Here's a highlight video of Cruyff's Barcelona pounding Madrid 5-0 in the 93/94 season. The first, third and fourth goals are courtesy of Romario. Koeman scored the second, free kick goal and Ivan Iglesias made it a manita.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Barcelona 5 - Real Madrid 0: Historic Rout in Camp Nou
Wow! I never imagined this. I've never seen a 5-0 in El Clasico (that wasn't on video tape). Here are a few quick stats and thoughts until I have time to go over this in more depth.
- I could watch the first goal over and over again. Xavi passes to himself with his back heel in front of goal?!?! That has to be one of the coolest goals I've ever seen - from a guy known more for his passes than his definition in front of goal. In 100 tries, how many times would he be able to repeat that goal?
- How amazing was David Villa? He didn't just open up the left side of the field, he tore a hole in it. His assists and goals were amazing.
- Could Guardiola please play Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta together in midfield in every important game? That combination was amazing.
- Where was Madrid? I thought that they would press up high and hold more possession than they did (35% or so). They couldn't get the ball back, couldn't keep it when they had it and barely had an attack worth mentioning. They didn't even defend well.
- In their first 12 games, Madrid let in 6 goals. Against Barca, they let in 5 in one game!
- This is the worst that Jose Mourinho (Madrid's coach) has ever lost in his career! Previous black marks were a 1-4 loss to Man U and two 0-3s.
- How will the Real Madrid player's respond to this humiliation?
- The last time Barcelona beat Real Madrid was in the 93/94 season when Romario was their forward and Cruyff was Barca's coach.
- Josep Guardiola has coached Barcelona in 5 Clasicos - all 5 ended in Barcelona victories.
- Under Guardiola, Barcelona has outscored Madrid 16-2!
- 5-0 is called "una manita" in Spanish because you hold up 1 hand (mano is hand, manita, or little hand, is the diminutive of hand) and it has 5 fingers - get it?
- I've seen this reported as a Manotazo or a big hand! It was a big win.
- This could have been much worse. This easily could have been 6 or 7-0. Imagine!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
FC Barcelona - Real Madrid: Countdown to El Clasico
Few soccer matches are as anticipated, exciting and fulfilling as the bi-annual League matchup between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Know as "El Clasico" or "El Derbi" (The Classic or The Derby), the match brings together two teams so impressively powerful that it seems like a "Big Bang" of Spanish soccer. The result shapes the course of the Liga to come and will live on in the memory of each side's supporters for years to come.
Few games live up to their billing as successfully as this one. Each side is easily one of the football world's ten best clubs. They could be, arguably, among the world's ten best clubs - of any sport. No soccer team has spent more money signing players in the last two years (and probably in the last ten) than Real Madrid. Barcelona matches the Madridista bank account with unrivaled teamwork, effort and player development. Real Madrid is renowned for their ability to score quickly and fight doggedly to the last minute when injuries, game flow or fortune prevent them from scoring quickly. Barcelona is known around the world for their artistic pursuit of total football: pretty passing that makes its players interchangeable (to an extent) and completely disarms its opponents. Where Madrid players and coaches regularly proclaim their own grandeur, Barcelona players and coaches are humble and hardworking. The two sides mix like oil and water.
This year, unfortunately, El Clasico takes place on November 29th - a Monday. The non weekend date makes it harder for local fans from the burb, exurbs and the country to get to Camp Nou for the game. It also makes it more difficult for viewers in this hemisphere to watch the game because it takes place at 3PM Eastern/12 PM Pacific.While it's not like shops will close and streets will be empty in downtown Peoria, Lincoln or Houston; there are a lot of fans in the United States, Canada and Latin America who won't be able to watch the game live.
If you do want to follow the game live, you can visit ESPN Deportes or on ESPN 3 (formerly ESPN 360).
Despite the lame scheduling, I'm excited about the game. Both Madrid and Barcelona are off to their best starts, points wise, in years.
This is the best Real Madrid team since some of the teams of the early 90s: it has the world's best goalkeeper, an incredibly solid defense, a tough, perceptive midfield and some of the fastest, most-accurate forwards in the world. Its signature star, Christiano Ronaldo, is off to an incredible start with 14 league goals in 12 games - a sparkling goal-per-game ratio that doesn't look to end anytime soon.
