Barcelona Football Club News

Sun, 27 May 2012 02:57:57 PDT

Pedro – goal king in the finals
published on Sun, 27 May 2012 10:00:00 +0200

Pedro’s brace at the Vicente Calderon on Friday night means that he has scored in all five finals he’s played in – Champions League, Spanish and European Super Cups, World Club Cup and the Spanish Cup Equalling Leo Messi

Pedro Rodríguez has a knack of getting important goals and his first and third goals against Bilbao on Friday showed once again how important he is to the team in finals, having scored in each of the finals he’s figured in since he made his debut in the 2008/09 season.

He first made his mark with a goal in the Spanish Super Cup first leg at San Mames at the start of the 09/10 season and he followed that up with a decisive strike in extra time of the European Super Cup and another in the final of the World Club Cup which took the game into extra time.

Last season, he scored the opener in the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley and that meant he was just missing a goal in the Spanish Cup to match Leo Messi – the only other player in the squad who’s scored in the finals of all the Cup competitions – something he achieved on Friday.

Record Man

The 2009/10 season saw Pedro really explode onto the scene and his hard work, tactical discipline and particularly his goals made him an icon of the team that won the 6 cups, becoming the first player in the history of the game to score in six competition in a single season – League, Champions League, European and Spanish Super Cups, Spanish Cup and World Club Cup – something Messi has managed this season.

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The 14th title celebration
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 23:08:00 +0200

Barça celebrated the Copa del Rey title with the Azulgrana fans at the Camp Nou - the celebration also served to bid Guardiola farewell one last time The captains of the team thanked the Barça fans for their year-long support and the stadium gave Éric Abidal (who wasn’t able to attend) a standing ovations by the fans and players

What the captains said

Valdés: “Fans, members, Azulgrana followers: today is an important say and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your much needed support.”

Iniesta: “When we are here, on the pitch, you are fundamental for us! Being close to you gives us strength, you are our engine.”

Xavi: “You are the best supporters that any Club could dream of and with your honest and exemplary attitude you’ve overwhelmed us. You’ve shown the world that we are more than a Club. We’re are a team!”

Puyol: “We are very fortunate. We all have the Azulgrana feeling in our hearts. That’s worth a lot, so very much. Today we are the ones standing up applauding you. Thank you for being here, thank you for being the way you are!”

The Camp Nou officially closed Pep Guardiola’s wildly successful four-year term at the head of the FC Barcelona bench with a celebration of the Club’s 26th Copa del Rey title - Guardiola’s 14th title in 4 seasons. More than 30,000 people showed up to bid farewell to the manager and enjoy the celebration of the 4 titles won this season.

The team captains thank the supporters

After the musical performances, the lights of the Camp Nou were turned off and the captains Iniesta, Valdés, Xavi and Puyol came out onto the pitch. The speeches of thanks to the Barça supporters from the captains gave way to more musical performances and then, of course, the big attraction of the night: the presentation of the Cup trophy won in Madrid and the rest of the players.

The first people to come out of the tunnel were the technical staff, followed by the Barça B players and later the first team. Manel Vich, master of ceremonies for the night, introduced each and every player and manager. The fans gave special standing ovations to Pedro and Messi, but the big applause of the night was reserved for Éric Abidal.

The Frenchman was not able to attend the ceremony. But Guardiola and Tito were, and they were both greeted with enthusiasm.

See you soon, Pep!

With all of the champions on the pitch, the captain Carles Puyol received the Cup trophy, along with the other three titles the team won this season (Club World Cup, European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup), while the stadium’s loud speakers played ‘We are the Champions!’

The end of the night was capped off with a photo of the players gathered around the four trophies and a spectacular fireworks show, along with the traditional lap of honour. It was the Camp Nou’s way of closing out a successful season and, at the same time, bidding farewell to the most successful manager in the history of the Club .

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Video: The Cup celebration at the Camp Nou
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 22:58:00 +0200
Here’s the video of the Copa del Rey celebration at the Camp Nou where the Barça players offered up the Cup to the Azulgrana supporters

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Cesc, Thiago and Cuenca, injured
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 20:19:00 +0200

The three Barça players were injured in yesterday's Cup Final against Athletic Club

Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fàbregas finished the match against Athletic Club with problems with his right leg. The medical tests confirm that he has pulled femoral bicep in his right leg. The player will be sidelined for 7 to 10 days.

Thiago Alcántara

Thiago suffered a knock on his right tibia. Medical tests confirm that the player has an edema in his right leg. His recovery will mark the period of time he’ll be out of action.

Isaac Cuenca

Cuenca suffered a knock on the articular surface of his right knee. Medical tests confirm that he has an external meniscal cyst. The player will be out of action for 15 days.

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The Barça Toons celebrate the Cup at the Camp Nou
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 18:49:00 +0200

The Barça Toons return to Barcelona as champions of the 2012 Copa del Rey!

The Barça Toons return to the Camp Nou with the Copa del Rey in hand to celebrate Pep Guardiola’s last title with FC Barcelona.

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Barça to debut 2012/13 kits in Marathon against Poverty charity match
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 16:26:00 +0200

The Barça players will wear the new 2012/13 kits in the Marathon against Poverty charity match, which will be played this Sunday at 19:00 at the Palau Sant Jordi Josep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova will be the managers of the two sides. The two teams will be made up of Barça's first-team players

After claiming the Copa del Rey title, FC Barcelona will play in another special match. This Sunday, at 19:00, the first-team players will play against themselves in a charity match for TV3 and Catalonia Radio’s Marathon against Poverty. All the proceeds from the match will be donated to organizations that work against social exclusion. The players will debut the first and second 2012/13 FC Barcelona kits, which were unveiled this week. The kits will go on sale this Monday.

The futsal -or indoor football- match is just one highlight of a day that’s sure to have a lot of surprises. At 17:45 the doors of the Palau Sant Jordi will open to the fans. From that moment on, the supporters will be able to participate in various activities throughout the day. One of the most significant moments will be just before the match when the Marathon against Poverty’s anthem will play accompanied by a mosaic. This mosaic, however, won’t be done with posters, rather, it will be completed with phones.

Guardiola and Tito, the managers

The managers for this match will be Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova. The match will be played in accordance with the official rules of futsal: 40-minute long match broken up by two 20-minutes halves. Furthermore, each manager will have two timeouts per half to give instructions to their players. Just as in televised basketball and futsal matches, these instructions will be broadcast live.

The Marathon against Poverty event will also boast appearances from the theater group Comediants and the Barça cheerleaders. Children will also take center stage seeing that they will be allowed to talk to the Barça keepers during the timeouts. Moreover, the Barça Alusport players will put on a free style exhibition.

BUY Barça vs. Barça Marathon against Poverty

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The champions of the Copa del Rey return to Barcelona
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 14:45:00 +0200

The champions arrive in Barcelona with the Cup trophy this afternoon. Upon arrival, the team took the traditional photo with the trophy on the tarmac The players will rest this afternoon until the tonight’s title celebration at the Camp Nou (scheduled for 21:45)

It was a little past 13:30 in the afternoon when the FC Barcelona emerged from the aircraft, led by Pep Guardiola and Carles Puyol, with the Copa del Rey trophy. The manager and the captain were the men charged with presenting the Cup upon the team’s arrival to Barcelona. These two were followed by Sandro Rosell, the director of football Andoni Zubizarreta, the players, the technical staff and the directors.

Following the team’s tradition after winning a title, the group posed for a photo with the Cup on the tarmac.

Tonight’s celebration

Every champion deserves a celebration. The players will offer the Cup up to the Camp Nou at 21:45. This is the last title won during the Guardiola era.

