Barca Blaugranes - Copa del Rey: Malaga CF vs FC Barcelona: Full Match Coverage#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2013-01-25T00:00:23+01:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/36745332013-01-25T00:00:23+01:002013-01-25T00:00:23+01:00CdR: Barcelona 4-2 Malaga: Match Review
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>A recap of Barcelona's 4-2 win over Malaga, which sets up a semi-final clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> were far from their best on Thursday evening, but still had enough to see off a spirited challenge from Malaga and win 4-2 on the night (6-4 on aggregate) in the Copa del Rey quarter-final. Malaga may have fought back to claim two equalisers on the night, as Joaquin and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110632/roque-santa-cruz" class="sbn-auto-link">Roque Santa Cruz</a> cancelled out goals from Pedro and Gerard Piqué respectively, but in the end, they just didn’t have the energy to match the Blaugrana over 90 minutes. Despite wasting a number of chances throughout the game, Barcelona finished strong to claim two late goals courtesy of Andrés Iniesta and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi" class="sbn-auto-link">Lionel Messi</a>, which sets up a mouth-watering El Clasico double-header semi-final clash with <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Following the 2-2 first-leg draw at the Camp Nou, Jordi Roura opted to restore a number of "big names" to the starting XI in an attempt to secure Barcelona’s place in the semi-finals. In fact, aside from Jose Manuel Pinto’s inclusion in goal, this was arguably Barca’s strongest possible XI – and again, aside from Pinto, this was the same team that defeated Malaga 3-1 at La Rosaleda less than two weeks ago. Would the Blaugrana be able to rebound from their weekend defeat against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/real-sociedad" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Sociedad</a> and set-up an El Clasico semi-final with Real Madrid, or would Malaga hold firm to knock out the reigning champions?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Just like they did against Real Sociedad, Barcelona started well and even managed to pull ahead with their first meaningful attack of the night. It was an excellent team effort, as Alves – who started the move with a pin-point wall-pass with Xavi – clipped in a delightful cross to find the head of Pedro who had drifted unmarked into the Malaga area to finish the chance from the edge of the six-yard box. A little less than eight minutes had been played at La Rosaleda, and Barcelona were already ahead – both on the night, and on aggregate. However, their lead would not last for long.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Given that Malaga recovered from a two-goal deficit to snatch a draw at the Camp Nou, the equaliser really shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are stacked with talent after all, and more to the point, Barcelona have found it exceptionally difficult to maintain a lead in recent weeks. Duda will be credited with the assist for feeding Joaquin with the ball, but it was what Joaquin did with that pass that counted. His first-touch was excellent and it allowed Joaquin to not only shield the ball from the challenge of Gerard Piqué, but it also created enough space for Joaquin to get his shot away. Some may argue that Pinto could and should have done better, or that Piqué should have shown a little more urgency to retrieve possession, but let’s take nothing away from Joaquin: this was simply an excellent shot. Powerful, yet precise; Pinto was left with next to no chance.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona couldn’t match Malaga’s reply, although they did come close. Messi tested Kameni with a powerful shot that fizzed across goal from the left-hand side of area, but the former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol" class="sbn-auto-link">Espanyol</a> keeper was equal to the Argentine’s effort, and Malaga recovered to clear their lines. Andrés Iniesta then came closer still to restoring Barca’s lead, but could only watch on as his sumptuous long-range effort rattled the woodwork. After a first-half characterised by sloppy passing and profligate finishing, Barcelona’s dream of retaining the Copa del Rey appeared to be just that: a dream. Would the second-half bring a marked improvement and a Barcelona win?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Jordi Roura sent the team out early for the second-half, giving them time to stew over the half-time team talk and whatever Roura said, it certainly made a difference. Barcelona were passing the ball a little more accurately, and it took just three minutes for one of the Blaugrana players to showcase improved finishing too as Gerard Piqué of all people fired Barca back into the lead.