Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Guardiola: “We’ll be competing right up to the end"


01-14-2012 13:56

The Barça manager stressed at his Saturday press conference that “there are 63 points left toplay for and we’d like to believe that we still have a chance to win the leagueâ€

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

Praise for Sergio Busquets

If he gets a run out against Betis, Sergio Busquets will reach a century of league appearances for FC Barcelona. Guardiola handedBusquets his first team debut in his first season as Barça manager. On Saturday he told us: "If I was reincarnated as a player, I'd like to be like him. He's the best defensive central midfielder inthe world. Barça has a priceless player."


Pep Guardiola is not throwing in the towel in thefight for the league title despite the five-point lead enjoyed by Real Madrid: "People should know that I am convinced that we'll be competing right up to the end. After that, whether we win or not I can't control." However,Guardiola has a lot of faith in his players' ambition: "There are 63 points left to play for – that's a lot of points and my sole objective is to get across to the players that we have to make these 63 points count. We've got a chance so why shouldn't we go for it?"


La Liga the priority

Right from the beginning of his tenure as first team manager, Guardiola has always asserted that the La Liga is the most important competition. On Saturday, he emphasised this once again: "It's our bread and butter, and it's what keeps you in good shape for the other competitions." That's why he sees this weekend's match against Betis as important preparation for the Cup duel against Real Madrid. But whatever happens in that Cup tie, Guardiola is determined not to be distracted from the league title: "There'll be no time to feelsorry for ourselves. If we don't react well we'll find ourselves out of the race for the league."


Guardiola expecting a good match


Although the Seville based club was only promoted to the 1st Division at the end of last season, Guardiola knows Betis well, having taken them on in last season's Kings Cup. "They've got the same manager and some skilfulplayers - they're good on the offensive." He also compared the Andalus team's style of play with Barça's last opponent, Osasuna: "They've got more combination play, different ways of moving the ball up field, they can unsettle you, they play for each other and the goalkeeper is very intuitive – and they've won their last three".


Youth the best policy

Pressure on the Barça squad is increasing as Andreu Fontàs and Pedro join Villa and Afellay on the injury list while Keita is away at the Africa cup of Nations and Maxwell has completed a move to French club PSG. However, Guardiola insists that he's not looking to bring in reinforcements from outside the Club: "We'll stick with these players to the end. It's not a good idea to look to the transfer market because new players have to settle in and it costs money. The reserves are the cheapest, most productive and sustainable solution."

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Spotlight on Betis


01-14-2012 18:02

Barça’s opponents on Sunday, Real Betis, are oneof the most historic clubs in Spain and although they only got back into the top flight this season,they won the 4th ever Spanish League in 1935 and in more recent times the Spanish Cup in 1977 and 2005.

Molina, Castro and Isidoro - Photo: FCB Archive


History

Betis spent two seasons in the second division before winning the league title and promotion in 2011 and in their last league game at the Camp Nou in 2009, they lost 3-2, with Eto’o (2) and Gudjohnson getting the Barça goals, whilst the 1-1 draw they managed in Barcelona in 2007– with a last gasp equaliser from Sobis - handed Real Madrid a league lead they never gave up. Last season Betis lost 5-0 to Barça in the Spanish Cup in Barcelona, though they inflicted a rare defeat on Guardiola’s team in the return leg.


This season so far

Betis made a great start to the season and won their first three games to go top of the table before reality set in and they went on a disastrous run of ten games in which they managed just one draw and nine defeats and dropped intothe relegation fight. They seemed to have turned around that horrible run and despite getting knocked out of the Cup by second division teamCordoba, they have won their last three league games against Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Sporting to move into a comfortable 10th place on 22 points.


Ones to watch

Betis look likely to start with their leading scorer Ruben Castro and Paraguayan Roque Santa


Cruz up front. Castro has bagged five goals so far this season – though he managed 27 in last year’s promotion winning campaign – and is a well travelled, experienced front man, as is Santa Cruz, who as well as being his country’s leading scorer, has played in three World Cups.


Santa Cruz signed from Manchester City in August 2011, having previously made his name in the Premier with Blackburn Rovers after signing from Bayern Munich.


