Yeah yeah, you’re right. I’m out of this world now, in a far corner galaxy with only asteroids and…… an internet connection.
The comeback against Athletic Club Milan is one to be remembered for a long long time! What a performance. I saw Guardiola’s Barcelona for the first 75 minutes. I hope they go into the quarter finals with the same aggression, verve and determination.
Right from the very beginning, the Catalans attacked which paid dividends in just five minutes! Barca looked total domination with the possession, as usual. And this combined play produced a magic in five minutes, from who else? Lionel Andres Messi! The tiki-taka went on like Iniesta, Pedro, Busquets, Messi, Xavi, Messi, BOOOM! Right in the left top corner. They call it the ‘date’ area on a page. Precise finishing. The ball bobbled a bit and the shot looked like a kind of quarter volley (or whatever). When the ball flew off Messi’s side foot, five defenders were surrounding him. Make no mistake, FIVE! God knows how he still managed to place it that well. Totally unable to guess if this guy even looks at the goal before shooting, especially in the games at the Camp Nou. Legendary play, legendary goal, legendary momentum gained to continue the game!
Domination, domination everywhere! Possession was on a high for Barca. They made a few mistakes here and there but it rarely advantaged the visitors from Italy. They were showing no real signs of attack until around the 38th minute when Javier Mascherano headed the ball wrongly in a literally empty Barca half and M’baye Niang got foot hold of the ball. He just had to run around half the length of the field to score past the only defender, who was the goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Niang did everything except a good finish. He bet Valdes and tried to pass the ball into the goal but unfortunately it hit the far post and rolled back into the field only to be picked up by Dani Alves for the next Barca attack.
Seconds after the Niang miss, the Rossoneri paid heavily. Messi again with another brilliant goal to add to his tally. Ambrosini lost out to Iniesta who in turn played the ball on to Messi who looked to be an inch or two in the offside position. But the flag stayed down and Messi took a touch to cut inside, then flashed on the ball which went through the legs of the rushing Phelippe Mexes and into the goal. No chance for Abbiati. 2-0 for Barcelona. The damage created at the San Siro was erased like a pencil mark by Messi in less than 40 minutes at the Camp Nou. He sure silenced the critics, as he was mentioned to be particularly silent against Italian teams. The first half was over in five minutes with both teams heading into the tunnel, level pegging on the aggregate.
The second half started with Barca sticking to the ground rules they adapted, when they started the match. Pass, pass, tiki, taka! It was a magnificent sight, the fluency with which Barca were playing the Joga Bonito. The silent hymns in the Camp Nou were broken in the 55th minute when Xavi fed David Villa who was on the edge of the D box, with an inch perfect pass wonderfully controlled by Villa. Took a touch towards the goal and scored a beauty with his weaker left foot. Curling into the far left corner, this gave Barcelona a lead for the first time in the tie. A much awaited lead after 145 minutes of play. Camp Nou erupted, the sound equivalent to magma coming out of a volcano. Villa delivers when it matters the most. How true. It is high time, the coaches make him a permanent in the starting 11, with Pedro and Alexis alternating the second winger position between them.
Barca were playing wonderfully, created lots of chances until the 75th minute where things started to turn nervy because of the away goals rule. Milan would go through if they scored one goal. Barca started defending for the first time in the match. The last 15 minutes, I was pissing my pants in waiting for the fourth goal from Barca which didn’t happen till 90 minutes. Robinho, Bojan and Muntari were introduced in place of Niang, Flamini and Ambrosini respectively. Robinho played damn well and also almost scored when he came rushing towards a Bojan’s low cross. But Jordi Alba did exceedingly well to see off the ball with a perfect sliding tackle. In the stoppage time, Barca broke for a counter attack with Messi leading from the front. Seeing Alexis’ run, Messi put a through ball which in turn was crossed by Alexis to Jordi Alba who was running at a lightning pace. Alba took a brilliant first touch, one on one with Abbiati, scored through his legs for cent percent completion of the Italian Job.
4-0 on the night, 4-2 on the aggregate, Barca were through to the quarter finals of the UEFA CHampions League for the sixth consecutive time.
Tactically speaking, Barca’s plan B worked like a charm. Jordi Alba remained in defense while Dani Alves went forward and literally operated like a fourth attacker. With Cesc on the bench, it was easier for Iniesta to work with Xavi than when he operated as a winger at San Siro. Defensively, a lot more work needs to be done. But the one good thing is that, Tito Vilanova would be returning within this month after his treatment for cancer, from New York.
The draw for the rest of the tournament is done and Barca are facing a French contingent in the quarters. It’s going to be Paris-Saint Gremain VS Barcelona! The return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Can’t wait to see the action.
Messi after his crucial first goal to set the tempo
Jordi Alba after finishing the Italian Job
The team celebrating after nullifying the damage done at the San Siro
David Villa after the most decisive third goal
I may have bored you but this itself is a result of my boredom! I’ll try and write about a more interesting subject next week. Until then, open the bottle and say cheers!
eswaaaaar 