____twoism

I don't think I've ever seen a better side. A joy to watch.

Absolutely, no superlatives can fairly describe the functionality, compact agression and cohesivness of that squad. Messi/Iniesta and Xavi are genius. I was behind United tonight, but sometimes you do just have to say too good..

However, i am starting to get a little sick of the Barca domination... excusing Messi, that man is just supremely talented.

What else can be said? I could never get tired of watching them. OK, this wasn't the greatest Man Utd side ever, but they made them look like schoolboy amateurs. Messi will always get the attention, but if I've ever seen a better playmaker than Xavi, well I can't remember when it was. Then you've got Iniesta, David Villa, Dani Alves.... how do you stop them??!?

I wasn't old enough (quite) to see the great Ajax side of the early/mid 70's, but this has to be as close to 'Total Football' as it's possible to get.

Long may they make us gasp. Genius.

The thing which confuses me is that they aren't doing anything specifically different, compact, close-one touch football is nothing new.. but then they are doing this to unbelievable levels of effectiveness. Yes he's lauded all day and night, but Messi is literally unstoppable once on a roll.

Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta is just the best midfield I have ever seen. I wish I could have seen Maradona, Pele, Best, Jarzinho, Eusebio, Cruyff, Muller et al more so i can compare them with the little Argentine..

While I do think Messi's the best I have ever seen, special mentions go to Zidane and Ronaldo (Brazil original AND best) - Those two are the most dazzling footballers i've seen in my lifetime, but Messi just seems to have everything - the ball is glued to his feet, unbelievable.

The ironic thing about tonights match is that in terms of team play and link up, Manchester United's goal was probably the best goal scored in the game.. I feel quite sad I guess for Fergie, but something tells me he's going to win this trophy again, and beat the Catalans.

Maradona was the only player I've seen who (almost) single-handedly won a World Cup. Mexico 86, Argentina were average - apart from Maradona. Seek out clips from 86 and see why he was as good, if not better than Messi.

Zidane however, was the complete footballer. To me, he had everything. he combined the power and aggression of a centre half, with the ball-on-a-string skill of Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo.

Best player I ever saw in the flesh was Paul Gascoigne just before he left Newcastle for Spurs. For 12 months he was the best player in the World, at a time when Gullit and Van Basten were at their peak. Sadly, he never made the most of his potential.

Coming back to Barce however, I just can't see Man Utd competing with them for some time, not with the huge debt the Glazers have saddled the club with. Prediction: Rooney will go in the next 12 months, maybe by the end of the Summer. Mark my words...

Two Champions robbed. Just great.

Yeah, I'm mad. Fortunately this year Real Madrid proved Barcelona is not unbeatable (without referee's support, of course).

Speaking about yesterday's match, United was no rival for them.

Just slightly too young to see Gazza, but so many people say he was a prodigy. I don't like to compare era's because that's not fair with hindsight, but i consider Messi more technically gifted really. I've seen games where Diego was marked out of games, that simply doesn't happen with Messi. The only reason Lionel hasn't lit the world stage up yet is because of Maradona stemming his performances to highlight his own, making stupid selections and tatctical decisions and the fact the Argys consider him spanish anyway. He's STILL only 23, ten more years of domination could prove unassailable for the greats.

pointlessdude wrote:Two Champions robbed. Just great.

Yeah, I'm mad. Fortunately this year Real Madrid proved Barcelona is not unbeatable (without referee's support, of course).

Speaking about yesterday's match, United was no rival for them.

I understand you're mad but don't talk as if Madrid had the best chance to beat Barca, they've been outclassed more than once in the El Classico's this season.

If anyone had the best chance to beat Barca this season it was Arsenal, sure they were cut open just as much as any other team, but BEAT them at home and almost netted an away goal at Camp Nou - if only Bendtner hadn't of bottled it at the end of that game, that sublime pass from Wilshere may have amounted to a crucial away goal, knocking the new Champions out.

Essentially, no team is close at the moment. But with a stronger squad, Arsenal could definitely beat them.

I came here to get away from all the football-talk _everywhere_

fujee wrote:

pointlessdude wrote:Two Champions robbed. Just great.

Yeah, I'm mad. Fortunately this year Real Madrid proved Barcelona is not unbeatable (without referee's support, of course).

Speaking about yesterday's match, United was no rival for them.

I understand you're mad but don't talk as if Madrid had the best chance to beat Barca, they've been outclassed more than once in the El Classico's this season.

Well, from where I see it Madrid has certainly done a great job against Barcelona this year. 1-1 in Liga, Madrid playing with 10 players, defeated them in Copa del Rey, again playing with ten players. And semifinals were clearly influenced by referee's decisions, it's true that Madrid didn't make a great match in Bernabeu but at least they managed to keep the result until Pepe was sent off. I could also speak about that goal Higuain scored or the pathetic attitude of Barcelona's players.

In terms of playing, I don't think Barcelona did much better. They played with possession, as always, but that is no synonym of good play.

Screw FC Barcelona! ... That's all I have to say about that.

pointlessdude wrote:

fujee wrote:

pointlessdude wrote:Two Champions robbed. Just great.

Yeah, I'm mad. Fortunately this year Real Madrid proved Barcelona is not unbeatable (without referee's support, of course).

Speaking about yesterday's match, United was no rival for them.

I understand you're mad but don't talk as if Madrid had the best chance to beat Barca, they've been outclassed more than once in the El Classico's this season.

Well, from where I see it Madrid has certainly done a great job against Barcelona this year. 1-1 in Liga, Madrid playing with 10 players, defeated them in Copa del Rey, again playing with ten players. And semifinals were clearly influenced by referee's decisions, it's true that Madrid didn't make a great match in Bernabeu but at least they managed to keep the result until Pepe was sent off. I could also speak about that goal Higuain scored or the pathetic attitude of Barcelona's players.

In terms of playing, I don't think Barcelona did much better. They played with possession, as always, but that is no synonym of good play.

You're forgetting the 5-0 of last November!

Meh, that doesn't count.

Both teams display in those games was disgraceful, at least Messi showed how beautiful football can be amidst ugly confrontation.

hi thanks for your information

You're welcome.

That's my home town.