La Liga (Spanish League) Prediction Thread 2023/24

[coinfinger]

Benzema has always been on my list of players that could have been improved for Real Madrid but for some reason statistics always likes him. If you watch a full game of Madrid you will see that the dude just jogs on the pitch like nothing is going on and doesn't do anything and for a minute he gets the ball and creates wonders. Now don't get me wrong he is a top notch player and age 32 still makes a big difference, that assist he had?

My god one of the best passes I have seen, he is one of the best complete forwards in our game. However just because it "looks" like he doesn't try hard and relies heavily on his awesome talents, I just have a disdain towards him. Dude has 31 games with 17 goals and 7 assists, it wasn't actually that bad of a deal to wager on him, at 6 assists on 30 games before this one, it was literally 5 to 1 odds as well .

[1714512380]

1714512380

[1714512380]

1714512380

[1714512380]

1714512380

[1714512380]

1714512380

[notblox1]

One more match I like is Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid.
It is derby, but Barcelona did not lost last 19 La liga matches against Atletico Madrid.
Only recent win was in Cup, where Atletico won 3-2.
I think it is time for one more match with lot of goals here, and I can't see Barcelona losing here.
Lionel Messi to score.

[babygun]

Judging by this article in Marca: https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2020/06/29/5ef9c81722601d03268b45a9.html
in Barcelona there is a complete breakdown of the system and a major clash between players and coaches.
Does such Barcelona have any chance against Real?
What do you think?

I think the main problem that Barcelona is having right now, is that they rely 100% on Messi. If Messi doesn't deliver, than nobody does.
Given the schedule that Barcelona and Real are having, chances are quite high that Real Madrid will win the title. And that is also what the bookies are thinking, because odd of Real for winning the title is around 1.3.

[Trofo]

So, it's official, Barca sold Arthur to Juventus for 72 millions, plus 10 million euros in variables...
https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/noticies/1700293/acord-amb-la-juventus-per-al-traspas-darthur?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fc%20barcelona&utm_campaign=5042a2be-40f0-47aa-a511-c8d4972b0220
I just can't understand out transfer policy. And still, more than year remains until Barca president election. I can't wait until Berttomeu will leave club

That’s a great fee for Barca, he’s crap. He’s done nothing to prove he is good enough to be a big player for Barcelona.

I don't think so, I would have agreed if Barcelona had sold him outright for 72 million but the numbers are just to keep them in accordance with the FFP rules, and Barcelona will be paying back 62 millions to Juventus for Miralem Pjanic. If you ask me, I'd say Barcelona are the heavy losers here, Arthur is just 23 years old, and Pjanic is 30 already just another addition to an ageing squad.

I agree absolutely with the bold part. I can't find a single reason why Barcelona would sign Pjanic even for free let alone for such hefty transfer fee. They are trying to get rid of Rakitic for some time now and Pjanic isn't any better, I would even argue that Rakitic is better fit for Barca. Barca needs midfielders that can cover defensively massive whole that Messi leaves on his side and i can't think of much better players for that position than Vidal who is already there. Pjanic has great free kicks but he will not get a chance to take a single one with Messi on the pitch.

I am thinking they are laughing very hard in Juve. This deals seams like a total rip off.

But what so I know. I was totally against Braithwaite transfer and he actually positively surprised me. He brings a nice level of energy and defensive play to the team and I would play him before Griezmann every single time against stronger opposition to balance out Messi and Suarez. 

[JeromeTash]

uh oh, Messi got caught being a douche: https://twitter.com/FuriaCule20/status/1277378957600571393

why is the captain of the team so disrespectful, guys? why can't he just take a few seconds and listen to the assistant manager? First, the whole thing that went down in El Clasico, and now this...it's pretty obvious who's going to leave the team at the end of the season, right?

That's what happens when you treat someone like a god. Messi is like a small god in Barcelona. Anybody who clashes with him has to go, Anybody who he dislikes has to go, Anybody who he likes gets a chance to be signed. This leaves the Coaches and staff with lots of pressure. The Barca President is also partly to blame for what's going on.

[ampere]

So, it's official, Barca sold Arthur to Juventus for 72 millions, plus 10 million euros in variables...
https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/noticies/1700293/acord-amb-la-juventus-per-al-traspas-darthur?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fc%20barcelona&utm_campaign=5042a2be-40f0-47aa-a511-c8d4972b0220
I just can't understand out transfer policy. And still, more than year remains until Barca president election. I can't wait until Berttomeu will leave club

That’s a great fee for Barca, he’s crap. He’s done nothing to prove he is good enough to be a big player for Barcelona.

