ScottT - Got a good rivalry going with Atlético Madrid, which always makes the game more fun and interesting. 5 times we'll have faced them before the end of the season; pushing for all the same trophies as well, so hopefully it'll be us who come out on top at the end of the season.
TheLFCFan - Hopefully we'll have the league wrapped up within the second week of May. Its going well though; in a good position to do the treble (or quadruple if you include the super cup; Guardiola would
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April Update:
Gap reduced to 9 points..
Barcelona failed to capitalize on their end of the month fixture against Atlético Madrid. The game finished a 1-1 draw, with Atlético being the better team on the day; however, Barcelona did manage to hit the frame of the goal 3 times that match. A win, would have seen them clinch the La Liga title with victory in their next game. Instead; the blaugrana fans are going to have to wait a couple more weeks to see their team lift the trophy. The month of April also saw Barcelona progress into the semi-finals of the Champions, where they shall face S.L. Benfica
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Player of the Month:
Samuel Umtiti
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Solid month from the Frenchman. He gets the award for his consistent performances throughout the month. His lowest match rating was a 7.0 and his average for the month was 7.44; also contributing 2 headed goals in the 7 games he featured in. One more player of the month award to handout, as we enter the final stage of this first season under the stewardship of Miguel Rodríguez.
April Results and Goal Scorers:
03/04/19 La Liga Barcelona 1 - 0 RCD Espanyol
Luis Suárez (13)
10/04/19 Champions League Quarter Final Leg 1 Atlético Madrid 1 - 1
Barcelona
Diego Costa (44), Thomas Lemar sent off (4),
Diego Godín (own goal 90+1)
13/04/19 La Liga Barcelona 3 - 1 Villarreal CF
Arthur (2), Luis Suárez (65), Samuel Umtiti (87) Karl Toko Ekambi (90)
16/04/19 Champions League Quarter Final Leg 2 Barcelona 1 - 0 Atlético Madrid
Lionel Messi (59)
20/04/19 La Liga Barcelona 3 - 0 CD Leganés
Lionel Messi (1), Abel Ruiz (42), Samuel Umtiti (90+1)
24/04/19 La Liga Real Sociedad 1 - 0
Barcelona
Adnan Januzaj (70)
28/04/19 La Liga Atlético Madrid 1 - 1
Barcelona
Álvaro Morata (74)
Ivan Rakitić (51)
Whilst the title celebrations have been halted for the time-being, the Champions League campaign continues after a well-managed affair against Atletico over the two legs. Benfica will be tricky opposition, but certainly a side you would have preferred to play at this stage. A great opportunity to work your way into the UEFA Champions League final.
ScottT - Tough game Benfica, done really well to get this far, but out of the remaining teams, they were the more preferable draw.
May Udate:
Barcelona Champions of Spain!!
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Barcelona clinched the Spanish league title with a ruthless 6-0 home win against already relegated, and bottom of the league, SD Huesca. It was a game in which Barcelona were relentless throughout; in the 90 minutes of football played; Barcelona amassed 43 shots at goal; 22 on target, and maintained 67% possession. A special note has to be made for the B team of Barcelona, as they clinched the Segunda División B3 on the same day as the first team sealed the league title. Barcelona u19s won the Spanish u19s Cup 6 days later; making the month of May, a hugely successful one for all teams associated with Barcelona. Miguel Rodríguez had this to say following the conclusion of the league season..
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Miguel Rodríguez - Barcelona Manager " Its a very proud moment, to win the La Liga title in my first season as this clubs first team manager. Hopefully it shall be the first of many. The majority of the season was hugely difficult, Atlético pushed us really hard all season, and it was only the later stages when we started to created some breathing space. Our attention now turns to the next two games, two cup finals, so we can't celebrate this to long as it is a quick turn around from now to the next fixture. I just want to briefly mention the B teams success; the clinched their league title hours before we clinched ours. So its a hugely successful day in this clubs history, to have the first team and second team win titles on the same day.
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Player of the Month:
Jordi Alba
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The flying wing back was instrumental in the final run in; producing cross after cross, run after run. He's had an impressive season all round, as have many within this squad. To top his month off, he scored in the 6-0 home win in which the title was secured. His most telling contribution throughout the season in my opinion, has been the mentoring that he has provided for Juan Miranda. Since linking them two up, the young fullback has come on leaps and bounds.
