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Barcelona: Where did it all go wrong for the Blaugrana?

  By O-Posts Team | May 4, 2013 - 14:15 | , , ,
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When Rijkaard left his post as Barcelona manager in 2008, the recruitment of Guardiola brought glory days to the Catalan club which will live long in the memory.

On Wednesday night, all football fans from around the globe witnessed one of the most outstanding results in the past four seasons. Bavarian giants Bayern Munich had not only outclassed and outplayed their opponents but they did so in humiliating fashion, beating them with an aggregate score of 7-0.

In this article O-Posts’ Ahmed Assem examines the downfall of the Catalan giants.

 

The Transfer Policy

Even during Guardiola’s tenure at the club, the Spanish giants’ transfer policy had been anything but shrewd. After the new manager had announced the departures of Deco, Ronaldinho and the retirement of Thuram amongst others, he signed seven players.

Those players were Seydou Keita, Pique, Pinto, Caceres, Dani Alves, Hleb and Henrique. Out of those seven only three had a major impact.

Pinto is a back-up keeper and was initially signed as a back-up keeper, and shouldn’t be regarded as a player who was a major force behind the success of the team. Caceres was signed for €16.5m and only amassed thirteen caps for Barcelona between 2008-2011.

When Eric Abidal was ruled out of the 2009 Champions League Final through suspension, Guardiola opted for Sylvinho instead which just shows that he didn’t have faith in the Uruguayan and that a 34-year old full back was above him in the pecking order.

Hleb was signed from Arsenal with very high expectations from the Barcelona faithful, yet the Belarusian didn’t live up to those expectations and when called upon he was often erratic. Henrique however, was a signing who never lived up to his potential and he never made a single official cap for Barcelona.

In the following season, two signings caught the headlines. Ukrainian defender Dymtro Chygrynskiy was signed from UEFA Cup champions and Ukrainian powerhouses Shakhtar Donetsk, he signed for €25m and again proved to be another unsuccessful signing. He made just twelve appearances for Barcelona, and was sold in the following summer for €15m.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed for €66m, the third highest fee payed ever for a player. The Swede’s time was all about controversy, one of the few high points is the goal against Pellegrini’s Real Madrid.

2011/12 proved very successful for Barcelona as they won the Champions League and the La Liga. The acquisition of David Villa was decent, and the Spaniard added that energy to the dynamic attacking third. Adriano was signed from Sevilla, and the former Sevilla man can be inconsistent at times but he is ‘not bad’.

Lastly, Javier Mascherano was an interesting one, where will he play? To this day Mascherano is played out of position as a centre-back due to the defensive problems at Barcelona.

11/12 and 12/13 saw four big name signings arrive at the Camp Nou, and ironically the cheapest proved to be the most ‘vital’. Two of those four were Cesc Fabregas for a mammoth price of €40m and Alexis Sanchez for €26m. Did they live up to expectations? No. Alex Song was the last player recruited, from North London giants Arsenal. The Cameroonian, albeit promising, was torrid.

From the first day, any Premier League follower would know that Song doesn’t quite provide that protection in front of the back four.

 

Outdated Tactics

When Guardiola first implemented the tiki-taka, it was a worldwide wonder. Everyone was talking about it, but now? It is becoming rather mind-numbing to watch them play, it is like they are obsessed with possession. One reason for that is lacking a target man.

Messi, never was and never will be a target man or a striker, simple. The Argentine is being used as a striker, yet he doesn’t have the physical presence and the attributes and that is a major reason why Barcelona have succumbed to several defeats this season in the Champions League.

Remember that man Samuel Eto’o? Whenever Barcelona were struggling to break a Catenaccio type defence or a condensed midfield they could drop it in to Eto’o. The Cameroonian would then re-distribute play and by moving into effective positions, he creates that hole in the back-line.

Eto’o….. the dream targetman.

When Ibrahimovic was signed, he did arguably the same role, for example remember that goal against Real Madrid? It was from a Dani Alves cross, or the goal against Racing Santander. After the falling out with Pep, Barcelona were left with a static front line who couldn’t break down Mourinho’s Inter, which caused them to bow out of the Champions League.

When David Villa arrived, he didn’t quite play as the main ‘striker’ like the previous two. David Villa’s role was transforming a static attack to a very dynamic one. The former Valencia man, used to switch with either Pedro or Messi, allowing them to find a soft-spot in defence. It was like a virus, very hard to stop.

