Barcelona – Villarreal: Copa del Rey 2nd Leg, TODAY 4pm EST
By: Isaiah | January 31st, 2008Heyyyyoooo it’s Barcelona hosting Villarreal in a must-win match. Not draw, not lose, but win. Outright. By putting more goals in the net than the other team. Anyone not clear on this? Rijkaard, any questions? Ronaldinho is back, in the squad, if not necessarily the starting lineup and perhaps Messi giving it 90 minutes on the wing will allow the two to open up the spacing a little bit more. If Henry is capable of shining alongside Ronaldinho, the team has a great chance to put this game away early, but I somehow doubt that Ronnie will come back in sparkling form. That’s just a measure of how much my faith in him has eroded to this point. I would gladly smack myself in the face if he leads us to victory today (and man, I really hope I get to do so!), but I’m somewhat faithless at this point. Marquez is back, though, and that’s wonderful news.
I’ve been sick for the last couple of days, so I’m playing catch up at work and don’t have enough time to do a proper preview. Sorry. Here’s the squad list as it stands right now: Valdés, Pinto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Milito, Deco, Messi, Thuram, Abidal, Zambrotta, Bojan, Giovani.
It’s a final, really. Win or go home. Do or die. So let’s see what the boys are really made of. Today on GolTV, 4pm! I’m very excited, very ready for this, and goddammit I want to see a win! Last night’s Kansas loss took a lot out of me and I’d like to bounce back well today.
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Tags: Barcelona, Copa del Rey, Frank Rijkaard, Lionel Messi, Preview, Rafael Marquez, Ronaldinho, VillarrealSubscribe
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I was going to say its a pity that we threw away the 2points last week but then would Real Madrid still have lost last night? Cannavaro was awful. Or brilliant? I would say brilliant because of his uselessnes. Fell over himself for the first and almost speared Negredo for the second.
Like llobster, I would love if we got Quaresma back from Porto. He said that he would love to get the chance to prove himself at Barca again but wouldnt play under Rijkaard. Two birds/one stone. I really think we need more heart than Rijkaard gives.
I’d love to swap Zambrotta for Alves/Maicon, Thuram for Garay/Caceres, Sylvinho for Vargas, Edmilson for Veloso, Deco for Modric/Lucho Gonzalez, Ronaldinho for Quaresma/Aguero. But its fantasy football and if Txiki can make decision like last summer ill be happy enoughPosted from
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Still not agree if Deco has to leave the team next season. Barca still need his creativity as a midfielder. Agree with u that Ronnie has to leave. However, the candidate is still questionable. Can’t find any suitable left winger to replace him. It will be better if we can steal Ronaldo from Man U. But it just like a Utopian dream.
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I am not trying to make an argument here. I was just sharing my thoughts. Jenny, i really hope i am dead wrong about yaya. But what i have seen so far of him, i have to say he doesn’t have the work rate like other defensive midfielder does like flamini, mascherano, cambiaso to name a few. Heck i would even take gago in place of him. But then again, i really hope i am wrong abt him.
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Jeez, I was so frustrated that whole game. Beautiful first touch from Xavi. Evil Empire are only 6 points off now, so the league is once again in reach. The triple is possible.
Messi needs to be wider. In the first half especially, he was too centralised, and couldn’t do any of his trademark cut-ins. Gio controlled the ball which set up the goal absolutely perfectly. Milito had a good game, as did Iniesta.
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That was the “Kevin eats crow” edition, as Dos Santos and Xavi combined for the magical goal. They’ve both been shit the last month, so the Blaugrana gods love ‘em for coming through. If the pitch is normal, a few more goals are in. Osasuna played a strong defensive game plan, and it was only a funky bounce that did them in. I’m surprised people didn’t hear my screams all the way from Chicago. What a goal, and what a stop by Valdes on that long-range blast, late into stoppage time. The defense was a little slack, looking more at the ref and waiting for the whistle than shutting down the ball. Close.
Now. Six points. Really only three because as I said, we are going to win in the Bernabeu.
Light, no worries. This is Yaya man and woman-crush central. I’d take him over any of those folks you mentioned, and I’m sure that most here would, as well. Then again, they all think I’m crazy with my incessant chants of “sell Ronaldinho.” So have fun. That’s why we’re all here.
