Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Bayer Leverkusen: difficult year despite huge talent


02-13-2012 11:02
Bayer Leverkusen are currently sixth in the Bundesliga, but are having trouble at the moment with star players Sam and Derdiyok out injured and Ballack’s role in the team still uncertain

B.Dortmund-B.Leverkusen. FOTO: www.bayer04.de
The defending Bundesliga champions were optimistic at the start of the season, and were considered runway favourites for the championship along with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The star-studded line-up includes such international names as Ballack, Bender, Rolfes, Schürrle, Kiessling and Derdiyok.
But now in February, it is looking very unlikely that they'll be retaining their German title. They're down in sixth with 31 points, 15 less than the leaders, and even their place in the next edition of the Champions League is in trouble – they're 12 points adrift at the moment.
Two major absentees
The season started with a major setback in the German cup, the DFB Pokal, when they lost 4-3 toDresden in the first round after leading 3-0. That was in July, and now they have lost both midfielder Sam (who sprained a muscle against Stuttgart a week ago) and striker Derdiyok (whotrod on glass in a domestic accident) at such a key moment of the campaign. Neither of them will available against Barcelona.
Corluka the winter signing
With things not going at all to plan, manager Robin Dutt brought in left back Vendran Corluka during the winter transfer window. He is on loanwith an option to buy and has helped reinforce the Bayern defence, which has been particularly weak this season and has been blamed for the loss of several points despite the team's solid goalscoring form. Particularly frustrating have been the losses to Hamburg, Hertha Berlin and Stuttgart, all games in which Bayern had taken an early lead.
There are also question marks regarding Michael Ballack, who was the big name signing of last summer but has struggled to hold down a regular place in the first team – and is also currently sidelined through injury.
Kiessling gets goal
But it isn't all doom and gloom at Leverkusen. In last week's game with Stuttgart, striker Stefan Kiessling ended a 766 minute goalscoring drought. Along with Schürrle, Kiessling is one of the 'aspirins' main attacking duo, even more so now that Derdiyok is injured.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Awaiting a final decision for the Cup final venue
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-13-2012 13:32
FC Barcelona and Athletic Club propose playing the King’s Cup final at the Santiago Bernabeu
The Federation said that the final decision will be made within 10 days

Supporters during the 2009 King's Cup final. PHOTO: ARXIU FCB.
The meeting between the Spanish Football Federation, Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona , held today in Madrid, finished without a final decision on where the final of the King’s Cup will be played.
FC Barcelona, represented by the secretary of theboard of directors, Toni Freixa , and the general director, Antoni Rossich , insisted that the venue of the final must fulfill two fundamental goals: the final must be played at a neutral stadium and the stadium must hold as many supporters as possible.
The Athletic Club Bilbao representatives also insisted on the same requirements. The SantiagoBernabeu is the stadium that allows for the mostsupporters and it’s a neutral stadium, as Toni Freixa explained at the conclusion of the meeting: “The Santiago Bernabue is the stadiumthat fulfills the goals that we and Athletic Club have insisted upon.â€
The Federation said that they will come to a decision within 10 days on where the final of theKing’s Cup will be played.

FCB

 

[Classik]

The cold greets Barça in Germany
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 02-13-2012 13:05
Upon arrival, Barça’s first team was greeted by sub-zero temperatures and snow. FC Barcelona will resume their Champions League title defense against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow at 20:45

