With the 1-0 victory over Villareal, Barcelona steps close to a coveted Copa Del Rey glory. Barcelona should have won more comfortably but they failed to find the second killer blow. Anyway this victory takes them one step closer and they look the most strongest among the other semi final contenders.
Match started with Villareal allowing Barcelona to dominate. Barcelona started the match with four of their very best guarding the defense - Abidal, Milito, Puyol and Zambrotta. Marquez as expected donned the role of defensive midfielder, but the most surprising selection was Deco getting the nod ahead of Xavi. Iniesta joined these two in midfield and Henry, Bojan and Messi made the front three. barcelona's back four had an excellent night as there were very few chances created by Villareal and the best of which was Rossi's effort which went wide in the 17th minute. Messi, indeed was the player to watch and created all sort of trouble with his excellent dribbling skills which accounted for pascal Cygan being sent off.
Just before the half time Thierry Henry scored the only goal in the match as he headed home a wonderful free kick from Deco in the 41st minute. Whatever be his goal scoring voes in La Liga, Henry really enjoys playing in the Spanish Kings cup. Messi had an excellent night where he showed signs of returning back to his usual best. The only blemish in his performance was the missed penalty, but i solely blame Rijkaard for that as he brought Ronaldinho when he was about to take the kick. Whatever we saw of Ronaldinho today, should convince Rijkaard not to bring him in starting lineup. He should be slowly brought back to game.
Match started with Villareal allowing Barcelona to dominate. Barcelona started the match with four of their very best guarding the defense - Abidal, Milito, Puyol and Zambrotta. Marquez as expected donned the role of defensive midfielder, but the most surprising selection was Deco getting the nod ahead of Xavi. Iniesta joined these two in midfield and Henry, Bojan and Messi made the front three. barcelona's back four had an excellent night as there were very few chances created by Villareal and the best of which was Rossi's effort which went wide in the 17th minute. Messi, indeed was the player to watch and created all sort of trouble with his excellent dribbling skills which accounted for pascal Cygan being sent off.
Just before the half time Thierry Henry scored the only goal in the match as he headed home a wonderful free kick from Deco in the 41st minute. Whatever be his goal scoring voes in La Liga, Henry really enjoys playing in the Spanish Kings cup. Messi had an excellent night where he showed signs of returning back to his usual best. The only blemish in his performance was the missed penalty, but i solely blame Rijkaard for that as he brought Ronaldinho when he was about to take the kick. Whatever we saw of Ronaldinho today, should convince Rijkaard not to bring him in starting lineup. He should be slowly brought back to game.
Highlights of the Match
Courtesy : http://www.futbolcuyuz.com/
Courtesy : http://www.futbolcuyuz.com/
To get a testimony of how bad this season performance is, don't have to look beyond the present Pichichis table. I can't remember the last time when we had a total absense from the Pichichis table top ten. The only guy who is near the top is Lionel Messi. This just shows how much we have missed Eto this season. He used to be in the top five evry season. Victor Valdez leads the Zamoras table just ahead of Cassilas. That also shows that our defense and Goal Keepers are not doing much wrong season. What is hurting us the most is inability to create Goal. Above all the shots on target and off target statistics looks like coming down this season by huge. Barcelona never used to convert everything they create. The maximum they used to convert was 30% of all shots on target. With those shots on Target coming down, logically goals have dried up. Anyway Messi and Eto still can make it to top ten.
If there is a trophy which Rijkaard might be craving the most, it had to be the Spanish Kings Cup. It may not have the stature of the La Liga title or the Glamour of a UEFA Champions League title, but for him this one trophy has eluded him the most. Considering last season was a trophy less one - he will be in immense pressure to bring home at least one and Copa Del Rey trophy looks like the most gettable one. If they succeed to get past Villarreal, they may well easily end up with the crown (considering Getafe, Valencia all are having a torrid season). But then that would be only possible if they get past Villarreal at home. 
