The Catalan Giants speak to the press after the Almeria game (Part 1)
The Spanish Champions, Barcelona were involved in the second leg of the semi final of the Copa del Rey. They had to face Almeria – a team that they had beaten 5-0 in the first. Josep Guardiola played an experimental line-up that worked for them and after
winning 0-3 away from home, a few players came in front of the press and gave an interview about how they felt.
The Catalan Giants, Barcelona won the second leg against Almeria while being away from home. The first leg was won by the Spanish Champions as well as they gave the visitors a 5-0 thrashing in the Camp Nou. It was yet another 5-0 thrashing that was given
to the Barcelona opponents.
With Barcelona winning the first game 5-0, it was obvious that the chances for Almeria to make a comeback were bleak. The Catalan coach Josep Guardiola decided to play a totally second team against Almeria while being away from home as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629, Lionel
Messi and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique were all left on the bench along with the number 1 goal stopper Victor Valdes.
It was an opportunity for all the players to show their talent on the pitch as they were given a first team opportunity. The young Barca B striker Nolito and the Spanish striker, Bojan Krkic, were played up front along with the newly signed Dutch youngster,
Ibrahim Afellay. With all these three up front, Josep Guardiola played his favourite 4-3-3 formation. Bojan Krkic was the one leading the team with a striker’s role. On the right wing, it was the Dutch star http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ibrahim-Afellay-c16547 and on the left wing it was the Barca
B player Nolito.
In the midfield, things definitely changed for Barcelona yet again. Josep Guardiola did not want to take any risks in terms of the possession of the ball and that is why he played two experienced players along with an extraordinary talented youngster. It
was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 who played behind the central midfielders and right in front of the defenders in his favourite holding midfield position. On the right it was the young Barca B star, Thiago Alcantara. Right next to Thiago it was the former Sevilla player
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Seydou-Keita-c33177 and it was expected that he would feature in this game because the coach Josep Guardiola praised him as one of the best players that he has worked with.
At the back, the defensive lines were totally shaken. The left footed Brazilian full back, Adriano Correia, who usually played as a replacement for the Brazilian right back, Daniel Alves, played on the left flank. Daniel Alves played on the opposite right
flank. The two centre backs were http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pinto-c30032 who replaced Victor Valdes, the first choice goal stopper for the Catalan Giants.
Adriano Correia, Nolito, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara were the four players that took their time out and decided to say a few words after the game. Adriano stated that he was happy while playing for Barcelona. The former Sevilla player played as a full
back for the Catalan Giants and while playing in a more comfortable position this time round, Adriano scored his first goal under the Blaugrana jersey.
Adriano said:
“I am pleased that we have qualified for the final, for the job done by the team, and to have scored. We got what we wanted out of a great game.”
He further added to his comments by saying that he has to work harder to earn a first team spot in the Catalan team. The Frenchman, Eric Abidal, is the one who plays as a left back for Barcelona’s first team. However, whenever he is absent or replacing a
centre back, it is the Brazilian full back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxwell-c25051 who takes his position as a full back.
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