Barcelona vs Real Madrid

[Bruun]

God damn... La liga is on fire!!!

Barca won the league and CL last year.
And with Zambrotta, Thuram and Gudjohnson joining the party? :eek:

Real Madrid has miracle maker Fabio Capello back on the bench and have added Nistelrooy, Emerson and Cannavaro to the squad :cool:

Can Real beat the mighty Barca?

What do you think?

I will throw in my personal opinion later. Oh... and not to upset some of you, the question will be "Who will do best in La Liga? - Real or Barca?"

[dimz]

It'll be a good fight, but i still think Barca will win the league by a good 6 points.

[Bruun]

but i still think Barca will win the league by a good 6 points.

What makes you think that?

[Sean Jacobs]

Real is also picking up a very good defender from South America plus another talented midfielder is in the works, so they're taking 3 years without a title seriously!!! :eek:

Rumours are Real will try hard for Robben and C.Ronaldo. However, they need someone to replace Zidane in the middle, which is really hard to do, but they're not messing around at Real. Someone posted in one of the other threads, Baptista will pick up an EU this august I think, and in the winter transfer window, the EU spot will go to Diarra from Lyon! :eek:

[jr!]

Real still have a shit midfield.

[Rev]

As a Real fan, I opted for Real in the vote. Realistically, I'd say Barca is still in front on paper. If Real can get their hands on a good playmaker, then it may turn the tide.

[west501]

it's difficult to say cos the dominance shifts every few years and all of the genius turns to sin and vice versa
right now it's definitely barça cos of their ability to mix in products of their fantastic youth system (xavi, iniesta, messi) with the best talents in the world ('dinho, eto'o, deco) while real's team building looks more like a 12 year-old playing winning eleven master league

[Dee]

it's difficult to say cos the dominance shifts every few years and all of the genius turns to sin and vice versa
right now it's definitely barça cos of their ability to mix in products of their fantastic youth system (xavi, iniesta, messi) with the best talents in the world ('dinho, eto'o, deco) while real's team building looks more like a 12 year-old playing winning eleven master league

That is soo funny.. Yet true... Real are like the chelsea of spain. However all the purchases and no youth development won't get them a title this year.. They have picked up some key players but there, like last year is no unity in that team. They have picked up all starters to come right into the line-up while Barca have picked up role-players, besides for Zambrotta.. However Barca could have coped without him. Unity is huge in this league and Barca have it.
Real have a serious mix of players, and the question is can they play together. Capello is on thin ice with this team he's trying to assemble.

Barca is still the dominate team and will prevail with depth, skill, unity, and confidence....

Oh and..
------------------------------------Valdes------------------------------
---Zambrotta----------------Puyol-----------Marquez-----------Gio------


Edmilson---------------------Xavi---------------Deco--------------------

---Messi--------------------------------------------------#1 in the world--

----------------------------------Eto'-------------------------------------

Need I say More...

[DanneS]

The big threat to Barca from Real Madrid is if Real finds someone to replace Zidane. As someone wrote, their midfield is lacking a true playmaker in his style, and without a very strong central attacking midfield the class of some of the other players may not be showing when it's most needed. Other than that the team of Real looks very good (on paper) and I fully respect the old fox Fabian Capello and wish him luck in his work - except against Barca. ;)

I can't wait to see Zambrotta running through all the defenses of la Liga served by Dinho and Deco and with the option to pass Eto'o and Messi or to score himself. Our defense should also be a lot more rock solid this year. This is getting very interesting, I hope Leo Messi is taking one step up in his career, and that he'll show us more of what he did last year - before he became injuried.

