Tez Tosterone
Well-Known Member
Re: The round of 16 Champions League (drawn against Barcelona)
Barcelona are certainly beatable over two legs and we should be optimistic at the prospect of going through.
In La Liga this season they have been less impressive that the previous one. As a regular watcher of Spanish football, it has been clear to me that whilst they are certainly a very good side, they lack the defensive solidity that was part of their success in the Guardiola era. Since Puyol has deteriorated over the last two seasons because of both injury and age, even mid table Spanish league sides are finding it much easier to penetrate their defence.
At present, I would say that of the three Spanish sides in the last 16, both Atletico and Real would present a bigger obstacle to us.
After beating Bayern twice in the last 2 years and having stuck 6 past both north London clubs this last month, we must be a concern to the Catalans.
Barcelona are certainly beatable over two legs and we should be optimistic at the prospect of going through.
In La Liga this season they have been less impressive that the previous one. As a regular watcher of Spanish football, it has been clear to me that whilst they are certainly a very good side, they lack the defensive solidity that was part of their success in the Guardiola era. Since Puyol has deteriorated over the last two seasons because of both injury and age, even mid table Spanish league sides are finding it much easier to penetrate their defence.
At present, I would say that of the three Spanish sides in the last 16, both Atletico and Real would present a bigger obstacle to us.
After beating Bayern twice in the last 2 years and having stuck 6 past both north London clubs this last month, we must be a concern to the Catalans.