Their movements would often mean Xavi finding a gap in defence in providing that clinical through pass in which any forward player would notch onto it. The opponent’s defensive line would think its offside, therefore they wouldn’t move to stop the attacking player.

Nowadays, we don’t find that as teams know how to play against them. Due to their short statures they know they are not going to expect a cross. Therefore, teams implement Sacchi’s ideology, ‘compact defending’. The defensive line would be very tight and in front of them, providing a screen, a very condensed midfield. This will limit the effectiveness of Barcelona as they are not going to score from wide positions.

If that continues, the ‘Dream Team’ will no longer be the side they used to be. Let’s not forget that arrogance is what cost Rijkaard his job.

 

Written by Ahmed Assem

Follow Ahmed on Twitter @AhmedAssem97

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Champions League: The Semi-final Preview

  By O-Posts Team | April 23, 2013 - 18:08 | , , , , , , , ,
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An enthralling and exciting semi-final slam awaits us. Four European giants, who play some of the most brilliant football ever seen throughout, battle it out for the chance, the opportunity to take the most prestigious club competition on the continent. Who are the favorites? Who are the underdogs? Here’s our world-class (somewhat) preview of what potentially awaits us all.

 

Bayern Munich – Barcelona

Bayern Munich have turned things around this season in grand style. It has even been said that Pep Guardiola might have nothing left to achieve by the time Jupp’ Osram’ Heynckes quits the Bavarians. News coming out of Germany this morning say that Mario Gotze is switching allegiance next season.

His next destination? The Allianz Arena to join his Nationalelf teammates, Neuer, Muller, Lahm, Schweini etc in what will be perhaps the best squad of players even assembled in Munich. The 6-1 mauling of Hannover 96 at the weekend was too good to be true. The Roten have scored for fun from the beginning of the season and only Arsenal have beaten them since the turn of the year. Against Wolfsburg in the Pokal Semis, Bayern also scored six and conceded one-a beauty from Deigo Ribas.

These goals galore have been done without the bulk of their first team players. The likes of  ‘EL Conquistador’ Pizarro who has been described as the best ’3RD STRIKER’ in the world by many, Jerome Boateng who has dropped to the bench since the start of the season, Xherdan Shaqiri, the diminutive Swiss winger, Arjen Robben who has found himself among the starters recently because of Toni Krooss’ layoff, etc have come in and done a great job. The Bundesliga champions are battle-ready for any team. Even Barcelona do not scare them considering the form they are in presently.

Barcelona are one of the favourites for Champions League glory. But before they secure a Wembley date against either Real Madrid or Dortmund, Bayern Munich must be stopped. However arduous it seems to be, the Blaugrana are unfazed by the challenge in front of them. A late 1-0 win over Levante nonetheless, the Spanish champions-elect have the ability to unsettle any team.

Tito Vilanova and his coaching staff are sweating over the fitness of star man, Lionel Messi. The Argentine has been sidelined for the last three League games and only came on versus PSG because it was absolutely expedient. Whether he can feature from the start today is something the management have kept close to their chest. If Messi does not play, the task will be made all the more difficult.

Barcelona have stars like Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Villa, Busquets, and Pedro, but without Messi, they are not so special. Forget the 5-0 success over an already condemned Mallorca. Carles Puyol and Javier ‘Jefecito’ Mascherano are currently sidelined through injury.

That leaves gaps in the Catalan rear guard which is likely to be filled by the returning Eric Abidal whose story has been one of greatness and determination. The Frenchman completed 90 minutes against Levante on Saturday. His height and balance will give him an edge over Adriano because of the giant nature of the Bayern point men.

Marc Batra can also line up alongside Pique if Abidal is not trusted enough to carry the responsibility.

 

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYERN: Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, GOMEZ.

Lahm and Schweini return to the starting eleven after being left out of the team that won emphatically at Hannover. Mario Mandzukic is suspended for this fixture, so the other Mario, Gomez, will step in his shoes. Javi Martinez has been vocal in his praise of his Spanish friends at Barcelona. Paying homage to Xavi and Busquets especially. He must perform every well to also earn their eulogies. Arjen Robben has a point or two to prove tonight. His mistakes cost Bayern dear in last year’s final. He must make amends to get back into the fans hearts in a positive light.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, as usual, has a big role to play tonight. The German machine kept Andrea Pirlo quiet in the two matches against Juventus. A similar showing is expected of him when Xavi steps foot on the Inflatable boat in a few hours. Lahm, Gustavo and Dante will all miss the 2nd leg at the Nou Camp if they are cautioned in this game.

