FC Barcelona - 5, Almeria - 0
FC Barcelona has almost booked a place in the final of Copa Del Rey with a 5-0 thrashing of Almeria. The last time these two teams met, Almeria ended the match losing 8-0. This time around also there was not much change in the result. Messi, Pedro, Villa all got into the scoresheet for Barca. GUardiola understood the need of finishing the tie at home and he put out a very strong line-up for this match. Pinto was back as the goalkeeper as usual. Adriano, Pique, Abidal and Maxwell formed the defense infront of him. Xavi, Iniesta and Mascerano formed the midfield. Messi, Villa and Pedro fromed the front line.
Guardiola put out a very string side and the intension from the start was clear - finish the tie in this match. In the 6th mninute Messi was played through by a great ball from xavi, his first touch was brilliant but he put the finish wide of post. In the 9th minute Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box, it was a regulation stop but the keeper made a mess of it. In the 11th minute Villa made it 2-0, yet again it was another mistake from teh second choice keeper, Esteban. In the 16th minute Messi scored again, once again from a speedy counter attack. Iniesta played the ball to Messi wide on right, he cut inside and curl a low shot to the far post. Luckily this time the keeper had nothing to do with the goal. Pique has been a bit complacent in the early exchanges and almost gifted Almeria a goal with a stupid back pass.
In the 25th minute Xavi had one shot saved and the very next minute Pedro had his curling shot saved by the keeper. In the 31st minute pedro got into the scoresheet to take the lead to 4-0. Adriano won us a free kick on the right of box, Xavi's free kick was perfect but Pedro's header was brilliant looping it into the far corner. The referee was allowing a lot of physical contact and the Almeria players were getting a lot of our players. Adriano was the regular recepient along with Messi and Xavi. Iniesta nowadays looks like unconquerable even with these kind of challeneges. In the 44th minute Messi set off on his trademark mazy run but the keeper, Esteban produced a brilliant save to deny his hat-trick. Xavi and Messi both were recepient of some dirty challeneges. With 4-0 up everyone expected Guardiola to make some changes in the start of ssecond half.
Guardiola made no change at the start of second half. Bith Messi and Xavi were there and that should have eased any injury concern for Barca fans. In the 52nd minute Maxwell had a shot hit the post but he had better options in the centre. In the 62nd minute Almeira Keeper was forced to make two brilliant saves to deny first Adriano and then from Mascherano.In the 66th minute Almeria had a great chance to score a goal but the striker made a mess of it. Guardiola took off Villa and brought in Afellay the very next minute.In the 68th minute Afellay played a good ball to Pedro in the box but the keeper did well to keep his shot away. In the 74th minute Keita replaced Xavi Hernandez.In the 82nd minute Milito came in for Maxwell and that meant Abidal moving into left back position. In the 88th minute a brilliant chipped ball by Messi found Keita in the box who finished it with pretty ease.
The prospect of a dream final against Real Madrid is very much on the cards after the team from the Spanish Capoital won away from home. Once again Messi was the star of the night considering his scoring. But like in recent times he looked brilliant at times and sometimes very lose with possession. Xavi and Iniesta were absolutely brilliant throughout the match. Villa may have gone missing at times but everytime we counter attacked he was very much present. Pedro for me had a much quite night than the other two forwards. Mascherano once again was average. The biggest problem with him is that he does not offer teh centre backs with necessary cushion everytime. Adriano was once again very poor, the biggest worry is seeing him blasting the ball at goal at every opurtunity. I did expect Milito to start in this game, but this should seriously signal the end of his hopes with Barca. Afellay did really impress with the few minutes he had. In the end the early mistakes from the Almeria keeper killed the game pretty early on and after that it was no way back for Almeria. This big win should give Guardiola the chance to rest many major players next week for the return leg.
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