Real Sociedad vs. FC Barcelona: Barça’s unbeaten run ends at Anoeta (3-2)
An injury time winner for Real Sociedad put an end to Barça’s unbeaten league season, with Tito’s team going down 3-2 despite having been 0-2 up in the first half.
An injury time winner for Real Sociedad put an end to Barça’s unbeaten league season, with Tito’s team going down 3-2 despite having been 0-2 up in the first half.
FC Barcelona Manager is wary Málaga despite the 1 to 3 result at La Rosaleda this Sunday: "It will be more difficult because our rival will play with the result". Vilanova called on the Camp Nou faithful to attend the match: "We have the chance to watch a game worthy of the Champions League. Excitement is guaranteed, in addition Messi will offer up his fourth Ballon d'Or". On Pep Guardiola's future, the Barça manager said that "it's great news [that he's coming back]. Football needs the best coach to manage again".
Goals from Messi, Cesc and Thiago gave Barça their 18th win from the first 19 Spanish League games, the championship record. The three points keep Barça 11 ahead of Atletico Madrid and stretch their advantage over the reigning champions Real Madrid to 18 after an incredible first half to the campaign. The win was a perfect example of Barça’s collective spirit, with a wonderful performance of possession football that left Malaga with no options whatsoever.
Goals from Adriano, Busquets and Messi (2) turned around an opener from Falcao to leave Spanish League’s second place Atletico Madrid nine points adrift. Futhermore, after Real Madrid’s draw with Espanyol, the Catalans are 13 points ahead. Besides, Messi continues paving his legend and grads his 90th goal in 2012.
Barça host Alavés in the Round of 32 return leg of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday (21:30 CET). Barça claimed a 0-3 victory in the away leg. Tito Vilanova, who will rest five key first team players, has named five Barça B men to the side.
Barça are through to the second round of the Champions League after a convincing win at Spartak Moscow’s stadium. Alves and Messi (2) scored all the goals in a stunning first half display. Spartak reacted after the break, but Barça were expecting that and coped brilliantly in defence.
Barça have presented a wonderful image of themselves in their Spanish Cup debut at Alavés of Division 2B, winning thanks to three terrific goals from David Villa, Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fàbregas.Barring a miracle comeback from Alavés in the second leg, the Catalans are through to the last sixteen.
Beyond awards, individual or otherwise, for Leo Messi the “most important thing is that I continue to grow at Barça and I’d like to continue growing until the end”. The world’ number one player received this Monday in Barcelona his second Golden Boot, recognising him as last season’s top scorer in European leagues. Besides, 5 FC Barcelona players – Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Piqué and Busquets – are among the 23 candidates for the next FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
FC Barcelona laid down the law in Vallecas with a 0-5 win thanks to goals from Villa, Messi (2), Xavi and Cesc, after a pretty well balanced start. This way, the Catalan club stretch their best ever start to a season.
The FC Barcelona Manager considers that this Tuesday's match against Celtic at the Camp Nou is “very important” for Barça’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knock-out rounds. Vilanova knows that the match this Tuesday won’t be easy, and his main goal is making sure his players recover from the effort they put in against Deportivo on Saturday.
Points shared at the Camp Nou with two goals apiece from Messi and Ronaldo. Barça maintained their eight point advantage over Real Madrid at the Spanish League.
A wonderful game and goals from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas gained FC Barcelona their second win in their Champions League group stage. Benfica were outplayed for most of the 90 minutes, especially in the second half. Puyol was forced to withdraw with yet another injury and Busquets was sent off towards the end of the game.
Sis Barça players are flying to Puerto Rico to play for Spain. Valdés, Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro and Cesc have all been called up by Vicente Del Bosque.Afellay has been picked in Louis van Gaal’s first squad, while Mano Menezes is taking Alves to the friendly between Sweden and Brazil. Messi and Mascherano are also in Sabella’s squad for a game with Germany, and Alexis Sánchez will be crossing the Atlantic for Chile’s game with Ecuador.
6 of the 8 Barça players that won the EURO title with Spain were named to the best team of the EURO. Valdés, Pedro and the Dutchman Afellay are the only Barça players that did not make the all-star team.
Spain is once again the favourite team going into Euro 2012. After breaking an international jinx of 44 years in 2008, they have not looked back since and possess a squad oozing with quality. Of the 23-man squad Vicente del Bosque is taking to the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine six are Catalan players. Their first match of the tournament is against Italy on June 10th.