Triumph for Barcelona

In the opening 30 minutes of the game it seemed as if the Blaugranas were on route to suffer the same ill faith as their arch rivals faced a few weeks ago. However, as always, Barcelona finds a way to overcome any adversary with intense pressure and controlling the game tempo. For a split second all seemed lost as Cesc forced his way into the 18 yard box and was muscled of a shot only to have the fast pace and thinker Adriano netting the team’s first goal.

This goal gave them the extra confidence (as if they really needed it) to keep imposing immense pressure in the midfield that created a couple chances but weren’t converted. It is a rare sight seeing the little big man Lionel Messi not in the starting line up as he was on looking with David Villa from the bench. Inevitably he was summoned by manager Tito to do what he does best, score goals. Messi scored a penalty kick within 15 minutes of being subbed into the game and soon another goal to put Barcelona in a comfortable 3-0 position.

However, Substitute Sarabia struck a ball that had deflected off of Mascherano and went into the net past Victor Valdes it was a mere consolation goal. David Villa restored the 3 goal lead with an emphatic low struck strike that placed the final nail in the coffin to continue Barcelona’s perfect start for the 2012/2013 season.

Messi is now La Liga’s top scorer with 6 goals in 4 matches and you can bet your paycheck he is going to net more as always. Barcelona are currently 2 points ahead of Malaga who are in 2nd position and 8 points infront of Real Madrid who are currently in 10th position.

They face Granada next Saturday in Estadio Camp Nou.

Spain wins Euro 2012 and sets record

Spain humiliated Italy in a 4-0 defeat that put Spain right back on the money for gamblers to bet on them in the 2014 World Cup in Brasil. The game was firstly dominated by the Italians at the start but Spain quickly turned that around with an early goal in the 14th minute. this rattled the Italians who still forged on until Jordi Alba placed a low one pass Buffon and made it 2-0 at halftime. Alba is now part of the FC Barcelona squad which is in hope that he helps the team bring home La Liga.

 

With that said it only shows that when taken for granted a futbol team can acquisition a report.

Barcelona have done it again

FC Barcelona are yet again champions of the Spanish Super Cup. FC Barcelona have just created history tonight with both as a club and with a players. They have retained their title and have finally beaten Real Madrid on aggregate which has never been done. They have now increased the record of 10 wins in this competition, winning it now 4 times with Pep Guardiola equaling with Johan Cryuff.

Cesc Fabregas debut in the second half and made his contribution in assisting with Messi’s 2nd goal to break the deadlock in extra time and put Barcelona ahead 3-2. Cesc Fabregas, almost similar to Thierry Henry, left Arsenal as captain and won a title in his first season with the only difference being Thierry Henry left after winning the Premiere League and Cesc hasnt in 6 years. He also is still unbeaten against Real Madrid as Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in the 2006 Champions League semi finals.

Tonight’s game had somewhat a mirror image to that of the 1st leg with Lionel Messi scoring during the extra minute of half time putting his team ahead 2-1. Othjer goals of the night came from Iniesta (15 min), C. Ronaldo (20 min) and Benzema (81 min)

With a postpone in the commencement of the La Liga due to a strike by players, we still have to ask ourselves 2 questions. Firstly, is this current Barcelona team equivalent or better than Cryuff’s “Dream Team”, which Pep was a part of? Lastly, can they do another season of sextuplet titles?

One thing is for certain, FC Barcelona are the best football club in the world, and maybe the only team that can dethrone them is located on another planet.

Stalemate at the Bernabeu

The 1st leg of the Super Cup ends 2-2 and much can be said about the lack of passion played by FC Barcelona as a team. The first 10 minutes was all about Real Madrid as they had most of the positions. Ozil upped the tempo of the game when he scored in the 13th minute. Whenever this happens other teams crumble under pressure, but not Barcelona who replied in the 35th minute from David Villa’s orgasmic curl to the far post right from the edge of the box. In extra time Messi did what he does best, embarrassing defenders, as he took on three and slipped the ball through Casillas (Real Madrid goalkeeper) legs to send Barcelona into halftime 2-1.

Barcelona returned to the 2nd half looking more like their old self but not close enough as Xabi Alonso slotted in the equalizer pass Victor Valdes in the 53rd minute. After this goal, the game was certainly up and running with bad challenges happening all over the pitch. Valdes cheekily tripped C. Ronaldo in the box with his elbow and got away with it. Minutes later, Marcello slide tackled Pedro in the penalty box and also got away with it.

In the end both teams were searching for that tie breaker but none could have cracked the deadlock. This means two things, (1) Pep Guardiola’s undefeated record at the Bernabeu remains and (2) it is  irrefutable that the 2nd leg at Camp Nou will be an epic battle. Not just to see who will win the cup but also a keen eye on if Barcelona will lose their first game at home.

The inevitable has finally ocurred

Finally, the most anticipated and dreadful agreement in the history of football has happened. The deal between football clubs Arsenal and FC Barcelona has ended over the midfield prodigy, Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas was part of the FC Barcelona youth camp where he enhanced his skills before being signed to Arsenal on September 2003 at the age of 16. Since then he has been not only one of the best central midfielders in the premiership but also in the world. The Spanish international has been eyed for a return to Barcelona since 2009, where his countrymen who play for Barcelona have been anxiously waiting for his return.

Within the next 2 days, Cesc Fabregas will officially be part of the greatest football club in the world again and will have no trouble fitting into the team. He already has the understanding of orchestrating goals so he will be the perfect replacement for Xavi Hernandez when substituting and after Xavi’s retirement. Majority of the starters on Barcelona are from Spain (8 to be exact) and he understands the philosophy of the club. The £35.1 million deal is well on the way to being completed and Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol are already rejoicing.

Fabregas will miss the 1st leg of the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid on Sunday but he will definitely make it for the 2nd leg at Camp Nou. However it is still uncertain if Pep Guardiola will see it fit to make it the 24 years old official debut.