Barcelona gets valuable win at Anfiel Road in 1st Leg Match.

Eto'o was key to Barca win in Anfield Road

(Liverpool, ENGLAND)- After drawing against Madrid in the league and seeing its title hopes almost desappear, it looked like Barcelona was finished. They were a boat that had been taking on water, and looked just about ready to capsize. The team needed a spark and Eto'o was just that. Playing against an inspired Liverpool (who recently eliminated Santos), with a low morale after not being able to win El Classico, and on the roughest, hardest and loudest field in Europe Barca was able to put on a top notch performance in the WECL Cup first leg. Controlling the pace of the game and covering all spaces when defending, Barcelona was able to get a much need win in times of crisis. It was one of those season-defining moments that can snap a team out of its hole and put them right back into the league title picture.

Eto'o: More than two goals.

Samuel Eto'o was inspirational, dangerous, unstoppable. The forward was all over the field and delivered as needed. Showing the good form that he's currently in, and silencing those who criticize his inaccurate shooting ability, Eto'o unleashed his fury and put it in the back of the net twice. Tevez scored the third to win 3-1 against an always difficult to defeat, Liverpool.

The win, is part a joy, part a relief and part an astonishment win for Barcelona at times when is most needed.

"The morale is very high now" said Sir Darwin, "We believe we can win the Cup if we keep playing like this"

Sunday roundup: Gilardino lead Santos to top of the WE Champions League

A Frankie Lampard's penalty and Gilardino’s 1st goal with Santos gave the Brazilian club a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and lifted them above Chelsea at the top of the WE Champions League.

The Italian hero opened his account with Santos at the 80^th minute to lift Santos two points above Chelsea and four above Barcelona. "I wanted to score against Chelsea" said the italian, "It was time to demand some respect."

The much awaited round two of “El Classico” between Madrid and Barcelona, ended in a draw 2-2, in an accelerating and breath-taking game of football. Barcelona now hopes for Liverpool to do the job and defeat Santos in Villa Belmiro.

Liverpool continued its consistent good form and won at Anfield Road against an inspired Sao Paolo. The Reds maintain their fourth spot.

Arsenal gave the surprise and showed class and good chemistry to beat AC Milan at the Emirates Stadium.

''I think the league now is bubbling up very nicely,'' Barcelona manager Sir Anariba said. ''It should be a fantastic finish to the season.''

With three Sundays left in the season, mathematically only the top four teams could win the league now. Liverpool must win against Santos to keep its hopes alive

Steavie G KO'ed on chip shot - will miss Chelsea clash

Vila Belmiro: Frankie Lampard and Francesc Fabregas to fill in for Gerrard

Vicente Out

Last Sunday at the Morombi Sao Paolo's left winger Vicente suffered an injury at the hands of none other than Alex.At first the Spanish winger was taken out of the game and was given the ok the continue.As the trainner saw Vicente run off into the field he knew something was wrong.He approached the coach and said that he was not in condition to continue playing the game.When Vicente was about to be removed from the game, he was tackled by the Brazilian defender Alex.The coach was to late to substitute in for Vicente and resulted in injury by allowing him to compete in the first place.Vicente was replaced in the game by Yaya Toure who switched spots with the team captain Clarence Seedorf.Now it appears to be to late, as Vicente will be out of the league for good as only a few weeks remain.But he will not abandom his teammates as he said himself...
"I may not be able to play but I will attend every game my team plays until the league is over, even if I have to get there on stilts"

Those were Vicente's words in the aftermatch interview.

Santos plays a smart game and moves up to second place.

Kaka is resigned to playing "four finals" before the end of the season after Barcelona let three more points slip against Santos.

Early goal
The Catalans started out in good shape, having three clear chances to score. When it seemed the Blaugrana goal was close, Santos took advantage of a counter attack and scored the opener and only goal of the match. This was enough for the Brazilian club to snatch three valuable points and move up to the second spot, with only four more games left.

'Ball Possession'
Santos used ball possession to his favor and it turned out to be a decisive strategy. The game was truly boring after the 20^th minute, the audience was not entertained and the two teams disappointed. Barcelona was unable to gain possession, the manager never risked a Santos counter attack and paralyze any chance of a draw.