 

BARCA: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Batra/Abidal/Adriano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.

For all of Christian Tello’s runs, goals, and assists in the last couple of weeks, it is unlikely that he will start tonight. The experienced heads of Villa and Pedro will be preferred to the youthful exuberance of the pacy winger. Messi could return to the team and Sergio Busquets has shaken off a hernia problem to face the Bavarian giants.

It is in defence that the problem lies. Bartra, Adriano or Abidal? The answer lies with Tito and Jordi Roura. Gerard Pique was uttering some annoying things against Germany in the build up to his great game. He has  to do the talking on the pitch tonight.

 

Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund

The Schwarzgelben might have shot themselves in the foot with the shocking news that Mario Gotze is set to join arch-rivals, Bayern Munich in the summer for 37 Million Euros. However tempting the offer may be/or have been, Germany’s Lionel Messi who says he’d rather be called the CR7 of DIE MANNSCAFT, should not be allowed to go for any price.

The Signa Iduna landlords are becoming a major force in Europe and to move further, their best players must stay put. That is beside the point. Some of immediate greater importance is before them. The visit of high flying Real Madrid who are so willing to win their 10th European trophy popularly called ‘LA DECIMA’ by the Merengues faithful.

Borussia Dortmund do not give a hoot about Real Madrid’s quest to win the Champions League – they harbour their own ambitions, too. The Borussens have relinquished their Bundesliga crown to Bayern already and are looking for silverware this season. A 2nd European triumph, 16 long years after the first, will be a fantastic accomplishment. Jurgen Klopp has been bullish in his assertions that BVB can do the impossible this term. No one can doubt the quality they possess.

Robert Lewandowski cannot stop scoring. If the Pole scores in his next 5 league games, he will break Gerd Muller’s long standing record of scoring in 16 consecutive League games  Mats Hummels has returned to full fitness and is poised to start alongside Neven Subotic in defence, leaving Felipe Santana on the sidelines. The Brazilian will be infuriated by this. After all, it is because of him that Dortmund are in the semi-finals. Rolls Reus scored against Real at the Bernabeu in their group encounter and can repeat the same feat if given the opportunity.

Real Madrid have a few injury problems. The war against Betis was won not without a few casualties. Benzema and Modric picked up minor injuries, while Marcelo was stretchered out of the pitch following a hamstring issue. Varane, Coentrao and Sergio Ramos are all likely to return to the starting 11 tomorrow. Di Maria and Xabi Alonso are also set to take their places in midfield and Pipita Higuain will lead the line with CR7 as usual, carrying the team’s hopes and aspirations.

Jose Mourinho has to decide yet again if Iker Casillas will return between the sticks or continue with the very impressive Diego Lopez. He wants to win the Champions League at all costs after three consecutive semi-final appearances. Dortmund stand in the way, just like Bayern last time out and Barcelona two seasons prior. The Portuguese is set to leave the Spanish capital at the end of the season. What better way to sign off than with a record breaking 10th UCL title.

Real will not look beyond this game despite the capital derby showdown at the weekend which will go a long way to decide who finishes as La Liga runners-up. The’whits’ must do better than their last showing in Rhine-Westphalia. The 2-1 loss was deserved by the Ruhr giants and they almost won at the Bernabeu until a late Ozil free-kick sealed a 2-2 draw for the hosts.

Tomorrow night, both sides will attempt to get an early goal and ultimately secure an unassailable advantage before the 2nd leg in Spain.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer, Bender, Gundogan, Kuba, ROLLS REUS, Gotze, Lewandowski.

Lewandowski has shaken off a minor problem to play in this game. Despite Gotze’s imminent departure, the playmaker will do everything humanly possible to destroy Real Madrid. Captain Sebastian Kehl who just signed a contract extension will start on the bench with Bender taking his place.

 

REAL MADRID: Lopez, Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, CR7, Higuain.

