Hey There...

Hey there, everyone who’s been reading my blog and/or wondering why it hasn’t really been updated in a while…

To tell you a bit about me, I’m Messa and I’m eighteen… and of course an ardent Barca fan. I started this blog on a whim, a spur of the moment decision, and I never imagined it would become such a big part of my life or that it would become this known on the web – among Barca fans at least. For me, running the blog has been a real pleasure… which is why I hate to put an end to it.

Or at least a long hiatus. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll start it up again, or start another blog, similar to this one but with a rather different approach… in any case, for now, I’m forced to put it all on hold. It’s my senior year at school and unfortunately I’m just too busy to continue updating the blog on a regular basis.

I’m already missing running this blog and being part of the network of footie blogs out there, and I hope sometime I’ll be able to come back to it all. All I can say right now is thank you to all my readers, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to offer an entertaining and informative source for FC Barcelona, if it has been that to you, as that was my aim. I’ve been really happy with it and proud to have covered Barca throughout this phenomenal season, over about a year and almost five hundred posts.

I’ll be back… someday. Once summer kicks off perhaps? In the meantime, I’ll still be twittering as often as I can, and will continue to try and offer my fellow Barca fans as much as possible… you can add me on Twitter and once I’m back to the blogging world, I’ll be sure to tweet that too. Again, infinite thanks for all your support… until we meet again: Viva Barca!

Injury Report: Leo Ruled Out For The Derby

Lionel Messi held out through all of Dynamo Kiev's hardcore fouling as long as he could, but at the end of the match unfortuantely he finally did go down with what has now been confirmed as a sprained ankle. He won't be able to participate in Barca's derby against Espanyol tomorrow, and there are Club World Cup doubts as well.

It really sucks not to have Leo available for these games, especially after he had to miss out on Barca's CWC participation back in 2006 also due to injury. And he was just saying how much he wants this, too... but all we can do is wait and hope that he'll be ready for the Cup by the time it rolls around.

Match Report: Barcelona 2-1 Dynamo Kiev

It's hard to think that just before our previous Champions League match, the odds were ugly against our qualifying. And it's incredible how the boys turned it all around in that one meet with Inter Milan... and now they've returned to finish the job at the expense of Dynamo Kiev.

The match opened up on something of a sour note for Barca, with the oppisiton putting one past Victor Valdes in just the second minute, a ball that Vic fumbled on and really should have saved.

Now at that point it may have seemed like it was time to panic, but our boys left no room for panicking. After that little mishap they just grabbed hold of the match and from there on out, it was all about Blaugrana.

There wasn't much Dynamo could do except for defend - and by defend we mean foul. They put forward their efforts and legs to do all they could to stop our boys... but the boys wouldn't be stopped.

Barca was dominating with fluid passing and solid, team football. The midfield was the focal point of play, with Xavi, in what was his hundredth CL match, geared up to the max and making magic. He did his thing in spreading the ball out in all directions and creating movement, and then went on to put in Barca's equilizer...

Around eighty straight passes were laced from player to player until the ball found Xavi perefectly positioned to tuck it in right past the keeper. You could tell that Barca weren't going to settle for going into halftime with Dynamo ahead, and when the eqilizer came, we were celebrating for as many reasons as there were passes leading up to that goal.

Xavi's finish was beautiful, and the fact that he's the one who scored it makes it all the more awesome. We just love when Xavi scores, he deserves to do it more often. The result was now even, with the draw being sufficient to ensure Barca's qualification to the next last sixteen round, and the match was still far from over... and just watching the plays, the passing that led up to it was incredible. The boys were making it all about control and all about team, and that's what matters most.

Chance after chance came and went somehow without the ball making it all the way to the net. It was frustrating a bit because we were playing so well, and it wasn't till just minutes before the final whistle that we finally saw the second and winning goal of the match for Barca.

Goal came courtesy of Leo Messi, from a freekick. Why do we always find it so cute when Messi scores from freekicks? We just do. It was fabulous the way he managed to sail the ball over the player wall and into the net, putting Barca ahead and further strengthening the team's qualification.

