Benitez: Europa League will not affect Chelsea's domestic form

Feb 12, 2013 9:30:00 PM

The Blues, who dropped into Europe's second-tier competition after an unsuccessful defense of their Champions League title, face Sparta Prague on Thursday evening

Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez insists that his side's Europa League campaign will not impact negatively on their domestic form.

The Blues take on Sparta Prague on Thursday evening in the last 32 of Europe's second-tier competition, having dropped into the tournament as a result of an unsuccessful defense of their Champions League title.

But, despite the west London club's recent poor league form meaning their place in the top four is far from assured, Benitez says that he will take the competition seriously.

"In terms of flights and games it's like the Champions League," he told ESPN. "In terms of mentality the first thought is, 'hmm, it's different.' But if you look at the teams in the Europa League you will see that it could be quite difficult. We have to start thinking about it as a great competition with good teams and that we want to do our best.

"Thursday-Sunday is fine, because in the Champions League it was sometimes Wednesday-Saturday. The most important thing is in the players' heads. In England there is a tradition of playing on Saturday. But in Spain I won the Uefa Cup with Valencia playing on Thursday and Sunday, which was just the same. We can manage if we have enough bodies.

"I expect them to be focused and to concentrate, they will realize that it's Europe and they must give 100 percent."

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From Ronaldo to Rooney & Pirlo to Puyol: Europe's finest braced for return of Champions League

From Ronaldo to Rooney & Pirlo to Puyol: Europe's finest braced  for return of Champions League

Feb 12, 2013 7:35:00 AM

0

After months of hype and anticipation the continent's premier club competition is back with a bang as Manchester United and Real Madrid prepare to take top billing

Bet:

Returns:

Dundee Utd XI £50.00

Draw £37.50

Celtic £16.70

After months of exciting build-up and plenty of talk, the Champions League is back with a bang as Real Madrid host Manchester United in the standout last-16 tie.

The clash sees Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo face the Red Devils for the first time since jetting off to the Bernabeu in a world record £80 million transfer in 2009, and almost 10 years since the last meeting between these two sides when a stunning hat-trick from former Brazil international striker Ronaldo saw los Blancos through to the semi-final stage that season.

It is also a reunion for Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. The ‘Special One’ has been linked with replacing the legendary Scot when he eventually steps down from the Old Trafford hot-seat, but will be desperate to win ‘la Decima’ for the Spanish side this term, and his third Champions League title in the process, with defending the Liga crown looking impossible for Madrid.

Despite Ronaldo leaving United, many have predicted that he will be afforded a warm reception from the English fans.

Defender Rio Ferdinand claimed: "The fans appreciated him when he was here and since he's been gone they sing his name. He came here a young boy and left a world-class player. He showed a lot of respect when he left and still does."

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Valencia Celtic Real Madrid Shakhtar	TUESDAY v vWEDNESDAY v v	PSG Juventus Man Utd Dortmund

Mourinho himself was in typically box-office form ahead of the match after scouting United in their comfortable 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday afternoon.

He told MUTV: "The world is not waiting for other matches in the Champions League, so I hope we can give the world what they are waiting for."

Before the Red Devils take to the field against the Spanish champions, the Serie A title holders will be on British shores when Juventus are hosted by Celtic.

The Hoops have previous noteworthy triumphs in this season’s competition, having already stunned Lionel Messi & Co. when Barcelona travelled to Parkhead earlier this term and will be hoping for another stirring Glasgow atmosphere when the Bianconeri come to town.

Kenyan star Victor Wanyama scored in Celtic’s win over the Liga leaders and is hoping to repeat the heroics against the Italian table-toppers.

He exclusively told Goal.com: "The journey is still on. We are not looking at just Juventus, but are looking at going all the way and maybe lifting the big prize.

"What is at stake is the big prize and that is why playing Juventus will be an amazing match. We were rated the underdogs and went on to shock Barcelona.

"On paper, I still believe that we are underdogs going into Tuesday’s match against Juventus but this status will definitely keep us motivated.

