Match Report: Barcelona 0-0 Espanyol

Last night's match was nothing more than ninety minutes of watching two teams play out one of the most boring draws in history. We're a bit upset by the general performance of our gents for this one; everyone seemed to be out of form, with no exceptions. There was barely any attack, barely any goal attempts, all in all, one of our poorest performances of the season. But fret not; there's still the second leg, with the home advantage, which we can surely win.

However, what really gets us is that Rafael Marquez started this match and then had to come off after just ten minutes because of injury! Medical reports say that its not anything new, just overburdening of scars from old injuries, but nevertheless he'll be out for one to two weeks. This is the third? fourth? time this happens to him and its very distressing; we've been missing beautiful Rafa so much this season.

Gossip on the Guys: Pep Ticked Off By Samu

Certainly, Samuel Eto'o has had some issues with slacking off and mouthing off in the past; but didn't Pep sit down for a heart-to-heart with him at the beginning of the season and get him to watch it?

We're really a bit shocked by Eto'o's actions during Barca's recent training. Pep noticed he wasn't putting much into it and acting pretty lazy on the whole, and told him off, and when Eto'o talked back to him, Pep apparently lost it and ordered him to leave training.

Of course Samu is such an amazing player and a very basic part of our team, and we just love him to bits; but this kind of behaviour from him is getting to be too much. We all know Pep's a big believer in discipline, and Eto'o should have known better than to back talk. Hopefully he'll realize his mistake and this'll all be cleared up soon, and Pep won't do something drastic like keep him from tonight's match.

Random: Three Barca Players in Fifa's Team of the Year

The Fifa have recently announced their dream team of 2009, and, naturally, Barca contributes more players to the XI than any other club, with Messi, Puyol and Xavi all on the list:

Casillas

Ramos - Terry - Puyol - Lahm

Kaka - Gerrard - Xavi - Ribery

Ronaldo - Messi

Reportedly, Daniel Alves was also very close to winning the rightback spot before being beat out by that smig, Sergio Ramos. It just isn't right; Dani is most definitely the best rightback in the world.

Barca Buzz: Pep to be Offered a New Contract

Reports are that Barca wants to offer Pep a new and improved contract as a way to thank him for for how wondrous he's been. The new contract will include a pay raise and and will be automatically renewed each year unless met by opposition. Pep's current contract runs till 2010 and his salary is one million Euros +incentives, and frankly, we think that he is really being underpaid. A raise for him is most definitley in order, and what with recent rumours that he might leave in 2010, the renewal policy is quite reassuring.

Copa Del Rey: FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol, Olímpico Lluís Companys, Wednesday, January 20, 2009, 22:00 CET

On to the next victims—er, we mean opponents. After knocking out Athletico Madrid on a lovely aggregate of 5-2, now Barca goes on to face Espanyol in the quarter finals. Again, we expect an easy match for Barca and a comfortable goal difference.
Victor Sanchez has finally been cleared to play after being out with injury for about two weeks now, and will be able to participate in the match. We're expecting Pep to play the youngsters for this one, and hopefully, his starting lineup will include Bojan...

Birthday Boy: Pep Guardiola

He's the hottest coach you'll ever find, and probably the youngest; beloved Pep turns 38 today and truly doesn't look it. He's just as hot as he could possibly be.
There're players older than Pep but despite his youth he's one of the most incredible coaches there ever was, and he'll continue to be so until he retires (but let's not think of that now). Yesterday's spectacular match was the best gift the players could have given him, and we hope the rest of his birthday is just as wonderful.

Match Report: Barcelona 5-0 Deportivo Lacoruña

What a match, Barcelistas! It was simply amazing... five beautiful goals were scored, our team managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in ages, and everyone, from Victor Valdes to Samuel Eto'o, was on fire last night.

This win marks the end of the first half of the season for us, and with fifty points, Barca has broken the all-time Liga record for most points scored in a season first half. Our lads gave a spectacular performance and ended the midseason in style, proving once again that we are currently the best team in the world. No other side can match the way Barca is performing right now.

Messi ripped apart the defense to slot in the first goal, followed by a header from Henry then another goal by Eto'o, and then Henry again. The final goal was the result of a wondrous run from Puyol, who would have scored had it not been for the keeper knocking him down, getting a red card for himself and a penalty for us. Eto'o took the shot and scored it with perfect ease, securing Barca's fifth and final goal.

All three of our Liga top scorers upped their goal counts in this match; Eto'o now has eighteen, Messi twelve, and Henry eleven. Everyone was playing incredibly well, and we must stop to mention Daniel Alves: he was amazing, amazing, amazing.
Best hair for this match goes to Dani as well; he's grown it out into a beautiful fade cut and he looked as spectacular as he played.

Gossip on the Guys: Appreciating Messi

Truly, Messi's performance has been outstanding lately: grabbing the last minute winner against Osasuna, scoring a hattrick against Athletico Madrid... he's been so amazing, in fact, that the club has decided to acknowledge his greatness with a brand-new contract, even though his current one was renewed at the end of last season.

The new renewal will take place this summer, and Leo's buy-out clause will be upped from 150 million euros to 200. In addition, the new contract will include a raise in salary—the exact amount has not been reported. But Leo's already one of the highest paid players in the world and the highest paid on Barca, making 8 million Euros a year plus incentives; just to imagine how much he'll be getting now is quite dizzying.