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FC Barcelona Women's team - Sporting de Huelva: One point away from making history
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 13:35:00 +0200

FC Barcelona's Women's team will host Sporting de Huelva on Sunday in the last match of the Liga Xavi Llorens' players only need to win one point to claim the title Xavi Llorens: “We'll do things well and we'll win the title”

The FC Barcelona Women’s team are very close to wining the Liga title. With one match to go before the end of the season, the players led by Xavi Llorens only need one point to mathematically clinch the title. The last match is against Sporting de Huelva this Sunday at the Ciutat Esportiva (12:00, Barça TV).

The Azulgrana team, according to the manager, are “very eager and excited” to win the title: “we’ve had a good season. We’ve only lost away to Rayo and Athletic and we drew with Espanyol.” At home, the women’s team have won all of their matches and this is a favourable run for the Azulgranas seeing that they’re playing at home tomorrow. However, Xavi Llorens said that the team “are not overconfident” and that they “will do things well, we’ll win the title.”

Even though the team only need a point to be champions, the Azulgranas are going to look for the win. “We’ll try to win,” said Olga, who added that the team doesn’t feel pressured because they’ve “planned out” how they’re going to play tomorrow.

Ani: “they’ll come to take the Liga away from us”

Sporting de Huelva are currently in the eighth spot of the table with 56 points. The team led by Antonio Toldeo started out the season on the right foot and they quickly earned the moniker of “surprise team of the season.” In the second half of the season, however, the team’s many injuries affected Sporting’s performance. However, Olga said that “they will be a rival that will make it difficult for us.”

The Azulgrana captain, Ani, is clear about how Barça will play tomorrow: “we’ll play one-touch football but we have to keep in mind that they’re coming to give it their all and, if they can, to take the title away from us.”

In the first half of the season the team led by Llorens beat Sporting 0-3 in Huelva. In the first half of the match both teams were fairly even, but in the second the Azulgranas dominated.

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Guardiola leads Barça to its fourth consecutive a Spanish Super Cup berth
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 13:31:00 +0200

After beating Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey Final, FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup Barça have always qualified for the competition during Guardiola’s four-year stint on the Azulgrana bench, furthermore, they’ve won the title three years in a row

For the fourth consecutive year FC Barcelona will fight for the Spanish Super Cup after beating Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey Final on Friday. Which means that the Azulgranas will once again face Real Madrid in a repeat of last year’s two-leg title tie. In the 2011/12 season, Barça won the title after drawing 2-2 at the Bernabéu and winning 3-2 at the Camp Nou.

Josep Guardiola has always led his team to a Spanish Super Cup berth during his four-year stint on the Barça bench. The Azulgranas, moreover, have won each and every Spanish Super Cup that they’ve played with Guardiola as manager. In 2009 they beat Athletic Club in the final, in 2010 they saw off Sevilla and in 2011 they beat Real Madrid.

Vilanova will watch the match from the stands

The Spanish Super Cup tie brings a bit of added motivation for the Barça players. It will be the first title in play for Tito Vilanova as head manager of FC Barcelona after Guardiola’s departure. It’s the best possible stage for Tito to make his debut: in a Barça-Madrid Clásico. However, Vilanova will have to watch the first match from the stands. The same goes for José Mourinho, who will miss the first and second leg due to the two-match ban he earned during last year’s Spanish Super Cup match at the Camp Nou.

Sixth Spanish Super Cup Clásico

Barça and Real Madrid have played against each other on five occasions in this tournament. The record in the Spanish Super Cup currently favours the Madrid side as they’ve gone on to win the title on four occasions. However, it’s worth mentioning that Barça beat Real Madrid for the first time in the competition last year and the Azulgranas have won the Spanish Super Cup three years in a row.

The Azulgranas are the King of Cups in this competition as well. They’ve won the title on 10 occasions, Real Madrid have won it 8 times. Barça also have more appearances in the Spanish Super Cup; Barça have played in the title tie 17 times, while Madrid have featured in the two-leg final 12 times.

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Video Highlights: Guardiola's four successful years
published on Sat, 26 May 2012 11:09:00 +0200

Josep Guardiola is leaving a spectacular legacy behind after leading his team team to 14 out of 19 possible titles in his four-year stint as FC Barcelona’s manager

The Josep Guardiola era came to an end with FC Barcelona’s victory of the Copa del Rey at the Vicente Calderón. These have been four years full of success, where the manager has led the team to 14 out of 19 titles, and, furthermore, his style of play has mesmerized the entire world. Here’s an overview of Guardiola’s four years on the Barça bench.

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Alexis and Pinto are given medical clearance to play ahead of tomorrow's Copa del Rey Final
published on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:50:00 +0200

The striker and the keeper were named to the squad ahead of tomorrow's Cup clash with Athletic Guardiola will take the whole team to Madrid with the exception of Abidal: 16 first-team players, 4 injured players and 4 Barça B players

The squad

Valdés, Piqué, Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Pinto, Mascherano, Keita, Busquets, Pedro, Afellay, Adriano, Cuenca, Montoya, Bartra, Dos Santos and Tello.

Alves, Puyol, Villa and Fontàs, all of whom are injured, will also travel with the team to Madrid.

On day before the Copa del Rey Final between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona, the Azulgrana managers unveiled the list of players named to the squad. Just as expected, Alexis Sánchez and José Manuel Pinto, both of whom have been working with the first team this week, were given medical clearance to play and were named to the team. There are also four Barça B players in the squad: Montoya, Bartra, Dos Santos and Tello. Alves, Puyol, Abidal, Fontàs and Villa will not feature in tomorrow’s match.

Pep Guardiola will take the whole team to Madrid, with the exception of Éric Abidal.

Last training session at the Camp Nou

Barça completed their final training session ahead of tomorrow’s Cup Final this Thursday afternoon. The technical staff decided to hold the closed-door session at the Camp Nou instead of at the Ciutat Esportiva. Planas and Oriol Rosell, both Barça B players, trained apart from the group.

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#copaFCB Barça-Athletic Club, a history that spans more than 100 years
published on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:45:00 +0200

Athletic Club and Barça are classic and legendary teams in Spanish football. Both the sides are strongly represent the athletic traditions in both Euskadi and Catalonia. Athletic and Barça have always been in Primera División since the Liga was established in 1929

RAFAEL MORENO ARANZADI, ‘PICHICHI’ (1892-1922)

The Pichichi award was established in the 1952/53 season in memory of Athletic Club’s Rafael Moreno ‘Pichichi’, who was one of the best goal scorers in the history of Spanish football - the other big goal scorer was Barça’s Paulino Alcántara. Moreno donned the Athletic Bilbao strip between 1911 and 1921. He was born in Bilbao on August 8, 1892. Moreno was given the nickname ‘Pichichi’ in Athletic’s youth system for being the smallest player on the team. The Basque fans saw him a living symbol of Athletic, unmistakable with his handkerchief tied in to four knots which he wore on his head. With the Leones he won four Spanish Championships (1914, 1915, 1916 and 1921).

He hung up his boots in 1921, he passed away months later on March 1st, 1922 when he succumbed to typhus. He was only 29 years old. He will always be remembered thanks to the painting ‘Idilio en los campos de sport' painted by famous Basque artist Aurelio Arteta. There’s also a bust of the player, made by Quintín de la Torre, which was installed in San Mamés in 1926. The player is also the protagonist of the novel written by Juan Antonio de Zunzunegui Chiripi (1931), which contrasts the Moreno’s footballing feats with social issues of that era.

In 1898 a group of young Basques opened up the Zamacois Athletic Club gym and a year later a group of young foreigners led by Joan Gamper started Solé gym, where FC Barcelona started. Here are a series of curious anecdotes from two of the oldest clubs in Spanish football:

- The first time fans from both teams met was on May 15th in 1902. Both teams were participating in a tournament in Madrid in honor of the coronation of Alfonso XIII. The show match was between Barça and Vizcaya, a team made up of both Athletic Club and Bilbao FC players. The Basques won by 2 to 1 and the behavior of both sets of fans was commendable. When the team returned to the Basque Country, Bilbao asked the fans to greet the players that “beat the best team in the world, Football Club Barcelona.” A Catalan, who wasn’t really a fan of football, living in Bilbao added a negative tone to the celebrations when he said: “I don’t understand how the people of Catalonia and the Basque Country, who are very serious and have a good work ethic, can dispute anything by kicking each other.”

