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.

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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.”

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Second-placed Barcelona won 2-1 at Vicente Calderon over Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s match. The Liga champions keeps the 10 points distance to the leading team, Real Madrid. The `blancos´ won over their neighbors in Vallecas 1-0 thanks to a clever Cristiano Ronaldo backhell.

First Half

Guardiola´s players controlled the possession of the ball, making passes during the first 40 minutes. But their speed circulation was not quick enough to break the spider web strategy built by Cholo Simeone who had his players chasing Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Busquest.

Xavi warned Atletico with a tricky shot close to the left post of the Belgian Curtois in the second minute. Five minutes later, Messi was disallowed a goal by referee Perez Lasa who claimed that the Argentina used his hand to help control the ball.

Barcelona had their first chance with a curling free-kick by Xavi in front of the box in the twentieth minute, but Curtois made a good save. In a raid by Dani Alves, he managed to connect with Messi in goal centre, attracting three Altetico players, and lay the ball for Cesc Fabregas who assisted Alves’ goal inside the goal in the thirty-sixth minute.

Simeone took charge, stripping out the corset of their players, but Atletico Madrid was struggling to control the ball and they only could feed Colombia striker Falcao with long crosses, challenged by Mascherarno and Puyol.

Second Half

Atletico improved after the break and Simeone put forward the lines to press Barcelona’s possession. A Gabi corner curled into the box to be met after few rejections by Falcao who volleyed home from close range.

Barcelona seemed nervous and imprecise, loosing control of the ball after the draw. Atletico kept pressing up higher and won the ball in Barcelona’s territory. Falcao had a change in front of Valdez but it was offside in the thirteenth minute. Alexis replied by heading the ball close to the angle after good delivery from Dani Alves.

Moments later, Falcao had his chance to score a second time, but Valdes made a great save. Nine minutes before the end, the genius of Messi appeared and the Argentina made a free kick on the left edge of the area as Atletico’s players were preparing their wall. However, Messi did not ask for wall and surprised Curtois with an excellent shot into the far corner of the net.

Barcelona suffered the last minutes with Atletico throwing all players forward. Vales was the game’s hero, saving the victory on two occasions: once against a close range shot from Juanfran inside the small box; and once against a long range shot from Gabi outside the box. There was also a clear hand-ball (penalty) by Barça player Busquets in the Atletico area later which was not called.

Barcelona is still chasing Real Madrid, while Atletico’s impressive seven games unbeaten with Simeone as manager ends.

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