So now Pedro got his goal scoring boots back last weekend (2 goals and netted 2 more which were called back for offsides), Alexis got the monkey off his back with 2 goals in this game (even if he could've had another 1 or 2), and Villa showed, again, that he can still score when he gets PT, with 2 more goals (up to 10 on the season in very limited PT). Too bad that other forward, the little one, cannot match his teammates goal scoring in 2012, just one and from a penalty no less.
imo the keys from this match: - in general, solid from the team that missed many key players. - nice that Alexis scored a brace. Of course, they need to score regularly, so I see this more as "step into right direction" rather than "problem solved". - hope the injuries are as minor as possible.
Official: Sergi Roberto has a thigh muscle tear, he's expected to be out for around 4 weeks #fcblive [via @fcbarcelona_es] Bad for Sergi. I think he did really well today. Hopefully he comes back stronger! Quality goals from Villa, good for his confidence and it will probably earn him some more playing time in the coming weeks. Alexis har serious problems scoring, misses so many clear chances. Luckily he scored 2 slightly weird goals that hopefully will do good for his nerves. Other than that I really liked Thiago today. Always a joy to watch him play.
Sounds like it was a great win, the injuries aside. Two goals each for Pedro and Alexis this year, pretty good.
Villa pulling a cramp and with us having no substitutions left, I think this is why he doesn't start and play 90 minute games very often. I think that's something that'll be difficult for him to overcome with that injury, it's a big effect on him and the amount of PT he gets. It happens when you suffer this kind of injury at an old age (old age for sports that is) and it can take a year or two to really get back to that level of fitness you were once at. He's had this problem much longer than when he injured it in the Club World Cup in 2011, but he managed to play through the pain until he broke his tibia. Feel for him, but he really should just stay here rather than go somewhere else. At least that's my opinion. His first goal and Thiago's were absolute class today. Fantastic to see Alexis and Villa score twice, Song have a beast game and Thiago show a display where he managed to control the match by the scruff of its neck. Mascherano is back to form now too so it's all looking very positive for us right now in terms of individual performances. Hopefully the players can keep it up for the rest of the season, but it's a long way to go. Onto Malaga now and hopefully more positive results for us.
No. There will be a let-up if/when the league is all but won down the stretch. Tito will likely rest some players before CL games too.
If Barca fails to break LPB's record of 100 points in a season, its probably a good sign. In 2009 and 2011, Barca dropped a lot of points when the league was in the bag and they had a CL final to prepare for.