Make or Break Time Ahead

With the completion of the Champions League Quarter Finals, we are entering the most crucial phase of this season. With the visit to Getafe on Saturday we would be commencing a series of tough matches which would decide the fate of FC Barcelona's La Liga challenge. Pep Guardiola and his boy's were able to withstand all of the challenges thrown at them this season, but do they have it in them for another series of the same? There is a chance for Barca to end up trophyless this season, but it is difficult to see this talented and determined side threw it all away at this late stage. On the contrary, there is a good chance of Barca winning more than one trophy. But all these will depend on how we tackle the coming weeks.

The tough phase start with Barca's weekend trip to Getafe. Getafe has been a pretty terrible place for Barcelona to travel. The most recent horrible memory is the loss in Copa Del Rey which made the 5-2 home victory seem little. After the Getafe clash FC Barcelona will host Sevilla at home in the mid-week. Again a very tough game but Barca hold a definitive advantage of playing at home. Then comes Valencia on the next sunday away from home. Valencia is having a wayward season and Barca should be able to capitalise on it. Then comes the much awaited trip to Bernebeu. It is the time to take some revenge for last season's humiliating loss. And the next sunday we will again host Villareal at home where we will hold the advantage. In between to make matter worse, we have the Champions League semi-final clash against Chelsea. Those two matches comes sandwiched in between the Valencia, Real Madrid and Villareal matches.

Of these matches Getafe, Valencia and Madrid ones are tougher as they are away from home. Sevilla and Villareal are two great teams but winning against the Barca side at Camp Nou could be a big ask. What we don't want is another injury to key players. Again Real Madrid also have to play the same oponents to take their defense of title forward. Madrid have tough visits to Villareal and Sevilla to counter and teh 'El Classico'. Barca might drop some point in these matches but then I expect Real Madrid also to do the same. With such tough schedule ahead every Barcelona player should be at their best to see off the challenges at the League and also in Europe. The return of Abidal is a welcome sign and his form in yesterday's match was also promising. Guardiola would be rotating the squad a bit in the coming weeks, and it is time for the fringe players to grab their oppurtunity.

Bayern Munich vs Barca Pictures from 14/04/09

Barca Player rating against Bayern on 14/04/09

Valdes - 7.5 - Made some crucial interventions. Couldn't do much for the goal as he was baffled by Ribery.

Alves - 7.5 - Good performance going forward and was decent at the back. Had trouble against Ribery but held on well throughout the match. His crosses did had the venom but none of his team mates could make anything out of it.

Puyol - 6 - No so great performance from the captain. He has been shuffled in all position recntly and that added to his misery. He was all over the place against Ribery.

Pique - 8 - His performance deserved a better rating but for those two mistakes. He played Ribery on for the goal and was lucky not to give away a penalty after pulling Toni down. Otherwise, a majestic performance.

Abidal - 7.5 - Solid performance. Started a bit shaky but with time improved and showed what we miss on the left flank till now.

Xavi - 8.5 - Best Barca player on the pitch. Controlled the game without wasting much energy and was rewarded with an entry in the assist column.

Toure - 8 - Solid as Usual. Didn't venture too much into attack but was solid in defense.

Keita - 7.5 - Was decent and took his goal well.

Messi - 7.5 - Wasn't as destructive as everyone hoped. His lack of sync with Eto cut down all his attacks.

Eto - 5 - Very pathetic game. Worked hard but was the culprit in cutting down many of Barca's attack. His first touch looked suspicious throughout the match.

Iniesta - 8 - Another good performance by "The Choir Boy". Played his part in the goal. Was quiet in firts half but came to life in second half.

Substitutes:

Hleb - 6 - Was decent and linked up in some attack.

Man Of The Match - Frank Ribery