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Man of the Match: FC Barcelona 2-0 FC Porto

Posted at: 22:50 on Friday, August 26, 2011 Category: Matches, Poll Written by:
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  1. tBtorontofan says:
    August 26, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    MESSI AND MASCHERANO MOTM for me. Obvious reasons for Messi, but mascherano saved our butts several times. And LOL at kleber, he messed up so badly when he had a 2 on 1 lol. I think kleber was looking for Shakira or something in the stands….waited WAYYY to long to make a decision and ten mascherano comes :P

    No offence to Keita, but we can see how different of a game there is when keita or mascherano play DM compared to busquets. Busquets greases the tiki-taka engine so smoothly despite his other antics. Fantastic underated player

    • Wake says:
      August 26, 2011 at 10:56 PM

      Mascherano played incredible, he has really started to take up his role as a CB. Messi was fantastic as always, Xavi kept possession, and Iniesta was solid. Iniesta's ball to pedro would have been something else if it was finished.

      Also Messi + Cesc is a dangerous duo. They seem to remember each other and have the same connection from the youth days.

    • wia729 says:
      August 26, 2011 at 11:05 PM

      Iniesta is still improving at this age. His twists and turns are so crazy, but he doesn't trip on himself like a few moments Sanchez had. :p Iniesta's balance is inhuman, his dribbles, control and passes are second to none… Okay, maybe Messi, but yea, Iniesta is so god damn good.

  2. shubhi1culegirl says:
    August 26, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Messi for me. Though Masch was also pretty good….saved us a few good times. But it doesn't get better than Messi! One goal and one amazing assist!

    BTW, the defense looked pretty shaky. Some really clumsy defending today. I was a bit worried, TBH. Anyway, all's well that ends well.

    Must be a pretty good feeling to be Cesc right now, wouldn't it? Two trophies already!;)

  3. _D10S_ says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Just name the award "Messi Award" already!

  4. Deborita says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Abi was a beast!

  5. Eto_o9 says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    MESSI! goal and assist man this guy is just pfff

  6. L10nel says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    this should be the top 2 so someone else than messi would be named ^^

  7. kevo says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    I thought Mascherano was the better man.

    Messi will always be Messi but I firmly believe that Mascherano will be much more vital for us this season. In a makeshift defense and the absence of our captain Pujol, he [Mascherano] will need to command in the back and he rightly did so today.

    Also, if you notice, that in some occasions when Barcelona scores a goal, he doesn't go and celebrate right away, instead he goes to the bench and talk with Guardiola about tactics.

    I'd give 10/10 to Javier Mascherano today and should be considered for a vice-captain position in the following seasons.

    • Mercury_FCB says:
      August 26, 2011 at 11:49 PM

      Well…he is SO good even when playing on CB. One of Pep's best signing. But I think as long as he produces useless dives he shouldnt be our vice-captain. I really hate all the pathetic acting..

    • smirky says:
      August 26, 2011 at 11:49 PM

      every match he is improving and studying what to do. he is really making strides and taking on more responsibility. i think you have a good point.

  8. golgolgolgol says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    can't wait for allas video they are the best

    abidal made some dumb decisions, no communication at the back
    the pitch was just terrible, most players even xavi iniesta and messi couldn't control the ball on first touch because of it. the ball was too bouncy.
    crappy field for match of this level. if this game was played on a better pitch, with the exact same players, i'm sure it would have finished 4 or 5 nill

  9. Philadelphia says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Cmon, Iniesta was brilliant. Every one of his touches was SUBLIME !!!

    officially, Iniesta has been chosen as Man of the Match #fcblive

  10. Linda says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Messi Mascherano and Iniesta were great today… Iniesta made outstanding moves I wish that goal just went into that goal… Messi was just amazing as he always is.. Mascherano saved us…
    Cesc was great in the time given to him he was extraordinary…

  11. hoho says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Iniesta was officially named as the man of the match. *shocking*

    Maybe a consolation from UEFA for missing the monaco gala last night.

  12. barcabull says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    the pitch was horrible and so was weather….and more over we missed a lot of possession due to wrong passes and what is wrong with Villa I was expecting a curvy shot from him and he ended up with a through ball like shot…..obviously Villa's main weapon is shooting and today he didnt use it properly…..BTW he plays nice one-twos with other players

  13. Iniesta says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Andres was brilliant

    I agree me Sergio in the middle tech better then Kieta

    Cesc doing well so far and same old messi abusing defences

  14. barca says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    messi was king as usual

  15. Write_theFuture says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    I wouldn't read too deeply into the shaky centerback duo today. I think it is more a question of communication and experience of playing with each other, which is lacking, than ability to play at CB. Mascherano is one of it not the best last ditch tackler there is, despite being originally a DM. I think he can play CB for us to great effect this season, probably even more than DM, which I think Pep is in turn transforming Keita into. Speaking of Keita, he really showed that he cannot hold a candle to Sergio at DM. Part of it is because Busquets is so darn good, but Keita also lacks the ability to help get the ball out from the back, Xavi seemed to have to drop especially deep today to help out. Pep can definitely experiment a little more with Keita, but not in a final. Especially when they are pressuring the heck out of us, Keita couldn't handle it, but Busquets is always as cool and slick as can be.

