goat
just still bums the cynic in me that it all comes down to money
Alt Madrid did win last Spanish League and almost won CL. Too bad they couldn't hold their key players.Great final by Barca. Juventus were hoping to go into extra time or penalty kicks. Thr EPL, Bundesliga, Le Lige, will have to step it up next season for Champions League glory. Been watching La Liga this year and as much as its entertaining, the hegemony of Barca and Real has to stop. The other spanish clubs should side against the big 2 and get more TV exposure and international rights.
But Barca's greatest player isn't home grown.He's the highest paid player in the world because Barcelona basically took him at zero cost at a young age and carefully nurtured his talent. That hardly goes along with the contention here that Barca throw transfer money at things and buy all the best players ala Madrid so poor poor teams like Juventus can't compete. Barca's greatest players are all home-grown.
Legends cry
Pique and Alba developed at other clubs, then were bought back. Barcelona are undeniably good at developing talent and they have given young talent a chance, but they're no different than any other football club. Barcelona have a ton of money and when they see holes in their team, they generally throw a ton of money to fix that problem. Which is perfectly fine because that's what good football clubs should do.
United and Bayern develop young players too and United was the dominant team in Europe for a few years, before the passing of the torch to Barcelona in Rome. Good teams tend to have both an established spine, while adding fresh blood each season. Barcelona is no exception.
It is easier to throw money to cover a few holes like what Barcelona is doing, than to throw money to buy a whole squad. I am not saying Barca doesn't have money, but what makes them dominate Europe is their ability to develop their players. The same reason that elevated Manchester United to UCL glory in 99.
I must say though, United never really dominated Europe at the level Barca is doing it. Passing the torch lol.
That 07-08 United team was one of the strongest club teams ever assembled imo, right up there with the 08-09 Barcelona team that beat them in Rome. The only reason United didn't dominate longer was because Ronaldo was sold and the Glazers didn't reinvest that huge sum of money. And I say that as an Arsenal fan.
The Barcelona teams that have dominated are really three different teamsthe 06 team, which is barely recognizable compared to the 09-12 Guardiola teams, and now this team, which is way more direct than the Guardiola team, though it does have a lot of the same spine carried over. So when I'm comparing the teams, I'm really comparing that 06-09 United team to the 08-12 Guardiola Barcelona team.
Manchester United had ONE great team, which won ONE final on penalties. The other two finals they were completely annihilated. Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich have been far more successful.
Eh. It's hard to win in Europe. As far as recent European teams go, they're behind Barcelona, tied with Milan, way ahead of the rest. Madrid? Bayern? Don't make me laugh.
Anyways, the point is... the Barcelona mythology of homegrown players is dumb. Just about every big club developed young players, the only ones that don't are the oil ones and Real Madrid.
Eh. It's hard to win in Europe. As far as recent European teams go, they're behind Barcelona, tied with Milan, way ahead of the rest. Madrid? Bayern? Don't make me laugh.
Just shows how pathetic is La Liga. Thanks to that Barca/RM can focus their efforts on Champions League.
Just shows how pathetic is La Liga. Thanks to that Barca/RM can focus their efforts on Champions League.
UCL Trophies (last decade)
Barça 4
Milan 1
M. United 1
Inter 1
Chelsea 1
Bayern 1
Real Madrid 1
RM didn't win la Liga last season.They were 3rd. And Sevilla has won the Europa League this year, again.
Just shows how pathetic is La Liga. Thanks to that Barca/RM can focus their efforts on Champions League.
Busquets is such a shit cunt. Troll King of the sneaky foul
Just shows how pathetic is La Liga. Thanks to that Barca/RM can focus their efforts on Champions League.
Do ITV not have the rights to show the champions league anymore?
Feed me with your tears, GAF.
At least it was kinda close for most of the game, Juve put some pressure in the second half before Buffon decided to fuck it up.
I wanted to see Pirlo win it, the man is a legend.
Good win for Barcelona again.
Nope nor do Sky all matches will be on BT.
At least it was kinda close for most of the game, Juve put some pressure in the second half before Buffon decided to fuck it up.
I wanted to see Pirlo win it, the man is a legend.
Good win for Barcelona again.
I know it didn't matter but holy cow at the offside on that last goal......
I know it didn't matter but holy cow at the offside on that last goal......
All matches? BT must have spent big money to secure that. Sucks though some people won't be able to watch matches for free
Offside? Neymar was in his own half when the ball was played to him, making him onside.
I'm not sure if he was....
argentine media lolol
I'm not sure if he was....
Edit: Just watched it again. He was on his own half...Barely....