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FC Barcelona thrashed L’ Hospitalet 9 – 0 in the return leg of the 1/16th finals of the Copa Del Rey. This was only Barca’s second 9 – 0 win at the Camp Nou since 14th january, 1979 (against Rayo Vallecano) and their first, under Guardiola.
Pedro takes a penalty won "unjustly" by Cuenca.
Barcelona have gone into the season end holidays with a bang. Having handed Segunda division team L’ Hospitalet a humiliating 9 – 0 defeat at the Nou Camp in the 2nd leg of the 1/16th final tie, the Blaugranas have proceeded to the 1/8th final of the Copa Del Rey. Sans the South American players and Keita and Abidal, the Catalan side started with 10 homegrown players. A spectacle of it’s own, the B-team boys stepped up to the task, spear-headed by Cesc and Thiago.
1st half
Barcelona started with 10 players from their famed La Masia, and Pinto:
Pinto – Pique, Puyol, Fontas – Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Thiago – Cuenca, Cesc, Pedro.
Yes, you read it right. Cesc played Messi’s role in last match’s formation. This formation means that Guardiola has used 29 different line-ups in 29 official games. Espectacular. So, the whistle goes off, and the crowd, dreary eyed, know that Barca are going to win. But then, some pundits were not so easy going. For in the first leg, Hospitalet put up a valiant fight. Barca scarcely got through with just one thunder-blast by Iniesta. So, Barca begin their usual tiki-taka. For anyone supporting Barca for on a hear-say basis wouldn’t understand the difference. But, the ardent Barcelonistas could make out that there was something totally amazing about the way the game was taking shape. Many of them knew that a dozen goals were to follow. Why? Because THIS is our future. This is the squad that will replace the current squad in about 5 years. And quite so, the first half was nothing short of perfection personified. Cesc did his job beautifully, Thiago carried the midfield on his shoulders and Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Pique were at their usual best.
Goals followed soon. One each by Pedro, Iniesta, Thiago, Xavi and Tello.
2nd half
Christian Tello had begun his magic. This whiz-kid, one of the powerhouses of La Masia and my favorite youth player, impressed one and all with his precision and pace at the left flank. Cesc, carried the burden of the team, shared by Thiago, further in the second half as Barca kept their constant pressing and attacking style on. It seemed certain that we, the fans, were getting the most ideal Christmas present in a while.
More goals by Thiago, Tello (again) and 2 by Cuenca, bought an end to the excruciating humiliation Hospitalet were forced to endure.
The oldie had nothing much to do this game. We could have very well placed a chair at our goal-post and let him have a Long Island Ice Tea.
Puyol: 8
I’m always partial towards good ‘ol Puyi. El Capita was a powerhouse and a bomb, for his game, blasting Hospitalet’s attack. Whenever they launched one.
Pique: 7
He had nothing much to do, either. Much like Pinto and Fontas, he could have sat, warming the field, but instead ran ahead to assist the attack.
Fontas: 4
Fortunately for Fontas, I have no comments about him. Why? Because he is Fontas.
Busquets: 7
Busi didn’t get to use much of his “skill” in the match. Instead, he passed it on to Cuenca, who earned the first penalty.
Xavi: 7
El Maestro has an amazing game. And, scored a goal too! For his dedicated fan-following, this was the perfect Christmas. But, sadly, he played only for 35 minutes.
Iniesta: 8
Andres was having a blast. Attacking, shooting and dribbling left-right and center, this Terquartista did a fabulous job and scored a goal too. Unfortunately, his ‘ol pal “The Hamstring” called him over for a drink and he had to leave the game midway.
Thiago: 9
Two goals, 196 passes complete and 1 assist. Thiago has had his best game so far ever since his time at the First Team began. This was proved the last match with his playing style. Has Iniesta’s successor arrived?
Cuenca: 8
The trademark Villa-esque play in the wings, 3 assists and 2 goals himself. I know he deserved a 9, but the little dive in the penalty box made me decide against it. No cookie, Isaac.
Cesc: 9
Brilliance, personified. Aptly called “The Perfect Midfielder“, Fabregas showed the quality he has always been accredited with. Assists, assists, assists. He was all about them assists.
Pedro: 7
Apart from the acutely taken penalty, Pedro hasn’t exactly been at his top form post-injury. We hope to see Pedrito back soon!
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Dos Santos: 6
By the time Jona came on the field, enthusiastically, the game was already in the bag. Nonetheless, he did some dribbling around, and assisted others in attacking. (Like what else was he supposed to do?)
Sergi Roberto: 8
Another Masia’s powerhouse, this wonder-kid has what it takes to command our midfield in the near future. He did a fabulous job, replacing Iniesta after the latter’s injury, and adding to the Barca attack. Missed a goal, but assisted 2.
Christian Tello: 9
If anyone asked me to pick the best youth player that Barcelona has had for a while, he would be it. Swift, nimble, versatile, strong-footed and tricky. Those are the exact definition of this classy wing-master. I could go on and on about him. “El Próximo Mesías”
Iniesta (2-0)
Thiago (3-0)
Xavi (4-0)
Tello (5-0)
Cuenca (6-0)
Thiago (7-0)
Tello (8-0)
Cuenca (9-0)
You can view the complete highlights and goals here.
We go into the Holidays with a victory. Fabulous job. But then, injury saddens it a bit for us. Anims Villa! Anims Iniesta! Anims Afellay!
Hope you guys have a cheery, merry Christmas and a happy & prosperous new year 2012. :)
