[SP] La Liga 2005/06 (1 Viewer)
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Hopefully highlighted the errors of Frank Rijkaard. I do not understand where this double-pivot Chelsea-like midfield of Edmilson and Motta has emerged from especially when he has Van Bommel in reserve. With an attacking element lost there and Messi's absence in which Rijkaard dealt with in his usual erroneous way (opting for Guily to provide the safe option when he has been out-of-form and short of confidence for some time instead of the goofy but in this case logical option of Larsson) it was always likely Barca would come crashing down to earth.
Not as bad as last season with wins over Real and Villarreal away but defeats to Valencia and now Osasuna who will be Champions Leage teams most probably and giants Athletico is a blow to the ego like last year and if nothing else continues a pattern to highlight Rijkaard's tactical nous.
Not as bad as last season with wins over Real and Villarreal away but defeats to Valencia and now Osasuna who will be Champions Leage teams most probably and giants Athletico is a blow to the ego like last year and if nothing else continues a pattern to highlight Rijkaard's tactical nous.
Primera Liga Preview: Real Sociedad – Barcelona
It could have been game, set and match last week, but Barcelona's defeat at the hands of Osasuna has left the door ajar for Valencia and Real Madrid. Another one in San Sebastian, and it is game on.
BACKGROUND
The Catalans might argue that they were very unlucky, but it was clear to see that they were not at their best. Osasuna chased down everything, closed down spaces, and kept Rijkaard's men from playing their smooth pasing game.
It was an uncomfortable night, when Barcelona were without Messi, and Guily was shockingly poor. Eto'o was either too wide on the left, or too deep in midfield, which says a lot about his will to work, but not about the team's performance. Ronaldinho and Deco tried hard, but were below par by their standards.
The only time they did threaten, was after going two goals, and a man down. Freed from any worries, they went about demonstrating that they could dominate despite numerical inferiority. It has often taken a goal to shake them from their slumber this season.
There have been stories doing the rounds that the Chelsea tie took a lot out of them, not so much physically, as mentally, emotionally. Given the month long build up, and the events between the legs, it is not at all hard to believe. But then again, Rijkaard will surely have expected his team, and indeed himself, to do better.
Victor Valdes is not helping. While sticking to players that have come through the system is commendable, it has been clear for a while now that he isn't close to world class. Doesn't clear well, doesn't catch well, does pretty much nothing well, except put up a facade of confidence.
And that explains why Luis Aranogese doesn't consider him among the best three in Spain, despite the Zamora trophy. I wonder what would have happened had the Chelsea Barcelona tie come to penalties. He would have been ripped to shreds. And might yet be!
In Skoubo and Nihat, Real Sociedad have two excellent forwards, two excellent predators, who are unlikely to give him much of a window. Backed by eight players who won't think twice before sticking it in, and an always vociferous home crowd, it could be a long night for Barcelona. But for some determined defending!
Puyol has been solid as ever, and with Marquez having his best season yet, and Edmilson, Oleguer and Gio defying their limitations, at least for now, there is an air of solidity about this defense, which has kept even Cole, Robben, Duff and Crespo quiet, against the odds.
But in the end, it is all going to come down to how effective Ronaldinho, Eto'o and company are going to be up front.
Sociedad are not having a great season, are still not safe from the drop, and have one of the poorest defensinve record in the League. But under new coach Araconda, they have dared to lift their heads. Last week's hard fought win against a superior Deportivo at the Riazor, is just the case in point.
Will this new-found belief, and home support, lead them to shock Barcelona, and open up the title race, or will the Catalans prove to be a step too huge at this stage? We will find out before too long.
LEAGUE FORM (recent last)
Real Sociedad: WLLLLW
Much of the pressure was lifted after last week's brave win at the Riazor, but Araconda still finds his team too close to the danger line for comfort.
Barcelona: LLWWWL
Three wins and three losses is hardly the kind of stuff one would expect from a team leading the League by nine points. Real and Valencia will be disappointed they haven't made the Catalans pay.
TEAM NEWS
Real Sociedad: Much of the talk has centered on pride following last week's unlikely win at the Riazor. A rallying call has been issued, in typical Basque style. Araconda will change absolutely nothing from the team that played it's heart out last week. That means it will be two lines of four, with Nihat just behind Skoubo, in a 4-4-1-1. Mikel Alonso and Garitano will start in the middle, with Mark Gonzalez and Stevanovic offering width.
Barcelona: Messi and Xavi are out injured for another month. Edmilson had his second yellow from last week reviked, and will start in midfield, but Motta is suspended after picking up a direct red against Osasuna. That should leave Iniesta and Van Bommel to fight it out for the vacated midfield berth, with the Dutchman likely to get the nod for this physical encounter. Guily should drop to the bench after his disappointing display last week, with Larsson earning himself a start after scoring in four consecutive games. Van Bommel and Deco will alternately offer width on the right, when the Swede joins the attack. Rijkaard will also be inclined to use Santi Ezquerro, given the Basque connection.
WATCH OUT FOR
Real Sociedad: Nihat
While Danish youngster Skoubo has been the flavour of the year so far, the Turk showed last week against Deportivo, that he is beginning to reclaim the form and fitness that saw him torment defenders across Spain not too long ago. A lot will depend on him if the Basques are to push throug their home advantage.
Barcelona: Larsson
Henke, as he is popularly known, has scored in four consecutive games for Barcelona, and eight times in the new year. With Messi injured, and Guily below par against Osasuna, watch out for him to make the most of his start.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Sociedad: 4-4-1-1 (right to left). Alberto – López Rekarte, Jauregi, Labaka, Garrido – Mikel Alonso, Garitano, Mark Gonzalez, Stevanovic – Nihat – Skoubo.
