AD Ceuta - 0 , Barca - 2

A young looking FC Barcelona side strolled to a 2-0 victory against third division side AD Ceuta in their opening match of this season's Copa Del Rey tournament. Goals from Maxwell and Pedro in the first half sealed a valuable away victory, which almost see us through to the next round. In the absence of a host of first team players, Bojan Krkic captained the team. Pinto has been our choice of keeper for this competition and that continued in this match also. We had a new central defense pairing with Fontas and Batra flanked on each side by the experienced Maxwell and Adriano. The midfield was much more experienced compared to defense with Thiago, Mascherano and Keita. Jeffren, Bojan and Pedro formed the attacking trio as expected.

Continue Reading...

AD Ceuta vs Barca Preview

FC Barcelona will start their campaign to re-gain the Copa Del Rey tomorrow against third division side Ceuta. Guardiola has rested a host of first team starters for this away match. Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi and Villa has been rested, meanwhile Xavi and Milito are still continuing their recovery programme. Guardiola has announced a young squad which would make the trip. The squad list is Pinto, Puyol, Abidal, Maxwell, Adriano, Mascherano, Keita, Bojan, Jeffren, Pedro, Miño, Bartra, Fontàs, Thiago, Dos Santos and Nolito.

Continue Reading...

FC Barcelona vs Zaragoza Highlights

Real Zaragoza - 0, Barca - 2

FC Barcelona maintained their 100% away season reconrd with a confortable 2-0 victory over bottom placed Zaragoza. Yet again, it was Lionel Messi who scored all the goals for Barca. With this victory we go temporarily to the top of the table. Madrid is playing Racing currently and could retain the lead with a victory. Zaragoza came out with an ultra-defensive approach emphasized by a five man defense. Abidal returned to the line-up in place of Maxwell for Barca, the rest of defense remained tth same with Alves, Puyol and Pique. Xavi was rested for this encounter and so the midfield had Iniesta, Keita and Busquets. We had our usual attacking line-up of Pedro, Messia and Villa upfront.

Continue Reading...

Should We Go For Wayne Rooney?

A week's time is a pretty long time as far as footballing calendar is considered. Last week there were only rumours about Rooney being unhappy at the treatment by Alex Ferguson, this week its official. It may not have been yet officially declared, but the relationship between Rooney and Alex Ferguson as of now stands terminated. I was quite surprised watching the press conference of Alex ferguson. Never in my wildest dream I thought he is going to come and unofficially throw Rooney out of Manchester United. I expected him to evade questions about Rooney and expected him to work on retaining his biggest star in the background. Little did I knew it was an unofficial firing ceremony. Technically Rooney is still a Manchester United player but do anyone see him continuing after what happened this week.

Continue Reading...