Last week Barcelona opened their 2015-2016 season in the same fashion they ended last season: by winning another trophy. Their 5-4 extra time victory over Seville, gave the club their 4th trophy of the calendar year. The celebration was quickly ruined however by a crushing 4-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup and then a 1-1 draw back in Nou Camp. Bilbao's victory handed them their first trophy in 41 years and ensured that Pep's 2009 Barcelona squad remains the only European club to win 6 trophies in a calendar year. … [Read more...]
Barcelona off the leash
In Saturday's Champions League final, Barcelona will go up against the Italian Champions Juventus with hopes of continuing their recent domination and completing a historic treble season. With the way the Catalan club has performed over the last few months there is little doubt that they are the prohibitive favorites in Berlin. … [Read more...]
Ancelotti sacked at Real Madrid – an analysis
Another summer, another manager gone at Real Madrid.It didn't matter that the locker room wanted him to stay or that he was at the helm when the club won it's 10th Champion's League title or that he is one of the most successful and sought after managers in world football. None of that made any difference because right now, all that matters in Madrid is Florentino Perez. … [Read more...]
The redeeming of Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique’s Barcelona are the 2015 champions of Spain (the club’s 5th title in the last 7 seasons) and still could win the treble with a victory in the King’s cup and in the Champion’s League final. That is a statement no one thought would be typed just four months ago. … [Read more...]
Bayern Munich v Barcelona – Champions League analysis
After a thrilling game by two top clubs, Bayern Munich ended up in front 3-2 but it was not enough as Barcelona won 5-2 on aggregate. Barca will now return to Germany on June 6th for a shot at their fifth European Championship. However, the result could have much different ; similar to the with the previous game, Bayern will be left asking “what if” as if just a few things went differently, they could have been the ones celebrating. … [Read more...]
Bayern Munich v Barcelona Champions League preview
Barcelona and Bayern Munich meet again today in the second leg of the Champion’s League semi-finals and anyone beyond a die-hard Bayern Munich fan already has Barcelona penciled into the finals in Berlin. With the recent form of the club and their 3-0 advantage after the first leg, Barcelona are the odds on favorites to advance and at this point, you have to fancy their chances to lift the trophy on June 6th. … [Read more...]
Barcelona 3-0 Bayern Munich analysis
After a flurry of late goals and some Messi magic, Barcelona walked away from the first leg of the Champion’s League semifinal with a 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich. Barcelona will now head to Munich next week with a comfortable lead and with one foot already in the finals. … [Read more...]
Luis Enrique’s Chance for Barcelona
When Luis Enrique steps out onto the pitch tonight for the first leg of the Champions League Semifinal he may as well be invisible. With Pep’s return to Nou Camp, the semi-final re-match with Bayern Munich, and the players involved in the game most will not spare a thought for the Barcelona manager. Yet, amongst all who will have a hand in deciding the game, nobody has more invested in the outcome than Luis Enrique. … [Read more...]
Barcelona v Bayern Munich Champions League Semi-final Preview
On Tuesday, Bayern Munich will travel to Nou Camp to take on Barcelona in the first leg of the Champion’s League semifinals. It is without a doubt the most anticipated match of the year as these two teams have been arguably the two most dominating clubs in Europe over the last 10 years. Adding intrigue and raw emotion to the match of the year is the Pep Guardiola factor. … [Read more...]
Has Luis Enrique done enough to stay at Barcelona?
In his first year in charge of his former club, Luis Enrique has Barcelona where they expect to be: heavy favorites to advance to the Champions League semifinals, in front and in control of La Liga, and finalists in the Copa Del Rey. In levels of performance, Enrique has solidified the defense with only a scant 19 goals allowed in 32 league matches. Offensively, the team is hitting on all cylinders; Lionel Messi is back to his top form after a pedestrian (for him) year last season and the addition of Luis Suarez has been a massive help in terms of stretching opponents’ backline and creating … [Read more...]