A Lineup that must be Right

Going into the Milan clash in the UCL Tuesday Barcelona are limited in their options for victory.  They must score 2 and allow none to get to extra time and pks, or out score Milan by 3 and win in regulation.  Most people have settled on the idea that they need four goals because they are likely to allow one.  I wouldn't disagree with this thinking.  I think Barca should embrace this notion because then regardless if Milan gets an early goal they would already know they probably had to get four anyway.

In order to do this Barca has to be very attack driven.  They rumor has been floated they may start four strikers.  A move that Tito pulled when they trailed in a few games early in the season.  He brought in a 4th striker and took off a player a the back.  I really like this idea, but never as a starting lineup.  This is something Pep should have done against Chelsea in the second half of the UCL last season and Barca might have hoisted that trophy last season.  

In this case I wouldn't do it.  I've got two good reasons.  The first is that Arsenal pinged three goals at home last year in the same stage against this Milan side.  Barca only need two goals, which leads into my second point.  Yes 4 is probably what needs to be scored, but if Barca score first then they are probably a bigger favorite to get the 2nd with Milan desperately dropping back and being conservative.  So, playing this match with the normal 4-3-3 makes sense because you don't allow Milan to attack at three with the two goal cushion early on.  Remember Milan aren't under major pressure until the lead gets within a goal.  In addition if they would have played 3-3-4 more then it would make sense, but they haven't done that outside of some late game situations.

Should the match get into the 50th minute with Barca still needing two, or even worse, three goals then the fourth attacker should be brought on and throw caution to the wind because there is no tomorrow if you lose.

I've been up in arms about the following starting 11 for the last few weeks.  I think it's part of the trends that have lead to Barca's bad form because of the way teams can defend against it.  I will be sick if this is the lineup named for the match;

Messi

Inesta

Pedro

Cesc

Xavi

Sergio

Alves

Puyol

Pique

Alba

Valdes

I have no problems at the back or with the keeper, but I take issue with front line and how it effects the midfield.  Since Barca switches around a lot Cesc and Inesta are really always trading places, but neither poses a true striking threat.  Yes they can score goals, but they are not true strikers. Inesta's midfield presence is lost and Xavi is a little less effective in this set.  Xavi played against Milan hurt in the previous match.  It also appeared that way in the Copa.  I respect that he got himself back for both matches, but I have been critical of Barca letting him go out there when his passing lacked snap and connectivity.  He was pushed back and with no Inesta to flank him and he was out worked in midfield by Milan and Real.

I think it's always really tough for Barca to sit Xavi.  He was clearly hurt at the same point in the season last year and his passes were coming up 2 feet short of their intended targets.  When pundits have pointed out that Milan and Real Madrid looked like the hungrier team the most glaring example of this was Xavi getting stuck high up the pitch and being out worked for the ball.  He's one of the all time greats and probably the greatest midfielder of all time, at worst of his generation, but when he's off form in such a pivotal position he can really hurt the Barca attack and allow for a lot of counters.  I'm sure it's very difficult for the Barca's management team to sit him, but if he's not healthy he shouldn't be picked for this weeks match.

The problems that Inesta/Cesc upfront and Xavi playing hurt are not limited their personal performances.  They effect Messi's ability to get the ball in dangerous spaces.  I think teams have decided well let's not let Messi beat us and sell out defensively and force these other guys to do something.  Messi has been getting the ball on his wrong foot a lot with four defenders ready within a foot of him.  On his better foot he can't get the ball at all since the left side defenders aren't as worried about Cesc and Inesta.  He's also spending a lot of time up around the center circle.  I think he's doing this just so that he can get some touches going, but should that every really happen when you have Sergio, Xavi and Inesta playing behind you?  I point to Inesta playing upfront and his presence being missed behind Messi.  The bottom line is whether I'm right or not about the tactics teams are using, it's simply easier to defend Messi when he's not flanked on both sides by natural goals scoring threats.

