A Barça Blog

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During Sunday night's game, many pundits and fans noticed an unusual encounter on the sidelines. When Fàbregas left the field, Guardiola, after an exchange of words, grabbed Cesc by the back of the neck and shoved him towards the bench. The player could be seen smiling as he stumbled away but the manager's face was much less welcoming. Annoyed by chances missed during the game, Pep was less then pleased with Cesc's comments after leaving the field. In the 77th minute, Fàbregas was replaced by Thiago and on his way to the bench he complained to Guardiola. Albeit in a joking manner but it appeared the boss didn't agree. Cesc said to Guardiola "Wow! It was difficult to score that third goal." To which Pep replied "You all should have scored earlier with the 1000 chances you had!" Cleary annoyed by the missed chances, in particular Cesc's horrible miss after a bobble on the penalty spot. What is interesting though is Cesc's reaction. He lea...

Lionel Messi again earned his "Best Player in the World" title as Barcelona hammered Valencia 5-1 at the Camp Nou. Messi netted four goals while Xavi put the game beyond any doubt in the 91st minute with Barça's fifth. Cesc and Alexis celebrating with the goal scorer Valencia started brightly and if it weren't for Barcelona's tight offside trap they would've been ahead. But in the 9th minute Unai Emery's men's pressure produced it's reward. An in-swinging cross caught Valdés wrong-footed and allowed Piatti to pounce. The 22 year old tapped the ball past the diving keeper and sent Valencia ahead. Barcelona's home form has been very impressive this season but with their poor away form looming some fans began to fear the worst. The inexperience of Montaya was a particular concern but the young right back showed his attacking capabilities throughout the game. He produced a splitting pass would've surely produced an equaliser if Pedro had ...

The players are experiencing a difficult time in their Barça careers There is no doubt that this Barcelona side is one of the best ever, maybe even the best. But currently sitting ten points behind Madrid in the league, it can be argued that this accolade has crippled Barcelona's dominance. They say complacency is only a state of mind but in Barça's case it has hit them much harder. Dropping points on eight occasions, equal to the whole of last season, Barcelona fans and players are used to winning and expect it to come naturally. Fair enough they still have the possibility of finishing the season with five trophies but importantly for Guardiola's men, one of them won't be La Liga. A trophy you work in 38 games to win compared to a cup run which usually lasts about 8. The trophies come quicker and the motivation stays replenished with the prize of the next round dangled in front of you during every game. So then maybe it's a case of too many players seeking...

Alexis celebrating his first goal Alexis Sánchez scored twice as Barcelona earned a 3-1 away win at Bayer Leverkusen. Lionel Messi was also on the scoresheet whilst Kadlec scored for the home side. The German side started the game very defensively and looked to park the bus. A dangerous tactic to play against a team with the attacking qualities of Barcelona. The Catalans dominated possession but failed to really test the Leverkusen goalie. Barça's first chance fell to Dani Alves, the Brazillian international lined up a free kick from just outside the German side's area. After convincing Messi he was the man to take it, Alves wasted the free kick by blasting the ball over the bar. The reigning European champions could've been ahead if it weren't for a crucial interception by Daniel Schwaab. Alexis broke clear of the defence and looked to square the ball to Messi. A certain goal if it weren't for Schwaab's sliding block. After a period of little chances, Al...

Pep looks on to his bench Last night's game saw Barcelona lose more ground in the title race after a 3-2 defeat to Osasuna. The Catalans failed to adapt to the icy conditions and Guardiola came under fire for his less then full strength selection. Guardiola started Thiago and Sergi Roberto in midfield leaving out more experienced players such as Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fàbregas. Wary of the midweek Champions League clash aganist Bayer Leverkusen, Pep felt his youngsters were good enough to seal a win. He was wrong. Both of Osasuna's goal scorers were over the age of 25 and proved that experience is vital. The home team adapted better to the conditions and that was no doubt a product of the experience the team holds. Barcelona's play relies on quick, skilful passing. A technique of which the pitch denied them and therefore a rethink was needed. Perhaps the experience of Xavi or Iniesta would've enabled them to play a more direct tactic. Both players remained on...