Coach

Pepe Mel was a player at Betis between 1989 and 1993 and rejoined the club as coach in 2010 when he took them to the second division title and promotion and has made his name as manager who likes to bring in youngsters and plays an open attacking game. His ambition is clear and he has claimed: “I’m 48 and I know I have things still to achieve. I’m excited at the prospect of Betis becoming well known in Europe – well known for our young President, young coach and young players. It’s not a short term thing, but we want the Champions League music to be heard at our groundâ€. In 2011 he publishedhis first novel El Mentiroso -The Liar.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona v Betis: The first 3 of 63


Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Guardiola was upbeat about regaining the lost ground and stressed, “there are still 63 points left to play forâ€


With a number of players missing due to injury or international commitments, Guardiola has turned to the reserves to complete a squad containing just 15 senior players
01-15-2012 10:00

What better place than the Camp Nou to get back on the right track for the league title after the draw against Espanyol, and prove that Barça are very much still in the running to lift the league title for the fourth year on the bounce? FC Barcelona welcomes Betis to the Camp Nou (Canal + and Radio Barça) for the opening home league match of the year. According to Guardiola, it has all the signs of being "a very good game". Betis was one of three teams promoted to the 1st division at the end of last season but the truth is the Andalus club feels right at home in the top flight. And for the lucky fans in the stadium the spectacle will begin evenbefore the referee blows his whistle when the players parade the World Club Cup - and Leo Messi his 'Golden Ball'.

A depleted squad


Barça goes into the match will a number of important players missing. Fontàs has joined Villa and Afellay on the injury list and will require surgery, while Pedro will be sidelined forabout 10 days. In addition Keita left this week for the Africa Cup of Nations and Maxwell completed his move to PSG. All this has left the manager with just 15 senior players. However, Guardiola is Barça through and through and is convinced that the youngsters from Barça B are the best reinforcements possible. This week he has been working with Cuenca, Jonathan dos Santos, Sergi Roberto and Montoya, the last two being included in the starting line-up against Osasuna.


No players to be rested

Despite the prospect of next week's Kings Cup match against Real Madrid, Guardiola will not beholding back any of his key players against Betis. At the pre-match press conference he made it clear that his priority is the league – "it's the most important competition" – and he is well aware that the team has little room for error if they are to catch up with Real Madrid: "We don't gamble on the next game because it doesn't guarantee it will go well". As proof of his convictions, Alves and Iniesta are back in the squad after missing last Thursday's Cup game in Pamplona.


Betis back in form

In recent weeks, Betis seem to be getting back to the form that took them to the top group in the league table in the early part of the season. They've won their last three, including victories against Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Pepe Mel, the manager who brought them up from the 2nddivision and took on Barça in the Cup last season,welcomes back Salva Sevilla from injury. Mario, Juanma and Santa Cruz are all also available. However, influential midfielder Beñat is serving a match ban and has not travelled to Barcelona.

FCB,


Aleix Santacana

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona-Betis: Three vital points (4-2)



Barça beat Betis 4-2 at the Camp Nou tonight after the Seville team had fought back from 2-0 down in the second half. Xavi, Messi (2) and Alexis were on target for Barça


Betis’ two goals were the first the team have conceded at home in the league this season


01-15-2012 23:40

In a hard fought game, won with two late goals,Barça took three important points from their clash with Betis. After taking an early lead through Xavi and Messi in the first quarter of an hour, Barça saw Betis fight back with a goal before the break and an equaliser in the second half. At 2-2, the visitors were reduced to 10 men and Alexis and Messi, from the penalty spot, made sure of the points which leave Guardiola's men still in the fight for the title, five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.


The team offered their latest trophy – the FIFA Club World Cup – to the fans and Messi also showed off his Ballon D'Or award before going on to show just why he's considered the world's best player.


Two goals in three minutes

Just as they had done in last season's Cup game at the Camp Nou, Betis came into the game determined to attack and not just sit back and wait for Barça to come at them. Their bold attitude was very nearly rewarded early on, when Jorge Molina broke free of his marker and was only denied by Valdes' legs when he was clear on the keeper. Barça soon hit back though, with two goals within two minutes from Xavi and Messi to take a two goal lead after just 15 minutes.


