FC BARCELONA FAN CLUB

Barcelona- Valencia 5-1

2012-02-20T10:46:00.000+02:00

BARCELONA - VALENCIA 5-1 (19.02.2012)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21vMWmQleO8

Dor ... si doare!

2012-02-07T22:45:00.003+02:00

Of ce noapte blanda, ce frig cuminte, ce contrast!

E dimineata si nu esti, dar in surdina,

Ma-mbie si ma mangaie o voce fina

Patruns de gemetele celui mai duios orgasm.

Secunda ce-o auzi e sufletul ce mi-l ingana

Tacerea ta, sfarsitul de silaba tremuranda.

Un minut cu tine e ca o zi fierbinte

Iar umbra ta cutremura silaba ce urmeaza

Marturisesc, glasul mi-e palid, n-am cuvinte,

Fata de ochii ce cu patos ma vegheaza.

Mi-e greata de dorul ce va sa fie

Fara buzele-ti, lumea mi-e vida.

Dor de sanii ce-ncalzesc tamplele mie,

Invelit in trupusoru-ti de clepsidra.

Tu, muza a mea, vreau sa-ti soptesc :

Asemeni marii ce-si iubeste tarmul,

Atat de dureros de dulce TE IUBESC!

EL CLASSICO 10.12.2011

2011-12-11T08:07:00.003+02:00

El Clasico -- Real Madrid v Barcelona December 10th, 2011

The Real Madrid bus was mobbed as it approached the Bernabeu for the Clasico. There was quite an atmosphere minutes before kick-off.

When the action did get underway it took just 23 seconds for Real Madrid to score the fastest Clasico goal ever, a horrific Victor Valdes kick resulted in Karim Benzema scoring from close range. Barcelona responded and Lionel Messi saw his jinking run and shot saved by Iker Casillas. On the half hour Barcelona responded, Messi played in Alexis Sanchez who fired low past Casillas. Towards the end of the half Lionel Messi was booked for dissent and could well have received a second for a foul just before the break. Eight minutes after half-time Barcelona took a 2-1 lead and it was a hugely fortunate goal as Xavi's shot spun off Marcelo past the despairing hand of Casillas and in off the post. On 66, just after Cristiano Ronaldo had missed a sitter, Barcelona put together a trademark free-flowing move that culminated in Alves crossing for Cesc Fabregas to head home with a diving header at the back post.

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Lass Diarra, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo. Xabi Alonso, Coentrao, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi & Alexis Sanchez.

BARCELONA QUEEN OF EUROPE 2011

2011-05-29T08:09:00.008+03:00

BARCELONA QUEEN OF EUROPE 2011

Wembley once again

David Saura (enviat especial)

Barça gave a footballing lesson at the home of football tonight. Guardiola’s team claimed the title back with an exhibition of football never seen before in the final. The Club now have four European Cups and are the envy of the world.

Guardiola promised that his players would deliver and they certainly did at Wembley tonight as they turned on the Barça style to see off one of the best teams in the world, Manchester United, who were helpless against the tide of footballing brilliance that Barça showed.

It was Wembley that was the scene for another great success as this Barça, who combine tradition and modernity made the passage from Cruyff’s team’s win at the grand old Wembley to Guardiola’s victory at the new stadium. From romanticism to the avant-garde in football –it’s taken just 19 years for Barça to make that journey!

Into the European pantheon

Barça’s win takes them up into the pantheon of European greats, with four European Cups to their name. Four titles that truly do justice to a Club who have raced to their titles under Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard and Josep Guardiola – three coaches who have given continuity to the Club’s success with their way of understanding the game.

But it’s been Guardiola who has made most of the formula invented by Cruyff. Proof of Guardiola’s commitment to the Club’s philosophy is the fact that seven of his starting players in the last two Champions League finals have been products of La Masia. He has also built a solid defence for his attacking players’ brilliance to sit on and brought out the very best form his stars with his empathy and understanding. He’s also spent hours and hours studying the game, the opposition and his own players’ abilities and that helps explains his phenomenal success – 10 titles as a manager in just three years. It’s this tenth title that has proved the qualitative leap for Guardiola - as he has become the only Barça manager to win two Champions League titles and at just 40, he has become the youngest ever manager to lift the trophy twice - beating José Mourinho’s previous record.

Guardiola’s success has also put him alongside Sir Alex Ferguson as the leading coach in Europe- just like the Scot, Guardiola embodies the values of a Club and his teams always have the stamp of their manager’s commitment to the attacking, attractive style of play that has become synonymous with Barça.

Players are the cornerstone

For all Guardiola’s success though, it’s the players who have also, as the boss would be the first to admit, been the cornerstone of the team’s success. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa, Pedro, Piqué... all the names that every youngster aspires to emulate right now. Above all though, it’s Messi who has delivered week in and week out, with an astonishing 53 goals this season, with tonight’s his 12th in the Champions League, a total never before achieved in the competition.