The lads need to work more on putting away chances, because with all the opportunities and domination they had, it's almost a shame they didn't score a couple more. Here, the two goals were more than enough for the team to get by, but in a later match they might not be... however we're thrilled by the wondrous teamwork and passing we had the pelasure of seeing in this match, and that counts for so much. So onward we storm, to the keep on going and going for it all in the Champions League and everywhere else.

Champions League: FC Barcelona vs Dynamo Kiev, Valeri Lobanovsky, Wednesday, December 9 2009, 20:45 CET

The final step of Barca's qualification to the Champions League last sixteen has them up against Dynamo Kiev, with a simple draw being sufficient to ensure that the Blaugrana go on to the next round. And we're more than certain that the boys will come off with an even score at the very least!

Pep comes into this match with a nineteen man squad that includes Chygrynskiy even though he's not allowed to participate in Cl matches with Barca this season; it seems he's along to celebrate with the boys upon their qualification. The squad: : Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Márquez, Piqué,Abidal, Maxwell, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan, Ibrahimovic, Henry and Messi.

This will also be Xavi's 100th CL match, congrats to him!

Random: Fashion, Foodfights & Fifpro

- First and foremost: congrats to Leo Messi for officially recieving his well-deserved Ballon D'or, and looking hot doing it! More pictures at the bottom.

- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is dreaming of signing Bojan come the winter transfer period. And he'll continue to do just that: dream. In more agreeable transfer reports, the club is said to be after David Silva... let's hope that will go down better than the Villa story.

- Barca have signed a sponsorship agreement with fashion label Dsquared to dress the first team until June 2011. Now that is a what we call a great move by the club.... maybe this will put a stop to the outrageous trends Pique comes out with from time.

- As reported by Sport, during the team's flight back from Coruna last Saturday the players actually had something of a food-fight (those poor flight attendants) which was, naturally, started by Gerard Pique tossing peanuts at Zlatan's head. We're not kidding. Zla tried to ignore him at first, but you know no one can resist fun with Geri - and they soon had the other boys joining in as well, namely Bojan, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves.

- Twelve Barca boys are nominated to be part of the Fifpro XI of 2009: Valdes, Puyol, Piqué, Xavi, Iniesta, Alves, Abidal, Chygrynskiy, Ibrahimovic, Messi, Yaya and Pep. Why don't they just name Barcelona team of the year and call it a day?

- For those of our readers inquiring in relation to this post, the pictures are courtesy of our friend Koko, credit goes to her; and despite other reports, to our knowledge Leo and Antonella are currently together.

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruña, Riazor, Saturday, December 5 2009, 22:00 CET

There's no rest for Barca as they continue the campaign to defend their Liga title, as they're set to face Deprtivo La Coruña tonight. The boys departed earlier today for Coruña, but just-in reports are that the team's plane had to return to El Pratt airport in Barcelona due to technical problems - hopefully whatever's going on will be cleared up in time for the boys to make their match.

Like Barca, Deportivo are unbeaten since October, so this match could be the turning point for either team. It won't be a piece of cake, but we expect the boys will be able to come off with a respectable win in the end. In any case it's sure to be an open and exciting match, we can't wait!

Pep's 18-man squad sees the return of Sergio Busquets after he'd missed out against Xerez due to a red card, while Rafael Marquez and Jeffren have been dropped in addition to Gaby Milito, who isn't up to regular call-ups just yet. The squad: Valdés, Pinto, Henry, Xavi, Piqué, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Puyol, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Bojan, Maxwell, Messi, Chygryskiy Alves, Abidal, Keita, Touré.

Random: Teddy Bear, Picture Book & A Clothing Store

- Thierry Henry wants y'all to say hello to Dobu, the official teddy bear of the AIDS foundation jointly organized by FC Barcelona and UNICEF. Titi got to meet him along with Leo Messi, Rafa Marquez, Andres Iniesta and Bojan Krkic yesterday (more pictures here) while other Barca players previously shot an ad for the campaign, which is aimed at children through having them play a series of games. They have to try and save Dobu from AIDS, thus learning more about the disease; and in the end winners will be entered in a draw to win a Dobu teddy signed by all the Barca players.

