For the last two years there has simply been no better soccer team in the world than Futbol Club Barcelona. The Blaugrana have taken the ball-possession passing games to new highs, literally erasing teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United from the field.
They gave a recital in that dominance on Sunday, whipping Racing 0-3 on their home field. They owned possession, made several chances count and enjoyed superb goalkeeping - they look light years better than anyone else in the league.
Barca got off to a fast start with a goal by Lionel Messi in just the second minute. Xavi passed straight up the field from deep in his own side, Iniesta relayed the pass slightly past midfield onto Messi's boot 25-30 yards from goal and Messi left his marker in the dust to go 1-on-1 with the goalie - and score.
Andres Iniesta put the blaugrana up 2-0 with a vaselina that floated effortlessly over Racing goalkeeper Tono's head after he had come out to block an earlier shot. The little genius started on the right wing with orders to roam at will and he made his presence felt throughout the game.
David Villa capped the superb game off by scoring in the 61st minute. He opened his account in the league and left each of the Barca front line with a goal.
They looked good! The connection between the midfield and the front line is optimal and the front three's constant movement makes them very, very hard to mark. Should they stay healthy these three could easily have the type of year that Messi, Eto'o and Henry did together two years ago. I fully expect that this Barca team will score even more goals than that Barca team thanks to the addition of a perfectly adapted David Villa and Messi's constant improvement in the system (hard to imagine he can keep improving but he does).
Easily forgotten in the offensive firepower is Victor Valdes. The Barca goalkeeper put on a world-class display blocking a penalty shot by Tchite (after a rather fictitious penalty call on Maxwell's bump on Francis) and several tough shots throughout the game. Valdes tends to play extremely well when his confidence is high and not so well when he has doubts. It looks like Valdes could sell ice to eskimos with his sky-high confidence today.
Here's what Mundo Deportivo had to say about it.
For Barcelona, it looks like all systems go...
You're getting quite prolific! When can we expect your critique of their odd-looking camisetas? Not a big of the yellow/gold collars and red shorts.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as a team goes crusader like Inter, you'll see a hard-hitting expose on the color choices of Spanish soccer teams. I think I need to see the rest of the league first.
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