Barça beats Man Utd to take Champions League crown

Posted on May 29th, 2011 by admin

FC Barcelona dominated Manchester United last night to take their fourth Champions League, the third in five seasons.

Although the Catalans got off to a slow start in the first ten minutes, once they found their feet they dominated possession for the remainder of the game. Pedro opened the scoring with a goal in the 27th minute. However, Man Utd replied soon after with a goal by Rooney.

After the break it took Leo Messi eight minutes to find the back of the net. And when Villa made it 3-1 close to the 70 minute mark the “blaugranas” could smell victory.

Carles Puyol sat most of the match out due to injury, but it was Abidal who was handed the captain’s armband to receive the trophy after the game – diagnosed with a liver tumour earlier this year, he has returned to top level of football following surgery and surely deserved that honour.

The Barça squad is parading the Cahmpions League cup through Barcelona as I write this – tonight there will be a huge celebration at the Nou Camp, well deserved for a season that has gone extremely well.

Tags: 2011, Champions League Final, Man Utd, Manchester United, Messi, Pedro, Rooney, Villa, Wembley

Barça takes final league match of season

Posted on May 23rd, 2011 by admin

Barça finished the season with a 3-1 win against Malaga, despite many of the big names being absent. The fiest half started off quietly, but just when it looked like Barcelona was taking control Sebastián Fernández put the ball past Pinto to make it 1-0 for the home side.

Barcelona’s first goal came shortly before the break, when Bojan – who was captain – was brought down in the area and he equalised from the penalty spot.

The Catalans went into the lead 20 minutes into the second half when Ibrahim Afellay scored a spectacular goal from 30 yards, while Dani Alves – brought on towards the end – whose corner was reached by Marc Bartra, who headed the ball into the Malaga net.

1-0, Seba (min 31)
1-1, Bojan (pen, min 44)
1-2, Afellay (min 76)
1-3, Bartra (min 84)

Confetti and red peppers celebrate Barça’s title

Posted on May 16th, 2011 by admin

The Nou Camp was in full party mode on Sunday night for the first home game since taking the 2010/11 Spanish league title after their draw on Wednesday.

The goalless match mattered little for Barça, but Deportivo isn’t in the same position. On the edge of the relegation zone they would have been happy to at least take one point, but would have wished for more. While the squad facing Deportivo was full of B team players, the entire squad celebrated their impressive achievement after the match, lifting the trophy and sharing their pleasure with the remaining crowd.

The celebrations included confetti and the players throwing red peppers into the crowd; “amb dos pebrots” (literally “with two peppers” in Catalan, meaning with balls) is the team’s slogan as it heads for Wembley at the end of the month.

Barça draw hands them the Spanish League 2010/11

Posted on May 12th, 2011 by admin

Barcelona won their third successive league title under Pep Guardiola last night after a 1-1 draw gave them the single point required to take the championship. Barça’s 21st league title came after the match against Levante, who have secured another season in Spain’s top league.

This amazing season has seen Barcelona lose just two league matches while show a real flair to football that is a joy to watch. At the final whistle, Barça’s celebrations spilled onto the pitch as the entire squad deservedly revelled in their victory.

Although the lost The Copa del Rey to Real Madrid, one big challenge remains: the Champions League final against Manchester United at the end of the month.

Tags: Levante

Barça loses at Real Sociedad

Posted on May 2nd, 2011 by admin

With the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg taking place at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola elected to rest his main squad and fielded some Barcelona B players. Barça started clearly superior and scored the first goal of the match half an hour in, when Thiago hit the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

At the break it looked like it was going to be another comfortable victory, one step closer to their third successive league title. However, Real Sociedad had other ideas and came on for the second half re-energised and the Barcelona defence started to look a little frayed, allowing Ifrán to equalise.

Barcelona immediately went on the attack and Milito headed the ball into the goal from Xavi. However, the goal was ruled offside, although relays suggest it should have been allowed. And when Griezmann was brought down by Mascherano in the area Xabi Prieto was able to score Real Sociedad’s winner from the penalty spot.

However, with Real Madrid losing their match, Barcelona remain eight points ahead making the title almost a certainty.

0-1, Thiago (min 29)
1-1, Ifrán (min 71)
2-1, Xabi Prieto (pen, min 82)

Tags: Ifrán, Real Sociedad, Thiago, Xabi Prieto