**EL CLASICO** Lliga | Round 17: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona 0-3
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
Thats really says it all. It's largely thanks to this exeptional core of players that we are still competing with the best. With a better management we could easilly hae had 3 or 4 more CL.
Alik
Moderator
Overall it's been a very exciting Classico. The scoreline is flattering (still great though for banter 
)
Real dominated us in the first half. They created numerous chances in both halves, but we had some luck or good last-ditch defending.
On our side, even though we were crap in the first half we still managed to create some good goal chances too. Keylor Navas had a great game.
Really great that the team managed to come together in the second half.
)Real dominated us in the first half. They created numerous chances in both halves, but we had some luck or good last-ditch defending.
On our side, even though we were crap in the first half we still managed to create some good goal chances too. Keylor Navas had a great game.
Really great that the team managed to come together in the second half.
Centauri B
New member
This.
I still can't believe how we got eliminated TWICE by Atleti, last year by Juve and by the atrocious 2012 Chelsea.
We have really bottled several CL seasons.
Richard.H
Senior Member
Great match but there were some strange tactical decisions by Zidane:
1. Why not play Isco? He has been a real difference maker for them this season
2. Why was Kovacic constantly man-marking Messi? I understand Messi is the GOAT, but by doing this he completely took out one player from their mid. In fact for the first goal, Kovacic was so focused on Messi that Busquets had acres of space to pick out a player.
3. Why did it seem like they were respecting us way too much this game? No constant pressure, pulling back and defending instead of attacking, etc. Very strange game where RM showed us a lot of respect instead of playing their style (fast paced counter attack and deep collective pressure)
Besides this it was a great game by Barca. Paulinho's dangerous runs in the first half, Ter Stegen's great saves, Alba and S.Roberto creating havoc on the flanks, Pique/Verma combo surprisingly good, Mid trio working wonders, and Messi and Suarez being on top form. Couldn't ask for more of a collective effort.
1. Why not play Isco? He has been a real difference maker for them this season
2. Why was Kovacic constantly man-marking Messi? I understand Messi is the GOAT, but by doing this he completely took out one player from their mid. In fact for the first goal, Kovacic was so focused on Messi that Busquets had acres of space to pick out a player.
3. Why did it seem like they were respecting us way too much this game? No constant pressure, pulling back and defending instead of attacking, etc. Very strange game where RM showed us a lot of respect instead of playing their style (fast paced counter attack and deep collective pressure)
Besides this it was a great game by Barca. Paulinho's dangerous runs in the first half, Ter Stegen's great saves, Alba and S.Roberto creating havoc on the flanks, Pique/Verma combo surprisingly good, Mid trio working wonders, and Messi and Suarez being on top form. Couldn't ask for more of a collective effort.
Horatio
You're welcome
Your no. 2 answers your no.1
On 3 probably tired themselves out doing it the first half. Don't want to use it as an excuse but they had to travel for the WC for clubs.
Horatio
You're welcome
We were in a much better mental state than Madrid was. Team seems to respect and understand the tactics and play together better as a whole. Don't have to deal with huge pressure as things are already going better than most people expected beginning of season. Ty Valverde.
I expected a win to be honest. But not by a 3 goal margin.
FC B
Senior Member
I did but in the right circumstances.
Joan
Well-known member
I really can't understand this. After the supercup, I thought we'd have problems with the spirit going into the game. You are obviously, and luckily, right.
This is a huge win for Valverde - Madrid maybe didn't play best - but one can no more say we are yet to be tested by a big club. Also, Real is not his weak spot. So, outplayed Juve, Madrid and outclassed Atletico but sady didn't win. :top:
Horatio
You're welcome
The problem with the we have yet to be tested statement is that it keeps getting moved to every next bigger game very conveniently, probably to the point that we end up in the final of CL and winning the final will be the game to win to pass the test. So what is this test? Being Europe's no. 1 team? Where did this expectation come from looking at our current squad?
I am not expecting to win CL this year and that is totally fine. Valverde can't be blamed for that. A doblete during a transitional period is a succesful season for me. It is next season that we can probably raise our expectations. I will dream of a CL win ofcourse. And if some things line up with players being in the right mindset and Dembele integrating well, winning CL might not be such a vague dream.
Joan
Well-known member
I find that statement repulsive, but prior you couldn't just cross it off. We did face a struggling Juve side and didn't get to win against other 2 stronger opponents - Valencia and Atletico.
But now, after we faced Real away without some of our crucial players and didn't concede - I think nobody can say it anymore and be right about it.
Some might say we were nowhere to be found in the first half but that wouldn't be true. The first big chance of the match was Paulinho's. They looked better but weren't any closer to scoring than us.
Right, it's all about one's expectations. At the beginning of the season not many thought we'd in the game for the league. The number decreased after the supercup. And here we are - 9 points clear top of the table going into the winter break.
CL is something else but I'd be glad if Valverde surprises us the same way. I'm confident about one thing - we won't suffer big - and with good tactics - can defeat prolly anyone.
Really looking forward to the 2nd part of the season.
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