  16. twoleftfeet says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Was it my impression only or did our players not pass the ball to Sanchez as often and they could and should have? Don't want to start any controversies or any such BS obviously. It's simply that it appeared that way to me.

    • golgolgolgol says:
      August 26, 2011 at 11:34 PM

      most of the time barcelona play on the right hand side closer to messi and dani alves, they suck all the defenders to that side, and when appropriate get the ball to the other is side, where villa or sanchez are

      • twoleftfeet says:
        August 26, 2011 at 11:36 PM

        I guess so. So the preseason is done and dusted. The real season begins on Monday.

        • golgolgolgol says:
          August 26, 2011 at 11:47 PM

          yeah it's just the style of play. but if you want to see a player really being ignored and not passing to him, you should have seen barcelona when they had ibrahimovic. there was one time i remember, maxwell was in the left winger area and he totally ignored ibrahimovic who was in a position to score near the left post and instead passed it behind ibra to someone else who scored, can't remember who scored on that day.

  17. john says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    sanchez has put in some very good ball winning challenges on another positive note messi is on FIRE but valdes has one huge mistake where abidal had to clear out….. cmon barca

  18. love me barca says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    messi,masch were great one scored another saved us some times but goals get result.

    Also iniesta was very good and solid and he trolled game in middle of field.

    Cesc in minutes was in, played great.

    So

    1.messi

    2.mascherano

    3.iniesta

    The Worsts were

    1.keita

    2.pedro

    3.villa

    4.abidal

    Alves,valdes,adriano were average.

    Xavi was good but far from xavi we expect.

  19. Hexacampeon says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    messi, again the best. el jefe, again one of the best. abidal, villa and pedro were really worst today.

  20. Jules_the_Cules says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Messi then mascherano, also BIG UP for pep number 12 and counting, Visca Barça

  21. haddoya says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    adriano was great ,too
    but messi is out of this world
    keep it up

  22. arman says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Madrid press praised guardiola because when barca fans were singing : " Madrid carbon Saluda el campeon" he turned to them and asked them to stop! it was a very nice gesture from guardiola!! Oh btw MADRID CABRON SALUDA EL CAMPEON!!

  23. barcabull says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I noticed one thing from today's game….People think Xavi had bad game….But I think whenever we have Masch and Abi at CB he needs to drop even deeper to make sure that we are not loosing possession….no offense to Masch or Abi they r great at defensively but lack distributing ability……here we miss Busi and Pique more than Puyi….cuz Pique is best distributing CB I have ever seen….look at UCL final against MAN U….there was Pique and Busi who have great understanding between them….I have never seen them miscommunicating with each other….this thing often go unnoticed but …..today Keita was next to useless when they were pressuring very high up……so Xavi was back there helping CBs to take the ball out of dangerous position…..

    Abi————— < —– Hulk
    / ?? <——Guarin
    / <————-Xavi
    / ?/ Keita(confused)
    valdes———Masch /

    • SoCalBarcaFan says:
      August 27, 2011 at 12:40 AM

      This should get a million thumbs up, although I'm confused by the part at the bottom with players names. I think ppl too often just look up the pitch where the forwards are and they miss what goes on at the back and how we get out of tight situations.

      • barcabull says:
        August 27, 2011 at 1:03 AM

        lol basically at the down I was trying to make a graphic representation of what happened today but I messed it up when I submitted comment…….and I do think that if you want full benfit of Xavi and Cesc then they must have to receive the ball at the middle of the park…..so that attack becomes faster and there is no time for opponent defenders to get back to their position and chances to score increases and yeah if you really want to study Barca then I prefer CL final than 5-0 against Madrd………cuz Madrid had no clue what was going on where as in CL final Man u knew what we were doing but they just were helpless and at that time if u noticed Xavi never needed to drop deep in back line as it was Busi's on day…..

  24. Soccergirl10 says:
    August 26, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    lol at Barca fans in this forum. They kept on voting Lionel Messi as man of the match on a regular basis. Mascherano is clearly man of the match. When will you realise that Mascherano's job is not to score or assist goals? Saying Messi is the man of the match because he scored and assisted, is like comparing him to Mascherano, which would be very pathetic.

