Return of the Jedi

FC Barcelona vs Sevilla 5-0. 10/30/10

The Blast from Maxwell

In yesterday's Copa del Rey opener against third division Ceuta, Maxwell scored a sick goal in the 16th minute. It was his first goal for the team since coming aboard as left-back this season.

It showed the level of play that even defenders carry for the team. Dani Alves is an unbelievable right-back for the team, and he makes more plays and assists to the scorers than nearly anyone playing the game professionally. Alves is now sought out by Chelsea when his Barça contract expires in 2012. It would be a shame to lose him, in my opinion worse for the team than their shedding of Liga top scorer Samuel Eto'o in 2009.


Alves celebrates back in the Eto'o days

The team has been playing well--they have locked down the most artistic elements of the World Cup-winning Spanish(but isn't it really Catlan?!?)-style. They are in a three-way tie for second in La Liga, behind Real Madrid. While Real Madrid have blown some of their opponents clean out of the water with high scores, Barça have won most of theirs with 2-0 scores or even tighter--same low-ish scores that Spain rode to the World Cup win. It's all about trickery-dickery play that keeps their foes on edge.

With the game yesterday against third-division Ceuta in the half-esoteric Copa del Rey, many of the first team mainstays remained seated while the reserves and bench stepped up for the match. Bojan wore the captain's band for the second time ever. He looks to me like Gael Garcia Bernal. Anyone??