Barca 1 - 2 RM

[HowardKennitby]

Well, I believe that is La Liga over for this season.
Barca can only concentrate on the Champions' League now. Even though I am not a neutral and wanted Barca to win it was a better game than I was expecting.

[nungate]

Devastated, Howard, going into purdah until the next Champion's league game! I can't believe we lost at the Camp Nou!

[Stephen_G]

I was more surprised that it finished with BOTH teams having 11 men. I had predicted at least one sending off. Madrid deserved their win and Barca were very poor. Perhaps Guardiola had more than one eye on the return CL leg with Chelski...

[HowardKennitby]

Not sure starting Tello was a good idea. I think too many of the squad are tired. Losing Villa and Abidal and with Pedro seeming to struggle to get over injury has put too much load on the others.

[nungate]

Said all season we don't have enough depth in the squad. I can see why he used Tello, but I'd have given Pedro or Alexis the outing first. We also need a bit more height at the back, Mascherano has been a revelation in the backfour but face it, he's not tall enough, Pique should have been given the nod alongside Puyol

[HowardKennitby]

I agree about Mascherano; serendipity or what.
He is shorter than most central defenders but I don't think that matters as much in Spain as it might do elsewhere.
I think they need an Ozil type player for midfield to support the existing lot.

[bigbadmarty]

you guys are so lucky to have a superb team/club to support
we (nufc ) look forward to renewing our aquaintance next season ;)

[HowardKennitby]

Having just thought more about that having Mascherano AND Adriano on the left side may not have been the best as neither is very tall. If Abidal had been around his height would have compensated.
I was surprised the let Maxwell go as I thought he could have developed into a reasonable left-side defender as alternative to Abidal.

[nungate]

Possibly, Xavi isn't getting any younger and I haven't seen anyone who can do what he does, and the way he links with Iniesta, well, 'nuff said. I suppose Fabregas was brought in for that role but he plays differently. Who would you suggest for this role Howard?

[HowardKennitby]

Strange as it may seem I always wondered how Diego Forlan would have fitted in to Barca's midfield. It is unlikely that Ozil will become available soon.

[nungate]

Letting Maxwell go was a mistake. They also le Caceres go as well, after his first season he went off on loan to Juventus (I think) then out again to Seville where he still is - he played in the back four for Uruguay he played well enough for Barca well sell him? I feel the same way about Touré. Forlan is a good enough player but seems to have become a bit of a prima donna in his last season at Athletico and again in Italy this season, interesting thought though

[puternut]

Sorry - but as a footie fan who doesn't know the full nuances of the game -especially Italian - but there are 4 games left and Barca are 7 points adrift so the league can still be won by them.

I do realise that it will rely on RM losing too but still statistically possible isn't it??

[nungate]

We live and pray that this will be so but somehow I can't see it happening.
Hopefully we can succeed in the Champions league, and win the final of the Copa del Rey against Bilbao

[piggynose]

nungate, its not over until the fat lady sings

[Duncer]

I'm afraid she's clearing her throat and preparing to let rip piggynose. A Mourinho side will not throw away that sort of advantage and it all made for a great night, if a rather hungover Sunday morning.