FC Barcelona vs Real Mallorca Preview

For the last two season, FC Barcelona's journey towards the Copa Del rey were halted at the semi-final stage, first by Getafe and then by Valencia last season. This time around FC Barcelona would be looking to better their dubious record of the last two season and take a firm step towards the final. In order to do that Barca has to take atleast a two goal advantage from the Home leg of semifinal clash against Mallorca tonight. Real Mallorca had struggled this season and lies in the bottom end of the league table. But that doesn't give us any comfort as we have struggled this season against teams which lies at the bottom of the table. More over we did struggle a bit when this two sides met wach other ealrier this season - Late goals from Iniesta and Toure sees off Mallorca. There were big confusion whether Marquez and Pique will be available for tonight's match, after their expulsion in last Sunday's match. Since both of them were sent off after receiving two yellow cards, they have to serve the ban in the next League match - which is against Sporting Gijon on Sunday. But Xavi has been ruled off from the tie with Gastroentitis. Barca will not be with their two infulential Captains - Xavi and Puyol for tonight's match.

Guardiola has not yet picked his squad. But Henry and Eto both would be expected to be rested. Pinto should be chose once again ahead of Jorquerra to guard the goal. I would like to see Alves being rested as I believe too much playing time will harm him. Victor Sanchez, Caceres, Marquez and Sylvinho should form the defense. If Alves is rested for tonight's match he would get a two match rest as he would be suspended for the Gijon encounter after receiving the fifth yellow of this season. The midfield should be made up of Iniesta, Gudjonsen and Toure. It is essential for Iniesta to start at the left rather than replacing Xavi on the right. Iniesta looks more comfortable and dangerous from the left. Messi, Bojan and Hleb should form the front three. I wopuld love to see Hleb having a good game and Bojan building on his last outing against Espanyol. I expect FC Barcelona to win this encounter comfortably with a score line of 3-0. Mallorca would be without their goalkeeper Dudu Aouate and defender David Navarro for tonight's encounter.

Racing vs Barca Pictures 01/02/2009

Messi Saves Barca yet Again; Racing-1, Barca-2

Racing coach to the build up to the game stated that "Without his teammates, Messi would not be the player he is". I wasn't upset with that statement but can't say the same of Lionel Messi. Messi came off the substitute bench with half an hour left, scored twice to over turn a 1-0 deficit and forced everyone to take notice of the fact that FC Barcelona is a different team with him in the pitch. As expected FC Barcelona struggled against an organised Racing defense but eventually the reselience which has became the trademark of Barca this season saw them extend their lead back to twelve points. This victory is very huge as we have successfully shut of Real Madrid's ray of hope. But we have our own concerns for now - both Marquez and Pique were send off late in the match and have to see what combination we features for the next match. GUardiola picked up the same squad as I predicted in the preview of the match - Racing vs Barca Preview. Alves, Abidal, Marquez and Pique formed the defense. Xavi, Toure and Busquets formed the midfield. Iniesta replaced Messi and formed the front three with Henry and Eto.

From the begining of the match our central defense was kept under constant pressure by the Racing side. In the 11th minute Valdes had to make a serious intervention to prevent Johnathan Pereira from scoring. FC barcelona could not conjure up much in the first half and had to be satisfied with three free kicks, all of them were wasted. The second half also started the same way. But in the 54th minute Pereira again got on the wrong side of Marquez who in his effort to recover brought down the striker and conceded the penalty. Zigic converted the penalty and took the home team 1-0 up. Guardiola immediately brough in Messi for Busquets and Iniesta moved back to the midfield. In the 65th minute Xavi header from a Henry cross hit the bar but Messi was there to convert the rebound. Then Messi sent Henry through but Henry's shot was deflected for a corner. Then in the 80th minute Messi put Barca ahead with after controlling the ball initailly with the chest and fired to score his second of the game and FC Barcelona's 5000 goal in the league. Barca held on to the result eventhough they lost both their centre backs to second yellow card.