Thursday, May 12, 2011

From thrashing Real Madrid 5-0 to putting eight past Almeria - the game-by-game guide to Barcelona's title win

Barcelona are the champions of Spain for the third consecutive season after picking up the point they needed against Levante to secure the crown with two matches still to play. Catalunya will be a cacophony of noise as the locals celebrate their superiority over the rest of Spain once again.

The title is the 21st in the club's history, and while Real Madrid remained in hot pursuit for much of the season, there seemed little doubt that Pep Guardiola's band of exceptional talents would eventually get their hands on the coveted trophy.

The benchmark was set in the now-infamous 5-0 annihilation of Madrid in November, a match which will forever be remembered as a defining moment in a season that brushed with perfection.

The likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta were able to maintain the consistency that had helped clinch the World Cup in South Africa, and were pivotal in the team's success. But the incomparable, irreplaceable Lionel Messi reached new echelons of brilliance in 2010-11, blasting past the 50-goal barrier in all competitions, while producing numerous assists for attacking comrades David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez.

Below we take you through Barcelona's season round-by-round, highlighting their noticeable peaks and occasional troughs in a memorable campaign.

AUGUST
JORNADA 1 - August 29 - RACING (a) Won 3-0
Messi opened the scoring with a fine finish, Iniesta struck one of the goals
of the season with a 40-yard lob, then Villa opened his account for
his new club, in what was a routine win.
Messi 4, Iniesta 33, Villa 62
  

SEPTEMBER
JORNADA 2 Sep 11 - HERCULES (h) Lost 0-2
One of the seismic shocks of the season arrived when promoted Hercules came to Camp Nou and outplayed their illustrious hosts to take the points. A double from Paraguayan Nelson Valdez earned the points and shocked the world
.
 
  
JORNADA 3 - Sep 19 - ATLETICO MADRID (a) Won 2-1
The Catalan giants had been defeated in their previous two league trips to the Vicente Calderon, but first-half goals from Messi and Gerard Pique won the points, although the result was marred by a wild challenge on the Argentine by Tomas Ujfalusi, who saw red for his actions.
Messi 13, Pique 32
  
JORNADA 4 - Sep 22 - SPORTING GIJON (h) Won 1-0
Barca toiled to break down a regimented Gijon back line, and in the end were forced to settle for a slim win, as Villa notched against his former club four minutes into the second half.
Villa 49
  
JORNADA 5 - Sep 25 - ATHLETIC BILBAO (a) Won 3-1
Pep Guardiola's side overcame the hostile atmosphere in San Mames to leave with the points, in a match where both Villa and Fernando Amorebieta saw red.
Keita 55, Xavi 74, Busquets 90

LA LIGA - September 30
 
 PWDLFAPts
1Villarreal540110412
2Barcelona54019412









OCTOBER
JORNADA 6 - Oct 3 - MALLORCA (h) Drew 1-1
Messi returned from injury to open the scoring, but Barca struggled to find any kind of rhythm, and the Islanders deservedly earned a point thanks to Emilio Nsue's thumping header.
Messi 21
  
JORNADA 7 - Oct 16 - VALENCIA (h) Won 2-1
For 45 minutes of this contest, Valencia more than matched the home side, and led at the break through Pablo Hernandez. A well-taken goal from Iniesta and a bullet Puyol header turned the tide, however, in a rousing comeback.
Iniesta 47, Puyol 63
  
JORNADA 8 - Oct 23 - ZARAGOZA (a) Won 2-0
Messi netted on the stroke of the interval then drilled home a sweet left-foot volley in the second half as the Romareda side put up little resistance.
Messi 42, 66
  
JORNADA 9 - Oct 30 - SEVILLA (h) Won 5-0
Sevilla had already been humbled at Camp Nou in the Super Copa, and once again had no answer to the blistering attacking play of Messi and Villa, who both bagged doubles.
Messi 4, 64, Villa 24, 90, Alves 53

LA LIGA - October 31


 PWDLFAPts
1Real Madrid972025523
2Barcelona971119622









NOVEMBER
JORNADA 10 - Nov 7 - GETAFE (a) Won 3-1
Barca negotiated their trip to the capital with aplomb as Messi once again inspired, scoring one and laying on goals for Villa and Pedro.
Messi 23, Villa 35, Pedro 65