    I remember after FC Barcelona won Arsenal 3-1 at the Camp Nou, they voted Messi as man of the match. When if it hadn't for Mascherano's late tackle that avoided Bendtner from scoring and all the clear interceptions he made, FC Barcelona wouldn't probably be the team that played FC Porto today.

    You kiddos need to start judging by their contribution at their positions.

    • Philadelphia says:
      August 27, 2011 at 12:10 AM

      LOL haha.
      FIRST, Yes, people IN GENERAL (not only Barca fans) have the propensity to vote attackers as the best players. Just look at Ballon d'Or winners, motm winners, etc. 90% are attackers.

      but SECOND, Messi actually had a great game overall, and so did Masch, and also Iniesta.
      Anyone who voted any of those is not a "kiddo". If you read the comments, you'll see that actually fans here do recognize Mascherano's efforts.

      find a boyfriend, soccergirl, he'll explain things to you.

      • Soccergirl10 says:
        August 27, 2011 at 12:34 AM

        Lol at you now, you're just another ignorant FC Barcelona fan. You don't get my point. Messi did not have a better match than Mascherano just because he scored and assisted. In fact, Messi's goal was due to a defensive mistake. In the other hand, Mascherano was rock solid in the back. Mascherano's effort went down the drain as Messi is winning by almost 60% and second Iniesta lol. And you said " you'll see that actually fans here do recognize Mascherano's efforts. "
        Try to make sense out of my comment before you think of a reply.. That makes you sound like an idiot.

        More than 90% of people here are Barca fans.. Take out all the the Non-Barca fans, Messi would still be voted as man of the match. Either way, right?

        • David says:
          August 27, 2011 at 12:57 AM

          Mascherano actually made a pretty big defensive mistake (along with Valdes) that Abidal cleared away for a corner. That's not to say he had a bad game, because I thought he was great for most of the match, but that is to say that Masch wasn't perfect, and that somebody voting for Messi is not necessarily ignorant.

          Also, Mascherano's effort only went "down the drain" if you think winning an online poll for MOTM is more important than winning a trophy. Think before you start slamming others.

  25. Arman says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Yes but if it wasn't for messi 2 goals we wouldn't care if mascherano made the tackle or no because we were going out!

  26. El Traductor says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    I heard that Sex scored, makes me happy :)

  27. VEB says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Mascherano was Brilliant, so was Adriano. But Messi is just out of this world he is MOTM definitely. Brilliant goal from Fabregas also, was similar to the pique one against Villarreal.

  28. ChrisKamara says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Guys this may sound like a bad excuse for Abidal, but the pitch today was a disgrace, for both teams. The pitch was digging up like a flaming quarry for Christs sake and the way in which Barca likes to play football (along the ground of course) is one of the reasons it was hard to control it. Why was this terrible pitch picked in the first place anyway? Not alot of seats to occupy fans and you've already read my rant on the pitch.

  29. Proffy says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Barcelona officially has more trophies than Real Madrid, 74:73 for blaugrana http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_…

  30. elmetronome says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    damn…iniesta lazy-as-sloth-and-agile-as-iniesta dribble too good for porto,definitely motm on 2nd half,Xavi….no size!

  31. noli says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    messi in every final is the best, vs man.utd in 2009 is the best , vs man.utd in 2011, vs madrid, vs napoli,vs porto he no doubt is the best. MESSI IS THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME. im sure on this 100 %

    • Soccergirl10 says:
      August 27, 2011 at 12:51 AM

      Champions League Final 2009, Messi was voted man of the match by the fans. Xavi was voted man of the match by UEFA. I'm pretty sure Barca fans here voted Messi as man of the match because he had scored and Xavi didn't.. It's all about goals. Just like they voted Messi man of the match against FC Porto because he scored and assisted, while Mascherano didn't. I wonder when they'll realise that apart of the forwards, the remaining players job is not to score goals.

      • El Traductor says:
        August 27, 2011 at 1:04 AM

        As much as I hate you, you sort of have a point.

      • Linda says:
        August 27, 2011 at 1:30 AM

        I don't see what bothers you.. you can vote for Mascherano and they can vote for Messi.. this is football and everyone can enjoy it the way she/he wants.. you dan't have the right to criticise people and cules just because they think differently or they see the game differently…

        • David says:
          August 27, 2011 at 2:22 AM

          Linda, that's a good point. I'm glad everybody doesn't see the match exactly as I do, or it would be very boring to discuss matches with fellow fans.

      • haddoya says:
        August 27, 2011 at 2:57 AM

        ok we got ur point, u keep on saying it.
        just take it as it is, messi is OUR MOM.

