Lech Poznan Fans at a U-11 Cup game



Unbelievable.

Barça end 2009 with their sixth cup after defeating Estudiantes 2-1 for the FIFA Club World Cup


By: IBES

FC Barcelona and Pep Guardiola celebrated their last triumph of 2009 with an amazing come from behind win against Estudiantes to capture the FIFA Club World Cup in extra time. Just like their semi-final win, Barcelona were down to an early goal in the first half but a goal from super sub Pedro two minutes before the end of the game kept the club’s hope alive and Messi sealed the game with his goal in extra time to give a fairy tale ending for an amazing year. Under Guardiola, FC Barcelona have become the only team to win every competition they have been a part of in 2009.

Barcelona’s first appearance in this tournament was during the Cruyff “Dream Team” era when they lost to Brazilian side São Paulo 2-1 after taking the early lead with a Stoitchkov team. Their only other appearance was a few years ago when the Rijkaard managed Barcelona lost to another Brazilian side, Internacional , 1-0 with the goal coming with just eight minutes left in the game. Fortunately for Barcelona, this final will be different in that it will not be against a Brazilian side this time nor is being played in Japan, but in the UAE. Would third time really be a charm?

Guardiola‘s starting 11 for this epic final would be Valdés in goal supported by Alves, Puyol, Piqué, and Abidal in defense. The midfield consisted of Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Keita to support the front three of Messi, Ibrahimovic and Henry. This meant that Keita would replace the injured Iniesta and unlike the semi-final, Guardiola would only go with one defensive midfielder and thus Touré Yaya was relegated to the bench. The starting eleven for Estudiantes were Albil, Rodríguez, Cellay, Desábato, Ré, Díaz, Benítez, Verón, Braña, Pérez and Boselli.

The first half was a rather disappointing one for Barcelona as they seemed to be the less active side of the match. Estudiantes wasted no time to let Barcelona know that they would be in for a good match when, in the third minute, their captain Veron cleverly chipped the ball over Puyol for his teammate Perez. Fortunately Valdés was alert to what was occurring and came to the rescue and blocked Perez’s shot with his legs. Certainly an early warning sign of things to come for FC Barcelona.

In the 7^th minute, Barcelona would create their own scoring chance that would put a scare to the hearts of Estudiantes when Ibrahimovic delivered a fine through ball, courtesy great back-heel pass, to Xavi who opted to pass instead of to shoot when he was within striking distance. The ball would thus dribble its way out for a goal kick. The game would get more physical and intense from the Estudiantes players who clearly were succeeding in ruining Barcelona’s free flowing passing game. The game then would have its first controversial moment.

The final’s referee was Benito Archundia who seemed more content to let the players decide the game and thus was very lenient with the physical play at time, although he found it appropriate to book Messi for diving. However, in the 31^st minute, what appeared to be a penalty for Barcelona was not awarded by Mr. Archundia. Replays showed that the Estudiantes keeper Albil did make some contact with Xavi’s right leg inside the box but the end result was a goal kick for Estudiantes. If that no call didn’t cause fury for the Barcelona fans, then they all would feel despair later on when Estudiantes took the lead.

Just five minutes later, Estudiantes would strike a dagger into the hearts of the Barcelona fans when Boseli was able to get in between Puyol and Abidal and score a header goal past Valdés for the opening goal of the game. Although it appeared that Boseli was originally offside when Díaz delivered his cross, the referee chose to allow the goal to stand.

Just like the semi-final clash a few days ago, Barcelona were down a goal in the first half yet again. Barcelona seemed rattled by that goal and could not create much scoring chances with the exception of an Ibrahimovic bicycle effort during a free kick that he was inches from connecting with. The first half would thus end 1-0 in favor of Estudiantes. Although some would say Estudiantes did not do much to earn the lead, Barcelona did not exactly play any better themselves.

The second half would see Guardiola bring on Pedro in place of Keita before the start of the second half. Whatever Guardiola must have said in the locker room during halftime must have worked because the players came out to play in the second half with hunger and intensity that was lacking in the first half. It seemed to Pep that the only way to beat Estudiantes was going to win was with speed, quick passing and intensity.

Ibrahimovic was pushing this team ahead with his attempts on goal and his passes. He has a one on one chance with the keeper in the 51^st minute that Albil was able to save. Pedro then would become the go to guy with the end result consisting of squandered chances. In the 59^th minute, Henry crossed the ball to Pedro that just missed and the two minutes later, Ibrahimovic’s cross to Pedro would be intercepted by Albil. However, Pedro would work some of his magic in the 68^th minute when he displayed some great skill to elude three Estudiantes players, only for his shot on goal to be saved by the keeper and result into a corner.