- The first “ticket scalping” event between the two sides was at the field on Industria avenue during a friendly match between Barça and Athletic Club (January 2, 1916). Two thousand people were unable to watch the match at the stadium and scalpers opened up booths around the stadium in the hopes of offloading their tickets that cost them six reales for the astronomical price of five pesetas (4 US cents). The Barcelona public was taken with the prospect of watching the legendary Basque striker Rafael Moreno ‘Pichichi’ (Yes, this is where the award gets its name), who curiously didn’t score. Barça’s prolific goal man, Paulino Alcántara, also didn’t score. Barça, however, did win the match by 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alfred Massana.

- On May 7th of the same year, Athletic defeated Real Madrid by 4-0 at Espanyol’s grounds (on Muntaner ST) in the final of the Spanish Championship. In the stands thousands of Barça supporters cheered on the Basque side and subsequently celebrated Athletic’s title in the streets of Barcelona.

- 1928, February 21st. Athletic and Barça played a Champions Tournament match in the 1927/28 season. Up until that point, the Azulgranas has never won at La Catedral, but the hex was broken thanks to a solitary goal from the striker Josep Sastre (0-1). The Basque fans couldn’t believe that their team had lost at home to the Catalans, but a Bilbao daily forgave Athletic for the defeat because the Barça goal was, in fact, Basque in nature: “the way they played football, their factions and their magnitude [was Basque].”

- On February 8th in 1931 Barça suffered the biggest thrashing in the history of the Liga. On that day Athletic Club beat the Catalans by 12-1 at the San Mamés. Barça did not have a bad team, in fact the attacking line was made up by Piera, Sastre, Goiburu, Arnau and Parera. Furthermore, Barça finished runner up that season, only one point adrift of Athletic, who finished first. On that day, the players who were at odds with the Club’s board of directors, went on the famous “fallen legs” strike. In other words, they lost to prove a point.

- In the 1941/42 season Barça a terrible La Liga campaign, however the team enjoyed a good end of the season. On July 21st, 1942, the team won the Spanish Cup in the final, celebrated in Madrid, against Athletic Club. The Catalans won the game by 4-3. Days later, on July 28th, Barça fought off relegation in the playoffs against Real Murcia by 5-1. A Basque journalist wrote that the streets of Bilbao were in anguish over Barça relegation game and that after the match there was a collective sigh of relief when the Catalans maintained their spot in Primera.

- During the 50s the Slovakian manager Fernando Daucik led both Barça and Athletic to success. From 1950 to 1954 he was the boss of the legendary Barça team now known as the Barça of the Five Cups. The team featured a young Ladislao Kubala. During that glorious era, Barça won two Ligas (51/52 and 52/53), one Copa Latina (1952) and three Spanish Cups (50/51, 51/52 and 52/53). Barça’s poor 1953/54 season saw the manager take his skills to Athletic, where he led the renovation of legendary attacking set of players like Iriondo, Venancio, Zarra, Panizo and Gainza. Success followed Daucik as well, between 1954 and 1957 he won a Liga title (55/56) and two Cups (54/55 and 55/56) with Athletic Club.

- In 1960 Athletic sold Jesús Garay to Barça. With the money from the sale they were able to add another level on top of San Mamés. The new level was popularly known as the “Tribuna Garay” [Garay’s Stand].

- Barça captain Johan Cruyff wore the Catalan flag as the captain’s armband for the first time on February 1st, 1976. The match was at the Camp Nou against Athletic Club. The country was transitioning to a democratic form of government at the time.

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Martínez: "It’s a beautiful opportunity to play against the best team in the world"
published on Thu, 24 May 2012 12:10:00 +0200

Javi Martínez and Fernando Llorente, two key players for Athletic Club, talk about the Cup Final. "We'll have to play at 120%," says the striker

Llorente and Martínez are eager and excited to play in the Cup Final. Llorente doesn’t hold back when he’s asked about Messi: “he’s the best player in the world and in the history of the sport.” Martinez talked about his manager: “Bielsa is a person worth knowing.”

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FC Barcelona - Athletic Club: 48 cups at the Vicente Calderón
published on Thu, 24 May 2012 12:09:00 +0200

FC Barcelona, with 25, and Athletic Bilbao, with 23, have dominated the national knockout competition. Barça have won four of the six finals played against the Basque outfit

Before this Friday’s cup final at 22.00 at the Vicente Calderón, we look back at some historical trivia regarding the competition:

- Barça, with 25 titles, have won the Copa del Rey more than any other club. They last won it in 2009, beating Athletic Club in the final (4-1).

- Athletic Bilbao, with 23 titles, is the other club that has dominated the competition, but they haven’t won the title since 1984, when they beat Barça in the final (1-0).

- The Catalans and Basques have met in the final six times (1920, 1932, 1942, 1953, 1984 and 2009). Barça have the better record in these games, with four wins, while Athletic have only beaten FCB in the final twice (1932 and 1984).

- Alcántara, Samitier and Segarra, with five each, are the FC Barcelona players with the most Copa del Rey wins to date, followed on four by Kubala, Piera, Ramallets, Sagi, Sancho and Torralba.

- Guardiola’s side have got this far by beating L’Hospitalet, Osasuna, Real Madrid and Valencia, winning six games and drawing two.

- Bielsa’s side is coming to Madrid after winning seven games and drawing just one. They have eliminated Oviedo, Albacete, Mallorca and Mirandés.

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History repeats itself (2-0)
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 21:48:00 +0200

Iván Moreno and Jonan quickly scored to give the home team a 2-0 advantage With 2-0 on the scoreboard, Sergi Roberto had two of the best chances of the match to pull one back Rubén Miño, who stated against Guadalajara, was back on the pitch for the first time in 227 days

MATCH STATS

Guadalajara, 2
Barça B, 0

Guadalajara: Saizar, Moreno, Barral, Gaffoor, Rodri, Javi Soria, Jony, Víctor (Gerard, min 51), Jonan, Iván Moreno (Cristian, min 62) and Aníbal

Barça B: Miño, Kiko, Balliu, Sergi Gómez, Muniesa, Gustavo Ledes (Rosell, min 71), Lobato, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Carmona (Planas, min 83) and Rodri (Espinosa, min 58)

Goals: 1-0, Iván Moreno (min 9); 2-0, Jonan (min 15)

Referee: Piñeiro Crespo

Barça B were once again made to pay for their slow start. Just like on Sunday away to Numancia, the team led by Eusebio Sacristán quickly trailed by 2-0 to Guadalajara. The early goals from Iván Moreno and Jonan condemned Barça B who, despite dominating from the 20th minute onward, never gave the sensation of being able to overturn the adverse result. However, there was some good news: Rubén Miño was back in goal after 227 days of not playing (his last match was on October 8th 2011 against Alcorcón).

With today’s defeat, Barça B have now lost three consecutive matches. The team, in the 11th position of the table, have mathematically secured their spot in the Liga Adelante with 53 points, however.

The worst start possible

The start of the match could not have started off worse for Barça B’s interests. The home team scored, through Iván Moreno, in their first play close to Barça B’s goal. The Guadalajara player took advantage of a lose ball near the Barça defence and unleashed a powerful shot that was simply unstoppable for Miño. Guadalajara went on to score five minutes later. Moreno, once again, was the man that orchestrated the play that led to the home team’s goal as he fed the ball into Barça B’s area from the right wing for Víctor, who beat Miño on the far post.

The home side had two more good chances to score before the 20th minute. However, from that point on Barça B started to take control of the match. The best chance for the Azulgranas before the half was from a free kick taken by Sergi Roberto that went just wide of Guadalajara’s goal.