"We have to seize this opportunity and put up a winning performance."

Conquerors of Manchester City and Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donestk, meet in one of the round’s more fascinating ties.

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with moves to Europe’s leading lights, but told Goal.com that he does not intend on leaving the Signul Iduna Park just yet.

He said: "Not at this moment but I don't think about anything else but Borussia Dortmund at this moment.”

David Beckham, however, will not be making a return to Champions League action this weekend as he is yet to regain enough fitness for Paris Saint-Germain as they face Valencia at the Mestalla.

Los Che have secured 1-1 draws at home to Real Madrid and Barcelona since the turn of the year, although they have also been on the wrong end of a 5-0 hiding from Mourinho's side, while Carlo Ancelotti's charges have tightened their grip at the top of Ligue 1 recently, extending their lead to six points.

Goal.com is the only place to follow all the action! You can keep up to date with all the build-up and exploits across the continent with our LIVE blog from 12.00BST!

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Evans ready for Real

Jonny Evans has stressed that Wednesday night's Champions League blockbuster is not all about Cristiano Ronaldo.
Much of the pre-match focus ahead of the first leg has inevitably centred around the former United idol but Evans is fully aware of the galaxy of talent at Jose Mourinho's disposal, even if Ronaldo emphasised his status as the main danger-man with a brilliant hat-trick against Sevilla at the weekend.
The Northern Ireland international feels the Portuguese star has adjusted his game in La Liga and is an obvious threat to the Reds' European aspirations.
"I am sure one or two of the lads have kept in contact and Nani was on international duty with him," said Evans. "I don't know if he has spoken to anyone but I am sure he is looking forward to the game as much as we are. But I don't think it is just about Cristiano Ronaldo. It goes back further. There is the history of the two clubs. It is the glamour tie of the round. Everyone is looking forward to it.
"Cristiano has changed his game. He has adapted. When he was playing here, he was a right or left winger and expected to work back a lot. That was the way we played.

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History matters

"I don't think it is just about Cristiano Ronaldo. It goes back further. There is the history of the two clubs. It is the glamour tie of the round."
- Jonny Evans: speaking to PA Sport, ManUtd.com and BBC Radio 5Live

'We're not dead and buried' - Stramaccioni hails Inter's fighting spirit

'We're not dead and buried' - Stramaccioni hails Inter's  fighting spirit

 

Feb 11, 2013 12:33:00 AM

The coach believes that victory over the Flying Donkeys is evidence that the San Siro outfit still have plenty of fight left, while Dejan Stankovic admitted he almost retired

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Returns:

Inter £14.00

Draw £37.50

CFR Cluj £70.00

Andrea Stramaccioni has stated that Inter's 3-1 win over Chievo showed that the Nerazzurri "are not dead and buried".
The San Siro outfit had only registered one Serie A victory in seven attempts before Sunday's clash with the Flying Donkeys, a run that had allowed city rivals AC Milan to leapfrog them into fourth place despite their own poor start to the season.
But goals from Antonio Cassano, Andrea Ranocchia and the returning Diego Milito ensured that Stramaccioni's side moved back above the resurgent Rossoneri, and the 37-year-old believes the performance was a display of defiance.
"I think tonight showed that we're not dead and buried, we let out the frustration that has been building recently, and we channelled that on the pitch," he was quoted as saying by the club's official website.
"You saw Inter tonight. We're a squad, we're a team, we played like Inter.
"It's hardly surprising that Milito, Cassano and [Rodrigo] Palacio up front give us incredible quality. They worked very hard, that's what I'd asked of them and they did so. They each need to put in a shift because the group is the most important thing."
Inter's recent poor run of form had left some supporters questioning Stramaccioni's decisions and suitability to lead the club forward, but he was keen to stress that he understands their concerns.
"I've got great respect for our supporters who are demanding and ambitious. We are too," he continued.
The match also saw the return of Dejan Stankovic to the Nerazzurri line-up after the Serbian had missed the previous nine months with an Achilles tendon injury.
"Deki is more than a player, he's a legend, a warrior, one of the many great men in this squad," Stramaccioni added.
Stankovic himself admitted that he considered retiring from football during his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"It's a hell to be outside the field for nine months and those who play know it. I've given up a lot, I went through two surgeries and I re-injured myself twice," the 34-year-old told reporters.
"There was a time that I wanted to give up everything but thanks to the support from my family, the president and the supporters I understood I couldn't give up and that I had to come back.
"I didn't think about my physical status at all today [Sunday], I was too emotional. I played 45 minutes with the primavera (reserve side) earlier and tonight I played 45 minutes, but the tempo wasn't the highest. I want to help the team from now to the end.
"I've practiced with the team for four weeks and I've seen players who are fit and who know about the situation. We need everyone, not just me but the new players will prove their worth."
Inter travel to the Artemio Franchi next Sunday to face Fiorentina, before hosting AC Milan the following week.