[R9magia]

Hmm....Let's see...Barcelona have three of the top 5 centre-backs in the world (arguably in Thuram, Marquez and Puyol), the best fullback in the world (Zambo), one of the best D-mids in the world (Edmilson), one of the top 3 strikers in the world (Sammy), two of the top central-mids in the world (Xavi & Deco), the best young player in world (la pulga atomica Messi) and the greatest of them all, O Rei Gaúcho. Not to mention a bench that will most likely consist of Sylvinho, Beletti, Van Bommel, Gudjohnsen and Giuly.....wait....what the hell is Valdez still doing here? The best players in the world and then..Valdez? Ok so they aren't perfect, but pretty close to it. Barça has La Liga locked for the foreseeable future IMO.

[Silas]

Real Madrid.

[barcalove]

what the hell is Valdez still doing here? The best players in the world and then..Valdez? Ok so they aren't perfect, but pretty close to it. Barça has La Liga locked for the foreseeable future IMO.
the only thing that makes valdes suck at times is his poor decision making when he already has the ball, either at his feet or in his hands. if they can correct that i dont see why he cannot be a very solid goalkeeper. he did win the zamora in 04/05, but i will freely admit that his defensive line help him tremendously.

[deviant]

I wont vote until the season starts tbh this thread should also include Atletico Madrid, Valencia who are looking pretty good.

[sccr_11]

I wont vote until the season starts tbh this thread should also include Atletico Madrid, Valencia who are looking pretty good.

I wont vote until the season over.lol

[Bruun]

I wont vote until the season over.lol

Yeah... that is a nice option. Unfortunately for you, this vote closes in 89 days. :D

I think it's 60/40 for Barca. They have a really (extremely) strong team and the team have great rhythm. If they can work Zambrotta, Thuram and Eidur in smoothly and Frank can keep everybody happy, then they will win. I mean... with such a strong squad, somebody has to be left out. Will their be some sour faces? I don't know. It depends if they win all the time or if they'll go through a rough patch.

But if Fabio and Real gets off to a flyer and Barca loses a few games, then who knows? I'm positive that Ruud will score lots. Him and Becks worked so well together for Man Utd and hopefully they will find each other again. And Emerson for the def mid... About fucking time! If they can get their defence stabilised with Cannavaro and Ramos/Helguera.

But still. I have Barca as favorites. No matter what, it will be a cracking year!

[Unregistered]

It'll be a fun season. I voted Real, and the reason is obvious. But I'm just excited for some good competition.

Barca, Real, and Valencia all have chance of lifting La Liga. But with Capello on the bench, I give Real a better chance of winning the CL between the 3 of them.

[barcalove]

trouble for madrid at the moment is they are utter shit through the middle of the park... wouldnt be surprised if they buy someone else to help get some more dynamism from their midfield. emerson certainly will help defensively, but thats about it. guti? inconsistent at best. beyond him they have no one useful which could lead to rather huge problems. sure beckham, cicinho, robinho whoever plays on the wings will get some balls into nistelrooy and ronaldo, but at the end of the day you have to have some serious players in the middle of the field to feed the strikers.

im still very interested to see how don fabio lines up his players.

[R9magia]

trouble for madrid at the moment is they are utter shit through the middle of the park... wouldnt be surprised if they buy someone else to help get some more dynamism from their midfield. emerson certainly will help defensively, but thats about it. guti? inconsistent at best. beyond him they have no one useful which could lead to rather huge problems. sure beckham, cicinho, robinho whoever plays on the wings will get some balls into nistelrooy and ronaldo, but at the end of the day you have to have some serious players in the middle of the field to feed the strikers.

im still very interested to see how don fabio lines up his players.
And this is why I suggest the 3-5-2 :D Cicinho and R.Carlos playing in the midfield (Cicinho is a great passer), Beckham playing more towards the center of the pitch........I don't know. With this team I could see a 3-5-2 working better than any other scheme because it gives the midfield and defence more balance and the wing-backs more freedom. But what do I know. One things for sure, Don Cappello will know what to do and I can't wait to see what it is.

As for La Liga in general, I can't wait!!!! Pires and Cani to Villareal, Costinha, Aguero and Pernia to Atletico....Can't remember being this excited for La Liga to begin.

