Shaktra Donetsk-1, Barca - 2

FC Barcelona produced another last Gasp victory to clinch all three points and move to the top of the group. Shaktar Donetsk would have really deserved at least a point after leading the game for majority of the game. FC Barcelona found it very difficult to deal with the physical style of game which Shaktar employed and their task was made an Herculean one with an English referee in charge. Guardiola went back to the 3-4-3 formation he used against Lisbon in the last Champions League. But against such physical opponents a usual 4-3-3 formation would have been much better. Puyol and Alves were really troubled by Shaktar players. Guardiola had Puyol as Left Back, Marquez played a centre role and Pique played the right Back role. Ahead of Pique was Alves and ahead of him was the combination of Keita, xavi and Toure holding the midfield. With Messi rested Iniesta moved to the right and Eto to the left and Henry played the centre striker role.

Thierry henry wasted the best chance of FC Barcelona in the 7th minute when Eto send a great ball to Henry who shot the ball close to the Goal Keeper. Actually that was the only clear cut chance Barca created in the whole of the first half. Majority of the half was played in midfield with both the teams wrestling to retain possesion. In the 37th minute Valdes produced a briliant save to deny Ilsinho after Marquez failed to deal with an average cross from Brandao. But in the 45th minute Valdes remained helpless when Ilsinho slot the ball past him to take the lead after some awful defending by Puyol Marquez and Pique. Pique made a mess of an aerial ball and headed back wards towards Ilsinho who was surrounded by Puyol and Marquez; Puyol's first touch was horrible and Ilsinho broke past both of them to give Shaktar a shock lead.

FC Barcelona came out more determined in the second half. Iniesta tried to up the tempo but none of his team mates could link well with him. In the 53rd minute free kick from Alves was saved by Pyatov, the Shaktar custodian; that ball swirles and was going to the far left bottom corner of the goal. Guardiola brought Messi in for Henry and within eight minutes he had a great impact. In the 68th minute Messi played a great ball to Eto who wasted a golden chance to equalise from a one on one situation by holding to the ball for more time and then slotting the shot just wide of the goal. In the 74th minute Bojan was brought in for Eto and suddenly Barca started to find pace in their move. In the 77th minute Valdes produced another save to deny Srna from a free kick. In the 82nd minute Gudjonsen was brought in for Keita. In the same minute Bojan dribbled past four defenders in to the box but his shot hit side netting. In the 86th minute Iniesta send a great cross from left but Messi failed to control it. In the 87th minute Messi equalised after a fumble by Pyatov. This was claimed to be a controversial goal but I never understood why it was controversial. The incident started with Shaktar players clearing the ball from their box to safety. At the same time one of their defender fell down injured and it was clear that he was faking it to kill time as he got up the moment the ball was cleared. On a second look the defender who cleared the ball never knew that his fellow player has fallen down and he did to clear any danger out of the box. Shaktar players expected Barca players to kick the ball away from throwin, Bojan was not interested and he slotted a Cross from left, a very harmless cross; Goal Keeper Pyatov, failed to held on to the simplest of the ball and it fell straight to Messi who slotted it to the Goal. Shaktar players protested and this protest and their time wasting act came to haunt them in the 94th minute when Messi chipped over the Goal Keeper's head to slot Barcelona's second after receiving a wonderful ball from Xavi.

Shaktar Donetsk vs FC Barcelona Preview

FC Barcelona would be hoping to extend their four match victory run against Shaktar Donetsk at RSC Olympisykiy. With two poor last seasons and a poor start to this season; nobody would have guessed that Barca would be able to wound up four wins in a trot. Now they have a oppurtunity to make it five in a trot which would really ignite their confidence against the Athletico Madrid match at Camp Nou. Shaktar would not be a easy opponent to play away from home; but still FC Barcelona can be expected to see past this Ukranian challenge with ease. Shaktar lies equalled with Barca in points and it is theright moment for FC Barcelona to move forward ahead of others in the group. FC Barcelona's last match agaisnt Shaktar resulted in a 2-0 loss away from home.

Guardiola has announced a 19 man squad consisting of Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Marquez, Caceres, Abidal, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry. But guessing the starting eleven has become pretty difficult with Guardiola in charge and the only sureity is Victor Valdes. We can expect Marquez, Puyol, Alves and Abidal to start in the defense. Toure and Busquests along with Xavi should make the midfield. Iniesta, Eto and Messi should make up the front three. But there are some rumours of Guardiola resting Messi and Iniesta. I would advice him not to do that as this is a very tough away game. Secondly Messi have started to look getting in to the groove and a rest now might hamper it. A rest to Iniesta would be a good option; may be to Xavi also but without Xavi or Iniesta who will drive the midfield is a big question. Busquests, keita and Toure are all defensive minded players and that leaves Gudjonsen to organise the midfield. So resting Xavi would be out of question.

Shame On You, Laporta

Laporta behaviour at thetime of the flare up during the Espanyol match and after that talking to the press has been really awful. He should be shamed of the way he conducted especially during the match. It was clear from the start of the incident that it was started by some stupid Barcelona fans. The reaction from Espanyol fans could be justified after most of them were scrabmling for safety. Yup, some of them did try to break into the pitch. MudnoDeportivo reports that half a dozen flares were thrown out by Barcelona supporters on to a section crowded by Espanyol supporters. Most of the Espanyol supporters were running for safety and there were utter confusion around the stadium. In the box, Espanyol president and others did well to maintain their calmness during the course of events. But Laporta just went Berserk. No idea as of what promted him for such a action. But his behaviour was appaling. It was really commendable of the members of Espanyol club in the bo, that they did not respond to his accusations. If they had then the situations would have been worse.

After the match Joan Laporta put the entire blame on the Espanyol club authorites. The section of the stadium from where the flares were thrown up were occupied by the infamous "Boix Nois" - the mad boys of catalan. Joan Laporta said that Boix Nois were not allowed to enter to Camp Nou and it was Espanyol's fault to have let them in. But he never felt a sense of regret after all it was the supporters of Barcelona started this. There were reports from Sport.es suggesting that a lady almost suffered a nervous breakdown due to panic. The Espanyol authorities has to side a huge reponsibility of blame as they allowed these fans to bring these flares. But this was not the time for Laporta to play politics. The image of the club has been tarnished and more sensible reaction should have been to pledge support to find and punish those who were reponsible. But Laporta after all may not be a Gentle Man as we all believe.