FC Barcelona News
Barcelona Take Useful Draw Back to Camp Nou
February 1st, 2012Barcelona drew 1-1 against Valencia on Wednesday night, in a competitive first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Barça went behind to a Jonas goal in the first half and fired back soon after through Carles Puyol. Messi missed a penalty in a second half that Barcelona dominated.
The game was a remarkably even contest early on, as Barcelona kept the ball well, but Valencia posed a threat on the counter and had the better chances. Pablo Piatti was looking especially dangerous on the right flank, playing clever passes and cutting in onto his left foot.
Messi went on one driving run, but saw his shot blocked after he wriggled his way into the area. At the other end Soldado was fed by Piatti, but was blocked at the edge of the area by the onrushing Pinto. Replays suggested that Barça’s substitute ‘keeper might even have handled the ball outside the area.
The threat from Valencia was growing, urged on by the boisterous home support. Soldado pulled back from the defence to crash a stylish first-time volley just over the bar. And just after Alexis wasted a presentable opportunity crafted by Cesc, Valencia had grabbed the lead. Mathieu was set free down the left and cut the ball back for Jonas to side-foot into the top right corner, leaving Pinto with no chance.
Barcelona’s response was as impressive as it was quick. After a period of possession Cuenca weaved in from the right wing, dancing past two challenges before flicking an intelligent ball through for Alexis. The Chilean saw his effort well saved by Diego Alves, but when the resulting corner was sent deep, Carles Puyol rose at the back post nod a firm downward header past Valencia’s stranded ‘keeper.
Early in the second half Alexis saw a goal just ruled out for offside, and Piatti twisted past Abidal to shoot just over from the right and angle of the penalty area. Then, ten minutes into the half, Thiago chested the ball down in the Valencia area before tapping it away from Miguel, who took the youngster’s legs for a penalty. Messi stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but seemed hesitant in his run-up – Diego Alves guessed the right way and pushed the relatively tame effort away to his left.
Barça’s were not discouraged though – Busquets only just failed to make a decisive glancing contact with a Messi free-kick, and Abidal fired a powerful near-post effort that Diego Alves had to palm out for a corner. When the ball came in Messi rose to head the ball back across goal, but Piqué could only send it over under pressure from the Valencia defence.
By now Barcelona were in charge of the contest, but just couldn’t convert their opportunities into goals. The best chance as the match wound down fell to Dani Alves, who played a sublime one-two with Messi before smashing his effort off the bottom of the left-hand post.
1-0 Jonas (min 27)
1-1 Puyol (min 35)
Ruthless Barcelona Roll on in the Cup
January 26th, 2012FC Barcelona overcame Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal, drawing 2-2 on the night and winning 4-3 on aggregate. Pedro and Alves got the goals for the home team.
Barcelona began the match under a storm of pressure from the visitors. It started as early as the 10th second, when Higuaín intercepted Alves’ pass for Piqué, but the striker contrived to miss from 10 yards with Pinto stranded and the goal gaping. Seconds later Pinto needed to make a point-blank save to keep Higuaín out after he met a free-kick at the back post.
The home team was struggling to keep possession against a highly motivated and aggressive side. Cristiano Ronaldo was seeing plenty of the ball, slamming one effort wide of the near-post and seeing another saved by the legs of Pinto.
After 15 minutes Barcelona mounted their first attack of note – Cesc got away from Xabi Alonso down the left and squared for Messi, whose shot flashed wide of the left post from just outside the area.
Real Madrid were soon back on the front foot though. Mesut Özil crashed a 30-yard strike that flew over Pinto’s head, off the underside of the bar and out just in front of the goal line. Then, on the half hour mark, sloppy distribution by Pinto saw the ball land at Higuaín’s feet on the right side of the area, but Barça’s ‘keeper was equal to the task once more and preserved the home team’s aggregate lead.
After half an hour the Madrid assault was starting to tail off, and Barcelona began to pass the ball with confidence once more. Just before the break Messi embarked on a trademark run inside, clipping the ball delicately for Pedro on the edge of the area. The winger, on for the injured Iniesta, showed great composure to slot the ball into the bottom-left corner.