May Results and Goal Scorers:
01/05/19 Champions League Semi Final Leg 1 Barcelona 2 - 1 S.L. Benfica
Luis Suárez (1), Ousmane Dembélé (21) Gedson Fernandes (20)
04/05/19 La Liga Barcelona 1 - 0 Girona FC
Ousmane Dembélé (7)
07/05/19 Champions League Semi Final Leg 2 S.L. Benfica 0 - 1
Barcelona
Philippe Coutinho (79)
12/05/19 La Liga Barcelona 6 - 0 SD Huesca
Luis Suárez (1), Ivan Rakitić (17, 22), Philippe Coutinho (24), Abel Ruiz (57), Jordi Alba (80), Ivan Rakitić missed penalty (43) Gonzalo Melero sent off (77)
15/05/19 La Liga Levante UD 0 - 1
Barcelona
Lionel Messi (46), Lionel Messi missed penalty (37)
22/05/19 La Liga Deportivo Alavés 2 - 0
Barcelona
Diego Rolan (24, 71)
Whilst the loss to Alaves wasn't an ideal way to end the season, the league title is secured for another season and you have successfully navigated your way into the UEFA Champions League final. Alongside the Copa Del Rey final, this is a great opportunity to win the treble in your first season in charge, which would be an astounding achievement. However, Atletico and Liverpool certainly won't be pushovers and have earned their way into the respective finals, so it's important they're given respect if you want to triumph. Best of luck!
League title secured, two massive finals coming up. Good luck!
ScottT - Not to disappointed to lose the the last game of the season with the league title wrapped up well in advance. Attention now turns to the two finals; hopefully we'll be celebrating once again, however, both games are against top opposition so it's going to be tricky. Cheers mate!
Justice - Cheers pal!
Congrats on the title win, and here's hoping you take home the treble.
Copa del Rey Final 25/05/2019
Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid
Santiago Bernabéu
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this years Copa Del Rey final between Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. My co-commentator for tonight's game is Terry Gibson. Evening Terry; how do you see this one going?
Terry Gibson - Sky Sports Good evening; well its going to be a tight one. They've faced each other for times this season; twice in the league of course, and twice in the Champions League. All the games so far have been really close; only decided by the one goal. Barcelona have been the better of the two teams when they've faced each other; coming away with 2 wins and 2 draws. I can see this one being a close one as well; I'm going to go with the seasons form, and say 1-0 Barcelona.
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports I agree; I can see it being another close game between these two clubs; but my gut feeling is telling me that Atlético are going to win tonight. I just think that they're really going to try and get one over Barcelona, after missing out on the league title against them, as well as failing to get past them in the Champions League.
Okay; the team news is in; Atlético line up as followed;
Jan Oblak in goal; Lucas Hernandez left back; José Giménez and Diego Godín as the two centre backs; Juanfran at right back. In midfield; Thomas Lemar on the left; Thomas Partey and Rodri in the centre, and Ángel Correa out on the right. Up front; they have the talented duo of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa.
Barcelona's lineup is as followed;
ter Stegen in goal; Jordi Alba left back; Gerard Piqué and Samuel Umtiti at centre back; with Sergi Roberto at right back. Sergio Busquets plays at the base of a midfield 3; with Ivan Rakitić and Arthur in front of him. Ousmane Dembélé starts at right wing; due to Messi carrying a slight knock, which means he's only able to make the bench; Philippe Coutinho out on the left, and Luis Suárez as the lone striker.
Kick off comes after this short break..
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports 0 Barcelona to get the first half under way.
Terry Gibson - Sky Sports 21 Lucas Hernandez heads the ball down to Rodri who picks up the ball just inside his own half. He plays it to Lemar wide left; who cuts inside and plays it into Diego Costa. Costa then fires the ball out to the right flank where Correa can run at Alba. Correa swings a vicious ball into the penalty area; its in behind Barcelona's back-line; Griezmann runs onto it first time and PICKS OUT THE BOTTOM CORNER!!! 1-0 Atlético Madrid!!!
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports What a brilliant ball in that was from Correa! Delivered into that horrible area between the defenders and goalkeeper. Easy finish for Griezmann. Hang on Terry; looks like the referee is going to check with VAR here for a potential offside.
Terry Gibson - Sky Sports Yeah looking back now, it looks like Griezmann made that run a little to early there. The goal has been ruled out correctly for offside. Barcelona escape; the scores still 0-0 after 21 minutes.
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports Half Time Its 0-0 at the break, with not to many talking points other than that offside goal for Atlético Madrid. Excluding that opportunity; its been all Barcelona. Bossing the possession stats with 64% of the ball; they've also registered 13 attempts, with 5 on target. Atlético are yet to register an attempt on goal. Barcelona were always going to dominate the ball though weren't they?
