Real Madrid and Barcelona both took commanding leads last night, in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. Real Madrid won 3-0 at home to cross city rivals Atletico. This wasn't the flowing match that I'd expected. Ancelotti's side took a much more pragmatic approach. They marked Atletico's danger men closely. It was a rough and tumble match, with the home side in particular testing the referee's patience. Diego Costa was kicked at every opportunity. Finally losing his temper, he kicked back, and received a yellow card that will keep him out of the return. An injustice at every … [Read more...]
Shock Defeat For Barcelona
Barcelona suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at home to Valencia last night, and threw the La Liga title race wide open. Barcelona went into the game on top of the league, but on a sticky run of form. They had won just one out of three in the Primera Division, but were still red hot favourites against a mid table Valencia side. It seemed like business as usual on 7 minutes when Alexis Sanchez scored what only be described as a fortuitous goal. Valencia refused to lie down, they equalised just before half time through Parejo. Three minutes after the break, Los Che took the lead, Piatti outjumping Dani … [Read more...]
Barcelona Messiless yet Merciless Against Levante
It was five and easy for Barcelona, as they crushed Levante 5-1 to move into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals 9-2 on aggregate. The match was as good as over after their 4-1 victory in Valencia last week. Certainly, that was the way the Catalan fans felt. The stadium was barely a quarter full to watch what amounted to little more than a practise match. Tata Martino rested key players like Lionel Messi but it made little difference as Levante were put to the sword yet again. Surprisingly, it was the away side that took the lead. Vyntra headed the goal on 9 minutes, although it had a suspicion of … [Read more...]
Messi ‘not for sale’, but the vultures are circling
After a turbulent week for Barcelona, new club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has had to publicly announce that Lionel Messi is not for sale. Bartomeu stepped into the void when previous president Sandro Rossell resigned over a forthcoming court appearance relating to the misappropriation of funds from the Neymar transfer deal. Rossell denies all charges, but now a larger shadow is looming – could Barca be on the brink of losing their star player? Last summer, Messi was linked with the champions of Europe, Bayern Munich. Any interest was quickly slapped down, but the German giants lay waiting … [Read more...]
Barcelona Back On Top
Barcelona pulled off a three nil victory at home to Malaga yesterday, to return to the summit of La Liga. It is very much a three horse race now, with Barca holding the slenderest of leads. It has been a turbulent week for Barcelona following the resignation of club president Sandro Rossell. Rossell is strenuously fighting allegations that he profited from the signing of Neymar, but the club will be glad to be concentrating on passing on the field rather than passing the buck. Messi, as always, was the architect of the win. His dazzling dribbles caught Malaga out time after time, and he set up … [Read more...]
Liverpool And Arsenal Battle For Tello
Barcelona forward Cristian Tello finds himself in a transfer window tug of war, with both Liverpool and Arsenal battling to secure his services. The tall, wiry 22 year old has been a peripheral figure in the Barcelona side and may have to leave to gain more first team football. Arsenal boss Wenger has said that he isn't in the market for a player this January, but is he playing a canny game and keeping his hand hidden? Liverpool are also in the market for an attacker. They have little back up to Suarez and Sturridge, and see Tello as a player with more promise than Aspas and Victor Moses. He … [Read more...]
Levante 1-4 Barcelona
Cristian Tello grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona romped to a 4-1 away victory over Levante in last night's Copa Del Rey quarter final first leg. Arsenal target Tello may have persuaded Arsene Wenger to prise open his purse strings as he put on a fine display, ably assisted by Lionel Messi. It sounds strange to say after a team mate scores three, but the mercurial Mess was my man of the match. He tore the home side apart at every opportunity and laid on all three goals for Tello. It was Levante who took the lead. Nabir El Zhar scored after 31 minutes to have Levante fans dreaming of victory. … [Read more...]
Barcelona To Stay At Camp Nou
After a board meeting yesterday, Barcelona have announced that they are to stay at their iconic Camp Nou home. There had been speculation that Barcelona would build a new stadium near to the University of Barcelona, but board members voted overwhelmingly to revamp the current stadium instead. The capacity will increase form just under 100,000 to 105,000 and a roof will be built to cover the spectators. The roof will not be retractable, however, and will not cover the pitch. Barcelona is a Mecca for football lovers the world over. Tourists come to Barcelona specifically to see a match at Camp … [Read more...]
Levante 1-1 Barcelona
It was a glorious Sunday for Real Madrid boss Claudio Ancelotti, and his side didn't even kick a ball. Surprise draws for both Barcelona and Atletico leave Ancelotti's side just one point behind the co-leaders of La Liga. Plucky Levante put thoughts of the season opener, when they were thumped 7-0 at Camp Nou, out of their head. They played a pressing, containing game designed to shut off supply to the returning Lionel Messi – and Joaquin Capaross's plan worked to perfection. Whilst they defended superbly they also found time to break with menace, and it was the home side who opened the … [Read more...]
Muchas Gracias, Xavi!
There were celebrations in the Hernandez household this week as Xavi made his 700th first team appearance for Barcelona. Here we look at the man who has had all of Spain saying 'Muchas gracias, Xavi!' Xavi was born on 25th January 1980 in the Catalonian town of Terrassa. He showed promise from an early age and was snapped up by the world famous Barcelona academy. From 1997 he started playing for Barcelona B, making 61 appearances for them and scoring four goals. He made his first team debut on 3rd October 1998 in a 3-1 win over Valencia – it was to form a pattern. When Xavi plays to his … [Read more...]