Dani Alves then seemingly put the tie to bed – a Barça free-kick was cleared to the right angle of the area and the Brazilian full-back let rip with a first-time shot that zipped into the top right corner, leaving Casillas with no chance in the world.
The first 20 minutes of the second half were largely unremarkable – Real Madrid looked like they’d pulled a goal back, but replays showed a tug by Sergio Ramos on Alves’ arm. The match appeared to be petering out before Özil strode forward and threaded a neat pass for Cristiano Ronaldo, who rounded Pinto and scored from a tight angle.
The game got a little more serious just three minutes later. Benzema collected a header by Callejón, flicked the ball over Puyol and tucked it home to take the score on the night to 2-2, 4-3 on aggregate. From there on Real Madrid blustered, but were unable to make an impact, and as the final minutes counted down Ramos was sent off for a second yellow after a challenge on Busquets.
1-0 Pedro (min 43)
2-0 Alves (min 48)
2-1 Cristiano Ronaldo (min 70)
2-2 Benzema (min 74)
Abidal Grabs Rare Goal in Brave Victory
January 19th, 2012FC Barcelona deservedly gained the upper hand in the Copa del Rey quarter-final, defeating a rugged Real Madrid 1-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu. After going behind to an early Cristiano Ronaldo goal, Barça stormed back with strikes from Puyol and Abidal.
The early exchanges were frantic, with neither side able to keep possession for more than two or three passes. This was playing into Madrid’s hands, who were seeking to break quickly and directly at every opportunity, given their three pacy forwards and absence of an attacking midfielder. It was from such a counter-attack that they took the lead after just 11 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo exploited the space behind Dani Alves, latching onto a Benzema pass, powering into the Barça area and wrong-footing Piqué before dispatching a low strike between Pinto’s legs to put Madrid ahead.
Really, it was to be their last attack of note before the break, and for the rest of the first half the onus was on Barcelona to find a way back. Iniesta began to shine, testing Casillas at the near-post from the edge of the area, later getting onto an Alexis layoff but skewing his effort just wide on the left side of goal.
In between Cesc did well to spot Alexis dropping behind Ramos and Coentrão, and curled a pass that Alexis, backpedalling, could only head onto the bar with Casillas completely stranded. Busquets then set up Messi down the inside-left Channel, but Real’s ‘keeper was alert and made another low near-post save.
But as the half wore on Madrid began to enjoy some success by closing down quickly in midfield and occasionally disrupting the game’s flow with niggling fouls. Just before the half-time whistle, first Alexis then Messi looked clean through in potential one-on-one situations but were incorrectly flagged offside.
Barcelona began the second half with renewed vigour, and were rewarded almost immediately. Xavi swung a corner in from the left side and Puyol stooped to head home unmarked from six yards. It was the ideal start, and Iniesta was so close to making it two when Cesc lifted a stylish pass over the top for him to volley, but Ramos’ intervention saw the ball cannon off the outside of the post.
Madrid’s response nearly saw them regain the lead – Altintop beat Iniesta down the right with some skill and sent a deep cross the Benzema headed onto the post from an acute angle. This let-off aside, Barcelona were gaining the upper hand, and Los Blancos’ apparent solution was to kick anything that moved. Pepe was looking out of control – replays caught him stamping on Messi’s hand, but Carvalho, Ramos and Alonso were equally guilty of trying to intimidate their opponents.
At this stage only Barça looked capable of snatching another, and the did just this when Messi showed great vision to spot Abidal, flicking a perfect pass to the left-back, who controlled it on his chest and angled it past Casillas from close range.
1-0 Cristiano (min 10)
1-1 Puyol (min 48)
1-2 Abidal (min 76)
Barça eliminates Osasuna to go through to Copa del Rey quarter-final
January 13th, 2012After last week’s 4-0 win against Osasuna in the Nou Camp there wasn’t much left to do for Barça to make it through to the next round. There was some doubt during the day whether the match would take place due to the weather, but in the end it went ahead as planned in freezing fog.
The Barça squad looked as though they weren’t going to over exert themselves in the cold, however after 15 minutes Fontas was stretched off the pitch, with Abidal coming on in his place. After some undemanding play, Osasuna finally came alive at the end of the first half and Lekic put the ball past Pinto to put the hosts ahead.
