Last update 18 November, 2012 by Julio Muñoz
two goals and one asistence. Leo Messi was once again the difference and led Barcelona to its eleventh victory in twelve games, this time against Zaragoza (3-1) in a match in which Tito Vilanova's men did not need their best version to win. In a job that is more official than showy, Barça remains undeterred in the League. He once again showed doubts in defense, but his quality in attack is such, that solves any problem.
The enormous offensive quality once again saved Barcelona. Not even the return of the starting center back pair (Pique, Puyol) reduced the rate of shocks in the Valdés area, who conceded a goal again after a set piece action, this time after a corner kick. Piqué and Puyol returned to play together again at the Camp Nou seven months later, but Barça's problems are not in the axis. The rivals, with very little mark, Zaragoza balanced the match on the first chance they had.
In the first part, the Barca, without the suspended Busquets nor with Cesc - who for once did not play as a starter in the League- not even with Mascherano -who stayed on the bench-, he lived from the connections on the left wing, where Alba showed off and teamed up with Iniesta as many times as he could, Villa and with Messi. In the creation zone, with Song as pivot and Xavi and Iniesta as organizers, those from Vilanova were not so fluid. In fact, The advanced defense proposed by Manolo Jiménez created problems for the azulgranas, who had a hard time playing with inside passes.
And that Messi, who had an opportunity that does not fail in the minute 2, put his team ahead in the 16. A play started by Villa that Alba took to the baseline and the Argentine managed to score. The problem for the locals is that Zaragoza, who had warned with a couple of actions by Zuculini and Montañés, He tied the first time he had. A bad clearance from a corner kick by Montoya and a shot by Montañés that Puyol deflected.
The goal did not alter the rhythm or the game of the Blaugranas. Song picked up a pass from Messi and scored the 2-1 in the minute 28. The Cameroonian became the twelfth Barça player to score this season. Until the end of the first half, a couple of notices from Zaragoza, and greater participation by Apoño in his team's game. Iniesta, in a good combination with Messi, was close to 3-1.
As if it were a civil exercise, Barcelona did not force the machine at the start of the second half. He dedicated himself to playing without risking, to secure the pass and look for some spark to decide the game. But none of that happened until the minute 61. Then Leo Messi appeared. The Argentine combined with Montoya, He played back for Messi and his shot from the top of the area hit the post and went in.. With the 3-1 and the entry into the Tello field by Villa, Barça was more direct. Manolo Jiménez decided to take a risk and played a few minutes with two forwards, by putting Postiga in the game. Puyol was replaced by Bartra (m.76), but by then, Barcelona had already woken up.
In the final quarter of an hour, the azulgranas were able to increase their difference. Tello got tired of reaching the baseline and centering, Iniesta finished off the post of Roberto's goal, but there were no more goals. Messi was once again lethal and his team adds 34 points on 36 potential. The Argentine never gets tired of scoring. He has seventeen goals in the League, 78 since it started 2012 and is only seven away from equaling the 85 the Gerd Müller, the player who scored the most goals in a calendar year.