Arsenal v Barcelona

Bowlardo

great game

cson

CSF wrote: »

11 men behind the ball every time Barca have the ball does not make for a pretty watch. It has worked out quite well for Arsenal seeing as they're not behind but it has been a pretty horrible game to watch for the neutral. Arsenal quite content to sit back let Barca have the ball, and hope to catch them on the break. Those breaks coincidentally the only interesting things that have happened in this match. Messi, Neymar and Suarez have not been at it at all.

How else would you play against them? :rolleyes:

monkey9

You just get the sense Barca are relaxed, a game of four quarters for them. They'll be happy enough with that one and will increase the intensity as it goes on.

Gringo180

These match threads are absolutely pathetic.

NIMAN

Poor game.

Quazzie

Andersonisgod wrote: »

And you're an Irish lad who acts like your Premiership team's ground is just across the road. The difference is the football I watch each week is the best football there is.

and Chelsea.

Don't forget you watch Chelsea too,.

Fakman87

NomadicGray wrote: »

Were you actually being serious when you say it's different for an Irish man to support a Spanish side than to support an English side?
Cause that's just idiotic.

Of course it's different. Supporting the prem is culturally prevalent in Ireland. Supporting la liga isn't.

CSF

cson wrote: »

How else would you play against them? :rolleyes:

Did I criticise Wenger for setting up that way? That doesn't change the fact that Arsenal setting up that way and Messi, Neymar and Suarez all being way off their best has led to a pretty below-par 45 minutes of football watching.

CSF

Fakman87 wrote: »

Of course it's different. Supporting the prem is culturally prevalent in Ireland. Supporting la liga isn't.

Ah here, gway out of that. It is exactly the same.

upandcumming

Ol' Donie wrote:

Im watching on f***in German tv where they keep flicking between this and the other game. So f***in annoying.

Ah the old Konferenz is great! Fox Soccer do one too! It was unreal craic the night with the record amount of goals in one Champions League night. If they have one game on and there's a goal in another, there will be a notification with 'GOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL' over the commentary. Savage craic!

Mickeroo

Lets drop the who supports who and why stuff please.

Andersonisgod

Anyway moving away from one posters devotion to our former Anglo overlords and other posters devotion to discussing Andersonisgod, and onto the football match. That was interesting, as the half went on and Arsenal tired, spaces started to open up and the screw was being turned on the half time whistle. Busquets is in third gear and yet he's been the best player on the pitch, his ability to break lines is unrivalled, his decision making is pitch-perfect, there's no finer midfielder on this planet.

This result is fine to take back to the Camp Nou but just wait and Arsenal will tire further and when the chances come, Barcelona are equipped with killers.

irishguitarlad

Fakman87 wrote: »

Not really. Supporting a prem team from a young age is culturally prevalent in Ireland. Choosing to support a continental team is a fairly conscious, "against the grain" decision.

Dont tell me your one of these people that says everytime anyone does something different that its against the grain hahaha the man likes to watch the best team in the world, its like when jordan was with the bulls everyone wanted to watch them, also im pretty sure anderson supports chelsea as well

Fakman87

CSF wrote: »

Ah here, gway out of that. It is exactly the same.

From the time you're 5 years old in Ireland you're surrounded by kids who support United, Liverpool, Arsenal, etc. You start to support an English club before you can even consciously analyse that decision.

dfx-

cson wrote: »

How else would you play against them? :rolleyes:

Like Atletico and Malaga did very effectively recently. By pressurising Busquets further forward, but this is more standard attack v defence stuff of old, dropping deep.

Very costly miss by Suarez there.

MisterAnarchy

Very disappointing first half.
Barcelona havent got out of second gear and seem to be reluctant to commit players forward as they are wary of Arsenal on the break.
Messi looks disinterested ,he hardly broke a sweat in that half.

irishguitarlad

Arsenal should be pressing them up higher however they will be happy with 0-0

cson

Probably key to us staying in it over 2 legs that we get one in the 15 mins after half time tbh.

If we don't I'd have to agree (as much as it pains me) with our resident Barcelona fanboi in that the gaps will open and we'll tire.

Definitely will not be 0-0 after 90mins.

TheCitizen

Looks like a matter o time for Barca to score as they began to get on top there.

Turtwig

Half time came at the right time for Arsenal. For all his goals, Suarez does really mess a fair few sitters. Two at the weekend, and one tonight.

Arsenal needed to score on one of those breaks.

cson

Surprised Chamberlain is back on, looked goosed after that collision.

eagle eye

Drexel wrote: »

Bellerin having an audition. Playing very well

I had the very same thought. He is playing very well and he would be the perfect replacement for Dani Alves.

Mickeroo

Cech.

Rayne Wooney

Martial would have buried that

beertons

Great save, I was sure they were in.

cson

Best £10m quid we've spent since Henry?

I'd say so.

greendom

Can't be giving possession away like that

Stupid flicks and awful passing when there's a chance to break.

cson

That is incredible football out from the back from them.

Really have to win the ball if we press that high up.

gandalf

Barca lorrying the pressure on now!

LuckyGent88

What was Neymar at then.

Quazzie

Sanchez thinks if he runs at a player then he deserves to get by them. When he does that he looks like an idiot.


Where is the red card for Alba?

Andersonisgod

Arsenal can't get out....Barça are going through gears.

Harry Palmr

Some strange decisions being made by Barca players. Almost like they know they can make them and it won't matter

irishguitarlad

Jesus jordi alba is some little bitch

cson

Giroud could have gone down. Alba would have.

Alba is a reprehensible play actor. Really lets himself down.

And that's why players dive.

Underground

Something tells me Alba wouldn't have stayed on his feet had the roles been reversed there..

CSF

Bellerin has been excellent in particular. Has played a large role in making Neymar look awfully poor tonight so far.

Pudsy33

Great football, but Barcelona are such a shower of moaning ***** that I can never warm to them.

gandalf

Alba is lucky to be still on. If that position was reversed he would have hit the deck to get Giroud sent off!

LuckyGent88

Embarrassing by alba

Alfred Borden

Too honest from Giroud. Typical referee decision for Barca

me89

Typical Alba

CSF

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Arsenal can't get out....Barça are going through gears.

Second half has certainly been a different animal alright. Unfortunately all Barca's play seems to have come from Iniesta with nobody making the most of it

Andersonisgod

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Arsenal can't get out....Barça are going through gears.

Busquets still in 3rd? Moved to 4th? How many gears does he have? How many do Barca have?

cson

Deleted User wrote: »

And that's why players dive.

This is it.

Roles reversed, Alba most certainly hits the deck and its a likely red for Giroud.

Harry Palmr

Alves cry-baby

Quazzie

Two players go in the very same way for the ball and Barca get a free. Dani Alves is an embarrassment.

Mickeroo

Basil3 wrote: »

Busquets still in 3rd? Moved to 4th? How many gears does he have? How many do Barca have?

Are they even driving a stick shift? Only messi and the gods know.