FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.11.2009 12:06

Barça, a side for the big occasion

Edgar Fornós

Barca showed last season that they can be relied on to do the business in big games.

Last year's treble was won on the back of victories in the important games, Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United..... in all those clashes, Guardiola's players stepped up to the mark and showed what hey were made of. That's the spirit that the boss will be looking for on Wednesday in the game against Rubin.

Challenge met and answered

Last year's fixture list threw up a gruelling series of games in which Barca would face the four challengers for the title on four successive weekends: Seville, Valencia, Real Madrid and Villarreal. First time round, Barca won all four games, scoring 11 goals with just one conceded.

2-6 seals League title

For the return fixtures, Barca went to the Bernabeu after being held to a draw at the Mestalla and knowing that a win for Madrid would put them just a point behind. What followed was one of the great Barca performances as Juande Ramos' team received a 2-6 thrashing that virtually wrapped up the title for Guardiola's men with just four games left to play.

Pinto save

Barca seemed to have done enough to book their place in the final by beating Mallorca 2-0 in the first leg of the Spanish Cup semi final at the Nou Camp, but when Mallorca went one up and were then awarded a penalty, it seemed that Barca could be in trouble. Pinto stood firm between the sticks though and saved the spot kick. When Messi pegged one back for Barca, the way was clear for the final in Valencia

Iniesta's winner

Andrés Iniesta's stunning late winner at Stamford Bridge was one of the images of last season. With the first leg in Barcelona goalless, Essien appeared to have done enough to take Chelsea into the final, before Iniesta's powerful shot sent Barca off to glory in Rome. Yet another example of the team's fighting spirit and winning mentality that stood them in such good stead last season and show no sign of disappearing this year.