Giovanni to ManU? Are You Kidding?

Even if Barcelona is not involved that much in the mid season Transfer market, many of the barcelona players are getting involved. Marc Crosas has just signed a loan deal with Olympique Lyon for the rest of the season. Its rumoured that there is a clause for making this arrangement permanent and that disturbs me. Marc Crosas looked like a solid midfield player and did impress a little. How much playing time he will get in Lyon is also doubtful, I expect them to extend the Loan next year. But it will be disastrous if he signs permanently for Lyon or other club, it sets up a wrong precedence and a wrong notion that the talented players coming out of Barcelona Youth Academy needs to look somewhere for a permanent position.

The most wierd rumours coming out the transfer market is involving Giovani Dos Santos, he is being linked left, right, centre. the latest clubs which are linked to his transfer is Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Totenham. I don't think he will be leaving Barcelona or that Barcelona will let go of him. Another strong rumour that making the round is Gudjonsen's departure to Everton. This maybe a possibility as we did with Saviola. Gudjonsen is playing well now and should be rewarded with a place in sqaud. But Barcelona may do a Saviola with him also. Another one is Zambotta's departure to Juventus. Even if he makes such a move, it will be based on personal matters.

Barcelona will be looking to find a replacement for Jorquera. The latest player lonked with this option is Porto keeper Nuno.

The Great Barca Defensive Midfielder Challenge

God only know if there is any curse involved with Barcelona's defensive Midfield position. Last season everyone with a little bit of footballing sense was complaining about the lack of a quality defensive midfielder. So Barcelona went and acquired Yaya Toure and it looked like he was doing well in that position. Now the inevitable comes, Yaya has to leave for African Nations cup and its understandable as Nation comes before club. We were never that worried as we had edmillson coming back into the side. To go by his performance in last match he looked very good.

But when it comes to Barcelona's DM position, it looks like nothing can be taken for granted. Now its confirmed that Edmillson has indeed torn adductor muscle in his left thigh. How long he will be out is the only fact to be decided and the club doctors are taking their time on it. There is only one somewhat genuine option left for Rijkaard for that position - Rafael Marquez. We will see Iniesta donning that role in some matches, but cannot visualize him doing the same in crucial matches. The only positive that will come with this incident is that Puyol may get back his usual position.

Now coming to the Real Murcia match Xavi, Milito and Marquez may not be in the starting lineup as all of them are carrying knocks. I expect Rijkaard to rest Marquez as he has to don the role of DM in coming matches. With Barcelona’s lineup strength and quality Murcia match should be a cakewalk. Iniesta should perform the DM role in this match. Giovanni is expected to be in starting line up, but i will love seeing Bojan in the lineup too. This will be the perfect opponents for these two to display their skills. It does not look like Barcelona's dream of cutting down the Madrid lead will come true this weekend, as Madrid will be against struggling Levante. But that's no excuse for Barcelona not to put pressure on Madrid. You sometimes don't know from where the opening comes.

A Good Result - Sevilla -1, Barcelona - 1

How valuable will be the hard earned draw against Sevilla can be said only after Jan 15th, when the two teams meet against for the second leg. But there is no denial of the fact that as of now Barcelona has gained a definite edge over Sevilla to proceed for the next round. In the preview of the match I have written - how slowly Thierry Henry is gelling into the side. I was proven right by the great striker who had a very good night. He is showing slowly but steadily, why he is regarded as a great striker.

Rijkaard against my wish again fielded Puyol as a Right Back. The only reason i can see for this stupid decision time and again - may be he needs a somewhat taller Centre Back. Giovanni found his place in starting line up along with Thierry Henry. Unfortunately Gudjonsen missed out, I always believed Iniesta is Rijkaard's favorite weapon - He can be put anywhere in the field. Iniesta joined the midfield with Edmilson.

The game started with Luis Fabiano forcing a save from Victor Valdes, who had to be on his toes to save the nest Alves free kick. Meantime Henry and Giovanni were combining well to make Barcelona presence at Sevilla Goal mouth. After an initial exchange of passes with Henry, Giovanni shot wide (I mean just wide). But the defining moment of the first half came when Puyol has to go off for treatment, Barcelona quickly shuffled the defensive line with Marquez moving into Right back role. It was Marquez as the Right Back gave that wonderful long pass to Henry, which resulted in the goal. Henry's control was exquisite, especially first touch - the beauty of the goal was that he made it look so simple. Maybe he might be returning to form as we all prayed.

As expected following the Goal, Sevilla upped the tempo, but Barcelona defense especially Marquez soaked the pressure. But just before the half time as usual Barcelona's defense started losing concentration. Capel was finding all kind of cracks in Barcelona defense. All these pressure resulted in the Goal which came from the corner (Valdes could have avoided that) by Capel (what pathetic marking).

It looked like Barcelona was ready to settle for a draw in the second half. Sevilla was constantly raiding the Barcelona Goal mouth, which forced Valdes to bring out two spectacular saves (which still become the defining moment of the tie). The chances were limited for Barcelona in the second half and the best one was Edmilson long range shot which hit the post. But for the rest of the time Barcelona defense held firm. For Barcelona the best players on the field wwere Marquez and Edmilson.

There would be a certain sense of relief from the result in the Barcelona camp. But complacency would be Barcelona's biggest enemy in the second leg. Sevilla is no ordinary team and their chances of winning in Nou Camp cannot be written off. But the point I want to mention is why Rijkaard still perceives with Puyol as RB, either put Marquez or Zambrotta there. Marquez showed how good he can be as a regular Right back. He not only is capable of orchestra defense but also offence from that position.

NB: "The secret of success is constancy to purpose." - Benjamin Disraeli

Goals of the Match

Sevilla - Barcelona 1-1 | Copa Del Rey
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