My last gripe with this lineup is the form of Pedro.  If you really pay close attention to Barca and Real Madrid you would know that Pedro's missed chance in the Copa Del Rey first leg could partially be the reason that Real Madrid got through in the UCL.  (Not just the worst red card in a big match I've ever see.)  In the world of what if's this is how it played out.  Barca got the opening goal in the first leg of the Copa and Real Madrid sold out to try to get the tying goal.  Barca sat back a little and actually became the counter attacking team.  Real allowed huge long balls and long runs for Barca.  With Barca still up Pedro got the best chance of all getting one on one with the keeper.  Messi was dashing down the middle, but this was clearly Pedro's shot to take.  He took it and missed by a wide margin on what was basically a glorified tap in.  As bad as Villa's miss against Depor.  Real got their tying goal and the rest is history.

I contend if he scores there the Copa is over.  Barca leave with at worst 2 away goals, but probably even better a mentally distraught Real Madrid in their wake who has just lost at home.  Real probably folds up against Barca in the next leg and then are too mentally worn down to handle Old Trafford.  Didn't Real look extra confident coming off two wins over Barca on Tuesday?  Beating Barca spurred them on to turn around what has been a disappointing season thus far.

In any event Pedro hasn't done a lot of scoring lately, but his early season form has seen him picked over the struggling Alexis and an unhappy David Villa.  Villa was injured for the last leg, so he wasn't an option anyway.  For me he's off form at least from a goal scoring standpoint. He's just not sharp with his finishing and it makes it easier for teams to defend against Messi.

So, what 11 should Barca go with?  A lot depends on fitness, but I believe ultimately Barca has to put a lineup out their that gives them the best chance to win by 3 goals or more.  Here's my 11;

Upfront

Messi

Villa

Alexis

Pedro has to sit for my above stated reason.  He's not scoring goals right now.  Villa is a goal scorer.  Despite his bad game against Depor he's still one of the best goal scores of all time and his shot making ability should help to keep Milan a little more honest in a lot of ways.  Getting to play in that Depor game is only going to help his form.  Alexis had his best game in a Barca shirt since the Real league away leg all the way back in 2011 against Depor.  That was a long time ago.  His willingness to pass the ball this season in some spots and his pace should again keep Milan more honest.  Also he's physically stronger than Pedro something that counts against a good defending Italian side.  Tello looked very rusty to me yesterday, again he needed that match like Villa.  This is a symptom of not seeing the pitch enough and being young and inexperienced.  I wouldn't mind seeing him start, but just off form I have to favor Alexis and Villa for experience.

Midfield

Inesta

Xavi/Thiago

Sergio

If Inesta is playing in the midfield life will be better for Messi.  It will also help the rest of the midfield and give them some space because I think Milan will back off a few feet fearing that could get ripped up more if they don't.  Xavi plays if he is healthy, and by that I mean 80% fit at least.  If not Thiago did enough to impress me yesterday that he should see his first big match start.  He isn't as polished as Xavi or Cesc by a wide margin, but he gives them the pace and passing ability to score goals.  It was tough for me to pick Thiago over Cesc, but I preferred Cesc as a super sub in this game.  Sergio is a no brainer.

Backline

Valdes

Alba

Pique

Puyol

Alves

Valdes is still our best keeper.  Alba is a better scoring option then Adrianno on that side.  Adrianno does better when he starts on the other side, but Alves had a man of the match performance and also tends to be the one creating the width on the right side.  Isn't it amazing how much Alves has the ball on the right near the box for crosses.  It's as much as Tello and Villa do when they start on the right.  Strange that Pedro rarely gets the ball in this position.

Puyol started Saturday, but should still start Tuesday.  His leadership cannot be under valued.  I thought he played a gutty game in the first leg.  He seemed to be the only hungry player we had on the pitch.  You always want your inspirational leader out there.  From an attacking standpoint Javier gives you the ability to get the ball up the pitch too, but I'll favor Puyol.

The subs will be dependent on how the match plays out, but if things go bad it's pretty easy to me. In no order in particular.  Cesc for Thiago.  Pedro for Villa and Tello for Puyol.  If I'm looking for goals Tello is my first move.  The important thing here is the subs can't be Tello for Villa.  Barca has to sell out if they make these changes.  Honestly anyone that can score should not leave the pitch unless Barca gets up 3-0.  Then Cesc for Thiago for experience and poise.  You don't want Thiago losing his focus.  Pedro for Villa so Pedro can run himself into the ground chasing the ball and making life miserable for the Milan midfield. Finally, Song for Alexis to build a brick wall in the midfield.