Btw, you can check out all of La Liga's summer transfers Here (http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56941) just in case you missed it.

[barcalove]

cani at villarreal is huge! he should add some great qualities to their midfield.

[kidujp]

Barca for me...:)

And I'm thinking more of At. Madrid and valencia as serious threats this year. Usually Atletico starts out as a contender and then fizzles, but this time with the new coach, I'm pretty sure that won't be the case.

That does not mean that Real is not a challenger...they are as always but I see a strong start and a fizzle at the end. It's something to do with the need to impress for them after a weak season and a re-election and then as the season progresses, the many games and the pressure to keep up and the lack of depth in the squad,(especially midfield) will start showing and end in a slow and painful slide from the top with lots of draws and not enough victories. ;).

[DanneS]

... lots of draws and not enough victories.

That's the problem in La Liga nowadays. With so many great teams it's very important to have many matchwinners in the team - players that give their best to create goal scoring opportunities and players up front that know how to score when they get a chance.

Both Barca and Real have these kind of players but it's the consistency of their work through the season that will count. It's also important to score goals early in the match and not just waiting for chances to come towards the end. The brave will be rewarded and the slowstarters will be punished. There are no easy games in La Liga. Too many draws could cost Barca or Real the win of La Liga.

[drachen]

Capello says he's not done shopping :p he says he wants some midfielders. I'll give my comments after I know what the team looks like.

[realGaurab]

Unless we get a few players in the midfield area, I think Real are still the second best. I'm eagerly waiting for Capello to get us some guys for the middle of the park.

[chauchey]

rma has made some very important improvements...but they've also had to improve the most to be taken seriously this year, after Barca clearly showed superiority over them last year. 3-0, 1-1. So...with Barca also getting better, i think that, while both teams are fairly even, the chemistry between Barca's big 3, will be the deciding factor this season. :)

[drachen]

Unless we get a few players in the midfield area, I think Real are still the second best. I'm eagerly waiting for Capello to get us some guys for the middle of the park.

According to MARCA, Capello wants Diarra from Lyon. He's been linked to madrid for months now

[Kan]

Valencia.

[mirko1]

What real needs is a midfield playmaker and maybe a left winger. I wonder why Real didnt go for Aimar becouse he would be a valuble acquisition and 11 mio euro isnt much for such quality player. I also think Real should get rid of some players like Pavon, Miñambres, Diogo, Gravesen maybe also Baptista if a good offer arrives, but than we would need more than just 2 new players.

[Unregistered]

What real needs is a midfield playmaker and maybe a left winger. I wonder why Real didnt go for Aimar becouse he would be a valuble acquisition and 11 mio euro isnt much for such quality player. I also think Real should get rid of some players like Pavon, Miñambres, Diogo, Gravesen maybe also Baptista if a good offer arrives, but than we would need more than just 2 new players.


I know, right? Aimar is a steal.

And I agree that Pavon, Minambres should go. Diogo is young and not a fullback. he is a DM. He should stay. I like Gravesen, but I think he can also move on.

[drachen]

^ I think Villarreal are interested in Paco and Zaragoza have been rumoured to be after Diogo

[nijer]

Unless we get a few players in the midfield area, I think Real are still the second best. I'm eagerly waiting for Capello to get us some guys for the middle of the park.
yeah..i think real need playmaker.with the unconsistence performance of guti,real realllyyy should get any1 else....any1 than kaka:rolleyes: coz its absolutely impossible:D :D

[mirko1]

Sure everybody would like to see Kaka in Madrid, but that is just impossible isnt it.So what are realistic targets for Real new midfielder? Who should Real buy?

[R9magia]

It all depends on what they're trying to do. If they don't mind getting an older player that's still on top of his game, why not go after Riquelme? I'm sure Villareal would be willing to sell him if the price is right. Smaller teams can't resist if the money is right. There is also Aimar (don't see how Real could go wrong by bringing him in). There is Alex of Fenerbahce although they would never sell him unless Real offer a small fortune. Alex and Riquelme are the most similar to Zidane (if that's what Real are looking for). And I'm sure there are others.