Barcelona is just as impressive! The team that won 6 trophies 2 years ago, set a record for most points in the league last year. They're on pace to break that record this year. Fresh off an 8-0 humiliation of (previously tough-defending) Almeria, the Blaugrana look to have armed their offensive trident. Messi, Villa and Pedro create walls and openings for each other better than any other forwards in the world. Behind the vision and tenacity of players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Mascherano gets the ball back and opens up the field to the forward's creativity. This Barcelona has the potential to be the best of the last three years!
It's hard to say how a game will turn out but I'll go out on a limb to predict a 3-2 Barcelona victory. I think Real is better than the Inter team that suffocated Barca's 2010 Champion's League dreams but still not good enough to stop Messi and co.
Until the game, enjoy these videos of past matchups.
Few games live up to their billing as successfully as this one. Each side is easily one of the football world's ten best clubs. They could be, arguably, among the world's ten best clubs - of any sport. No soccer team has spent more money signing players in the last two years (and probably in the last ten) than Real Madrid. Barcelona matches the Madridista bank account with unrivaled teamwork, effort and player development. Real Madrid is renowned for their ability to score quickly and fight doggedly to the last minute when injuries, game flow or fortune prevent them from scoring quickly. Barcelona is known around the world for their artistic pursuit of total football: pretty passing that makes its players interchangeable (to an extent) and completely disarms its opponents. Where Madrid players and coaches regularly proclaim their own grandeur, Barcelona players and coaches are humble and hardworking. The two sides mix like oil and water.
This year, unfortunately, El Clasico takes place on November 29th - a Monday. The non weekend date makes it harder for local fans from the burb, exurbs and the country to get to Camp Nou for the game. It also makes it more difficult for viewers in this hemisphere to watch the game because it takes place at 3PM Eastern/12 PM Pacific.While it's not like shops will close and streets will be empty in downtown Peoria, Lincoln or Houston; there are a lot of fans in the United States, Canada and Latin America who won't be able to watch the game live.
If you do want to follow the game live, you can visit ESPN Deportes or on ESPN 3 (formerly ESPN 360).
Despite the lame scheduling, I'm excited about the game. Both Madrid and Barcelona are off to their best starts, points wise, in years.
This is the best Real Madrid team since some of the teams of the early 90s: it has the world's best goalkeeper, an incredibly solid defense, a tough, perceptive midfield and some of the fastest, most-accurate forwards in the world. Its signature star, Christiano Ronaldo, is off to an incredible start with 14 league goals in 12 games - a sparkling goal-per-game ratio that doesn't look to end anytime soon.
Barcelona is just as impressive! The team that won 6 trophies 2 years ago, set a record for most points in the league last year. They're on pace to break that record this year. Fresh off an 8-0 humiliation of (previously tough-defending) Almeria, the Blaugrana look to have armed their offensive trident. Messi, Villa and Pedro create walls and openings for each other better than any other forwards in the world. Behind the vision and tenacity of players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Mascherano gets the ball back and opens up the field to the forward's creativity. This Barcelona has the potential to be the best of the last three years!
It's hard to say how a game will turn out but I'll go out on a limb to predict a 3-2 Barcelona victory. I think Real is better than the Inter team that suffocated Barca's 2010 Champion's League dreams but still not good enough to stop Messi and co.
Until the game, enjoy these videos of past matchups.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thiago Alcantara: The Next Big Thing Coming Out of Barcelona's Youth System.
In Barcelona there is constant discussion of the next great signing. Will it be Cesc? Gareth Bale? Perhaps Javier Pastore? Maybe the next great thing to prowl the pitch of Camp Nou will be a player from the Barcelona youth system: Thiago Alcantara.
Thiago is the son of Mazinho, the Brasilian midfielder known as the third man in the three-men-and-a-baby celebration from the 1994 World Cup. Mazinho was also a crucial member of the solid Celta de Vigo teams of the late 1990s.
During his time in Spain, Mazinho brought his son Thiago to Spain. Thiago found his way into the Barcelona youth system at age 13.
Thiago is now the pearl of the Barca B team. His crisp passing shows the vision of Xavi. He even looks like Xavi. As you watch the video of Thiago, imagine him blacked out in profile. Could you see Xavi? I can. Perhaps it's the shape of his head, the way he swivels it, eyes up as passes cleanly downfield. I imagine him taking in Xavi's work much as a young Kobe Bryant emulated Michael Jordan.
