Barça fans

FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid CF Super Cup Final Match

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:52:00 +0300

Yazımı yazmaya başlarken El Classico yarım saat önce bitmişti. Sonuç malum kupa Barça'nın ellerinde. Maça geçersek "Los galacticos" ilk maçta olduğu gibi oyuna hızlı başlıyor, bütün futbol otoritelerinin Barça yı tek durdurma planı olmaya aday yolu devreye sokuyordu. Üstelik bir üst level ı. Barça nın pas trafiğini orta saha da bile değil defansta bozmaya uğraşıyordu ve başarılı gibi oldular fakat gol yoktu. Son yılların her El Classico'nda olduğu gibi maçlar 15 dakika oynansa maç Real madrid in hakkıydı. Ta ki bizim gibi normal insanların ortada yok dediği Messi sahneye çıkana kadar, Madrid in önde olan defansı, kademeyi bozan Ramos ve sonuç İniesta köşeye sevinmeye, topta çok sevdiği Casillas ın kalesine gidiyordu. Oyunun devamında Mourinho nun hiç hoşnut olmadığı hakemlerden bir hediye geliyor, Madrid bariz ofsayt olan pozisyondan golü buluyordu. O an hatalı da olsa Ronaldo nun şüphesiz en faydalı dakikalarıydı Madrid e. İlk yarı bitmeden Messi( her El Classico da kim daha iyinin? cevabını verircesine) sahneye çıkıyor ve golünü yapıyordu. 2. yarı başlamadan önce Madridli futbolcular arasında hararetli tartışmalar yaşanıyordu. Zaten maçın sonuna doğru Barçalılar olmasa bile birbirlerine "dalacaklardı". 80. dakikayı 1-2 dk geçmişti ki Pepe nin yoğun çabası Benzema ile golü getiriyordu. Ancak yine her El clasico da olması gereken gibi Pepe nin o dakikaya kadar 2-3 kere atılması gerekirdi. Maç uzatmaya gider mi derken "yeni transfer" Fabregas ın hazırladığı pozisyonda Messi Pes vari golüyle yine bir kez daha Barça ya bir kupa daha getiriyordu. Oyunun sonunda "Los Galacticos"un gururuyla oynamak o kadar kolay iş olmayacak ki yine kavga çıkıyor ve çokta kişinin göremediği tespitler çıkıyordu. Bir oyun sadece yetenekli oyuncular ile kazanılmıyordu, ondan daha fazlası ise karakterdi. Kısaca o andaki fotoğrafı özetliyecek olursak Xavi Casillas ı, Mascherano Higuain i, başka bir pozisyonda Alves Marcelo yu sakinleştirmeye çalışıyordu. "Alman milli takımında Türkiye yi temsil eden" Özil maçta gösteremediği performansı saha kenarında gösteriyor, kırmızıyı görüyordu. Sonuç maç bitiyor ve Barcelona Guardiola ile imkansızları başarmaya devam ediyordu.

Sonuç olarak;

6 yıldır kupa alamayan Fabregas yeni takımıyla 2. ya da 3. gününde kupa alıyor.

Süper kupa finallerinde Barça ya yenilmeyen Madrid "yenilmez" Mourinho ile yeniliyor.

Barça 3 kez üst üste bu kupayı alarak "los galacticos" un rekorunu kırıyor.

Gittiği her yerde sataşmalarıyla ve kupalarıyla ünlü, Special Mourinho, İspanya da sataşmalarına devam, kupalarına başka bir takıma gidene kadar ara veriyordu.

Bu yazımda beni "objektif" olmakla suçlayabilirsiniz ama benim baktığım çerçevede bunlar göründü.

Saygılar,

Barcelona-Malaga 4-1

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:20:00 +0200

Roberto Soldado," Barcelona is better than all the teams"

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:47:00 +0200

FC Barcelona - Barça Triplet per the FIFA Pilot d'Or

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:31:00 +0200

Wednesday training session

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:24:00 +0200

Bojan all clear, Jeffren out on Sunday

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:17:00 +0200

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Good news for FC Barcelona: neither of the two injuries sustained against Rubin Kazan by Bojan and Jeffren are serious. Bojan will be back training on Thursday and Jeffren will only miss one match.

Bojan spent the night under observation in Barcelona Hospital, but was released and told to get day’s rest, after which he can get back to normal training.

Jeffren misses match

Meanwhile, tests this morning on Jeffren show that he has a groin strain. He will miss the weekend match with Real Sociedad but should be able to train again next week.

22-man session

With Bojan and Jeffren out, as well as the also injured Milito, Josep Guardiola had 22 players at today’s training session, 16 from the first team and six from the reserves (Miño, Bartra, Fontàs, Thiago, Jonathan and Víctor Vázquez). As usual, the work was less intense for those that started the match against Rubin Kazan.

Three Champions League debuts

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:13:00 +0200

Roger Bogunyà

Now fewer than three Barça B players made their Champions League debuts against Rubin Kazann namely Bartra, Fontàs and Thiago. Here are some other curiosities surrounding the 2-0 win.

► Of the three debutants, just Thiago and Fontàs started. Bartra came on for Bojan in the second half.

► Jonathan dos Santos already played a few minutes in the Champions League at the end of the 2-0 match with Inter last year. But this was the Mexican’s first European start.

► Víctor Vázquez, scorer of the second goal last night, also had prior experience in the Champions. That came against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-3), in the 2008/09 season.

► Last night’s other scorer, Andreu Fontàs, got his first goal for the first team. He had played five games to date.

► In total, as many as ten reserves turned out against Rubin Kazan.

► Pinto, coming off a two-match suspension, played his second Champions League match on Tuesday. He has yet to concede a goal and this season, in his four appearances, Barcelona have won.

► Busquets played the whole game at centre back and was the player who recovered the most balls (15).

► Gerard Piqué is the only Barça player who has started every match in the Champions League group stage.

► The team has now gone two games without getting any cards, and against Rubin Kazan, Barça only committed three fouls.

► It is now five games since Barcelona conceded a goal. The last was Nilmar’s for Villarreal (3-1).

Bartra pleased with European call

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 17:06:00 +0200

Marc Bartra could not hide his delight after playing in FC Barcelona's Champions League victory against Rubin Kazan on Tuesday evening after going on as a substitute in Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana finished the 2-0 triumph with ten youngsters on the pitch and they all showed that they are capable of playing at the highest level. Bartra stepped in at full-back and looked completely at home. "When I was younger I played as a full-back and I feel fine in that position," he explained. "What is important is to continue growing slowly and do what the coach asks of you."

First team
Bartra completed 42 passes during the game, had one shot and recovered the ball on seven occasions. "I think that if we continue to keep our feet on the ground then one day if we are needed for the first team then they will call us," he explained to Barça TV.

Ballon d’Or trio

During the game Bartra was on the field as some of Barça's star players including the three Ballon d'Or finalists Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi. "The three all deserve it," he added. "They are the best and I cannot compare myself because they are from another planet."

Below is what some of the other players said after the Rubin game:

Fontàs
"I am very pleased, on the pitch it all changes."

"The whole team helped me along."

"I am very happy, delighted. The game was very difficult."

"Out there I felt very comfortable. I feel good and everyone is marvellous

"The youth team players continue to work well."

Busquets
"It was a defensive game. Rubin played with six defenders and it was tough."

"We have played with the same style that we have had all season."

"Now we do not know who we will play next, but the best teams in the Champions League are now left."

Pinto
"I whistled in this game, just like I always do."

"To play in the Champions League is a bonus and I am pleased."

"Our defence was stronger than what Rubin had and they only had a couple of chances."

Mascherano

"Rubin defend well tactically and it is difficult to move through them."

"I always try to do my best because in this club you have to do that every day."

"Destiny will decide who win the Champions League, but I want to go into February with all the players and with no injuries."

"I am from the outside and I can see the other way, but the Barça youth system is historic."

Piqué
"It was not a great game for the fans."

"It was important for me because it was my first game as captain of the first team and it was a proud moment after so many years supporting this club."

"You have to move the ball a lot more against Rubin, above all to create chances."

"The youth system is a credit to everyone for a job well done."

"I have no preference for the Ballon d'Or and the prize should be divided between all three of them."

"It is a pleasure to see Víctor (Vázquez) in the first team because since we were young we have played in the same team, he deserves his chance."

Víctor Vázquez
"I played with Piqué and Messi some time ago and I am delighted to be back with them tonight."

"I think I played well and it is true that I am very pleased to play with the first team and with my goal."

"Pep Guardiola told me that he was pleased with me and that he felt I had a good game.

Guardiola pleased with group display

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 16:58:00 +0200

Anna Segura

Pep Guardiola reflected on FC Barcelona's Champions League group stage campaign and admitted that he was pleased with the way his team has played and that they had finished on top of "a very hard group".

Barça had already clinched top spot before the last game of the first phase and they concluded in style with a 2-0 triumph on Tuesday evening with goals from Anreu Fontàs and Víctor Vázquez. The chance to field a number of youngsters and shadow players pleased the coach. "I am pleased by the way that everyone has played and the spirit that they have shown," Guardiola said.

Tough group
When the Blaugrana were drawn in their group Guardiola felt that it would be a tough test given that all the other sides came from northern Europe. "They are always difficult because they are at the top," he continued. "I am delighted with how things went in the group. We finished undefeated for the first time in three years and I think the team deserves a great deal of merit."

Youth action
On the youth starlets that stepped up and performed at the highest level Guardiola was content. "They played well," he commented. "They have a great road ahead of them. The game was good to see how they would react and they did so with great seriousness. They all played at a very good level."

Vázquez and Fontàs
Vázquez came on early as a substitute and scored and that pleased the trainer. "I am happy for them all, but especially for Víctor," he said. After all his injuries the youngster has bounced back and Guardiola was particularly pleased. "He deserves his chance," he added.

Fontàs netted the first goal and the coach stated: "He had an extraordinary second half and is a very intelligent player."

Top draw

The draw for the next round of the Champions League takes place on December 17 and Guardiola has no preference as to which team Barça are drawn against. "Now they are all strong," he said. "When you pass the group stage there are no easy sides."

Guardiola’s best group stage

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 16:53:00 +0200

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona head into the next stage of the Champions League after the team secured their best record in the group stages since Pep Guardiola took over as head coach.

The Blaugrana boss has seen his side improve their performance at this stage in each of his three seasons and this year they won 14 points after clinching 13 last term and 11 two seasons ago.

Four wins

Barça are considered to be favourites to win the tournament and they are living up to that billing with performances on the pitch. Four wins and two draws, against Rubin and Copenhagen away, while maintaining a 100 per cent record at Camp Nou has been impressive.

Goals have come in abundance too with 14 scored and just three conceded.

No losses

It is also the first time in three seasons that FC Barcelona have completed the group stage of the competition without losing any matches. In 2008/09 they were beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk at home, 2-3, and last term went down in Camp Nou against Rubin Kazan, 1-2.

Fourth time

Victory on Tuesday also marked Barça's first triumph against Rubin as they had lost one and drawn twice in their previous three meetings with the Russian league team.

FCB-Rubin Kazan (2-0) Match Photos

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 16:48:00 +0200

Barça overcome defensive Rubin (2-0)

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 16:41:00 +0200

Jordi Clos

FC Barcelona completed their Champions League group campaign with a comfortable win against Rubin Kazan in Camp Nou on Tuesday evening thanks to goals from young duo Andreu Fontàs and Víctor Vázquez.

Pep Guardiola's team faced another tough examination against European opposition as their Russian league visitors arrived in Catalunya determined to employ a rigorous defensive system.

Before the game Rubin had the chance to still make it through to the first knockout round of the competition if FC Copenhagen lost or drew against Panathinaikos, while Barça had secured top spot in Group D after defeating the Greeks side last time out. Instead, FC Copenhagen won in Denmark and the Blaugrana put paid to any thoughts Kurban Berdyev's side had of causing a surprise and the Russian outfit will not continue their continental challenge in Europe League after Christmas.

Numbers back

Victory did not look like something that the away team felt that they could realistically achieve and even the Rubin goalkeeper, Sergei Ruzhikov, began to try to run down the clock from early in the encounter. With a line of five or six players in front of him, the visitors' custodian looked on as the task was left to the home team to try and break down the barrier. Barça broke free and used a 3-4-3 system with Maxwell and Adriano pushing and Sergio Busquets sitting in the centre of defence was surprise in itself.

Few chances

The outlook was identical to the previous three meetings between the two teams with FC Barcelona completely dominating and looking for any space that they could while Rubin remained very well organised and disciplined and hoped to find a way out on the counter-attack. Just like in the other three games also, chances were at a premium.

Enforced changes

Early on Guardiola was forced to make changes as Jeffren Suárez suffered a knock after just 11 minutes and Bojan Krkic did the same with 33 minutes on the clock. Vázquez was on first and he was followed by B team starlet Marc Bartra as the home team maintained control of the ball and enjoyed 80 per cent of the possession.

Opening goal

Thiago Alcántara showed why he is so highly rated at the club as he cut in from the right before laying the ball back for Fontàs six minutes after the half-time break and the defender scored on his Champions League debut. The shot did take a deflection off Vitali Kaleshin and left Ryzhikov stranded, but the scorer was not complaining as he wheeled away in celebration.

Youth production

Lionel Messi made way for Jonathan just after the hour mark and looked on from the bench as Barça netted a second with seven minutes remaining. Adriano set Vázquez free and the youngster curled the ball past the keeper. On a night when Barça had little at stake the hosts were able to prove that the youth production line is still working well as a number of hopefuls showed that they can play at the highest level.

FC Barcelona - Rubin Kazan Match Highlights And Goals HD

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Messi's 2010 in images

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 19:35:00 +0200

Iniesta's 2010 in images

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 19:28:00 +0200

Xavi's 2010 in images

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 19:22:00 +0200

Three Barça players in Ballon d'Or Final

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 19:16:00 +0200

FCB-Rubin Kazan: did you know ... ?

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 16:18:00 +0200

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça play Rubin Kazan at the Nou Camp in the final Champions League Group D game on Tuesday. Sure, you knew that, but did you know.....?

- Barça come into the game with top spot assured, but Rubin need to do better than Copenhagen to get through to the next round, as the Danes lead them by a point.

- Rubin Kazan and Chelsea are the only teams who have faced Guardiola’s Barça and remain unbeaten.

- Rubin pulled off one of the biggest surprises of last year when they beat Barça 1-2 at the Nou Camp, a defeat which didn’t stop Barça from finishing top of the group though.

- That win remains the only time Rubin have won on the road in the Champions League.

- This could be the first time under Guardiola that the team finish the group stage unbeaten.

- With six goals, Messi is the competition’ second highest scorer alongside Mario Gómez (Bayern Munich).With one goal more, Samuel Eto’o leads the scorers.

- Messi is Barça’s leading goal scorer in the Champions League with a total of 31 goals in 49 games.

-Messi has also had the second highest number of shots in the competition this season (13).

- Piqué is the only Barça player under threat of suspension, whilst Pinto is again available after his two game ban. For Rubin, Kaleshin has seen two yellows so far.

- Barça are the team with the highest average possession -70 %, followed by Bayern with 63%.

- Rubin Kazan’s star signing Carlos Eduardo, has met up with Dani Alves in the Brazilian squad.

- The Russian league finished on November 28th with Rubin third after a goalless draw in their final game with Lokomotiv Moscow, to maintain their unbeaten run of games in the second half of the season.

The first Barça-Rubin of the day-Photos

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 16:07:00 +0200

Training session before the match-Training Photos

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0200

Out to beat Rubin this time

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 12:12:00 +0200

Jordi Clos

Barça, who are already qualified as Group D winners for the next round, close off the group stage with a home game against Rubin Kazan this evening (20.45 h, TVE1 i R@dio Barça), a team that they have yet to beat in their previous three meetings.

Tonight’s game may not have any relevance for Barça’s qualification for the next round, but Guardiola’s team always like to challenge themselves and tonight the objective must be to beat for the first time a Rubin Kazan team who have twice held them to a draw and last year beat them at the Nou Camp.

History

The two teams were drawn together in the group phase last year and after a shock 1-2 win at the Nou Camp. Rubin then held Barça to a goalless draw in Kazan, with Coach Berdyev putting in place an impenetrable defensive system in both those games. This season, Barça went first to Kazin and were again held to a draw (1-1), which makes tonight’s game the chance for Guardiola’s team to record their first win against Rubin in four attempts, and in the process finish the group phase unbeaten.

Team news

Guardiola has decided to rest Alves, Xavi, Villa, Pedro and Keita for the game, with Gaby Milito also missing out through injury, and in their place he has brought in five youngsters from the B team: Bartra, Fontàs, Thiago, Jonathan dos Santos and Víctor Vázquez.

Form guide

Barça have hit top form over the last month or so and, discounting the Catalan Cup triangular, have won all of their last seven games, with 19 goals scored in the last four games and none conceded.

Kazan finished the Russian season at the end of November, finishing third, and are now completely focussed on a game they must take something from if they are to move forward in this competition. They are currently one point behind Copenhagen, who play Panathinaikos and must better the Danes’ result tonight if they are to go through.

Iniesta’s 2010

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 23:19:00 +0200

Iniesta’s story is one of a player who never gives up. Despite an injury marred 2010, Iniesta came into the South African World Cup in top form and his winning goal and celebration just showed what an honest player he is.

1 January: Iniesta is given the medical all clear after picking up an injury in the final of the World Club Cup on December 16th 2009.

19 January: Sets a record of 17 months without losing with Barça whenever he is in the team.

6 February: Still only 25, Iniesta makes his 200th league appearance – a 2-1 win against Getafe.

20 February: Gets his first goal of the season in his 300th game for the club, as Barça run out 400 winners over Racing.

27 March: During the 0-1 win over Mallorca, Iniesta suffers a small tear in his right thigh.

5 April: Again given the all clear to play by club doctors.

13 April: Suffers another muscle tear in training.

16 May: Iniesta re-appears as Barça lift their 20th La Liga title with a 4-0 win over Valladolid.

20 May: Vicente del Bosque names him in the Spanish squad for South Africa.

8 June: Suffers another muscle strain during the friendly between Spain and Poland, but is passed fit for the start of the World Cup.

16 June: Swiss full back Lichtsteiner hits him with a bad tackle that sees him limp off a Spain go down 0-1.

21 June: Misses Spain’s 2.0 win over Honduras.

25 June: Iniesta hits top form as he and Villa both score in the 1-2 win over Chile that sees Spain through to the knock out stage.

29 June: Iniesta, Xavi and Villa combine for the only goal against Portugal that send s Spain into the quarter finals.

3 July: Once again sets up the winning goal on the win against Paraguay.

7 July: With Iniesta playing all 90 minutes, Spain reach their first World Cup Final.

11 July: Iniesta’s greatest moment as he scores the winner to bring the World Cup back to Spain with an injury time strike. His celebration involves showing his T-shirt on which is written a dedication to the much missed Espanyol captain Dani Jarque - ‘Dani Jarque, siempre con nosotros’.

12 July: Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero pays special praise to Iniesta before the team begin their celebratory parade through the streets of Madrid: “if the captain and the rest of the players will let me, I’d like to especially congratulate a person who represents like nobody else, the essence of good football and human quality. There is no better reference point for us than Iniesta. Thank you Andres for remembering Dani on such an unforgettable day”.

9 August: Iniesta, the only World Cup winner not called up for Spain’s friendly with Mexico, begins the pre-season with Barça, after just 29 days of holiday.

21 August: Plays his first game of the 2010/11 season, as the team come back from their first
leg defeat to beat Seville 4-0 in the second leg to take the Spanish Super Cup.

29 August: First league game and first goal of the season for Iniesta as he makes it 0-2 with a great goal in the 0-3 win against Racing Santander.

16 October: Another goal starts the comeback against Valencia (2-1).

11 November: Four months after his goal, Iniesta presents his T-shirt with his message to Dani Jarque to Espanyol in a wonderful gesture of solidarity.

20 November: Iniesta gets the second goal in Barça’s 0-8 win over Almeria. When Iniesta is free from injuries, nobody can stop him!

29 November: He sets up Xavi for Barça’s opening in the demolition of Real Madrid.

6 December: Iniesta is named amongst the three candidates for the FIFA Pilota d’Or. So far, he has played in every league game of the season.

Xavi’s 2010

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 23:15:00 +0200

Xavi Hernandez is Barça’s and Spain’s man in charge on the pitch, dictating the game with his brilliant passing and possession. It’s been a great year for the Catalan and below are some of the highlights.

13 January: The IFFHS names Xavi as the best midfield playmaker in the world for 2009.

13 January: A few hours later, a brilliant strike from Xavi wasn’t quite enough to avoid Barça being knocked out of the Spanish up by Seville.

23 January: Scores the opening goal in the 0-3 win over Valladolid.

6 February: Xavi scores again, this time in the 2-1 win over Getafe after the team had played with 10 men for more than half of the game.

15 February: Suffers a muscle injury in his right leg.

23 February: Xavi is back for the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the game against Stuttgart in the Champions League.

25 February: The Ajuntament de Terrassa, Xavi’s hometown Council, awards him the Medal of Honour of the City.

14 March: With the 3-0 win against Valencia, Xavi equals Migueli’s record of wins with the team -195- whilst playing 49 fewer games.

17 March: Xavi suffers another muscle injury and misses the second leg against Stuttgart(4-0)

27 March: Comes on for 30 minutes in Mallorca(0-1).

31 March: Xavi leads the team in one of their best performances of the season, the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, setting up Ibra’s second goal.

8 April: Xavi receives the Terrassa Medal of Honour.

10 April: Another exhibition at the Bernabeu where he sets up both Barça’s goals from Pedro and Messi in the 0-2 win.

17 April: Plays in his 10th derby game in the goalless draw at Cornellà-El Prat .

24 April: The 3-1 win against Xerez is Xavi’s 200th La Liga victory.

1 May: A brilliant free kick gives Barça their second goal in the 1-4 defeat of Villarreal and marks a massive step towards retaining the league title.

8 May: Xavi sees his fifth yellow in the 2-3 win at Seville and is suspended for the final league game against Valladolid.
16 May: The win in the final game gives Xavi his fifth league title – only Ramallets and Guardiola, with six, have won more.

20 May: Vicente del Bosque names him in the Spain squad for South Africa.

9 June: Barça and Xavi agree a contract extension until 2014 and possibly 2016. “I want to retire here”, he declares.

16 June: Plays full 90 minutes in shock defeat to Switzerland.

21 June: Plays 65 minutes in the win over Honduras (2-0).

25 June: Xavi leads Spain to 2-1 win over Chile to seal place in the knock out stages.

29 June: A lovely ball to Villa sets up the Spain striker for the only goal on the win over Portugal. Xavi is voted man of the match by FIFA.

3 July: Spain get through to the semis by beating Paraguay 1-0.

7 July: Xavi sends over the corner that Puyol heads home to book a place in the World Cup Final. The goal is a carbon copy of the 1-2 at the Bernabeu in the 2-6 win. Is again voted man of the match.

11 July: Leads Spain’s final win, playing the full 120 minutes in the 1-0 win over Holland.

12 July: Xavi finishes the 2010/11 season with an astonishing 63 games played.

12 August: With his summer holidays over, Xavi joins up with the squad for pre-season training.

16 August: Together with Valdés, Piqué and Messi, he is named as one of the 12 players selected for the UEFA awards.

18 August: Marks 12 years since his debut with the first team against Mallorca.

21 August: Makes his season debut by winning another title, the Spanish Super Cup, as the team come back from a 3-1 first leg defeat to beat Seville 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

25 September: Scores in the 1-3 win at San Mames.

1 October: Suffers an Achilles tendon injury which keeps him out of the next few games.

5 October: Wins the first edition of the Catalan Sports Prize.

6 October: Xavi again received honours from the Ajuntament de Terrassa.

16 October: A brilliant one-two with Iniesta equalises in the 2-1 win over Valencia.

22 October: Xavi misses the game in Zaragoza and is the club’s representative in picking up the Premio Príncepes d’Astúries as part of the Spain team.

29 November: Scores the opening goal and dictates play throughout in Barça’s 5-0 thrashing of Real Madrid.

6 December: Xavi is named as one of the three candidates for the FIFA Pilota d’Or.

Guardiola: "the job is done”

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 23:11:00 +0200

Anna Segura

In his pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola admitted that the Rubin game was not quite as important as the previous group games, given that “the job is already done” and Barça are guaranteed top spot.

Quizzed about his squad selection, with six first teamers absent Guardiola insisted however, that: “we have to keep up our good form and I want everyone to participate. We are group winners again and the job is done, but out of respect, we will trying to play our dynamic game and making the maximum number of chances”, the boss explained.

Balón de Oro success
The Balón de Oro nomination of Iniesta, Xavi and Messi is according to Guardiola “a tremendous success of an enormous dimension. They’ll share it with the rest of the squad because they’ve all contributed”. Guardiola also had words of praise for Iniesta and Xavi’s Spanish managers Del Bosque and Aragones: “who also played their part in this”. As to his own nomination as Manager of the Year, Guardiola commented: “the theory that Barça is good for us all continues to be true”.

Pamplona
Guardiola was again questioned about Saturday’s travel arrangements to Pamplona and the criticism that has been aimed at himself and the club and he was adamant: “everyone gave their opinion and after the game I set out exactly what happened. The Club and the Federation ratified what I said. I don’t feel isolated on this, I feel very protected”.

Abidal: “we always play to win”

laliga-barca.blogspot@hotmail.com (Omarado) — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 23:07:00 +0200

Aida Soriano

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Rubin, Éric Abidal, insisted that even though classification is already assured, “it’s important that the team keep on winning”.

“They are a difficult team to play against and to beat” according to the French defender, who continued: “they sit back and soak up the pressure and then hit you on the break”.

“We’ll do everything to win”

Top spot may already be in the bag, but Abidal was adamant that “the Champions League is special and we always play to win. We are playing well and will do everything to win this game. We are professionals and football is our job. We are on a good run and it’s important that we keep winning”.

Pamplona trip
Abidal was also quizzed about the events surrounding last Saturday’s trip to Pamplona and he commented: “these things happen. We are just footballers, we waited and finally went by train and coach –it was no problem”.

Happy for Messi, Xavi and Iniesta
Abidal also took the opportunity to congratulate his three team mates who have been nominated for the FIFA Pilota d’Or 2010 :“it’s important for them and a just reward. They are key players for us and we are very happy because one of the three will win the prize. We’ll be happy for whichever one of them wins”.

Best manager? Guardiola
Although he has no favourites amongst his three team mates (“if I could I’d give it to all three of them. They are all great players and should win”), Abidal was very clear about who should win the Manager of the Year award: “I’d choose the boss because he’s my coach and the best manager there is”.

“I want to stay here”

Finally, Abidal commented on his contract negotiations: “my contract finishes in 2012. I want to stay here, I feel good and this is the best team in the world”.