Barcelona against Sevilla

[Figaro]

Played host to a group of Japanese businessmen and their wives for Sevilla CF. In between trying to explain the offside rule and the genetic inconsistencies that make up a Spanish referee - last night's specimen was incapable of applying the same criteria to identical circumstances and was highly xenophobic: Marquez should have been sent off at least twice. Guily's red was a yellow and when Zambrotta call his father's parentage into question he should have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear - I did have time to suss out Rijkaard's tactical game plan before the ref butchered it.

 

The Dutchman went for a 3-1-3-3 when in possession resorting to a 4-4-2 when Sevilla went forward.

 

Valdes

 

Oleguer Zambrotta Puyol

 

Márquez

 

Xavi Iniesta Gio

 

Guily Messi Ronaldihno

 

 

Oleguer (What a crap footballer he really is as well as being a complete t**) Zambrotta and Puyol

with Márquez five metres in front as a potential sweeper infront of the last line - Márquez dropped back when Sevilla had possession to make the back three a back four.

 

Gio and Guily were told to run at Sevilla down the flanks and to block Alves and Adriano going forward when Barca did not have the ball. Guily had orders to get behind David and pull the ball back.

 

Rijkaard nearly got away with it - if Ronaldinho had not seen his penalty saved. Enormous Palop that's his third penalty saved from five against.

 

Messi started off brightly but tired very very quickly.

 

Eto'o was told before the game that he would be getting ten minutes no more. Circumstances dictated otherwise. His lack of form clearly evident when he was put through and failed to connect properly after Marti fumbled a clearance. It's one thing playing against one of the worst defences in la Liga (Bilbao) and a completely different universe playing against Sevilla CF.

 

Good news for us: Xavi and Iniesta left the pitch totally knackered. Ronaldinho had a swollen ankle. Puyol was slow and didn't look comfortable. He lost his rag with Oleguer more than once.

 

Barca are still very weak in the centre of defence - there is a lack of communication between the players especially at set pieces. Was also noticeable how easily the Barca players lost their self-control even when they were 0-1 up.

[Mike]

what was the score?

[RafaShanks]

what was the score?

 

Sevilla won 2-1.

[psl]

What are the chances of Eto'o starting on Tuesday?

[Guest]

I think he'll start with messi Guily and Ronaldinho

 

Eto'o to come on in the second half like last night. He doesnt look, and isn't fully fit.

[surf]

So no out and out goalscorer?

[Guest]

So no out and out goalscorer?

 

I don't think so, not at least to start - he may switch Messi for Saviola but I can't see it.

[Leo No.8]

Alves was absolutely sensational - he's truly an incredible footballer. Ballague described him as the best right-back in the world at the moment and I wouldn't argue with that.

 

Sevilla went down to ten men half way through the first half, but the biggest compliment I can give him is to say that Alves covers so much ground he plays like two players, so it was like it was still eleven against eleven; unsurprisingly it was him who created the first and scored the second. In the last five minutes he could have scored twice more and set one up on a plate for Kanoute racing forward again and again; I've never in my life seen a player with an engine like his.

 

Sadly God only knows how much they'd want for him now and whether he'll leave at all if they win La Liga which they have every chance of doing now. I so wish we'd have paid whatever it took last summer...

[_00_deathscar]

Alves reminds me of Zanetti. Takes that whole right hand side up by himself...

[CarraLegend]

Dont see why we cant still get him this Summer if we've got more money to spend. Its obvious Rafa loves him so if we've got enough funds im sure we'll be there again. Maybe he's the type who appreciates Rafa has been after him for years and that'll be a big advantage if any other clubs are in for him.

 

Only worry would be Ramos taking over Chelsea but then thats only been a tenuous link in the press anyway

[Guest JV]

Alves reminds me of Zanetti. Takes that whole right hand side up by himself...

wished we had signed him

[Magic8Ball]

Alves was absolutely sensational - he's truly an incredible footballer. Ballague described him as the best right-back in the world at the moment and I wouldn't argue with that.

 

Sevilla went down to ten men half way through the first half, but the biggest compliment I can give him is to say that Alves covers so much ground he plays like two players, so it was like it was still eleven against eleven; unsurprisingly it was him who created the first and scored the second. In the last five minutes he could have scored twice more and set one up on a plate for Kanoute racing forward again and again; I've never in my life seen a player with an engine like his.

 

Sadly God only knows how much they'd want for him now and whether he'll leave at all if they win La Liga which they have every chance of doing now. I so wish we'd have paid whatever it took last summer...

What would he be like with Gerrard on the right

[richt71]

What would he be like with Gerrard on the right

Can we buy Sevilla's right side please?

Navas and Alves work that right side fantastically. Navas drops into right back at times when Alves has gone upfield. Has Navas got better with his panic attacks so he can leave Spain??

[Magic8Ball]

Can we buy Sevilla's right side please?

Navas and Alves work that right side fantastically. Navas drops into right back at times when Alves has gone upfield. Has Navas got better with his panic attacks so he can leave Spain??

have to say Navas while fanstastic looks a little lightweight for the english league - Alves looks like a cracking wing back though