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Club World Cup: Al Sadd 0-4 FC Barcelona Match Review
Barcelona embarked on their Club World Cup campaign with a Semi Final facing Al-Sadd, the AFC Champs. Pep’s Starting line-up was: Valdes, Adriano, Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal, Thiago, Keita, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa. The Barca boss decided to rest some of his big guns such as Xavi, Fabregas, Alves & Pique.
Barcelona took a few minutes to settle into the game, but after the opening 5 minutes, it was all possession for Barca. The Catalans applied early pressure with chances coming from Messi, Villa & Pedro. The ALS guys saw very little of the Barca side of the pitch, and Victor Valdes was really more of a spectator. Despite all the pressure and possession, I felt Barca did not finish off as they should have. After 25 minutes, Adriano touched one in after a mix up with the ALS defender Belhadj and Keeper Mohamed. As the commentator noted “Pep Guardiola himself look embarrassed to accept the goal.”
Messi and Iniesta were outstanding, with the little Argentine weaving his way through the defence, and Iniesta in Xavi’s abscence, very much the lynch-pin of the midfield. Such was the pressure from the Blaugrana,that at any given time there were 10 ALS players pulled back to defend. David Villa, whose been suffering from a bout of low confidence, especially with speculation rife in Spain that he’ll soon be on his way out of Barcelona, had a few good chances. And as it Villa’s style, at least 3 of those chances were offside. At 33 minutes, Villa received an absolute beauty of a ball from Iniesta which he failed to control. In the process it looked like he twisted his ankle and called for the stretcher. Alexis Sanchez was brought in to replace Villa. As the game progressed, news came in that Villa had sustained a fractured tibia and will be out for at least 6 months. This is really upsetting news, not only for Barca, but this injury throws doubt over whether he will feature for Spain in EURO 2012. After the game, his teammates all took to twitter to wish him well (See Gallery). You can also show support for Villa by tweeting “#animsVilla.” Pep Guardiola confirmed that the striker will be flown back to Barcelona immediately to receive treatment.
Adriano, the unlikely hero of the first goal, took a superb shot from just within the area to score his second of the match. Late in the second half, ALS musters half a chance with Keita (not Barca’s Keita) shooting too high above the cross-bar. Just before halftime, ALS managed a free kick, but failed to do anything useful with it.
The second half was very much the same story. Barcelona dominated and all ALS could do was defend. Not to take anything away from them, I felt they played with their hearts and defended admirably. One particular instance was a free-kick taken by Messi, goalkeeper Mohamed pulled off a fine save as he punched away the ball which was surely headed for goal. In another moment of brilliance that drove the crowd wild was a run from Messi down the right, but his bicycle kick shot was too wide.
A rather quiet Seydou Keita picked up Messi’s brilliant pass and gave Barca their third. In the meantime, quizzically, Alexis Sanchez was subbed for Cuenca. It turns out, the Chilean who came on for the injured Villa, had picked up an injury of his own. Officials have confirmed that Alexis was subbed as a precaution after a minor hamstring pull. Maxwell, who replaced Abidal scored Barca’s fourth and final of the night as the Quataris defence was caught napping.
Barcelona are through to the finals, where they will face a much stronger team, The South American Champions Santos.
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Tidbits: Transfer rumours – Barcelona to sell Villa, Torres leaving Chelsea plus City’s X-mas party
The Cover on Marca: "Villa for sale"
If reports are to be believed, Barcelona want to sell David Villa as early as the January transfer window, or by the end of the season latest. He has recently been linked to several English clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa. Think its true or not? It is Marca after all, so take it with a pinch of salt..Watch this space.
Chelsea are ready to sell Fernando Torres for a mere £20-million. The former Liverpool striker never found his feet at Stamford Bridge and the club were supposedly going to loan him out, but now rumours have surfaced that the club are willing to cut their losses with the most expensive player in British football history, whoc cost them £50-million. I feel that Chelsea’s style of football was never going to suit Torres. Maybe he’ll find better luck where he’s shipped off to next?
(Just-In: Chelsea are considering a “Swop of the Flops” switch with Barca for David Villa. Source: Daily Mail)
Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher is out for months due to a chronic bowel condition – Ulcerative Colitis. Injuries will be the biggest concern for Sir Alex as Vidic is out for 9-12 months with a knee injury.
City Striker Calos Tevez is a top target for title chasersTottenham Hotspur. The Argentine, who is in t=his homeland without permission from the club has reportedly been suffering from depression. Rumours were rife that he’s to be Italy bound for AC Milan, but Spurs have now entered the race for Tevez’ signature.
And City, just hours after losing their first league game to Chelsea, celebrated a dress-up Christmas Party at Anaya in London. Full marks for dedication given to their costumes:
Joe Hart, the American Footballer with "The Mask"
WAG Alert: Shakira spends time with her in-laws
Say What! ROFLMFAO
Real Madrid's el Clasico tactic...