The back four will feature Ramos-Pepe and Varane from the start for the first time this season in Europe. Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira return to their adopted country. This time around, not to represent them, but to stop one of its leading teams from emerging victorious tomorrow.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is the top European goal scorer this season with 11 goals. Two more and he will reach the 50-goal milestone in the Champions League. He has 50 already this season in all competitions and 196 in Real colours.

 

Written by Ohiskaka Eboreime

Follow Ohis on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

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Barcelona: What does the future hold for the Blaugrana’s defence?

  By O-Posts Team | March 19, 2013 - 17:04 | , , ,
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It has been a year of foreboding for Barcelona, sitting comfortable at the summit of La Liga by a margin of 13 points as they close in on the title, while also looking ominously potent in the Champions League, yet the first season post-Pep Guardiola his hinted at some of the problems behind the shield of invulnerability that has characterised the all-conquering Catalan club over the trophy-laden recent years.

Whilst Lionel Messi has continued his habit of smashing records and the midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta continue their unmovable devotion to the brand of “tiki-taka”, questions have been raised over a defence that has, on occasion, appeared worryingly shaky.

This has come with the 31 goals they have shipped in the league, with ten games remaining just four less than the highest amount conceded in Guardiola’s four-year reign. In the Copa Del Rey, Real Madrid ruthlessly disposed of them in the Nou Camp with cutting counter-attack while AC Milan leeched on such weakness to establish a 2-0 lead in their Champions League tie, before succumbing to Messi and co. in the second leg.

Even in that game in the Nou Camp, Milan had enough chances to see the job through but were undone by wastefulness in front of goal. However, as Jordi Alba sealed the 4-0 rout from his position of left-back, there was a feeling that his defensive partners would have to tighten up considerably if they are to reach their second Champions League final in three years.

The central defensive partnership of Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué, that has often been so solid for both club and country, has suddenly appeared insecure. Piqué, as many would point out, has usually relied on Puyol’s excellent reading of the game to bail him out from his eccentric positional sense. The latter, at the age of 34, has started just 12 times this season as ageing limbs begin to take effect, leaving Javier Mascherano being asked to play out of position alongside Pique who has a tendency to look weak without his experienced captain alongside him.

Pique and Puyol partnership.... shaky at best this season.

The Pique and Puyol partnership…. shaky at best this season.

Tito Vilanova signed Alex Song for 19 million euros and has fielded him at centre-half on a couple of occasions despite being deployed in his natural centre-midfield berth at Arsenal. Underneath that four, which continues two centre-backs and two stop-gaps, there appears to be nobody able to gain the trust of Vilanova.

The Catalans have been linked with summer moves for Thomas Vermaelen and Daniel Agger as well as Real Sociedad’s highly talented 21 year old Inigo Martinez, but it is a prevalent question why the answer hasn’t appeared from the conveyor belt of supreme talent of which their success has been founded, the talent chamber of La Masia.

Andreu Fontas and Marc Bartra have both been educated by Barcelona’s highly fertile coaching set-up and are waiting in the wings to possibly provide the same defensive security as Vermaelen and Agger without having to pay a considerable fee. However, despite the vast array of appearances they both made for Barca’s “B” side, they have made just 16 appearances combined since Fontas was handed his debut by Guardiola as an 18 year old on the opening day of 2009.

Fontas is now 23 and on loan at Mallorca in a quest to find regular football after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage last winter, but he has also found regular game time hard to come by on the island, making only 8 appearances as he plays back-up to Joao Victor. Bartra meanwhile has been handed 6 substitute appearances by Vilanova, but he hasn’t appeared at all since mid-November’s defeat of Real Zaragoza when a muscle injury ruled him out for 3 weeks.

Now, with Puyol out for up to 3 weeks after surgery on his knee, it is possibly time for the 22 year old Bartra to step up to prove he can be the heir to the captain’s position. Jordi Roura, Vilanova’s assistant and stand-in coach whilst the manager recovers from his illness, has indeed suggested he can, “he obviously has a bigger chance to play” he said, “we love his hard work”.

In the league, where Barcelona a marching to the championship with consummate ease with ten matches left, there is no better chance for Bartra to prove Vilanova’s judgement correct when he, according to Roura, made the decision to block a possible sale last summer.

