La Liga 2013-2014

How the feck can a player do what Alba did and not be punished after the match?
 
Look at 0:23 how Godin is telling his teammates to target Messi's injured hamstring.

By the way, the injury wasn't a strain or a tear, it was a bruised hamstring..


Dirty douche football from Simeone's men. Godin was interviewed by Uruguayan radio and tried to spin it that he wasn't intending to target Leo's injured hammy but get his defense to tighten up around the box :wenger:
 
It amazes me how the feck they're not ashamed of themselves when they do that. It's caught on TV. The World knows what you are yet they continue to do it. Embarrassment.

Their main man gets the shit kicked out of him every game and stays on his feet. Jordi Alba gets a playful tap on the top of his head and rolls around in sheer agony clutching his face. The club ought to have a word.

If one really had the right to dive it'd be Messi considering all the fouls on him in each match but when it comes to that credit to him tbh. Alba is a little turd.
 
23-26 August - all times are Spain, UK times are one hour earlier

Espanyol Valencia Sat - 21:00
Betis Celta Sun - 23:00
Granada R. Madrid Mon - 21:00
Athletic Osasuna 2-0 FT
Villarreal Valladolid Sat - 23:00
Getafe Almería 2-2 FT
Elche R. Sociedad Sat - 19:00
Atlético Rayo Sun - 19:00
Levante Sevilla Sun - 21:00
Málaga Barcelona Sun - 21:00

Malaga have probably lost too many players (and their manager) to trouble Barca. However with Messi out injured and some players maybe getting rested for the Supercopa it might not be as you'd think.

Granada beat Madrid last year - Ronaldo scored from a setpiece for the wrong team for the only goal of the match.
 
Atléti destroying Rayo, who are playing with a suicidal high line. Arda Turan with a goal and 2 assists. Diego Costa having another great game, Villa desperate to get among the goals and getting pissed at the linesman always calling him offside :lol:

Last season in the corresponding fixture Atléti led 4-0 until the 82nd minute when they went on to concede 3 in 7 minutes for a nervy finish to 4-3. Doesn't look like that's going to happen again, this Rayo looks far weaker than its two previous incarnations since coming back up to La Liga.

Btw: Carles Gil, a youngster on loan to Elche from Valencia, was outstanding last night against La Real.

edit: Villa hits the bar from about 8 yards out when it should've been a tap-in. Terrible miss.
 
Wasn't boring at all, one-sided as hell though :D

No Messi for Barça, Neymar starts on the bench.
 
Wasn't boring at all, one-sided as hell though :D

No Messi for Barça, Neymar starts on the bench.
Agreed. Bet Simeone enjoyed it most among all people.

Messi-less Barcelona taking on good team away from home.. Hmmm.. Interesting to see how they're going to perform, considering they pretty much collapsed last year when Messi got injured.
 
Fabregas was a class apart last week. I expect him to pull the strings again tonight against a lesser Malaga side than last year.

He's looking like the most threatening player on the pitch so far.
 
I'm only back from the shops now and tuning in. How has the game gone so far?
Barcelona have control, not many clear cut chances though.. Malaga had only one shot on goal from a freekick, well saved by Valdes.

Fabregas playing well, Alexis having a poor game.
 
I've just seen that Malaga have a player on their books called Bobley Anderson. He's my new favourite non-Chelsea player.

Bobley.
 
I'm only back from the shops now and tuning in. How has the game gone so far?

Barça dominating, without much penetration... one or two great moves and passes by Fàbregas. One great run but ultimately poor shot from Iniesta. One shaky moment from Willy Caballero but Málaga's defending has been very solid. Valdés had to make a great low save on a direct free-kick, but other than that Málaga haven't been able to really threaten him.
 
Anyone watching the game on "beIN" (or something like that - their logo looks like shit)? Commentators are fecking hilarious. Screaming in the microphone at every opportunity right from the start. Completely over the top :lol:
 
Willy Caballero channelling his performance against Dortmund with that block. Gotta love how he looks so clumsy while making those awesome saves :lol:
 
Anyone watching the game on "beIN" (or something like that - their logo looks like shit)? Commentators are fecking hilarious. Screaming in the microphone at every opportunity right from the start. Completely over the top :lol:


Yup!! I am watching on beIN sports 1HD in France. It is an ok channel I suppose. As far as the commentators are concerned, we should look rather close to home with the likes of Phil Thompson and especially Charlie Nicholas's dreadful accent when he gets excited.
 
Semi-deserved lead for Barcelona, from an unexpected source. Caballero should have done better.

Half-time debate: Who is the better midfielder: Iniesta or Fabregas?

I know the caf is in love with Iniesta, but despite his superior dribbling ability and enjoyable play-style, I don't think Iniesta can pull the strings like Fabregas and Xavi do.. He isn't the kind of player who can control the tempo, or run the offense providing the killer passes that win you games... If you had to choose one of the two, which would you pick to play for United?
 
Just after doing so well to save it so well with his willy an' all.
 
Semi-deserved lead for Barcelona, from an unexpected source. Caballero should have done better.

Half-time debate: Who is the better midfielder: Iniesta or Fabregas?

I know the caf is in love with Iniesta, but despite his superior dribbling ability and enjoyable play-style, I don't think Iniesta can pull the strings like Fabregas and Xavi do.. He isn't the kind of player who can control the tempo, or run the offense providing the killer passes that win you games... If you had to choose one of the two, which would you pick to play for United?

I'd choose Fabregas because I think he'd suit Utd better but I still rate Iniesta as a better player overall.
 
Semi-deserved lead for Barcelona, from an unexpected source. Caballero should have done better.

Half-time debate: Who is the better midfielder: Iniesta or Fabregas?

I know the caf is in love with Iniesta, but despite his superior dribbling ability and enjoyable play-style, I don't think Iniesta can pull the strings like Fabregas and Xavi do.. He isn't the kind of player who can control the tempo, or run the offense providing the killer passes that win you games... If you had to choose one of the two, which would you pick to play for United?

Iniesta can do anything Fabregas can.