[La Liga - Jornada 31] Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

I was very impressed with our defending this game, even though it was against a lesser Bilbao side.

Alexis' pressing in this game was great, he also had a couple nice dribbles but seemed frustrated overall.


MOTM:mascherano

Well played Barcelona even though Bilbao were clearly a tired team. Some points:

• Alexis worked very hard. Still guilty of some poor decisions.
  
• Piqué has improved. Played with more focus than previous matches. Still, sometimes he gets passed far too easily.
  
• Thiago, drifted in and out of the match. Some neat touches and passes, but in terms of exploiting the space he needs to learn from Fábregas. Too static at times when attacking.
  
• Alves must be tired! Well played though.

MotM = Mascherano for me as well. So mature in his position.

Now let's just wait for the news of Adriano picking up a knock.

What do you people think about Tello's penalty? How about the penalty shout (Piqué handball)?

Defending was good, Iniesta was great, Alexis played nice (important in the build up to the first goal). Tello didn't do much though, neither did Pedro. Messi still isn't back on 100%. Overall, positive feeling.

EDIT: Penalty was a bit harsh, but it was a foul so not unjust. Piqué handball? Do you mean when the ball hit the side of his chest?

Iniesta was fantastic, some of his touches, turns and dribblings were epic. His finishing was also very good, well taken goal. I hope he won't be wasted on the wing against Milan. Mascherano was also very good, Messi was saving his energy for Milan.

Deserved win, Athletic was tired, Javi Martinez was their best player.

danyjr wrote:Well played Barcelona even though Bilbao were clearly a tired team. Some points:

• Alexis worked very hard. Still guilty of some poor decisions.
  
• Piqué has improved. Played with more focus than previous matches. Still, sometimes he gets passed far too easily.
  
• Thiago, drifted in and out of the match. Some neat touches and passes, but in terms of exploiting the space he needs to learn from Fábregas. Too static at times when attacking.
  
• Alves must be tired! Well played though.

MotM = Mascherano for me as well. So mature in his position.

Now let's just wait for the news of Adriano picking up a knock.

What do you people think about Tello's penalty? How about the penalty shout (Piqué handball)?

Agreed about Alexis, Pique and Alves.

Dont agree about Thiago entirely. He had a good match. I felt he uses space well and he did this well yesterday, but yes sometimes he would drift out of the match. But these instances are very few. Not to mention his great runs when going forward. The lad had a good match. I feel you are being unfair towards him.

About Pique's handball, the ball the side of his body under his arm. Not his arm.

MOTM: Iniesta.

Freakin missed the match and couldnt find a full replay, grrrr, anyway, heskey's pass for that Thiago offside goal was WTF OMFG IMPOSSIBLE PASS!!!!

Win over Bilbao, good