Barcelona Champion League 2014/2015 Discussion

I felt we could discuss out CL campaign here. I know some clues don't really go into general chat, so it'll be good to speak about things regrading the CL here for us all.



Group F: Barcelona, PSG, Ajax, APOEL

PSG, Ajax and APOEL are all current league title holders in their respective leagues.

Barcelona V PSG head to head record in Europe

1-3-1

Barcelona goals: 6

PSG goals: 6

Barcelona V Ajax head to head record in Europe

1-0-1

Barcelona goals: 5

Ajax goals: 2

Barcelona V APOEL head to head record in Europe

N/A

Any predictions can our squad overcome PSG for No. 1? I believe our last 3 games against PSG all ended in draws.

not too concerned to be honest, ajax and apoel should be medium competition no harder then a mid table in la liga, PSG is random for us.
if we draw/beat psg away from home then we'll be first place imo

Over all, there was some potential for some scary groups out there but in the end most of the groups came out very meh

Our group could of been worse, by a big margin. Teams usually don't surprise us twice, so I'm not too worried about Ajax. Really it will come down to us vs PSG trying to win the group, which I think PSG has a good case to try and take first from us.

Champion League Squad

Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Jordi Masip.

Defenders: Gerard Pique, Daniel Alves, Martin Montoya, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Douglas, Javier Mascherano, Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu, Adriano, Alejandro Grimaldo, Edgar le, Diawandou Diagne.

Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, Sergi Samper, Alen Hallilovic.

Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Adama Toure, Sandro Ramirez, Munir El Haddadi.

Intresting and correct to see Edgar Le and Diange there but no Bagnack. Think its clear now Le has overtaken him in progress the last year or so.

Match Day 1

Barcelona V APOEL 1-0

Ajax VS PSG 1-1

Thank god they drew it gives us a little breathing space early on.

Samper tho

PSG drew again today They have won one of their last 5 and drew the other 4 all 1-1. Ibra might not be available come this mid week. We need to take the game to them!

Apparently not Thiago Silva either.

Expecting a win regardless but I don't care about their bad form. They have the players that can raise their game for this one occasion, similar to Milan in the past few years.

Messi vs. David Lulz tho.

I still dont underestimate them.

Their midfield is still strong, Matuidi, Verratti and Motta are excellent players. Lavezzi and Cavani are quality also at times.

it'll certainly be very interesting to see how we will play against players that can score.

MATS gonna bet the first one to receive a goal

We should of let one in today, they smashed the bar from inside the box and I was surprised the traditionally pathetic La Liga refs didnt give a guy a pen for diving inside the box at a Bartra challenge.

You never know MaTs may put up a goat performance. I remember him last year against Bayern he took a ton of shots and saved them all except the PK I believe.

DAT awkward moment when MAtS doesn't even start against PSG.

Don't like the GK situation at all. Lucho has created an atmosphere as if Bravo deserves to be in goal based on the clean sheets the way he's kept his starting spot. Now it's only getting harder for MAtS. If Lucho drops Bravo now after those clean sheets and MAtS makes a mistake or doesn't have as much luck with the aluminium the press will be all over him as they didn't like him even before he had officially signed with their crazy Courtois agenda. If Lucho waits to drop Bravo until Bravo makes a mistake that's equally dumb. Players shouldn't be dropped based on 1 mistake and it also puts pressure on MAtS.

Honestly, can we really blame lucho? We're in an enviable situation tbf, moreover, lets not act like bravo is some scrub keeper. I believe mats would be slowly integrated into the team using cup matches..like i said before, i rather have a bad defensive personnel and not concede even if it were also down to luck, than have a goat defence and concede every game no matter the 'strong' reasons. Have u thought about the fact that there just might be something about them? There just might be something right we might not be able to place our eyes on happening btw this keeper and this defence, (they just might have that mojo) like the popular saying goes, "never change a winning team/formular. Mats time will come eventually.

I think it was bound to happen when we bought two good keepers. And now i dont see MATS replacing Bravo sooner. This simply makes no sense. Bravo is a good keeper and was perfect so far. I wont be surprised if Bravo takes MATS place in CL games. I personally has no complain as long as our yard remain safe...

