Internationa Matches

The first leg of the international break is over; altogether it can be said that it was a very satisfactory first leg for many FC Barcelona players. As usual we will start with South American Qualifier. Argentina beat Uruguay with a scoreline of 2 goals to one to end their winless streak. Barca players - Lionel Messi and Martin Caceres both started this match for their respective teams. Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead in the fifth minute through a header from the former Barca player Riquelme's cross. After seven minutes Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero doubled the lead. Diego Lugano reduced the lead for Uruguay in the 39th minute. From South America to Africa now.

All of FC Barcelona players from Africa had a very successful night. Yaya Toure started in the starting eleven in the 3-0 victory over Madagascar. Boubacar Sanogo scored twice for Ivory Coast and team mate Simon Kalou made it 3-0 for the night. Samuel Eto starred in Cameroon's 5-0 thrashing of Mauritius. Eto scored two goals - one from penalty in the 47th minute and the first goal in the 26th minute. Keita also started in Mali's 2-1 victory against Chad. Tenema Ndiaye and Cheick Diabate were the goal scorer for Mali whereas Leger Djime scored for Chad. In Europe Barca players had a mixed night. Eidur Gudjonsen's Iceland was defeated by a much superior Dutch team. The dutch side had Van Der Saar guarding the goal after coming out of international retirement. Huntelaar and Mathijsen scored for the dutch. France were lucky to grab a point from their match against Romania. Romania went two up with in 16 minutes with help of goals from Petre and Goian. Ribery pulled one back for France in the 36th minute and Gourcuff equalised in the 68th minute to the relief of captain Thierry Henry. Meanwhile Spain continued their excellent run with a 3-0 victory over Estonia. Juanito, Villa and Puyol all entered the scoresheet.

A Tough Looking La-Liga

This might be too early to say, but have to admit that this year's La-Liga is looking far more tougher than it looked in many previous seasons. Especially a look into the table after the completion of six matches would give the name of genuine title contenders. Valencia leads the pack with Villareal following them closely. The big power house of Spanish league - Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are lying in fifth and fourth positions respectively. Maybe six matches would be a pretty early to say about how the League table would end up this season; but this time everyone have a feeling of seeing a pretty tough chase to the top. FC Barcelona showed their class in destroying Atletico Madrid at home. But then last year also they destroyed the same opposition but ended up losing the league by a whoping margin; actually ended up third in the league. We will only get a clear picture after the first leg matches of all the big teams are completed.

The best part of this season's results is the resurgence of Valencia. After Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Valencia has been the most recognisable team in the whole La liga. But last season was sort of nightmarish; but they look genuine title contenders and are deservingly at the top of the table. Real Madrid has been a bit shaky, but then last two seasons they followed a similiar pattern to success. Sevilla looks solid so does Villareal. FC Barcelona is showing signs of a resurgence but the fans have not yet taken it completely as they had similiar experience in last season. The other teams which makes up the top ten are Alemria, Atletico Madrid, Getafe, Espanyol and Deportivo. Out of these Atletico looks a genuine title contender to me even after their 6-1 defeat to FC Barcelona. The others, especially the likes of Espanyol and Getafe will play a crucial part in deciding the title holdes with their impecable Home records. For all the La Liga fans this looks like a greta season ahead.

Barca vs Athletico Pictures

FC Barcelona Player Rating against Athletico Madrid

Valdes - 7 - Had nothing to do through out the match apart from conceding that great goal from Maxi Rodriguez. Did well to dent Ujfelusi's header.

Puyol - 7.5 - Marshalled his boys well. Controlled them. Did well to cover Marquez once when his header went backwards with Aguero looming in the area. Did well in attack also.

Marquez - 8 - After two poor matches this one was a revelation. Scored the first goal with a great header. kept Aguero quiet for almost all the night.

Pique - 7 - Was solid through out the match.

Abidal - 7 - Did exceptionally well compared to his past performance. was so assuring in defense and it is good to see he coming back to form.

Xavi - 9 - For me the man of today's match. Had a part to play in every Goal. Won challenges, organised attack, controlled midfield. You can't ask for more than this, but we will still isn't it? There were chanting of his name in the stadium and got a well deserved standing ovation when replaced.

Busquests - 7 - Did well through out the match. Was solely responsible for the Goal but he is still learning his trade and he is going to become huge.

