Barca Struggles at Betis; Betis-2, Barca-2

Real Madrid would looking tonight to cut Barca's lead to 10 points after the Blaugrana outfit failed to win their match against Real Betsi. Real Betis took a two goal early lead in the first half; FC Barcelona has never managed to come from two goals behind this season, that's because nobody manage to go 2 up against the Catalan club. Two goals from Eto made sure that Barca increased their lead to 13 points and made sure that Barca extended their unbeaten run in league by one more match. It has to be seen how this below par performance is going to affect the team's morale this season. For me it serves as another wake up call; and the fact of the matter still remains that Guardiola chose an unorthodox starting eleven against Real Betis. Valdes kept guard of the goal; Abidal and Alves played their full back roles. But in the centre of defense Guardiola decided to partner Caceres and Pique for the first time in the league. The midfield was a combination of Xavi, Keita and Busquets. Iniesta, Eto and Hleb formed the front trio. The decision to rest most of the players who were out for international duties was a good decision as far as I am concerned. But Guardiola made the biggest mistake of not including Toure as DM especially ahead of an inexperienced Centre back formation.

Real Betis started the first half confidently. They started taking control of the game early on; some stupid ball distribution from barca's defense and midfield helped their cause. In the 7th minute Xavi saw his shot from outside the box go wide. In the 18th minute Betis went 1-0 up when Melli rose above Busquets to head home from a corner. FC Barcelona failed to find an answer to the Real Betis goal and the only player who looked dangerous was Iniesta. Then in the 25th minute Barca went 2-0 down for the first time in the season. Ex-Barca player Garcia's long cross from the right found Mark Gonzalez who was left unmarked by Alves and Hleb. Mark Gonzalez finished of the formality with a great finish to the far left corner of goal. Mean while all the Barcelona answer was coming from Iniesta. In the 32nd minute Iniesta and Eto combined to produce a great one two move but Eto's final shot was blocked by Goal keeper Ricardo, who was going to have a very busy game. In the injury time of first half Iniesta won us a penalty when he was brought down in the box by Juande. Eto took the penalty kick, his first shot was parried by Riocardo but luckily the rebound fell to Eto who converted well. That goal was crucial as Barca could not afford to go to break with a two goal deficit.

The second half started the exact way as the first half with Real Betis raiding barca goal again and again. In the 50th minute everybody thought Oliveira had put Betis 3-1 ahead from a great counter attacking move. But Oliveira was judged rightly offside, but it puzzles me why he wen ahead of the defense rather than stay with them. If that goal was awarded we would have been in deep trouble. In the 51st minute Eto shot agonisingly wide after turning well to get rid of his marker. In the 54th minute Emana had a great chance to increase Betis's lead but Valdes stood up to the task; they key to Valdes save was that he didn't commit himself. In the 57th minute Guardiola made a double substitution as expected, Messi coming in for Hleb and Henry in for Keita. In the 60th minute Henry's hsot was deflected to goal by Betis defender but Ricardo who was adamant today pulled another brilliant save. In the 72nd minute Ricardo pull off another save to deny Iniesta after an excellent lay off by Eto. In the 73rd minute Valdes pulls of another save of Oliveira to keep Barca in the game. In the 79th minute Ricardo produced another excellent save to deny Henry. In the 81st minute Guardiola took off Busquets and brought in Bojan. In the 82nd minute Ricardo again blocked another great shot from this time Pique of an Alves corner. Then in the 84th minute Eto finally manage to put the ball in the net two drew Barca on level with Betis. Eto used the run from Messi as a decoy and dragged three defenders along with and then cuts inside and shoots past Ricardo.

This one was an excellent game. We may have dropped two points but this still is a great point. Everyone expected marquez to start after Guardiola said that he don't want any excuses from players. But I still like the decision to put theose two youngsters at the defense; but as I mentioned with the absence of Toure Caceres and Pique didn't have a cover and they panicked regularly. Pique for me had a very bad night, his habit of commiting early to challenges could prove harmful. Then he is still learning thetrade. The most dissappointing player was Hleb who never looked to be in the game. Keita did struggle but then he just came back from injury.

Real Betis vs Barca Preview

Guardiola had made it clear to his players that he is not going to accept any excuses about International duty for any below par performnace against Real Betis. FC Barcelona will be looking to notch up a eleventh consecutive victory when they play Betis tonight. FC barcelona would not be with their influential captain Puyol; Guardiola has very wisely decided against risking his captain. This means Marquez has to hold the defense tonight after returning back from North America. And Guardiola has made it clear that he don't want to hear any excuse of Jet lag or International duties. Guardiola has announced the squad for tonight - Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Caceres, Abidal, Sylvinho, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Hleb, Messi, Bojan, Eto'o, Henry. Keita is back after the injury and could feature in the starting line up tonight. In the last match against Betis at Camp Nou we won with a narrow margin after spectacularly Barca managing to throw away the game.

Xavi would be equalling the Charly Rexach's record for second most first team appearance for Barca, if he gets a chance to play tonight. Valdes will be the regular goal keeper. Alves, Pique, Marquez and Abidal would be expected to form the defense. Xavi, Toure and Keita is expected to form the midfield. I expect Henry to start from bench tonight, that means Iniesta will occupy the left, with Eto in centre and Messi on the right. It is essential to play Iniesta in tonight's match as it will continue his return back to fitness and form. Betis are lying at 14th currently but at home this could become a tricky challenge for Barca. But if we manage to win here that will put enormous pressure on Madrid as they have to win to keep their title hopes alive.

Eto Walking On A Tight Rope

Eto reportedly is stalling any progress on his contract negotiation with FC Barcelona. Eto's contract is set to expire by end of June, 2010 and both the parties involved wants to extend it further. Then what is stalling the process? It is reported that Eto has demanded the club to make him on par with Lionel Messi in terms of wages. According to www.futebolfinance.com that might be a whooping 7.5 million Euros. I am pretty sure that the club will not concede into paying him on par with the "Best Player in the World"; even Eto knows it. So all this is to get a bigger price for his current form. FC Barcelona could be in a confused state, they may not be clear about the approach to be taken over here. Eto was clearly an unwanted element as far as Guardiola was concerned at the start of the season. But he remarkably turned things around and got the confidence of both the fans and coach back. The club have resisted the temptation to declar public interest in the likes of Benzema and Villa due to the Cameroonian's tremendous form.

Hopefully Eto and Barca can reach an agreement pretty soon. But if they fail then we could see FC Barcelona pushing hard for Benzema and Villa, or may be even Torres. But the fact remains that Eto was the best striker in the world for some time. He is not the one who will do unbelievable stunts to change the course of the match; but he will put the ball back in the net again and again. What you need more from a striker? Especially with the way Barca play a striker like Eto is essential; but if he decides to move on who should be the best option? It has to be either Villa or Tevez, they both are compulsive poachers. Many clubs has recently stated about their interest in signing him, most notably Mourinho's Inter Milan. But this hold could be a temporary hold and we could soon receive the good news of Eto extending the contract beyond 2010. Mean while MundoDeportivo has covered a story where they claim that Bojan Krkic has rejected an option for winter transfer to Hoffenheim, Ajax and Marseille. I don't know whether this is true but sound to be good news. All the best to the kid.