Transfer News: Jeffren and Jonathan dos Santos

It's been a slow transfer season FCB but here recent headlines:

Jeffren and Jon dos Sanots are set to leave FCB for greener pastures with bids tabled by Bolton Wanders (Euro 6 million for Jeffren) and Real Zaragoza (Euro 1 million for Jon), respectively.  This time however, FCB's lawyers have taken a page from Madrid's and inserted buy back clauses that allows FCB the opportunity the right to repurchase the youngsters services for a reasonable amount.

I personally would have preferred pushing them up the ladder and have them play with some of the senior players in the Copa del Rey to sharpen their skills within the organization.  But the buy back clause is goof enough for me.  Too bad, we didn't do the same with Nolito or Soriano (the Segunda Pichichi)...

On a separate matter, International Spanish Left-Back (ahm, ahm) Capdevilla is set to leave Villarreal on a free transfer.  With the problems we're having in Defense, I would think that this would be an excellent FREE opportunity?

Sometimes I wonder at the goings-on @ FCB...

Anyway, now that Argentina is out, at least our three Argentinian Ms (Messi, Mascherano, and Milito) are not injured, yet!  I was impressed by Caceres composure in heading the ball for the 1st goal assist and his penalty kick that eliminated Argentina

For more info click this page --> Bolton have bid for Jeffren accepted by Barcelona | tribalfootball.com
See also --> Real Zaragoza offer accepted for Jonathan dos Santos
For more info --> Capdevilla to leave for free

Abidal returns from liver surgery and CL formation

Hey hey! Foxsoccer reports that Abidal is back...

Based on this info: Pep will probably go for the following formation:

F:    Messi, Villa, Pedro
M:   Iniesta, Xavi,  Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

Reserves: Abidal, Afellay, Keita, and a Team B GK.

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The Big Mouth's team is missing his key defensive components (Pepe and Ramos) and will have to rely on a more attack-minded formation as follows:

F:      Hinguin
W:    Di Maria & C. Ronaldo
M:     Alonso & Ozil/Kaka
DM:  Diarra
D:     Marcelo, Carhalvo, Albiola, Arbeloa

Reserves:  Benzema, Adebayor

This formation should be countered by our previous Clasico formation with Busquests and Keita, which this armchair manager would like to look like either 4-4-2 (Iniesta as a midfielder) or 4-3-3 (with Iniesta out on left to toy with the thin Madrid defense)

F:    Iniesta, Messi, Villa/Pedro/Afellay
M:   Xavi, Keita, Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

With Afellay and Pedro coming with 15-30 minutes left and Abidal in the 90th minute.

Visca Barcelona and enjoy the game!!!

See this link --> Barcelona's Abidal returns from liver surgery

Barcelona's Shakhtar line-up

OK folks, with the return of Xavi and Pedro, here's FCB's expected CL line-up:


F:       Messi, Pedro, and Villa (but prefer Maxwell wide left to counter the condensed mass of defenders on the edge of the box)
M:      Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano
D:       Adriano, Pique, Busquets, Alves
GK:    Valdez


Alternatively, Iniesta can play out wide left with Kieta/Afellay in the mid-field.


Let's make this very clear, Shakhtar is dangerous! Even Cruyff, has expressed his fears.  Why? They've got Brazilians everywhere, everywhere!!!


Thanks to Mistress Kari @ Barcelona Football Blog, I can share this analysis with you:


See this link --> Who Are Shakhtar and What Can We Expect?


First, Shakhtar have a disciplined back line led by Dymtro Chygrynskiy who spent a season with FCB recently & is complemented by their Croatian version of Dani Alves, Darijo Srna.


Second, Shaktar employs 2 defensive mid-fielders who are complemented by two Brazilian wingers who will track Alves & Adriano and thus possibly reduce their contributions.


Third, our back-line has been our Achilles Heel and it will fall upon Mascherano to stop Brazilian attacking midfielder, Jadson, from creating fast and dangerous counter-attacks.


Fourth, Brazilian Luiz Adriano has been spectacular in the lone striker position!  He will cause problems for Pique if he is not at his sharpest (best not to have Shakira in Barcelona or Europe for that matter).


Thus, any FCB onslaught will most probably be countered with 8 players in defense to contain Messi & company in the 1st half.  That will mean that FCB will have possession but remain susceptible to speedy counter attacks & long-range attempts (effective against Valdez).


In summary, FCB will have to maintain control over the ball, keep pressing, play out wide to counter the condensed formation in the box, and stay alert in the back for any sudden counter attacks.  FCB will have to win at home (and win big)!


Happy hunting gentlemen and good luck.

Sucker punch, suckers!!!

I am so happy I don't even know where to begin...

Hmmm, should I start by Moron-hu's misery or Barcelona's victory? This is Moron-hu, and I don't really feel like being sportsmanly today and have a laugh at his expense, Ha ha ha ha!

Let's start with the shock upset of the season, even bigger than Hercules defeat of Barcelona in week 2.  Truth be told a depleted Mardid lost to Sporting Gijon's dying moment sucker punch, but more importantly the loss ended Moron-hu's long-standing and flawless record at home (having not lost 150 home games since February 23, 2002, spanning a period of 9 years with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Madrid).  There was no comparison between the two sides with Madrid taking 13 shots-on-goal out of a total of 33 shots vs. Gijon's sole strike out of a total of 4 shots.  Hats off to Sporting GK's Juan Pablo for his heroic efforts!!!

Now, will this be a bad omen for Moron-hu? Will they lose their next home match when they host Barcelona? After all misery loves company!!!

Barcelona's win was a pleasant surprise and broke recent tradition where the team plays poorly after playing international and Champions League games spanning a few seasons now.  I predicted a hard earn draw, but was more than happy with an under-strength Barcelona victory and Madrid's humiliating loss.  It was also good to see Afellay, Keita, Thiago and Mascherano get more play time.

Next up?  FCB welcomes Shakhtar to the Camp Nou for the first leg of the Champions League clash!

Barcelona's expected line-up at the El Madrigal

OK, based on our current injuries and with an eye towards the Champions League game, here is my line up:

F:     Afellay (L), Villa (C), Bojan
M:    Iniesta, Keita, Mascherano
D:     Adriano (L), Pique, Busquets, Alves (R)
GK:  Valdez

Reserves: Messi, Thiago and Jeffren

El Madrigal is a difficult stadium with an even more difficult crowd (kudos to the Villarreal fans for their loyalty) as such I would like to see the team play a physical first half (Keita and Mascherano) and slow the tempo of the game but bring in the heat in the 2nd half with Messi and Jeffren, if needed.  I would like to see Messi saved for the CL game later in the week and not risk an injury especially after the last scare.  I've included Afellay after his strong showing in the Euro qualifiers (I hope he shines and stays with the team).

For Villearreal, Nilmar and Rossi will want to impress Barcelona and show what they're made of.

Prediction? Based on the above and the fact that we don't do good when we come back from international games, I think it will be a hard earned draw...

Enjoy the game!