Season Analysis so far... [Oct 2012]

Hi again.  Didn't update this blog for quite a long time, due to my works and other stuff.  So a quater of the season has passed, and we are the top of the league (hoo-ray).  But the sad thing is, its JUST a quater of the season, another 7 months to go.  8 points lead [against Madrid] isn't an easy thing.  So here, I'll analyze and criticize everything that happened so far this season.

We started the campaign very sharp.  We won 6 matches straight.  We drew our first game in the El Clasico (Oct 7th).  This is a big contrast to our arch-rival, they started the campaign very poor.  That's how we are still 8 points above Real Madrid.  However, it seems to be that 22 points we gained from our 8 matches, its damn hard.  Harder than its suppose to be.  We won each games, usually in a goal margin of 1.  And how many games that we need to comeback or score in the last minute of the match. It's not right for the so-called "best team in the world".  We conceded TOO MUCH.  But it is still understandable since 3 of our main defenders are injured.  And yeah, putting Alex Song in the back was not a wise decision.  And goalkeeper?  No comments.  Although I do wish him to return to his top-from in a very near time.  A lot of goals conceded came from shitty mistakes, but okay, we still need you, so don't give up.

About our attack, this year, Messi seems to participate more in all goals.  Not just scoring, but also provide beautiful assists and mind-blowing passes.  He is currently the top scorer, 11 goals.  However, the problem is, who is the best to play with Messi.  Villa?  He's good, but pretty slow and pretty out of form as well.  Pedro?  This kid is inconsistent, but is still crucial to the team.  A sharp scorer.  Alexis?  Oh man, this guy is seriously out of form.  Tello? Now we're talking.  This guy provides good assist and is improving match-by-match.  Sometimes, you can even put Cesc or Iniesta in such position, if we really need to. What Tito is doing is very clever, rotating players every matches.  This is a brilliant way to test the abilities of each players and improve the form.  Just think about it, have you ever seen Messi being benched?  Well yeah, it happens during Tito's time.

Overall, I just wanted to say that I'm really proud of FC Barcelona and looking like the 2012-13 should be a good one for us.  But still are still struggling in many ways.  I hope that when our crucial players are back from injuries and forms, Tito will find a way for us to be an invincible team once again.  Good luck to everyone!

Visca el Barça!

Photo Credit: Zimbio

After the Spanish Super Copa Result...

So there you go, Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Copa 2012 over Barcelona.  Congratulations to Real Madrid.  However, as a Barca fan, I do not feel disappointed at all (party because I really expected this result).  The 2-legged games was amazing, full of action and goals.  Many people are saying that "this is the end of Barca's age," I disagree.  The score of 4-4 isn't an ugly score at all, in fact, both team really have a hard time beating up each other.  Madrid didn't OWN Barca, and vise-versa.  Madrid won through away goals, which personally, doesn't prove me that they are better than us, neither we are better than them.  8 goals equally shared, epic.

Liga campaign just started.  Barcelona has 6 points out of possible hmmmm... 6.  While Madrid only has 1, which is kind of awkward.  But its just the starting of the season, so we shouldn't judge any team.  However I find that Madrid are struggling with their past two games, which Mourinho claims that it is all the problem with defence.  Barcelona opened their campaign with a 4-1 win against Sociedad at home, with a goal from David Villa (yay!).  Barcelona struggled their second game against Osasuna, but still flicked the result and beat the home team with the score of 2-1.  Osasuna is pretty tough, we lost 2-3 last year.

I have a feeling that this year (2012-13) will be a very fun and exciting season of Spanish Liga BBVA. Unlike last year where Madrid thrash Barcelona 9 points by the end of the season.  I expect to see some twists and unbelievable results coming.

Visca el Barça!

Sorry for a quick post today.  See you again later.

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Reaction

First of all, as a Barca fan, do I want to blame anyone for this defeat? The answer is yes. However, as a lot of Barça fans are totally put their anger toward Pep Guardiola, I do not think the same. About one hour before the match time, the official line-up was released to public. My first reaction to this was: "Oh Sh*t". Barça line-up has shown that the concentration of the team was put toward Champions League game more than the El Clasico, which was pretty wrong. It is true that Barcelona had just lost to Chelsea in a midweek game, but we still need to focus on La Liga, even though it is very hard. On the other side, Madrid put on their best squad. They put all the big names and does not seem to concern about the upcoming Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Here, I'll just brief about the game. The Blaugrana started the game pretty strong, with a lot of attacks and active performance especially for the right-wing back, Daniel Alves. We had several chances, but still unable to shoot on target. Until the 16th minute, when Madrid had the corner, Di Maria (or either Ozil, can't remember) crossed in. Pepe headed the ball which only allowed Valdes to push the ball away. The ball was on Puyol's feet, until Khedira took the chance and scored. From then, Barcelona controlled most of the game. Several close attempt from Xavi and Thiago, while Messi has been very quiet. First half ended with the score of 1-0 to Real Madrid.

Second half started with Barcelona put all their pressure on Real Madrid. With strong defenses, Barça still had no great attempt against the White Kings. However, there were about 2-3 great chances for Cristian Tello, a young winger, to equalize but failed.  To be honest, some of those chances were unforgivable. What made more angry was that 60th minute passed, Pep still has not will to change his tactics or any substitution. Until the 69th minute, Pep decided to take Xavi, who was having a poor game, out and put in half-fitted Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez made miracle when he scored just a minute right after he was subbed in. Hopes back as Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid. Sh*t happened again when Ozil made a brilliant pass to Ronaldo, then dribble tricking Valdes and scored a stunning goal. Just about 15 minutes, fouls and yellow cards started to appear often in the stadium, like usual Clasicos. Barcelona tried a lot of good chances but still failed to make a miracle. Match ended, Barcelona unexpectedly lost to Real Madrid which means the White King have another step to be crown as a Liga 2011-12 winner with 7 points ahead of Barça. :/

I went to several Facebook and Twitter pages after the game, most of the fans reaction were pretty negative, which was expected. Most of the reactions were shocked by this defeat which they were so confident of otherwise before the match started. As one of them, tries to convince squad to focus the upcoming Champions League game now.  A lot of fans also want Guardiola to get out, which I think that it's pretty stupid.  3 years of glory and a match of defeat does not put me into a situation to lose trust and hope in him. Sure, we need to find new tactics and new players, especially left-wing back. Tello is a good player, but I still think that he shouldn't start in a big game like this, Pedro should. Overall, last night performance was pretty poor for both team, however, for Barcelona, it was EXTRA poor. All I can say now is "FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS on Chelsea game this week.". Let's hope to have a fun season again next year, congratulations Real Madrid.



El Clasíco (21.4.2012)

FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid CF

ps. I really miss David Villa :(

Image Source: Real Madrid, Eurosport, Yahoo Sports, Goal.com

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