Barca Blaugranes

The Front: Sport (07.09.2011)

2011-09-07T14:55:00.002+01:00

A BUNCH OF GOALS, RECORD AND DEBUT

Spain qualifies for Eurocup 2012

Spain 6 – 0 Liechtenstein

Xavi celebrated to be the player who has played the most matches for Spanish national team with a great goal

Thiago played for the first time for La Roja in an official match, so now he only can play with Spain

Barça considers to enlarge Camp Nou and will build a new Palau Blaugrana

Festival by Messi in Bangladesh (Argentina 3 – 1 Nigeria)

Neymar’s show keeps going on: “Both Barça and Madrid want to sign me”

The Front: El Mundo Deportivo (07.09.2011)

2011-09-07T14:53:00.002+01:00

LIKE CHAMPIONS!

Spain 6 – 0 Liechtenstein

La Roja qualifies by scoring a lot of goals and Xavi, with 103 matches played, has played more matches than Raúl

Thiago can only play in the Spanish national team now and Villa (2 goals) makes his record wider

Argentina 3 – 1 Nigeria. Messi leads the playing and has fun with Argentina

Camp Nou: They are considering to enlarge the stadium with 10.000 more seats

Puyol will make an effort to be available to play on Saturday in Anoeta

Cristiano opens the door for Manchester United

Johan Cruyff: “Real Madrid is obsessed with Barça and they’ve crossed the line”

2011-09-07T14:51:00.000+01:00

Johan Cruyff gave a mammoth interview to El Peridico in which he discussed topics such as Rosell’s presidency and Barca under Guardiola. Yesterday we presented you part of the interview. Here is the concluding part in which he looks at Real Madrid’s changed avatar under Mourinho and also shares his views on the new signings. The original can be found here. The first part can be read here.

From his retirement place, in El Montanyà, Johan Cruyff contemplates Pep’s Barça with pleasure. He is happy that his student has already mastered the art he created about two decades ago. His vision of football is still alive in the current team, and more so, it is getting perfected by thay young skinny man he discovered in the Mini Estadi one day, ignoring those voices that said he wasn’t good enough. Cruyff once gave his blessing to Pep as the new coach appointed by Laporta and Txiki, opposing a lot of people who wanted Mourinho. So he is delighted to talk about Pep and his team.

Pep is doing a fantastic job, he does everythin well.

Why?

From the football point of view, everything is going great. The currect success is a consequence of maintaining the same philosophy for years. But now I witness that the club is not only obsessed with winning silverware, but making money. The approach should be different. Last season, it seems money is the reason to exist for Barça. But I think that football must be the most important thing. Football does not exist to generate money, but just the opposite.

What do you mean?

I was saying that Pep is doing a great job because he isolates his team from the rest of things happening at the club level. They (the directive board) have a different view of things. We saw that in the pre-season, before the Spanish Supercup and the US tour. I know the club must take any chance to earn money, but there’s got to be a balance, training is needed and there’s got to be time to do that, and prepare the tournament properly.

Madrid also went on tour, but it seemed they were much more prepared to win that first title.

Perhaps people didn’t realize, but Barça took many risks. Guardiola knew. Luckily, everything went fine, but losing the Super Cup would have meant a big blow for the start of the season. And the chances of losing it were big because of that difference in preparation between both teams. Guardiola was very brave, he took big decisions and managed enormous risks, and it wasn’t easy, they were facing Madrid. But he said: “I will play them, no matter what happens”. And it worked. But it all has to do with the obssession about money. You have to collect, sure, but you also need time to get ready, to prepare. The balance was not right, at the begining of this season.

And what about the war-like atmosphere that surrounds the clasicos since Mou has arrived?

I have never seen anything like it. The situation has become very unpleasant. Mourinho? I have already talked about him in El Periódico, long time ago. I don’t need to repeat that. The problem seems more serious to me. Madrid has a responsibility as a big football team, and there are things that should not be allowed.

Why do you say that?

There are millions of children worldwide that are receiving a bad example, Madrid does not care about them. Since Valdano left, things have gotten much worse. You can say anything about Valdano, but he is a gentleman. Mourinho may be a good person in private and he is a very good coach, but he shows another face to the world. Madrid needs to change this situation.

They don’t seem to.

Madrid is suffering of bad luck, bad luck of having this Barça side at such a great level. If Madrid played in another league, or another time, they would do great and win lots of silverware. They are a good team, but they haven’t found the way of defeating Barça yet. And if we discuss about tactics, then I can say I am a bit surprised. There are always some ways of defeating a team. What is worse for them, is that they always make the same mistake. But if they don’t know how to fix it, it’s much better for Barça.

I asumme you won’t tell me what it is..