Barcelona also have signed Pjanic from Juventus for £62m. The Bosnian midfielder has signed four year contract with Barcelona. Good deal for both sides as Juventus got a young talented midfielder Arthur and Barcelona got their target plus also got a little bit improvement in their financial situation.



Pjanic will be a great addition to the Barcelona's mid. Can't wait him to see him in action.

This is a very good deal for Juventus; and frankly Juventus Director of football deserves some form of accolades for several transfer activities he pans out seamlessly and easily; picking the best midfielders around europe for close to nothing. The transfer helps Barcelona balance out their FFP issues; while it is a big challenge for Arthur to take charge and make the best out of his move to Serie A; a good versatile midfielder maltreated by Barcelona.

On the other hand; it is a good deal for Pjanic; gets a good pay rise; play with messi and gain more few hypes around social media and endorsement.

[kawetsriyanto]

~Pjanic will be a great addition to the Barcelona's mid.~

I think no. What is the advantage to buy 30 years old players for £62m? I don't know what's happening in the player transfer policy of Barcelona. In the past few seasons, they recruited old players for midfielders. As far as I know, Barcelona has a football academy with many talented players, they can promote one of the talented young midfielders. But if they want a new midfielder from another club, why don't they buy a young player? Or at least below 30 years old.

[Bitcoin_Arena]

Pjanic will be a great addition to the Barcelona's mid. Can't wait him to see him in action.

Nah, I think he's going to rot on bench just like the young promising Arthur Mello was. Everything in Barcelona rotates around Messi. Look at all Barcelona's latest signings. Barcelona's last brilliant signings were probably Suarez and Neymar.

[Shasha80]

Pjanic will be a great addition to the Barcelona's mid. Can't wait him to see him in action.

Nah, I think he's going to rot on bench just like the young promising Arthur Mello was. Everything in Barcelona rotates around Messi. Look at all Barcelona's latest signings. Barcelona's last brilliant signings were probably Suarez and Neymar.

I agree with you, there is a possibility that Pjanic doesn't get a chance to play much. And may not be able to adapt to the team
as big as Barcelona. After all, for a 30-year-old the price is too high, this is a good deal for Juventus. Hopefully the conjecture
I'm wrong, Miralem Pjanic can play well and can turn on the Barcelona midfield.

[Daniel91]

Judging by this article in Marca: https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2020/06/29/5ef9c81722601d03268b45a9.html
in Barcelona there is a complete breakdown of the system and a major clash between players and coaches.
Does such Barcelona have any chance against Real?
What do you think?

I think the main problem that Barcelona is having right now, is that they rely 100% on Messi. If Messi doesn't deliver, than nobody does.
Given the schedule that Barcelona and Real are having, chances are quite high that Real Madrid will win the title. And that is also what the bookies are thinking, because odd of Real for winning the title is around 1.3.

Argentina national team and Barcelona rely really to much on Messi already to long, ,maybe last 5-6 years or more.
In this period both teams didn't achieve some big results,  Argentina didn't become world champion and Barcelona couldn't win CL.
Messi can't do everything alone,  without support from others.
I feel sorry for him;  probably the best player in the world history after Pele and Maradona but can't win any more "big " titles like CL because his players can't follow him and play on the same level.

[EdenHazard]

FUN FACT about the pjanic-arthur swap

Both pjanic and arthur now officially added to the list of the luckiest footballer to ever play with 2 GOAT both messi and cristiano.

Here's the full list :

Dybala,
Juventus - cristiano
Argentine - messi

Tevez,
Manchester United - cristiano
Argentine - messi

Semedo,
Portugal - cristiano
Barcelona - messi

Higuain,
Real madrid, Juventus - cristiano
Argentine - messi

Angel di Maria , Pique, Deco, Garay, Henrik Larsson, Caceres, Andre gomes.

Wanna add some more?

[jayce]

Yep, some journalists are saying that the relationship between players (with Messi leading the pack) and the coaching staff is nonexistent...Obviously, whenever this sort of stuff happens, the first one to get kicked out of the team is the head coach...I'm starting to think the problem isn't the managers in Barca, but rather the players who think they're above the manager.

Haha yes, and also the board obviously. Couple years ago, Barcelona spent less and recruited more from their academy La Masia. Nowadays, they are turning into a team that makes records on signing new players in every transfer window. Their management is not as healthy as when led by Joan Laporta. But recently I read that Laporta is trying to be the club president again soon. Cant say if it's a good or bad move. But surely Barca needs a refreshment on their management.

FUN FACT about the pjanic-arthur swap

Both pjanic and arthur now officially added to the list of the luckiest footballer to ever play with 2 GOAT both messi and cristiano.

Here's the full list :

-snipped

Angel di Maria , Pique, Deco, Garay, Henrik Larsson, Caceres, Andre gomes.

