: Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:49 am  

After Barcelona's 0-0 shutout with Chelsea, do we see that having any bearing on El Clasico this weekend?

Marquez is out after the knee injury, so it could be Pique and Puyol in the centre of defence. IMO, Real will fancy their chances as both are dodgy.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:32 am  

The Penguin wrote:

After Barcelona's 0-0 shutout with Chelsea, do we see that having any bearing on El Clasico this weekend?
Marquez is out after the knee injury, so it could be Pique and Puyol in the centre of defence. IMO, Real will fancy their chances as both are dodgy.

i've already backed madrid. it will be sad if they win the league after a season of anti-football, but that's what happens sometimes

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:34 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

i've already backed madrid. it will be sad if they win the league after a season of anti-football, but that's what happens sometimes

I don't buy this. Since Ramos came in they've played really well IMO. Just because they don't play like Barcelona every week is no reason to deride them.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:40 pm  

The Penguin wrote:

I don't buy this. Since Ramos came in they've played really well IMO. Just because they don't play like Barcelona every week is no reason to deride them.

nothing to do with barça. as i dont follow either barça or madrid i dont but this 'a win is a win' lark. i want the teams im watching to play football.
when you've got casillas and pro-madrid pundits/commentators saying that madrid aren't playing the prettiest of football i think that says a lot.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:56 pm  

43 goals in 18 matches since Ramos took over - I'd say they're doing just fine and dandy.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:12 pm  

The Penguin wrote:

43 goals in 18 matches since Ramos took over - I'd say they're doing just fine and dandy.

you missed 2nd in the league only 4 points behind the leader and still to play the leader at home
they also scored goals before ramos was shipped in.
the 5 they scored against athletic for example blew the scoreline out of proportion. the ref was incredible and athletic lost their heads as a result
there are a couple of posters on here who while they say they follow other la liga teams have a surprisingly soft and defensive spot for madrid.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:23 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

there are a couple of posters on here who while they say they follow other la liga teams have a surprisingly soft and defensive spot for madrid.

I've got no particular love for them, I'd always watch Barcelona given the opportunity, but to say they play 'anti-football' like some La Liga version of Bolton Wanderers is ridiculous. I am, however, a big fan of Juande Ramos and only believe he should be given his due. Should they win the title he will surely get the praise he so richly deserves for turning round a dysfunctional team into such an impressive unit.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

you missed 2nd in the league only 4 points behind the leader and still to play the leader at home
they also scored goals before ramos was shipped in.
the 5 they scored against athletic for example blew the scoreline out of proportion. the ref was incredible and athletic lost their heads as a result :roll:
there are a couple of posters on here who while they say they follow other la liga teams have a surprisingly soft and defensive spot for madrid.

Still scored five, doesn't matter how you dress it up.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:00 pm  

Real are most likely to win El Clasico but Barcelona will win the title, through the run in they have left and the goals from Clasico 1, this will see them through

Can't see them getting much chance at Stamford Bridge next week though, they will have to be probably more clinical than they have been all season.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:47 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Still scored five, doesn't matter how you dress it up.

obviously didnt watch the game or youd know what i meant.