FC Barcelona ended a wonderful 2011 with a bit of diappointment having failed to breach an ultra defensive Athletic wall. That were some of the few dissappointments in a rather wonderful year. Exit at teh Chamnpions League was yet another one. Toa huge extend 2010 should be considered a very good year. Maybe there are some disappointments considering the amount of trophies we ended up with in the previous year, but to expect a repeat of the same was kind of asking too much. The second half of the year especially the last quarter has been an excellent one. Topping all with a 5-0 destruction of arch rival Real Madrid at the Home of Beautiful soccer.
Victor Valdes in the begining of season said that our team has improved a lot. Everyone thought it was usual banter trying to get into the opponent's skin very early. The fact that we were playing really well in the 2009 - 10 season, so the idea of improving a lot was a bit of strange. But he wasn't talking nonsense. I mean a look back at the recent performance we can see a huge improvement in one factor - the effectiveness of the Tiki-Taka. We have always known to play teh tiki-taka well, but this season there is a greater impact to our style of play. A look back at the way we have been successgful in regaining possession explain the effectiveness. In Barca defense starts at having the possession. And this season we have been quite effective in winning it back. If you get the time you should watch some of the recent matches from start to end. The way the possession is won back is an exhibition in itself as the way all the goals has been scored. With starving the opposition of the ball very easily, Barca has cut down on resultant dangers and their recent cleansheet streak was a testimony for the same.
Sometimes you are left to wonder what the english press has against FC Barcelona. Recently Andy Gray came out with his ten cent worth of wisdom. He wrote off FC Barcelona faring well in the English Premier league and wrote off Lionel Messi as a person not good enough to make an impact at places like Stoke. For English commentators like Andy, FC Barcelona present their worst nightmare. Here is one team which plays really beautiful football and also win titles. That's something these geniuses was advising the world as impossible. So don't get surprised by these kind of statements and we can expect a flurry of the same if the team continues their recent great form. English commentators are always known for their great knowledge of the game. Prior to the world cup one of them wrote off Spain's chances, as they had only one world class player - Fernando Torres. Surprisingly he wasn't good enough to start for the World Champions in the semis and the finals.
Winter break is a good time to take stoke of your transfer success. Ibrahim Afellay has been the recent addition to Barca;s family and great things are expected out of him. But it will be better not to expect him to fill in the shoes of Xavi or Iniesta whenever he steps in to the field. As far as how the summer signings went, I would say very well. Adriano did show us his capability in a couple of matches especially on the left flanks. But he very well need more time to get into full groove. David Villa on the other hand has been quite efficient. Yes, I know many will complain abouth the constant offside calls and some seriously glaring misses. But still his understanding with his team mates has been excepetional. He fits truly well into our Plans compared to Ibrahimovic. With him upfront we have the pace back on the attacking trio, especially on the counter. There are concerns raised about the persisitent offside calls but if we look carefully there has been a gradual decrease in those and with more time he will surely be able to cut out on the same. The first job on the team's hand in the new year will be to get into the next round of Copa Del Rey tournament. You don't want to start a new year with going out of the King's cup.