Tag Archives: Barcelona

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Lionel Messi outshines Ronaldo and Bale to show who is the best player in the world

24 Monday Mar 2014

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TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

The two most expensive players in earth were on show last night as Real Madrid did battle with their great rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu in a fixture simply known as El Clasico.
There was also an up and coming Brazilian called Neymar, as well as a galaxy of stars and talent.
None of this mattered, however, as the greatest player on earth propelled his side to a 3-2 win to throw the La Liga title race wide open – there are now three contenders Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and of course Barcelona. All is set up for an incredible title decider between Atletico and Barcelona at the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
Lionel Messi had been criticised of late for not being on the ball, there’s even been talk the second highest scorer in La Liga history may leave the club that’s been his home since he was a childhood prodigy. Well, that’s not going to happen now – when it matters Messi makes it count. It was so against Manchester City in the Champions League, and it was so last night as he scored his second hat-trick in a row to silence the some 53, 000 that had gathered largely to watch and pay homage to their own Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid were reduced to ten men for the last twenty minutes of this pulsating game, which saw Messi set up the first goal before a Ronaldo penalty put the homeside 2-1 ahead within fifteen minutes. At that point,  it looked as though Barcelona may rue three missed chances against their much fancied opponents. By the half time whistle Messi had restored parity in a game that had been played at a blistering pace. Surely, both sides couldn’t keep this up in the second – yes they could as Messi cooly slotted in two penalties to become the highest scorer in El Clasico history. Real will complain that they were handicapped by the referee, but they also had the two most expensive players in the world on their side. Money of course can’t buy you success and as Messi showed last night it doesn’t make you the greatest player on earth either.
FT: REAL MADRID 3 BARCELONA 4

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TEMPLATE REPORT: Barcelona teach Manchester City a lesson

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

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TEMPLATE REPORT

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Etihad Stadium

MANCHESTER CITY 0 BARCELONA 2

Just how good and how far have Manchester City come this season – that was the question on everyone’s mind as the blues took on Lionel Messi and the highly rated and much respected side called Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
In the first half, City had the best of the chances despite the dominance of Barcelona who played in the way that they have done so often, possession followed by more possession, wearing down the opposition through silky passes that called on the hometeam to chase after the ball.
In the second half though, the game was out of City’s reach once Messi had slotted in a penalty following an advance that reduced the Premier League’s most exciting side to ten men.
The second goal from Danni Alves in the 90th minute ensured that there would be no way back in the second leg of this tie.
Barcelona are virtually threw to the quarter finals and they had not even got out of first gear – remaining throughout the nintety three minutes compact, assured and ever dangerous when given a sniff of a chance.
City were taught a lesson today by a side that is used to success at the highest level. The team that has dazzled us all in the Premier League were outclassed in a game their opponents never looked like losing.
And still they will be many who will question whether Barcelona have what it takes to win this competition.

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⚽️ David Beckham plays for PSG against Barcelona 🥅

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

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 ANALYSIS 

In his heyday, the Paris Saint Germain player, David Beckham was known for his trademark free kicks, the ability to loft the ball to an eager forward and of course a steely nerve when it came to the penalty spot.

The first two were in evidence last night as the 38-year-old played against the greatest club team on earth.

It was great to see Beckham play in Europe, and he was not in any out of his depth, which begs the question, could he be part of the England set-up again.

The last time there was such a debate was of course over the decision to terminate the career of Kevin Keegan who went on to show that he was still a force with the then second division side of Newcastle United.

England lost something then when they so abruptly got rid of a player that still could have exerted an influence at an international level.

And on the evidence of last night, it appears that history is repeating itself in the form of David Beckham.

Champions League Quarter Final, Ist Leg, PSG 2 Barcelona 2

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