- Last Monday, the Barca boys all recieved the first copies of the picture book "Barça. The best year of our life" which brings together the decisive moments of what has been an unforgettable 2009 for the club. As the official site reports, the idea for the book came from the players themselves. Check out more pictures of them lookingat it here, and run out and get your copy now, especially as all proceeds are headed to the club's Foundation!

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- Some of you might know that the parents of Cristina Serra, Pep's wife, own a men's and women's clothing store in Manresa called Serra Claret. What you probably don't know is that Leo Messi likes to shop there, often making the 53 mile drive from his home just to get there. None of the other current Barca boys are known to get their clothes from there, though the likes of Johan Cruyff and Luis Figo have frequented the store, which traditionally carries athlete's wear.

Gossip on the Guys: Zlatan Finds A Home

As reported by Sport, sometime last week Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his fantastic thighs showed up to training completely exhausted and got everyone worked up that he might be having a relapse, especially as he was, at the time, in the final stages of his recovery. But Zlatan soon explained that he was only tired because he'd spent the previous day moving into his new home.

That's right, Zla has finally found a place suitable for him and his family, having purchased it around a month ago. The house is situated in Sant Just, Esplugues, where Barca boys such as Zambrotta and Marquez have taken up residence. Set in a natural environment, the area has the advantages of being close to the Camp Nou as well as the Ciutat Esportiva. Congratulations!

Match Report: Barcelona 2-0 Xerez

We did expect the lads to rock this match, which kind of makes it all the more dejecting that on the contrary, they didn't really show up. Especially in the beginning. Props to Xerez for giving one hell of a performance and exceeding the Barca boys in that they actually played like they meant it.

The first half was pretty mucky for us, with slow passing and movement and a generally sleepy atmosphere. The scrappy pitch didn't help much either for a Barca side that depends on short sharp passes; but still, the boys really could have done at least a bit better.

The defense looked shaky, the attack was foiling potential chances with the inability to put them away, and in the midst of it all was a ray of light in Xavi, working hard to make up for the nonperformance of the likes of Henry and Yaya. And that comes as a surprise because Yaya is almost synonomous with solidity. What's happened?

Barca was suffering in the offence. Henry was out of it, Pedro was not up to the standard that he's made us used to from him and Bojan was saddeningly below par as well. And when not one but all three forwards have decided not to show up, there's just nothing there. The attack had no substance, and we just can't have that on Barca.

Yet Henry found a way to score just as the second half unfolded, and that seemed to be somewhat of a turning point for the game. Xerez loosened up, creating more space for our players to move and they regained some of their usual flow, especially as Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on. The difference they made in the attack was palpable, and eventually led to a beautiful goal created by Leo and finished by Zla.

The teamwork between those two players is just fabulous with every match. Where do the media come up with talk that there's tension between them? More like insanely incredible chemistry! And since he returned from his injury, Zlatan seems set on making up for his down time by scoring every time he steps onto the pitch, even if he's coming off the bench for a forty minute spell.

Iniesta came on towards the end and looked good, nice work in midfield but rather slow on the attack. We do prefer a midfield role for him, but he has to stop trying to get fancy in attack. With that... the match ended at 2-0 for Barca, a result that's rather excellent for us considering the match we gave and the match given by our opponents. Let's hope the team can keep steady in the coming weeks, especially as the Club World Cup approaches with the adamant intention to throw everything off course.

Gossip on the Guys: Puppy Love

Seems to us that getting puppies is the new fad amongst Barca boys lately. Lionel Messi and his girlfriend Antonella with their own new little dog:

Leo naturally exudes unnatural levels of cuteness in everything he does. Enter the cute girlfriend, and they are instantly the cutest couple ever seen on the planet. Now there's a pup in the mix? Heaven help us.

Gossip on the Guys: Pep Gone Too Far?

What in the world does Pep think he's wearing now? We've admired this man's fashion sense in the past, but lately he's been crossing lines just a little bit. We let it pass when he showed up to a press conference in this, but now, with this weird sportive-mixed-with-plaid sweater of sorts, just what is he trying to pull off?