Cuenca and Thiago in Cologne. PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Board of Directors dinner
FC Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen’s Board of Directors will dine together at 20:00 at the Zur Post restaurant ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League match
The first team got off to an early start today as they left the Camp Nou at 9:30 for El Prat airport. The plane, en route to Cologne, left Barcelona at 10:30 and arrived in Germany a little before 13:00. Upon arrival, the team was greeted by low temperatures (-1 at the time of arrival) and snow. Once out of the German airport, FC Barcelona went directly to their hotel, the Hyatt Regency .
Members of the Barça group
Besides the 22 players named to the team and the coaching staff, President Sandro Rosell and Board of Directors members, Ramon Pont, Silvio Elías, Josep Ramon Vida-Abarca and the football director Andoni Zubizarreta , also travelled to Germany.
Press conference and training session
This afternoon, at 18:15, Josep Guardiola and Dani Alves held a press conference ahead of the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen . Afterward, at 19:00, the team completed a training session at the Bay Arena .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Awaiting a final decision for the Cup final venue
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-13-2012 13:32
FC Barcelona and Athletic Club propose playing the King’s Cup final at the Santiago Bernabeu
The Federation said that the final decision will be made within 10 days

Supporters during the 2009 King's Cup final. PHOTO: ARXIU FCB.
The meeting between the Spanish Football Federation, Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona , held today in Madrid, finished without a final decision on where the final of the King’s Cup will be played.
FC Barcelona, represented by the secretary of theboard of directors, Toni Freixa , and the general director, Antoni Rossich , insisted that the venue of the final must fulfill two fundamental goals: the final must be played at a neutral stadium and the stadium must hold as many supporters as possible.
The Athletic Club Bilbao representatives also insisted on the same requirements. The SantiagoBernabeu is the stadium that allows for the mostsupporters and it’s a neutral stadium, as Toni Freixa explained at the conclusion of the meeting: “The Santiago Bernabue is the stadiumthat fulfills the goals that we and Athletic Club have insisted upon.â€
The Federation said that they will come to a decision within 10 days on where the final of theKing’s Cup will be played.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FOOTBALL
Xavi, named best Catalan player of the year
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 02-13-2012 16:00
The Catalan Football Federation will host the first edition of the Catalan Football Gala on February 21st
The clubs, public and jury, made up of journalists,politicians, footballers and managers, named Josep Guardiola the best Catalan manager of the year

Xavi Hernández /PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
The winners
In football: Xavi Hernández, best player; Marta Torrejón, best female player; Pep Guardiola, bestmanager; Ãlvaro Vázquez, most promising playerand Ana Zardaín, best referee. In Futsal: Jordi Torras, best player; Claudia Pons, best female player; and Marc Carmona, best manager.
The winners of the first edition of the Catalan Football Gala , sponsored by the Catalan FootballFederation , have been named. Xavi Hernández , FC Barcelona’s midfielder, was named the best Catalan athlete of the year, while Josep Guardiola was named best Catalan manager.
After the nominee list was published, the clubs, the public and the jury (journalists, politicians, footballers and managers) voted to determine the winners of the first Catalan Football Gala. The Award Ceremony will take place on February 21st.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Alves: “The Champions League requires a lot of focusâ€

02-13-2012 19:17
The Brazilian believes that the situation in the league will not affect Barça’s return to the Champions League
The defender issued a warning ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen match saying “we have to be alert in order to avoid any surprisesâ€

“One of this team’s strengths is the ability to know what competition we’re playing inâ€
“We’ll fight for the league to the end, if we don’t win it, we’ll congratulate the winnersâ€
Dani Alves is convinced that the 10 point gap between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid won’t affect the team in the Champions League: “one of this team’s strengths is that we know where we are and what competition we’re playing in.†The defender said that the Champions League “requires a lot of focus, quality and desire.†Ahead of tomorrow’s match, Alves cautioned that Bayer Leverkusen “is a very strong side at home ... we’ll have to be very altert in order to avoid any surprises.â€
FC Barcelona is six games away from reaching the Champions League final in Munich. Alves is knows that the road ahead will not be easy. “Wehave to play at a high level to get to the final. We have quality to do that. We’ll come up against difficult teams, but it won’t be pleasant to play against us either.â€
“Together we are strongerâ€
On the team's current form in the league, Alves said, “we have become accustomed to winning and when we don’t win it’s strange.†The Brazilian knows that “there will be difficult moments where we must be strong. If we are united we are stronger.†He went on to say that, “we’ll fight as long as there isn’t a mathematical champion in the league, we’ll see where we are at the end [of the season].†He urged his teammates to give it their all to try and win the league title: “we have put in a triple effort, because putting in a double [effortwon’t be enough.†He finished by saying “it’s everyone’s dream to beat the best team in the world.â€