Throughout the duration of the game, Messi had been rotating between playing in his usual right wing side of the 4-3-3 formation and in the center of the field. He was constantly hounded and surrounded by two to three Estudiantes players and if he managed to escape from their clutches, he would suffer a forthcoming tactical foul. However, with the introduction of Pedro, the team would move around with more pace and that would aid the team in their possession. However it was the final ball that was lacking from the club who seemed content on delivering crosses into the box all game long.

More controversy would occur in the 74^th minute, when another call for a penalty would be missed by the officiating crew. A cross from a free kick far from the box was headed by Piqué for a shot on goal that resulted in a corner kick. However, the referee and his assistants missed the clear penalty on Ibrahimovic and thus another valid penalty was missed. Another cross four minutes later would result into a great scoring chance for Ibrahimovic but his header would sail wide. Sergio Busquets would be substituted for Touré Touré and with only 12 minutes left, one had to wonder what was going through Guardiola’s mind. Who would be his ace in the hole when it came time for the final substation?

In the 82^nd minute, Guardiola decided to take off Henry for Jeffren. Clearly this was a surprise move since Jeffren had just come back from an injury and his last appearance was over a month ago in the Copa Del Rey. Fortunately his speed as a left winger would play a vital role against the exhausted Estudiantes team who still played hard defensively to ensure that Barcelona would not equalize. Jeffren kept eluding his would be defender with ease and get into the box first almost every time. With two minutes left in the game, Barcelona’s magic would make yet another appearance in 2009.

In the 88^th minute, Barcelona kept pushing forward for the equalizing goal. Touré Yaya passed the ball to Xavi whose cross would be intercepted by Veron when he jumped to head the ball away. However, Veron’s effort caused the ball to sail backwards to the box and Piqué would jump and head the ball before anyone else could. His effort would fortunately result in a clear scoring chance for Pedro who would rise up and score a great header goal that sailed over Albil into the back of the net. 1-1 and the game was far from being over now. What seemed to be a repeat of their last cup defeat in this competition was now given a blank piece of paper for the players to write another chapter in this amazing year for the club.

The game would end without anymore scoring chances and both clubs rested a bit and listened to their managers give out instructions. Barcelona seemed rejuvenated and had an extra bounce in their step and went on the offensive. Messi had a free kick effort just fly over the bar in the 93^rd minute and Alves’s cross to Ibrahimovic was a just bit too high for Ibrahimovic to handle and cause a scoring chance. Messi and Ibrahimovic would then hook up together for some quick passing that resulted in having a shot on goal that just went wide in the 96^th minute. It was their best chance of the half and one had to hope that it would not be the last.

The second half would be the club’s last 15 minutes to find the game winning goal or this cup was going to have to be decided on penalty kicks. Five minutes into the half, Messi would make sure that he would have the last word of this tough physical clash of champions. In the 109^th minute, Messi innocently passed the ball to Xavi. Xavi then would pass the ball to Alves who was a bit far from the penalty box. Nevertheless, Alves noticed Messi racing towards the goal and Alves thus delivered one of his crazy crosses we have grown accustomed to seeing throughout his time with the club. Alves’s most recent memorable cross was the one in El Clasico which assisted Ibrahimovic in scoring the only goal of the game. In this game, his cross would fly into the box and Messi outraced Veron and another defender to the ball and chested the ball down for the game winning goal. 2-1 and the little man from Argentina had once again scored in another final and further add to his magical season and cement his status as the best played in the world right now.

Estudiantes did not have much left in the tank but they did not surrender. It was not their turn to find an equalizer and they almost had one in injury time. Estudiantes were awarded a free kick in the dying seconds of the game and Veron delivered a cross into the box that Desábato headed towards goal. In that moment, all the Barcelona fans’ hearts skipped a beat when they saw the ball seem to be destined to be a goal; only for it to barely miss the goal and go out for the goal kick. A sigh of relief for Barcelona and its fans and the referee signaled the conclusion of the game after Valdés kicked the goal kick to the center of the field.

