₦airaland Forum

barackohandso:
This is how Real madrid will watch Barca win the UCL

nonsoroyalty:
This is why I said most madrid fans are kids the same mourinho they are supporting is the same one who started saying shit about laliga when he ran back to epl he even took shot @ ronaldo

@usbcable why not bring ur cable lemme show u a proof mourinho was booed by madrid fans in 2013 lol

A40:
Its only in a small time team like Chelsea and a small time footballing nation like England that a court jester like Mourinho will be granted audience. When he went to Italy and Spain (respectable football nations) his antics where always frowned upon. Little wonder he ran back to England after failing so woefully at Madrid

The reaction of Madrid fans and players after Carlo left compared to after Mourinho left says it all

Proven Fact...

usbcable:
no so we see am bros.

all thanks to eyebrow.

BTW
congrats in advance as per winning 6 trophies. dont see anybody stopping Barker

This coming from usbcable?

Hacker alert!!!

Abomination!!!


Lord have Mercy!!!

nonsoroyalty:
Congratulations Don Andres. His partner has given
birth to a baby boy. They have named him Paolo
Andrea.
Congratulaions Don!

Lionel Messi's New Boots for the Champions League Final Revealed by Adidas...


http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2482362-lionel-messis-new-boots-for-the-champions-league-final-revealed-by-adidas

Lionel Messi's New Boots for the Champions League Final Revealed by Adidas...


http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2482362-lionel-messis-new-boots-for-the-champions-league-final-revealed-by-adidas

Is This Barcelona Side Even Greater Than the 2011 Champions League Winners?



On the evening of May 28, 2011, I was at Wembley Stadium among a crowd of over 87,000 to see Barcelona win the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the final.

It was a special night, watching a team become champions of Europe always is, but each member of that crowd, both the celebrating Barcelona fans and the vanquished United fans, knew they had witnessed something more profound.

Arguably the greatest club side of all time had delivered their signature performance: a masterclass of attacking football.

From my vantage point in the press box near the halfway line, Barcelona were utterly dominant throughout the 90 minutes.

They were a blur of speed and control, swarming over United with wave after wave of attacks as they greedily refused to let their opponents anywhere near the ball.

Even now, it seems strange this final finished in an almost respectable 3-1 defeat for United when the yawning gulf in class between the sides would have been better illustrated if the game had finished 10-1 to Barcelona.

This was not just any team to be bullied; this was Manchester United, playing in their third Champions League final in four years. The winners in 2008 and finalists in 2009, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United had just become champions of England again.

But at times, the final was ;Duncomfortable to watch. United were not just beaten—they were humiliated. They were reduced to mere bystanders.

In his autobiography #2Sides, former United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about the game with raw and unflinching honesty.

Ferdinand said United were “destroyed” and the game was a “trauma” and a “nightmare” for him. “We came off the pitch embarrassed,” he said.

But even as Lionel Messi ran through the United defence, Ferdinand knew he was witnessing history: “You couldn’t catch [Messi]. I thought: ‘That is...special. That is different. You’re not going to see that ever again in your lifetime.'”

The final was the climax to a season in which Barcelona had already won La Liga and finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey.

Under their then-mentor and manager, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona had developed a style of football that effortlessly maintained possession with a series of quick and short passes before surging forward into space and creating a host of chances.

If the opposition did get hold of the ball, they had to get past a defence of Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and either Carles Puyol or Javier Mascherano.

On the evening of May 28, 2011, I was at Wembley Stadium among a crowd of over 87,000 to see Barcelona win the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the final.

It was a special night, watching a team become champions of Europe always is, but each member of that crowd, both the celebrating Barcelona fans and the vanquished United fans, knew they had witnessed something more profound.

Arguably the greatest club side of all time had delivered their signature performance: a masterclass of attacking football.

From my vantage point in the press box near the halfway line, Barcelona were utterly dominant throughout the 90 minutes.

They were a blur of speed and control, swarming over United with wave after wave of attacks as they greedily refused to let their opponents anywhere near the ball.

Even now, it seems strange this final finished in an almost respectable 3-1 defeat for United when the yawning gulf in class between the sides would have been better illustrated if the game had finished 10-1 to Barcelona.

This was not just any team to be bullied; this was Manchester United, playing in their third Champions League final in four years. The winners in 2008 and finalists in 2009, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United had just become champions of England again.

But at times, the final was uncomfortable to watch. United were not just beaten—they were humiliated. They were reduced to mere bystanders.

In his autobiography #2Sides, former United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about the game with raw and unflinching honesty.

Ferdinand said United were “destroyed” and the game was a “trauma” and a “nightmare” for him. “We came off the pitch embarrassed,” he said.

