Highlights video of FC Barcelona's goalless draw against Elche last night. Some would say we missed a great chance to cut the distance between us and Atletico. Since Atletico drew yesterday, the equation remains same for Barca like last week. A victory and nothing less than victory will help Barca win the league next week.
in the match between two teams who were fighting for their lives in the league, one has to admit both came unhurt thanks to other results across the League. The match started with three teams technically fighting for the league, but Real Madrid dropped off the race after going down 2-0 against Celta de Vigo. So next week clash at Camp Nou is the La Liga final with Atletico holding a huge advantage. With a three point lead Atletico wouldn't have to force a winner whereas FC Barcelona boys need to go full throttle for the title. Barca definitely had the chance to negate Atletico's advantage when they went down 1-0 against Malaga at the Vicente Calderon. But we couldn't find a goal and but once they equalized, we were definite that we will start the next week encounter on the back foot. The Atletico game will definitely take the aura of a cup tie, this is reflected in the betting too with odds reflecting a knockout phase bet rather than a league game. So after twists and turns of the season, it will all be decided in a single match; here Atletico definitely have the advantage.
David Luiz is getting linked back again to Barca. Now that is mostly like a annually repeating deal. This time the rumours are pretty strong. Things have changed for both Barca and Luiz from last summer, which strengthens the rumour. First of all we are desperate for a defender, especially with Puyol also leaving. Second is the crucial one, Luiz is not so clear about his role at Chelsea. He has been not so regular in Mourinho's plan. For Barca Luiz would be a great signing. He is more or less in the same mold of Puyol in terms of defending. The additional advantage is his presence in opposition box something we have been lacking recently. This story is still developing, so watch out this space.
The true value is very hard to determine, it's all smoke and mirrors
Cesc Fabregas has been subject of many a debate at Barca before he arrived from Arsenal. Mostly those were centred on how to get the boy back at Barca or should we get him back at Barca? Little has changed since his arrival at Barca. He is still the hottest property in any Barca centric debate! Only change has been a slight modification to the topics - earlier if it was how and should we sign him; now it's changed to how and Why we should sell him? That's a small but significant change. There is a tendency to put Barca's recent failures, especially after Fabregas was signed on his head. We all complain about how he goes missing in big matches and are a liability at times. But have we ever paused and thought for a while what is hampering him at Barca? Unless we do the same, we may not be able to answer whether Cesc is the future at Barca?
The transfer stories are in full flow even before the season has come to an end. If this is the state of affairs now, one could only imagine the pandemonium that could be created once the transfer windows opens. Barca's problems of the season necessiated the reinforcement of more than one position. Since "Necessity is the Mother of Invention", new and fresh rumours get invented every day. One of the problems of having a great season, especially for an underdog is that you get to lose the best players you have got. Most probably that could be what Atletico could be facing this transfer window. Something they won't complain about, since they need the money from the sales very badly.
