Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: Tello nets first league goal and Messi is also on target but champions are unconvincing in victory

Guardiola's much-changed team secured a vital win against the Basque side despite missing a host of chances in the first half.

Barcelona ran out 2-1 winners in their La Liga clash against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Saturday evening, despite the away side's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo making a number of fine saves.

Goals from Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi had given the home side a 2-0 lead in the second half, but a well-taken goal from Carlos Vela in the latter stages of the game meant Pep Guardiola's side endured a tense finish as Sociedad threw men forward in search of a draw.

Both sides missed opportunities in the opening exchanges, with first Bravo and then Victor Valdes being forced into making smart saves to keep out efforts from Lionel Messi and Diego Ifran respectively.

Tello broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a cool finish under Bravo after Messi had made amends for his earlier miss by playing a wonderfully weighted ball through to his younger team-mate.

The Sociedad keeper was again on hand to thwart Messi just minutes after Tello's opener when he saved well from the Argentine after he had raced on to a neat Cesc Fabregas pass.

A combination of profligate finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at just 1-0 in the first half.

Early in the second period another good save from Valdes stopped Antoine Griezmann from making the scores level after the Frenchman burst past Javier Mascherano.

The match became more competitive in the second period as Sociedad's midfielder began to get on the ball more and create some goalscoring opportunities.

However Barcelona nearly went further ahead when Isaac Cuenca shot against the bar with an effort that Tello followed up on and struck an effort towards goal that would have made it 2-0 if Dani Alves had not got a touch from an offside position.

After missing a series of chances in the opening 70 minutes Messi eventually gave Barcelona a two-goal cushion with a well-taken half volley after a fine pass from Dani Alves.

However, Sociedad substitute Vela set up an exciting finale when he reduced the deficit just minutes later, slotting confidently under Valdes and into the back of the net after being found by a decent pass from Griezmann.

The home side withstood a series of late attacks from Sociedad to hold out for their win, but the joy at the three points will have been tarnished slightly by a potentially serious injury sustained by Sergio Busquets late on in the game.

Barcelona's win cuts Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga back to seven points while Guardiola's choice of resting the likes of Alexis, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique ensures his key players will be fresh ahead of their important Copa del Rey tie against Valencia on Wednesday. Sociedad remain in 13th place in La Liga following this defeat.

By : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Messi misses second-half penalty as absorbing Copa del Rey tie remains well-poised ahead of second leg

Diego Alves' penalty save from the Argentine denies Catalans from taking a lead back to Camp Nou but Pep Guardiola will still be confident of overcoming Los Che in the return leg


Carles Puyol secured a 1-1 draw for Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia, with the away goal putting the Catalan side in pole position to reach a third final in four years, although victory could have been theirs had Lionel Messi not missed a penalty in the second half.

The hosts deservedly led through Jonas' emphatic finish midway through the first period, only for Puyol to level the match before the break with his downward header.

A subdued opening found life when Messi embarked on a typically dangerous run, drawing a free kick, but the Argentine's effort lacked sufficient curl as it went a yard off target.

With Los Che beginning to dominate proceedings, the Mestalla were left infuriated when Jose Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from putting Unai Emery's side ahead when he clearly handled outside the area. The officials were disinterested in Valencia's claim as play continued. much to the amazement of the Spain striker.

Valencia continued their high intensity and were soon rewarded when they dispossessed Barcelona deep in their territory. They worked the ball out to Jeremy Mathieu whose cutback was expertly converted by Jonas for the lead.

Suddenly, Barca found a rhythm. Isaac Cuenca's sublime foot work was followed by an intricate ball into the feet of Alexis. The Chilean managed to dig out a shot only to be denied by a brilliant save from the onrushing Diego Alves.

From the resulting corner, the Blaugrana opted for a customary cross which brought dividends when an unmarked Puyol brought the scores level with a committed header.

Messi began the second half brightly, and had a wonderful chance to fire Barcelona ahead after Thiago had been felled in the penalty area by Miguel's flailing leg. The Argentine's fragmented run-up did nothing to deter Diego Alves, who pushed his poor spot kick away to safety after springing low to his left.

