Tactically brilliant Getafe ends Barça’s 27-match unbeaten streak

Barcelona vs. Getafe

Coliseum Alfonso Perez

November 26, 2011

Getafe, Spain

Barcelona lost its first official game since the 30th of April today when Getafe CF managed a close 1-0 victory. In what was expected by culés and pundits alike as an easy three points for Barça, the display by the blaugrana players was lifeless and disappointing, to say the least.

Barcelona players solemnly progress through the match after Getafe took one goal lead. (Getty Images)

Since the loss means a fairly extensive six point deficit to La Liga leaders Real Madrid, the reaction after the game was pessimistic, even fatalist – the competition for the league is over and it’s only November. To that, culés everywhere need to resist the negativity and have faith in the club. Més que un club means it will take more than one loss to end the season.

Guardiola chose to field a much modified lineup from the midweek Champions League clash with AC Milan. Cesc was left out of the match squad as a precaution due to discomfort in his left thigh. Puyol was likewise missed presumably for rest after his exertions against Milan. Instead, the starting eleven consisted of Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Maxwell, Busquets, Xavi, Thiago, Alexis, Villa, and Messi.

Barcelona vs. Getafe Match Day LiveBlog

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Barcelona outguns Italian Giants, AC Milan, 3-2 at San Siro

Barcelona vs. AC Milan

November 23, 2011

San Siro

Milan, Italy

Nights like tonight are why the world loves the Champions League. Barcelona and AC Milan, two giants of the modern game slugging it out under the Italian night sky with as many stars on the pitch as above it. There was also bitterness, rivalry and six foot four scores to settle in the shape of Zlatan Ibrahimovich, coming face to face with his old boss Guardiola for the first time since slamming him in his recent autobiography.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets loses a battle for the ball against Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (AP Photo)

The game promised many more pivotal battles including the hotly anticipated duel between one Lionel Messi and Thiago Silva. Just what would happen when an unstoppable force came in contact with an immoveable object?

Barcelona stomps Zaragoza 4-0 after 10 days off

Barcelona vs. Real Zaragoza

Camp Nou

November 19, 2011

Barcelona, Spain

FC Barcelona was finally able to break its “FIFA Curse” by cementing a dominating 4-0 win against Real Zaragoza. Fatigue was barely an issue and the early commanding lead actually gave Guardiola the ability to rest key starters for the crucial midweek Champions League return clash against AC Milan.

Guardiola fielded a mixed lineup in an effort to not overexert his players. Busquets and recently recovered Pedro were both left off the match squad list, but in all, Valdés, Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Maxwell, Keita, Xavi, Cesc, Messi, Alexis and Cuenca were given the start.

Barcelona forward Leo Messi splits a pair of Zaragoza defenders on Saturday night at Camp Nou. (Getty Images)

Barcelona started the game out with much intensity that belied the long international break most players had just returned from. The team was absolutely relentless in front of goal, but Zaragoza ‘keeper Roberto made some amazing saves to combat the blaugrana attack.

Agüero, Messi strike in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback over Colombia

Argentina vs. Colombia

Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez

November 15, 2011

Barranquilla, Colombia

 

A second-half comeback from Argentina earned a narrow 2-1 victory over Colombia, who faded badly after an encouraging start. Lionel Messi levelled the game after Dorlan Pabon had opened the scoring just before half-time, before his attacking verve led to Sergio Aguero turning in a rebound from close range.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi reacts after scoring the leveling goal in the second half. (AFP Photo/Eitan Abramovich)

The win, however, fails to clear the doubts circling around Alejandro Sabella’s charges, who until the equaliser struggled greatly against their rivals who were missing Radamel Falcao and Fredy Guarin amongst other first-teamers.

Despite the intense heat inside the Estadio Metropolitano, both teams came out at a high pace, especially the Colombians who attacked with great earnest but little precision down the flanks. Argentina, meanwhile, played far too conservatively, and seemed dependent on a moment of magic from Messi to generate danger.

