Barca Madrid exploits another gift

Talking sentenced league when we are still in mid-December and are fought more days by (22) that is already being disputed (16) might seem crazy. On paper, of course. For if in addition to the numbers, we look also to the feelings, it is beyond doubt that this league is already taken.

The Real Madrid blew two more points, this time at home to the vicecolista, the RCD Espanyol Javier Aguirre, a tie that picks up totally unexpected and even more to Jose Mourinho. The FC Barcelona and takes out a whopping 13 points, a distance that the remainder of the championship would be recoverable, yes, but not as the Madrid is today and, much less, seeing as it is the club.

You can argue for hours (well, I sure did) about whether this team plays better or worse than last year Pep Guardiola, but what is beyond doubt is that the update performed Tito Vilanova has become Barca machine devouring a rival. Fifteen wins and a draw in the first sixteen league games, a brutal brand.

Atletico Madrid started the match as his best nights, those of the European finals. 4-4-1-1 with Diego Costa incrusted with the midfield quartet. During the first half hour the Atletico midfield gave a lesson (of cholismo) that is to see repeated and put in schools. The five men work bag to plug all the holes with his extraordinary ability to toggle (as I said a month ago, the top next to Levante in these conflicts) and also do in stages, preventing everything from cracking when a member is exceeded, there is always another a few steps behind. On recovering, quick exit, preferably through their great quarterback, Arda Turan, and reach the penalty area in different waves: Falcao and Costa in art and at least three llegadores behind.

The absence of Cesc Fabregas, key developments in Vilanova, led the Catalan coach to return to orthodoxy, much closer to the first two editions of guardiolistas that last: 4-3-3, high sides, Iniesta and Xavi Inside, extreme wide open, free Messi. The Blaugrana sacrificed his new version, which is stretched to be more upright and create more chances, to borrow their way Total Ownership. Monopolized possession and lost a few balls, but each time he did, Atletico took the opportunity to strike.

Three recoveries in separate occasions ended Atletico Radamel Falcao. The first, the bottom, the second cross-over, the third goal. A loss in hazardous Messi helped the Tiger picked up a ball and after beating a touch Busquets, was launched in a race to stand before a rapidísma Valdés who overcame a subtle knew vaseline hide until the end. The Colombian striker initialed goal of the first half hour wonderful athletic.

Adriano came to the rescue, a player in this state so that neither his continuing physical problems seem to affect you when you return to play. Today holder, to the detriment of Alves has lost much camber. The side of the ball crossed Curitiba picked at the peak of the box, controlled, emerged in and took off a whiplash parabolic went to the top of a helpless Courtois. The draw was medicine for Barca and Atletico poison. The game changed since then.

As well as they had defended Atletico, vanished in the last corner of the first half when they were unable to clear the center and rear of Pique rejected. The ball fell at the feet of Busquets, who extrapolated a gesture very own to get rid of rivals in midfield to launch definition: where all world defensive pivots the first break of the foot on the ball to cause the collapse of Mario and Courtois and then finish up, avoiding outside legs.

Back from break we saw that Atleti had done much damage to the locker room leaving undeservedly lost the match. Filipe Luis had to be replaced due to injury, entering the Cata Diaz instead, prompting the left side and Juanfran Miranda moved to the right. This caused the rear athletic, affected by many patches, gave several steps back, which, in turn, caused secede lines too. In this new frame of mind, the spaces balugranas flourished.

Barça maintained its commitment to monopolize possession but when facing an opponent much longer, could create many more occasions. To make matters worse, just as Diego Simeone offensive one change (Adrian by Mario, locals scored his third goal. Was missing for Messi and did appear twice, as we are malacostumbrando: in the 57th minute and in the 87, making a double victory that puts you and with 25 goals.

David Villa was not even the first change of Vilanova (it was Thiago), but more worrying for him is that Alexis will win the game in a match in which the Chilean's role was not the usual (giving depth to the team from the center of the attack, making sapper to create spaces to Messi), but for which he was booked El Guaje: open end to the left to attack diagonally. Absolutely not think Villa's body language and gesture perennial anger and disappointment will give you more minutes.

Sixteen days, 46 of 48 possible points. Atletico Madrid to 9 and 13. This league is Barca's has virtually won and only he can lose.