Blaugrana Got Grit
Sunday, 11 January 09, 04:14 PM · Comments(1)
Of the last three matches played byFC Barcelona, all tended to be gritty to some degree. The la liga match with Mallorca saw the blaugrana a little off their game with many of the top players resting. They played away as well and had to endure falling behind early on, but they came back to win it with Henry, Iniesta, and Toure all putting the ball into the net before the final whistle.
The Catalan side showed more flair in the Copa del Rey fixture with Atletico Madrid, but the level of cynicism the rojiblancos dipped to was brutal. Even here though, Barça weren't going to flinch one iota and Messi, despite (or maybe because of) the blatant hacking by Atléti, came away with a hat trick. And again, this was an away match.
And just an hour or so from writing this FCB beat Osasuna, 2-3, at the Reyno de Navarra. First half saw the Catalans go ahead a goal, but this was erased after the restart when the Pamplonans stole the lead, pulling two goals back. Not to be outdone, Barcelona answered with two more late in the game within a span of 5 minutes. Word is that Osasuna were stunned at that point, as well they should be. I mean we're talking about Osasuna, a club about as rough and tumble as they come in La Liga, and in their own yard too.
I think Barça are showing they can win ugly--well relatively ugly. They can be lacking in spark, resting their best players, and still secure an away win against whomever they have to beat. The randomness of Barcelona's play looks to be something left with the latter part of Rijkaard's regime. What I see is a focus and determination that is refreshing as a Cule. The players are happy regardless the rotation policy, and very hungry. Under Rijkaard one saw so much potential, and I think we're actually seeing it realized now under Pep's leadership.
There's still a long way to go-almost halfway at this point-so one shouldn't start making predictions now. One observation, however, can be drawn with a fair degree of confidence: Barcelona is no fluke this season. They are a real juggernaut this time around. About the only people they really have to fear are themselves, because so far no one has even come close to being a worry. If they can maintain their focus and drive (and see manageable injuries), then there is little FCB couldn't accomplish for 08/09.
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Pequito
seattle, US
Over 30 years ago, this American came to love the sport by way of Guam. It may have been pivotal that his first coach was a Spaniard with the self-declared moniker of 'Don Pedro'. Since then, the love of tiki-taka and all things La Liga has been foremost. This especially applies to Barça.
1 Comments · Add yours
It was really a nervous game since the refree wasn't able to control the situation .Esp after Bousquets was treated in violently and the referee didn't even stop the game when Messi came to let the ball .The prob is that when Osasuna was in such situation , he did stoped the game the assistant refree got even in the playground to stop Alves byhimself.
Anyway, we got the 3 points that's all.
That shud be a lesson .
Visca Barça