Preseason 2012-13 (Game 2): Raja Club Ath. VS FC Barcelona

no prob.

I posted the fulltime highlights in the multimedia section, for anyone who wants to see all the goals in 1 video.

The front three were simply . If Afellay finished at least 1 of his chances then he would be MOTM imo. Not a great team and we punished them.

Our B team have literally won against this team. Weren't great opponents and it was good that we took most of our chances. Passing was so much better than against Hamburg. Front three connection was The passing of Ibionelexis was . The build up to some of those goals were

Great Koeman impersenation from Sergi Gomez.

On another blog Im on, people were claiming that JDS was terrible. I didn't think he had that bad of a game. His positioning at times was questionable and some passes (mainly backpasses) were scrappy but overall it was a sound game from him. Just needs more game time to prove his worth in the team. We know he has talent, its just getting that game time to prove his worth. I have faith in him

Afellay didn't finish.. he realized this was his home it was out of respect

On another note, I think I can live with this home kit

I don't think the away kit will every grow on me -___- that shit is just grade A BS

Hmmm...Well Messi seems to be playing a #10 role like he did for most of last season. Barcelona were very narrow and packed the middle. If Villa and pedro don't come back Madrid will win the league. Sanchez is great but he is not a winger at all and always comes into the middle, much like cesc! Well I expect his problem to sadly be resolved by the supercup.

shinigami99 wrote:On another note, I think I can live with this home kit

I don't think the away kit will every grow on me -___- that shit is just grade A BS

tbh, the home kit reminds of one of seasons under the era od Riijkard and Dinho. Away kit doesn't look good on paper though in the night under Camp Nou lights, it should look rather fine. Though definately not the away kit I was hoping for...

Well, I didn't find the Moroccans to be as poor as some found them to be...Neither did Bilbao, I'm sure, who lost to them 3-1 last week...Raja Casablanca is apparently known for their entertaining style and quite often actually looked comfortable in possession despite feverish Barcelona pressure

Found it to be an extremely entertaining match...Very chippy atmosphere, especially early, with Casablanca showing no fear and playing like it was a cup final...Of course, all it did was awaken the beast that is Leo...8 goals but easily could've been 10-12...No Xavi/Iniesta but a wealth of scoring chances and credit has to go to Ibi & Alexis for constantly beating their markers and stretching the defense...Thought Bartra wasn't really tested but gave a very assured/confident performance...Rafinha probably a bit too sloppy and the least impressive among the trio of himself, Roberto & JDS...Dos Santos had an uneven performance I thought, won some nice balls through some aggressive closing down but also was caught out on a couple of occasions through his own errors...Still unsure where Roberto plays best but he held his own...Not even a particularly impressive occasion for Deulofeu but still scores, bodes well for the B team but sure was hoping Dongou was going to get some play in preseason with the first team too

Tito seemed to be intent on extended minutes for the starting lineup which is a different approach to what Pep had previously done - perhaps eyes ahead to the Supercup?...Might explain the reasons for the Copa Catalunya and fielding the B team since Tito wanted a full week of training with the first team squad...Team looks further along than they were last preseason

I do like Afellay and I continue to contend he offers something with his versatility, pace and directness that no one else in the squad can from the midfield

Kits look better & better but probably a little to dark for my taste and would've benefitted from some additional contrasting light color whether red or yellow...I mean, even dark socks & shorts?...Looks a bit like a costume in all honesty

Been too long without some Leo entertainment and entertainment it was

paxtonpale wrote:On another blog Im on, people were claiming that JDS was terrible. I didn't think he had that bad of a game. His positioning at times was questionable and some passes (mainly backpasses) were scrappy but overall it was a sound game from him. Just needs more game time to prove his worth in the team. We know he has talent, its just getting that game time to prove his worth. I have faith in him

I think its pretty stupid to judge performances 2 games into preseason.

Nobody is really out there trying to prove anything at this point, guys are still getting their legs under them and getting back into the flow of things.

No point analysing anything at this point.

JDS will grow well into Barcelona, every youth player takes some time to shine.. except Messi.

Donuts wrote:JDS will grow well into Barcelona, every youth player takes some time to shine.. except Messi.

Even he took a long time to grow...

A long time? At 19 he did Maradonas run/hand of god and was known as the claimed the best player of the team by Ronaldinho.

jibers wrote:Hmmm...Well Messi seems to be playing a #10 role like he did for most of last season. Barcelona were very narrow and packed the middle. If Villa and pedro don't come back Madrid will win the league. Sanchez is great but he is not a winger at all and always comes into the middle, much like cesc! Well I expect his problem to sadly be resolved by the supercup.

How you came to that conclusion after Barca defeated a team 8-0 - a team that had defeated Bilbao 3-1 just a few days ago - without our Spanish international while Real Madrid lost 5-2 to Benfica, I will never know..

Friendlies don't matter...

Benefica were playing their hearts out that game + we played a bunch of b teamers.

Didn't know Higuaín, Benzema, Kaká, di María, Lass, Coentrão, Callejon, Varane and Granero played for Castilla. But even if that's true, isn't it funny how those "B teamers" cost Madrid more than Benfica's whole squad...

danyjr wrote:Didn't know Higuaín, Benzema, Kaká, di María, Lass, Coentrão, Callejon, Varane and Granero played for Castilla. But even if that's true, isn't it funny how those "B teamers" cost Madrid more than Benfica's whole squad...

Madrid fans could say the same for us last season when we lost to that Mexican team 4-1... I guess its only friendlies thoughits a worry for sure!

That Mexican is clearly the best team in the world