasn't his fault, it's the rule.

And I think Alonso has no grounds for complaint. It was a clear foul.

And what a joy the TV punditry was. Two Spanish players with better English than English pundits. Scott Minto is a TV natural. The analysis was articulate and spot on: a game determined by the players, not the coaches.

Neymar is a problem for his team though. He doesn't fit well.

[geysir]

I had Ray Hudson as co commentator
A brilliant game, thoroughly enjoyable.
Neymar did well to nip in ahead, a 100% genuine penalty I though, not contrived, he won the ball cleanly. The ref was my man of the match, got the dives, the fake head butts and the penalties, right, well almost right, but you can forgive him for being distracted by Ronaldo actually being tripped, that the margins got blurred on that one.
I though Madrid handed it on a plate to Barca but that's El Classico, things happen there which are outside the boundaries of what we understand to be normal competitive derby game.

[Stuttgart88]

I forgot to say that Gerry Armstrong's instinctive opinion is, yet again, shown to be the most reliable contrary indicator. He's effing useless.

I thought Neymar sensed the challenge coming and left his left leg hanging a fraction longer than his natural stride would have left it. Either way, definite clip and ref was absolutely right.

[The Fly]

Best match I've seen in years. Barcelona were very fortunate to get to half-time level, overall Benzema could've scored 4 or 5 and should've put away the chance he had in the first 15 minutes that he put over the bar. Messi's pass to Neymar which lead to their second goal was simply sublime; just mouth-wateringly good. I can only guess at Ray Hudson's reaction, but no doubt a Youtube search will bear fruit in a day or two.

I don't think the match told us anything we don't already know: both teams are suspect defensively, Messi really makes the difference for Barcelona, Bale and Neymar are not quite there yet (Bale in particular), Madrid have too many hotheads in the side, and despite the victory...Barcelona do look jaded.

What channel did you watch it on Geysir?...Bein Sports?

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm not fussed if Alves's foul was just outside the box. It was a clear foul and it looked a penno all day long. The ref had to call it and I can't fault his decision - made in real time.

Did it look a peno in real time? I know I had the benefit of TV angles and all, but my first reaction was that it was outside the box. I thought Ronaldo was clipped, then took a step and fell. The slomo backed that up. And I'm really not the most observant person in the world.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought it did!

[The Donie Forde]

Why is it considered a derby, when it's clearly not?

[geysir]

Why is it considered a derby, when it's clearly not?

It's an established Spanish derby, not a local derby.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is there any rule that a derby has to be local? I thought it just referred to any fiercely-contested regular rivalry.

[geysir]

What channel did you watch it on Geysir?...Bein Sports?

Yeah that's the one.
Ray's tap just flows non stop during the game, I don't notice the commentator at all.
Benzema 'with every chance, he fills his pants'.
Messi 'the thunder at the end of lightening',
'works harder than a one eyed cat watching 3 mouse holes'.

[The Fly]

Yeah that's the one.
Ray's tap just flows non stop during the game, I don't notice the commentator at all.
Benzema 'with every chance, he fills his pants'.
Messi 'the thunder at the end of lightening',
'works harder than a one eyed cat watching 3 mouse holes'.

Is it an American channel? How do you receive it?

[Charlie Darwin]

Is it an American channel? How do you receive it?

It's Al-Jazeera's sports channel. I think they operate mainly from France, but I assume geysir was watching the American one piped in from somewhere.

[OwlsFan]

I forgot to say that Gerry Armstrong's instinctive opinion is, yet again, shown to be the most reliable contrary indicator. He's effing useless.

I have to agree there. He thought every refereeing decision was harsh even when shown in slow motion and his co-commentator was as bad. Please God he never becomes a referee. I only saw the last hour of the game and barely noticed Bale. Good game ok.

[geysir]

Is it an American channel? How do you receive it?

The world wide web, where it's possible to link to a stream of beIN Sports( the US version), they cover a lot of the top european league football.
Just keep clicking on the english language streams, until you get to Ray.

[DeLorean]

I have to agree there. He thought every refereeing decision was harsh even when shown in slow motion and his co-commentator was as bad. Please God he never becomes a referee. I only saw the last hour of the game and barely noticed Bale. Good game ok.

He wasn't brilliant but he wasn't the worst either, I think he was better than both Neymar and Ronaldo on the night. He was involved in the build up for Madrid's first two goals and made two bursting runs, one which should have led to Benzema scoring but Valdes saved. He did little or nothing once Madrid went down to ten. His game has changed a lot since his explosive winger days at Tottenham. He hangs around almost lazily now and can be out of the game for long spells. He still tends to be involved in an awful lot of the good things Madrid do but you'd probably expect a bit more from the most expensive player ever. That said, given the injury problem and pressure of a drawn-out high profile move, he can be happy enough with his first season. Being a part of a Madrid side that end up winning something significant would help him no end. Not surprisingly, his best games have been when Ronaldo was not playing... he's more a feeder than a finisher when he is.

As good a game as it was, it only served to make Bayern even more favourites than they already are to retain the CL, in my mind anyway. Both sides will have to tighten up immeasurably to even get a crack at them but hard to see that happening, especially with Barcelona. Surely Varane is a better bet than Pepe in Real's defence? I know Sergio Ramos is a time bomb also but he's got serious big game experience and can be inspiring at times, plus he's got the coolest name in World Football which has to count for something.

[geysir]

Real Madrid are a refreshing change since cleaning out the stain of Mourinho from the team.

[DeLorean]

Ancelotti is a class act to be fair. Amazing how under the radar he remains regardless of the profile of his job. Even at Chelsea he practically strolled in and out unnoticed but left as League Champions and FA Cup winners. Still though, it takes all sorts. It would get boring if they were all like Ancelotti and Messi... you need your Jose's and Ronaldo's to crank it up a notch.

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't see tonight's Real result coming though. Despite being a long time Barcelona admirer I'd like to see Atletico win it. Very interesting.

[geysir]

Sack useless Ancelotti

The game of the night was Sevilla v Madrid, Ronaldo did not look a happy Madrid camper in the last 15 minutes. I'll look forward to seeing that Seville player Bacca, play for Colombia in the World Cup.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Another weekend, another penalty for Barcelona. 1-0 up against Real Betis.

Pity that the amount of penalties they and Real Madrid are gifted this year/every year will probably end up being the difference between another La Liga crown or the neutrals should be favourites Atletico Madrid coming out on top.