Yet Alcantara adds Brasilian flair to Xavi's stone-faced efficiency. His ball-handling is superb and his nose for goal, superb. In some ways he looks like Ronaldinho.
Thiago and his father clearly have plans for his future. His website, the video below and the buzz about him show marketing savvy. Yet whether I'm being market to or not, I love it.
I couldn't enjoy a video more - sick soccer action combined with a great song by the Black Keys (Tighten Up). I hope you enjoy it, too.
 |
| Image from ThiagoAlcantara.com |
During his time in Spain, Mazinho brought his son Thiago to Spain. Thiago found his way into the Barcelona youth system at age 13.
Thiago is now the pearl of the Barca B team. His crisp passing shows the vision of Xavi. He even looks like Xavi. As you watch the video of Thiago, imagine him blacked out in profile. Could you see Xavi? I can. Perhaps it's the shape of his head, the way he swivels it, eyes up as passes cleanly downfield. I imagine him taking in Xavi's work much as a young Kobe Bryant emulated Michael Jordan.
Yet Alcantara adds Brasilian flair to Xavi's stone-faced efficiency. His ball-handling is superb and his nose for goal, superb. In some ways he looks like Ronaldinho.
Thiago and his father clearly have plans for his future. His website, the video below and the buzz about him show marketing savvy. Yet whether I'm being market to or not, I love it.
I couldn't enjoy a video more - sick soccer action combined with a great song by the Black Keys (Tighten Up). I hope you enjoy it, too.
Almeria 0 - Barcelona 8: Video Game Soccer
If you've ever played a soccer video game, chances are you've tried to win by ridiculous, never-gonna-happen-in-real-life score. 7-0. 11-1. 8-0. Barcelona made that happen on Saturday against Almeria.
In the video game, your forwards are virtually unstoppable. They weave in and out of 4 defenders, pounce on loose balls and always find the back of the net. Your midfielders pick the perfect angle for every pass and each player's stats are padded to superhuman levels. Sound anything like what happened in Mediterranean Games Stadium on Saturday?
Going into the game, Almeria was the 3rd-ranked defense in Spain's La Liga. The only defenses with fewer goals were that of Barcelona (8) and Real Madrid (5). Almeria also had Diego Alves in goal, one of the classiest, most acrobatic keepers in the Spanish league. Could their defense stop the high-powered Azulgrana offense?
Barcelona opened their account early with a slick goal from Lio Messi in the 16th minute. David Villa received the ball and perfectly set up Lio with a sweet back-heel pass. Messi's shot from just outside the penalty box crossed from left to right to end up in the lower right corner of the net.
When Andres Iniesta scored two minutes later on a bungled defensive clear attempt, the stage was set for a route.
Messi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan and even Almeria's Acasiete (in his own goal) all racked up goals in the historic win. Barcelona looked like they were on autopilot for most of the game. With an 8-0 scoreline as of the 73rd minute, they had every reason to be.
The route was Barcelona's biggest goleada as the away team since a 1959 beating of Las Palmas. According to El Mundo Deportivo, Barca did rack up an 8-0 as the home team in 1996-1997. That team was coached by Bobby Robson and had the original Ronaldo - el fenomeno - in their ranks together with Figo and current Barca coach, Josep Guardiola.
The result of Saturday's historic victory? Almeria coach Juanma Lillo was fired and Barcelona go into "El Clasico" with all the momentum in the world. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been trading verbal jabs like heavyweight fighters but this 8-0 route is the loudest pronouncement yet. The stage is set for more video game soccer on Monday, November 29.
In case you missed it, here's a video of the PS3-worthy drubbing:
In the video game, your forwards are virtually unstoppable. They weave in and out of 4 defenders, pounce on loose balls and always find the back of the net. Your midfielders pick the perfect angle for every pass and each player's stats are padded to superhuman levels. Sound anything like what happened in Mediterranean Games Stadium on Saturday?
Going into the game, Almeria was the 3rd-ranked defense in Spain's La Liga. The only defenses with fewer goals were that of Barcelona (8) and Real Madrid (5). Almeria also had Diego Alves in goal, one of the classiest, most acrobatic keepers in the Spanish league. Could their defense stop the high-powered Azulgrana offense?
