We’re not just upset by this, we’re angry too. This was undoubtedly the worst match night we’ve had all season, and it really shouldn’t have been. It’s the first time we lose at home and only the second Liga loss since the very first game against Numancia, and there was never a more unjust outcome.Barca did not play a full ninety minutes for this one. We’re going to say more like seventy, at most. Espanyol did a good job of wasting time, oh a very good job, what with all the fouling, diving, and absolute nonsense that went on.
And we were blessed with an oh so intelligent referee who made his contribution by stopping the match, but not the clock, as many times as you like to make his ridiculous calls, even going so far as to book Sergio Busquets when he while he was sitting on the bench! Now, that’s just plain idiocy, say what you will. Out of all the stupid refs we’ve had to put with this season, he is by far the worst.
Espanyol really overdid it with the fouling and diving. The referee really overdid it with the booking. And yes, even our players overdid it with the arguing. Now, don’t get us wrong, it’s always hot to see the guys get worked up like that, but when we’re two down and time’s running out, we’re just too anxious to be able to enjoy it.
So with Keita getting a red card early in the match, leaving us with ten men and a two-attacker formation, and with Abidal getting injured almost right away, things were looking bad from the start. Come into the second half, and what do you know, Espanyol have scored, once, twice! We don’t want to be harsh, but blame goes to Victor for the second goal after he basically passed it right to De la Pena who went on to shoot it right past him into the net.
Yaya Toure soon scored a lovely goal for us and it looked like things were picking up, but the equalizer that should have been just never came. Our attack was mainly Messi, and he was always met by a throng of defenders impossible to get around and no one to pass to, with Eto’o off for a coffee break somewhere and Gudjhonsen doing little more than screwing up a few chances after he came on. And as for Xavi, well, we’ve said it once and we’ll say it again. He’s tired, and should be rested. If you ask us he shouldn’t have played this match at all, he should have been left to rest up for the Champions League clash this Tuesday with Lyon. It’s upsetting, all those free kicks he lost because he was off form. Marquez ought to have been to one to take them.
It’s a bit annoying that Espanyol netted two goals when they were playing a ten man defense and really just trying to waste time and keep us from scoring for the entire match. And it’s really disgusting that this is what football has come to. If you’re not going to play fair, don’t play our game at all.
But all that’s only half of it. Let’s take a little trip to the Bernebau and see how things are going with Real Madrid, shall we? And look at that! They’ve just won 6-1. And against who? Real Betis, who Barca were barely able to draw with just a week ago! Suddenly, Betis are sucking. Suddenly, magic Ricardo isn’t so magic anymore. Suddenly, they are a weak team getting thrashed by Madrid. Nothing like the Betis we had to face. And it’s just plain annoying.
This takes the gap between us and Madrid to seven points. From twelve to seven, just like that, in two damn weeks! Something must be done, and fast.
No comments:
Post a Comment