Barca continued to provided attacking intent but Diego Alves continued his heroics when he palmed Eric Abidal's audacious effort around the post. The Brazilian stopper was then fortunate to see Gerard Pique's header from the resultant corner miss the target.

Pep Guardiola introduced Dani Alves in search of a winning goal and the Brazilian came close to providing it when he combined with Messi. The South American duo played a delicate one-two, with Alves hammering the return pass against the upright before Valencia desperately cleared.

As the match drew to a close neither side lamented any late misses as each began to prepare mentally for the return leg. Guardiola's side will be confident of securing a third Copa del Rey final in four years following Puyol's priceless away goal, although Los Che will still believe that they can progress.


By : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

Villarreal 0-0 Barcelona: Diego Lopez inspired for Yellow Submarine as champions fall seven points behind Real Madrid in La Liga title race

Pep Guardiola sees his side go further adrift of league leaders as the Catalan giants are frustrated at El Madrigal.

Barcelona are now seven points adrift of La Liga Leaders Real Madrid after a 0-0 stalemate against Villarreal at El Madrigal on Saturday evening.

Jose Molina's side were impeccably organised throughout the match, and frustrated Barca through their intense pressing of the ball and two banks of four positioned in front of the box, which proved too tough to break down for Pep Guardiola's outfit.

The Catalan side dominated possession in their trademark style, and should have took the lead in the 17th minute when Lionel Messi latched on to an excellent pass over the top of the Villarreal defence from Dani Alves and quickly turned before delicately lobbing the ball over the onrushing Diego Lopez, but unfortunately for the Argentine, his effort bounced a whisker by the right-hand post.

The hosts had chances of their own, however, and created a number of good chances in the first half to take the lead, the best of which came through a Marcos Senna strike in the 35th minute.

The Villarreal captain found space just outside the box to drive a wicked shot at the near post of Victor Valdes only for the Barca goalkeeper turn the ball round the post with an outstanding save. From the resulting corner kick, Jose Molina's side thought they had taken the lead after Gonzalo Rodriguez nodded home from six yards, only for the referee to correctly rule his header as offside.

Barcelona were very fortunate not to concede a penalty two minutes after half time when Borja Valero nicked the ball past Sergio Busquets only to have his leg clipped inside the area. The official waved play on, much to the anger of the Madrigal faithful.

The second half went on with both sides largely cancelling each other out, but Barcelona came extremely close to edging ahead in the 78th minute, but for a world class save from Diego Lopez.

Barca substitute Tello showed some electric pace to get to the byeline and reverse a pass to the edge of the box for Cesc Fabregas. The former Arsenal man set himself before smashing a deflected shot at goal that the Villarreal goalkeeper somehow tipped over the bar to keep his side in the match.

Diego Lopez was the saviour for his side again in the 87th minute, denying Lionel Messi after the Argentine burst into the box, exhanged passes with substitute Alexis Sanchez and shot at goal, only to be denied by the feet of the Villarreal goalkeeper.

Barca bombared the home goal in the closing moments but were unable to find that elusive goal, and remain in second place in La Liga on 45 points, and the hard earned point by Villarreal sees them in 17th place on 20 points.

by : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

La Liga Preview: Villarreal - Barcelona

 

The Catalan side return to La Liga duty and travel to El Madrigal days after their Copa del Rey progression against Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side picked up injuries to key players in their 2-2 Clasico draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday. Andres Iniesta has been ruled out for three weeks after coming off with a hamstring tear on his left leg, while Alexis Sanchez could also miss out, too.

David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay are absentees with a broken leg and a ligament injury keeping the duo out long term. Victor Valdes will come back into the side to resume La Liga duty and Javier Mascherano may be drafted in to the first XI for the match at El Madrigal.

Jose Molina will welcome a number of his first team squad back into training in the past week or so. Carlos Marchena, Mateo Musacchio and Javi Camunas have all returned to fitness after shaking off niggling injuries.

