FC Barcelona News
Messi hat trick helps keep Barça at the top
January 11th, 2010Having escaped the cold back home, FC Barcelona remained at the top of the Spanish League after their 5-0 defeat of Tenerife.
Although it took half an hour for the visiters to warm up and really take control of the match, when the goals started is was like they couldn’t be stopped. Messi scored in the 36th minute from a Bojan pass; a few minutes later Puyol headed the ball in from a Messi free kick; and Iniesta and Bojan provided Messi with the opportunity for his second goal just before the break.
Although Tenerife looked already beaten, Barça’s second half attacks failed to get home until the last 15 minutes, when Bojan set up Leo Messi’s third goal of the match. And Pedro, who is originally from Tenerife, came close to claiming one for himself just three minutes from the end; the ball was pushed into the net by Luna.
The result leaves Barcelona on top, still two points ahead of Real Madrid.
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Barcelona |
17
|
13
|
4
|
0
|
42
|
10
|
43
|
|
2
|
Real Madrid |
17
|
13
|
2
|
2
|
42
|
12
|
41
|
|
3
|
Valencia |
17
|
10
|
5
|
2
|
31
|
15
|
35
|
|
4
|
Deportivo |
17
|
9
|
4
|
4
|
20
|
16
|
31
|
|
5
|
Sevilla |
17
|
9
|
3
|
5
|
28
|
17
|
30
|
|
6
|
Mallorca |
17
|
9
|
3
|
5
|
30
|
20
|
30
|
|
7
|
Getafe |
17
|
9
|
0
|
8
|
26
|
23
|
27
|
|
8
|
Athletic Bilbao |
17
|
8
|
3
|
6
|
22
|
21
|
27
|
|
9
|
Sporting Gijón |
17
|
6
|
6
|
5
|
18
|
17
|
24
|
|
10
|
Villarreal |
17
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
26
|
21
|
23
|
|
11
|
Atlético Madrid |
17
|
5
|
5
|
7
|
27
|
28
|
20
|
|
12
|
Racing Santander |
17
|
5
|
4
|
8
|
21
|
26
|
19
|
|
13
|
Espanyol |
17
|
5
|
4
|
8
|
12
|
23
|
19
|
|
14
|
Osasuna |
17
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
14
|
20
|
17
|
|
15
|
Almería |
17
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
17
|
27
|
17
|
|
16
|
Valladolid |
17
|
3
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
31
|
16
|
|
17
|
Tenerife |
17
|
4
|
3
|
10
|
15
|
35
|
15
|
|
18
|
Málaga |
17
|
2
|
8
|
7
|
20
|
24
|
14
|
|
19
|
Zaragoza |
17
|
3
|
4
|
10
|
18
|
37
|
13
|
|
20
|
Xerez |
17
|
1
|
4
|
12
|
7
|
32
|
7
|
0-1, Messi (36)
0-2, Puyol (44)
0-3, Messi (45)
0-4, Messi (75)
0-5, Luna (own goal 87)
For availability of Barcelona tickets for forthcoming matches see our homepage.
Barcelona disappoints in Copa del Rey
January 6th, 2010Gabriel Milito returned to active duty against Sevilla last night after an 18 month layoff due to a knee injury, but a disappointing performance in poor weather conditions meant that Barça need to pull out all the steps in the return leg of the Copa del Rey next week.
The Barça squad included some unfamiliar faces in the form of Thiago’s debut along with Pinto and Chygrynskiy, but first team regulars such as Messi, Alves and Iniesta couldn’t overcome Sevilla’s well organised play. Commenting after the match, Pep Guadiola took responsibility for the result.
0-1, Capel (min 63)
1-1, Ibrahimovic (min 73)
1-2, Negredo (min 75)
Barça draws in first match of 2010
January 4th, 2010Barcelona remain at the top of the Spanish league despite drawing at home to Villarreal on Saturday night thanks to Real Madrid’s Sunday night draw.
Despite Pedro’s early goal for Barça they were unable to dominate the visitors as is their usual style, and Villarreal kept up their own pressure. Barcelona came close to scoring again through the efforts of Henry, but in the end it was Villarreal who put the goal in the net at the beginning of the second half.
And with the visitors keeping on the pressure, it was all Barça could do not to concede a second goal.
