Valuable point will still keep Barcelona top of the table

Barcelona were able to get the valuable 1 points against Espanyol, despite playing with 10 men in the last half hour after Dani Alves saw red card. Both team had their chances, but none were able to get past the goalkeeper. Valdes again proved why he deserve to be in Spain Squad.

First half was totally controlled by Espanyol, creating chances, pressuring defenders, although Barcelona had the most of the possession but they were not able to play their natural football against Espanyol last night. A match with lots of hardwork from both of the team, for a moments I felt Espanyol are playing far better than Real Madrid. Barcelona were again playing with their unusual line-up with Messi as striker and Pedro on right and Maxwell on the left, but we were not able to bother Espanyol as they defended very well against Barcelona last night. Espanyol were forcing Barcelona to move back and if it wasnt for Valdes, it would have been over for Barcelona.

Second half, Barcelona looked stronger than first half, they were managing to put pressure on Espanyol and then Henry and Keita were introduce on the field for Milito and Yaya Toure and then we were able to put a lot more pressure on Espanyol but soon after putting pressure, Alves who already received a yellow card, soon got another one and was sent off, even after that Barcelona looked to pressure Espanyol but they lacked the full team strength and were not able to break the deadlock. Ibrahomovic replaced Pedro, but it was too late for Barcelona to score as Espanyol decided to defend the draw.

Messi looked a lot stronger, he was very good when the ball was on his feet, but there were very few time that he saw ball coming to him, which forced him to go back in midfield to get the ball and help Barcelona controlling the midfield. Barcelona didnt had a great night as it was a goalless draw but Espanyol is the team that should be given the credit for fighting hard against the best team in the world. Barcelona will be happy to get the important 1 point against Espanyol as they will still be in top of the table, if Real Madrid manage to win tonight against Valencia and I hope they dont win

Messi ready for Derby Challenge

FC Barcelona will meet Espanyol tonight at their new stadium to get the important three points and winning a derby matches makes it simply amazing. Barcelona have been in superb form and with Messi looking to break records, it might be another game where he can take few step ahead of everyone in the Golden Boot race.

Barcelona will be having Ibrahimovic and Abidal who have returned for training and will be named in the squad but Guardiola might also want to keep them fit for Champions League match against Inter Milan. A win against Espanyol will take us six points clear and which will put pressure on Real Madrid to win against Valencia at their home ground. At Estadio Cornellà-El Prat, Espanyol have a great record and the visiting team are always having hard time, but as we know Barcelona, they can put a lot of pressure on Espanyol by taking a lot of control over the game, so it will be another superb game to watch.

Lionel Messi who have score 27 goals in league this season and overall goal tally is 40, last match Messi looked strong but he wasnt able to increase his goal tally, which will definately motivate him to score against Espanyol tonight to help Barcelona take all important three point lead.

Barcelona vs Espanyol @ Estadio Cornellà-El Prat

17th April 2010 @ 20:00 CEST

Watch it live @ http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/

Messi Video: Messi showing Ballon D’Or to Camp Nou crowd

Messi shows Ballon D’Or at Camp Nou

Barcelona have taken three important points against Espanyol after winning by one goal from penalty scored by Ibrahimovic. Lionel Messi wasnt a part of the game tonight but Lionel Messi fans would have received a great show from their hero after he presented his award at Camp Nou before the start of the game tonight.

Lionel Messi is a home ground talent and showing his awards to the home fans would have made his fans feel more proud. Its first time a talent from La Masia have picked Ballon D’Or awards. He came in front of the home ground and his mother gave him the Ballon D’or awards, which he proudly showed it to the home fans. It was really an amazing moments.

Lionel Messi medical reports have still not confirmed whether he will be going with the squad or not, but hopefully he will be fit to play at the World Club Cup and will come back winning another awards for this team

Messi out of Espanyol game

Its a very sad news for Lionel Messi fans that he wont be playing against Espanyol and even worst news that he is even doubtful for FIFA Club World Cup after the test result showed the extent of his ankle injury.

Injury suffered at match against Dynamo Kiev have made him unavailable for some matches, he was also injured before which made him miss game against Inter Milan but he also recovered very fast and was in the training session.

Messi have also missed Club World Cup last time, when he was out with broken toe, but lets hope he be a part of team when Barcelona goes for FIFA Club World Cup and come back winning

So lets pray for Lionel Messi, I dont mind if he misses game against Espanyol since he will get a chance in away game, but he should not miss FIFA Club World Cup as its not going to come again and again.

Messi in doubt for Saturday game

Messi looks in doubt for the Saturday game against Espanyol after he suffered injury against Dynamo Kiev last night. Leo Messi have suffered 1-2 degree sprain on his right ankle and whether he will be available for the game against Espanyol depends upon his Club Medical Service and how fast can he recover.

Just after scoring a superb free kick which booked Barcelona place in knock-out stage, Messi was on his great run when he was tackled by the Dynamo Kiev defenders and he was out of the game as he was not able to continue with the pain. Messi still have three days to recover for the game against Espanyol, so lets hope he manage to come back

PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as always