Finally The Wait Is Over, FC Barcelona wins The Copa Del Rey

FC Barcelona - 4, Bilbao - 1

FC Barcelona ended their two year droght of silverware with an emphatic win against Athletic Bilbao at the Mestalla. Yesterday's triump also ends a eleven year wait for the "Copa Del Rey" title. The last time FC Barcelona won the cup Guardiola was a team member and it might be destiny that this has to be his first title as FC Barcelona coach. FC Barcelona almost won the La Liga title last week but only to throw away the match against Villareal. May be this explains why we didn't win it last week, but we surely will win it this week. Now only Manchester United stands in Barca's way of an unprecedented treble. Athletic Bilbao went ahead in the ninth minute but FC Barcelona equalled through Toure in the first half. Then Messi, Bojan and Xavi all scored for Barca in the second half to get hold of their first silverware of this season. Guardiola started with a very strong side dor the final. As is the case in King's cup, Pinto kept the goal. Puyol and Alves played the full backs role whereas Toure and Pique formed the central defense. Xavi, Keita and Busquets formed an ultra slow midfield. Messi, Eto and Bojan formed the front trio.

FC Barcelona started the match slowly. Actually the midfield of Keita and Busquets were contributing to it. Athletic showed more aggression in the opening phase and was rewarded by a goal when Toquero headed home from a corner in teh 8th minute. Barca's response took some time, again Keita and Busqutes were slowing down the pace and creativity from the middle. Bojan and Eto both had decent chances in the first 25 minutes but held on to the ball for more than necessary and gave the defense chances to close down. Barca were going nowhere when an inspirational Toure ran with the ball getting past some defenders and then shot low from 30 yards out beating the goal keeper in the 22nd minute. That equaliser suddenly woke up Barca and But Barca cannot convert their dominance into goal in the rest of first half.

FC Barcelona started excellently in the second half. Messi particularly troubled the defense with his silky runs. In the 55th minute Eto's shot was blocked by goal keeper, but Messi fired the rebound through the defense. Then in the 58th minute Messi placed the ball to Bojan; Bojan continued his run and produced an exquisite finish to put Barca 3-1 ahead. Then in the 64th minute Xavi, who has been Barca's best player on the pitch, finished the match as a contest with a well taken free kick. Barca reduced their intensity after the fourth goal but still saw Eto, Hleb and Alves going close to scoring the fifth.

In the end Barca, it has to be said that Barca deserved the title for the spectacular showing they put up on the pitch. They were well ahead of their rivals, especially in the second half. Guardiola might have given up how his central defense will look in the Champions League final. BUt what worries me most is his persistence of putting Keita and Busquets together in the midfield. Bojan had a good game and as I said in the preview should be given the start in Rome if Henry is not available. Messi had a good game and should now be primed to gather all the individual awards next year. Champions League is a big task but for the time being that can be in the back seet. This is a moment for all Barca fans to celebrate as this is our first trophy is two years. Let's all hope this Cop Del Rey victory is only a sample of good thing that are going to come next in thise and coming seasons.

First Final of the Season; Copa Del Rey Final Preview

Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona are the two clubs which can boast of maximum Copa Del Rey victory in the history of the tournament. FC Barcelona has won the cup 24 times whereas Athletic lies just behind with 23 victories. For FC Barcelona there inability to close out La Liga last week means this is their chance to win the first silverware of this season. But most of Barca players has been deprived of rest in last match and the majority of stars who will start this final are deprived of any match time. How much these two factors are going to affect the performance has to be seen. But for players like Gudjohnsen, Hleb and Bojan it is the best way to showcase their talent and probably book a starting place in Champions League final in Rome, especially with Henry being in doubt. This is one trophy which we had been missing for almost 11 years. The last time when we won it, Guardiola was still a player at FC Barcelona. It is very difficult for players to suddenly forge a partnership and then prove themselves. Hence this will be more tough than what we all have expected it to be.

Mean while Athletic Bilbao has prepared well for the final with a home win against Real Betis. That victory made sure that they will stay out of relegation zone this season. To top it all they were able to rest majority of their stars. Andoni Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Koikili Lertxundi, Javi Martinez, Pablo Orbaiz, Fran Yeste and Fernando Llorente were all left out of the squad altogether. Guardiola would be giving some of the cup regulars a start for this final. The attacking trio most probably would be made of Messi, Eto and Bojan. Keita, Busquets and Xavi should form the midfield. Alves who is destined to miss the Champions League final surely should start. Sylvinho as is the case with Copa Del Rey matches should occupy the left back role. Caceres and Pique would be the ideal choice at central defense infront of Pinto. As I said earlier this one is going to be a very tough battle. But the dissappointment at the weekend should drive the players. Bojan who has a great chance to book his place in teh Champions League final. Keita also do stand a good chance. So both these player should be motivated to perform to their best. I predict a 2-1 victory for Barcelona.