The La Liga title will be hoovered up barring a miracle but, after experiencing a concerning degree of turbulence in their passage past Milan in the second round, the Champions League may elude them just like it did last year when Chelsea exposed their lack of pace on the break. With Piqué liable to struggle and Puyol hitting the injury-torn autumn of his fine career, there is little doubting the Catalans must renovate their back-line of the summer or risk a serious malaise.

Despite Fontas’s injury troubles and Bartra’s worrying lack of game-time considering he has remained perfectly fit over the past four months, there will be a hope that at least one of them can join the extraordinary company of La Masia graduates to step up to regularly play in the first team. Barcelona definitely need a new defender or two, but the question is whether they come from within.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Celtic: Barcelona left shocked in Scotland

  By O-Posts Team | November 8, 2012 - 14:58 | , , ,
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7/11/12 – a date which every single Celtic supporter will remember for the rest of their lives. The date was already special as it marks the club’s 125th anniversary, but their 2-1 victory over one of the greatest teams in the world was the icing on top.

It’s not every day a Scottish club like Celtic will beat a team like Barcelona in a competition like the Champions league; but today was the day the Bhoys in Green stunned football pundits around the world as they defied all odds.

Going into this fixture Celtic were definitely the under dogs, even though they were narrowly defeated away to Barcelona. Celtic may have been labelled as the small fries but that didn’t keep them from thinking positive and playing like they had won the competition 4 times over themselves.

Ahead of the monstrous game, Neil Lennon made four changes to the side which drew against Dundee United on the weekend. Scott Brown was ruled out due to illness while Thomas Rogne and Emilio Izaguirre were left out because of injuries. Youngster Tony Watt was dropped off the starting line up as Mikael Lustig, Efe Ambrose, Georgios Samaras and Miku made way into the starting 11.

Ahead of the match, Celtic fans decorated Celtic Park in honour of the club’s 125th anniversary. Prepared by the Green Brigade, Celtic Park was wreathed in green and white – a stunning display to join the already energetic and high powered atmosphere travelling throughout the stadium.

Barcelona started off the game in front of a crowd of 60,000 at Celtic Park. Both teams took a while to settle into the game but it was the Bhoys in Green who took the first jump at the scoreboard. Victor Wanyama tore up the pitch towards goal, sending the Barcelona defence into panic mode.

He won the Hoops a corner which then resulted into a goal for Celtic. Wanyama jumped above both teams to head Charlie Mulgrew’s fine corner into the net; and if anyone asks, Wanyama is the one responsible for the earthquake caused by Celtic fans which shook up the ground in Celtic Park.

Six minutes later Celtic had a sufficient chance to double their lead against Barcelona. Adam Matthews came charging down the left flank and almost received his first assist for the club if Victor Valdes had not intercepted the ball from Georgios Samaras.

Barcelona was buoyant as they sped towards goal. At the half hour mark, Lionel Messi powered a ball which Forster just got his fingertips to. Alexis also joined Messi in hitting the woodwork as Barcelona increased the pressure, but they failed in gaining anything for their efforts as Celtic walked off the pitch at half time with their 1-0 lead.

Barcelona started off the second half as the stronger side. After a series of corners from Barcelona, Celtic still managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to some excellent defending from their players. Fraser Forster was even down on all fours as Barcelona continued to fire balls from left, right and centre at the Englishmen.

It was Forster’s exceptional goalkeeping which gave Celtic their second goal of the night. Forster’s ball deceived the likes of Xavi, which gave the chance for Tony Watt to slot the ball past the Barcelona keeper – a reflection of Alex Morgan’s World Cup goal against Japan last year.

“It’s the most special goal of my life. I don’t know if I’ll ever score a goal as important as that in my career, the second in a 2-1 win,” said Tony Watt.

There still might have been 7 or so minutes left in normal time, but Celtic fans were celebrating as if they had already won the Champions League. Not even Messi’s quick tap in could kill their mood. As the referee blew his whistle to signal full time, the roar of the crowd quickly deafened everyone watching from home. The game ended 2-1 and Neil Lennon’s Bhoys just made history.

“I think it´s one of the greatest nights in the club´s recent history and very poignant on our 125th anniversary,” said the manager. “To play Barcelona in such a prestigious game and then win the game under huge difficulties with the squad decimated by injuries and illness – the players are heroes, they are heroes to me.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of their performances tonight and they will go down in the history books as the side that beat probably the best team in the world.”