Betis refuse to lie down

The visitors didn't let their heads drop though and showed that they were determined to go toe to toe with the World Champions enjoying much more possession than most teams who come to the Camp Nou. Their first goal came after a long period of control on the ball, when Castro tapped in from close range on 32 minutes to set up a tasty looking second half .


Santa Cruz equaliser

There were two interesting changes at half time, with Alves coming on for Cuenca and SantaCruz replacing Iriney – who'd picked up a yellow and come close to a second just before the break. The change worked well for Betis when the Paraguayan striker fired in a perfectly placed right foot drive from the edge of the box to level the scores on 52 minutes.


Alexis gives Barça the lead again

The crowd now got really behind the team and they in turn moved up a gear as they laid siege to the Betis goal. It looked as if Iniesta had won a penalty when he was brought down in the box,but the ref somehow managed to show the Barça midfielder a yellow for diving instead! There was no doubt in his mind instants later though, when Mario hacked down Messi on the edge of the box and the Betis man duly received his second yellow and his marching orders. Barçawere quick to take advantage of their numericalsuperiority and after some great work from Xavi,Alexis gave them the lead again.


With the lead established and Betis struggling with 10 men, Dorado handled in the box and Messi gratefully fired home the resulting penaltyto seal three vital points that keep Barça very much alive in the chase for yet another league title.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

[size="+3"]50 games straight without losing with Puyol on the pitch[/size]


[size="+2"]www.fcbarcelona.cat 01-16-2012 00:06


The captain has turned into Barça's talisman: 42 victories and 8 draws with Puyol on the pitch

Puyol against Betis / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB

With the victory this Sunday against Real Betis , Carles Puyol takes his unbeaten streak to 50 games. The last loss the Barça captain had to endure was the game on April 20th of 2010 against Inter Milan in the Champions League.


20 months

After the loss to Inter and tonight’s win against Betis (4-2), the Azulgranas have won a total of 42 games and tied 8 in the last 50 matches with Puyol on the pitch. The run began 20 months ago. When Puyol lines up with his fellow defenders the Azulgranas don’t lose. At 33, and successfully overcoming the injury that kept him away from the pitch last year, Barça’s captain is an integral part of Guardiola’s plans. 50 games without losing, it’s turing into a guarantee.

FCB[/size]

 

[Classik]

Josep Guardiola reaches his 100th win in the Liga since he arrived in 2008


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With the win against Betis, the Barça boss reaches his 100th win in the Liga since he arrived to manage the first team in 2008


He’s the manager that has required the least amount of games to reach the century mark (132)

Guardiola on the sideline / PHOTO: ARCHIVO FCB


Pep Guardiola continues to make history. With FC Barcelona’s victory against Betis this Sunday, the Barça boss reached his 100th victory in the Liga since he took the hot seat in August of 2008.


57 at home, 43 away

The game against Betis was special for Guardiola for obvious reasons, it was the manager’s 100th win in the Liga: 57 wins at home and 43 away from the Camp Nou. In the three and a half season that Guardiola has coached Barça, he hasn’t stopped winning titles: three Ligas, two Champions Leagues, one King’s Cup, two European Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups and two Club World Cups. The manager can now add this century to his long listof accomplishments.

Furthermore, Guardiola has reached 100 wins in 132 games, an astounding win average of 76%. In other words, with Pep at the helm, Barça wins three out of every four games.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Sergio Busquets reaches 100 games for Barça in the Liga


www.fcbarcelona.cat 01-15-2012 23:24


Busquets played his 100th game for Barça in the Liga tonight in the match against Betis at the Camp Nou


Guardiola only has good things to day about his midfielder: “He’s the best defensive midfielder in the worldâ€

Busquets, on the day of his debut in 2008 / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB

Busquets' 100 games: 78 victories, 18 draws andonly 4 defeats


The game against Betis this Sunday was special for Sergio Busquets as he finished his 100th game for FC Barcelona in the Liga. The midfielder, with only 23 years of age, has an enviable list of accomplishments: three Ligas, two Champions Leagues, one King’s Cup, two European Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups and two Club World Cups.