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Nigeria 1-0 Burkina Faso: Super Eagles seal Afcon Glory

The continental heavyweights of Nigeria overcame the underdogs of Burkina Faso in a convincing Afcon final display in South Africa

By Ed Dove

More On :  Burkina Faso, Chelsea FC, Nigeria, John Obi Mikel, Jonathan Pitroipa, Victor Moses, Nigeria vs Burkina Faso

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Nigeria’s young squad made Africa Cup of Nations history by besting Burkina Faso in Johannesburg to claim the nation’s third continental crown. Sunday Mba’s first half goal was enough to seal victory against the Stallions.
Few in attendance at the National Stadium were under any doubt as to the magnitude of the occasion, and the anticipation created a powerful atmosphere inside the arena. While both sides belted out the national anthems with vigour and aplomb, Nigeria were the only side that succeeded in overcoming the emotion and expectation early on. Burkina Faso, by comparison, were nervy and at times looked overawed by the altitude of the final.

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Returns:

Sparta Prague £50.00

Draw £35.00

Chelsea £15.70

The tension afforded Naija the better opportunities early on, as the Stallions’ defence failed to settle. Victor Moses, a player who has begun to emerge as a genuine international star during this competition, was particularly bright, and looked keen to profit from any unease among the opposition. He appeared everywhere, troubling both fullbacks with his pace, and also the subtler side of his game, his feints and touches.
Efe Ambrose and Ideye Brown had opportunities to demonstrate their aerial prowess early on, but despite the bumbling and fumbling of Daouda Diakite in the Burkinabe goal, neither could capitalise. As the first half unfurled, the Stallions struggled to impose themselves; in frustration, perhaps more than hope, Aristide Bance – one of the semi-final heroes - twice shot from distance, but both of his efforts were wayward – the first hurtling over the bar, the second dribbling wide.
With the game threatening to become congested in the midfield, and Burkina still struggling to settle, Nigeria struck first. Moses forged some space for himself, and after demonstrating admirable determination and work rate, indirectly provided an opportunity for Sunday Mba – the slayer of Cote d’Ivoire – to fire the Eagles ahead.
The Enugu Rangers midfielder still had a lot to do however, and a compilation of delicate touches allowed him to glide past the Stallions defence before finishing. It was further vindication of Keshi’s domestic-based selection policy, the manager becoming only the second figure in history to win the cup as both a player and a coach.
Burkina Faso, on the other hand, failed to truly grow into the contest and find their rhythm. While few would have begrudged them a place in the final, after their heroic performances previously, perhaps the occasion was too big as the side appeared to lack self-belief, and rarely convinced.
As the game became stretched late on, the Stallions began taking risks, but only looked menacing on rare occasions, one such chance, a terrific shot by the substitute Sanou, demanded a stunning save from Enyeama to preserve Nigeria’s lead.
The Eagles also carved out several chances to end things, but Moses and Brown conspired to waste these promising situations - every missed opportunity may have felt like a portent to another Burkinabe uprising, but, as the minutes dripped by, the inspiration never arrived. Images of Alain Traore, injured on the touchline, a horrible reminder of ‘what might have been’ for the Stallions.
The result ended a wait of 19 years for the Super Eagles to be reunited with the trophy that means so much to Nigerians worldwide. Only time will tell if the generation of 2013 can emulate the past vintages beyond this tournament, however, with a young squad, including superstars such as Moses, Mikel, and Musa, as well as the rawer talents of Mba, Oboabona, and Omeruo, the future looks very promising indeed.
Nigeria claim their third Cup of Nations with the 2013 edition, as a continent recognises their revival, and a nation rejoices.
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Barcelona 6-1 Getafe: Iniesta-inspired Blaugrana move 12 points clear

