Upcoming Attractions: A busy February
You guys like Valencia? I hope so because you’ll be seeing a lot of them over the next month. Here’s the [brutal] schedule:
- Feb 1 Valencia v Barcelona • Mestalla • Copa del Rey (Semi-finals)
- Feb 4 Barcelona v Real Sociedad Estadio • Camp Nou • La Liga
- Feb 8 Barcelona v Valencia • Camp Nou • Copa del Rey (Semi-finals)
- Feb 11 Osasuna v Barcelona Estadio • El Sadar • La Liga
- Feb 14 Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona • BayArena • Champions League (Round of 16)
- Feb 19 Barcelona v Valencia • Camp Nou • La Liga
- Feb 26 Atlético Madrid v Barcelona • Vicente Calderon • La Liga
Only the games against real sociedad and osasuna can be said as relatively easy fixtures compared to the others that take place in february.
I don't know about that. Osasuna have been up and down from the top 7 to top 4/5. They have been very impressive this season. Even Guillem Balague says they are kind of like the Osasuna of old, and being an away game I would say they will give us many problems
Osasuna away is normally one of the 5 most difficult matches of the season. Their home ground in the Basque country is a fortress.
There are no easy games. We just need to go in there with the same mentality that Barca had for the past 3 seasons. Thinking a game will be easy is recipe for disaster. I considered yesterdays game pretty easy for us considering Villarreal were in the relegation territory, turned out to be quite a lot tougher.
We just need to forget about who the opponent is and just play our style. If that happens anything is possible.
When is don coming back?
in approximately three weeks.
Damn it. We gotta play CDR without him. Even the CL first leg vs Leverkusen. Hope to see more Thiago then.
up BARCA! we all are with you BARCA! just focus on winning. we should not look at real madrid. we should focus on ourself! dont give up!
After the messi’s penalty miss against sevilla, villa’s stupid back pass against real sociedad, pique’s own goals and fabregas not playing the quick passing game. I knew the league was over. Evry small team up their game against barca as they know their stlye and movement e.g sportin gijon, sociedad e.t.c and now strugling villareal
Villarreal's been struggling, yes, but their home record has remained quite strong. They've only lost one game at home all season, and that was to Levante.
under Garrido .. they got a new manager who's obviously doing a better job, just like Atletico Madrid, speaking of which that one's gonna be tough as well. Few weeks ago I mentioned this busy month on this forum (the liga games and should we advance in the copa, etc etc) and it sounded gloomy then and I said my main concern is injuries and well we did suffer yesteday from injuries, so let me add a little bit posititvity now; our liga games against valencia and Atletico, each of them will have a Europa league game I think two days before they face us so for changer we're not gonna be the fatigued side in these challenging tests, but again I hope we'll do better with injuries by then.
If so, then I'm even more optimistic that our league title is still alive. Betis, Osasuna, Atletico, Bilbao and now add in Villareal, so there are now 5 teams which we could cling our hopes on to at least get 2 draws from Madrid. Guys,keep on believing and have faith in our team! In Pep, I trust! In Messi, I trust even more!!! :*
That's the spirit!
Yes to all seeing hope. Good observations. How many times have Pep and Barca surprised us in recent years and taken our breath away. Not jumping onto another glory ship no matter what though. Once a true fan, always even through bad times
The League is not over. Thats it.
I believe in Puyol. I believe in Pep. I believe in the team. I am a cule.
Visca Barca…!!!!
I really hope this last game was a wake up call. I heard it mentioned countless of times that winning everything consistently hurts motivation, and mixing in a draw/bad performance could be the wake up call that Barca are looking for.
time to play Thiago, dos Santos, Sergi Roberto, Cuenca and Tello.
we have excellent reserves, so Pep – use them!
Guys like Thiago and Tello etc. are eager to impress. If we had more competition for starting XI places, the players might be hungrier. Obviously that'd also give a chance to rest the best sometimes. We have a B-team full of talent, I think Pep needs to trust them a little more.
And also Messi needs a rest sometimes. He's only a human, and it makes more sense to get the best out of him when he plays, rather than playing him everytime with his tank half empty.
I think everyone is ready to give Messi a rest. But the man always wants to play football! No one is complaining, except the opposition
My first thought: God, Barca B is so going to get relegated, because we will literally be taking all of their best players to get through this.
