There were more questions than answers as FC Barcelona lined up for the start of their first competitive game after the departure of club legend and most successful coach in their history, Pep Guardiola. Over the past four years Barcelona had swept 14 out of 19 possible trophies including breaking a series of records on their way to winning the Spanish league three times and becoming champions of both Europe and the world twice, leading many to proclaim them the greatest football team to ever exist.

Having missed out on the two big prizes last year–the championships of Spain and Europe–amid a spate of injuries and occasionally sloppy performances by their own high standards, and having seen the talisman coach, Guardiola, depart citing the stress of constant pressure to be replaced by his former assistant Tito Vilanova, many doubted the ability of Barcelona to continue to dominate.

This was given further credence by the overpowering performances of eternal rivals, Real Madrid, last season, a young, hungry and athletic side that finally broke Barcelona’s stranglehold on domestic competition last year. However, in Madrid’s opener this season against Valencia immediately preceding the Barcelona game, they had drawn 1-1.

With this context, Barcelona went into their first game of the season against Real Sociedad needing to make a statement. And make one they did. Defender, Carles Puyol, headed Barcelona into the lead in the 4th minute before Chori Castro leveled for Sociedad on nine minutes. This parity would prove to be short-lived, as only 56 seconds later Lionel Messi scored and then scored yet another five minutes afterwards to put Barcelona 3-1 up in only 16 minutes.

Youngster Cristian Tello looked lively throughout, playing an intelligent and vastly improved game, and new signing, Jordi Alba, put in an untiring and dangerous performance from left-back, linking up well in his attack. In a warm night in Catalonia, Pedro Rodriguez, who had been off form much of last season, finished off a chance just before half-time to put the gloss on a great game.

With the game a formality by the beginning of the second half, Barcelona lowered the intensity of their game and introduced David Villa, who had missed most of last season due to his injury, to a rapturous reception by the Camp Nou crowd.

Villa duly marked his return to competitive play with a sharp performance and a well-struck goal in the 84th minute to cap off a result that sent out a statement, heading into Thursday’s Supercopa match against Real Madrid, to the rest of Europe for the season to come: don’t write off this Barcelona side just yet.

Image Courtesy of   Natursports / Shutterstock.com

The article Barcelona Makes Statement in First Game under Vilanova appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 at Sanchez Pizjuan and reduced the difference between themselves and the league leader Read Madrid to eight points as they drew against Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu. Before kick-off both teams were wearing t-shirts in support of Barcelona left back Eric Abidal, who is waiting for a liver transplant.

First Half

Guardiola’s players gave a clinic on ball possession in the first half hour. Xavi and Iniesta were the main architects for Barcelona. Pedro warned Seville with a shot from the centre of the area which Palop tipped away the goal. Xavi put forward the Catalans in the 17th minute with an excellent free-kick despite Palop’s best efforts to keep it out. This goal was his ninth liga goal, the most in Xavi’s career.

Messi played a one-two with Iniesta seven minutes later, when he nutmegged a Sevilla defender and chipped Palop. The Argentine made his 31st league goal and his 51st of the season. Manu del Moral had his chance to reduce the difference with a header but the ball went against the crossbar.

Pedro had two chances to score before the break, but his shot went away from the goal and Palop saved the second one. The hosts took advantage of poor defending from Gerard Pique and Kanoute had a clear chance to score, but Adriano came behind to prevent the danger. In the last minute, Fabregas shot from point-blank range but veteran Palop blocked it.

Second Half

Barcelona lost the control of the match in the first fifteen minutes, but the Andalusians continued failing their opportunities. Navas, who was the best player for the hosts, whipped an nice delivery towards the back post but Manul del Moral spoiled his assistance. Messi’s magic appeared in the 73th minute with a millimetric pass to Iniesta in a one-on-one with Palop. The Spanish international managed to fake out Palop who was unguarded, but his shot went wide of the post.

Sevilla created two more opportunities with the connection between Navas and Manu del Moral, but both were saved by the visiting goalkeeper Valdez. Chilean Alexis Sanchez had the third goal in his boots in a one-on-one with Palop after a counterattack, but the goalkeeper made a save with his feet — like handball keeper. Messi was disallowed his second goal by the referee for offside in the 89th minute.

After the match Guardiloa said in the press conference, despite Barcelona’s win: “Forget the liga, we are not going to win.”

Image Courtesy of   Natursports / Shutterstock.com

The article Barcelona Keeps La Liga Alive appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.