JOSEP GUARDIOLA TO LEAVE FC BARCELONA | THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY BY ALBERT EINSTEIN

I have received an also “alarmed” email from a Spanish Football Sports reader asking if it is true that FC BARCELONA Coach Josep Guardiola will leave at the end of 2012. The question arises after it has been “splashed” all over the World Sports media some words that Guardiola mentioned in a TV Interview to Italian channel “RAI” whist in Italy visiting his ex-Club Brescia.

FC Barcelona Coach Josep Guardiola 

These are the now “famous” words":

"Creo que mi etapa en el Barça se está acabando".
"Me quedaré este año, éste será el cuarto, y un entrenador tiene que saber el momento de marcharse. Los jugadores se cansan de los entrenadores y viceversa.

Translated:
• “I feel my time at Barça is coming to en end”.
• ”I will stay this year, it will be my fourth & a Coach has to know the moment when to leave. The players get tired of the Coaches & vice-versa”.

Some have said it was a “April fools” stunt, others ask that we watch & listen to the whole interview & put it in its correct overall context which becomes "watered down".

Either way here is my reply for other readers who may have the some questions in mind as our dear reader who sent me the email (encourage all to do so, by the way)

Albert Einstein

My thoughts to all this are in line with the great scientist Albert Einstein were I take a leaf out of his "General Theory of Relativity" & use this theory to explain Coach Guardiola words & the possible future outcomes for FC Barcelona & all the millions of fans around the World. Here we  go. 

These are some consequences that flow from the two inbuilt grand ideas that Albert Einstein formulated to create the “General Theory of Relativity”

Several of the consequences that follow from the special theory of relativity are 1) time dilation (clocks moving near the speed of light operate more slowly than stationary clocks), 2) length contraction (objects moving near the speed of light appear to be contracted in the direction of motion), 3) relativity of simultaneity (things that appear to happen at the same time to stationary observer A may appear to happen at different times to moving observer B), 4) mass-energy equivalence (mass and energy are essentially the same thing and transmutable into each other).

These ideas could very well apply to Football – Soccer in general. As in physics, things in Football are relative, were time distorts, space bends & visuals are stretched. The only difference is that while in the “General Theory of Relativity” the force of GRAVITY is the vital force, in Football WINNING is the force that dominates.

Will Coach Pep Guardiola leave FC Barcelona at the end of 2012? Depends, depends on if he & the Club are WINNING & if other objects are travelling at the “Football Speed of Light” & where Guardiola is in a particular point in space & time & what he observes.

REAL MADRID | GONZALO HIGUAIN IS BACK !

Its always good for SPANISH FOOTBALL to recover a World Football star. That joy is also evident at REAL MADRID as Argentine International forward GONZALO HIGUAIN has returned to the squad for tomorrows Liga match against Real Sporting de Gijon. Why the post on the return of "another" injured player? 

1. Nearly miraculous. Higuain was discarded for the season after a "complicated" back operation.
2. Sports medicine has advanced spectacularly 
3. American Dr. Fessler has gained a whole new market & European fame
4. Higuan returns when he is most needed for Real Madrid ( overload of important matches & Benzema injuried)
5. If you suffer a back hernia & need to be operated, Higuain is your example of getting back fine. 

Gonzalo Higuain: photo jesus aguilar

Gonzalo Higuain will be on the bench & may get some minutes tomorrow as part of a carefully planned "back to work" schedule. Nice to see you again Pipa!

ENGLAND 2 SPAIN 1 | SPAIN MISSES QUALIFICATION FOR U-17 EURO FINALS

Bad news tonight for Spanish Football fans from the U-17 Euro front. ENGLAND defeated SPAIN 2 – 1 to take the Top spot of the Group & thus qualify for the U-17 European Finals in Serbia later this year. Said in another way, Spain misses out.

Spain U-17 /photo Giovani de Paola

England was superior & Spain managed to keep things equal up until the 55th min mark when REDMOND scored for England, then the English got another goal in the 62th min via JACKSON. Spain tried hard to get something back & they managed a consolation goal in the last moments via IÑIGUEZ.

The other bad news directly related from this outcome is that Spain will neither be involved in the U-17 World Championships.