Barcelona endured a tough and physical game but ultimately won the cup that Cruyff and Rijkaard’s teams could not win. 6 amazing cups in one year and as the players began celebrating this amazing achievement, Guardiola finally got caught up in the moment of this achievement and began to cry. He was consoled by some of the trainers and Henry and Ibrahimovic. It was the latter that then made Guardiola laugh and regain his smile. FIFA presented their individual awards and Xavi won the Addidas Bronze ball while Messi won the Addidas Golden Ball and the Toyota award. After all the players received their medals, captain Puyol was handed the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy to end the long wait to bring that trophy back to Barcelona.

Next for the club is a friendly in Kuwait before they begin their winter break. What lies ahead before they resume their 2009-2010 season is uncertain. A new chapter for this club begins with possible winter transfers, presidential campaigns and titles to defend. One can only hope it will be as successful as this past year was for the club and for the fans. ¡Visca Barça!

Match Factos:

Estudiantes: Albil; Clemente Rodríguez, Desabato, Cellay, Re (Rojo, 90'); Verón, Braña, Benítez (Matías Sánchez, 76'); Pérez (Núñez, 78'), Boselli, and Díaz.

FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Sergio Busquets (Touré, 78'), Keita (Pedro, 45'); Messi, Ibrahimovic and Henry (Jeffren, 82').

Referee: Benito Archundia (México).

Bookings: Messi (17'); Díaz (45'); Clemente Rodríguez (57'); Enzo Pérez (64'); Henry (81'); Pedro (90'); Sanchez (93'); Rojo (111'); Valdés (117'); Braña (118')

Goals:

0-1, Boselli (37')

1-1, Pedro (88')

1-2, Messi (109')

Barça Defeat Atlante 3-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final

Written by IBES

FC Barcelona kicked off their quest for the elusive FIFA Club World Cup with a 3-1 come from behind victory over Atlante. Barcelona started the game with Messi, Henry and Piqué on the bench. They did not enjoy the best of starts when Atlante surprised them with an early goal four minutes into the game but Barcelona equalized half an hour later through a corner kick goal from Sergio Busquets. The second half saw the introduction of Messi and Piqué and it would pay off with Messi scoring the go ahead goal and Pedro scoring the third and final goal and become the first player to ever score in six different competitions in a season. Three goals courtesy of the La Cantera means Barcelona will now face Estudiantes in the FIFA Club World Cup Final on Saturday.

Guardiola decided to rest some key starters for this game. Messi, Henry, Keita and Piqué were not selected to be starters. Keita had suffered a knock and was doubtful for this game but Messi had been recovering the day before at the beach and seemed like he could feature as a substitute if needed. The starting eleven for this semi-final were Valdés in goal with Alves, Puyol, Márquez, and Abidal in the defense. The midfield consisted of Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Touré supporting the front three of Pedro, Ibrahimovic and Iniesta. Guardiola’s selection seemed a bit odd to have two defensive midfielders starting and Iniesta play again as a left winger in Henry’s usual spot.

The game started off in the worst way for Barcelona when just four minutes into the game, Atlante was able to get the first goal of the game by catching the Barcelona defense napping. Atlante’s Argentinean keeper Vilar free kick from the midfield resulted into a long ball landed to long ball beat Rafa Márquez and Alves and allowed Atlante player Rojas to get to it first, lob it over VALDÉS and score courtesy of his sliding effort to ensure the ball goes into the back of the net off a tight angle. Just like that 1-0 and a great sucker punch delivered to Barcelona.

Barcelona immediately tries to respond when Alves’s danger cross missed the rushing Pedro’s head by inches. Barcelona then was awarded a corner kick and almost scored from Busquets’s header had it not been for the quick reflexes of Vilar.

Atlante would catch the defense napping again in the 10^th minute as they a through ball from the midfield beat the offsides trap. However Puyol was able to catch up to Atlante’s counter attack and mess up their counter attack chance when he deflects a pass backwards to eliminate the scoring threat. From them on, Barcelona would dominate possession and have some scoring chances the rest of the half.

In the 23^rd minute, during a counter attack for Barça, a cross from Alves to Ibrahimovic eludes Vilar and both Vilar and Ibrahimovic battle for the ball outside the left side of the box. Ibrahimovic crosses into the unmanned goal but Atlante’s defenders clears it. In the 25^th minute, Iniesta blasted a shot from outside the box that just sails over the cross bar. Lots of possession for Barcelona but they lacked that last killer pass or valid shot on goal.

In the 30^th minute, Touré had a nice give and go with Xavi that Touré controls and takes a shot from outside the box but his effort is high over the goal. Two minutes later, Barcelona were awarded with a free kick and Ibrahimovic’s long range effort blazed over the wall and just over the cross bar and Vilar’s hands. Barcelona’s hard work and determination would finally pay off a few minutes later with an equalizer.