Gudjonsen - 8 - Great night for the Icelander. He was picked ahead of Keita and justified his selection. Scored one goal and had one shot going wide and another saved by Copuet. Got his team mates to press the defense up front.

Messi - 8.5 - Another excellent night, he is getting back to his normal role pretty soon. Was active throughout the match.

Eto - 8 - Great night. Did well in the third goal and was a constant threat, It is proven that Henry needs to play second fiddle to him.

Iniesta - 9 - What a match from this "Little Man". He is becoming my favourite footabller. The wood wrok denied him twice. Was a constant threat.

Substitutes:

Henry - 7.5 - Did well in the 6th minute. There was a sense of purpose in his stride and has to be said that he is unlucky that Eto is playing too well and he has to start from the bench. Iniesta is organising the left side so well that Guardiola will not take him off from that position.

Bojan - 7 - Played a part in Henry's Goal.

Keita - 6- Didn't get too much time.

Barca Thrashes Athletico; FC Barcelona - 6, Athletico -

FC Barcelona destroyed Athletico Madrid by slotting past half a dozen goals against a hapless defense. This was billed as a match up between Lionel Messi and Aguero; but in the end Aguero was nowhere to be seen. It is hard to criticise Aguero as it became a up hill task when his defense conceded three goals in first fifteen minutes. In the preview to this match I have guaranteed that there would be many goals; but I myself never expected this much goal and such an authorative performance by FC Barcelona. Especially after taking into consideration the last gasp victories before ; this came at the right time. This victory has indeed catapulated FC Barcelona as the top contender of the Primiera Liga. Guardiola brought in a new combination for the back four. Puyol played the Right Back role; whereas Marquez and Pique formed the centre of defense; Abidal, who for once had a great night played the Left Back role to perfection. The midfield was made up of Busquests, Gudjonsen and Xavi. Messi, Iniesta joined Eto to form the front trio.

Barca took the lead early on in the 3rd minute from a header from Marquez of a Xavi corner at the near post. Indeed Iniesta earned us the corner. That would have set any nerves FC Barcelona players had and Barca was going to take full control of the match. Then in the next minute Messi won a penalty shout after cleverly drawing a clumsy challenge from Ujfalusi in the box. Eto stepped in and scored the penalty. The commentators were saying that Messi and Eto has decided to take turns in taking spot kicks. Then in the 9th minute FC Barcelona saw their lead extending to three goals - Messi scored from a free kick. The free kick was awarded outside the box for a foul against Messi; the referee presented Messi the oppurtunity to take a quick free kick and Messi obliged while Coupet was organising his wall. I have to admit that I don't consider this as a fair play; then it's the Referee's mistake; FIFA has to take note of this and take away this option. Otherwise they should bring the same option in Spot Kicks also. In the 13th minute Athletico Madrid showed a glimpse of getting back to the game. Busquests gave away the ball and the defense presented plenty of room to Maxi Rodriguez who curled his shot past a hapless Valdes. That indeed was the bset goal of the night but Maxi had to be substituted after that after injuring his groin area in the process. FC Barcelona retook the three goal cushion in the 18th minute when Xavi found an Eto with a great pass; Eto was presented with huge space by the centre backs; Eto took the ball with excellent chest control, rounded off the defenders and shot past a hapless Coupet. In the 28th Fc Barcelona scored their 5th goal of night after great kill by iniesta, Iniesta dribbled past defenders into the box but his shot hit the post and the rebound fell for Gudjonsen who slotted to score his first. Exactly after three minutes Iniesta nd the combination of wood work almost did a repeat of the fifth goal. This time Iniesta's curling kick insdie the box hit the wood work and it fell for Messi who failed to control and shot wide. In the 38th minute Xavi dances into the box past defenders from the left and squares the ball to Gudjonsen who shot a bit wide. In the 40th minute Messi should have made it 6-1 after Puyol cleared the ball from defense to Messi's path. After receinving the ball Messi set in for a tremendous run passing two defenders in the process, but his final chip over a diving Coupet went agaonisingly wide.

