MEESI-ALBA LINK UP TO SINK TIRED CELTA

Barcelona first 35 minutes of the game were pure brilliance seeing them score four (4) goals, then a late goal by Ivan Rakitic securing their quarter final slot after a nervy 1-1 draw in the first leg. Barcelona won the second leg at home with an empathic 5-0 victory (6-1 on aggregate) with goals from Messi(2x), Alba, Suarez and Rakitic.

                Barcelona started the game with high intensity, quick passing and pressing. Leo Messi was having one of those nights where he is simply unstoppable, He missed a couple of changes in the opening ten (10) minutes , he then linked up twice with Jordi Alba to score (Messi) both goals in just two (2) minutes (13’ , 15’). Jordi Alba has now assisted seven (7) of Messi’s goals this season, thus making them the best assist-goal combination in Europe this season.

                Thirteen (13) minutes later, Messi played a sublime pass from the midfield to Jordi Alba, he puts the ball past Alvarez the Celt goalie making it 3 nil. Jordi Alba has scored 2 goals so far this season both assisted by Messi. In the 31st minute, Sisto made a desperate back pass to his goalie which was swiftly intercepted by Luis Suarez who made it 4 nil and made the tie out of the reach of Celta.

                In the second half Ernesto Valverde took off Pique, Messi and Iniesta for Vermaelen, Dembele Arnaiz, resting them for their game against Sociedad at the Anoeta this weekend. Dembele was full of confidence when he came on, making four (4) successful dribbles and setting up Ivan Rakitic for the 5th goal of the evening during the 87th minute from a corner kick.

                Barcelona moves on to the quarter final where they have been drawn to play their Catalan rival Espanyol in a two leg crunching derby.

                With the signing of the Columbian international Yerry Mina by the Catalan side, the Celta game looks to be the last game of Javier Mascherano for Barcelona as he looks to complete his move to China during this winter transfer window.

Yerry Mina Joins Barcelona As Their Second Signing For Winter

Yerry Mina joins Barcelona for €11.8 million. (Picture Courtesy: fcbarcelona.com)

Barcelona have completed their second major signing of the winter with the Colombian defender Yerry Mina moving from Palmeiras to join the Catalan club for 11.8 €million.

The club announced that Mina will sign a five-and-a-half year contract which has a €100m release clause.
 

The move might have been triggered by wantaway veteran Argentinean defender Javier Mascherano looking to complete his move to Chinese Super League outfit Hebei Fortune, but the two clubs have not been able to agree on a transfer fees as the Chinese side is not willing to pay more than €5.77 million.
 

The Chinese Football Association announced this past June that any club playing in China's top two football divisions, paying more than €5.77 million (45 million Yuan) for a foreign player will have to pay the same amount to CFA youth development squad as well.

Mascherano is looking for first team football to stake his claim for 2018 World Cup. (Picture Courtesy: express.co.uk)

Mina is a Colombian international who has represented his nation nine times while scoring thrice. Barcelona released the following statement on their site: "Born on 23 September 1994 (Guachené, Caucas, Colòmbia), Yerry Mina arrives at FC Barcelona to reinforce the central defensive positions. He will bring a physical presence as his 1.95 metre frame suggests but he is also a quick, ball-playing defender. The Colombian, who is joining from Palmeiras, uses his aerial prowess to impose himself and score goals."
 

Ernesto Valverde have had to do some reshuffling as few players including Andre Gomes, Rafinha, Arda Turan, Gerard Deulofeu are looking to move to different clubs for first team place as the 2018 World Cup is just around the corner.

Real Lose More Points In The Title Race

Real Madrid drew 2-2 against Celta Vigo. (Picture Courtesy: skysports.com)

Real Madrid lose ground yet again in the title race as they drew against a very inspiring Celta side on Sunday. Gareth Bale had scored twice to give Madrid the lead by the end of first half, but it was cancelled by Maxi Gomez's header late in the second half.

Iago Aspas nearly opened the scoring for Celta, but could only deflect the shot on to the post after a cross from Hugo Mallo which exploited Real Madrid's leaky defence early on. Madrid are now 16 points behind leaders Barcelona who won their match comfortably against Levante.

Apart from Bale, Los Blancos looked lethargic, as the team that excelled in counter attacking football during the past seasons, just don't seem to have the legs to do so any more. With Achraf & Marcelo attacking from the flanks, it was Modric's box to box work that made the team tick from defence to attack. But the Croatian maestro reached 32 last year and it will get even tougher from here on to gradually find a replacement who possesses the same attributes.

Gareth Bale scored twice in the evening. (Picture Courtesy: express.co.uk)

The Welshman scored twice in quick succession, using his pace to get to the ball and finishing precisely to give Madrid the lead before half time.

Second half was even worse for Real, as Celta Vigo players were allowed freedom to attack again and again, which paid off after 70 minutes of play as Madrid's defence failed to stop Iago from charging Keylor Navas, who took the attacker down in the his area conceding a penalty. Questions were raised over Navas's positioning as he saved the kick from Iago to keep Celta at bay.

But Celta didn't give up and yet another attack from the right provided the unmarked Maxi Gomez an opportunity to score, which he took brilliantly. Celta Vigo could have scored even more and had a fair shout for penalty declined, however Madrid players didn't show up with yet another dismal display and the title race is all for Barca to lose.