La Liga 2013-2014

He's been putting in world class performances for quite some time now, one of the best left-backs in the world IMO.. certainly the most balanced one, should really be going to the WC. Don't know how he's only managed 4 caps for Brazil, he was already hugely promising at Depor.

The Brazil national team coach has a tendency to make weird choices when it comes to full backs.
 
Typical English fan drivel, marjen

Tell me: Did Juanfran touch Iniesta when he rolled around like he'd been shot?

Incredible that you're complaining about that first half, it wasn't even a particularly physical affair!

Iniesta's what he's always been when the going gets tough. In the WC final that's remembered for his winning goal, I'll never forget his diving that got Heitinga sent off.

Cheat.
 
Stop complaining. Embarassing the way Iniesta rolled around to get Gabi a soft yellow card. Went rolling when Juanfran didn't touch him as well, the diving twat.

Typical Barca fan. Man up and play football. Every time you're challenged by a decent team you resort to these diving antics, it's really horrible. You should be better than that. The classic "surround the ref and wave a card"-trick out in force as well, I see. Classy club.
I watched only the last 20 minutes and Atletico cried more than Barcelona. Did you see how they were screamig (including Simeone) after Pedro got the ball back cleanly in Barcelona's half?

There was also a very clear yellow on Costa (for pulling back Alba from behind when he was rushing forward) that I don't understand why the ref didn't think it was yellow worthy..
 
Atletico are doing what they have to do. they don't have the individuals to compete against Barcelona but what they do have is a high intensity pressing game and they can be rough when they want to. It's basically a team of Simeone's. I'm not surprised Barcelona players don't like it, not many do.

To be fair, Diego Costa is probably the biggest proponent of gamesmanship on the field tonight and Godín is a "typical" South American CB in the sense that he doesn't shy away from cynical stuff. On the other hand, Iniesta has indeed been throwing himself around because he can't find a way to escape or penetrate the pressure. Additionally, he's been fairly poor since the beginning of 2013 really.
 
I watched only the last 20 minutes and Atletico cried more than Barcelona. Did you see how they were screamig (including Simeone) after Pedro got the ball back cleanly in Barcelona's half?

There was also a very clear yellow on Costa (for pulling back Alba from behind when he was rushing forward) that I don't understand why the ref didn't think it was yellow worthy..

These were basically the same situations... Pedro definitely fouled Koke there in the same manner that Diego Costa fouled Alba, so Simeone had every right to question the ref on that.
 
To be fair, Diego Costa is probably the biggest proponent of gamesmanship on the field tonight and Godín is a "typical" South American CB in the sense that he doesn't shy away from cynical stuff. On the other hand, Iniesta has indeed been throwing himself around because he can't find a way to escape or penetrate the pressure. Additionally, he's been fairly poor since the beginning of 2013 really.
Iniesta is overrated imo.. He makes some fancy moves, and his play is very enjoyable, but it was Xavi a few years back who was making it happen in the midfield imo..

I know the caf is in awe of him, and I'll probably get a backlash for this, but this has always been my opinion..
 
For once, Mascherano was actually injured and didn't fake injury. Still should have been a red card.

Mascherano comes in two footed and fakes injury to escape yellow, very smart.

He was touched by Arda's left arm, and there is a little swelling. However, for the first time in his career, he was actually touched.
 
Just changed stream to BeIN. The comical commentator matches the players on the pitch fairly well, I think.
 
Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen, beINSport's answer to Fox Sports tandem of John Madden and Pat Summerall.

An annoying, over-the-top commentator supported by a drunk commentator.

RIP, Pat.