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “We must score, it's vitalâ€
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-13-2012 19:33
“We didn’t promise we’d win the Champions League in the first year, and we won’t promise towin the title now,†said Guardiola

"If we allow Bayer Leverkusen to run ... they are a lot stronger than we are"
"We must get to that level [again] and not let randomness feature in our games"
"In Pamplona, we were penalized for not adapting a quickly as possible to game conditions and game circumstances"
Returning to the Champions League after months of league and Cup commitments is nevereasy. In fact, since Guardiola took charge of FC Barcelona, the team has never won the away legof the last-16 round. “It’s always been very difficult to get into this competition [after the break], and it’s always a risk to play against Germans. Against Stuttgart (1-1), two years ago, they deserved much more,†said the Barça manager during today’s press conference. For this reason, Guardiola believes that his team must score a goal in tomorrow’s match at the BayArena, saying, “it’s vital that we score.â€
Better control
Guardiola has nothing but respect for German sides. “If we allow Bayer Leverkusen to run ... they are a lot stronger than we are. They have four or five players that are 1.90m tall and they’ve scored a lot of goals off dead balls. They can put you in a bind if you don’t control the game. It’s the biggest virtue German sides have,â€said Guardiola. The manager is aware of the importance of Tuesday’s match and he believes that ball possession will be a determining factor in the outcome of the tie. If Barça dominates possession, the result, in all likelihood, will be favourable to Barça. If neither team dominates the match, the game could take a turn for the worse.
“It’s a serious challenge to win the Champions Leagueâ€
The defeat in Pamplona this weekend featured prominently in today’s press conference. With the league title further out of reach than it was before, Guardiola said it would be a mistake to demand a Champions League title from his team: “now that it appears as though the leagueis difficult [to win], it seems as though we are obligated to win the Champions League. As if that were easy. It’s not. The challenge is to compete and at the end of the season we’ll see where we are.
“We have to take this one step at a time, because winning the Champions League is a serious challenge. I will not promise that we’ll win it. We didn’t promise that in the first year, when we nobodies, and we won’t promise to win the title now,†said Guardiola.
Taking “random†out of the equation
On the game in Pamplona, Guardiola indicated that “we were penalized for not adapting as quickly as possible to game conditions and gamecircumstances.†However, the team played “a great second half, where we did everything and more to mount a comeback.†For the manager, “we have a problem: we’ve dominated the game for a lot of years. [In the past] the random factor didn’t figure into our play. We didn’t give it any room. We must get to that level [again] and not let randomness feature in our games. We have to control it by playing better.€ Ahead of the match against Leverkusen, the manger said that this is the first chance to eliminate the random factor from Barça’s game plan.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Snowy training session at the BayArena
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-13-2012 20:18
The 22 players named by Pep Guardiola to face Bayer Leverkusen trained this evening at the BayArena. The team was greeted by sub-zero temperatures and snow as they came out onto the pitch
Sergio Busquets, despite not having the medical all-clear, trained alongside his teammates

Training session at the BayArena / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
FC Barcelona completed a training session at Bayer Leverkusen ’s BayArena this evening. The 22 players named by Josep Guardiola to face the German side were greeted by sub-zero temperatures and snow as they trotted out onto the pitch.
Sergio Busquets , who travelled to Leverkusen without the medical all-clear, trained alongside his teammates. President Sandro Rosell and football director Andoni Zubizarreta watched the training session from the sideline. The first 15 minutes of the session was open to the press.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Bayer Leverkusen-Barça: Did you know…?
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-14-2012 09:57
The teams will be facing each other in Europe for the seventh time on Tuesday, though only once before have they met in a two legged tie, nearly 20 years ago, when the Germans won

PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
- Over the six games, Barça have won three times , with two wins for Bayer and one drawn game.
- Barça have won one, lost one and drawn one game away to Bayer.
-Four of the games between the two have occurred in the group phase of the Champions League, with the other two in the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup in the 1987/88 season, when Bayer won over the two legs (0-0 and 0-1).
- Luis Enrique and Saviola , with two goals each, are the Barça players who have scored most goals against Bayer.
-Barça have beaten three German teams in Champions League knock out games: Schalke 04 (2007/08), Bayern Munich (2008/09) and Stuttgart (2009/10).
-In all, Barça have played 21 games in Germany, wining 8, drawing 8 and losing 5 games.
- Bayer Leverkusen will be trying to reach the last eight for the first time since 2001/02, when they ended up as runners-up.
- The German team has conceded 199 goals in UEFA competitions so far in its history.
- For Bayer, Kiessling , Toprak , Kadlec and the injured Ballack and Derdiyok are just a card away from suspension, whilst Puyol is in the same position for Barça.
- The referee for the game is the Scot Craig Thomson , who has been in charge of the two teams once before – last season he refereed Barça's quarter final game against Shaktar (5-1) and the Bayer – Valencia match this season in the group stage. Tuesday's game will be Thomson's 14th Champions League game.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Leverkusen, first stop on road to Munich

02-14-2012 10:31
20.45, Radio Barça: Barça take up the defence oftheir Champions League title in Germany tonight,taking on Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16

PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
The Champions League returns at a good time for Barça following the weekend's slip up in Pamplona, which left them 10 points adrift of the league leaders, leaving no time for regrets, as they pick up the title they won at Wembley last season. The last sixteen tie at Bayer's ground is near enough to this year's final venue to whet the appetite for more European glory.
The first stop on the road to the Allianz Arena is at Leverkusen and although the stats aren't too favourable for Barça, who have failed to win the away game in the last three ties at this stage - against Lyon (1-1), Stuttgart (1-1) and Arsenal (2-1), they have always managed to turn it around in the second leg at the Camp Nou. On the other hand, Barça have already won away toBATE Borissov, Viktoria Pilsen and Milan in the competition so far this season.
22-man-squad
The cold weather in Pamplona on Saturday nightwill have served as a good rehearsal for what promises to be a freezing night at the Bay Arena.Guardiola has taken Sergio Busquets along, although he's not yet been given the medical OK,as well as the B team youngsters defender Marc Bartra and keeper Oier Olazabal. The squad is again without the injured Villa, Afellay and Fontàs as well as Keita.
Last chance for Bayer
For Bayer Leverkusen, the Champions League is the only real chance of a title this season, as theywere disappointingly knocked out of the German Cup at an early stage and are currently well off the pace in the Bundesliga. They have actually looked strongest in the Champions League and won all three home games in the group stage, finishing a point ahead of winners Chelsea and two ahead of third place Valencia. Coach Robin Dutt will be without three important names for the game though- Ballack, Derdiyok and Sam.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Bayer Leverkusen present FC Barcelona with a bar football table to be auctioned for charity
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-14-2012 12:26
The foosball table has been signed by members of both teams and will be auctioned for a children’s charity that works with Leverkusen

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given FC Barcelona a bar football table in recognition of their visit to Germany for the Champions League fixture this week. The table was presented at the Monday night supper for executives from both clubs. FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell led the FCB entourage, and was able to admire the table with the signatures of the Barça players, who had signed it just before they trained in the BayArena, and also the members of the Bayer Leverkusen squad.
During the dinner, Rosell and a member of the football area, Raúl Sanllehí, teamed up against Bayer Chairman Wolfgang Holzhäuser and his director of sport and former player Rudi Völler .
The table will shortly be auctioned off. The money collected will go to a charity organisationbased in Leverkusen that works with children.

