In all of the talk about whatever this mythical thing labeled “the Barça Way” is, as in “They just have to start playing the Barça Way again,” we have forgotten a great many things, so many of which made themselves evident as Barça wrestled mightily with a Valencia side they should have been able to… Continue reading Valencia 0, Barça 1, aka ‘At the death while dying’
Month: October 2022
Barça 0, Bayern 3, aka ‘Now what?’
After it was all over, after yet another loss to a Bayern Munich side that didn’t even need to leave third gear, the supporters cheered, urged their players to come out for a curtain call. It was consolation, a “Nice job, we appreciate you” that you see in teams that are inferior, but supporters want… Continue reading Barça 0, Bayern 3, aka ‘Now what?’
Barça 3, Inter 3, aka ‘What did you expect?’
To be fully honest, the only surprise of the “do or die” Champions League match against Inter Milan was that Barça managed a draw. This is a team that has been in a downward spiral since the international break. It’s easy to say, and probably accurate, that with Kounde and Araujo, both victims of the… Continue reading Barça 3, Inter 3, aka ‘What did you expect?’
What if it’s us, not Dembele?
During a rewatch of the Inter Milan sludgefest, my annoyance at Ousmane Dembele tilting at yet another bank of Inter players and losing the ball was like something fresh, even as the outcome was already decided. The match progressed, and Xavi changed everything about the team and how it was playing that vexed him. Static… Continue reading What if it’s us, not Dembele?
Inter Milan 1, Barça 0, aka ‘The slows lose … again’
Barça is too slow. Barça is too slow to play modern football. Barça is too slow to play football against a team of even decent quality. We can repeat these things like a mantra, but they aren’t going away, even as devotees worship at that ancient religion of 48 passes leading to a perfect goal.… Continue reading Inter Milan 1, Barça 0, aka ‘The slows lose … again’