This is a blog about the lineup, but here are my other key factors that play in Barca's favor.

• The pitch will not be the same cabbage patch of the San Siro.  This gave Milan an edge because they played huge long balls in the air that the pitch couldn't effect.  It slowed the Barca attack, caused a lot of passes to get picked off and made it a grinders game.  At the Nou Camp the pitch will be slick and fast.  Milan will still have their counters, but the ball will be moving back at them much faster leaving space for Barca and tiring out Milan.  Just ask Real Madrid about it.
• Barca will almost certainly win.  They have lost 3 of their last 5 matches.  The stats say that they are not likely to lose this one, but will they win by enough?
• All the factors that made everyone say that Milan are a walk over for Barca are still there.  Boetang is not that good and could lose his cool.  They are young in a lot of spots and that don't come close to matching Barca player for player.  Milan are in good form, but they lack the experience and the pure class to hang with Barca on paper.  I think we will start to see that Tuesday.
• Milan are favorites to advance over Barca.  They aren't the underdogs, but they also feel pretty good about where they stand.  They are going to come in confident, but being the big favorite may play against them.  Chelsea were not perceived to be big favorites when they came to the Nou Camp.  They stayed focused and won.  Milan are not Chelsea and may panic should they fall a goal down and if the match goes even on aggregate I think they are likely to crack mentally.  I can see Boetang getting sent off.  I don't even have a crystal ball and I can see that.
• It's at the Nou Camp.  The speed of the pitch is one thing, but if Barca score a goal the place will rock.  There is a reason Barca rarely loses there and its the fans as the 12th man.  Sure Real went there and got a big win, but in that game it was a pick'em.  In this one Milan are the target and there's even more at stake. I wouldn't want to be a Milan player if Barca score first and early.  

In any event I can't wait.  Win or lose it should be a big time drama.  Can't wait to watch and I hope whatever lineup it is rises to the challenge.

Hawks Wings Recap

The Hawks and Wings played a very entertaining hockey game for such a low scoring affair. It had few stoppages and the game swung back and fourth. The Hawks were dominate in the first two periods, but Detroit made a good accounting of itself in the 3rd and grabbed the lead.

The Hawks upped the pressure after allowing that goal and forced a bad clearance that lead to a delay of game penalty. That penalty led to a great goal by Kane. Another delay of game penalty on Detroit almost caused them to lose in regulation, but they killed it off extending in to overtime and managed to get to a shootout.

Crawford saved three and Kane scored a nice sitter to end it. Crawford's three saves in OT and overall play in the game made him the number 1 star. Kane the number 2 star with his shootout and equalizer goals. Howard for Detroit was the third star. He kept Detroit in the game for 2 periods, almost seeing them through with a shut out, but the Hawks pressure finally worn down the Wings in the end.

A good solid win for the Hawks over a solid opponent. The streak goes on and the lead in the conference grows. I know most people would tell you that a 1 seed is jinxed, but in this shortened season the Hawks will surely want that advantage in the playoffs. The streak is great because the sooner the Hawks can lock up the #1 seed coach Q can begin to aggressively rest players while other teams can't. If things keep up the Hawks will be poised and rested for a strong playoff push.

A Must Win for Madrid of the Highest Order

Another huge win for Real yesterday. Referree decisions aside they played good enough to win and have won 2 huge games over Barca, but despite that Tuesday looms large. The Man U game is the biggest game of the season and carries with it the hopes of all Madrid fans.

So what's at state;

Real has trounced their eternal rival twice in one week, but the Copa is the least valued of the of the three titles. The league match was for bragging rights as the title is way out of reach. It's the UCL that could legitimize their season, but at the same time a bad result could end it. Just like Barca the next three months could be all going through the motions with little left of value on the league calendar.

Jose Mo has had a habit of smelling like roses. Two loses to Barca and the media would be foaming at the mouth for him, but he got the wins and now the praise for him having Real right at the right time is pouring in from all corners. If we take a step back though we have to realize he lost the league in the prior year. His team has been in shambles behind the scenes and few believe he will return. He didn't win his UCL group, which is why this leg is on the road. He's got Real 1-1 going into an away leg against probably the 4th best team in the world. To say that he has them in perfect position is a very questionable belief. Winning Tuesday changes all that, but I think a lot rests on the result for him that these last two wins can't make up for.

