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).

[ikbal hosen shoeb (from livejournal.com)]

How are u champian