Audi Cup 2011 Champs!

There are the serious wars like the Champions League knockout stages and there are those friendlies. The big matches might take away all the news but the 'smaller' ones are the ones which you need to look out for, as these showcases the matches of the future, because these are the matches when today's youngsters are given a major role to play. It is in these matches that the boys make their bones and become the 'men' of the future! And so it was. Barcelona, playing without most of the stars, gave out the opportunity to the number of youngsters in the club, the products of the very prestigious 'La Masia', the youth academy of FCB in the 2011 edition of the Audi Cup.
The first match for Barca was bumpy. True. But then the final against the hosts, Munich was again a smooth and arty affair! Goals by Thiago were not exactly as the style of typical Barca football, carefully passed to the net, but these looked even better! These goals were the artistic ones, to swivel in the air and embrace the net of the opponent. With most of the stars absent, Barcelona was not the clear favorites, but that is how the boys do it! Pinto on the gloves looked classy and proved valuable too!
In the end, with the new 'Qatar Foundation' shirts on, this was a good start to what has to be another great year to come.

More than a cause

Barca is up for all the social causes. The club is about bringing in a change in the world, not just brilliant football. With each of the deeds such as the recent one, I agree more and more to FC Barcelona's motto, "More than a club"!
Barça launched another message of its social commitment yesterday in Washington D.C. with the agreement with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to end the scourge of polio. The US philanthropist praised the Club's commitment at an event where he was accompanied by Club President Sandro Rosell and first team coach Josep Guardiola.
Bill Gates, who is now dedicating his time completely to his foundation, praised Barça's implication in social work: "they don't just win out on the field, they also have their values off the pitch and those are values which we share" The Microsoft co-founder also called Guardiola "a genius" and had words of support for the Club's commitment to its youth system and the Club's singularity: "a foundation at a football club is really something out of the ordinary".
Pep Guardiola echoed the President's feelings about the power of the game, claiming: "we know that many millions of children throughout the world look to us and we have a great responsibility. When I see what is happening in places like Somalia, it makes me happy that I am at a club which promotes the values that ours does", Andres Iniesta and Eric Abidal also attended the event which was widely covered by the US media.

Campions

That's what "Champions" are called in Spanish!! It was a night which did not produce a tragedy or an upset, it merely gave the truth and the deserving a credential. It just strengthened the belief, the institution. That was the night of UEFA Champions League Final 2010-2011. One of the most famous stadiums of Europe, the Wembley, London, seemed to be a fitting venue, the rich heritage it carries and also considering the finalist from England. It was as good as an away match for the Blaugranas, going into the island monarchy, where football originated and proving to the world how it should be played!
The pages of history will be the witness of the glory Barcelona has brought, not only to themselves, but to football as well!

The match of the season

Going by the importance, arguably each Liga game carries about the same amount of importance. Lose one and the rival who always seem to breathe on the shoulders would catch you up. But, if you still ask me, which match of Barcelona could be termed as 'Match of the season', I would rate the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in the historical Wembley Stadium of London as the one match which has weight beyond the numerous ones played by Barca this season. The level of the competetion, the opponent and the venue, all of these count.

The first Liga Clasico of the recently concluded season where Real was toppled by Barca 5-0 and took the very important lead in the table can be the closest competitor of the 'Match of the season', followed by the important UCL semi final Clasicos, where another constant called "pride" comes into the picture.

ManU would have a greater support, with larger number of fans from across the globe, from the people who fail to realise that there are teams who play much better football than the Red Devils. But this doesn't diminish the numbers of fan count of the Catalans, who play the kind of football which becomes too hot to handle for the rest of Europe.

I would hope for a repeat of history, for a repeat of the 2009 Champions League final!

The Liga rests with Barca

Once again, Barcelona has claimed the Spanish La Liga title. Once again it has been proven that results come not from the showbiz quotient but by actual performances. Once again, the strategies of coaches who believe in "negative football" has been proven inefficient. For the 3rd straight time, Barca has proven a lot of points to the Fraternity of Football.

