I would love to see a gif of that tiki-taka between Messi, Xavi and Bussi. That was amazing. Also Iniesta's and Bussi's tricks and flicks war mesmerizing, especially Iniesta's.

oh Alexis.
Tito should have him on shooting practice in all thraining sessions

danyjr wrote:I have no doubt one of these overrated EPL teams are going to sign Isco for a lot of cash next season. The guy is a superb talent. Spain do not need to worry once Xavi and Iniesta retire. Busquets-Isco-Thiago will keep the rest of the world in envy.

I like Isco, but his game today deserved praising...?

free_cat wrote:I'm a xavi fan, but I fear renewing him until 2016 with a key player wages is a mistake, not cause he is playing bad, but because thiago is knocking the door down.

Xavi deserves all his wages like Puyol they will retire as legends for the club and Spain/Catalans

Busquets is amazing btw, good call on that.

Not just his one touch play and that roulette. But so many times we won the ball in our own box or just outside and they began to press, he recieves the ball, turns and either gets fouled or plays the right ball out.

The more I see him and Thiago, the less I worry post Xavi and Iniesta.

I think the reason is Pedro doesn't make that many forward runs. You often see him stay back to create triangles with Dani Alves and making sure he is always available to be passed to. Alexis on the other hand does make a lot of runs behind the defence as he does plenty diagonal runs to cut through the defence, often opening up the space for more central players like Messi or simply beating his marker.

free_cat wrote:I like Isco, but his game today deserved praising...?

Didn't do much indeed, but he always had two players on him with very little space and time. I still think he did well given the situation.

Also Joaquin looks like he's 20 again. Underrated player imo.

I agree, but wouldnt we all like to see Pedro make those runs? I wish he would, he is such a great finisher.

Donuts wrote:

free_cat wrote:I'm a xavi fan, but I fear renewing him until 2016 with a key player wages is a mistake, not cause he is playing bad, but because thiago is knocking the door down.

Xavi deserves all his wages like Puyol they will retire as legends for the club and Spain/Catalans

He deserves the wages, but him, and no one, deserves an guaranteed starting place and key role. A renewal like that can make you think you have that. Remember Raul at Madrid. Let's hope Xavi and Puyol know when to step aside and coaches have the balls to give the chances our other players deserve in the future.

Look at him on the counter, Pedro's forward run even though it doesn't get the pass it pushes the defenders back creating space in the middle for our other players, favouring our slower buildup. I just wish sometimes Xavi would feed Pedro a sweet ball. He's got the pace. I'm talking about something like his goal against real in 2010: and others similar.

He made one run and got one pass in Caballero's handball at the begining.

Busquests played so well and just confirmed today why he is the best DM in the world. Presses and wins the balls very quickly... On the ball he is magnificent as well. So skillful on the ball which draws fouls and his distribution is terrific.
Piqué is seriously playing like he never has before... Tackling was great today making important slides which cut down any shot for Valdés to be troubled with. Strength and aggression has impressed me in the last few games. Good to see him back to the former self Geri.
Masch made one mistake, heading one to VV which could of let Malaga to get an early goal and us on the back foot.
Pleased to see Thiago and Fab to get goals.

I dont think he made the runS...as inpleural. We have too many good passers for it go 70minutes and nobody find him and Alexis to go 15 minutes and someone found him.

Well, the game was more open to at minute 89.
Just seen Alexis miss, classic Alexis.

Thats true. If it was just this game, then I would just say its because the game is open.

But I get the feeling for some reason, its easier for Alexis to get, and also miss, chances then Pedro.

Masche's game today was good, hopefully he can continue, since we don't have a particularly good CB situation

Busquets was a beast. So good on the ball and in tight spaces and shows a really good understanding of the game despite still having only 3 years of consistent games in the first team.

Messi could have been better but 2 assists and a goal pretty much sums up how much of a difference he makes.

Barca showing malaga how its done

(Notice how malaga attempt to rondo their way past barca and lose the ball, then barca owns them instead)

Tika- Taka bro right there