Terry Gibson - Sky Sports Yeah well its how they've played all season isn't it. Its also how Atlético have setup against them whenever they've played each other this season and all. They're quite content to just sit back, soak up the pressure and try to hit Barcelona on the counter.
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports Second Half The teams are back out to get the second half underway. Its Atlético who kick off; no changes to tell you about just yet.
62 Morata on for Costa
68 Vitolo on to replace Lemar
73 Víctor Mollejo on to take the place of Thomas Partey
74 Double substitution for Barcelona; Messi on for Dembélé ; Rafinha to replace Arthur.
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports 76 Jordi Alba takes the throw in, inline with Atlético's 18 yard box and finds Busquets; Busquets gets it out his feet and plays a cross-field ball to Sergi Roberto. Roberto drives into the 18 yard box and knocks it past Vitolo, who sticks out a leg... PENALTY! He left the referee with no choice there but to award the spot kick.
Up-steps Messi to take it... Messi shoots top left... SAVED!! Jan Oblak denies Messi!! It was a poor penalty in all honesty.
Terry Gibson - Sky Sports89 Last minute of the 90; Barcelona have a free kick just inside the Atlético half of the pitch. Messi standing over; he whips the ball into the back post; its over everyone's head; Rakitić has made a bending run and gets on the end of it..GOAL!!! 1-0 Barcelona!! Redemption for Messi!! Barcelona lead!! IS this part 2 of the treble wrapped up?? Can Atlético dig in and find a late response to going behind? They've got 4 additional minutes to do so.
Gerry Armstrong - Sky Sports 90+4 Correa has the ball out on the left wing; he crosses it in; Piqué gets his foot to it first and clears. That's it!! They've done it; Barcelona are the 2019 Copa Del Rey champions!! Its as you predicted Terry; a 1-0 win for Barcelona.
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SonOfAnarchy - Cheers mate; that's part two of the treble complete so far! Difficult last game against Liverpool; premier league champions as well so they'll be coming into the game full of confidence.
Copa Del Rey final
FCB TV - Ricardo Pruna FCB TV presenter I'm here with first team manager Miguel Rodríguez; Miguel just a quick one; firstly, congratulations on winning the Copa Del Rey; how are the emotions right now?
Miguel Rodríguez - Barcelona manager Delighted; couldn't be prouder of this group of players. They kept going, they kept their heads and kept on playing the way that we expect them to. Atlético took us right to the end; like they've done all season. Its been great going up against them and Diego Simeone all season, its been a truly great battle between two world class sides, and thankfully it is us who have come out on top. Next season it might not be the same, so we need to make sure that we maintain these levels.
FCB TV - Ricardo Pruna FCB TV presenter Yes they've made it very competitive all season for you. Any celebration plans for you and the team, or is the attention solely focused on preparing for the Champions League final against Liverpool?
Miguel Rodríguez - Barcelona manager We'll enjoy tonight, the lads deserve to celebrate this success because it is not easy to win this competition. However; as soon as tonight is over, our heads are solely focused on winning the Champions League. Its going to be tough, we're going up against a world class team, with a world class coach. They've won their league, and they were beaten finalists last season, so I'm sure they'll use that as added motivation. For us; we can't let them play their game; they're an excellent counter-attacking side who set traps. We need to close of the channels as quickly as possible when the ball does turn over, so that they can't get their wingers in down the side, because that is were they are most dangerous. I'm really looking forward to it though, it should be a good test, and hopefully a great game of football.
FCB TV - Ricardo Pruna FCB TV presenter Thank you for your time; enjoy tonight's success and good luck in the preparation for the final. I'm sure that you'll bring it home for us!! Back to the studio, where we'll recap all of tonight's action, and look ahead to the final, where we shall be in the red part of Madrid.
Congrats on winning a tight Copa del Rey final. Atletico are always very strong in FM these past few years. Goodluck against Liverpool.
SonOfAnarchy - Cheers mate! They've had a really slid team for a while now. Will be interesting to see how they line up next season with some key players leaving; the likes of Godin, Luis, and Juanfran meaning they pretty much need a new back 4. Plus; Lucas has joined Bayern. They could be an interesting team to go on next season's FM. Tough game, they've got a fully fit squad. Got a dilemma whether or not to start Messi. He's not been 100% the last couple of games and needs a rest. Might have to risk starting him though, because of how big a game it is.
