"The agreement with Qatar gives us breathing space”
Sandro Rosell has stated that the agreement between FC Barcelona and the Qatar Foundation will allow the club to reduce the economic losses from 22€ million to 15€ million.
The Blaugrana president attended a press conference on Wednesday to make an overall appraisal of the new board's first six months in charge at Camp Nou. On the institutional front, one of the main areas that Rosell was keen to highlight was the deal that was done recently with the Qatar Foundation.
"I am very proud," he explained. "It has given the club oxygen. Sealing this agreement has allowed us many things, among them is to not increase membership fees, not to bring in more advertising and to be able to continue to be a sports club." The Barça supremo also said that the predicted economic losses for the 2010/11 season would not be reduced from 22€ million to 15€ million.
Supporters talk
If supporters want to discuss the value of the agreement then Rosell welcomed any members bringing it up at the club's next assembly. "If the members want then they can include it in the order of business to be discussed," he added. "If a group want to put it in the order of the day and the assembly are behind it then it would show that this club truly does belong to the fans."
Asset making
Another theme that Rosell gave special importance to was the assets of the club. On this point the president explained that he was keen to increase the worthwhile assets, like the land around the sports complex in Sant Joan Despí. "We are making a plan to recover the good assets and, at the same time, help sort out the bad. The lands in Viladecans are a problem."
New Palau
On the theme of the Miniestadi and a scheme to requalify it Rosell was adamant that things had changed. "That has stopped because want to keep this asset as part of the club," he said." On the restructuring of Camp Nou as part of the Espai Barça plan, Rosell explained: "The priority is to have a new Palaui Blaugrana. That is urgent because we will not be able to play in the Euroleague."
Johan Cruyff
Rosell then reflected on the board's relationship with Johan Cruyff and stated that according to the statutes: "The position of President of Honour does not exist." He added that it could be brought up at the assembly. "Cruyff is a member of honour. Time will ensure that everything is sorted out and that it will be fixed," he commented.
More talk
"Maybe the board have not done well enough when it has come to explaining things," Rosell continued when speaking about the things that the new administration could have improved upon. "From now on we will try to do more to improve the manner of communication. We have tried to do many things and when you are doing so much there is not always a lot of time left to speak. But we cannot only forget that at Barça one must do and speak because it is an institution where people want to know what is going on."
Electoral promises
On the two electoral promises involving the travel agency and the Grada Jove, Rosell explained that things are underway. "We have not yet completed them because we are working so hard," he added.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Afellay passes medical
Afellay passes medical
Ibrahim Afellay has passed his medical examination on Thursday with no problems and has been declared ready to be presented as a Barça player on Friday.
He arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning and posed for the traditional photo in front of the FC Barcelona crest. At four o’clock he visited the Club Medical Services, where he was tested for resistance and podology and the underwent x-ray tests and coronary and muscular echographies.
The Dutchman then went to Hospital de Barcelona to complete his medical.
“He is fully fit”
First team doctor Ricard Pruna was impressed with Afellay’s fitness. “He is perfectly healthy. He is excellent fitness … he has had no muscle injuries to date, and neither have we spotted an scars to suggest he has injuries in the past”.
Ibrahim Afellay has passed his medical examination on Thursday with no problems and has been declared ready to be presented as a Barça player on Friday.
He arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning and posed for the traditional photo in front of the FC Barcelona crest. At four o’clock he visited the Club Medical Services, where he was tested for resistance and podology and the underwent x-ray tests and coronary and muscular echographies.
The Dutchman then went to Hospital de Barcelona to complete his medical.
“He is fully fit”
First team doctor Ricard Pruna was impressed with Afellay’s fitness. “He is perfectly healthy. He is excellent fitness … he has had no muscle injuries to date, and neither have we spotted an scars to suggest he has injuries in the past”.
“Merry Christmas and a happy 2011"
“Merry Christmas and a happy 2011"
A number of the first team players from both the football and basketball teams appeared in a specially made video for the La Masia youngsters this Christmas, to wish them a happy Christmas.
In an initiative set up by the La Masia, the players surprised the youngsters with their festive greetings – yet another sign of the close links between the young players and the first team stars.
Leo Messi, Carles Puyol, Bojan Krkic, Pedro Rodríguez, Víctor Valdés, Jeffren Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, Roger Grimau and Víctor Sada all appear in the video which was shown to the La Masia youngsters before they broke up for their Christmas break.
Best wishes and good advice
Many of the stars have themselves come up through La Masia and have been through the festive season there and that showed in the messages of support they gave to the current crop of players being trained there. Messi, for example, identified with the problems and homesickness of the foreign players; Puyol encouraged the youngsters to enjoy the moment; Bojan reminded them of the importance of continuing their studies and Pedro and Valdes had special words for the La Masia staff.
A number of the first team players from both the football and basketball teams appeared in a specially made video for the La Masia youngsters this Christmas, to wish them a happy Christmas.
In an initiative set up by the La Masia, the players surprised the youngsters with their festive greetings – yet another sign of the close links between the young players and the first team stars.
Leo Messi, Carles Puyol, Bojan Krkic, Pedro Rodríguez, Víctor Valdés, Jeffren Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, Roger Grimau and Víctor Sada all appear in the video which was shown to the La Masia youngsters before they broke up for their Christmas break.
Best wishes and good advice
Many of the stars have themselves come up through La Masia and have been through the festive season there and that showed in the messages of support they gave to the current crop of players being trained there. Messi, for example, identified with the problems and homesickness of the foreign players; Puyol encouraged the youngsters to enjoy the moment; Bojan reminded them of the importance of continuing their studies and Pedro and Valdes had special words for the La Masia staff.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Adriano and the squad
"We’re in debt to the fans and to ourselves"
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Brazilian defender Maxwell told a press conference on Monday that the players feel they are in debt to the fans after last season’s European semi-final exit against Inter Milan.
He also discussed the objectives for the coming season and assured reporters that Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking forward to better things this season. He stressed that Adriano is a great signing.
In debt to the fans
Maxwell emphasized that the players are aspiring to win every title on offer and are determined to make up for the Champions League exit against Inter Milan. Echoing the words of manager Pep Guardiola at the celebrations for the league title, he told reporters: “We fell at the final step and we had the feeling that we were in debt to the fans and to ourselves”. In 2011, the Champions League final will be held at Wembley, a place which holds very special memories for Barça fans. He also spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with whom he shared the changing rooms of Ajax and Inter Milan before they both came to Barça: “He’s very motivated although it’s been a difficult year for him. He’s done some good things which people haven’t noticed but in the squad we know, and he’s training really well”.
Happy at Barça
2009/10 was Maxwell’s first season at the Camp Nou. He played 36 matches and improved on his first seasons with Ajax and Inter. He revealed today: “It was very positive because I accumulated a lot of matches, especially after Abidal’s injury. The league title, and the other three, made me very happy and motivated me to carry on the same way. I’m here to do my bit like everyone. I have to try and do more, the best I can, and stay fit and focussed”.
Adriano and the squad
Far from seeing him as a threat for a place in the starting line-up, Maxwell is helping his fellow countryman Adriano settled down at the Club and in the city: “It’s great we’ve signed him. He makes the team more complete and in training I try and be with him to help him integrate. I want to help him and his family settle in here”. With the incorporation of Adriano and Villa, Maxwell believes the squad is very competitive. However, he stressed: “That’s a matter for the manager and the directors. The players have to concentrate on giving 100% but for the moment the squad is very good and very competitive”.
Henrique, another year with Racing
Henrique, another year with Racing
FC Barcelona and Racing Santander have reached an agreement for Henrique to remain on loan to Racing for another season.
Henrique Adriano Buss, 23, joined Barça from Palmeiras in the summer of 2008. He spent a season on loan to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen before moving on to Spanish club Racing Santander, also on loan. He played 22 matches (21 of them the full 90 minutes) and scored one goal. He ended the season with an injury in his left knee.
He will now spend a further season at Racing, where coincidentally Barça will open their 2010 league campaign.
According to Board spokesperson Toni Freixa, Barça and Racing have not agreed an option to sign the player on a permanent basis.
Last day with double training sessions
Last day with double training sessions
With the trips to Norway and Korea coming up at the end of the week, the squad will have their last day of double training sessions today. This morning’s training followed the script of the rest of the pre-season so far with the emphasis on fitness.
The squad began training behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva at 09.00 this morning and with Eric Abidal back from South Africa, there were 28 players under Guardiola and Tito Vilanova’s orders – 11 from the first team and 17 from Barca B. Once again, Andreu Fontàs and Víctor Vázquez stayed in the gym.
Two trips this week
The squad will train again this evening. On Wednesday there will be just a morning session and on Thursday the players fly out for the game in Oslo. There will be training on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, before the flight out to Korea on Sunday to begin the Asia Tour.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Barca lands three IFFHS awards
Barca lands three IFFHS awards
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has singled out Guardiola, Xavi and Barca as best club manager, best playmaker and best club in the world 2009.
Due to the proximity of the vital final league match against Valladolid, the winners were unable to attend the gala on Tuesday evening in London and so received their awards here in Barcelona. The IFFHS honoured Josep Guardiola as best club manager, Xavi as best playmaker and FC Barcelona as best club.
Awards given in Barcelona
Under the circumstances the IFFHS decided to bring the awards here to Barcelona where they were received by the winners (with Carles Puyol receiving the trophy for best club). The ceremony was filmed by Barca TV.
Albert Perrín represents Barca
Club vice-president Albert Perrín attended the Gala on behalf of the Club. Each year the IFFHS give awards in categories such as best team, best manager, best goalkeeper etc.
Ceremony postponed
The names of the winners were announced earlier in the year but the original date of the Gala was then postponed from 1st February until 11th May. The event was held in the Hurlingham Club in London.
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has singled out Guardiola, Xavi and Barca as best club manager, best playmaker and best club in the world 2009.
Due to the proximity of the vital final league match against Valladolid, the winners were unable to attend the gala on Tuesday evening in London and so received their awards here in Barcelona. The IFFHS honoured Josep Guardiola as best club manager, Xavi as best playmaker and FC Barcelona as best club.
Awards given in Barcelona
Under the circumstances the IFFHS decided to bring the awards here to Barcelona where they were received by the winners (with Carles Puyol receiving the trophy for best club). The ceremony was filmed by Barca TV.
Albert Perrín represents Barca
Club vice-president Albert Perrín attended the Gala on behalf of the Club. Each year the IFFHS give awards in categories such as best team, best manager, best goalkeeper etc.
Ceremony postponed
The names of the winners were announced earlier in the year but the original date of the Gala was then postponed from 1st February until 11th May. The event was held in the Hurlingham Club in London.
Happy return for Iniesta on 26th birthday
Happy return for Iniesta on 26th birthday
Andrés Iniesta, who is 26 today, was congratulated by his team-mates on his 26th birthday today, and was able to celebrate in style, by returning to active duty.
After a two-day break, Guardiola returned to training to prepare for the most decisive game of the league season on Sunday. They will be playing for the title against Valladolid at the Camp Nou (19.00). At 11.00, the players took to the training pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, and Iniesta was among them.
Happy birthday!
The Barça midfielder was warmly congratulated before the players started work, and also on what was an important moment in his recovery programme, his first participation in a training session since injuring his femoral biceps almost a month ago, on April 13.
No Maxwell or Keita
The only major absence was Maxwell, who was confirmed on Monday as being out for three weeks. Keita did appear, but stopped early to work out in isolation. He injured his Achilles tendon against Sevilla, and felt some discomfort during training and decided not to take any risks.
Thiago provides reinforcement
The 19 first team players at the orders of Josep Guardiola were also joined by reserve team member, Thiago Alcántara. The young midfielder has been working with the first team for several days and has even been named in the squad for a couple of games.
Andrés Iniesta, who is 26 today, was congratulated by his team-mates on his 26th birthday today, and was able to celebrate in style, by returning to active duty.
After a two-day break, Guardiola returned to training to prepare for the most decisive game of the league season on Sunday. They will be playing for the title against Valladolid at the Camp Nou (19.00). At 11.00, the players took to the training pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, and Iniesta was among them.
Happy birthday!
The Barça midfielder was warmly congratulated before the players started work, and also on what was an important moment in his recovery programme, his first participation in a training session since injuring his femoral biceps almost a month ago, on April 13.
No Maxwell or Keita
The only major absence was Maxwell, who was confirmed on Monday as being out for three weeks. Keita did appear, but stopped early to work out in isolation. He injured his Achilles tendon against Sevilla, and felt some discomfort during training and decided not to take any risks.
