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El Clasico Aftershock – Barcelona Under Fire, Real Madrid Relaxed
This hasn’t happened in a very long time – Barcelona are the side under tons of pressure to come out of some sort of crisis, while Real Madrid are the other half of the El Clasico rivalry that feels completely relaxed and confident heading into the second league meeting between the two teams this season.
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FC Barcelona – Cesc Fabregas Didn’t Step Up When Needed
It’s impossible to completely neutralize everyone on the Barcelona attack, so while Lionel Messi was closed down by the usual double and triple teams; Andres Iniesta and Xavi limited in their ability to pass and influence the match, Cesc Fabregas was left as the most available game changer, but unfortunately for Barca, failed miserably.
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FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Pulls a Disappearing Act
You’re allowed to have bad matches, but when your teams is at its worst, you expect Lionel Messi, or any big star with the ability to make a difference, to change the momentum of a match through some stroke of brilliance. Nothing worked for Barcelona on the terrible San Siro pitch, with so much blame to share around the team it’s impossible to throw just one player under the bus.
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Pedro Needs to Start Scoring For Barcelona Like He Does With Spain
He wasn’t a major part of the treble in 2009, but after Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry left, Pedro seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the best wingers in the world, helping Barcelona win two more league titles and another Champions League final, not to mention his success with the national team.
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Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi Leave Scoring to Others (Real Madrid vs Barcelona)
In a match that could have gone either way, Real Madrid probably enjoyed the better chances but it always felt like Barcelona weren’t giving it their all most of the time. Cristiano Ronaldo worked and missed, Lionel Messi walked around saving his energy, in a semifinal first leg that should and did end in a 1-1 draw.
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FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Sets Up a Double Clasico
In the last couple seasons, it’s impossible to settle for less than 3-4 Clasico matches a year. The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid has grown so much, that two league encounters just aren’t enough. With both teams making it to the Copa Del Rey semifinal, we’re in for a treat, and at least two more meetings between the biggest rivals in the world.
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FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Presenting Perfection
One goal, two assists. Lionel Messi in one of those matches with a minimal effort but maximum production, as Barcelona simply put on another show for about 30-45 minutes, making sure their opponents, this time Malaga, could interfere with their coasting towards a fourth La Liga title in five years.
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FC Barcelona – The Victory of Lionel Messi, the Loss of Cesc Fabregas
The good: Barcelona came away from a very tough away match with a 2-1 win. Lionel Messi now owns yet another scoring record, most goals scored in a calendar year. The bad: Cesc Fabregas couldn’t last more than nine minutes, leaving with a thigh injury, and will be out for three to four weeks.
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FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi & Andres Iniesta Show Who’s Best
Business as usual at the Camp Nou; Barcelona reaching 40 from 42 possible points with the best start in the history of the La Liga; Lionel Messi being as clinical in front of goal as ever, now needing only two goals to set a new scoring record; and Andres Iniesta, showing with everything but goals why he is in the award consideration.
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FC Barcelona – Andres Iniesta Making Lionel Messi the Best
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when it was Andres Iniesta, not Lionel Messi, who won the UEFA award for best player of last season. Another Barcelona demolition, and couple of goals for Messi to inch closer towards an incredible record, but it’s probably Iniesta he has most to thank for this time around.