Ferguson predicted “the game of the decade” and tonight’s final has confirmed Barça’s position at the top of contemporary football - a win against a team who have rivalled Barça over recent years and that give it an importance that the fans’ mosaic before the game: “We love football” perfectly sums up.

~~~VIEW THE GOALS HERE! HIGHLIGHTS ! ~~~

SOURCES : www.uefa.com

www.fcbarcelona.com

www.youtube.com

Barcelona-Arsenal 2011

2011-03-09T07:32:00.006+02:00

Into the quarters with magic and drama (3-1)

Jordi Clos

On a magical evening, Barça outplayed Arsenal to make amends for the 2-1 defeat in the first leg. Leo Messi made it 1-0 before the break, and the Catalans clinched it in the second half through Xavi and Messi. Barça are back in the quarter finals.

Talent and pride have guided FC Barcelona into the quarter finals of the Champions League in a gripping encounter with Arsenal. There was no arguing who dominated the possession. It was Barça, while the Premiership side had clearly only come to defend the 2-1 lead from London. They succeeded until Messi broke the deadlock just before the break. What followed was an absolute thriller of a second half, where Arsenal managed to tie the game without having managed a single shot on target. In the end, Xavi and Messi responded by finding the target and securing Barça’s passage into the second round.

Barça on the attack

Things started well for Barça. They had Arsenal absolutely smothered and created constant pressure, with Busquets and Mascherano simply magnificent. All the football was in Arsenal’s half, and things looked even worse for them when in the 18th minute they were obliged to switch their injured keeper Szczesny for Almunia. But the English club managed to weather the storm with some very intense defending, although the home fans may have had a point when they screamed for a penalty on Messi.

Messi passes judgement

Despite Barça’s staggering dominance, they were missing that extra spark to convert it into goals. Adriano came closest when he hit the post after a zippy 36th minute run down the left, but five minutes into first half injury time, it looked like it would still be all-square at the break. But then Iniesta found Messi, and the Argentinian cheekily chipped the ball over Almunia and met the ball as it came down to make it 1-0.

Equaliser and Van Persie off

In the first half, Barcelona had looked the only side that wanted to win it, but Arsenal were now obliged to take more risks. It became a feast of end-to-end football, and then in the 53rd minute, the Gunners equalised when Busquets headed a corner into his own net. The Londoners hadn’t had a single shot on target, yet they were back level! But then came another unexpected twist, when Van Persie got himself sent off for shooting when offside, a second bookable offence, and from there on Barcelona had the game under their complete control.

Just rewards

It was disturbingly similar situation to the one we had against Inter a in the semi finals last year. But Arsenal are no Italians. Enjoying even more space than ever, it was only some last-ditch defending and excellent interventions by Almunia that kept the score level. The second goal finally came in the 69th minute when Iniesta, Villa and Xavi produced a brilliant combination play, and the latter completed the move with the kind of brilliance we have come to expect of him. This scoreline would have sent the game into extra time, but the Catalans didn’t want to wait, and Messi made it 3-1 by converting a clear penalty on Pedro. The Camp Nou could start celebrating.

Quality and sacrifice

Facing Barça’s passing machine and with one man less was proving too much for Arsenal, and they were visibly tired of being outnumbered and outclassed. But there were twenty minutes left to play and one goal was still all they needed to qualify. The Barça fans had their hearts in their mouths when Danish striker found himself through on goal in the 87th minute, but a match-saving tackle from Mascherano saved the day. Ultimately, the best side clearly won, and Barça also showed that they know how to battle for the right result. They are into the last eight and the Wembley dream is still very much alive.

Source : www.fcbarcelona.cat

www.uefa.com

New Spain Shirt

2011-02-18T09:43:00.001+02:00

NEW ADIDAS SHIRTS FOR THE SPAIN NATIONAL TEAM!

EL CLASICO

2010-11-30T07:39:00.011+02:00

Fourth 5-0 win over the eternal rival

Real Madrid CF's unbeaten opening to the Liga campaign came to a shuddering halt at Camp Nou as FC Barcelona crushed José Mourinho's men 5-0 in the season's first 'Clásico'.

Josep Guardiola's team never looked back after storming into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes with strikes from Xavi Hernández and Pedro Rodríguez. David Villa's double in the space of four second-half minutes underlined the superiority of the home side on the night with Jeffren ensuring Madrid were toppled from the summit to two points behind an irrepressible Barça.

Barcelona quickly forced their rivals into retreat and Lionel Messi's brilliance almost broke the deadlock after five minutes, his sublime curling effort striking the far upright. The Catalan faithful did not have long to wait for the opener, though, as Andrés Iniesta's purposeful burst and incisive pass allowed Xavi to poke past Iker Casillas from close range in the tenth minute.

Ángel Di María tested Víctor Valdés as Madrid attempted to establish a foothold but instead the rug was pulled from under them as the hosts added a second. Xavi fired a cross-field pass that found Villa in space, the striker darting past Sergio Ramos and driving in a low cross that evaded the grasp of Casillas leaving Pedro the simplest of finishes.

Mourinho shuffled his pack at the interval with Lassana Diarra replacing Mesut Özil but the Blaugrana continued to dictate with Villa thwarted by Casillas and Xavi slicing into the side-netting with the goalkeeper scrambling back shortly after the resumption.

The third goal, ten minutes after half-time, came as no surprise with Messi's scything pass controlled by Villa and the Spain striker finishing with aplomb across the face of Casillas. Los Merengues were shell-shocked but Messi and Villa were relentless, another through ball from the Argentinian schemer dispatched by his strike partner on 58 minutes to send the Camp Nou supporters into early victory celebrations.

