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.

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"

Owen Hargreaves as Batman

Gareth Barry as "Where's Wally"

Pablo Zabaleta as a Pirate

Kun Aguero as Harry Potter

Coach Mancini dressed as what looks like Ozzy Osbourne

Real Madrid's el Clasico tactic...

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:

Its good to also see the guys out and about the city, soaking up the Japanese culture and surrounds:

Dani Alves the tourist

Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas & Andreu Fontas take a ride on the subway

Iniesta takes to local transport

Leo goes shopping

Carles Puyol gets some retail therapy

Dani getting into the Christmas Spirit

Dani Alves

Cesc Tweets that he's met the Japanese version of Deco in the hotel elevator..Moc Moc

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?

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!

xoxo

In a recent interview Lionel Messi said he dreams of becoming a parent. Found this humourous and had to share. Via @LucasJCooper