  32. Nedoxx says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    MOTM : Messi 1 chance 1 attempt 1 goal with style and pace , giving a superb assist to Cesc to finish porto my motm

    2-And Masch was exellent , im more revelied that we have such a super sub his tackles are second to none in our team

    3-Iniesta skills are getting better he likes pressure and he shines under pressure him being the motm in tonight game wasnt that surprising , his controlls and touch of the ball is godlike even in a pitch like that

    Cesc : showed good vision and nice runs and controll a real Lamasia player which lead to his first official goal in a barca shirt i was so happy for him.

  33. Elbrinho says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Messi was MOTM for me.Iniesta lost possesion too often.

  34. Bazinga!!!!!!! says:
    August 27, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    get ready with the thumbs down but for me, if 2day was anything to go by, the curse of the number 9 is sure to continue!

  35. Anonymous_69 says:
    August 27, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    First of all, people are being harsh on Keita. He did well. Very well. Defensively, he was good. Ball circulation isn't great yet, but Masch also struggled like that at first. Keita will adapt the his new position, and he will play well there eventually. And you have to get used to it, because Mascherano is now our CB. He is no longer an emergency option who can play there when needed, but he is going to be fighting Puyol for a starting position for CB this season. Masch was surprisingly terrific in the air today too. My man of the match.

    As for Abidal playing bad, you can thank Hulk. He single handedly scared the shit out of our defense, and constantly took on and beat Adriano and Abidal. Really terrific player.

    Regarding Cesc, no one ever doubted him. Just whether or not he was the best option to improve our squad.

    • Soccergirl10 says:
      August 27, 2011 at 1:18 AM

      Thank you.

      Mascherano was man of the match to me as well. Other Barca fans seemed to voted Messi as man of the match because Mascherano didn't score nor assisted. As for Keita, he did quiet amazing. He loss the ball a couple times and later guess who won it back? Keita

      As for Fabregas, I remember how you and some other Barca fans used to post long journal comments about not wanting Fabregas in FC Barcelona. What made you kiddies change your mind? Don't mind share?

      • FansMESSI says:
        August 27, 2011 at 2:21 AM

        4 goals and 3 assists in 3 games final (7 Barca’s goals) and you still complain Messi become mom…!?

      • David says:
        August 27, 2011 at 2:26 AM

        I really liked when Keita lost the ball and then ran back all the way across the field and got the ball back. I haven't had a chance to re-watch, so I can't give the minute or the players involved, but I was watching going: "Awww… Come on, Keita! Ummmmmm…. All right, Keita!"

        That's what I keep saying about players: I don't want them to be perfect, but I want them to bounce back when they mess up. Keita was all over it today, and he showed improvement over the first leg showing at the Bernabeu. Massive improvement.

        I can't wait until this team is in shape to play!

      • Anonymous_69 says:
        August 27, 2011 at 2:58 AM

        I stick by what I said before regarding Cesc. You can read my past comments again if you want – I never once doubted Cesc's quality. I questioned whether or not he was the best option to improve the squad. He was one option, definitely not the best option.

        Also, now that he is here, no use arguing about it anymore. He is just as much a Barcelona player as anyone else, and we have to judge him as one, not as a transfer target anymore.

  36. LeónDragón dAz says:
    August 27, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    messi, who else ,) but need to say that mascherano did a very good job as a cb !!!

  37. Cristina_Cabron says:
    August 27, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Leo is MOTM no doubt~!

  38. Mascherano says:
    August 27, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    I'm worried that Mascherano is getting so used to playing CB that he will forget to play his old position lol

    Messi always super and I think it would be a good idea to vote on everyone except Messi as he's in a league of his own.

  39. LeónDragón dAz says:
    August 27, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    to make it short…MESSI MOTM !!! mascherano did a superb job, good tackling, closed spaces and was there when it got dangerous, but (!!) in a game, where our strikers had problems to break through portos backup-line, it were two messi-moments, that brought two goals by a well timed assist and a nice goal where he curved the goalie to strike in a game, to be honest, which wasn't the best, messi was the right man at the right time, so how he should not be MOTM !! it's obvious that defenders ain't get the attention as strikers, but to me there are no doubts, that this was messi's game…just my opinion, as i always be objective too…it's not about giving worth or recognitions, it's simply about who's MOTM !! and to me, it was messi, over and out !!!

  40. LeónDragón dAz says:
    August 27, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    p.s. all ya can discuss and express opinions, but it's not a fluke that nearly ALL sport-sites or newspapers quoted messi as MOTM !! which gets done by professionals in their job…simple as that !!

  41. 13tempatkosong says:
    September 5, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    everyone work hard…everyone is better at Barca…