The Catalan giants have secured the Spanish Super Copa for the 2009-10 season. Coming back from being dominated by Sevilla in the first leg, Barca thrashed Sevilla 4-0 with none other than Leo Messi finding the back of the net thrice!
As the 2010-11 season starts this weekend with the away match against Racing, it can be said that this high note will set the tempo up

Spain has won the World Cup 2010. The performances of a number of Barca players has been instrumental in this feat. Players like Puyol, Pique, Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, who have already played for Barca and has been a part of the glory days last season have performed with full marks. New recruit Villa has been the new find this World cup and this shows how footballing talent is really appreciated by Barca.
Congratulations to all the Spanish players who have made history!

We are the champions

The Liga is resting in peace in the Nou Camp as I write this. Its been many weekends after Barca has confirmed their spot and the World is looking towards most of the Blaugrana players in a different shirt; the Spanish jersey. More than half of the team is playing for the Best Spanish club. In the eve of the FIFA World Cup, my best wishes and prayers for the Spanish team against the Netherlands.

The Champions League campaign has come to an end this season. However, Barca is still the best in Europe. Internazionale has displayed a defence worth acknowledgement. The Liga war is still on and we hope for the prestigious silverware to be back in Camp Nou.

Want to relive the moment when we went to the Finals

I feel so proud and fortunate about being able to write the great deeds of the Blaugranas. The El Classico in Madrid has turned out as sweet as could be for us. Was not able to catch the action except the goals and in those clips, the Madrid defence looked as ordinary as it could be. Messi turned on the heat again... and probably hit one more nail into the coffin of hopes of other footballers for the 'Footballer of the year' award.

Pedro, looking as good as ever doubled the lead and Cassilas knew it was over. Chris Ronaldo's expressions on the camera was enough for all to make out how he is regretting not being in Man U...and Man U too is regretting the same.

Barca is back where it belongs..the top spot in Liga.

Its just a matter of few games and one more loss for Madrid would mean that there is virtually no stopping Barca in Espana.

The boys have done it again. With the El Classico lurking ahead, Barcelona has proved why they are the current World champions in club football. Arsenal came into Nou Camp hoping for a victory, or at least a draw with 2 away goals. But that was not destined to be. Even for Arsenal's standards, it was way too much to ask for from the European club champions. The final scoreline was drafted as Messi 4, Arsenal 1.

It was sheer class of the Argentine prodigy which resulted in such a scoreline. As a finisher, Messi has outclassed one of the best who ever played. Right from Arsene Wenger, commentators to the neutral sports enthusiasts, there was this unanimous decision: Barcelona was THE BEST in Europe and there is no shame accepting defeat against them. Call it fair play, call it the grace, the skills, the technique or the causes they support...Barca is the most brightest club in Europe. Match started without Puyol and Pique from the Blaugranas and several other stars from the Gunners including Fabregas. Even Ibra and Henry was not in the starting line up. But there was this little man in the red and blue stripes with a golden number 10 on his shirt, who turned the heat on the 1-0 lead taker Arsenal. He scored 4 times with the obvious support from his fellowmen, each one a gem! The last one he scored almost standing, the Arsenal defence had completely lost it.

This game was one to be remembered: this showed why you don't take Messi lightly, this showed why he was called and I quote "..the best of his generation.."

He is the apple of the eyes of fans like us, may he don the red and blue stripes with the magical number 10 forever! It would cost more than just teardrops and heartbreak when that does not happen.

Lionel Messi, salute to you!

Europe was looking towards London last night, when our Catalan heroes arrived at the Emirates stadium for the UEFA Champions League 1st Leg Quarter Final tie. Right from the word 'go', Barca, started their attack and as many as 5 to 6 attempts were miraculously blocked by Almunia. I guess my roommates were almost awakened by my sighs each time Barca missed the net. As usual Barca was, in ways more than one, the better team and both the audience as well as statistics would agree. Arsenal maintained the sheets clean till the break. Ibra netted in right after the half time and it looked like luck has finally let Arsene Wenger down. However, with cruel turn of events, Arsenal broke the Barca defence successfully. Pique was unlucky enough to be shown a card. He misses the 2nd leg. The next incident was far more disgraceful. But I suppose, we have to accept some things against us after what happened at Stamford Bridge last year in the Semis. Puyol was very unjustifiably shown a Red card and Fabregas converted the penalty resulting out of it. Final score stands 2-2 and thus, the minimum target needed for Puyol-less and Pique-less Barca at home next week is a 1-1 draw. 0-0 would be better but no other combination of a draw, let alone a loss, would be enough for Barca to survive.

