FC Barcelona - 5, Shaktar - 1

FC Barcelona thrashes Shaktar Donetsk to take a firm step to Semi-Final

FC Barcelona has taken a firm step to set up an El Clasico clash in this season's Champions League semi-final with the demolition of Shaktar Donetsk at Camp Nou. Iniesta, Alves, Keita, Pique and Xavi scored for Barca in a very thrilling 5-1 victory against the Ukranian Champions. The 5-1 scoreline has to be termed a bit unfair to Shaktar, as they gave Barca a definite scare. With this victory there could be a real possibility of El Clasico overdose in coming weeks. Guardiola definitely would have to think about his defense after the game as they were found wanting at times.With Puyol absent, we once again saw Pique and Busquets joining together in the heart fo defense. Adriano and Alves played the usual full back role. The midfield had Keita, Xavi and Mascherano. The front line had Iniesta, Messi and Villa. Pedro was declared fit but only started from the bench. The other substitutes were the ever present Milito, Bojan along with Thiago, Maxwell, Afellay and Mino. Shaktar had six Brazilian in their line-up, Shaktar would be a handful for Barca on the counter.

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A Must Win Match - FC Barcelona vs Shaktar UCL Quarter Final Preview

FC Barcelona will resume their quest to regain Champions League title when they host Shaktar Donetsk tomorrow night at the Camp Nou. Considering Guardiola's away record in Europe ( He is yet to win a Champions League away leg in the knock out stage), you don't have to be a genius to realise hos important is this match. Our last visit to Shaktar ened in a very tight 2-1 victory for us. The victory on that day came very late and in a bit of controversial circumstances. So it is safe to say that we should definitely have to finish the game at home tomorow night. Shaktar is kind of a bogey team who could trouble Barca, something the best in Spain and Europe failed to do. They would prefer to play a defensive setup at Camp Nou and would look to hurt us on the counter. If we don't secure atleast a two goal advantage, we could be in some trouble with our visit to Ukraine. And moreover the visit to Ukraine comes just ahead of teh Bernebeu visit and we would ideally like to rest some of the stars to the build up of that.

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Villareal - 0, Barca - 1

FC Barcelona has one hand on the La Liga Trophy

FC Barcelona has opened up an eight point lead at the top of the league with a hard fought 1-0 victory at El Madrigal. On a night in which Jose Mourinho's unbeaten home record ended with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Gijon, Pique's goal was enough to secure three points for us. With such a lead the title hunt has effectively come to an end for Real Madrid. Mathematically they still have a chance but practically its an impossible task for Jose Mourinho. Guardiola brought in some changes to the defense - Busquets and Pique formed the cetre defensive pair with Alves and Adriano lining up as full backs. The midfield had Mascherano, Thiago and Keita. Affellay, Iniesta and Villa formed the midfield. Messi started on the bench and Valdes wore the captain's armband. What would have been a very crucial game was made much easier by the fact that Real Madrid lost their unbeaten home record to Sporting Gijon early on the night.

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