Would Barca struggle..

on a wet & windy night against Stoke?

Yes. Anyone who says they wouldn't are underestimating Stoke. They'd probably win most of the time like Man U do but it wouldnt be easy.

They'd carve Stoke open but I'd love to see Barca defend set pieces v them and see how it panned out, don't think Stoke would get many set pieces because they wouldn't get the ball though.

When Manchester United played Barcelona in Wembley Manchester United didn't even get a corner. They would absolutely destroy Stoke so long as the referee was fair.

9-0 Barca probably.

ResurrectionRooney wrote:When Manchester United played Barcelona in Wembley Manchester United didn't even get a corner. They would absolutely destroy Stoke so long as the referee was fair.

a throw-in inside Barca's half is more dangerous than a corner when you are playing Stoke though...

Do you think Stoke will make it out of their half?

SBSP wrote:Do you think Stoke will make it out of their half?

I think they would, even in the most one sided game a team can get into the other teams half..

kyro7 wrote:They'd carve Stoke open but I'd love to see Barca defend set pieces v them and see how it panned out, don't think Stoke would get many set pieces because they wouldn't get the ball though.

this. I think it has gotten to a point where barcelona are just too good for everyone.

the only way they would be able to have any possession in barcelona half is by direct longball, and this isnt a typical insult towards stoke but its true. when barcelona make a mistake in stoke half, which can happen, or if stoke simply win the ball, they will be unable to play out, they will just hoof to relieve pressure for about 20 seconds then prepare to defend again

No, Barca wouldn't struggle unless maybe Stoke don't cut their fields for like a month like Real did.

Barcelona would keep possession all game, keep the ball moving around the field waiting for an opening to be made by the Stoke defense. Messi or someone will cut in, put the ball through Stoke Defenders legs, go one on one and score 19 times out of 20. This won't just be once a match occurrence, if Barcelona in this era has taught us anything, such a situation will happen fifteen-twenty-five times a match. Furthermore, Stoke defenders are not used to playing intelligently and would get frustrated after about 15 minutes. Plus I see fouling as the only way Stoke could get the ball, I would count on a player or two getting two yellow cards.

Really, Stoke would be very easy opponent to Barcelona, even on a cold and wet, windy, weekday night. I can see Barcelona winning by 4 to 5 goals... atleast.

VivaRonaldo wrote:

ResurrectionRooney wrote:When Manchester United played Barcelona in Wembley Manchester United didn't even get a corner. They would absolutely destroy Stoke so long as the referee was fair.

a throw-in inside Barca's half is more dangerous than a corner when you are playing Stoke though...

Barcelona won't need corners, and if Guardiola is smart, he'd tell the corner kick taker to pass it to the nearest man rather than crossing it.

polska. wrote:

VivaRonaldo wrote:

a throw-in inside Barca's half is more dangerous than a corner when you are playing Stoke though...

Barcelona won't need corners, and if Guardiola is smart, he'd tell the corner kick taker to pass it to the nearest man rather than crossing it.

Im talking about for Stoke.

polska. wrote:

VivaRonaldo wrote:

a throw-in inside Barca's half is more dangerous than a corner when you are playing Stoke though...

Barcelona won't need corners, and if Guardiola is smart, he'd tell the corner kick taker to pass it to the nearest man rather than crossing it.

I think you didn't understand what he meant, he meant that Stoke getting a throw in is more dangerous than Stoke getting a corner, I think.

There's another factor you guys aren't considering though, and that's the referee. If he is intimidated or influenced by the Stoke crowd, which a lot of referees are, and is too scared to make fair decisions, there is a strong probability that skilful players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas, will end up with their legs in 4 or 5 pieces, and only a couple of yellow cards or a harsh talking to for Stoke players. The remaining Barcelona players would no doubt be intimidated by this, and out of their element.

ResurrectionRooney wrote:There's another factor you guys aren't considering though, and that's the referee. If he is intimidated or influenced by the Stoke crowd, which a lot of referees are, and is too scared to make fair decisions, there is a strong probability that skilful players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas, will end up with their legs in 4 or 5 pieces, and only a couple of yellow cards or a harsh talking to for Stoke players. The remaining Barcelona players would no doubt be intimidated by this, and out of their element.

