3 years running, Barcelona have won the fairplay award for least bookings or suspensions.
La Liga 2013-2014
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3 years running, Barcelona have won the fairplay award for least bookings or suspensions.
So it's a strategy of theirs to purposely get opposition players booked? Aaaah, now Busquets' inclusion makes sense!
*jokes*I figure when they dominate 60-70% possession in most of their matches, it's very difficult to pick up bookings! They're also not a physical or dirty team anyway, Busquets & Alba's twattishness aside.
No dirty players and no cynical play of repetitive fouling usually results in fewer bookings. Throwback style of footy, they play with the ball not to kick players about
If refs in Spain clamped down on diving though only Madrid could possibly hope to compete with that bunch of serial divers.
Unlikely, too many mental patients in RMs defense to reduce their hacking strategy
It would be fantastic if the competitive spectacle we've been treated to in some of the big two's games so far became a regular fixture. No doubt however that once both teams integrate their new signings they will go on one of those irrepressible mid-season runs, winning 10, 15, 20 games on the bounce.
So...you're agreeing with me?
Friday match
Osasuna 2 Elche 1
From the BBC, so all times are UK.
There's also a full midweek schedule spread out over Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday - all Liga, all the time.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Real Sociedad v Malaga, 15:00
Almeria v Levante, 17:00
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona, 19:00
Valladolid v Atletico Madrid, 21:00
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Real Betis v Granada, 11:00
Celta de Vigo v Villarreal, 16:00
Real Madrid v Getafe, 18:00
Valencia v Sevilla, 20:00
Monday, 23 September 2013
Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao, 21:00
Rayo have 3 points from one win this season, Barcelona are on full points - I expect the same to be true after the match. Similar stories for Atletico and Real Madrid (two points behind after drawing with Villareal).
In fact none of the matches over the weekend look that inspiring, but hopefully someone will spring a surprise.
A chunk of Valencia's crowd stood outside the Mestalla after their 0-3 to Swansea and demanded an apology from the players, before letting their cars out. Bottom place Sevilla (Emery's their manager) may be what they need to cheer them up.
The best contest should be Espanyol (currently sixth place) Vs Athletic (fifth) - which should be a hard fought match in every sense of the words. And of course, a scouting opportunity.
Osasuna 2 Elche 1
From the BBC, so all times are UK.
There's also a full midweek schedule spread out over Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday - all Liga, all the time.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Real Sociedad v Malaga, 15:00
Almeria v Levante, 17:00
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona, 19:00
Valladolid v Atletico Madrid, 21:00
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Real Betis v Granada, 11:00
Celta de Vigo v Villarreal, 16:00
Real Madrid v Getafe, 18:00
Valencia v Sevilla, 20:00
Monday, 23 September 2013
Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao, 21:00
Rayo have 3 points from one win this season, Barcelona are on full points - I expect the same to be true after the match. Similar stories for Atletico and Real Madrid (two points behind after drawing with Villareal).
In fact none of the matches over the weekend look that inspiring, but hopefully someone will spring a surprise.
A chunk of Valencia's crowd stood outside the Mestalla after their 0-3 to Swansea and demanded an apology from the players, before letting their cars out. Bottom place Sevilla (Emery's their manager) may be what they need to cheer them up.
The best contest should be Espanyol (currently sixth place) Vs Athletic (fifth) - which should be a hard fought match in every sense of the words. And of course, a scouting opportunity.
Jojojo got a footie fact wrong?! Sell Bale, loan out Ronaldo, delete the internet, abandon ship. We're all doomed.
Valdés already keeping out a Rayo goal. Good start.
The pitch is a fecking disgrace. That sort of pitch belongs to a club that plays non-league football.
Brilliant run by Messi and Neymar fecks it up. He really is as bad as Alexis.
Evading a series of tackles is just second nature for Messi.
Oh dear Montoya...
Scoring should be second nature for Neymar too, but he is showing that la liga is indeed another level up from the Brazilian championship.
that was nearly an incredible own goal. Barca's defence really is looking more and more like the defence in the last couple of years under Rijkaard.Just switched over and wow, this pitch is a potato field.
Rayo are playing some great stuff out from the back.
That was some horrible play-acting by the Rayo defender. Need to do better.
Brilliant goal by Pedro, assist Messi..
Bad control from Messi and he still had possession. WTF?
Brilliant save!!!
Dang, when the ref blows the whistle it's like dawn of the dead, the way the Barca team zone in on him.
Valdes' excellent form has saved Barca so many times this season so far.
Their defence has looked so creaky, ridiculous decision not to invest in another CB.
Their defence has looked so creaky, ridiculous decision not to invest in another CB.
Absolutely boggles the mind, really.
Again, it appears that for me, Mascherano and Song are not quite the same level as their teammates and are often found out. This is where their weakest link lies in all fairness. Get rid of Mascherano/Song and replace them with two others who are good enough to play for Barcelona.
Mascherano has been their best defender over the past couple of seasons. It's Pique who needs a rocket up his backside or replacing or both.
Sounds like an excellent transportation method for Pique's exit.
Its a lot to do with Barcelona not pressing like they used to. Suddenly the defence isnt protected like it once was and they dont win the ball high up the pitch in devastating areas like they used to.
Barça with only 50% possession in that first half, loads of misplaced passes, loads of space in front of their centre-backs... same as every game so far this season. Without Messi and Valdés there's no way they'd have won all their league games so far.
Neatly done.
Good movement by Pedro. On to it in a flash.
Neymar needs to bulk up big time. He looks like the new Ronaldo; the slightest contact and down he goes. He should cut that out of his game.
Neymar hits the post
Hattrick Pedro..; and to think Messi is having a bad day at the office and they are winning 3-0.
and to think Messi is having a bad day at the office and they are winning 3-0.