The thing about new begnnings is the complexity of what was known, what is known and what was hidden. It goes without saying that Messi made a lot of people look better than they are. So players like Antoine Griezmann, who had the crutch of “Well, my best position is where that wee Argentine is,”… Continue reading Two Barça matches and what have we learned?
Category: La Liga
New season, new beginnings, aka “Barça dominoes”
It seems almost weird to have football beginning at a time such as this, when the club that we follow (those who haven’t become PSG supporters overnight) is reeling from a succession of body blows. Yet a new season begins for FC Barcelona this weekend with La Real, not exactly the opponent that a team… Continue reading New season, new beginnings, aka “Barça dominoes”
It’s official. Messi is gone. Now is our chance to be like Messi and move on.
For a club that has been a complete and utter shitshow for too long, there was no other way for its greatest player to leave — reluctantly at a teary solo presser. For a club that has been a complete and utter shitshow for too long, that it loses its greatest player to its bitterest… Continue reading It’s official. Messi is gone. Now is our chance to be like Messi and move on.
And just like that, a legend is gone, aka “Money changes everything”
Money. Everything in football now is about money. It’s also about greed, and ugliness and animus but mostly it’s about money. Lionel Messi is moving to Paris St. Germain. Whether he had to is ultimately for people with vastly more knowledge to sort. What we know is that he is going to the only club… Continue reading And just like that, a legend is gone, aka “Money changes everything”
Barça rehab, because mentality matters
When Barça Femeni got tonked in the 2020 Champions League final by Lyon, it didn’t leave a scar, it started a fire. Sport is fond of the idea of want, which is rather a nebulous thing. You can’t define it, have no idea how to quantify it even as it’s one of those words that… Continue reading Barça rehab, because mentality matters
Barça wasn’t good enough this season, and it never was
Now, at the tail end of the season, with a team and parts of a fanbase hanging on to hope like FC Barcelona is hanging on to that Super League charter, reality beckons. Barça exceeded expectations. If someone had looked at the morass that Ronald Koeman inherited and told me they would have won a… Continue reading Barça wasn’t good enough this season, and it never was
Silence isn’t always golden
At the end of it all lay Barça and Real Madrid, united by much more than being eternal rivals and bitter enemies. The two clubs are also joined at the hip by greed, obstinacy and callousness. As the SuperLeague is all but dead even as Florentino Perez insists it will return, like a cinematic villain… Continue reading Silence isn’t always golden
Copa del Rey final, an unlikely event for an unlikely team
Take a moment to appreciate what your team has done. Take a moment to appreciate how far it has come. Today, Barça faces off against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey final for what is in all probability the only shot at silver it will have this season, and it’s worth reflecting on how… Continue reading Copa del Rey final, an unlikely event for an unlikely team
Real Madrid 2, Barça 1, aka “Has anyone seen that gift horse?”
This match sucked. I know that neutrals enjoyed it, and it was certainly an enthralling contest at times. But for me, the rage at seeing my team get punked and as usual, show up late (but too late this time) killed any enjoyment for me. The first half was a masterclass by Real Madrid of… Continue reading Real Madrid 2, Barça 1, aka “Has anyone seen that gift horse?”
Barça 4, Huesca 1, aka “To hell with football”
Just hit it. When you think of things that people have thought to themselves, have said after great goals, it’s usually something along the lines of, “I just hit it.” We can talk all we want about statistics, and stuff like xG (expected goals, and Huesca had a higher number). But sometimes, football is about… Continue reading Barça 4, Huesca 1, aka “To hell with football”
Osasuna 0, Barça 2, aka “Joy”
As a concept, how do you explain joy? It’s different from happiness, though both are something that everyone seeks. And even if you can’t explain it, you know it when you feel it. You just start smiling, and this weird glow suffuses your entire being. Like happiness, joy is shared, but feels more selfless than… Continue reading Osasuna 0, Barça 2, aka “Joy”
Sevilla 0, Barça 2, aka “A day of firsts”
Mothers are amazing for a number of reasons, not least of which are all the sayings they equip you with as you grow in their care. “Expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed,” is one that came to mind as we looked at the lineup for a crucial away match against Sevilla. Ter Stegen,… Continue reading Sevilla 0, Barça 2, aka “A day of firsts”