FC Barcelona runs past Hapless Gijon; FCB-3, Gijon-1

FC Barcelona completed their tenth consecutive victory with a 3-1 drubbing of Sporting Gijon on Camp Nou. Two goals from Eto and one from Alves saw Barca again extending the lead at the top to twelve points. FC Barcelona's recent victories weren't that convincing when compared to Barca's standard; they are more than convincing when compared to any other team in Europe. But this one showed all the signs of Barca peaking once again. Guardiola has acknowledged this fact and said that Barca have re-discovered their intensity. In the process of thrashing Gijon, FC Barcelona completed the wonderful achievement of scoring 100 goals in all competition so far this season; the honour of doing that fell to Eto when he scored the first goal of the night. Guardiola fielded the best available side for the night. Valdes returned to Goal; Alves, Puyol, Caceres and Abidal formed the back four. Busquets played the defensive midfielder role with Iniesta and Xavi on his two sides. The front three were the familiar Messi, Eto and Henry combination. Iniesta had one hell of a match and it reiterates my point that "Iniesta should be played on the left".

FC Barcelona took conrol of the game from the begining. In the 7th minute Iniesta send in a cross to Messi in the box but it was a bit high for the Argentinian. In the 11th minute Gijon Goal Keeper Lafuente made an excellent one hand save to deny a Henry header. Iniesta's cross was played back into the box by a Alves header and the deflection took it to Henry's head. In the 23rd minute FC Barcelona scored their 100th goal of this season through a quick counter from a Gijon corner. Iniesta picked the ball up in his own box and accelerated towards the Gijon box; he played the ball to Hnery on the left at the edge of Gijon box and Henry's cross was met with a good finish by Eto in the centre. In the 27th minute Henry shoots high from outside. In the 37th minute Messi sets on his trademark run but was brought down just outside the box; the resulting free kick was put high by Xavi. In the 40th minute Eto doubles the score with an excellent finish; Messi played a delightful ball into Eto in the box; Eto cuts inside the defender to make room and shot past a hapless goal keeper.

FC Barcelona did not lower the intensity even after the break. Shortly after the restart Henry saw his header go wide of another excellent cross from Alves. In the 60th minute Eto was denied by Lafuente after Messi and Eto combined well to create the chance. In the next minute Messi was denied again by Lafuente with his legs after great dribbling. In the 65th minute Barca scored their third when Alves picked up the loose ball and rounded off one defender before shooting past the goal keeper. Sporting reduced the deficit immediately with a goal from Kike Mateo after a Xavi error. FC Barcelona were determined to increase the lead but was denied when Eto's header from an Alves cross hit the post. Alves again send in another cross but this time Henry headed it wide. After that it was Sylvinho, who came in for Puyol who headed another decent cross wide.

This was the most clinical performance by the Barca side after the winter break. Caceres who formed the centre defense did well in the company of captain. Messi was subdued today. Iniesta and Alves had a great game. Xavi wasn't in his usual self but still marshalled the midfield well.

FC Barcelons vs Sporting Gijon Preview

With Real Madrid cutting Barca's lead to nine with a not so convincing victory against Racing, Barca would be hoping to produce a repeat of Barca's performance at Gijon earlier this season. FC Barcelona destroyed Gijon when they met last time with a scoreline of 6-1.When they met last time in the league, Gijon were at the bottom of the league. But now they have moved to 12th place and they need more of that confidence to take some thing away from home. For FC Barcelona this is the perfect game to peak agains; their recent victories were all good but was a far cry from the excellent run of form prior to the winter break. Anyway the great puzzle of "How we will form the defense>" looks to have been solved for now. Alves got his yellow card revoked; Puyol has been given the all clear from the medics and Keita is back fit again. The players seemed to be a bit tired in recent games but with no midweek games for sometime, they would get some deserved rest.

As usual for the home games, Guardiola has not yet announced the squad.Valdes will return back to the goal. Alves and Abidal will be the full backs. Puyol most probably will partner Caceres in the centr of defense. Iniesta and Xavi should form the midfield along with Toure. Messi, Eto and Hleb should form the front trio. FC Barcelona are expected to roll away with this match; but it may be tougher that what we came to expect. Messi's return will surelyy be a boost for the team along with Xavi who was out for last two match due to gastroentitis. My prediction will be for Barca to win the game 4-1. I don't expect Barca to keep a clean sheet as the defense at the centre will look shaky. FC Barcelona is standing on 99 goal in all competition this season; any guess who will get the 100th? Also let me congratulate Iniesta who played his 250th match for Barcelona in the 2-0 victory against Mallorca

FC Barcelona's SuMMer Transfer Targets

FC Barcelona are the in-form team at the moment in Europe. But there are already huge speculation of whether Guardiola would be strengthening his side with new additions in the summer. The insider reports as claimed by Barca dailies suggest that they would be looking to add two more members in the squad. Barcelona based newspapers, Sport and MundoDeprtivo are working round the clock all the available footballers to Nou Camp. Surprisingly even Madrid based media agencies are also interested in it. Here I am trying to make a list of players who has been linked with Barca and their chances of joining the team.