Bolivia frustrates Argentina to 1-1 draw

Bolivia vs. Argentina

Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti

November 11, 2011

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Supersub Ezequiel Lavezzi saved Argentina from a historic first defeat at home to Bolivia, after the Napoli striker cancelled out Marcelo Martins’ opener to ensure a 1-1 draw in Friday’s World Cup qualifying fixture. The Verde striker had been let in by a slack piece of defending by Martin Demichelis, which threatened momentarily to condemn the Albiceleste to a second straight defeat.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi reacts solemnly to another subpar home performance from his home country. (AFP Photo/Alejandra Pagni)

Playing on a glorious spring day in River Plate’s famous Monumental home, the first 20 minutes were forgettable for the hosts as the spirited Bolivians did an excellent job of shutting the game down. The away side played with 10 men behind the ball and only Marcelo Martins up front, and despite dominating possession chances were few and far between in an uninspiring start.

Barça marches on in Copa del Ray; defeats L’Hospitalet 1-0

Barcelona vs. L’Hospitalet

Stadio de L’Hospitalet

November 9th, 2011

Barcelona, Spain

In front of a limited crowd of 2,000 (the low turnout was probably due to the high prices of the tickets), L’Hospitalet hosted neighbours Barça in what was the reigning European champions first match in the 2011-12 Copa del Rey competition. Barça lined up Pinto as keeper, while benched players such as Fontàs and Maxwell got a chance to play. Barça lineup showed a mixture of young players and superstars, having Xavi and Iniesta in the midfield, Cesc as “false nine”, David Villa as left winger and Puyol at centre back.

Barça midfielder Seydou Keita (right), attacks the ball and a defender trying to push forward for the go-ahead score on Wednesday night. (Getty Images)

Sharing the pitch with the World Cup-winning players were two promising stars, Cristian Tello and Rafinha, who made their debut with the first team. Tello came in the lineup as right wing, next to Cesc. Meanwhile, Rafinha replaced Cesc in the second half.  They completed a long list of 21 young players that have risen from La Masia to the first team since Pep Guardiola arrived.

The first minutes showed Barça’s traditional possession, but the team didn’t get many chances to score. The first chance for Barça was a nice shot from Villa, which was cleared by Moragón, the goalkeeper of L’Hospitalet who would have a fine night keeping his team’s scoreline respectable.

Messi’s last-gasp goal sends Barça and Bilbao to 2-2 draw

Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao

San Memes Stadium

Bilbao, Spain

November 6, 2011

The game between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao was a much anticipated one, though it may be better to phrase it as Pep Guardiola against Marcelo Bielsa – former student against former mentor. There is no doubt that the match lived up to the hype as both teams battled hard for their respective coaches. In the end, though the score line finished even, the match was clearly a most entertaining display of football.

Lionel Messi soaks in the rain and prepares for the final push of the match on Sunday night in Basque country. (Getty Images)

Guardiola decided on an intriguing line-up to field with seemingly five defenders, though Adriano played more forward on the wing. The midfield duo of Xavi and Iniesta were reunited again, and in all Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Adriano, Messi and Cesc were given the start to combat an aggressive Bilbao side.

The game began under torrential rain in San Mamés that wouldn’t cease throughout the entire fixture. The slickness sped the game up and after three minutes Adriano took the first shot of the game but had it collected by Bilbao’s goalkeeper Gorka. Ten minutes later, Bilbao had its first chance after a De Marcos shot that was saved by Valdés. In the 19th minute, Iniesta took a strike but aimed it just wide of the net.

Top 3 Messi goals of 2011-12 season so far

Lionel Messi has topped 200 goals for Barcelona against Viktoria Plzen in Prague, and has scored over 20 goals this season. Here are the top 3 goals so far from the Argentine striker in the new season.

The story of Isaac Cuenca

The homegrown star's rise to Barça's top squad is one to be heard. (Getty Images)

The La Masia conveyor-belt at FC Barcelona seems to produce an endless stream of talent for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Isaac Cuenca it’s latest product.

The 20-year-old anounced his arrival following a second-half strike against Mallorca last weekend, after making is La Liga debut at Granada four days previous. It’s been a meteoric rise for a player who has almost gone under the radar of La Liga watchers while fellow youngsters, such as Thiago Alcantara have stolen the headlines. The arrival of a new boy-wonder at the Camp Nou is nothing new of course – we have witnessed many of the current first-team make the same impact over the past ten years, but Cuenca’s story is slightly different.