Ibrahimovic does the job (1-0)

FC Barcelona defeated Espanyol 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Ibrahimovic in the first half. With this win, Guardiola’s men go on beating records in La liga, especially at Camp Nou, where they have taken all possible points. Before the match, Leo Messi had offered the Ballon d’Or to the Barça fans. Barça missed him during the game, which was a bit dull. Not what we’ve come to expect from Barça but fairly typical of Catalan derbies between the two clubs. The game was fought intensely, with a considerable number of fouls and resulting stoppages, especially in the second half.


It was down to Ibrahimovic to do his job, just before the end of the first half, when he whacked home a penalty to give Barça victory. The league leaders now have 39 points, breaking their own league record, and making them look unstoppable.


Barça’s ball


From early on it was clear that Barça would have most of the possession and that Espanyol were going to wait at the back in the hope of a counter-attack. The visitors tried to go forward on some occasions, but Barça were more persistent, and Pedro nearly scored in the 14th minute.


Ibrahimovic, as usual


Despite nearly scoring themselves a minute later, Espanyol were to go without another shot on target for the rest of the first half. For their part, Barça looked comfortable. Ibrahimovic set up some chances for his team-mates but neither Henri in the 17th minute nor Maxwell in the 36th were able to put the ball home.


Then Baena committed a foul on Xavi in the area and Ibrahimovic smashed home the resulting penalty to give Barça a deserved 1-0 lead.


Under control


After the break, Pochettino brought on Callejón and Javi Márquez for Verdú and Baena, hoping to bring some force to their attack. Whilst they began to look more threatening, they were still unable to get a shot on target. Though seemingly lacking their usual finesse, Barça were on top of the game, but they were getting fewer chances.


Continual stoppages

The last part of the game dragged on a little, with the visitors seemingly wanting a replay of last year’s game with continual stoppages and protests. Guardiola had warned that Espanyol would play tough, and they did. In the dying minutes, with Keita and Bojan now on the pitch, hardly any football was played. It didn’t matter. Barça had closed down the game and they will travel to Abu Dhabi with their work done in the league.


By Roger Bogunyà

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada14/Barcelona_Espanyol/partit.html