This match was all about Barca today. The first fifteen minutes had me wonder is this the line up they should go with the rest of the year. The next fifteen clarified we shouldn't, but this line up did play well. It was a pretty complete performance. They missed out on a clean sheet because of a defensive miscue or lack of focus, but otherwise it was big time performance.
The first goal by Alexis highlighted to me why Inesta needs to play in the midfield. The pass was deadly. Just an awesome goal and maybe it gives Alexis some confidence and the coaching staff some belief he can make a difference.
The Messi goal was just classic Barca walk the ball into the net. Still his finish was amazing considering the tight space he shot through. Great goal and it kept the streak alive.
The first half was then a bunch of missed chances. Messi had two that he really should have finished and would have probably drove Ronaldo to drink if he had. This didn't have the feel of the Real Sociedad game where Barca left them hanging around. Getafe, who beat Barca last year, looked like a second division side.
The Villa goal was a great goal. Great pass and equal finish. Another confidence building goal. I think the game was opened up pretty well by the fact that he was upfront and Inesta was in his natural position.
The Tello goal was an even bigger breathe of fresh air. I can only assume that Tello has been a major disappointment in training because he just looks like the next big thing. He scores from distant, has tons of pace, and confidence. At this point Barca had a goal from all the strikers that had played.
The Inesta goal was great link up play combined with how much chaos Messi creates because it's so hard to get the ball off of him.
The Pique goal was like pouring it on. Something Barca needs to do in the 60th minute and not the 90th. Ray Hudson remarked that Barca have been missing chances all year and it has been the one criticisms you could lay on them. I agree with him. I have five that could have really changed the season to this point for the even better!
Super cup leg one. Messi fails at the door step to put Barca up 4-1 and end the tie. Di Maria runs down and scores a goal to keep Real's hopes alive in a game where Barca had made them look silly.
Super cup leg two. Down a man Pedro gets in deep and can either feather a left footed shot or cross to a wide open Messi. He does neither and squanders the chance. Barca lose.
Classico one at the Nou Camp. Pedro has the ball at the top of the box in extra time. He has Iker at his mercy and he fires a wide open shot too far left. The game ends in a draw.
Real Sociedad away leg. Messi chases down a ball in between him and the keeper. He chips it, but hits the post. Real comes down and scores to get within a goal. Barca goes down a man and loses their only game of the season so far.
Copa Del Rey versus Real Madrid. Pedro gets sprung one on one with Iker (yet again with even more space) and fires wide. Could have given Barca the crucial second away goal and the win.
Anyone of those goals is scored the season is even better than it has been. Some would say the Super Cup is overrated, the league is over, we had to lose a game, and the Copa is in our favor because we got the one away goal. I would say the Super Cup would have been a nice way to start the year, we lost two points to the other Madrid that day, we could have handled our own business with Madrid, we didn't need the slip up, and we need to beat down Real when we can because we don't want them confident if we meet in the UCL and for the second leg.
I'm glad Barca has a week off to rest. It's really needed as the rest of this month is going to be tough and it's still cold out there. I say more 12 PM starts!!!
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