If this goes on, Pique isn't going to be the only one in need of a serious fashion intervention. Come to think of it, that boy does have a pretty heavy influence on the rest of the team; maybe, probably, we should be blaming him for Pep's... straying...

On the side: Who would've guessed Joan Laports to be the partying type? Not exactly the most proper way to celebrate victory even if it is for the Classico, but hell, it's his last term as president so we say, let him enjoy it.

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Xerez CD, Municipal de Chapín, Wednesday, December 2 2009, 22:00 CET

Barca toil on through the season, and the next ones to move past are newly promoted Xerez. Keep in mind that ex-Barca hottie Victor Sanchez plays for them now after the club sold him last summer albiet with a buy-back option... we're getting pretty used to seeing former Masia boys up against us, they're scattered over half the Liga teams. We really liked little Vic, it'll be niceto check up on him again even if he's now the opposition.

We don't see Xerez as much of a threat, Barca should be able to take them on easily enough, yada, yada... our totally random prediction is that Bojan starts and scores a brace, with Keita and Messi possibly getting on the scoresheet as well.

Gaby Milito isn't getting regular call-ups yet and so isn't included, and neither is Gerard Pique as Pep opted to give him the day off. The team shouldn't miss him too much, and personally we are looking forward to seeing Rafa start for a change. Sergio Busquets is suspended after earning himself a red card against Real Madrid; other than that the rest of the boys make up the nineteen man squad along with Jonathan Dos Santos from the B-team: Valdés, Pinto, Abidal, Alves, Maxwell, Puyol, Txigrinski, Márquez, Touré, Xavi, Iniesta, Bojan, Pedro, Jeffren, Dos Santos, Henry, Keita, Messi, Ibrahimovic.

Transfer Talk: Rafa Renews

Rafael Marquez's new deal with the club is officially signed, sealed and stashed away for safekeeping until 2012.

Says Rafa: "I knew that at first there might be differences, but we should reach an agreement. So I never doubted the renewal option. When you have stability in your work you feel much calmer. Now I promise to maintain a very strong mentality to continue performing at the highest level and then I can practically finish my career at Barca."

Haters go away, down here we're happy that he's renewed. At the very least, if Pep and the club see fit for him to stay onboard then trust them... besides, his splendiferous hair is reason enough to keep him.

Gossip on the Guys: Leo's The Golden Boy

Lionel Messi rocks a casual look attending a press conference earlier today, and we are absolutely loving that converse on him. He was there to talk to the world after the big news has been announced that he's won the Balon D'or! Yeah, we're not surprised. Is there a single individual on this planet who even dared to believe Leo would not win it?

He dedicated the achievment to "My family, who have always been by my side and my teammates at Barca who've done everything to ensure I could win the award." Heaps of congratulations to him, and to Xavi and Iniesta for placing third and fourth respectively, while ex-Barca boy Samuel Eto'o came in fifth! Crisitiano Ronaldo is in second place (yawn) after having won the award himself last year; but this triumph of Leo's was by a record 240 vote margin, more than Cris or any other player ever. He's also the first Argentine as well as the first La Masia boy to win the award.

Match Report: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid

Barcelona come out of the Classico as winners, just as we expected they would! It was a great match, with both teams coming out to play for the win, but the Madridistas were no match for the Blaugrana in the end.

Upon seeing the formation, we had our misgivings because we were really hoping to see Iniesta in midfield forming that brilliant alliance with Xavi, instead of where he was positioned on the left wing alongside Henry and Messi.

But as the match kicked off and progressed, it was clear that our players were moving and interchanging positions as needed and no one was really keeping to a definite area. At times the boys were slow to back each other up on attacks, but overall teamwork was wonderful and they were clearly giving it their all.