1-0 Pedro (min 7)
1-1 Fuster (min 50)
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Barcelona |
16
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
37
|
10
|
40
|
|
2
|
Real Madrid |
16
|
12
|
2
|
2
|
40
|
12
|
38
|
|
3
|
Valencia |
16
|
9
|
5
|
2
|
28
|
14
|
32
|
|
4
|
Mallorca |
16
|
9
|
3
|
4
|
30
|
18
|
30
|
|
5
|
Sevilla |
16
|
9
|
3
|
4
|
27
|
15
|
30
|
|
6
|
Deportivo |
16
|
8
|
4
|
4
|
19
|
16
|
28
|
|
7
|
Getafe |
16
|
9
|
0
|
7
|
26
|
22
|
27
|
|
8
|
Athletic Bilbao |
16
|
8
|
2
|
6
|
21
|
20
|
26
|
|
9
|
Villarreal |
16
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
25
|
20
|
22
|
|
10
|
Sporting Gijón |
16
|
5
|
6
|
5
|
17
|
17
|
21
|
|
11
|
Atlético Madrid |
16
|
4
|
5
|
7
|
23
|
28
|
17
|
|
12
|
Osasuna |
16
|
4
|
5
|
7
|
14
|
19
|
17
|
|
13
|
Valladolid |
16
|
3
|
7
|
6
|
22
|
27
|
16
|
|
14
|
Racing Santander |
16
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
19
|
25
|
16
|
|
15
|
Almería |
16
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
16
|
26
|
16
|
|
16
|
Espanyol |
16
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
10
|
22
|
16
|
|
17
|
Tenerife |
16
|
4
|
3
|
9
|
15
|
30
|
15
|
|
18
|
Málaga |
16
|
2
|
7
|
7
|
19
|
23
|
13
|
|
19
|
Zaragoza |
16
|
3
|
4
|
9
|
17
|
35
|
13
|
|
20
|
Xerez |
16
|
1
|
4
|
11
|
6
|
29
|
7
|
Want to experience the exhilaration of the Nou Camp? Check the homepage for availability of Barcelona tickets in 2010!
Barça crowned King of Kings
December 20th, 2009Since Pep Guardiola took over as manager of FC Barcelona he’s lined up every title in his sight and picked them off one at a time. In the summer it was Copa, Liga, Champions; after that they added the Spanish and European Supercups to their trophy room; and now they’ve done it again with the Clubs World Cup trophy yesterday in Abu Dhabi, the first club ever to take all six possible trophies.
The final was played against Estudiantes from Argentina, who made a worthy foe; however, once again Barcelona clearly dominated the match, although many of the referee’s decisions went against them. Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic was clearly trying for a goal, he repeatedly failed to do anything with it. And when they went one goal down at the end of the first half they just got on with the job, continued to attack and controlled the ball.
Finally in the 88th minute Barcelona’s work bore fruit when Pedro scored the equalizer. With the game now thrown into extra time, Barcelona stood their ground and continued the attack. Eventually in the 110th minute it was Leo Messi who decided the match off a cross from Alves – Messi deflected the ball from his chest into the net.
0-1, Boselli (min 37)
1-1, Pedro (min 88)
2-1, Messi (min 110)
A great match and in the televised celebrations that followed Pep Guardiola’s tears flowed freely. For information on Barcelona tickets at the Nou Camp see our homepage.
1-1, Pedro (min 88)
2-1, Messi (min 110)
Barcelona through to Clubs World Cup final
December 17th, 2009FC Barcelona are through to the final of FIFA’s Clubs World Cup after defeating Mexico’s Atlante FC in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
In what seems to be standard pattern, Barça went one goal down early on, but bounced back in the 35th minute when Busquets scored. It had been unclear as to Leo Messi would actually play thanks to an ankle injury sustained against Dynamo Kiev. However, as usual he shone and his moment came 10 minutes into the second half; and Pedro sealed the victory 12 minutes later.
The final will be played against Estudiantes on Saturday at 17:00 CET.
0-1, Rojas (min 4)
1-1, Busquets (min 35)
2-1, Messi (55)
3-1, Pedro (min 67)
If you want to see Barça play during another top season make sure to visit Barcelona in 2010. Make sure to reserve your Barcelona tickets – see the homepage for all home matches this season.
Barça ends 2009 at the top
December 14th, 2009Saturday night was one of season’s big matches, when Espanyol visited the Nou Camp for the Barcelona Derby.
