Penalties mean Barça shares the points

Posted on September 30th, 2010 by admin

In the group stage last year FC Barcelona faced Rubin Kazan from Russia, against whom they took just a single point.

And it’s looking just as tough this year, after a one all draw in Kazan last night with both goals scored from the penalty spot. Rubin scored first after a tackle from Dani Alves saw a penalty awarded against Barça in the 29th minute; however, David Villa scored the equaliser fifteen minutes into the second half.

The game was notable for the reintroduction of Lionel Messi. After Villa’s goal, Pep Guardiola chanced the Algentian’s return following his ankle injury from two weeks ago.

1-0 Noboa (p)(min 29)
1-1 Villa (p) (min 60)

Tags: Alves, Guardiola, Messi, Villa

FCB beats Athletic – both teams down to 10 men

Posted on September 27th, 2010 by admin

FC Barcelona rose to take the second place in La Liga with just Valencia above them after beating Athletic Bilbao 3-1 away.

The match saw both teams down to 10 men by the end of the match, with David Villa being shown the red card with just a few minutes to go. Meanwhile Leo Messi continues to recover from his ankle injury and is included in the Champions League squad against Rubin Kazan on Wednesday.

0-1 Keita (min 55)
0-2 Xavi (min 74)
1-2 Gabilondo (min 89)
1-3 Busquets (min 92)

Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Busquets, Gabilondo, Keita, Xavi

Victory for Barça thanks to Villa

Posted on September 23rd, 2010 by admin

David Villa scored the only goal of the match last night when Sporting Gijon visited the Nou Camp.

With Messi injured Barcelona seemed to lack something vital, and it wasn’t until early in the second half that Barcelona was able to score, despite dominating possession throughout.

The result takes them to third place in the league, behind Real Madrid and Valencia.

1-0 Villa (min 49)

Tags: David Villa, Sporting Gijon

Win against Atletico, but Messi stretchered off

Posted on September 20th, 2010 by admin

Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid for their first win at the Vicente Calderon stadium in three years last night, but with a heavy price.
Leo Messi was stretchered off in agony after a foul from Tomas Ujfalusi, which saw the Atletico player sent off.
While Messi’s ankle doesn’t look to be broken, he is suffering from ligament damage and may be off for up to six weeks. Further tests are due today.

0-1, Messi (min 13)
1-1, Raúl García (min 25)
1-2, Piqué (min 32)

Tags: Atletico de Madrid, Messi, Pique, Raúl García

Barça dominates Panathinaikos

Posted on September 16th, 2010 by admin

Despite going down one goal in the20thminute, FC Barcelona came back to win in style against Greek visitors Panathinaikos in the Champions League group stage.Messi immediately responded and after that the Catalans dominated for a 5-1 win.

0-1, Govou (min 20)
1-1, Messi (min 21)
2-1, Villa (min 33)
3-1, Messi (min 45)
4-1, Pedro (min 77)
5-1, Alves (min 93)

Tags: Alves, Govou, Messi, Panathinaikos, Pedro, Villa

Barça’s shock defeat at hand of Hercules

Posted on September 13th, 2010 by admin

La Liga newcomers Hercules should have been lambs to the slaughter on Saturday evening when their visit to the Nou Camp coincided with Catalonia’s national day. However, they turned out to be a wolf in lambs clothing, with the only two goals of the match scored by Valdez for Hercules.

Barça ran ragged, never showing the kind of play they are famous for, and towards the end showing a lack of energy that is rare to see them displaying. However, they need a fast recovery as they play Panathinaikos in the group stage of Champions League on Tuesday.

Can they do it?

0-1 Valdez (min 26)
0-2 Valdez (min 58)

Tags: Hercules, Panathinaikos, Valdez