Of course I won’t say! It’ their problem. I know Madrid can make excuses or justify things that have no justification, but the world does not share their vision. Beyond winning or losing, Barça has a clean image and Madrid’s… is not what it was. And besides, there is Mourinho… if players are submitted to a coach like him, someone that causes trouble every day, what can they do? I mean, how some players react…

You are talking about Casillas, Xabi Alonso…

I speak in general. When you see them acting the way the have in the past games, you think “these are not them”. I guess they think the same, once the game is finished… They’re like between a rock and a hard place. What can they say? That they do not agree with the coach? They can’t. Mourinho’s attitude does not only affect his own image but his players’ reputation as well.

In one of your articles in El Periódico, you said that Florentino’s soul is inside Mourinho’s body.

It’s true. Being a president does not only mean to lift trophies. It also involves taking tough decisions. That’s his job. It is not always nice. Madrid has been a huge club for so many years, thanks to their style, their behaviour..and it’s been huge in Spain and the world. But they are losing their prestige with each passing day. They are obsessed with Barça and they’ve crossed the line. And people here should understand that because it was the other way around, for many years. But we never reached these limits.

About the news signings, Cruyff says he is not surprised by the arrival of Cesc. “Not even when Guardiola used him as a “false” striker. He knows his players and always finds the best way for them to do their job. Cesc motivates the rest, nobody gets relaxed.”

About Alexis, he said, “Alexis is a brave kid. I liked him since his first game. And it was not an easy game, at the Bernabéu, facing a team that was much more prepared than Barça. Alexis works hard, he goes after every ball and does not only think about himself. That is the basic quality for this team, and what I like the most. It doesn’t matter if he scores or doesn’t, or he doesn’t complete a dribble. Now Barça has another player like Pedro, who chases every ball, or Messi, who is the best but also works hard for the team, or Villa, who runs all the time. They’re all honest people.”

Barça named best club in Europe in 2011

2011-09-07T14:47:00.000+01:00

FC Barcelona has been crowned as the best club in Europe for the year 2011 by the European Clubs Association (ECA). The ECA met this week in Geneva and today announced their end of season awards. Barcelona received the top honor from the Association which took into account a variety of criteria. While performance on the pitch was important, the ECA also considered good sporting behavior, the club’s business proficiency, and club/ECA member relations.

Other awards were given out as well. After its Europa League performance, Sporting Braga of Portugal was designated the club that made the “best sporting progress in 2011“. FK Baku of Azerbaijan created a school for its players and thus won the “greatest non sporting achievement of 2011” title. Finally, Glasgow Celtic of Scotland achieved the “best community and social responsibility programme of 2011” award after instating a program that allows children with Down Syndrome to play football.

The ECA has 197 member clubs from all 53 UEFA nations.

Source: www.fcbarcelona.cat

Cesc: “I’m so happy that I try to disguise it sometimes

2011-09-07T14:43:00.001+01:00

Cesc Fabregas couldn’t have started on a better note with FC Barcelona. He has won the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with the club, playing a vital role in both the matches. Even his fortunes with the national team have changed as seen in the two goals that he scored in the friendly against Chile. Fabregas is riding high on the recent successes on the pitch and the joy of returning home. totalBarca brings to you the translation of Cesc Fabregas’s extensive interview to Spanish newspaper El Pais on September 5. The original can be found here:

When did you know your time at Arsenal was up?

I knew all along that last season was decisive. We (Arsenal) were in four competitions: the League Cup, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League, where we were second. In the end, we couldn’t win anything. But it’s not just because I won nothing. I had been thinking of returning to Barcelona for a long time and then Barca showed interest… To me, the only two options were moving to Barca or staying at Arsenal. I never thought of moving for money or any motivation other than returning home. I never even considered another option. I’d been receiving offers (from other clubs) since I was 18.

Was any of those offers from Real Madrid?

It doesn’t matter. It’s not necessary to name clubs. But the truth is that I’ve had several offers ever since I was 18.

Did you feel kidnapped by Arsène Wenger?

People have a wrong image of him. If not for him, I wouldn’t be a Barcelona player now because I wouldn’t have started my career at 16 or played a Champions League Final at 18. I wouldn’t have been a captain at 20…Without him, who knows where I’d be right now? I surely wouldn’t be a Barca player now, because he helped me with the Arsenal board, who didn’t want to sell me at any price. He convinced them, he pressured them to lower the asking price.

Was he convinced when you gave up a portion of your salary to allow Barca to reach the 34 million euros demanded by Arsenal?

No, he already knew my wish.

Do you owe a debt to the Gunners?

I gave my all and that allows me to leave with a clean conscience. I couldn’t have done more. My stats over the past seven years are there for all to see. I think my individual performance was good. But as far as titles are concerned, I left with a bitter feeling. I couldn’t win the Premier League and I was very close on three occasions. In that sense, I would like to have done a bit more, but I couldn’t.

What do you take away from London?

Many memories, the city… London will always be my city. I didn’t make great friendships on a social level, but I leave friends in the Arsenal locker room, like Rosicky or Carlos Vela, people who were and are a lot more than just teammates. And Wenger, of course. Without him, I’d be nothing. Not a World Cup champion, nothing.

