Barça 4 Wisla Krakow 0
Wednesday, 13 August 08, 01:34 PM · Comments (24)
Football Club Barcelona took a giant step towards the next round of the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Wisla Krakow at Camp Nou tonight. Samuel Eto'o who looked to be on his way out of the club scored twice and there were goals too from the excellent Xavi Hernandez and from an improved Thierry Henry
Barça had to wait until the 14th minute for the first decent chance when Xavi's free kick found Henry unmarked but the Frenchman's header was well saved. Then Barça began to turn up the rhythm. In the 18th minute Marquez dribbled out of defence before sending a great pass through to Eto'o as the defence looked for offside, Eto'o ran on to beat the keeper with a left-footed shot into the far corner.
A couple of minutes later Henry almost made it two with a curler that went just wide of the far post, and then Alves almost found Iniesta storming into the area. On 25 minutes Henry dribbled in from the left before squaring to Xavi who shot in off the post from 25 yards out. With the two goal advantage Barça slowed up a bit but then had two great chances just before half time: first Eto'o sent in Xavi who nicked a shot just wide, then a great through ball left Eto'o with a one-against-one but this time the keeper blocked Eto'o's effort.
The second half started well with a goal in the 50th minute, Eto'o flicked on Iniesta's pass and Thierry Henry first beat the defender with one touch and then with another touch neatly clipping the ball over the advancing keeper. Xavi and Keita both had shots blocked and then for good measure Xavi managed to block another effort from Keita. The only negative point of the night was that Dani Alves had to come off near the end with an injured shoulder. In the 79th minute Iniesta now playing on the right crossed to Eto'o whose shot went inches over. Iniesta then went on a fine run into the area before seeing his shot stopped by the goalkeeper's leg. Iniesta's insistence paid off in the 83rd minute when he sent in Eto'o to fire home his second and Barça's fourth.
This was a good all round performance from Barça and apart from a couple of early slips on the new Camp Nou turf from Puyol and Marquez there was very little for the defence to worry about, Dani Alves looked great going forward while Eric Abidal had a better game at left back. Xavi particularly, and Iniesta ran the show from start to finish and Eto'o and Henry both had good games up front. There was a Champions League debut for Pedro who did fairly well on the right of attack until being substituted. The chance for another youngster to play for the first team sends a great signal to all the youngsters at the club that they too can make it.
Barça: Valdés 6; Alves 7 (Pique m76, 6.5), Marquez 6.5, Puyol 6, Abidal 6.5; Xavi 8.5, Keita 6.5, Iniesta 7.5; Pedro 6, Eto'o 7.5, Henry 7.
Goals: m18 Eto'o 1-0, m25 Xavi 2-0, m50 Henry 3-0, m83 Eto'o 4-0
See the goals hereAttendance: 56,786
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I am a bit concerned, Barca look good in midfield and Barca attack with Eto is superb, although we missed alot of chances if Eto leaves ,Barca will never be the same upfront...But i am scared of Barca defence, the defence is not playing as a team, they look a little nervous. I thought Barca would have won by 6 goals but 4 not so bad
I agree. 4 isn't bad. The team needs to redevelop a killer instinct though. No chances, no foot off the gas. Play all games as though it were the super classico. The score in Krakow should be the same.
I watched the game with commentary in espanol (one of the few spanish words i know). Can anyone tell me if del Bosque & Hierro's presence in the stands was of any significance? Or were they jus there to enjoy the best team in Spain?
Congratulations, my fellow culés, a proud night. Barcelona put in a great effort.
Why was the team wearing away colors in home game and any idea why were Vicente del Bosque and Fernando Hierro watching the game next to Txiki on the stands?
Aztecca, maybe because home shirts are aweful this season lol.
Del Bosque is the new Spain coach and Hierro is like the Spanish National Team director (he picked Del Bosque as coach). Barca like always messed around after it was 2-0 and once again lost their concentration after that. We should of scored at least 8 goals as everyone as mentioned, but the direct passes to the goal were alot better than last year. Henry played good when the game came to him, but once the ball is on the other side he does not run for through passes, like Etoo would. I think Barca played down to the opponent today and only b/c of their superior skill dominated. I hope they stop doing this, b/c it will bite them in the ass like last year. I wish they played every game like it was El Classico, but thats impossible so hopefully they score enough so their intensity issues dont hurt them as much. Im actually excited about this season, and please keep Alves' shoulder in your prayers or we will get to see more of the captain's adventurous runs down that right side.
i cant believe people are complaining we didnt finish well and should have won 9-0. when is the last time you saw any time win 9-0 in a proper europran competition??? honestly. NO team scored 100% of their chances. lets be very happy with 4-0 and look at the good parts.
unfortunately i could not see the game, again, but from listening to commentary online and some highlights ill give my brief view. firstly, henry seemed to have had his best game maybe ever for barca. in the highlights he looked fast and interested. his finish was really very good. and it seems his left sided role works just fine to me. maybe something has changed in his mindset or maybe the mess of last yr was just too much to overcome, either way, after yesterday hilal made a good pt to forget his performances last yr, so i am going to, and it seems so far so good. Etoo looked magic, scoring and setting up. Xavi again looked overboard amazing just as he has been every years since he started. Alves looked good on the right and linked up play nicely. Iniesta looked himself too.
one thing that is odd was keita starting over yaya, i wonder if that is going to be a trend or maybe just because wisla is a rather poor team and pep wanted keita more attacking role. i think that may be the case.
I know Barca took the gas off after 70minutes but you could see that Pep was agitated about that and made changes etc as he knows Barca needs to concentrate for 90mins not 80mins and that is what Pep is all about - hard work mixed with quality.
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Damn! There are so many typos in this article.
To me Perdro was very good. It was his first match in front of home crowd.
good game by Barca...Winning 4 to nothin is fantastic, but when you know you coulda scored 8 or 9 goals, then 4 nothin is not that good of a scoreline...We are wasting too many chances, and we aren't that sharp in the back...It's gonna kill us when we face good teams...I hope we improve in those areas...but overall, a good performance....Etoo was majestic...Xavi once again proved he is the best center mid in the world.....
Viva Barca...
and does anyone know how serious is Alves's injury?? I'd hate to loose him...