I think it’s too early to be definitive about whether this is the end of an era for Barca or not. They’re running away with their league ahead of an excellent Real Madrid side, still made the semi-finals of the Champions League and dismantled Milan (albeit not a vintage Milan team) a couple of weeks ago.
They certainly have problems. They’re not as invincible as they were: they are more predictable in their attacking, their high tempo pressing has slowed down, they remain vulnerable defensively, particularly aerially and teams are less fearful of them. But they still have the best player in the world, and possibly the best player ever. They still have Iniesta and Xavi who are among the best players to have played the game, certainly in “modern times” (as Mickee would say). They’ve probably only regressed to the level they were at under Rijkaard. And they may well bounce back to their best next season. I think they’ve proven that you can’t go half a season without a manager and expect to remain consistently excellent though.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 763689, member: 1”]I think it’s too early to be definitive about whether this is the end of an era for Barca or not. They’re running away with their league ahead of an excellent Real Madrid side, still made the semi-finals of the Champions League and dismantled Milan (albeit not a vintage Milan team) a couple of weeks ago.
They certainly have problems. They’re not as invincible as they were: they are more predictable in their attacking, their high tempo pressing has slowed down, they remain vulnerable defensively, particularly aerially and teams are less fearful of them. But they still have the best player in the world, and possibly the best player ever. They still have Iniesta and Xavi who are among the best players to have played the game, certainly in “modern times” (as Mickee would say). They’ve probably only regressed to the level they were at under Rijkaard. And they may well bounce back to their best next season. I think they’ve proven that you can’t go half a season without a manager and expect to remain consistently excellent though.[/quote]
Has Big Sams time come at Barcelona? His sort of tactical nous was sadly lacking out there tonight.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 763689, member: 1”]I think it’s too early to be definitive about whether this is the end of an era for Barca or not. They’re running away with their league ahead of an excellent Real Madrid side, still made the semi-finals of the Champions League and dismantled Milan (albeit not a vintage Milan team) a couple of weeks ago.
They certainly have problems. They’re not as invincible as they were: they are more predictable in their attacking, their high tempo pressing has slowed down, they remain vulnerable defensively, particularly aerially and teams are less fearful of them. But they still have the best player in the world, and possibly the best player ever. They still have Iniesta and Xavi who are among the best players to have played the game, certainly in “modern times” (as Mickee would say). They’ve probably only regressed to the level they were at under Rijkaard. And they may well bounce back to their best next season. I think they’ve proven that you can’t go half a season without a manager and expect to remain consistently excellent though.[/quote]
Messi tonight reminded me of Ronaldo in the 1998 world cup final where he played under extreme pressure from sponsors despite clearly been unfit and ill and suffereing an epileptic fit before the game, Brazil ended up being hammered and Ronaldo cut a very forlorn figure and it was very unfair on him.
I dont know what the situation was with Messi but id think that the TV and sponsorship pressure to get that guy in the pitch must be incredible, i do hope that this wont damage him long term.
I was watching on Israeli TV last night and id say they werent alone in writing the Barcelona orbituraries, People seem to forget that guys like Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Messi have been playing an enormous amount of games since 2006, they are consistently involved in the business end of every competition they play in ( bar the 2007 european cup) at club and international level.
They simply cant keep that up, its impossible and against a team as well drilled, fit, fresh like Munich it was going to be an issue.
their acheivements this season have still been outstanding as Rocko says depite many issues with Tito Villanova and that is to be commended.
[quote=“mickee321, post: 763739, member: 367”]Messi tonight reminded me of Ronaldo in the 1998 world cup final where he played under extreme pressure from sponsors despite clearly been unfit and ill and suffereing an epileptic fit before the game, Brazil ended up being hammered and Ronaldo cut a very forlorn figure and it was very unfair on him.
I dont know what the situation was with Messi but id think that the TV and sponsorship pressure to get that guy in the pitch must be incredible, i do hope that this wont damage him long term.
I was watching on Israeli TV last night and id say they werent alone in writing the Barcelona orbituraries, People seem to forget that guys like Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Messi have been playing an enormous amount of games since 2006, they are consistently involved in the business end of every competition they play in ( bar the 2007 european cup) at club and international level.
They simply cant keep that up, its impossible and against a team as well drilled, fit, fresh like Munich it was going to be an issue.
their acheivements this season have still been outstanding as Rocko says depite many issues with Tito Villanova and that is to be commended.[/quote]
The pressure to get Messi on the pitch last night was from a sporting perspective as much as anything else mate. Barca are so reliant on him this season it is beyond a joke for a club of their stature. He is almost single-handedly won the league for them this season and the guys who normally support him so well like Xavi and Iniesta like you say look tired or out of form this season.
Very few of the big money signings they’ve made in recent years have set the world on fire with the likes of Villa, Song, Fabregas and Sanchez struggling to make an impact and the likes of Zlatan and Chygrynskiy been and gone for massive money. They have an unrivalled academy but any team getting so little return from huge money being spent, it has to catch up on them eventually.
Bayern Munich were a lot hungrier. 
Dead right sid. Bayern were the dunph last night.
They put the Munch in Munchen.
Di Maria’s injury means Modric starts for Madrid. That in turn forces Ozil into a wide role where he is less effective. I believe he has more assists than any other player in a top 5 league since joining Real. Callejon or someone, while not as good as Modric, would have allowed Ozil continue in his central playmaker role.
Is Judas starting?
Yes. Goetze, Reus and Kuba behind Lewandowski for Dortmund.
What a chance. Reus ripped them apart.
Lewandowski!
In case anyone thinks their ears are deceiving them, that is indeed Norbert Dickel, ex-player, on stadium announcement duties tonight.
What a start from the bhoys in yellow.
My pre-match prediction of 2-0 to Dortmund (which I forgot to put up here) is looking good. Their name is on the trophy.
Fantastic atmosphere.
There are more goals in this for Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp said last week that the way to stop Royal Madrid was by stopping Xabi Alonso. He hasn’t done much so far.
Alonso looking out of his depth once again.