The thing is, is a true playmakers, a #10 if you will really absolutely necessary? I don't know about that. Not many teams in the world have those.

I think if Real found a way to add C.Ronaldo or Robben they would be fine although I don't know what the chances are of that happening.

[mosesmalone]

yeah..i think real need playmaker.with the unconsistence performance of guti,real realllyyy should get any1 else....any1 than kaka:rolleyes: coz its absolutely impossible:D :D

Guti often takes a lot of flack, but I think he can get the job done. Before Zidane arrived, he did a really good job playing in midfield and as a forward - he was pretty handy in the 2000 Champions League. It really wasn't until the arrivals of Figo, Zidane, and Ronaldo, that Guti became filler.

If Madrid add some depth in midfield, or simply promote the likes of a De la Red or Jurado, then I think Guti can handle the role. Previously, he was surrounded by Redondo, Savio, and McManaman. Now he has Emerson, Robinho, and Beckham. What's to say it won't work again?

[Sean Jacobs]

Guti often takes a lot of flack, but I think he can get the job done. Before Zidane arrived, he did a really good job playing in midfield and as a forward - he was pretty handy in the 2000 Champions League. It really wasn't until the arrivals of Figo, Zidane, and Ronaldo, that Guti became filler.

If Madrid add some depth in midfield, or simply promote the likes of a De la Red or Jurado, then I think Guti can handle the role. Previously, he was surrounded by Redondo, Savio, and McManaman. Now he has Emerson, Robinho, and Beckham. What's to say it won't work again?

I agree with you, it might work or might not work. However, with Real Madrid and the stature of the club, they're expected to win every year. Especially now with 3 years without a trophy, it seems they're getting restless. They went and got one of the better managers in the game in Capello. They got Cannavaro whos one of the games best defenders and are trying to lure Diego Lugano who's one of the top defenders from South America. Also, they picked up Emerson, who's done a credible job as a defensive midfielder and Ruud, who's a prolific goal scorer.

If you look at the transfers so far, besides Lugano who's 25, its people that are in their prime of their respected careers. I don't think taking a chance on Guti would cut at this time. It's too much of a risk. He can maybe do a credible job, but I am sure they're looking for the best playmakers due to this approach, hence the rumours of Kaka and others. They're pulling all the strings to be dominant again..

On a side note - uh oh, disagreeing with MM, I am going to get annialated!! :o :p

[R9magia]

^^I happen to like Guti a lot but he has been far too inconsistent in recent years. It seems like a bit much for Real to rely on him to be the main playmaker of the squad throughout the whole season.

On another note, with Ruud in it, unless Robinho is played behind the two strikers it looks like he will be played on the left-wing again http://forums.beyondunreal.com/images/smilies/shakehead.gif

When will somebody realize that he can be one of the top 5 players in the world if he is given the creative freedom and ability to roam around the pitch? If you didn't get to watch him at Santos, look no further than the Con.Cup and even the match against Japan in the WC that he started or even his first match for Madrid against Cadiz. It's a shame that he will continue to be misued like this.

[Sean Jacobs]

Real seem to have no problem with money. So the way I would do it, is try to lure C.Ronaldo or a good winger to coming to Real so he can play left and bring Robinho off the bench to back up Ruud and Ronaldo until he wins a place in the lineup, which he probably can do. And depending on who struggles or whoever plays better between Ruud and Ronaldo, they should come off the bench if Robinho stars at the time he's giving.

And of course, a playmaker and also a leftback are much needed as reports claiming R.Carlos going to Fenerbahce...

[dimz]

What makes you think that?

Madrid are still missing the key link: Attacking Midfielder of the class of Zidane, Ronaldinho, Messi, etc.....they have every other position but need a world class person to replace Zizou....IMHO.

