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In 2008-09, FC Barcelona started a new era with a
new manager, Josep Guardiola, who led the team to the first Treble
in Spanish football history. After selling off high-profiled players
such as Deco and Ronaldinho, Barcelona played brilliant football
throughout the season, winning the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the
UEFA Champions League.
FC Barcelona is the first team in Spanish history to achieve such
a result, even eclipsing the Real Madrid super team of the 1950s,
at least in one sense. This is a feeling you don’t often have
in sports, winning the treble and doing it in absolute style, so
treasure it, remember it, relive it.
Goals scored: Total: 154. Top scorer: Messi, 38
La Liga: 105. Top scorer: Eto’o, 30
Copa: 17. Top scorer: Messi, 6
Champions League: 32. Top scorer: Messi, 9
Who was the best player of Barca 2008/09? It's
almost impossible to say because in every game there seemed to be
someone else willing to step up, to become The Man for the minutes
we needed them to do so. Take the second Clasico, where Barca were
down 1-0 fairly early in the first half, and then Henry steps up.
Then Puyol. Then Xavi robs Diarra and slots it to Messi. Then Real
Madrid socred another goal and it’s Henry again. Then Messi
again before Pique, putting in the sixth, the hammer to the nail
in the coffin of Real Madrid’s season, the hand that officially
lifted the league trophy for Barca. As for the Copa del Rey final,
Yaya stepping through 3-4 defenders in order to fire in a cannonblast
to win the Copa del Rey. Then there’s Iniesta’s Foot
of God smacking the life out of Chelsea. Then there’s Eto’o
cutting Vidic. There’s Messi powering the ball beyond Osasuna’s
keeper. Then there’s Gudjohnsen scoring. Puyol or Xavi also
socred important goals either. Wherever you look: gorgeous play
and with gorgeous goals.
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