CHAPTER 204: Barcelona (3) - Real Betis (2) [analysis]

Alternative title: Jekyll, Hyde,….then Jekyll Again

This was a game of two halves. The first half was like all about the (lethal) Eto’o – Messi connection. The second half was like ‘thank God for Gudjohnsen’ Here are my points and recollections for the game.

Positives

• 3 points gained.
• Second successive victory in La Liga, and the third successive victories obtained in competitions. From this, a good win streak is in fruition.
• Eto’o scored two goals. Not only that, both goals were good goals (quality wise, those are the hallmark of a great striker). Hopefully it shows that Eto’o is on his way to being back and recapturing his impressive form that he was in two-three seasons ago (before the serious injuries that he suffered that kept him out for such long periods of time).
• Messi assisted both of Eto’o’s goals, and hopefully it will be an aspect that he will further add and improve upon further games, challenges and necessities. Could had got another had Bojan scored from that one chance he got in the final minutes of the game.
• From the domination shown in the first half to the what the hell happened in the second half, Barcelona displayed good resolve to pull through with a fu-kin victory.
• Guardiola’s substitutions pulled off.
• A goal for Eidur Gudjohsen. It only will serve a great booster for him, as it is a vital goal that brought the vital victory for Barcelona. Apart form that, it was a ‘difficult’ goal stroke (from a good cross from Daniel Alves!).
• The display shown from Barcelona in the first half was excellent. Great in going attack, controlling the ball and passes, and Betis couldn’t really get going.

Negatives

• A big negative point is the performance of the team in the second half, where they slacked off big time and things went wrong at every aspect. Real Betis came fighting back, and it looked as if at any moment Barcelona could concede more possession and crucially goals.
• Defense wise in the second half, especially from the moment before Betis scored their first up until before Barcelona got the third goal, the Barça defense was chaotic. The Betis players able to cut through them, and some clearances were hit back at the Betis players and thus they got the ball once more.
• The first goal from the opposition, Barcelona should have done better in preventing their freekick. But what was worse was how the fu-k did they let a hole in the wall perfectly for that Betis player to kick and score through. It really pissed me off big time such slip could happen.
  Sure, Barça still had one goal advantage at that time, but Barça had shown again how susceptible they are to slip ups as the game progresses, and then came the opposition’s second goal.
• Second goal from Betis was an absolute howler of the Barça defenders trying to scramble to the Betis scorer. And I believe that Valdes could and should have done better in preventing the second goal (although the defense let him down in a big way once again).
• Bojan was lively when he came on. But there was that once chance that he got (some time after Gudjohnsen scored) that he really should have buried in the back of Betis’ net. Bojan managed to break away from the Betis defense’s line and receiving a great pass from Messi such great opportunity should have been delivered (at this level of competition). Furthermore Iniesta was besides him to possibly score as well should Bojan passed to him.
  Had Bojan scored, it would had been game-set-MATCH for Barça. It didn’t happen, and thus the remaining minutes were bloody anxious moments and wishing, hoping for Barça not to concede another goal.

Some extra things I want to add… This was a game where it seems that Barcelona was on their way in obtaining a comfortable, dominating victory……..until it became a hard earned victory. It’s evident that Real Betis kept their initiative to get goals at either way and at either cost, ….but once Gudjohnsen scored the third it seemed from then on that Barcelona took the major initiative back to control the game and get that important win (3 crucial points in the long run). The important point I want to bring out is that the way Barcelona almost slipped up big time (and having to work hard to fight back for the victory). It shouldn’t happen again and once again Guardiola has a lot of things to work upon (as once again the defense concedes silly, easy goals). And what about the Eto’o – Guardiola incident?..... Haha…….my opinion, Eto’o was just as livid and happy as everyone else when Gudjohnsen scored. And I think that Guardiola was more relieved than happy when the Iceman scored. I think it’s definitely evident that Guardiola’s expression was like what he was at that moment when Eto’o pushed him that he was not only relieved but more evidently that Pep was pissed with how the second half was played. Moving on the next game I have a sneaky feeling that again, Yaya Toure won’t be starting (surprise surprise), but as to whether Keita will be starting that will be a point to ponder on. Considering that the two Africans were responsible in letting go the hole in the wall when Betis scored their first (and you could see the regret expressions on the faces of both Keita and Toure when the camera zoomed on them when they sat on the bench). I’m sure Guardiola will utilize Sergi Busquets once again against Espanyol (as considering that Barcelona will have to travel to Shaktar Donetsk’s after that particular game). But perhaps Pep would reward Gudjohnsen with a rare start next week, so I’m predicting that Pep will be deploying the three man midfield of Keita-Xavi-Gudjohnsen or maybe the trio of Busquets-Xavi-Gudjohnsen. No matter what happens, the most important thing is for the team to keep improving in all aspects and keep on getting 3 points and victories. Things have to be noted of with the shocking letdown of the first 30 minutes of the second half, and as stated once again it’s imperative that Barcelona keeps improving and going in the right and best direction.
Visca el Barça.