:barcasmile::barcasmile::barcasmile:
Congrats to Sevilla. First team in 18 months to dump Barcelona out of a competition.
Nearly forgot:
Fair play to Sevilla tonight, would have been harsh on Palop if they’d been done. Navas and Navarro rolling back the years, some fairly agricultural defending at times there
Some start at the San Mames.
For anyone who missed it Athletic hit the post twice in the same attack within the opening 45 seconds. They followed that straight up with two corners, the second of which produced a goal when Lassana Diarra once again showed what a waste of space he is when he flicked the ball on unchallenged for Llorente to nod home.
So it’s set up for an equaliser in the 89th minute and a dodgy winner in injury time?
Missed a good bit of this because of the Leinster match but just flicked over to see Benzema hit the inside of the post.
Cracking atmosphere in Bilbao.
Zlatan misses from 5 yards!
Good postiive start from Barca though. Backed them -1 and halftime/fulltime at evens.
Barca conveniently go one up during a break in the NFL. Good point from Gerry there - one centre half crossing to another to force the own goal. Others would consider that reckless.
Rob and Gerry are on form tonight - a nice little exchange about WWE there. Zlatan’s a bit off colour tonight so far. Marquez came on for Puyol at half time, Puyol looked in quite a bit of pain.
Magnificent goal.
Superb pass and a lovely finish.
[quote=“Rocko”]Magnificent goal.
Superb pass and a lovely finish.[/QUOTE]
Exquisite pass by Xavi. I’ve been impressed with Pedro any time I’ve seen him this season. Zlatan’s picked it up since my last post and has been involved in some lovely moves.
Yeah Pedro looks the real deal alright. Way ahead of the likes of Bojan at the moment anyway.
That last half an hour was just classic football. Unbelievable skill and quality. 4-0 in the end with Messi getting the last two and bringing up his century of Barcelona goals.
Commentators at the end were debating that this is the greatest team ever. Probably hard to argue with that statement although Zlatan was a serious weak link last night.
[quote=“Bandage”] Messi getting the last two and bringing up his century of Barcelona goals.[/QUOTE]
They’ll be talkin about him in 50 years. Frightening to think how good he could be yet…
Ah lovely
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has agreed a one-year contract extension with the Catalan giants.
The 39-year-old, whose existing deal was due to run out this summer, has ended increasing speculation about his future by committing himself to Barca until the end of next season.
Guardiola was promoted from coach of Barca’s B side to his current position in the summer of 2008 following the departure of Frank Rijkaard, and last year he led the club to an unprecedented six-trophy haul.
Having became the first Spanish side to win the treble of Champions League, Primera Division and Copa del Rey during the 2008/09 season, Barca then added the Spanish and European Super Cups before completing the set by winning the Club World Cup in December.
The agreement will not be signed until this summer, when the club will be holding presidential elections.
The news was announced at a press conference at the Nou Camp today which was attended by current president Joan Laporta, Guardiola, technical secretary Txiki Begiristain and vice-president of sport Rafael Yuste.
Laporta said: 'We are here to announce that Pep Guardiola will be the coach of Barca for another year. The contract will be signed with the new president, but we have Pep’s word that he will be the coach.
'I think that is very good news for everyone associated with Barcelona because we all wanted Pep to continue.
‘He doesn’t like me saying it, but Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world and we are proud to continue to have him here.’
You know well he still joins in 5-a-sides in training. Reckon he could still show the boys a thing or two.
A fine example of a technically limited midfielder who could control games from the centre circle.