 

Barcelona maintained their seemingly unstoppable march towards a 22nd Liga title with a facile 6-1 win over Getafe at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Andres Iniesta was the star of the show, creating goals for Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi inside the opening 13 minutes, before netting himself right at the death. The midfield maestro also had a hand in the Blaugrana's third, which was scored by David Villa, while Cristian Tello and Gerard Pique were also on target for the rampant hosts.

Getafe did manage a late consolation goal through substitute Alvaro but, in truth, they had never once looked remotely capable of denying Barca a victory which, for the time being at least, moves them 12 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who face Rayo Vallecano later in the day.

Indeed, while the Catalans went into the game without principal playmaker Xavi, it mattered not a jot, as they still had Iniesta to pull the strings in midfield and he needed less than six minutes to prise open the Getafe defence with the kind of precision and vision that other players can only envy.

Picking the ball up on left-hand side, Iniesta played the most wonderfully measured diagonal pass through to Alexis, who had drifted in from the right flank. The Chilean, whose finishing has let him down more than once this season, took a surprisingly assured touch before calmly slipping the ball past the advancing Jordi Cordina.

For his next trick, Iniesta nonchalantly scooped the ball up and over the Getafe defence, and into the path of Thiago Alcantara, who cleverly laid the ball off to the supporting Messi. The forward's strike wasn’t particularly true, the Argentine losing his footing as he shot, but he still managed to find the bottom right corner of the goal to notch for the 13th Liga game in a row.

Messi should have netted again on the half hour but he volleyed against the base of the post after being brilliantly picked out unmarked in the area by Alexis’ first-time cross from the right wing. Villa was also guilty of poor finishing moments later after being teed up by Jordi Alba but Spain’s record goalscorer was at least combining well with Messi, who headed just over after a neat one-two between the pair.

The chances kept coming for Barca in the second half, and both Messi and Alexis had shots cleared off the line after Alba had once again wrecked havoc with another surge down the left. The killer third goal finally arrived on 58 minutes, Alba doing his best Iniesta impression by putting Villa through with a slide-rule pass that the striker finished with aplomb.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the hosts took their foot off the gas for a while but Tello injected some vitality back into the game after coming on as a substitute, the winger finishing superbly from the edge of the area after Messi had drawn the Getafe defence towards him.

Getafe got off the mark when Alvaro prodded ball past the onrushing Victor Valdes after the otherwise impressive Alba had made a mess of a header back to his keeper. However, Barcelona were not content to let their visitors have the final word and Iniesta got the goal that his performance deserved when he slotted home after Messi had been halted before Thiago left Pique with a tap-in in the dying seconds.

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I wanted one more year from 'best ever' Liverpool defender Carragher - Gerrard

I wanted one more year from 'best ever' Liverpool defender  Carragher - Gerrard

 

Feb 10, 2013 12:20:00 PM

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The 35-year-old centre-back has decided to retire at the end of the current season but the Reds' skipper had hoped that the Anfield legend would stay for at least another 12 months

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Returns:

Liverpool £13.50

Draw £42.00

West Brom £70.00

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits that he had wanted Jamie Carragher to play on for at least one more year before retirement.