Thiago provides reinforcement
The 19 first team players at the orders of Josep Guardiola were also joined by reserve team member, Thiago Alcántara. The young midfielder has been working with the first team for several days and has even been named in the squad for a couple of games.
Fifteen years of European success
FC Barcelona has the unique distinction of winning the European Cup in one of the Club’s sports sections every season for the last 15 years.
This amazing record started with the handball European Cup in 1996 and continued this season with the Euroleague basketball championship won by Navarro and co last Sunday in Paris.
18 European Cups
In fact, FC Barcelona has won 18 European Cups in the past 15 years. Top of the Club’s sports sections comes the roller hockey section, who have won Europe’s top club honour on no fewer than 8 occasions. The section also holds the Club record for the most European Cups – 18 altogether.
Next comes the handball section, which has lifted the European Cup six times in the 15-year period, the last time being against BM Ciudad Real in 2004-05.
Barcelona, Paris and Rome
The basketball section won the Euroleague for the first time in 2003 in a Final Four held in the Palau Sant Jordi here in Barcelona. Last Sunday, Paris witnessed the section’s second triumph in Europe’s top basketball competition, proving that the French capital brings the Club good fortune!
In 2006, the football team won the Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris while last year, Barca picked up their third trophy against another Premier League team, Manchester United, in Rome.
22 consecutive seasons of European triumph
If we include all European competitions then FC Barcelona has been represented by at least one of its sports sections on the roll call of winners every season since 1988-89.
This incredible run of success began with the football Cup Winners Cup won against Sampdoria en Berne in 1989. This has been followed by a flood of European honours in sports as diverse as football, basketball, handball and roller hockey, giving FC Barcelona an unparalleled record in European club sport.
On the verge of making history
But this year could be even more spectacular if the handball team win the Final Four in Cologne and the roller hockey team do the same in Valdagno. Added to the Euroleague already won by the basketball team, it would be the first time the Club has won the European Cup in three different sports in the same season.
So far the Club has won the European Cup in handball and roller hockey in the same season on three occasions: 1996-97, 1999-00 and 2004-05.
FC Barcelona has the unique distinction of winning the European Cup in one of the Club’s sports sections every season for the last 15 years.
This amazing record started with the handball European Cup in 1996 and continued this season with the Euroleague basketball championship won by Navarro and co last Sunday in Paris.
18 European Cups
In fact, FC Barcelona has won 18 European Cups in the past 15 years. Top of the Club’s sports sections comes the roller hockey section, who have won Europe’s top club honour on no fewer than 8 occasions. The section also holds the Club record for the most European Cups – 18 altogether.
Next comes the handball section, which has lifted the European Cup six times in the 15-year period, the last time being against BM Ciudad Real in 2004-05.
Barcelona, Paris and Rome
The basketball section won the Euroleague for the first time in 2003 in a Final Four held in the Palau Sant Jordi here in Barcelona. Last Sunday, Paris witnessed the section’s second triumph in Europe’s top basketball competition, proving that the French capital brings the Club good fortune!
In 2006, the football team won the Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris while last year, Barca picked up their third trophy against another Premier League team, Manchester United, in Rome.
22 consecutive seasons of European triumph
If we include all European competitions then FC Barcelona has been represented by at least one of its sports sections on the roll call of winners every season since 1988-89.
This incredible run of success began with the football Cup Winners Cup won against Sampdoria en Berne in 1989. This has been followed by a flood of European honours in sports as diverse as football, basketball, handball and roller hockey, giving FC Barcelona an unparalleled record in European club sport.
On the verge of making history
But this year could be even more spectacular if the handball team win the Final Four in Cologne and the roller hockey team do the same in Valdagno. Added to the Euroleague already won by the basketball team, it would be the first time the Club has won the European Cup in three different sports in the same season.
So far the Club has won the European Cup in handball and roller hockey in the same season on three occasions: 1996-97, 1999-00 and 2004-05.
Puyol: “It won’t be easy against Valladolid
Puyol: “It won’t be easy against Valladolid”
Carles Puyol is keen to win the league in front of the fans, but although their opponents are in relegation danger, the Barça captain predicts a tough encounter.
There is just one hurdle more to cross before Carles Puyol can lift the league trophy again for Barça. It would be a special moment, because it would be the first time since the 1997/98 season that FC Barcelona have secured the crown at home, something Puyol has never experienced. “Winning is what’s important, but doing it front of our fans is a bonus”.
Prudent approach
Despite playing at the Camp Nou, where FCB have not lost a Liga match this term, they will be facing a team that is fighting for first division survival, so Carles Puyol is wary. “It will be difficult playing against a team facing relegation … There are no easy games, This will be no stroll”.
Control euphoria and anxiety
Carles Puyol knows the fans will be out in force at the Camp Nou. He says the team “is excited and hopeful” but that one of the keys to victory will involve controlling their “euphoria and anxiety”.
Possible Iniesta comeback
Andrés Iniesta may be ready to return on Sunday, and Puyol said that “we need to see how he feels and then the doctors will decide, but if he’s Ok, he’ll play. He is training and things are going well. He deserves to play in this last game”.
Missing Xavi?
Xavi may not be available against Valladolid, depending on the club’s appeal, and Carles Puyol knows he would be a major loss. “He is a basic player, we all want him to play, but I am sure he’ll be replaced by a player who’ll do very well”.
Pedro and Valdés for Spain
Puyol was also pleased that Pedro and Valdés have been shortlisted for the World Cup in Spain, and hopes they make the final 23. “They deserve it. I’d take them with their eyes closed. I hope they are in the final list”.
Carles Puyol is keen to win the league in front of the fans, but although their opponents are in relegation danger, the Barça captain predicts a tough encounter.
There is just one hurdle more to cross before Carles Puyol can lift the league trophy again for Barça. It would be a special moment, because it would be the first time since the 1997/98 season that FC Barcelona have secured the crown at home, something Puyol has never experienced. “Winning is what’s important, but doing it front of our fans is a bonus”.
Prudent approach
Despite playing at the Camp Nou, where FCB have not lost a Liga match this term, they will be facing a team that is fighting for first division survival, so Carles Puyol is wary. “It will be difficult playing against a team facing relegation … There are no easy games, This will be no stroll”.
Control euphoria and anxiety
Carles Puyol knows the fans will be out in force at the Camp Nou. He says the team “is excited and hopeful” but that one of the keys to victory will involve controlling their “euphoria and anxiety”.
Possible Iniesta comeback
Andrés Iniesta may be ready to return on Sunday, and Puyol said that “we need to see how he feels and then the doctors will decide, but if he’s Ok, he’ll play. He is training and things are going well. He deserves to play in this last game”.
Missing Xavi?
Xavi may not be available against Valladolid, depending on the club’s appeal, and Carles Puyol knows he would be a major loss. “He is a basic player, we all want him to play, but I am sure he’ll be replaced by a player who’ll do very well”.
Pedro and Valdés for Spain
Puyol was also pleased that Pedro and Valdés have been shortlisted for the World Cup in Spain, and hopes they make the final 23. “They deserve it. I’d take them with their eyes closed. I hope they are in the final list”.
Barca on verge of double century
Barca on verge of double century
In the two seasons that Josep Guardiola has been at the helm, FC Barcelona have scored the dizzying total of 199 league goals.
Last season’s tally of 105 goals in 38 league matches was a Club record as Barca powered their way to the league title with 87 points. The season was liberally sprinkled with high-scoring victories, especially in the Camp Nou, such as against Atletico Madrid (6-1), Malaga (6-0), Deportivo (5-0), Almeria (5-0), Valencia (4-0) and Sevilla (4-0). The team was also deadly on the road with outstanding results against Sporting (1-6), Malaga (1-4) and Real Madrid (2-6) leading many pundits to describe the team as the best in the Club’s long history.
Fewer goals, more points
Curiously enough, this season Barca have scored fewer goals (94, 41 in the Camp Nou and 44 away) but have accumulated no fewer than ten points more than at the same stage last year.
All competitions
Last season, Barca scored a total of 153 goals in 62 matches in the league, Cup and Champions League and topped the scoring ranking in all three competitions. This season, with just one match remaining, the team has played 58 matches and scored 134 goals.
In the two seasons that Josep Guardiola has been at the helm, FC Barcelona have scored the dizzying total of 199 league goals.
Last season’s tally of 105 goals in 38 league matches was a Club record as Barca powered their way to the league title with 87 points. The season was liberally sprinkled with high-scoring victories, especially in the Camp Nou, such as against Atletico Madrid (6-1), Malaga (6-0), Deportivo (5-0), Almeria (5-0), Valencia (4-0) and Sevilla (4-0). The team was also deadly on the road with outstanding results against Sporting (1-6), Malaga (1-4) and Real Madrid (2-6) leading many pundits to describe the team as the best in the Club’s long history.
Fewer goals, more points
Curiously enough, this season Barca have scored fewer goals (94, 41 in the Camp Nou and 44 away) but have accumulated no fewer than ten points more than at the same stage last year.
All competitions
Last season, Barca scored a total of 153 goals in 62 matches in the league, Cup and Champions League and topped the scoring ranking in all three competitions. This season, with just one match remaining, the team has played 58 matches and scored 134 goals.
Messi makes it 14 for South Africa
Messi makes it 14 for South Africa
Argentina manager Diego Maradona has named Leo Messi in his preliminary squad for the World Cup Finals, making him the 14th member of the Barca squad to have been pre-selected for the tournament in South Africa.
Leo Messi is one of 30 players chosen. The definitive list of 23 players will be announced on 19th May, the day before Argentina begin their preparations in earnest.
A Barca flavour to World Cup squads
Barca’s role in this year’s World Cup looks like being spectacular, with no fewer than 14 players from the 21-strong Barca squad appearing on the preliminary squad lists:
- Spain (Vicente del Bosque): Puyol, Piqué, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Valdes and Pedro.
- Brazil. Dunga has already named his definite squad of 23 players, including Alves.
- France (Raymond Domenech): Abidal and Henry.
- Ivory Coast: Touré Yaya.
- Mexico (Javier Aguirre): Rafael Marquez and Jonathan dos Santos.
- Argentina (Maradona): Messi
Argentina manager Diego Maradona has named Leo Messi in his preliminary squad for the World Cup Finals, making him the 14th member of the Barca squad to have been pre-selected for the tournament in South Africa.
Leo Messi is one of 30 players chosen. The definitive list of 23 players will be announced on 19th May, the day before Argentina begin their preparations in earnest.
A Barca flavour to World Cup squads
Barca’s role in this year’s World Cup looks like being spectacular, with no fewer than 14 players from the 21-strong Barca squad appearing on the preliminary squad lists:
- Spain (Vicente del Bosque): Puyol, Piqué, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Valdes and Pedro.
- Brazil. Dunga has already named his definite squad of 23 players, including Alves.
- France (Raymond Domenech): Abidal and Henry.
- Ivory Coast: Touré Yaya.
- Mexico (Javier Aguirre): Rafael Marquez and Jonathan dos Santos.
- Argentina (Maradona): Messi
Upbeat mood at Wednesday training session
The players were in good spirits in training on Wednesday ahead of the final league match against Valladolid. Iniesta is making good progress and was able to train with the main group.
Meanwhile, Keita worked separately from the rest pf the players but should be available for the weekend.
Iniesta on the mend
Following his return to full training on Tuesday, Iniesta went through the complete session on Wednesday without any problems. As on previous days, reserve squad midfielder Thiago Alcántara joined the senior players for the session. However, the Brazilian Maxwell and Mali international Keita (Achilles) trained apart from the main group.
A family affair
A large group of fans followed the session including Quique Costas- who coached many of the players including manager Pep Guardiola – and his sons Quique and Oscar Álvarez – who played alongside many of the squad in the youth sections of the Club.
The players were in good spirits in training on Wednesday ahead of the final league match against Valladolid. Iniesta is making good progress and was able to train with the main group.
Meanwhile, Keita worked separately from the rest pf the players but should be available for the weekend.
Iniesta on the mend
Following his return to full training on Tuesday, Iniesta went through the complete session on Wednesday without any problems. As on previous days, reserve squad midfielder Thiago Alcántara joined the senior players for the session. However, the Brazilian Maxwell and Mali international Keita (Achilles) trained apart from the main group.
A family affair
A large group of fans followed the session including Quique Costas- who coached many of the players including manager Pep Guardiola – and his sons Quique and Oscar Álvarez – who played alongside many of the squad in the youth sections of the Club.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Baggio: “Pep’s collecting the fruits of his past efforts
Baggio: “Pep’s collecting the fruits of his past efforts”
Roberto Baggio, one of the greatest forwards of the nineties, played alongside Pep Guardiola for Brescia in the Serie A. In his view, the success of the current Barca manager comes as no surprise.
Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio became friends during their time together at Brescia, and this week he’s been in Barcelona to watch the game against Arsenal and observe the training methods of the best team in the world. In an exclusive interview with Barca TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Baggio told us: “I’m very happy at the way things are working out for him. He’s collecting the fruits of his past efforts. He’s a fantastic guy”.
A lasting friendship
Although Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio spent little more than a season together at Brescia, they were both in the twilight of their illustrious playing careers and, perhaps inevitably, found they had a lot in common: “When Guardiola joined the team I’d already been there for a season. We struck up a friendship straight away and we’re still good friends. I really admire everything he’s doing at Barca and I hope he keeps on winning”.
“I can’t ask for more from a football match”
Roberto Baggio joined the more than 90,000 fans who packed into the Camp Nou on Tuesday evening to watch Barca defeat Arsenal: “I had the luck to see a magnificent match with five goals and an extraordinary Messi. The truth is I can’t ask for more from a football match”.
Roberto Baggio, one of the greatest forwards of the nineties, played alongside Pep Guardiola for Brescia in the Serie A. In his view, the success of the current Barca manager comes as no surprise.
Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio became friends during their time together at Brescia, and this week he’s been in Barcelona to watch the game against Arsenal and observe the training methods of the best team in the world. In an exclusive interview with Barca TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Baggio told us: “I’m very happy at the way things are working out for him. He’s collecting the fruits of his past efforts. He’s a fantastic guy”.
A lasting friendship
Although Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio spent little more than a season together at Brescia, they were both in the twilight of their illustrious playing careers and, perhaps inevitably, found they had a lot in common: “When Guardiola joined the team I’d already been there for a season. We struck up a friendship straight away and we’re still good friends. I really admire everything he’s doing at Barca and I hope he keeps on winning”.
“I can’t ask for more from a football match”
Roberto Baggio joined the more than 90,000 fans who packed into the Camp Nou on Tuesday evening to watch Barca defeat Arsenal: “I had the luck to see a magnificent match with five goals and an extraordinary Messi. The truth is I can’t ask for more from a football match”.
Will history repeat itself?
Will history repeat itself?
Saturday’s match against Real Madrid will be only the second time the two sides have reached the second “El Clasico” of the season tied on points. The first time this happened Barca won and went on to lift the league title.
On 2nd March 1952, the old Les Corts stadium hosted the second El Clasico of the season. The two clubs were tied on 33 points with just five matches left to play after the big game itself. Barca won that match 4-2 (César 3, Vila Soler1) and finished the season as league champions.
Different circumstances
A comparison between the 1951/52 season and the current season is inevitable and the fact is there are some important differences. In 1952 the second meeting of the two clubs was in Barcelona rather than Madrid and their records up to that point had been rather different.
This season, Real Madrid has a 100% home record but 58 years ago the story was very different as both teams had suffered from inconsistency. Before the big game they had lost 5 matches apiece, enabling Atletico Madrid to compete for the league title. Barca’s victory handed Atletico second place in the table although at the end of the season they were overtaken by Athletic Club Bilbao.
A distant third
However, nothing similar will happen this season as Barca and Real Madrid are 21 points clear of third placed Valencia, with just 24 points still up for grabs. There has never before been such a huge gap between the top two places and third place in La Liga.
Two record breaking teams
Both Barca and Real Madrid are achieving great results in the Spanish League. Real are on an unbeaten 12-match home run and are just 3 matches away from breaking the all-time league record established by the club in 1960/61 season. They have also won all 15 of their home matches so far.
However, Barca’s figures are just as good. If last season was the best ever in the Club’s history, this year it looks as if a few of those records might be broken. They have two points more than at the same stage of the season last year and have only lost once in 30 games. As such they’re on the way to equalling or even breaking the record of just two defeats established by the team managed by English coach Terry Venables in the 1984/85 season.
So, just as happened on 2nd March 1952, this Saturday’s El Clasico could decide the league title one way or another.
Saturday’s match against Real Madrid will be only the second time the two sides have reached the second “El Clasico” of the season tied on points. The first time this happened Barca won and went on to lift the league title.
On 2nd March 1952, the old Les Corts stadium hosted the second El Clasico of the season. The two clubs were tied on 33 points with just five matches left to play after the big game itself. Barca won that match 4-2 (César 3, Vila Soler1) and finished the season as league champions.
Different circumstances
A comparison between the 1951/52 season and the current season is inevitable and the fact is there are some important differences. In 1952 the second meeting of the two clubs was in Barcelona rather than Madrid and their records up to that point had been rather different.
This season, Real Madrid has a 100% home record but 58 years ago the story was very different as both teams had suffered from inconsistency. Before the big game they had lost 5 matches apiece, enabling Atletico Madrid to compete for the league title. Barca’s victory handed Atletico second place in the table although at the end of the season they were overtaken by Athletic Club Bilbao.
A distant third
However, nothing similar will happen this season as Barca and Real Madrid are 21 points clear of third placed Valencia, with just 24 points still up for grabs. There has never before been such a huge gap between the top two places and third place in La Liga.
Two record breaking teams
Both Barca and Real Madrid are achieving great results in the Spanish League. Real are on an unbeaten 12-match home run and are just 3 matches away from breaking the all-time league record established by the club in 1960/61 season. They have also won all 15 of their home matches so far.
However, Barca’s figures are just as good. If last season was the best ever in the Club’s history, this year it looks as if a few of those records might be broken. They have two points more than at the same stage of the season last year and have only lost once in 30 games. As such they’re on the way to equalling or even breaking the record of just two defeats established by the team managed by English coach Terry Venables in the 1984/85 season.
So, just as happened on 2nd March 1952, this Saturday’s El Clasico could decide the league title one way or another.
Piqué: "We’ll do our talking on the pitch"
Piqué: "We’ll do our talking on the pitch"
Gerard Piqué doesn’t want to talk about Saturday’s match against Real Madrid. The Catalan central defender, who launched his new book “A return trip” on Wednesday, told reporters: "We’ll do our talking on the pitch”.
Piqué missed out on the 4-1 defeat of Arsenal due to a match ban, as well as injury. He told a packed press conference at the Club’s training grounds on Wednesday: “You have a better time on the pitch. On the terraces you suffer more and enjoy yourself less because you can’t take part”. The book launch was followed a large number of reporters as well as the entire first team squad, family members and former youth coaches. No less than the launch of his first book deserved.
2-6 is “unrepeatable”
When asked about the match against Real Madrid, Gerard Piqué told reporters: “I prefer not to talk about it. There’s still a long time to go. We’ll do our talking on the pitch”. However, he did make reference to last season’s 2-6 blockbuster in the Bernabeu: “Last year’s game was amazing. I’ll never forget it. The memories and emotions are still very recent”. However, he insisted that the score line is “unrepeatable”.
There was also some good news about Piqué’s fitness ahead of the Real Madrid game. He revealed “I expect to be available”.
"Leo is the best in the world"
GInevitably, there were a number of question about four-goal hero Leo Messi. According to Piqué: “Leo is the best player in the world”. The defender also knows Cristiano Ronaldo from their time together at Manchester United: “Cristiano is one of the best”. However, he emphasized that Leo is even better.
Diego Milito and Eto'o
Piqué also discussed the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan and two of his former team-mates, Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o: “I’ve had the pleasure of playing alongside both of them; one in Zaragoza and one in Barca. They’re wonderful people and great players. It’ll be difficult to stop them doing their job, that is to score goals. The sentimental side of it doesn’t count because we’ve already played against them”.
Finally, Gerard Piqué summed up his feelings by saying “I think we’ll have a great season”.
Gerard Piqué doesn’t want to talk about Saturday’s match against Real Madrid. The Catalan central defender, who launched his new book “A return trip” on Wednesday, told reporters: "We’ll do our talking on the pitch”.
Piqué missed out on the 4-1 defeat of Arsenal due to a match ban, as well as injury. He told a packed press conference at the Club’s training grounds on Wednesday: “You have a better time on the pitch. On the terraces you suffer more and enjoy yourself less because you can’t take part”. The book launch was followed a large number of reporters as well as the entire first team squad, family members and former youth coaches. No less than the launch of his first book deserved.
2-6 is “unrepeatable”
When asked about the match against Real Madrid, Gerard Piqué told reporters: “I prefer not to talk about it. There’s still a long time to go. We’ll do our talking on the pitch”. However, he did make reference to last season’s 2-6 blockbuster in the Bernabeu: “Last year’s game was amazing. I’ll never forget it. The memories and emotions are still very recent”. However, he insisted that the score line is “unrepeatable”.
There was also some good news about Piqué’s fitness ahead of the Real Madrid game. He revealed “I expect to be available”.
"Leo is the best in the world"
GInevitably, there were a number of question about four-goal hero Leo Messi. According to Piqué: “Leo is the best player in the world”. The defender also knows Cristiano Ronaldo from their time together at Manchester United: “Cristiano is one of the best”. However, he emphasized that Leo is even better.
Diego Milito and Eto'o
Piqué also discussed the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan and two of his former team-mates, Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o: “I’ve had the pleasure of playing alongside both of them; one in Zaragoza and one in Barca. They’re wonderful people and great players. It’ll be difficult to stop them doing their job, that is to score goals. The sentimental side of it doesn’t count because we’ve already played against them”.
Finally, Gerard Piqué summed up his feelings by saying “I think we’ll have a great season”.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Focus switches to Real Madrid
Focus switches to Real Madrid
It’s a rollercoaster ride for Barca. Just hours after dumping Arsenal out of the Champions League, the players were back at the Club’s training grounds to prepare for Saturday’s vital match away to Real Madrid.
The training session began at 11.30 am. The players from last night’s team had a lighter session designed to loosen up tired muscles while the remainder of the squad trained normally. Meanwhile, Xavi, Milito and Touré worked out in the gym.
Piqué and Ibra
2010-04-07_ENTRENO_09.JPGGerard Piqué and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, neither of whom was available for the Arsenal match, trained separately from the main group and remain a doubt for the Real Madrid game.
Training opportunity for youngsters
The senior players were joined by four youngsters from the reserve and youth squads: Jonathan dos Santos and Fontàs, who also trained with the first team on Monday and Carles Planas and Albert Dalmau from the youth team.
It’s a rollercoaster ride for Barca. Just hours after dumping Arsenal out of the Champions League, the players were back at the Club’s training grounds to prepare for Saturday’s vital match away to Real Madrid.
The training session began at 11.30 am. The players from last night’s team had a lighter session designed to loosen up tired muscles while the remainder of the squad trained normally. Meanwhile, Xavi, Milito and Touré worked out in the gym.
Piqué and Ibra
2010-04-07_ENTRENO_09.JPGGerard Piqué and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, neither of whom was available for the Arsenal match, trained separately from the main group and remain a doubt for the Real Madrid game.
Training opportunity for youngsters
The senior players were joined by four youngsters from the reserve and youth squads: Jonathan dos Santos and Fontàs, who also trained with the first team on Monday and Carles Planas and Albert Dalmau from the youth team.
25th in all European competitions
25th in all European competitions
The game against Inter will be Barca’s 25th semi final in all European competitions, of which 15 ended in victory and 9 in defeat.
Third Champions Semi Final on the trot
Third Champions Semi Final on the trot
Barca will face Inter in their third successive Champions League semi final and their fourth in five seasons – a record for the club.
After beating Arsenal, Barca will now face Inter in the semis, their third in four years following the ties against Manchester United (07/08) and Chelsea (08/09). Although in the 06/07 season Barca went out in the quarter finals, they reached the semis the season before, which means this year’s semi final is their fourth in five seasons.
50 years ago
Barca have never before reached the semi final of a European Cup three years on the run, although from 1958 to 1960 they reached the semis of the Fairs Cup and the European Cup in successive years. Eleventh European Cup Semi Final
The 1960 semi final against Real Madrid was to be the first of a total of 10 which Barca had reached before this season’s .five of which were won and five lost. The club have faced Madrid(1960 and 2002), Hamburg (1961), Leeds United (1975), Gothenburg (1986), Porto (1994), Valencia (2000), Milan (2006), Manchester United (2008) and Chelsea (2009). The 1992 Cup winning Dream Team reached the Wembley final after a group stage, rather than a knock out round.
Tenth all time leading scorer
Tenth all time leading scorer
At just 22 years old, Messi is now tenth on the club’s list of all time goal scorers, having overtaken Stoichkov (117) and Escolà (118) and he is now just 3 behind ninth placed Patrick Kluivert.