While Espanyol are struggling this year – they are currently 4th from bottom – they can put up quite a fight when they choose to. On paper the local rival should have been no match for Barça, but the truth is the series of big matches in recent weeks has taken its toll and the squad is looking tired.
The only goal of the match was scored by Ibrahimovic from a penalty in minute 39 and some sections of the crowd showed their displeasure by waving their handkerchiefs at what they considered a lacklustre display, but leaving Barcelona at the head of the table after their last pre-Christmas league match.
Considering their fatigue, the last thing they could have really wanted at this stage was to jet off to Abu Dhabi for the FIFA Club World Cup; they play Atlante FC on Wednesday in the semi-final.
Planning on seeing FC Barcelona play in 2010? Order your Barcelona tickets for the Nou Camp online and ensure you don’t miss out.
1-0, Ibrahimovic (min 39)
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Barcelona |
15
|
12
|
3
|
0
|
36
|
9
|
39
|
|
2
|
Real Madrid |
14
|
11
|
1
|
2
|
34
|
12
|
34
|
|
3
|
Sevilla |
14
|
9
|
3
|
2
|
25
|
11
|
30
|
|
4
|
Valencia |
14
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
27
|
14
|
28
|
|
5
|
Mallorca |
14
|
8
|
3
|
3
|
27
|
16
|
27
|
|
6
|
Deportivo |
14
|
8
|
2
|
4
|
19
|
16
|
26
|
|
7
|
Athletic Bilbao |
14
|
7
|
2
|
5
|
19
|
18
|
23
|
|
8
|
Sporting Gijón |
14
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
14
|
13
|
20
|
|
9
|
Getafe |
14
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
23
|
21
|
21
|
|
10
|
Villarreal |
14
|
5
|
3
|
6
|
22
|
19
|
18
|
|
11
|
Osasuna |
14
|
4
|
4
|
6
|
14
|
17
|
16
|
|
12
|
Tenerife |
14
|
4
|
2
|
8
|
14
|
27
|
14
|
|
13
|
Valladolid |
14
|
2
|
7
|
5
|
20
|
25
|
13
|
|
14
|
Atlético Madrid |
14
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
20
|
26
|
13
|
|
15
|
Racing Santander |
14
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
17
|
23
|
13
|
|
16
|
Almería |
14
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
15
|
24
|
13
|
|
17
|
Espanyol |
14
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
8
|
21
|
13
|
|
18
|
Zaragoza |
14
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
17
|
29
|
12
|
|
19
|
Málaga |
14
|
1
|
6
|
7
|
15
|
20
|
9
|
|
20
|
Xerez |
15
|
1
|
4
|
10
|
6
|
28
|
7
|
Barcelona through to next round of Champions League
December 10th, 2009Barcelona beat Dynamo Kiev last night to go through to the next round of Champions League (which we said incorrectly after their last Champions League match – in the heat of the moment we completely lost the ability to add up accurately – sorry!).
Barça went done almost immediately in the cold of Kiev with a first minute goal from Milevskiy. However the team didn’t lose its head and by consistently working the pitch they took control when the opportunity came; Xavi scored in minute 33, which suddenly tipped the scales in Barcelona’s favour due to goal average.
Continuing to work to the end, Barcelona started to suffer from increasingly hard play, encouraged by the ref’s reluctance to show cards. Messi put the second goal just four minutes from the end from a free kick; but he suffered afterwards when he was brought down hard and clearly in a lot of pain.
1-0 Milevskiy (min 1)
1-1 Xavi (min 33)
1-2 Messi (min 86)
For pricing and availability of Barcelona tickets at the Nou Camp check out our website.
Barça holds point advantage
December 7th, 2009FC Barcelona held their point advantage over real Madrid after a 3-1 away win against Deportivo. However, despite the number of goals, Deportivo held their own until the ast 10 minutes – Barça went ahead in minute 27 with a Messi goal, but Deportivo scored 12 minutes later and it wasn’t until minute 80 that Messi recovered the lead.
Barcelona are currently five points ahead of Real Madrid, but they have played one extra match due to participating in the Club World Cup. Their first match will be played on December 16 in Abu Dhabi .
