Yokohama F. Marinos 0 - 1 FC Barcelona
By: Isaiah | August 7th, 2007During the wee hours of the morning here in the US, FCB took on Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, defeating them 0-1 through a 74th minute Giovani Dos Santos goal. According to the Spanish press, the match was filled with opportunities that Barcelona let go to waste, making the match remarkable in only one aspect: Eto’o, Ronaldinho, and Henry started together for the first time. Apparently they don’t play all that well together, or at least yet, but Ronnie and Eto’o had several combination passing moves that set up chances for themselves and others, suggesting they’ve still got a scintillating on-the-field rapport. Whether or not Henry can step up and join that group rather than be a replacement for one or the other is a question still to be answered.
Here was the full starting lineup (subs):
Valdés (Jorquera, 45′); Zambrotta, Oleguer, Thuram, Sylvinho (Motta, 64′); Xavi (Marc Crosas, 80′), Touré, Iniesta; Eto’o (Ezquerro, 84′), Henry (Giovani dos Santos, 45′), Ronaldinho (Maxi López, 87′).
Abidal is conspicuous in his absence, but it’s probable he’s being rested and will play on Friday (he appears in the photos from the Japanese training session — he always looks pissed, doesn’t he?); Deco too was missing from the game, as well as the ever-missing Gudjohnsen. I’m not even sure he made the trip. Why Ezquerro and Maxi Lopez get playing time over Gudjohnsen makes no sense to me, but it is very suggestive that we have yet another Saviola on our hands. Perhaps Madrid will buy Guddie next summer?
More thoughts later, you can assure yourselves of that.
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Comments
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the last i read, gudjohnsen wasn’t making the trip because of injury
Posted from
United States
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If the blogger would just do a little headline reading, or go to the Barca home page, he would know..
Gudjohnsen is in Barcelona rehabing his knee….
Abidal had an intestine problem and thus missed the match. He should be ready for Hong Kong….I am guessing blog poster does not watch Barca play or he would not state that Ronnie, Eto’o and Henry didn’t play well together. Simply not true. Although neither scored, they had numerous 1-2’s and moments of brilliance as they continually switched places in the attack. The buildup was there, the finishing was lacking…I guess Isiah is not a morning person…
Posted from
United States -
I disagree, Henry did not link with the other two that much and when he did it was at one of their expenses. I don’t think those three, with or without Messi, should play together, outside of the cup use of our youngsters and the sympathy game for Gudjohnsen the forward lineup should be 2 of the 3 + Messi.
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United States -
Isaiah is, indeed, not a morning person. However, from what I’ve read in the Spanish press, Henry did not play well with the two. Did I watch the games? No, of course not. They’re preseason games on when I’m either at work or sleeping. If blog commenter would cease being snotty, it would be very helpful to all, or at least to me.
Thanks, llobster, good to know about Gudjohnsen, I had indeed missed the headlines about that. I retract my statements about Ezquerro and Maxi getting starts over him.
Anyway, please be aware of the Sevilla Offside, which is new to the game and also that we’re possibly getting back the Real Madrid and adding an Atlético Madrid blog as well.
Posted from
United States -
I agree with you, Isaiah and Nolan. I don’t like the thought of Henry playing up with Ronaldinho and Eto’o…especially after this match. I think they should stick with the R10, Eto’o, and Messi trio as much as possible because they’ve already proven themselves in La Liga and have great chemistry. Can’t wait to compare and contrast games once Messi is back.
P.S. I wanna clarify that I have nothing against Henry at all, I just think he should be used with different players.
Posted from
United States -
It’s too early to tell, I think, about Henry. I too think he’s a fantastic player, but, again, from what I’ve read, the three didn’t play so well together. But it was their first time out there as a trio and they’ll probably have a lot more opportunities down the road.
The game against Mission Hill Invitation XI is at 2pm Barcelona time, 8am NYC time, and 8pm local time. So I won’t be watching, unless I follow it via Partido Al Minuto on Sport.es
One thing this preseason definitely fails to answer is the question of Messi. Naturally that’s true, but I’m assuming he’ll play against Bayern Munich before the start (along with Milito and Marquez). Perhaps I’m wrong about that (I’ll be looking into it later).
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United States -
Hopefully the Atleti blog won’t be run by a overly pessimistic supporter.
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United States -
There is no reason to suggest that Atletico supporters should be pessimistic at the beginning of this season. They have a legitimate shot at ending up in the top 3, much less 6.
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United States -
Heh, heh, you clearly don’t know any Atleti supporters! After last season’s disaster (and previous years for that matter), many were incredibly pessimistic about management and the prospect of this season. Now, thankfully, many are shedding that skin after seeing the past few friendly games with the Trident: Simao-Maxi-Reyes. Folks still chant ‘GIL. CABRONE. FUERA DE CALDERON’ in stadiums from time to time.
In any case…bring on the Madrid derby! Aupa Atleti! ; )
/jumps off soap box, back to your regularly scheduled Barcelona blog!
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United States -
Give Henry some time to get accustomed and I am confident he can play up front with Ronnie and Eto’o. Although, Messi is fantastic and can combine well with either of H, R, or E…given that he plays the right wing so well. Ronnie is better on the left and Eto’o and Henry should split time up front. Hopefully Eto’o will take a benching like a man.
Wasn’t trying to be snotty, I was just surprised the blog master was asking questions and not informing us. My bad, I am new to this forum…Posted from
United States -
No actual offense taken, maniaFCB. I prefer to think of this blog as a place where Barca fans can share information, rather than be preached at. And I doubt anyone expects this is a one-stop-shopping kind of blog when it comes to Barcelona. Or I hope not, because it’s certainly not. I can’t imagine it’s anyone’s only source for Barcelona news…
I know we need to give Henry time, but since I’ve been against this move from the beginning, my negativity feels justified, as lame as that is. I hope they can play together because I’d love to be wrong in this. I too hope Eto’o can take a benching like a man. If not…we’re in for a long year. It’s always true that teams time time to mesh and with so many changes it will be hard to come out guns blazing. Look at RM last year, for example.
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United States -
Kermit the Frog (aka Henry) will find his nitch in the barca lineup….eventually. I expect him to take the first benching of the season in fact, as he is not 100% and Messi, Eto, and Ronnie (90%) are closer to match fit. I know that the Barca faithful will be longing to see the offseason star acquisition, but we won’t come out firing on all cyclinders until around the time Champion’s League group play gets rolling…
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United States -
Isaiah, I’d like to address you on your own turf. I noticed your comments on both the recent Madrid and Atletico boards, and wanted to let you know that I agree, entirely. And I fart in your general direction. Hala Madrid!!!
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United States -
Isiah, this may get ugly you know that right
Posted from
United States -
Oh Corey, I hope it gets ugly. I have enough leftist blood in me to hold my own. And mind you, if you keep spelling my name incorrectly, cagaré en tu madre, if you know what I mean (not sure I’m using that Spain-ism correctly; I speak español mexicano, güey)
Oh this season should be a real “humdinger”, especially when Madrid comes to town. Oh how the modismos will fly then. I love this league, best in the world.
And yes, we should have an Offside meet-up where I can get truly skunked and proclaim Andres Iniesta the greatest footballer to ever live.
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United States -
Long live Iniesta. Iniesta, Messi, Giovani, Bojan, Cesc and Pique. One day all in the same Barca team. I can always dream. Barca’s youth system is unbelievable. Marc Crosas doesn’t seem bad either, decent passer and scored a nice goal in S.Africa
Posted from
Ireland
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