FC Barcelona won their first pre-season final of this season with a 2-0 victory against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, the same gorund where this season's Champions League final will take place. This cup doesn't count much but the fact taht we triumphed with a very inexperienecd and young side talks higly of our production unit named, La Masia. There were some exceptional performances from youngsters in this pre-season tournament but there was no doubt who shined the most - Thiago Alcantara. The higly rated Spanish midfielder scored both of Barca's goal in the final and had overall a brilliant two matches. With his brilliant performance he would have made sure that Guardiola cannot afford not to give him quality playing time in the new La Liga season.
The starting line-up was Valdes, Dos Santos, Busquets, Fontas, Maxwell, Thiago, Keita, Iniesta, Pedro, Soriano and Villa. From the start of the half we were our usual with our possession football. We ended the half with 68% of possession. Any attempt from bayern came through the flanks. Bayern Munich was looking more dangerous towards the closing stage of the half. But we upstaged them by taking the lead just before the half time. Once again it was Thiago who put us in the lead, this time from header. Victor Valdes was brilliant in the half even pulling out a one on one save just before we took the lead. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the World's best when it comes to One on One situation.
Guardiola made fewer change in the start of second half in contrast to the previous matches. Actually only one change was made that was Pinto coming in for Valdes. The other substitutes who came in in the half were Jeffren, Afellay, Riverola, Cuenca(who came in for an injured Soriano), Pique, Armando and Camona . Pinto redeemed himself off his stupid mistake by making a low flying save in the half. It looked like this is the trend in the match as Thiago scored an absolutely brilliant goal immediately at the other end. That was Thiago's third goal in two matches. He recieved teh ball outside the box and then curled the ball to the top far corner. It surprises me that we were trying to use him as a pawn in cesc signing before U-21 World Cup.
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AllAboutFCBarcelona.com is a Blog dedicated to the Most prestigous Club in the world, FC Barcelona by an ardent fan. Here I discuss about the Latest happening surrounding our Club and present my Views about the same.