As the half continued to be dictated by Barcelona, one had to wonder if Guardiola’s decision to start with the two defensive midfielders of Touré and Busquets was a mistake given that Atlante had taken the early lead and were now parking the bus and waiting for the perfect moment to go on a counter attack. Fortunately, these two players would be involved in getting the game tying goal off a corner kick. In the 34^th minute, Xavi’s corner kick was headed by Touré and the ball landed in front of Busquets to score the equalizing goal. Barcelona would continue to threaten courtesy of another corner kick that Xavi passed to Dani Alves who cross was headed wide by Rafa Márquez in the 43^rd minute.

The referee would award one minute of injury time and Barcelona had a chance to end the half in their favor when Xavi got the ball back from a turnover and delivered a fine through ball into the box for Alves only for Alves’s shot is inches wide. That would be the last scoring threat from Barcelona as the referee whistled the end of the half. What started badly for Barcelona at least ended on a good note with the Busquets goal.

Both sides started the second half with no changes to the starting lineup but that would not last long. After watching the team play five minutes into the second half, Guardiola decided to make two substitutions. In the 53^rd minute, Messi came on for Touré and Piqué came on for Rafa Márquez . The substitutions would pay immediate dividends just a minute later.

Barcelona’s hopes of reaching the final took a positive step just a minute after those two players came on the pitch with Messi adding to his memorable year with the go ahead goal. The goal came from a nice pass from Ibrahimovic to Messi who was able to control the ball and elude Vilar and tap the ball under Vilar that took a slight deflection from Vilar’s hand, and a sliding Atlante defender for the go ahead goal. Just like that, the magic between Messi and Ibrahimovic leads to another goal and gave Barcelona a 2-1 lead.

The game was now swinging in Barcelona’s favor since that go ahead goal meant that Atlante would have to abandon parking the bus and attack. Atlante did manage to create a slight scare in the 59^th minute when they caught Piqué flatfooted but they failed to get a shot on goal. Barcelona then would create a scoring chance thanks to a free kick that sailed into the Atlante box that allowed Ibrahimovic to heads it back into the box but no one was there to score and Atlante defense kicked it out for a corner. The game would finally be out reach after the hour mark thanks to the record setter Pedro.

In the 66^th minute, Pedro would become the first player to score in six competitions in a single season, courtesy of some nice work from Iniesta. Iniesta displayed some great skill as he took on two defenders inside the box and was able to beat 3 Atlante players with a magnificent pass to the onside Pedro. Pedro would then calmly strike the ball to the top left of the goal and calmly write himself into the history books as the first player ever to score in six different competitions. Since August, Pedro has scored in Spanish League, Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Spanish and European Supercups. The score now was 3-1 and that goal was the final nail in the coffin and ultimately, 3 goals courtesy of La Cantera for the victory.

The rest of the match would continue to full of blown chances, especially from Bojan who came on for Iniesta, and missed scoring opportunities but the score would remain the same and Barcelona are heading to their third ever final for this intercontinental event. They will be facing Argentina’s Estudiantes this Saturday after Estudiantes defeated Pohang Steelers yesterday. All Barça fans will be hoping that third time’s a charm this Saturday and lift the cup that has eluded their grasps twice in the past.

Match Facts:

Atlante: Vilar; Miguel Martínez, Fernando Navarro, Guillermo Rojas, Luis Velásquez (Pereyra, min.63); Daniel Arreola, José González, José Guerrero, Christian Bermúdez; Santiago Solari (Carevic, min.56) y Rafa Márquez el Márquez.

FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Puyol, Rafa Márquez Márquez (Gerard Piqué, min.54), Abidal; Xavi, Touré (Messi, min.53), Sergio Busquets; Pedro, Ibrahimovic e Iniesta (Bojan, min.76).

Goals: 0-1, min.5: Guillermo Rojas. 1-1, min.35: Busquets. 1-2, min.55: Messi. 1-3, min.67: Pedro.

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

Bookings: Solari (min.8), José Guerrero (min.40), Luis Velasquez (min.61), Ibrahimovic (min.65), Piqué (min. 90 + 2)

The Ongoing Saga of Notts County

I will say this first about Notts County, nothing is never dull there. It has been just over 2 months since my first piece about the Magpies, and there has been a whole host of developments.