Record Breaker
Record Breaker
Leo Messi just keeps on breaking records. This Tuesday’s 19-minute hat trick and the late fourth goal rounded off a superb performance. Here are just some of the great player’s record breaking achievements:
- First four goal haul: Tuesday was the first time Messi had bagged four goals in a single game for the club - mind you, before that he had scored 5 hat tricks and 18 times scored twice in a game.
- Leading scorer in the Champions League: after those four goals, Leo is now the competition’s leading scorer this season - as he is in Spain where he’s chalked up 26 league goals so far.
- First to four: Messi is the first player in this season’s competition to score four goals in one game.
- One of six: Messi is the sixth player in the competition’s history to bag four in a game, following on from Van Basten (AC Milan), Simone Inzaghi (Lazio), Prso (Mònaco), Van Nistelroy (M. United) and Shevchenko (AC Milan) and becoming the first Barca player to do so.
- One of nine: only eight other players have scored a first half hat trick in the Champions League and Messi is the first to score three in the first 45 minutes of a game this season.
- Gunners suffer most: with Tuesday’s four goals, Arsenal became the team Messi has scored most goals against in Europe – Seville and Atletico Madrid, who he’s scored 7 against, are his favourite victims in Spain. - Messi equals Rivaldo: With 25 goals in the Champions League, Messi has drawn level with the club’s leading scorer in the competition – Rivaldo.
- Record breaking season: Messi has now scored 39 goals this season – one more than he managed all last season – and he has done that in just 42 games, eight less than he figured in last season.
- 67 goals at home: Of the 119 goals Messi has scored for the club, 67 have been at home, with 52 on the road.
Messi brings Madrid Final a step closer (4-1)
Messi brings Madrid Final a step closer (4-1)
Another memorable performance from Leo Messi destroyed Arsenal and put Barca through to another Champions League semi final. Messi scored all four goals as Barca swept aside the Londoners to win 6-3 on aggregate.
Barca stride on towards the final in the Bernabeu and tonight’s breathtaking display from the World Player of the Year, whose first half hat trick came after Arsenal had gone ahead, is bound to strike awe and admiration into the remaining teams in the competition. Guardiola’s choice of Milito and Marquez to replace the unavailable Puyol and Pique proved more than enough to keep any threat from Arsenal at bay and Bojan also played his part up front as Barca dominated and rounded off a great night with Messi’s late fourth goal to reach the semi finals for the third season on the run. Early warning
Messi served early notice that he was in the scoring mood with a shot from outside the box on 4 minutes that Almunia pushed wide and then on 11 minutes with a vicious dipping effort that went inches over. Barca were building from the back with both Xavi and Marquez prominent, whilst Arsenal tried hard to close down their hosts, not always legally, and look for the quick counter.
Arsenal opener
Wenger’s tactics seemed to have paid dividends on 18 minutes when Milito was hustled off the ball in midfield by Diaby who put Walcott through behind the defence. The young English winger squared for Bendtner whose shot was stopped by Valdes only for the Arsenal centre forward to strike home the rebound. The Gunners’ joy was short lived though as just two minutes later Messi got his first, firing home an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box, high and wide of the helpless Almunia.
Messi! Messi! Messi!
With Keita and Pedro playing wide, Barca had settled into a 4-2-3-1 system, but their dominance was interspersed with the occasional imprecision and they were not finding it easy to play their usual flowing game as Arsenal niggled away at them in midfield until Denilson was booked on the half hour for a foul on Busquets and the referee began to clamp down on the English team’s attempts to slow the game down. Messi’s second was the result of a brilliant collective move in which the team’s pinpoint passing seemed to almost lull Arsenal into a stupor, before Messi released Abidal who centered for Pedro to turn back to the Argentinean who fired home with his right foot.
Five minutes later, Messi claimed his hat trick, racing through a hole in the centre of the Arsenal defence to chip the ball delicately over the out rushing Almunia. As if that wasn’t enough, he then nearly repeated the goal a couple of minutes later, only to lose control at the last moment. The crowd gave the Argentinean a fully deserved standing ovation as the players went off for half time – and he’d still not finished!
Closing down
If in the first half it was Arsenal who tried to harry the Barca midfield, the second half saw Barca show the Londoners just how it was done as they ceded the initiative to Arsenal and looked to close the game down, pressuring all over the pitch and holding onto the ball for long periods when they won it back. Toure came on to strengthen the middle and Messi moved into the centre forward role, whilst Guardiola was also forced to bring on Maxwell as Abidal picked up another injury. Arsenal refused to throw in the towel though,and Bendtner saw a header, finally ruled offside, come off the woodwork.
Late strike makes it four
Pedro came close on 71 minutes when he chipped wide after a quick free kick from Messi, but Barca had effectively taken the sting out a game that looked set to finish 3-1 before Messi again popped up, dribbling past the Arsenal defence and finally firing through Almunia’s legs to claim his fourth with just three minutes left to play.
Four goals and an aggregate 6-3 win have made clear Barca’s ambition to reach the Bernabeu in May, but for now, tonight’s result will have given the team a great morale boost for what is hopefully just their first trip to Madrid’s ground this season - on Saturday!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Xavi rues gifted opportunities
Xavi rues gifted opportunities
Despite the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Xavi was happy with the way his team played: “It was a great game and we can go away knowing we were vastly superior to Arsenal”.
After the game, Xavi highlighted how brilliantly his side had played. Especially in the first half: “We played well, we dominated. If only we could play like that all the time”, he said. But he also knows that you can’t take anything for granted in the Champions League: “Their first goal came from our own mistake. Watching the game, we should have sentenced the match”.
The following are some of the comments made after the match:
Ibrahimovic:
“They scored two late goals but it was a great result all the same”.
“We did all we could to win, but they scored”.
“That’s the Champions League, you have to play from the beginning to the end, until the referee blows for time. We have to take the second leg positively”.
“I am happy with the goals, but happier for the team. 2-2 is a good result and we still have the second leg at home”.
Henry:
“It was a strange game, we could have won easily and yet we only drew”.
“A draw is never a bad result in Europe”.
“I played here for eight years and that’s hard to forget, I have mixed feelings”.
Pedro:
“They put a lot of pressure on us and it wasn’t easy, and they scored two goals”.
“Walcott is a very fast and direct player, and he managed to score a goal”.
“2-2 is a good result but given the circumstances you come away with a bad taste in your mouth because we created chances and expected to win”.
Valdés:
“We had a good first half, we felt comfortable and created goal-scoring chances. But they scored twice in the second half, and things changed radically”.
“We are leaving with a bad taste in our mouths because we played well and deserved a better result”.
“Under other circumstances, they could have scored the opening goal. We have to take the best out of this and remember we still get to play the second leg at home”.
“Puyol and Piqué are big losses, but we have an excellent squad and the replacements will be able to cover for them”.
“We probably didn’t get the result we deserved but we are still going into the second leg in a strong position. But we felt quite comfortable with the way they put pressure on us and I think we’ll be able to play some good football at home, although that remains to be seen”.
Alves:
“We deserved to win. We want to carry on in this competition. We played a great game against a great team”.
“We had a great first half, but in the second we couldn’t generate the same chances. We’ve got a bittersweet feeling about the result”.
“They came out strong in the second half, they created a lot of pressure, but we were up to them.
“The penalty was too much, but the result is still a good one”.
“Although they were at home, we played well and we deserved more than what we got”
Sergio Busquets:
“That was probably our best game of the season”.
“This team has plenty of quality”.
Despite the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Xavi was happy with the way his team played: “It was a great game and we can go away knowing we were vastly superior to Arsenal”.
After the game, Xavi highlighted how brilliantly his side had played. Especially in the first half: “We played well, we dominated. If only we could play like that all the time”, he said. But he also knows that you can’t take anything for granted in the Champions League: “Their first goal came from our own mistake. Watching the game, we should have sentenced the match”.
The following are some of the comments made after the match:
Ibrahimovic:
“They scored two late goals but it was a great result all the same”.
“We did all we could to win, but they scored”.
“That’s the Champions League, you have to play from the beginning to the end, until the referee blows for time. We have to take the second leg positively”.
“I am happy with the goals, but happier for the team. 2-2 is a good result and we still have the second leg at home”.
Henry:
“It was a strange game, we could have won easily and yet we only drew”.
“A draw is never a bad result in Europe”.
“I played here for eight years and that’s hard to forget, I have mixed feelings”.
Pedro:
“They put a lot of pressure on us and it wasn’t easy, and they scored two goals”.
“Walcott is a very fast and direct player, and he managed to score a goal”.
“2-2 is a good result but given the circumstances you come away with a bad taste in your mouth because we created chances and expected to win”.
Valdés:
“We had a good first half, we felt comfortable and created goal-scoring chances. But they scored twice in the second half, and things changed radically”.
“We are leaving with a bad taste in our mouths because we played well and deserved a better result”.
“Under other circumstances, they could have scored the opening goal. We have to take the best out of this and remember we still get to play the second leg at home”.
“Puyol and Piqué are big losses, but we have an excellent squad and the replacements will be able to cover for them”.
“We probably didn’t get the result we deserved but we are still going into the second leg in a strong position. But we felt quite comfortable with the way they put pressure on us and I think we’ll be able to play some good football at home, although that remains to be seen”.
Alves:
“We deserved to win. We want to carry on in this competition. We played a great game against a great team”.
“We had a great first half, but in the second we couldn’t generate the same chances. We’ve got a bittersweet feeling about the result”.
“They came out strong in the second half, they created a lot of pressure, but we were up to them.
“The penalty was too much, but the result is still a good one”.
“Although they were at home, we played well and we deserved more than what we got”
Sergio Busquets:
“That was probably our best game of the season”.
“This team has plenty of quality”.
Bittersweet end to an incredible match (2-2)
Bittersweet end to an incredible match (2-2)
After a stunning first half performance from Barça had ended goalless, two goals from Ibrahimovic looked to have sealed a convincing win at the Emirates. But two late Arsenal goals from Walcott and Fabregas meant it ended all square on a great night.
The first quarter of an hour saw the Catalans produce a lesson in football that left the Emirates Stadium in an almost silent daze. An almost eerie silence fell over the stadium, with the only noise coming from the 3,000 travelling fans as Barça produced nine shots, five of which were on target, in fifteen minutes of brilliance, while the Arsenal players seemed little more than eleven more spectators. Barça could easily have been three up in that time, had not been for some simply outstanding goalkeeping from Manuel Almunia, including three seemingly impossible interventions when Xavi, Messi and Ibrahimoviz all saw point blank chances thwarted.
It took Arsenal 20 minutes before Nasri finally produced a shy attempt on Valdés’ goal, and as the half moved on, the Gunners slowly started finding their feet. But if it wasn’t bad enough for Arsene Wenger to see his young side so totally outclassed on their home turf, he soon had new problems to contend with. First Russian striker Arshavin hobbled off, then William Gallas called for a change too, and next his captain Cesc Fabregas was somewhat harshly yellow carded, meaning the Catalan will be suspended for his long awaited return to the club that discovered him. Yet despite all of that, Arsenal had managed to hold on, and it was 0-0 at the break.
Ibra bags a brace
It didn’t stay that way for long. Within 30 seconds of the restart, the previously impeccable Almunia was caught way off his line, and Ibrahimovic brilliantly lobbed him to put FCB into a more than thoroughly deserved lead. 12 minutes later and the same man silenced his recent critics in splendid style by making it two. The Swede cleverly broke the offside trap trademark to latch onto the end of a trademark Xavi pass, and deftly sent the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. 2-0, and game over. Or so it seemed.
Arsenal pull one back
Pique was yellow carded shortly after the second goal, but at the time it hardly seemed to matter that he will miss the return leg, as it left him with a clean sheet for what now looked like an inevitable semi final to follow. But then, just moments after coming on, Theo Walcott turned Maxwell on the edge of the area and followed that with a brilliant run that he ended by slipping the ball under Valdés’ body.
The goal suddenly brought a glimmer of hope back to the devastated home side, but in the meantime, there was time for a standing ovation in honour of Thierry Henry as he returned to the club where he spent eight glittering years.
Red card and penalty
Barça were still in total control of possession, but other than a Messi one on one with Almunia, the chances weren’t flowing anything like they were in the first half. And then disaster struck in the 83rd minute. Cesc was through on goal, but Carles Puyol managed to get a foot in the way. The referee deemed that that was not only worthy of being penalised with a penalty, but with a red card too.