Was it sadder to leave Arsenal or Barcelona back in 2003?

I was more immature when I left Barca, I was merely a boy back then. I didn’t think I’d ever reach Barcelona’s first team because back then things were very different. Just look at Andrés (Iniesta). He was 23 and he wasn’t a starter in the Paris final, although they only really start playing well when he came on to the pitch. I thought: “If Andrés doesn’t start, where would I be?”. I was a Juvenil, so I’d probably be in the Juvenil A team. When I left London, I had a much better perception of what was happening, what I was leaving behind and where I was going, and that made it a bit sadder.

How was the last day with Wenger?

I’ll treasure it forever. I had so many conversations with him… his words will live with me all my life. That last day… uff! I could barely talk. I got too emotional and couldn’t really say anything. I called him later, when I was calmer, and I thanked him for everything. He’s a 10 (out of 10), with all his faults and virtues, but what that man has given me is priceless.

What did England teach you?

Well… try to imagine. I was 16 years old, I was just a boy. Now I’m a young man. It might sound weird, but the most important thing I learnt was the English language. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that one day I could be understood anywhere in the world. Also, I learnt how to overcome difficulties.

When you knew you were already a Barca player, what did you do?

I called my sister. I had promised her I would.

In Monaco, your grandmother told Barca TV that she had never seen you so happy. Not even when she took you her homemade soup to London?

Just imagine that! I’m so happy that I try to disguise it sometimes. I try to look serious, you know? Things can change pretty fast; today you’re the happiest man in the world, but in a month you might be going through a bad patch.

Did you reach an agreement with Barca two years ago?

No, I only reached an agreement with Barca after Arsenal and Barcelona reached a deal. But it wasn’t very hard. Before the deal was sealed between the clubs, there had been some talks, but nothing serious.

Is this what you expected?

No; so far, it has surpassed all my expectations. I don’t know what will happen hereafter, but the way things are going makes me motivated to continue working. I still have a lot to do in this team. I might have won two titles and scored some goals, but that doesn’t make me think that my work is done. People here expect you to start well, continue well and end well. Barcelona are one of the few teams that demand the best of you in each match, just like Real Madrid, Manchester United… I’m not satisfied. I want and I must give more to Barcelona.

Tito Vilanova claims that Barca have not signed Cesc, the player who left at 16, but Fabregas, the captain of Arsenal FC.

Tito was my last coach at Barca and we won everything. I had a very good relationship with him and I look forward to share the same locker room with him again, as well as with Leo (Messi) and Gerard (Piqué). He’s right. Eight years have passed very quickly. I think of it now and it seems incredible. But it is obvious that I’m no longer the same player who left, the one who played in the cadet team.

Back then, did you already know Messi would be so great?

He was the best, but you can never know for sure. If anyone was going to reach the first team, it was him, that much was clear. He was the most talented. Technically, he had always been the best. Physically, he’s now very strong, but he used to be the smallest and that was even more apparent since we played against older players. He’s very smart. He takes advantage of every little thing. Sometimes it might look as if he has no character, but on the inside he’s a born winner who’s aware of everything around him.

What have you learnt football wise during your six years in the Premier League?

Lessons. The competitive spirit. Their football is faster and more direct than in La Liga, which is more tactical and disciplined, with more emphasis on a slow build-up. In England, people don’t think so much about the scoreline. You attack even when it’s not needed. The crowd doesn’t like you to hold back in any situation. Here in Spain, you need more positional awareness and control in order to break through. And the referees are more lenient, they allow more. Here, I saw a yellow card for not retreating from the wall, in England the ref would just have told me: “Come on Cesc, move.”.

Did they pronounce Cesc correctly?

They pronounce it better in England than they do here.

That’s why your shirt had Fabregas on it?

No, I used Fabregas in England because it was compulsory to use your surname in the back of the jersey, and I have decided to stay with Fabregas (instead of Cesc) at Barcelona.

Is it an advantage to have come through La Masia and learnt the Barcelona way of football?

No. I feel that I still have a lot to learn. This team is very well oiled and there are still a lot of things I need to learn, a lot of things I need to pick up. Especially in defense. I’d never seen a team so focused in the transition from attack to defense. Playing against Barca is very difficult, but playing at Barca isn’t easy either. That’s my challenge. I sincerely believe that at this point I’m still a bit of a liability on the pitch, but they’re so good that they cover for my mistakes and make it all look fine. I try to read their passes and take advantage of them in attack. I need to adapt to the team. Defensively, I still have a lot to learn.

What’s the first thing you’ve learnt at Barca?

That the hardest thing is to play it simple. You look at Messi, Iniesta, Xavi… It’s very hard to play in such a simple way. And it’s also very hard to pressure teams the way this team does.

The coaching staff is convinced that you can bring a lot to the team, even defensively.