Details:

2 - ENGLAND:Pickford; Cousins, Jackson, Lundstram, Smith; Chalobah, Sterling, Powell (Caskey, min.74) Magri; Redmond & Magri

1 - SPAIN:Herrero; Caballo, Garrido (Calvet, min.72), Sáez, Arroyo; Deulofeu, Ñiguez, Íñiguez, Bardonado (Vico, min.63); Denis Suárez & Raúl de Tomás (Iker Hernández, min.56)

GOALS:1-0, min 55. Redmond.2-0, min 62. Jackson.2-1, min. 80+. Íñiguez.

REAL MADRID | SERGIO CANALES | THE SHAMAN & THE DESERT

SERGIO CANALES arrived at REAL MADRID CF at a cost of 10M€ from Racing de Santander as a 19 year old midfield promise after having a wonderful & meteoric season 2009 – 2010. Now after more than six months the youngster has had just a few games ( mostly friendlies ) with Real Madrid & many observers had dubbed this “his lost season”, a term not at all positive for a young Football professional with serious long term ambitions.

Young Canales has a few names ahead of him at Madrid in his area of expertise: Ozil, Khedira, Granero & Pedro Leon, with the latter in an even “worst” situation. Apart from the mentioned names Coach José Mourinho hasn´t all the confidence in the player as he would wish, perhaps being Canales lack of big game experience. One may intuitively suppose that Mourinho ( his Football “shaman”) is making Canales go through a particular “40 days in the desert” scenario as a character building exercise that will make the 20 year old Spanish International stronger in the long run. Whatever the strategy there is only one sure way & method that truly works for a Football player, that is, field minutes & playing games.

Real Madrid player Sergio Canales

To this end the Club is thinking about giving the player options outside the Club, seeing that at Real Madrid the doors are currently shut. The Club could very well loan the player next season (or sell with a buy back option) so that Canales can continue with his “apprenticeship” & evolution elsewhere with guaranteed playing time.

A few names are appearing in the horizon as the rumour mills begins to churn as the season gets into its final sprint stage. Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea sound from England, while Sampdoria & Genoa sound in Italy. However, there is a Spanish option that has strength & may be more suited for Madrid & Canales: Getafe. Real Madrid is said to wish to recover “home grown Real Madrid junior” midfielder PAREJO for next season & may include Canales in the operation.

Whatever happens, we desire all the best for Sergio Canales because potential & talent are not missing from this extraordinary young player. I hope that he can get back to be a regular player as it would be an injustice to “lose” him in “the desert” of Football.

LITHUANIA 1 SPAIN 3 | EURO 2012 GROUP I QUALIFIER RESULT

SPAIN managed to win away to LITHUANIA 1 - 3 in their EURO 2012 Group I qualifier to give them another victory, consolidate the Groups Top spot & put them nearly into the Euro Finals of next year. The match went ahead after UEFA officials & the French referee decided that the turf ( without grass ) was apt to play on & safe. Correct decision as no one from both teams were injured in a game played in good spirits as there was no difficult situations for the referee. 

Xavi scores for Spain: photo-J.A.Gracia/Marca

Spanish Coach Del Bosque put the following starting 11: Casillas; Iraola, Piqué, Albiol, Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Javi Martínez, Xavi, Cazorla, Villa & Llorente, with At.Bilbao defender Iraola winning an International Cap & other well know stars getting a rest.

The match was played well considering the circumstances of the surface with Spain dominating & with Lithuanian goalkeeper Karcemarskas stopping the Spanish forwards. The first goal came in the 19th min via XAVI HERNANDEZ which took a slight deflection to loop over the goalie.

The second half saw Spain begin well until Valencia CF defender & Lithuanian Captain STANKEVICIUS got onto a "cracker" from 30 mts to power drive passed Iker Casillas with an unstoppable goal. This raised the confidence of the home team & they put Spain under pressure & gave them their worst 15 mins of Football. Spain reacted with substitutions giving David Silva & Juna Mata a run & it paid off.

Spain scored their second in the 70th min via an own goal from defender KIJANSKAS who could do little as Llorente was in clear shot position, then JUAN MATA finished off a nice worked play with a third for Spain in the 83rd min.

Great result for Spain & even better was the fact that no one got injured playing on a "terrible" ground, that at least held out the full 90 minutes.

