Rumours, Rumours Everywhere - Messi under Abramovich's Radar

Huge rumours are floating in the internet about the interest of Abramovich on Barcelona super kid Lionel Messi. The rumours say that Abramovich was so impressed by the way he played at Old Trafford and is convinced that he is the right player for the club. Most of these rumours are found in sites like goal etc so can't comment on the credibility of the news. I saw somewhere a rumour that Chelsea are ready to offer Barcelona a whooping ₤76 million for the Argentinean wizard. But the chances of Barcelona letting go Messi appears very bleak. Messi is projected as the rock on which the next superstar team would be build. But these interests should be good news for Messi - Not for the money, but for the fact that even with a mostly injury ridden season, he is still the most sought out players in the world.

Another rumour that is doing its round is the apparent interest of Wenger in another Barcelona kid - Giovanni Dos Santos. Actually this could be more damaging as Giovanni might be tempted to move away from the club, after what I perceive a very indifferent and tough treatment handed out on him by fans. There were many occasions when the fans jeered whenever he touched the ball, they tempt to forget the fact that he is playing his first season and would take some more time to settle down.

News that's doing the rounds, actually this looks more than a rumour - is the fact that Barcelona would see Gabriel Milito out for six months. There is no official confirmation about this in the official site, but I have a feeling that this might be true. The Argentinean Centre Back has damaged ligament of his right knee and would require that much time to recover. Meanwhile, Iniesta would not be seen in action for Barcelona for the rest of the games this season. It’s been rumored that he prefers to rest looking ahead to the European Championship. That's pretty normal and wise.

Barcelona vs Valencia Pictures - 04/05/08

Barcelona Ends Goal Drought In Style;Barca-6, Valencia-0

I actually don't know what to make out of this result. On a positive note, we can consider this as a turning point on which the next season can be build upon, or this could also be an indication of how bad the season was for a side like Valencia. Whatever; on a night in which Madrid retained the League title, Barcelona put up an impressive display against Valencia ending their goal drought but putting six across the net. One could only hope that if one of them came at that eventual night at Old Trafford. This win would have boosted the morale of Barcelona side ahead of the El Classico at Barnebeu. That match has no significance apart from the fact that Barcelona could salvage some pride by beating the champions. But the suspension to Eto and Deco could very well end up Barcelona dreams.

Barcelona got off to the best possible start when Messi won the penalty in the 4th minute. Messi made a great run, dribbling past defenders and drew the foul on him from Alexis. Valencia could consider a bit unlucky as the foul looked marginally outside the box. Messi made no mistake of the penalty and that was Barcelona’s first goal for four consecutive goal drought matches. Then in the 8th minute it was Xavi's turn to get into the score sheet. The move started with Messi placing the ball on to the patch of Henry to the left, Henry's attempt to find Messi in the centre hit the foot of defenders, Messi picked up the rebound and placed it back to Henry who by that time had moved to edge of box, he placed the ball in Xavi's path whose fierce shot from outside the box found the back of net. Then in the 14th minute Eto placed the ball into Henry’s patch who made no mistake to take Barcelona three up within first fifteen minutes. Barcelona continued to pour forward, troubling a Valencia side which looked lost. Henry saw his shot saved and Eto hit the side netting. Just before the half time, Messi could have made it four when he failed to convert a header of an excellent cross from Deco.

After the interval, Barcelona continued to probe for more goals. This made me think if they have showed the same attitude in earlier matches, we wouldn't have been sitting here with no trophies. It was Henry in the 57th minute who added the first of the second half. The move started with Eto passing the ball to Messi who placed it to Henry, Henry put the ball back into the net with the trade mark curling shot. In the 65th minute Eto was substituted with the flavour of the season - Bojan Krkic. In the 70th minute Joaquin had Valencia's first shot on Goal. Then in the 72nd minute, Bojan got into the score sheet. The move again started with Messi who placed the ball to Deco, who visionary through ball found Bojan in the box who made no mistake. Then in the 79th minute, Bojan added his second of the night from a wonderful assist by Gudjonsen from the left. Again the move started with Messi who placed a through ball to Gudjonsen spotting his run. In the 81st minute Valencia thought they had a consolatory goal but to be ruled offside.

First Half


Second Half