Me too. I’m lucky in a way: for four or five years, I was one of the players who covered most ground per match in the Champions League. That means I’ve become a very dynamic player, and I take advantage of that. But I feel that I still have a lot to learn. I’m 24 years old and people often talk about me as if I were 30.

Is Xavi right when he claims that the best thing about this Barca team is the training sessions?

Yes. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. You can only hear the ball. Tac, tac, tac… The pressure of four players at the same time. I had never such a high level of training. The everyday training sessions are a lot better than the matches; I’d never seen anything like it.

Do people exaggerate when they say the atmosphere is exceptional?

I’ll just tell you that if we have to arrive at 10am, we’ll be there at 9:30am. Not just one player, but everybody. Besides, Piqué is around and he’s a great target for jokes, he can definitely take a joke very well. He surely brings a lot of life to the locker room.

What did Pep Guardiola tell you?

Nothing, nothing much. He only told me to work hard to gain my place in the squad.

Are you ready to accept whatever playing time you get and sit on the bench?

It’s obvious that only players like Xavi, Iniesta or Messi could complain about lack of minutes. And if they don’t complain… I have great respect for them, so I’ll just play when the coach decides it’s my turn.

After your first confrontation with Madrid…

Uff! It’s not time to talk about Madrid. Now it’s time to think of San Sebastian, Milan, Pamplona. I’m looking forward to visit the different stadiums in La Liga. I’ve only played at Camp Nou twice, and I only know the Bernabeu, El Madrigal, Mestalla… I don’t know… I‘m particularly looking forward to playing at San Mamés. I’ve always been told it has a very special atmosphere.

What did you want to be when you were little?

What I am now. My only dream has always been to play at Barcelona.

Keita returns and Adriano joins the group at Tuesday training

2011-09-07T14:39:00.000+01:00

After three days of rest, the first team returned to training on Tuesday morning. The major news from the session centered around the return of Keita, who played on Saturday with his national team, and Adriano, who was injured during the UEFA Super Cup match with Porto.

Seven players of the first team have exercised this Tuesday morning on pitch no. 2 of the Ciutat Esportiva. Those working included Pinto, Fontàs, Maxwell, Puyol and Afellay, all of whom trained last week, and Keita and Adriano, the novelties at today’s session.

Because of national team commitments, Guardiola has so far been unable to prepare with his his full squad for Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad. However, the international players will be added back to the team throughout the week, and Keita, who played on Saturday with Mali, has already rejoined his Barça team mates.

The other newly returning face at training was Adriano, who in previous days has been working apart from the group after picking up an injury, but who today was seen working with his team mates. The other injured members of the team -Puyol, Maxwell and Afellay- also trained with the main group. The only player absent was Gerard Piqué, also injured, who worked in the gym.

Pep Guardiola called up eight players from Barça B for today’s training session. Oier, Masip, Gustavo, Carmona, Gerard Deulofeu, Oriol Rosell, Cuenca and Lobato, footballers who didn’t play on Sunday in the reserves’ match against Cartagena, were able to work under Guardiola.

The blaugrana internationals are expected back in Barcelona on Wednesday and will train under the orders of Guardiola once again. The session is scheduled for 19:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

Alexis Sánchez and Dani Alves, who have already finished their national team duties, will return to the squad on Wednesday with the rest of the international players. The coaching staff decided to give them both an extra day to rest.

Video of the Day: Get ready

2011-09-06T13:43:00.000+01:00

Cartoon of the Day: El Mundo Deportivo

2011-09-06T13:41:00.002+01:00

“Sylvinho says that Barça is the best thing for Neymar…”

“Ok… But is Neymar the best thing for Barça …”

Cartoon of the Day: Sport

2011-09-06T13:40:00.000+01:00

Cruyff sums up Madrid, Mou, and Rosell in an interview for El Periódico

“In review, I said that Madrid’s problem is Mourinho … Mourinho’s problem is Barça … Barça’s problem is Rosell … and Rosell’s problem is me.”

The Front: El Mundo Deportivo (06.09.2011)

2011-09-06T13:38:00.002+01:00

NEYMAR UNDER CONTROL

The crack can come when Barça needs him

Real Madrid has nothing signed by him

Santos will not negotiate until January 2012

Leo plays again for Bangladesh

Xavi, more matches played than Raúl. He will play today his 103rd match with the Spanish national team.

The Front: Sport (06.09.2011)

2011-09-06T13:37:00.000+01:00

BARÇA FORMULA

Spanish national team will participate in the Eurocup if they win today in Logroño

Del Bosque will play 5 blaugranas, with Cesc, Xavi and Iniesta on the midfield

Thiago will play some minutes on the second half and will be “signed” by La Roja

Spain – Liechtenstein (22h)

Neymar annoys Madrid. Florentino is annoyed for the “flirting” of the player with the blaugrana club.

Johan Cruyff: “What kind of club does Rosell want?”