The Copa is not a forgone conclusion. When Barca advanced last year they really were a shoe in to win the Copa, but Real face a tough opponent looking for a signature win. Success in the UCL looms bigger as Real could go from a shot at two to zero trophies in a lot of scenarios. This season will be immediately viewed as a major disappointment.

Ronaldo wants his Balon D'or during the Messi era. With Barca barely in the UCL big Ron has his best chance in the last four years to get it. He's scored 3 goals against Barca and Man U in big games. Messi has one goal against Milan and Real over the same stretch. A big game against Man U could make him the favorite unless Messi and company can really turn things around against Milan. Ronaldo needs the UCL considering the records Messi is dropping this season. If they exit now Messi will likely get it again as he's poised to shatter the same records he set last year and Barca are going to win the league.

Sir Alex looks poised to stay at Old Trafford for a few more seasons. If you are Sir Alex and you see what's happening financially to Ronaldo you have to realize you can possibly pluck the striker away. Even if you have to go to the war chest you will have so much support from your fan base to do it and you have a big leg up on Real due to the tax laws. A loss on Tuesday reignites the Ronaldo to Man U hype machine. With Real having very little to play for after a loss Marca and every other major news agency will make this the story. That will only make it tougher for Real to keep Ronaldo in town. Certainly something that Florentino Perez doesn't need on his mind.

Jose Mo could be dead meat if Real do not advance. While winning Tuesday still leaves a lot of tough rounds until a UCL title can be grasped. A first round loss is a lot worse than a third round though. Jose Mo's chances of being around after this year would be greatly diminshed. He needs this win. I don't buy the hype that he wants to leave. I think it's all spin out of his camp to keep the egg of his face for the failings of Real this season. Failure in Real this season could only add to the nay sayers on Jose and could be a put off to a lot of rich owners. It's not like Perez didn't give him a cupboard full of world class players.

I'm usually hyper critical of people when they say one game that means so much and defines a team. Usually one game is just one game, but this game carries a lot of strings attached. I'll be interested to see how it all plays out and how it changes the landscape of soccer over the coming months.

El Barca Nightmare

As simple as it sounds Real played Barca right off the pitch tonight and claimed a spot in the Copa Final.  They did it in emphatic fashion.  They scored more than 2 goals and won by 2, almost 3 goals.  These are things that are very foreign to Barca over the past 5 years.

When I look back the things that really stuck out to me were the following;

It was foolish of Roura to make the point about the ref.  I thought the game was fairly officiated, but there was no reason to make that a story and it was very un-Barca like.

I've made my point on that lineup.  You can start Inesta or Cesc upfront against average La Liga sides, but the better sides have figured out they are not as dangerous when they do.  Ray Hudson said it best.  It's easier to counter on them when they aren't as dangerous upfront.  I thought this was a huge tactical mistake given the poor result at the San Siro and the good play of Tello and Villa on the weekend.  I was yelling at the TV when they announced the lineup.

When have you ever heard the Barca crowd chanting for a player to come on the pitch?  David Villa should feel vindicated.

When have you ever seen Cesc happy to come off in a match they were losing?  I think even he had to know his performance wasn't up to par.

Xavi was hurt a few weeks back, but came back in time for the UCL tie.  He did not look good to me in any of the last three games.  I think he came back to soon and the staff is afraid to make the tough decision to sit him in favor of fresher legs.  I don't think Xavi has lost a step.  He's been pretty amazing all season.  I just think he came back too quick from this latest injury.  You can see in his passing there is just not the snap or the sharpness.  I hope he is rested over the next few matches.

Even Milan didn't steal so many passes from Barca.  Madrid were all over the passing lanes and created a ton of chances out of those steals.

Cesc was pretty open for some attacks on goal, but because he botched a lot of them Messi started to hesitate in giving him the ball and it cost them a few of their best chances.

Pedro has been flat.  He's just not getting himself into any good positions.  His crucial miss in the first leg did come back to bite Barca.

I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water.  The side is not dead or falling apart.  It's not the end of an era.  Barca are clearly in a slump by their standards.  Out of the Copa and almost out of the UCL.  I'm only suggesting one key change.  Play three true strikers upfront against Milan and any key matches that might occur the rest of the way.