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Andrés Iniesta created the chance with a raking diagonal pass, but make no mistake, this goal was all Piqué. Sure, the pass was good, but it left Geri with a lot to do. He had to control the pass, get the ball out from under his feet and into space, and then he had to slot the ball past an in-form <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110124/carlos-kameni" class="sbn-auto-link">Carlos Kameni</a>. Even then, Piqué made it look so ridiculously simple; just think, would Alexis Sánchez have finished the same chance if given the opportunity?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This time, there would be no instant reply from the Malaga attack. In fact, there wasn’t going to be a response of any kind as Barcelona immediately pressed forward in search of a third. Lionel Messi wasted what could have been a good chance for a pass when he blazed a shot over the bar, while <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110098/dani-alves" class="sbn-auto-link">Dani Alves</a>’ awful miscue probably had more chance of finding the corner flag than it did the back of the net, but at least Barcelona were creating chances. Malaga couldn’t even work the ball into the Barca half.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Weligton was then forced into a crucial intervention by <span>Jordi Alba</span>’s teasing cross which would have otherwise been buried by Lionel Messi, and no matter what Barcelona threw at the hosts, they just couldn’t get that pivotal third goal. Typically, Malaga suffered from no such troubles in front of goal. Making the most of a momentary man advantage (Fàbregas was busy rolling around in the Malaga penalty area following a "stamp" from a Malaga defender), the hosts tied the scores again, this time courtesy of Roque Santa Cruz.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">At 2-2, the game was poised to go into extra-time, with the possibility of penalties to come. Now, neither team would have been particularly keen on extra-time prior to kick-off – especially given each side’s hectic schedule over the past few weeks – but Malaga were ready to take whatever they could get. Barcelona on the other hand were preparing to up the tempo. They wanted to finish this in regulation time, and that’s exactly what they did. After 75 minutes of wasteful finishing, Barca simply moved through the gears and secured the win. Andrés Iniesta got the third, slotting the ball through Kameni’s legs after a stunning assist from Cesc Fàbregas, and before Malaga could catch their breath, Messi had made it four – with a header no less – after a great cross from Alves.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Now the game was out-of-reach, and Roura took the opportunity to make a few changes. Lionel Messi made way for Thiago Alcântara, while Alexis Sánchez and Adriano also made late cameo appearances, replacing Pedro and Jordi Alba respectively. Cesc Fàbregas nearly made it five as injury-time approached, but his shot was kept out by Kameni – not that it would make a difference. Barcelona were through to the final four, where <span>Jose Mourinho</span> and Real Madrid await. </p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/1/25/3912946/copa-del-rey-fc-barcelona-4-2-malaga-cf-match-reviewArron Duckling2013-01-24T21:13:28+01:002013-01-24T21:13:28+01:00Málaga CF vs FC Barcelona: Live Game Thread
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<p>Live game thread for the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals between Málaga CF and FC Barcelona.</p> <div class="sbn-entry-body-text">
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<br><p align="center">Copa del Rey: Quarter-finals; Second Leg<br>First Leg Result: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/1/17/3884360/copa-del-rey-fc-barcelona-2-2-malaga-cf-match-review">FC Barcelona 2-2 Málaga CF</a><br>Kickoff: Thursday, 24 January 2013; 22:00 CET<br>La Rosaleda, Málaga<br>Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz</p>
<p align="justify">Line-ups:</p>
<p align="justify">Málaga CF (4-2-3-1): <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110124/carlos-kameni">Carlos Kameni</a>; Jesús Gámez, Martín Demichelis, Weligton, Eliseu; Manuel Iturra, Ignacio Camacho; Joaquín Sánchez, Sebastián Fernández, Duda; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110632/roque-santa-cruz">Roque Santa Cruz</a></p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes: Willy Caballero, Sergio Sánchez, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110911/oguchi-onyewu">Oguchi Onyewu</a>, Francisco Portillo, Diego Buonanotte, Lucas Piazón, Javier Saviola</p>
<p align="justify">FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> (4-3-3): Jose Manuel Pinto; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110098/dani-alves">Dani Alves</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110855/gerard-pique">Gerard Pique</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110053/javier-mascherano">Javier Mascherano</a>, <span>Jordi Alba</span>; <span>Sergio Busquets</span>, Xavi, <span>Cesc Fabregas</span>; Pedro, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>, Andres Iniesta</p>
