Malaga 1, Barca 4, a.k.a. “Get my galoshes, Mabel!”

By: Kevin | November 1st, 2008

Carles! My man! Has there ever been a time when our Capitan was needed, that he hasn’t come through for the side? Today’s match was a spectacular display. I didn’t even mind that shot he took toward the end. He earned it with not only the run he took, but with his sheer defensive omnipresence. From center to wing, Puyol was dominant. I know that others scored goals, made great passes and did other things, but Captain Courageous is my man of the match this go-round.

Guardiola rolled out a starting lineup of: Valdes, Alves, Marquez, Pique, Puyol, Yaya, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Eto’o. And for the first time this season, I actually got it right. Go figure. And hats off to the 4-1 score predictors. I looked at the swamp that was Malaga’s home pitch and thought for sure this would be a draw, either 1-1 or 0-0.

Sorry for underestimating the lads.

The first goal came off of something we’ve all been predicting for a long time, which is foul Messi at your own risk. Now that the offense is being adjusted where he’s getting the ball deep into the other side’s half, it sets up free kick opportunities that are just begging to be converted. So a jersey pull resulted in an exquisite strike from Xavi, that arced into the top corner as if it belonged there.

Also worth noting is the temporary confusion caused by Alves running at the ball before Xavi struck it. I’m sure that’s worked on in practice, and it freezes the keeper for just that instant, just long enough to make the magic work.

Then came the Malaga goal. It came off a great shot, but it should never have happened. Pique simply must get the intensity to match his talent. If he clears that ball instead of scuffing at it, the clean sheet is intact. Valdes couldn’t have stopped the resultant shot with a stepladder. Hell of a strike.

Then game the game-winner, a rocket shot from Messi that came from some brilliant, singing football, particularly given the conditions. And when the ball stopped in front of Messi you could almost see his eyes light up. He spanked that shot in a way that made sure that anything in its path was going to be removed….heads, hands, feet, whatever. And it was 2-1 good guys, and all over but the shouting….

Because Puyol was everywhere, fronting a defense that kept its shape remarkably well. There were some fraught moments, but mostly it was a very solid performance.

And hey, I was even right about the first substitution, Thierry Henry, who once again was catalyst for an absolutely amazing goal. He starts the run with pace and control, then Eto’o makes an absolutely perfect pass that Henry heads directly into the path of Xavi, with the right amount of height and pace. Xavi smokes the ball and that crucial 2-goal lead is gained. The ball never touched the ground, until it bounced right before hitting the back of the net. The goal was a delight to watch.

Finally came the Alves free kick (to make up for the one that hit the post), a thing of beauty that was technically an own goal, but you have to give the man some love.

This match is a reminder, I think, of how exceptional this team is. This was a mudder. No slick, pretty, passing football here, folks. Just direct, aggressive, in-the-air footy. Two goals came from set pieces, and two from the run of play in a match that required that the lads get down into the trenches with a Malaga team that was kicking, biting and scratching, trying to work with the elements to upset the side and steal points.

But it wasn’t to be. The resolve of this side could be seen on the faces of the players and the coaching staff. They wanted this win. Malaga came in riding high, were at home, and even had the elements on their side, to no avail. As I’m writing this, we might be alone in first place if Valencia goes down, and it will be well deserved. What a win in a match that many might think should never have been played. I say that football is all about not only the game, but dealing with conditions that nature throws out there. It’s why the same isn’t played in indoor stadiums, or on sythetic grass. Line them up, and let ‘em play. Both teams have the same conditions to deal with, may the best side win.

And with that, the ratings:

Valdes: 9. What a match. Maybe, just maybe if he isn’t as far off his line he could have leapt to stop the strike, but that would be very harsh. His run of form is making believers out of his detractors. Like Abidal, he is having a season of redemption, and it’s great to see. His iron-clad control of that cross that came off the wet, muddy pitch was difficult, but looked easy.

Alves: 7. He is playing better and better, with direct balls that suited the kind of match that today was. He’s a strong, tireless defender who today also showed his great skill at getting under the other team’s skin. He was the most capable at sorting out what the pitch was doing to the ball.

Marquez: 7. Solid as the day is long, and hats off to his experience, which made him understand a simple reality: kick it out. If the ball gets anywhere near your box and you can reach it, just kick it as far down the pitch as you can. Very good match from him.

Pique: 5. Man the hell up. He played better after his gaffe, but he’s soft, which is probably why he was available from Man U. If he can get backbone to go with his height and skill, he’s going to be one of the best defenders on the planet. As it is, he’s a mixed bag.

Puyol: 10. See above for the reasons, but he was everywhere, shutting everything down. He marked players on set pieces, even took in the ass for the team. He was absolutely magnificent today, the best player on the pitch.

Yaya: 7. He never quite figured out the pitch, but played a very strong match. His passing out of the back is getting better and better. His iron-clad play made the back line better. Malaga was restricted to being a wing team thanks to our man.

Busquets: 6. Some good, some clunky. Gives up fouls and receives them. Some good passes as well, but he seemed unsure about his role on the pitch with Yaya the Destroyer out there.

Iniesta: 2. Rumor was he was out there, but I remain unconvinced. If the conditions aren’t right for your game, adapt to the conditions. The Henry sub was obvious and long overdue.

Xavi: 9. Majestic game, from the free kick to the volleyed goal. He also got the hang of the pitch, and the understanding that ball control meant that defenders would go sliding past you, enabling offensive freedom. He was indeed more aggressive today, and his brace was the result of all his smart, exceptional work. I like that Guardiola came out and said that the sale of Xavi was a non-starter for him, and non-negotiable.

Messi: 8. Not quite as influential as Xavi, but another excellent match. That goal of his seemed to have a bit of anger behind it, almost as if he expected to be kicked around as much as he in fact was. I like how he and the lads are giving it back. Taking a foul to send a message is never a bad thing.

Eto’o: 9. He was only a more solid first half away from a 10. What a match. Just as I noted that he hadn’t touched the ball all match, he set Xavi up with a pass that jammed in the quagmire or it would have been 3-1 a lot sooner. He had energy in abundance, and his pass to Henry to set up the third goal was eye-popping. How were we to know how crazy he would make the idea of selling him seem right now?

Subsitutes:

Henry: 7. Great assist on the goal, lots of energy. Needed a more consistent influence. I’m sure that the Malaga match brought him back to the Premiership sides who would let their pitches go to hell just to slow Arsenal down. His strong runs sow chaos whenever he undertakes them.

V. Sanchez: 2. I know that he came onto the pitch, because I watched it happen. I just don’t know where he went after that.

Krkic: incomplete. Wasn’t really on long enough to do anything.

Guardiola: 7. Nice, solid lineup, but he left Messi out there too long. At 3-1, it was clear that Malaga weren’t coming back. Protect the hero, dude.