FC Barcelona's campaign's in the Champion's League and La Liga this season can be summed up in one word: failure. Having won both competitions in the 2005 - 2006 expectations were high amongst both fans and the media that Barca were more than capable of retaining both titles. In August 2006 I backed them to win their third Spanish League title in a row but, baring a miracle, Real Madrid who are at home to Real Mallorca this weekend are relatively certain to clinch their first trophy since 2003. Should, as seems likely, both Barca and Madrid finish level on 76 points, Madrid will win the league due to their head to head record against Barca this season.
Barca have lost all their crucial games this season. In the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Monaco (0 - 3), away against Real Madrid in the league (0 - 2), away to Chelsea in the Champions League (0 - 1), away to Espanyol in the league (1 - 3), in the World Club Cup against Internacional of Brazil in Japan (0 - 1), at home to Liverpool in the Champions League (1 - 2), away to Sevilla in the league (1 - 2), and finally the humiliating and utterly inexcusable 0 - 4 away defeat to Getafe in the semi-final 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey. What made this defeat in particular so frustrating was the fact that Barca came into the fixture with a 5 - 2 aggregate lead. With no disrespect intended towards Getafe they are a relatively modest outfit but to their great credit they have often been punching well above their weight this season. Rijkaard made a grave error by not playing Messi who has undoubtedly been Barca's best player this season. Who could forget his excellent hat trick at the Nou Camp against Madrid and the superb solo goal against Getafe?
Quite simply the league was there for the taking. I had a strong feeling that Madrid would not win at Zaragoza last Saturday night and had Barca not drawn with Espanyol the league would almost certainly be theirs. Who knows? Perhaps Madrid will slip up against Mallorca but with the Madrid players eager to secure the title and David Beckham especially keen to go out on a high in his last game in Spanish football this is unlikely. All credit to them as they deserve it.
And all credit as well to Sevilla who without a doubt have been the best side in Europe this season. They will need to win at home to Villareal and hope both Barca and Madrid lose to secure the league title. Though unlikely to happen it doesn't take away from the fact that they have played some of the most impressive counter-attacking football this season. Their second successive UEFA Cup triumph over unlucky Espanyol combined with their league and cup run underlines their strength in depth and thirst for victory. Coach Juande Ramos is hardly likely to give up the prospect of Champions League football with Sevilla for Carling Cup ties against the likes of Burnly should rumours of Manchester City's interest in his mangerial services be believed.
So this weekend will see the climax of a long season in Spain and may the best team (Sevilla) win.
Barca have lost all their crucial games this season. In the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Monaco (0 - 3), away against Real Madrid in the league (0 - 2), away to Chelsea in the Champions League (0 - 1), away to Espanyol in the league (1 - 3), in the World Club Cup against Internacional of Brazil in Japan (0 - 1), at home to Liverpool in the Champions League (1 - 2), away to Sevilla in the league (1 - 2), and finally the humiliating and utterly inexcusable 0 - 4 away defeat to Getafe in the semi-final 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey. What made this defeat in particular so frustrating was the fact that Barca came into the fixture with a 5 - 2 aggregate lead. With no disrespect intended towards Getafe they are a relatively modest outfit but to their great credit they have often been punching well above their weight this season. Rijkaard made a grave error by not playing Messi who has undoubtedly been Barca's best player this season. Who could forget his excellent hat trick at the Nou Camp against Madrid and the superb solo goal against Getafe?
Quite simply the league was there for the taking. I had a strong feeling that Madrid would not win at Zaragoza last Saturday night and had Barca not drawn with Espanyol the league would almost certainly be theirs. Who knows? Perhaps Madrid will slip up against Mallorca but with the Madrid players eager to secure the title and David Beckham especially keen to go out on a high in his last game in Spanish football this is unlikely. All credit to them as they deserve it.
And all credit as well to Sevilla who without a doubt have been the best side in Europe this season. They will need to win at home to Villareal and hope both Barca and Madrid lose to secure the league title. Though unlikely to happen it doesn't take away from the fact that they have played some of the most impressive counter-attacking football this season. Their second successive UEFA Cup triumph over unlucky Espanyol combined with their league and cup run underlines their strength in depth and thirst for victory. Coach Juande Ramos is hardly likely to give up the prospect of Champions League football with Sevilla for Carling Cup ties against the likes of Burnly should rumours of Manchester City's interest in his mangerial services be believed.
So this weekend will see the climax of a long season in Spain and may the best team (Sevilla) win.
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