After the break Barça quickly got into the game to make sure Osasuna’s advantage was temporary. The Catalan’s moment came just four minutes into the second half when Adriano crossed to Alexis, who put the ball into the Osasuna net. Guardiola then brought on Messi in place of Alexis and soon after Busquets came on to replace Pedro, who was suffering a thigh strain.
A few minutes later Messi set up Sergi Roberto’s goal inside the area in the 72nd minute to put Barcelona ahead; the scoreline remained 2-1 to Barcelona, who once again have qualified for the Copa del Rey quarter-final. Next week they face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, with Barcelona v Real Madrid at the Nou Camp leg being played a week later.
1-0 Lekic (min 40)
1-1 Alexis (min 49)
1-2 Sergi Roberto (min 72)
Stylish Barcelona Overcome Osasuna
January 5th, 2012Cesc Fàbregas and Lionel Messi helped bring FC Barcelona within touching distance of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, each scoring two goals in a comfortable 4-0 first leg victory over Osasuna at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
Barcelona settled quickly in this game, showing no signs of rust after their two-week break. A couple of early forays aside, Osasuna were soon pinned back in their own half by the home team’s intelligent passing and movement. Alves dragged a left-footed shot just wide – the livewire Brazilian would be a constant threat down the right wing, given even more freedom playing in front of a three-man defence.
It didn’t take long for Barcelona to make the breakthrough. Alves carried the ball inside from the right, feeding Xavi, whose close control helped him evade three defenders before laying a pass on for Cesc to score an easy tap in.
Cuenca was also impressive down the left flank – he worked some space before finding Alves on the opposite flank, who once again worked the ball to Xavi, but the captain could only shoot just wide.
By now the attacks were relentless and it was no surprise when Barcelona doubled their lead. With 20 minutes gone Xavi fed Cesc on the edge of the area, who controlled the ball on the turn with an immaculate first touch, before clipping a perfectly weighted chip over the head of Riesgo in the Osasuna goal.
Barcelona were looking reinvigorated after their winter break, and continued to carve out chances. Riesgo needed to react quickly to close range shots from Puyol and Thiago, as Osasuna somehow managed to maintain a two-goal deficit. At the end of the half he was called upon once more, tipping a chip by Dani Alves over the bar after a jinking run by the Brazilian.
There were a few contentious moments early on in the second half. Cuenca was clearly fouled on the edge of the penalty are as he skipped past Damià, but referee Borbalán wasn’t interested. Then Messi, on for Pedro, was held back as he bustled into the Osasuna area, but also saw his appeals waved away.
Within minutes of Messi’s entry though, Barcelona once again looked formidable in attack. The Argentine missed the goal by a matter of centimetres after wriggling past two defenders, swapping passes with Alves and neatly chipping the stranded Riesgo.
It mattered little though as Messi would be on the scoresheet minutes later. After Osasuna failed to clear a goalmouth scramble, Cesc aimed a cross to the far post and Messi produced his now customary leap to nod the ball home. He nearly got another shortly after, when Alexis teed him up in the six-yard box, but Riesgo made yet another reaction stop.
There was still time for one more goal. Xavi looked up and saw Messi open on the left-side of the box. The diminutive Argentine turned, looked up and curled a shot past Riesgo to complete an assured performance.
1-0 Cesc (min 13)
2-0 Cesc (min 18)
3-0 Messi (min 74)
4-0 Messi (min 94)
Nine Goal Barcelona Run Riot
December 23rd, 2011Barcelona are through to the next round of the Copa del Rey, demolishing minnows Hospitalet in a goal-fest at the Camp Nou. It was a win made at Barça’s academy, with every outfield player having been brought through the club’s youth ranks.
Mindful perhaps of the relatively slender 1-0 lead achieved in the first leg, Pep opted for a mix of youth and experience against the Segunda B opponents. Amongst the younger players taking their place in the 3-4-3 were Fontàs, Thiago and Cuenca, while Sergi Roberto and Cristian Tello were to come on in the first half.