I'm actually a huge fan of Valencia (they're second only to Barca in my heart), so in some ways I was kind of glad when Barca and Valencia were matched up for the semi-finals, because I can just enjoy the games. The treble would be great, but honestly, I won't be sad if Valencia takes it, provided we win at least one of the CL and the league (preferably both).
I'm worried about the Atletico game, though… they're on fire lately, and while I still believe that we can win the league, we really can't drop many more points.
we are not giving up just yet. Still long way to go
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/01/29/2…
Mou's set to leave moudrid it seems at the end of this season.
He is just doing job promotion, checking who will call him. Mou and his PR games.
Hectic schedule.
Pep should the rest the players during La Liga games, the league is gone, focus on th CL and the Copa.
yes
The league is not gone. Stop being so debbie-downer.
In my opinion, he's not being down on the team, he's being realistic, and so am I. Given the trends of how we've played so far, especially in away games, and how Madrid has played – against everybody except us – how likely is it that they will drop at least four points the rest of the season, while we drop no more? I'm the biggest Barca fan you'll ever find out there, and I love them no matter what, but I don't think it's realistic to still expect them to win the league this year. Between all of our injuries – one hamstring per week or so, plus Afellay, plus Villa – with the depleted squad we have right now, and the bad luck plus the bad referreing calls, how likely is it that we'll still win the league? At this point I would say it's still theoretically very possible … but not very likely. But if we win the UCL and the Copa, we can still finish the season with all trophies except one in our pocket. I am sure Pep himself will not give up on winning the league as long as it's mathematically possible, because time and time again he said that, for him, the league is the most important trophy. However, at this point in time, the league is not Barca's to win – it's RMA's to lose.
You can still hope for the best, and I certainly will, but I am prepared for less than the best, and that'll be just fine with me, because I love Barca anyway.
True! but we can't just decide to let some games go. The team is made of people striving for excellence. I say let's give all we can. We could have a few good surprises in la Liga but let's not our foot off the pedal. Still a long way to go!
missing even another 1 point in liga games is a reality for farewell with liga champ.
We should win 6 out 7 these games,and only we can draw a leg vs valencia if we win another leg in cup semis.
Go barca,u can,Bcuz u are barca and God are beside u and like u and help u and we are ur fans 4 ever and support u in these difficult condition.
If we don't win the league, we can look at the positives. We have done way more important things this season than win the league…
-Open many football schools all around the world and give young kids a chance to chase their dreams like I do.
-Visited hospitals and possibly with that, saved some kids mental health and possibly lifes!
-The economy of Barca is now more stable.
-We have found gems like Cuenca, Thiago, Tello, Mascherano, Roberto, Montoya and many more.
-We bought two awesome players for ridiculously low prices comparing to their talent.
-We begun a fight against polio with Bill Gates to make our effort in saving the world.
-Our player Abidal visited a kid with a tumour and held him on his arms, and gave him a Rolex.
-Our team spirit gets better by the day, now it's the time for the fans to step up and believe and support the players. I wonder how they feel when nobody believes in their chances.
-Never did we enter the war of words with Madrid.
-We started a ''soccer'' boom in America.
And I'd much rather have those things than one corrupt La Liga trophy.
BUT STILL, NEVER GIVE UP! WE CAN WIN IT!
Great words of wisdom, man! All cules who are feeling down right now should read it.
Thanks for the reminder of what it means to say 'mes que un club.'
my country, Indonesia is one of them
thnks to Barca 
Visca Barca!! we still have18 match ! nobody know about future
l hope Barca will win Liga CL and Copa, amiin
visca Barca!
i guess u got everything but wining match. it’s fc barcelona
Brilliant!
Thank you! I needed that!
Our Barca will fight till the end and there is no doubt on it coz Our Barca is :
- More Than Just Club
- More Than Just La Masia
- More Than Just Coach
- More Than Just Players
- More Than Just Fans
Ps : On behalf of 220 Millions Indonesian Barca Fans, we are honour of the opening FCB Escola in our country…Visca Barca i Visca Catalunya ! ( http://www.fcbindonesia.com )
Thumps up man. Yes Barca, we believe in you come what may. We can do it and we will do it. Visca Barca. Great teams are made in trying times like this. This is time to take full stamp of the best in history recognition. Barca all the way. See you all in May celebrating what this great team has done.