You wouldn’t think Messi had just returned from injury and post-international break hangover with the way he played. He was spectacular, as were the rest of the boys, especially Puyol and Dani. Puyol was incredibly solid in defence and the way he took apart some of Real’s attacks was just mind-blowing; while Dani was simply everywhere doing everything he possibly could. And how awesome was Victor, especially with those first couple of shots he saved? He may credit his boy Dylan, but the way we see it Vic is just fantabulous himself.

Sergio Busquets was looking pretty busy out there too – he put his heart into marking Cristiano, but his efforts got him two yellow cards and a subsequent red. Barca’s first red of the season, why are we not surprised that it’s by way of Sergio? We love the boy but he does get booked a bit too much… but that’s football, and in the end no harm done. Real Madrid also had a man sent off as well not long after.

We expected most of the danger from Real to come by way of Cristiano, but surprisingly enough Kaka was the real one to watch out for. His attacking was pretty impressive, and it seemed to us that Cris was somewhat indifferent, and unusually so. But who cares, our boys can take on any of them any which way.

The first half ended goalless, and Pep didn’t wait too long into the second before subbing on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That got us excited, and rightly so; because he didn’t stall on making his mark and scoring his first Classico goal – in his first Classico. And Dani’s cross to set up the goal was pure beauty. We just love it when Dani crosses to Zla.

Barca had several other great chances that just weren’t put away, including a close one for Pique off a set piece and another really spectacular opportunity for Leo Messi. We were that one would be a goal but Iker Casillas got the best of it; seems Leo was moving so fast he didn’t see Iker there before he took the shot. No hard feelings; what matters is that Leo played out a hell of a match and he looks to be back at the top of his game!

One player that did strike as us as not being totally on form was Thierry Henry, but we’re too thrilled with the win to care much. Titi’ll undoubtedly bounce back in time. Real Madrid could barely hold first place for a week and now Barca’s back on top with a two point lead, with all our players back in shape and showing the world what they’re made of. We’re content.

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Camp Nou, Sunday, November 29 2009, 19:00 CET

The Classico is finally upon us! Later tonight the long-awaited match will finally kick off as Barca take on Real Madrid at home, and we couldn't be any more psyched for this. Both teams are at the top of their game and we're expecting a head-on action packed clash!

But after all's said and done, we all know what Barca are capable of and we have a pretty good feeling that they'll come out on top. The win is also necessary for Barca to return to the top of the Liga table, as Real currently lead by a single point.

Our boys who were previously sidelined have all made it back in time for this match, with everyone available save the still recovering Gaby Milito. However, Pep is keeping his squad secret and has yet to announce the 18 men that will show up to the match; in contrast to Pellegrini who has supposedly already revealed Real's starting lineup.

Not that any of that matters much, because no matter what we're sure Barca will triumph!

Pre-Match Buzz: Classico Fever

We can't explain exactly what it is about this picture that makes us love it so much, but we just do. Dani sure looks like he's hoping for a good match tomorrow, doesn't he? But the way he talked at yesterday's press conference would get anyone feeling like it's Real Madrid who must be praying for their lives.

It wouldn't be such a bad idea if they did, either. Because the way things are going for Barca right now, we're pretty optimistic about the coming Classico, and we're looking forward to a great match.

It's bound to be great because for one thing, Real can actually stand a chance against us this year, unlike last season when we were able to destroy them with ease. Set to be a thrilling meet between two star-studded sides, this is one match that's got us insanely excited and hardly able to wait. We're down with Classico fever out here, save us Dani-boy!

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EDIT: head over to Futbolita and check out the pre-Classico game featuring Barcelista's Messa!

Gossip on the Guys: Behind Barca's Success...

Before you read this, make sure you're sitting down and/or have sufficient fainting space, because this has got to be the most adorable thing you will ever hear.

Y'all know Victor Valdes has got a three month old bundle of joy named Dylan, who is probably the cutest baby alive. He has to be, with Vic as a father; but we'll get back to you for sure if we ever get a look at the well-concealed little guy. Anyway, upon Dylan's birth last August, the club sent him the gift of a mini Barca shirt like the one his daddy wears, as they do for all the players' newborns.

