Barcelona coach Pep
Guardiola has stated that his
influential playmaker Xavi
could miss this summer’s
World Cup finals in South
Africa as a result of injury.
Guardiola was speaking in
the wake of his side ’s 4-1
victory over Villarreal at El
Madrigal which moved the
Blaugrana a match closer to
retaining their Primera
Division crown.
Speaking after the match, the
coach was asked of Xavi’s
current condition, and he
admitted that the 30-year old
has been playing through the
pain barrier.
He said, “Xavi has an injury
that means he could miss the
World Cup. But he is
committed and is setting an
example to his teammates.
“ For this, he is the best
midfielder in the history of
this club. He says he knows
his body and that he wanted
to play. Fortunately nothing
has happened. ”
The player himself
commented on the extent of
the injury, and remarked that
the injury to his calf has
curbed his dynamism from
the centre of the pitch.
He stated, “I have a tear of
around three inches in the
top of my thigh. It is okay, I
have been getting treatment.
But my game is not as
explosive.
“ Everything is in the mind. I
want to give everything in the
final three games. ”
Real Madrid responded this
evening with a 3-2 victory
over Osasuna, keeping the
gap at the La Liga summit at
just one point.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
VILLAREAL 1 - BARCA 4
Barça bounced back from
the disappointment of the
Champions League
elimination with a splendid
1-4 win at Villarreal which
could prove to be crucial in
regaining La Liga this season.
Two goals from Leo Messi
and one apiece from man of
the match Xavi Hernandez
and Bojan Krkic earned us
our 28th league victory of
the season which equalled a
record set by Real Madrid in
87/88 and Barça in 96/97.
Xavi was carrying an injury
but he decided he wanted to
play, proving his commitment
to the cause by playing a part
in all four goals.
Pep Guardiola showed that
he doesn't care what your
price tag is by leaving Zlatan
Ibrahimovic on the bench
and giving a start to Bojan on
the left side of attack, this
meant we started the game
with eight homegrown
players which gave the team
the spirit we needed to win
this game. We came out
strongly playing football at a
high speed and Xavi had an
early chance but his shot was
deflected for a corner.
However, Villarreal are a
very strong team and they
had two early chances to
take the lead, the first after
Valdés came out of his area
to clear but the ball fell to
Cani who played it forward
quickly to Nilmar who, with
only two Barça defenders
covering the goal as Valdés
had not got back, shot over.
Then in the 8th minute Cani
again sent Nilmar through
with a clear sight on goal and
we were fortunate that he
again missed the target. But
Barça were also getting
chances at the other end and
Diego Lopez had to react
quickly to tip Messi's delicate
chip over the bar.
It was an open game but we
got the break we needed in
the 19th minute, Bojan won
the ball and moved forward
on the left before laying the
ball inside to xavi who dinked
a little pass into Messi who
controlled with a sublime
touch to turn before
shooting low past Diego
Lopez with the help of a
slight deflection. We were
looking more in control now
with Piqué and Puyol looking
solid at the back and we got
another break in the 32nd
minute when Gonzalo
needlessly fouled Pedro 25
yards out after Pedro had
already released the ball.
Xavi took responsibility for
the free kick flighting a
beautiful curler over the wall
and out of Diego Lopez's
reach into the corner. Things
got even better in the 42nd
minute when Xavi played a
ball inside to Bojan who
turned before knocking the
ball one side of Gonzalo
while sprinting past the
defender on the other side to
speed into the area and firing
low into the far corner past
the advancing goalkeeper.
With a three goal advantage
it might have seemed all over
but it was necessary to keep
a high level of concentration
in the second half against a
team of Villarreal's quality.
There was an early chance in
the second half after Valdés
failed to make a proper
punch from a corner but
Valdés got across to save the
shot and Maxwell booted the
ball clear. After this we
generally controlled the
situation without making any
chances going forward. It
didn't seem too dangerous
but in the 67th minute
Busquets lost the ball going
forward, and perhaps we
were a little distracted by
Cazorla lying injured, but
Villarreal continued playing
and when Nilmar's pass
came in Puyol failed to cut it
out and Llorente got away
from Piqué to fire past
Valdés.