[mirko1]

Real needs a player who is quick can pas and have a great vision and there arent many around - Kaka would be a perfect choice, well thats just me dreaming. I am also worried by the news that R Carlos is leaving, that means we also need a pacy left back. I think Mijatović has a lot of work to do.

[sccr_11]

you guys forget about raul. he a striker too.
is he still real captian?

[nijer]

i still see him as a capt :rolleyes: but there is no chance for him if he start from the bench

[R9magia]

you guys forget about raul. he a striker too.
is he still real captian?
Yeah he's still the captian.......when he starts. Guti is the 2nd captain and R.Carlos is the 3rd. If Guti and Raul spend as much time on the bench as I think they will and R.Carlos leaves, I think the captain for most of the season will be Casillas.

[QbeCK]

This poll should include other teams - especially Atletico and Zaragoza! Aimar & d'Allessandro ruling Zara's midfield... :o
Can't wait to see them playing :D

[matt12345]

the fact that real have signed ruud does make this battle a little more interesting simply because i think ruud is money in the bank. i know barca have added to their squad as well i just think it will be a little closer than this last term. i still see barca coming out on top though

[nobuzz]

La Liga will be tight this year, lots of good teams, no one will run away with anything.

Still want to see Barca do well though.

[sccr_11]

the fact that real have signed ruud does make this battle a little more interesting simply because i think ruud is money in the bank. i know barca have added to their squad as well i just think it will be a little closer than this last term. i still see barca coming out on top though
I Agree

[jorquera]

My vote goes to Barca, but it will be tough this year. I think Valencia wants to win the title too and they have done some good buys, so you never know

[Mr. Boy]

Unless they somehow get dogged by inconsistency, Barca will win their third straight title. When on form, they play some of the best football on the planet, and they have a very deep squad with no perceivable weaknesses. (I hope they can also win the Champions' League once again this year. :) ) This year, only Barca can beat Barca.

Looking at Real Madrid, I think they have a chance of push Barca all the way this year. They 've got Fabio Capello, one of the best managers in the history of European football, so he might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat with what he's got. Cannavaro was the best centre-back at the world cup, so he should be able to sure up Real's embarrasing defence. I haven't really seen much of Emerson over the years to conclude whether he will replace Makelele in that holding role. They will have an extra world-class striker with Van Nistelrooy, but he's about 30 and might start to score less as he ages. Madrid's biggest problem would be finding a replacement for Zidane. Unless they get Robinho to fill that role.

[ah786]

It will be close, but i would have to say real madrid, they have made some excellent signings + theres more to come, reyes will join along with Mahamadou Diarra. that should sort the midfield out and also they have capello, who is the best.

[oceanic]

real madrid

[Labfm1]

unfortunately (for real) it's gonna be barca again...

since real fired del bosque, they have gone down...
capello is a good coach no doubt, but the style, charisma and confidence that real had during the del bosque era was unprecedented...

since then they have managed by individual talent...if you really look at their play, there is no more good movement in the midfield and foward lines e.t.c that was the trademark of real madrid football...

it really is sad because they used to be brilliant and i really wish it could return that way...

[barcalove]

barca is shaping up to be better than they were last season.. so if another team wins la liga this season they will have to be astronomically good to achieve it.

its going to be ALOT tighter this year and far more difficult, but i think barca has all the right tools to make it happen AND they are even more deep than last season, with more quality in depth (scary).

[Unregistered]

Barca might have more depth, but Real and Valencia's quality is enough to secure the title imo. So while Barca have signed some good players, they have to try harder as well.