It was a half completely run by the home side, but Hospitalet were first to conjure an opportunity – Striker Prats headed a free-kick narrowly wide. Thereafter Barcelona were relentless in attack. After ten minutes Isaac Cuenca wriggled free of Moussa on the byline, and the left-back tugged back Barça’s winger on the edge of the area. The referee signalled for a penalty, which was slightly harsh on the away team. Pedro was in no mood for charity, clinically slotting his spot-kick into the bottom left corner.
Minute later Xavi threaded a forensic through-pass for Cesc on the right side of the area. Barça’s number 4 looked up and squared for Iniesta, who found the net from no more than five yards to double the lead. Seconds had passed when Thiago pounced on Hospi defender Castaño’s indecision. The young midfielder was perfectly composed, junking past Craviotto and passing into the empty goal.
Then came a moment that took some gloss off the evening; Iniesta contested a loose ball and was clattered by Hospi’s goalkeeper, which forced Barça’s attacking midfielder from the pitch with a thigh injury. Initial reports were optimistic though, predicting an absence of no more than a couple of weeks.
Sergi Roberto replaced him, and the chances continued to flow. After point-blank saves and goal-line clearances, Hospitalet conceded once more with 35 minutes on the clock. Cesc lofted a sublime pass for Xavi, who scored at the near-post on the volley.
The lead was then extended to 5-0. Cristian Tello, on for Xavi, picked up the ball on the halfway line and, unopposed, ran straight for the opponents’ goal and found the bottom-right corner with a cool finish.
The rout continued into the second half. Tello showed electric pace to get to the byline on the left-side, cutting back for Cuenca who smashed the ball first-time under Craviatto’s dive. Then Cuenca broke free into the area, but was crudely hauled back by Hospi defender Viale. Thiago scored from the spot, and now the score was 7-0.
Tello, who was something of a revelation in this game, was next to add to the score, receiving the ball from Sergi Roberto and curling a classy right-footed shot past Craviotto on 64 minutes. Into the last ten minutes, Cuenca grabbed his second of the night, picked out by Cesc and crashing home from the right side of the area.
1-0 Pedro (min 11)
2-0 Iniesta (min 18)
3-0 Thiago (min 22)
4-0 Xavi (min 35)
5-0 Tello (min 42)
6-0 Cuenca (min 47)
7-0 Thiago (min 53)
8-0 Tello (min 62)
9-0 Cuenca (min 79)
Barcelona Shown Little Hospitality
November 10th, 2011FC Barcelona achieved a narrow 1-0 first leg victory in their Copa del Rey tie against local club CE L’Hospitalet on Wednesday night. The Segunda B team, from the third tier of Spanish football, offered stout resistance, with their ‘keeper Jose Moragon producing some saves of the highest quality to keep the score-line down. In the end it was a long-range strike from Andres Iniesta that gave Barcelona the advantage.
Though a city in its own right, Hospitalet de Llobregat is practically a suburb of Barcelona, ensuring one of the shortest away trips the Barça will have to make. With most of the club’s foreign internationals and U21 players away with their national teams, Guardiola had to select a team made up mostly of Spanish senior players, accompanied by a sprinkling of younger talent. Among the less experienced players on show were Jonathan Dos Santos at right-back, Andreu Fontas at centre-half, and Barcelona B star, Christian Tello on the right wing.
As is so often the case in cup competitions, the lower league team raised its game during the first half, much to the delight of the Hospi faithful at La Feixa Llarga. It was Barcelona who were dictating terms, but the home team was doing well to make life difficult, switching quickly diligently between defence and attack.
There were good attempts by David Villa and Keita, but Moragon in the Hospi goal was in great form and his full-stretch save from the latter was especially impressive. Hospitalet replied with a firmly struck free-kick, which Pinto stopped and then gathered on the second attempt.
Barcelona were finding it difficult to create much space, but as the half went on they began to make inroads – Cesc played a one-two with Tello before seeing his attempt saved at the near-post. The opening goal was a moment of inspiration from the classy Iniesta – he picked the ball up 30 yards out and crashed an effort into the top right corner, leaving Moragon with no chance. And then at the end of the first half Puyol rose highest at the far post, but his fine header hit the upright.