SPAIN 5 NORTHERN IRELAND 1 | EURO U -17 GROUP QUALIFIERS

The Spanish U-17 National Football Team played Northern Ireland today & won 5 – 1 in their Group qualifier for the upcoming U-17 European Championships. The Spanish Team clearly dominated & was 3 – 0 after 45 minutes. The second half saw Spanish Coach Gines take off some important players (the main name being Deulofeu) & give others a run. This did not seem to halt the Spaniards momentum as they scored two more goals, although Northern Ireland got a consolation goal.

Spanish U-17 International Deulofeu

Spain will meet England on Thursday which will be the vital match of the Group as it is more than likely that the winner here not only takes Top Group spot but puts one foot into the Euro Finals. 

Details:

5 - SPAIN : Herrero (David Gómez, min.79); Menéndez, Garrido, Sáez, Luque; Deulofeu (Moisés, min.50), Calvet, Íñiguez, Vico; Denis Suárez (Raúl de Tomás, min.74) & Iker Hernandez.

1 – NORTHERN IRELAND : Brennan; McLaughlin, Jones, Clarke, McNally; Barton, Wilson, Morgan, McElroy; Ball (McAllister, min.58) & McCartan.

GOALS:1-0, min. 19: Deulofeu; 2-0, min. 31: Denis Suárez; 3-0, min. 38: Iker Hernández; 3-1, min. 59: Morgan; 4-1, min. 68: Iker Hernández; 5-1, min. 84: Pol Calvet

SPAIN 1 BELARUS 1 | U-21 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

The SPANISH U-21 FOOTBALL TEAM played a friendly match against BELARUS in Madrid with the final result a 1 - 1 draw. Spain used this match to fine-tune themselves for the upcoming U-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS in Denmark next June where team also play for a place in the upcoming London Olympic Games.

Spanish U-21 International Bojan 

The Spanish team started with the following 11:

De Gea; Montoya, San José, Domínguez, Vila; Parejo, Fontás, Ander Herrera, Capel; Adrián & Bojan.

The Spaniards dominanted from start to finish the game but were not able to break through the tough & tactically positioned  Belarus side & their defensive wall. It was Spanish player & Getafe midfielder PAREJO who managed to score in the 67th min, to see REKISH equalize for Belarus in the 75th min.

Spanish Coach Milla gave everyone a run & the match finished with Spain having a good sparring partner to test things & see what they need to better if they are to do well in the Euro Championship & get a London Olympic Euro place.

The only bad news was the ankle injury that young FC Barcelona player Bojan received that may keep him side-lined a few weeks. At first sight it did nt look bad but needs to have the doctors have a look at his ankle.

FC BARCELONA | THE "SECRET" TO THEIR SUCCESS

Just some informative & interesting observations from Spanish Sports paper "Marca" that I thought would tantalize FC BARCELONA fans around the World. Did you know that Barça hasn’t gone below 50% of ball possession,  that is,  total control of the ball in a game, in the last three years? That is,  166 games were the opposition Team hasn’t been able to get the possession of the ball beyond 50% of the time?

FC Barcelona 2011

The last time Barça was below 50% of ball possesion was back 16th of March 2008 with 49.5% against Valencia FC. Since then FC Barcelona have never been below 50% & have risen as high as 80.3% against Real Zaragoza this season & 80.2% against Inter Milan last season. The match average this season is 71.1% which is simply amazing.

These numbers illustrate very clearly the strenght of FC Barcelona. The opposition without the ball cannot play, added to which,  they are constantly running after the ball not with the ball.

REAL MADRID CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL JOY & DILEMMA

Tonight is very special for REAL MADRID CF , & risky in many ways. It has been 7 years & 12 days since last the "Santiago Bernabeu" with its fans witnessed a Quarter Finals stage of the Champions League. Apart, they face a very competitive English Premier League Club Tottenham Hotspurs. 

Cristiano Ronaldo training Real Madrid

That´s the good news, the risky part is the thought & option being considered in putting "injuried" player CRISTIANO RONALDO in the starting 11. News is that the medical team have advised another week of rest as there exists a possiblity of a new muscle "tear" that could side-line the ace for a month. An upcoming "complicated" month that has an upcoming Liga "classical" against FC Barcelona, the Final of the Spanish Cup against Barça & if both manage to pass their Champions League Q/Finals, two semi finals legs Real Madrid - FC Barcelona.

The dilemma is whether to play, or not,  with Ronaldo in this first leg when he can return in 100% form for the 2º leg CL match at "White Hart Lane" in London.