There was time for a final hurrah in stoppage time as Bojan Krkić sped down the right flank and crossed for fellow substitute Jeffren to flip a nonchalant fifth past a bemused Casillas. Madrid's misery was compounded when Sergio Ramos received a red card to complete a remarkable evening's entertainment.

VIEW THE GOALS !!!

Images and text from : www.fcbarcelona.cat and www.uefa.com

Barça bounce back in style (5-1)

2010-09-15T08:56:00.004+03:00

Barça bounce back in style (5-1)

FC Barcelona have started their Champions League campaign with a more than convincing 5-1 win over Panathinaikos. Messi (2), who also missed a penalty, Villa, Pedro and Alves were on target.

On Tuesday night, Barcelona showed that they have regained everything that was missing at the weekend. Guardiola’s side played its characteristic passing game, using the wings effectively, displaying grit and determination, and also coping admirably with the adversity of going a goal behind. Ignoring that initial setback, Barça went on to steamroll their way past Panathinaikos on the basis of simply exquisite football. Messi was also back to his subliminal best, and could have completed a hat trick had he converted a second half penalty. Villa scored his first European goal for his new club, and Pedro and Alves rounded off a wonderful evening at the Camp Nou.

FC Barcelona go top of the group on goal difference ahead of Copenhagen, who also have three points after scoring a late winner against Barça’s next opponent, Rubin Kazan.

Govou puts Greeks ahead

Barça soon put the nightmare of Hercules behind, and took the game straight to a Panathinaikos side that seemed happy to speculate. Neither was the Greek outfit the tough-tackling kind of opponent Barça often have to deal with, for they didn’t even commit a foul in the first quarter hour. But just when it looked like the Catalans were in for an easy night, a long clearance from goalkeeper Tzorvas found Cissé, whose classy backheel put Govou in a wonderful position, and the French international made no mistake.

Immediate reaction

There was no way Barça deserved to be behind, and they knew it. Determined not to allow any repeat of Saturday’s debacle, the home side responded straight from the restart. Within a minute, Xavi had found Messi, and the Argentinian stroked home the equaliser. Twelve minutes later, Xavi was involved in another goal, this time sending in a corner that Busquets nodded on to Villa, who slotted home from the far post.

Messi shows his class

It was just before the break that we witnessed the goal of the night, and it was that man Messi again. Moments after inexplicably hitting the crossbar, an intricate series of one-twos with Xavi and Pedro left the Greek defence in total disarray. From going a goal down, it had taken Barça just 24 minutes to as good as assure themselves of victory.

Two more gifts

It was more of the same after the break – one way traffic heading towards Greek stopper Tzorvas, who despite conceding five goals was probably the best player in the visiting side. It was he who saved an uncharacteristically sloppy spotkick from Messi, but there was nothing he could to stop Barça’s fourth. Messi looked to have cheekily scored from an insanely narrow angle, but the ball bounced off one post and then the other before landing in the path of Pedro, who simply had to tap it home.

It looked like it was going to end 4-1, but Barça still had another ace up their sleeve. Three minutes into injury time, Messi placed the ball on Alves’ head, and the Brazilian sent the ball looping overt the flailing keeper and into the Panathinaikos net. An altogether extraordinary performance from Barcelona, which leaves them riding high at the top of Group D

SPAIN QUEEN OF THE WORLD

2010-07-12T08:32:00.002+03:00

INIESTA WINNER CROWNS SPAIN WORLD CHAMPIONS

Netherlands 0-1 Spain (aet)
European titleholders Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time thanks to Andrés Iniesta's strike in the second period of extra time.

Andrés Iniesta scored a 116th-minute winner as Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating ten-man Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg.

Having been played in by substitute Cesc Fàbregas, Iniesta drilled across Maarten Stekelenburg with penalties looming at Soccer City. That came seven minutes after John Heitinga was dismissed for pulling down the FC Barcelona midfielder. Arjen Robben had earlier squandered the best chance of normal time for the Oranje when one on one with Iker Casillas, a miss which was ultimately to prove costly as the European champions condemned their opponents to a third World Cup final defeat and became the first nation to win the crown after losing their opening game.

Sergio Ramos almost headed Spain into the lead inside five minutes, forcing Stekelenburg into a diving save from Xavi Hernández's delivery. Spain were showing few signs of nerves in their first World Cup showpiece, with Ramos again to the fore soon after, skipping past Dirk Kuyt and driving in a shot which Heitinga scooped over his crossbar. From the resulting short corner, David Villa volleyed into the side netting.

The Oranje gradually found their feet but any attempts either side made at settling into a rhythm were hindered by a plethora of fouls in midfield, resulting in five bookings by the 28th minute. Save for Spain's early opportunities, neither team had functioned as an attacking force, though Casillas had to be alert on the cusp of half-time to turn away Robben's near-post shot.

Little had been seen of two of the players leading the tournament's scoring charts, five-goal duo Villa and Wesley Sneijder, until the latter's perfectly weighted pass fashioned the best chance of the match. However, Robben, with time to pick his spot, had his effort kept out by Casillas' outstretched right leg.

That was the cue for the game to open up, with Villa next to wonder how he failed to score midway through the half, Heitinga atoning for miscuing Jesús Navas's cross at the far post by somehow blocking the striker's shot. Like his team-mate, Ramos had his head in his hands moments later after nodding over Xavi's corner when unmarked eight metres out. With extra time approaching, Casillas was quick to smother at the feet of Robben after the winger outstripped Carles Puyol.