The Catalan coolly converted the equaliser from the spot, but spent the remainder of the game hobbling around with an injury, yet unable to come off because Wenger had already made his three changes. The minutes ticked by to bring an end to a night in which Barça produced the kind of display this new stadium is unlikely to have witnessed before, and one in which the home supporters were almost incredulous that they’d come out of it with a draw. There is still everything to play for when the action resumes at the Camp Nou next week.
After a stunning first half performance from Barça had ended goalless, two goals from Ibrahimovic looked to have sealed a convincing win at the Emirates. But two late Arsenal goals from Walcott and Fabregas meant it ended all square on a great night.
The first quarter of an hour saw the Catalans produce a lesson in football that left the Emirates Stadium in an almost silent daze. An almost eerie silence fell over the stadium, with the only noise coming from the 3,000 travelling fans as Barça produced nine shots, five of which were on target, in fifteen minutes of brilliance, while the Arsenal players seemed little more than eleven more spectators. Barça could easily have been three up in that time, had not been for some simply outstanding goalkeeping from Manuel Almunia, including three seemingly impossible interventions when Xavi, Messi and Ibrahimoviz all saw point blank chances thwarted.
It took Arsenal 20 minutes before Nasri finally produced a shy attempt on Valdés’ goal, and as the half moved on, the Gunners slowly started finding their feet. But if it wasn’t bad enough for Arsene Wenger to see his young side so totally outclassed on their home turf, he soon had new problems to contend with. First Russian striker Arshavin hobbled off, then William Gallas called for a change too, and next his captain Cesc Fabregas was somewhat harshly yellow carded, meaning the Catalan will be suspended for his long awaited return to the club that discovered him. Yet despite all of that, Arsenal had managed to hold on, and it was 0-0 at the break.
Ibra bags a brace
It didn’t stay that way for long. Within 30 seconds of the restart, the previously impeccable Almunia was caught way off his line, and Ibrahimovic brilliantly lobbed him to put FCB into a more than thoroughly deserved lead. 12 minutes later and the same man silenced his recent critics in splendid style by making it two. The Swede cleverly broke the offside trap trademark to latch onto the end of a trademark Xavi pass, and deftly sent the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. 2-0, and game over. Or so it seemed.
Arsenal pull one back
Pique was yellow carded shortly after the second goal, but at the time it hardly seemed to matter that he will miss the return leg, as it left him with a clean sheet for what now looked like an inevitable semi final to follow. But then, just moments after coming on, Theo Walcott turned Maxwell on the edge of the area and followed that with a brilliant run that he ended by slipping the ball under Valdés’ body.
The goal suddenly brought a glimmer of hope back to the devastated home side, but in the meantime, there was time for a standing ovation in honour of Thierry Henry as he returned to the club where he spent eight glittering years.
Red card and penalty
Barça were still in total control of possession, but other than a Messi one on one with Almunia, the chances weren’t flowing anything like they were in the first half. And then disaster struck in the 83rd minute. Cesc was through on goal, but Carles Puyol managed to get a foot in the way. The referee deemed that that was not only worthy of being penalised with a penalty, but with a red card too.
The Catalan coolly converted the equaliser from the spot, but spent the remainder of the game hobbling around with an injury, yet unable to come off because Wenger had already made his three changes. The minutes ticked by to bring an end to a night in which Barça produced the kind of display this new stadium is unlikely to have witnessed before, and one in which the home supporters were almost incredulous that they’d come out of it with a draw. There is still everything to play for when the action resumes at the Camp Nou next week.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Team Hail Valdés Save
Team Hail Valdés Save
The players have emphasized the importance of the great save made by Victor Valdés with the scoreboard standing at 1-0.
Milito insisted that the save was just as important as Messi’s hat trick: “Valdés was fantastic. People will take about Messi’s goals but his save has just as much merit as the goals”. Andrés Iniesta also praised the Barça goalkeeper’s “providential” performance and highlighted his ability in one-to-one situations while Piqué told reporters, “He saved us with a great stop”. Finally, Messi also added his praise for Valdés: “He saved our lives”.
Here are some of the players’ post-match comments:
Pedro:
“We didn’t play all that well in the first half. We created a lot more chances in the second half”.
“At half time, Guardiola told us to press higher up the pitch, to increase possession and make long passes. We had more chances, things came off and the victory is very good”.
“Leo had a great game and scored three magnificent goals”.
“Our positions today are another resource to bear in mind but we have our own style”.
“Henry was excellent and gave us depth”.
“The fans were really good and should be thanked. Above all, in the first half I lost a lot of balls and I wasn’t playing very well but in the end the team scored”.
Milito:
“I’m feeling better every day. Today I was also OK despite it being a difficult match”.
“We found it really hard to turn the game around but in the second half we improved thanks to teamwork”.
“We had to work harder in the second half because the match was finely balanced and difficult”.
“At halftime, Pep made some tactical corrections that turned out well”.
“In tight matches, Messi appears and does what only he knows how to do”.
“I’m comfortable on the pitch and happy in football terms. That has a big effect on playing in this team – it makes it easier”.
“These are three important points that keep us in the fight with Real Madrid”.
“I’m enjoying and making good use of the matches I’m playing. When it’s your turn you have to be at the level of the team”.
Iniesta:
“We took our chances well”.
“The referee is in charge and if he doesn’t want to add on any more time on then we can’t do anything”.
“We should be happy with the win and with being up at the top”.
“It’s important to score goals because you never know what might happen about goal difference. But everything’s important because we don’t know how the league will end”.
“Let’s hope we can keep on speaking so well of Messi. He’s scoring goals and can turn matches in our favour”.
“Messi doesn’t seem to have a limit so let’s hope he gets even better. He’s more concerned with winning collective titles because he knows that individual titles come by themselves”.
“Against Stuttgart on Wednesday we have to go for the match from the very first minute. We’re in a Club that demands everything and that’s all we’re thinking of”.
“We have to take full advantage of these two months - they are the most demanding but also the nicest”.
Messi:
“I’m very happy about the victory, about the team’s performance in the second half and about the 3 goals”.
“I dedicated a goal to my cousin’s son of, who was born recently. Also they told me he scored at the same time and the dedication goes to him as well”.
“The three goals are important and very nice but I choose the first one that opened the scoring”.
“I plan to carry on the same way for the team’s sake and not because of individual honours”.
“It was a good game for the whole team, above all in the second half when we put pressure on them and had the ball. In the first half we lost he ball straight away”.
“Henry took the pressure off the team with his enthusiasm and pressure. He affected everyone. He also made two assists”.
Piqué:
“In the first half we struggled to get into the game. They had more chances and dominated the game. In the second half it was completely different and after the goal we dominated the match”.
“The team wasn’t OK, we were badly positioned and we lost our shape too easily. In the second half we pressed up the pitch and every time we stole back the ball it was a chance to score”.
“Pep told us to play the same way as always and be ourselves”.
“It’s always good when Henry participates and becomes himself. He had a good game”.
The players have emphasized the importance of the great save made by Victor Valdés with the scoreboard standing at 1-0.
Milito insisted that the save was just as important as Messi’s hat trick: “Valdés was fantastic. People will take about Messi’s goals but his save has just as much merit as the goals”. Andrés Iniesta also praised the Barça goalkeeper’s “providential” performance and highlighted his ability in one-to-one situations while Piqué told reporters, “He saved us with a great stop”. Finally, Messi also added his praise for Valdés: “He saved our lives”.
Here are some of the players’ post-match comments:
Pedro:
“We didn’t play all that well in the first half. We created a lot more chances in the second half”.
“At half time, Guardiola told us to press higher up the pitch, to increase possession and make long passes. We had more chances, things came off and the victory is very good”.
“Leo had a great game and scored three magnificent goals”.
“Our positions today are another resource to bear in mind but we have our own style”.
“Henry was excellent and gave us depth”.
“The fans were really good and should be thanked. Above all, in the first half I lost a lot of balls and I wasn’t playing very well but in the end the team scored”.
Milito:
“I’m feeling better every day. Today I was also OK despite it being a difficult match”.
“We found it really hard to turn the game around but in the second half we improved thanks to teamwork”.
“We had to work harder in the second half because the match was finely balanced and difficult”.
“At halftime, Pep made some tactical corrections that turned out well”.
“In tight matches, Messi appears and does what only he knows how to do”.
“I’m comfortable on the pitch and happy in football terms. That has a big effect on playing in this team – it makes it easier”.
“These are three important points that keep us in the fight with Real Madrid”.
“I’m enjoying and making good use of the matches I’m playing. When it’s your turn you have to be at the level of the team”.
Iniesta:
“We took our chances well”.
“The referee is in charge and if he doesn’t want to add on any more time on then we can’t do anything”.
“We should be happy with the win and with being up at the top”.
“It’s important to score goals because you never know what might happen about goal difference. But everything’s important because we don’t know how the league will end”.
“Let’s hope we can keep on speaking so well of Messi. He’s scoring goals and can turn matches in our favour”.
“Messi doesn’t seem to have a limit so let’s hope he gets even better. He’s more concerned with winning collective titles because he knows that individual titles come by themselves”.
“Against Stuttgart on Wednesday we have to go for the match from the very first minute. We’re in a Club that demands everything and that’s all we’re thinking of”.
“We have to take full advantage of these two months - they are the most demanding but also the nicest”.
Messi:
“I’m very happy about the victory, about the team’s performance in the second half and about the 3 goals”.
“I dedicated a goal to my cousin’s son of, who was born recently. Also they told me he scored at the same time and the dedication goes to him as well”.
“The three goals are important and very nice but I choose the first one that opened the scoring”.
“I plan to carry on the same way for the team’s sake and not because of individual honours”.
“It was a good game for the whole team, above all in the second half when we put pressure on them and had the ball. In the first half we lost he ball straight away”.
“Henry took the pressure off the team with his enthusiasm and pressure. He affected everyone. He also made two assists”.
Piqué:
“In the first half we struggled to get into the game. They had more chances and dominated the game. In the second half it was completely different and after the goal we dominated the match”.
“The team wasn’t OK, we were badly positioned and we lost our shape too easily. In the second half we pressed up the pitch and every time we stole back the ball it was a chance to score”.
“Pep told us to play the same way as always and be ourselves”.
“It’s always good when Henry participates and becomes himself. He had a good game”.
Valdés: "I’m happy with the ways things are going"
Valdés: "I’m happy with the ways things are going"
Victor Valdes has always demanded a lot of himself and frequently plays down his contribution. However, the Barça keeper admits that both he and the team are in good form.
Messi and Victor Valdés were two of the stars of the match against Valencia. n the 68th minute, with the scoreboard standing at 1-0, Valdés pulled off a wonderful save in a one-to-one with Zigic.
The Zigic save
Valdes described the incident involving Zigic: "I thought that it was offside. I tried to wait and close down the space. We were lucky”. However, he knows he made a good save and at the time he celebrated as if he’d scored a goal: “You don’t get many chances to help the team and you try and celebrate it”.
Thanks to the fans
Valdés is the undisputed first choice for the Barça goal and the fans are well aware of the value of his contribution. Proof of that is the standing ovation he received from the Camp Nou fans during the match against Valencia: “It’s a source of pride. I have a lot to thank the fans for. They give me the strength to carry on working hard. It’s recognition of a job well done”.
Zamora Trophy
Victor Valdés leads the goalkeeping ranking in the Spanish League and is well on the way to winning the Zamora Trophy for the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals in a season: “I’m happy with the way things are working out. I’m in a good moment, both individually and as a team”.
Messi "could be the best in history"
Valdés also had plenty to say about hat trick hero Leo Messi: “He’s the best in the world. What he contributes with his talent makes him stand out. He could become the best player in history”.
Victor Valdes has always demanded a lot of himself and frequently plays down his contribution. However, the Barça keeper admits that both he and the team are in good form.
Messi and Victor Valdés were two of the stars of the match against Valencia. n the 68th minute, with the scoreboard standing at 1-0, Valdés pulled off a wonderful save in a one-to-one with Zigic.
The Zigic save
Valdes described the incident involving Zigic: "I thought that it was offside. I tried to wait and close down the space. We were lucky”. However, he knows he made a good save and at the time he celebrated as if he’d scored a goal: “You don’t get many chances to help the team and you try and celebrate it”.
Thanks to the fans
Valdés is the undisputed first choice for the Barça goal and the fans are well aware of the value of his contribution. Proof of that is the standing ovation he received from the Camp Nou fans during the match against Valencia: “It’s a source of pride. I have a lot to thank the fans for. They give me the strength to carry on working hard. It’s recognition of a job well done”.
