Match Report: Barcelona 2-0 Xerez

We did expect the lads to rock this match, which kind of makes it all the more dejecting that on the contrary, they didn't really show up. Especially in the beginning. Props to Xerez for giving one hell of a performance and exceeding the Barca boys in that they actually played like they meant it.

The first half was pretty mucky for us, with slow passing and movement and a generally sleepy atmosphere. The scrappy pitch didn't help much either for a Barca side that depends on short sharp passes; but still, the boys really could have done at least a bit better.

The defense looked shaky, the attack was foiling potential chances with the inability to put them away, and in the midst of it all was a ray of light in Xavi, working hard to make up for the nonperformance of the likes of Henry and Yaya. And that comes as a surprise because Yaya is almost synonomous with solidity. What's happened?

Barca was suffering in the offence. Henry was out of it, Pedro was not up to the standard that he's made us used to from him and Bojan was saddeningly below par as well. And when not one but all three forwards have decided not to show up, there's just nothing there. The attack had no substance, and we just can't have that on Barca.

Yet Henry found a way to score just as the second half unfolded, and that seemed to be somewhat of a turning point for the game. Xerez loosened up, creating more space for our players to move and they regained some of their usual flow, especially as Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on. The difference they made in the attack was palpable, and eventually led to a beautiful goal created by Leo and finished by Zla.

The teamwork between those two players is just fabulous with every match. Where do the media come up with talk that there's tension between them? More like insanely incredible chemistry! And since he returned from his injury, Zlatan seems set on making up for his down time by scoring every time he steps onto the pitch, even if he's coming off the bench for a forty minute spell.

Iniesta came on towards the end and looked good, nice work in midfield but rather slow on the attack. We do prefer a midfield role for him, but he has to stop trying to get fancy in attack. With that... the match ended at 2-0 for Barca, a result that's rather excellent for us considering the match we gave and the match given by our opponents. Let's hope the team can keep steady in the coming weeks, especially as the Club World Cup approaches with the adamant intention to throw everything off course.