CL | 1/8 Final: FC Barcelona - SSC Napoli 4-2 (agg.)

[JamDav1982]

Didn't like that we allowed Napoli to play. Said it with Valverde as well, we don't have a team that is properly good in defense to stop them at the border of our box. We leak chances when we fail to stop the other team. We need to play better in midfield and offense at closing down spaces.

This formation is not one about possession.

All the games will be open with lots of chances.

Bit like Lucho used to do when Barca had a lead and dared other team to open it up.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I think Messis was a handball. From the side angle you could tell ball got a slight touch off of his arm.

Since when they call such a light touch? Like from 3-4 angles I saw I couldn't see it hitting his arm. I couldn't even see a hand ball! They should at least provide video of it if they call it off..

 

[Andresito]

But is there a rule that every touch with the hand is a hand ball, no matter if it doesn't influence the play? The touch is so slight that it changes nothing.

If it leads to a goal, yes, that's exactly how the rule is unfortunately.

 

[te amo barca]

We're giving Napoli too much room to play. Bayern will batter us if we play like we did in the first half.

 

[serghei]

Allowing the other team not to play is something only vintage Barca could do.

That's an unrealistic standard.

Nah, Liverpool, Bayern, even PSG, City, all do it.

 

[kattanib]

While the handball rule is garbage the ref made the right call based on the rule.

The game is becoming more of soccer than football, its being Americanized and losing its passion just like cities become westernized and lose connection to their culture

 

[te amo barca]

Since when they call such a light touch? Like from 3-4 angles I saw I couldn't see it hitting his arm. I couldn't even see a hand ball! They should at least provide video of it if they call it off..

It was a handball and clearly visible from close-up replays.

 

[xxxxxx]

Calm down we'll score at least another goal.

We said the same thing against Roma and Liverpool. It never came.

 

[eaman]

Actually looking at the rakitic penalty again I'm not so sure it was. Mertens looked like he moved away from the line of the ball and bumped into rakitic. Well both bumped into each other really

 

[serghei]

If it leads to a goal, yes, that's exactly how the rule is unfortunately.

But it's a judgment call if that touch had any role in the goal.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Nah, Liverpool, Bayern, even PSG, City, all do it.

PSG ? They were dominated from St.Etienne and lyon last week. But other are right.

 

[JamDav1982]

We're giving Napoli too much room to play. Bayern will batter us if we play like we did in the first half.

Bayern would batter Barca if they went 433 and tried to keep ball.

This is about only way Barca can play it now and will be open games.

 

[KingLeo10]

Nah, Liverpool, Bayern, even PSG, City, all do it.

There's a difference between pressing them and pushing them back versus a complete siege.

 

[Givenchy]

VAR is not the issue. Prob is the stoopy rules and the idiots behind the monitors

Messi what a Warrior

On that 1st goal, pretty much most players would go down for a pen but he stays up and scores with a flick of the foot. How he managed to add that curve he's gotta have the most flexible ankle

Super resilient too after that Koulyhit

VAR very much is the issue. it slows the game down, kills momentum and the worst part? don't celebrate a goal when it goes in, go look at the shitty little screen for 5min to check.. ... ... ... okay now celebrate.

imo they should of done a 3 challenge system like tennis. that way, if Napoli felt it was handball, they could challenge the decision and then it goes to VAR

 

[serghei]

I agree. As were Pique, Roberto, and Rakitic. This team must always have several players being utterly mediocre.

Pique and Rakitic were diabolical. Pique almost looks like he doesn't give a shit. He's so casual it's infuriating. Doesn't have a leader bone in his body, only a big mouth.