Guardiola and substitute Iniesta  Osasuna battled the icy conditions to produce a shock 3-2 victory over Barcelona. The Catalans' poor away form continued as they failed to adapt to a frozen pitch and conceded two early goals. A comeback looked likely when Alexis scored in the 50th minute but Barça's hopes faded when Raúl Garcia scored Osasuna's third. Osasuna adapted to the conditions the quickest and found themselves ahead in the fourth minute. Lekic was the recipient of a clever pass that gave him space in the box and he calmly finished past Valdés to make it 1-0. Pedro stared the game but for a player who's game heavily relies on his pace, a frozen pitch is a nightmare. The winger failed to get past any defenders and his shot fired disappointingly wide. Pedro's nightmare was representative of the whole Barcelona game, the world class passing was unable to function in such cold conditions. Lekic doubled his goal tally in the 21st minute. A Barcelona-esqu...

The taste of success With Barcelona securing their place in this year's Copa del Rey final during the week, Guardiola has now lead his side to twelve finals since he took over the Barça bench. Maybe more impressively is Guardiola has only been coach since 2008. During his first season in charge, Guardiola led his side to both the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League final. Both trophies went to the Catalans and Pep earned his plaudits. Next season Guardiola upped his final count to three. Starting the year with victories in both the Spanish and European Super cup against Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively. During December of that year Barcelona beat Estudiantes to claim the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. A trophy that signalled history as Barcelona became the first club to win the "Sextuple." A record that has still not been achieved by any other club. Barcelona and Guardiola again reached three finals during the 2010-11 season. Barça started t...

Xavi rejoices after sealing the win Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final after beating Valencia 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Barcelona were the better team on the night and if they had taken a few more chances, would've killed the game off very early on. Cesc Fàbregas and Xavi Hernandez were both on the score sheet as Barça ensured Pep Guardiola's twelfth final since he arrived on the Barça bench. Both teams started the game with equal opportunities but neither side could create any real goal scoring chances. Feghouli saw his shot hit the side netting before the deadlock was broken in the 15th minute. Cesc Fàbregas made a well timed run and was picked out by Lionel Messi from inside his own half. The summer signing looked to have overrun the opportunity but you can never rule out an inform player such as Fàbregas from finding the net. From the acutest angle Fàbregas chipped the ball over the Valencia keeper and put Barça ahead. This goal jetted Barça i...

Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart There have been reports this week that Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is a shock transfer target for Barcelona. The Dutchmen has been very impressive during his short stint at Tottenham and Pep Guardiola could be tempted to purchase the 28 year old as a reinforcement to his midfield. This season Barcelona have been criticised for becoming too predictable and have dropped points in games where they were heavy favourites. One problem is teams are realising that a mixture of parking the bus and counter attacking football is enough to get a result against the Champions. Van der Vaart though could be the answer to the problem. The hardened midfielder has the ability to break down a defence and create chances for his team, a quality Guardiola would idolise. Although Barcelona currently have the best midfield in the world, it is not the most physically tough and van der Vaart would bring strength into the midfield three. The Dutchmen can a...

Youngster Cristian Tello produced a fine performance on his first league start for Barcelona as he helped his side to a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Both Tello and Messi were on target for Barcelona while Carlos Vela scored for Sociedad. The win ensures Barcelona remain seven points behind Madrid and still with a hope of reclaiming top spot. Barcelona went into the game ten points behind as Madrid sneaked past Getafe earlier in the day with a 1-0 win. Pressure was high but Guardiola, with the midweek cup game in mind, kept faith in his youngsters and fielded a very inexperienced side. Within nine minutes it was one of the B-team players that scored the game's first goal. Cristian Tello made a blistering run down the left flank and was duly picked out by Lionel Messi. The 20 year old did not need a controlling touch and calmly placed the ball past Bravo. After the opening goal, the first half then proved to be very frustrating for Barcelona. The Catalans had plenty of chances...