Early in the second half Barcelona started playing with a little more fluidity. Sumptuous passing moves produced chances for David Villa and Cesc Fabregas, but neither player could provide the necessary finish. Clearly unaccustomed to the high tempo, the home side retreated further into their own half during the second period, with a few of their players succumbing to cramp.
Moragon had to be at his best to keep out a fiercely-struck free-kick by David Villa, and later in the game reacted sharply to beat away a deflected long-range shot by Barça’s Asturian striker. In reply Hospitalet managed a dangerous-looking header by substitute Pedraza early in the half. But their best opportunity arrived in the closing stages, when the same player got on the end of a quick break, forcing a spectacular reaction save from the otherwise underworked Pinto.
0-1 Iniesta (min 42)
Barcelona Fall to Extra Time Goal in Copa del Rey
April 21st, 2011FC Barcelona had to settle for runners up medals on Wednesday as they were edged out of the Copa del Rey final by a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in extra time. Facing off against a determined and well-drilled Real Madrid team, Barça only produced flashes of the kind of football that has dazzled La Liga this season.
Pep Guardiola was able to pick a strong side for the decisive match at the Mestalla – Mascherano stepped in at a centre-back to replace the injured Carles Puyol, and Pinto took his customary place between the posts for the cup.
Picking up from Saturday’s league meeting, the first half got off to a frenetic and tetchy start, with a host of fouls and angry recriminations. And although Barcelona were monopolising possession, Los Blancos were pressing higher up the pitch than before – when they won the ball they attacked with real speed and intent.
Cristiano Ronaldo was set free down the inside right channel and drew a smart save from Pinto after 11 minutes. Barcelona, on the other hand, were struggling to find a way through, and the game soon descended into a turgid stalemate punctuated by niggling fouls.
It was a scenario that suited Mourinho’s team perfectly, and just before half time they mustered another opportunity; Mesut Özil found some space down the right flank and whipped in a teasing cross that Pepe powered onto the inside of Pinto’s right post. Fortunately the ball bounced across the face of goal and out to safety.
Barcelona needed to improve in the second half, and the Blaugrana fans got their wish with a far more fluent performance, forcing Real Madrid to the edge of their penalty with some smart combinations.
Messi went on a spellbinding run, evading four Real Madrid challenges before releasing Pedro who shot low past Casillas, only to see the goal chalked off by the offside flag. Barcelona upped the pace even further – Messi, Pedro and Iniesta all drew stunning reaction saves from the Madrid ‘keeper.
And then, after forcing the opposition onto the ropes, Barcelona slowly started to lose the upper hand. In the closing minutes of regulation time, Real Madrid began to find their feet once more, bringing Pinto into action, who had to tip a Di Maria shot over the bar moments after an Alves block denied Cristiano Ronaldo a scoring opportunity.
Extra time ensued, and Los Merengues started to look increasingly menacing on the break, before breaking the deadlock in the 102nd minute. Di Maria led a counter attack down the left flank, and his cross was met with a powerful header by Ronaldo to leave Pinto stranded. FC Barcelona then tried to raise the tempo, but just didn’t have the legs to drag themselves back into the match.
The result is a bitter blow, but more exciting challenges lie ahead, as Guardiola’s team returns to the Ciutat Esportiva to regroup ahead of the Champions League semi-final.
0-1 C.Ronaldo (102′)
Barça through to Copa del Rey final
February 3rd, 2011Barcelona have reached the final of the Copa del Rey for the 35th time after beating Almeria last night to go through 8-0 on aggregate.The final will be played against Real Madrid on April 23rd, celebrated across Catalonia as Sant Jordi’s Day. The match will be played in Sevilla.
0-1 Adriano (min 34)
0-2 Thiago (min 56)
0-3 Afellay (min 66)
Yet another 5-0 result for Barça
January 27th, 2011FC Barcelona scored another 5 goals last night in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, all but guaranteeing their place in the final. Leo Messi scored two goals, with Barça up three within the first quarter of an hour.
1-0 Messi (min 9)
2-0 Villa (min 11)
3-0 Messi (min 15)
4-0 Pedro (min 30)
5-0 Keita (min 89)
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