There were some things to be positive about.

The fan support to start the match was insane.  I've heard the Nou Camp loud, but that took it up to another level.

Saturday may not mean much, but a win in Madrid would be some quick revenge.  Barca has the week off following so they can afford to go out guns a blazing.

The Copa and Spanish Super Cup were the two trophies Barca got last season and everyone said they didn't mean all that much.  Ronaldo claimed he should have gotten the Balon D'or just based on winning the league.  So, it's not really worth getting all that upset about.

We will get our coach back!

King Eric will see the pitch soon!

Messi is a long way from retiring.

The UCL is not over and it's a chance for us to right the ship.

We've got the league.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Win or lose when we play Real it's the GAME.  The atmosphere was off the charts and I can't wait for the next one.  If we don't drop one every now and again then it would lose it's luster.

I'll sleep easy tonight and so should all the other Barca fans because this is why the game is so great.

Gutting Lose for Barca

This one hurt...a lot.

Milan had the field like a cabbage patch.  Barca was slow passing it around and Milan was faster and able to recover and parked the bus very well.  Milan’s attacks were all diagonal long balls.  The pitch can’t slow the ball down when it’s in the air.  They mounted 4 serious attacks and scored on 2.

The first goal was a clear hand ball.  The ref was awful not to call it.  It wasn’t intentional, but play should have stopped.  You could have seen it from the 900 level.  Awful call, but you are going to have to suffer those to win a competition like this at some point.

The second goal was well worked and it was attributed to Puyol being a mess because he got gashed in the head.  A well-deserved goal.

Barca felt hard done after the first goal and never emotionally recovered.  Instead of getting motivated they got more frustrated by the pitch and the trapping of Milan.

Allegri is a great coach.

Barca’s starting 11 bothers me.  I hate when they start Inesta up front.  They lose a little in the midfield and they have one less true striker, so it becomes harder for Messi and Pedro.  Usually teams let Pedro do what he wants.  Against average Spanish sides this lineup works, but not against World Class competition.

Bringing in Alexis was pointless.  He doesn’t shoot form distance and he’s off form mentally right now.  His pace added something, but they needed that from the opening whistle.

Tello must have slept with someone’s wife because he almost never plays since the first few weeks and he was just what Barca needed last night, a fast pace striker who can score from distance.  At worst he opens the game up for Messi and Pedro a little.

Xavi was not fully recovered.  If you pay close attention he was actually playing the holding midfield role and Sergio was playing higher up.  Xavi was struggling to complete passes on the pitch and was off target when he tried to overpower the ball.  Barca would have been better served to drop Cesc and Inesta into midfield and start Alexis or Tello upfront. 

Milan defensively played awesome.  Milan are playing a lot better as of late unbeaten in seven in league and all the way up to 3^rd in the table.  Probably can’t win the league, but not out of the UCL spots.  10 weeks ago that didn't look likely.

Barca had a really bad game.  They got beat they did not lose.  Even I will admit that.

They have had an amazing season, but they haven’t beaten anyone including Madrid this year(Spanish Super Cup Aside).  Their premium win has been against Altetico.  Otherwise they have drawn Real twice.  They need this return leg tie or the season starts to take on a different meaning all together. 

The commentators were hard on Messi, but how much can you do when you touch the ball and 4 or 5 class defenders are surrounding you.  I'm not going to say he didn't have his best game, but his supporting cast was more to blame.

If Barca get knocked out of the UCL the season for them is basically over in early March.  The Copa second leg is next week.  After that they play Real Saturday (really a meaningless game) and then two weeks the return leg against Milan.  Win or lose to Real in the Copa semi the final is a long way off.  The UCL would be over and the league is decided.  They will have nothing to play for.

I made the comment they needed to smash AC Milan to put the fear in the rest of Europe.  They didn't do that and they inspired every team that’s still alive.  2-0 is not impossible, but I have a hard time believing they won’t allow at least one goal.  They need to score 4 to safely move one.  On the home pitch with all players rested and Real behind them I see them getting through about 70% of the time.  They should never have put themselves in that position, but they did.  It's added some drama to the a first round that is going to be remembered as one of the best ever.

