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Lionel Messi becomes FC Barcelona’s all-time top scorer after hat-trick against Granada
So, Lionel Messi has finally made it… Barcelona’s all-time intimidating record of 232 goals has been broken by the No.10 ace, who netted a hat-trick against Granada in La Liga on Tuesday night.
Cesar Rodriguez was previously the man with the honour, having scored a record 232 goals for the Catalans between 1939 and 1955. But at only 24 years of age, Messi seems to be telling the world that he could go much higher on the ladder of success, having now raised the bar to 234 goals.Messi - who is temporarily La Liga’s top scorer ahead of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo - first equalled Rodriguez’s record on 17 minutes, thanks to a brilliant shot that saw the ball knock the far post before bouncing in to put Barcelona 2-0 up.
The match happened to be levelled at 2-2 shortly after the hour mark though, but Messi made history by becoming his club’s all-time goalscorer with a second goal that upped his overall tally to 233 goals.
Barca-Granada & Villarreal-Madrid: Will Los Cules reduce the gap to 5 points?
Barcelona beat Sevilla, Malaga hold Real Madrid and suddenly it is game on for the Catalans in the race for the 2011/12 La Liga title. How will things pan out on Matchday 28 of the championship?
“We still have an eight-point lead and there's nothing to worry about because the league is far from over,” Cristiano Ronaldo insisted during post-game talks on Sunday.
The Portuguese winger was unlucky not to score at a few occasions against Malaga. However, he provided the assist for Real Madrid’s only goal of the night.
Meanwhile, team mate and goal scorer Karim Benzema missed at least a couple of glorious chances whereas the referee controversially turned down one or two penalty calls from Los Blancos.
Real Madrid vs Granada Report
Real Madrid managed a straightforward victory at home to Granada on Saturday night.
The home crowd could expect a flood of goals right from the start of the game as Jose Mourinho paired Higuain and Benzema in the starting XI.The latter didn’t lose much time to assume his duties. He broke the deadlock after 19 minutes to complete Özil and Ronaldo’s excellent team work on the offensive.
Granada equalized through Mikel Rico quickly after but Sergio Ramos put Real Madrid back in front inside the 34th minute. The Spaniard, who returned to action earlier than expected, sent the ball home with a bullet header.
Jose Mourinho praises Granada as Real Madrid resume La Liga’s title hunt
Since their 6-2 humiliation of Sevilla in December, Real Madrid have not played a league game. Tonight, Los Blancos will host minnows Granada.
Real Madrid vs Granada will be Jose Mourinho’s second match in charge in 2012. The Portuguese boss, who is enjoying the challenge at the Bernabeu, is looking forward to the clash. Avowing his respect towards Granada, Mourinho told the press on Friday:“Granada are a good team that defends well and is dangerous in attack. I wish to congratulate their supporters for travelling such a long way for the team's first match at the Bernabeu in 36 years.
“I would be proud of them if I coached or played for Granada.”
Real Madrid vs Granada Preview
Minnows Granada will face Real Madrid in the Spanish capital on Saturday. Will the visitors give a headache to the current La Liga leaders?
The Santiago Bernabeu crowd was recently treated with an eventful game which ended in favor of the hosts. Real Madrid successfully denied Malaga from achieving victory in the Spanish Copa del Rey. Second half goals from Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema played the trick as Los Blancos’ defense got exposed during the first period of the match. This time out, Jose Mourinho would want his team to exhibit their potential right from the start of the game before suffering a possible upset to Granada.
Of course, the Spanish giants don’t need to fear much. Their home record and their form are too good to leave room for doubts against a lower opposition like thirteenth-placed Granada.
Granada vs Barcelona Report
The stage was set for Barcelona to triumph. A lone goal by midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez put the Catalans back on track in La Liga.
Pedro, Lionel Messi and Cuenca led the attack in a 4-3-3 formation for Pep Guardiola’s team. Cesc Fabregas returned to the starting XI while Maxwell, Abidal and Mascherano were part of the defensive line that excluded the injured Puyol.The game was sure to produce several yellow cards as Granada striker Uche entered into the referee’s book as early as inside the third minute. The Nigerian was guilty of making a late tackle on Argentina’s Javier Mascherano.
Immediately, Barcelona imposed their possession game. They took a bit of time to test Granada’s goalkeeper Roberto. After a quarter of an hour gone down the clock, the visitors made their intentions to win clearer.
Granada vs Barcelona Preview
Barcelona will take on Granada on Tuesday night with the sole aim of bouncing back from their eventful 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla last weekend.
“Everything is hard and complicated, but there is no way that this will make us doubt in ourselves,” Dani Alves told the press after Barca lost points to Sevilla. “We are a great team – win, lose or draw. We have shown that over the years and one result won’t change that.”
Barcelona dropped 2 places down on Saturday. They are now third with 18 points and a (+22) goal difference. They’ve conceded as many as 4 goals and scored 5 in their 3 away matches in La Liga. Barca remain unbeaten in the competition but they’ve clinched only 5 points from a possible 9 out of the Camp Nou stadium.