Barcelona opened their account early with a slick goal from Lio Messi in the 16th minute. David Villa received the ball and perfectly set up Lio with a sweet back-heel pass. Messi's shot from just outside the penalty box crossed from left to right to end up in the lower right corner of the net.
When Andres Iniesta scored two minutes later on a bungled defensive clear attempt, the stage was set for a route.
Messi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan and even Almeria's Acasiete (in his own goal) all racked up goals in the historic win. Barcelona looked like they were on autopilot for most of the game. With an 8-0 scoreline as of the 73rd minute, they had every reason to be.
The route was Barcelona's biggest goleada as the away team since a 1959 beating of Las Palmas. According to El Mundo Deportivo, Barca did rack up an 8-0 as the home team in 1996-1997. That team was coached by Bobby Robson and had the original Ronaldo - el fenomeno - in their ranks together with Figo and current Barca coach, Josep Guardiola.
The result of Saturday's historic victory? Almeria coach Juanma Lillo was fired and Barcelona go into "El Clasico" with all the momentum in the world. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been trading verbal jabs like heavyweight fighters but this 8-0 route is the loudest pronouncement yet. The stage is set for more video game soccer on Monday, November 29.
In case you missed it, here's a video of the PS3-worthy drubbing:
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Decaffeinated Cup: A Copa del Rey Update
Many of Spain's soccer cognoscenti have suggested that the Copa del Rey's format needs to be revised. The current format doesn't provide enough of a handicap to big teams to make the competition interesting. After Wednesday's results that impression can only grow!
Baby Barça crushed hapless Ceuta 5-1 in Camp Nou. Real Madrid exorcised their ghosts of Copa's past with a 5-1 humiliation of Murcia. Even Sevilla got in on the act with a 6-1 royal beat down of poor Real Unión. There were few results that could be considered an upset.
Perhaps some would see an upset in Betis' elimination of Zaragoza, but despite the fact the Betis currently plays in the second division and Zaragoza is in the first, these two teams are virtual equals. Betis has long played in Spain's first division and has a rich palmares to prove it. Zaragoza, while usually a first-division team, only returned to the top flight this year after a rough patch several years ago. This was no upset.
Indeed few of the big home teams had much to play for. Atletico Madrid had won their away match 5-0, so there was little reason fight hard against Las Palmas. In the end they tied 1-1 in this second leg, for a 6-1 victory.
It seems clear that Spain needs to return to the 1-game format that they used until 6-7 years ago. Up to that point, the bigger team had to win on the smaller team's home field. There was 1 game and that was it. Then, in later rounds, teams would play a 2-game playoff to see who advanced. The format was much more friendly to the Davids of the Spanish soccer world. Let's bring that back.
At least these unbalanced competitions have given us some fun highlights. Here's the Baby Barca - Ceuta palizo, I'll post Madrid and Sevilla later if I can find them.
Baby Barça crushed hapless Ceuta 5-1 in Camp Nou. Real Madrid exorcised their ghosts of Copa's past with a 5-1 humiliation of Murcia. Even Sevilla got in on the act with a 6-1 royal beat down of poor Real Unión. There were few results that could be considered an upset.
Perhaps some would see an upset in Betis' elimination of Zaragoza, but despite the fact the Betis currently plays in the second division and Zaragoza is in the first, these two teams are virtual equals. Betis has long played in Spain's first division and has a rich palmares to prove it. Zaragoza, while usually a first-division team, only returned to the top flight this year after a rough patch several years ago. This was no upset.
Indeed few of the big home teams had much to play for. Atletico Madrid had won their away match 5-0, so there was little reason fight hard against Las Palmas. In the end they tied 1-1 in this second leg, for a 6-1 victory.
It seems clear that Spain needs to return to the 1-game format that they used until 6-7 years ago. Up to that point, the bigger team had to win on the smaller team's home field. There was 1 game and that was it. Then, in later rounds, teams would play a 2-game playoff to see who advanced. The format was much more friendly to the Davids of the Spanish soccer world. Let's bring that back.
At least these unbalanced competitions have given us some fun highlights. Here's the Baby Barca - Ceuta palizo, I'll post Madrid and Sevilla later if I can find them.
Real Madrid - Murcia: Must-Win Miercoles For Madrid
Today, Real Madrid has a must-win game in the Copa del Rey. Their opponent is modest Murcia, a team from Spain's third or Segunda B division. If Real can win, they advance in the Copa del Rey and go a long way to proving that this is the best Real Madrid team in almost 15 years.