2011-09-06T13:23:00.000+01:00

The following is a translation of the first part of a question and answer session with Johan Cruyff published in El Periodico. The original can be found here.

A year ago, you returned the insignia of honorary president [of FC Barcelona]. Afterwards, you had a meeting with [Sandro] Rosell to try to fix things, but the distance continues and you have not returned to the Camp Nou.

No, no I haven’t once been back to the stadium. It’s just that, on an institutional level, I like very few things that they do. I don’t see a path and there are strange things [going on]. For example, last year they sold [Dmytro] Chygrynskiy for 15 million because they said they could not even pay his wages and now they have spent nearly 70 million because they will likely pay nearly every variable, in two signings [Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fábregas]. If you say there is no money, it is because there is none, and you must accept that, but this does not seem very consistent.

But now the club will generate more income with the Qatar Foundation contract, although the deal must first be ratified by the assembly.

I already said that I do not like shirt sponsors; however, if it is necessary then something must be done. But if there really was so much urgency, why did they simply not do it the year before when, according to them, things were so bad? Why are they doing what they are doing with the [other sporting] sections? Can you save the club with this money? I don’t get it. You can fix things with just a little imagination, like using just a part of the proceeds from the Gamper [trophy], because Napoli came to play for free. You already cover the costs. What is a section? It’s one of the symbols of Barça being more than a club. These are people who have an emotional bond [with the club]. They always talk of emotions and sentiment, but with certain gestures and decisions, they betray themselves.

There are problems with your foundation.

Yes. The club is undergoing expansion, to promote an image of unity—similar to what they have done with Bill Gates and his foundation, and it seems perfect to me. Or with Shakira as well. But here, in Catalunya, they do nothing. My foundation, which does things here around Catalunya, has not been paid. Why play games? I see no consistency between one situation and the other.

The fact you have not been paid seems to be more attributed to the financial claims the club has made and to the fact that it was a deal that you signed during your days with Joan Laporta’s board.

But there’s a contract. I keep doing the things that I was doing before and pay out of pocket. I read that [Rosell] needs to talk about this with me but he has not done so—not him, not anyone. They go on making excuses, but nothing that makes sense. If he wants to make a difference, then do it, say something, but you can’t keep lying to these handicapped children. This type of aid is a part of the responsibilities of a club like Barça. You have to set an example and the example is not to always be crying about lacking this or that, and criticizing the ones who came before you.

But this war continues. There is a legal liability movement against Laporta and his directive staff.

Yeah, yeah. Many are criticizing him but you are collecting trophies now because of the good work he did before. So, why do you behave like that? I truly don’t understand it. Even though I have been at the club for many years and I normally know from which directions the shots are coming, it’s not clear any longer.

Why?

Because I see strange things. What am I referring to? The Qatar deal, for example, when you know that Rosell had or has relations and business and we’re talking about a very rich country. Just look at what he has done to the sections like it matters nothing, and he speaks about how much debt we have and always with this economical topic. What does he want, to someday turn Barça into a private corporation?

That seems impossible.

I’m not so sure. So, in which direction do we move? What kind of club does he want? There are things here that you don’t understand and make you suspicious. If you want to sell a company, what do you do? You eliminate that which does not pique the interests of the buyer. Let’s say Qatar [Foundation] is the buyer. The other sections of the club won’t interest them, neither will the local foundations because they already have their own. These are not pleasant thoughts and I am not saying it’s true, but you see things that make you think there could be something behind it all.

Your relationship with [Pep] Guardiola remains intact and on the margins of the situation. You play golf, eat together, talk often …

Yes, one thing that has nothing to do with the other. We are friends. What can you say? Do you hide what you think? Do you hide yourself? If he asks you something, would you not answer? It’s absurd. The friendship I have with him gives me great pride.

He’s already beating you in titles: 12 to 11.

That gives me even greater pride. I haven’t worked for 15 years and he is making me even more famous. So, how am I supposed to be jealous of someone who is maintaining my prestige? What more could I ask for? What’s even better is that this is the best way for this philosophy to stay on its feet and bearing witness to the admiration that he provokes, for however small it is, that little rascal [laughter]. If you pick up any newspaper in the world and there is an article talking about the great style of Barça, my name always appears and makes me even more famous. Oh, that it lasts, that it lasts.

Precisely. This relationship with Guardiola is one of the reasons why you have decided not to write every Monday in El Periódico as you did before and which you will now do once a month.

Here you always have people who want to misinterpret things. I do not want to interfere with Pep’s work nor do I want to make him feel uncomfortable because of what I think about the team each week. Last season I spoke very little about things going on with the club. But I see things continue to be the same. When Rosell said he and his team were not bullies or charlatans, what was the point? Why do you even have to make that allusion? And we are accusing [José] Mourinho? If you have inherited one of the most exceptional things in the world and in the span of a year have had more glory and more trophies than anyone else, a secure team for years to come, be grateful.

But Guardiola is the guarantee that all will continue the same.