Fourth season in the first team

Busquest made his debut for the first team in theleague game against Racing on September 13th in 2008, he was a starter and played the whole 90 minutes. Since then, Sergio Busquets has turned into a permanent fixture in Guardiola’s lineups. The manager’s appreciation for the midfielder is evident as Guardiola said just yesterday that “he’s the best defensive midfielder in the world. I’m with Del Bosque in that, if I were to every play again, I’d like to play like him.†He went on to characterize Busquets as a “priceless player.†Guardiola isn’t the only manager that Busquets has impressed over the years, he features in Vicente del Bosque’s national side lineups on a regular basis.


He was key in Guardiola’s Barça B

Sergio Busquets arrived at the Barça reserves in the summer of 2005 from Jabac. He played a couple of seasons with the U17 A side before moving up to Guardiola’s Barça B. He was one of Barça’s key players in Barça B's category-promotion season to Segunda B. After that season, he played for the first team in the Copa Catalonia in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “If this team has anything, it's that they don't relaxâ€

01-16-2012 00:56

The manager highlights the team's commitment,saying that "it would be impossible to win everything they've won if they didn't behave theway they do"


Bartomeu congratulates both teams

Josep Maria Bartomeu recognized the effort thatthe team put in throughout the 90 minutes of play to win tonight’s 3 point against a Betis side that “played a great game.†The sporting vice-resident noted that winning isn’t a simple thing. “Every game will be difficult because the rivals also put in a good effort and it isn’t easy to win the Liga. We’ve seen this over the last couple of years.†On Real Madrid’s point advantage, Bartomeu believes that there are “many points still up for grabs†and that he’s confident that the team will “fight on and work like always†to cut into Madrid’s lead.


On the Cup clásico Bartomeu said that it’s “appetizing†to play against Madrid. “Madrid is playing great football but we are too. The team is motivated.†He’s anticipating a great match seeing that “both teams are the best in the world.â€


“They have to do a pretty poor job for me to doubt their commitment and level of relaxation.†Pep Guardiola believes in these players 100%, and in turn his players have always shown that they never give up on a game. Tonight’s match against Betis, where the team fought until the end to secure the three points, is sufficient enough proof for the Barça manager to say “if anything this team doesn’t relax.†He added that “it’s impossible to win everything we’ve won if they didn't behave the way they do.†In addition he explained that “I haven’t seen any symptoms of them not wantingto try until the end, to win all the titles in play.â€


The first goal at home in the Liga

To show that the team possesses the right attitude, Guardiola pointed out an interesting fact about tonight’s game: it took 18 matches in the Liga at the Camp Nou for FCB to concede a goal. “This happens if you work hard and if you behave the way you are supposed to behave.†He warned that even though supporters may be accustomed to watching Barça rout their opposition at the Camp Nou that “in sport it isn’t so comfortable,†therefore, “rivals create problems for you and you must overcome them.â€


“We’ll appeal Iniesta’s yellow cardâ€

During the post-game press conference, Guardiola stated that the Club will appeal the yellow card shown to Andrés Iniesta after the referee ruled that the player had intentionally fallen in the area as opposed to being brought down. “Normally we don’t appeal these things, but we will on this one.â€


Thankful to the supporters

Pep Guardiola also wanted to thank the 69,889 supporters that came to the Camp Nou for the match. “It’s a stadium that’s always difficult to cheer in, but the 70,000 people helped us.†He hopes that from here until the end of the season that “they will help us so that we can do well in our matches.â€


The Cup clásico

This Wednesday Barça and Madrid will face off in the first game of the King’s Cup tie. Guardiola said that “in Madrid we will play with the playoff (mindset) not just a single game.†Despite having playd at the beginning of December in the League against Real Madrid, the manager explained that “we’ll look at Madrid’s variants in the last couple of matches†ahead of the Cup tie.

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Busquets: "In the second half we went on the attack and we were superior"


01-16-2012 01:05

The FC Barcelona players place high value on tonight's hard-fought victory over Betis, they also praised the effort put in by Pepe Mel's team


Like Guardiola, Andrés Iniesta hopes that his booking appeal is successful

Busquets celebrating a goal / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB


Training session on Monday

The next training session for the first team is scheduled for Monday at 11.00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Sant Joan Despí. Xavi Hernández will speak to the press.