Fraser Forster hailed the fighting spirit of his team mates against the Spanish giants:

“It was a fantastic team performance. I’m delighted to have made some saves and contributed, but we put up an amazing fight for the 90 minutes. We had a lot of injuries, but we coped with it ever so well and I’m delighted with the result. I like the challenge of the big games – they’re the ones you dream about playing in as a kid.”

With 5 attempts on goal, 5 on target, 11% possession and 166 total passes compared to a whopping 23 attempts on goal, 14 on target, 89% possession and 955 total passes; not only have Celtic raised the bar in the Champions League for their up and coming rivals, but they have also boosted the Scottish League and their own reputation in stunning fashion.

It even left Rod Stewart in tears by the end of the match.

If you’re the same as us then maybe this result got you thinking about maybe a sneaky outside bet at an online bookmakers on a team such as Celtic to bring home the cup this year. Either way you could be in for a win – I bet the people who placed money on Celtic to win, probably brushed away as too big a gamble by most, are happy tonight!

Some would even say it was sweeter than 2004…..

 

Written by Siobhan Pedroza

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Tito Vilanova’s New Barcelona

  By O-Posts Team | October 29, 2012 - 14:58 | , , ,
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The last four or five years at Barcelona saw Pep Guardiola lead his boyhood club to the most successful era of the clubs history. Winning three La liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Copa Del Rays, two Super Cups and two World Club Cup’s in just four seasons, Guardiola produced a Barcelona team that is considered by many to be the greatest side in history.

Guardiola wanted his team to dominate each game and to impose their personality, by pressuring high up the pitch, being patient in their build up, before finding the gaps as they so elegantly tore teams apart. Guardiola’s Barca was scintillating, it was footballs answer to the orchestra as Xavi, Messi and co conducted the play, it was beautiful and it was above all successful.

Creating such greatness takes its toll however, and four years of intense pressure and hard work resulted in Guardiola calling time on his managerial position at the Nou Camp last season. Guardiola felt it would be more beneficial for the club, the players and himself if a new face led Barcelona into the next wave. Up step Tito Vilanova.

Spanish football writer Guilleme Ballague referred to last Sundays Classico as the funeral of Pep Guardiolas Barcelona in his soccer blog. This wasn’t to sound down beat and depressed, nor was it to mourn or long for Pep to be on the touchline, but rather to outline a new age and new style of football for FC Barcelona, as Guardiolas former assistant Tito Vilanova looks to build on the clubs recent achievements.

While Guardiola’s and the ‘Cruyff’ football philosophy will always be the foundations of FC Barcelona, it is important that the team continues to adapt in order to maintain it’s superiority in world football.

Tito Vilanova knows exactly how Pep Guardiola and the current set of players work, but so far this season we can see that he is focused on further improving Barca in order to stay ahead of the pressures of a Real Madrid team that continues to improve and grow accustomed to Barca’s style of play. He is also focused on how he can best deal with the growing injury list at the Nou Camp.

For all of the compliments Pep Guardiola’s Barca team received for sticking to their footballing principles and identity, there were also those football blogs that criticised their one-dimensional approach, which on a few occasions did see them slip up. Most notably against Chelsea and Inter Milan in the Champions League semi finals.

Having watched Barca so far this season, now it seems that Vilanova realises that his team need to be slightly more conventional in their play, to be more direct, to play more long balls, and to be more defensively disciplined rather than applying intense pressure high up the pitch. Now if you are like me, then that might not be what you want to hear.

The patience and pure football is why I (and many others) love watching Barcelona. I love the fact that they don’t play long balls, that they don’t’ sit back and defend but look to win the ball back high up the pitch. That’s what makes them beautiful is not?! But if you go back to why Guardiola left the club, this era requires even more effort to make the transformations to the team to continue the success, something Guardiola didn’t feel he could commit to, and these are the types of changes that are required to improve.

Let’s not start to think that Barca will be like the Wimbledon of the 90s or even the Real Madrid of the last couple of years. Their tika taka football will stay in tact, Vilanova simply want’s to instill some steel to the team, which is something that hindered them last season.
Balleague referred to the last clasico as Guardiola’s funeral because it was the first time that we have really seen the transitions that Vilanova has been making to his team.