Fußball wrote:DAT awkward moment when MAtS doesn't even start against PSG.

Don't like the GK situation at all. Lucho has created an atmosphere as if Bravo deserves to be in goal based on the clean sheets the way he's kept his starting spot. Now it's only getting harder for MAtS. If Lucho drops Bravo now after those clean sheets and MAtS makes a mistake or doesn't have as much luck with the aluminium the press will be all over him as they didn't like him even before he had officially signed with their crazy Courtois agenda. If Lucho waits to drop Bravo until Bravo makes a mistake that's equally dumb. Players shouldn't be dropped based on 1 mistake and it also puts pressure on MAtS.

100% Agree, but there is no way to handle this situation. The poor judgement was signing Bravo in the first place.

Enrique is intent on doing it his own way and thats fine, but he has created this relative "mess" and will have to deal with it the best he can. There is no good way of doing this unless MATS comes in and doesnt make any errors at all, which is asking for alot.

why do you feel Stegen will be better than Bravo?

billy_gr wrote:why do you feel Stegen will be better than Bravo?

Because Bravo is an average goalkeeper at best and always has been. MAtS is the most talented GK talent in the world alongside Courtois (but more complete than Courtois as a sweeper and passer).

No player has committed more errors that have led directly to a La Liga goal in the last 4 seasons than Bravo (10).[OPTA]

His preseason blunder against Napoli was a typical Bravo move.

But the clean sheets seem to work. Already seen many Barca fans saying he deserves to stay in goal. Based on what? 2 saves?

Guy is shaky even when he has nothing to do.



Watch here 0:28. A typical Bravo clearance. Booting the ball on the ground in a straight line. High pressing teams will intercept that ball, with such a clearance the ball lands directly at the feet of their strikers. It's a typical Bravo move. Only reason Granada can't capitalize is because they are busy parking the bus and have no bodies upfront.

billy_gr wrote:why do you feel Stegen will be better than Bravo?

Just a feeling, can just feel that MATS is the more talented goalie.

MAtS was signed by Zubi way before Lucho was even considered to succeed Martino. Pre contract and medical in winter already if I understood correctly. Now Lucho comes in and his assistant (former GK coach) apparantly asks and insists specifically for Bravo. Which is why we pay € 12M for an average 31 year old GK. Have the horrible feeling Lucho doesn't have a clue about GKs and just trusts his assistant. Who doesn't seem to have a clue either despite being a former GK coach if he insists on Bravo.

Masip is probaby somewhere thinking....and what about me?! Lmao

Fußball wrote:

billy_gr wrote:why do you feel Stegen will be better than Bravo?

Because Bravo is an average goalkeeper at best and always has been. MAtS is the most talented GK talent in the world alongside Courtois (but more complete than Courtois as a sweeper and passer).

No player has committed more errors that have led directly to a La Liga goal in the last 4 seasons than Bravo (10).[OPTA]

His preseason blunder against Napoli was a typical Bravo move.

But the clean sheets seem to work. Already seen many Barca fans saying he deserves to stay in goal. Based on what? 2 saves?

yet you are worried your most talented keeper in the world possibly wont be able to make those saves when he get chances....
Anyway, i am not a fan of Bravo, din know much before he came. All i am saying so far we are safe i dont mind having him...

Fußball wrote:

billy_gr wrote:why do you feel Stegen will be better than Bravo?

Because Bravo is an average goalkeeper at best and always has been. MAtS is the most talented GK talent in the world alongside Courtois (but more complete than Courtois as a sweeper and passer).

No player has committed more errors that have led directly to a La Liga goal in the last 4 seasons than Bravo (10).[OPTA]

His preseason blunder against Napoli was a typical Bravo move.

But the clean sheets seem to work. Already seen many Barca fans saying he deserves to stay in goal. Based on what? 2 saves?

MaTS isn't in the same league as Courtois. Courtois is a top 5 GK in the world, MaTS is decent, but not at that level.