Not on target

At the start of the second half Barça B continued to control the match. However, with ball possession securely in Barça’s favour, the Catalans were struggling to create goal-scoring chances. The best chance was, once again, Sergi Roberto’s. The player took a free kick inside the Guadalajara area due to a deliberate pass back to the keeper who picked the ball up. Saizar later did well to deny Rosell’s header, and, in the last minute of the game, the referee called back a Barça B goal. The ball simply didn’t want to go in.

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Iniesta: “Athletic Club will push us hard”
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:53:00 +0200

Barça’s Spanish international midfielder has no doubt that this Friday’s Cup Final will be “ very close” and that Barça will need to “have their wits about us” to beat a “very insistent” Bilbao

“The most important thing is that Villa is 100%”

Following David Villa’s announcement that he will not be fit for the European Championships
with Spain this summer and his teammate Andres Iniesta was disappointed that he’d not
recovered from the broken leg he suffered last December in time to join the national
squad: “he’s put in a lot of work to get fit again, but the most important thing is that he gets back to 100% fitness and starts getting goals again, because he’s still got a lot to give”.

"We'll have to be on guard and capable of making fast decisions against Athletic"

Andrés Iniesta made it clear that the squad is determined to “make one final effort” in this Friday’s Cup Final in order to finish the season and “round it off with a smile”. Iniesta warned though, that Athletic Club are a quality team all over the pitch.

After stressing “the intensity with which Bilbao play and the moves their coach has given them”, Iniesta reminded reporters of the games the two had played so far this season, claiming: “they were very intense” and insisted that Friday’s final will be “very close – Athletic Club will push us hard and we will have to be sharp and have our wits about us and be capable of making quick decisions on the pitch”.

Missing teammates

Iniesta is resigned to Barça playing the final without a number of important players, but insisted: “that’s the way it is – we’ll play with the players we have and try and make sure we don’t miss the players who are out”. Iniesta was also asked who he would dedicate the Cup to, if the team end up winning it and he was quick to reply: “to all of us who haven’t been able to share in what is a special day”. The midfielder also reminded the media that winning was
especially important to him, as he missed the 2009 Final with an injury: “ that motivates me more and makes it especially exciting”.

There has been considerable controversy surrounding the game already, with the President of the Autonomous Community of Madrid claiming the game should be played behind closed doors if the two sets of fans fail to respect the Spanish national anthem at the start of the game, but Iniesta insisted: “that’s nothing to do with football. Respect is the most important thing – the fans are free to behave in the way they see best, but nobody should forget that
we are going to play a game of football. There are many things we could all do differently and better, but I don’t think talking about this a day or two ahead of the game will resolve anything. We just want to see a great and entertaining game of football”.

“We want this title”

Josep Guardiola will be in charge for his last game on Friday - a Cup Final against Bilbao and a repeat of the 2009 final, though Iniesta reckons: “they are two completely opposite situations – that was our first title under him and this is his last game. We really want to win this title in a season when we have just missed out on the league and in Europe, but to do that, we’ll have to play a great game”.

Looking to the future, Iniesta gave the appointment of Tito Villanova the thumbs up: “it’s important that the players are more convinced than ever that we can go on winning things in the same way we have been. Tito Vilanova knows very well how things are here and we will continue in the same direction, convinced that it will all work out well. We’ll just have to see how it all turns out”.

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The ex-Barça Regal player Roger Grimau, who now plays for Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, talks with @FCBtv about the Cup Final
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:52:00 +0200

The former captain of Barça Regal, who now plays for Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, talks with Barça TV about the upcoming Cup Final between Guardiola's men and Athletic Club

How does a Barça fan who lives in Bilbao experience the Copa del Rey Final? Roger Grimau gives us the answer. The ex-Barça Regal captain currently lives in the Basque city, where he applies his trade with Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, and he recently talked to Barça TV to give his impressions on Friday’s match.

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Last session at the Ciutat Esportiva ahead of Cup Final
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:25:00 +0200

The first team squad had their penultimate training session ahead of Friday’s Cup Final this morning and two Youth A players, Sergio Ayala and Brian Olivan also joined in This was the last session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper before the squad goes to Madrid for the Final, with Thursday afternoon’s training to be held at the Camp Nou

Josep Guardiola put the squad through their paces as they continue preparations for Friday’s Cup Final against Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderon. With Thursday afternoon’s session scheduled for the Camp Nou, this was the squad’s last training at the Ciutat Esportiva before the final.

Guardiola again used the four B team players - Montoya, Bartra, Dos Santos and Tello – as he has done all week , but also brought in two Youth A players, defenders Sergio Ayala and Brian Olivan to augment his available first team squad.

Last training set for Thursday at the Camp Nou

The players will have their last training session ahead of the Final on Thursday at 19.00, behind closed doors at the Camp Nou, before travelling to Madrid on Friday morning. Pep Guardiola will hold a press conference at the end of the training session.

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The Barça Toons make their way to Madrid
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:25:00 +0200

The Barça Toons, who have already started their journey to Madrid, don't want to miss the Copa del Rey Final this Friday against Athletic Club

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Zubizarreta: "We’re really excited about the Cup"
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:00 +0200

Barça’s Director of Football has complete confidence in the style of football developed under Pep Guardiola and insists that it will be maintained in the future, starting with this Friday’s Cup Final He’s looking forward to the match against Athletic Club and believes that the policy of developing home-grown talent is “a marvellous legacy left by Pep”

Abidal and Guardiola

Abidal is progressing and is back home. Is everything going well?
"First of all we have to express our thanks for the great respect shown towards him. I think we have all felt the respect and affection of the fans. He’s progressing at the correct rate. The next step is a medical check-up. It’s a slow and complicated process but the objective is for him to manage to live a normal life and to be able to start running. What we’re concerned about is that he’s OK”.

What message has the Club passed on to him?
"That we’re there for whatever he needs. There’s neither hurry nor need for anything. He knows we’re behind him and that we’ll take it one step at a time. It’s about the recovery of Abidal the person before the footballer”.

Let’s talk about Friday as it’s Pep’s farewell match. How does he seem to you these days? Excited, nostalgic...?
"Intense. In Monday’s training session, he was at maximum intensity knowing the challenge he has ahead of him. And focussed, highly focussed, and enjoying football”.

The fact that the players say that they want to send him off with a trophy is a motivation or pressure?
"I believe it’s a motivation. This team is built on emotion and I believe that’s a good thing as football shouldn’t always be cold. It can be experienced in the most emotional manner”.

Director of Football Andoni Zubizarreta spoke to Barça TV about the upcoming clash with Athletic Club. In an interview with Sandra Sarmiento, the Basque Country born former goalkeeper spoke about the last Cup Final between the two clubs, Athletic Club manager Bielsa, the relations between the two clubs, Abidal’s progress and Guardiola’s farewell.

He won three Spanish Cup Finals as a player, two with Barça and one with Athletic Club. In his role as Director of Football he has already won six trophies but he has yet to win a Spanish Cup.

Andoni Zubizarreta, were you at the Mestalla stadium in 2009?
"Yes, I was. I went with my children and I got the tickets from a certain Mr Guardiola, the manager of FC Barcelona."

What do you remember about it?
"I remember that when Toquero scored, my daughter and I jumped up to celebrate and when Touré Yaya scored it was me and my son. In the break, which came just three minutes after the equaliser, I felt as if my brain had split into two. On the one hand I felt the joy of celebrating a goal but I also felt I was celebrating a goal being scored against my team! It was a big contradiction. The second half sorted things out and the score was more obvious and from that point on we just enjoyed the football”.

The 2009 final was the beginning of the Guardiola era and on Friday it will end. Do you feel that it was the beginning of a marvellous story?
"Yes. I remember the chant of ‘Cup, League and Champions League', which was the 'leitmotiv' of the final. I remember the fantastic atmosphere: excitement, emotion...the fans really identified with the team and had the feeling that something fantastic could happen. Everything that happened after that is down to Pep and all the players”.

