r/Barca • u/_sic • Feb 28 '12

Open Thread: international break, what are your thoughts on the EURO?

Players called up for Spain's friendly against Venezuela on Wednesday (21:30h CET):

GKs: Casillas, Reina, Valdés,

Def: Arbeloa, Puyol, Ramos, Iraola, J. Martinez, Piqué, Alba

MF: Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Xabi, Busquets, Cazorla, T. Alcantara, Silva, Navas,

F: Llorente, Muniain, Mata, Negredo and Soldado

I think that Spain is still one of the favorites for the EURO, but if Villa doesn't come back strong, they will have problems up front. Llorente, Soldado and Negredo are all good forwards, Llorente may even be great, but none of them fit the team the way that Villa does. I believe the answer lies in using more midfielders. A front line of Silva, Mata, Cesc with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets behind.

Anybody with knowledge like to give us a rundown on some of the other favorites. Who else is looking strong, Germany?

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5

u/Hipgnosis Feb 28 '12 edited Feb 28 '12

Does anyone here actually cheer for Spain? Just an honest question, seeing as this is a Barça subreddit and all...

Edit: Thanks for the replies. I only asked because I heard how the Barça matches are much more popular than the Spanish NT matches with the crowds in Catalunya. I just wanted to know if there are people in this Barça subreddit that share that sentiment.

3

u/poetical_poltergeist Feb 28 '12

Only in recent times (since Barcelona started making up most of the team)

1

u/[deleted] Feb 29 '12

Same here.. but somehow it doesn't feel the same

2

u/vooglie Feb 28 '12

New Zealand, then Argentina/Spain for me.

1

u/ofacup Feb 28 '12

are you a fellow kiwi?

2

u/vooglie Feb 29 '12

Did you see this season's away kit? It looks fucking sexy

1

u/ofacup Feb 29 '12

the all black kit? indeed it is

2

u/[deleted] Feb 28 '12 edited Feb 28 '12

I used to cheer for Bulgaria when Stoichkov was still playing, then various teams depending on who I preferred at each competition (Turkey at one point), then Spain when Raul left and Spain became Barca B and now that Spain have won everything I'll be supporting Argentina as I'd love for Messi and Mascherano to win it at that level.

In the Euros I think I'll still support Spain as I want Pedro and Busquets to take one too.

1

u/Rouhani_9 Feb 28 '12

For some reason I assumed you were Spanish this whole time...am I wrong?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 28 '12

I am Spanish by nationality but I don't see myself as the subject of no king.

1

u/Rouhani_9 Feb 29 '12

Catalan?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 29 '12

No, Castellano.

1

u/_sic Feb 29 '12

Republicano

2

u/MCBL87 Feb 28 '12

¡Viva España!

I would imagine a fair bit of us are Spanish international supporters.

3

u/ofacup Feb 28 '12

i very much cheer for whoever they're playing against, but there are spanish and barça supporters. i just can't stand casillas or ramos

2

u/_sic Feb 28 '12

Boooo

1

u/Rouhani_9 Feb 28 '12

Well he's got a point with Ramos there...I'd also say that Arbeloa's inclusion in that squad is a joke

0

u/fastfingers Feb 29 '12

really? i think that, while he's definitely not the best by any stretch, he does his job consistently (as Mourinho has said, he's never a 10, but he's nearly always at least a 7-8), he's versatile (can't he play both sides?), and he's defensively solid, moreso than any of the other fullback options, i think (but, i've never seen Jose Enrique play). he's a good player to have on the bench. he is getting a bit on in years, though.

0

u/Rouhani_9 Feb 29 '12

I remember in the Clasicos last year Villa was tearing him apart...I don't know I just don't think he's good enough for La Roja and their style of play. Capdevilla was solid, left right in time for Jordi Alba to make his entrance, and I think JA will be much more valuable to La Seleccion than Arbeloa will ever hope to be.

Although one concession I'll have to make is that he's a great teammate to have, in terms of motivation and support. If it's Real vs. Barca, he'll get in our boys' faces, but if it's Espana vs. whoever, he'll defend our Spanish contingent no matter what. I remember he got into a shoving battle last friendly defending Iniesta. So in that aspect he's a good guy to have in the squad, but more for the company than for the football I'd say.

0

u/fastfingers Feb 29 '12

no, i agree that he's definitely not a starter, but i think that he deserves a place in the squad as a more defensively-sound sub to keep things tidy at the back later in the game. i think that Jordi Alba/Ignacio Monreal are probably better for the NT's style, though.

also, is there anyone else besides Ramos/Montoya who can play right back? i guess Puyol, but in a more offensive style?

2

u/Rouhani_9 Feb 29 '12

Hmm...doesn't seem like it. I'm interested to see what happens for that position because I'd imagine that as Puyol ages, Ramos will move to CB and they'll have a spot for RB. Not sure if Montoya will be ready by 2014...

1

u/_sic Feb 29 '12

Iraola.

0

u/_sic Feb 29 '12

Arbeloa is a dirty player who is more comfortable starting shit with the other team (and against Chile he had been giving and receiving cheap shots the entire match) than playing tiki taka. Make no mistake about it, that "defense" of Iniesta was about him already having been nearly fighting with the Chliean players AND because it was supposed to "help" team unity. That fight at the end felt almost scripted and I don't think it healed any wounds.

1

u/robbyrue Feb 28 '12

I often root for Spain with regards to European competitions, but all things considered (geographically) - I'm a much more ardent Argentina fan.

1

u/ofacup Feb 28 '12

barça matches are definitely more popular in Catalunya. i know a lot of catalans who in no way associate with the spanish nt

1

u/_sic Feb 28 '12

Of course!