JORNADA 11 - Nov 13 - VILLARREAL (h) Won 3-1
In one of the most thrilling matches of the campaign, the Yellow Submarine's offensive approach led to an open contest, but two marvellous Messi goals crushed their resolve.
Villa 22, Messi, 58, 83
  
JORNADA 12 - Nov 20 - ALMERIA (a) Won 8-0
Barca racked up a record-equalling away win in La Liga by utterly dismantling the woeful hosts, who dismissed coach Juanma Lillo immediately after this no-contest.
Messi, 18, 37, 67, Iniesta 17, Acasiete (og) 27, Pedro 36, Bojan 62, 73
 
JORNADA 13 - Nov 29 - REAL MADRID (h) Won 5-0
In one of the all-time great performances, Guardiola's side produced perfection to trounce their bitter rivals in a scintillating display of attacking football, with Villa's well-taken double particular highlights.
Xavi 10, Pedro 18, Villa 55, 58, Jeffren 90



LA LIGA - November 30


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona13111138834
2Real Madrid131021331132









DECEMBER
JORNADA 14 - Dec 4 - OSASUNA (a) Won 3-0
Barca maintained their Clasico form in the trip to Pamplona. Pedro got the ball rolling before Messi burst clear of the defence to thump home the second. A late penalty gave the Argentine another brace.
Pedro 26, Messi 64, 83
  
JORNADA 15 - Dec 12 - REAL SOCIEDAD (h) Won 5-0
Sociedad arrived at Camp Nou in decent form but were effortlessly swept aside, with Messi scoring a goal that involved three consecutive one-twos with Dani Alves before sweeping into the net.
Villa 9, Iniesta 33, Messi 47, 87, Bojan 90

 
JORNADA 16 - Dec 18 - ESPANYOL (a) Won 5-1
Their city rivals had only lost one home match in five months, but their defensive inefficiencies were laid bare as Barca passed them into submission, with Pedro and Villa maintaining their excellent runs in front of goal.
Pedro 19, 60 Xavi 30, Villa 76, 84
  

LA LIGA - December 31


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona16141151943
2Real Madrid161321391241










JANUARY
JORNADA 17 - Jan 2 - LEVANTE (h) Won 2-1
Liga action returned after the Christmas break to find the champions securing another win, albeit in sluggish fashion, relying on a double from Pedro to grab the points.
Pedro 47, 59
JORNADA 18 - Jan 8 - DEPORTIVO (a) Won 4-0
Villa somewhat fortuitously gave his side the lead, then Messi curled home a marvellous free-kick. Iniesta and Pedro made the win all the more emphatic.
Villa 26, Messi 52, Iniesta 80, Pedro 81


JORNADA 19 - Jan 16 - MALAGA (h) Won 4-1
Barca cruised to another comfortable triumph against a Malaga team that conceded early and were unable to recover to provide the Catalans with any kind of challenge.
Iniesta 8, Villa 17, 74, Pedro 36
  
JORNADA 20 - Jan 22 - RACING (h) Won 3-0
Pedro netted yet again after just 90 seconds of the contest, and similar to Malaga, Racing were resigned to defeat. The hosts remained clear in the table thanks to an easy three points.
Pedro 2, Messi 33, Iniesta 56
  
JORNADA 21 - Jan 29 - HERCULES (a) Won 3-0
Pedro took his goal total to eight in eight matches with a thumping finish, and Barca toyed with the Alicante side before Messi added polish with a late double.
Pedro 43, Messi 87, 89

 

LA LIGA - January 31


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona211911671258
2Real Madrid211632481851










FEBRUARY
JORNADA 22 - Feb 5 - ATLETICO MADRID Won 3-0
Messi's genius continued to leave the remainder of La Liga trailing in his wake. This time Atletico Madrid succumbed to his abilities, as the 23-year-old netted a clinical hat-trick.
Messi 17, 28, 79
  
JORNADA 23 - Feb 12 - SPORTING (a) Drew 1-1
Barca's run of 15 consecutive league victories came to an end at El Molinon, as Sporting stunned Guardiola's side by taking the lead through David Barral. Villa's neat chip in the closing stages snatched a point.
Villa 80