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Light, I want to make it clear that you are certainly allowed to have your opinion on Toure. And I respect it; my response was just a joke. I disagree with you, but dialog is important to create a balanced discussion of anything. And di means two. Toure is not a Mascherano, really, in any other way except for positionally. Mascherano does the cleanup, while Toure holds the middle down and expects his wings to clean up on the edge. I’ve always thought he was fantastic at the middle of the field and that’s what i see Barcelona as needing.
also: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE XAVI!!!!! I had given up on the game, retreated into my shell of beer and hatred for life and suddenly Xavi was there to save it all and make me scream like a happy, but wounded pirate. 6 points! Gol de Xavi! WOOOO!
Welcome to the blog, fahmibustaman; I’m sorry your prediction about Ronnie couldn’t come true. We need to finish our chances and we’ll win by huge margins. Come on boys. I’ll post tomorrow about the game, after, you know, the Super Bowl.
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So, who’s MOTM? It’s a tough call. Is it Xavi? I’m sure glad he was in, maybe his time on the bench was just what he needed? But that ball was a gift from the heavens and he had a beautiful one touch blast.
Really for me, the MOTM would go to V.V. Without the two brilliant saves he made late in the game, we may have all been crying ourselves to sleep tonight. With Pinto breathing down his neck, Valdes is showing everyone why he deserves to defend our net. Oh, by the way, there’s probably another “woman-crush” blossoming here. Without Puyol, V.V. may be given more chances to prove himself worthy of our devotion.
After last week’s draw and the nine points between us and the evil empire, it seemed like many of us had thrown in the towel. Now, just like that, the hope has returned, shining like a lighthouse through the fog!!!
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You have to give credit to Rijkaard for making those subs. The game certainly picked up in the last 20 mins.
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One last thing, Light, your opinion’s are certainly welcome with me. After all, before my infatuation with YaYa began, I would have probably agreed with you.
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I can honestly say i am so happy barcelona won. After a series of missed chances in the first half, and the rain pouring down in 2nd half, i thought the game was headed to draw. I was literally shouting in joy when xavi put that rebound in the net, even though i was by myself lol. anyways, credits to rijkaard and giovanni and of course the goalscorer xavi for saving barca today.
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I don’t know about Rijkaard’s subs, but Xavi was definitely there to put it away. The starters should have killed the game off, of course…I don’t know who MOTM was, but it certainly wasn’t Xavi.
Light, I was right with you, screaming and wondering where the hell that came from. I wrote off the team, the team’s chances, and the season around the 70th minute mark and along with my brother was positive we’d end up 0-0. Perhaps it’s time to go easy on Frankie…or not, I don’t know. Much more tomorrow when I’ve had a chance to create a solid post on it.
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Yeah light I also should apologise for being an absolute dick to you. Even though I disagree with you to the point I cannot explain, your opinion is welcome. I was in a very bad mood at the time, as I thought that our season was over (not any more!!!)
Jenny, I completely agree woth you about VV. With that last save, he made it look so easy, but he was just in a perfect position, and he did great to hold on to it, considering how powerful it was.
If Frankie can pull off subs like that again, my faith may begin to be restored. Still, I think Eto’o and Yaya are needed to complete the team. Didn’t see much of Marquez, but I didn’t see many people exploiting him either, so I guess that’s a good thing.
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Bite your tongue, Isaiah! Go easy on Rijkaard? Next you’ll be saying that Xavi was man of the match.
But I will give Rijkaard this: He seems to understand how hurt pride at coming off the bench can motivate a player. Xavi and Dos Santos were much more engaged, and less infuriating than they have been. I thought Henry played very well too, but you can see that he and Messi are still getting it figured out. Deco didn’t do much for me again, aside from a couple of reasonable moments.
But WE WON!!!! Now to keep it up.
Oh, and you’re right, Jenny. VV gets man of the match, for sure. No question. Thuram was right up there, too.
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All i have to say is ‘Pheeeew!!!’
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No worries jake. I am glad that my view is respected even though all of you disagree. Last week when tevez scored that last minute goal for manchester, they were celebrating like they just won the league lol. Yesterday, barcelona reminded me of our champion’s league victory over arsenal the way they were celebrating. As much as i agree how important that goal was, i think they went far too off in celebrating. What do you guys think? And anybody watched the superbowl yesterday? Though i agree patriot played shit..they were still the better team than giants.