Super UCL Clash Real V. Man U

I loved the build up to this match.  It was a highly anticipated affair that lived up the billing for at least the first 30 minutes.  

There weren't too many surprises in the Real lineup.  Pepe is not fully back to form yet, so it didn't surprised me that he started on the bench.  The rest made sense.

Sir Alex really shook it up.  4 attacking players is more than I've seen him use, well...ever!  Welbeck was the biggest surprise.  Kagawa was also a surprise considering he has played so little, but I understood what Sir Alex was thinking...speed.  He wasn't going to win the battle in midfield, but if he could put threats out there for the counter he forced Real to stay a little honest.

Fabio's early chance was revealed to be a fantastic save by De Gea.  I think the game would have been much different if Real struck first considering how un-confident Man U looked early.

The Man U goal really had to give them a good feeling in the pit of their stomach.  It's an away goal, which counts for more.  It meant that Real had to score twice to get the lead and that Man U could be a little more conservative.  

Unfortunately for Man U a wonderful cross lead to a great header by Ronaldo.  Most people will remember this header, but on a whole Ronaldo was held in check.  That in itself was a huge story that I thought has been really undersold in the press.  He did get a goal, but he didn't cause the havoc he can at times.

The game changed in the second half.  I think Sir Alex knew he had to protect for a draw and got more conservative on defense.  Real didn't have too many golden chances, but the one that comes to mind for me was when Ozil got very deep in the box and chose to cross to a well covered Ronaldo.  I think he needed to be more selfish in that spot and shoot.   

Man U seemed to have some good opportunities in the first few minutes and the final ten when a good counter finally developed, but Xabi Alonso, who had been MIA to that point, saved one off the line to keep it 1-1.  

There were two things that stuck out to me in the second half.  Real had the ball just above the area for massive amounts of time, but didn't do anything dangerous with it.  They had no ability to create a pass and every Sammy Kedihra shot from distance was like conceding we would rather be running at you than passing around you.  With all of Real's world class talent they should be able to put in some dangerous chances, but for the most part they were very poor and couldn't create anything.  They really have become a counter attacking team that loves to run down hill at teams.  When they have all that space Ronaldo can stretch his legs and Bezema becomes a real handful.  

Last night Man U parked the bus in the second half and clogged up all the good real estate, which seemed to frustrate Real and that lead to countless shots wasted over the top of goal or easy saves for De Gea.  For the most part Man U were weak on the counter save a few good runs, but they were the opposite squeezing down the space and frustrating Real.  

This was the point when I wanted to send a search party out for Alonso.  He should have been pouring diagonal balls into the box and creating havoc.  It was certainly a better option than shooting from distance.

The other thing that stuck out to me was the substitutions by Real.  They got worse and worse.  The first was to remove Bezema for Hugian.  Bezema was certainly playing very quietly and not able to do much in the congested area in front of goal, but I still prefer him over Hugian because of his size and ability to turn on a ball at the top of the box.  I think Jose was trying to shake things up as he makes this sub all the time when Benzema isn't doing much, but Hugian is a player that does well going down hill and isn't particularly known for his great passing in tight spots.  

The second was Modric for Di Maria.  The idea of bringing Modric is that he can pass in those smaller spaces and he should have plenty of time on the ball with Man U sitting back, but I always favor form over all factors.  Modric has just been in awful form.  Famously tripping over the ball against Barca numerous times.  I just didn't like inserting him into the game and removing Di Maria.  Modric played a good ball or two, but taking out Di Maria relieved some of the pressure on Man U.

The third sub Pepe for Alonso.  Alonso was a virtual non-factor, but Pepe is more of a backline defender so he basically wasn't going to help the attack going forward.  Alonso was also rumored to be hurt.  Real weakened their attack with back to back subs against a team that was laying back playing for the draw.

The pitch also seemed to be very slick with numerous players on both sides losing their footing on more than one occasion.

I think the tie is now Man U's to lose.  Real might feel they are bound to score goals, but I don'l like their chances as much now headed back to England.  I was left with two lingering questions.  Has Jose Mo damaged his team emotionally?  If Man U has to drop back that much against Real how would they look against Barca or Bayern?  They are the best England has to offer, but for the most part they got bossed around the pitch last night.

Barca Vs. Getafe Recap

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!!!