Barça played city neighbors Espanyol at the Cornellà-El Prat for a 2-0 win. Here are a few observations.
Barça's league fixtures are getting easier
With Espanyol off the fixture list, Barça's remaining fixtures get decidedly easier. Suffice it to say, this is a welcome luxury, with Bayern Munich on the horizon. Barça's next league game is against Getafe in Camp Nou, where we could see Thomas Vermaelen play his first game Barcelona. After that, we go away to play Cordoba, and then back home to play Bayern in the UEFA Champions League. The only real challenge left in the league is Atletico Madrid, a team we cannot afford to underestimate despite having beaten them three times. However, Barça must not get complacent. Every league game should be treated as a final, and prepared for as such.
9 games to the treble
This is it. There are nine games left in the season, and Barça are still on for a historic treble. Actually, Barça would win a second treble in their history, something no team has ever done. To put things simply, if Lucho wins his next nine games, he will have successfully vanquished all the ghosts of the Guardiola era. This is Luis Enrique’s team now, and Guardiola is but a distant memory. We should not get overconfident however, because the road ahead has many thorns. We plan for each game, and play with full effort.
Many fans say that we should not talk of the treble. I, on the other hand, disagree. Strategy tells us to have clear goals, to have a direction in which to throw the collective effort, and to plan and act accordingly. All the elements are there. The team is hungry, we are alive in every competition, and we are already in one final. All that remains is the final push. We can do this. Vamos Barça!
No one was injured
Espanyol kicked lumps out of Messi and Iniesta today. Thankfully, no one was injured and the team came out unharmed. So far, Lucho has done a brilliant job with his rotations and keeping the team fresh. Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have injuries that have thinned out their squads, something that has eluded Barça this season. Let’s hope referee will allow for more protection next game.
Espanyol will always respect Don Andres
Iniesta’s World Cup story is a well-known one. Not only did he score the goal that won Spain their first World Cup trophy, but he also lifted his shirt to pay homage to his dear friend Dani Jarque, who had died just months earlier, leaving the entire club of Espanyol in shock. Don Andres cites these few months amongst the most difficult moments in his life, dealing with depression and the death of one of his closest friends. After doing his country proud in 2010, Don Andres directed his affection and passion towards a rival clubs captain, Something Espanyol will be eternally grateful for.
Pique needs some rest
Pique has been superb this season and has probably played almost every game. With an able bodied replacement on the bench in Bartra, Lucho would do well to rest Barça's best defender this season before he gets injured. An injury to Pique could be calamitous, and the situation should be monitored by Luis Enrique. Seeing as Getafe is our next opponent, expect rotations to the squad and the possible debut of Thomas Vermaelen.
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