FC Barcelona destroyed Athletico Madrid by slotting past half a dozen goals against a hapless defense. This was billed as a match up between Lionel Messi and Aguero; but in the end Aguero was nowhere to be seen. It is hard to criticise Aguero as it became a up hill task when his defense conceded three goals in first fifteen minutes. In the preview to this match I have guaranteed that there would be many goals; but I myself never expected this much goal and such an authorative performance by FC Barcelona. Especially after taking into consideration the last gasp victories before ; this came at the right time. This victory has indeed catapulated FC Barcelona as the top contender of the Primiera Liga. Guardiola brought in a new combination for the back four. Puyol played the Right Back role; whereas Marquez and Pique formed the centre of defense; Abidal, who for once had a great night played the Left Back role to perfection. The midfield was made up of Busquests, Gudjonsen and Xavi. Messi, Iniesta joined Eto to form the front trio.Barca took the lead early on in the 3rd minute from a header from Marquez of a Xavi corner at the near post. Indeed Iniesta earned us the corner. That would have set any nerves FC Barcelona players had and Barca was going to take full control of the match. Then in the next minute Messi won a penalty shout after cleverly drawing a clumsy challenge from Ujfalusi in the box. Eto stepped in and scored the penalty. The commentators were saying that Messi and Eto has decided to take turns in taking spot kicks. Then in the 9th minute FC Barcelona saw their lead extending to three goals - Messi scored from a free kick. The free kick was awarded outside the box for a foul against Messi; the referee presented Messi the oppurtunity to take a quick free kick and Messi obliged while Coupet was organising his wall. I have to admit that I don't consider this as a fair play; then it's the Referee's mistake; FIFA has to take note of this and take away this option. Otherwise they should bring the same option in Spot Kicks also. In the 13th minute Athletico Madrid showed a glimpse of getting back to the game. Busquests gave away the ball and the defense presented plenty of room to Maxi Rodriguez who curled his shot past a hapless Valdes. That indeed was the bset goal of the night but Maxi had to be substituted after that after injuring his groin area in the process. FC Barcelona retook the three goal cushion in the 18th minute when Xavi found an Eto with a great pass; Eto was presented with huge space by the centre backs; Eto took the ball with excellent chest control, rounded off the defenders and shot past a hapless Coupet. In the 28th Fc Barcelona scored their 5th goal of night after great kill by iniesta, Iniesta dribbled past defenders into the box but his shot hit the post and the rebound fell for Gudjonsen who slotted to score his first. Exactly after three minutes Iniesta nd the combination of wood work almost did a repeat of the fifth goal. This time Iniesta's curling kick insdie the box hit the wood work and it fell for Messi who failed to control and shot wide. In the 38th minute Xavi dances into the box past defenders from the left and squares the ball to Gudjonsen who shot a bit wide. In the 40th minute Messi should have made it 6-1 after Puyol cleared the ball from defense to Messi's path. After receinving the ball Messi set in for a tremendous run passing two defenders in the process, but his final chip over a diving Coupet went agaonisingly wide.
Athletico organised the defense better after the half and the fact that Barca had a four goal cushion resulted in FC Barcelona taking the foot off the pedal in the second half. Guardiola brought in Henry for Eto in the 59th minute. In the 60th minute the Xavi and Marquez combination combined again; but this time Marquez's header was a bit high. In the 69th minute Xavi provided a great pass to Gudjonsen but his curling shot was well anticipated and caught by a full stretch Coupet. In 70th minute Guardiola brought in Bojan for Messi. Then in the 72nd minute Valdes made his first save of the game by denying Ujfalusi's header. Next minute Henry enters the score sheet with an excellent finish. The move was started by Henry when he gave the ball to Xavi and kept running, Xavi passed the ball to Bojan who squared it to Henry whose shot thundered past Coupet. In the 74th minute Keita was brought in place of Xavi. In the 76th minute Bojan shot was saved by Coupet after a great run into the box.
Overall this was the best performance of this season. Everyone of the player played well. It was good to see Marquez getting back to his best in defense. How much of this performance can be taken forward to the next matches is yet to be seen as the majority of the squad leaves for international commitments.
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