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This. The title is Barca's to lose (choke). If Atletico actually manage to pull it off somehow and win the league, I will wholeheartedly congratulate them.

Great game by Atletico. I want Evil Empire to stay at number 3.

Now that was simply amazing. Inb4 0-0 @ Levante next weekend with 3 posts hit. :vermaelen:

Of course, because refs don't tolerate "physical approach" against RM at Bernabeu. Pericos already got 4 bookings.

Mascherano as a DM is useless in build-ups. No brains nor skill to work through Athletic pressure.

Full time finally, huh. This game had a draw written all over it.

Too many squad changes, no chemistry at all, especially at the back 4. This is not a game where you start both Arda and Vidal, they are still a LONG way to learn Barca's passing and build-up routines.

Busquets on Gonzalez Gonzalez (after Bilbao Copa): "We don't understand his criteria. He punishes equally, with a yellow, an elbow, the same as a player trying to talk to the referee like Iniesta, who was not protesting." "I don't understand these designations, it's surprising," he...

1. Busquets 2. Iniesta 3. Ter Stegen

Played there against Espanyol last week too.

It'll probably be: Ter Stegen 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Alves-0-Pique-0-Mascherano-0-Adriano 0-0-0-Busquets-0-0-0 0-0-Roberto-0-Iniesta-0-0 Arda-0-0-Munir-0-0-Neymar 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 ... with Rakitić and Sandro subbed in.

1. Ter Stegen 2. Munir 3. Messi

Probably coin toss.

1. Messi 2. Neymar 3. Iniesta

1. Busquets 2. Neymar 3. Pique

It wasn't really a bad game from Barca as much as it was bad finishing. Espanyol didn't do much offensively, and referee saw to it that they have it easier when defending by allowing systematic fouling all over the pitch. What I hate the most is when pundits and commentators glorify this kind...

No, it wasn't. Learn the rules. The close-ranged cross bounced off his foot to his hand, any mention of DELIBERATE handling is ridiculous (and the rules clearly state only deliberate handball is a foul, read it for yourself). Referees are actually instructed to call handball penalties only...

Yes. Notice how the refs carefully discipline away team with whistling every contact/issuing cards and verbal warnings so no harsh fouling tactics could be implemented (which is a go-to strategy for any small team when facing Barca/RM).

Jonathan was a stone wall penalty, I have no doubt it would be whistled if it was a Real Madrid player.

Fun fact: Barcelona is 2nd most fouled team in the league with 16.5 fouls suffered per game (only Valencia suffers more, 16.6). Real Madrid is 18th with 11.1 fouls per match (only Eibar and Sporting are fouled less). Is this the issue because RM opponents get disciplined with cards way often...