I remember Pep in the tie against Chelsea a few weeks ago. He spoke about that beginning of 2009 as a Barça love affair. Do you have the feeling that this love affair is still alive?
"Yes. I think that there’s a belief in the idea, in the way of playing, in the way we go into matches, in the idea that ‘if we’re not sure then we attack’, in wanting to dominate games...and also the fact that our fans are convinced this is the way to play. The response of the fans when we played Chelsea and Real Madrid shows us that they are happy with what the team is doing. Obviously we want the team to win and we want to collect the Cup this Friday in the Calderon.

I don’t know whether the 2009 Athletic Club and the team today have much in common or not. There were players who watched the match from the stands and on Friday might be in the starting line-up. But the big change is Bielsa. Bielsa has transformed this team.
"Because of its philosophy, Athletic Club usually has a very stable squad. It’s true that a generation of interesting young players has come through, plus a few signings this season such as Ander Herrera. But it’s also true that the manager has given them a new profile, a way of playing, a personality that is very well adapted to the philosophy of the club. A team that attacks, that wants to be in charge in every game it plays and that fits in really well with the fans and the club. Also, he’s given the players a plan, a style of play that they feel comfortable with”.

Would Bielsa be a manager that could adapt to Barça?
"He’s a man with a big personality and in that sense he would adapt well to our Club. But then the way he sees the game – the individual making the team effort greater – I don’t know if it would fit in exactly in a Club like Barça. I have the feeling that Bielsa is in exactly the right Club for what he asks from a team”.

Athletic Club last won a trophy 28 years ago with Zubizarreta in goal. How do you remember that day?
"It was a final against Barça and we won 1-0. It was a really tense match but it was such a joy to win the League and Cup, as doing the double was a fantastic achievement. I remember the passion of our fans because it was a really dark time in the Basque Country. Winning the title was a ray of light in a very dark space”.

You say that you wish the final minutes of that match had never existed. Now, however, the relations between the two clubs are fantastic. In 2009, for example, the fans got on really well. What’s changed?’
"They were tricky times for us then. We had just come from Shuster’s injury in San Mamés and then, the following year, Maradona, and all that ended up poisoning relations. As a team, we were competing with the top clubs and we were direct rivals, which generates even more tension. I remember that they insisted we came to the tribute match for Artola and Olmo, and that helped to bring the situation back to normal”.

And also that Julio Salinas and Zubizarreta signed for Barça. Perhaps that made the link a bit closer.
"Yes, to the famous Dream Team which I called Eusko Barça. We had a lot of people like Valverde, Julio, Bakero... From that point of view people like having players they can identify with directly. That helps to bring people together. But I’ve always thought that the relations between the two teams, except at that particular time that we mentioned earlier, have been good though demanding”.

What does it feel like, from the inside, the fact that it seems like the season has finished but in fact there’s still a title at stake?
"It’s not simple. It’s caused us a deflated feeling that, sometimes, you don’t know how to manage, how to maintain the impetus. You cope by concentrating on training and knowing how to focus when it’s time for the important stuff”.

Does this Cup motivate?
"We’re really motivated. And the Barça fans too, despite the fact that many things have happened since the last league match. But in the end we’re all united by football. And we all want to experience the atmosphere of the final”.

Here you get the feeling that people aren’t talking about the Cup Final much. In contrast, there’s a great atmosphere surrounding it in the Basque Country.
"The passion of the Athletic Club fans is extraordinary because the team doesn’t get to finals very often and the fans really get excited when they do. But I’m sure our fans are just as excited. If anybody thinks Athletic will be less motivated, they’re wrong. That isn’t in their character because they treat every match as unique. We have to be aware that it will be a special moment and we’ll experience it that way”.

Given that there are so many defenders missing will the priority be to maintain possession so as to not suffer?
"Yes it’s true that we have players missing but that’s football. We have a competitive team and we’ll set out our stall and plan the match in a way that we think we can attack and hurt Athletic. We’ll take them on and try and win; that’s our idea”.

One of the benefits of bringing through players from the academy is that everyone has faith in the youngsters that have to replace the missing players and people feel confident.
"That’s one of Pep’s big pluses. Guardiola gives us the tranquillity of knowing that he has faith in them and that if he picks them to play it’s because he believes that’s the solution. That’s something the players notice and take on board as equal members of the group. It’s a wonderful legacy that Pep is leaving behind”.

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Guadalajara – Barça B: Expectations met ahead of Guadalajara clash
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 09:48:00 +0200

Barça B and Guadalajara will face each other on week 40 of the Liga Adelante with the assurance that both teams have already secured a spot in the division next season Eusebio Sacristán has named 17 players to the team. Martí Riverola will not play due to suspension

The Barça B players will play their second-to-last away match with the satisfaction of knowing that they’ve met expectations this season. Despite losing their last two matches, Valladolid (1-2) and Numancia (3-0), the team led by Eusebio Sacristán come into the final stretch of the season in 10th place, with a 10-point advantage the team they’ll face this Wednesday, Guadalajara. The Manchego team also breathe a bit easier after they mathematically sealed their spot in Segunda División last week.

17 available players

For the match, Eusebio will only be able to call upon 17 players, given that Bartra, Montoya, Dos Santos and Tello are with the first team and Martí Riverola cannot play due to suspension. Furthermore, Duelofeu is working with the U19 Spanish national team and Oier wasn’t called up to the team. The two keepers that travelled with Barça B are Masip and Miño.

Eusebio: “we need to have the ball”

Eusebio will try to avoid a repeat of the bad first half in Soria. “We fell into the trap. It gets very complicated when we play our opponent’s game,” said the manager before tonight’s match. “Our plan is to finish our good season on a high note,” he added.

Irregular home record

The trip to the Pedro Escartín is, in theory, one of the easiest away matches of the season. Guadalajara are the fourth worst team at home in the division in terms of points won, they are also the team that have lost the most games at home along with Nàstic. At the Miniestadi, however, Barça B lost to Guadalajara by 1-2 thanks to a last-minute goal from Javi Soria.

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FC Barcelona win second consecutive Fair Play Award
published on Wed, 23 May 2012 09:30:00 +0200

Josep Guardiola players, along with Málaga, have been recognised for their exemplary conduct in La Liga (both teams only accrued 91 points) This is the second consecutive year that the Catalans have been given the award, and the fourth since the Spanish Football Federation instituted the award in 1998

The Fair Play Award, a distinction that the Spanish Football Federation bestows on the cleanest Primera División club in La Liga, has been awarded to FC Barcelona. This year, however, Guardiola’s men share the recognition with Málaga. The Federation evaluates La Liga teams on a point system: three points for a direct red card, two points for two yellow cards and one point for a yellow card - Competition Committee bans also factor into the Federation’s point system. Both the clubs, FCB and Málaga, finished the season with 91 points.

The team with the most awards

This is Barça’s second consecutive season winning the Fair Play Award. The first time the Catalans won the award after the 2005/06 season, and since then they won it three more times (2008/09, 2010/11 and 2011/12). With four total Fair Play awards, FC Barcelona are the team that have been recognized the most by the Spanish Football Federation since the award was instituted in 1998.

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Abidal: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart”
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 23:30:00 +0200

After his recent release from hospital, Eric Abidal took the time to say thanks via his official Facebook page to all the messages of support he has received

Éric Abidal is at home recovering from his liver transplant of 10th April after he was discharged from hospital on Monday and he used his official Facebook page to thank everyone for all the messages of support that both he and his cousin received whilst he was hospitalised. Abidal has special words of thanks for “all the staff at the Hospital Clinic” as well as the fellow patients he met while he was in hospital, who he told: “I wish all of you and your families the courage you need”.

Thanks to the Club, media and family

The French defender also showed his gratitude for the support he received from the Club – from President Sandro Rosell to all of his teammates, the coaching staff, administrative personnel and doctors, as well as thanking the media for their: “understanding and discretion”, which had been very important for him.
Finally, Abidal made special mention of his wife: “who has been by my side every hour and every day”, as well as his family and his in-laws, before explaining that: “now is the time to rest and get my strength back” and that “I will continue to keep in touch with you all and let you know my news”.