Athletico organised the defense better after the half and the fact that Barca had a four goal cushion resulted in FC Barcelona taking the foot off the pedal in the second half. Guardiola brought in Henry for Eto in the 59th minute. In the 60th minute the Xavi and Marquez combination combined again; but this time Marquez's header was a bit high. In the 69th minute Xavi provided a great pass to Gudjonsen but his curling shot was well anticipated and caught by a full stretch Coupet. In 70th minute Guardiola brought in Bojan for Messi. Then in the 72nd minute Valdes made his first save of the game by denying Ujfalusi's header. Next minute Henry enters the score sheet with an excellent finish. The move was started by Henry when he gave the ball to Xavi and kept running, Xavi passed the ball to Bojan who squared it to Henry whose shot thundered past Coupet. In the 74th minute Keita was brought in place of Xavi. In the 76th minute Bojan shot was saved by Coupet after a great run into the box.

Overall this was the best performance of this season. Everyone of the player played well. It was good to see Marquez getting back to his best in defense. How much of this performance can be taken forward to the next matches is yet to be seen as the majority of the squad leaves for international commitments.

FC Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid Preview

FC Barcelona would be gearing up for one of the most toughest matches of this season so far. The last weeks match at Espanyol may not have convinced too many critic niether did Barca's victory against Shaktar. But the important fact here is we are winning and that was missing in last season. FC Barcelona has not yet full gelled as a team especially the defense. The defense looks like they are looking for a oppurtunity to fall apart. FC Barcelona would be hoping for a victory today even if it is a last gasp one. That would make it their sixth consecutive in all competition. The last three victory didn't come that convincingly; the match against Athletico Madrid won't be an easy one. Athletico always played well against FC barcelona at Camp Nou. Athletico's last visit to Cam Nou resulted in a 3-0 loss; Pep would be hoping to take confidence from that fact.

This match has been billed as the clash of the two young Argentinian super kids - Lionel Messi and Ken Aguero. Both of them looks like in good form and it would be an exciting duel. But Pep attantion would be on a number of opposition players most importantly Maxi Rodriguez. At the moment when I am writing the review Pep has not yet announced his squad. With his pechant to change the starting eleven it becomes pretty difficult to guess what will be the team composition. One thing is for sure is that he would be returning to 4-3-3 formation. That should result in Alves, Puyol, Marquez and Abidal starting in front of Valdes. The midfield is rather intriguing - Xavi is the only certainity thare. I expect Busquets and Gudjonsen/Toure to start. Messi, Eto and Iniesta would definitely start up front. FC Barcelona cannot afford to rest in this match with the attacking power of Athletico Madrid. The only thing which I can guarantee is that there would be many goals.

Player Rating against Shaktar

Valdes - 7 - Made two excelelnt saves to keep Barca in the Game. Couldn't do much on the goal, his defense let him down.

Pique - 5.5 - Made a terrible mess of a header which resulted in the Goal. Had huge trouble against Brandao. Wasn't instrumental in attcking also.

Alves - 4.5 - had a really bad night. Apart from some good crosses did nothing throughout the match. Had an excellent free kick saved by Pyatov. Was caught everytime in defense. Had no idea how to deal with Brandao. Conceded two freekicks from dangerous positions.

Marquez - 6 - Had a better night than his other defender colleagues. Made a mess which resulted in the goal. Valdes made two excellent saved the first one was due to Marquez defensive mistake.

Puyol - 5 - Was caught out at left side by Ilsinho many times. Was responsible for the Shaktar goal. Didn't encourage his team mates enough.

Toure - 6 - Had a decent game. Won many challenges. But couldn't do anything going forward.

Keita - 5 - Had a terrible game. Played as a creative midfielder and failed miserably.

Xavi - 6.5 - Had a quiet night by his standards. Provided a wonderful pass for the second goal.

Iniesta - 6.5 - Wasn't instraumental as everyone hoped him to be. Played well but did not connect with other team mates.

Henry - 5.5 - Had a terrible night. Wasted a clear cut chance early on. Tried hard but against Shaktar's physical presence couldn't fare well.

Eto - 6 - Wated the best chance to equalise. Early on send a great ball to Henry but was wasted. Apart from that didn'yt do anything.

Substitutes:

Messi - 8.5 - Best player on the pitch. great finish for the second goal. Greta pass which put Eto an a one on one situation.

Bojan - 7 - Played his best match of the season. Showed his dribbling skills in the 82nd minute getting past a packed defense. Did provide the cross which resulted in the goal. Had a great word tussle with Brandao after that.

Gudjonsen - NA - Never got a proper feel of the match.