I'm not surprised that we've lost more points in La Liga this year given the hectic schedule they have (not to mention that the injuries haven't helped or certain ref calls). Because the catch 22 of winning everything is that it puts us in even more competitions. Crazy "pre-season" travels because everyone in the world wants to see the best team in the world, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, La Liga, CDR, and CL. Even though we're better than Madrid, they are a strong team and have gotten to rest from not playing UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, and now no more CDR games.
And I'm proud that we've already won 3 competitions, Messi has won the Ballon D'Or, Pep the coach of the year award, and that we have a humble and respectful coach in Pep and players who don't go out to intentionally hurt others. I would rather lose with grace and dignity, and respecting our rivals than certain other teams.
It may be a tough month but who when not Barca can prove that they are the best…?
No matter how many points we loose or how many trophies will be unreachable we will still play our football and that is the most important thing. Pep & the players will surely hold their heads up and not give up. After all it is Mes Que Un Club. B)
Dont you wish Keita was around right about now?
Another thing.. off topic I watched the match again and just noticed that most times Alves went up the side lines, there was an empty spot devoid of Barca supporting players to his immediate left and back.. the triangle wasn't there. I was wondering why he looked alone up that flank. I hope we don't have that formation again.
It's time to cut our loses and concentrate on Copa and CL. Chasing a title that is (almost) impossible to win will cost our small squad too much strength and could cost us everything in the end. That's why I would like to see the likes of Messi and Xavi get a rest next weekend against Sociedad.
I'd love to see Cuenca, Tello and dos Santos involved in some part of the Sociedad game. Also Busquets will probably need rest as he's been playing 90 mins for as long as I can remember.
I don't understand why we don't use another tactic when facing team's that press us high. use counter attacks and they will stop pressing us so high. then switch to tiki-taka and possession game. we can't play tiki-taka when they are pressing us so high, because we make mistakes and loose the ball in our own half. we where lucky not too concede any goal against Villareal. tiki-taka is very good and is probably the best system and is also made in Barca, but we can't rely to only one system, because they allready know our system. we should surprise them and switch to counter attacks when they press us. this is my opinion guy's what do you think?
P.S loose or win lets support our team and players , they deserve it.
Most teams press us high because they know we don't rely on counter attacks, and that is for a reason: we lack speed. For a successful counter attack you need to have super fast players, yes there is Messi but one player is not enough. We need at least 2 or 3 players to pull it off. With that said, I do think that it can be worked on, it all depends on what Pep thinks is best. I do agree though that we need to surprise our opponents sometimes, it's time to try new things.
I hope Pep starts Tello in the next games, I really wanna see more of him. He's very bold, and we need that now, especially since recently we've been making runs in the box without really threating our oponents.
Yes absolutely – Barca should use counter-attacks more often to catch the team on the breaks (and we have the speed to do it – Sanchez was made for this type of game). Look at the Madrid example, they take like 10 seconds to score once they start counter-attack in their end.
Against Villareal and Madrid our guys had so many opportunities to counter but they prefer to tiki-taka. Instead of passing the ball up they hold it while the opponent has chance to get back…by then the counter-attack chance is lost.
cjubiiii denmark just won the european championsship in handball
we are the best in europe.
it is fu**ing hard 4 us. All teams playing vs us are satisfied with draws, they celebrate like they have won a cup final. I can sit here and call them cowards, but i dont blame them – as anything is better than a thrashing.
Lets go back 2 more of last years (basics) barca, quicker subs, more thiago (PLEASE!), wingers instead of defenders.
I am shocked and saddened by some of the comments by the, so called "Die-Hard" or "Barca untill death!" Cules on many of the posts here.
Suddenly, all that Pep, Messi , Xavi, Puyi, Cesc and all the rest of them, have done for Barca is thrown out the door…….
The same Band-wagoners, who were saying Cesc was the bust buy of the pre-season and applauding him for scoring those wonderful goals, for his great understanding and one-two's with Leo and for his tracking back to help the defense are now chanting;
"Cesc doesn't know how to play and adjust to our tiki-taka style!" ……Seriously?
Lest we forget, Cesc is a product of our very own "Cantera" and learned the style and the system like the rest of boys at La Masia.
And these very same people, who were tripping over each other, to congratulate and sing; Pep's, Messi and Xavi's praises after the Ballon D'Or ceremonies are suddenly screaming;
"Off with Pep's head!–"He has cost us the La Liga!"- -"It's like what happened towards the end of the Rijkaard, era! –"He doesn't know which formation and what players to use!"
