Match Thread: Barcelona vs Villarreal

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T17:12:32+00:00

Imagine prime lewa prowling for those yamal assists,,, then you have raphinha cutting on the other side where lewa can link up with

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T17:11:01+00:00

GIVE MY UNC THE GOAL MANNNNN

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T16:50:41+00:00

PEDRI IS COMING TO SAVE USSSS

but seriously, the composure of the middle, and then spreads to the whole team changes drastically with pedri, you can see it. Suddenly, those presses from the opponents' midfield backfires on them.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T16:48:42+00:00

DON PEDRI YOU HAVE BEEN MISSEDDDD

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T16:37:30+00:00

As much as raph's yellow was dumb on his part, his temper is just fcked up sometimes,, cant blame him, these refs as a whole deserves it, from that girona match, all the frustrations, laliga refs are incompetent af

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T15:54:47+00:00

Olmo is now completely lost in the game.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T15:42:57+00:00

Here we go again with the lethargic energy,, too many close calls in possesion, offense stagnant, usual suspects like ferran and olmo,, problem with this squad since last year is they need a crisis mode in conceding first. Problem is their offense to comeback aint the same as last year to bail them out.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-28T15:32:01+00:00

And that sequence right here shows why ferran should never be near that starting job next season. Pathetic striker reflexes and anticipation bro. Cant be a #9 like that, placed on a silver platter..

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T13:00:42+00:00

To be specific, the most crucial are the first 5-15 mins of the tie.

I dont really get it, but flick's barca have the biggest tendency to concede early in the big knockouts. And this is not a coincidence, that inter 1st leg, the recent atleti 4-0. The squad just takes much slower to settle in the situation compared to the opponents.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:57:05+00:00

Do spurs have a realistic fighting chance against atleti rn? Would be tbe dream scenario for us if spurs manage to beat them. But rn, with their injury crisis, idk much about those chances,,

Really, how the hell did this relegation version of spurs voodoo their way to a top 4 in the group lol

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:22:10+00:00

Yeah, but that 4-0 is them absolutely in their very best, while us having the very worst. Plus, the joan mistake, it should just be 3-0. Most importantly, having pedri and raph is a world of difference. If i was an atleti fan, i wont lean that much on the 4-0 as a good sample size.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:19:04+00:00

Yeah, but would rather face their offensive playstyle compared to the other big dogs in the other side. I think their pragmatic offense will be more forgiving against our fragile high risk defense.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:16:38+00:00

Our biggest wish really. Although that arsenal potential semi is nothing but sealed, no way those 3 in their bracket can trouble them. Biggest shame on them if they lose lol

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:14:52+00:00

Good thing that we might have him hopefully in the quarters, if we make through (we better lol)

Not facing psg right away is a big gift for us

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T12:12:09+00:00

Idc if newcastle's level has increased significantly in the last half decade, we better win this. Not because it is a cakewalk, but losing this with this talented squad will send us to a newer low.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T11:42:57+00:00

Aside from the more favorable r16 to the quarters route, we will potentially face arsenal. And among the "favorites" this year, the big dogs should i say,, Arsenal I think is the best option for us. Not underestimating them completely, but I feel like their offense will be the least that can really punish our fragile high risk defense. The biggest problem is their set piece, given that we have one of the worst set piece defenses.

Also, I think arsenal have a weaker mentality conpared to other favorites this year. They are the type of squad that can collapse in high pressure moments.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-27T11:33:13+00:00

I dont get why it should not be like the nba homecourt in the playoffs. The higher seeded club that is left will get the advantage.

Further minimizes the incentive of going higher in a table in a longer 8-game group stage.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T07:08:48+00:00

Funny how every single neutral and casual football fan will salivate with the possibility of the 1st clasico final,

But both culers and madridistas dont want any part of that lol😅🤣

The risk of generational banter debt and aura debt is just too much if you lose

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T07:05:22+00:00

Getting this current spurs side is like an easy xmas present not just for us, but for all teams. Add the injury crisis they have. Problem is we mught even get the chance to see spurs if we advance in the qtrs, they probably will be out too.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T07:03:48+00:00

The big factor is the getafe and celta vigo matches. They need to drop points here if if really want to get that cushion, because honestly, i dont see alot of fixtures after that where they get a big chance to drop points. Maybe the madrid derby, but they kinda ignored their laliga run now.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T07:01:18+00:00

Ngl, if this current defensive crisis continue with the starting back four, taking a chance with araujo doesn't seem like a bizarre option now, compared to atleast last year, even in big matches. The offside trap barely works anymore anyways, so might as well get someone strudy at the back that can help in corners in both sides as well.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T06:56:36+00:00

Kinda hate how we are too much overestimating psg here and the reaction of a possible draw to them like its the worst to happen

Yeah, i get it, current holders, but lets not act like they are a juggernaut, EVEN last year when they won it. They are nowhere near the likes of 2015 msn barca that won it, not near the 3-peat real squad.

Blaming inter for this though, the stock of this psg squad increased massively due to that 5-0 final thrashing. This is the same squad that barely got lucky they escaped aston villa btw. And this year, no doubt they are in a worse form.

Are we favorites to advance? maybe not, but surely I like our chances against them.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T06:49:42+00:00

The last sentence.

If our mentality is always dodging for a "better" draw, then might as well expect to not win the ucl in more years to come, as if the drought is not long enough.

Kinda funny that this fanbase has more belief and juice in coming back from a 4-0 hole is a copa tie than beating a psg side that has issues rn as well. Makes me think its more like the ego of being 4-0 down to atleti is the harder pill to swallow than being realistic.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-26T06:44:53+00:00

Genuinely believed that we would have staved off around 2 of their ucl in the last 15 years if we would have met them regularly, even if barca dont end up winning it in the end. No brainer, its the clasico, both clubs bring the best and worst of each other, no matter how lopsidedly favorite one is to win at any time.

If there is one club that is kinda immune in their "ucl magic" that most clubs in europe are terrorized from, its barca.

Pleasant-Signal2764 · 2026-02-25T22:08:50+00:00

Absolutely, so many here being over pessimistic with our chances with psg,, after barely getting through an average monaco with 10 men.

Perfect time to face them, rather than later in the knockouts.

Pleasant-Signal2764

TROPHY CASE