After a weekend when the duopoly at the top of La Liga has been given an untimely boost by the defeat of Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón, Real Sociedad's rise up the ranks makes the fight for fourth, and a Champions League berth, the big story of round 27. … [Read more...]
Messi rises from the bench to revive Barça morale
F.C. Barcelona tonight recorded a 2-0 win against Deportivo la Coruña, a result that leaves them further ahead of their league rivals before they have had a chance to play and with the peace of mind now to think about the task ahead against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Camp Nou. … [Read more...]
Barcelona’s defensive woes highlight their need to buy a defender
Two years ago, with Guardiola at the helm, Barcelona was on the receiving end of plaudits from the greatest the game has ever seen. They prided themselves in their ability to win the ball back quickly and in doing that continue their possession based game without interruptions. Their backline, consisting of Puyol and Pique at the centre was by far the most feared and arguably the strongest in the world. Puyol's physicality, strength and pace combining with Pique’s tackling technique made their backline the least penetrable. No one had answers and they played a major role in helping the side … [Read more...]
Classic hangover or a need for change for Barcelona?
Tuesday night’s result was one that leaves another hangover for the Catalan club, not long after the Milan disaster, but as with all hangovers they will hope it will pass. After Iniesta’s comments to the media at the conference yesterday, many would say that Tito Vilanova’s absence is now truly being felt by the entire squad. Should Barça act in the interim and bring in someone to cover his absence. Luis Enrique, ex Barça B and Roma coach has been suggested, as has Eusebio Sacristain, the current B incumbent. … [Read more...]
Could Laudrup take over the Bernabeu Hotseat?
Having defeated their greatest rivals on Tuesday, you would be forgiven for thinking that everything was rosy at the Bernabeu and Spain’s self proclaimed greatest club would be celebrating victory. However, the win came in the Copa del Rey and doubts still weigh heavy amongst the Madrid faithful and the special one, or only one as he has re-christened himself, has seen his stock diminish at the capital club. More so in a year when Florentino Pérez wishes to prevail at the polls and have himself re-elected as Madrid President, yet finds his side having been beaten 5 times in the league and 16 … [Read more...]
One Clasico to Mourinho ahead of intriguing second encounter
Jose Mourinho has claimed one Clasico victory this week ahead of the league game at the Bernabeu on Saturday, an emphatic 3-1 win at the Nou Camp in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening. Revelling in the aftermath of a famous and boisterous win at the home of their fiercest rivals, it may come across that Real revealed their priorities this week. The 16 point gap between themselves and Barcelona gave the Copa clash a fierce ultimatum that could have all but signalled a majorly unsuccessful season for Madrid. However, the result has invigorated a volatile side who have underperformed greatly … [Read more...]
Barcelona struggling to meet their standards without Tito
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova's treatment for cancer has been well documented and having led the team to the summit of La Liga with a record points total, he departed the club in a dominant position. However, since Vilanova left for America in late January it has been clear that the standard of Barcelona's play has dropped, culminating in the disastrous 2-0 loss in Milan which has made an exit from the Champions League in the round of 16 a real possibility with three pivotal games against Real Madrid and Milan coming up quickly. … [Read more...]
Vilanova to undergo cancer treatment
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has today had surgery on his salivary gland as he prepares to battle his second bout of cancer. Vilanova last year underwent similar surgery when a cancerous tumour was removed from his throat and now faces the same process with six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to follow. The Catalan club released a statement at 6pm last night confirming the reports which had streamed out prior to the official announcement. Club President Sandro Rosell expressed his unconditional support to Tito and his family. … [Read more...]
Lionel Messi – What Next?
At just 25, very few can claim to have rewritten history by their mid-twenties but Lionel Messi, as we are so often reminded, is not a regular human being. Whilst many of the same age look to grow up and plan for the next step though, Messi too has to enter a new phase of his career. Finished with 'Gerd Muller's Guide to Scoring Goals in a Calendar Year', Messi faces no choice but to divulge himself in another chapter of life like many of us have had to at some point. … [Read more...]
What now for David Villa?
Barcelona forward David Villa has been growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of game time he has been awarded under Tito Vilanova this season, perhaps understandingly so – this is, after all, a man who just two years ago was Spain’s top scorer as they lifted the World Cup for the first time since its inception. … [Read more...]