With more than 20 minutes
to go there was still a chance
for Villarreal to make a
comeback and memories
came back of the 3-3 draw at
Camp Nou last season when
Barça were 3-1 up with 15
minutes to go. However, we
looked serious all night and
Villarreal had no more
chances to speak of. At the
other end we began to look
for the fourth, Messi shot just
wide in the 71st minute and
Pedro forced a good save
from Diego Lopez after
cutting in and letting fly with
a left foot effort in the 79th
minute.
We than had a bizarre
incident as Barça prepared to
bring on Toure Yaya in place
of Busquets. Before leaving
the pitch Busquets attempted
to go across to shake hands
with the referee, Llorente
tussled with Busquets telling
hiom to leave the field
directly but Busquets
continued towards the ref
who surprised everyone by
pulling out a yellow card
which he clearly showed to
Busquets who had already
been harshly booked for a
handball, the ref at no time
pulled out the red card and
Busquets went off and Toure
was allowed to take his
place. It seemed a terrible
mistake from the ref, but in
his match report he stated
that the yellow card was for
Llorente! It seems like an
attempt to cover up his cock-
up and no doubt the ref will
be severely criticised for his
action.
Whatever the case we were
unrattled by this strange
occurence and finished the
game strongly. In the 84th
minute Pedro played a great
ball in to Bojan who hit the
chance just wide, but then in
the 87th minute Xavi played
a superb ball through to
Alves who crossed to Messi
who finished coolly by
dinking the ball over the
keeper for his 29th league
goal of the season.
I cannot stress how satisfied I
am with this victory,
Villarreal are an extremely
dangerous team and those of
you who read my preview
will know that I was
pessimistic for this game. I
apologise for not believing in
the team and I take my hat
off to them tonight. Xavi was
sensational especially as he
was not 100% fit while Messi
got back to scoring goals
with two fine finishes. Piqué
and Puyol were given one or
two problems but they both
made some vital
interventions to keep
Villarreal at bay. Danio Alves
looked more like his old self
while Bojan and Pedro both
made important
contributions and looked
dangerous up front. Busquets
was resposible for losing the
ball before Villarreal scored
and he was also involved in
the bizarre second yellow
card incident but he was
generally very strong tonight
in midfield and Keita also
had a solid game keeping
things simple.
We now have an incredible
90 points after just 35 games,
Real Madrid are still in the
race but they will be very
disappointed tonight as they
undoubtedly hoping for a
favour from Villarreal. They
know that they could win
their last four games and still
not win the league, as we
have two relatively easy
home games with Tenerife
and Valladolid and just one
awkward game at Sevilla
next weekend. After tonight's
game I'm convinced we can
win at Sevilla, however, if
Madrid drop points before
then, and they facea tough
trip to Mallorca on
Wednesday, we may not even
need the win at Sevilla. It's
not the time to start
celebating yet, but tonight's
victory is a massive step
towards retaining the title.
I'm a very happy culé tonight.
Barça: Valdés 6; Alves 7.5,
Piqué 8.5, Puyol 7.5, Maxwell
6; Xavi 9.5, Busquets 7 (Toure
m80, --), Keita 7; Pedro 7.5,
Messi 8.5 (Jeffren m90 --),
Bojan 7.5 (Ibrahimovic m85,
--).
Goals: m19 Messi 0-1, m34
Xavi 0-2, m42 Bojan 0-3, m67
Llorente 1-3, m87 Messi 1-4.
Barça yellow cards: m53
Keita, m63 Busquets, m73
Puyol, m80 Busquets??? (no
red!)
the disappointment of the
Champions League
elimination with a splendid
1-4 win at Villarreal which
could prove to be crucial in
regaining La Liga this season.
Two goals from Leo Messi
and one apiece from man of
the match Xavi Hernandez
and Bojan Krkic earned us
our 28th league victory of
the season which equalled a
record set by Real Madrid in
87/88 and Barça in 96/97.
Xavi was carrying an injury
but he decided he wanted to
play, proving his commitment
to the cause by playing a part
in all four goals.
