Weekend Derby and Getafe

This past weekend Barcelona Hosted Getafe at the Nou Camp and was able to overcome a dreadful week. Barca took 3 points. Meanwhile while Madrid jumped on the pitch they knew that Barca were 8 points ahead. As the ball rolled Madrid knew that they had to Win or else their chances would diminish considerably.  After Barca scoring two Bojan and Alvez and Manu pulling one back on the 88 minutes. It was  close one for barca. as the defence still suffers. Even worst Xavi landed a yellow card which will keep him from the Villareal game next 2 weeks. Madrid next opponent is Sportin Gijon at the bernabeu which should be an easy game for them. The leaders remain the same distance, 5 points apart. This weekend and week La Liga comes to a halt to give way for EURO Qualifiers and International Friendlies. Barca's Next match will be tough no doubt and if they are to come off unbeaten through the several tough away games including the visit to the Bernebeu, they will be that much closer to clinching their third Liga CUp in a row. Also on their sight is the Spanish Cup Final and also the CHampions League Quarter Finals. While La Liga is at recess both Guardiola and Mourinho are carefully planning their next games.. Until two weeks

Barca Look to Move Away from Madrid

Barca this weekend look to receive Getaefe another team from madrid at the nou camp @ 12:00 PM PST. Pep Guardiola has warned not to take Getafe lightly. With injuries still plaguing the team, Pedro still out and Puyol is out, also Abidal out due to a tumor being removed looks to be available until August. The defense looks weak so the attacking will have to be crisp and sharp. At the same time Atletico Madrid will be receiving Real Madrid and hoping that Madrid drops some points at the Vicente Calderon. Away games have been specially hard for Madrid this season having lost all of its points in stadiums away from the Bernabeu. If Barca win and Madrid loose they would be 8 points clear. However if the opposite happens and Madrid win and Barca Loose Madrid will have cut the 7 point lead to just 2 points. In the case they bot draw they will be 5 points apart.

Probable Line Up for Barcelona
Valdez, Alvez, Pique, Busquete, Adriano, Xavi, INiesta, Macherano, Bojan, Messi, Villa.

Probable Line up for Madrid

Casillas, Marcelo, Cravaloh, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Ozil, Di Maria,  Cristiano, Benzema.

UCL Quarter Finals

One of the things that get me going are the UEFA Champions league quarter finals! Today was the drawing for the UEFA champions league Quarter Finals, and this is how the match ups came about

1st Leg
APril 05 2011 12:45 PST

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspurs
Inter Milan vs Shalke 04
 April 06 2011 12:45 PST
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Barcelona vs Shaktar Donetsk


2nd Leg
APril 12 2011 12:45 PST
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Shaktar Donetsk vs Barcelona
APril 13 2011 12:45 PST
Tottenham Hotspurs vs Real Madrid
Shalke 04  vs Inter Milan

One of things i noticed is that most of the major teams aspiring to win the cup or the favorites are the ones playing the first leg ; Madrid, barca, inter, and Chelsea, Only exception is Manchester for obvious reasons. Which goes to show that all the smaller teams have the upper hand, Teams like to close in their home stadiums it makes for a better. atmosphere for the team mainly.. BUT it doesn't always work. Look at last years elimination from Barca and this years Bayern Exit. I say doesn't matter where you play last it just matters how you play period. Another curiosity is that if Barca and Madrid are to progress to the semifinals they will face each other, which could give up to 5 Spanish Classicos in one season. How those games play out will be interesting.. Barca have beat them at the nou camp by 5 goals this season BUT if there is anything we have learned from Mourinho is that it doesn't happen twice.. see the group stages how they were beaten last season and on the semifinals the lost to Inter. I don't think Neither Barca or Madrid will get a treble. A lot of bad things can be said about Mourinho but he is alive in all three competetions from a team that had the potential but couldn't win anything last season.

My predictions for semifinals are
Manchester Move Through
Shalke 04(underdog Moves Through)
Barcelona (Hard but will move through)
R Madrid (tough time as well but move through)