The match wasn’t a typical Clasico. Although there were chances, it wasn’t end-to-end and wide open as we have seen in recent years. It was more tactical, cagey and disciplined. So much so that Dani Alves was replaced by Martin Montoya after some unsettling moments from the Brazilian. It was a great game, but a clear illustration that Barca are adapting and facing up to life without Guardiola.

It is arguably one of the most difficult tasks in football… to make the best team in the history even better! But as Vilanova transforms Barca’s footballing philosophy, while at the same time building and maintaining an eight-point gap over Real Madrid, as well as being without any recognised centre backs, it is fair to say that he is doing very well so far.

It will be very interesting to see if his new, more direct and disciplined philosophy, will be accepted by the Barca fans, the board and the players. And of course even more interesting to see if it will reap the same rewards that the Barca fans have become accustomed to over the last ten years.

 

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Celtic vs Barca: Can the Bhoys achieve the unthinkable?

  By O-Posts Team | October 23, 2012 - 14:37 | , , , ,
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Ahead of next week’s group of games in the UEFA Champions League, Celtic fans have already started to fret about what Tuesday/Wednesday could bring about.

Those going to the increasingly anticipated match v Barcelona could either leave absolutely shattered or absolutely elated. For those who don’t follow the Glasgow side, I think you know which route the Celtic supporters will probably be taking.

But in football, absolutely anything can happen; as we all saw in the Germany and Sweden World Cup Qualifying match. Maybe the unthinkable can be achieved at Camp Nou.

For Celtic, this will be the match of their lives. Playing Barcelona at Camp Nou is a suicide mission, especially for the Glasgow side who has never had to compete against a skilfully elite team such as Barcelona.

Fraser Forster has never come up against a talented gifted striker like Messi, Charlie Mulgrew and Emilio Izaguirre don’t have players like Iniesta and Xavi to fight against and Gary Hooper could never imagine having a “shaggy dog” like Puyol to fly past in the SPL.

But Barcelona shouldn’t undermine this Celtic side. A team like Celtic aren’t used to losing, especially playing in a league like the SPL where they don’t have any serious competition. With a mindset like the Scottish team possess, they won’t be giving up easily – and this is definitely a game Neil Lennon wants to seal.

Yet Barcelona play against teams like Real Madrid and Valencia week in and week out, which keep the team on their toes. The contrast between the La Liga and the Scottish Premier League is huge. The La Liga feature world class teams and is majorly competitive, while the SPL possess teams who, well, can’t beat Celtic.

Celtic are definitely going into this game as the under dogs. What the fans don’t want to be seeing is The Bhoys “park the bus”. Personally as a supporter of the club, we want to see the boys fight for the three points.

We want to see the boys attack with the passion of lions and defend with hearts of steel. Yes, we are going up against a team considered one of the best in the world – but that’s all psychological. If Celtic thinks like that, then they’re going to lose against one of the greatest teams in the La Liga.

If they go in with confident attitudes and positive determination, then they stand a good chance against Barcelona.

But wait! Let’s rewind back to 2004. Remember the stunning victory against Barcelona? “The Beating of Barcelona” will always remain in the memories of Celtic supporters. Celtic reached the quarter finals of the UEFA cup after defeating Barcelona 0-1 on aggregate.

Celtic’s Alan Thompson scoring the winner against Barca in 2004.

Celtic held on 0-0 against Barcelona at Camp Nou through a fantastic and breath taking performance by non-other than David Marshall. It was the youngster’s third senior game with the club and he held off the likes of Ronaldinho and Luis Enrique. If Celtic ever needed an edge, this renowned game is what they need.

Neil Lennon is hoping that Scott Brown and James Forrest will be fit for the Barcelona match as they both suffered injuries during the international break

“James did his groin in training with the Scotland squad and Scott, as you know, has this ongoing problem”, said the Hoops manager.

“I felt he was playing very well against Wales but obviously he couldn’t continue after half-time so we are assessing him as we go along. We are hoping (he will be fit for Barca), this weekend may be too soon for them but they might have a chance for Tuesday.”

So, can Celtic repeat their runs of 1967 and 1970? Can they pull off another spectacular victory against Barcelona? With only 2 points behind Barcelona and 3 points in front of Benfica, they could very well progress through to the last 16.

