FC Barcelona News
Thiago Gets Pulses Racing at the Audi Cup
July 28th, 2011FC Barcelona have lifted the Audi Cup after a comfortable 2-0 victory against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Exciting midfielder Thiago grabbed both goals to cap another man of the match performance. It was a satisfying night all round as Barça carry an unbeaten record into the American leg of their preseason.
The first half saw Guardiola field his most experienced lineup so far this summer; Busquets, Iniesta, Villa, Keita, Valdés and Maxwell all figured against a young Bayern team. It was little surprise to see Barça take the initiative and force their opponents back. David Villa had the first opportunity, stinging Hans-Jörg Butt’s palms from long range. Soriano, playing at the centre of the front three, then fired over after good work by Maxwell down the left.
Bayern did manage to conjure some interesting opportunities on the break – Valdés had to be sharp to block a Petersen effort after a teasing cross by Japanese winger Usami. Later in the half Austrian international midfielder David Alaba found himself in a one-on-one situation with Valdes, but Barça’s keeper closed down the space well and made a crucial save.
Barcelona took the lead just before half time. Soriano pulled wide and clipped a perfect cross for Thiago, who met the ball with a guided header past Bayern’s keeper and into the right side of the goal from 10 yards.
There were slightly fewer changes from Guardiola at half time, as the manager opted instead to give a few more minutes to Thiago, Iniesta and Jonathan Dos Santos, who was making an unwonted appearance at right-back.
More replacements did take to the field as the second half wore on, with Gerard Piquè making his first appearance since the Champion League final in May. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes called on a few more of his established stars, as Schweinsteiger, Tony Kroos, Mario Gómez and Thomas Müller all entered the fray.
The alterations did little to alter the dynamic of the match, with Barcelona controlling possession and Bayern launching some dangerous counter-attacks. The Bavarian side forced Pinto into action after 70 minutes, when defender Jeremy Boating crashed a long-range effort straight at Barça’s substitute ‘keeper.
Isaac Cuenca caught the eye, initiating a number of attacks from the right wing with a mix of stylish dribbling and cute angled passes. David Villa also looked in good shape,
But the match was settled by yet another moment of brilliance from Thiago. Gaining possession on the left side of the pitch, the young midfielder exchanged a quick-fire one-two with Ibrahim Afellay, collecting the ball just outside the area and curling a right-footed shot into the top corner. It was a fitting way to settle the match, and Guardiola’s men now head to the United States, where they’ll initially face defeated Champions League finalists Manchester United at FedEx Field in Washington.
Brazilians Offer a Welcome Test in Munich
July 27th, 2011FC Barcelona will play Bayern Munich in the final of the Audi Cup friendly tournament after a win on penalties following a 2-2 draw with Brazilian side Internacional. Guardiola’s men were subjected to a sterner test than in Croatia on Saturday and were under pressure for long periods in the second half. They went ahead twice but were pegged back, and needed spot-kicks to settle the match.
As with the friendly in Split, Barça’s starting lineup was a mix of established stars and talents from the B team. The team might have been a little unfamiliar, but the quality of football was typically accomplished; Barcelona were playing with a little more intensity than on Saturday, circulating the ball at speed and squeezing Internacional on the rare occasions when they lost possession.
The opening goal came on the 16th minute and was a thing of beauty. Standing over a free-kick mid-way inside the opposition half, Iniesta fired a short pass into Busquets who caressed the ball first-time to find Thiago inside the box. The young midfielder made no mistake, finishing a perfect training ground move.
Ibrahim Afellay almost doubled the score straightaway, but saw his far-post shot tipped onto the woodwork by impressive goalkeeper Muriel. The remainder of the first-half was an exhibition of calm possession from the Blaugrana side. Internacional held firm at the back, but were unable to register a single shot on Víctor Valdés’ goal.
The second half saw Internacional leap into instant action against a Barça team still finding its feet after a number of substitutions. Striker Damião forced a near-post save from Pinto, and this opportunity was followed by the Brazilians’ first real spell of pressure.
Thiago, typically effervescent in midfield, was at the centre of an isolated Barcelona move – riding three challenges before threading through David Villa, who was caught narrowly offside. Internacional replied straight away, as Damião breached a rickety Barça backline. His shot was saved well by Pinto, but right-back Nei was there to poke the ball home at the near post.
Guardiola’s charges then started to impose their game on the Brazilian side, and it was no surprise when they took the lead once more. Thiago was again at the heart, finding Jonathan dos Santos, who took the ball in his stride and guided the ball home from an inside-left position into the bottom right corner.
Internacional’s equaliser came late on and didn’t go down too well with the manager. Pinto carelessly surrendered possession and Damião’s attempt was headed away athletically for a corner by Abidal. The resulting set-play found Damião unchallenged to head the ball home and take the match to penalties.
Barcelona were almost flawless from 15 yards, with only Jeffrén spurning his spot kick. B team defender, Armando scored the crucial fifth penalty after two misses by Internacional, to take Barcelona through to the final on Wednesday evening. They will face Bayern Munich who triumphed against AC Milan in Tuesday’s late match.
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