1) Karim Benzema - Ok, now this guy is the hottest property in the footballing circles at this moment. Real Madrid, Barcelona , Manchester United all are behind this Lyon striker. He has publicly stated his wish to move to a bigger club from Lyon, but still it is not clear which one he will pick. But one thing is for sure is that Barcelona are seriously interested in him. Despite the news that Abidal has advised Benzema against joining Barcelona, the club is expected to move for the French international this summer. But with Manchester United and Real Madrid reportedly interested, it is to be seen whether we will be interested in engaging in a price war for a position in which they already have in form Eto and Bojan. The possibility of him moving in is pretty moderate, this again will depend on the interest of other clubs.

2) Cesc Fabregas - Ok, since the time he has left Barca for Arsenal; every Barcelona fan has secretly wished to see him back again. He himself has stated his wish to play at a Barcelona based club in the future. The rumours surrounding him are so intense that Cesc has reportedly avoided coming to Nou Camp for watching matches, as he fears it will lead to unnecessary speculations. Cesc Farbegas could be a handy addition but where is the question. If Henry continues to play at this level; then Iniesta and Xavi would be our permanent midfielder. Then where will you fit Fabregas. If Fabregas arrives, Iniesta will be moved to the front where he is pretty effective. That means Henry will have less playing time, that too with Pedro and Bojan knocking on the door. The chances of him moving back to home appears moderate at this moment.

3) Frank Ribery - Now of all the rumours I like this one the best. At 25 years it is sure that he has some incredible amount of playing time left. But what interests me the most is the variety he will be adding to Barcelona side. He is a naturally gifted winger, with huge burst of pace. He also can play upfront in a 4-3-3 formation which incidently Barca uses. We have seen the effect of Alves on the right. Alves who is a kind of Right winger cum Right back; it may be time for us to have a pure winger on the other side also. Ribery has shown an affection to the club and I have to say that his chances of joining Barca is pretty high. This may be a player we badly need.

4) Philip Lahm - Ok, the interest in him surfaces due to the impact of Dani Alves on the right. Suddenly everyone want a mirror image on the left also. In truth he is not that attack minded as Alves, but he is the closest to Alves available on the left. He is a great palyer and at the age of 25 has probably ten more years left in him. BUt here is the problem in signing him, first of all Abidal has started looking good these days, secondly we had the chance to sign him when he was available for free but we preffered Abidal over him. Everyone wants to sign him as a replacement to Sylvinho. I do want to sign him for that, but with Abidal playing well will Guardiola go for such a step. This could potentially unsettle the dressing room. Hence the chance of him joining Barca I will put as moderate.

5) Kaka - Now fantasies has a huge place in football. Otherwise can you imagine a 100 million price tag for a single player. AC Milan might have screwed up totally with the way they handled the transfer saga. I believe next season Kaka might be at Madrid, but there were reports that FC Barcelona is interested in spoiling Madrid's Kaka dream. The idea of Kaka joining Barcelona sounds good; he could complement Messi on the left well. But I don's see this happening not in the summer nor in the future. So the chance of Kaka moving is absolutely nil.

6) Yoann Gourcuff - Another French player to be linked recently with FC Barcelona. He is a attacking midfielder who is currently on loan to Bordeaux. This is kind of impossible as I expect Kaka to move from Milan next season and the mIlan would have to concentrate on him and Pato more. There are not indications from FC Barcelona also about Gourcuff interest. So for the time being let's put this transfer possibility as nil.

7) David Villa & David Silva - Villa's agent has been recently stating that he will be interested in seeing messi and Villa playing together. FC Barcelona has ridiculed all the rumours related to Villa recently. But onsidering Valencia's financial crisis, there is a chance of Villa moving away from Valencia. Hence there is a good chance of we getting Villa. But the problem here is that we are more interested in Silva than Villa; Villa could struggle here as there is already competition from Eto. Silva could be a handy addition as he can drive the midfield. So the chance of Silva joining Barca is high whereas Villa looks a bit tough.