And since then, Victor has had his chica dress his son in said shirt to watch every Barca match, seeing it as a form of good luck. His theory is further supported by the fact that when Barca played against Athletic Bilbao, Dylan's mother forgot the shirt and Barca subsequently came out with a draw.

Though some may laugh, we support Vic on this and agree with him that it's of the utmost importance for Dy to have his Barca shirt on for the coming Classico.

Barca Buzz: Tables Are Turned

Everyone knows how strict Pep Guardiola is as a manager. Especially in regards to punctuality, as he doesn't hesitate to fine any player who is a single minute late to training. But who would have imagined that Pep could ever show up late himself?

That's right, Pep was the tardy one yesterday morning, showing up ten whole minutes after the designated 11:00 training time. Which is rather funny seeing as he was early to the complex as usual that day; but got caught up in his office and failed to make it to the pitch in time, and Sport suggest that he will be fined. The players had a a good laugh over it as they applauded him when he finally did show up, watch it here - how cute is Abidal?

We're loving this atmosphere of such closeness and ease that exists within the team, which we also feel is largely thanks to Pep. And they always look like they're having such fun during training (photos below from today's session).

Leo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have both rejoined normal training with the rest of the squad, they're doing wonderfully well and will most likely be fully ready to play the Classico. Yaya Toure has gotten his full medical clearance after being struck with swine flu, while Dani Alves is also recovering from his knock picked up in the Inter match.

Random: Gaby In, Jeffy Out, Soon...

- Too excited! Gaby Milito has been called up for the Club World Cup. It's his first official call-up in a year and a half, he's gonna play! The day is near... my, we've missed this boy too much, we just can't wait!

And, oh yeah - from the B-team, Jonathan Dos Santos is also included in the 23-man squad, along with goalkeeper Ruben Mino. Interesting...

- Gerard Pique is featured in a hot magazine spread, yet again. We just love this man more and more every day.

- Five Barca boys have just shot a new ad in the name of a new campaign against AIDS, organized by the club as well as UNICEF. Apparently it involves a meet-and-greet between them and a teddy bear? This is one ad we'll we waiting to watch. EDIT: watch the ad here!

- Samuel Eto'o felt strange to be playing against Barca on the Camp Nou. You don't say? Well we still feel weird seeing him in an Inter shirt, everytime.

- Despite his first team promotion, it's been decided that Jeffren's off on loan come the winter transfer period. Pep's shipping him off to somewhere in England, as many Premier League clubs are interested, the most prominent candidate being Arsenal... wait. No! We can't be exposing any more of our youth to the manipulative minds and snatching hands of Arsenal... just look at what happened to Cesc.

Transfer Talk: Signed & Agreed

- Signed: Eric Abidal's brand new contract with the club. His time on Barca has been extended till 2012 with a buy-out clause of ninety million - that's right, don't anybody even think of trying to lure him away, he's all ours.

- Agreed: Yet-to-be-penned new deal for Andres Iniesta. He's pulling a Messi, looking to sign an extension that goes all the way to 2015; and at two hundred million euros, his buy-out clause isn't too far from Leo's either. Well of course. What would we ever do without our Andresito?

Injury Report: Three Steps Forward & One Step Back

We saw this coming: Dani Alves came out of the Inter match with an ankle knock and has been training apart from the group. Nike really must come up with some sort of iron plated shin gaurds for our boys, this is getting to be too much.

Also training solo were Zlatan and Leo, as they continue their recovery. Let's hope they're fully fit by the time the Classico rolls around! And Yaya has followed Abidal's example and bounced right back from his swine flu - you know he would never give up the chance to partake in the destruction of Real Madrid.

Match Report: Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan

Many were pretty nervous about this, what with the state of the squad and the way the team's been doing lately... but once again, the boys came out and blew us all away when we were least expecting it. Will a time ever come when they'll stop doing that? Impossible.

When a team comes out to such a pressured match against such big opponents, with several players sidelined including their two biggest stars, yet they manage to destroy the other lot, you know you're looking at a team that is truly great. A team of champions.