Pep Guardiola showed that
he doesn't care what your
price tag is by leaving Zlatan
Ibrahimovic on the bench
and giving a start to Bojan on
the left side of attack, this
meant we started the game
with eight homegrown
players which gave the team
the spirit we needed to win
this game. We came out
strongly playing football at a
high speed and Xavi had an
early chance but his shot was
deflected for a corner.
However, Villarreal are a
very strong team and they
had two early chances to
take the lead, the first after
Valdés came out of his area
to clear but the ball fell to
Cani who played it forward
quickly to Nilmar who, with
only two Barça defenders
covering the goal as Valdés
had not got back, shot over.
Then in the 8th minute Cani
again sent Nilmar through
with a clear sight on goal and
we were fortunate that he
again missed the target. But
Barça were also getting
chances at the other end and
Diego Lopez had to react
quickly to tip Messi's delicate
chip over the bar.
It was an open game but we
got the break we needed in
the 19th minute, Bojan won
the ball and moved forward
on the left before laying the
ball inside to xavi who dinked
a little pass into Messi who
controlled with a sublime
touch to turn before
shooting low past Diego
Lopez with the help of a
slight deflection. We were
looking more in control now
with Piqué and Puyol looking
solid at the back and we got
another break in the 32nd
minute when Gonzalo
needlessly fouled Pedro 25
yards out after Pedro had
already released the ball.
Xavi took responsibility for
the free kick flighting a
beautiful curler over the wall
and out of Diego Lopez's
reach into the corner. Things
got even better in the 42nd
minute when Xavi played a
ball inside to Bojan who
turned before knocking the
ball one side of Gonzalo
while sprinting past the
defender on the other side to
speed into the area and firing
low into the far corner past
the advancing goalkeeper.
With a three goal advantage
it might have seemed all over
but it was necessary to keep
a high level of concentration
in the second half against a
team of Villarreal's quality.
There was an early chance in
the second half after Valdés
failed to make a proper
punch from a corner but
Valdés got across to save the
shot and Maxwell booted the
ball clear. After this we
generally controlled the
situation without making any
chances going forward. It
didn't seem too dangerous
but in the 67th minute
Busquets lost the ball going
forward, and perhaps we
were a little distracted by
Cazorla lying injured, but
Villarreal continued playing
and when Nilmar's pass
came in Puyol failed to cut it
out and Llorente got away
from Piqué to fire past
Valdés.
With more than 20 minutes
to go there was still a chance
for Villarreal to make a
comeback and memories
came back of the 3-3 draw at
Camp Nou last season when
Barça were 3-1 up with 15
minutes to go. However, we
looked serious all night and
Villarreal had no more
chances to speak of. At the
other end we began to look
for the fourth, Messi shot just
wide in the 71st minute and
Pedro forced a good save
from Diego Lopez after
cutting in and letting fly with
a left foot effort in the 79th
minute.
We than had a bizarre
incident as Barça prepared to
bring on Toure Yaya in place
of Busquets. Before leaving
the pitch Busquets attempted
to go across to shake hands
with the referee, Llorente
tussled with Busquets telling
hiom to leave the field
directly but Busquets
continued towards the ref
who surprised everyone by
pulling out a yellow card
which he clearly showed to
Busquets who had already
been harshly booked for a
handball, the ref at no time
pulled out the red card and
Busquets went off and Toure
was allowed to take his
place. It seemed a terrible
mistake from the ref, but in
his match report he stated
that the yellow card was for
Llorente! It seems like an
attempt to cover up his cock-
up and no doubt the ref will
be severely criticised for his
action.
Whatever the case we were
unrattled by this strange
occurence and finished the
game strongly. In the 84th
minute Pedro played a great
ball in to Bojan who hit the
chance just wide, but then in
the 87th minute Xavi played
a superb ball through to
Alves who crossed to Messi
who finished coolly by
dinking the ball over the
keeper for his 29th league
goal of the season.
