Injury Report: Till Next Season, Rafa

Barca's result against Cheslea was none too satisfying, and on top of that, Rafael Marquez had to get injured. This is what, the fourth? fifth? injury he has this season? It's just too awful. He's too important a part of our squad, besides the fact that he's hella hot!

And it's not a matter of overburdened thighs and a week or two this time; Rafa has reportedly torn the internal and external menisci of his left knee, and will be off the pitch for eight to ten weeks. He's undergoing surgery tomorrow, too.

Poor Rafa, he's been through alot of injury problems this season, and eigth weeks is really a very long time, especially since the season will be over by the time he's fit again. We just hope his recovery goes well, and he doesn't become another Milito...

Match Report: Barcelona 2-2 Valencia

It’s not the result that worries us so much as the performance. A draw is okay, even if Madrid don’t lose tonight, because we still maintain a fair point difference, and have the chance to widen it in the coming Classico. But that won’t happen if the boys play then the way they did last night. The match was simply lacking effort.

Resting Messi against Sevilla didn’t seem to do much good. He was pretty off for this match, and seemed to think that he could succeed by running into the midst of a thick defense instead of passing the ball. And when Messi’s off form, Xavi is in another universe, and Dani is defending beautifully but lacking offense, there goes our famous rightwing threat.

As for the left wing, Iniesta has been really on a roll these last couple of matches, he’s just all about strength. Keita and Busquets were both playing more defensive positions than offensive ones, and given how mediocre Xavi was, the two had their work cut out for them.

Still, the opening goal managed to come by way of Messi, giving us a temporary lead, which should have been extended but was not. Rather, we went on to concede. And though some may blame our keeper, Victor Valdes for that one, we don’t. It was Puyol’s fault. He had the chance to stop the goal, he could have stopped the attack and won the ball back, but just didn’t. We see it like this: Puyol was and is one yellow card away from suspension, so he was playing cautious last night and mainly just avoiding a booking. That’s why he didn’t dare try a sliding tackle or anything… and we’re not impressed.

He didn’t do his job as a defender, and on top of that, got in Victor’s way when Vic was trying to make the save. Vic haters, don’t begin your bashing, because no blame lies on our keeper’s shoulders here.

And then, Valencia went ahead just before the half, the lead swiftly going from being ours, to theirs. Did the pace pick up after that? Did the boys wake up and start playing like they meant it?

Not really. Not until Pep made his substitutions, and Xavi came off so he could continue his nap on the bench, with Keita also joining him there, and Henry and Gudjohnsen came on. Titi went straight into attacking mode and Guddy was pretty awesome as well, and with Messi-Eto’o-Henry up front and Iniesta backing them up, the offense was looking a little better, and Titi soon scored the lovely equalizer himself.

The match ended at 2-2, a very unsettling result which leaves us badly hoping for Sevilla to beat Madrid tonight. And also, hoping that Pep will be able to whip the players back into shape, and get them to actually give some more effort and not take things so easy, in time for the too-near Champions League semi against Chelsea.

Gossip on the Guys: Behind Leo’s New Look

Even though Leo Messi was on the bench for the Sevilla match, we’re sure everyone noticed that he’s gotten his hair cut short. The man behind Leo’s look is Manolo Garcia, the head hairdresser at the Hotel Princesa Sofia in Barcelona, and he’s also the one who takes care of Pique’s hair.

Well, we can’t say we much agree with Señor Garcia on the matter of buzzing Pique’s hair; but Messi is just too cute with the short hair like this, and it sure beats the long hair/headband look he was sporting last season. Our favorite for Messi, though, is the medium length, hair-falling-into-eyes cut he got around the start of this season.

Gossip on the Guys: Xavi’s Next Book

So, is Xavi really liking this book writing business, or what? After recently launching his auto-biography, he is now working on another project... a cookbook.

No, your eyes are fine, you’re not in need of a check up, you read correct: Xavito is making a cookbook. It’s not something we’d ever have expected, but at the same time, it is kinda cute!

He’s collaborating with several celebrities, actors and whatnot, for the making of the book, which is to be entitled “Our Kitchen”. The aim is to offer simple, easy recipes for beginner cooks such as those newly living alone, who are not accustomed to cooking for themselves… which we can't help but find funny, seeing as Xavi lives with his parents.

