Comments on: Barca v Shakhtar, a.k.a. “A win makes it easy.” 1:30 p.m. CT, ESPN Deportes, 4 p.m., CT, ESPN Classic

By: RUV

RUV — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:41:14 +0000

As I was watching the match, I thought to myself, “Self, opposing teams are going to take note of how successful Shakhtar’s physical play is at disrupting Barca’s style.” Reminded me of Bird’s Celtics v. Magic’s Lakers except Shakhtar didn’t have the skill to close the deal. I was really surprised how bothered we were– esp. Alves, Yaya and Keita. I daresay the rough play took them nearly completely out of the game. I disagree with TH and Samu playing without heart or desire, but even then they were taken out of their element. Like Tomatutomate said, Shakhtar swarmed the ball and TH and Samu were swamped alot. Neither of those two are the slickest when crowded. I think this is why Iniesta who dribbles with the ball glued to his feet was successful and the same goes for Messi and Bojan. The latter two were successful b/c 1) they are really fast and I think the Shakhtar D was tiring and 2) they can dribble with enough skill and pace to run away from the goon squad. Despite the rough play, I was hopeful that our skill would eventually take over… and thankfully it did.

This back four which was so successful a few games back looked a bit disorganized compared to their previous game. But, I wasn’t so bothered by Marquez, Pique or Puyol as I was by the numerous times Alves lost the ball or gave the ball away. I don’t know who to blame re: Shakhtar’s goal but I don’t think Puyol should have left his feet and that Keita probably could’ve marked the guy tighter.

But in the end, it was a hard fought (and well-deserved [not sure what you mean by the other team way, Ramzi]) victory that I enjoyed watching. And while I too had angina while watching the match, the last sublime through ball from Xavi and the exquisite finish by Messi was one hell of an elixir.

By: Tomatutomate

Tomatutomate — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:55:49 +0000

Shakhtar played agresively. Always with 2-3 players on the oponent with the ball Barça looked overwhelmed untill Messi came in and Bojan added more spark. Etoo would have never made that cross.

By: BA

BA — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:13:38 +0000

for all the talk about building a team not based around Messi, i think this is a stunning example of how we’re just not there. we look toothless for 70 minutes, Leo comes on and suddenly we’re attacking, pushing up, making runs…. and he scores the game-winning 2 goals himself. Eto’o and Henry were utterly gormless, Keita didn’t look threatening at all, when you could find him on the pitch, and Iniesta isn’t going to run through 5 defenders himself. Bojan looked great when he came on, he needs more opportunities to prove himself.

and adding on to a previous point: Puyol’s lack of speed cost us that 1st goal. he came in 2 steps behind Insinho and couldn’t muscle him out of the way.

still, fabulous 3 points for us though i’d rather not have to rely on last-minute goals to get htem.

By: Isaiah

Isaiah — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:10:34 +0000

EL MESSIAS. Wow. Goddamn. I mean, I’m more mancrush on Toure, of course, but goddamn. I was freaking out here in my hotel room jumping up and down and shouting and generally having a joyous seizure. I’m so glad this hotel has ESPN Classic!

Oh my oh my oh my.

I thought Shaktar were being extraordinarily cynical/lame/unsporting when they asked for the ball back before Messi’s first goal. If the player who was injured was injured during the play that the ball was kicked out on, how can anyone mean to kick it out for them? It was just a clearance and it’s not Barcelona’s fault that they stopped playing. Never. Stop. Playing. All teams should be sporting, but you can’t take it too far.

Brandão played his role to perfection. He was a bruiser then a diver. That’s life. The ref was at least generally consistent in his no-calls — if the Iniesta penalty wasn’t a penalty (it was), then how could Alves’ challenge on Brandão be a penalty (it was close and to be honest I couldn’t tell). But Iniesta got a card for diving. That’s ludicrous given the number of dives that Brandão had (80?).

