Spain Vs Catalonia - If Catalonia were independent

I think Spain would still come out on top.

Iniesta said he feels Catalan

Cat's only problem would be finishing up front with that team, otherwise it's essentially Barca which makes me think they would beat Spain. Bojan, Deulofeu might play.

Onn the Spanish side Soldado on the wing? That team could be set up better. For starters Spain doesn't even play a 4-3-3 and playing Xabi as a lone DM is as good as giving up before the game starts. I'd probably go for:


That team is still good enough that I couldn't find a place for both Borja and Mata but it's still not what it could be... Which makes me think of how much weakened the Spanish team would be without both Catalans and Basque (Azpi, Iraola, Javi, Xabi in that team).

No Cazorla?

Spain. And like Mamad said, If we put Cazorla on the right instead of Soldado then that's a better team.

Subs : Reina, De Gea, Azpilicueta, Dominguez, Ballesteros, Montreal, Benat, Thiago, Romeu, Mata, Isco , Navas, Pedro, Torres, Muniain

Solid list here.

Although Javi is just too good in the midfield to be wasted as CB there aren't many other options bar San Jose and Botia. Although Naxto can play CB so in therefore I'd put Aurtunexte in there who would slot in seamlessly. Then again there is Enrique who has been in excellent form.

Iraola is an excellent choice while Azpi would work perfectly as his replacement.

Benat could be an excellent replacement for Xabi while Silva doesn't deserve to start ahead of Ander who has been better than him for a long time now.

Soldado wouldn't fit on the right so Cazorla would be a better option while Llorente is the best possible option to replace Villa if injured. Muniain or Navas would also be a better option on the right.

Espana would win it.

i would pick this for Spain


Once Puyol retires i dont exactly know who would keep Barca from conceding lol, Botia??? I definately think Spain would run rampage. Apart from Xavi and Busi the catalunya side looks really average. Xavi is finished who is the next him??? Cesc?? rofl.

But seriously if they split it will be a no show, Catalunya will struggle to win games. i can still remember the game against Argentina for them

halamadrid2 wrote:i would pick this for Spain

Iker
Carvajal-Ramos-Javi-Monreal
Benat-Xabi
Mata-Silva-Iniesta
Soldado

Once Puyol retires i dont exactly know who would keep Barca from conceding lol, Botia??? I definately think Spain would run rampage. Apart from Xavi and Busi the catalunya side looks really average. Xavi is finished who is the next him??? Cesc?? rofl.

But seriously if they split it will be a no show, Catalunya will struggle to win games. i can still remember the game against Argentina for them

I hope you're joking, I really do.

Carjaval new Chendo

Mamad wrote:No Cazorla?

Knew I was forgetting someone. Yeah maybe Cazorla instead of Isco. Doesn't really make that big a difference. The depth Spain have in midfield is outstanding. If they were allowed to field 3 teams they would all be the best passers in international football.

halamadrid2 wrote:Once Puyol retires i dont exactly know who would keep Barca from conceding lol, Botia??? I definately think Spain would run rampage. Apart from Xavi and Busi the catalunya side looks really average. Xavi is finished who is the next him??? Cesc?? rofl.

Xavi is finished? You wish.

I think Catalonia would win if Iniesta plays for them (given that he said he feels Catalan I don't think it's a stretch). Cesc as false 9 like for Spain. Otherwise it's more hard-fought but I don't see a clear winner. I'm assuming that they would play the same 4-3-3 Barca plays, and frankly I don't see Spain as having an answer for the possession game. Xabi is nearly useless against it, as proved time and time again, so they wouldn't really have more numbers in midfield. They would have to press Cat constantly and and frankly I'm not sure if Del Bosque's team works hard enough to pull it off. If Pep coaches Catalonia then even better. Only problem I see is the lack of a finisher to settle the game, which might even the chances a bit more than I'm making it seem.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

halamadrid2 wrote:Once Puyol retires i dont exactly know who would keep Barca from conceding lol, Botia??? I definately think Spain would run rampage. Apart from Xavi and Busi the catalunya side looks really average. Xavi is finished who is the next him??? Cesc?? rofl.

Xavi is finished? You wish.

I think Catalonia would win if Iniesta plays for them (given that he said he feels Catalan I don't think it's a stretch). Cesc as false 9 like for Spain. Otherwise it's more hard-fought but I don't see a clear winner. I'm assuming that they would play the same 4-3-3 Barca plays, and frankly I don't see Spain as having an answer for the possession game. Xabi is nearly useless against it, as proved time and time again, so they wouldn't really have more numbers in midfield. They would have to press Cat constantly and and frankly I'm not sure if Del Bosque's team works hard enough to pull it off. If Pep coaches Catalonia then even better. Only problem I see is the lack of a finisher to settle the game, which might even the chances a bit more than I'm making it seem.