First Los Blancos must beat Murcia. The away leg, in Murcia, ended in a 0-0 draw, despite the presence of most of Madrid's galatic arsenal.
They play today in the Madridista stronghold of Santiago Bernabéu. As if that weren't enough, Coach Jose Mourinho has asked the Madrid fans to come out and create a San-Siro-like atmostphere - in other words be loud and offensive with just a hint of violence. Whether los madrileños come out with chants or "va fan culo" or maintain their customary respect for their opponents, Bernabéu should be a stronghold for the team in white.
As a means of challenging his team, Jose Mourinho will start a much more "Spanish" lineup than usual. Expect to see Pedro León, young Sergio Canales and perhaps Esteban Granero. Mourinho may even allow one of the youth players to enter later in the game. While some may view this as a "b" lineup, Mourinho clearly expects the bench warmers to be more motivated. It's a good move that should provide Madrid with some fire while maintaining the surpise of a late entry into the game by Christiano Ronaldo or Mesut Ozil.
I expect the lineup changes, home crowd, overall history and excellent form of Madrid will bowl over Murcia. Look for the Madridistas to enjoy a fiesta of futból on this Must-Win Miércoles (Wednesday)! And, as Madrid progress in the Copa del Rey, look for Mou's men to consolidate their place as the best team from the capital since 1996-1997.
First Los Blancos must beat Murcia. The away leg, in Murcia, ended in a 0-0 draw, despite the presence of most of Madrid's galatic arsenal.
They play today in the Madridista stronghold of Santiago Bernabéu. As if that weren't enough, Coach Jose Mourinho has asked the Madrid fans to come out and create a San-Siro-like atmostphere - in other words be loud and offensive with just a hint of violence. Whether los madrileños come out with chants or "va fan culo" or maintain their customary respect for their opponents, Bernabéu should be a stronghold for the team in white.
As a means of challenging his team, Jose Mourinho will start a much more "Spanish" lineup than usual. Expect to see Pedro León, young Sergio Canales and perhaps Esteban Granero. Mourinho may even allow one of the youth players to enter later in the game. While some may view this as a "b" lineup, Mourinho clearly expects the bench warmers to be more motivated. It's a good move that should provide Madrid with some fire while maintaining the surpise of a late entry into the game by Christiano Ronaldo or Mesut Ozil.
I expect the lineup changes, home crowd, overall history and excellent form of Madrid will bowl over Murcia. Look for the Madridistas to enjoy a fiesta of futból on this Must-Win Miércoles (Wednesday)! And, as Madrid progress in the Copa del Rey, look for Mou's men to consolidate their place as the best team from the capital since 1996-1997.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Ibrahimovic-Onyewu Brawl: Ibracadabra, More Proof of Ibra's Intellect
I would have like to have had a front-row seat to this one: overindulged, athletic Zlatan Ibrahimovic and big-as-a-house Oguchi Onyewu brawled in practice today.
Apparently the cause was Ibrahimovic's dirty tackle from behind that took defender Onyewu down. Gazzetta dello Sport qualified the tackle as "not that hard" but Onyewu didn't take it lightly.
The American, who was out almost all of last year and is playing for free this year, jumped up and grabbed Ibra by the throat! This caused an immediate reaction from the Swede.
I would have like to see Onyewu and Ibrahimovic go at it. I think Ibra needs to learn a little humility and Onyewu has the size to teach him.
Apparently, according to areanapoli.it it took about 10 players to pull the two apart. I look forward to posting a video later!
Apparently the cause was Ibrahimovic's dirty tackle from behind that took defender Onyewu down. Gazzetta dello Sport qualified the tackle as "not that hard" but Onyewu didn't take it lightly.
The American, who was out almost all of last year and is playing for free this year, jumped up and grabbed Ibra by the throat! This caused an immediate reaction from the Swede.
I would have like to see Onyewu and Ibrahimovic go at it. I think Ibra needs to learn a little humility and Onyewu has the size to teach him.
Apparently, according to areanapoli.it it took about 10 players to pull the two apart. I look forward to posting a video later!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
FC Kobenhavn 1 - FC Barcelona 1: Stalemate for Solbakken
Due to a TiVo glitch, I didn't get to watch the whole Kobenhavn - Barcelona game. What I did see left me with the distinct impression that Barca got all they could handle.
