FC Barcelona vs. Espanyol, 4-0

[flywoman]

Tito Vilanova approves

It was a great relief to see Tito Vilanova back on the bench following his surgery last month, and hopefully he was pleased with his players' performance. FC Barcelona is sometimes not at its best following the Christmas break, given that several key players spend it in South America and can return jet-lagged and out of condition. That seemed to be the case today - Leo Messi gave the ball away a lot and only scored one goal, off a penalty kick, Adriano and Mascherano didn't play, and Dani Alves was all right but didn't really create any chances on the right. However, the rest of the team stepped up, particularly the winning combination of Jordi Alba, Cesc Fabregas, and Andres Iniesta on the left.

The first goal of the match was crossed in by Iniesta and slammed past keeper Casilla by Xavi Hernandez in the ninth minute. Five minutes later, Cesc indulged in a lovely bit of dribbling and fakery near the endline before passing the ball back to Messi in the center. His shot might have gone in unassisted, but it deflected off the knee of Pedro Rodriguez, giving him the goal credit. Ten minutes after that, Pedro earned a much more legitimate goal, a perfect chip over the keeper from a sweet, sweet pass by Sergio Busquets. And shortly afterwards, Casilla took Cesc down in the box, and Messi got his goal from the resulting penalty shot. That made four goals in the first thirty minutes for Barcelona, in which time Espanyol had created only one opportunity and shot high.

Although they didn't manage to add to their score in the second half, Barcelona hardly diminished in attacking intensity. Pedro should have had a hat trick but was ruled offside repeatedly, at least once incorrectly. Substitute David Villa also had a clear opportunity, but play was stopped for a foul even though Barcelona should have had the advantage. But perhaps it's just as well that Espanyol weren't humiliated too badly, given that many members of each team had just played together for Catalonia in a friendly earlier in the week.

In other news, I missed the Real Madrid match, which apparently was chock-full of drama with a capital M. Jose Mourinho selected Adan over Casillas again, but the back-up keeper was ejected for a clumsy tackle five minutes in, so Casillas got to play anyway - only without the captain's armband. (Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing the armband for the first time in an official match, apparently attempted to offer it to him, but the overture was rebuffed.)

How far can Mourinho's provocations go? Can't the club suspend him or something? Are they only refraining from firing him because of his hefty severance package? This situation has gotten ridiculous imo.


Dani and Thiago think so too.

Comments

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Our three wise men on Epiphany, warms the heart. :)

I know, couldn't tell who had scored at first. Might well have gone in anyway without the deflection, but helps to be sure.
Just need to get David & Alexis on that magic juice too then we're golden.

He has the best faces, well him and Xavi. :)

Hmm not sure, just remember that he did when they played in Panama (Torres was captain). Maybe, letting someone else have a go. He's one of the good ones.

Yes me too ... I never activley liked Mou before (when he was at Chelsea) but it's completely soured. The point gap is great, but should be just that we're doing well (and we are) not because RM is imploding. I feel too awful for Iker to really bust out lawnchair & popcorn (Unai is my spirit animal ;)).
The chants at Nou about 'we love you Mou, please stay' were funny though; doubt many Madridistas are saying that.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

I know, I'm happy that our boys are doing so well, but it's kind of sad that the gap is so wide now because RM is struggling - better to be first among equals, eh? And I have quite a lot of feelings for Iker and Ramos and Oezil :(.

Funny how Mou looked like our worst nightmare for the first two years... and now he looks like RM's.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Yes, do think so too; it's keeping la liga interesting.
Oh me too, I don't normally notice/like Germans (because of the war), but Ozil has really grown on me lately.

Sounds about right, all that bragging last season over la liga and now look at you. I'm really not convinced about his plan to just focus on CL. That's a huge gamble that a.you can stay in, and b.someone else can beat Barca. They can be big fish in a small pond in la liga, but in CL all the teams are pretty evenly matched.

I'm rooting for Barca obviously, so think it will be between them and a German team in the final (Bayern again, or maybe Dortmund as they've been having a good run. Also need excuse to perv on Mats Hummels).