Sporting 1 Barça 6
Sunday, 21 September 08, 04:40 PM · Comments (25)
Barça won their first league game of the season with a comfortable 1-6 win tonight in Gijon. Sporting were only briefly in the game after pulling a goal back early in the second half but their hopes were dashed by the sending off of Gerard in the 56th minute. Two late goals from Leo Messi gave the scoreline an embarrassing appearance for the home team.
Pep Guardiola chose Andres Iniesta to play on the left side of attack and the choice paid off as Iniesta capped a fine display with a goal and two assists. The big surprise in team selection was the return of Sergio Busquets to the defensive midfield role and the youngster had another good game, suggesting we may see a fair bit more of him this season. Eric Abidal was back at left back while Carles Puyol was partnered in the centre of defence by Rafa Marquez. The other tactical point of note was that Leo Messi played the entire game as the central striker with Samuel Eto'o, and later Bojan, on the right wing.
Barça dominated from the beginning with Xavi forcing the first save after just two minutes. Messi then had a couple of attempts before Iniesta came close with a shot deflected just over. Barça won eight corners in the first 25 minutes but when the goal came it was from open play: Busquets found Iniesta on the left who ran at his defender before crossing neatly for Xavi to head home. Barça continued to win corners and with the eleventh of the game in the 33rd minute Xavi's cross was headed goalwards by Puyol and Eto'o was on the line to get the final touch.
Early in the second half Messi got away on the right before cutting in past three defenders only to see his shot deflected wide. From the resultant corner Xavi's cross was headed past his own keeper by the unfortunate Jorge for Barça's third. Sporting hit straight back when Marquez allowed Bilic space and he knocked the ball forward for Maldeondo to fire past Valdés.
Barça were briefly rattled but in the 56th minute a poor kick from the Sporting goalie went straight to Messi who headed directly for goal, the last defender, Gerard, brought Messi down and was shown the red card.
Sporting's hopes ended here, they held on for a while but in the 70th minute Bojan, who was on for Eto'o, passed inside to Messi who turned 360º before sending a great ball into the area for Iniesta who beat the offside before flicking the ball past the keeper. Messi finished the job with two late goals. In the 85th minute Gudjohnsen sent Iniesta away on the left and his cross was volleyed in by Messi from close range. Then in the 89th minute Bojan set up Xavi to cross from the right and Messi finished with a rare heade goal.
We shouldn't get overexcited by this result as Sporting are clearly going to struggle this season. However, it was nice to see the goals go in after just one league goal from the first two games. Iniesta and Xavi both had very good games, and Busquets continues to surprise everyone. It's also great to see us scoring from corners as it was such a rare occurence in recent years. Can anyone believe we have scored from three corners in a week? A word of praise should go to the Sporting fans who were superb from start to finish: an example to football fans everywhere.
Barça: Valdés 6.5, Alves 6, Marquez 6, Puyol 6.5, Abidal 6.5; Xavi 8, Busquets 7 (Caceres m81, 6), Keita 6 (Gudjohnsen m70, 6); Eto'o 6 (Bojan m67, 6), Messi 7, Iniesta 8.
Goals: m27 Xavi 0-1, m33 Eto'o 0-2, m49 Jorge (o.g.) 0-3, m50 Maldeondo 1-3, m70 Iniesta 1-4, m85 Messi 1-5, m89 Messi 1-6.
No Barça players were booked.
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despite his performances on the wings last year, eto'o had a very good game. Although he didnt have many shots on goal, he did seem very composed and knew what he was doing.
Abidal displayed a commendable defensive performance too. I am starting to notice a trend here.........bench them for a game and they come back stronger and hungrier.
Guardiola is a genius. Putting messi in the middle totally confused the defence. Also what a brilliant way to counter the "bus parking" strategy. Often times it is difficult to penetrate a well packed defence from the wings.
I think we should not look too deep into guardiola not using toure today. He is being saved for the midweek game three days later. Thats why eto'o was subbed off early too.
Iniesta dribbling in front of the defender before setting up messi and xavi was like a lion tamer dangling a piece of meat in front of a hungry lion and then snatching it right away to show whos the boss. Amazing performance. He is great in the centre, even greater on the left
What confused me was that Keita was used as an attacker whereas Busquet stayed in front of the defence. Is Busquet supposed to fullfill the same pivot/play-maker role that guardiola did during his time in Barcelona?
Hey Blaugrana-Namibia
Eto'o still sucks?!!!
sorry but i just gats to look deep into guardiola not using toure....he has been saving him since???? i dont know what his plans are but i just feel he should give him a chance soon and i hope toure dosent get upset quickly...busquets is good but i noticed some weaknesses though he's unlikely to be used in the tougher games,
it was good to see carceres n bojan comin on by the way
Highlights: LINK
The blog with the highlights is a beautiful website. Just came across it. I recommend bookmarking it.
Great result today. Playing sporting is just what we needed to get the kickstart to the season.
Guardiola may already have his critics, but I applaud him for giving players chances (such as pedro, busquets). Such gametime will only strengthen the club for the future as well as hopefully making the really good prospects want to stay instead of being poached by the EPL sides.
The only player I would like to see more of is Bojan.
Henry I fear, the honeymoon is over. He is serviceable - but at best he is just that. Sadly I don't think he will ever fit in here & recapture his true deadly abilities - such is life.
oh my god...wow..waht a game...tremendous performance by the blaugranas..I m proud of this team....Iniesta was the man of the match no doubt..He was a constant threat thruout...Messi was phenomenal...and Xavi once again reaffirmed he is the best center mid in the world...Let's relish this special win guys...
and nic...I don't agree with ur ratin on Iniesta and Messi...Iniesta definitely desrved a 9 and Messi def. deserved 8 or 8.5...
25 Comments · Add yours
Did Toure have a sore throat too?
We're going to lose him to Arsenal.
Busquets played surprisingly well, glad to see that. Him and Toure hopefully cover the DM position for years to come. Great scoreline, yeah, hopefully the fireworks in front of oppositions goal continue.