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David Villa to miss UEFA's EURO 2012
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 20:38:00 +0200

The striker communicated his decision to the Spanish Football Federation and FC Barcelona that he will not be able to participate in the 2012 EURO championship

David Villa has been ruled out of the Spain’s national team for the upcoming 2012 EURO Championship. Spain manager Vicente del Bosque will make his 23-man squad public on Sunday, May 27. Villa communicated his decision to the Spanish Football Federation and FC Barcelona this Tuesday.

After not showing sufficient progress in his recovery in the last few training sessions, David Villa told Del Bosque that despite wanting to be part of Spain’s team in Poland and Ukraine, that he is not in optimal physical condition to play in a competition like the EURO.

It’s worth nothing that Villa fractured his left tibia on December 15th in the Club World Cup semi-finals against Al Sadd. Doctors Cugat and Pruna performed corrective surgery on the player soon there after.

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Photo Gallery: The Final Sprint
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 20:15:00 +0200

The best photos from today's training session as the FC Barcelona players prepare for the Copa del Rey Final against Athletic Club Bilbao

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Piqué as excited as in 2009
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:15:00 +0200

The centre back is fully motivated and looking forward to another Copa del Rey Final against Athletic Bilbao He describes Guardiola’s departure as ‘traumatic’, because of everything the outgoing manager has taught him

Happy with new kit

Gerard Piqué was speaking to the media just after the new kit for the 2012/12 was revealed. Asked about the new uniform, he said “I have tried it on and I like it. It’s modern, different and very nicely designed”.

Gerard Piqué is about to feature in his third Copa del Rey Final, and reckons he is looking forward to it as much he was in 2008/09. “I am just as excited as I was when I had just arrived back here. The cup final is always a huge motivator. There are things that make it a bit more special, but just because it’s a final we give it special treatment … It’s a great day of football both for the fans and the players”.

Bielsa and Llorente

Asked about the 2009 final in Mestalla, Piqué expects “a similar match. With Bielsa, Athletic Club like to push forward and it’ll be a very intense game. I don’t see a favourite, it’s 50-50. They’ll have a lot to say and we’ll have to fight very hard to win”. His own job is likely to be that of marking Llorente, on which he commented that “we have to make sure that the second touch is always ours, because he’ll certainly be fighting to get it. We have to be careful with set pieces and watch out for Susaeta and Muniain coming down the wings, and stop them from shooting”.

Piqué also spoke about the comments by the President of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, who is in favour of the game being suspended if the fans jeer the Spanish national anthem. “The fans will act with respect, they have the right to express themselves” he said. “The country has more important problems to worry about than things like this”.

A fine season

Whatever happens at the Calderón, the Catalan feels that “we have had a very good season, we’ve won three titles, although we were missing luck at key moments … On a personal level, I’d give myself lower marks than for other seasons. But there’s still Friday to fight for and after that there’s the European Championship. In football you can only look ahead … I have found it hard to get into the team due to a number of factors”.

Many have commented that relations have soured between Piqué and Pep Guardiola, but the player himself shuns such suggestions. “His departure is traumatic for me. I feel a much better player thanks to him and the whole team has learned a lot. He’ll leave a void, but we’ll carry on with Tito and we’ll do well. That’s football, eras come to an end”.

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Training session: Final sprint
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 +0200

The team trained on Tuesday morning with all thoughts on the Cup Final against Athletic Bilbao. Thiago, Alexis and Pinto were all able to work out normally

On Tuesday morning, Barça trained for the second to last time before Friday’s Copa del Rey Final. The venue was Sant Joan Despí. Thiago, now recovered from his stomach bug, and Alexis and Pinto, though not yet declared fully fit, were able to train at the same pace as their team-mates. Like on Monday, they were joined by four members of the B team: Montoya, Bartra, Dos Santos and Tello.

In cold, windy weather, the only players missing were, as expected, Alves, Puyol, Villa, Abidal and Fontàs. The team will continue its preparations for the duel with Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday morning, behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva.

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Barça and Òscar Garcia have reached a mutual agreement to terminate their contract
published on Tue, 22 May 2012 11:12:00 +0200

The manager of the FC Barcelona Juvenil team has requested this termination in order to be able to start a new professional project

FC Barcelona has announced that the club has reached an agreement with Òscar García, coach of the Juvenil A team, to end the contract binding the two parties. The club has thereby attended to the request of Òscar García, who wished to terminate his contact in order to focus on a new professional project.

Pep Muñoz, who was until now the assistant manager of the Juvenil A team will be taking over as head coach for what remains of the season.

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The player @cesc4official says that the team is "eager and excited" for the Copa del Rey Final
published on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:17:00 +0200

The Catalan midfielder, who will play in his first Copa del Rey final, says that his team-mates are “eager and excited” for the Final on Friday Cesc wants to win the title in order to finish off the year “on a high note,” but also so that the team can pay tribute to the outgoing manager in his last game on the Barça bench

“The news about Abidal is fantastic”

The Barça players were extremely happy to hear that Éric Abidal was discharged from hospital this afternoon. “It’s fantastic news. We’re very pleased that everything went well. Now it’s time for him to recover at home and, with out help, get back as soon as possible,” said Cesc.

“We’re prepared and ready for the final. It’s not normal to wait so long to play a final but our eagerness and excitement to play has helped us overcome the wait"

"A Barça legend is leaving [Guardiola] but we have to look forward and be positive. We know this team have a lot yet to give”

“Tito knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants to do”

Cesc Fàbregas, who will play in his first Copa del Rey final, is counting down the hours to when the referee signals the start of the match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club on May 25 at 22:00. His team-mates have already told him about what kind of atmosphere he should expect in the Cup final, “sometimes it’s better than a Champions League game, and that’s why I’m eager to experience it.” The Azulgrana midfielder said that he’s “very motivated and very eager” for the match as he reminded the packed press room that Barça have the chance to finish off the year with four titles.

The break between games won’t be a factor

The player also recognised that the team is not used to having so much time off between matches, but he doesn’t believe it will be a factor in Barça’s last match of the season. “We’re prepared and ready for the final. It’s not normal to wait so long to play a final but our eagerness and excitement to play has helped us overcome the wait,” said Cesc.

More motivated than ever

The midfielder doesn’t believe that Athletic Club, who recently lost in the final of the Europa League, will be more motivated than the Azulgranas in the Cup Final. “I’m sure they are not more motivated than we are. Our hunger for victory and our excitement hasn’t run out.” However, he also warned of the dangers presented by Marcelo Bielsa’s side: “we’re going to play against a spectacular team that we admire. They have hope, they’re eager and they always go forward. They remind me of some English teams, with very direct football but they also utilise their passing game.” He anticipates a hard-fought match, like most of the games between the two side.

The best final for Guardiola

Cesc also recognised that wining the Copa del Rey title this Friday would be the best way to end Guardiola’s era as Barça’s manager. “Finishing with a title would be spectacular.” He also noted that the manager’s decision is not a letdown, but it has left the players with a lingering sadness: “we know what he means to Barça and its fans, both on an individual and collective level. He’s a unique and admirable person. A Barça legend is leaving but we have to look forward and be positive. We know this team have a lot yet to give.”

“Tito knows what he’s doing”

Cesc also praised the decision to name Tito Vilanova as the next FC Barcelona manager. “Tito knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants to do.” Looking ahead to next season, Cesc hopes to improve upon this year’s performance. “I’ll try to give more next season, I’ll require the absolute best of myself” He’s also aware that after the first transitional season, the second “is more complicated.”

Cesc also rubbished claims that there’s a bad relationship between Guardiola and Vilanova. “Guardiola’s relationship with Vilanova is fantastic, hearing these comments from the outside isn’t good. It hurts us because we know that they have a good relationship.”