But on the next matchday, I am expecting the Blaugranas to go for the kill. After all, it will be played in front of the 90000 fan strong Nou Camp!

Osasuna and Mallorca have been defeated in the Liga and we are back on top of the table. Madrid still has a game to play in a couple of hours to again challenge us but if they fail, I guess that is it for them because Barca is on a super run and with the El Classico still to play, I have to say its advantage Barca. The team is showing its true colours for the past few weeks and it is a lovely sight when I see the champions all sticking to the game and supporting each other.

Writing after a while. Barca has in the meantime progressed to the Quarters of Champions League. VFB Stuttgart was the opponent in the Round of 16 and Barca held them 1-1 in Germany in the 1st leg. That was, in fact advantage Barca for their away goal. But the way Barca played their 2nd leg at Nou Camp was far far more convincing that Barca is definitely the best. Barca outplayed Stuttgart in their usual classical style and netted 4 times. Messi scored twice and he was at his flowing best. The dribbles, the speed and the class was awesome. The first goal has to be one of the best of the week; Messi's shot was amidst 4 defenders who were dangerously close to the Argentine prodigy but it was the deception and the skill of Barcelona's number 10 which saw the ball hitting the back of the net. This match was one of the showcase matches which displayed the unique style of Barcelona..passing the opponents to death, not using unneccessary aggression, blinding skills and most importantly, playing as a complete TEAM. Xavi was out of action but that did not hurt. I guess, the combination of 3 forwards, 2 of them from either Messi, Henry, Ibra and the third being Pedro, Bojan, etc should be used. The not-that-stars of Barca are very impressive and that helps us fans feel secured about the years to come.
Coming to the Liga, we are just behind Real and with the number of games left, it is not going to be as easy a task as it was last season. However, the recent victory against Valencia and Zaragoza with Lionel Messi in stunning form has given us a lot of hopes. One more 'El-Classico' is left and that promises to be one of the most crucial matches.

All the silverware can't stay in Nou Camp this season. The Copa del Rey needs to be handed over to some other team. It was a matter of only one goal which could have turned the wheel towards a different path. One more goal and Barca could have won the away match 2-0 and Sevilla would have been kicked out of the race. However, that is how competitions are and each goal is important. Sevilla is currently at 6th spot and that explains how close the teams' talents are. Nonetheless, Barca are a class apart and that is why the 5 point lead is maintained in La Liga. In a way, it has helped Barca to register good wins recently and we can smell the old days of last season. The January transfer window is the next big thing to watch out for.

Sevilla has pushed us out of Copa del Rey. This was not totally unexpected, especially after the first leg that went down with a 2-1 loss. This season, Barca is not like the last season and it is not humanly possible to repeat the 100% silverware collection like last season, we, as fans, realise that. However, there are plenty to play for and Barca will definitely come out with all guns blazing for bagging the other trophies those are left to collect.

Barca is the best and now that is official. The Best Club in Europe represented UEFA zone in the Club World Cup and went on to make history as they won their maiden title in the Competition. Twice in two critical matches, which includes the final too, Barca came back with 2-1 wins after going down 0-1 to the opponents in the first half. Messi scored the final goal of the tournament, much like the goal against ManU in Rome in the Champions Leage final. With this , Barcelona has won all that could be possible.

La Liga
Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey)
Spanish Super Cup
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Super Cup
Club World Cup

2009 has been the best year for Barca and I am so satisfied being able to follow and enjoy the Catalan Champs show that "Impossible is nothing" and how to "Just do it".

