David Villa signs for Barca

[tsubaki]

You're right. That Mourinho style of team do cause them trouble. I suspect Liverpool might have done as well when they were doing well in the CL because they were a similar team. Hence why they need a plan B. Arsenal have had a similar problem with being bullied by the Bolton's and Blackburn's of the world. Barca showed this year that they're a good bit better than Arsenal, but they can still struggle if teams really restrict space in the middle of the park.

yes, the RS do the snide thing very well under benitez.

as for plan b (and by extension ibrahimovic) it was really noticeable against inter how much the style of play changed when pique went up front compared to what went before. suddenly there was a much higher tempo (though that of course was helped by the goal), oddly reminiscent of the second half against fiorentina at goodison.

 

[Rook]

To be fair though both of those have the money to spend. Ok Real were given a massive leg-up when the Madrid council paid well over the odds for their training ground, but they still tend to turn a profit each year. I think Platini's gripe is with the likes of Chelsea and Man City that are spending huge money that has been either given to them by their owner or lent them by their bank. As Portsmouth have shown, that isn't healthy because the club is in the [Poor language removed] when the owner packs his bags.

What annoys me about Platini is that while yes Prem clubs spend beyond their means (some with dodgy owners who never had any money) he never points the finger at other big clubs like the Milans, Juve and Barca/Madrid. I would have alot more respect form him if he also pushed for TV revenue that is split evenly between the league clubs like the Prem does (granted I would rather have the Prem share it more with the lower leagues but its better than what Spain, Italy has). It gives a wholly unfair advantage in their leagues and in Europe. Madrid and Barca get what 200-300M euros in TV revenue now?

 

[zimblue]

What annoys me about Platini is that while yes Prem clubs spend beyond their means (some with dodgy owners who never had any money) he never points the finger at other big clubs like the Milans, Juve and Barca/Madrid. I would have alot more respect form him if he also pushed for TV revenue that is split evenly between the league clubs like the Prem does (granted I would rather have the Prem share it more with the lower leagues but its better than what Spain, Italy has). It gives a wholly unfair advantage in their leagues and in Europe. Madrid and Barca get what 200-300M euros in TV revenue now?

Couldnt agree more. Its sickening the disparity in revenues in Spain. A couple of the smaller clubs in la liga have an income less than £10M because of the TV deals. Meanwhile Real and Barca walk off with nearly £300M. Platini cant even pretend to talk about fairness while this racket goes on. Its a disgrace. Italy is apparently planning on going back to centrally controlled TV deals ( i'll believe that when i see it)... but that will never happen in Spain. Problem is over 2 thirds of spaniards support either barca or real. There just isn't the collective will to handicap them in any way. I feel sorry for the supporters of other clubs over there... there's been some protests but nothing major.

 

[Rook]

as for barca, if they do have a weakness it is against very snide teams who cheat, dive, backchat to referees,

What you meant to say was teams who give them a taste of their own medicine.