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The Azulgrana expedition to Madrid in detail
published on Mon, 21 May 2012 16:24:00 +0200

2,400 FC Barcelona members have booked their travel to Madrid for the King's Cup Final through FCB Viatges: 1,050 people will travel by motor coach and 1,350 will travel by train

With the King’s Cup Final only four days away (May 25, at 22:00 against Athletic Club), the details of the Barça supporters’ trip to Madrid have been announced. A total of 2,400 members have booked their travel through FCBViatges. 1,050 members will make the trip via motor coach and 1,350 will travel by train.

It’s worth noting that the Club made 13,600 tickets available to members and 3,400 available to supporters clubs.

Here is all the travel information for Barça members travelling by motor coach or train.

TRAVEL BY MOTOR COACH

• 18 vehicles will depart from Catalonia for Madrid this Friday. Most of them, 15, will start the journey to the Spanish capital from the Camp Nou at 6:30 in the morning. All members that have signed up for this trip must be present at the Camp Nou half an hour before the scheduled departure (6:00).

• Furthermore, two motor coaches will leave from the Espai Gironès for Barça members living in Girona. The vehicles are scheduled to leave at 6:30, members must be present half and hour before departure.

• The last motor coach is allocated to members making the trip from Vilanova, Tarragona and Lleida. The motor coach will start the journey at 6:00 from Vilanova (travellers must be present at 5:45 at the Vilanova train station), the motor coach will then leave from Tarragona at 6:45 (members need to be present at the Plaza Imperial Tarraco at 6:30) and, finally, from Lleida at 8:30 (members need to be present at the Camp d’Esports at 8:00).

IMPORTANT: Members that make the motor coach trip from the Camp Nou will be able to park their cars at the Camp Nou’s Lateral zone (entry gates 1 and 21). The car must be moved before 12:00 on Saturday.

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

• There will also be a Barça expedition travelling by train. Members will make the trip in four different trains, all of which will leave from the Sants-Estació station. Three of the trains are exclusively allocated to Barça members: the first train will leave at 9:00, the second at 9:40 and the last at 11:00. There will also be a train leaving at 8:00, this train has a car exclusively for Barça members with a ticket for the Final.

IMPORTANT: Members that booked their travel arrangements through FCBViatges will also be given a one-way ticket from Cercanías, this will allow members to travel from Atocha to Pirámides, the metro stop adjacent to the Vicente Calderón. Once the match is over, there will be motor coaches at the Paseo de las Yeserías to transport members back to Atocha for the return trip.

SUPPORTERS CLUBS TRAVEL

• The 3,400 supporters club members that have a ticket for the final will make the trip to Madrid via 38 motor coaches. Of these, 25 will leave from Catalonia and the rest will make the trip from all over Spain (Andalusia, Asturias, Extremadura, Valencia, Alicante and Castellón).

• Furthermore, there are supporters club members from other countries that will also make the trip. The countries represented in the final will be: Qatar, Morocco, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, Poland, Brazil, United States, France, Holland, Canada, Panama, Belgium, Ireland, Argentina, Greece, UK and Gambia.

In total, there will be 1,200 Barça supporters clubs at the Vicente Calderón.

IMPORTANT: supporters clubs members that booked their trips through FCBViatges will also be given a parking pas that will allow them to park near the Vicente Calderón.

PRIVATE TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Even though it’s recommended to utilise public transport, the local authorities have suggested various areas of the city that will make parking easier. These locations are the Planetario de Madrid (members and fans will then have to travel by metro to the Méndez Álvaro station), parking lot at the Atocha station, and parking on the Avenida de Córdoba (members and fans will then have to travel by metro to the Almendrales station). There is no guarantee that parking will be available.

MAP Fan Zone

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Abidal discharged from hospital
published on Mon, 21 May 2012 15:46:00 +0200

Eric Abidal was today discharged from hospital, although according to a medical bulletin he will still need to return for regular checkups

The French defender was discharged form hospital today after his liver transplant on April 10th. The Club’s medical services released a bulletin explaining: “given the particulars of his recovery process. Abidal will have to undergo a number of hospital checkups”.

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Ja es coneixen 22 dels 32 equips que participaran a la fase de grups de la propera Lliga de Campions
published on Mon, 21 May 2012 11:43:00 +0200

With virtually all the European leagues concluded, the 22 of the teams for the next UCL are decided Ten teams still to come through the qualifying rounds

The 22 teams

Group 1
Chelsea
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Bayern München
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Porto
AC Milan

Group 2
Valencia
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Schalke 04
Manchester City

Group 3
Olympiakos
Ajax
Anderlecht
Juventus
FC Copenhaguen*

Bombo 4
Galatasaray
Borussia Dortmund
Montpellier
Nordsjaelland*

*The team which wins the Danish league will not play the qualifying rounds

With this year’s Champions League and the majority of the domestic European leagues, Twenty-two of the thirty two teams in the Group stages have already been decided, with a further ten to come through the qualifying rounds.

Big names spread out

The draw for next season’s competition will take place on August 30th and it promises to throw up some interesting ties, with the champions of the four main leagues in four different groups for the draw – Manchester City are in group two, Juventus in the third group and Borussia Dortmund in group four. Those three will provide the main threats in the draw, but there are also teams such as Schalke 04, Ajax, Galatasaray and the new French champions Montpeller, who Barça could find themselves playing in the Group Stage.

Top seeded group

FC Barcelona have the best coefficient according to UEFA and they head the top seeded group for the draw, alongside Chelsea, United, Bayern, Madrid, Arsenal, Porto and AC Milan, who they are guaranteed not to meet, as well as fellow Spanish teams Valencia and Malaga – if Pellegrini’s team get through the qualifying rounds.

There are some big names missing from the draw – most notably, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Lyon – who will miss out on the chance to walk for the final on May 25th 2013 at Wembley Stadium – a venue Barça have already lifted two titles at of course!

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Pinto: "We want a happy farewell for Guardiola"
published on Mon, 21 May 2012 10:00:00 +0200

The Azulgrana keeper has recovered from his ankle injury and he’s mentally preparing to play “a difficult and beautiful” final against Athletic Club With Montoya’s possible call-up to the starting line-up, Pinto noted the quality of the players that come up through the youth system. “They arrive prepared and qualified” He said that he’s won the Barça fans over by giving his utmost in the games he plays

Superstition and music

-Are you superstitious?
“When I was younger I was. The older you get you more you leave these things behind. If not, I wouldn’t wear the number 13. I love this number.”

-Do you listen to music before games?
“I prefer to read before matches, because it relaxes me. I just finished reading ‘El maestro de las cometas.’

-Do you listen to your own music or do you try to disconnect by listening to other types of music?
“I listen to all types of music. We play various songs in the dressing room in order to motivate the team.”

-At the Camp Nou, when you go out to warm up, your music always plays...
“I passed along my CD at the start of the season so they could play it during our warmup session before the match and things went well for us that day. People thought ‘let’s keep on using this music, things worked out well,’ also because they liked it, obviously. The reason we listen to my music during the warmup is because of superstition, though.”

In an interview with Barça TV José Manuel Pinto said that he’s preparing for the King’s Cup Final against Athletic Club. He confirmed that he’s in perfect physical condition for the match while noting that the team have overcome “obstacles” in the past in reference to the announced absences of both Puyol and Alves.

He recognised that it will be a special match seeing that it’s Pep Guardiola’s last match on the Barça bench, but he also said that he’d like to dedicate a hypothetical victory to Abidal and his family. Pinto went on to say that he has complete confidence in the Barça youth system and he praised Marcelo Bielsa’s sensational side.

- How’s your ankle?

“I feel great. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be in optimal condition.”

-We’ve had the recent bad news of both Puyol and Alves’ injuries. But this team have always been able to overcome these types of difficulties. Why is that?

“I believe that these small inconveniences always happen throughout the season and it’s a shame that we won’t be able to play with some of our team-mates due to last-minute injuries. But we must keep on moving and we, whenever there has been an obstacle, have been able to move forward.”