Munto Finance, the shady Middle Eastern investment company turned out to be nothing more than a front for a crooked structure based in Britain. There were no wealthy Arab oil sheikhs, just a guy with a shady past trying to cover his tracks. Especially when connections to Kim Jung-Il the secretive and elusive leader of North Korea (part of the axis of evil) was uncovered, with an unspecified “gift” being given to him.

Munto have been replaced now, Peter Trembling has taken the club over. Quite was his finances are unsure. There are a host of people speculating that Sven, who has earned millions in his career, may put money into the club. But hang on, that’s not what he signed up for. He signed up for £2.5 mill a season (of which he was earning considerably less, with much promised in shares in more shady companies in the umbrella of companies investing (i.e. money laundering) in Notts County.

For Forest fans, the mocking County gave us at the start of the season about how soon they would be back to the top of the pile in Nottingham, it is almost amusing. We have always had a certain kind regard for County. Wanting them to do better than to fail. This infuriates County, who hate us, and the feeling has not till this seen been reciprocated. Now with their new brash manner, you begin to dislike them in the same way man City have rubbed a number of people up the wrong way in the Premier League

Peter Trembling, who was merely the mouthpiece before is in charge. Now you could argue that maybe he has liked what he has seen enough to invest, so things must be ok? It would appear no, manager of 7 weeks Hans Backe just this morning walked out the club after complaining about “broken promises.” One can assume he was promised vast sums, and has been told there will no longer be money in January to spend.

There was also the news when Trembling took over he will be looking for investors in the club. That’s never good news. Just look at Portsmouth over the last 6 months. Each successive new owner there has talked about securing new investment. The fact is in the world right now, with the economy in tatters, there are not people on every corner wanting to fling millions into clubs finances that seem to have been modelled on a house of cards built on quicksand. Indeed, just look at their fellow nicknamed Magpies, Newcastle United. Mike Ashley has been looking to offload a club with arguably one of the best foundations in terms of large ground, huge support and a Premier League infrastructure, and no-one wanted to touch them with a barge pole.

Sven says he is staying, but Sven is still trying to sort out the money he is owed in a Swiss owned mineral firm. My guess he is merely holding out on resigning till he gets this cash. Once it appears if it ever does, then Sven will get the hell out of there as soon as possible. The whole scheme seems to be poisoned.

It would appear one of the most unlikely dreams in the football league in completely unravelling. I would hate to see it become a nightmare and see County slump in the second half of the season, and god forbid enter administration. There has been talk the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Lee Hughes, the much heralded summer signings may already have to go. Large wages and potential fees would entice County to get rid to cut costs that presumably they cannot sustain any more.

Let this be a lesson football clubs. Those people promising the world may be actually delivering nothing at all. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride thus far, and we’re still unsure where it’s all going to end.

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2010 World Cup Draw

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

Barcelona go back on top as they defeat Real Madrid 1-0

By: IBES

Fresh from their impressive victory over Inter Milan this past Tuesday, FC Barcelona prepared for their second big home test this week when they played hosts to Real Madrid for this season’s first leg of El Clasico. Although the match was tough and at times physical, second half substitute Ibrahimovic scored the only goal of the game to give Barcelona their third consecutive victory over their arch rivals. The win catapulted Barcelona to the top of the league standings with a two point lead over Real Madrid.

Much of the pre-game discussion revolved around who would start for Barcelona for this match. Messi, Ibrahimovic and Touré Yaya did not feature against Inter Milan and thus many expected all three to start. However, Messi would be the only one of the three to start. Guardiola went with Victor Valdés in goal with Dani Alves, Puyol, Piqué, and Abidal as the starting defenders. Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Keita formed the midfield that supported the front three of Messi, Iniesta and Henry. Real Madrid’s starting eleven consisted of Iker Casillas in goal with Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, and Arbeloa in defense. Lass Diarra, Xabi Alonso, Kaká, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuaín were the other starters.

The game was played on the club’s 110^th birthday and what better occasion to celebrate this event than to host this game. Not even the rain would deter the fans from coming to this game, with over 97,000 in attendance to witness this match. Both teams had some shots on goals but the best scoring chance of the half belonged to Real Madrid when Kaka set up Ronaldo in front of the goal alone one on one with Valdés, only for Valdés to block Ronaldo’s attempt with his feet. The save was reminiscent of last season’s home game when Valdés blocked Drenthe’s shot when Drenthe was all alone with Valdés. Marcelo would also have a chance to score but Puyol would ensure there would be no shot on goal when he slide in and blocked Marcelo’s shot. It would not be the last time that Puyol would come to the rescue of the team with last second tackles that prevent open shots on goal. The first half would come to an end with a scoreless draw and two bookings awarded to Real Madrid and the linesman constantly raising the off sides flag against Barcelona.

