I'm sure it didn't look too pretty on TV, but up close and personal you can turely appreciate the quality Barcelona have, even when they don't play particularly well. Xerez, to their eternal credit, pushed the reigning European champions and it wasn't all plain sailing for Guardiolas team. But two moments of ruthless execution stole the three points and Xerez were left to rue a couple of break-aways that promised much but delivered little. The match had a cup tie feel about it, and at times in the first half, I thought we could have an upset on the cards. The crowd were in full song and, having only just negotaited Real Madrid three days earlier, Barcelona sent out a team missing Messi, Iniesta and Ibrahimovic.The first half was largely uneventful, with neither side creating too much and you could tell Barcelona just wanted to get the job done and get out. Xavi knocked the ball around as nonchalantly as ever. Yaya Toure protected his back four admirably. But in truth Renan had little to deal with. Bojan and Pedro were both dissapointments, as I was expecting a lot more from the Barca youth players, but neither got into the game. Thierry Henry flitted in and out, and Xerez got to half time with the scores level and the upset was still on.
But all hope was banished within the first 30 seconds of the second half. Francis was caught horribly out of position, Maxwell pounced and sent over a cross which Henry slammed into the net off his forehead via Renans hand and the underside of the bar. It was awfully bad luck for the Xerez fullback, as he had an outstanding match. The home side huffed and puffed and even had a few chances on the counter (which the linesman got horribly wrong on each occasion, one was about three metres off!) but they hesitated each time and the chances went as soon as they were created. They simply didn't have the class to punish the lapses of concentration from Chygrynsky and Marquez. Then came on the big boys. Messi, then Iniesta and finally Ibrahimovic. And it was game over, as they party tricks came out. Messi had a couple of magical runs, one which led to an audacious backheel which Alves failed to convert. The new winner of the Ballon D'Or then struck the post with a fierce shot inside the area. Xerez were spent, visibly gulping air as they chased shadows.
But all hope was banished within the first 30 seconds of the second half. Francis was caught horribly out of position, Maxwell pounced and sent over a cross which Henry slammed into the net off his forehead via Renans hand and the underside of the bar. It was awfully bad luck for the Xerez fullback, as he had an outstanding match. The home side huffed and puffed and even had a few chances on the counter (which the linesman got horribly wrong on each occasion, one was about three metres off!) but they hesitated each time and the chances went as soon as they were created. They simply didn't have the class to punish the lapses of concentration from Chygrynsky and Marquez. Then came on the big boys. Messi, then Iniesta and finally Ibrahimovic. And it was game over, as they party tricks came out. Messi had a couple of magical runs, one which led to an audacious backheel which Alves failed to convert. The new winner of the Ballon D'Or then struck the post with a fierce shot inside the area. Xerez were spent, visibly gulping air as they chased shadows.
Then two minutes into injury time Ibrahimovic settled the match. And what a goal it was. I was still a little aggrieved from having to pay extra for the match, but that goal was worth it alone. Messi sent the big Swede clear and the finish was delightful: a dinked chip from just outside the area which curled over Renan and into the net. World class. Xerez left the stadium to a raptuous applause and they deserved it. But for Guardiola it was three points well earned, and they now lead Madrid by five. For Xerez, next saturday Atlético Madrid are the visitors, and if they don't want to let a gap open up between them and the rest, a win is obligatory. On this performance it's not out of the question.
UEFA Europa League Results 02.12.09
Valencia 3 - 1 Lille (Joaquin x2, Mata)
Levski Sofia 0 - 2 Villarreal (Rossi, Senna)