FC Barcelona Wins UEFA Super Cup

FC Bracelona - 1, Shaktar Donetsk - 0

FC Barcelona won the UEFA Super cup for the third time in history with a 1-0 victory over Shaktar at the Louis II stadium in Monaco. A late Pedro Rodriguez strike in the second half o the extra time was the difference between the two sides. FC Barcelona went with a line-up as I predicted to the build up of the match. Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique and Abidal formed the defense; Xavi, Toure and Keita were present in midfield; Henry, Ibra and Messi formed the attacking troika. From the beginning it was clear that Shaktar was taking an ultra defensive approach. Barca started the match very slowly and there was no pace in the build up. This suited Shaktar well and they held firm without creating much of chances. Throughout the first half and upto half way in the second half, the match was very boring. It was so boring that you can confidently take a nap without missing any action, as there were none. In that time there were only three shots on target from both sides.

Once the Half way mark was over in the second half the match started to liven up. Messi was the first one to test Shaktar goal keeper after some fancy footwork and then Henry tested him with a shot from outside the box. Pedro was brought in the second half but never created any special moments. Once Bojan came in there were some nice moments when he paired with Messi. In the extra time, it was evident that the defense of both the sides were tired. Valdes had to intervene twice to cut out danger and there were some desperate defending from Puyol. But still Barca looked the only side capable of scoring on the night. Then in the 116th minute of the game Pedro scored the winner with a great finish after some great build up with Messi. Pedro squared the ball to Messi and moved in; Messi place the ball into the centre of box inviting Pedro through the defenders legs and Pedro obliged with a great finish. Many may argue the best Barca player was Messi; but for me the best Barca player on the pitch was our Captain Carlos Puyol. He had a great time in defense winning tackles after tackles and cutting of every Shaktar chances.

UEFA Super Cup Preview

UEFA Champions League winner FC Barcelona will face UEFA Cup Winner Shaktar Donetsk at the Louis II stadium in Monaco to decide the winner of this year's super cup. This will officialyy flag the start of this year's Champions League season. For FC Barcelona this will be a great oppurtunity to start the season in the right not. They have already won the Spanish Super Cup, and will be looking forward to bag their second official silverware of this season. Pep Guardiola has taken all his available player to Monaco. He has also included four youth players in the squad - Jeffren Suárez, Andreu Fontàs, Marc Muniesa and Jonathan Dos Santos. Andres Iniesta and Marquez has been included in the squad but niether has got green light from the medical staff. This would be an epic match for Chygrynskiy as he will be making his switch to Barca after this match.

Shaktar Donetsk was a very difficult opponent last season. We struggled to win away from home and a weak Barca side went down at home. Barca's recent experience with UEFA super cup was a dreadful one - losing to Sevilla 3-0 in 2006. This time we can hope them to make ammends for the same. Shaktar will play a very physical style of game, a style which Barca is least comfortable with. But still we can count on our team to win this one. Valdes should start at goal. The defense ideally will be made up of Alves, Puyol, Pique and Abidal. The midfield should have Keita, Xavi and Toure. The forward line-up is a very easy prediction - Henry, Ibra and Messi.

My Prediction : Barca - 3, Shaktar - 1

FC Barcelona and Inter in Same Group

FC Barcelona has been drawn alongside Inter Milan, the champions of Italy in the Group F of this season's Champions league. The Ukranian club FC Dynamo Kyiv and the Russian club FC Rubin Kazan completes the group. Eventhough Inter would be a difficult opponent, Barca looks to have found a place in a relatively easy group for next stage qualification. FC Barcelona will open their title defense at Inter Milan on 16th September. This will be the first time Inter and Barca square off after the Ibra-eto swap. FC Barcelona's first home match is against Dynamo Kiev on 29th September. This season draw were expected to churn out some tough groups; but on the final analysis I didn't see any group which can be termed as "Group Of Death". Group E featuring Liverpool, Lyon and Fiorentina is a tough group; but still Lyon and Liverpool ar favourite to go through. Real Madrid has been paired with AC Milan in Group C.

UEFA also announced the UEFA Club Awards of last season. Lionel Messi was elected as the UEFA Club player of the year. He also got the UEFA Club Forward of the Year. Xavi received the UEFA Club midfielder of the year award. Terry and Van Der Saar were elected as best defender and Goalkeeper respectively.