Video of the Day: Busquets vs Espanyol
Video Credit: dervyx3
The Highlights: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
Watch the highlights from last night’s game between rivals FC Barcelona and Espanyol accompanied with swashbuckling commentary by Ray Hudson after the jump!
The Ratings: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
FC Barcelona picked up where it had left off in 2012, with an excellent performance and convincing win over city rival Espanyol. Xavi, Messi, and Pedro (twice) were on target in the first half and if anything, Barça was unlucky not to have scored more as it cruises to yet another La Liga title.
Here are the ratings for last night’s match:
Match Review: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
There was no holiday hangover for FC Barcelona as the team began 2013 as it ended 2012: winning. It was no surprise but certainly warming to have Tito Vilanova (dressed Guardiola-ish) back on the bench after the shock and melancholy felt just a couple of weeks prior. No shock either in the lineup as Vilanova went chiefly with the form players of 2012 starting with Valdés; Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Cesc; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta. Fàbregas returned from injury over the holiday break to fill the spot of either Alexis or David Villa, whose frustrations continue. But let’s focus on the good stuff: Barça is back and Barça is still winning.
Live Match Chat: FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol
totalBarça welcomes you all to the Liga derbi between FC Barcelona and local rivals RCD Espanyol.
Sunday, January 6 @ 19:00 Barcelona time – Convert to local time
Match Preview: FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol
Here’s the derby that defines the Catalan rivalry in la Liga. Will Tito’s return be enough to see off the challenge from Javier Aguirre’s men? Find out what we think after the jump.
Ramón Planes: “Barça have asked about Amat”
RCD Espanyol’s sporting director, Ramón Planes, admitted that there has been contact between Barça and his club for ‘perico’ defender Jordi Amat (20).
Video: Martin Montoya vs RCD Espanyol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq4JF6FrdQw
Video Credit: Dervyxable
The Pictures, Part I: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
In Part I of the latest edition of The Pictures, we bring you some of the images from Saturday night’s Catalan derbi between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. Catch an assortment of the moments brought to you by the team in blaugrana after the jump. Stay tuned for Part II, featuring images of Pep Guardiola’s Camp Nou sendoff, later today.
The Highlights: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
Watch the highlights from last night’s game between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.
The Goals: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
Watch the goals from the game vs Espanyol where Messi put 4 goals past the hapless pericos in a fitting send off to Pep Guardiola.
Post-Match Review: FC Barcelona 4-0 RCD Espanyol
The derby between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol proved to be a fitting Camp Nou send off for head coach Pep Guardiola. The last home game of the season and of Guardiola’s tenure as coach could have been an underwhelming experience with the league already lost to the rivals in Madrid. However, the players, the opponents, and the crowd refused to let the goodbye be anything short of moving.
Live Match Chat: FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol
FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol in the Liga! This Live Match Chat celebrates Pep Guardiola’s last home game as FC Barcelona manager.
(Saturday May 5, 2012 @ 21:00 Barcelona time – Convert to local time)
FC Barcelona Chat: http://apps.facebook.com/fcbarcelonachat/ (direct chat through Facebook)
Click here to chat!
Final training session ahead of Espanyol’s visit
This Saturday at midday, Barça held its final training session ahead of Espanyol’s visit this evening (21:00). Working at the normal pace behind closed doors at the Camp Nou were 15 players from the first team, including Xavi. Isaac Cuenca, for his part, continued to receive treatment, and along with Alexis Sánchez, is a doubt for tonight’s game. Only a few minutes before kick-off will it be determined if he can play because of a bruised right ankle.
The Ultimate Game: Get Inside Guardiola’s Head
This is your chance to prove not only your knowledge about the game of football, but also your psychological insight by cracking the code of Barcelona coach Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola’s master brain:
Predict Barcelona’s Starting Lineup
This is not (as in: N-O-T) a place for discussion on team tactics or personal player preferences. You just give the system and the eleven names you think will start the game. Line-ups posted in the comments sections will not be considered as valid entries for the game.
Join us after the jump to take part in the game.
Xavi returns to group training
Xavi Hernández was able to return to group training this Thursday morning at the session held by FC Barcelona’s first team at the Ciutat Esportiva. The midfielder from Terrassa missed the last two League games against Rayo Vallecano and Malaga with a torn soleus muscle in his left leg.
Players’ reactions: RCD Espanyol 1-1 FC Barcelona
Despite feeling dejected about dropping points last night, FC Barcelona players once again showed immense optimism in the face of discouraging results.
Guardiola: “No way will I ever be disappointed with them”
Like he always has after each and every time his players have failed to secure all three points, FC Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola again said that he is not disappointed with them, despite their below-par performance last night.
“The game was as we had expected when you’re up against a great team. Espanyol is a very good team and they played well. We had problems at the end of the first half, but we controlled the second better, even though we’re a bit off target. After the equalizing goal, we reacted in the right way but it was too late. But even so, I have no complains of my players, how could I ever?”
The Ratings: RCD Espanyol 1-1 FC Barcelona
In their first La Liga match in almost a month, FC Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at the Cornellà El-Prat, with Espanyol getting a late equalizer. Barcelona didn’t have a good performance at all and they paid dearly for it and are now five points behind arch rivals Real Madrid in the league.
After the jump the ratings for last night’s game.
The Highlights: RCD Espanyol 1-1 FC Barcelona
Watch the important moments of last night’s game against city rivals Espanyol after the jump!
Post-Match Review: RCD Espanyol 1-1 FC Barcelona
The Estadi Cornellà-El Prat may never have been louder than it was tonight. RCD Espanyol faced its fiercest cross town rivals FC Barcelona at home, and looked primed for another agonizing defeat at the hands of the Club World Cup Champions. That was, until a late 86th minute equalizer lit a fire underneath each seat in the stadium and saw a lackluster Barcelona fall a devastating five points behind league leaders Real Madrid CF.
Live Match Chat: RCD Espanyol vs FC Barcelona
RCD Espanyol vs FC Barcelona in the La Liga!
(Sunday January 8, 2012 @ 21:30 Barcelona time – Convert to local time)
FC Barcelona Chat: http://apps.facebook.com/fcbarcelonachat/ (direct chat through Facebook)
Click here to chat!
20 players called up for the derby
Everything is set for the Espanyol-Barça match this evening. FC Barcelona’s first team held their final training session at the Camp Nou, in which a total of 22 players participated, including 19 from the first team and Isaac Cuenca, Oriol Rosell, and Ivan Balliu from Barça B. The latter two youngsters are the only players not included on the list of 20 called up for the first derby of the year. To prepare for tonight, this morning’s session consisted of a gentle workout to help the squad finish polishing the final details before the game.
Match Preview: RCD Espanyol vs FC Barcelona
Barcelona’s away game at neighboring Estadi Cornellà-El Prat tonight is one of the many battles that need to be won to ensure a realistic chance of winning La Liga this season. After Real Madrid dismantled Granada with a 5-1 win yesterday, the capital side now leads the La Liga table by six points with one more game played. But judging by the good performance in midweek’s Copa del Rey, cules should have every reason to be optimistic for tonight’s match.