The 35-year-old centre-back announced his decision to call an end to his Anfield career on Thursday, the one-club man having made 723 appearances so far - second only to Ian Callaghan - for the five-time European Cup winners.

And while Gerrard is sorry to see his team-mate and friend call time on his playing career, the 32-year-old midfielder has hailed Carragher as the club's best ever defender.

"I've known a little bit longer than other people," he told the club's official website. "I've tried just as hard as everyone else to try to keep him going for a bit longer. He's basically taken no notice of what I said because I was trying for him to push on for another year.

"But we have to respect his decision. He's had a fantastic career and he feels it's the right time to go out, at the end of the season. Hopefully there are still some big performances left in him before he goes.

"I could go on for a long time about him. People mention him alongside the likes of [Alan] Hansen and [Mark] Lawrenson, the best defenders that this club has ever had.

"For me, if he's not alongside them he's a little bit above them. That's the biggest compliment I can pay him. He's a wonderful player - at his peak, for two or three seasons he was one of the best defenders in the world.

"At times this season it has been difficult for him, not being a regular starter - because he has been a starter since he made his debut. I can respect and understand his decision; we're all going to come to that moment in our careers.

"Everyone knows what we're going to miss on the playing side. Since I made my debut Jamie has been alongside me in the dressing room and been a close mate of mine. It's going to be different and no-one is going to miss Jamie more than me."

While the Anfield captain may miss Carragher on a personal level, he believes that the club will also be losing a player who can still have a huge impact on results week in, week out.

"You've seen in his last couple of performances against Arsenal and Manchester City, he has brought leadership into the back four," Gerrard added.

"He organises, he's a big voice and he's played very well. His last two performances have typified his career. He has come back in, hasn't played much of late and has been one of our best players."

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FC Barcelona 6 Barcelona A. Sánchez (6), L. Messi (13), David Villa (58), Tello (79), Iniesta (90), Piqué (90+2) Getafe Club de Fútbol 1 Getafe Álvaro (83) FT

6 Barcelona

A. Sánchez (6), L. Messi (13), David Villa (58), Tello (79), Iniesta (90), Piqué (90+2)

1 Getafe

Álvaro (83)

FT

LIVE: Barcelona 4-1 Getafe

Primera Division, Camp Nou, REF: Ignacio Iglesias, KO 11:00

Match Rating:

Rate

4 Barcelona

A. Sánchez (6), L. Messi (13), David Villa (58), Tello (79)

 

1 Getafe

Goal Álvaro

79

Lionel Messi

79

Goal Tello
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR BARCELONA!! Great finish!!! Messi slides the ball to his right for Tello, and the Barca substitute opens up his body to curl a lovely strike into the bottom right corner! 4-0!!

77

Borja takes a sore one! The Getafe man looked to snatch the ball away from the feet of Lionel Messi but was just accidentally caught on the top of the ankle from the Argentine. It looks like he'll be okay.

76

Carles Puyol Javier Mascherano

75

It looks as if Carles Puyol has picked up a knock. He is signalling to the bench to come off and it looks like Javier Mascherano will be his replacement. The Barca captain walks off the park, though, so it won't be too serious an injury.

73

Adrián Colunga Álvaro

73

Alexis Sánchez Tello

73

A change for either side now. Alvaro Vazquez replaces Adrian Colunga for Getafe, and Cristian Tello replaces Alexis Sanchez for Barcelona.

71

Just under 20 minutes remaining. Getafe have plenty of time to get a goal if they really pushed for it. The way Barca are controlling possession, though, you can only really see them adding to the scoresheet.

70

Abdel Pablo Sarabia

70

Second change of the game for Getafe. Pablo Sarabia comes on for Abdel Barrada. Another positive change from Luis Garcia Plaza. They have nothing to lose, after all.

68

Sensational link-up play between Villa and Iniesta on the left wing. The duo exchange a magical one-two on the wing before the latter burst into the box. Just the final ball was lacking.