He said that he is Spanish but that he also feels Catalan. I am certain that he would play for Spain..

I would give the edge to Spain. Catalunya has a better defence and a more balanced midfield(not certain Alonso can play as the only DM) but Spain has a better keeper and a much, much better forward line that would give the edge in favour of Spain.

Isn't Bojan catalan ?

Barcelona's lineup vs Levante:
Valdes
Montoya Pique Puyol Alba
Xavi Busquets Cesc

The difference between Barcelona and Catalunya are: Messi, Iniesta and Pedro.
Messi doesn't for Spain either... With play like Bojan Tello Cuenca Vazquez, they can replace Pedro.. The only one who makes difference IMO is Iniesta! (I think if this ever happened, he'll play for Spain)...

At the back and midfield Catalonia has great players and talented players coming soon.. So, I don't think they will have any problem in this defence or midfield..
Botia, Bartra, Fontas, Ruiz, Sergi Gomez etc. all we'll do well and fit the system and one of them will be good enough to join Pique, Alba and Montoya in the defence..

In the midfield, Iniesta will play for Spain most probably, but I have doubts about Thiago and for which team he will choose, but didn't he choose spain because of Barcelona? Maybe play for Brazil (can he?)...

Midfield with players like Cesc Xavi Busquets.. Verdu Javi Marquez Sergi Roberto Romeu and many talents coming through the ranks, again no problem for Catalonia in the midfield...

The only problem IMON is the forwards.. Cuenca, Tello, Vazquez, Bojan are talented but how good will they be in the next few years? And we'll Deulofeu prove himself at the top level, cause if he can do it.. I think Catalonia will be a team to beat and we'll compete for titles in the future..

Deja Vu wrote:I hope you're joking, I really do.

i knew i would get slated for it but i really do think so, i think he has stepped up this year and is alot more productive as oppose to how he was last season but i still don't think he makes alot of difference these days.

Oriol Romeu is catalan btw...

halamadrid2 wrote:

Deja Vu wrote:I hope you're joking, I really do.

i knew i would get slated for it but i really do think so, i think he has stepped up this year and is alot more productive as oppose to how he was last season but i still don't think he makes alot of difference these days.

Why? Cuz he doesn't get as many assists as he used to during his 1st two seasons under Pep? He plays a tad deeper now and his job on the pitch is to maintain possession and create openings for Villa and Pedro or whoever is on the wings. He might doesn't get as many assists but he sure is the man who starts the attacks for Barca. He basically controls the flow of the game and gives his teammates some time to catch their breaths.

I just finished an article on a potential Catalan XI. Explains my choice.

I have to note that I tried my best to include players from other teams and I'm aware that the inclusion of Cuenca or Tello may be better. However, I wanted to mix it up a bit.

Have a read! Thanks.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1426190-fabregas-pique-and-a-potential-independent-catalan-xi

Deja Vu wrote:Why? Cuz he doesn't get as many assists as he used to during his 1st two seasons under Pep? He plays a tad deeper now and his job on the pitch is to maintain possession and create openings for Villa and Pedro or whoever is on the wings. He might doesn't get as many assists but he sure is the man who starts the attacks for Barca. He basically controls the flow of the game and gives his teammates some time to catch their breaths.

He stopped getting many assists ages ago. But he really regressed alot the last two seasons.

His sideways passing was useless for Barca last season and they struggled to actually create on many of the away games. He was even benched many times. He is slightly better this season but still he is finished

Best midfield?

Catalan: Xavi - Busi - Fabregas
Basque: Arteta - Javi - Xabi
Spain: Silva - Borja - Iniesta
(not convinced that's the best non-independence Spain lineup, maybe someone can come up with a better one)

Imo Catalunya has a better midfield ... But I would swith Cazorla for Iniesta...

True forgot about the don somehow lol

so I came here to post my opinion but instead I've read the sad news of Xavi's career end. now i'm sitting on my bed crying. can't post in this thread anymore. it's a glorious day for Madrid. rejoice...

billy_gr wrote:so I came here to post my opinion but instead I've read the sad news of Xavi's career end. now i'm sitting on my bed crying. can't post in this thread anymore. it's a glorious day for Madrid. rejoice...

I don't see news of this anywhere.

He's referring to the "Xavi is finished" comment.