Him, Isco, and Jese were subbed on. Can't really comment on the first two as they didn't seem to be central to the action. Jese was however and was actually a threat near the right side of the box and got a shot off at one point. Same old story with Madrid though - its all about Ronny, Di Maria, Bale (when he's on the pitch), Benzema, Modric, Marcello, with a bit of Xabi Alonso. The rest of the players seem a bit tangential .
La Liga 2013-2014
- Thread starter jojojo
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
His form really fell off during the Ballon'dor talk. Seems to be playing without all that tension again.
Rarely featured, even more rarely as a starter. Has a couple of assists in La Liga and the Europa League. Remember him doing well when he came on v Barça as Sevilla managed to claw themselves back to 2-2 (before Messi performed some miracles in injury time to snatch the winner). The problem seems to be that Emery sees Marin exclusively as a CAM (new signings Vitolo and Jairo perenially on the wings; and if not them it's oldboy J.A. Reyes and the promising left-back Moreno) and there he has to compete with Rakitic most of the time (the little game time he has seen is a consequence of Rakitic dividing his time between AM and CM).
His form has been difficult to accurately rate this season IMO, scoring-wise he's been as good as ever, but the rest of his game only really kicked on from November onwards (and in a couple of games before that which I'll mention). Started his scoring form in the second half of September after what seems to have become a customary slow start to the season from him, but the team (him included) were not playing very well (apart from the Galatasaray away game in the CL where he was magnificently unstoppable) and were fortunate not to have dropped more points than they did (v Betis, Granada, Villarreal, Elche). So for September I could put a lot of other players ahead of him that were performing at a higher level. Then in October is when his scoring form really started to pick up, but he couldn't make a mark in two key games which they both lost (v Atlético and Barça), a lot of his goals at that point came from penalties as well (5 already, I believe). The 7-3 v Sevilla at the end of that month was the turning point IMO, he scored a hat-trick and his all-round game came to life from that point onwards. For October I wouldn't have him down as the top performer (Diego Costa was too good in this period and has the edge in scoring the winner in the direct confrontation between them) but he's definitely a close #2. November was undoubtedly his, excellent performances (esp. v Rayo) and goalscoring consistency. December saw him score less, but he played quite well (except, ironically, against Celta where he scored twice late on). January has been equally tough, but he was great v Betis and now Granada and scored two great goals in these games.
As far as forwards go, I'd divvy it up like this between the leading men of the 3 title candidates:
August: Diego Costa
September: Messi, Diego Costa
October: Diego Costa, Cristiano
November: Cristiano, Diego Costa
December: Diego Costa, Cristiano
January: all three playing very mixed games, but Cristiano should hold unless Messi manages to produce something profoundly legendary today (which is doubtful), as taking into account his Copa del Rey form he still has a chance, Diego Costa on the other hand was nowhere near his form of the 1st half of the season.
The way it is currently looking, RM are on title-winning form and it's coincided with Cristiano being less emphasized as the end point of every final pass, but him taking part in the build-up more often. His away form has also reached the same level as back in their only title-winning season (2011/12), so if that keeps up it will need a near flawless course (and far more from Messi as he's behind by quite a lot due to his injuries) from either of the other two contenders or Cristiano himself to underperform in order to surpass the season he's having. If Diego Costa can somewhat replicate the 1st half of his season then he'll likely equal or surpass Cristiano's season in individual terms, but I doubt he (and for that matter his club) can maintain the insane pace set by the "Big Two". We shall see, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Atlético drop points tonight away to Rayo (as poor as they've been, they're incredibly unpredictable at home) with Costa unable to make much of a dent.
Atleti have been under par since the restart. Less goals, less chances. They are still solid and concede hardly anything but they are starting to look a bit tired and lacking in the creative department. Costa hasn't scored in 6 now, which will be a worry. I don't understand why they brought in Sosa and let Baptistao out on loan. Sosa will probably never play anyway, whereas Baptistao could have been getting the minutes in the cup games. He certainly looks a talent. Tonight is a big game for them, although they won 5-0 in the return fixture it wont be easy at all tonight, and with the lack of goals in 2014 it will be a close game. A lot of people said Costa wouldn't keep his amazing form going, and so far in 2014 they are right. Suppose every striker (bar Messi and Ron) have dry patches infront of goal.