It scares me to think about what will happen when he’s not around, because Rosell has always been against people like Pep and [Frank] Rijkaard. His philosophy is more Brazilian and Portuguese. Everything started with Rijkaard, with his behavior. He was a gentleman. If he had been working under Rosell, he would have been thrown out within six months and it’s also likely that none of this would have occurred.

Capello enjoys watching Barca play

2011-09-06T13:18:00.000+01:00

In an interview to fifa.com, England manager Fabio Capello spoke about the pressures of his job, his team’s UEFA Euro 2012 campaign and then the topic turned to what sort of football did the 65-year-old Italian liked to watch. The answer, unsurprisingly, was FC Barcelona. Capello was asked whether there was a way to stop Pep Guardiola’s side. Read the answer and other Barca-related excerpts after the jump.

What type of football do you enjoy watching?

“At the moment, the best type of football to watch on TV or to see at the stadium is Barcelona. It is a really difficult style to use with another team or country, because you would need the same players that play at Barcelona. They have seven players who came from the academy and they started playing their style at a young age.”

Can you see anyone stopping Barcelona in the near future?

“I think so. It will be possible, because we are lucky now that we can study opponents. You can find a solution to stop Barcelona, by understanding their strengths. You can study a lot, looking at tapes. Some team will find the solution to beat Barcelona. Also, when you win a lot, sometimes you lose something to be really focused every game, to want to win. Some players are getting older too.”

Source: www.fifa.com

Cartoon of the Day: Sport

2011-09-05T13:39:00.000+01:00

“Mourinho managed to get the players of Barça and Madrid fighting amongst themselves … Chile managed to get them fighting together … Let’s see if I can get them to not fight ever again.”

Cartoon of the Day: El Mundo Deportivo

2011-09-05T13:38:00.000+01:00

“Now we will ask the electors if they will accept the sponsorship of the Qatar Foundation … and then later we’ll consult them about other very important topics, such as if we should sign Neymar, what to do with the motorcycle helmets, or about what color of toilet paper to use at Camp Nou …”

The Front: El Mundo Deportivo (05.09.2011)

2011-09-05T13:37:00.002+01:00

PACT FOR NEYMAR

In Brazil, they take it has fact that Barça has bound the young crack

He would arrive in 2013 and would cost 60 million euros

Cartagena 0-4 Barça B

Grimaldo debuts at only 15 years of age

The Front: Sport (05.09.2011)

2011-09-05T13:36:00.002+01:00

MAXIMUM COMMITMENT

Guardiola starts his fourth project very involved

Club – he values the directive’s effort in the signings of Cesc and Alexis

Squad – he sees it devoted to the cause and with an unlimited ambition

Catalunya – He is very proud of the gold medal he received from the Generalitat

Messi, ‘kidnapped’ in his hotel – pressured by the Indian fans

The entire Argentinean squad visited the tomb of Mother Teresa, but he could not go out

Xavi, the legend

2011-09-05T13:35:00.000+01:00

I often wonder what Barça would be like, if we didn’t have Xavi Hernández. If he had accepted that offer from Milan when he was 18. Or just left for England at some point. I do not know the answer and, fortunately, do not need to. Xavi is part of us, he is more an institution than only a player. He is like the Camp Nou: he came one day and never left. He is the heart of this team. Proof of this is in his recent record as the Barça player that has won the most trophies. He has won 18 of them throughout his career so far, 1 more than Guillermo Amor, the previous ultimate winner for Barça (see details here).

He was important to the team from the start of his career. One of his first goals was against Valladolid in 1998, when he scored a header in a tough game, ending a bad run for Barça and opening the chance for his first La Liga title, which happened later that season.

Over a few rough years, when he was often compared with Pep Guardiola, he went through several coaches, as the club was struggling to find some long awaited stability. In 2002, Barça was going through its worst La Liga start of all time. Nothing was working for the team. But somehow, at some point that season, history finally turned in Barça’s favour. Much had to do with a new coach, Radomir Antic, who gave Barça a new air, but also the midfield was given more importance. Barça came back to its roots, coming back to ball possession as their main strength. And one night, in February 2003, Xavi took charge. Scoring one goal against Espanyol and turning back Barça’s fate. That day also, Xavi suffered a horrible injury, he hurt his shoulder. The doctor “fixed him” in the ground, but he felt the pain, and then scored.

From that day his game kept improving. Barça fans and specialists see in him the brain of this team, whereas Puyol might be the heart and Messi its soul. He is the one that dictates the fate of Barça and also their rivals: whatever he wants, it is done in the football ground. His main strength might be his vision to construct play after play, find the right team mate to pass the ball to and never, never lose it. In a way, he is the architect of the modern history of our team.

Most people can see him in the central part of the midfield, but in recent years we have seen his game become even more complete, if possible. He has gained in mobility and sense of location; he is everywhere, either to fight for a ball or to receive it and start an attack, and mostly to end it with a genius pass. Barça strikers are undoubtedly blessed having him as the main source of plays that they use to end in a goal.