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Valencia, Mestalla, Saturday, April 25 2009, 22:00 CET

We're hating the tightness of this match schedule, but after after how well the team did against Sevilla, Valencia shouldn't be too much to worry about. Still, we must be on our gaurd for this one. Valencia are a top team with top players, and the match is a decisive one for the Liga.

Samuel Eto'o, Xavi Hernandez, Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets are all one yellow card away from suspension. So we're begging them to keep their heads tomorrow; we want everyone available for the Classico which is to follow.

Regarding the squad, Martin Caceres has been left out because he's suffering from tonsilitis. We hope he's feeling better! Pinto will be playing with Barca Atletic, and won't make this one either, and nor will Sylvinho.

Barca Buzz: Pep Lays Down the Law

In light of the hectic match schedule ahead, and the importance of the coming matches, Pep has forbidden the players from attending any promotional events or advertising for the forty eight hours preceding every match. He wants them to simply concentrate and rest up for these decisive games. As a result, Bojan, Messi, and Pique were all kept today from events where they were supposed to be promoting their sponsors; they’re all abiding by their coaches orders nobody’s cheating. Pep’s word is law!

And Andres Iniesta approves: "The important thing now is to eat well, rest and get ready for the games to come. We played a lot this month. What lies ahead is too great to neglect, we must not pass up the opportunity."

Transfer Talk: Getting Nearer

The Catalan authorities over at Sport claim that Ribery has already reached an agreement with the club. We’ve expressed our opinion on this before, and again, the thought of seeing him on our team really doesn’t appeal to us; however if it happens, what can we do but simply resign to the matter. He does have undeniable talent, anyway…

Now all that’s left, apparently, is for Barca to reach the agreement with Bayern Munich. Just how willing they would be to let go of him, we can’t say; but Ribery’s teammate, Van Buyten, claims that if Ribery goes, he wants to follow.

Everyone wants to be part of Barca these days. But then, after how our players owned theirs in the Champions League, Van Buyten’s feelings are purely natural… we hear you, love. We have sympathy for those like you who are condemned to suffer on inferior teams.

Random: Antonio Loves Barca

Guess who’s a Barca fan? That’s right, mega-hot Hollywood superstar, Antonio Banderas! He was at Barca’s match against Sevilla yesterday, watching from the stands with his brother, Javier.

He met up with Barca prez, Joan Laporta too, where he received a Barca shirt with his name on it. Banderas commented on the game afterwards as well, declaring that Barca will win the treble this season no matter what, and that they should be applauded by everyone, regardless of what teams they may support. Right on, Antonio! We like your way of thinking.

Match Report: Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla

Xavi’s grip on Iniesta’s thigh: distracting? Alright, we’ll go on to the important: Barca beat Sevilla 4-0 with Messi on the bench! If that’s not awesomeness, we just don’t know what is.

So, shall we begin gushing about how wonderful Barca is? We’ve been doing that a lot recently, and in the end, it’s enough to say that this is just a perfectly complete team: the boys are hot, they play great, there is beauty in their football, their team chemistry is spectacular; and there’s a lot of camaraderie between the players, on pitch and off. What’s not to love?

Leo Messi had been suffering from stomach flu prior to the match, which is why Pep chose to not to play him, though he was available on the bench. Andres Iniesta started in Leo’s place, and more than made up for the absence; he was simply incredible, and scored Barca’s opening goal within two minutes of the starting whistle. The goal was amazing, an individual effort from Andresito rocketed in from twenty yards out; lovely.

Iniesta set up the next goal not long after, and Eto’o finished beautifully to increase the lead. Two more goals were rained on Sevilla’s net by Xavi and Henry, and with the score at four goals to none the match was as good as over.

The players were all on and alert and their performance was unforgettable; the team just radiates strength, and this match gives us much-needed reassurance that the big matches coming up will be no problem.

Barca’s schedule is tight, and packed with top teams which the boys are set to face consecutively: Valencia, Real Madrid, two legs against Chelsea, and more… but if the boys go on as they were yesterday, we should have nothing to worry about.

On a side note: Don’t you just love how cuddly Barca’s matches always are? The players really can’t go without these adorable group hugs; we are liking much. And aren’t these images of Samu with his shirt up (below) really something? We love his expression in the first one. We notice too that Rafa Marquez got his hair trimmed (those curls will the death of us, someday) and Messi too has a haircut. How cute was he, with his feet up over the seat backs where he was benched? We hope his stomach is all better!

Gossip on the Guys: DJ Pique

Gerard Pique played DJ once again during Barcelona's flight back from Madrid after facing Getafe, and this time, he had a larger audience as the club's basketball team shared the flight.

Minutes after takeoff Pique was again back at the plane's sound system, hooking his ipod up to it, and though the plane's staff gave him a bit of trouble at first, in the end he won them over. Footballers and basketball jocks were able to mingle and the players had quite a party, with Henry, Abidal and Keita even leading a dance along the aisle.

It was cut shot when the flight attendants finally insisted on ending the matter, and disconnected Geri's ipod. Wetblanketing meddlers. How heartless can they be, spoiling the boys' fun like that?

Transfer Talk: Possibilities

We're talking one potential signing, and one potential extension. The first? Lovelashes Yoann Gourcuff. The second? King chin dimple, i.e. our man Pep.

Gorgeous Gourcuff is said to be a point of interest for Barca, as the club could be willing to buy him once he returns to his club, AC Milan, from his loan. Rumours have linked him with Barca before, and now, as they surface again, we're giddy with excitement over having this particular hottie possibly join our club. The annoying part is, Real Madrid are after him too, with Zidane mixed into the affair.

Now, onto the news about Pep, which is sending us into an even bigger frenzy. There have been past rumours about him, too, but not of the pleasant sort; Pep was said to be wanting to leave in 2010. Now though, it's been revealed that a clause in his contract states that his term, which ends in 2010, would actually be renewed automatically until 2011 if the club wins two trophies this season.

Barca's in the Champions League semis, the final of the Copa Del Rey, and in the lead of the Liga; it's almost a sure thing that we'll win two, if not all three, of those trophies. The team's been so exceptional this season, how could it not be?

If the club achieves this, then Pep's extension would be an added bonus, one that makes us happy just to think about. He's simply incredible, and we're too far gone on him to be able to bear his leaving. There isn't a single coach out there who can match his hotness, or, for that matter, any one of his singularly amazing attributes.

Match Report: Barcelona 1-0 Getafe

First off, we would like to mourn the loss of Gerard Pique’s splendiferous hair. He’s now sporting that annoying buzz cut he had at the start of the season, which we were able to forget once those lovely locks grew out into perfection… and then he went and hacked them off again. He’s tall, blue-eyed, and perfectly gorgeous, and yet he always seems to find some way to mar that brilliant appeal with hideous shirts, the most deplorable shoes, and even, on occasion, that abysmal thing called a man-bag. Add to that his annoying persistence in chopping off his amazing hair, and you’ve got a man who is in serious need of some lessons regarding his appearance. We’re happy to volunteer.

And now, on to the match. We said we wanted a great game against Getafe, and the amazing performance was all there from the boys, but the score just doesn’t say it. A measly 1-0 was enough to give us the needed three points, however we can’t help but feel annoyed, because it should have been at least 4-0.

We were once again cursed with one of the most idiotic referees ever to grace the earth, whose decisions throughout the match were utter crap, from the denied penalties, to the disallowed goal, to overlooking all the fouls committed by the Getafe jocks. Seriously, the only person more daft than this referee has got to be the bugger who gave him his reffing license.

The players maintained excellent possession, with a seventy percent average at the end of the match, thanks to the midfield wonders that are Xavi and Iniesta. We shouldn’t even mention Sergio Busquets; all he did was get his hundredth yellow card this season.

The attack was powerful, with so many chances and shots on goal, but thanks to an annoying referee, a fouling ten-man Getafe defense and Titi’s absolute clumsiness last night, a lone goal was all we had. Messi received a great pass of Xavi and all but flew past a group of defenders, before sending the ball home into the right corner of the goal from the center of the area.

The goals that should have followed never came, even though the attack did their job, and the defense was just as hot. Puyol was out of his element on the left but did well enough considering, Rafa was solid as usual, while Dani was a bit off form; but Pique, despite his erring ways in regards to his hair, was completely incredible last night. He practically was the defense, and didn’t let Getafe get even close to scoring; without forgetting of course the spectacular efforts of Victor Valdes who gave a splendid performance himself, in what was his 300th match with Barca.

Only one goal when there should have been so many, but in the end three points is three points, and we maintain our lead in the Liga. The match was frustrating, yes, but then, wasn’t it worth it when the rain began to pour, and cloth stuck to skin, and Bo came on and ran around for three minutes until the final whistle? Bojan is just the cutest thing ever, and even Pep got wet (and angry, mmm) so we’re content.