JORNADA 24 - Feb 20 - ATHLETIC BILBAO (h) Won 2-1
Villa scored early but the Basque visitors fought back and deservedly levelled from the penalty spot. Messi, however, rescued his side with a well-taken winner.
Villa 4, Messi 78
 
JORNADA 25 - Feb 26 - MALLORCA (a) Won 3-0
Messi's lovely finish helped settle the Camp Nou club in the early stages, and further goals from Villa and Pedro ensured another comfortable league win for the champions.
Messi 38, Villa 57, Pedro 66
  

LA LIGA - February 28


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona252221761468
2Real Madrid251942551961










MARCH
JORNADA 26  - Mar 2 - VALENCIA (a) Won 1-0
Barca emerged from the Mestalla with a deserved victory thanks to an instinctive shot from Messi, in a match that they had dominated from the start.
Messi 77
  
JORNADA 27  - Mar 5 - ZARAGOZA (h) Won 1-0
Messi's majestic run helped lay on a simple chance for Keita to slot home, but it was far from a convincing performance, with an eye on a crucial Champions League meeting with Arsenal four days later.
Keita 43


 JORNADA 28 - Mar 13 - SEVILLA (a) Drew 1-1
Pedro limped off early with a hamstring problem but his replacement, Bojan, opened the scoring from close range. Sevilla rallied in the second half through Jesus Navas, and could have won it late on, but Negredo missed a glorious chance to become a hero.
Bojan 30
  
JORNADA 29 - Mar 19 - GETAFE (h) Won 2-1
Dani Alves and Bojan gave Barca a 2-0 lead, but in the last quarter Getafe responded, grabbing an equaliser, and left the hosts nervously holding on for the points.
Alves 17, Bojan 50
 

LA LIGA - March 31


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona292531811678
2Real Madrid292342692173









APRIL
JORNADA 30 - Apr 2 - VILLARREAL (a) Won 1-0
Madrid's stunning defeat at home to Sporting earlier in the evening had eased the pressure on Guardiola's men, and after a series of sensational stops from Victor Valdes, Pique popped up to volley home the winner.
Pique 67
  
JORNADA 31 - Apr 9 - ALMERIA (a) Won 3-1
Corona silenced Camp Nou by edging the relegation-haunted visitors ahead, but Messi converted a penalty three minutes later, and added his second late on after Thiago Alcantara had powered home a well-placed header.
Messi 53, 90, Thiago 64
 
JORNADA 32 - Apr 16 - REAL MADRID (a) Drew 1-1
Holding an eight-point lead going into the contest, Barca knew that avoiding defeat would represent a massive step towards the title, and after Raul Albiol's dismissal, Messi stroked home the spot kick. CristianoRonaldo equalised, but a point was good enough.
Messi 53


JORNADA 33 - Apr 23 - OSASUNA (h) Won 2-0
Villa ended his domestic drought that had lasted over two months by netting from close range, and Messi added his obligatory goal in an uninspiring but nevertheless important win.
Villa 24, Messi 87
  
JORNADA 34 - Apr 30 - REAL SOCIEDAD (a) Lost 2-1
Barca stumbled to just their second league defeat of the season as Guardiola opted to play a much-changed line-up, with the Champions League semi-final second-leg against Real Madrid on the horizon.
Thiago 29
  

LA LIGA - April 30


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona342842892088
2Real Madrid342554812980









MAY
JORNADA 35 - May 8 - ESPANYOL (h) Won 2-0
The second city derby of the season ended in a simple win thanks to a tidy finish from Iniesta and a Pique header, meaning just one point from their final three games would be enough to confirm Barca as champions.
Iniesta 29, Pique 48


 JORNADA 36 - May 11 - LEVANTE (a) Drew 1-1
A flying header from Seydou Keita set the Catalans on their way within the first half hour, and even Felipe Caicedo's equaliser could not dampen the celebrations, as the title heads to Camp Nou for the third successive campaign.
Keita 27
 

LA LIGA - May 11


 PWDLFAPts
1Barcelona 362952922092
2Real Madrid362754913186