Valerie On the Ball is going on her first year end break! Since there will be no be Barça matches till 7 January 2007, reviews will resume on that day.
Have a good Christmas and a great New Year. Thanks for everyone’s continuous support and insightful comments.
This report cum review is brought to you by Mrs. Ronaldinho. Many thanks to her for taking time off her schedule to write this piece.
It’s been a wonderful game for Barcelona with 4 goals to none for Club America. On the whole, it’s obvious that this is a Barcelona’s match. But Club America sure did not give them a good time. There were a couple of chances when Club America should have scored, but Valdés was able to save them.
I’ve missed the first 34 minutes, thus, missed the first 2 goals. However, I managed to catch them on replay. Barcelona managed to keep the ball at a quite a comfortable pace for themselves. They had wonderful team spirit and communication. Ball possession was maintained at about 58%. They’ve kept their length and their width, but also almost unable for Club America to penetrate the defense.
As usual, Giuly was quite slow and he seemed to have lack the chance to finish it off. However, Giuly seemed to have performed very well this match even though it was raining very heavily in Tokyo, Japan.
Iniesta did his best and also shined during this match. He was all over the field and was very determined to get the ball to the extent that he forced the poor Club American towards the left corner.
Valdés had a wonderful assistant to help out. Marquez was always at the centre defense to help out. He is a definite star defender on the field.
First goal: Gudjohnsen 11 minutes
Ronaldinho made a cross from the midfield towards Iniesta. In the mist of all the defenders, Iniesta went across 3 defenders to Gudjohnsen who drove the ball into the net.
Second goal: Marquez 30 minutes
This corner was crossed within a couple of yards, and there is a curving ball towards Marquez. He gave it a slight header. Occhoa, however, could have grabbed the ball if he were to be a little more alert.
Third goal: Ronaldinho 65 minutes
It was another great pass by Deco to Giuly who then tried to score. However, it was deflected away by Occhoa towards Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho thus, kicked it into the far top right corner of the net. Just above and over Occhoa’s head. Ronaldinho showed off his passion for soccer by doing a cute samba dance.
Fourth goal: Deco 88 minutes
Ronaldinho passed the ball towards Xavi from the midfield. This allowed him to be able to speed forward towards an open goal. However, Club America’s defender managed to catch up. Ronaldinho had no choice but to pass the ball to Deco who now is clear to drive the ball into the net.
Updates Been away for a while. I know I still owe this place the Chelsea-Arsenal match. Fret not, it will come My real life has gotten a little out of whack recently.
The last league match before the FIFA World Club Cup gave Barça the boost they needed. A score of 1 – 0 against Real Sociedad consolidated their position on the La Liga table.
As mentioned, final score was 1 – 0 with Barcelona winning.
Barcelona chose to use the 433 formation with three forwards. It is quite clear that Barça chose to play their usual offensive style. Everyone thought that this match should be a walk in the park for the Catalans. Afterall, this is the top team against the second bottom team. How hard can it be? But it was an awful drawn out match with kooky linesmen, several denied goals and a dramatic finish. Let me take you through this match.
Note: The video coverage for this match isn’t good, but we have to make do. I’ve already placed time markers to help you all know exactly which moment in the video is being highlighted.
Xavi, my man
(Watch: 0m0s to 0m54s)
This match is undoubtedly Xavi’s. There were several occasions that Xavi displayed some amazing decision making skills and lightning reflexes. Almost as though tired of being in Iniesta’s shadow, Xavi was all ready to show his midfielding skills.
In the 18th minute, Xavi was on the left side of the pitch. A decisive cross by Xavi had the ball slicing between the four Real Sociedad defenders. The breadth of the gap was so narrow it really takes some guts to attempt it. Gudjohnsen was on the receiving on for the ball. He attempted a shot on goal but was ruled offside. The ball actually found the the net, but it denied.
Barely 3 minutes later, Ronaldinho attempts a shot on goal but the ball was deflected by keeper, Bravo. Xavi tried to send the rebound shot into the goal post. Once again, the ball found the net but he was ruled offside.
