Mind the gap!

Firstly an apology. Not from all at FC Barcelona for the disgraceful non-performance in the biggest match of the season, but from me for my failure to post since the Espanyol game. I do however have the excuse of having a proper job other than kicking a football around but never fear people because 2008 will be the year that this blog really takes off...or not, depending on how I feel.

After entertaining PUB members in Valencia with a clinical annihalation of a home side in almost total chaos hopes were high for El Clasico and a chance to close the gap at the top of the league to a single point going into the Christmas break. There were around 20 members of the Penya attending the game against the arch enemy and everybody enjoyed a few trips to the Sports Bar and several meals out as a group as the wait for the game seemed to drag on forever.

The atmosphere around the ground pre-match was strangely muted considering the amount at stake, maybe it was a consequence of the game being an earlier kick off or simply being so close to the Christmas holidays; maybe, however, the fans just had the feeling that it wasn't going to be our day.

The less said about the match the better quite frankly. Barca were the better side before the goal which decided the game and should have been a goal up when Ronnie had time to pick his spot as the ball fell to him in the area but he could only shoot straight at Casillas. Within minutes the people in white were celebrating a goal of real quality which seemed to knock the stuffing out of our side. 0-1

After the goal it was time for a leading player to take the game by the scruff of the neck and haul us back into contention. Messi was out and Ronaldinho may as well have been for all the effect he was having. He beat his man marker (the opposition only need to use the one nowadays) the sum total of two times and made the same amount of runs back to help out his defence. The lack of effort from the Brazillian and far too many others was simply a disgrace when faced with the prospect of out greatest rivals celebrating a victory on Catalan soil. There was simply no urgency and no passion.

The second half came and went with few if any chances for FC Barcelona whilst on the counter attack we were threatened regularly by the opposition and the scoreline could have ended up looking embarassing. Post match in Sports Bar was one of the worst atmospheres I have experienced with Carlos the barman describing it as "like a funeral". Enough said.

Barca now have no choice but, as Etoo says, to "win, win and keep on winning". Anything else and the league will be over by Easter and we'll be pinning all our hopes on the cup competitions. No news on any winter transfers yet but FCB did progress through to the round of 16 in the Copa del Rei where they play Sevilla.

If you are interested in joining the Penya then we are still running our special offer on membership. See below for details.