Valladolid - 0, Barca - 1

A late first half strike from Eto made sure that FC Barcelona gave up any momentum in the La Liga chase. FC Barcelona were made to work over time by a gritty Valladolid side and towards the second half looked in more trouble. This was no classic Barca performance but it is still a very valuable win. We always have a high chance to drop points after an international break but this time we kicked the habit. Guardiola as expected decided to omit his Latin American players - Messi and Alves from the starting line up. Henry was also given the rest. Valdes once again guarded the goal. Puyol was slotted in as the Right Back but had to play the left back role after Alves came in the second half. Marquez and Pique agains combined to form the centre of defense and Sylvinho took his loeft back position. The midfield was very defensive with Keita and Busquets playing along with Xavi. Iniesta, Eto and Pedro formed the attack line.

The game started slowly and Barca's first attack came in the 12th minute with Pedro forcing a save from Asenjo. In the 35th minute Eto took the ball to right and pulled the ball back to Xavi who shot high. Then in the 40th minute Eto put Barca ahead with a delicate chip over an advancing Asenjo's head. The move started with Eto passing the ball to Xavi and continuing with his run, Xavi then played a delightful chipped cross over defense to find Eto who chipped the ball over Asenjo's head. In the 42nd minute Iniesta produced a great dribble into the box, skipped past two defenders but his final curling shot did not had the power to beat Asenjo. Barca went to the lead with a goal lead and was hoping to dominate possession more in the second half. But Valladolid came after the break more determined and did force many silly passing mistakes from barca's midfield.

In the 50th minute Eto shot over from an Iniesta pass. But Valladolid was getting back to the match. In the 55th minute Valdes was tested for the first time. Then in the 58th minute Valdes made a decent save to deny Escudero who got past Puyol and Marquez with ease. In the 59th minute Guardiola took off Pedro and Sylvinho and brought in Messi and Alves. Puyol moved to the left. In the 67th minute Alves did well to clear danger from a dangerous cross from the left. In the 72st minute Keita heads wide from an excellent Alves cross. Then in the 75th minute Iniesta produced a great moment of magic. He grabbed the ball from a defenders leg and skips past defender to get into area but another defender stuck his foot and send the ball wide. In the 79th minute Alves looked as if he was going to send in a cross to centre instead shot staright into the goal; Asenjo did well to block but theball fell to Eto who despite reacting quickly couldn't direct it properly.

As I said earlier this victory is a very good one as we were able to shut the door firmly on Madrid. Now the entire concentration shifts to Munich clash. Bayern lost yesterday to VfL Wolfsburg by 5-1. There are many who think Iniesta should replace Henry on the left. It is a very good argument; but the truth simply is that without Iniesta our midfiedl doesn't dominate as much as we want. So for me he is more important in the midfield that up front.

Real Valladolid vs Barca Preview

After two weeks break La Liga will be back in action from tonight. FC barcelona is making the trip to Valladolid tonight to take their quest for La Liga title forward. Barca finds themselves in quite trickly situation. The south American players joined the squad late compare to the Europe based players. We have failed to win consistently this season after an international break, that puts Barca in a tricky situation. Real Madrid will be on our heels looking for any weakness. Guardiola would be hard done by the fact that he had most of his squad on international duties and he also got a crusial Champions League tie coming up. Instead of blaming FIFA for the tight schedule the big clubs in Europe should persuade UEFA to re-arrange their Champions League fixtures so that it does not fall in a week after Internationa duties. Valladolid lies ninth in the table and would be a difficult place for Barca to travel especially after an international break. They have been pretty inconsistent with their form at home. They have beaten the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real Madrid at home; but then they have gone down to teams like Racing, Betis, Malaga etc at home. The last time FC Barcelona met them at Camp Nou, Barca scored six past them withoout any reply.

Guardiola has nnounced his travelling squad ahead of the clash. Alexanded Hleb has been left out as a precaution after he suffered a knock while on international duties. Yaya Toure and Abidal both are still out with injury. But Iniesta and Puyol has recovered from their injuries and has made it into the squad. The squad is Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Márquez, Piqué, Cáceres, Puyol, Sylvinho, Sergio Busquets, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Henry, Eto'o, Messi, Bojan, Pedro. It is still not clear whether Guardiola will start with Messi in the starting line up. I see only a substitute role for him. Valdes has been in the media for his contract negiotiations with Barca, but he is sure to guard Barca's goal. Puyol, Pique, Marquez and Sylvinho could form the defense. Guardiola would do Alves a favour by resting him as he is back from his trip to South America. Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta would form the midfield. Henry and Eto should form the front trio along with Pedro. Again it would be better to rest Messi and bring him in the second half only if the situation demands it. Iniesta need s to have quality playing time as we cannot afford for him to be rusty in Bayern match. Xavi has been over working but I don't think we can afford to start with him on the bench. True to our form after International break we could struggle here; but as Busquets pointed out that should not be an excuse. This could be a tight game but Barca could see home due to their exceptional players.
My prediction : Vallodolid - 1, Barca - 3.

Argentina Humiliated, Spain Marches On; International Results

The second leg of world cup qualification has just gotten over. There were some extremely surprising result. Again I will start with my favourite, Argentina. Argentina equalled their worst ever defeat at the high altitude of Bolivia by a score line of 6-1. Yup, you read that right! It is six goals against one. This is Maradona's first defeat as the national team coach. Maradona's after match comments reveals the extend of dissappointment - "“There are no excuses. They thoroughly beat us and there is nothing else to say except to give credit to Bolivia. Whenever they attacked, they scored. And each goal that they scored was like a dagger through my heart." Bolivia lies 9th in the table and did a world of good to their qualification quest by this victory. This lose coulkd be good for Barca as Messi would be eager to forget that with some sensational performance. With Brazil winning against Peru by 3-0, Argentina now moved to fourth in the table. Dani Alves started in the Brazilian line-up and did provide the assist for Fabiano's and Brazil's second goal. Luis Fabiano struck twice in the first half and another goal from Felipe Melo completed a comfortable victory for Brazil. Martin Caceres' side Uruguay held on to a valuable goalless draw against Chile away from home. Chile lies third in the table while Uruguay lies fifth.

Mexico minus Marquez (who is suspended) lost to Honduras 3-1 away from home. This defeat has raised more questions about their chance of qualification and also on Errickson's future. While in Europe, Spain continued their relentless march with a late victorty againt Turkey. Semih SENTURK put Turkey ahead in the first half but Xabi Alonso equalised just after the hour mark from a spot kick; Riera then grabbed the winner late in the injury time. FC Barcelona players Xavi and Pique started in the line-up, while Busquets made a second half entry. In another match Hleb's Belarus overwhelmed Kazakhstan by 5-1. Kazak's opened the scoring through Renat but Hleb equalised in the 47th minute. After that two goals from Kalachev and one each from Stasevich and Rodionov sealed the match for Belarus. Meanwhile a solitory goal from inform Ribery gave France a valuable victory against Lithuania.