Thumbs up for the Best Team on the planet : FC Barcelona

As this team continues to dominate games, dominate possession, thrash teams, reach and win finals, score plenty of goals, the debate on how good this team will continue. I am of the opinion that it isn't a debate anymore and when you turn your tv on to watch FC Barcelona you are watching the greatest football team in the world, not necessarily club. This team plays flawless football for majority of the season and deserve the rights to be called the best team. There are world class players almost every where for this team.

The grit of Puyol alongside the poise and ball control of Gerard Pique at the heart of the back keeping a solid central defence. Flanked by them you have the world's best attacking wing back in Dani Alves who continue to be crucial to this team since he has arrived, and Eric Abidal the true champion of this team and has been class ever since his Lyon days. in Victor Valdes they have an accident prone goalkeeper but is hardly tested, and I will state why.

At the top they have three 5 foot players that cause havoc anywhere in the world in Leo Messi, David Villa and the tireless Pedro. In Messi they arguably have the best player in the world based on technical ability and finishing for sure. David Villa has been sensational in Spain for years and showed his class with his finish in the Champions League final. Pedro in my opinion their weakest attacker in the starting 11 continues to impress and perform at the highest level scoring in crucial games like the Classico and the Champions League final.

For me however, it is the midfield that allows this team to be the best in the world and for me to go even further and say the best ever. In Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta, you witness two players in their prime that do no know their limits.For me the two best Spanish midfielders of all time and arguably two of the best of all time. They would warrant a place in any team within the past 20 years ATLEAST. Although Lionel Messi continues to score more goals and drop jaws, he would be a shadow of a player without these two, lets take for example his Argentine performances.However, these two players have dominated world football for the past 3-4 seasons and have hardly faced opposition that can actually make them sweat. The beauty of these two midfielders is that they let the ball do the work. One of the biggest principles of the game. They know when and where and have a Football IQ of 1000000. They are two mid fielders that know about dictating tempo of a game to allow their team to get into a groove of smooth flowing football that's like Eye-Candy for a football lover. With their ability to hold the ball so well it is a defence within an offense as an opposing team can not score if they do not have the ball. It is a philosophy that these two live by and with Iniesta and Xavi being partnered with Sergio Busquets they have a highly tactical player that knows his role and allows them their freedom but sitting deep and breaking up play and intercepting then quickly feeding them to allow these two maetros to rack up ridiculous passing statistics.

I have broken down this unit to show its class in every department but notice the word used..."Unit". This is exactly what FC Barcelona is. It is a unit, a team, full of friendships that desire to play with each other and are highly motivated to become the best and continue winning. They convincingly play the most attractive football with amazing combinations and intricate play that is second to none in this sport. As beautiful as they are on the attack, they are just as amazing on the defense. Every player is a work horse and when they lose the ball they fight to win it back and its a fantastic tactic employed by their extremely successful coach. As the players say, "they play football the right way and deserve to win". It is true.

The most scared question to ask now is, " How long will this Barcelona Team Dominate" and to be honest it is hard to see anyone knocking them off their perch anytime soon. They dismantled the next two strongest teams in the world ( Real Madrid, Manchester United) like they were playing a team from sunday league. What I will say is this team has weaknesses like all teams and it comes in their bench. Not many people would know their bench because they hardly ever need it. That will not be the case as all of their players will be older and teams will start getting used to their style of play and they will need options. They have gone in the right direction with Ibrahim Afellay but besides that its a very basic bench for a starting 11 so bolstered. If they ever land the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Guiseppe Rossi as linked, the world will fear the worst. This team will dominate for years. Congratulations FC Barcelona, the Greatest Football Team ...Ever.

Real Madrid vs Tottenham : Recap

What did we learn about yesterday's game? Finally after getting beyond the haunted round of 16, Madrid can really be seen as contenders for the title. They sure did play like it. I'll give Spurs some credit for the first half performance and also playing with 10 men for such a long time but all in all they were outplayed by a way better team with better players and a better manager. As simple as that. Madrid was as fluid as ever seen this season and constantly peppered Gomes' goal. Defending by Spurs was constantly last ditch and this was premise to the domination of Madrid in the match. The European adventure was sweet and entertaining while it lasted for Spurs and hats off to them as they shocked the two strongest teams in Italy to get where they are and played great football, but they must now step aside as the greater teams make way. If Real Madrid can stay healthy and get all of their players back to peak form, especially the likes of Higuain (Great to see him back) and Ricky Kaka they will seriously have to be contenders for the title at Wembley. Madrid will have no excuses for not putting in a great showing in the next round (given they see off spurs) who ever they play as they are practically out of the La liga race. It will be all champions league and copa del rey final for las madridistas.This being said, how do you rate Real Madrid's chances of winning back their beloved Champions League trophy?