Well, it's a given... if Messi and Cristiano played for Atlético they wouldn't be able to either IMO. Heck, Messi hasn't scored in the league since September right now
and unless he starts doing so again regularly (esp. in the away games where they've struggled) they're going to throw away what little of the lead they've managed to cling onto in his absence or through his lack of match fitness/form.Indeed, the Rayo game is huge for Simeone and his men, even a draw there would be catastrophic mentally IMO, to see their biggest rivals slipping ahead of them for the first time this season in just a couple of weeks' time after such an unreal 1st half of the season? I couldn't imagine how depressing that would be, especially considering how poor RM were for about half of that first period.
Re: Sosa and Baptistão, I guess he's betting the farm on Raúl García and, dare I say it, Adrían to share those goalscoring responsibilities? Léo looked good enough at Rayo, but would he really work in a partnership with Diego Costa? Sosa is a bit of a strange one, but I believe they've worked together previously in Argentina (I might be wrong) and he'll be useful for rotational purposes at least. Another thing I've just noticed, for all of his excellence so far this season Arda hasn't exactly stood out in terms of efficiency, lots of chances, little (direct) end product (goals/assists).
I was thinking about Arda's lack of goals this season too, thought he would push on and grab a few more but since they have recently been over reliant on set pieces and crosses (who does this sound like) it's the defenders and Raul Garcia who have been finding the net more. Not sure about working with Costa but the consistent starting XI isn't going to change with Sosa coming in. I'd say Leo could have been used instead of Sosa, but obviously Simeone sees him as someone who can help and add quality. Alderweireld has come out and admitted his frustrations at the lack of first team football, mainly due to the back 4 which never changes (suspensions aside).
It's almost similiar to last season. Atléti kept the pace with Barcelona then after the restart they slowly drifted away. The game's are certainly coming thick and fast too with the cup being played weekly and the CL coming up soon.
Also, Adrian scoring? he was linked with a big move to Arsenal 2 years back. Wonder if they would still take him now...
It's almost similiar to last season. Atléti kept the pace with Barcelona then after the restart they slowly drifted away. The game's are certainly coming thick and fast too with the cup being played weekly and the CL coming up soon.
Also, Adrian scoring?
he was linked with a big move to Arsenal 2 years back. Wonder if they would still take him now...Fantastically crafted free kick.
I was thinking about Arda's lack of goals this season too, thought he would push on and grab a few more but since they have recently been over reliant on set pieces and crosses (who does this sound like) it's the defenders and Raul Garcia who have been finding the net more. Not sure about working with Costa but the consistent starting XI isn't going to change with Sosa coming in. I'd say Leo could have been used instead of Sosa, but obviously Simeone sees him as someone who can help and add quality. Alderweireld has come out and admitted his frustrations at the lack of first team football, mainly due to the back 4 which never changes (suspensions aside).
It's almost similiar to last season. Atléti kept the pace with Barcelona then after the restart they slowly drifted away. The game's are certainly coming thick and fast too with the cup being played weekly and the CL coming up soon.
Also, Adrian scoring?
I really hope Atléti won't pull a Valencia in the CL, as unlikely as it looked when the draws were made I feel that Milan can still cause them enough problems even though they've been incredibly poor in Serie A.
Re: Adrián, it's quite bizarre really, he was excellent in his last season at Depor and then proceeded to tear it up for Atléti in the EL especially where he was arguably even more impressive than Falcao was that season (Atléti as a whole were ridiculously dominant in that tournament). But for the previous two seasons he's been a waste of space almost and just cannot find the net anymore... It's telling that he scored more than double the amount of goals in the 11/12 Europa League than he has since then in all competitions combined. Still, I guess a valuable squad player when he's on form.
Meanwhile goalfest in the (kinda) Basque derby... 3 goals within 15 minutes.
Another enigma, Ibai Gómez... looks likely to score every time he's on as a sub, don't think he's ever been a starter for a prolonged period. Scored 4 in his last 4 games, still on the bench for this one.
Another enigma, Ibai Gómez... looks likely to score every time he's on as a sub, don't think he's ever been a starter for a prolonged period. Scored 4 in his last 4 games, still on the bench for this one.
The mystery at the moment is really Villa - he's been not bad, but nor has he actually been good, in so many games. He'd be the obvious one to pick up the goalscoring slack from Costa but he's not in that kind of form. Rayo (unfortunately for the Rayo fans) are a great team to practice on.