Fàbregas passed up the clearest chance of extra time when he was denied by the legs of Stekelenburg, who was then thankful for Giovanni van Bronckhorst deflecting Navas’s shot wide. Heitinga was dismissed in the 109th minute but just as it seemed penalties would be required, up popped Iniesta to win it for the European champions

SIMPLY THE BEST! CONGRATULATIONS SPAIN! FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS,SPANISH WILL BE THE MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGE !

Netherlands and Spain WC FINAL 2010

2010-07-11T09:24:00.002+03:00

Netherlands and Spain poised for final act

Bert van Marwijk wants his Netherlands team to shrug off the magnitude of the final and be themselves against Spain, whose coach Vicente del Bosque feels both sides are "almost identical".

Spain striker David Villa feels Spain must demonstrate their much fabled ability to keep possession to prevail in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, while Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst admits he is dreaming of following in the footsteps of some vaunted names in lifting the coveted trophy.

The maiden global finals to be held in Africa are already guaranteed to produce a first European winner outside their own continent, but such records are far from the minds of Vicente del Bosque and Bert van Marwijk, the latter of whom is calling on his team to stamp their mark on the occasion.

"It is important everyone is himself, certainly against a top side like Spain," said the Oranje coach, who welcomes back the suspended Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong. "There is no need for me to motivate the players. We are two sides who are very organised, with players in both teams who can decide it. I think the best two teams are in the final, underlining the word 'team'".

Such sentiments are echoed by Villa, top scorer in Spain's triumphant UEFA EURO 2008 campaign and once again topping the table – along with Wesley Sneijder, Diego Forlán and Thomas Müller – in the race to be this tournament's most prolific marksman. Should he find the net in the showpiece Villa would also draw level with Raúl González as Spain's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals.

"[In the semi final] Germany wanted to have the ball, but in the end they were forced to retreat because of our game," said the new FC Barcelona recruit. "The Netherlands will also want to have possession and to attack but we're hoping it will be extremely difficult for them to get the ball off us."

Van Bronckhorst will retire after the denouement in Johannesburg and has his sights set on bowing out on a high by taking his country, beaten finalists in 1974 and 1978, one step further. "In the past I saw players like Maradona, Cafu and Dunga lifting the World Cup, so it is a dream to also lift it ourselves," said the former FC Barcelona defender, whose side have followed a 100% qualifying record with six wins out of six in South Africa. "It will be fantastic for the whole of the Netherlands to win the World Cup for the first time."

Spain dazzled with their style of play in Austria and Switzerland two years ago and are looking to become just the second side in history – after West Germany in 1972 and 1974 – to lift the World Cup on the back of success in the European Championship. Del Bosque, though, is quick to dismiss the notion they are overriding favourites.

"We're playing against a rival who deserve to be here," he said. "It will be a game between two sides who have quality players and play nice football. The two teams are almost identical in terms of the style they play. I think the Netherlands have a predetermined style and they won't change when they face us."

Something, though, will have to give with one country set to become the eighth winners of the global football championship, and one forced to wait at least another four years to break their duck.

Uruguay-Germany 2-3

2010-07-11T09:20:00.001+03:00

Khedira kills off Uruguay resistance

Published: Saturday 10 July 2010, 21.15CET

Uruguay 2-3 Germany

Both sides held the lead in an enterprising game before Sami Khedira's late header assured the three-time winners of third place.

Three-time FIFA World Cup winners Germany came from behind to prevail 3-2 against Uruguay in the third place play-off in Port Elizabeth.
Joachim Löw's side initially took the lead in the battle of the beaten semi-finalists but Thomas Müller's close-range strike was swiftly cancelled out by Edinson Cavani. Diego Forlán's superb volley put Uruguay in the ascendancy and drew him level on five goals with Müller, David Villa and Wesley Sneijder in the race to be top scorer, but Marcell Jansen equalised before Sami Khedira finally decided matters with an 82nd-minute header.
Germany had swiftly made up for their lack of possession against Spain and almost went ahead just ten minutes in, Arne Friedrich heading Mesut Özil's corner against the bar. They did go in front nine minutes later, though, when Fernando Muslera parried Bastian Schweinsteiger's long-range shot, Müller stroking in the rebound.
Uruguay looked bereft of inspiration before sparking into life on 28 minutes when Schweinsteiger was uncharacteristically dispossessed. The ball found its way to Luis Suárez and the AFC Ajax striker laid on a perfectly weighted pass which Cavani consummately slipped past Jörg Butt. Suárez himself was less precise either side of half-time, firstly snatching at his shot when through on goal before then being denied by Butt. His strike partner, Forlán, was far more clinical on 51 minutes, showing exquisite technique to volley in Egidio Arévalo's cross from the edge of the penalty area.
Parity was soon restored again, however, Jansen heading in at the back post from an inviting Jérôme Boateng cross from the right. Butt again kept out Suárez soon after and it was a stop that proved decisive because, with eight minutes left, Uruguay failed to deal with a corner and the ball popped up to Khedira, who adroitly sent a header looping over Muslera. Forlán so nearly had the final word but hit the bar from a free-kick which proved to be the last act of a pulsating match.
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2010-07-07T08:33:00.003+03:00

Netherlands hold firm to reach final

Published: Tuesday 6 July 2010, 22.15CET

Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben were all on target as the Dutch reached a first final since 1978.

Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (Highlights)

The Netherlands reached the FIFA World Cup final for the first time since 1978, goals from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben seeing off a determined Uruguay in Cape Town.

Uruguay had won three of the sides' previous four meetings but it was their opponents who struck first, captain Van Bronckhorst marking his 105th international appearance with an unstoppable drive from long range in the 18th minute. Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, swiftly regrouped and responded with a goal from distance of their own through Diego Forlán shortly before half-time. Both teams had chances in the third quarter of the match, but goals in the final 20 minutes from Sneijder and Robben sent the Oranje into a final against Germany or Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday despite Maxi Pereira's added-time effort.

In their first semi-final since 1998, the Netherlands began the brighter, Dirk Kuyt shooting too high following a fourth-minute corner. Both teams had chances to launch promising attacks in an open start, but when the first goal arrived it came out of the blue. The Netherlands worked the ball to Van Bronckhorst and the left-back let fly from more than 35 metres out, his unstoppable effort leaving Fernando Muslera clutching at air and finding the top corner.

Only a superbly-timed challenge from Martín Cáceres on Robben prevented Bert van Marwijk's team from doubling their lead, and Uruguay promptly threatened a goal of their own. Only the sheer weight of numbers prevented Edinson Cavani's cross reaching Forlán, who headed just wide moments later, yet there was to be no denying the Club Atlético de Madrid striker five minutes before half-time. A thunderous left-foot shot from range escaped Maarten Stekelenburg for Forlán's fourth goal of the finals to level the scores.

Van Bronckhorst then headed Álvaro Pereira's shot off the line with Stekelenburg stranded before the goalkeeper dived to his right to push away Forlán's curling free-kick. At the other end, Muslera was equal to a low effort from substitute Rafael van der Vaart, yet he was powerless to keep out Sneijder's deflected low effort from the edge of the penalty area 20 minutes from time.

The Netherlands – who won all eight qualifying games and now all six of their matches in South Africa – made the game safe three minutes later, Robben heading in Kuyt's inviting cross, although they were made to endure a tense finale after Maxi Pereira finished off a well-worked free-kick two minutes into added time. The Dutch held firm to earn the chance to at last consign their defeats in the 1974 and 1978 finals to history.

WORLD CUP PROGRAM

2010-06-11T08:35:00.005+03:00

CLICK ON PIC' FOR ZOOM !

THE MATCHES WILL BE UPDATED DAILY !

FIFA WOLRD CUP 2010 START

2010-06-11T08:27:00.004+03:00

World primed for a football feast

The waiting is almost over. The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ begins on Friday when the tournament hosts take on Group A rivals Mexico in the magnificent surroundings of Soccer City in Johannesburg, the first match to be staged at this impressive arena.

No host nation has ever lost their opening game in the world finals. Though this is new territory for the South Africans, the Mexicans have had the honour of opening up the competition on four previous occasions (1930, 1950, 1958 and 1970), although they failed to win any of those games.

Villa is ours !

2010-05-23T11:08:00.008+03:00

David Villa has signed with FC BARCELONA

Villa: “I will give everything to the club”

David Puig

David Villa could not hide his excitement as he was presented as a new player of FC Barcelona on Friday morning and revealed his desire to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Quini and Luis Enrique.

After admitting he was slightly nervous, Villa said that he was proud of joining the reigning champions of the Spanish league as he met the press in Camp Nou for the first time since penning a four-year deal. "It is an honour and I am proud of this very important move," he said. "I have to thank so many people for this transfer to Barça. My family, Barça, Valencia and everyone that made it become a reality. I am very proud and will give everything to this club."

Barça effort

"Barça showed clearly that they wanted to sign me," Villa continued. "I could say about the million little things that they have done to bring me here and that helped me in my decision to move."

Easy integration

Familiarity with so many of the Barça stars through his time with the Spanish national team was also a big factor in helping Villa decide. "That was one of the key reasons," he commented. "I know a lot of the players personally. There will be no problems fitting in. They have already helped me a lot even before I signed and became a Barça player."

Villa then praised Barça and their star names, in particular Messi. "I am conscious that I am joining the best team in the world and that they have won everything," he continued. "I want to help them become a little better. Messi is the best player I have ever seen and I will be proud to share a dressing room with him and to wear the same shirt."

Winning trophies

"No promises of how many goals he would score next season were forthcoming. "I am here to score goals that will help the club to win things and to contribute what I can to the team," Villa explained. "I have not won many trophies in my career, two Copa del Reys and one Super Cup, although I cannot complain and am proud of those. But I come here with a desire to win even moer and, if possible, the Champions League."

Quini and Luis Enrique

Following in the footsteps of his heroes Villa will become the eleventh Asturian to play for Barça. Names such as Quini, Abelardo and Luis Enrique are well known and he wants to add his to the list. "Everyone knows my idols were Quini and Luis Enrique," he added. "Both had great success with Barça and I want to follow them. I want to be remembered like them when I finish my time here."

President pleased

Barça president Joan Laporta thanked everyone that made the signing of Villa possible as he addressed the media in the Sala Paris above the club shop. "I want to thank Txiki Begiristain and Raül Senllehi for their work and for Valencia for the way that the talks were conducted and to Villa's father who worked tirelessly to help us sign his son."

