Barcelona season 2007-2008

Let's discuss Barcelona fixtures of the season here.
After 7 games, we are in the second place with 17 points, behind Real Madrid with 19 points.
We won comfortably against Atlético Madrid(3-0) despite Yaya Toure injury. I have mentioned Toure because he was our key midfielder this season. He compensated what Barcelona was missing the last seasons. A very good signing IMO.
Nevertheless Deco+Xavi+Iniesta has worked great these last 2 games, quite an improvement from last years attempts.
Messi my Man of the Match. Best player in the world at the moment.
Yesterday goals were scored by Deco, Messi and Xavi.
Here are the highlights of the game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myqRRELB1cY
Enjoy

So far, Toure is proving me completely wrong. I said he would have trouble restricting himself to a DM role (because in Greece he was poor defensively and liked to push the ball forward a lot), but it seems he recognizes the fact he now plays for a big club and has decided to do exactly what is asked of him. While in Greece and France he also had a really shady character as a manager and he pretty much dictated his every move, usually having him speak out against the club or moaning about things etc. It made Toure look really bad, believe me. So i'm glad he has changed his ways now that he's signed for a team i like.

I agree, a very good (and cheap) signing so far and i hope my opinion of him doesn't change.

And Messi is undoubtedly great. This kid is going to be considered one of the best 10 players that ever lived one day.

You are right, he was very offensive in Greece( well from the videos I saw ).
Maybe the coaching team made it clear to him that since we have the best attack in the world, his job will be restricted to taking balls back and bossing the midfield. He is doing very well so far.
Our summer signings are fantastic. Only henry is letting us down so far. But let's wait until the fat lady sings.

Look up! It's Real Madrid leading the championship!

Can't wait for the el classico. Real is going down
But I have to agree that schuster is doing a good job: a winning and exciting team.

Our players are on fire.
Messi scored a cracker, milito scored, Ronnie scored, henry scored
Madrid, make sure that our trophy is polished. We are taking it back to Camp Nou.

Ronaldinho won't play against Villarreal tomorrow. The most probable forwards for this game will be Messi, Henry and Bojan Krkic. I hope that Bojan plays, will be interesting to see what he can do playing all the game.

It would be nice, but Frank is likely to start with Dos Santos instead of Bojan. Would be nice to see Gudjonshen too.
List of players for the game:
Valdés, Jorquera, Henry, Xavi, Iniesta, Milito, Abidal, Oleguer, Deco, Messi, Puyol, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho, Ezquerro, Bojan, Giovani i Marc Crosas.

The starting 11 will be like this. I hope Oleguer won't mess up.
-----------------Valdés
Oleguer---Milito---Puyol---Abidal
--------------Iniesta----------------
---------Xavi----------Deco------
Messi---------------------------Gio
----------------Henry---------------

I don't think that Gio plays because he has been all the week out due to Mexico, similar to Ronaldinho with Brazil. And if Rijkaard has to choose between Bojan and Guddy he would choose Bojan. For what I heard Guddy and Ezquerro are the last options.

Bojan could get his first start, i agree. And away at Villareal too! Tough match!

As for our defence, i hope Oleguer costs us 2 goals (so that Rijkaard finally stops using him, even as a sub) but we score 3 and win the game.

I'd much rather have a young guy coming in as a sub in the fullback positions so he can get experience, than Oleguer.

Against Sevilla Oleguer was pathetic but in the last games he was correct. Perhaps playing in the RB is better than in the CB, the mistakes aren't so important

I remember him making crucial mistakes in all positions.

Do you really want him there, even as a sub?

I think that he shouldn't play in Barça but nowadays is what we have.

So were, Messi, milito, Abidal, henry,...
marios, who do you suggest for the right back? I think we should keep on praying until zambrotta gets back.
But I am surprised, he still can be lined up after giving the trophy to Real last season.
I heard that he is related to Laporta

I don't know our younger defenders well enough to make that call, but Rijkaard should. Oleguer is so bad i think even a 17yo would do better than him.

As for the future, do you think the rumours about Zambrotta/Lahm are true?

Are we going to let Zambrotta go back to Italy (most likely Milan) so that we can get the exciting young German? It would be a great investment for the future (he's only 24) but i've always been a fan of Zambrotta and i want him to stay a couple more seasons so he can prove his worth at Barca too. What do you think?

As for Lahm, how would we afford him? I'm sure Bayern will demand a high transfer fee. Maybe we could give them like 10-15mil euros + Oleguer (lol) and Edmilson/Gudjonssen.

Leave Oleguer alone, he's my reason to watch Barcelona games and have some fun

I'm stuck watching the Depor - Valencia match.

Are we playing badly enough to be losing 3-1 at Villareal, or were the 2 penalties unfair calls?

The first penalty I think that wasn't, the second was and was red card for Milito we were lucky that for the ref was only a yellow card. Barça have problems defending, IMO Toure is really necessary. Bojan scored the goal, with a good assist of Messi. Barça aren't playing bad (except the defensive system) but Villarreal are playing very well. If Villarreal don't score more goals I still hope that Barça can draw at least.

Can you tell me who are our starters for today?

Starters are the team that Afrinux wrote changing Bojan for Gio.

Finished 3-1, Barça haven't played well in the second half.