Playing with a proper CF can help you win games sometimes. Not sure what to make of Barça. They don't strike me as solid enough for CL glory but Man City aside, I can't really see anyone knocking them out. We shall see.
What a performance from barca. Played very well and all great finishes. I think they might finally be ahead of real as a team for the first time in years
Anyone who has followed LaLiga since at least the early '00s knows this is just another Changing of the Guard. Madrid has had it all in 2021-2024, but now the Flick era has started in smashing glory. If not for Pep and City (or injuries, but it seems Flick is improving fitness and cardio as well, German-style), I say FCBarcelona could win a Liga+UCL double this 2025 (or treble!).
Perfect timing to end Real's unbeaten streak in La Liga as they were about to tie Barca's all time record of 43 from few years ago. First time since 1916 that one of the two teams had six starters at the age of 22 and under in this fixture. Safe to say they are nailing that mixture of youth and experience. Lewa was Barca's oldest goalscorer in El Clasico history while Yamal was the youngest on either side. Raphinha the perfect middle between them I suppose. Always something satisfying about the royal thieves getting squashed like that in their backyard. Especially as I didn't think Flick would have his team clicking so fast.
Real Sociedad v Barcelona live on ITV4 tonight with a 8pm kick off . I hope it's a competitive match to watch & not too one sided .
A victory would be a huge pick-me-up for the Basque club after their Europa League loss in Czechia to lil’ ol’ Pilsen.
Hell if I know. But high-definition TV has made officiating close calls in football varieties on both sides of the pond (and in American baseball) a real headache. Used to be that the video was too grainy to contradict a live decision by an official. A Reddit post said VAR here took 8 minutes. I’m partial to another Reddit post which suggested a time limit on a VAR review. If they can’t find conclusive evidence to overturn the referee call on the field within {30 to 60 seconds, let experts decide} then the call stands. Play On!!
Hey Barca: ¡Cuidado las llamas! (No, but a tip o’ the hat to Monty Python.) It’s this, Barca: ¡Cuidado Las Palmas!!!
Intrestingly, I'll be in Barcelona in mid-February for the half-marathon and we still don't know when they'll be retuning to the Nou Camp. it is said to be the game v Rayo Vallecano but things seem to be very rushed as the club are losing massive amounts of doh playing in the Montjuic shithole. I'll go to Espanyol/Athletic either way.