Shaktar played a hell of a game. They played it hard and conservative and should feel lucky they only lost 2-1. Henry should have put that first chance away, then Eto’o should have smoked that one he had. And then Ilsinho’s chance should never have been a chance (I fully and completely blame Pique’s crazy backwards header).

2-2 going into the 80th minute would have been an acceptable scoreline for me, though; Valdes made a terrific save against Ilsinho in the first half that I was positive was going into the back of the net. Nice job, Valdes! The second is not his fault whatsoever (no more than Messi’s second was Pyatov’s fault).

Holy hell my blood is still pumping through my veins at a million miles an hour.

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!

By: Cojonudo

Cojonudo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:50:54 +0000

Well I’m all out of nails to chew on. Fingernails last Saturday, toenails tonight. Seriously I think this club is trying to give me a heart attack or something. Someone break out the paddles! CLEAAAAR!!

Little Leo does it again, with an assist from the goalkeeper on the first one. Unlike Sampson, Leo hasn’t lost his touch since he cut his locks. As far as Brandão, perhaps he should consider a career move to the WWE..intimidating presence, “theatrics”, “dirty tactics”, he’s got the whole package.

I considered this to be Barcelona’s toughest test in the group stage so I’m not too surprised they had to fight tooth and nail for it, even if they looked a little sluggish and void of ideas for 3/4 of the match. I chalk that up to not having fully recovered from their “brawl” against Espanol. At least for once it’s the other side’s keeper making the blunder. Not the “prettiest” of wins but an “ugly” win beats a “pretty” loss any day of the week.

By: Ramzi

Ramzi — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:02:12 +0000

Thanks IceMel:)
The problem was not the offense.. it was the defense structure and its selection, and the midfielders roles on the field, We fall in shakhtar trap and we played their game and tempo, which is not only the game that don’t suit us, but it also burn our energy like hell, believe me while watching the game and after 30 minutes I was hoping they don’t end the game hitting 3 goals, don’t let the possession and flashy show fools u.

By: john

john — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:01:13 +0000

Man, I could have watched Brandão and Alves go at it all day. As a (kind of) neutral observer, I think Brandão was doing what he had to do – though it was amazing that he made it almost 90 minutes without a card. In fairness, I think Alves deserved a yellow for that last challenge, it was the second time he’d scythed down Brandão just outside of the box, and the second looked calculated to me.

And La Liga is off to a great start in the CL! Spanish teams have taken 22 of 24 possible points, English 18 of 24, Italy 13 of 24 and France just 2 of 18.

By: IceMel

IceMel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:53:23 +0000

sorry Ramzi…probably many English native speakers won’t get that either! What I was basically saying is that we just saw a “rumble” (fight, dual, gangwar) not a game. So choosing Eto’o or Henry or both for the stiker position, made no difference, first we needed strong weapons for this one…really switchblades AND crowbars (both traditional 1950’s gang rumble weapons of choice.)
–Professor IceMel
(OK not up to Genis’ cultural additions to our blog…but at least I didn’t have to resort to Wikipedia!)

By: Ramzi

Ramzi — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:41:51 +0000

“If we had only agreed to swithcblades instead of crowbars before the rumble maybe it would have worked.”

I dont understand that, a very complicated english phrase for me, but nothing of what i wished I saw in this game, neither selection nor structure, I may be just a little cocky fool, but the tactics were too naive to make me happy with the match I watched, again…we won, the other team way – the team that Kxevin give us a fine if we mention its name. No I am not happy.

I will need to train myself so hard to have enough patience till January…. If pep will not be a fast learner…this is going to be a looong season…

By: IceMel

IceMel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:31:58 +0000

Whaaaa, whaaaa. Not a game my 3.5-soccer-year-old self does well with….even MY body hurts after that one. I’m gonna have Brandão nightmares all night. Kev, I think Mom needs the Yaya bear tonight (he’s the only thing that scary train-of-a-man slowed down for.)

Well I got my (I mean Ramzi’s) dual striker wish, I think. If we had only agreed to swithcblades instead of crowbars before the rumble maybe it would have worked.

God I hope Messi stays healthy all year.