66

Good defending again from Lopo. Iniesta receives a pass into his mid-drift and looks to flick the ball round the corner for Messi, but the Getafe defender keeps his wits about him to make the block on the edge of the box. He has had a decent game.

65

Jaime Gavilán Martínez Pedro León

64

First change of the match for Getafe. Jaime Gavilan comes off and the man to replace him is former Real Madrid man, Pedro Leon. He receives a few jeers and boos from the Catalan crowd.

63

Messi tests the gloves of Codina. He collects the ball on the edge of the area and fires a low strike towards goal but the Getafe goalkeeper gets his body the behind the attempt to make a solid save.

61

Getafe must continue to work hard to stop themselves getting turned over badly here. Still half-an-hour to play.

59

Alex Song receives the first Barcelona booking of the match as he goes in slightly two-footed on Lacen. He'll need to be careful now.

58

Jordi Alba

58

Goal David Villa
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL FOR BARCELONA!!! And it's David Villa!!! Alba is given too much space on the left and he slides a perfectly weighted pass into the box for the for Spain's record goalscorer, who cutely finishes into the bottom corner with his left-foot! 3-0!

58

Alex Song

56

Fantastic defending from Alexis!!! Alba runs on the overlap down the left and smashes a cross into the centre. Messi and Alexis Sanchez both have a crack but both attempts are blocked by the Getafe defender!

54

Decent play from Getafe. Torres stretches the play with a brilliant cross-field pass to Gavilan, who pass inside to Colunga. The striker attempts a shot from the edge of the area but is charged down quickly by Pique and Puyol, who win back possession between them.

52

Superb defending again from Lacen. This time, Iniesta glides into the penalty area and looks to cut-back a cross from the byline but the Algerian stretches out a leg to slide the ball out for a corner kick. He thwarted real danger there as Barca had plenty of bodies in the box!

50

Poor pass from Messi. Barca's second goalscorer picks up the ball with plenty of space just inside the Getafe half and looks to thread a pass down the inside right channel for Alexis but Mehdi Lacen is there to make the interception. Good covering.

48

Iniesta leaves Miguel Torres for dead on the left wing and sharply turns inside before sliding the ball in to Messi. The ball eventually comes to Alves on the right but the Brazilian is outnumbered and loses possession.

46

Adriano Daniel Alves

46

A change to report for you at half time. Adriano picked up a knock in the first half and has been replaced by Dani Alves.

46

We are back under way!

Half time in Cam Nou. In the lunchtime kick-off in La Liga, goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi are the difference between Barcelona and Getafe so far. Andres Iniesta have been imperious in the middle of the park and Luis Garcia Plaza's men should perhaps count themselves lucky to be just two behind! Join us in 15 minutes for the second half!

45

Getafe have really struggled to maintain any kind of meaningful possession so far. They are surrendering the ball far, far too easily.

43

Great run from Alexis!!! The Chilean turns Escudero brilliantly before powerfully driving to the byline and reversing a teasing cross back inside. Thiago gets on the end of it but Codina makes the save on the line!

42

Diego Castro

41

Getafe just losing their heads a little towards the end of the first half. This time Diego Castro enters the book for cynically pulling the jersey of Jordi Alba as the left-back looked to burst down the left.

39

Alberto Lopo

39

First yellow card of the match goes to Alberto Lopo, and deservedly so. The Getafe defender went in very late on David Villa on the right-hand side and is perhaps lucky just to get away with a booking.

37

Super again from Messi!! He evades two or three challenges on the edge of the box with lightning quick feet before exchanging passes with Villa. The ball comes back inside but he just sends his header over the bar. Brilliant build-up!

35

Barcelona are just looking so hungry for goals here. Their is a spring in their step that was perhaps missing last weekend against Valencia.

33

Great play from Lacen.The Algerian shakes off the attention of Iniesta to turn and swiftly exchange a one-two with Colunga, but his attempted pass over the top to Diego Castro is just intercepted by Alba. Better from Getafe.