Andres Iniesta Expected to be Fit for Champions League Final

Ok, for all the Barca fans who had their fingers crossed while Iniesta had further tests today can relax for the time being now. According to Sport.es there is a high possibility of the player being fit for the finals against Manchester United. The report suggests that the injury is not as serious as one thought. The tests confirmed that Iniesta has suffered only a small tear to the muscle in his right leg and that he will be able to recover quickly. There is no official confirmation from the club website but if we go by the Thierry Henry injury report by Sport.es, we may have a strong reason to believe this. Andres Iniesta has been an integral part of this dream team of Guardiola. He undoubtedly has been the star of the show in recent months and his performances and his consistency has seen fans placing him along with Messi.

The rest could come as a boon for Iniesta who has been playing non-stop football after he returned back from a similiar injury. That absence of Iniesta coincided with Barca's bad form and that explains how essential is the player for Barca. Iniesta will miss the Copa Del Rey final on wednesday and will miss the rest of the three league matches. If things go well we might see him getting some playing time against Deportivo, the last league game of this season. This news definitely is a huge relief for Guardiola and Barca fans. There is a high chance that we will miss Henry for the showdown match and hence we cannot afford to lose Iniesta.

Title Party Postponed; FC Barcelona - 3, Villareal - 3

An injury time goal from has postponed FC Barcelona's League title victory for atleast one week. FC Barcelona needs now only one point from their last three matches to conquer the La Liga. They may not even need that if Real Madrid fails to win their next game. Guardiola has to be dissappointed after being held 3-3 at home against Villareal, especially considering that we led 3-1 before relinquishing our lead. But that dissappointment will be nothing when compared to the injury sustained by Andres Iniesta. The initial reports confirms that Iniesta has tore his muscle and most likely will be missing Champions League final. He will undergo detailed tests today and more information will be available after that. If we have to go by the number of players getting injured in weeks, Guardiola might have to field majority of players from B team in the UEFA Champions League final. Guardiola wanted to grab the league title against Villareal. He send in a strong line-up with Alves, Abidal, Puyol and Pique in defense. Keita, Toure and Xavi in midfield. Iniesta, Messi and Eto upfront.

FC Barcelona started the game really well. Eto and Xavi had decent chances early, but both shot wide. In the 12th minute Abidal passed the ball to Keita who carried the ball forward before shooting from just outside the area; the ball took a deflection off Gonzalo and looped nicely over Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez into the net. In the 22nd minute Toure lost the ball to Ibagaza who played the ball to Rossi. Rossi then sent in a great cross to Llorente who made no mistake with the header. Then in the 25th minute Valdes produced a brilliantb save to deny Rossi after Alves gave away the ball cheaply. Then in the 36th minute Barca restored their lead after good work from Iniesta who passed the ball to Eto who made no mistake with his finish. Then just befor the half time we went 3-1 ahead courtesy of a brilliant free kick from Alves. FC Barcelona controlled the game throughout the second half, but lacked the punch to finish off the game. Barca ghad some decent chances in the second half. Xavi even had the ball in the net but was flagged incorrectly for offside. Then in the 77th minute Abidal conceded a penalty and was awarded a straight red-card after he blocked Rossi. Mati Fernandez made no mistake with the penalty. Guardiola brought in Sylvinho and Busquets for Xavi and Eto. Then in the 92nd minute Llorente broke heart of 95,776 fans with a great strike.

Surely it was a dissappointment that we couldn't win the game at home. But no one will be worried abouth that. But the most important thing to worry is Iniesta's injury. Iniesta has been our best player for some months and losing him for the Champions League final will put serious doubt about our chances. Iniesta, Henry, Abidal and Marquez now will not be available for the mid-week Copa Del Rey final. What is worrying that these injuries came at a time when our best player, Lionel Messi is struggling for form. The defense tonight was a joke and Guardiola has to think how he want to align the defense for Champions league final.

FC Barcelona vs Villareal Preview

With Real Madrid losing to Valencia at Mestalla yesterday, FC Barcelona has their first oppurunity to win the League Title tonight. If Barca manages a victory against Villareal tonight, they will move ten points clear and make sure of their first title of this season. Guardiola would love to see his team round up the available titles as soon as possible. That will give them enough rest after a very hectic schedule. Guardiola has announced his squad for Villareal clash. Only the injutred stars - Henry, Milito and Marquez has been left out of the squad. The squad list is Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera, Alves, Puyol, Cáceres, Víctor Sánchez, Piqué, Sylvinho, Abidal, Touré, Keita, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Hleb, Bojan, Messi and Eto'o. On any other day Guardiola would have preffered to rest his major stars but not tonight. We have a cup final coming in the mid week and hence it becomes more essesntial to enter the final with a victory. But we will be sure to have a peek into the Copa Del Rey starting eleven tonight.