Zamora Trophy
Victor Valdés leads the goalkeeping ranking in the Spanish League and is well on the way to winning the Zamora Trophy for the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals in a season: “I’m happy with the way things are working out. I’m in a good moment, both individually and as a team”.
Messi "could be the best in history"
Valdés also had plenty to say about hat trick hero Leo Messi: “He’s the best in the world. What he contributes with his talent makes him stand out. He could become the best player in history”.
Messi out of this world (3-0)
Messi out of this world (3-0)
The World and European Player of the Year destroyed Valencia with a second half hat trick to give Barca the points at the Nou Camp tonight. Led by the brilliant Argentinean the team put in an excellent second half performance.
In a game full of missing names - Villa, Ibrahimovic, Puyol, Keita, Marchena, Abidal and David Navarro all missed the match – Messi put in one of his best ever performances in a Barca shirt with a hat trick in the second half, as Barca overpowered Valencia’s resistance.
Opposite styles
It was clear from the start how the two teams had decided to face the game. Barca stuck to their usual attacking style, whilst Valencia aimed to hit their hosts on the break even though they tried to hold onto possession, Barca lost the ball far too often in their own half and Valencia were quick to pounce and launch their speedy counter attacks, with Pablo a constant threat to Maxwell and Jordi Alba shifting position constantly. Valdes was again the hero, pulling off a series of vital stops, as the team found it hard to settle.
Two first half chances
Messi came close on two occasions, though even he didn’t seem to be sharp enough in front of goal, but soon the game began to turn Barca’s way as they imposed their possession on the game and their passing game began to click. Guardiola – tonight watching from the stands – must have been relieved to see the team begin to recover their dominance as the half came to a close and at the break he switched Henry for Bojan, who’d been playing down the left, with the Frenchman taking over in the centre of the attack.
Messi’s genius
Henry was soon making his presence felt, setting up Messi, who again failed to make the most of his chance. The Argentinean star had let Valencia off the hook once too often though and in a fantastic individual move, beat Banega and Bruno before swerving past Dealbert and firing past Cesar for a wonderful goal to put Barca one up.
Valdés decisive
Valencia, who’d shown no danger since the break, now had to try and get back into the game and Emery brought on Zigic for ‘Chori’ Domínguez and the giant Serb might have equalised soon after coming on but for a great save from Valdes. Immediately after his save, Valencia suffered another blow as Maduro picked up his second yellow for bringing down Messi.
Two more strikes from Messi
Down to 10 men, Valencia had no answer to Barca’s might and Messi, ably assisted by Henry, thrilled the Nou Camp with two more strikes and was rewarded for his fourth Barca hat trick with a standing ovation when he was subbed late on.
The World and European Player of the Year destroyed Valencia with a second half hat trick to give Barca the points at the Nou Camp tonight. Led by the brilliant Argentinean the team put in an excellent second half performance.
In a game full of missing names - Villa, Ibrahimovic, Puyol, Keita, Marchena, Abidal and David Navarro all missed the match – Messi put in one of his best ever performances in a Barca shirt with a hat trick in the second half, as Barca overpowered Valencia’s resistance.
Opposite styles
It was clear from the start how the two teams had decided to face the game. Barca stuck to their usual attacking style, whilst Valencia aimed to hit their hosts on the break even though they tried to hold onto possession, Barca lost the ball far too often in their own half and Valencia were quick to pounce and launch their speedy counter attacks, with Pablo a constant threat to Maxwell and Jordi Alba shifting position constantly. Valdes was again the hero, pulling off a series of vital stops, as the team found it hard to settle.
Two first half chances
Messi came close on two occasions, though even he didn’t seem to be sharp enough in front of goal, but soon the game began to turn Barca’s way as they imposed their possession on the game and their passing game began to click. Guardiola – tonight watching from the stands – must have been relieved to see the team begin to recover their dominance as the half came to a close and at the break he switched Henry for Bojan, who’d been playing down the left, with the Frenchman taking over in the centre of the attack.
Messi’s genius
Henry was soon making his presence felt, setting up Messi, who again failed to make the most of his chance. The Argentinean star had let Valencia off the hook once too often though and in a fantastic individual move, beat Banega and Bruno before swerving past Dealbert and firing past Cesar for a wonderful goal to put Barca one up.
Valdés decisive
Valencia, who’d shown no danger since the break, now had to try and get back into the game and Emery brought on Zigic for ‘Chori’ Domínguez and the giant Serb might have equalised soon after coming on but for a great save from Valdes. Immediately after his save, Valencia suffered another blow as Maduro picked up his second yellow for bringing down Messi.
Two more strikes from Messi
Down to 10 men, Valencia had no answer to Barca’s might and Messi, ably assisted by Henry, thrilled the Nou Camp with two more strikes and was rewarded for his fourth Barca hat trick with a standing ovation when he was subbed late on.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Barça committing fewest fouls
Barça committing fewest fouls
FC Barcelona is the Liga side that commits the fewest fouls. After 25 games, they have committed 338, nine less than the second placed club. However, they have had four players sent off.
Barça’s record of 338 fouls is cleaner even than Deportivo de la Coruña’s tally of 347, and Real Madrid’s 354. But there are five teams that have had fewer red cards than the Catalans.
Four red cards
The direct red card shown to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Almeria was the fourth time a Barça player got his marching orders this season. The first came on the day FC Barcelona entertained Real Madrid, when Sergio Busquets left the pitch early following a second booking. Against Getafe, at the Camp Nou, both Piqué and Márquez were dismissed. Sergio, most fouls received
Unusually, the Barça player that has committed the most fouls this season is a forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with 49. Midfielder Sergio Busquets is the man on the receiving end of most fouls, 52. So, not only do Barça play lively attack-minded football, but they also prefer to avoid resorting to foul play. Never was there a better example of how a team can win and entertain without needing to employ dirty tactics.
Club to appeal Guardiola and Ibra expulsions
Club to appeal Guardiola and Ibra expulsions
FC Barcelona will appeal against the red cards shown to Josep Guardiola and Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the match against Almeria.
FCB’s general manager, Joan Oliver, made the announcement to reporters on Monday morning. Guardiola was sent off in the 27th minute and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 60th. Referee’s report
According to the referee’s report, Josep Guardiola was sent of “while the game was stopped, for leaving the technical area, approaching the referee’s assistant and putting his face within a few centimetres while shouting with his arms raised “they’re giving everything the wrong way” and “you don’t understand anything”.
Messi third in hunt for Golden BootThe Argentinian is Barça’s top scorer with 26 goals in 35 games, and is on course for a personal record, which also puts him third in the Golden Ball list.
Leo Messi has been on stunning form with 26 goals in La Liga (19), the Champions League (2), the Spanish Super Cup (2), the Copa del Rey (1) and the Clubs World Cup (2). The only tournament he did not score in was the European Super Cup against Shaktar Donetsk in Monaco.19 league goals
Last season, Messi scored 23 times in the 31 games he played. But with 13 games still to play, and as long as injuries are kind to him, he is likely to top that tally, for he has already made it to the impressive total of 19. Leo Messi was the top goalscorer in the Champions League last season with 9, but this year he only been on target twice in Europe, with both goals coming against Dynamo Kiev.
Twelve off all-time record
Leo Messi scored 38 goals in the 51 games he played in all competitions last season. So, he is just 13 goals of beating his personal best, and has a minimum of 14 games to do that in, with 13 left in the League, and at least one in the Champions League against Stuttgart, but hopefully more. So, if FCB go all the way to the final and Messi is involved in those matches, then he could have as many as 19 games left to play.
Golden Ball beckoning
It all means Messi is a serious candidate for the Golden Ball award for Europe’s top scorer. Wayne Rooney, of Man United, currently leads the chase with 23 goals in 27 games, making 46 points. Second comes Uruguayan Luis Suárez of Ajax, with 26 goals and 39 points, with Messi third with 38 points, a position he shares with Ivorian Didier Drogba of Chelsea. Messi is the only player in the running who is not a centre forward.
Guardiola and Ibra, suspended for one match
Guardiola and Ibra, suspended for one match
The two men sent off in Almeria have been given one-match suspensions by the Competition Committee. Neither the manager, who had to watch 60 minutes of the game from the stands, and Ibrahimovic, who was red carded for the referee interpreted as aggression towards Cisma, have been given let offs.
But the club will now be turning to the Appeals Committee in the hope that the decision can be repealed.
If this appeal does not bear fruit, then both the manager and the striker will sit out the game against Valencia at the Camp Nou on Sunday, but will be back in time for Zaragoza v Barça the weekend after.
Messi, new Unicef ambassador
Messi, new Unicef ambassador
Lionel Messi will be unveiled on Thursday as a new Unicef worldwide ambassador for goodwill – the first time a Barça player has acquired this distinction.
Lionel Messi will be presented in his new role in the Sala París at the Camp Nou. At 13:30 he will be giving a press conference in the company of President Joan Laporta and Philip O'Brien, worldwide director of corporate partnerships for Unicef. In favour of children’s rights
Messi will be working to benefit the most vulnerable children in the world. He and Unicef will be involved in a series of activities aimed at supporting children’s rights. Messi thus joins an extraordinary list of goodwill ambassadors, who include cinema’s Orlando Bloom and Mia Farrow, and singers Shakira Mebarak and Ricky Martin.
Barça’s first world ambassador
This will be first time that the United Nations Agency has made an ambassador of an FC Barcelona player. The fame of these people is an important tool that the UN can use to promote its actions, and for that reason, these personages are often seen visiting the different projects in person.
Messi has always shown concern for social problems, as reflected by the foundation he set up himself, and this move represents one further step in the Argentine star’s commitment to Unicef and its charity work.
Friday, February 26, 2010
20 players back in training
20 players back in training
After the game in Stuttgart, Barça resumed training with 19 members of the first team and Martí Riverola of the youth team. Alves trained with the others, but Abidal and Keita worked out in isolation.
Because of the long journey back from Stuttgart, Barça could not train as programmed on Wednesday, but there was a session as usual on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
Alves on road to recovery
As on the day before the Champions League clash, Dani Alves trained at the same rhythm as his colleagues. The Brazilian has yet to get medical clearance, but seems to be well on the right track back from injury. He looked in good humour as the players went through the usual warm up drills.
Treatment for Abidal and Keita
The only absentees were Seydou Keita are Éric Abidal, who stayed in the gym for treatment. The Malian has been troubled with an ischiotibial injury since the game at the Calderón and the Frenchman damaged his thigh in Reus.
The team will train again on Friday morning at 11.00. The venue will be Sant Joan Despí, and the session will take place behind closed door. Afterwards, Pep Guardiola will be speaking to the press.
After the game in Stuttgart, Barça resumed training with 19 members of the first team and Martí Riverola of the youth team. Alves trained with the others, but Abidal and Keita worked out in isolation.
Because of the long journey back from Stuttgart, Barça could not train as programmed on Wednesday, but there was a session as usual on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
Alves on road to recovery
As on the day before the Champions League clash, Dani Alves trained at the same rhythm as his colleagues. The Brazilian has yet to get medical clearance, but seems to be well on the right track back from injury. He looked in good humour as the players went through the usual warm up drills.
Treatment for Abidal and Keita
The only absentees were Seydou Keita are Éric Abidal, who stayed in the gym for treatment. The Malian has been troubled with an ischiotibial injury since the game at the Calderón and the Frenchman damaged his thigh in Reus.
The team will train again on Friday morning at 11.00. The venue will be Sant Joan Despí, and the session will take place behind closed door. Afterwards, Pep Guardiola will be speaking to the press.
1-1, a guarantee of qualification
In the 12 European ties that the team has drawn 1-1 in the first leg, Barça has qualified for the next round on 10 occasions. The last time was in the Champions League R16 last season against Olympique Lyon.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a goal on Tuesday night in Stuttgart that could well send Barça through to the quarterfinals. In the past this result has been a good omen. Of the 12 occasions that Barça has taken a 1-1 draw to the second leg in the Camp Nou in European competition, the team has gone through to the next round on 10 occasions.
10 of 12 tickets
The 1-1 draw has happened 3 times in the European Cup, 7 times in the UEFA Cup or Fairs Cup, once in the Cup Winners Cup and once in the Super Cup. Barça were knocked out twice in the European Cup, against CSKA Moscow (1992/93) and Juventus (2002/03). However, the most recent precedent was against Olympique Lyon last year, and that time Barça went through to the quarterfinals and eventually lifted the trophy.
All ties with a 1-1 away draw
MATCH COMPETITION ROUND VUE.
