Copa del Rey review

Hey all!

1.  This game was all about Iker Casillas; El Capitan had a fantastic game and saved Madrid on several occasions.  Madrid also had stand-out performances by Di Maria and Ozil but it was really about Iker's brave performance and why he is the best GK in the world. Period!

2.  This was a good and relatively fair game between the two teams and the refereeing was better.  The first half belonged to Madrid, whereas the second belonged to Barcelona when FCB finally broke down a stingy Madrid back four and tested the very reliable Iker.  With the extra time, it came down to who would score first... (frankly the then concurrent game between other bitter rivals Arsenal and Tottenham was more entertaining).

3.  I would have brought in two fresh legs in the extra-time first half when both teams were tired. But's that's just the Armchair Manager in me expressing my thoughts.

4.  Personally, as you may have read on my earlier posts regarding the Copa, I would have opted to play Team B and save the players for the CL matches, giving the Big Mouth a false victory because I really don't see the Copa as anything but a testing ground for younger players.  Unfortunately, FCB is now without Adriano which leaves us with a patchy back four.

5. There are no volcanic activity forecasts to help the Big Mouth, so I expect the game in Madrid to see the same attacking/counter attacking style of the Copa clasico with everything to play.  Should Madrid win, the Big Mouth will revert back to his anti-football tactics.

Personally, I'm OK with the loss of the Copa del Rey to Madrid.  The truth is the boys became complacent and this loss is a cold slap in the face to wake them up.  They now go back to the lion's den with a desire to redeem themselves.

Visca Barcelona!

Adjustments | Barcelona Football Blog

I saw this excellent post on Barcelona Football Blog and wanted to share it with you:

See this link: Adjustments | Barcelona Football Blog

I want to focus on two things that I have been driving me crazy, especially if we are to continue to play across three tournaments, international friendlies, and international qualifiers:

1. CF: I agree that we need someone upfront, someone physical but older and wiser who can keep the opposing defensive line busy while he coldly passes the ball to an unmarked player to finish off the opponents (ala Larsson in the CL finals).

If you recall (assuming that I am can still recollect as well) Larsson, that great Swedish striker who come on in the 2nd half of the 2006 CL final, kept the defense busy with his intimidating presence and sneaked two magnificent assists against a 10-man but determined Arsenal.  We need some elder and intelligent striker, who knows that he is part of a team and must play his role.  Larsson did the same for Man. U when he went there on loan in 2007.  We had a wonderful experience with Larsson, we tried to do the same with Henry (he is excused for his marital problems) and thought that Ibrahimovic would do the same but found out that he was not mature enough yet (maybe after Ibrahimovic leaves for the EPL he can return more mature???).

So where can we find someone like Larsson, who is physical, mature, and has CL experience? Only Herr Klose fits the bill.  I think this more important than acquiring the services of Rossi, Nilmar, or Neymar.  A distant second is on the form of Trezeguet, aided by his compatriot Abidal, assuming his wife allows him to leave her home town.

2. CB:  We lost two versatile defensive players last season, Marquez and Toure, but did not replace them with any one.  Sure Adriano can play CB but he is more effective as a LB and Pique has been lost without Puyol.  Milito is washed up and Busquets is a short-term solution to a long-term problem (Toure was more versatile).  Let's face it, Madrid has a stronger back 4 while our defensive line is very thin.

We need someone who is physical and tall (ala Pique).  Demichelis, currently playing for Malaga, expressed his desire to leave and is a viable possibility.  I am not familiar with the EPL but FCB can scout for an older ELP CB who wants to play in La Liga.

One last pressing matter, CESC.  FCB doesn't need him!  Spain did not need him and La Masia can deliver more Xavis and Iniestas.  Plus, why bring back someone who had not loyalty when he was young and hand big $$$ to Arsenal for their efforts.  Recall Arsenal just replayed the scenario with a Barcelona youngster.  In addition, Cesc has seen an increasing number of injuries over the past few years and take it as a sign of his durability of lack thereof.

Your opinions?

Arsenal's RvP declares FCB Are An Extremely Annoying Team

Time to move on Mr. Van Persie. You lost, so get over it or go join Madrid and try to do something about. Who know's you might fit in with Moron-ho!!!

CLICK HERE --> 'Nagging' Barcelona Are An Extremely Annoying Team