What goes round, comes round
Much of Camp Nou was howling in disagreement at the seemingly harsh offside rulings. Perhaps, it’s karma or perhaps the sight of Giuly up close frightened the linesman too much. In the 25th minute, the linesman was found hopping on one foot. Giuly was caught on camera doing the “It’s got NOTHING to do with me” motions. Replays proved that the linesmans simply twisted his own ankle by himself. How Mrs. Ronaldinho laughed.
Ronaldinho failed to recreate history
(Watch: 0m7s to 0m24s. Angle 2: 0m25s to 0m30s)
In the 31st minute, Ronaldinho attempted to do a trick again. While the shot was beautifully set up. From Xavi, who tossed a sideways kick to Deco. Deco picked up the ball effortlessly. Belletti then dashed through the edges of the Real Sociedad defence. Then a long, elegant overhead cross from the right side of the field reached Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho reacted perfectly with a scissors kick, reminiscent of Iniesta’s earlier efforts against Villareal. But it failed to find the net. It would be SO dramatic if it had found the net.
Real Sociedad in the first half
While I was not overly worried about the results of this match, I become more and more aware of how Real Sociedad could be a force to reckon with. They might have lost the match to Barcelona, only because they lack that essential teamwork that was beautifully displayed during the setting up of the Ronaldinho scissors kick attempt. On their own, Real Sociedad has more a few quality players moving in the true Totall Football spirit.
In the 24th minute, midfielder Mikel Aranburu assisted Jesuli of Real Sociedad. While the goal flew wide, it highlighted the less than stable Barça defence. Perhaps Barcelona was trying to find balance as Carles Puyol had just left the field for Oleguer Presas to come on due to injury. If so, Real Sociedad displays a sharp eye for making the best of the situation to their benefit.
Winning goal: Ronaldinho’s eleventh goal in the league
This a night of long, accurate passes. The ball hurtled in from midfield and found Giuly. Giuly, who had a poor showing the whole night finally made good. He fired a tight, deadly pass to Ronaldinho who immediately converted it to goal. The ball fired past 3 stunned defenders and a brave keeper. It’s not the most prolific or jaw dropping of goals, but a goal’s a goal nonetheless.
Giuly, poor showing?
Yes, I do mean that. Giuly had fluffed many chances to either assist or score simply because he was too slow or hesistated far too long. For Giuly, playing in the position that many have come to recognise Messi for, a comparison is inevitable. While Giuly and Messi are two rather different strikers, one still cannot help noting that the younger striker has a greater thirst for goal as compared to Giuly. Put Messi on the pitch and he’d move so quickly and surely that the defenders end up running into each other. For Giuly, he tends to be unable to decide if he wants to go head on or attempt a bypass. But Giuly does shine when he doesn’t have to decide between two routes, as illustrated in the previous video.
Xavi, the second showing
In the 57th minute, Deco tried to set Xavi up for goal, but unfortunately, Xavi fired his effort directly into Bravo. Later, closer to fulltime, Ronaldinho tried assist Xavi, but his right footed shot was just offmark. Though in the second half, Xavi did not find the net but it is the first time I’ve sat up to notice Xavi. He had always been a bit of shy midfielder i.e. not of the attacking stock. This night’s performance gives us more food for thought as Rijkaard has found himself another midfielder that’s more all rounded than we ever imagined. The choice to not start with Iniesta brought out some interesting elements in Xavi.
Valdes’s heroics
As thought to prove Shiren wrong that he is no world class keeper, Valdes performed a world class save in stoppage time for Barcelona. Without this save, Barcelona can probably only content with 31 points and tying with Sevilla for top point on the table. Imanol Agirretxe’s header from the centre of the box was staunchly punched away by Valdes with such calm and force, the commentators all went crazy. Mrs. Ronaldinho and I agreed vehemently that Valdes truly performed wonderfully under this pressure. Just watch the video and be convinced.
Hat’s off to you, Valdes for securing the three points for Barça.
Sylvinho’s sending off
Frankly, it makes scant sense to me. I usually don’t like to wax lyrical about sending offs, unless it’s of gross injustice like Motta’s sending off in the recent Zaragoza match. But do feel free to discuss and analyse. That’s what commenting is for.
