Barça fan since the mid 70’s here. I remember being at a bar in Madrid having a few beers and watching a game where Cruyff had been hospitalised due to a heart attack. Charly Rexach, the assistant coach and former Barça great, was the caretaker and he put Stoichkov as an attacking midfielder (similar to where Messi would end up having his best years). It was a game against Atletico Madrid at their stadium, the old Vicente Calderon. Barça had started the season with 6 wins on the trot (something no Barça fan had ever experienced until that time) and both Madrid teams where breathing down our neck. Atletico went one up. Koeman was also off injured. They got a free kick outside the box and everyone looked at each other thinking “Koeman is out, who’s taking this?” Up stepped the great Stoichkov and the then captain Alexanko told the team to back up and let him take it. An absolute screamer! He was the heart of the team when the chips were down. Talent, charisma and more heart than anything. Barça drew that game, but anyone that watched it knew it then, we’re winning La Liga and this fellow is dragging us there kicking and screaming! Take a bow Mr. Stoichkov, a unique player with an impressive dedication to the teams he played for.
What he did with the ball is anazing but his effect on his teammates is even more important. He just made everybody play better as a team. His passion was just such
Hristo Stoichkov ❤❤❤
Barça fan since the mid 70’s here. I remember being at a bar in Madrid having a few beers and watching a game where Cruyff had been hospitalised due to a heart attack. Charly Rexach, the assistant coach and former Barça great, was the caretaker and he put Stoichkov as an attacking midfielder (similar to where Messi would end up having his best years). It was a game against Atletico Madrid at their stadium, the old Vicente Calderon. Barça had started the season with 6 wins on the trot (something no Barça fan had ever experienced until that time) and both Madrid teams where breathing down our neck. Atletico went one up. Koeman was also off injured. They got a free kick outside the box and everyone looked at each other thinking “Koeman is out, who’s taking this?”
Up stepped the great Stoichkov and the then captain Alexanko told the team to back up and let him take it. An absolute screamer! He was the heart of the team when the chips were down. Talent, charisma and more heart than anything. Barça drew that game, but anyone that watched it knew it then, we’re winning La Liga and this fellow is dragging us there kicking and screaming!
Take a bow Mr. Stoichkov, a unique player with an impressive dedication to the teams he played for.
What he did with the ball is anazing but his effect on his teammates is even more important. He just made everybody play better as a team. His passion was just such