Sergio Busquets celebrated his first century in the Liga with a victory. The midfielder said: “we knew how dangerous Betis was thanks to the Cup tie last year. We were lucky to have scored two quick goals because they are a good team .†With that said, the home-grown player highlighted Barça’s improvement in the second half: “in the second half we went on the attack with more players; we were superior and we managed to change the outcome of the game.†The midfielder recognized that he’s “very proudâ€of the praises he’s received from Guardiola over the past couple of days and that they help him “to continue working each day to improve.â€


Víctor Valdés also spoke about tonight’s game against Real Betis. The keeper said that they “play a similar style, of attack and passing. They played a fantastic game and they gave us a lot of problems in the first half , although we were superior in the second.†The keeper played down the fact that Barça couldn’t manage to keep a clean sheet at the Camp Nou for the first time this season, “ the important thing is winning the three points and we got them, the conceded goals don’t matter .â€


Iniesta: “I didn’t diveâ€

Iniesta also had words of praise for Betis: “we knew that it would be difficult because they are a great team. They are good in the air and they showed that throughout the game. When we needed more possession they drew level, but in the end we managed to secure the victory.†On the team’s performance, the midfielder said that“you have highs and lows in every game, you must try to minimize that as best you can.â€


On the play that got him a yellow card, Iniesta said: “ I hope they take the card away. I didn’t dive, they brought me down. Thankfully it played no part in the outcome of the game. â€


On the clásico in the Cup against Real Madrid next Wednesday, the player said that “it will be a beautiful game for the spectators and for the layers, I’m sure that it will be a beautiful and intense playoff.â€

FCB,

Luis Davó

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Round Up Week 18




Of the top ten teams in La Liga, only Barça, Madrid and Bilbao managed a win this weekendwith Valencia, Llevant, Osasuna, Malaga and Betis all losing and Espanyol getting a draw in Seville


At the other end of the table, Racing continue their revival, whilst things just get worse for Zaragoza and Villarreal

Muniain (Athletic Club)- Spanish League Round up

Real Madrid's 1-2 win in Mallorca was not without controversy, but in the end, second half goals from Higuain and Callejon were enough to wipe out Hemed's first half opener for Caparros' team and keep intact their five point lead at the top of the table. In contrast, Valencia slipped further behind the top two on Saturday when they went down 0-1 at home to Real Sociedad, with Emery's team perhaps paying the price for their Cup exertions and with Soldado and Jonas both rested ahead of the derby quarter final this week.



Bilbao up to fifth

Valencia are now seven points adrift of Barça, but stay four ahead of Llevant who were well beaten in Bilbao, where Fernando Llorente was back on the scoresheet with his seventh of the season in the 3-0 win. That win took Bilbao into fifth spot with 26 points, ahead of Osasuna on goal difference after the Pamplona team lost their unbeaten home record in the league on Sunday, going down 0-2 to Racing. The Santander team have not been beaten since Juanjo Gonzalez took over and their latest win means they've taken 11 points from their last 15 games and moved up to a relatively comfortable15th spot, two above the drop zone.


Points shared at Sanchez Pijuan

Seville and Espanyol are a point behind the two Basque teams after their goalless draw on Saturday. Pochettino was probably the happier of the two managers after the game, with Seville's Marcelino lamenting: "we were infinitely superior and it's not normal that after that great first half, with 11 clear chances, we went in without scoring". Malaga are also on 25 points, though they looked to have grabbed a point in Gijon when Ruud Van Nistelrooy got an 88th minute equaliser, only for a spectacular volley from Oscar Trejo on 92 minutes to give Sporting the win.


Zaragoza and Villarreal in deep trouble

Those three points for Preciado's team aren't enough to take them out of the bottom three, though they are just a point behind Granada and Mallorca and have opened a two point gap over Villarreal, with Zaragoza a further five adrift on 11. Villarreal's miserable season continues, as a campaign that started with Champions League football has now degenerated into a serious relegation fight, with their latest defeat to Atletico Madrid leaving them without a win since November. Falcao got two of Atletico's goals on Simeone's home debut in charge to take his tally to 11 so far this season. Zaragoza are in an even worse spot and their 1-1 draw at home to Getafe means they've won just 2 gamesthis season, with a measly 14 goals from their 18games.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Training focus switches to Madrid game

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The first team squad trained behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper this morning with the focus very much on Wednesday’s trip to the Bernabeu


The players who featured against Betis did somelight recovery work and Cuenca, Montoya, Sergi Roberto, Dos Santos, Oier, Armando, Sergi Gómez, Oriol Rosell, Gustavo and Kiko Femenía from Barça B joined the squad

Training session in Ciutat Esportiva / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

Pep Guardiola put the players through their paces in the first session of preparation for Wednesday night's game and without the injured Afellay, Villa and Pedro , who were busy on recovery work at the Ciutat Esportiva, as well as Keita who is away on international duty, he brought in 10 players from the Barça B squad - Cuenca, Montoya, Sergi Roberto, Jonathan dos Santos, Oier, Armando, Sergi Gómez, Oriol Rosell, Gustavo and Kiko Femenía .


Whilst those players who figured against Betis did recovery work, the rest had a more intense workout as attention turned to the Cup and the first of the Clasicos against Real Madrid.


The squad return to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for training on Tuesday afternoon at 18.00, again behind closed doors, after which Pep Guardiola will hold a press conference ahead of Wednesday's match.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Happy 32nd Birthday Seydou!

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça’s Mali midfielder - who is away with his national team at the African Nations Cup, is 32 today


January is a busy month for birthdays at the Camp Nou and this Monday it was Seydou Keita's. The midfielder has made 172 appearances in his three and a half years at the Club and scored 19 goals in that time and is currently preparing for Mali's opening fixture in the African Nations Cup against Ghana on January 24th.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Rosell offers his condolences after the death of Juan Carlos


www.fcbarcelona.cat

President Sandro Rosell lamented the death of the ex-Barça player and he had words of comfortfor his family: “We are with them, I wish them a lot of strengthâ€


Today is a sad day in Can Barça. FC Barcelona lost one of its most emblematic captains, Juan Carlos Pérez, this Monday. President Sandro Rosell lamented the captain’s death: “it’s sorrowful news for us. He died before his time, but that is life. I wish his family strength. We are with them. If they need anything, we are here for them.â€


For Rosell, he was a “referenceâ€

Mr. Rosell also said, on Barça TV, that Juan Carlos is an unforgettable figure in Barça’s long history:“we will always remember him as reference point for FC Barcelona in a time that was very difficult to be a part of Baça.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

Fontàs to be operated on this Saturday


www.fcbarcelona.cat


Defender will be operated on by Doctors Cugat and Pruna, who will then offer a press conference

Fontàs. Foto: arxiu FCB.


Andreu Fontàs will be operated on by Doctors Ramon Cugat and Ricard Pruna this Saturday for the ruptured cruciate ligament he suffered in Pamplona last Thursday.


After the operation, at approximately 13.00, both Doctors will hold a press conference at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Xavi: “we will be as bold as ever in the Bernabeuâ€


The Catalan midfielder has made it clear that the team won’t be taking a cautious approach on Wednesday at the Bernabeu: “we’ll try and attack and dominate possessionâ€


Xavi admitted that the games against Madrid: “have an extra motivational factorâ€

Xavi celebra el gol marcado al Betis / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB



400 games enjoying himself


The game against Betis marked Xavi's 400th league appearance for the Club, but he insists that: "personal and individual records are not in my mind – I just want collectively for us to continue winning, taking titles – that's the main objective for the squad this season. I just try and enjoy every day and I'm having a good time on the pitch and I have been given an extraordinaryrole."


If there's any Barça player who knows a lot about games against Madrid, it's Xavi Hernádez , who has been a member of the first team for thelast 13 years and he plumped for last season's 5-0 win as the best of the match ups, explaining:"it was pure Barça – excellent!" Wednesday will see another game and Xavi insisted that the fact that it's the first of a two legged tie doesn't mean the team won't: "be as bold as ever – we don't know how to go and play for a draw and we will aim to go out and attack. We'll play with our trademark style and philosophy, exciting, spectacular and looking for a goal – the more goals you score away from home, the better!"