Currently sitting seven points behind Real Madrid in the league, Pep Guardiola is experiencing his worse season at Barça since he took the reigns in 2008. Madrid's consistency home and away this season has shone a bright spotlight on Barcelona's fragile away form and Mourinho's men are now favourites to claim the title. Last season Barcelona only dropped points on eight occasions, those being two defeats and six draws, and earned themselves their 21st La Liga title. Meanwhile this season they have already dropped points on seven occasions with eighteen games left to play. Worryingly for Guardiola, Madrid have dropped points on three times this season compared to last season's nine. Many have hailed this Barça side as the greatest side in the world, maybe ever. But José's genius may have finally toppled the Champions. To accomplish the impossible and claim back a seven point deficit would surely seal their names in the history books at the best ever. A seven po...

Barcelona go into their second leg home tie level with Valencia as the game at the Mestalla ended 1-1. Thanks to goals from Jonas and Puyol. The semi-final cup game produced a well contested match with both sides having good opportunities to score. But in the end it was only Jonas and Puyol who could take their chance. Valencia started the game well and were looking the most likely to score. Soldado and Piatti were causing chaos in the Barça defence and it was Saldado who was involved in one of the biggest talking points of the game. The in-form Spanish striker broke past the defence and looked to go round the Barcelona keeper. Pinto raced off his line to the edge of the area and as Soldado attempted to knock it past him, the goalie hand-balled out of his area. Neither the referee or the linesman spotted it and Pinto was lucky to remain on the field Valencia did not sulk though and continued to press, Soldado coming close with a well hit v...

Team name: Valencia Club de Fútbol Recent form: D-W-D-W-L One to watch: Roberto Soldado Competition: Copa del Rey Fixture date: 1st February 2012 Stadium: Estadio Mestalla Barcelona's league trouble has to be put to one side as they travel to the Estadio Mestalla and face the tough challenge of Valencia in the King's Cup. Valencia have had an overall impressive season but in recent games have failed to take their chances. Dropping points at Racing Santander and Osasuna have caused them to lose ground in the race to catch the top two but still remain third with breathing space between them and Levante. Top goal scorer Roberto Soldado continues to push for a Spanish international spot by keeping up his impressive goals to games ratio. Soldado has played 19 games and scored 12 goals in the process, making him one of the most impressive strikers in the league which has led many to wander why Fernando Torres continues to retain his place in the Spain squad. Another...

The title seems to be slipping from Barcelona's grasp after a disappointing 0-0 at Valencia extended Real Madrid's lead to seven points. The Catalan outfit failed to score even after dominating the game leaving the relegation-threatened side with a vital point. Barcelona's closest effort of the game came in the 17th minute. Messi produced another well timed run and found himself one-on-one with the Villarreal keeper, Diego López. The Argentine chipped the ball but luck was not on Barça's side as the ball bounced wide. Victor Valdés was again on top form, punching a free kick away from the danger zone. The ball dropped near the goal line but Javier Mascherano headed the ball away before Eric Abidal blocked a shot that looked goal bound. Without the striking talents of David Villa and Alexis Sánchez on the pitch, Barcelona lacked their clinical edge. No strong chances flell their way leaving them frustrated and causing them to pick up more bookings then usual. Both ...

Team name: Villarreal Club de Fútbol Recent form: W-L-D-L-D One to watch: Marco Rubén Competition: La Liga Fixture date: 28th January 2012 Stadium: El Madrigal After securing progression in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona next face Villarreal. El Submarino Amarillo are half way through a very disappointing season and are currently sitting at 17th in the La Liga table. They desperately need points but will be lucky to finish the weekend out of the drop zone. Barcelona also desperately need points in order to reduce the five point deficit between them and Real Madrid. By the time the game kicks off, Madrid will already have played their game against Real Zaragoza and Pep Guardiola will be hoping the point gap remains at five. Guardiola will be without David Villa, Ibrahim Affelay and Andrés Iniesta, who picked up a muscle tear in Wednesday's game. Leaving a first team spot for rising stars, Thiago and Cuenca. Villarreal's main problem this season has been their leak...