Perfect player

Begiristain stated that he felt that Villa had the right profile for Barça. "He is the perfect player to play up front for Barça," he explained. "His movement across the front line, as well his ability to play down the left and in the centre stand out. He is a player that will give us so many options going forward. With Villa we have an impressive front line."

Villa should feel at home

Edgar Fornós

David Villa will be coming to team where he already knows a large number of his future team mates, either from international duty or from different publicity spots, something that’s bound to help him settle into the club quickly.

Villa will be travelling to South Africa this summer with Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio and Víctor Valdes, who he also knows from Spanish Under-21 duty. He was at Zaragoza with Milito and has taken part in a number of publicity acts with Messi, who is sponsored by the same sports outfitting company.

Future teammates’ support

In his press conference on Friday, Villa expressed his satisfaction with the support he’d received from his future teammates ahead of his signing: “I’m lucky to know a number of players here and I am good friends with some of them. I’ve felt very good about the support I’ve got from them, even before I signed and I’m very grateful to them for that”.

European Champions

One of Villa’s most memorable, moments as a player was alongside Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta when Spain won the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland in 2008. Villa was the tournament’s leading scorer with 4 goals.

Whilst at Zaragoza, Villa and Milito won the 2003/04 Spanish Cup under ex-Barca man Victor Muñoz, beating Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. The two played one more season together until Villa moved to Valencia.

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Campions 09/10

2010-05-17T15:00:00.007+03:00

Unstoppable: 4th title of the season!

by Roger Bogunyà

FC Barcelona have won the fourth trophy of an incredible season, and by beating Valladolid have set an all-time Liga record of 99 points.

This team was born to win. Guardiola has continued weaving his magic and 368 days after winning the cup in Mestalla, the celebrations continue. Barça won an unprecedented six titles in 2010, and it was exactly a year ago today on May 16 that their second League title was confirmed. They have now retained the title, while in the meantime, the Clubs World Cup, the Champions League and both Super Cups have also been conquered.

Making a mark

This team just can’t stop winning. It is often noted that after a very successful season, it is hard for a team to reproduce the same form the following year. Not so with Barça, who have continued to stun the world with their gourmet football, in which every pass, and every shot, is a delight to behold. The hallmark style of maintaining possession of the ball, wearing down the opposition and always playing to attack has always been present, even when the side was beaten in the two knockout competitions it has played in this year. In the League, the statistics speak for themselves, 99 points including the double over nearest rivals Real Madrid.

A League to remember

Guardiola’s side has been truly remarkable, and this League title is particularly valued considering how difficult the campaign has been this year. Barça have been astounding, but Real Madrid have been putting together a similarly brilliant record, and it all came down to the very last day. FC Barcelona have had to break records to get here. Nobody has ever gained 99 points in one of the major European leagues, and they have once again had to win no fewer than 13 games on the road, and just draw five games and lose one. With top scorer Messi and top goalkeeper Valdés on the park, they have gone unbeaten at the Camp Nou – it’s been a season to remember for so many wonderful reasons.

La Masia’s seal of identity

It is also especially pleasing to know that all of this has been achieved with so much homemade talent. The team that has had the most overall possession and shot the most times at goal has done so with 10 of 21 players that have appeared being products of the club’s own youth system based at La Masia. Guardiola, the incomparable leader of the team, has managed to blend the talent of imported stars with local players in stunning fashion, with everybody learning to combine and respect the club’s philosophy that does so much to reflect what is so good about football. We can now salute a champion in every sense of the word.

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EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL 2009/2010

2010-05-13T07:49:00.005+03:00

Forlán double gives Atlético glory

Club Atlético de Madrid 2-1 Fulham FC (aet)

Diego Forlán struck twice, the second four minutes from the end of extra time, to decide the first UEFA Europa League final.

Diego Forlán struck with four minutes of extra time remaining as Club Atlético de Madrid ended a 48-year wait for major continental silverware, beating Fulham FC 2-1 in the inaugural UEFA Europa League final.

There had been little to choose between the sides throughout. Forlán and Simon Davies exchanged first-half goals then, as fatigue set in, they matched each other for endeavour. Yet as those around him tired the Uruguayan international gained energy. With the lottery of a penalty shoot-out looming, he did just enough to divert Sergio Agüero's cross into the far corner via Brede Hangeland. The wait was over.

If this was to be the night Fulham introduced themselves to the big stage after 131 years in the shadows, there were few obvious signs of nerves. They started confidently, expansively, passing from the back. That almost proved their undoing on 12 minutes, as Agüero pounced on a loose Danny Murphy pass just inside the Fulham half. He fed Forlán with only Mark Schwarzer to beat from the angle but the striker, in such fine form, fluffed his lines – his low shot across goal hitting the upright.

Fulham heeded the warning, finding a more natural rhythm and, midway through the half, a long-range shot from Davies to warm David de Gea's hands. Agüero was knocking on the door in more subtle style at the other end, ever a threat cutting in from the left flank. His contribution to the opener, though, was less refined. José Antonio Reyes outstripped Dickson Etuhu on the right, lofting a pass for Simão to direct into Agüero's path. The striker miscued his effort but it fell perfectly for the lurking Forlán, who made no mistake this time.

