New signing Javier Mascherano took part in his first training session with Barcelona yesterday
morning, albiet one that lacked most of the players from the senior squad seeing as they're away on
international duty.
Mascherano, who arrived a half hour early to the Ciutat Esportiva, sat down to the team breakfast
with Maxwell, Adriano, Keita, Abidal, Alves, Pinto and twenty-five B-teamers, before being ushered
out to the training pitch by Adriano and Alves to work with his new coach for the first time.
Newly promoted Hercules made a mockery of the attacking talent Barca possessed by dominating a
match and winning it quite comfortably. This was suppposed to be a cake walk and I myself predicted
a 5-0 drubbing tonight at the Camp Nou. Instead Hercules gave an astonishing drubbing to the
defending champions.
Barcelona – Hercules
It's the typical David versus Goliath matchup; Last year's champions against a newly promoted
side. Hercules were one of the most active teams during the summer transfer window but they are up
against a fresh side boosted by the presence of Mascherano.
Normal service were restored at the Camp Nou with an emphatic 5-1 victory against the Greek
Champions. The match's importance grew following the 2-0 dfeat at the hand of Hercules. This also
had its fair share of twists with the Greek side taking the lead in the 20th minute to leave Camp
Nou stunned.
Tough Job ahead at San Mames
FC Barcelona will be looking to continue with their winning streak continuiing when they visit
San Mames on saturday. Our last visit to San Mames did end up in a 1-1 draw, but the fans will be
hoping this time the score resembles something like Bilbao's visit to Camp Nou.
The name Rubin Kazan does not invoke happy memories for Barca fans. Last season, they were the
one of the few teams who managed to gain an upperhand against us. Even against Inter we had a
record of two wins, 1 defeat and a draw. Rubin Kazan visited Camp Nou shocking us all with a
victory, and the return visit to Russia ended with a goalless draw.
