FC Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano, 3-1

[flywoman]

Alexis wants in on the Messilla action

More of a mini-review due to time constraints. In what will hopefully be his last match coaching Barcelona this season, Jordi Roura fielded a starting line-up that included Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Cesc Fabregas with Xavi Hernandez out due to another hamstring injury. As Carles Puyol just had knee surgery, the back line consisted of Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, and Adriano Correia, who unfortunately injured his thigh early in the match and had to be replaced by the blonde formerly known as Dani Alves. The front line featured David Villa, Lionel Messi, and Alexis Sanchez - and a lot of sumptuous Messilla magic.

The most surprising thing about this match was the switch in tactics to the rapid counterattack rather than patient passing and crosses into the box, perhaps in part because of the absence of Xavi. Villa got the first goal, assisted by Messi 25 minutes into the match. Messi scored the second and third on either side of the halftime break, both assisted by Villa. He probably would have gotten even more, but the pitch must have been too wet - he and several other players were sliding and stumbling all over the place. Messi also donned the captain's armband for the first time in a La Liga match when Iniesta came off for Thiago in the second half. Rayo Vallecano played aggressively, earning four yellow cards in the process, but Tamudo's goal on entering the pitch in the 70th minute was not enough, although it certainly provoked an awful lot of yelling from keeper Jose Manuel Pinto.

We now pause for international break, with Spain facing Finland and Argentina facing Venezuela on Friday, and then Spain facing France and Argentina facing Bolivia on Tuesday. I hope that both David and Leo maintain this run of excellent form!

Comments

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

It will be good to have Tito back, hopefully he's doing well.

Dani's hair is kind of growing on me, at least you can see him.

I love all the mesilla, it made my shipper heart happy.

See they should have had Xavi around, he would have made sure the pitch was just right.

Hmm I thought Leo had been captain before, but can't remember exactly when.

Being a Barca goalie must be very stressful.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

I think Dani's hair is hilarious!

Messilla were so, so adorable yesterday. I hope that means they've kissed and made up and now Villa will stay with us.

Hahaha, "This pitch is too sloppy!"

Yes, he has been captain before. I'm guessing that it was for one of the minor Copa matches.

OMG, yeah. WHERE IS MY DEFENSE????

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

It is, if not for how it looks then the amount of fuss it's created. He's a good sport.

Oh me too, they were my first otp and it would be too sad. I can barely cope with VV going.

That was probably exactly what he was yelling at the TV at home. Forget coach then, he needs to become the groundsman.

Might have been, it's rare that all the others wouldn't be playing.

But there's the crossbar, and the posts, what more do you want.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Messilla was my first Barcelona OTP too. But I'm now reading rumors that Villa will be renewed! *crossing fingers*

I'm sure he could be coach and boss the groundsman at the same time.

That post saved our collective asses against Milan, for sure.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

That's good then, I hope so.

He could do pretty much anything. But I'm hoping for coach mostly for the clasico press conferences.

Totally.