The other risk is of course a bad result. There will be pressure on Real Madrid as the home side with the need to win & well. The Madrid Club has virtually said goodbye to the Spanish League title & have placed all their hopes & objectives on the Champions League title ( with the Spanish Cup). This must put the pressure on.

Either way we are assured of a great match tonight, a potentially "dangerous" game for the home side not to be missed.

REAL MADRID 4 TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 0 | RESULT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1ºst LEG QUARTER FINAL

REAL MADRID defeated TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 4 - 0 in the 1º st leg of the CHAMPIONS LEG Quater Final match in Madrid. This results "virtually" sets the path clear for Real Madrid to get into the semi-final even if next week they must travel to London to play the 2º leg clash & avoid surprises.

Peter Crouch sent off 14th min

Real Madrid started on fire & overran the English side scoring a quick goal via ADEBAYOR in the 4th min. Then Tottenham forward PETER CROUCH received two yellow cards in quick succession that finished in a red card & left his team down to 10 men. The last yellow card may have been harsh as I have seen worst go unpunished, but it was a vital moment of the match & unfortunately for Tottenham.

As it happens, Tottenham played better with 10 & BALE became a constant worry & danger as he was liberated from his defensive duties & his team-mates set up a defensive wall. Very effective strategy as Real Madrid played their worst Football.

There was a controversial moment towards the end of the 1ºst half when Dawson clearly hand balled in the area but Real Madrid were not given the penalty.

Adebayor scored twice tonight

The English resistance lasted until Marcelo who was superb tonight crossed & found the head of ADEBAYOR for his ( & Real Madrid) second goal in the 56th min. From here onward Real Madrid took full control via XABI - brilliant tonight - along with Lass Diarra who came on as substitute to orchestrate play.

Di Maria scored a "cracker" third

Then a real "screamer" from outside the box blew the roof off the stadium & took the last wind out off Tottenham when DI MARIA cracked it in for the third goal in the 71st min. Real Madrid continued & Kaka who also came on late as a substitute found CRISTIANO RONALDO who volleyed in the fourth goal of the night in the 86th min. 

Now its off to London next week for the 2ºleg were nothing is impossible for Tottenham, but very difficult indeed.

REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA | CLASICO OVERLOAD

Lets suppose that we can comfortably bet that both Real Madrid & FC Barcelona manage to tie up their 2º leg Q/Finals Champions League games & get into the semi-finals. With this scenario, Spanish Sports paper "Marca" highlight to their readers that we are heading - as spectators - towards 4 big Real Madrid - Barça clashes once a week all in a month.  

Possible upcoming fixture

• 16th of April : Spanish League - Liga Round 32 game
• 20th of April : Spanish Cup Final
• 27th of Abril : 1º leg Champions League semi-final
• 3rd of May. 2º leg Champions League semi - final

A bonanza for World Football fans & multi million €/$ for Television & promotions. The unfortunate & unavoidable side of all these games is that one team or the other will come out stronger & the other "critically" wounded. This tends to happen when two "Football Beasts" of this size & strenght go head to head.

Love it!

VILLAREAL 5 TWENTE 1 | EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL 1º LEG RESULT

Celebration was the word for Spanish Football & for VILLAREAL with their impressive 5 - 1 victory over current Dutch League leaders TWENTE. Don`t believe many would have bet before tonights Q/Final 1º st match of the EUROPA LEAGUE that the result was going to be so large & the game so one sided. 

Villareal celebrate one of their many goals

There is not muuch to say in terms of details except to give the scorers starting with Villareal players. Defender MARCHENA scored first in the 22nd min, followed by BORJA VALERO in the 43rd min, NILMAR with two in the 46th min & later in the 81st min, & finally ROSSI scored in the 55th min.

Twente got a consolation goal late in the 90th min via JANKO.

One can assume that Villareal has virtually sealed their ticket for the Europa League upcoming semi-finals & it looks that they are in a collision course with Oporto who also did well in their Q/Final clash. However, before shouting "victory",  Villareal will travel to Holland next week for the return 2º leg match.

SPANISH LEAGUE FOOTBALL ROUND 30 MONDAY NIGHT GAME RESULT | ALMERIA 1 AT BILBAO 3

SPANISH FOOTBALL tonight with the last match corresponding to Round 30 of the Spanish League in the now habitual "Monday Night Football" match. Here is a quick summary of events , the result & scorers.

