FC Barcelona vs Mallorca, 4-2

[flywoman]

In the first half, Xavi scored a gorgeous goal off a direct free kick, Leo Messi made a powerful low shot that got right past the keeper, and after selflessly crossing the ball back into the box one too many times, Cristian Tello decided to pretend that the four-odd defenders between himself and the net did not exist and miraculously scored a third in the extra minute.

You would think that this would mean a relatively composed second half, but you would be wrong. Five minutes in, Mallorca mounted a counterattack, and with Dani Alves straggling back from way the hell up by the opposition goal as usual, Pereira was wide open to receive a pass directly in front of Valdes and slam it past him. Then, three minutes later, an accidental handball by Sergio Busquets resulted in a penalty kick and second goal for Mallorca. Luckily, Messi managed a second goal in the 70th minute, making him the highest goal scorer in a single year ever, a record formally held by Brazilian phenomenon Pele.



It was great to see Pique back in action after his most recent injury, and defending very well at that. Hopefully we will have Puyol back on the pitch next weekend and we can stop being so anxious about our leaky defense. Alexis Sanchez also made the most of his limited time on the ball, assisting Messi's second goal with his chest(!). And while Victor Valdes couldn't do much about the two goals that were scored, he saved another one like a boss. It was also very sweet to see many of the boys hugging their on-loan teammate Andreu Fontas, who came on as a substitute for Mallorca in the last quarter of the match.

Next week many of our key players will be away for international friendlies - the Spaniards in Panama, the Argentinians in Saudi Arabia. Hopefully they won't contract the FIFA virus just in time for the match against Zaragoza on Saturday.

Comments

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Xavi is the boss, for sure; sometimes his football is actually better than porn (and that was such an occasion).
That was a good goal from Tello too. Well we don't have any defenders, so eh why not.

It was mad in the second half, like watching my other team (you'd think I would handle it better then but no).
Yeah exactly, not sure why Dani even counts as a defender that was pretty ridiculous. Not very impressed with Busi either, he should know better (still love him though).

Totally knew that Leo would be beat the record (I bet Pele is thrilled ;)), now it's just sweepstake on how high his final total will be. He needs a hat trick though, to take home the match ball (as little Thiago doesn't have enough to play with).

I have missed Pique (in a football capacity) and he did make a diffrence. Puyi better be back soon as well; if only so the commentators here will stop ranting that we have no centre backs ... uh we know!

So are loan players allowed to play against the parent club in la liga then? (my dad was wondering, apparently you can't in England). That was so sweet; he got a massive hug from Pique, as their fourth moc moc musketeer.

Eek that's a bit tight scheduling then, and of course biggest contingent of la seleccion comes from Barca so everyone will be ok. Put like that I now don't feel so bad that Xavi has to stay home (maybe he'll get bored and make a mini-Xavi, like all the cool popular kids are).

[bleeding-dry.livejournal.com]

Intruding to reply...

So are loan players allowed to play against the parent club in la liga then?

Yes, unless their club includes a clause against it in the loan contract. I know Madrid usually does it, but I'm not sure how common it is.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Ah right, that makes sense, thanks. :)

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

OMG, so true, I actually shrieked in ecstasy when he put it in ;).

Dani actually was being very productive up front, not his fault that forwards kept failing to run into the box. But then his neglected defense duties, oy vey.

Hahahaha, my first thought when Leo scored was, "TAKE THAT PELE! WHO'S THE KING NOW? UH HUH."

Now that even Cesc has gotten on board, a Xavito (or Xavita) should be the next priority. Of course I don't even know his gf's name, only that he's currently "muy contento" with his personal life ;).

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

lol I did as well, and the replays were lovely. Then it was so cute that afterwards he seemed a bit suprised, and Jordi was first to get in there for a hug. :)

Well yes to be fair that is true. Think he's given Leo the most assists so far. See when we've actually got a decent defence then he can be as free spirit as he likes; but yeah not so much right now.

lol me too; I respect Pele as a player in his day, but he needs to get over the fact that times change and you should be gracious.

I've still not come to terms with the concept of Cesc with a kid (he still is one pretty much, and I don't really like his girlfriend).
While I'm not quite convinced Xavi would procreate, because that would detract from football, that would be a very cute baby and he is an actual grown up. His girlfriend is called Nuria apparently (I stalk him on tumblr, judge away). Aww that's lovely that he's happy.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Jordi looked soooooo excited for him, lol.

Totally agree, although maybe he was under instructions from Tito to open up the right side?

I just can't imagine Leo being so dismissive of the amazing young player who comes along to break *his* records when he's old and grey.

Yeah, I feel bad about it, but I don't really get what he sees in his girlfriend. Also, it's just a little creepy that he hooked up with her after Geri found Shakira under similar circumstances and now he's following in his footsteps in the spawn department too.

Xavi has a tumblr??? Do tell.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Cutest fanboy/bromance ever. :)

Hmm maybe, but who can ever tell. He generally plays like that regardless. Still whatever Tito is doing is going pretty ok.

No I don't think so either, by then he might well have forgotten most of his records anyway. They don't even seem too important to him now, long as the team wins he's happy.

Oh no he doesn't (far as anyone knows ;)), I just mean the tag for his name on tumblr; that collates all the photos/posts that mention him into one long stream of pretty.
He doesn't even have facebook or twitter so it seems unlikely he'd bother with tumblr. I kind of hope he does get something though, or maybe instagram (because Iker got one recently and it's just too precious).

[ikbal hosen shoeb (from livejournal.com)]

How are u champian