… Oh, Xavi. What a player he is, even now, aged 34 and with 250,000 miles on that refined dashboard clock. In fact there was something agreeably warm and nostalgic about seeing that familiar keep-ball trinity, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi once again in action against an English team. Although, with this in mind, […]

Xavi – The Coach?
by Omer on March 12, 2013 in Barcelona, Champions League
Xavi Hernandez sat in front of the television two Saturdays ago — and what he saw shocked him. He was watching the Clasico — an XXX horror experience for Barcelona fans, a triple-A rating for Madridistas. … If you are in the thick of the action, even if you are a football visionary like Xavi, if […]

Barcelona’s greatest spine secure
by Humaid on December 19, 2012 in Barcelona, La Liga
Almost an entire life at just one club. Carles Puyol, Xavi and Lionel Messi have agreed new contracts with Barcelona and their stay at Camp Nou means the side’s spine is now secure for many years to come. Club captain Puyol extends his current contract to 2016, while midfielder Xavi has agreed a two-year prolongation […]

How Pep Guardiola got the Barcelona players on his side
by Omer on November 20, 2012 in Barcelona
Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona were suffering an unstoppable decline into decadence, the dressing room lacking discipline and spirit. Ronaldinho had lost his status as the most exciting player on the planet, the president Joan Laporta had only just survived in office and Catalan self-esteem was at its lowest ebb for decades. At that point Pep Guardiola […]

Is Loyalty Barca’s Greatest Strength?
by Humaid on November 12, 2012 in Barcelona, Champions League, La Liga, Real Madrid
When Lionel Messi declared this week, at the relatively young age of 25, that he wants to spend the rest of his career at Barcelona, it provided an insight as to why the Spanish club has dominated world football in recent years. A hot favorite to be named the world’s best player for an unprecedented fourth […]

How Barcelona’s Great Start to the Season Masks Their Defensive Woes
by Humaid on October 26, 2012 in Barcelona, La Liga, Tactics
The Blaugrana have suffered this term but have managed to turn it around in all but one game despite defensive problems which have already threatened to derail their campaign. … They looked assured enough against a Hoops side feeding off scraps in the early stages, but breakaway attacks brought moments of discomfort for the Catalans, […]

El Clasico – Analysis
by Omer on October 8, 2012 in Barcelona, La Liga, Real Madrid
TKTG takes a look at the best articles and analysis covering the Barcelona vs Real Madrid match which ended in a 2-2 draw. Match Report: Goal.com “Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both in scintillating form as Barcelona and Real Madrid played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the first Liga Clasico […]

Puyol, Calm & Composed – Will Barca Cope Without Captain Fantastic?
by Humaid on September 29, 2012 in Barcelona, Continental Europe, La Liga, Tactics
Messi is the best player in the world. Yes, I know. Some of you think it’s Ronaldo. I respect that. Some of you feel it is Casillas. A case could definitely be made. Some of you don’t even think Messi is the best player at Barca. An interesting notion. But instead of debating all these […]

Xavi is upset (humour)
by Omer on August 2, 2012 in Barcelona, Humour
“Normally, I would introduce myself as Xavi — white knight for the overly upset — and I would hum you a song that my mother sang to me when I was slightly smaller, but as a silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics I am sure you already know who I am and today there […]
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