<p align="justify">Substitutes: Victor Valdes, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110856/carles-puyol">Carles Puyol</a>, <span>Adriano Correia</span>, <span>Alex Song</span>, <span>Thiago</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110874/david-villa">David Villa</a>, Alexis Sanchez</p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/1/24/3911630/copa-del-rey-malaga-cf-vs-fc-barcelona-live-game-threadBostjan Cernensek2013-01-24T08:39:11+01:002013-01-24T08:39:11+01:00Predict the Score: Barcelona vs Malaga
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<p>A chance to predict the score of tonight's Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg clash between Barcelona and Malaga</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Barcelona will be looking to snap a two-game win-less streak tonight when they take on Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga at La Rosaleda. Should the Blaugrana qualify for the semi-finals, they will set up a mouth-watering double-header with arch-rivals <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a>, who comfortably defeated <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/valencia" class="sbn-auto-link">Valencia</a> over two legs. However, <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona's</a> place in the final four is far from secure, and after a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou, it's actually Malaga who are in pole position for a semi-final berth. Should Pellegrini's side avoid defeat, and concede less than two goals, they will progress at Barcelona's expense. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, Barca are unlikely to go down without a fight. With Copa del Rey top-scorer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110874/david-villa" class="sbn-auto-link">David Villa</a> back from injury, the Blaugrana look to be at full-strength. The question is: will that be enough. Vote in our poll below to predict the score of this second-leg, and comment with your prediction to be in with a chance of winning a prize at the season's end. Best of luck!</p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/1/24/3910498/copa-del-rey-fc-barcelona-vs-malaga-cf-predict-the-scoreArron Duckling2013-01-23T21:54:10+01:002013-01-23T21:54:10+01:00CdR: Barcelona vs Malaga: Match Preview
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<p>A preview of Barcelona's Copa del Rey quarter-final, second-leg clash with Malaga. The two teams are tied 2-2 on aggregate after the first leg at the Camp Nou</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> travel to Andalusia tomorrow for the second time in two weeks as they get set to take on Malaga in the second-leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final. After slipping to a disappointing 2-2 home draw in the first-leg, Barcelona need to win if they are to secure their place in the semi-finals, although another 2-2 draw will send the tie into extra-time. Obviously, any score draw that ends with both teams scoring at least three goals will also send the Blaugrana through courtesy of the away-goal ruling. Bearing that in mind, the odds are probably in Malaga’s favour – but will Manuel Pellegrini’s side be able to capitalise on their advantage and knock the reigning champions out?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>TEAM NEWS</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>BARCELONA</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, <span>Tito Vilanova</span> will not be leading the team tomorrow as he is in New York undergoing further treatment, but fear not, Jordi Roura is set to stand in and hopefully lead the Blaugrana to a place in the semi-finals. Roura has done an excellent job in the few times he has had to fill in for Vilanova, and there is no reason to suggest that that is about to change. Despite receiving the medical green light to return to action, <span>Isaac Cuenca</span> will not play a part in tomorrow’s match.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">In goal, Victor Valdés is set to make way for regular Copa del Rey keeper Jose Manuel Pinto, who made what turned out to be a costly mistake in the first-leg. Admittedly, Thiago could have done better after receiving the pass, and someone should have warned Thiago of the imminent challenge from Manuel Iturra, but Pinto’s pass selection was questionable to say the very least.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">In defense, I expect <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110098/dani-alves">Dani Alves</a> to start on the right-hand side of defense, although Dani may face competition from fellow Brazilian, Adriano. On one hand, Alves is arguably the better "big-game" player, and has proved his worth over a long, successful career with the club, but on the other hand, Adriano has arguably been the better player thus far this season. Equally comfortable on either his right or left-foot, Adriano offers something different to the Barcelona attack, although Alves may well be the better defender (not that you would have guessed during Saturday’s defeat). It’s a tough choice, but personally, I would start with Alves.