4-3-3 format that has been the main strategy in the last five years since Frank took control over the team. Guardiola after the bad results in the Spanish league and due the scoring problem in the recent games, he started with 3-4-3 giving Daniel license to merge with the front line without concern about the back line which was covered this time from the left to right by Puyol, Marquez & Pique.

Despite the new formation and the high quality of the players that kept the ball mostly at Barca feet, still Barca couldn’t find the net, though they had all the possible chances. Even when you have Messi & Henry playing widely giving to Xavi and Iniesta additional space to dominate the pitch, leaving Keita focusing on wining the lost ball, still Barca couldn't reflect the high possession of the ball into a leading result. Trying to break the opponent defense, Henry continued with Eto switching positions hoping for a change of luck, similar thing was appearing with the ex-coach Frank.

The well organized attacks failed to change the score, but different from the way that Barca played. Their first two goals came from set pieces, which put again the confusing question concerning the scoring matter.

Some changes came up when Eto was replaced by Toure, who was obviously brought in to give extra defense against the visitors, willing to stop any surprising attack. Iniesta moved to the left wing keeping Henry as a striker, who was replaced by Pedro, who stood on the right side.

The third goal was the only finished attack that shows the team work that Barca players had achieved during the game. Xavi was again the man who can score in the deadly minutes.

Even without scoring, Messi as usual was the magic provider for the Blaugrana. He showed his talent in controlling the ball and breaking through the defenders making him the fans' man of the match.

Good results for the team, especially for Pep, who can relax for the moment, after the hard time he faced view the fact that with him, the team had the worst opening season since 1973-74. Next game will be held on Sunday against Sporting de Gijon.

Barcelona got their Champions League Group C campaign off to a flyer with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at the Nou Camp.

Goals from Rafael Marquez, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi sealed the win with Tonel scoring what turned out to be nothing more than a consolation for the Portuguese visitors. The Catalan club go to the top of the group after Shakhtar Donetsk won 2-1 at Basel courtesy of two free-kicks from Fernandinho and Jadson.

For all of Barcelona's monopolisation of the ball and exciting open play, both of Barcelona's goal came from set pieces.

Xavi's 21st-minute corner sailed over everyone and fell to Marquez, and the big Mexican had time to direct a header back across goal that bounced in low just inside the far post.

The ball passed Seydou Keita's outstretched boot on the way in, but the Mali midfielder did not manage to get a touch.

Samuel Eto'o doubled the home side's lead on the hour-mark after the Cameroon striker went down easily under the challenge of Abel as he jumped for a cross. The man who was told during the summer he had no place at the club dusted himself down and sent Rui Patricio the wrong way to score.

Sporting boss Paulo Bento had started the match with striker Helder Postiga on the bench and Yannick Djalo and Abel Ferreira spearheading their attack, but he brought on the former Tottenham and Benfica striker and midfielder Miguel Veloso as his side attempted to mount a fightback.

Sporting were lifted by the introductions, and soon after Abel forced a good save from Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Barcelona had let their dominance turn into complacency, and they paid the price on 73 minutes when they were caught napping while defending a free-kick, allowing Tonel the time to steer to ball past Victor Valdes on the half-volley.

That strike looked to be the catalyst for an unexpected comeback, especially when an under-par Lionel Messi blasted a shot wide from close range.

However, the outstanding Xavi calmed Catalan nerves with three minute to go when he got on the end of Andres Iniesta's teasing cross to prod home and restore the two-goal cushion.

Big preparation begins ahead of the March 4th Champions League cracker between FC Barcelona and Celtic.




Ahead of the second leg match between FC Barcelona and Celtic Glasgow, the city council are already in top gear towards making sure everything goes well for both the home team, FC Barcelona, the visiting team, Celtic Glasgow and the host city and its residents in Barcelona.


Read details of the preparations:



The City Of Barcelona Prepares To Welcome Celtic.

Sensing the heat, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain has opened fire on FC Barcelona.


Perhaps, a good way of catching your coach's attention if he has confined you to the substitute's bench is to vouch for your team even when uncertainty is growing. This is the method Real Madrid's striking sub, Gonzalo Higuain has adopted as the young Argentine player publicly dismissed FC Barcelona as serious contenders for the La Liga. Higuain believes the La Liga race is won and lost, but passes his verdict with a customary show of respect to the talents that lie in FC Barcelona. The Argentine said:

We are undoubtedly the best team. Barça has great individual talent, but Madrid have proved they are better. I'm not saying that Barca are not good, but the La Liga title belongs to us and this is final.Even though it looks like Barça are catching up, we have the grounds to stop them from rising to the top.

Real Madrid are five points ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the La Liga, but the five point advantage was reduced from a wider margin of nine points some few weeks back, through some great display from the Catalan giants, who have won at both home and away, while Madrid lost miserably to Real Betis in their last League match, and failed to secure a victory in their champions league midweek tie against Roma, losing out 2-1.

Andres Iniesta is not over-the-top with Barca's victory over Celtic.




The Spanish star is rather looking ahead to closing the gap with Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga and has all his focus on the next Primera match. The Blaugrana thumped Celtic 3-2 away in Scotland a few days ago, and hope to thump Levante by a wider score margin this weekend. Iniesta, who was instrumental to Barca's victory, is urging his team mates not to remain in the ecstacy of their outstanding Champions League victory, but to let such a victory remain a boost for starting a winning streak that can see the Catalan gaints emerge winners in all remaining championships this season. Iniesta says:

We must not make the mistake of under rating Levante. The game on Sunday looks easy especially after the way we played in Glasgow. However we must forget about the Celtic game as it is over and from now on we must concentrate on the game against Levante. We have to work hard other wise we will suffer. The Celtic victory was good, but that is all in the past now. We must look ahead to matches ahead. The Glasgow win is like water under the bridge. There’s a long way to go in the league. The Cup is up next and we still have to ratify this result on 4th March when we play the return leg. I hope the victorious image continues and that we can play more games with the same good football.

The creative one however, does not resist the temptation to admire the performance of the super stars on a night they were at their best in Glasgow. Andres the dribbler says:

Yesterday’s match was one of the most complete games I can remember this season. Our comeback, our performance, the standard of football and the result were all so wonderful.

The Barca star ends with brushing aside the threat of Real Madrid who are the only team that can stop Barca from reclaiming their La Liga title won two seasons ago and lost last season. Iniesta says:

I don’t want to analyse the tendencies. We just want to carry on the same way because it’s non-stop with so many matches.

FC Barcelona are five points behind arch rivals Real Madrid and a win on Sunday's La Liga match will help close up the gap.