[SPA] La Liga 2008/2009 (22 Viewers)

[Lion]

Why stop there? We should have gooned for Messi.

why stop there? we should have demanded all of them combined plus their houses, cars and the souls of their children.

 

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[Enoran]

I was watching the game and amazed how Barca can pass the ball with such ruthless efficiency. Players like Ineista, Xavi, Eto'o were dancing around the Betis defense as if they weren't there.

Its either Barca is juz that good or Betis was comfortable sitting back and allowing Barca to launch shots after shots esp in the 2nd half or Betis was pissed poor and made to chase after Barca's amazing passing game.

I wonder how will Juve play against Barca if the teams do met at the CL ??
Piquet and Cáceres without Puyol, were not assuring in the back especially in early in the 1st half when Betis was still taking the game to Barca.

 

[.zero]

Ramos asks Cannavaro to stay

Thursday 19 February, 2009

Real Madrid Coach Juande Ramos has asked Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro to prolong his stay in Spain for at least one more year.

Cannavaro joined the Spanish giants in 2006, as his former club Juventus were relegated when the Calciopoli scandal broke that summer.

The 35-year-old centre-back, who won the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2006, has intimated that he would like to end his career in Italy.

Cannavaro has repeatedly been linked with a move back to Napoli, his hometown club with whom he started his career in 1992.

“Fabio is a great player,” Ramos told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He offers security on the pitch and in the dressing room. We'll renew his contract and he'll stay here.”

Cannavaro has made 22 appearances for Madrid this season. He has won two Spanish championships in his time at the club.

channel4.com

why bother? let the merc finish his career for the same sorry team he began it with.

 

[Bozi]

I was watching the game and amazed how Barca can pass the ball with such ruthless efficiency. Players like Ineista, Xavi, Eto'o were dancing around the Betis defense as if they weren't there.

Its either Barca is juz that good or Betis was comfortable sitting back and allowing Barca to launch shots after shots esp in the 2nd half or Betis was pissed poor and made to chase after Barca's amazing passing game.

I wonder how will Juve play against Barca if the teams do met at the CL ??
Piquet and Cáceres without Puyol, were not assuring in the back especially in early in the 1st half when Betis was still taking the game to Barca.

to me the 2 reasons behind Barca's success is the maturing of Messi (and the fact they are not playing him more than 3 games without rest) and the sensational form of Xavi who is probably the best midfielder in the world right now

 

[king Ale]

Better than Gerrard?

 

[Fred]

True, Gerrard has been in good form as well. I'd say they're both pretty equal in terms of performance this season

 

[Bozi]

as much as i dislike Barca i have seen a lot of them and la liga this season, for me, Xavi is head and shoulders above any other midfielder this season(yes,even gerrard)

i could easily see messi and xavi as a 1-2 combination for teh balon d'or next year if they both keep up current form

 

[Fred]

I'd argue Gerrard has been more influential. He's saved Liverpool so many times this season, and his all round play has been more than decent.

 

[Bozi]

huge fan of gerrard but xavi has been a joy to watch this season and i would argue that only now have his teammates adapted to his undoubted vision

 

[Enoran]

huge fan of gerrard but xavi has been a joy to watch this season and i would argue that only now have his teammates adapted to his undoubted vision

As with Xavi, Ineista was doing much damage to Betis at the left wing. Small-sized, twinkle-toed and really fast, reminiscent of Juve's own Giovinco ...

 

[Fred]

Iniesta is a sick player. That was one heck of a performance he gave against Betis. Him and Xavi together in midfield would probably be outplay any midfield in the world.

 

[Enoran]

Iniesta is a sick player. That was one heck of a performance he gave against Betis. Him and Xavi together in midfield would probably be outplay any midfield in the world.

What abt against Viera-Petit at their prime ??
A defensive pair but they are really good together ...

 

[Bozi]

Iniesta is a sick player. That was one heck of a performance he gave against Betis. Him and Xavi together in midfield would probably be outplay any midfield in the world.

Iniesta was top drawer last season and is beginning to regain that form again,taht said if i could sign any midfielder in teh world i would definately go for Xavi

 

[Fred]

For Juve, Xavi might be the best option as he'd be a fantastic partner for Sissoko. for arsenal though, i'd take Masch over any midfielder in the world, no doubt about it.

 

[Ian]

A bunch of Dutchmen and a German? How did the German make your list?

Ah, so you've detected my bias...

Metzelder doesn't make the list because he's German, it's because he's really good, classy, and understated. Really a lost art...

Plus, he's always good to get beat by Messi or Iniesta and give up a soft goal...

 

[Ian]

Iniesta is a sick player. That was one heck of a performance he gave against Betis. Him and Xavi together in midfield would probably be outplay any midfield in the world.

That's true, unless the ball is in the air, then they're a bit stuck...

I guess that's why Yaya gets start after start despite being underwhleming this season.

 

[Fred]

That's true, unless the ball is in the air, then they're a bit stuck...

I guess that's why Yaya gets start after start despite being underwhleming this season.

I beg to differ. Yaya has been one of your most solid players this season. The first half of the season in particular he was a vital cog in Barca's midfield. Far far from underwhelming.

 

[Nicholas]

Gerrard is more noticeable than Xavi is because Gerrard is Liverpools main player,without him there lost,but Barcelona have so many great players its hard to notice if Xavi is gone but I agree with boz Xavi>>>>>>>Gerrard.

 

[Fred]

Thats hardly an excuse, if he was as special as you make him out to be, then surely he'd stand out.

 

[Nicholas]

Thats hardly an excuse, if he was as special as you make him out to be, then surely he'd stand out.

Ok.