CHAPTER 267: Racing Santander (1) - (2) Barcelona [analysis]

"El partido ante el Racing marcará nuestro futuro en la Liga." - Josep Guardiola

Alternative Title: Lionel Messi, The Saviour.......and the Scorer of the 5000


Positives

• Win for Barcelona. 3 points obtained and added.

• 10th straight win for the team.

• A comeback victory. And another away victory as well.

• Messi scored the two goals.

• Not only are those goals scored added up his goal tally in the league and for his overall in each competitions, but they were also a real HUGE positive considering by the time he scored his second, it was Futbol Club Barcelona’s 5000th goal, the one that every Barcelonistas were waiting for.
  That’s a great moment of history right there folks, a piece of history (and what a goal on the second!).
  

Negatives

• Wasn’t really a great game from the team. It took Messi’s moments to change the outcome.

• Toure’s yellow.

• Iniesta and Xavi had barged into each other at the 32nd minute.

• There was also some misunderstanding between Pique and Valdes at about 36th minute that led to a Racing corner.

• There wasn’t much clear chances from open play, Barça just had disappointing corners and free kicks.

• The penalty conceded.

• Alves yellow card, though I think the ref got it wrong.

• Marquez’s expulsion.

• Pique’s expulsion.

• Overall a less stellar performance from Barcelona compared to what they can do when they are at their best.

• One moment I didn’t like was when Barça players were arguing with the Racing players at that time when they were scuffling against each other. I was strongly hoping they didn’t lose their heads and created problems due to heated aggressions.