Atletic Bilbao vs Barca Preview

Tough Job ahead at San Mames

FC Barcelona will be looking to continue with their winning streak continuiing when they visit San Mames on saturday. Our last visit to San Mames did end up in a 1-1 draw, but the fans will be hoping this time the score resembles something like Bilbao's visit to Camp Nou. That match we won 4-1 (FC Barcelona -4, Athletci Bilbao - 1), with Bojan Krkic scoring twice. It was from that game Bojan started to appear as a genuine option for Guardiola last season. The kid will be hoping and definitely need a similiar effect from tomorrow's clash. He has been below par in last two matches and had to start turning it around as soon as possible. Again it has to be seen whether he get any playing time in this match. Athletic Bilbao currently lies at the seventh position with just two points behind us. With only just four match into the season, those statistics doesn't mean anything. The way this season is shaping up again it will be a dog fight between Barca and Madrid and for that every point matters the most.

Continue Reading...

David Villa Goal Against Sporting Gijon

David Villa Strikes to Defeat Gijon, FC Barcelona - 1, Sporting Gijon - 0

David Villa struck in the second half to help FC Barcelona defeat his former club at the Camp Nou. With Real Madrid winning yesterday this three points has to be considered more than valuable. After a goal-less first half, Villa struck ealry in second half to down a team with whom he tasted his first success. This was no way considered a clinical performance nor the usual silky and controlled Barca style, but still as I mentioned it is still three points won. We struggled to impose ourselves and that emphasized the importance of messi in the side. Xavi and Iniesta were once again below par and that is what worrying me the most. If they both are playing well then they will create chances for all, but that wasn't the case. Guardiola reshuffled his defense a bit - Milito and Puyol formed the centre of defense with Alves and Maxwell on the flanks. Busquets once again played the semi-DM, semi-CB role with Xavi and Keita completing the midfield. As expected Iniesta moved forward to provide a bit more experience in attack with the absence of Messi and formed the attacking trio with Villa and Bojan.

Continue Reading...

Messi To Return Soon

FC Barcelona fans received a good news today with the club's medical staff confirming that Messi could be back in action in two weeks. After an MRI taken this morning at the Hospital de Barcelona, doctors have concluded that Leo Messi has a sprain in the internal and external ligaments of his right ankle, but confirmed that there is no damage to the bones. The early fears were of a fracture, but Guardiola confirmed yesterday itself that it's not the case. Lionel Messi could return back to action as early as in the Champiosn League encounter against Rubin Kazan. But that is definitely subject to the speed of his recovery. At this point Messi will definitely miss the matches against Sporting Gijon and Athletic Bilbao. Lionel Messi has been the inform barca player of this season and it to be seen how we cope with his injury.

FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Highlights