I cannot stress how satisfied I
am with this victory,
Villarreal are an extremely
dangerous team and those of
you who read my preview
will know that I was
pessimistic for this game. I
apologise for not believing in
the team and I take my hat
off to them tonight. Xavi was
sensational especially as he
was not 100% fit while Messi
got back to scoring goals
with two fine finishes. Piqué
and Puyol were given one or
two problems but they both
made some vital
interventions to keep
Villarreal at bay. Danio Alves
looked more like his old self
while Bojan and Pedro both
made important
contributions and looked
dangerous up front. Busquets
was resposible for losing the
ball before Villarreal scored
and he was also involved in
the bizarre second yellow
card incident but he was
generally very strong tonight
in midfield and Keita also
had a solid game keeping
things simple.
We now have an incredible
90 points after just 35 games,
Real Madrid are still in the
race but they will be very
disappointed tonight as they
undoubtedly hoping for a
favour from Villarreal. They
know that they could win
their last four games and still
not win the league, as we
have two relatively easy
home games with Tenerife
and Valladolid and just one
awkward game at Sevilla
next weekend. After tonight's
game I'm convinced we can
win at Sevilla, however, if
Madrid drop points before
then, and they facea tough
trip to Mallorca on
Wednesday, we may not even
need the win at Sevilla. It's
not the time to start
celebating yet, but tonight's
victory is a massive step
towards retaining the title.
I'm a very happy culé tonight.
Barça: Valdés 6; Alves 7.5,
Piqué 8.5, Puyol 7.5, Maxwell
6; Xavi 9.5, Busquets 7 (Toure
m80, --), Keita 7; Pedro 7.5,
Messi 8.5 (Jeffren m90 --),
Bojan 7.5 (Ibrahimovic m85,
--).
Goals: m19 Messi 0-1, m34
Xavi 0-2, m42 Bojan 0-3, m67
Llorente 1-3, m87 Messi 1-4.
Barça yellow cards: m53
Keita, m63 Busquets, m73
Puyol, m80 Busquets??? (no
red!)
Points record equalled
With the win in Villarreal,
Barca have set a new club
record of 90 points in a 20
team league, equalling the
1996/97 total, when there
were 22 teams in La Liga,
and there’s still three
games to go!
The win didn’t just
consolidate Barca’s position
at the top of the table, it also
set a new club record of 90
points in a season. The points
have come after just 35
games, 28 wins, six draws and
just the one defeat and equal
the total Bobby Robson’s
team took from 42 games in
the 1996/97 season.
Three more than last year
The total beats the previous
best achieved last season,
when the team piled up 87
points in the 38 games of the
whole season, though it
should be remembered that
the team took just 1 from 9
in their last three games
once the title had been won,
falling just short of the
1996/97 record, when
Robson ’s team won 28 games
drew six and lost eight.
Two off La Liga record
The record points total in La
Liga was achieved by Fabio
Capello ’s Madrid in that
96/97 season, who took 92
points. Barca have games
against Tenerife, Seville and
Valladolid to take the three
points they need to beat that.
Success at home and away
49 of this season’s 90 punts
have come at the Nou Camp,
where the team have
dropped just the one point,
whilst on the road they ’ve
taken a record 41 points.
Barca have set a new club
record of 90 points in a 20
team league, equalling the
1996/97 total, when there
were 22 teams in La Liga,
and there’s still three
games to go!
The win didn’t just
consolidate Barca’s position
at the top of the table, it also
set a new club record of 90
points in a season. The points
have come after just 35
games, 28 wins, six draws and
just the one defeat and equal
the total Bobby Robson’s
team took from 42 games in
the 1996/97 season.
Three more than last year
The total beats the previous
best achieved last season,
when the team piled up 87
points in the 38 games of the
whole season, though it
should be remembered that
the team took just 1 from 9
in their last three games
once the title had been won,
falling just short of the
1996/97 record, when
Robson ’s team won 28 games
drew six and lost eight.
Two off La Liga record
The record points total in La
Liga was achieved by Fabio
Capello ’s Madrid in that
96/97 season, who took 92
points. Barca have games
against Tenerife, Seville and
Valladolid to take the three
points they need to beat that.
Success at home and away
49 of this season’s 90 punts
have come at the Nou Camp,
where the team have
dropped just the one point,
whilst on the road they ’ve
taken a record 41 points.
