FC Barcelona Players Rating against Sporting Gijon on 08/02/09

Valdes - 6.5 - Not a busy day. Was unsighted for the goal. Came out early to collect the ball and thwart any danger in the first half.

Alves - 8.5 - There was an article in Guardian which said he would easily be the second best player in the world now after Messi. He proved it again, it was a shame that his illustrated colleagues wasted most of his crosses.

Puyol - 7.5 - Marshalled his boys well. Great leader and his presence calmed Caceres a lot.

Caceres - 7 - There were serious doubts about his ability. But he put that all to rest for the time being. Didn't do anything spectacular but was solid throughout the match.

Abidal - 7.5 - Showing clearly why we valued him and grabbed him from Lyon. May not be doing much upfront but sure is going to improve with each game.

Xavi - 7.5 - Had a decent game. Was quiet in creating chances. But controlled the midfield like a General.

Busquets - 7.5 - Solid in the midfield.

Iniesta - 8.5 - Best man on the pitch. Controlled the ball in the midfield. Great run which sets up the first goal. He looked so menacing from the left.

Messi - 7.5 - Wasn't at his best. Still tormented the defense. Was involved in the second goal. But then by his standard this was kind of a off day.

Eto - 8 - Had a very good game. Was involved and it was good to see him hungry again.

Henry - 8 - Did well on the left flank. Created the first goal. Was involved in most of moves. BUt did waste some neat headers.

Man Of The Match - Andres Iniesta

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