re: Champion's League 1/4 final: Barca vs Arsenal

Fantastic game. Thought Messi was non existent and the best players on the field were nasri for arsenal and xavi/ibra for barcelona. In my opinion that has to be a red card even though it was a very unfortunate one. Don't think Puyol did anything but be in the wrong place, like a previous poster said if you don't want to give the red don't call it. It was a clear goal scoring opportunity, arguably the last defender, in the box. Automatic red if you call the foul IMO

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Glad you had a good time, and since I have spring break next week I may have to join you at Finn's

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Will do. I have to come up with a plausible excuse like I did today. Don't worry, I will. I'll buy your pints and enjoy the action from the Camp Nou.

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I gave up on him long ago. Unlike Eboue, or Denilson, who both matured and progressed this season from last, Diaby has not.

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Agree to disagree. Diaby has matured defensively, and with Song and Fabregas, make up our best midfield three. He's played great since the Everton game in January, and was the best player on the field in the West Ham game when he came on. Denilson has dropped behind Diaby in the pecking order, which is a testament to Diaby's growth.

ETA: Diaby did play like dogshit in this game. Denilson was so much more tidy in possession, and we looked much much better when he came on.

King, who will Guardiola slot in at CB?

I agree while I do like Diaby, he had a terrible game today.

ill be in marietta all next week.

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Who will guardiola slot in at CB

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he has a few options I think, none of which as optimal as piqué-puyol. He will definitely put Milito in. He could also put abidal as a CB and play Maxwell at LB, even though Maxwell got smoked by Walcott. Option 2 would be to put toure in at CB.

I trust Guardiola even though he fricked up the substitutes BIG time today. I understand getting Henry in but take off pedro not fricking IBrahimovic who got you two goals

h played with shakhtar donetsk in the CL so he can't play in barca's CL campaign. He's also not impressed in La Liga so far

Yeah it was a questionable signing. I always thought he was too slow and awkward. I won't pass too much judgement on him until next season, but Barca have a habit of buying defenders who don't pan out. Henrique hasn't impressed, neither has Caceres, and obviously Chygrynskiy. But they did pay an awful lot of money for someone who doesn't really fit they style Barca play.

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I think he's smart as a substitute. Dani Alves was ragged from moving forward so much that when Walcott came on his burners easily got passed Alves's tired legs.

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Agreed, I don't want him to start either. I guess I was more saying sub him on earlier, but he actually did come on fairly early now that I look back.

And I have to give a ton of credit to Eboue. That guy has completely turned around from last season and can play anywhere from RB, to midfield, and to forward at least competently (Not always ideal I know, but he can do it). He plays with energy and hustles which is more than I can say for some other guys.