Racing Santander vs Barcelona Match Preview
Another promising season starts for the Blaugrana, as the memories of last year's visit to Santander are exciting Cule's followers for this match. Victory over Sevilla for the Super Cup (a final in which Messi scored two goals) boosted even more Barcelona's confidence, and the last minute addition of Javier Mascherano to the squads offers Sergio Busquests a reliable partner on the midfield, though Masche might not be ready to play for this first match. More than half of Barcelona's players are drunk on the honeys of success after the World Championship, and the fight against Real Madrid might be tougher than ever this year. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's future yet uncertain, Pedro, Lio Messi and David Villa will have to lead the team towards Racing's goal, and their ferocity might be a little too much for the Racinguistas to deal with. Racing will have to do a radical shift of paradigm to stop the champions from making their area into a playground, as the crowds will be expecting a sounding victory.
Racing's coach Miguel Angel Portugal is aware there could hardly be a toughest way to start a tournament, but nevertheless team's manager recognized his players will do their best to make Barcelona uncomfortable on Blaugrana's visit to Santander. A formation that relies heavily on the counter attack is expected for this match, though the simple idea of recovering the ball from Cule's experienced players might be nothing but a dream. With most of the reinforcements still nesting to understand the way the team works, Racing will have to reduce the spaces for FC Barcelona to create and keep its defense packed against the versatility of their rival's strikers. Except for Oscar Serrano, Portugal will have every player on the squad ready for this clash. Ariel Nahuelpan and Iván Bolado might be the offensive warlords, as Serrano's absence should not be felt if at least one point is to be taken from Barcelona's hands.
Racing Santander vs Barcelona Match Report
The champion had to take the crown to Santander and show their worth at the throne. Lead once again by Lionel Messi, the Blaugranas claimed the first position of La Liga without hesitating, pleasing the crowds with goals from Lio Messi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa. Spanish' international is winning the heart of the crowds on record time, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's departure might hardly be felt thanks to him. Barcelona's superiority was clear from the first moment, and on the 4th minute Lio Messi scored the first of many goals in this season. Racing's coach Miguel Angel Portugal stated "this year, Barcelona's team might be even deadliest than last season" as the interaction between Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquests and Andres Iniesta has once again perfect.
Racing had its fair shots against Cule's goal, but Victor Valdes made his area a fortress, denying Tchite and Pedro Munitis the opportunity to shorten the gap. Game's most exciting moment would undoubtedly by Tchite's penalty shot, deflected by Barcelona's goalkeeper. Two bad news for Pep Guardiola after this victory; Xavi and Carles Puyol might have to receive some treatment before returning to the fields. El Sardinero was Barcelona's play ground, and next week's match home might be the perfect chance for the Cule squad to show its followers this year might be even more promising than the previous one. Racing's weakest aspect: the defense. Even though Barcelona is a furious rival almost unstoppable for any defense, Racing's central defenders hardly even tried to recover the ball, and this boosted Messi & Co's confidence rapidly.
