Tello scores goal in victory over Real Sociedad (Photo: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Lionel Messi scored one and assisted another as Barcelona successfully fought off their San Sebastian rivals in a freezing, sub-zero encounter at the Camp Nou.
Pep Guardiola rolled out the reserves for this one, choosing to rest key starters ahead of his team’s Copa del Rey semi final clash with Valencia on Wednesday.
Puyol's header gives Barça 1-1 draw in first leg of Copa (Photo: AP Photo/Paul White)
Barcelona rallied from a goal down to ensure a 1-1 draw against Valencia in the first leg of their semi final showdown in the Copa del Rey.
La Mestalla provided all of the hostility the Catalans could handle, as Valencia came out of the gates in a surging frenzy, mounting unrelenting pressure in the opening minutes trying to force a crack in Barcelona’s defensive armor.
Manager Pep Guardiola omitted Dani Alves from the starting lineup in response to Jeremy Mathieu’s impact on the left flank from previous games, opting for a backline of Abidal, Pique, Mascherano and Puyol. Thiago, Busquets and Fabregas took charge of the midfield, while Messi, Alexis and Cuenca roamed up top.
Messi shows frustration in draw against Villarreal (Photo: REUTERS/Heino Kalis)
Barcelona saw their La Liga title aspirations take a serious hit after suffering a goalless draw against Villarreal at El Madrigal on Saturday night.
Another road game, another setback.
It has been the same story all year long; with Barca now having dropped 13 points in league play away from the Camp Nou this season.
Pedro celebrates goal that moves Barcelona through to next round of Copa (Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea)
In a battle of titans, Barcelona held on to defeat Real Madrid 4-3 on aggregate and eliminate the defending Champions from the Copa del Rey.
It was everything a clasico should be: a high-octane encounter of offensive brilliance and heart-stopping tension. Madrid fought like never before, climbing back from two goals down in the second half, only to fall inches short and reluctantly relinquish their crown to the blaugrana.
A 2-2 draw does not begin to tell the tale of this match, as all those who watched must surely attest that this was, unequivocally, Madrid’s finest match against Barcelona in three years.
Messi coverboy on Time Magazine (Photo: Time)
Messi scores another hat trick in victory over Malaga (Photo: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images)
An inspired three-goal performance from Lionel Messi saw Barcelona defeat Malaga 4-1 at La Rosaleda, keeping the Catalans within striking distance of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.
On the day, it was all about the Argentine, as Messi proved both the genesis and conclusion of every Barcelona attack, providing lethal through balls, daring chips and clinical finishes to record his fifth hat-trick of the season and ensure Barca remain just five points back of los blancos.
For all of his magisterial brilliance at home, Messi’s road struggles have reflected Barcelona’s inconsistency away from home this season. Indeed, the Argentine’s lone away league goal stands as a large factor behind his team’s eleven dropped points as visitors, so far this term.
Sport.es reporting that these will be next season kits (Photo:Sport.es)
Sport.es is reporting that they have received “exclusive” images of the new kits for the 2012/2013 season.
We will have to wait and see if this is true.
What do you think?
Abidal fires the winning blast to defeat Real Madrid (Photo: REUTERS/Susana Vera)
Barcelona mounted a second half comeback to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, extracting a measure of vengeance for their defeat in last year’s Copa del Rey Final at the hands of their eternal rivals.
The Catalans would give no quarter in their quarterfinal matchup against los blancos, recording a vital victory ahead of next Wednesday’s return leg fixture at the Camp Nou.
On Josep Guardiola’s 41st birthday and Lionel Messi’s 300th official game for the blaugrana, Barcelona responded in memorable fashion, staging a two goal second half comeback for their second victory in the Bernabeu in the last month.
Alexis goal secures win for FC Barcelona against Real Betis (Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Alexis Sanchez’s last gasp goal saw Barcelona rally deep in the second half to defeat Real Betis 4-2 at the Camp Nou.
After a quick start, Barcelona were forced to watch Betis comeback from two goals down, nearly stealing the match and ending Barcelona’s aspirations for a fourth consecutive La Liga title. But with less than 15 minutes remaining, Alexis Sanchez stepped up to become the hero, breaking the deadlock and keeping the title race alive.
With everything on the line the defending champions showed their mettle, besting a tenacious Betis side with pedigree, belief, and guts.
Messi celebrates second goal against Osasuna in Copa del Rey (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona kicked off 2012 the way they finished 2011: with goals.
On the back of a 4-0 FIFA Club World Cup Championship victory over Santos and a 9-0 demolition of C.E. L’Hospitalet to wrap up a memorable 2011, Barcelona returned to action without missing a beat, defeating Osasuna 4-0 at the Camp Nou in their first match of the new year.
The reigning champions of 2011 looked determined to make a statement for 2012, running away with an easy victory over Osasuna in their Copa del Rey round of 16 fixture.