-Martín Montoya might get the nod to start against Athletic Club. Is he ready to play in a final?

“Every player that comes up through the youth system is highly qualified. They prove it when they come out [onto the pitch] and they don’t notice the change [when they move up to the first team] because they’re very well prepared. We have confidence in them.”

-Ahead of preparing for the match, does it make a big difference on the game if Puyol, Mascherano or Piqué are playing in the middle?

“We prepare for each match in the same way. The only thing that changes are the individual characteristics of the players. But I have confidence in whoever plays, the only thing that changes are the small details.”

-It’s an important final seeing that it will be Pep Guardiola’s last match on the bench. Does this fact add pressure to the team? Does it motivate you?

“It’s hard to define, we don’t like that he’s leaving. The last match [with Guardiola] will be sad, we have to win to turn that sadness into joy so we can give him a proper send off. I hope it works out this way, we’re motivated. We’re all awaiting that moment.”

-How important has Guardiola been in your career? What have you learned?

“With him I’ve principally learned how to use my feet and how to read the game. I’ll always be thankful for the confidence he’s given me. He has complete confidence in me and I’ve done my best to return the gesture. I’ve done it with my attitude in our training sessions and especially when I play.”

-Another final against Athletic Club. Is this team like the one in the 2009 Final?

“Every team modifies itself every year. It’s obvious that Athletic have improved a lot. They are a very competitive side. They play well and their manager is responsible for this positive change. It will be a very difficult and beautiful final.”

-Guardiola says that Athletic Club are the sensation the year. Do you agree?

“I’ve followed them and I believe that they are one of the standout teams of the year. Atlético Madrid have also had a great season.”

-Do you believe you’ve permanently won over the Culés? Do you believe your public image has hurt you in anyway?

“I’ve never thought about it. I believe that I’ve won the Culés over because when I’m out and about they show me their appreciation. The only thing I’ve done is give everything I have and try to bring something to the group. When someone comports himself with honesty the people see that and give it value.”

-Have you thought the match over in your head? Have you dreamed of the perfect match?

“I’ve had a flash or two, but I’ve quickly forgotten about it. We want this to end well. I hope that I can dedicate the trophy to my grandparents, who recently passed away. I’d also like to dedicate the trophy to Abidal and my family.”

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Barcelona Football Club News

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:15:08 PDT

The squad

Valdés, Piqué, Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Pinto, Mascherano, Keita, Busquets, Pedro, Afellay, Adriano, Cuenca, Montoya, Bartra, Dos Santos and Tello.

Alves, Puyol, Villa and Fontàs, all of whom are injured, will also travel with the team to Madrid.

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RAFAEL MORENO ARANZADI, ‘PICHICHI’ (1892-1922)

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Before this Friday’s cup final at 22.00 at the Vicente Calderón, we look back at some historical trivia regarding the competition:

- Barça, with 25 titles, have won the Copa del Rey more than any other club. They last won it in 2009, beating Athletic Club in the final (4-1).

- Athletic Bilbao, with 23 titles, is the other club that has dominated the competition, but they haven’t won the title since 1984, when they beat Barça in the final (1-0).

- Alcántara, Samitier and Segarra, with five each, are the FC Barcelona players with the most Copa del Rey wins to date, followed on four by Kubala, Piera, Ramallets, Sagi, Sancho and Torralba.

- Guardiola’s side have got this far by beating L’Hospitalet, Osasuna, Real Madrid and Valencia, winning six games and drawing two.

- Bielsa’s side is coming to Madrid after winning seven games and drawing just one. They have eliminated Oviedo, Albacete, Mallorca and Mirandés.

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MATCH STATS

Guadalajara, 2
Barça B, 0

Guadalajara: Saizar, Moreno, Barral, Gaffoor, Rodri, Javi Soria, Jony, Víctor (Gerard, min 51), Jonan, Iván Moreno (Cristian, min 62) and Aníbal

Barça B: Miño, Kiko, Balliu, Sergi Gómez, Muniesa, Gustavo Ledes (Rosell, min 71), Lobato, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Carmona (Planas, min 83) and Rodri (Espinosa, min 58)

Goals: 1-0, Iván Moreno (min 9); 2-0, Jonan (min 15)

Referee: Piñeiro Crespo

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“The most important thing is that Villa is 100%”

"We'll have to be on guard and capable of making fast decisions against Athletic"

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Last training set for Thursday at the Camp Nou

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Abidal and Guardiola

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Happy with new kit

Bielsa and Llorente

A fine season

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“The news about Abidal is fantastic”

“We’re prepared and ready for the final. It’s not normal to wait so long to play a final but our eagerness and excitement to play has helped us overcome the wait"

"A Barça legend is leaving [Guardiola] but we have to look forward and be positive. We know this team have a lot yet to give”

“Tito knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants to do”

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MAP Fan Zone

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The 22 teams

Group 1
Chelsea
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Bayern München
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Porto
AC Milan

Group 2
Valencia
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Schalke 04
Manchester City

Group 3
Olympiakos
Ajax
Anderlecht
Juventus
FC Copenhaguen*

Bombo 4
Galatasaray
Borussia Dortmund
Montpellier
Nordsjaelland*

*The team which wins the Danish league will not play the qualifying rounds

Big names spread out

Top seeded group

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Superstition and music

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Barcelona Football Club News

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:56:50 PDT

“The most important thing is that Villa is 100%”

"We'll have to be on guard and capable of making fast decisions against Athletic"

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Last training set for Thursday at the Camp Nou

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Abidal and Guardiola

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Happy with new kit

Bielsa and Llorente

A fine season

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“The news about Abidal is fantastic”

“We’re prepared and ready for the final. It’s not normal to wait so long to play a final but our eagerness and excitement to play has helped us overcome the wait"

"A Barça legend is leaving [Guardiola] but we have to look forward and be positive. We know this team have a lot yet to give”

“Tito knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants to do”

more info

MAP Fan Zone

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The 22 teams

Group 1
Chelsea
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Bayern München
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Porto
AC Milan

Group 2
Valencia
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Schalke 04
Manchester City

Group 3
Olympiakos
Ajax
Anderlecht
Juventus
FC Copenhaguen*

Bombo 4
Galatasaray
Borussia Dortmund
Montpellier
Nordsjaelland*

*The team which wins the Danish league will not play the qualifying rounds

Big names spread out

Top seeded group

more info

Superstition and music

more info

Barcelona Football Club News

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:01:49 PDT

Happy with new kit

Bielsa and Llorente

A fine season

more info

“The news about Abidal is fantastic”

“We’re prepared and ready for the final. It’s not normal to wait so long to play a final but our eagerness and excitement to play has helped us overcome the wait"

"A Barça legend is leaving [Guardiola] but we have to look forward and be positive. We know this team have a lot yet to give”

“Tito knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants to do”

more info

MAP Fan Zone

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The 22 teams

Group 1
Chelsea
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Bayern München
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Porto
AC Milan

Group 2
Valencia
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Schalke 04
Manchester City

Group 3
Olympiakos
Ajax
Anderlecht
Juventus
FC Copenhaguen*

Bombo 4
Galatasaray
Borussia Dortmund
Montpellier
Nordsjaelland*

*The team which wins the Danish league will not play the qualifying rounds

Big names spread out

Top seeded group

more info

Superstition and music

more info

Barcelona Football Club News

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:11:59 PDT

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The 22 teams

Group 1
Chelsea
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Bayern München
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Porto
AC Milan

Group 2
Valencia
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Schalke 04
Manchester City

Group 3
Olympiakos
Ajax
Anderlecht
Juventus
FC Copenhaguen*

Bombo 4
Galatasaray
Borussia Dortmund
Montpellier
Nordsjaelland*

*The team which wins the Danish league will not play the qualifying rounds

Big names spread out

Top seeded group

more info

Superstition and music

more info