But Fulham have performed so many Lazarus acts this term that they could reasonably have the feat renamed in their honour, and within five minutes it was all square. Bobby Zamora did well to turn inside Luis Perea on the left though the opening it brought had all but closed when the ball rolled to Zoltán Gera. The Hungarian international steadied himself and crossed towards the far post where Davies lashed in.

After surviving more Atlético pressure as half-time approached, Fulham emerged for the restart a renewed force. The Spanish side were indebted to the reactions of De Gea, the goalkeeper wary to the threat of Gera after a brilliant Murphy pass, then beating away Davies' shot after the ball dropped fortuitously for the winger. In between Zamora, a major injury doubt before the game, had made way for Clint Dempsey – it failed to stem the Fulham tide, though as the game became more and more fractious Atlético got on an even keel.

Extra time was increasingly inevitable, a test for any side let alone two who have played over 60 games of the season. Forlán has played the majority for Atlético but ominously for Fulham he looked fresh – Quique Sánchez Flores's greatest regret must have been that his No7 was not on the end of his own surging run and cross on 105 minutes as Eduardo Salvio and Agüero both failed to capitalise. And then, with penalties approaching he was where it mattered; nearly half a century after Atlético beat ACF Fiorentina to claim their first major European honour, they have a second.

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Stylish display brushes doubts aside (1-4)

2010-05-02T10:31:00.006+03:00

Stylish display brushes doubts aside (1-4)

Jordi Clos

Barca turned on the style at Villarreal to beat their hosts 1-4 and put behind any doubts that might have lingered from the European KO. Barca will lead the table going into the final three games thanks to goals tonight from Messi(2), Xavi and Bojan.

Any doubts about Guardiola’s team’s ability to bounce back from the Inter defeat were brushed aside by a champions display to see off the in-form Villarreal with some magisterial football, particularly in the first half when Messi, Xavi and Bojan all scored. The home team got a consolation goal in the second, but Messi was again on target to put aside any hopes of a comeback. This was a team true to its style and heritage and Barca’s starting line up included a total of eight players who’d come through La Masia and all four goals were scored by home grown players.

Lively start

In a lively opening, both teams showed their attacking intentions and Xavi, Messi and Puyol all had good chances in the first ten minutes, as did Nilmar on two occasions for Villarreal. The football was flowing, with not a foul committed till almost the quarter hour mark and Barca were able to impose their style on the game. On 18 minutes, Bojan won a ball and laid it back to Xavi who played a trademark killer pass to Messi for the Argentinean aided by a slight deflection from a defender, to strike home from an acute angle.

0-3 at the break

The goal confirmed Barca’s dominance and Xavi was at the heart of it all, so it was fitting that he claimed the second, striking home a wonderful free kick over the defensive wall and past the flailing Diego Lopez. The third was another excellent effort, as Bojan out-smarted and out-sprinted his marker Gonzalo and fired low past the keeper to send the team in 0-3 up.

Villarreal reaction snuffed out

Villarreal made two changes at half time and came out determined to put up what they could of a fight. Barca’s answer was to maintain possession and take the sting out of their hosts’ attempts to fight back. When Llorente managed to pull a goal back on 67 minutes, Messi almost came back with an immediate reply, shooting just wide, but Barca never really looked under pressure and their biggest fright came when the ref appeared to show Busquets a second yellow as he went off to be subbed, which was in fact for Llorente.

Messi gets his second

The game was only going one way and when Messi did make it four with his second, exquisitely rounding off a typical team move on 87 minutes, it just confirmed Barca’s superiority throughout, the three points and another week at the top.

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Barça go out with heads held high

2010-04-29T15:04:00.006+03:00

Barça go out with heads held high (1-0)

Roger Bogunyà

FC Barcelona will not be going to the 2010 Champions League final. They dominated Inter Milan tonight, but the goals just would not come. Gerard Pique’s 83rd minute goal set up a gripping finale but it is the Italians that will be going to Madrid.

The fans responded in incredible fashion, creating one of the most electric atmospheres the Camp Nou has ever seen. But there was an increasing sense of frustration as Barça’s almost uninterrupted possession of the ball, which reached 84% at one point, was constantly thwarted by the incredibly tight defence deployed by Jose Mourinho. Inter played the last hour with only ten men following Thiago Motta’s red card, yet their tiredness rarely showed. At last, when Pique finally found the net, there were renewed roars of expectation from the crowd. But ultimately it wasn’t to be, and the night ended in bitter disappointment for the team and its ever-faithful fans.

Dominance but no danger

Almost all ninety minutes of the game followed the same pattern. Barça wanted to hold onto the ball, and Inter seemed quite happy to let them. But extremely tight defending, coupled with some often overly-reckless tackling saw Barça often reduced to being forced to try hopeful long-range efforts – and Inter keeper Julio Cesar was in good enough form to deal with the danger.

The refereeing was generally impeccable, although Ibrahimovic had reason to disagree when a claim for a potential penalty was rejected and the call was given against the Swede – despite the rather telling evidence of a massive rip in the front of his shirt! The time-wasting from Inter was also causing frustration, and the worst culprit, Julio Cesar, was finally booked on the half hour.