What do you think?
I found this match one of the more drab matches my short experience of watching La Liga matches. There were indeed spectacular moments like Xavi’s showings and Valdes’s amazing save. But in comparison to the previous matches that had Ronaldinho’s awesome bicycle kick, Iniesta’s kungfu styled scissors kick, it pales. It is extremely apparent that Rijkaard had told his team to play offensively, but conservatively. Afterall energies (and possibly injury risks) are better deployed in the upcoming FIFA World Club Cup.
What’s next?
Expect reports for the Chelsea-Arsenal match. I sure did not enjoy that match, but by special request from Mr. X, I sat through that match and shall do ‘civic’ duty in a day or two’s time.
Oh, just read the news about Alan Pardew’s sacking. Looks like West Ham is in for rough time. I swear…. Tevez and Mascherano had just made the worst career move in their lives. I’m a little upset about this.
This was the most nerve wrecking match for anyone who remotely cares about Barcelona. Werder Bremen vs Barcelona. A draw means elimination, a lose is a most definite elimination. Only a win would ensure Barça to stay on till the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The final score is 2 – 0 with Barcelona being the winners.
And it was a performance by champions indeed. Granted that I began to fall asleep during the second half. It was already 4.30 am and I was running a fever, but nevertheless, I shall do the best I can to report.
Determined to win
The match started with Barcelona dominating very strongly. The commentators for the match were eagerly jabbering about how the first twenty minutes would go a long way to determine the winners of the match. I hated to admit it, but they were perfectly correct. Anyone with sufficient experience in match watching will know this and it is especially true for big matches. Barça definitely knew this too and they went all out to secure the first blood.
It was stunning night in Camp Nou. I remember how the fans were cheering SO loudly and determinedly, “Barça! Barça!”. Normally, I never hear any audible words from the spectators, but that night there was no mistaking that the word ‘Barça’ was on everyone’s lips.
The minute the whistle was blown, Barcelona launched straight into attack mode. There was no hesistation and the ball only went in one direction, towards goal. It took Barcelona no time at all to find their rhythm. In comparison, Werder Bremen looked somewhat disorientated and there were pockets of inconsistency.
First blood: Ronaldinho’s cunning free kick
In the 13th minute, Ronaldinho had just won a free kick for Barcelona. Some people had words to say on how the free kick was won but no one could deny that contact had indeed been made. As usual, Ronaldinho took up his position behind the ball. Just as everyone expected him to do his usual left curling overhead free kick, Ronaldinho tucked the ball under the wall! During the split second when everyone was wondering where was the ball, it burst through from under the wall and beyond Bremen keeper, Tim Wiese’s reach.
The entire Camp Nou gasped at that bit of artful trickery.
Compounding goal: Eidur Gudjohnsen’s goal
Before the rest of Camp Nou could put their hand over their hearts, Barcelona broke through with another goal. A long cross from the right by Ronaldinho reached Giuly. Some artful planning and Giuly skipped being offside by giving the ball to the waiting Gudjohnsen. Gudjohnsen, having a good run with strikers Eto’o and Messi out, made the best of his chance and scored the second goal of the night. During that 18th minute, Barcelona never looked stronger.
Nervous game
The night wore on and everyone was still horribly nervous. While Barça scored two convincing goals in the determining 20th minute window, the ball is round and anything can happen. Werder Bremen, shell shocked by the two goals that occurred in such quick succession were reacting badly. Barcelona continued to dominate the ball and went for the attack time and again. Then at the half hour mark, Werder Bremen began to snap to action. Wome of Bremen delivers a threatening cross that was swept away by the alert Gio van Brockhorst.
Giuly, a slip up
Late in the second half, Giuly missed a great chance to make the tally 3 – 0 before half time. Deco shone with all the midfielder prominence and brilliance. He tore up the midfield with such speed and grace, the Werder Bremen midfielders were just trying to catch up with him. The waiting Gudjohnsen relieved Deco of the ball and sidestepped four Bremen defenders with supreme agility and attempted a shot. The ball glanced off the post and landed within Giuly’s reach, but Giuly screwed it up. And it was an open goal too. A dreadful finish to a great buildup.