I just hope sometime during this season Ronaldinho sleeps with Rijkard's wife, and joins Real Madrid next summer! :D :D :D

[kidujp]

I just hope sometime during this season Ronaldinho sleeps with Rijkard's wife, and joins Real Madrid next summer! :D :D :D

I see more chances of Cassano sleeping with capello and starting every game thus screwing ronaldo and horse boy.:p :D :D :D

[bennmartin]

im a madrid fan but its a bit too close to call at this stage. i think at the end of the day injuries will decide it. if eto and ronaldinho stay healthy, i see another title for barca. remember when eto was out last year, barca struggled, allowing real back in the race. i do think larsson will be missed for barca over the long season. but they have been playing together for a few years now and have a pretty good flow going.

as for real, it will depend on how well they mesh together. they have added depth at the back and up front but need to get their midfield sorted (which was the opposite of the previous two years when they had a solid midfield but had trouble finishing and defending). i do think these two teams are the top two teams in europe at the moment (ahead of chelsea, liverpool, ac milan, and inter). it will be a fun race this year.

[socra]

Barçaaa!!

[Unregistered]

I see more chances of Cassano sleeping with capello and starting every game thus screwing ronaldo and horse boy.:p :D :D :D


Dude I don't think Capello would go for it. He's already tapped that back in Roma! :D :D :D

some people are really sick!! :D

[alex163]

Having a strange feeling, not strange but a good one.

Think the league will be fair, tough, hard whatever you want but in the end Real Madrid will stand up as champions!

Capello has been working with the squad in all details, noone will have their places in the starting eleven if they dont show that they earn it so therefor they will work their asses of to play som quality football in the best league: La liga.

We've seen in the previous matches (pre season) that it's a big change going on with high quality football and some good signings so in my mind we are back: Los Blancos!!! :D

[Freddy]

Hmm....Let's see...Barcelona have three of the top 5 centre-backs in the world (arguably in Thuram, Marquez and Puyol), the best fullback in the world (Zambo), one of the best D-mids in the world (Edmilson), one of the top 3 strikers in the world (Sammy), two of the top central-mids in the world (Xavi & Deco), the best young player in world (la pulga atomica Messi) and the greatest of them all, O Rei Gaúcho. Not to mention a bench that will most likely consist of Sylvinho, Beletti, Van Bommel, Gudjohnsen and Giuly.....wait....what the hell is Valdez still doing here? The best players in the world and then..Valdez? Ok so they aren't perfect, but pretty close to it. Barça has La Liga locked for the foreseeable future IMO.


Oh you`ll see, Valdes is not that bad at all. He is no Iker, but he improves with every season and in the CL final he was our saviour. And this preseason hge was pretty damn good too. Everybody know his stupid mistakes what he did last season but nobody notice all the good stuff he has done. And this season he will not do these mistakes ... belive you me :D And then we have perfect team. Only thing what could happen is that we want to win every competition and because of that Rijkaard will do a lot of rotation what may affect team work but I have faith in Franky too, so no problem really :D

[bobkat]

on paper, the numbers, gut feeling ... these things all point to the blaugrana. HOWEVER, RM is hungry. These guys haven't had anything to be happy about in a long time, this does not bode well for the rest of la liga. I think the fans and the players are going to be set on nothing less than the championship. It will be a great season, maybe the best in la liga for 5 years. I'm so very excited.

visca la gent blaugrana!!

[deviant]

on paper, the numbers, gut feeling ... these things all point to the blaugrana. HOWEVER, RM is hungry. These guys haven't had anything to be happy about in a long time, this does not bode well for the rest of la liga. I think the fans and the players are going to be set on nothing less than the championship. It will be a great season, maybe the best in la liga for 5 years. I'm so very excited.

visca la gent blaugrana!!
you right about everything but then again it will be very close Valencia, Atletico, Villarreal, Zaragoza all pose huge threats

[chauchey]

I dont see Valencia doing so well. I just dont think they have the offensive power or purpose to score on a nightly basis. In the(admittedly) few games i watched of Valencia(when Aimar wasnt on the pitch...which was often :eolleyes:), they seemd rather like Corinthians without Tevez. A bunch of guys passing the ball around. I dont think they have it in them to get into the CL. Perhaps the Uefa Cup...but with Ath.Mad, Zaragoza, and Villa Real all looking good, i think this will be a story of those teams going up, and Valencia a team on the way down(for a few years anyways.)