Barcelona scored first but Kobenhavn tied the score soon after. Barcelona seems to have hit their traditional 60+ % ball possession, but for much of the game that number seemed excessively high.
In fact, for large stretches of the last third of the game, the Blaugrana were barely able to get the ball. Kobenhavn pressured them from the top and almost completely plugged Barcelona's ball circulation from goal. This was the most impressive thing that I was from this upstart team. Their courage in pressuring Barcelona almost netted them the winning goal. N'Doye's potential winner was annulled for his push-off.
Barca fans will tell you that their team were superior - and they might have been - but it was a very slight edge. This was nothing like Barca's blow-outs of Lyon or Bayern in their championship year.
Just in case, you didn't think that the game was that close, Guardiola showed his nerves getting into a post-game fracas with Kobenhaven coach Stale Solbakken.
Enjoy the videos below.
Barcelona scored first but Kobenhavn tied the score soon after. Barcelona seems to have hit their traditional 60+ % ball possession, but for much of the game that number seemed excessively high.
In fact, for large stretches of the last third of the game, the Blaugrana were barely able to get the ball. Kobenhavn pressured them from the top and almost completely plugged Barcelona's ball circulation from goal. This was the most impressive thing that I was from this upstart team. Their courage in pressuring Barcelona almost netted them the winning goal. N'Doye's potential winner was annulled for his push-off.
Barca fans will tell you that their team were superior - and they might have been - but it was a very slight edge. This was nothing like Barca's blow-outs of Lyon or Bayern in their championship year.
Just in case, you didn't think that the game was that close, Guardiola showed his nerves getting into a post-game fracas with Kobenhaven coach Stale Solbakken.
Enjoy the videos below.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Exciting Matches in Tuesday's Champion's League Games (11/2/2010)
Tuesday November 2nd is the first day of the 4th round of Champion's League Ligilla. The games I'm most looking forward to are the match between Tottenham and Inter and the match between Valencia and Glasgow.
Inter and Tottenham got together last week for a 4-3 tale of two halves. Inter lept out to an early lead with a goal in the first minute by captain Javier Zanetti. By the end of the half, Inter had a 4-0 lead. It nearly wasn't enough.
Gareth Bale put the Hot Spurs on his back and brought the score back to 4-3 before the final whistle. Check out the video below.
Adding to the curiosity, Inter's coach Rafa Benitez returns to the league he is most familiar with: the English Premier League. Despite Rafa's clear advantage in familiarity and firepower, the home squad should give them all they can handle. It should be interesting.
Valencia and Glasgow should be interesting too. Valencia were punching well above their weight in Spain's La Liga until recently. They find themselves in 3rd in group C of the table; their 4 points trail Man U's 7 and Glasgow's 5. Can Valencia shrug off their cool streak and give the Rangers a loss? I think so.
I look forward to seeing Joaquin running rampant on the right flank and Valencia scoring 3 goals.
I'm less excited about the Barcelona - Copenhagen match. I expect Denmark's finest to sit back and play their best anti-football. Hopefully Barcelona can break through and get a few away goals.
Inter and Tottenham got together last week for a 4-3 tale of two halves. Inter lept out to an early lead with a goal in the first minute by captain Javier Zanetti. By the end of the half, Inter had a 4-0 lead. It nearly wasn't enough.
Gareth Bale put the Hot Spurs on his back and brought the score back to 4-3 before the final whistle. Check out the video below.
Adding to the curiosity, Inter's coach Rafa Benitez returns to the league he is most familiar with: the English Premier League. Despite Rafa's clear advantage in familiarity and firepower, the home squad should give them all they can handle. It should be interesting.
Valencia and Glasgow should be interesting too. Valencia were punching well above their weight in Spain's La Liga until recently. They find themselves in 3rd in group C of the table; their 4 points trail Man U's 7 and Glasgow's 5. Can Valencia shrug off their cool streak and give the Rangers a loss? I think so.
I look forward to seeing Joaquin running rampant on the right flank and Valencia scoring 3 goals.
I'm less excited about the Barcelona - Copenhagen match. I expect Denmark's finest to sit back and play their best anti-football. Hopefully Barcelona can break through and get a few away goals.
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