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Barcelona |
14
|
11
|
3
|
0
|
35
|
9
|
36
|
|
2
|
Real Madrid |
13
|
10
|
1
|
2
|
31
|
10
|
31
|
|
3
|
Sevilla |
13
|
8
|
3
|
2
|
24
|
11
|
27
|
|
4
|
Valencia |
12
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
23
|
10
|
25
|
|
5
|
Deportivo |
13
|
8
|
1
|
4
|
18
|
15
|
25
|
|
6
|
Mallorca |
13
|
7
|
3
|
3
|
26
|
16
|
24
|
|
7
|
Sporting Gijón |
13
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
14
|
12
|
20
|
|
8
|
Athletic Bilbao |
12
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
16
|
15
|
20
|
|
9
|
Getafe |
13
|
6
|
0
|
7
|
21
|
20
|
18
|
|
10
|
Osasuna |
13
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
14
|
16
|
16
|
|
11
|
Villarreal |
13
|
4
|
3
|
6
|
20
|
18
|
15
|
|
12
|
Tenerife |
13
|
4
|
2
|
7
|
13
|
25
|
14
|
|
13
|
Atlético Madrid |
13
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
19
|
24
|
13
|
|
14
|
Espanyol |
13
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
8
|
20
|
13
|
|
15
|
Valladolid |
13
|
2
|
6
|
5
|
19
|
24
|
12
|
|
16
|
Almería |
13
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
14
|
23
|
12
|
|
17
|
Zaragoza |
13
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
16
|
27
|
12
|
|
18
|
Racing Santander |
13
|
2
|
4
|
7
|
14
|
21
|
10
|
|
19
|
Málaga |
13
|
1
|
5
|
7
|
14
|
19
|
8
|
|
20
|
Xerez |
14
|
1
|
4
|
9
|
4
|
25
|
7
|
0-1, Lionel Messi (min 27)
1-1, Lopez Alvarez Adrian (min 39)
1-2, Lionel Messi (min 80)
1-3, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (min 88)
Visit the home page for details of forthcoming matches. Click on the links to buy Barcelona tickets for some of the most exciting football in the world!
Barcelona beat Xerez by 2 goals
December 3rd, 2009| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Barcelona |
13
|
10
|
3
|
0
|
32
|
8
|
33
|
|
2
|
Real Madrid |
12
|
9
|
1
|
2
|
27
|
8
|
28
|
|
3
|
Sevilla |
12
|
8
|
2
|
2
|
23
|
10
|
26
|
|
4
|
Valencia |
12
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
23
|
10
|
25
|
|
5
|
Deportivo |
12
|
8
|
1
|
3
|
17
|
12
|
25
|
|
6
|
Mallorca |
12
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
22
|
15
|
21
|
|
7
|
Sporting Gijón |
12
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
13
|
10
|
20
|
|
8
|
Athletic Bilbao |
12
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
16
|
15
|
20
|
|
9
|
Getafe |
12
|
6
|
0
|
6
|
19
|
17
|
18
|
|
10
|
Osasuna |
12
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
13
|
15
|
15
|
|
11
|
Espanyol |
12
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
16
|
13
|
|
12
|
Villarreal |
12
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
17
|
16
|
12
|
|
13
|
Almería |
12
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
12
|
19
|
12
|
|
14
|
Zaragoza |
12
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
15
|
23
|
12
|
|
15
|
Valladolid |
12
|
2
|
5
|
5
|
18
|
23
|
11
|
|
16
|
Tenerife |
12
|
3
|
2
|
7
|
11
|
24
|
11
|
|
17
|
Atlético Madrid |
12
|
2
|
4
|
6
|
17
|
24
|
10
|
|
18
|
Málaga |
12
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
13
|
18
|
7
|
|
19
|
Racing Santander |
12
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
10
|
21
|
7
|
|
20
|
Xerez |
13
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
4
|
23
|
7
|
0-1, Henry (min 47)
0-2, Ibrahimovic (min 92)
El Clasico leaves Barça back on top
November 30th, 2009Barcelona took over the top spot from Real Madrid last night after beating them 1-0 at the Nou Camp. It’s been a spectacular week for Barça after qualifying for the next Champions League round earlier in the week.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute after being brought on to replace Thierry Henry a tough match was made even harder when Buesquets received his second yellow card for handball with 30 minutes remaining. Madrid’s Lassana Diarra was also sent off in the 90th minute, too late to make any impact on the match.
1-0, Ibrahimovic (min 55)