But even as Lionel Messi ran through the United defence, Ferdinand knew he was witnessing history: “You couldn’t catch [Messi]. I thought: ‘That is...special. That is different. You’re not going to see that ever again in your lifetime.'”

The final was the climax to a season in which Barcelona had already won La Liga and finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey.

Under their then-mentor and manager, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona had developed a style of football that effortlessly maintained possession with a series of quick and short passes before surging forward into space and creating a host of chances.

If the opposition did get hold of the ball, they had to get past a defence of Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and either Carles Puyol or Javier Mascherano.

During the 2010-11 season, the midfield trio of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi were the fulcrum of Barcelona's power and reigned supreme.

In front of them, Messi was, well, Messi, scoring more than 50 goals during the season. In a front three, the Argentinian was flanked by Pedro and David Villa, who contributed another 45 goals between them.

At the final whistle, as Barcelona celebrated in the centre of the pitch by tossing Guardiola in the air, few could have argued that these players shouldn't be called the greatest European club side of all time.

Now, only four years later, we find ourselves seriously contemplating whether the current Barcelona side could be even greater than the revered class of 2011.

This season, Barcelona have already won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. On Saturday, they will attempt to emulate Guardiola’s side by winning the Champions League in the final against Juventus.

The 2015 side still possesses the heart of the 2011 side, boasting six of the same players—Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Iniesta, Busquets and Messi—and as many as eight if you include Xavi and Pedro, who, while no longer starters, have still appeared in plenty of games this season.

The new faces are in goal, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo have fought for the role, Jordi Alba in defence, Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Luis Suarez and Neymar up front alongside Messi.

Do these new players, and their feats, which have taken them to within one game of completing the treble, make them better than the Champions League and Liga winners of 2011?

The current side first needs to triumph in Berlin on Saturday night to earn the right to be compared to the 2011 side, but even if they do return to Barcelona with the club’s fifth Champions League title, it's arguable that they will still not have overtaken them.

At the back, Valdes was superior to either of his 2015 counterparts, and while the defence is largely the same, 2011 also has the edge as Barca could still call on the immense experience of Puyol.

Up front, the dynamism of Suarez and Neymar trumps Pedro and David Villa from the 2011 side because they have helped Messi score more goals than four years ago while also contributing more goals themselves—the pair have 67 goals between them.

While Barcelona scored 95 goals in La Liga in 2010-11, they beat that this season with a total of 110.

But it is in the middle of the pitch where the 2011 side comprehensively defeats their current-day counterparts.

In 2011, the trio of Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi, fresh from winning the World Cup with Spain the previous summer, were at their absolute peak and three of the finest midfielders the game has ever seen.

Barcelona could win the Champions League in the German capital on Saturday evening, but the 2011 side, the heroes of Wembley, will remain the original and the best.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2482092-is-this-barcelona-side-even-greater-than-the-2011-champions-league-winners

nonsoroyalty:
Dude I thought insults are not allowed here? I remember insulting krasid calling him a madridiot I got suspended for 1hour but this guy kept throwing from all corners
Is he seun's brother or what

I don't know oh but I am actually surprised Logica an old member here is doing this...


Abeg na Logica...

logica:
I'm merely telling you that it was worse. Standing might indicate indecision: should I go with him; or should I not...moving in the opposite direction means he didn't even read the danger one bit.

My point is whether standing or moving opposite, it made a blunder & there is no perfect person...


But he is still relevant to our 2nd treble in 6 years...


A record 2nd treble mind you...

Logica calm down...


Your blood too dey hot...


We are about clinching our treble...


Let's enjoy it instead of all these...

We all agree there is no perfect human being just like Alves was always eaten rough on this thread in the past few years... Suddenly fans are calling for renewal of his contract...

nonsoroyalty:
For the last time pls check the comment I never insulted his dad or mum it seems he got hurt by the internet
I stopped commenting not because am afraid of him
But am only bringing myself low by doing so
Thanks

I am sorry if my comments were mis-interpreted...


I want him to stop the insults...

logica:
LOL. You actually didn't get it. He was not standing, he was actually moving in the opposite direction as Lewandowski entered the space created by pulling the defense out of shape. And this is supposed to be the shining light of positional play and defensive midfield duties.

Whether standing or moving opposite directional!


He wasn't doing the right thing...


Seems like you are ready to take everyone on? Huh!

logica:
Maybe if he was (omnipresent), we won't be having this discussion about Busquets would we? We are talking about goals conceded, you are talking about aerial duels (which include benign duels in the midfield and other areas away from the goal). If you can just show me a match where Pique was beaten to a header resulting in a goal, then you have something to talk about. For Busquets, I already have 2 just this season.

