Malaga 1 Barça 4
Saturday, 01 November 08, 04:11 PM · Comments (38)
The pouring rain and waterlogged pitch could not stop Barça winning their eleventh consecutive win in Malaga tonight. Two goals from Xavi Hernandez, one from Leo Messi and an own goal from Malaga defender Welligton send Barça to the top of the table for the time being with Valencia playing Racing Santander as I write. The game was conditioned by the conditions and Barça abondoned the usual patient possession game, even Victor Valdés kicked long instead of his normal throw out to a full back. Games like this often depend to a certain extent on luck but Barça were worthy winners especially after an excellent second half.
Captain Carles Puyol was chosen to fill in for Eric Abidal at left back with Gerard Piqué coming in to partner Rafa Marquez in the centre of defence, while Andres Iniesta returned to the wide left attacking position with Busquets in midfield, leaving Thierry Henry on the bench. Barça got off to great start when Messi broke away in the fourth minute and was pulled back winning a free kick 25 yards out. Xavi stepped up and curled a beautiful free kick past Arnau into the top corner of the goal. However, the lead didn't last long: Dani Alves lost possession and when a long ball came in Piqué failed to intercept giving Adrian a great chance, Valdés saved brilliantly but the ball came out to Duda who side stepped Piqué before smashing the ball past Valdés. Barça came back quickly and in the 19th minute a shot from Messi was blocked but then the clearance went straight back to Messi who drove home a low shot into the far corner from a tight angle on the right.
There's not much more to add from the first half as Barça failed to create another chance, Duda had one more effort for Malaga but his awkward bouncing shot was dealt with comfortably by Valdés. early in the second half Thierry Henry came on in place of Iniesta and within a couple of minutes of coming on he headed down Samuel Eto'o cross from the left and Xavi timing his run perfectly volleyed past Arnau for Barça's third. Barça looked more comfortable now but there were still very few chances. Then in the 67th minute Dani Alves had a long range free kick deflected against the outside of the post. In the 77th minute Busquets had an effort saved, and then in the 81st minute Alves tried again with another free kick from 30 yards out and this time his shot took a wicked deflection off Welligton's outstretched leg and flew into the net giving Arnau no chance. Near the end Puyol had a fine run but his shot went well over, it was a shame because he deserved a goal after an excellent performance at left back.
Top level games should not really be played in such conditions, the ball got stuck in the water throughout the game and meant that both teams relied a lot on hopeful hoofs forward. However, despite an even first half Barça's superiority was quite clear in the second 45 minutes. This was an impressive victory against an in-form team, and it is another good sign that Barça have the right character this season. Once again the home-grown players (seven started today with two coming on as subs) were key to the victory: Valdés dealt well with everything that came his way, Piqué had a strong game that was only spoilt by a mistake in the Malaga goal, Puyol gave another great fighting captain's performance, while Messi and Xavi twice scored the vital goals. Pep Guardiola is trying hard to keep the players from getting over confident, and so far he is doing a great job, but speaking as a fan I have to say I am delighted with the team's attitude and am extremely confident that La Liga is going to return to Camp Nou at the end of the season.
Barça: Valdés 7.5, Alves 6, Marquez 6.5, Piqué 6.5, Puyol 8.5; Xavi 7.5, Toure 7, Busquets 6; Messi 7 (Victor Sanchez m78, 6), Eto'o 6.5 (Bojan m84, 6), Iniesta 6 (Henry m49, 6.5)
Goals: m5 Xavi 0-1, m13 Duda 1-1, m19 Messi 1-2, m52 Xavi 1-3, m81 Welligton o.g 1-4
Barça yellows: m55 Alves, m74 Toure, m79 Busquets.
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truly another great game we witnessed tonight. i wouldn't be worth my - or yours - time to write all the same praises, that Nic and blaugranaboy has come up with - but let's just say i agree.
just a couple of noticeable observations:
- why isn't Etoo producing more at away games? dont get me wrong, he works his ass of, but did he have one shot at goal tonight?
- it looks like Pep is really starting to show some recognition of Toure's magnificent work rate. hurray for that!
BTW: it looks like valencia is picking this many points up tonight: 0
Valencia have lost 2-4 at home to Racing. Barça are top 
I was just going to write...Valencia lost 4-2 
Great game..again, can't say enough about the guys..Pep, superb - Xavi...god...again
cant remembet the last time when we wre top for a week !! can anyone here???
We were last top of the league 515 days ago. Just before I started writing this blog, we then drew at home to Betis (anyone remember that nightmare) and Madrid went on to win the league.
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i pledge my total support and trust in guardiola's barcelona. i basically felt like that in the first 15 min against almeria. now i reckon its time to totally back him.
everything is looking just perfect. the teams spirit is amazing, they are incredibly hungry, determined, u could not ask for more. the stars seem as if they are even shinning a little brighter. xavi looked just sensational AGAIN despite the useless pitch (which should have in fact have been a reason to cancel the game). pique looked so good again and for my money, he and puyol look the best two in the middle right now. but how amazing was puyol, even in an unfamilar left back. alves is proving he is a dirty player, but whatever, he has crazy heart. etoo ran his himself into the ground, love that boy. and valdes was super solid, his save just before the first goal was excellent.
im a total believer in guardiola. when i first saw him on the bench it felt right, but i did begin to become impatient a while back, but no longer. he looks like he has settled into a 11 he likes more, the one that started tonight looks to be a candidate for main starters (with abidal coming in and puyol switching for someone in the middle). and 11 wins on the trot, with TONS of goals, creating a club record is undeniable proof he delivering. im so delighted and excited to watch games now, just loving it. i hope the wins just keep coming and coming and we take on that "everest" schedule in the best possible form.
you gotta feel good about this season paying dividends. im finding it difficult not to get overexcited.
a side note though would have to be the return of gabi milito when it happens. i dont see where he fits into this team that is just jam packed with center backs and then we have henrique on loan. if i have to question guardiola on something, it would have to be how he figures all these players will eventually fit into the plan.