S.BELGRADO-FCB COPA FERIAS 59/60 1/2 3-1
SEL.ZAGREB-FCB COPA FERIAS 60/61 1/8 4-3
OS BELEN.-FCB COPA FERIAS 62/63 1/16 1-1
AZ'67-FCB UEFA CUP 77/78 1/16 1-1
TOTTENHAM-FCB RECOPA 81/82 1/2 1-0
FLAMURTARI-FCB UEFA CUP 86/87 1/32 0-0
CSKA MOSCÚ-FCB CHAMPIONS 92/93 1/8 2-3
WERDER B.-FCB SUPERCUP 93 FINAL 2-1
SEVILLA-FCB UEFA CUP 95/96 1/8 3-1
JUVENTUS-FCB CHAMPIONS 02/03 1/4 1-2
PUCHOV-FCB UEFA CUP 03/04 1/64 8-0
O.LYON-FCB CHAMPIONS 08/09 1/2 5-2
In the 12 European ties that the team has drawn 1-1 in the first leg, Barça has qualified for the next round on 10 occasions. The last time was in the Champions League R16 last season against Olympique Lyon.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a goal on Tuesday night in Stuttgart that could well send Barça through to the quarterfinals. In the past this result has been a good omen. Of the 12 occasions that Barça has taken a 1-1 draw to the second leg in the Camp Nou in European competition, the team has gone through to the next round on 10 occasions.
10 of 12 tickets
The 1-1 draw has happened 3 times in the European Cup, 7 times in the UEFA Cup or Fairs Cup, once in the Cup Winners Cup and once in the Super Cup. Barça were knocked out twice in the European Cup, against CSKA Moscow (1992/93) and Juventus (2002/03). However, the most recent precedent was against Olympique Lyon last year, and that time Barça went through to the quarterfinals and eventually lifted the trophy.
All ties with a 1-1 away draw
MATCH COMPETITION ROUND VUE.
S.BELGRADO-FCB COPA FERIAS 59/60 1/2 3-1
SEL.ZAGREB-FCB COPA FERIAS 60/61 1/8 4-3
OS BELEN.-FCB COPA FERIAS 62/63 1/16 1-1
AZ'67-FCB UEFA CUP 77/78 1/16 1-1
TOTTENHAM-FCB RECOPA 81/82 1/2 1-0
FLAMURTARI-FCB UEFA CUP 86/87 1/32 0-0
CSKA MOSCÚ-FCB CHAMPIONS 92/93 1/8 2-3
WERDER B.-FCB SUPERCUP 93 FINAL 2-1
SEVILLA-FCB UEFA CUP 95/96 1/8 3-1
JUVENTUS-FCB CHAMPIONS 02/03 1/4 1-2
PUCHOV-FCB UEFA CUP 03/04 1/64 8-0
O.LYON-FCB CHAMPIONS 08/09 1/2 5-2
Friday, February 12, 2010
Barça and Messi nominated for Laureus awards
Barça and Messi nominated for Laureus awards
FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi have been nominated for the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards as the best team and the best sportsmen, respectively, for the previous year.
The Blaugrana's incredible year has continued to see them earn praise and prizes across the board and now the club and one of their stars have been put forward for the prestigious gong. The winners will be announced on March 10 at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Barça have been put forward as the best international team while the Argentinian is in the best male sportsman of the year category.
Tough competition
Winning will be no mean feat as the club will be up against such elite outfits as the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, the New York Yankees baseball side, Germany's female football team, Formula One's Brawn outfit and the South Africa rugby team.
Messi will be competing for his prize with the likes of athlete Usain Bolt, tennis star Roger Federer, long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele, Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and Italy's seven-times MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, among others.
46 judges
The Laureus World Sports Awards will recognise achievements between January 1 and December 31, 2009 and the winners will be decided by a panel of 46 of the world's best male and female sportsmen.
FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi have been nominated for the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards as the best team and the best sportsmen, respectively, for the previous year.
The Blaugrana's incredible year has continued to see them earn praise and prizes across the board and now the club and one of their stars have been put forward for the prestigious gong. The winners will be announced on March 10 at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Barça have been put forward as the best international team while the Argentinian is in the best male sportsman of the year category.
Tough competition
Winning will be no mean feat as the club will be up against such elite outfits as the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, the New York Yankees baseball side, Germany's female football team, Formula One's Brawn outfit and the South Africa rugby team.
Messi will be competing for his prize with the likes of athlete Usain Bolt, tennis star Roger Federer, long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele, Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and Italy's seven-times MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, among others.
46 judges
The Laureus World Sports Awards will recognise achievements between January 1 and December 31, 2009 and the winners will be decided by a panel of 46 of the world's best male and female sportsmen.
Jeffren: "I am ready for any challenge"
Jeffren: "I am ready for any challenge"
Jeffren Suárez could not hide his delight after penning a new deal with FC Barcelona this week as he now feels like a true member of the club's first team squad.
The 22-year-old signed the agreement and received a round of applause from the squad at training on Thursday morning before he spoke to the media. "When I signed the contract I felt like a first division player and a member of the first team squad," he explained. "Now I am ready for all the challenges that lie ahead."
Full-back
With the increasing injury problems at the back for Barça Jeffren has been mooted as a possible right-back after he successfully filled in their in the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa. "The coach asked me if I could play there," he explained. "For a moment I did not think he was serious, but then I saw the chance to play and I agreed I could. He asked me and so I did the best i could. I remember that I became tired very quickly and that affected me a bit, but I did all I could."
While Guardiola ponders the injury list, Jeffren sees it as a chance to impress: "The absentees give the fringe players motivation," he continued. "We will be able to cope with them as we have a great squad. For now the coach has not said anything to me. But if he asks me to play as a full-back then I will. It will be a challenge but I have faith in myself."
Confident of victory
Despite the injuries Jeffren is confident that Barça can beat Atlético de Madrid on Sunday. "We have a lot of players out and to win would send a message to the teams near us who are hoping we stumble.
Jeffren Suárez could not hide his delight after penning a new deal with FC Barcelona this week as he now feels like a true member of the club's first team squad.
The 22-year-old signed the agreement and received a round of applause from the squad at training on Thursday morning before he spoke to the media. "When I signed the contract I felt like a first division player and a member of the first team squad," he explained. "Now I am ready for all the challenges that lie ahead."
Full-back
With the increasing injury problems at the back for Barça Jeffren has been mooted as a possible right-back after he successfully filled in their in the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa. "The coach asked me if I could play there," he explained. "For a moment I did not think he was serious, but then I saw the chance to play and I agreed I could. He asked me and so I did the best i could. I remember that I became tired very quickly and that affected me a bit, but I did all I could."
While Guardiola ponders the injury list, Jeffren sees it as a chance to impress: "The absentees give the fringe players motivation," he continued. "We will be able to cope with them as we have a great squad. For now the coach has not said anything to me. But if he asks me to play as a full-back then I will. It will be a challenge but I have faith in myself."
Confident of victory
Despite the injuries Jeffren is confident that Barça can beat Atlético de Madrid on Sunday. "We have a lot of players out and to win would send a message to the teams near us who are hoping we stumble.
Morale booster for Atlético ahead of Barça
Morale booster for Atlético ahead of Barça
Atlético Madrid are in the ideal mood for welcoming Barça after qualifying for their first Copa del Rey final in ten years. The last time the mattress-makers won the cup was when they beat Barça in 1996.
Atlético Madrid’s league form is leaving a lot to be desired, for they are 11 points adrift of European places in 12th place, but their morale was boosted last night by qualifying for the final of the Copa del Rey. Despite losing 3-2 at El Sardinero to Racing Santander, Quique Sánchez Flores’ side had a 4-0 win in the home leg to fall back on, and will face Sevilla in the final.
It has been a rotten season for the red and whites, who went out of the Champions League in the group stages. But with qualification for their 17th cup final assured, the side from Manzanares can turn their attention back to the Liga and to the UEFA Cup, where they start on February 18 against Galatasaray at the Vicente Calderón.
Making good the 4-0 lead
Atlético Madrid were already as good as assured a final berth after winning 4-0 in the first leg, and there was to be no historic comeback for Racing Santander despite taking an early lead from a Varela own goal.
Two goals from Moratón and Jurado turned it around for Atlético Madrid, and it was game over. Racing’s late responses from Xisco and Tchité did little other than win back some honour.
Ten years on
The last time Atlético Madrid graced the Copa del Rey final was ten years ago against Espanyol, but the Catalans took the title with a famous 2-1 win against a demoralised side that had just been relegated to the second division. Tamudo and Sergio were on target for the parakeets, and Hasselbaink scored Atlético’s consultation game in injury time.
Double win
The last time the cup was won by Atlético Madrid was against Barça on April 10, 1996 at La Romareda. The side then managed by Radomir Antic won the final 1-0 with an extra time winner. Johan Cruyff’s side suffered injuries to both Celades and Guardiola and struggled without two key components. A few weeks later, Atlético Madrid secured the League title as well to complete a historic double.
Atlético Madrid are in the ideal mood for welcoming Barça after qualifying for their first Copa del Rey final in ten years. The last time the mattress-makers won the cup was when they beat Barça in 1996.
Atlético Madrid’s league form is leaving a lot to be desired, for they are 11 points adrift of European places in 12th place, but their morale was boosted last night by qualifying for the final of the Copa del Rey. Despite losing 3-2 at El Sardinero to Racing Santander, Quique Sánchez Flores’ side had a 4-0 win in the home leg to fall back on, and will face Sevilla in the final.
It has been a rotten season for the red and whites, who went out of the Champions League in the group stages. But with qualification for their 17th cup final assured, the side from Manzanares can turn their attention back to the Liga and to the UEFA Cup, where they start on February 18 against Galatasaray at the Vicente Calderón.
Making good the 4-0 lead
Atlético Madrid were already as good as assured a final berth after winning 4-0 in the first leg, and there was to be no historic comeback for Racing Santander despite taking an early lead from a Varela own goal.
Two goals from Moratón and Jurado turned it around for Atlético Madrid, and it was game over. Racing’s late responses from Xisco and Tchité did little other than win back some honour.
Ten years on
The last time Atlético Madrid graced the Copa del Rey final was ten years ago against Espanyol, but the Catalans took the title with a famous 2-1 win against a demoralised side that had just been relegated to the second division. Tamudo and Sergio were on target for the parakeets, and Hasselbaink scored Atlético’s consultation game in injury time.
Double win
The last time the cup was won by Atlético Madrid was against Barça on April 10, 1996 at La Romareda. The side then managed by Radomir Antic won the final 1-0 with an extra time winner. Johan Cruyff’s side suffered injuries to both Celades and Guardiola and struggled without two key components. A few weeks later, Atlético Madrid secured the League title as well to complete a historic double.
Camp Nou to unveil corporate stalls
Camp Nou to unveil corporate stalls
From May to August 2010, the central section of the first tier of the grandstand will be transformed into a floating terrace with exceptional views over the Camp Nou for social and corporate events.
Coinciding with the end of sports competitions in the 2009-10 season, the Camp Nou will be hiring out the venue for corporate events, using a space called the Platea del Estadio (‘Stadium Stalls’) in the central area of the first tier of the grandstand.
Floating terrace
The platform will cover the seating area in the zone, and will have a 300 square metre translucent surface with banisters. This floating terrace will offer unbeatable views of the Camp Nou turf.
The new area is planned mainly to host gala suppers and cocktail receptions after business meetings. It holds between 20 and 250 people. A wonderful evening over the Camp Nou turf can be complemented with a tour of the Camp Nou and a visit to the Museum.
Complete offer
Hire of the stalls at any time between May and August will also include lighting, the use of the video scoreboards, personalised attention and parking. Extra services can be added, such as audiovisuals (screens and laser projections), decoration (backlit dais and cubes) and entertainment.
The new area can be accessed via the Grandstand hall and for grand occasions, guests will be given red carpet treatment.
From May to August 2010, the central section of the first tier of the grandstand will be transformed into a floating terrace with exceptional views over the Camp Nou for social and corporate events.
Coinciding with the end of sports competitions in the 2009-10 season, the Camp Nou will be hiring out the venue for corporate events, using a space called the Platea del Estadio (‘Stadium Stalls’) in the central area of the first tier of the grandstand.
Floating terrace
The platform will cover the seating area in the zone, and will have a 300 square metre translucent surface with banisters. This floating terrace will offer unbeatable views of the Camp Nou turf.
The new area is planned mainly to host gala suppers and cocktail receptions after business meetings. It holds between 20 and 250 people. A wonderful evening over the Camp Nou turf can be complemented with a tour of the Camp Nou and a visit to the Museum.