Wakaso Mubarak has also returned to training after undergoing a successful nose operation. However, Jose Catala is still absent after surgery on his right knee at the start of January. Giuseppe Rossi is also still injured after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the season.

by :  Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (4-3 Agg): Ronaldo & Benzema spark Blancos comeback but Pep Guardiola's men cling on to eliminate Copa del Rey holders

The Catalan giants were able to hang on to a slender aggregate lead to reach the final four of the cup, knocking out Jose Mourinho's brave men in what was an end-to-end encounter.

Barcelona edged their way into the Copa del Rey semi-finals at the expense of Real Madrid courtesy of a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, progressing 4-3 on aggregate in what was a pulsating affair.

Despite Madrid being the better side for the majority of the first half, the home side grabbed the lead in the 43rd minute when Pedro coolly slotted home after an excellent Lionel Messi run. The Catalans were in wonderland just before the half time whistle when Dani Alves unleashed a stunning drive into the top corner of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo pulled a goal back in the 68th minute and four minutes later the visitors were level when Karim Benzema slammed home. Yet it was not to be for the away side, who had Sergio Ramos sent off late on for a second yellow card as Barca held on for a place in the last four, where they will face either Valencia or Levante.

Madrid nearly made a dream start after only 12 seconds, with the Barcelona defence clearly not at the races. Dani Alves attempted to play the ball back to Gerard Pique, but the stopper did not have his eyes on the play and allowed it to bypass him into the path of Gonzalo Higuain, who curled his hurried effort wide of the post.

Jose Mourinho's men continued their electric start and squandered another glorious opportunity in the third minute. Xabi Alonso whipped an inviting free kick into the danger area which bypassed the home side's defence, and only a smart reaction save by Jose Pinto could deny Higuain's header from point-blank range.

The visitors were impressive in the first quarter of the game and were within inches away of opening the scoring in the 25th minute. Mesut Ozil picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and unleashed a venomous drive which had the beating of Pinto before rebounding off a combination of crossbar and post to safety.

However, for all of their endeavours, los Blancos found themselves a goal down in the 43th minute after some Lionel Messi magic. The diminutive Argentine weaved his way past several Madrid players before playing a clever pass to the unmarked Pedro, an early substitute for the injured Andres Iniesta, who swept the ball home past a helpless Iker Casillas from 12 yards out.

Despite coming under pressure for the majority of the half, Barcelona grabbed a stunning second three minutes into injury time. Xavi's free kick deflected off the chest of Lassana Diarra and into the path of Dani Alves on the edge of the box. The Brazilian smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net to give his team a 4-1 aggregate lead at the break.

Mourinho's side, and their attacking approach, remained undeterred into the second half. Sergio Ramos thought he had pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute, slamming a header past Pinto from a Xabi Alonso set-piece, yet the goal was disallowed by the referee as the former Sevilla man was adjudged to have tugged at Alves' shirt in the build-up.

There was to be a ray of light for the visitors as they scored in the 68th minute. Ozil's precise through ball fell to the feet of Ronaldo who rounded Pinto before calmly sliding into the empty net.

Four minutes later Madrid were level on the night when Gerard Pique's clearance was headed into the path of Benzema by Xabi Alonso. The French striker, who came on as a substitute, flicked the ball past Carles Puyol before slamming it home to set up a thrilling end to a superb encounter.

Both sides refused to sit back in the final stages as Madrid looked for the one goal they needed while, predictably, Barcelona used attack as the best form of defence.

However, the scoreline stayed the same and Madrid's frustration led to Ramos being sent off in the 88th minute for a second yellow card after raising an arm to Sergio Busquets, as the Blaugrana squeezed through to the final four of the Copa del Rey. Madrid, however, can take pride in what was a hugely impressive performance.

Both sides return to Liga action at the weekend with Real Madrid entertaining Real Zaragoza on Saturday while Guardiola's side travel to Villarreal.

by : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

Copa del Rey Preview: Barcelona - Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's men attempt to overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Catalan giants in the second leg of the sides' quarter-final clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday.