Stylish display brushesdoubts aside (1-4)
Barca turned on the style
at Villarreal to beat their
hosts 1-4 and put behind
any doubts that might
have lingered from the
European KO. Barca will
lead the table going into
the final three games
thanks to goals tonight
from Messi(2), Xavi and
Bojan.
Any doubts about
Guardiola ’s team’s ability to
bounce back from the Inter
defeat were brushed aside by
a champions display to see
off the in-form Villarreal
with some magisterial
football, particularly in the
first half when Messi, Xavi
and Bojan all scored. The
home team got a consolation
goal in the second, but Messi
was again on target to put
aside any hopes of a
comeback. This was a team
true to its style and heritage
and Barca ’s starting line up
included a total of eight
players who ’d come through
La Masia and all four goals
were scored by home grown
players.
Lively start
In a lively opening, both
teams showed their attacking
intentions and Xavi, Messi
and Puyol all had good
chances in the first ten
minutes, as did Nilmar on
two occasions for Villarreal.
The football was flowing,
with not a foul committed till
almost the quarter hour
mark and Barca were able to
impose their style on the
game. On 18 minutes, Bojan
won a ball and laid it back to
Xavi who played a trademark
killer pass to Messi for the
Argentinean aided by a slight
deflection from a defender,
to strike home from an acute
angle.
0-3 at the break
The goal confirmed Barca’s
dominance and Xavi was at
the heart of it all, so it was
fitting that he claimed the
second, striking home a
wonderful free kick over the
defensive wall and past the
flailing Diego Lopez. The
third was another excellent
effort, as Bojan out-smarted
and out-sprinted his marker
Gonzalo and fired low past
the keeper to send the team
in 0-3 up.
Villarreal reaction snuffed
out
Villarreal made two changes
at half time and came out
determined to put up what
they could of a fight. Barca ’s
answer was to maintain
possession and take the sting
out of their hosts ’ attempts
to fight back. When Llorente
managed to pull a goal back
on 67 minutes, Messi almost
came back with an
immediate reply, shooting
just wide, but Barca never
really looked under pressure
and their biggest fright came
when the ref appeared to
show Busquets a second
yellow as he went off to be
subbed, which was in fact for
Llorente.
Messi gets his second
The game was only going one
way and when Messi did
make it four with his second,
exquisitely rounding off a
typical team move on 87
minutes, it just confirmed
Barca’s superiority
throughout, the three points
and another week at the top.
at Villarreal to beat their
hosts 1-4 and put behind
any doubts that might
have lingered from the
European KO. Barca will
lead the table going into
the final three games
thanks to goals tonight
from Messi(2), Xavi and
Bojan.
Any doubts about
Guardiola ’s team’s ability to
bounce back from the Inter
defeat were brushed aside by
a champions display to see
off the in-form Villarreal
with some magisterial
football, particularly in the
first half when Messi, Xavi
and Bojan all scored. The
home team got a consolation
goal in the second, but Messi
was again on target to put
aside any hopes of a
comeback. This was a team
true to its style and heritage
and Barca ’s starting line up
included a total of eight
players who ’d come through
La Masia and all four goals
were scored by home grown
players.
Lively start
In a lively opening, both
teams showed their attacking
intentions and Xavi, Messi
and Puyol all had good
chances in the first ten
minutes, as did Nilmar on
two occasions for Villarreal.
The football was flowing,
with not a foul committed till
almost the quarter hour
mark and Barca were able to
impose their style on the
game. On 18 minutes, Bojan
won a ball and laid it back to
Xavi who played a trademark
killer pass to Messi for the
Argentinean aided by a slight
deflection from a defender,
to strike home from an acute
angle.
0-3 at the break
The goal confirmed Barca’s
dominance and Xavi was at
the heart of it all, so it was
fitting that he claimed the
second, striking home a
wonderful free kick over the
defensive wall and past the
flailing Diego Lopez. The
third was another excellent
effort, as Bojan out-smarted
and out-sprinted his marker
Gonzalo and fired low past
the keeper to send the team
in 0-3 up.