Villareal is looking for to qualify for UEFA Champions League. They are currently trailing fourt placed Valencia by four points with tonight's macth in hand. A victory will take them closer by one point. Hence there won't be any let up by Villareal. Valdes will be again at the goal, eventhough Pinto will be the choice for Copa Del Rey. Alves, Abidal, Pique and Puyol will form the defense. But I expect Guardiola to rest both Toure and Xavi for tonight's match. So we could see a midfield with Iniesta, Keita and Gudjohnsen. The front three will be made up of Hleb, Eto and Bojan. Hleb and Bojan are expected to start against Bilbao mid-week and should get some quality time. I especially would like to see Hleb having a good day. This match could be a tough one for Barca players, but the knowledge that they can wrap the title at home tonight should give them the confidence. I am expecting a 2-1 victory.

Odds Against Thierry Henry

FC Barcelona forward Thierry henry is facing a race against time to get fit for the Champions League Final against Manchester United in Rome. Thierry Henry injured his right knee during the 6-2 thrashing of Real Madrid, he has already missed the semi-final clash against Chelsea. The club website has confirmed that he will be missing Copa Del Rey final and the League matches against Villareal, Mallorca and Osasuna. He is undergoing specific treatment inorder to get ready for the clash against Manchester United. This comes as another blow for Guardiola but the best thing he can hope is a timely recovery for Henry.Now this is already going to put Guardiola in more trouble. He as usual will be compelled to move Iniesta up the park. But I would say that it would be a kind of disaster if we decide to move Iniesta from midfield. So Guardiola has to make a choice between Pedro, Hleb and Bojan for the position on the left. I would prefer Pedro or Bojan.

The good thing for Guardiola is that he got time to experiment with all the formation for the final. But in between he and the players should remember that they haven't won anything yet. We need atleast five points from our last four games to win the La Liga. Ans Copa Del Rey has been one cup which eluded us for so long. Manwhile UEFA has allocated 19,544 for FC Barcelona for the Champions League final. The club has announced that 80% of the tickets will be put on sale. FC Barcelona will be considered as the home team for the final. The final will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Stadio Olimpico matches the Nou Camp exactly in dimension and that will be a huge boost for FC barcelona.

Pep, What were you Thinking?

The Euphoria surrounding the last gasp entry into Champions League has slowly settled down. It was indeed a strange night, throught the match you were dissappointed by Barca's performance, I even had a headline for my match report "Chelsea Humiliates Barca" but for one man - Andres Iniesta, everything changed. One shot on target, one goal that was the story of the night. On a night when Barca's silky football was halted by a Chelsea defensive wall, it was the never say die attitude installed by Guardiola in his players which took us through. Much has been said about Guardiola's celebration after that goal. But people should understand his position, just minutes before the goal he looked completely as a man who has lost the last faint of hope. Guardiola sharing a laugh with Hiddink, which he normally wouldn't have done explain the same. So we can excuse him for that celebration. Guardiola has brought a sense of belief and commitment to the team which was missing Rijkaard's last two season.

Guardiola might have got the result he wanted, but there is no denial that he got all the tactical moves wrong at Stamford Bridge. He was put in a precarious position with the absence of two central defenders, but no one expected him to destroy his midfield to carve out a defense. This Barca side has the wonderful trio of Henry, Messi and Eto up front but the engine still lies in the midfield. If Barca win the midfield battle they will play comfortably throughout the match. Xavi, Toure and Iniesta are indispensible from that midfield. GUardiola by moving Iniesta up and Toure down gave the control of the game to Chelsea. Without Iniesta, Xavi can be easily double-marked in the middle. Some might have appreciated the effort Toure put in central defense, but still he never looked anywhere near to comfortable there. Guardiola should have included Caceres and Bojan in the side which would have preserved the midfield.

Bygones are bygones, so why fret? But we have to. Because we have to face a resurgent Manchester United side without our usual full backs. Alves was poor in last couple of day and Puyol should be able to fill that role. But then how we will align the central defense. The best way is to have Puyol in the centre and either Caceres/ Sanchez on the right. But it is essential that Guardiola leave the midfield as it is. He also should show more pro-activeness with substitutions. What was he thinking holding substitution till the 83rd minute. Bojan should have given more time to settle in the match. If we have to come out as the winner in Rome, we definitely want Guardiola to be on top of his job.