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">In the centre of defense, Gerard Piqué should start given that he is now suspended for the weekend’s match with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/osasuna">Osasuna</a>, but who will start alongside Barcelona’s newest father? And while we are on the subject, will Piqué still start after the birth of his son, Milan? Clearly, I think he will, and I suspect that he will be partnered by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110053/javier-mascherano">Javier Mascherano</a>, especially as <span>Marc Bartra</span> was left out of the squad (again). That leaves the left-back spot free for <span>Jordi Alba</span>, who didn’t feature at all in the first-leg.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">In midfield, I would start <span>Sergio Busquets</span> at pivote, although there is a case for <span>Alex Song</span>, who has been named in the final 19-man squad. The case isn’t particularly strong, but Song could start, especially if Roura wants to keep Busquets in reserve ready for the weekend’s match with Osasuna. Ahead of Busquets (or Song), I suspect that Thiago will retain his place in the starting line-up despite his error in the first-leg, and I would like to see Thiago start with Xavi in support. With Xavi on hand to help out, Thiago would be free to act as the "creator" in the Barca midfield, while Xavi would also help Barcelona control the midfield – something that they struggled to do at times in the first-leg.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> will start in attack – it’s almost unavoidable – but who will start in support of the Argentine superstar? <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110874/david-villa">David Villa</a> has recovered from his injury to be named in the squad, but it seems unlikely that Roura will start with El Guaje in attack. Personally, I think that Villa should start – we could really use someone with his confidence in front of goal in such a difficult stadium – but we could equally see starts for Alexis Sánchez and/or Cristian Tello. Pedro is another candidate who could start, but has seen limited action in the Copa del Rey, and instead Roura will likely save Pedro for Sunday’s match with Osasuna.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>MALAGA</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Malaga boosted their defensive options today with the loan signing of Uruguayan captain <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110941/diego-lugano">Diego Lugano</a>, who joins from Paris Saint-Germain. Lugano however is not part of the squad for tomorrow’s match. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110245/jeremy-toulalan">Jeremy Toulalan</a> has also been left out, amidst rumours linking the Frenchman with a move away from La Rosaleda. Nacho Monreal misses out through suspension, while star playmaker Isco is also set to miss out through injury. However, Pellegrini has given a first "call-up" to Chelsea loanee <span>Lucas Piazon</span>, even if the Brazilian is unlikely to feature.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>FORM GUIDE</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona: WWWWDL</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Malaga: WLWLDD</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>LAST MEETING</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">FC Barcelona 2-2 Malaga CF – 16<sup>th</sup> January 2013 – Copa del Rey</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">An injury-time equaliser from Ignacio Camacho secured a 2-2 draw for the visitors, who were minutes away from a first-leg defeat, despite opening the scoring through Manuel Iturra.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>LIKELY LINE-UPS</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Barcelona (4-3-3): Pinto; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Thiago; Sánchez, Messi, Villa</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Malaga (4-2-3-1): Kameni; Gamez, Demichelis, Weligton, Eliseu; Iturra, Camacho; Joaquin, Buonanotte, Duda; Santa Cruz</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b>MATCH PREDICTION </b></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The last time Barcelona failed to register a win in three consecutive games? Last season’s infamous six day spell where Barcelona faced Chelsea, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> and Chelsea. Odds of a repeat? I’d say the odds are looking pretty slim. Barca will want to set up a possible semi-final clash with Real Madrid (more Clasicos!), and show the world that the past couple of games were nothing more than a momentary blip. I’m going for a repeat of Barcelona’s last result at La Rosaleda – 3-1 to the visitors.</p>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2013/1/23/3908494/copa-del-rey-fc-barcelona-vs-malaga-cf-match-previewArron Duckling