CHAPTER 271: Barcelona 3 - 1 Sporting Gijon

Alternative title: Alves the Ace


Positives

• Barcelona wins. 3 more points.

• Now the 11th straight win in La Liga.

• This game was all about Alves! Man, he kept going forward and provided endless supplies of good accurate crosses into Sporting’s goal area. And he finished up with a great goal. Great diagonal shot for Barça’s third. How the hell does he have that gas tank of his, it’s like a fu-kin Terminator battery.

• 2 goals from Samuel Eto’o. Both had good buildup and passing by the team that Eto’o ended up finishing those chances.

• The performing players in this game for are: Alves, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Puyol and Abidal.

• I was impressed with Busquets in this game. He was the ‘boss’ that won the ball and had a good presence in midfield.

• Some good challenges and tackles from Puyol and Caceres at some moments of the game.

Negatives

• Abidal’s yellow.

• I felt Barça took time to impose their play in the game. They controlled the game and dictated themselves after they scored the first goal.

• Henry’s yellow.

• Lionel Messi had his shot saved on the 60th minute after Busquets got the rebound of the ball in attack.

• The goal conceded. Sort of ruined the positive lead and score line that Barcelona were having in the game.

• And again another one let in from a set-piece.

• Some good chances were not finished. Some headers from Henry and Sylvinho couldn’t be converted into goals.

• Guddy’s offside on 85th minute, he could have timed his run better that time.