Villarreal reaction snuffed
out
Villarreal made two changes
at half time and came out
determined to put up what
they could of a fight. Barca ’s
answer was to maintain
possession and take the sting
out of their hosts ’ attempts
to fight back. When Llorente
managed to pull a goal back
on 67 minutes, Messi almost
came back with an
immediate reply, shooting
just wide, but Barca never
really looked under pressure
and their biggest fright came
when the ref appeared to
show Busquets a second
yellow as he went off to be
subbed, which was in fact for
Llorente.
Messi gets his second
The game was only going one
way and when Messi did
make it four with his second,
exquisitely rounding off a
typical team move on 87
minutes, it just confirmed
Barca’s superiority
throughout, the three points
and another week at the top.
Messi adds Villarreal tohis victims
Leo Messi put an end to a
run of five games without
scoring with his two goals
at the Madrigal – and he
did so against one of the
few teams he ’d not yet
scored against.
Messi shrugged off any
pressure he might have felt
after his mini goal drought
and dutifully added Villarreal
to the list of Spanish teams
who ’ve had the “pleasure” of
being on the end of his goal
scoring.
The Argentinean needed just
18 minutes to open his and
the team ’s account, before
bagging his second at the
end of the game.
Xerez only team to resist
Xerez, who’ve only played
Barca twice, are the only one
of the current La Liga teams
against whom Messi has not
scored - tonight ’s goals
against Villarreal broke his
duck against them after six
seasons worth of games.
Mini drought over
The goals also put an end to
a run of five games without a
goal for Messi – he failed to
find the net against
Deportivo, Espanyol and
Xerez, in the league and
against Inter in the two
Champions League semi-
finals.
Leading scorer in Spain
and Europe
Messi remains on course to
win the European and
Spanish goal scoring awards.
He has 29 in the league, four
ahead of Madrid ’s Higuain in
second, and 56 points in the
race for the Goldon Boot
Award, six more than Wayne
Rooney,
run of five games without
scoring with his two goals
at the Madrigal – and he
did so against one of the
few teams he ’d not yet
scored against.
Messi shrugged off any
pressure he might have felt
after his mini goal drought
and dutifully added Villarreal
to the list of Spanish teams
who ’ve had the “pleasure” of
being on the end of his goal
scoring.
The Argentinean needed just
18 minutes to open his and
the team ’s account, before
bagging his second at the
end of the game.
Xerez only team to resist
Xerez, who’ve only played
Barca twice, are the only one
of the current La Liga teams
against whom Messi has not
scored - tonight ’s goals
against Villarreal broke his
duck against them after six
seasons worth of games.
Mini drought over
The goals also put an end to
a run of five games without a
goal for Messi – he failed to
find the net against
Deportivo, Espanyol and
Xerez, in the league and
against Inter in the two
Champions League semi-
finals.
Leading scorer in Spain
and Europe
Messi remains on course to
win the European and
Spanish goal scoring awards.
He has 29 in the league, four
ahead of Madrid ’s Higuain in
second, and 56 points in the
race for the Goldon Boot
Award, six more than Wayne
Rooney,
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
No one like me: Says Pedrito
Fc Barcelona young lad PEDRO RODRIGUEZ has shown the whole world the glimpse of his talent by been the only player in the history of football be it Jupiter or Pluto, to ever score in six different official competition in a season. He has found 10 times so far this season: ucl 2/ super copa espana 1/ copa dey rel 2/ laliga 3/ super copa europa 1/ fifa world club cup 1/. Leo Messi has scored 15 times this season in 5 competion of the 6 competitions played. Kudos to young PEDRO. Thats a victory for canalet
Barca on the verge of making history
Fc Barcelona is now at zebra crossing where no cars (teams) are passing. Fc BARCELONA cruised to the final of the world club cup by thrashing Atlante fc of mexico 3 goals to 1. Atlante scored first at 5th min but barca replied with a sounding 3 goals by BUSQUET 35' MESSI 55' PEDRO 67' Meanwhile leo messi was introduced from the bench due to the injury against Dynamo kiey in the last match of the UCL group stages.
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