Barcelona seal Copa Catalunya

Barcelona took on crosstown rivals Espanyol in the final of the Copa Catalunya, just three days after playing them in their penultimate league match.

With the matchday squads much changed from their league encounter, both managers had a chance to play a few of their fringe players.


One of the first things to be noted about tonight's proceedings was the ease with which Barca's Sergi Roberto dictated the early part of the game. His evident quality on the ball stood out like a Blaugrana beacon, and he is surely a youngster destined for great things.

The same might be said for Gerard Deulofeu, with claims he may be loaned to Borussia Dortmund next season. Barca B's main man was in sparkling form, and much of Barcelona's forceful attacking intent came via the right channel, which Deulofeu was patrolling.
On this kind of form, it is easy to see why he is catching the attention of other potential suitors, but it does beg the question as to what he needs to do to break into the Barcelona first team. Tito Vilanova has only used the La Masia youngsters sparingly for the first team this season, and that must surely be a cause for concern.
Whilst previous managerial incumbent Pep Guardiola was not shy in giving his younger charges a chance, Vilanova's reticence to do the same begs more questions that it answers.
Thiago Alcantara's younger brother Rafinha was another to delight in the early stages, and Espanyol's defensive line of Juan Forlin, Felipe Mattioni and Raul Rodriguez found it hard to get a foothold in the game.
Indeed, with 18 minutes played, Barca had enjoyed an astonishing 82 percent of possession, which rose to a stupifying 92 percent not long afterwards.
Espanyol were being passed to death, and yet as has so often happened with the Barca side this season, a lack of concentration allowed Simao Sabrosa to give Espanyol the lead.
Adriano—fresh from his four-year contract extension—should hang his head in shame at the ease with which he was knocked off of the ball, allowing the setup for Simao.
The same pattern was set throughout the half, and only a man-of-the-match display by Espanyol's "Kiko" Casilla kept their more illustrious neighbours off the scoresheet. On this form, one has to question the wisdom of not looking a little closer to home for a goalkeeper to fix Barca's current dilemma.
A number of substitutions for either side at halftime did little to alter the complexion of the match. Espanyol's Christian Stuani and Barca's Alexis Sanchez in particular were right in the thick of the action from the off.
Taking heart from his goal at the weekend, Sanchez was dangerous and alert on the ball, and a front three of the Chilean, Rafinha and Deulofeu had a zip and panache about it, with Deulofeu receiving the out-ball on the right side every time.
As we moved past the hour mark, and with Espanyol barely out of their half, Javier Aguirre had little choice but to change things around, with Joan Capdevilla and Joan Verdu entering the fray.
Barcelona quickly showed their Achilles heel again when a corner was swung across by Verdu, which caused instant panic in the penalty area. It once again highlighted the urgent and dire need for Tito Vilanova to have a commanding and authorative presence at the heart of his defence.
Whilst no one is suggesting that the Brazilian couldn't "do a job" as a makeshift central defender, both Tito Vilanova and President Sandro Rosell will find that supporters have little patience where a "marquee" signing is concerned—Neymar—if the basics are not put in place at the same juncture.
Casilla continued to keep his Espanyol side in the match with some astonishing saves. Two identical blocks from first-time Villa and Alexis shots were out of the top drawer, but he saved the best for last, diverting Cesc Fabregas' header around the post.
It should've been a match-winning save, coming as it did in the 88th minute. That the keeper was to be beaten by the same player with just 20 seconds of normal time left to play is a cruel reminder of the margin of error in today's game.
A late flurry of Espanyol substitutions did nothing to alleviate the obvious disappointment of conceding such a late equaliser. As we eased towards the end of the fourth—and last—minute of injury time, everyone's mind had already turned to penalties when Messrs. Alex Song and Stuani decided to engage in a bout of ridiculous fisticuffs and got themselves sent off.
It was an acrimonious end to what was, in truth, a thoroughly entertaining contest.
The penalties that followed were mostly notable for Casilla's wonderful flying save from Xavi, as well as Verdu's ill-judged "Panenka" penalty, which hit the crossbar and allowed David Villa to step up and seal the trophy for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona will now look forward to their last La Liga match of the season against Malaga, with one eye on equalling Real Madrid's record 100 points total from last season.