SBSP's FM12 Save [FC Barcelona]

April Update

Barcelona were solid in April, only drawing once. They edged Athletic 1-0 and Chelsea 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. Zaragoza, Getafe, and Levante were beaten without conceding a goal. Barcelona then came from behind to beat Lille 2-1 at home, and won 3-2 in France thanks to a glorious 70 yard chip from Iniesta. Between that came a 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid. Barca ended the month by beating Rayo 2-0 to go top of the table by one point with a game in hand.

Barca Take Home Copa del Rey

Barcelona rose to the challenge and defeated Malaga to win the Copa del Rey. Barca played on the counter attack, catching Malaga out multiple times. Villa opened the scoring from one such attack, going round the keeper before slotting it home. Agüero, who had replaced the injured Messi, smashed the ball into the top corner to score his first for Barcelona. Villa then poked home a Xavi cross for his 30th goal of the season to give Barca a deserved victory.

Spanish Player of the Year Awards

Spanish Player of the Year:
1. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
2. David Villa (Barcelona)
3. Xavi (Barcelona)

Young Spanish Player of the Year:
1. Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona)
2. Christian Eriksen (Barcelona)
3. Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

Barcelona Seal La Liga Crown

Barcelona put in a stellar performance to thrash Real Betis and become champions of Spain despite Real Madrid pushing them all the way. The game had many parallels to the first meeting between the two this season. Mascherano was sent off very early on, but David Villa slotted home a penalty to give Barca the lead. It was his 50th career goal for Barca. Dani Alves then went on a mesmerising run before smashing in a second, but Racing pulled one back off a corner. Villa went on a dazzling run of his own, nutmegging Amaya before hitting his second and Barca's third. Pedro scored a poacher's effort before Fontás tapped in off a corner to make it 5-1. Amaya capped off a torrid evening by putting the ball into his own net as Barcelona won 6-1.

End of Season Awards

Top Goalscorer:
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 37(21apps)
2. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) - 31(36)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 26(36)

Player of the Year:
1. Miguel de las Cuevas (Sporting Gijon)
2. Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
3. Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)

Top Spanish Goalscorer:
1. David Villa (Barcelona) - 20(22apps)
2. Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao) - 19(31)
3. David Barral (Sporting Gijon) - 18(27)

Goalkeeper of the Year:
1. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
2. Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
3. Juan Pablo (Sporting Gijon)

Manager of the Year:
1. Abraar Akhter (Barcelona)
2. Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid)
3. Fabri (Granada)

Most Improved Club:
1. Granada
2. Athletic Bilbao
3. Real Sociedad

Team of the Season:

Barcelona Are the Kings of Europe

Barcelona completed a remarkable season with a win in the Champions League Final. Tom Henning Øvrebø presided over the match in which Barcelona beat Bayern Munich on their own turf. Barcelona got off to a good start; Messi's 60th goal of the season put them ahead after only 10 minutes. Bayern came back and levelled through Franck Ribery in the minute. Barcelona changed things up midway through the second half, Keita coming on for the tired Busquets. Keita bossed the midfield and blasted in an outrageous goal for the winner only five minutes after coming on. Barcelona became the first team to reclaim the Champions League.



Keita's oustanding winner:

Champions League Awards

Golden Boot:
1. Loic Remy (Marseille) - 10(11apps)
2. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) - 8(10)
3. Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow) - 7(7)

Best Player:
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Team of the Season:


The Iniesta goal I posted won goal of the tournament.

Barcelona Snap Up Pair for the Future

Barcelona completed the signings of German youngester Ilkay Gündogan from Borussia Dortmund and Greek youngster Giannis Fetfatzidis from Olympiakos. Gündogan was bought for £11.5m and Fetfatzidis for £10.5m. They will both join Barcelona at the end of next season, the beginning of July 2013.

Spain Take Silver at Olympics

Spain outclassed all of their opponents on their way to the final. They smashed Mexico 5-0 through Bojan, a double from San Jose, Thiago, and substitute Rochina. They sealed qualification for the quarter finals with a 4-0 win over Australia thanks to a Rochina brace, and one from Muniain and Botia. Ivory Coast were beaten 4-1 - a brace from Thiago, Rochina, and a seemingly-offside goal from Navas. A brilliant brace by Muniain and another goal from Rochina sealed a 3-1 victory over Japan before Ghana were edged 2-0 thanks to San Jose and Navas. Spain could not clear the final hurdle, however, and were well beaten 2-0 by Brazil. A Neymar screamer and a Hulk tap in were enough to seal a first-ever Olympic gold for Brazil.

Muniain's fantastic run and simple finish against Japan won goal of the tournament.