Complete offer
Hire of the stalls at any time between May and August will also include lighting, the use of the video scoreboards, personalised attention and parking. Extra services can be added, such as audiovisuals (screens and laser projections), decoration (backlit dais and cubes) and entertainment.
The new area can be accessed via the Grandstand hall and for grand occasions, guests will be given red carpet treatment.
Iniesta: “The absences are no excuse”
Iniesta: “The absences are no excuse”
Despite the lack of defenders for the game at the Vicente Calderón, Iniesta considers that “there are no excuses in that respect” and has every faith in the reserve players.
He does admit that the missing defenders “have created a difficult situation, but these things happen”, but added that their only option for the game at Atlético Madrid is “to press on with what we’ve got”. He added “we can’t make excuses in that respect. We have to take the absences as they are. We simply have one added difficulty to overcome. We’ll take the challenge.”
Talented youngsters
He was asked about the youth players currently training with the first team, Bartra, Dalmau, Muniesa and Dos Santos, and categorically stated that “if they are here it’s because they have talent and are ready to play”. If Josep Guardiola opts to field any of them, Iniesta says the role of the more regular players will be “to help them and make them feel comfortable”.
“The most important thing is wanting to play”
Iniesta came though the youth system himself, so he knows what it is all about. “They are all playing for Barça Atlètic and are dying to play. When I was in their position, I couldn’t wait to play. What we are doing in training is trying to make them feel conformable and at home. Luckily, we have a lot of players that were in the reserves here and who have been though the same situation, so we can give them our help.”
Best advice
He said that once they are out on the pitch “they have to feel relaxed, although it’s difficult, because whether you like it or not, it’s a very special moment. You feel that if you are playing then it must be because you are good enough. And enthusiasm wins over the nerves that can make you play badly.”
Clear roles
Whoever forms the FCB defence, Iniesta said “the system will be the same, it doesn’t matter who plays … the most important thing for the team is for everybody to have clear ideas. All of the full backs know what they have to do, and if one is missing, then another one will do it instead.”
Three important points
Games between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid tend to be thrillers with plenty of goals. But all Iniesta wants to feel sure of is that “we’ll be coming back with three points that will be a big step forward for us. Winning somewhere like the Calderón is always good for your confidence … Nobody can predict what will happen. We just want to get the three points, so we’ll be taking things very seriously.”
Key points
The Spanish international expects a tough game and “if anybody loses control, then we must make sure it’s not us. They play well on the counter, they have fast players, and they move quickly. But whatever the score is, we know we can’t relax. We have to stay solid throughout the match, play our game, take our chances and be tight at the back.”
Playing for the team
Andrés Iniesta simply wants to keep doing what he has been doing until now. “My main objective is to keep my game up. Not scoring, I just think about helping the team. If I do score, then all’s well and good. But there is lot ahead of us, and it is essential for us to maintain our form. I am very happy with the way I’m playing and I always give it 100 per cent when I go out onto the pitch”.
Despite the lack of defenders for the game at the Vicente Calderón, Iniesta considers that “there are no excuses in that respect” and has every faith in the reserve players.
He does admit that the missing defenders “have created a difficult situation, but these things happen”, but added that their only option for the game at Atlético Madrid is “to press on with what we’ve got”. He added “we can’t make excuses in that respect. We have to take the absences as they are. We simply have one added difficulty to overcome. We’ll take the challenge.”
Talented youngsters
He was asked about the youth players currently training with the first team, Bartra, Dalmau, Muniesa and Dos Santos, and categorically stated that “if they are here it’s because they have talent and are ready to play”. If Josep Guardiola opts to field any of them, Iniesta says the role of the more regular players will be “to help them and make them feel comfortable”.
“The most important thing is wanting to play”
Iniesta came though the youth system himself, so he knows what it is all about. “They are all playing for Barça Atlètic and are dying to play. When I was in their position, I couldn’t wait to play. What we are doing in training is trying to make them feel conformable and at home. Luckily, we have a lot of players that were in the reserves here and who have been though the same situation, so we can give them our help.”
Best advice
He said that once they are out on the pitch “they have to feel relaxed, although it’s difficult, because whether you like it or not, it’s a very special moment. You feel that if you are playing then it must be because you are good enough. And enthusiasm wins over the nerves that can make you play badly.”
Clear roles
Whoever forms the FCB defence, Iniesta said “the system will be the same, it doesn’t matter who plays … the most important thing for the team is for everybody to have clear ideas. All of the full backs know what they have to do, and if one is missing, then another one will do it instead.”
Three important points
Games between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid tend to be thrillers with plenty of goals. But all Iniesta wants to feel sure of is that “we’ll be coming back with three points that will be a big step forward for us. Winning somewhere like the Calderón is always good for your confidence … Nobody can predict what will happen. We just want to get the three points, so we’ll be taking things very seriously.”
Key points
The Spanish international expects a tough game and “if anybody loses control, then we must make sure it’s not us. They play well on the counter, they have fast players, and they move quickly. But whatever the score is, we know we can’t relax. We have to stay solid throughout the match, play our game, take our chances and be tight at the back.”
Playing for the team
Andrés Iniesta simply wants to keep doing what he has been doing until now. “My main objective is to keep my game up. Not scoring, I just think about helping the team. If I do score, then all’s well and good. But there is lot ahead of us, and it is essential for us to maintain our form. I am very happy with the way I’m playing and I always give it 100 per cent when I go out onto the pitch”.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Fabulous Year
It’s exactly 365 days since Leo Messi scored Barça’s 5,000th league goal in El Sardinero. From that day on he has not ceased to delight the fans and accumulate silverware.
At 18:35 on Sunday 1st February 2009 Leo Messi ensured himself a place in the Barça Hall of Fame when he scored the Club’s 5,000th league goal in Santander. He joined such legendary names as Marco Aurelio (1,000), Zaballa (2,000), Quini (3,000) and Amor (4,000).
Flat out for the treble
That goal gave Barça a 1-2 win and was the starting pistol that signalled the year of a truly fabulous year for the Argentine star. In April he played his 100th First Division game and then in May he astonished fans around the world with his two goals in the historic 2-6 defeat of Real Madrid in the Bernabéu, a defeat that virtually decided the league title in Barça’s favour. He scored another in the Spanish Cup final and the team’s second in the Rome CL final. He was a fundamental part of the treble-winning side.
Individual and collective honours
After his first proper summer rest for some time, Messi made a decisive contribution to the victories in the European and Spanish Super Cups in August. At the same time he started to harvest the fruits of the previous season in the form of individual honours, the first of which was the award for the best forward and best player in the Champions League 2008-09.
The best in the world
In October, he helped Argentina secure a place in the next World Cup thanks to a win over arch rivals Uruguay. It heralded an exceptional few months in which he won the awards for the best player in La Liga 2008-09, the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player. The icing on the cake was Barça’s success in the World Club Cup – a Messi goal included. The sixth trophy in 12 months.
However, Leo Messi isn’t sitting back and taking it easy! He has started 2010 in great form and is the leading scorer in La Liga with 15 goals. One year on and he’s still making history. A goal to frame
It was the 80th minute in El Sardinero and Messi, who had already equalized, trapped the ball on his chest inside the box and fired powerfully past Racing goalkeeper Toño with his right foot. A goal that was as important – it gave Barça the three points – as it was historic.
It’s exactly 365 days since Leo Messi scored Barça’s 5,000th league goal in El Sardinero. From that day on he has not ceased to delight the fans and accumulate silverware.
At 18:35 on Sunday 1st February 2009 Leo Messi ensured himself a place in the Barça Hall of Fame when he scored the Club’s 5,000th league goal in Santander. He joined such legendary names as Marco Aurelio (1,000), Zaballa (2,000), Quini (3,000) and Amor (4,000).
Flat out for the treble
That goal gave Barça a 1-2 win and was the starting pistol that signalled the year of a truly fabulous year for the Argentine star. In April he played his 100th First Division game and then in May he astonished fans around the world with his two goals in the historic 2-6 defeat of Real Madrid in the Bernabéu, a defeat that virtually decided the league title in Barça’s favour. He scored another in the Spanish Cup final and the team’s second in the Rome CL final. He was a fundamental part of the treble-winning side.
Individual and collective honours
After his first proper summer rest for some time, Messi made a decisive contribution to the victories in the European and Spanish Super Cups in August. At the same time he started to harvest the fruits of the previous season in the form of individual honours, the first of which was the award for the best forward and best player in the Champions League 2008-09.
The best in the world
In October, he helped Argentina secure a place in the next World Cup thanks to a win over arch rivals Uruguay. It heralded an exceptional few months in which he won the awards for the best player in La Liga 2008-09, the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player. The icing on the cake was Barça’s success in the World Club Cup – a Messi goal included. The sixth trophy in 12 months.
However, Leo Messi isn’t sitting back and taking it easy! He has started 2010 in great form and is the leading scorer in La Liga with 15 goals. One year on and he’s still making history. A goal to frame
It was the 80th minute in El Sardinero and Messi, who had already equalized, trapped the ball on his chest inside the box and fired powerfully past Racing goalkeeper Toño with his right foot. A goal that was as important – it gave Barça the three points – as it was historic.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Messi eyes Golden Boot
Leo Messi is having a great season in front of goal. Apart from being top scorer in the Spanish league, along David Villa (14 goals), he is among the leading scorers in Europe.
After a fabulous 2009, possibly the only individual award that Messi still lacks is the Golden Boot for Europe’s top goal scorer. In the Spanish league he’s scored 14 goals in 18 matches, making him the top scorer along with David Villa. He currently stands in 3rd place in the Golden Boot ranking.
Rooney, first
The two players who are ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot have both played more matches than him. In first place is Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) with 15 goals in 22 matches. Next comes Kris Boyd (Glasgow Rangers) with 19 goals in 20 matches. However, the coefficient of the Scottish league is lower than that of the Spanish league so Boyd only leads Messi by half a point.
It is important to remember that there are two players, Welliton (Spartak Moscow) and Kristaps Grebis (Liepajas Metalurg), have better figures. However, both the Russian and Lithuanian Leagues have now finished meaning that neither player will be able to improve their current rating (31.5 and 30 respectively).
Breaking all records
Leo Messi, who won the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player in 2009, wrote a new page in the history of FC Barcelona on Saturday when he became the youngest ever player to score his 100th competitive Barça goal. Now he has a fresh challenge – to become the second Barça player to win the Golden Boot. The only Barça player to have won the award was Ronaldo, thanks to his 34 goals in the 1996/97 season.
After a fabulous 2009, possibly the only individual award that Messi still lacks is the Golden Boot for Europe’s top goal scorer. In the Spanish league he’s scored 14 goals in 18 matches, making him the top scorer along with David Villa. He currently stands in 3rd place in the Golden Boot ranking.
Rooney, first
The two players who are ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot have both played more matches than him. In first place is Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) with 15 goals in 22 matches. Next comes Kris Boyd (Glasgow Rangers) with 19 goals in 20 matches. However, the coefficient of the Scottish league is lower than that of the Spanish league so Boyd only leads Messi by half a point.
It is important to remember that there are two players, Welliton (Spartak Moscow) and Kristaps Grebis (Liepajas Metalurg), have better figures. However, both the Russian and Lithuanian Leagues have now finished meaning that neither player will be able to improve their current rating (31.5 and 30 respectively).
Breaking all records
Leo Messi, who won the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player in 2009, wrote a new page in the history of FC Barcelona on Saturday when he became the youngest ever player to score his 100th competitive Barça goal. Now he has a fresh challenge – to become the second Barça player to win the Golden Boot. The only Barça player to have won the award was Ronaldo, thanks to his 34 goals in the 1996/97 season.
Sergio Busquets to miss Valladolid match
Josep Guardiola will be without Sergio Busquets for next Saturday’s match against Valladolid. He is suffering from a bruised kidney and needs total rest for a week.
The Club’s medical services announced on Sunday that Busquets had received bruising to his left kidney during Saturday’s match against Sevilla.
Hospital observation
After tie match, Sergio Busquets was admitted to hospital for observation but was later allowed to go home.
A week’s rest
Doctors have ordered a week of complete rest, which means that the player will not be available for next weekend's match.
The Club’s medical services announced on Sunday that Busquets had received bruising to his left kidney during Saturday’s match against Sevilla.
Hospital observation
After tie match, Sergio Busquets was admitted to hospital for observation but was later allowed to go home.
A week’s rest
Doctors have ordered a week of complete rest, which means that the player will not be available for next weekend's match.
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