Espanyol was handed a defeat at Nou Camp yesterday night in the last match for Barca in 2009. This was the fourth straight win in La Liga this year and the belief is yet again starting to sparkle up. Kaka will be out of action for the remaining season and Real will miss a good player. I wish he could have played as thats how I want Barca to beat the rest of Spain and Europe...by beating the best of every other side. Anyway, hopefully injury worries will not bother other teams as well as ourselves and we would keep up the good show in the new year. We take on Villarreal next on Jan 3rd.

'The European footballer of the year': Sounds great huh? Well, it is bloody great! It is just an alias to being the best footballer in the World. I say 'World' because most of the best footballers in the world play for clubs in Europe. The title surpasses the nationality of a footballer. One just needs to have played under UEFA registered club and of course needs to have made a mark in that year's club football. This year, very appropriately a Barca player has clinched it. Lionel Messi, the Argentine star has outclassed the much hyped Portugese, Christiano Ronaldo both on the football pitch as well as on paper now. From the very nominations of this year's Ballon D'or, there were little doubts about the possible winner. Messi's contribution was substantial in their journey towards the 'treble'. However, this was just a feather on the cap for Barca. We never have one star player, one playmaker in the team. Barca is really an example of a team: where everyone is important and holds equal value and skills. Therefore it is a time for celebration for the fans that the European footballer of the year wears the 'Blaugrana' when he perspires for his club.

The home 'El Clasico' is over and 98000 strong Nou Camp saw Barca come back to the pole position in the La Liga table replacing Real last Sunday. The crowd and Europe saw why Barca was the best, why they are THE CHAMPIONS. It was 1-0 in favour of Barca. More than the feeling that we could have found a few more in the match, it was more delightful for me because of the reason that we did not concede any. Barca is not a defence oriented side like the Italian clubs and stopping what was supposed to be one of the costliest attacking pair was more than a reason to be proud of. This lead should be taken till the 38th match when the League should be ours. The win against Inter last week was one of the most important victories till now this season as Barca is back to their old style from that game.

The Ballon D'or (European footballer of the Year) awards are out and Messi has bagged it. Will be back with that soon this week. Till then, Frosca Barca!

Ahead of 'El Classico' this Sunday, Barca has lighened up again. The sparks of 2008-09 season was clearly visible in the match that mattered the most in UEFA Champions League. Barca outclassed Inter in ways much more than just the number of goals. The 2-0 home win for Barca clearly shut the mouths of the critics who still belive that Barca rode on sheer luck in the Champions League last season. Well, Champions League is much like the World Cup and I admit that there have been many a upsets and unpredicted winners in World Cup history, but the very evidence of a 'Treble', topped with the Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup being in Nou Camp, has left all admit that Barca is simply the best. There was nothing else for Barca to compete for in Europe last season as they picked up all the silverware that were in the offing. The past is golden and history has been made. Its 'real'-ly the time to move on now with the current season. May the Best Club in Europe beat the Best Club in Spain (the position which Barca maintained each day since more than a year and lost just last week) and be where Barca fits best...right at the Top of a table.

The squad and support staff for the 2009-10 season in the new jersey

Real Madrid has taken the lead after yesterday's matchday. Well, I would be lying if I say I am not worried by this. The sheer volumes of goals which we had seen last year is absent this year and maybe Eto'o's deal has kind of affected the club rather heavily. Hopefully we will claw back soon and show who is the Boss in Spain.

The 2008-09 season saw history in the making. FCB took away all the five trophies they competed for. They won the Spanish La Liga (Premier League), Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. This was truly satisfying as a fan and I bow in respect to Josep Guardiola, the debutant coach who was behind this. I am hopeful that even this season would be as great to watch as the last one. Personally, I would be happy with just the La Liga as I would love it to see Real Madrid (with their new recruits Christiano Ronaldo and Kaka) go down in front of FCB. I just want to steal the shine off the glamour of Real Madrid in this season and show who is the Boss.

Trophies won by Barca in 2008-09. From L-R rear row: Spanish Cup (Copa del Ray), UEFA Champions League trophy, Spanish League trophy. From L-R front row: UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup