FCBARCELONA LATEST NEWS

Messi eyes United return

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:38:00 +0000

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has set his sights on a return to action against Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Messi is back to fitness after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Celtic last month.

The 20-year-old schemer has returned to Spain after undergoing rehabilitation in his native Argentina and he says he is close to returning to action.

Barcelona and Manchester United are in line to face each other in the last four of the Champions League after picking up away wins in the first leg of their quarter-finals clashes with Schalke and Roma respectively.

Messi is chomping at the bit to play again and has got his eye on a possible clash with Premier League leaders United.

In good shape

"I am good and can't wait to be back to action with my team-mates," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "There have been weeks of intense work in Rosario, training in the mornings and evenings every day.

"I feel strong and confident, I can't wait to play! I hope I will be able to play the Champions League semi-finals, and face one of the best teams in the world: Manchester (United).

"Now I return to Barcelona and I hope I will be part of the squad, at least to play few minutes."

Barcelona president Laporta settles on Guardiola

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:32:00 +0000

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has already decided to replace coach Frank Rijkaard at the end of this season with Pep Guardiola, it has been revealed.
TV3 says Rijkaard will remain in charge until the end of the season, where he will make way for Barcelona B coach Guardiola. Guardiola's No2, Tito Vilanova, will be promoted to head coach of the B team.

Luis Enrique is also under consideration as Guardiola's No2 for next season.

Youth Football Products in Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:31:00 +0000

Six players who have come through the youth football set up at Barça played in Gelsekirchen. In the rest of the quarter finals the highest number of youth team products in the other sides was two.

The fact that Barça are a club who like to blood players from the youth system is no secret. They proved this very fact in the first leg of their quarter final tie against Schalke 04 as Barça were the club with the most youth team products on the field of the eight clubs that remain in the competition. In Tuesday’s game at the Veltins Arena, the six players in the squad who have come up through the youth ranks at Barça made an appearance.

As many as six

Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Bojan were all in the starting 11. Those five players were on the field together for 85 minutes, and for three minutes, thanks to the appearance of Giovani Dos Santos in the 82nd minute, there were six products of the youth system on the field together at the Veltins Arena. In the 85th minute Bojan was replaced by Sylvinho.

Some of the best performances on the night came from those players schooled in the Barça way from an early age: Bojan Krkic, the scorer of the only goal of the game, brought freshness to the side’s strike force and his goal has put Barça in control in the tie. Andrés Iniesta, for his part, provided the pass for Thierry Henry to set up Bojan with the chance that he tucked away past keeper Neuer. Víctor Valdés was another who stood out; his valuable contribution helped Barça keep a clean sheet.

The other matches

In Tuesday’s other game in Italy between Roma and Manchester United a total of four youth team products were on show: De Rossi and Aquliani for the Italians and Paul Scholes and Wes Brown for the side from Manchester. There was not one in the duel between Fenerbahce and Chelsea in Istambul, and in London at the Emirates Stadium Arsenal could not manage a single youth product whereas Liverpool boasted the talents of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

Schalke, Barça’s opponents in the quarter finals, had Neuer and Pander as players who have come through the youth system at the Gelsenkirchen club.

Xavi continues making history

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:29:00 +0000

Xavi Hernández moved into fourth place in the FC Barcelona all-time record appearance list when he placed in the Champions League encounter against Schalke 04 in midweek.

The Catalan midfielder edged above Andoni Zubizarreta as he made his 411th appearance for the Blaugrana, beating the esteemed goalkeeper by one match. His next targets now are to match Guillermo Amor’s record 421 matches and then Carles Rexach’s total of 452. The outright leader still is Migueli, who placed 548 games for Barça.

Since making his debut in the summer of 1998, Xavi has made 277 league appearances, 77 in the Champions League, 13 in the UEFA Cup, 36 in the Copa del Rey, two in the Club World Cup, one in the European Super Cup and another five in the Spanish Super Cup.

Puyol on the list

Another current member of the Barça first team is in the top ten as Carles Puyol’s tally of 385 matches for the club sees his him just Asensi.

Barcelona's Eto'o: If Ronaldinho says he's hurt, he's hurt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:29:00 +0000

Samuel Eto'o says Frank Rijkaard is the right man in charge at Barcelona and also insists he wants to make "peace" with teammate Ronaldinho.

The Cameroon striker said: "We must leave Ronaldinho in peace. If Ronie says that he is hurt, then he is hurt. The doctors did not see anything, but not every injury can be seen.

"I play with a knee that hurts me, but nothing can be seen in a scan.

"It is important to believe what Ronie says and not look for whether he goes out a lot at night."

On Rijkaard, Eto'o added: "Rijkaard is the trainer that we need. Others sometimes want to crush you, but he always tries to be positive."

FC Barcelona: official statement

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:28:00 +0000

The following statement has been issued by FC Barcelona concerning the future of our chief football coach Frank Rijkaard.

"FC Barcelona emphatically denies that a decision has been taken to replace the football coach, Frank Rijkaard, for the next season. The Dutch manager has a contract until the 2009 season and the Board of Directors has complete confidence in him”.

Messi arrives in Barcelona on Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:17:00 +0000

The Argentinian striker will arrive at El Prat airport on Thursday evening after completing the second stage of his recovery programme in his native country.

Leo Messi will be travelling directly to the Camp Nou for a medical examination by the FC Barcelona specialists. Once the tests are over, he will attend to the media in the stadium’s press rooms.

The injury

Messi injured the femoral biceps in his left thigh on March 4 against Celtic in the Champions League second round, second leg.

He was expected to be sidelined for some six weeks.

Recovery schedule

Since then, the Club Medical Services have been keeping a very close eye on the player. His recovery has been planned in three stages. The immediate treatment was administered in Barcelona, and then he went to Argentina for three weeks, where he trained for the last time on Wednesday. From now on, Messi will be completing his treatment schedule in the Catalan capital.

Seattle offering Barcelona's Henry £150,000-a-week

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:13:00 +0000

Seattle's MLS franchise are stepping up their bid for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.

The Sun says the French striker has been targeted to launch the newly-formed Seattle team when they make their MLS debut next year.

And the franchise's multi-billionaire owner Paul Allen will tempt Henry with a deal worth £150,000 a week.

Henry, 30, only joined Barcelona in a £16.1million move from Arsenal last June.

But the Spanish giants are planning a summer clear-out after slumping to third place in La Liga.

And Henry could go despite having more than three years left on his £128,000-a-week deal.

Henry has 14 goals in 38 games but is playing on the left wing.

Barcelona coach Rijkaard: Not time to talk about resignation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:53:00 +0000

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was all charm as he answered questions in four different languages about his future at the Nou Camp.
In his pre-match media conference for Barca's Champions League clash with Schalke, Rijkaard was asked about Saturday's dramatic defeat at Real Betis and the reaction of fans at the Masia training centre on Sunday.

Asked if he had considered resigning, Rijkaard said: "After one suffers a defeat, it is best not to speak about such things, and now I do not have a great desire to do so. We are here to play a good game and we are preparing for it.

"It is best not to enter that controversy, not to say anything."

Asked about the fans' reaction, the Dutchman added: "I can understand the rage of the supporters, they are within their rights and it must be one more motivation for the players to do better. We must be motivated to try to please them."

Rijkaard was also asked about reports that he was overheard saying to goalkeeper Juan Carlos Unzue that he had "two days left".

"I didn't say that," smiled Rijkaard. "I said that we've been wearing the same clothes for two days. I'm not joking!"

Barcelona's Eto'o: I'd give up salary for fit Ronaldinho

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:51:00 +0000

Samuel Eto'o says he'd donate part of his Barcelona salary if it meant Ronaldinho returning from his injury problems.
After victory at Schalke last night, Eto'o commented: "I would give up a third of my salary for Ronaldinho to return as quickly as possible.

"With Ronie, (Lionel) Messi and Deco, we can dream about making the final of the Champions League this season."

Toure-Henry is back

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure feels that Thierry Henry is beginning to rediscover his best form.

The former Arsenal striker has struggled to make an impact during a frustrating first season at the Camp Nou, and has found himself utilised as a left winger under Frank Rijkaard.

However, having finally found his feet in Spain he is starting to show glimpses of the ability which made him one of the most feared forwards in Europe during his time with the Gunners.

The Frenchman was one of Barca's better performers in their slender 1-0 win over Schalke in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, and his team-mates are confident that he can now play a major role in the remainder of the season.

"Thierry Henry has shown that he is back," Toure told L'Equipe.

"He is not far from his best form."

Dominated

Ivory Coast international Toure also felt that Barcelona deserved their victory in Germany despite finding themselves under mounting pressure towards the end of the game.

"We deserved to win," he said.

"No-one can deny that we dominated the first half. However, the second half was more difficult, especially on a physical level.

"But the prospect of facing Manchester United in the semi-finals is very exciting to me."

Players remain prudent

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:44:00 +0000

The FC Barcelona players were all pleased to have recorded an important away day victory against Schalke 04, but it was a unanimous thought that the Champions League quarter final tie had not been decided.

Bojan Krkic scored the only goal of the game in the Arena Aufschalke and set the Blaugrana up for the second leg in Camp Nou next week. All the players that spoke after the game agreed that the win had helped confidence and that they hoped to seal a spot in the next round in the return leg.

Below are what some players had to say:

Samuel Eto'o:

"We have gained an advantage, but that does mean anything. Now we have to refocus for Sunday."

"We are paying well enough. I do not understand how playing this well we can lose games."

"I am fine physically."

"The tie is still open."

"If we are at our best then we can go through comfortably and then start to dream of the final."

"The league is still open too. Why can the teams above us not fail? We have to keep going for it."

Gianluca Zambrotta:

"It was important to win away. We needed a positive away result."

"We suffered a bit at the end. But what was important was to win and now we have confidence to continue in the league on Sunday and the second leg."

"Winning 1-0 away is a good result. Now we are at home and that should be in our favour."

Rafael Márquez:

"We showed more experience. We maintained our advantage even though we suffered towards the end."

"We were able to keep our lead. We cannot rely on that and we will have to increase our lead in the second game."

"The team has shown real desire and that often counts more than quality."

Carles Puyol:

"Neither team can be ruled out."

"Every win is important, particularly in the Champions League."

"We understand people's reaction. We have to keep working. The supporters deserve this win."

"We have to aim to win every game. The league is difficult, but we will not stop because in football anything can happen."

"Schalke are a very strong team, physically. But they have not had clear chances."

"It is a good result but we cannot rely on it and have to score more goals."

"A win is always important after what we have been through. The team played well and we have regained some confidence."

"It is a result that we would all have taken at the start, but it is not conclusive."

Sylvinho:

"The team played like we had to play in the Champions League. A little precaution is important. We can play the first game away hoping that we can go through in the second leg."

Víctor Valdés:

"It was important because we had to be very focussed and attentive at set pieces."

"Nothing is decided. The second leg is to come although this was a positive result."

"The team has gained some morale."

Barcelona's Puyol amazing claim: Time-wasting part of football

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:42:00 +0000

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has amazingly hit out at the yellow card he received for wasting time during last night's 1-0 victory at Schalke.

Puyol was booked in the 95th minute for time wasting and afterwards barked: "I am absolutely furious with this yellow because I was hoping the ref would blow his whistle for fulltime.

"To waste time is part of football, because when you're in a difficult period during a game, it's a form of cooling things down."

The defender added: "The victory has come at the ideal time for us after everything that has been happening recently."

Eto'o - Leave Ronnie alone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:39:00 +0000

Samuel Eto'o has pleaded with the media to stop their constant harassment of team-mate Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian playmaker has been forced to sit out Barca's last four matches with a mystery injury, leading to mounting speculation that his time at the Camp Nou could be coming to a close.

The former World Player of the Year has seen his role at the Catalan club scrutinised like never before this season, with constant rumours linking him with a move to one of Europe's top sides.

However, Cameroon international Eto'o has leapt to the defence of his fellow forward and insists that the club should be doing everything they can to ensure that Ronaldinho is not hounded out of town.

Truth

"Leave him in peace," he said.

"Everyone talks and writes about it, but on-one waits for him to give his opinion, to speak his truth.

"Leave him, when he is ready, he will speak.

"If he says that he is hurt, then he is hurt. There are injuries that can't be seen in a scan.

"Everyday he is here working on his recovery and we can't ask anything more of him."

Divorce

Ronaldinho has been complaining of discomfort in his right leg, but Barca's medical staff have found no sign of a tendon or muscular injury.

Club president Joan Laporta has been quick to play down the rumours of a "divorce" in relations with the player, and has insisted that he wants to keep the Brazilian in Barcelona.

Ronaldinho did train with the rest of the squad as normal on Wednesday, prompting suggestions that he could be set for a return to action in the near future.

Barcelona coach Rijkaard hails "perfect" Krkic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was full of praise for matchwinner Bojan Krkic after last night's 1-0 victory at Schalke.

Krkic swooped for the winner in the 12th minute and Barca held on in the second-half as Schalke laid siege on Victor Valdes' goal.

A relieved Rijkaard said afterwards: "I am pleased with everything he (Krkic) does. Everything he does on the field, the decisions he makes, is correct. Despite his age, he played like a great player of this team.

"It's important he does not lose his humility and he continues working hard."

Rijkaard added: "The team worked very hard, began well, scored the goal and soon we also had to suffer. Schalke has a good team, did everything to change the result, but I congratulate my players because they worked hard for the victory."

Samuel Eto'o added: "To see Krkic score the winning goal fills us all with joy. The lad is a phenomenon."

Ronaldinho trains with the squad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:33:00 +0000

After the win against Schalke, the first team went back to training on Wednesday. Ronaldinho was involved in the workout but Milito and Touré stayed behind to do recovery work in the gym.

Frank Rijkaard’s side landed at midday at El Prat airport on a flight from Germany and went straight to the Camp Nou for a recuperation session. Two of the players that started against Schalke, Milito and Touré Yaya, stayed in the gym to do specific work, while Ronaldinho joined the other players on the park. Deco, who trained normally on Sunday, also took part.

Samuel Eto’o, who came out onto the pitch at La Masia in sports shoes, took part in the warm up and then returned to the dressing rooms. FC Barcelona’s Cameroonian star played last night despite a slightly strained calf muscle in his left leg.

Gentle run

After warming up, the players that started on Tuesday plus Thuram went to one side and ran at different speeds under the watchful eye of fitness coach Albert Roca, who ended the session early for those players but stayed on to work with the remaining group.

The players that stayed behind worked on fitness and changes of pace. Pinto then took his place between the posts as they all practiced crosses and shots on goal. They then went through a series of similar drills, all of which also culminated with goal attempts.

High hopes for return

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:33:00 +0000

When Barça have won a European match 1-0 in the first leg playing away, they have almost always ended up qualifying for the semi finals.

The most recent case of that happening in the Champions League was in the 2005/06 season. FC Barcelona won at the San Siro against AC Milan, thanks to a Ludovic Giuly goal. The return at the Camp Nou ended scoreless, which meant Frank Rijkaard and his side were on their way to Paris. That was the only time this scoreline has arisen in Europe’s premier club competition.

Cup Winners Cup

In the now defunct Cup Winners Cup, FC Barcelona have been in this situation three times, and have always qualified. In 1969, Barça won away to Swiss side Lugano and added a 3-0 win at home in the round of sixteen. In 1980, Barça won 0-1 at Akranes in Iceland in the same round, and cruised home in the second leg by a resounding 5-0. In 1989, Barça started the quarter finals away to Aarhus of Denmark, and after a 1-0 win away they qualified thanks to a goalless draw at the Camp Nou.

Fairs and UEFA Cups

The first time this result occurred in the other major European competition was in the 70/71 season. In the round of 32, Barça beat Czech outfit Katowice 0-1, before winning the return leg at home 3-2. More recently, Barça won 1-0 away to AEK Athens and Danish club Brondby in 2001 and 2004 respectively, and sorted out both ties with a 5-0 win over the Greeks and a 2-1 victory against the Danes.

Kaka, Ronaldinho top two earners in football

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:27:00 +0000

AC Milan's Ricardo Kaka is the highest paid footballer in the world, with Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo in 8th-place.
There are also a few notable inclusions and omissions as Goal.com takes a peek at the top earners.

A photocopied list of the top 50 earners is doing the rounds at present, compiled by inside sources, allowing for some interesting wage comparisons.

Milan's Ricardo Kaka tops the pile - raking in £143,438 per week, or just under £7.5m a year - with second-placed Barcelona ace Ronaldinho making similar money.

As one would expect, big-spending Chelsea's presence in the top ten hints at their astronomical wage bill. Frank Lampard and John Terry are third and fourth, with Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack also in the top seven.

There are a few surprising names on the list. Portsmouth's Sol Campbell earns more than £105,000 a week in 15th, while Tottenham's Darren Bent's salary is put at £94,669 and Liverpool's injury-plagued midfielder Harry Kewell ranks 39th.

The Top Ten

1. Ricardo Kaka
2. Ronaldinho
3. Frank Lampard
4. John Terry
5. Fernando Torres
6. Andriy Shevchenko
7. Michael Ballack
8. Cristiano Ronaldo
9. Thierry Henry
10. Steven Gerrard

Five on verge of suspension

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:18:00 +0000

Milito, Márquez and Puyol, who all saw yellow at the Veltins Arena, along with Touré Yaya and Messi, are one yellow card away from getting a suspension.

The important away win at Schalke 04 (0-1) has had other consequences for FC Barcelona. Although it was not a particularly violent game, Milito, Márquez, Puyol and Giovani were all booked, the first three of whom are now one game away from suspension as those were their second yellow cards in this season’s Champions League.

Milito was booked for cutting down a German counter attack after 67 minutes. Márquez had his name taken for tangling with Krstajic before a corner (93'), and Puyol, despite not committing a single foul in the game, was booked for time wasting (94'). Giovani, meanwhile, was also booked in injury time for preventing a free kick from being taken quickly.

That means Milito, Márquez and Puyol will all miss a game the next time they are carded, as will Touré Yaya and Messi due to previous yellow cards in other games

Five on verge of suspension

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:18:00 +0000

Efficiency and solvency (0-1)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:18:00 +0000

Barcelona secured a crucial away day victory in the Arena AufSchalke thanks to an early goal from Bojan Krkic. The visitors gained the upper hand to set themselves for the return leg next week where the semi finalists will be decided.

Unbeaten in Europe this season going into this encounter, Frank Rijkaard’s team were keen to put their recent defeat by Real Betis behind them and show that they have what it takes to take a step nearer to the Champions League final in Moscow in May. The hosts started slowly but grew in confidence after the break and were at their strongest in the final 15 minutes of the match. But Barça looked strong at the back as Gaby Milito returned to the team and they were able to keep Schalke out and record what could be a vital clean sheet with the second leg still to come.

Clear ideas

Barcelona arrived in Germany with one clear idea about what they had to do and how to go about it and their passing game in the opening half and for period after the break saw them dominate for the majority of the match. Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic combined well, while Xavi and Andrés Iniesta controlled the midfield. Three of the tour players combined to create the only of the game after 11 minutes when Iniesta found Henry on the left of the area and after his initial shot was saved Manuel Neuer, the Frenchman rolled the rebound across the goal where Krkic prodded home from close range.

Record breaker

The goal made Krkic the second youngest player to ever score in the Champions League, behind Peter Ofori-Quaye, who will holds the record for his goal for Olympiacos around a decade ago. The Barça youngster edged out Catalan midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, who was a day older when he netted his first effort in the competition, and became the first player born in the 1990’s to score. With the lead secured, Barcelona settled down and looked to ensure that their opponents could not have much of the ball as they played it across the midfield. Heiko Westermann shot over just before the half-hour mark, while Samuel Eto'o sent a cross over that Krkic loked set to score for only for the impressive Marcelo Bordon to clip it past the post for a corner.

Calm start

It took Schalke over a minute to have a touch at the start of the second half as Barcelona dominated the ball with some sharp passing across the midfield. While the home fans were expectant of their team raising their game, the Blaugrana were able to settle back and defend while playing on the break. Iniesta took aim from distance midway through the half and Neuer did well to stop Gianluca Zambrotta’s cross from reaching Henry soon after.

Going close

In the final stages of the match, Schalke did finally begin to move closer to finding an equaliser. Westermann then shot off target as Schalke continued to dominate the chances while Barça sat back and looked to play on the break as Iniesta proved with his shot on the run after a surge towards the area. Fabian Ernst, Altintop and Pander all then had chances before substitute Soren Larsen wasted a glorious opportunity as a cross hit his head rather than he heading the ball and it bounced well off target. After Zambrotta had sent over a cross that Neuer did well to stop Henry reaching, Vicente Sánchez went close as Schalke ended the game with their best spell of the game. Bordon forced Valdés into a flying save as he met Rafinha's superb cross and Larsen then headed over moments before the referee blew the final whistle and gave Barça a crucial victory.

Preview

Welcome sign
The Veltins-Arena, which for Champions League purposes is named by its former name of the Arena AufSchalke due to the competition's marketing deal with another brand of beer, welcomes the players of both sides with words of encouragement to the home side. ‘Tausend Freunde, die zusammenstehn, dann wird der FC Schalke niemals untergehn' (‘A thousand friends stick together, and then FC Schalke will never let its arms drop').
Serious businessRoger Bogunyà (Enviat especial)

Tonight Barça (20.45, live on Antena 3 and Radio Barça) face Schalke in Gelsenkirchen in a crucial Champions League quarter final first leg encounter.

After going out of the cup and having a poor run in the league, Barça’s best chance of success this season is in Europe. Rijkaard’s side have marched into the last eight playing spectacular football and, more importantly, looking solid and efficient in gaining six wins, two draws and no defeats. Schalke, meanwhile, have one of the poorest records ever for a quarter finalist and will be hoping their modern stadium and vociferous home support can give them that little extra push as they seek to spring a surprise.

Márquez and Milito return

Barcelona will be looking to hold on to as much possession as they can, make sacrifices and, most of all, stay tight at the back. That latter aspect has been where things have been going most wrong of late for a Barça side that will wear orange tonight, like they did away to Rangers. Milito is back from a groin strain, Márquez is over his problems with his right foot, and that should add security to the away side’s back four.

Strength and skill

The two teams are likely to approach the game in different ways. The Germans will be looking to impose their physical superiority, with plenty of contact and balls in the air. Quite the opposite to Barça, who base their game around skills on the ball. The focus on natural talent worked wonders at Celtic Park, where the Scottish outfit relied on their physical might to overcome Barça, and failed miserably. But the Germans seem to have a more complete squad than Celtic and have been boosted by some good league form and have been looking forward to this game for weeks. This is a match where both sides will have to stick to a very definite game plan, and play to their individual strengths.

Great venue

The stadium has little Champions League tradition and has witnessed very few legendary European nights. But it is a state of the art venue where football is enjoyed in all of its raw purity. Schalke have one of the loudest sets of supporters in Europe, and this can only be further motivation for Barcelona. It is in stadiums like this where tournaments are won or lost, and the Veltins-Arena is set to be the stage for a remarkable game of football.

Valdés completes 250 games

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:13:00 +0000

After making his debut for Barça on August 14, 2002 in the 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw, the 26-year-old custodian has gone onto make the number one spot at Camp Nou his own. In his 250 games for the club, Valdés has conceded just 212 goals.

Bojan makes history

Bojan Krkic earned himself the headlines as the scored the only goal of the match against Schalke in the 11th minute and also added his name to the record books. At 17 years, 217 days, the youngster became the second youngest goalscorer in the Champions League behind Peter Ofori-Quaye, who still holds the record for his goal for Olympiacos a decade ago.

The Barça striker did become the first goalscorer in the competition to be born in the 1990's and meant that he now has eight goals to his name this term in the league and one in the Copa del Rey.

Márquez returns

There was also good news for Rafa Márquez as he made his return after four week out through injury. The Mexican international came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute when he went on to replace Touré Yaya.

Márquez: “They’re most dangerous in the air”

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:55:00 +0000

Rafa Márquez, one of the new faces in the Barça squad for the match against Schalke 04, thinks that one of the strengths of the German side is their aerial game. The Mexican reckons that Schalke won’t make things easy for Barcelona.

Defender Rafa Márquez is back for the first leg of Barça’s Champions League quarter final against Schalke 04. The Mexican has been sidelined with injury and makes his return just when the team needs him most. Márquez spoke this Monday evening at a press conference.

“It won’t be an easy game”

The Mexican knows that tomorrow’s game “won’t be easy” because Barça will be facing a side which Márquez describes as “ordered, physically strong and which has been playing well. They have some really strong strikers.”

But the key thing Rafa Márquez picked out was Schalke 04’s aerial game: “They’re most dangerous in the air. They play really well together as a team and one of their strikers is a German international.”

Getting confidence back

WEB_TARDE_07.jpgIn the run-in to the end of the season Rafa Márquez thinks the side “has to make a maximum effort” as they are still in with a shout in two competitions, the Spanish League and the Champions League. Plus after Saturday’s painful defeat away at Betis the Barça defender thinks that the side has to “get back our confidence which in other seasons has brought us such good results.”

Still in pain but can play

The player was given the green light by club doctors this Sunday after being sidelined with injury for more than a month. Márquez says that he is feeling better although there is still some pain. “I’ve got a bone oedema which takes some time to go away but I can put up with it,” he said before adding that “I’m ready to do whatever the boss tells me to.”

Márquez also expressed his complete confidence in Barça coach Frank Rijkaard: “He’s been very successful and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t stay on and continue in the same way.”

Rijkaard: “We don’t want to play their physical game”

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Frank Rijkaard knows that Schalke is a tough side who can play a physical game. So he is determined that Barça won’t play into the Germans’ hands but instead will stick to the more technical game which they are used to.

Rijkaard freely accepted that “there are other sides that are better prepared physically than we are” which means that Barça doesn’t want to get into a physical confrontation with Schalke. “We don’t want to play their physical game. We have to play in the way that we know we can and to our strengths,” he said. He added that in his view Schalke is a “good side that is collectively strong and they’ll be hard to beat.”

Criticism motivates

Talking about Barça’s last match when they went down 3-2 to Betis, Frank Rijkaard said that “losing that way was tough”. He also made it clear that he understands why fans are criticising the team and thinks that that should be “added motivation” for Tuesday’s match in Gelsenkirchen.

Moving on

WEB_TARDE_11.jpgRijkaard also said that “constantly thinking about things that have gone wrong doesn’t help” and that the team has to move on and forget about last Saturday’s defeat in Seville. “We have to keep on working and being enthusiastic and confident as we always are,” said Rijkaard, who was very calm throughout the press conference.

The game is the most important thing

Asked if he would resign if the team loses, Rijkaard made it clear that “this is not the time to be talking about things like that. We’re here because we’ve got a game to play and going into issues like that is not a good idea. The game is the most important thing.” Rijkaard thinks that the best way of approaching this match is “to continue working and trying as always to do what we have to do, get a good result and play well.”

Optimistic but with respect for Barça

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:46:00 +0000

Around the Veltins-Arena there is a mixture of optimism about an historic quarter-final tie for Schalke 04 and respect for Barça, a team the Germans still think they can beat.

With key players sidelined (Rakitic, Varela, Jones and Zé Roberto), a less than impressive history in European competitions (a single UEFA Cup title back in 1997) and the worst numbers for any of the eight teams remaining in the competition, Schalke is getting ready for its quarter-final tie with Barça.

There’s still hope

It’s a far from ideal situation for the Germans but they are still hopeful and believe, with just a few hours to go before the first leg, that they can knock Barça out of Europe. Recent improved form in the League and luck in the Champions League when they beat Porto in the last 16 on penalties has given them a boost. “We don’t need any more motivation for Tuesday’s game because we’re already well up for it. Everyone’s really motivated and we’ll be going out onto the pitch with loads of self-belief,” commented Mirko Slomka, Schalke 04’s coach, who says he knows where Barça’s weakness lies.

Barça’s defence has “problems”

According to Slomka Barça “are having problems in defence as they’ve let in 15 goals in their last seven matches”. So in spite of the lack of creativity in his team his strategy is to try to hit the Catalans hard at the back through Schalke’s main attacking force Asamoah and Kuranyi.

Respect for Barça and belief in Neuer

Slomka said he felt great respect for Barça’s attacking strength, as “even though Ronaldinho, Deco and Messi are missing, they’ve still got Krkic, Eto'o and Henry”. But the Germans are by no means afraid. At their last training session before the match, fans were keeping a sharp eye on the Royal Blues’ goalkeeper Neuer as he was coached by Oliver Reck, legendary ex-keeper and current assistant coach at Schalke 04, and who made two crucial saves in the penalty shoot-out in the last round against Porto. According to one loyal fan, “He’s the best German keeper around at the moment. He makes some amazing saves and we want to hang onto him for as long as possible.” People around her nodded in agreement. They believe they can beat Barça.