Transfer Talk: Henrique In, Caceras Out

Well, it looks like the Barcelona board are close to deciding the future of Martin Caceras; reports are that because of his unimpressive performance so far this season, he'll most likely be loaned out soon.

We thought Caci did pretty well the first leg against Athletico Madrid, but apparently that's not enough. So get ready to bid Martin and his lovely hair goodbye, and to welcome Henrique. In case you don't know much about him, Henrique is the twenty two year old Brazilian defender pictured here, who Barca signed last summer before loaning him out to Bayer Leverkusen. He's been doing great on the German club so far, and in the case that Martin is loaned out, Henrique will be returning to take his place.

The Weekly Pick: Martin Caceres

Because his perfomance against Athletico Madrid was just great, and he's been looking way extra cute lately. We're falling in love with that beautiful long, thick hair of his, its quite distracting on the pitch!

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Deportivo la Coruña, Camp Nou, Saturday, January 17 2009, 20:00 CET

Its the final match of the first half of the season, and Deportivo aren't any opponents to be underestimated. However, they're still not any match for Barca; we're sure our gents will be able to secure yet another victory if they go into this match well prepared.
The team started training for the match from yesterday, but Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta missed the session due to Leo's having a slight sprain in his left ankle, and Andres, some problems with his right thigh. Instead, the two of them along with Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets did some recovery work in the gym. Its uncertain whether or not these players will make tomorrow's match; we hope their recuperation goes well and everyone's back in shape as soon as possible!

Match Report: FC Barcelona 2-1 Athletico Madrid

We have to admit, it was a pretty unimpressive performance from our boys last night, but the important thing is the win, right? Apart from incredible Iniesta, everyone seemed to be a bit slow, even goal scorers Bojan and Gudjhonsen.

Given the circumstances, we don't think anyone was taking this match very seriously; even Pep didn't seem totally into it. Anyway, we're happy about the win, happy that Bo and Guddy got to score, happy that we've qualifed, and though we're annoyed at Pep for getting that haircut, its on to quarter finals now!

Birthday Boy: Victor Valdes

It's our beloved Victor Valdes' birthday, and poor Vic won't be able to rest since it falls on match day. He's turning 27, and is as hot as ever; we hope he has a great game tonight and a fantastic birthday!!

Pre-Match Buzz: Rafa's Back

Forget about resting players; Pep's looking to go into this match fully armed, as he's called all the stars to the squad. Contrary to previous reports, Sanchez won't be able to make the match but Marquez will! His thigh problems are all sorted out and he's ready for action, and we can't wait to see him tear up Atleti's attack tonight. Full match list: Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera, Alves, Márquez, Puyol, Piqué, Cáceres, Abidal, Sylvinho, Xavi, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Gudjohsen, Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Iniesta, Pedro, Hleb.

Transfer Talk: Victor's Not Looking for Money, and Samu Wants to Wait

We've been hearing rumours that Victor Valdes is demanding more money as part of his contract renewal, but now Vic's announced that money is not what's important to him. "... I'm not one of those who are only looking at the money either. I just want to be at this club as many years as possible. The financial issue isn't that important, I mean that. I can assure you that I, nor anyone from my entourage, has talked about these matters." Beautiful humble Victor. He could teach Yaya a thing or two.

As for Eto'o, his contract is suposed to be renewed soon as well, but he keeps putting it off. "The problem is that it's still too early to talk about this. We have to wait until everything has finished, in a good way, and afterwards we'll talk about it."

That's his way of saying that he'll only stay if Barca wins some silverware this season. Its annoying of him, but we'll tolerate this kind of talk as long as he keeps scoring.

Random: Barca Well Represented at the Fifa Awards

Our team was well represented at the Fifa World Player award ceremony yesterday, with four of our gents in the top ten, and two of them making the top five. Leo Messi and Xavi came in second and fifth respectively, with Samuel Eto'o in seventh place and Andres Iniesta coming in at ninth.

It's a wonderful achievment for our boys, but sadly, we can't say the same for their choice of dress—not them or the other finalists. It's not just the Best Player award they were contending for; apparently there was a sub-competition to see who could show up in the most hideous shirt.

Also we should mention Cristiano Ronaldo's success in attaining first place and thus being named Fifa's World Player for 2008, but we'd rather just skip ahead to a year from now, when we know it'll be Messi holding that award...

Copa Del Rey: FC Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid, Camp Nou, Wednesday, January 14 2009, 22:00 CET

We've reached the second leg of the Copa now, and with a two point lead plus the home advantage this match should be relatively easy. We can't tell if Pep will depend on the subs and youngsters, or go all out with the stars; in any case Victor Sanchez is recovering from his injury and might be back for this one.
Barcelona should easily be able to secure a victory, even though a draw or a loss by one goal will still ensure our team's qualification to the quarter final.

Transfer Talk: Chelsea are Daft, and Barca's Letting Some Dudes Go

So after taking Deco and ruining him, Chelsea now want Barca's Iniesta. That's truly one of the funniest things we've heard in a while; Iniesta is a basic part of our team, he's devoted to Barca and won't be going anywhere any time soon. Barcelona would never considering selling him, nor would he want to leave; why Chelsea think they've got a shot at this is beyond us.

Elsewhere, Barca are doubtful about renewing Sylvinho's contract once it expires at the end of the season, and will almost definitley be signing a leftback this summer. Also, the club is looking to let go of Albert Jorquera, who may very well sign for Sporting Lisbon.