Piatti scores for Almeria

ALMERIA are last on the SPANISH LEAGUE classification ladder & victories are important if they are to avoid relegation into the 2º Division with 8 Rounds left to go. Tonight they lost 1 - 3 to ATHLETIC DE BILBAO, & why not say it, got into further "shit".

They started well & gave hopes when PIATTI scored the opener in the 5th min, but the good play lasted very little.

Fernando Llorente for At.Bilbao

Bilbao equalized via youngster MUNIAIN in the 28th min, then TOQUERO put Bilbao ahead in the 51st min & ORBAIZ put in the third in the 60th min.

With these three points At. Bilbao consolidate themselves in the "Euro positions" of the ladder, a profound contrast to Almeria.

SPANISH FOOTBALL | ROUND 30 SATURDAY GAMES SPANISH LEAGUE RESULTS

Top level SPANISH FOOTBALL was back with Round 30 of  LA LIGA returning with three great games with results that may have given FC Barcelona the Spanish League title after rival Real Madrid lost at home. Here is a summary of events, all the results & the scores.

Real Sporting de Gijon gave the surprise
in Round 30 of the Spanish League

REAL MADRID lost 0 - 1 to REAL SPORTING DE GIJON thus breaking Real Madrid Coach Mourinho´s "150 straight home games without loss" record ( or 9 years without loss at home) & allowing FC Barcelona to escape & further opening their classification gap to 8 points. Although mathematically the Spanish League has yet to be decided the advantage to Barça is very significant & puts them firmely in the "box seat" to take this years Spanish League title.

Real Madrid was missing key players like Xabi, Ronaldo & Benzema & looked "relaxed" most of the match. Although they controlled the whole game they missed some very clear chances & were not given an obvious penalty in the first half. However the last point is no excuse, as Sporting defended well & worked hard. So much so, that Coach Mourinho wentl for the victory putting more "fire-power" up front with Higuain, Canales & Pepe ( shifting Ramos as an attacking defender) to attempt to score. However, with spaces, Gijon made one of their very few attacking counter-attacks & scored via DE LAS CUEVAS in the 78th min.

From here it was all rush & nerves, as Real tried everything, but failed again with some very clear chances to equalize. Final result,  a very severe blow for Madrid as they now look onwards to Tottenham next Tuesday in the 1ºst leg Q/Final Champions League match.

Roberto Soldado had a big night with Valencia CF

VALENCIA CF travelled to Madrid to play GETAFE & won 2 - 4 with ex-Getafe player & now Valencia forward ROBERTO SOLDADO scoring all four goals for his team ( 46th, 63rd,70th & 77th min). Getafe got ahead early via MANU in the 12th min before the "Soldado Show", & got another towards the end via SARDINERO in the 87th min.

A needed win for Valencia whos Coach Emery was being questioned during the week & more trouble for Getafe who are not looking good at all.


VILLAREAL hosted an undernamed FC BARCELONA which had Messi starting on the bench, Xavi out with sanction, Abidal with his illness & Pedro still recovering from his injury. It made little difference in the end as Villareal lost 0 - 1 to Barcelona which knew beforehand that a win tonight would virtually give them the Spanish League title as Real Madrid lost earlier their game & the 8 points difference would be a classification table gap to wide to shut.

The first half was very balanced with both sides having chances & perhaps Villareal looking the more dangerous. But things changed in the second half & especially when LIONEL MESSI came on in the 52nd min that allow Barça to dominante proceedings. 

Pique scores for Barça

The Barça goal finally arrived in the 74th min via PIQUE putting Barcelona ahead & later giving them 3 points to - as already mentioned - take the Spanish League title a little bit more closer towards Barcelona. Villareal reacted somewhat & Barça goalkeeper Valdes had to do a "miracle" save, but Barça kept things relatively under control right up until the end. 

Lots of joy at "Camp Barça" as they see via their rear-view mirror Real Madrid drift back onto the horizon.

SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE | ROUND 30 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL continued this Sunday with six games of Round 30 played of the Spanish League. Great matches with comebacks & plenty of goals. Here is a brief summary of events, the final results & the scorers.

