Watch Out, Pep

The way our defense conceded the goal against Boca Juniors raises many questions. The biggest of it all will be whether our defense will stand tall against quality opponents. If we look carefully at the personals employed in Barcelona defense namely Puyol, Marquez, Caceres, Pique, Alves, Abidal, it is really hard to understand this defensive mess. Most of them are the best you can get in their respective position. But even then when they form the haunted Barcelona defense they start to make the silliest mistakes. I don't think Guardiola could hire anyone more to strengthen the defense. But still he cannot afford to look away to these inherent problems.

Our defense was one of the weakest in terms of defending the aerial ball. It was like that for some season. Even when we won the Champions League and the La Liga title in 2006, we were very susceptible in air. To overcome that Rijkaard bought Zambrotta, Abidal, Toure and Thuram. Rijkaard went but the defensive susceptibility to aerial ball remained intact. These all gentlemen when they play for their respective national sides looks so assured in air but not with Barcelona. If you add to this the way we have conceded goals against lesser known opponents in the pre-season, we could be in for more trouble. But the way we conceded the goal against Boca Juniors raises serious concerns. In that goal the entire defense moved to cut off one person opening up two Boca Juniors players who only had Pinto to be beaten. A similar goal was scored in our pre-season also; I don't remember which team scored against us. In that case also the entire defense moved together to cut off a cross from left apparently leaving players unmarked in the far right post. These problems did not feature in any reports as Barcelona was comfortably out-scoring other teams. But against quality opponents this could be the difference in winning and losing the match. So the first task for Guardiola is to install some discipline in defense in terms of man-marking. It is easier said than done. But he needs to address this to turn this team into world beaters again. This should also some what negate the serial vulnerability.

The second problem for Barcelona especially last season was our inability to score from corners. Many top notch sides were content in conceding corners against us. Manchester United semi final clash was a prime example. Will they do the same with other teams like Chelsea, Milan etc? Absolutely not. Usually any defense concedes a corner only if they have no other option, but against Barca that is their first option. In majority of last season game the number of corners ran to two digits. But their conversion rates were appalling. Another problem was the lack of an alternate plan. Everyone knows how Barcelona plays - a series of slick short passes. But sometimes this comes as a cropper, in such a scenario the team lacks a secondary plan which can be at least used to unsettle the opponents. Guardiola seriously have to decide who is going to take those free kicks. He has to designate the task to two persons so that they can take more effort in getting those on target.

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.