A solitary goal from Pedro helped Barca register another victory in the League and hold on to the five point lead at the top. The scoreline might suggest an equal contest but in reality a rather wasteful Barca side never managed the second goal they deserved. The 1-0 lead meant that the last ten minutes had it share of uncertainity. Barca altogether had 22 shots but managed only one goal. The big question of the night was who would Guardiola prefer Toure or Busquets - and the answer saw where Yaya's future lies, outside teh starting eleven. No any time in my recent history a player has been deliberately kept out of the starting eleven not on merit. Valdes saw a new comination of defense in front of him. Marquez and Pique made the centre of defense whereas Abidal and Puyol played the full-backs. The midfield saw Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets and the attack line had Messi, Ibra and Pedro, who replaced Henry and did well too. It was as I said in the preview, the trio of Iniesta, Messi and Xavi who ran the show.Jan 31, 2010
Sporting Gijon - 0, Barca - 1
A solitary goal from Pedro helped Barca register another victory in the League and hold on to the five point lead at the top. The scoreline might suggest an equal contest but in reality a rather wasteful Barca side never managed the second goal they deserved. The 1-0 lead meant that the last ten minutes had it share of uncertainity. Barca altogether had 22 shots but managed only one goal. The big question of the night was who would Guardiola prefer Toure or Busquets - and the answer saw where Yaya's future lies, outside teh starting eleven. No any time in my recent history a player has been deliberately kept out of the starting eleven not on merit. Valdes saw a new comination of defense in front of him. Marquez and Pique made the centre of defense whereas Abidal and Puyol played the full-backs. The midfield saw Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets and the attack line had Messi, Ibra and Pedro, who replaced Henry and did well too. It was as I said in the preview, the trio of Iniesta, Messi and Xavi who ran the show.
Jan 30, 2010
Sporting Gijon vs Barca Preview
FC Barcelona will be back tonigh at the place where their dream run started. After begining the last season in the worst possible way in ages, Barca got back to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing of Gijon at El Molinón. The senario for Barca in the League is different from their last visit. Last season we were looking desperately for a win when we visited here, in contrast We are sitting comfortably at the top with a five point lead this season. But Barca would do good with a good victory here. The Deportivo - Real Madrid match will follow our match. Considering that Real hasn't won at the Riazor for 19 years, it would be great for Barca to putr additional pressure by winning the Gijon match handsomely. As far as the squad is considered Alves is out with injury and Keita will miss the match through suspension. Guardiola has announced the rest of squad which travel to El Molinón - Valdés, Pinto, Txigrinski, Piqué, Márquez, Milito, Puyol, Abidal, Maxwell, Touré, Sergio, Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Pedro, Bojan, Henry and Ibrahimovic. The controversial selection point once again will be - who will Guardiola pick at defensive midfielder position.Jan 29, 2010
Jan 28, 2010
The Strange Saga of Victor Valdes and Spain
Victor Valdes is undoubtedy the most successful goal keeper in FC Barcelona's history. He has won 3 La Liga titles, 2 Champions League titles and had succeeded in kissing the Copa Del Rey trophy and the World Club Championship. He is undoubtedly the No.1 choice for Barca. FC Barcelona management last season tried to find a replacement for Valdes, but in the end decided that he is the best option available for Barca. He has been a part of Spanish Under - 19, Under - 20, Under - 21 squad but is still waiting for his first Spanish National Team call ups. It is quite strange to see such a successful Goal Keeper failing to make into the squad of Spain's Nationa side. Such is the abundance of Goal Keeping talents in the Spanish National side. Spainish Captain Iker Casillas remains undoubtedly the first choice and remains miles ahead of competition. Pepe Reina, a Barca Youth team product remains the second choice and rarely gets a chance due to the dominance of San Iker. Diego Lopez has been the third choice for so long and he is supported by his consistent performnace.Jan 26, 2010
Ibrahmovic Has to Keep It Simple
The Eto - Ibrahmovic swap was the second biggest thing to happen in the summer. It came through with a lot of skepticism. Especially considering that Ibrahmovic was replacing one of Club's prolific goal scorer - a guy who has score crucial goals in both of Barca's Champions League Triumphs. I myself was not a huge supporter of the deal especially the cost associated with it. But Ibrahmovic did prove his doubters wrong with a series of goal scoring performance at the start of the season. He did lack the speed on the counters but what he had in planty was great form in front of the goal. He till now hasn'y fully integrated to Barca's style but had developed a key understanding with Lionel Messi, which helped him in getting so much goal in the start. His first Clasico saw him winning the match for Barca - which surely have made him more acceptable for majority fo Camp Nou faithfuls. But after a great start to the season, a string of average performance from Ibrahmovic has sow new doubts in Barca fans .
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