All Bar�a�s football

Match

Marcador del partit

Date: Wednesday, 16 Dec
Competition: ???label.competicio10???
Stadium: Zayed, Abu Dhabi

Resultat:

Atlante FC: 1
FC Barcelona: 3

Match report

Match Report
Pre-Match

Match Report

Images: Miguel Ruiz (FCB)

More info

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The goals

0-1, Rojas (min 4)
1-1, Busquets (min 35)
2-1, Messi (55)
3-1, Pedro (min 67)

Bar�a stage comeback to reach final (1-3)

Roger Boguny� (enviat especial)

Bar�a came back from an early Atlante goal to win 3-1 and qualify for the World Club Cup final. The goals came from Sergio, Messi and Pedro, who has now scored in every competition. The team is now on the verge of taking their 6 trophy in a year.

With Keita out injured, Guardiola decided to beef up his midfield and finally decided on Xavi, Busquets and Tour�, exactly the three players involved in Bar�a’s equalizer. Atlante held on to their early lead until the 35th minute and renounced the kind of possession football they had announced at the pre-match press conferences.

Bar�a grew in effectiveness and ball possession in the second half, in particular when Messi – the scorer of the second goal - came on. Pedro scored the third and confirmed that when Bar�a start off a big match losing then they usually end up winning. It happened at the Bernab�u (2-6), at Stamford Bridge and in the Cup Final. The fact is that Bar�a are now one step away from heaven and a perfect year. If they beat Estudiantes on Saturday they will be the best team in the world.

An early shock

Just four minutes into the game, Atlante took the lead. The goal was reminiscent of a number of goals recently conceded by Bar�a. It came early on like the one against Kiev and was similar to those conceded against Bilbao and Deportivo. The Mexican goalkeeper sent a long ball forward from a free kick for Rojas to surprise the Bar�a defence and lob the ball over Vald�s.

Bar�a improve

The goal seemed to bring Bar�a to life and they upped the pressure and virtually wiped Atlante off the pitch. Only Navarro produced any more danger for Vald�s in the first half (min.11). As the minutes passed, Bar�a improved and after the opening 30 minutes the equalizer seemed merely a question of time. Iniesta and Ibrahimovic threatened; Busquets would be merciless.

The manager’s blackboard

Once again, the team found the answer to their problems in carefully rehearsed moves. Xavi took a corner, which Tour� flicked on to the far post for Busquets to finish. It was no more than Bar�a deserved as Atlante had long before lost the battle for control of the ball. Just before the break Alves had a chance to double Bar�a’s score.

Messi takes the lead

After the break, Guardiola brought on Messi and Piqu� in place of Tour� and M�rquez. Messi soon demonstrated why he’s the best player in the world. In his very first move he received a brilliant pass from Ibrahimovic and fired past Vilas (min 55) to make it 2-1 for Bar�a.

Pedro makes it a full house

The Bar�a players continued with their quick passing game and had the Mexican players chasing shadows. In the 67th minute Iniesta broke down the left wing and crossed for Pedro to score from inside the box. The Canary Islander has now scored in every competition.

Despite the remaining 20 minutes and a clear chance for the Atlante Rafa M�rquez (saved by Vald�s), the match was all but over. Now it’s all eyes on Saturday’s match against Estudiantes for the title of World Club Champion.

Preview

Images: Archive FCB / fifa.com

Similar to 2006

In 2006, the second and last time that FC Barcelona played in the competition, they also met a Mexican side in the semi finals, though that time it was Am�rica, who the Catalans saw off comfortably, 4-0, with goals from Gudjohnsen, M�rquez, Ronaldinho and Deco.

Time to conquer the world

Roger Boguny�

FC Barcelona kick off their Clubs World Cup campaign tonight in Abu Dhabi (17.00 CET, Tele 5, R@dio Bar�a). In the semi finals they face Atlante, with the winners going on to face Estudiantes. Messi�s presence in the game is still in doubt.

The day has come. The European champions are about to make their Clubs World Cup debut against Mexican side Atlante. Guardiola , who was beaten in this tournament in 1992, knows full well that any errors can cost dear. If Bar�a lose tonight, all hopes of winning the title are lost, and along with that, the chance to secure the one major trophy Barcelona have never won. On Wednesday, all that could finally start changing.

Same colours, same style, one favourite

Both sides share a lot in common, They wear the same colours and also like to play possession football, concentrating on creation as opposed to destruction. But when it comes to history, there is a huge divide between the two. But the weight of being favourites in matches like this is something FC Barcelona have grown well used to. This year they have won all five major tournaments they have been involved in, and the Clubs World Cup would make a historic six .

Messi in doubt

The Atlante manager is willing to accept that Bar�a are the favourites. The biggest star in his side, Solari , feels the same. And both have been full of praise for the great Lionel Messi , although it is still not certain whether the Argentinian will be playing any part in the match. Keita also has fitness concerns, but Guardiola has a squad of 23 players to choose from, five of which will have to be dropped from the definitive squad.

Estudiantes await their opponent

Atlante and Bar�a already know who they are meeting in the final, and that’s Argentinian club Estudiantes de la Plata, who on Tuesday saw off South Korean club Pohang Steelers 1-2 . The Copa Libertadores champions are the only side in this year’s tournament that has won it before, though that was way back in 1968, when they beat Manchester United over two legs.