By the way, I didn't want to take you on on another matter which of course you pulled out of thin air and had no real backing; claiming Busquets is the best there ever was speaking of positional play. Now watch this video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y62ONWeubLA

If you don't know what Busquets did wrong there, I will simply beg you to end this discussion. It simply means you don't even know what positional play is all about (and as a matter of fact, what the main duty of a DMF really is).

Further, watch the following (I don't have the time to dig up the videos):

1. AC Milan second goal 2010/2011 Champions League group stage scored by Thiago Silva.
2. Bayern Munchen first goal 2014/2015 Champions League semi-final second leg scored by Benatia.
3. Atletic Bilbao only goal Copa del Rey Final 2014/2015 scored by Williams.

These are just 3 instances of many more of Busquets showing poor positioning aerially (by being in front of his mark relative to the ball). And you say he's king of positional play.

As much as I don't support you on insulting one another, I totally agree with you on his flaws at standing cluelessly while lewandowski almost nicked it there...

Moreover, I have seen many mistakes he made over the years but he has also been a maestro as a Holding midfielder & very relevant to our dominance in La Liga & Europe over the past 7 years now...

dearpreye:
Every barca fan knows how intelligent, hard working and effective Sergio Busquets is! He remains an unsung hero, quietly doing his job.

I understand his area ball weakness. He more than compensates for that with his spatial awareness and positional discipline.

The team and club aren't fools keeping such a talented but physicality frail footballer.

For anyone to infer or even suggest Busquets is way behind Matic, that person is simply insulting our sensibilities.

Busquets is the BEST in the world in his role.

I agree 100% with you...

bykebyke:
@emboldened... How Can you see the good he does when you are always looking for a mistake from him?

You saying that there are much better holding midfielders than him is thrash

So Guardiola was stupid when he decided to forgo Yaya Toure for Busquets?

"You watch the game, you don't see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game." - Vincente Del Bosque


Sit Down and watch bro..This is Busquets101
http://vimeo.com/59287663

logica:
Was Matic marking the goalscorers? That is all you need to answer.

And on his aerial deficiency; you are probably one of the newbies who started watching Barca matches 2 seasons ago. Busquets aerial deficiency (as you called it) is not new; and appears not to be going anywhere. That was one of the points I listed in proving Yaya Toure was better than Busquets (which didn't make any sense why the former was benched for the latter). End of.

Me I no dey oh...

logica:
LMAO. Guy, I can mention 5 to 10 games Busquets caused a goal from an aerial ball he didn't deal with. Another one - Barcelona vs AC Milan (ended 2-2); Champions League 2010/2011. Goal scored by Thiago Silva in the last minute of the game. I will always say it; Busquets is in that team simply because he's a Catalan and no more. There are quite a number of holding midfielders much better than he is.

I partially agree with you in terms of some of his mistakes but his experience is also key in our treble-bound titles...

yourangel:
Thanks bro for the clarification. Why dem come forget their tickets na? Too much money, abi na too many trophies cause am?

They, our fans, should thank their stars that they're Barca fans, who get to see so many finals every now and then. Their colleagues in Madrid, Madridistas, wouldn't be that careless, because they know that a game's final is something that only comes once in a blue moon

Please don't ask me about Messi's first goal...


No one should compare him to PELE or Maradona again...


Fredoooooo where u dey?

Treble loading...

chrisley024:
keeping quiet would've earned you respect instead of this megedefede you just yarn. And stop trying to claim you were joking cos you were not.

coded01 should take you to your thread before you ask who Xavi is?

Honestly, I am disappointed that anyone is talking about "who scholes is?"

Forget hating oh, scholes is a midfield maestro in his time...

AjanleKoko:
Do the socios actually vote in this club?

I tire oh...

parrotibaba:
dat Perez na mumu of d highest order ,sacking coaches anyhow n yet expects instant success n team balance

You dey mind am?

9 Different coaches in 12 years...


How many millions spent so far in that same 12 years? --- Calculator reads "error"...


How many Trophies dem don win in that same 12 years? --- Just 1 UCL, 3 La Ligas... Smh...

bykebyke:
https://instagram.com/p/3HKe4mJYCN/



Deportivo player begging Messi/Neymar not to score anymore against them.

Lucas had no choice but to lure Mascherano to talk to Messi...


Honestly I am happy they scored those beautiful goals against us to stay in La Liga...

9 Different coaches in 12 years...


How many millions spent so far in that same 12 years? --- Calculator reads "error"...


How many Trophies dem don win in that same 12 years? --- Just 1 UCL, 3 La Ligas... Smh...

Isco is ideal to replace Xavi...


http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2465678-why-isco-would-be-a-dream-summer-transfer-for-barcelona