CL Round: Newcastle - Barca 1-2

[jamrock]

I think the majority thought we would win or draw.

A few EPL fan boys thought Newcastle would work out, they over played the physical advantage, worry about pedri.

They are fast and stronger, but it doesn't beat superior technique

 

[Horatio]

I can see him provide 2 assists

damn…

@Barcaman

Does it count for something?

 

[Horatio]

People might call me crazy, but I feel Rashy is our most important player for this game because he knows the English grounds best - GO RASHY

fati called it

 

[Maradona37]

I think the majority thought we would win or draw.

A few EPL fan boys thought Newcastle would work out, they over played the physical advantage, worry about pedri.

They are fast and stronger, but it doesn't beat superior technique

I went 2-2 so wasn't far away. I found it a difficult game to call. In the end 2-1 flattered Newcastle a little.

I worried about the phsicality too, which is weird for me as I am a technique trumps everything guy. But Barca's technical collective is of such an astoundingly high level that even the physicality could not oercome it.

Of course, Barca have physicality a good amount and Newcastle have technique. But we know the respective main strengths of each side.

 

[JamDav1982]

I think the majority thought we would win or draw.

A few EPL fan boys thought Newcastle would work out, they over played the physical advantage, worry about pedri.

They are fast and stronger, but it doesn't beat superior technique

Indeed Frenkie level above likes of Tonali technique wise and it showed.

 

[jairzinho]

I think the majority thought we would win or draw.

A few EPL fan boys thought Newcastle would work out, they over played the physical advantage, worry about pedri.

They are fast and stronger, but it doesn't beat superior technique

Agreed. Feared we would get bullied in midfield and from set pieces but Frenkie and Pedri were both class. Joan actually was impressive at both claiming crosses and punching clear when necessary. Commanded his area well. Shows how much difference a good gk can make. All in all i think we won the battle with superior technical ability over physicality.

 

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

This game reminds me a bit of when EPL fanboys bigged up Kante back in the day and when Chelsea played us Busi totally schooled him. Or the Euro final when Spain made England look like amateurs.

Newcastle's midfield three have been hyped to untold levels. Have heard some EPL fanboys say it's the best midfield in Europe. But our boys were on a different stratosphere today.

Nobody does a midfield conductor like Barca does. Food for thought for anybody who wants to sign Tonali or even Bruno .

Or maybe Pedri is just too damn good.

 

[Maradona37]

This game reminds me a bit of when EPL fanboys bigged up Kante back in the day and when Chelsea played us Busi totally schooled him. Or the Euro final when Spain made England look like amateurs.

Newcastle's midfield three have been hyped to untold levels. Have heard some EPL fanboys say it's the best midfield in Europe. But our boys were on a different stratosphere today.

Nobody does a midfield conductor like Barca does. Food for thought for anybody who wants to sign Tonali or even Bruno .

Or maybe Pedri is just too damn good.

They're very good in central midfield. They're just not elite like PSG and Barca, as you, me and serghei all said on recent pages.

At the top level of the game, the difference between an 8 out 10 and a 9.5 is enormous.

 

[jamrock]

Howe kind of played against his Midfield today as well TBH, he didn't try to have them be a vocal point.

Which is not to take anything away from pedri and de jong.

Whom both were good, but I was more impressed with our defense that those two today.

But technique always wins, Always.

 

[Maradona37]

Howe kind of played against his Midfield today as well TBH, he didn't try to have them be a vocal point.

Which is not to take anything away from pedri and de jong.

Whom both were good, but I was more impressed with our defense that those two today.

But technique always wins, Always.

True but I think he knew he couldn't win the midfield battle. He could have tried with physicality but he probably knew they'd get passed round, so went the high press route to try to stop the ball coming into Barca midfield in first place. Problem is you cannot keep that intensity up all game.

Howe is a good coach, he isn't daft and will know Barca have a top 1 or 2 midfield in Europe with PSG.

 

[Jakabor]

Barca didn’t even play that well. Just a different team without Yamal.

If he played (along with Balde), Barca would probably beat this Newcastle team by multiple goals.

 

[JamDav1982]

Howe tried with physicality.

Joelinton was trying to rough up Frenkie and man marking him in build up. Bruno same with Pedri.

Didnt work.

They wanted to do that and leave it Tonali in space and Fermin having to chase him back.

But Frenkie and Pedri were far too good to get roughed up and Tonali was shit on the ball so it failed.

 

[Maradona37]

Howe tried with physicality.

Joelinton was trying to rough up Frenkie and man marking him in build up. Bruno same with Pedri.

Didnt work.

They wanted to do that and leave it Tonali in space and Fermin having to chase him back.

But Frenkie and Pedri were far too good to get roughed up and Tonali was shit on the ball so it failed.

Good analysis.

 

[serghei]

High praise from Gordon, very sincere. No bullshit, explained the feeling he had from the pitch level.

 

[Maradona37]

High praise from Gordon, very sincere. No bullshit, explained the feeling he had from the pitch level.

3 minutes too long to listen to that accent. Just post the transcript.