Champions League Recap

Is there truth in saying that no team really played to the potential they can? I guess this can be argued.

Shockingly Chelsea looked good, away from home, (albeit their opposition) but going into this game, they must have been the worst out of form team and they really put in a good shift. Definitely already into the next round. Torres hasn't impressed yet but he is getting there. Few more games.

The Valencia- Shalke tie is well poised at 1-1 and with Shalke having the away goal and heading home should be favourites. However there is quality in this Valencia team and they have decent ball away from home and I fancy them in Germany somehow. Raul continued his amazing European goal scoring record. Tied with Pippo now.

Inter really disappointed and this summed up the Italian teams in Europe this season. All remaining three in the competition may well be out. Milan had a terrible game at home to a pretty decent spurs but a spurs line up without their best line up. Will probably be put to the sword at White Hart Lane. Roma continued to embarrass themselves against Shakhtar, in my opinion very unexpected and surely won't be able to turn it around after letting their opposition to ship in three away goals. Inter have it all to do in Germany and I don't see them turning it around or stopping this Bayern Team from scoring. Time will tell.

Madrid came from Lyon without a win but surely everyone must have won a bet with this one. Expected right? Lyon usually give Madrid hell but I just have a funny feeling they can progress and pretty comfortable at home in the return leg. Either way Madrid weren't that good and Lyon was solid for majority of the game and Madrid only threated from set pieces really.

Barcelona almost gave their fans a heart attack when they shipped in those 2 late goals by Arsenal. They weren't nearly as clinical as they can be. If they were, Arsenal wouldn't need to travel to Spain cause it would be over.
On the other hand Arsenal played pretty decent ball and got a win that not many thought was possible. Gave themselves hope of reaching the final 8 and maybe the finals in London Town! (Wembley)

Being a Man United fan I can be honest and admit that we were nothing short of terrible against Marseille. In the attack I should say. We were pretty comfortable at the back but thats a norm with Vidic in the back, at least 70% of the time. Midfield was clueless and seemed to lost ability or gather the little available. Carrick is on the down surely and Gibson is straight up garbage. Summer reinforcements needed desperately in midfield especially if Scholes doesn't sign on. Overall the game was a bore and Marseille really threatened and United should  take care of business in second leg.

Well that's my take on how this round of CL fixtures went, I also gave my thoughts about who should be going through from here....but i must admit I can't call the Barcelona Arsenal game...it is well poised though.

Arsenal FC vs Barcelona FC : What did we witness?

1.That both these teams play the sport beautifully. Smooth passing ( sometimes over passing) silky skills, great movement and over all just great on the eye.

2. Arsenal's defence is really not that good ( barca EASILY could have killed this TIE by the 65th min)..desperately missed Sanga on the right and Clichy falls asleep way to regular, Dani Alves enjoyed tonight!

3. That Lionel Messi is human. Did he really miss 2 one on ones?? In the same game?? wow didn't know he does that. Nice through pass for Villa's opening goal still.

4. Cesc Fabregas? No sir...JACK WILSHERE. The teenager is the heir to england's midfield and will be a regular for years based on what we have seen. Not sure if he was tackled more than twice today. Hardly ever caught on the ball( unless Eboue played a ridiculous pass to him) fantastic passing and a driving force in the midfield. Could have easily worn Cesc's captain armband in this game. BOSS!

5. Cesc Fabregas continues his hot streak of having a stinker against his boyhood team. 2 out of 2. Besides his beautiful clip to RVP in the first few minutes was non existent  and gave the ball away a good few times. Should have taken the note pad out and write down pointers based on Xavi's and Iniesta's ball retention skills and decisive passes on the big occasion.

6. Barcelona has NO PLAN B. No depth at all. None what so ever. They were evidently rattled by the RVP equalizer and had no answer to the lift in Arsenal's game although they dominated this game since the 10th minute. If the first 11 doesn't do the job, it won't be done.

7. Barcelona will boss any midfield in the world, on any ground, at any time. Only thing they need is the motivation to get up and walk out of the dressing room. It is tooooo easy for the catalans. At points in time, Arsenal didn't have a touch on the ball for something near to two minutes or even 3. That is crazy!

Tell me what you thought of the game and my point of view on the first leg. Champions League is back!