Not only his ability as a Coach but his decision making is being questioned as well.
-Who cares how many trophies he has won us? But instead,that same old, "what have you done for me lately?" mentality, is back and rising to the top once more and all because it was a must win game for us and instead we ended up with a draw .
An so as the the saying goes, "The Rats are jumping of the sinking ship!
But you know what? Only this ship hasn't sunk yet, And as long as Pep and Puyi are the Captains.It never will.
Well, Good Riddance ! We are better off with out you!
And a great deal thanks to the True Cules and their the Voices of Reason and their faith and support for " Mes Que Un Club"
Visca el Barca!
AMEN BROTHER!
some people, like me, actually didnt understand the purchase of cesc to begin with.
Not everybody is a bandwagoner only because their opinion isnt yours. i'm tired of these generalizations of people, it clouds serious concerns some of us have.
And remember cesc played in premier league since he was 16. He didnt finish the full length of his training in the academy and he stayed in England for 8 years! He was formed as a proffesional player and adult more in England. Whatever he learned at Barca, the style of play in the premier league have put a heavy inpact on how he plays the game now.
i think all that cesc needs is more time. of course playing in the EPL affected him but with enough time he will get used to tiki-taka once again. and i don't think he played so bad until now. yes there were some bad games but that can happen to everyone. even messi has an off-day sometimes, so we shouldn't blame cesc but be patient with him and support him.
and you have to consider the fact that he has played for the national team. so this talk about him not being adapted to tiki taka is pure bullshit. he wouldnt even be in the national team if that wasnt the case. cesc is having a bad run lately. every player does. including messi, yet nobody questions him as much as cesc. TRUST AND SUPPORT OUR PLAYERS
@ Serko; First of all, i am not making a generalization, mate. .I couldn't have been more specific in directing my disappointment towards those, who are commonly known as, "Fair Weather Fans" even if I wanted too.
-Secondly, difference of opinion when expressed in a respectful and mature manner – as done by yourself — should be welcomed and lauded .
-Thirdly I am not trying to undermine and or minimize, your or anyone else's, serious concerns about our teams performance in some of the games this season.
But let's also acknowledge the facts for a minute here;
That it's also due to a multitude of reasons, from playing in so many different formats of the game over the last few years, combined with a very small squad ,has led to fatigue, injuries –some serious and some niggling– less recovery time from fully healing those injuries and getting re-injured rather quickly which in turn has resulted in some of the players not finding their form and consistency, leading to many draws, costing us the much needed points and preventing us from leading the league.
And as far as Cesc is concerned, we all need to have a little more patience with him, after all this is his first season back and Pep is trying him out in different positions for different games and situations and he himself has acknowledged, that he has much to learn from Pep, ,Xavi Messi and Iniesta
Like any other footballer he will have his pitfalls and injuries , his highs and lows .but there's no doubt in my mind that Cesc is going to be a very valuable and productive player for us in the future.
I would disagree with your observation, that because he left the Cantera when he was so young and grew up playing in the Premier league, that it has left a heavy impact on his style of play.
And the reason for that is ,he played at Arsenal under Wanger and while Wanger and Arsenal are no Pep and Barca, there quick and short passing , building up play that actually uses the mid field, instead of the more common Route 1 style, is the closest thing to Tiki- Taka they have in England. And he will find his touch and feel for the game.
After all ,once you learn to swim or ride a bike ….You can never ever forget it.
The big game is Bayer Leverkusen. I expect that, before then, Pep will do a lot of rotation to try and rest players. And, of course, there will be a lot of complaints on this blog that he doesn't know what he's doing because he hasn't played the first XI every game.
affelay,villa,fontas,maxwell,andres,pique,keita,pedro and forcely halfly recovered alexis. all out only 12.5 + cuenca(who will be promoted) 1st team players fit. Still we only bring B best players to fill out the bench. we are so screwed.
for every liga game. start at least 2 reserves. JDS can fill out for the RB, DMF, RMF even AMF. sergi.R can play LMF, AMF, RMF and F9. Cuenca fills the Wings. Tello,Batra,Montoya,Muniesa,Rhafina,Muniesa,Rodri and Deulofeu can be called if needed.
We need to conserve energy
who is the son of a rat in barca tv? who the hell is?
I do't think it matters because Barca will probably also drop points due to injuries and tiredness
if and any others guys prediction would right then we would 15 points ahed of madrid and messi got 30 goal in leaderbord.