Those boys weren't nervous. They came out with surefire determination and dominated the entire match. The teamwork, the passing, the chances - everything was looking beautiful right from the start, and as we were left blinking in disbelief at Pique's goal in just the tenth minute, we could tell right then and there - our lads were going to rock them.

Pique's goal resulted from a corner - anyone notice how we are scoring more and more off set pieces lately? That hasn't really been one of Barca's strong points previously, and it's so awesome that we're mastering that now - along with everything else. What adds to the awesomeness is the fact that Pique is the one who scored it. Here you've got this man who is centerback and scores often enough for it to make him stand out. And more often than not in the big matches.

That first goal was soon followed up by a second, this time courtesy of Pedro. How awesome is this kid? We're never going to be afraid again when Messi is unvailable. No worries, we've got Pedro!

And, what was it - a match or two ago that we were saying Andres Iniesta would be much better off in midfield? Good to see Pep listened. The magic between that boy and Xavi was absolutely mind-blowing; Andres and Xavi were born to play together in midfield, no question about it. They're just something else. So beautiful to watch.

It was so wonderful to see how the team stepped up to the occasion, overcoming everything and giving their absolute best in this match. They controlled it all, and the Inter players barely had a whiff of the ball. They spent more time fouling our players than actually playing - we're half expecting the team's medics to announce a muscle tear or something around Dani's shins due to excessive bruising.

But what's new? When Barca come out and do their thing, taking command of the entire match, the other lot are left helpless and left with no other option than to resort to fouling our players to try and slow things down. It's sad, but it's nothing we haven't seen before.

The run of play was interrupted every so often because yet another of our boys was tripped or shoved or thumped to the ground, which is probably why we didn't score more than the two... that and a man named Julio Cesar, pretty much the only Inter player who really showed up. If not for him we'd have won by a much larger margin, that you can tie to.

But that doesn't matter. The important thing is that the boys stepped up and gave an awesome match and won it, reaffirming to the world just what this team is made of as well as putting Barca on top of the group. Qualification to the next round should be no trouble after this.

As a final note, we must say how happy we were at the sight of Samuel Eto'o on the Camp Nou among our players. The way he greeted and hugged them all, his attitude throughout the match, everything just had us loving him last night. And the ovation he recieved was too cute. Samu, we miss you.

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Champions League: FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan, Camp Nou, Tuesday, November 24 2009, 20:45 CET

With important elements of Barca's sqaud possibly sidelined for tonight's match, and given how important it is for us to win and who we are up against, we can't help but be nervous. Inter Milan are no easy opponents, and Barca are in need of a win to favor qualification to the next stage of the Champions League

It's going to be tough... but even through rough patches never do we stop believing in this team and their abilites, no matter who is on the pitch; we have faith that they can pull through.

Who will or won't make this match is still uncertain. Leo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are possibilities, though nothing has been confirmed yet, and in the meantime, B-teamers Jonathan Dos Santos and Andreu Fontas have been called up. Pep must still decide on one player to leave out of the current twenty-man squad, which also includes Rafael Marquez, returning from a bit of flu: Valdés, Pinto, Puyol, Piqué, Márquez, Alves, Maxwell, Keita, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Jeffren, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro, Bojan, Jonathan Dos Santos, Fontàs and Henry.

Random facts: Should Henry play tonight (we vote he ought to start), it will mark his 100th match with Barca, congrats!

- The match will be refereed by the same dude who commanded the Champions League final in Rome last year - hopefully we'll see a similar result?

Gossip on the Guys: A Bit On Victor's Baby

Sometimes it's hard to remember that Victor Valdes has a baby boy of his own, the three-month-old is so well kept from the media. Not even a single photo - or not that we know of.

But at least Vic's open to talking about little Dylan, saying to Sport:

"He grows rapidly, he is already almost three months old. Dylan's birth has changed my life completely. I was a calm person, who likes staying home, but the arrival of my son has given me more peace and stability."

Perhaps we should be thanking Dylan for Vic's run of awesome performance lately? The proud papa also admitted that he can't fix his baby's bottles as well as his fiancée can: "Sure I do feeding-bottles, and I do them well, but hers are special."

Wait. Victor's engaged?