Ten and Counting

Xavi Hernandez Creus today is celebrating his tenth anniversary of debuting for Barcelona. On 18th August 1998, Xavi made his first team debut against Mallorcain the first leg of Spanish Super Cup final. He capped the wonderful debut with a goal. Xavi has been with Barcelona all through his life. He joined Barcelona at the age of eleven.He started receiving attention pretty early. He was a key member in the F C Barcelona B team which won promotion in to Second division in 97-98 seasons.At present Xavi is one of the three captains Barcelona is having. His significance and contribution can be judged by the fact how Barcelona played against Boca with and without him. He created both the Goals which ensure Barcelona's hold on John Gamper trophy. So in other word he gave that as a present to himself and the fans for celebrating his tenth anniversary. Xavi has to be said is at the peak of his career. He is a worthy successor to his coach Joseph Guardiola and was adjudged the best player of Euro 2008. He was instrumental in organising Spanish defense and along with his team mate Iniesta led Spain to a well deserved European Championship. Xavi was instrumental in the Barcelona side great run from 2004-06. One of the most remembered goals of those times was the one he scored against Madrid to take Barcelona to second and start a revival.

Any hope of Barcelona revival and dreams of achieving the heights of 2005-06 seasons could only be possible on this rather short man's shoulder. Ronaldinho and Deco have gone and he needs to form a great partnership with Messi, Iniesta and Eto to take Barcelona again to those heights. One thing that can be guaranteed is his commitment and hard work for the same. As one of the captain he needs to marshal other team mates around him for the same. Then considering Xavi's nature and will, it has to be said that Barcelona's future lies in safe hands. Let's wish him the best so as to continue the good works for the time to come.

An Unbelievable Come Back

F C Barcelona made one of the most surprising come back to take the John Gamper trophy from Boca Juniors. Barcelona was trailing by a single goal in normal 90 minutes, but hit two goals in the injury time to shatter the Argentinian side's dreams.Guardiola started with a starting line up which was almost entirely different from the one which trounced Wisla. Barcelona started with Pinto on the Goal; in front of him Corcoles, Pique, Marquez and Sylvinho formed the defensive line. The midfield niether had the creative heads of Xavi nor Iniesta, Instead it was formed with Toure, Sergio and Gudjonsen. Like the midfield Eto was missing from the forward line up, with Henry, Bojan and Hleb forming the attacking trio.

On contrary to other games, Barcelona looked the more shaky side in the start. Barcelona had the majority of possession but Boca defense was solid as a rock. The first half was one of the most boring as neither team was ready to take any risks. Barcelona were severely hampered by the absence of both Xavi and Iniesta. The other players found it difficult to gel as all were playing for the first time. On restart Guardiola brought in Puyol, Abidal, Jeffren and Pedro. But Barcelona was still struggling in the absence of Xavi and Iniesta. On the 62nd minute Xavi, Iniesta and Eto was brought in to provide the goal for the crowd.The goal came but in the wrong post. I have said in my earlier post that Barcelona defense looks very fragile; this goal was the plum example for that. Barcelona defense left two players unmarked on the edge of box with only Pinto ahead of them, Viatri received the simplest of passes and slotted past Pinto to take Boca one up. That goal jeered up the players, they started to show the glimpse of their ability. Iniesta has two chances but could not convert. Then in the 92nd minute Puyol jumped high above the defense to head Xavi's corner on to the top left corner. The exactly after two minutes Eto snatched the victory when he headed the ball past Goal Keeper from again a Xavi cross.

Barcelona vs Wisla Krakow Pictures