Blaugrana Blitz: The Japanese Edition (aka Barca Picspam)
So if you’re a FC Barcelona fan and have been living under a rock, it would be news to you that the Blaugranas barely had time ti celebrate their el Clasico win as they were whisked away on a jet plane to the East. Japan is the location of the FIFA World Club Cup 2011, and Barca being the reigning champs are looking to seal their second victory in this tournament. While most clubs take this competition lightly, Barca seem keen to sweep everything before them. The guys will play their first game come Thursday when they enter the competition directly into the semi’s. Here’s pics pf the lads arriving in Japan…
Touch Down...
Barcelona arrive in Tokyo
Besides recovering from jet lag, acclimatizing and such, the guys have been busy busy busy training. Yokohama Marinos in Tokyo is the chosen training ground for the team. Before training commenced on Tuesday, they also found time to meet and kick around with the Japanese orphans of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami from Fukushima:
El Clasico: Real Madrid not good enough for Barca
Ok, so it wasn’t exactly the best match or the best performance by either team. Honestly, I was disappointed, I expected fireworks, which we’ve all become accustomed to seeing in el Clasico nights. But the Blaugrana boys got the job done. I knew they would win. I was actually shocked to hear that Barcelona went into the game as underdogs. Theres been a recent media storm about how they are running out of steam etc. Even after Benzema scored the first goal in the opening seconds, I told my buddy that Barca will come back. If you didn’t watch the game, a mistake by Valdes early on gave Madrid the lead. Barca weren’t their fluent selves, as Madrid closed them down for a lot of the first half. But then Messi tore open the Madrid defense and provided Alexis Sanchez who equalised. The second half saw missed opportunities for Madrid as star man Cristiano Ronaldo failed to impact. A Xavi strike deflected off Marcelo gave the Catalans the lead and Fabregas put in the third with an excellent header after Dani Alves galloped down the right and fed him an impeccable cross. It was all over for Madrid as their fans could be seen leaving the stadium well before the final whistle.
Mourinho attributed the loss to “bad luck” after the game. The only spot of bad luck was probably Valdes’ miskick and his own teams very lucky goal in the opening seconds. His team was inferior and he should just accept it like a man. Seriously. On an up side, there was no explosive fights, just one or two squabbles here and there. The only dubious decision by the ref was probably his booking of Messi for giving him “words.” When the Argentine made a real tackle that was a booking, the ref didn’t pull out a card. My friend, a Madrid supporter, feels that refs feel bad to send Messi off, as they fear the quality of the game will be diminished. What are your thoughts on this and your thoughts on the game?
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El Clasico!
Its Clasico Time Again!
Yes its that time again! Clasico time! The internet Gods came through for me and I’m all up and running just in time for it! Woohoo! Now, if you not sure about why this game is such a big deal, you may want to check this out before reading further: The Barcelona-Real Madrid Rivalry explained
Interestingly, these two sides have met In 215 time. Real Madrid have won 86 of those and Barcelona have won 84 times. Close! It just goes to show that these two teams are pretty much level. With Barca enjoying more of the success in recent times, Madrid will want to bag this to exert some dominance in the league that has been the playground for their bitterest of rivals. This is the 7th and final Clasico of the year. But this time around it difference. Barcelona have more pressure on them to deliver, to bridge that gap at the top and make things easier for themselves in the second half of the season. This time round, it will be closer than ever. Jose Mourinho & his men in white are stronger than ever, it will be difficult fr Barca, but not impossible.
Pep & Mou go head to head again
Possible line-ups for the night? In the Real Madrid corner, I think Mou will go for: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo,Xabi Alonso, Diarra, Khedira, Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo. I think either way, Madrid have an impressive well-rounded side . I feel the defence, particularly Pepe will make all the difference, he really has the ability to close Messi down. Barcelona will have to work in breaking down that back-line.
Clash of the Titans: CR vs el Messiah
For Barca, I found this interesting. Pep has previously used a 3 man defense, but with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in the opposition side, he is more likely to opt for a 4 man back line. I think he is likely to go for a 4-3-3 libeup. My prediction will be: Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Mascherano ,Cesc, Messi, Villa, Iniesta. Due to Alexis good run of form, pundits feel that he will start with him over David Villa. I’m no Pep Guardiola, but given Villa’s record against Madrid, I would like to see him start. Also, the question of Busquets or Mascherano . I would go with Mascherano to give that defensive edge in the midfield, while allowing Xavi and Cesc to be more creative. Well whatever it is, In Pep We Trust.
My prediction for the game? Well I still feel that Barca will win. They are superior in their midfield and attack. If theres one are that may let them down, it will be defense. But on el Clasico nights, Pique and Puyol especially are known to “come to the party.” It will be tight. I think Barca will edge Madrid out. Final score Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona. Whatever the score we can expect excellent football on show as these two giants meet in the biggest of all football rivalries. And if that fails to entertain you, there will be a fight. There’s always a fight.
Whats your prediction?
VISCA BARCA!
Ooops!
Hey guys, incase ur wondering why I haven’t blogged in a while, my internets been down for a few days now… Its in the process of being sorted out. I’m typing this post from my phone. I too, have been yearning for the latest match pics and updates. Hopefully will have my Clasico post up before Saturday. #thingshappen
xoxo
Say What!?
In a recent interview Lionel Messi said he dreams of becoming a parent. Found this humourous and had to share. Via @LucasJCooper
