Thank You, PepTuesday, May 8th, 2012Guardiola manages FC Barcelona for the last time at the Camp Nou in 4-0 victory for Espanyol (Photo: Getty Images)A sensational four-goal performance from Lionel Messi ensured Pep Guardiola received a dream send off at the Camp Nou, as the winningest coach in FC Barcelona history paid an emotional farewell to the fans in a dominate 4-0 victory over city-rivals Espanyol.A massive banner covering nearly one-fifth of the stadium was unfurled before kickoff, reading: “T’estimem Pep” (We love you Pep) in adoration of the revered Catalan leader.  With 13 titles in just four years at the helm, Guardiola’s reign has truly been glorious.  The Barca boss helped usher in the most successful era of the blaugrana’s storied history, while revolutionizing the way the game is played.  Under Pep, Barcelona became a style and a belief, a true embodiment of the club motto: “mes que un club.”  After all his accomplishments he will take his leave, holding the immense distinction of having shaped arguably the greatest club side in football history.Would that it last forever, but fate ordains that dearest friends must part.  And on Saturday night, in front of a sell-out crowd of 90,000 plus, the Camp Nou looked on with biting admiration, as Guardiola’s golden incarnation of football played its last home symphony.View Full Post »ShareTweet                                     Filed under: Team News by admin2 Comments »Messi Makes HistoryThursday, May 3rd, 2012Lionel Messi converts on a penalty kick in easy victory over Malaga (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)Lionel Messi broke Gerd Muller’s 39-year-old scoring record with a hat-trick performance in a 4-1 victory over Malaga on Wednesday night, becoming Europe’s all-time single-season scoring champion with 68 goals in all competitions.The statistics boggle the mind: 68 goals and 29 assists.  His 46 tallies in league play have set a new La Liga record and position him in first place in the race for Pichichi and European golden boot honors.  On a day when Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao to claim the league title, Barcelona fans worldwide found something to smile about, as Leo Messi’s latest treble sees the Argentine consolidate his 2011-2012 campaign as the greatest individual season in European history.With two league games and the Copa del Rey final still to be played, Messi could well finish the season with 70+ goals, 30+ assists and four titles under his belt (Spanish & European Supercups, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey).  Add it all up and it appears La Pulga has the inside track on an unheralded fourth consecutive Balon D’or.View Full Post »ShareTweet                                     Filed under: Match Review by adminNo Comments »From Hell to Seventh HeavenTuesday, May 1st, 2012Thiago celebrates goal in 0-7 victory over Rayo Vallecano (Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Barcelona rebounded from perhaps the most devastating week in team hist