Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal (Agg 4-3) 8/3/11.
Let's start my football review blog with a big game.
After losing 2-1 away to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League tie, Barcelona needed to score or they were out after 90 mins, but being at home in the Nou Camp, it was inevitable they would.
Arsenal rarely threatened and it was looking like a training ground exercise for Barcelona, attack after attack with desperate (and precise) challenges only keeping the scoreline at 0-0.
Barcelona again proving they are the pass masters, dominating possession from arguably England's best passing and possession team. Half time approached with Arsenal having made a meer couple of skirmishes into the Barcelona half. Fabregas regained posession, and for an ill-thought moment, tried a blind backheel to Wilshere, but it was careless and wayward. Iniesta pounced on the ball, as Arsenal players were caught between holding the line and pushing up the pitch, he took a touch and knocked a precise ball through to messi in the penalty area. What happened next transcends looked like unintentional fluke, but slower - than-life replays show it was all intentional. Messi flicks the ball over the outrushing Almunia to volley the ball into the net. The Nou Camp erupts. For a brief moment, Messi had held the ball on his foot ready to flick over Almunia, it was magical.
A deflated Arsenal and a ruing Fabregas head in for half time. The second half starts, and in a rare Arsenal attack, they get a corner from Van Persies efforts. The corner goes in, and into the goal (via Sergio Busquets head). Arsenal were at 1-1 with without a single shot on target. This ignited Barcelona. The waves of attack increased to an almost unprecedented level, Barcelona really wanted to put Arsenal to the sword here.
Then the next milestone came. Van Persie gets sent off. Arsenal had earlier been punished for time wasting, and when he was deemed to of played on and shot, after the offside whistle had blown, he got a second yellow and was sent for an early shower. 10 men against Barcelona in this form, at their home ground is not what any team wants.
When the Barcelona goal came, it was as special as the first. The passing and link-up play between the players created the room for Xavi hit the ball home from just outside the 18-yard box. It was 2-1 but this would still only mean extra time at 90 minutes due to away goals.
Barcelona pushed further, and through the brilliant last ditch challenges of Arsenal, they earned a Penalty. Koscielny who has been brilliant all game, fouled Pedro in the box. Messi steps up and scores. Barcelona through in 90 mins. Knocking Arsenal out at the Nou Camp for the second time in two years.
Thanks
Gary Corbett