Extra motivation


Xavi also reckons there will be no need for special incentive for the game: "these games have an extra motivational factor, which means the team are really fired up from the start. They are a historic rival and it's a special ground."


The Catalan also commented on Mourinho's team's current form: "they are now going toe to toe with us. They pressure us more up the pitch. Theirs is a very direct football, with players who can kill you on the break and are really fast up front."


Messi and Cristiano face to face again

The match will also see the top three players in FIFA's Ballon d'Or in action and as one of them, Xavi discussed the other two - Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo : "Leo will always make the difference. He's usually a decisive player and he's someone who grows with these games and likes playing in these games."


As for Madrid's main man, Xavi doesn't see him having a problem with the relative lack of goals of late: "strikers do have runs of scoring and sometimes they dry up, it's something a player gets used to –especially goalscorers."


"Busquets should have been in World XI"

Echoing Pep Guardiola 's comments on Saturday, Xavi was full of praise for Sergio Busquets and expressed his belief that: "he should have been in the FIFPro World XI. He's an extraordinary player and he rarely makes a mistake either in attack or defence. He gives us balance and is keyto our system. He's more valued by his fellow professionals than by the media. "

Referees

Finally, Xavi was quizzed about the recent decisions by referees that have denied the team what looked like clear penalties against Espanyol and Betis: "this year the ref's decisions have gone more against us, but last year it was the other way round. It's all just a part of the job."

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Barça-Bayer Leverkusen Tickets: The Champions League returns to the Camp Nou

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Enjoy the Champions League round of 16 return leg at the Camp Nou on March 7th

Members get a 20% discount

FCB - Bayer

Barça will play the return leg of the Champions League last-16 round at the Camp Nou on March 7th, at 20.45 . Barça will go head to head with Bayer Leverkusen for a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. If Barça can overcome theGermans, they will be one step closer to the finalin Allianz Arena in Munich.


FC Barcelona will put the tickets to game on sale this Tuesday, January 10 . Tickets start at 59€ , members can purchase the tickets at a 20% discount .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Tickets for the clasico: tickets on sale this Friday, January 13

WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 01-16-2012 15:43


Members can request tickets out of the 424 tickets available for the January 18 game at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid


The tickets for the home game at the Camp Nou will go on sale on January 17, members without season tickets have priority

Madrid-FCB, tickets

Real Madrid - FC Barcelona: tickets on sale this Friday


From this F riday 13th January at 10.00 until 19.00 on Sunday January 15th the application process for tickets for the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarter final at the Santiago Bernabéu will open at www.fcbarcelona.com .


The process is open exclusively for Club members and is only available via a form available in the Members section.

Each member may only make a single application, though it is possible to include up to four ticket applications on a single form if members are travelling together.


FC Barcelona have 624 tickets for this game, on sale at 40 Euros each . As usual, 85% are going on sale to members (424) and supporters clubs (106) , with the rest reserved for the Club's institutional and sporting commitments and sponsors.


Possible draw

All applications will be dealt with once the application process has closed. Should there be more applications than tickets available, a draw will be held by a local notary on January 16th between all the members' who have applied and the day after tickets will be distributed.


Application is considered a solid declaration of intent to purchase a ticket


When applying for a ticket, members will be asked to provide credit card details. If the ticket application is accepted, either directly or through winning the draw, the card will automatically and immediately be charged for the cost of the ticket. In the case of joint applications, details should only be given of one credit card, which will be charged the cost of all of the tickets requested. If the payment is rejected, the right to purchase is lost.


FC Barcelona – Real Madrid, non-season ticket holding members given priority


From Tuesday 17th January at 10.00 Club members without season tickets will be able to apply for tickets available for the second leg game between Barça and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. The Club will open the process at www.fcbarcelona.cat, giving priority to Club members without season tickets. A maximum of 2 tickets per member will be sold, with the first ticket sold at a 20% discount. Purchase is only possible online and not via the Club's ticket offices.