Motta gets marching orders

The potential turning point came in the 27th minute when former Barça man Motta, who had already been yellow carded, caught Busquets in the face and was shown a direct red. Believing Busquets to have overreacted, the former Barça’s man’s departure from the field was anything but graceful. In fact, the Italians could be considered fortunate not to have ended the half with just nine men on the pitch after Chivu got away with just a yellow for a shocking tackle from behind on Messi.

Yet these constant off-the-ball incidents were doing no favour to Barça’s famous style, who had only really come close to scoring thanks to two Pedro efforts before, in the 32nd minute, Messi produced a fantastic bending shot, and Julio Cesar responded with an equally brilliant save.

Revolution in attack

The second half saw more of the same. Barça in total command, but failing to find any way through the brick wall that Inter’s defence resembled. Guardiola needed fresh ideas up front, and Bojan was sent on in Ibrahimovic’s place, while Jeffren came on for Busquets. Time was running out, and it was time for Barça to send on as much firepower as they could.

Inter, meanwhile, became defensive to such an extent that there was sublime moment when Samuel Eto’o went on what looked like a dangerous run up the wing, but not one of his team mates showed even the slightest bit of interest in crossing the halfway line to support him.

Pique at last

It seemed extraordinary that the game was heading for its last quarter of an hour without Barça having found the net once. It looked like they had when a Bojan header went inches wide, but just a minute later Xavi provided one of his trademark assists to Pique, who made a brilliant turn inside the area and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

The goal breathed new life into the players, and also the fans, and there was real belief that ‘the spirit of Stamford Bridge’ was about to send Barça into the final in the same dramatic fashion that it did twelve months ago. And it looked like it had when Bojan blasted the ball home, but the referee had already blown for an earlier handball by Touré Yaya. It was yet another moment of frustration on a night on which Barça did indeed ‘give everything’ as they have promising all week. But ultimately, Inter made good of their 3-1 win in the first leg, and it will be them who will be facing Bayern Munich in Madrid on May 22.

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Semifinal vs Inter

2010-04-21T12:09:00.004+03:00

All to do at the Camp Nou (3-1)

byJordi Clos

In a game full of incident and controversy, Barca went down 3-1 to Inter Milan tonight. Pedro put Barca ahead in the first half before Sneijder equalised and in the second half, goals from Maicon and Milito gave Mourinhio’s team the 3-1.

Pedro’s 19th minute opener seemed to have set Barca on the path to a comfortable night, but Inter’s physical approach, together with the ref’s permissive attitude saw them battle back into the game and Sneijder’s reply on the half hour galvanised the home team. The second half proved tough for Guardiola’s men and Maicon’s early strike was followed by a controversial third as Milito headed past Valdes from point blank with the Barca defenders appealing for offside. Barca laid siege to the Inter goal in the last half hour, but the goal wouldn’t come and it’s all to do next week when the two teams meet in the second leg at the Nou Camp.

Pedro on target again

Mourinho and Guardiola both sent out their teams to play in a 4-3-3 formation, but it was Barca who dominated the early exchanges, though Inter had chances on the break. It was one of those opportunities, when Milito’s shot was beaten away by Valdes, that led to the first goal as Barca surged up field and Maxwell cut the ball back from the by-line for Pedro to fire home.

Sneijder equaliser

Barca were controlling possession, but the Inter attackers looked especially dangerous on the break, taking advantage of any loose balls in the middle to release the pacey Milito and just before the half hour the Argentinean came close with a shot from the right across goal that went inches wide. A few minutes later he sucked in defenders as he received in the middle and cleverly set up the unmarked Sneijder to fire low past Valdes for the equaliser. Mourinho’s tactics were clear now: pressure Barca into losing the ball in the middle and quickly get the ball over the defence for Milito to run onto. Xavi was finding it hard to encounter space and Messi was being closely shadowed.

Bad start to the second half

It was a bad start to the second half for Barca, when on 48 minutes Inter robbed the ball with what looked like a foul on Messi in midfield and rounded off their counter with Maicon toe-poking past Valdes. The crowd were baying for more, but Barca came back with a Messi shot and a Busquets header, both of which Julio Cesar did very well to keep out. Then on the hour mark, Milito headed in from close range, with the Barca defenders screaming for what looked a clear offside.

Epic final half hour gets no rewards

With Inter limiting themselves to a rearguard defence, the last 30 minutes saw Barca camped out in the Italians’ area, with Abidal on for Ibra, Maxwell pushed forward and Pique moving into a centre forward role. The Catalan nearly got the vital second for Barca only to be denied by some heroic defending, but the team never stopped pushing forward and will take heart from their commitment ahead of next week’s return leg in Barcelona.

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BARCELONA-DEPORTIVO 14/04/2010

2010-04-16T10:17:00.002+03:00

FC BARCELONA-DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA

3-0

14/04/2010

REAL MADRID- FC BARCELONA 0-2

2010-04-11T08:30:00.004+03:00

EL CLASICO - 10.04.2010

REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA

0-2

(MESSI,PEDRO)

4th WIN CONSECUTIVELY FOR BARCELONA (IN EL CLASICO)

CONGRATULATIONS BARCELONA!

CONGRATULATIONS GUARDIOLA & YOUR SUPER TEAM!

EL CLASICO 10.04.2010

2010-04-10T11:06:00.001+03:00

EL CLASICO

REAL MADRID-FC BARCELONA

~SPOT~

2010-04-07T09:50:00.004+03:00

FC BARCELONA - ARSENAL FC

4-1

SUPER MESSI,THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD

Six Cups Barcelona

2010-03-10T06:09:00.002+02:00

El Barça de les sis Copes

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