Deportivo Lassad puts his team ahead

DEPORTIVO won 2 -1 REAL MALLORCA in a vital game as the home side struggles to get out of the relegation zone gravitational force & constant pull. Mallorca got ahead first in the 26th min via WEBO & the visitors were looking good. Deportivo Coach Lotina must have said something to his boys as the second half saw a transformation that began with the equalizer in the 54th min via XISCO & the second (the winner) in the 66th min via LASSAD.

Levente keep winning

LEVANTE are still on a roll as they secure their mid-table position with a 3 - 1 victory over MALAGA who are in deep relegation zone trouble. The man of the match was Levante player STUANI with two goals ( 5th & 70th min) along with team-mate RUBEN scoring the third in the 8th min. The only goal for Malaga came in the 60th min when SEBAS FERNANDEZ scored.

Drenth is back for Hercules

REAL SOCIEDAD was beaten by HERCULES which needed the points like air if they are to serious consider getting out of the relegation zone. Tough affair all match until PORTILLO scored for Hercules in the 69th min, which was then followed by the "Royston DRENTE Show". The "bad boy" scored twice ( 84th & 89th min) to settle things & secure the points for his team. Real Sociedad finally managed their well earned consolation goal in the 93rd min via IFRAN. New Hercules Coach Djukic praised Drenthe in his post-match press conference.

Colsa for Racing de Santander

Comeback for the visitors RACING DE SANTANDER to win 1 - 2 RCD ESPANYOL. The home team got ahead via a penalty transformed by OSVALDO. Racing took control in the second half & began working their comeback with goals from COLSA in the 50th min & the winner via young GIOVANI in the 75th min. Espanyol will be disappointed as they have lost the steam of the first part of the season.

Sevilla-Real Zaragoza

SEVILLA FC defeated a sticky REAL ZARAGOZA 3 - 1 in a controversial game of Football. Very equalled & fought out in the midfield with Sevilla getting ahead first via PEROTTI in the 43rd min. Zaragoza reacted immediately in the second half equalizing via JAROSIK in the 47th min:

Then came the controversy as Sevilla was awarded a very doubtful penalty in the 56th min that KANOUTE converted. This angered the visitors & shifted their concentration on other things except playing Soccer. The third goal for Sevilla came via another penalty in the 93rd min which NEGREDO transformed.

Diego Costa HAT-TRICK for At Madrid 

Important away victory for ATLETICO DE MADRID 2 - 3 against OSASUNA putting the former just a game out of their seasons objective, the Euro ladder positions. Very exciting & entertaining game with Osasuna getting ahead via SOLE in the 31st min. From here Atletico de Madrid took complete control with the help of a very sloppy Osasuna defense. Atletico forward DIEGO COSTA scored a HAT-TRICK with goals in the 38th, 61st & 63st min.

Atletico then missed a penalty in the 70th min which Reyes failed, but Osasuna did convert theirs later via NEKOUNAM in the 81st min. To finish, there was a red card to Osasuna defender Sergio in the 84th min.

Tomorrow MONDAY NIGHT match: Almeria vs Athletic de Bilbao

FC BARCELONA 5 - SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q-FINAL 1º LEG RESULT

Just back from watching the FC BARCELONA 5 - 1 victory over SHAKHTAR DONETSK in the 1º st leg Quarter Final CHAMPIONS LEAGUE clash. The "ticket" for the semi-finals is practically assured for Barça & if Real Madrid manages to secure yesterdays 4-0 advantage over Tottenham,  we will be destined for a Barça- Real Madrid semi-final Champions "clasico" of global dimensions. 

Barca steam rolls Shakhtar

Lets get straight in with the scorers, INIESTA ( 2nd min ), DANI ALVES (33rd min), PIQUE (52nd min), KEITA (60th min) & XAVI ( 85th min). The consolation goal for the visitors came via RAKITSKIY (58th  min). 

Dani Alves/photo efe

FC Barcelona Coach Guardiola warned everyone pre-match of the potential & the danger of the Ukrainian Club. He wasn´t wrong considering the overwhelming result in favour of Barça. Yes, Barcelona was awesome & certainly are currently the "Best Team in the World". But what if luck had favoured Shakhter D tonight? What if they had managed to score all those opportunities? Interesting questions that "mean shit" post match & now with a glorious & deserved smile on everyone's face at "Camp Barça".

Tonights match was another example of the "Iron Law" of Football in action. If you don´t take your chances you will end up losing, & if its Barcelona the opponent you will be hammered!