'A different Santos'

Not much can be said about the match. There was a lot of lateral passing and no offense from both teams. The mentality of the two teams however, was interesting. This was not the Santos we are accustomed to watch. The team was clever not to risk the game and play it safe by excellently orchestrating the tempo of the game. Santos showed glimpses of a more conservative team. This was not the total football, all attack, brazillian style football Santos. Not only a more conservative and intelligent Santos, but also a team that now respects its opponents and knows that competition now is at its best. This realization could have been after losing the lead a couple of weeks ago and realizing that even the team with the less points can wake up one Sunday and beat them- (Arsenal beat Santos 1-0).

'Moment of truth'
Barcelona have now lost the opportunity to close the gap against Chelsea and is now in third place,– Messi who has been in his best form this season– knows they will have to raise their game if they are to win the title. "The difference between us and Chelsea is three points now and we can't allow it to be more than that," he said. "We're still in a good situation but the four games ahead are four finals so it's the moment of truth."

SUPER SUNDAY

Match Day 15- It’s time to separate the men from the kids. The top four teams in the league will face this weekend, games where blood and tears will cover the field after 90 minutes. Santos’ 14 games in all competitions in 2008 have now produced ten wins and four defeats. Their primary objective remains retaining the league title, but they will need to be at their best again at home this coming weekend as they take on Chelsea. It will be El Classico round 2 at the Bernabeu, with Madrid and Barcelona both coming from a loss and needing a win to stay in the title fight.

Match Day 14 PREVIEW

BIG MATCHUPS

The title hopes of the top three clubs in the WE Champions League could become a lot clearer after Chelsea play Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and Barcelona face Santos at Villa Belmiro on Sunday.

Chelsea lead the table with 28 points from 13 matches as the WE Champions League head towards a critical stage.

Barcelona, who have won their last three league games, are second with 28 points also but less goal difference, closely followed by Santos with 27 after they crashed last against Arsenal 0-1 on Sunday.

Liverpool, come from a lost against Madrid and have all intents to get back on track and be one of the top three. A win at Stamford Bridge would keep their faint title hopes alive.

Santos will come out strong at Villa Belmiro, to keep tabs on Chelsea and Barcelona. "We are still in the title race and we will continue fighting," Santos manager Moeasy said after a pulsating London derby. Chelsea, meanwhile, have come up strongly on the rails.

WIDE OPEN

While the title remains wide open, so does the battle to stay up. With Boca Junior (1 point) virtually dead and buried, eight clubs are still in danger of joining them through the trap door.

Arsenal, whose win over Santos was only their second of the season, are one place off the bottom with 11 points, behind of AC Milan with 12 points.

Real Madrid travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with Arsenal desperate to add points and move out of first place.

Manchester travel to Brazil on Saturday for a double header CUP/Game showdown against Sao Paolo. No favorites, both teams know each other well.

AC Milan fill the third relegation spot and face Boca Juniors in La Bombonera, Buenos Aires. Expect AC Milan and Boca Juniors to play to impress, to play an open, attack-minded game since both have no mathematical hopes to win La Orejona.

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY

This season has shown the competitiveness and high quality of the WE Champions League. It has shown that there are no favorites but teams more consistant than others. It has shown that any given Sunday a Top Class may fall and a new one may rise. This is the beauty of football, the equity of the league is finally showing.

Barcelona on Liverpool Mission.

FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o says his side are ready "to take revenge" for their two consecutive defeats by Liverpool in the WE Champions League season.

'Revenge'
"We were probably destined to meet Liverpool again and we're ready to take revenge," the 28-year-old said. "Many of us were expecting this. Liverpool are playing really well, probably the best they’ve ever played so far but we too have been consistent and are having a good season." The teams are well-acquainted having also met many times in friendly matches. Liverpool won 3-0 at Camp Nou on Match day 1 and 1-0 at Anfield Road.

'Difficult tie'
Fresh from eliminating Chelsea in the quarterfinals, in form Ronaldinho is confident Barcelona will not suffer the same fate. "It will be another difficult tie," the 28-year-old said. "It has been two disappointing loses for us in the league, it’s time we get some respect from Liverpool. We will have to put in two great performances if we are to reach the finals. Liverpool is no easy team and I’m sure they will be in their best form when we play. We won in London and that gave us more confidence. We know we can beat any one."

‘No Injuries’

Barcelona and Liverpool, after eliminating top class team in the quarterfinals, Chelsea and Santos respectively, will come to the first leg inspired. Much is expected from Drogba, Pirlo and Petr Cech, after playing a key role to defeat Santos. As for Barcelona, Riijkard has identified Tevez as the man who will play a key role against the Reds. Both teams will have all their players available and in excellent form to give it all on the pitch.