Wanna add some more?

I can say Di Maria is the luckiest one since he also played with Zlatan and right now playing with Neymar and Mbappe as the next generations that probably would win Ballon d'Or someday.


I thought Barca would stopped their weird behavior on transfer window after brought Boateng and Braithwaite. But well.... Not saying Pjanic is a bad player, but I'd rather spend that money to bring Eriksen that has similar playing style with Rakitic. Pjanic is good with his free kick, but who can take that while Messi is there.

[hd49728]

Barcelona also have signed Pjanic from Juventus for £62m. The Bosnian midfielder has signed four year contract with Barcelona. Good deal for both sides as Juventus got a young talented midfielder Arthur and Barcelona got their target plus also got a little bit improvement in their financial situation.



Pjanic will be a great addition to the Barcelona's mid. Can't wait him to see him in action.

People talked about the great freekick skills of Pjanic but why Barca need the skill because Messi already does it so well. In the midfiled area, they already have De Jong who has nearly same playing style of Pjanic.

This is a very good deal for Juventus; and frankly Juventus Director of football deserves some form of accolades for several transfer activities he pans out seamlessly and easily; picking the best midfielders around europe for close to nothing. The transfer helps Barcelona balance out their FFP issues; while it is a big challenge for Arthur to take charge and make the best out of his move to Serie A; a good versatile midfielder maltreated by Barcelona.

On the other hand; it is a good deal for Pjanic; gets a good pay rise; play with messi and gain more few hypes around social media and endorsement.

It is truly a very good transfer for Juventus. Pjanic is not young and £62m is a great value for a transfer in the pandemic time and many clubs have financial troubles. Juventus usually are very smart on transfer market.

Generally, the problems of Barca are not quality of their players or new transfers. Their current squad are good enough, of course having some good transfers for weak positions is good. Their problems belong to the coach / manager position. They need to sign a contract with someone who understand Barca, and have good reputation. Pep?

[LFC_Bitcoin]

End of an era for Barca, they’ll have to build again soon or get left behind. Time waits for nobody!

[Trofo]

End of an era for Barca, they’ll have to build again soon or get left behind. Time waits for nobody!

Doesn't look good when you see all those key players at the end of their best playing years. Previously there was always some new players coming from youth squad but I don't see any leaders growing up soon enough to help this time around.

Barca has a tough game tonight and I am not sure they can win and keep pressure on Real. They will have to come out playing their best for sure. Atletico is not the team that will gift them with anything.

[Slow death]

End of an era for Barca, they’ll have to build again soon or get left behind. Time waits for nobody!

summarizing everything:

In the next few years when Messi retires from Barcelona, Real Madrid will be able to be a successive champion and will not be under great pressure. this is very good for me as a fan of real madrid


FC Barcelona - Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid is very motivated for this game (man, how would I like to see the faces of Barcelona fans if Barcelona lose this game). 

[notblox1]

As I predicted above, Getafe won with score 2-1 against Real Sociedad.
Mata scored both goals for home team, and away team had only one shot on the goal, and five shots in total. You can't expect to have good result like that.
Getafe is now very near to Sevilla and fight to get in Champions League.

[tomahawk9]

Just checked my bookie and saw Barcelona to WIN @1.89!! wut? when was the last time you saw such odds for Barca?

BTTS or Atletico X2 would be my picks...This is gonna be one hell of a game. A win for Barca could mean a turning point in the season, losing prolly means saying goodbye to the title race and Setien getting sacked this very same week. Will Messi finally score his 700 goal? Messi goalscorer @2.08 odds...and Griezmann @3.70! you never know =P

[Daniel91]

Croatian online portal Index just shared unofficial news from spanish Catalan radio.
Barcelona president  Bartomeu, vice president Bordas, Grau and Abidal, all members of Barcelona management, visited Setien yesterday at his home and gave him ultimatum.
If he wants to save his job,  Barcelona must win in the next 2 matches with Atletico and Villarreal
Otherwise,  they will replace him with Pimienta who is coach in Barcelona B currently.
Source : https://www.index.hr/mobile/clanak.aspx?category=sport&id=2194173

[masulum]

End of an era for Barca, they’ll have to build again soon or get left behind. Time waits for nobody!

It seems they already have a tendency to rely too much on players like Messi, Suarez, and another player in these images. When these players are absent or do not get free space on the field, this can cause imbalances in the team. I think they will become "AC Milan volume 2" when they lose the core players due to retirement or are too old, they can't do much in the domestic or European leagues. then, they will start to have trouble finding a coach who can build a team like Rijkaard, just as Ancelotti coached Milan. (IMO)