Barcelona: 4-3-3 (right to left). Valdes – Oleguer, Marquez, Puyol, Gio – Van Bommel, Edmilson, Deco – Larsson, Eto'o, Ronaldinho.
PREDICTION
I get the feeling Barcelona are not completely switched on. It will take an early goal from Sociedad to shake them into action, but thereafter, it should be the Catalans running the show. The Basques are unlikely to relent, which means it will be a hard fought, and largely scrappy, win for the visitors.
Real Sociedad 1 – 2 Barcelona
It could have been game, set and match last week, but Barcelona's defeat at the hands of Osasuna has left the door ajar for Valencia and Real Madrid. Another one in San Sebastian, and it is game on.
BACKGROUND
The Catalans might argue that they were very unlucky, but it was clear to see that they were not at their best. Osasuna chased down everything, closed down spaces, and kept Rijkaard's men from playing their smooth pasing game.
It was an uncomfortable night, when Barcelona were without Messi, and Guily was shockingly poor. Eto'o was either too wide on the left, or too deep in midfield, which says a lot about his will to work, but not about the team's performance. Ronaldinho and Deco tried hard, but were below par by their standards.
The only time they did threaten, was after going two goals, and a man down. Freed from any worries, they went about demonstrating that they could dominate despite numerical inferiority. It has often taken a goal to shake them from their slumber this season.
There have been stories doing the rounds that the Chelsea tie took a lot out of them, not so much physically, as mentally, emotionally. Given the month long build up, and the events between the legs, it is not at all hard to believe. But then again, Rijkaard will surely have expected his team, and indeed himself, to do better.
Victor Valdes is not helping. While sticking to players that have come through the system is commendable, it has been clear for a while now that he isn't close to world class. Doesn't clear well, doesn't catch well, does pretty much nothing well, except put up a facade of confidence.
And that explains why Luis Aranogese doesn't consider him among the best three in Spain, despite the Zamora trophy. I wonder what would have happened had the Chelsea Barcelona tie come to penalties. He would have been ripped to shreds. And might yet be!
In Skoubo and Nihat, Real Sociedad have two excellent forwards, two excellent predators, who are unlikely to give him much of a window. Backed by eight players who won't think twice before sticking it in, and an always vociferous home crowd, it could be a long night for Barcelona. But for some determined defending!
Puyol has been solid as ever, and with Marquez having his best season yet, and Edmilson, Oleguer and Gio defying their limitations, at least for now, there is an air of solidity about this defense, which has kept even Cole, Robben, Duff and Crespo quiet, against the odds.
But in the end, it is all going to come down to how effective Ronaldinho, Eto'o and company are going to be up front.
Sociedad are not having a great season, are still not safe from the drop, and have one of the poorest defensinve record in the League. But under new coach Araconda, they have dared to lift their heads. Last week's hard fought win against a superior Deportivo at the Riazor, is just the case in point.
Will this new-found belief, and home support, lead them to shock Barcelona, and open up the title race, or will the Catalans prove to be a step too huge at this stage? We will find out before too long.
LEAGUE FORM (recent last)
Real Sociedad: WLLLLW
Much of the pressure was lifted after last week's brave win at the Riazor, but Araconda still finds his team too close to the danger line for comfort.
Barcelona: LLWWWL
Three wins and three losses is hardly the kind of stuff one would expect from a team leading the League by nine points. Real and Valencia will be disappointed they haven't made the Catalans pay.
TEAM NEWS
Real Sociedad: Much of the talk has centered on pride following last week's unlikely win at the Riazor. A rallying call has been issued, in typical Basque style. Araconda will change absolutely nothing from the team that played it's heart out last week. That means it will be two lines of four, with Nihat just behind Skoubo, in a 4-4-1-1. Mikel Alonso and Garitano will start in the middle, with Mark Gonzalez and Stevanovic offering width.
Barcelona: Messi and Xavi are out injured for another month. Edmilson had his second yellow from last week reviked, and will start in midfield, but Motta is suspended after picking up a direct red against Osasuna. That should leave Iniesta and Van Bommel to fight it out for the vacated midfield berth, with the Dutchman likely to get the nod for this physical encounter. Guily should drop to the bench after his disappointing display last week, with Larsson earning himself a start after scoring in four consecutive games. Van Bommel and Deco will alternately offer width on the right, when the Swede joins the attack. Rijkaard will also be inclined to use Santi Ezquerro, given the Basque connection.
WATCH OUT FOR
Real Sociedad: Nihat
While Danish youngster Skoubo has been the flavour of the year so far, the Turk showed last week against Deportivo, that he is beginning to reclaim the form and fitness that saw him torment defenders across Spain not too long ago. A lot will depend on him if the Basques are to push throug their home advantage.
Barcelona: Larsson
Henke, as he is popularly known, has scored in four consecutive games for Barcelona, and eight times in the new year. With Messi injured, and Guily below par against Osasuna, watch out for him to make the most of his start.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Sociedad: 4-4-1-1 (right to left). Alberto – López Rekarte, Jauregi, Labaka, Garrido – Mikel Alonso, Garitano, Mark Gonzalez, Stevanovic – Nihat – Skoubo.
Barcelona: 4-3-3 (right to left). Valdes – Oleguer, Marquez, Puyol, Gio – Van Bommel, Edmilson, Deco – Larsson, Eto'o, Ronaldinho.
PREDICTION
I get the feeling Barcelona are not completely switched on. It will take an early goal from Sociedad to shake them into action, but thereafter, it should be the Catalans running the show. The Basques are unlikely to relent, which means it will be a hard fought, and largely scrappy, win for the visitors.
Real Sociedad 1 – 2 Barcelona