The rest of the ten minutes were unremarkable as the game folded into half time.
Second half, the German domination
To be honest, I paid scarce attention to the second half. Partly because I felt slightly relieved as Barcelona had already bagged a convicingly lead in the first half. The other part of the reason was because I was getting drowsy from my medication.
The Werder Bremen players clearly had a rousing pep talk during the half time break. They came on very strongly, determined to dominate and score. In the first half, they played a slow, cautious game. Their initial strategy was probably to gain ball possession, retain possession and wear out the Catalans with the ball chasing game. But they underestimated the power of the offensive style that Barcelona is so feared for. In the second round, tactics have changed and Werder Bremen was ready to show the world their glittery lineup of offensive players.
Diego, a diamond in the rough?
Early second half, Diego had a brush with Carles Puyol. Apparently, Puyol had been too eager to defend and had landed an ugly challenged on the midfielder. Diego was a consistent player in the match with an eye for goalscoring chances. He showed that when he attempted an overhead scorer in the 48th minute. His efforts flew wide but it went a long way to show that he’s not afraid to try to score. If he brushes up on his finishing, he might become a true force to content with.
Klose, not close enough
The man to be feared from the Bremen side. I saw him perform during the World Cup for Germany. Young, sharp and terribly swift within the box, Klose is indeed almost every team’s dream striker. In the match this night, Klose breached the Barça more than couple of times and on one memorable occasion, responded too late to an effort by his team for goal.
In the 54th minute, Klose worried the Barça defence and made Valdes sit up as he had to race to thwack the ball away with his hand. Klose has a sharp eye for gaps. Many players have that too, but he shines for he can actually utilise them to his benefit. He made me nervous when I was watching. I felt if there was one single Werder Bremen player that could TRULY worry the Barça defence that night, it was only him. And perhaps, some assisting from the very willing Werder Bremen midfielders. But I’m not dismissing the rest of the Bremen team.
So I end this
I don’t want to go on about this match forever. Then isn’t even much to analyse. The match is simple. It a match between a German side and a Spanish side. A Spanish side that is VERY sure of they want and very insistent on achieving it. For now, that much is clear. I will supplement this post with the respective videos when it’s up.
In response to readers
I’m SO happy to have so many people reading my reports. Yes, I will try to post as soon as I can. With regards to the videos, it is very much dependent on the availability in Youtube. Usually within 3 days of the match, videos will be available. Once again, many thanks for reading and posting observations.
Shiren
Thanks for your very rich insights. I have to agree about Victor Valdes not being the best that Barça should have. But Valdes has a spirit that shows he will be willing to die for Barcelona if need arises. I do suppose loyalty counts for nuts in times of the crunch. But soccer being one of the most emotional sports in the world, I’d gladly have a loyal keeper than one who can fly by night at the lure of a 30 million pound transfer fee.
On the attacking front, when Eto’o and Messi return, we can only expect it to become more colourful and awesome. I’m looking forward to that. On Larsson’s departure, it’s a shame but Barcelona can still shine without him. The idea of signing Buffon is something that’s very interesting to contemplate. Yes, the Barcelona defense could do with a more vibrant defense and more responsive and energetic midfield. I always feel that the Barcelona midfield lacks something to shine to brilliance. It’s a lot better now, used be to just shameful. Especially during the times when Barcelona lost to Chelsea and Real Madrid in quick succession.
Lastly, Ronaldinho scored two goals that night. The first one with the 5-0 hand sign is the penalty that he scored. After careful observation, the still image is not the one he scored the bicycle kick goal. It should have been taken when he scored the penalty. Thanks for pointing it out.
Please note all videos featured on this blog (unless otherwise mentioned) belong to their respective owners. I am not responsible for the quality of the video, the time required for streaming, or the event of removal of the video. Though every measure is taken to ensure the videos are clear and stable, there still some factors that's out of control.
Recent Comments