The second half would bring no changes to either squad but that would not be the case for long. Just a few minutes into the second half, Guardiola decided to sub off Henry for Ibrahimovic. Busquests had picked up a booking a minute before that substitution and that booking would come back to haunt him later on. Just five minutes after coming on as a substitute, Ibrahimovic would score his first ever clasico goal.

In the 56th minute, Dani Alves delivered one of his uncertain crosses and this time, Ibrahimovic would volley that cross into a goal, leaving Casillas no chance of saving it. After surviving the physical and punishing style from the Real Madrid midfield and defense, Barcelona got their goal that would force Real Madrid to abandon their defensive approach. Nevertheless, five minutes after that goal, Barcelona players and fans would go from an upbeat attitude to that of concern and disappointment when Busquets was booked for a handball. His second booking meant that Barcelona would play the next 30 minutes of football with just 10 players and Guardiola was not too pleased.

Madrid began to attack and could have easily equalized but for Ronaldo’s header effort barely missing the goal. He had been unmarked but his header just sailed over the goal and that would be Ronaldo’s final shot on goal as he would be substituted for Benzema. Four games against Barcelona and still without a goal. Keita would be also subbed off for Touré Yaya.

Even though Barcelona was down to 10 men, both teams would have golden chances to score goals. Piqué had a great chance to double the team’s lead when his header effort just missed wide in the 68th minute. A minute later, Benzema would find himself in a great position to score for Madrid, only for Puyol to slide in for the rescue and block Benzema’s shot with his legs again.

Puyol would continue to bail out the team inside the box numerous times as the match continued. Abidal would then find himself with the ball on a counter attack in front of Casillas’s goal, only for his shot to barely miss the goal in the 71st minute. Yet, Barcelona were performing better than they were when they were playing with 11 men due in large to their great passing, great recovery of the ball and Madrid’s Marcelo sloppy play aiding the Blaugrana immensely. Benzema then would have another golden opportunity in the 80th minute when Xabi Alonso’s corner fell to him, only for Benzema to blast his effort wide. Barcelona’s last best scoring chance occurred in the 89th minute when Messi received the ball that eluded Pepe inside the box but his sitter effort would be blocked by Casillas’s legs to prevent what could have been the final nail in the coffin.

The game would get chippy and the second half was evident of Madrid’s rough challenges that lead to bookings for Madrid’s Lass Diarra, Alonso, Marcelo and Pepe. Lass would get second yellow card for his wreck less challenge on Xavi near the end of the match and allow both teams to play the remainder of the half with 10 men.

The referee awarded three extra minutes but none of the teams could use that additional time to score a goal and thus the game ended 1-0 in favor of Barcelona. Madrid might have been the better team in the first half, but Barcelona was the better team in the second half and Ibrahimovic’s goal would be the difference. It was their third victory in a row over their arch rival and allowed Barcelona to take the top spot in the league table.

Next up for Barcelona will be an away trip this Wednesday against Xerex that is being pushed up early because of Barcelona’s involvement with the FIFA Club World Cup later on in mid December.

A win there would give Barcelona a 5 point gap in the standings. So on the 110th anniversary of the club’s formation, FC Barcelona played their game and found a way to defeat their eternal enemy. One could say that Barcelona’s lone expensive signing came through while Real Madrid’s expensive signings could not on this day.

The second leg in Madrid later on in the season will be just as exciting.With this result, this victory constitute the Club’s best start to a league season. It’s even better than last season, when Barça accumulated nine wins, two draws and one defeat at the same stage. Barça has nine wins and three draws thus far into this new season.

Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Keita (Touré Yaya, min.66), Messi, Iniesta and Henry (Ibrahimovic, min.51).

Real Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Arbeloa (Raúl, min.75), Lass Diarra, Xabi Alonso, Kaká, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo (Benzema, min.66) and Higuaín.

Goal: 1-0, m.56: Ibrahimovic.

Referee: Undiano Mallenco

Bookings: Arbeloa (min.34), Albiol (min.41), Pepe (min.69) and Marcelo (min.79)

Red Cards for being booked twice: Sergio Busquets (min.50 & 63) and Lass (min.48 & 90).