Sales to other members and the general public

The availability of tickets depends on the number freed up via the Seient Lliure system. Therefore, a second period of sales will be opened from 10.00 on January 23rd, which will be open to all members and the general public. A maximum of two tickets per purchase will be allowed.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Estrella Damm features Barça in their new spot

www.fcbarcelona.cat 01-16-2012 16:00

The Catalan beer making company presents a new spot called ‘inimitable,’ Barça’s first team features in the spot


The Catalan-German actor Daniel Brühl is this year’s featured protagonist, along with nine FC Barcelona players


FC Barcelona features in Estrella Damm ’s newly released television advertisement that hit the airwaves this weekend. The first-team players Messi, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc, Piqué, Pedro, Puyol and Valdés feature in the spot and they represent the most important ingredient in this Barça: the Masía .


On this occasion, the spot focuses on all the ingredients that make this team unique and, therefore, ‘ inimitable ’: players that are friends since childhood, the work done at the Masía over30 years, the values of the Club, a game philosophy, the feeling of belonging to something larger than a football club ... Ingredients almost as difficult to replicate when imitating the famous traditional Catalan soup of Daniel Brühl ’s mother: her years of experience, the home-made products and her special touch.


In the advertisement's culminating moment the actor, surrounded by the players in an at-capacity Cam Nou, explains why Barça is unique.


FC Barcelona and Estrella Damm have maintained a close relationship centered aroundsponsorship that has lasted for over 20 years. Every year, the popular beer company produces a spot which Barça supporters eagerly look forward to, like the La servilleta de Messi (Messi’s napkin), El trabajo bien hecho (Work well done) or ¿Qué tenemos? (What do we have?)

FCB

 

[Classik]

Éric Abidal renews his contract


www.fcbarcelona.cat

The Frenchman renews his contract with the Club until June 30th, 2013. The agreement contains a provision to extend the contract until 2015

Abidal and Thiago during the game against Villareal / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB


FC Barcelona and Éric Abidal have reached an agreement to extend the player’s contract by one year, until June 30th, 2013. The agreement includes a provision to extend the Frenchman’s contract until 2015, with automatic yearly renovations from 2013 through 2015.


The contract signing ceremony has yet to be determined.

Éric Abidal has played a total of 177 official games for FC Barcelona in the four and a half seasons he’s been at the Club. During his time as an Azulgrana, he has scored one goal - in last season’s Cup - and he successfully overcame the tumour on his liver, making him one of the fan favourites.

FCB

 

[Classik]

R. Madrid v FCB. Copa del Rey. Did you know...


This game is a rematch of the last season’s final, and is the eighth meeting between the sides in just 13 months. Here is some further trivia associated to the game

Barça - Madrid / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB

- The last game between Madrid and Barça in the cup was last season’s final in Valencia, whichthe all-whites won with a Ronaldo goal in extra time.
- That was one of eight games between the old rivals in just 13 months, and was the only one that Madrid won. Barça have won 4 and there have been 3 draws.
- The last home and away meeting between the teams dates way back to 1996/97, when Barça qualified with a 3-2 win at the Camp Nou and a 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu.
- José Mourinho was assistant manager for Barçaat the time and Pep Guardiola was one of the players.
- Historically, there is little to pick between the two. In 17 cup meetings over the years, Barcelona have managed 9 wins and Madrid 8.
- Barça also beat Madrid in their two most recenthome and way matches in other competitions: the 10/11 Champions League semi final and the 2011 Spanish Supercup.
- Over the last 10 seasons, Barça have made the cup quarter finals 7 times and Madrid just 5.
- Madrid got here by beating Ponferradina 7-1 on aggregate and Malaga 4-2. Barça defeated L’Hospitalet (10-0) and Osasuna (6-1).
- Madrid have used 26 players in the competition, and Pepe has played the most minutes (270). But the only player who featured in all four matches was the now injured Khedira .
- Madrid’s top scorer in the cup this year is Callejón with three goals.
- Messi, Iniesta, Tello, Cesc, Cuenca and Thiago have all scored twice for Barcelona.
- Pinto is the only player who has played for ninety minutes in all four Barcelona games.

FCB,

Jordi Clos