But, besides being a master of the midfield, Xavi has been involved in several magic moments of our recent history also as an executor. It is easy to remember him scoring since the earlier stages of his career. Even his first goal was of huge importance. Then, the goal in Montjuic in 2003. A year later, that goal in the Bernabeu, the first time he beat Casillas. That day it was also a new beginning for Barça-Madrid games: that day, we stopped losing and started winning.

A few years later, in 2010, he repeated the move in a similar goal, being the first of five goals that have had a huge effect on both teams -more for Madrid probably. And months later, he scored against Arsenal a decisive goal in the race to win our fourth Champions League. He stood there and finished it like a true striker. So, after all these years of being incredibly influential for the team, is it impossible to wonder when he will get some recognition? A subject that is not so important for Xavi, who always says that Lio Messi is the best player of his generation. Here are his thoughts on Barça, individual awards and recognition, in an interview he gave to GQ magazine last year:

And here we are, almost 10 years later and Xavi is becoming a living legend. Just like Cruyff and Kubala, he will probably be remembered as a player who changed our history. Kubala made us survive in a difficult moment, Cruyff gave us personality and character, but Xavi made us a winning team, a team that is also admired. A team to remember, just like Xavi, its architect.

Xavi has won: 3 Champions League, 6 La Liga titles, 5 Spanish Supercups, 2 UEFA Supercups, 1 Fifa Club World Cup and 1 Copa del Rey.

Bartomeu: “Cesc is worth what Arsenal asked for: €60 million”

2011-09-05T13:32:00.000+01:00

Below is an exclusive totalBarça translation of an interview of one of FC Barclona’s directors Josep Maria Bartomeu with Catalan daily sports journal Sport.

He has not had any vacation this summer because he spent the whole summer waiting and negotiating for two names that are now playing in the blaugrana shirt. Now, Josep Maria Bartomeu tells us the why’s behind his decisions.

Do you expect such a quick return of investment from Cesc and Alexis?

The coaches knew their quality but the level that they are demonstrating is very high. Alexis and Cesc know that with a squad as good as this one, they had the obligation of adapting quickly because we need them. They are doing their part and even putting in a little extra effort. In Cesc’s case the adaptation has been instantaneous.

David Dein said the Barcelona has bought champagne for the price of sparkling wine. What is Cesc’s actual value?

It was a very good operation. His price in an open market was not €29 million but he decreased it by saying that he only wanted to leave to Barça. And now the price wasn’t set by the market. His real price is what Arsenal asked for, a minimum of €60 million.

How do leaks affect negotiations and what role does the media play?

The perfect negotiation is the one where nothing goes out for the journalists. This, without a doubt, is impossible given the number of parties involved. Under these circumstances you should try to have the news to your side. Negotiating is like playing poker. When you want to buy you have to try, whether truth or false, as if the player does not have other offers. That’s what we got in the cases of Alexis and Cesc who said they only wanted to leave for Barça. At the same time, you have to make clear how much you are willing to pay. The fact that we announced a while ago that we would only have €45 million went well for us because the clubs already knew our position. If you’re selling, the position changes. In this case, you will try to have many offers.

According to what parameters was the squad formed, seeking to double the positional coverage? Was youth taken into account?

Some positions are not doubled (right-back) but we have the people from the youth system. The squad was designed with the idea that all the players can be present in all the minutes. There are no reserves except Pinto. Some went and others came. In this process great quality was formed all the way to the back of the closet. Before, Pep had a bench with great players but in some games, he lacked some pieces that would revolutionize the game. Not any more.

Is he content?

He has said it publicly. During the season, Zubizarreta, Julià, Tito and Pep meet regularly to search for players according to necessities. During the process they do a selection. Of attackers there was a list of five; midfielders, there was only Cesc, and there were no defenders. It has merit to have brought (Guardiola) the first attacker that he wanted because the second and the third were very good as well, he also got the only midfielder he wanted.

His merit and that of the player himself…

Each club negotiates differently, some use their wallet, others use the club as a tool. Udinese wanted to sell Alexis and they had an offer from Chelsea for €50 million and another from City for €55 million, but not Arsenal. The players’ positions were key. They have been compliant.

Did Manchester City ask for Leo and offer €70 million plus (Mario) Balotelli?

No. Barça has turned into a club that sells but never its starting eleven players, its key pieces, because what we want is not economical success but footballing success. The policy is not to sell but to win titles. We want the key man to start his career here and end it here as well. The clubs now know that they can’t knock on the door for Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, Piqué.

Is it true that they came when they were negotiating with Alves?

Yes, they show up. They try to throw out a line and see if they get a bite, but you should never come if the players will not negotiate their contracts. Yes that there was a pile of players from the youth system or that were from the first team and did not play much.

Since he has been putting in his best performances, was Messi offered a better contract?