Football is a game where unexpected surprises and startling blunders often occur – Barcelona v Celtic will be no exception.

 

Written by Siobhan Pedroza

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Alex Song: A Sweet and Sour start to his Barca career

  By O-Posts Team | October 18, 2012 - 15:00 | , ,
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Alex Song

Alex Song, FC Barcelona’s latest summer signing, was signed from Arsenal in order to cover for Keita’s departure and possibly later on converting into a center back like Mascherano did 2 years ago.

Alex Song’s debut was against Real Madrid in the Supercup 1st leg. Song gave an impressive performance with the few minutes he got to play, completing 19 out of 19 passes that match. Song’s impressive run continued when Barca’s coach gave him a starting role as CDM against Valencia at Camp Nou. In that match he gave a very solid performance defensive and even attacking wise, with nearly a 90% pass completion rate.

Afterwards, Barca’s back two, Pique and Puyol were both injured. This meant Song will finally get to play the role that Tito partially bought him for, and that was converting into a center back, and it was against Granada. There were very high expectations on him, and everyone expected him to adapt like Mascherano did. Unfortunately for Song, he didn’t perform well, with a lot of defensive lapses and shaky defending.

The match eventually ended with a 2-0 win for Barca on the dying minutes. Yes, a clean sheet was kept for FC Barcelona, but that wasn’t because of the defense, it was because of some heroic saves from Victor Valdes and lots of missed chances from Granada.

Song, again, featured at center-back against Sevilla where Barca conceded 2 goals but eventually won the match in the dying minutes. This match showed that he is yet to adapt to playing in that role.

In brief, Song’s start of the season at Fc Barcelona has been a ‘sweet and sour’ experience for him, as he excelled playing in his natural position which is CDM, while he showed some unconvincing performances when he played in the center of defense.

Song still needs to adapt, no main conclusion or evaluation can be made about him since it is still the beginning of the season. We still have to wait till mid-season to see if Song can adapt to Barca’s playing style or if he will fail like some players have.

 

Written by Nadim Rmeity

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Football Meme: Xavi – The “Maestro”

  By O-Posts Team | October 6, 2012 - 22:18 | ,
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Xavi- The Maestro

 

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Created by Ali Tarhini

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Barca vs Real Madrid: The El Clasico Preview

  By O-Posts Team | October 6, 2012 - 19:26 | , , ,
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Barca vs Real Madrid- El Clasico

The best match in the world will be played tomorrow at the Nou Camp and the whole world is getting ready for another epic battle between Real Madrid and their arch-rivals Barcelona.

Going into the match Barca are 1st in the league and have a massive 8 point lead over Madrid. Both teams are coming off huge Champions League victories. Real demolished Ajax 4-1 and Barcelona beat Benfica 2-0, but they could have easily scored a lot more had they not been a man down.

Both teams are in good form and the match will most likely be a closely contested game. Madrid need the victory to have any hope of a title charge. Barcelona will be hoping to stretch their lead to an amazing 11 points. If Barcelona win they will have a massive advantage in the league. Both teams have it all to play for.

The match will be a 90 minute chess game between Mourinho and Vilanova. The tactics will play a huge part in who the victors will be. Everyone will be excited to see if Mou will live up to his tinkering reputation and what plan Vilanova will implement regarding his teams defense.

 

Most influential players:

 

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

The Spanish National Goalkeeper will definitely be tested a couple of times. He has been letting in a lot of simple goals lately and this match is the perfect opportunity for him to kick-start his season.

 

Xavi (Barcelona)

Xavi will be running the mid-field as he always does and will probably complete a couple hundred passes as usual. He will be very important for Barcelona if they want to break down the Madrid defense.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Having scored two hat-tricks in his two previous matches he is on an outstanding scoring streak and Madrid fans will be hoping he can keep the balls hitting the net.

 

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Messi has been on a bit of a dry patch having not scored in three games, but he has made up for that by assisting almost every goal that Barcelona scored in those matches. He will run past the defense more than once, but the key will be if he can keep calm under the pressure and get past the best ‘keeper in the world.

 

El Clasico is a match between two footballing giants and is the biggest derby of them all. The result of this match will have a big influence on how these two teams’ seasons will pan out. The whole world will be watching again as the biggest war in football continues with another battle on Barcelona’s home turf.

 

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Written by Deon Beauzec

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