You know how cuntish the Barca players are? I am sure the ref will be more intimidated by Puyol and others than Stoke.

polska. wrote:

ResurrectionRooney wrote:There's another factor you guys aren't considering though, and that's the referee. If he is intimidated or influenced by the Stoke crowd, which a lot of referees are, and is too scared to make fair decisions, there is a strong probability that skilful players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas, will end up with their legs in 4 or 5 pieces, and only a couple of yellow cards or a harsh talking to for Stoke players. The remaining Barcelona players would no doubt be intimidated by this, and out of their element.

You know how cuntish the Barca players are? I am sure the ref will be more intimidated by Puyol and others than Stoke.

Yeah, they sometimes behave cuntishly, and Busquets will go down, but when he does the Stoke fans will barrack him and throw their faeces at him, and the referee will tell him to get up, even if he is carrying his knee in his hand. If Puyol touches anyone they will either react with equally aggressive behaviour, or dive to the ground in mock agony.

They won't struggle but it would be interesting to see how they manage. Arsenal play similar to Barca but usually struggle against Stoke. I know Barca are on another level to Arsenal but it just proves keeping possession doesn't mean you keep Stoke quiet.

grenade187 wrote:They won't struggle but it would be interesting to see how they manage. Arsenal play similar to Barca but usually struggle against Stoke. I know Barca are on another level to Arsenal but it just proves keeping possession doesn't mean you keep Stoke quiet.

That is because Arsenal doesn't hold possession as well, don't pass like Barca do, don't press and can't recover possession on their own, and are nowhere as productive or efficient as Barca do. Stoke defenders can relax from time to time with Arsenal, they won't with Barca. This is not even mentioning Arsenal's complete lack of any defensive ability and let's not get started with set pieces.

The only way Stoke could frustrate Barca is if they parked the bus. But I can easily see 80% possession for Barca.

I would actually love to see a competitive match between the two sides to put this hypothetical bullshit to bed.

Once Stoke gets into the CL then we could figure that out.

XavIniesta_6 wrote:Once Stoke gets into the CL then we could figure that out.

Arsenal play similarly to Barcelona is the funniest quote I've heard in a long time. A few years ago, maybe.

They don't even play the best football in the PL. Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea are much more entertaining.

James wrote:Yes. Anyone who says they wouldn't are underestimating Stoke. They'd probably win most of the time like Man U do but it wouldnt be easy.

Another five star post. What would we do without your amazing contributions?

Hey Mal, how are you?

And I don't think it'll be easy as people think. Stoke will play their usual 4-4-2 with the midfield dropping really deep. Barca will dominate possession but they won't run away with the game scoreline wise. On stoke's narrow pitch it will be alot harder for them to cut through the defence. The most effective way fr barca would be the xavi-Alves diagonal ball over the top combination.

VivaRonaldo wrote:on a wet & windy night against Stoke?

Only if the rain was so bad the ball randomly stopped on the pitch. Even then I wouldn't be surprised if Messi, Iniesta and Xavi just juggled the ball while they moved and beat them that way. No ball movement on the ground and it's advantage Stoke. So.. if stoke ever gets to the Champions League they need to flood their pitch before playing.

James wrote:Hey Mal, how are you?

And I don't think it'll be
easy as people think. Stoke will play their usual 4-4-2 with the
midfield dropping really deep. Barca will dominate possession but they
won't run away with the game scoreline wise. On stoke's narrow pitch it
will be alot harder for them to cut through the defence. The most
effective way fr barca would be the xavi-Alves diagonal ball over the
top combination.

Messi walked through Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Carvalho like they weren't even there. I don't think Shawcross and Upson/Woodgate would be too much of a challenge.

Yeah... on a massive pitch where there was lots of space.

James wrote:Yeah... on a massive pitch where there was lots of space.

are you mentally ill?