31

Messi hits the post!!! Alexis Sanchez turns a high ball into the box and the Argentine runs on to the pass to direct a shot towards the bottom corner but his attempt bounces off the bottom of the post! Getafe let off the hook!

29

Just absolutely relentless pressure from Barcelona at the moment. Getafe haven't been out of their own half in 7 or 8 minutes and the home side smell blood.

27

MESSI!! The Ballon d'OR winner attempts a spectacular bicycle kick 15 yards from goal but completely misses the ball!. That was a chance!

25

Barca just patiently looking for an opening at the moment. Iniesta, to Messi, to Thiago, and back again. Getafe must need to be so concentrated!

23

Valdes just a little too eager to get the ball up the park. He attempts to pick out Alexis on the right with a Hollywood pass from the back but it goes harmlessly straight through to Codina.

21

Scintillating stuff from Barca!! Messi fizzes the ball into the feet of Villa, who returns the ball to his team-mate with a lovely back-heel. The Argentine floats the ball into the six yard box but Getafe manage to clear for a corner kick.

19

Fantastic challenge from Lopo!! Messi takes the ball down with an awesome first touch before turning swiftly and driving towards goal. He looks to cut inside on his left foot but the Getafe defender keeps his eye on the ball and steals possession with a well-timed tackle.

17

The ball breaks to Adrian Colunga and he looks to burst through on goal but Carles Puyol comes in with a very important interception to send the ball back to Victor Valdes.

15

Super start from Barca. Their passing so far has been such a high tempo and Getafe simply do not look equipped to deal with it.

13

Goal Lionel Messi
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR BARCELONA!!! Iniesta the architect again!! The midfield maestro clips a wonderful curled pass into the box for Thiago, who cushions the ball into the pass of Messi. The Argentine then squeezes a first time shot into the bottom right corner! 2-0! Horrible start for Getafe!

13

Thiago Alcántara

12

An aspect of Barcelona's play so far is that they are not overly-bothered with playing the ball neatly out of defence. On a couple of occasions so far they have just opted to clear the ball up the park away from danger.

10

Barca looking really up for this under the noon sun. There are a few players out there who have a point to prove. Villa, Alexis, Song, Thiago; They are not automatic starters.

8

Not the start Getafe would have wanted. Stilll plenty of time to get back into the match though, so no need to panic. They have the players with the quality to hurt Barca so it's important that they don't implode here.

7

That pass from Iniesta was a work of art. The man is a complete magician in that midfield!

6

Goal Alexis Sánchez
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR ALEXIS SANCHEZ!!! That's his first La Liga goal of the season!!! Iniesta finds a pocket of space inside the Getafe half and slides an absolutely sensational pass in behind the defence for the Chilean, who takes an assured touch before cushioning the ball past goalkeeper Codina! 1-0!

6

Andrés Iniesta Luján

4

Messi again comes deep and turns sharply around 30 yards from goal. The Argentine attempts an ambitious pass over the top of the Getafe defence for Alexis Sanchez but Escudero comes in with an important interception to clear the ball for the visitors.

2

Lionel Messi picks up the ball and counterattacks at pace through the middle. He slides the ball through to David Villa but a covering tackle from Alberto Lopo sends the ball back his goalkeeper.

1

We are under way at Camp Nou!

The current Barcelona squad will certainly not been used to playing at such an early hour. They have not played this early since Christmas Day 1965!

However, The Catalans have won 11 of their last 12 Liga matches at Camp Nou.

Barca are not coming into the match in their usual superlative form. They have won just two of their last six matches in all competitions. This should give some confidence to Getafe.

Getafe (4-2-3-1): Codina; Miguel Torres, Alexis, Lopo, Escudero; Lacen, Borja; Barrada, Castro, Gavilan; Colunga

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Adriano, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Thiago, Song, Iniesta; Alexis, Messi, Villa

TEAM NEWS.

I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the action this morning! What better way to start your Sunday that with some top class La Liga action?

Good morning folks! Welcome to Goal.com's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division clash between Barcelona and Getafe at Camp Nou!

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