Clearly superior Barça takes Champions League first leg semi: deranged Mourinho rants

Posted on April 28th, 2011 by admin

FC Barcelona visited the Bernabeu again for a bad tempered match in the Champions League semi-final tie. With 72% possession, the Catalans dominated the match and despite Jose Mourinho’s wildly inappropriate accusations that Barça was essentially using favouritism with UEFA to fix matches in their favour, the better team won.

Perhaps the turning point came when Pepe was sent off for an aggressive studs-up lunge on Dani Alves, instantly earning himself a red card. But it wasn’t until a good quarter of an hour later that Leo Messi scored that all important away goal, as well as the clincher just three minutes before the end.

While relations between the teams are always frosty, Mourinho’s attempts to use his pre-match press conference to attack Pep Guardiola seems to have massively backfired and rather than psych him out the team went on determined to win. And his deranged post match rant was an embarrassment, and perhaps earning him the wrath of UEFA.

He also essentially conceded defeat. Surely Real Madrid’s stature is not worthy of a manager with a completely defeatist attitude. Start looking for a new job Mourinho – football doesn’t need you.

0-1, Messi (min 76)
0-2, Messi (min 87)

Tags: Champions League. Messi, Mourinho, Real Madrid

Real Madrid beats Barça to take the 2011 Copa del Rey title

Posted on April 21st, 2011 by admin

Real Madrid put an end to Barça’s ambition for the treble, taking the Copa del Rey title in Valencia last night after scoring the only goal of the match in extra time.

The match started off with tempers flaring and while Barcelona dominated possession as usual, Madrid were also able to show what they’re made of too. However, after the break the Catalans looked far fresher and it looked just a matter of time before they scored.

However, it didn’t happen and in the last few minutes Madrid seemed to have regained some strength. This carried on into extra time, and although Barça were on the offensive, it was Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the only goal of the match,

Of course, last Saturday’s match and last night’s were just a warm up for the real business. The arch-rivals face each other in the Champions League semis, the result of which in many ways, due to their long standing rivalry, will be far more significant than the winner of the Champions League title.

Tags: Real Madrid, Ronaldo

Draw against Real Madrid

Posted on April 18th, 2011 by admin

FC Barcelona made a stride closer to their third successive Spanish League title after drawing 1-1 at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium on Saturday, the first of an unbelievable four clásicos lined up over the next few weeks.

Barça dominated possession and arguably had all the best chances, but their only goal came after David Villa was clumsily hauled down by Raul Albiol, giving the Catalans resulting in a penalty and red card;  Messi dispatched the spot-kick to take his tally to 49.

However, Barça had to settle for a point after Real Madrid, down to 10 men, came back from a goal down to win a debatable penalty just 10 minutes before full time.

0-1, Messi (pen, min 52)
1-1, Ronaldo (pen, min 83)

Tags: Messi, Real Madrid, Ronaldo

Barça beats Shakhtar to go through to Champions League semis

Posted on April 13th, 2011 by admin

FC Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals after a measured 1-0 victory in the Ukraine.

However, despite the 5-1 first leg score-line making the outcome of this quarterfinal tie was rarely in doubt,Pep Guardiola didn’t take the challenge lightly. As could be expected from any side trying to overcome a four-goal deficit, Shakhtar took the initiative in the opening minutes.

However, by the 20-minute mark Barça had found their feet and things started going their way. And when Dani Alves found Leo Messi on the edge of the area it was essential game over for the hosts. Messi’s 48^th goal of the season was a new Spanish record.

After the break the match was largely uneventful although Shakhtar went for one final chance. However Victor Valdes made a dazzling save and Barça finished as 6-1 victors.

The next round sees them play arch-rivals real Madrid. It’s going to be a busy month with Madrid, as the teams face each other in the Spanish League (April 16), King’s Cup final (April 20), and Champions League (April 27 and May 3).

You can buy tickets from Simply Barcelona Tickets for the Nou Camp leg of the Champions League

Almeria offers no walk in the part for Barça

Posted on April 11th, 2011 by admin

FC Barcelona overcame a stubborn Almeria on Saturday night to take them a little closer to the title. Leo Messi scored 2 goals to take his tally to 47 for the season.

In addition to the recent injury layoffs in defence, Barça was without Valdes and Busquets due to suspension. Also Bojan started in place of Villa, while Pedro started on the bench.

As a result the Catalans seemed to be lacking something in the first half, but although Almeria lies at the bottom of the league they worked hard to prevent Barcelona from getting through.

After the break Barcelona looked like they were ready to step up a notch; however, it was Almeria that scored. A few minutes later Messi opened the scoring for Barça and soon after Pedro was brought on and another goal was looking certain until Thiago scored from a Messi corner.

With Almeria lacking energy and no real threat, Leo Messi scored the final goal to make it 3-1.

0-1 Corona (min 49)
1-1 Messi (min 52)
2-1 Thiago (min 63)
3-1 Messi (min 90)

Tags: Almeria, Corona, Messi, Thiago

Barça extends lead over Real Madrid after defeat of Villarreal

Posted on April 4th, 2011 by admin

With Real Madrid having lost at home to Sporting Gijon, Barcelona was triumphant in it’s 1-0 defeat of Villarreal. With Pedro, Xavi, Abidal and Puyol all unavailable and Messi not yet fully fit, Guardiola was forced to make some big changes to the lineup against forth place Villarreal.

Valdes, who was wearing the Captain’s armband, was forced into action, but didn’t fail in stopping the Villarreal attack. However, it was Gerard Pique who finally got the break required to give the Catalans three points to give a lead over Real Madrid of eight points.

0-1 Piqué (min 66)

Tags: Pique, Villarreal