Barcelona will be without Seydou Keita, who is away on African Cup of Nations duty with Mali. Pep Guardiola's side also have three players who have long-term injuries; Ibrahim Afellay and Andreu Fontas are both out with ligament injuries, while David Villa is sidelined for the foreseeable future with a broken leg.

Pedro returned from injury to feature in the 4-1 victory over Malaga at the weekend, but it is unlikely the Spaniard will oust Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, or Alexis Sanchez from Guardiola's preferred front three.

Jose Mourinho's visitors go into the match with a 2-1 deficit from the first leg but the Real Madrid coach could opt for the same formation, with three midfielders and three attackers, albeit with a more positive gameplan than in the first match.

Pepe was left out of the squad for the victory over Athletic Bilbao because of a suspected calf injury and did not train on Monday so it is unlikely that the Portugal international will be fit. There are suspicions that Mourinho may be removing the defender from the limelight for a short period, after the outcry against his cynical stamp on Messi in Wednesday's first leg.

Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero did not train on Monday either, but it is likely the former will be fit enough to come into the three-man midfield. Sergio Ramos also missed the session, but this was due to personal reasons and he is expected to play. Sami Khedira is unavailable, though, after being ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.


DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona go into the match with a 2-1 advantage over Real Madrid from the first leg. Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal scored to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo's early strike and seal the win at the Santiago Bernabeu last Wednesday.
Barcelona maestro Xavi will equal Joan Segarra's record of 31 Clasico appearances for the Catalan side if he plays in this match.
Lionel Messi equalled Cesar's record for the most league goals scored in the first half of a season for Barca at the weekend. The Argentine netted a hat-trick to take his tally so far to 22 goals in La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one goal ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for Pichichi award in La Liga.
Iker Casillas made his 600th appearance for Los Blancos in the 4-1 weekend win over Athletic Bilbao.
This is the 10th time that Barcelona have faced Real Madrid in just over a year.


by: Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/groups/fcb.fanatic/ )

Malaga 1-4 Barcelona: Messi scores exquisite hat-trick and Alexis adds another as champions close gap on league leaders Real Madrid

The visitors dominated the contest with clinical finishing, putting the pressure on Jose Mourinho's side, who now only sit two points above them at the summit.

Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Malaga at La Rosaleda in La Liga action on Sunday as Lionel Messi stole the show with a hat-trick.

A precise header from the Argentine put the visitors ahead, before Alexis Sanchez scored early in the second half. After the interval Messi added his second with a brilliant solo effort, doing the same 10 minutes from time to help his team pull within two points of Real Madrid, who play Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday.

Despite Pep Guardiola's side's strong showing, the hosts were the more threatening side in the early going. Before 20 minutes had passed, Isco had three chances in the space of two minutes, but Victor Valdes saved each acrobatically to keep the contest scoreless.

Barca pushed forward in the ensuing minutes but could not find the crucial pass to create a clear opening on goal. That is, until Messi took control of the contest.

Iniesta played Adriano in down the left, and the Brazilian's delicate cross found the head of Messi near the penalty spot. The Fifa Ballon d'Or winner finished powerfully into the left side of the net, beating the outstretched arms of Willy Caballero.
In the second half, the visitors improved, and put the contest out of sight within minutes of the restart.

Thiago's low shot was saved from the top of the box, and Adriano picked it up, finding the young midfielder for another shot, but he was again denied by Caballero, before Alexis managed to fire home on the rebound from close range.

Moments after, Messi carved through the Malaga defence with a stellar run to the right side of the box, knocking the ball home with the deftest of touches.

Then, with 10 minutes to go, Messi drove from the middle of the pitch and calmly slotted into the right side of the net for his 22nd league goal of the season in just 19 appearances.

Salomon Rondon struck for the home side five minutes from time, beating Valdes low and to the left to give his side scant consolation, but Messi's magic was the abiding memory of the contest.

Up next, Malaga host Sevilla this coming weekend, while Barcelona return to action on Wednesday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, where they will host Real Madrid, holding a 2-1 advantage.

by : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/groups/fcb.fanatic/ )