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I thought the celebration by Barca was a response to the dramatic nature of the goal itself and complete sense of relief. I didn’t think it was too much because it was almost like Barcelona was rejoicing that they were coming out of a funk, a period of low-quality play…at least that’s what I hope, but I’m probably just projecting…I didn’t think it was too much, but it’s definitely something to consider.
As for the Super Bowl…the Patriots are probably the best team I’ve ever seen. That they lost last night is quite a surprise, but I was rooting for the Giants so I’m pretty happy about it. Defense wins championships, people. At least in American football…
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You got that right Isaiah. Defense did win championship yesterday. Poor patriots i feel pity for them esp after having a perfect season until the final. Well this ain’t no superbowl blog so lets put this to an end. When are you posting the new post? I am desperately waiting. V.V was definitely MOTM.
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Unfortunately, light, my job is getting in the way and they’re actually asking me to work here! Pay me to blog, please! So I’m expecting a 4:30pm EST publishing time for the post, which I’m working on in the background of my “real” tasks — obviously FCB comes before real work…when the boss isn’t looking.
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hahahaha..quite funny. Make sure you are not being remotely monitored otherwise you will be in trouble. Oh speaking of that, i need to make that sure myself. But take your time..no need to rush.
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Light, I think that the lads were celebrating the moment. They KNEW that they had to win, since the Evil Empire lost the day previous, and were trying everything they could to get it done.
As Isaiah said, what finally uncorked the dam was some old-school Barca football, and a bit of luck that made the blocked pass carom right to Xavi. The celebration was relief, and joy at having won and gained ground in the standings. But it was also the moment. Times and performances such as those win championships, or at least give a team a fighting chance. 16 games left, six points is the gap, and as I’m fond of saying, three, since we’re going to win in the Bernabeu.
And as far as the Super Bowl, the Giants just wanted it more. That play during the final drive, where Manning evades the certain sack, and the heave is caught by the hands/helmet of the receiver….that’s desire. The Pats looked surprised by the fact that they were getting actual resistance. “Hey, this is supposed to be a coronation! What are you guys doing?!” was how many of their faces read.
And speaking of Man U, Light, another victory for the beautiful game this weekend, as Arsenal won while Chelsea and Man U tied. Nice!
And speaking of speaking of, looks like the rumor mill has us chasing Alex Hleb and Xabi Alonso this summer. Now we have to sell Xavi, just to prevent the Xavi/Xabi thing going on.
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And this just in from Captain Dumbass. I have TV5, the French language channel, and they have been carrying African Cup of Nations matches. I can at least start watching the quarter finals this week. Sweet!
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Not to worry, Isaiah. I’ll carry on. There’s this from the Sunday Mirror:
>
More rumors are Benzema from Lyon (battling the Evil Empire for him), and taking a run at Man U’s Ronaldo (who I’m sure is just using other teams to lever more dough out of Man U).
Benzema would be a great signing, but he’s likely to be verrrry spendy. Other names still percolating in the “maybe” pot are Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm. Going to be a busy summer, I think.
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Whoops! The post didn’t show full. Sunday Mirror says that Barca and Mourinho are in definite talks with an eye toward replacing Rijkaard this summer. They are also preparing a whopping transfer fund so that The Special One can go out and buy whatever players he thinks he needs.
Roman Abramovich was also spotted in Barcelona yesterday, solidifying rumors that either Ronaldinho or Dos Santos are heading from Stamford Bridge.
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Did anybody notice dos santos was playing better in left flank than on right? Though it was for short period, he certainly excelled on it. Kid has got speed and techniques, i am not quite sure if we should let go of him. I agree special one needs to leave for barca and for himself, but i am just too greedy and insecure about that too. After all, he is the reason we won 2 leagues and a champion league. Speaking of Super Bowl, i think that moment involved a bit of luck besides desires. Evading from being sacked and caught w/ the help of helmet..come on how often does that happen? So, three point it is Kevin. Upcoming fixtures are very important and tough. I hope we can get through them with victories. Go Barca!
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I think Dos Santos had the “bench juice” going, that magical potion that makes a player averse to sitting when they could be playing. One of the best decisions Rijkaard has made this season has been to start sitting guys who aren’t performing….even Xavi.
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United States
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