Barcelona Pre Season Match; Dundee United-1, Barcelona-5

Barcelona saw off a spirited challenge from Dundee United with a five star performance. The final score of 1-5 may have been too harsh on Dundee players and fans. Against all expectation it was Dundee who took the lead and it has to be said that the team's response to the goal was simply outstanding. Barcelona started the match with Valdes on Goal, Alves, Caceres, Marquez, Victor Sanchez in the defense. Keita, Crosas, Gudjohnsen formed the midfield with Pedrito, Henry and Bojan upfront. The second half team was Pinto on goal; Alves , Caceres, Pique, Victor Sanchez. Midfield was replaced by Victor Vazquez, Toure and Busquets. While as expected Messi and Eto'o joined with Jeffren to provide the attacking sticnt. Barcelona didn't start the match the was they dominated against Hibernians. Henry had the best of chances in the early exchanges but as usual he missed most of them. In the 25th minute Dundee took the lead from Bauben's header. Caceres was the initial culprit allowing the cross to reach the left of the post, but then the entire defense made a mess by rushing to the left and leaving Bauben unmarked. For all the addition to the defense our weakness with set pieces still remains. A minute later Barcelona equalled with henry scoring his second goal in as many of matches. Dundee United defense made a mess of a harmless Alves cross and Henry took full advantage of it on the rebound.

The entry of Messi and Eto changed the complexion of the match completely. In the 54th minute, Messi madehis trade mark run from the left drawing defenders along with him, he played a wonderful 1-2 with Eto and slotted the ball past the Keeper. The third goal came from a silly mistake in the 60th minute when the Dundee midfielder's back passed straight to Eto who had only the keeper to beat. In the 76th minute Messi scored his second goal with a wonderful volley after combaining again with Eto, Eto did outystandingly well to pass the ball to messi when he was surrounded by a 4-5 defenders. Undoubtedly that was the best goal of the match. In the 80th minute Messi completed his hat-trick after the goal keeper made a save from Eto's feet, but the rebound fell straight to Messi. Messi had an excellent night, but for me Eto was the outstanding player. Moreover he might have sowed enough doubts on mind of Guardiola. Indeed it will be very tough to find an equally successful player.

Messi, What a Shame!

It must be said that Messi's father who was organising the Messi's Beijing Olympics campaign has till done a fabulous job. A job whose priority for me was to get the blame of Messi missing the Olympics on someone else. But it looks like his luck might have finally run out, with Maradona questioning about Messi's character. Maradona has been very careful in this issue, earlier criticising the Club but not until this day has launched an attack on Messi. Now he rightly does the same, he said and I quote "think he needs to show a little more character and I believe that this is the time to where he can become a man.There are always occasions when a player has other commitments but I really hope that Messi can change his attitude. Hopefully with time, he will become more of a complete footballer." Barcelona has been playing the hard ball and would face punishment from FIFA as AFA is not ready to give up on the player. Before this day the world was sympathetic to Messi, he was potrayed as a person whose heart belonged with Argenitinian team in Beijing but was forced to be in Scotland with Barcelona. Barcelona has been potrayed as the villain and messi played his part of the victim perfectly. I am not saying for a moment that Barcelona is not the villain, but I believe the real villain is Messi and his father.

Messi's was really in a strange position. He was touted as the next Maradona and the pivotal player on which Barcelona going to rebuild. He knew it was tough to make a choice between Club and Country, so he and his father for me orchestred a wonderful drama in which everyone participated unknowingly. If you see carefully, Messi announced much early that he wants to go to Beijing. But when he learned about Guardiola's objection (due to his lack of national pride, maybe) he mellowed down a bit. His father stated that it was upto the Club to decide, simply speeking they outsourced the tough job of making the decision. After that they went to Argentina, where Messi said that he finally made up a decision that he will not miss Olympics. He looked like in a mood of defying the Club, but for no surprise the moment he came back to Barcelona he mellowed down his stand again. Simply put he was playing a game where he has already chosen to miss the Olympics, but want to keep the tag of Next Maradona intact. Have to say he had huge sucess till now. But with Maradona asking the Kid to grow up, the situation might change. For all the barcelona fans who keep on saying that Barcelona has the right to keep him, I have only one question - If there was a small crisis in your family and the same time you cannot leave your work. What decision would you take? There is nothing like these guys are being forced, If Messi or Kaka decides that they will go to Olympics disregard of the club's instruction, what will happen? Milan will not sell Kaka because of that, nor do Barcelona. I am not encouraging indiscipline, but sometimes if your Club will not listen to you for a genuine matter, a bit of indiscipline is good. remember you might have contracted to the Club, but you are not their slave. Olympics and the Olympics' spirit are worth fighting for, Messi.

Pictures from Barcelona vs Hibernian FC Match