Rayo: Rubén; Arbilla, Tito, Saúl, Nacho; Baena, Trashorras; Lass, Bueno, Viera y Larrivey
(Marca think Saul Niguez will play at centre back rather than in midfield, such are their problems defending they'd rather play a 19 year old midfielder against Costa, Arda, Villa than one of their real defenders)
Vs
Courtois; Manquillo, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Tiago, Gabi; Sosa, Arda, Villa y Diego Costa
(Koke's rested and is on the bench along with Oliver Torres)
Rayo: Rubén; Arbilla, Tito, Saúl, Nacho; Baena, Trashorras; Lass, Bueno, Viera y Larrivey
(Marca think Saul Niguez will play at centre back rather than in midfield, such are their problems defending they'd rather play a 19 year old midfielder against Costa, Arda, Villa than one of their real defenders)
Vs
Courtois; Manquillo, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Tiago, Gabi; Sosa, Arda, Villa y Diego Costa
(Koke's rested and is on the bench along with Oliver Torres)
Ibai the supersub does it again, within 4 minutes of getting onto the pitch he scores with a clever finish after a lovely through ball from Aduriz. 4-1 to Athletic now, the 3-1 was a goal by Aduriz from an Ander Herrera cross. Don't think we'll see many teams going there and scoring 4... make that 5 !! 5-1, Kike Sola a minute after coming on for Aduriz, scores a tap-in from another Ander assist holy hell.
holy hell.Athletic just tearing through teams lately... their last 3 games in La Liga (this one included) they've scored 15 goals! Ibai getting 5 of those, Ander Herrera with 2 goals and 3 assists in that little run. Aduriz such a beastly target man on his day, 3 goals and 5 assists in the last three.
Change in the Atletico team - Koke starts because Tiago got injured in the warm up.
1-0 David Villa
That's a vital, vital goal for Atléti! Rayo shot themselves in the foot again, but great work by Villa to pressurize the defender and then Diego Costa with the selfless return to him.
Rayo miss the penalty they were gifted
Penalty to Rayo! Unlucky for the young full-back Manquillo, but ref points to the spot. Courtois saves! What a start
Didn't look like much contact indeed, but the lack of protest from a Simeone team makes me think he did slightly clip the attacker.
Didn't look like much contact indeed, but the lack of protest from a Simeone team makes me think he did slightly clip the attacker.
1-2 very good play by rayo
What were we saying about Arda Skorenzy 
What were we saying about Arda Skorenzy
Funnily enough I missed his goals as I went to get something to eat
were they any good?Tap ins!
Well, at least he was efficient with them. 3 shots, 2 goals. Villa and Sosa playing well apparently?
Oh well, 4 shots now... he should stick to tap-ins
Oh well, 4 shots now... he should stick to tap-ins
Yeah, Sosa has played quite well. Assisted Arda's first goal. Never really seen him before all I know is that he was linked with Atletico quite a few years ago.
What happened to Oliver Torres then? He'd only been on the field 2 minutes!
@ that foul.EDIT: ref awarded Malaga a foul because a Malaga player kicked another Malaga player.
Piqueeeeeee!!!!
Hopefully that will put a stop to Cabellero's deliberate timewasting.
If it wasn't for the woodwork, Cabellero, the defenders, Barca should be 10-0 already. Golazo Pedro, assist Messi. Great run from Alves.
3-0, Messi made like 80% of that goal.
You are in agreement that it should have been 10-0 if it wasn't for the woodwork and the saves by the goalie?
Haven't watched the whole match, started watching after about half an hour, but Barcelona are clearly in complete control. They should indeed have scored at least 5 more goals, although Malaga could have also nicked one on the counter (I think when it was 1-0 or 2-0).
Muniain is playing really well for Athletic Club atm and Herrera had good game against Osasuna - I haven't seen all of their last few games but he seems to be in a really good run of form, scoring and assisting quite a bit.
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Barcelona's style really has changed. They seem to rely much more on quality of player rather than the system/style.
It's strange, because that style under Pep was what gave them a huge edge over everyone else.
It's strange, because that style under Pep was what gave them a huge edge over everyone else.
Messi was what gave them a huge edge over everyone else.
That and the dopi-
No, wait, I don't want to get sued.
No, wait, I don't want to get sued.
Hardly comes as a surprise
Where's Vato! I wanna see a e-fight!
And the system which they seem to have abandoned. What Spain did without Messi consistently isn't being done right now. They're still winning well but they're not playing the same way.
To some extent that's because counter-measures against them were working and they did need a plan B that went beyond Messi. The other side is that age is taking its toll on Xavi, Iniesta isn't at his best, Fabregas is too different a player to be a straight swap for either of them. Messi was out of action for a couple of months, and under par before that. They had to do something to keep winning.
It looks rather inelegant compared to what we're used to, but that may just be because it's a transition.