No. He has a contract that improves according to his performance in the previous year. We don’t have a plan to negotiate with him until it is time to renew. He has a contract until 2016…

Which youth players are being talked about regarding promotions?

I won’t say it myself, but you only have to see those whom we renew. It was done to Sergi Roberto and now we’re negotiating with Montoya, Tello and Marc Bartra. Those who renew, it is because they have the possibility of reaching the first team. There are lines of succession and sometimes the players are very good but there is a block in their path, as was the case with Oriol Romeu. He will be great, but he had Sergio Busquets and Mascherano in his way. We have to think of the person first, then the footballer.

Will Pep renew?

He is very intelligent and he will say. We give him all he wants so when it is time to talk about renewal, it will be hard for him to say no.

Do you think it will be in February?

I don’t know. We won’t suffer over Pep. The directors do the maximum that they can for him to be happy. We sleep peacefully.

Interest in Neymar?

He’s a great player and young. There are European clubs that want him. Barcelona’s obligation is to follow the ones who will be good.

Did Rosell take any steps?

No. He went to the Copa América only to speak with Barcelona’s international players.

Video: Victor Valdes – Barcelona’s Unsung Hero

2011-09-02T22:08:00.000+01:00

Valdano believes Barcelona and Madrid may leave La Liga

2011-09-02T20:33:00.000+01:00

Former Real Madrid CF General Director Jorge Valdano told radio station Cadena Ser, with whom he now commentates for, that he believes both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will soon quit La Liga. “In the future, Madrid and Barcelona will have to look to teams that are going at the same speed, and that will lead to a European league,” Valdano predicted.

Dismissed last May from Real Madrid after open disagreements with head coach José Mourinho, Valdano realized his judgment may have been clouded in regard to the vast gap in Spain’s first division. “Before, I defended Real Madrid’s interests but now I see things from a different perspective. The gap between the big two and the rest is getting ever larger. If you look to the future you have the feeling that it will only get worse.”

Valdano alluded to one of the sources of the top two’s dominance as being their disproportionate share of TV rights in Spain. With more spending power, the caliber of play increases, proven by Barcelona’s 5-0 stomping of top-four team Villarreal and Madrid’s 6-0 demolition of Zaragoza in the first round of La Liga. “Two teams, which have the rest of the world as their market, and the others only their local community. There will come a time when that won’t be convenient for the two big clubs either.”

Barcelona’s Economic Vice President Javier Faus expressed last February the idea of reducing countries’ domestic leagues, allowing more time for continental fixtures. However, he thought it unlikely that either Madrid or Barcelona would ever leave the Spanish league permanently.

“We are going through a period of transition, it depends what happens in Spain and other leagues,” Valdano said. “The problem is that the Premier League works, Germany works. There is a lot of passion for football. I don’t see them being very enthusiastic about leaving their national leagues.”

With the president of Villarreal stating after his team’s defeat at the hands of Barcelona that the top two teams were killing Spanish soccer, and with Sevilla’s president claiming that La Liga is “a load of rubbish,” the unrest is clear. Whether this discontent will lead to the departure of Spain’s two best clubs remains to be seen.

Source: Reuters

Guardiola returns for final session this week

2011-09-02T15:51:00.000+01:00

Coach Pep Guardiola has returned for Barça’s final training session this week after attending the Elite Club Coaches Forum organized by UEFA. Piqué and Adriano spent the session working separately.

The final training session for the first team this week took place with Pep Guardiola present, who missed the two previous sessions while he was in Nyon, together with other coaches from around Europe. Due to the number of internationals absent, the first team again held a joint session with the reserves, who on Sunday visit Cartagena (18:00).

Without the 14 players currently with their national teams, pitch no. 2 of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper has seen five first team players present: Fontàs, Pinto, Maxwell, Puyol and Afellay, though the latter three are still without medical clearance. The injured pair of Gerard Piqué and Adriano Correia have continued their recovery work outside of the group.

The first team will have three days off, returning for their next training session on Tuesday morning at 9:30 in Sant Joan Despí. The next match for Barça is on Saturday at Anoeta against Real Sociedad (18:00), corresponding to the second day of the League.

Source: fcbarcelona.cat

Cartoon of the Day: El Mundo Deportivo

2011-09-02T15:49:00.002+01:00

Mourinho to PSG?

Or in other words, he dedicates this finger to Barça .. and this finger to Madrid.”

Cartoon of the Day: Sport

2011-09-02T15:48:00.002+01:00

Florentino: “I don’t know if Mou will go to PSG the next season … but I have the strange sensation that soon he will leave us ‘planted’ [stood up].”

Stat of the Day: This team can pass

2011-09-02T15:47:00.000+01:00

Barcelona collectively completed 28 passes in the move leading to Alexis Sánchez’ goal against Villarreal on Monday. This was the longest string of passes leading to a goal in La Liga since the 2006/07 season.