Sevilla - Barcelona "Match Review"

Both teams have shared the points and the performance. After Sevila being the better part in the first half, Barcelona could pull the game to their side in the second half, they even had real chances to come back with the three points.

After Messi trying his luck from distance, Barca were completely away from the game, when Sevilla took the game forword showing their will to score, with many chances were mostly denied by V.Valdes, finally in the 34th minutes they were able to put themselves one goal ahead after very good play started from Alaves and finished by Capel who was also the goal scorer in the cup game. Barca reaction didn’t seem coming, the same game style continued leading to the half time.

Marquez and Ronaldinho were the two substitutions, they replaced each of Edmilson and Thuram. The center line now shaped by Iniesta, Xavi and Ronaldinho, leaving each of Gio, Henry and Messi in the front line. Barcelona were finally capable to control the ball the way they should, while Sevilla they seem just to counter attack the visitors. Gudjohnsen replaced Henry who had physical problem on his left leg obvioulsy caused him leaving the field. The main chances were created by Xavi who sent the ball from distance twice but his ball was not directed to the goal. In the 75th minutes, Messi put Xavi face to face with Palop, who finally gave Barca the equaliser. Sevilla problems continued after being left with ten men, when Keita committed a foual against Messi on the edge of the penelty area causing him the second yellow. Barceona appeared more dominant and pushing for the winning goal, but the result repeated itself again to remain 1-1 draw.

Frank didn’t have many choices to make his start line, nine players were absent from the first squad, he even called some extra players from Barca B. It was announced before the match that Marquez and Ronaldinho are not fit for 90 minutes. The problem was obvious in the center line with Edmilson poor appearance, he was the weakest link causing lack of ball control giving Sevilla more space to push against Barca defense.

All in all, 1-1 wasn’t bad result for the visitors under these conditions, they are five points behind Real Madrid, who are willing to make the gap to eight points tonight against Valladolid.

Barcelona - Osasuna “Match Review”

Barcelona came to the match willing to close the gap at the top of the table after Real Madrid failure against Almeria. Thanks to Xavi who finally gave the fans what they have come for before three minutes from the finall whistle. In the other side Osasuna didn’t give any sign that they wanted to win the game.

Barca went out from the beginning for the opening goal, they were able to reach Ricardo in many occasions, and even passing him when Iniesta chipped the ball over him but Osasuna defender cleared it into a corner kick. The attacking football was continuously done by Barcelona, they tried hard to push forword but the result remained the unchanged.

After the break, Barcelona kept on dominating the game, the will for an opening goal was no more the players desire, the only desire for them became a winning goal, but still Osasuna wall couldn’t fall apart. Henry and Messi were obviously exhausted after playing the last game in the spanish cup, both of them left the field giving the way to Giovani Dos Santos and Ronaldinho. Barcelona not scoring didn’t please the fan, in the same time Osasuna was keeping the same defending style, moreover they were into wasting time and complaning to the referee. The last substitution came on the 81th minte when Xavi replaced Deco. On the 87th minute, after good work from Giovani, he set the ball for Iniesta who tried his luck but his ball was reflected by Osasuna defense, then finding Xavi who gave Barca the winning goal to assure the three points.

In general, Barcelona played their attacking football style. One thing remains unsolved for Frank which is the lack of goals, he already mentioned this fact to the media asking his players for more goals, adding that being the side who deserve to win doesn’t bring the three points. In the other hand side, Barcelona defense still shows quality in keeping their goal clean giving them the title of the best defense line in La Liga this season, thanks to the additional services provided by Milito and Abidal.