The_Rev Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I'm still not sure I get the whole "Barcelona have a weak defence" argument. It just seems to me that its one of those things people say without really stopping to think about it, you know, they have to have a weakness and its clearly not going forwards so lets all say its the defence. Its like when people say there are more Everton fans in Liverpool than there are Liverpool fans, or there are more City fans in Manchester. Its either something unquantifiable or something with nothing to back it up. Barcelona have a weak defence? Well, they have the best defensive record in Spain this season, they have conceded just 11 goals in 22 games in La Liga. They had the best defence in Spain last season. They conceded just 24 goals in 38 games in the league. They had the best defence in Spain the season before last, conceding just 35 goals in 38 games. They are very very good at keeping clean sheets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 ah but its easy to get away with an average defence if Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are passing the ball for 80% of the game . Its worked for Spain in World Cup and Euro 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Well that is the defence, isnt it? Its clearly intentional, if you have a team full of players who can keep the ball then you restrict the oppositions shots on goal. It doesnt get the fans on the terraces as excited as having a team full of John Terry's or Mark Delaney's who dramatically throw themselves in front of the ball and make last ditch sliding tackles, but its a lot more effective in keeping a clean sheet. Barcelona's goals against column since Pep took over is almost as spectacular as their goals for column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Like any defence, at times it's going to look suspect but overall it's a terrific unite. Sure if you put that defence in another team, It'd concede a lot more goals but that's a non point. In reality, given a full team, it's more of a Puyol Busquets, Pique, Abidal defence you will see as Alves does pretty much play as a right winger. If you include all the back 5....although maybe not the best defenders in the world, they'd still certainly walk into plenty of sides. If I was making a world 11, I'd only change probably Valdes, Puyol, possibly Abidal and Pedro. (Casillias, Vidic, Cole, Ronaldo) 4 out of 11, the other 7 I'd have firmly in my world team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted February 7, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted February 7, 2011 Taking into account the attacking strength of their opponents, Barca are only the second best defense in Europe, with only Real Madrid barely ahead of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 How is that worked out.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Do you really want to know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Sort of but in a more simple answer than what will be given! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted February 8, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted February 8, 2011 Basically you use the mean and [slightly tweaked] standard deviation of goals scored by the clubs you played to determine how easy it is to keep them from scoring and the harder the scorelines, the better your defense is. Example: Barcelona (in all games against qualified opposition) this season has averaged 2.91 goals per game with a[n adjusted] standard deviation of 1.47 while Villa have averaged 1.25 with a stdev of 0.88, thus holding Barcelona to 1 goal is considered as impressive as holding Villa to 0.11 goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelGabriel Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Speaking of Real Madrid.. 4-1 against R.Sociedad - Ronaldo 2 goals to his huge tally, Adebayor scoring again, 2 in 2 for him (1 league 1 Copa Del Rey), already better than Dzeko, and Kaka scored too. Messi's hat trick against Atletico..has to be the worst hat trick I've seen from him..maybe worse than..SAVO'S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 If Barca got to a Wembley final, I may have to find a ticket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I'm sure you already know this, but the Champions League final is at Wembley this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Dogg Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I don't think ED was just saying random thoughts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I'd love to get a ticket, not sure how though. Don't think my booking history is to clever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NulliSecundus Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Oh man, I'm a massive Barca fan... been a season ticket holder since 1943 but this is the first year I didn't get one as I've been too busy. I hope I can get a ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 i think you can apply for Champions League final tickets on UEFA.com and they have a draw for them. not sure when is closing date Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_6745215,00.html Big words, that said....if one man can somehow come up with a plan to take down Barca, he can. If anything, that 5-0 will help them for next time they play them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If anyone can do it like you said, he can. He has done it before with Inter (3-1 then lost 1-0 but went through on 3-2 aggregate.. champions league mind you though - I still remember that day). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Dogg Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If anyone can do it like you said, he can. He has done it before with Inter (3-1 then lost 1-0 but went through on 3-2 aggregate.. champions league mind you though - I still remember that day). Well it was less than a year ago...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If anyone can do it like you said, he can. He has done it before with Inter (3-1 then lost 1-0 but went through on 3-2 aggregate.. champions league mind you though - I still remember that day). Well it was less than a year ago...! Doesn't matter, i'm confident he will have a plan anyway and he will win even if he is with real madrid now.. mind you if they perform anything like they have recent then they have no chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts