Know Your Football New Haven

Contributed by Imani

Despite three goals from Messi & two from David Villa - the star man in Saturday’s match at the Camp Nou was homecoming king Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas scored the second goal on the night and made three assists contributing to 4 of the 8 goals scored by Barcelona this night. 

Fabregas was everywhere, and with the international media touting Real Madrid to reassert themselves at the top of spanish football: Barcelona remind us that they are still getting stronger. Hey, if you score 8 goals, why need a defense? It’s not like the other team will ever have the ball anyway.

(photo: barcelonina)

Fabregas shows the same ability and composure that made him one of the world’s best players with Arsenal FC, but now his blaugrana flare has returned. Within a couple months he has fit seamlessly into Barcelona’s attack. Most intriguing of all Cesc can do something Iniesta can’t: defend.

With Pique and Puyol still to return from injury, Barca have been playing with a makeshift back four that has included Javier Mascherano being inserted into the Central Defense & Right Back roles. One thing Cesc learned how to do in England was defend, not only with control of space but with well timed tackles. Just like best friend Gerard Pique learned while with Manchester United training beside Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand each day.

This experience will help Barca in the coming weeks, especially in the Champions League where they will be forced to take a defensive position more often than in La Liga. Cesc has the ability to play a dynamic central midfield role that can see him spread the attack without conceding in defense. It brings more versatility to his game and helps Barca in far more ways than even they had expected upon receiving his signature.

Exciting times in Spanish football. It’s impossible who which team will go further contending for major titles this season, but for me Barcalona still has the edge.

They just have too many weapons & know each other too well. Madrid have to deal with so many egos including that of their coach, s7ar player & others who think they are stars. With Barcelona it’s like having 11 Xabi Alonso’s running around out there: calm, unselfish, and always looking up.

Barcelona have spoken, Real Madrid play tomorrow. We’ll see what they have to say. Who knows, there could be a shoot out week in week out on both sides of the English Channel, with Manchester United & Manchester City gunning it out whether they’re playing against each other or not.

Fantastic team performance by Barcelona and what a privilege as a player to be able to enjoy a two goal lead 15 minutes into a match but never once think to take your foot off the gas.

Mes Que Un Club. Mes Que Jugadors. An exciting lesson of tactics, skills & teamwork. Watch the full 90 minutes of this match on ESPN3.com.