CL Round: Newcastle - Barca 1-2

[serghei]

But... we showed we can mix it up. This was a different type of performance for me. Almost like Flick ball got infected a bit by Spanish ball.

The defense was secure. You are expected to face some issues there, Newcastle scored 2 vs Liverpool in 10 men some weeks ago.

 

[Windhook]

Yeah, but not occupying the position. Somewhat of a Cristiano double that. They still had Benzema to occupy the zone.

The reason why I felt positive about this loan deal is Rashford being versatile as winger and CF. My issue with him has been always the professionalism.

 

[serghei]

Aerially, very solid. Cubarsi had a rough start, but got better. Araujo commanded the box in the air. Kounde was great. I hope he stops fucking around, because he is technically gifted to matter in attack. Cross with the weaker foot, text book, winning goal vs Madrid, golazo, these are not technical executions most fullbacks can do at this level.

Pedri, De Jong, Rashford, and Garcia though, great in a standout way.

Wouldn't praise Rashford to bits now though. Unless he finds some way to bang them in regularly.

 

[JamDav1982]

Kounde always been like that.

Can have a world class pass one minute then a poor pass/touch the next.

His passing out from back wasnt great but great cross.

 

[HeadElastico]

Pedri absolute baller performance once again. God he's good.

Overall, glad we got the win. Newcastle away isn't easy for us, but as a team that's getting better and fighting for the CL, we should be winning games like these and showing teams who's boss.

Rashford great goals but..his decision making and end product...well I never expected him to be a starter so I'll take what I get.

Overall, really happy with the performance and the result.

 

[Maradona37]

An an outsider I would say your best players are Pedri and Lamine. Frenkie next after that, and the goalkeeper Joan Garcia looks very promising. Rashford, Olmo, Fermin, Raphinha etc can supplement with the odd moment. Keep those first four fit and firing, supplement them with good, functional players around them who do their jobs well and carry out Flick's instructions, and Barca can beat anyone.

 

[Loki]

Anthony Gordon on against playing Barça. : "We are not used to playing against players who keep the ball like this. We faced Chelsea and Manchester City before, but they were never like this. The way they controlled the game has been an enriching experience. Barça is the best team that I’ve ever faced."

 

[jamrock]

EPL in the mud, told them gefate and Rayo would give us a harder game that every team in the EPL outside of the top 3

 

[Maradona37]

Anthony Gordon on against playing Barça. : "We are not used to playing against players who keep the ball like this. We faced Chelsea and Manchester City before, but they were never like this. The way they controlled the game has been an enriching experience. Barça is the best team that I’ve ever faced."

Newcastle haven't played United this season yet, so still time for him to change his opinion.

Seriously, though, he's a pretty good player. No world beater but he has good ability. But there's nothing guys like him can do when starved of the ball via Barca's precision and expert possession.

 

[JamDav1982]

EPL in the mud, told them gefate and Rayo would give us a harder game that every team in the EPL outside of the top 3

You told us Tonali was better than Frenkie.

Calma.

 

[serghei]

Anthony Gordon on against playing Barça. : "We are not used to playing against players who keep the ball like this. We faced Chelsea and Manchester City before, but they were never like this. The way they controlled the game has been an enriching experience. Barça is the best team that I’ve ever faced."

Class act.

 

[JamDav1982]

Yeah about to say same thing.

He looks a right wee scrote on the pitch but always speaks so well.

Not sure that quote is real mind you but he talked well after game.

The Newcastle fans, media and pundits are drooling over Pedri and Frenkie saying not seen anything like it in way negated their three midfielders in that way before.

 

[jamrock]

Also side bar, howe kind of over thought today, should have just played the big guy, they could have pressed almost as effectively as they did at the start with him starting, but have the long ball and cross option early

 

[JamDav1982]

They didnt manage to press well.. Frenkie and Pedri took that away from them.

While making their midfield look amateur in comparison.

 

[serghei]

Think they played a bit under my expectations, and Barca played about as expected. They seemed indeed that they are not used to chase the ball that much and not get it. If they had more experience, they could have hurt us more on those turnovers.

Think it's about a 8/10 performance for us. Good enough under the conditions.

Barca had some 30-40 mins combined when played like a CL candidate, but the rest not that impressive by us. Can do better, and 3-4 players did not have a good game imo. Fermin, raphinha, cubarsi, lewandoski.