FCB

 

[Classik]

BARÇA B
Muniesa and Bartra, pleased with the decision to play for the first team next season



02-14-2012 12:34
“This has been a dream ever since I was a child,†said Marc Bartra
Jonathan dos Santos and Martín Montoya will also join FC Barcelona’s first team in July

Muniesa celebrating a goal against Cartagena / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Once the game against Cartagena was over (4-0), Marc Muniesa and Marc Bartra both said that they were pleased with the news offered up by football director Andoni Zubizarreta last week. The director said that both the defenders plus Dos Santos and Montoya would officially be part of the first team next season. “I’m very happy. It’s a dream that coming true little by little,†said Muniesa. Bartra shares his teammate’s enthusiasm: “to play for the first team has been a dream of mine since I was a child.â€
Muniesa: more mature, more calm
Marc Muniesa made his debut with the first teamon May 23rd, 2009. He came on as a substitute in the Barça-Osasuna match and was shown a red card before the game was over. A lot of time has gone by since then, and the defender said that he’s better prepared for his next challenge: “I’m stronger psychologically. I’m more calm on the ball and I have less pressure. I’ve also matured physically.†The Barça B player knows that he’ll be in the reserve side until this summer: “I know that, for now, my role is to be here in the reserve side. It’s time to keep on working, whatever is coming my way, will come.†He also had words of praise for Josep Guardiola , “he had confidence in me, I hope I can return the gesture.â€
Bartra: living in the moment, preparing for the future
Marc Bartra also preferred to focus on the present: “I always try to live in the moment and acquire experience now in order to be ready when I get to the first team ... FC Barcelona has given me everything and to be part of the best team in the worl is something that every playerwants.â€

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Round Up Week 22


02-14-2012 13:54
Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Levant leaves them 10 points ahead at the top after round 22 of La Liga, whilst Valencia also had a good victory at the weekend, beating Sporting 4-0 ahead of next week’s game against Barça

Valencia - Sporting / FOTO: valenciacf.com
At the bottom, Zaragoza pulled off a shock win away to Espanyol, Sporting's problem deepen, Racing took a point against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal and Real Sociedad both lifted themselves towards mid-table safety with their wins over Granada and Seville.
Ronaldo hat trick seals Madrid win
Cristiano Ronaldo got another hat trick to make it 27 goals in the league so far for the Madrid man, as his team came back from an early strike by Levant's Gustavo Cabral to run out 4-2 winners. Levante hung onto fourth place though,as both Espanyol and Bilbao lost and Atletico Madrid drew. Valencia are now eight points clearof Levant and prepared for their European tie against Stoke City and the league game against Barça next weekend with an emphatic 4-0 win over the struggling Sporting, who announced theappointment of Javier Clemente as manager on Monday.
Zaragoza shock Espanyol
Just a single goal separates Levant and Espanyol,who might have expected more from their homegame against Zaragoza, however the bottom club shocked Pochettino's side with two second half goals from da Silva and Juan Carlos that gave them their first away win of the season, but still leaves them nine points from salvation. Bilbao also lost the chance to overtake Levant, losing 2-1 to Betis who scored a last gasp winnerthrough Neilson. Javi Martinez got the Basque's goal, but was sent off leaving Bielsa's team with 10 men for the last half hour.
Atletico denied in Santander
Bilbao drop to 9th, with Atletico Madrid, Malaga and Osasuna all a point behind Espanyol and Levant and a point ahead of the Basques. Simeone's team could only take a point from their goalless game at Racing, with the home side's keeper Toño and the woodwork somehowkeeping out the potent Atletico attackers. Malaga meanwhile, put their European challenge back on track with a 3-1 win at home to Mallorca ahead of next week's visit to San Mames.
No winning start for Michel
Michel failed to make a winning start with Seville on Monday night when his team went down 2-0 at Anoeta to Real Sociedad, for whom the impressive youngster Ruben Pardo scored hisdebut goal in La Liga following Carlos Vela's opener. That win means Real are now 11th on 27 points, one more than Seville, who face a tough series of games against Osasuna, Valencia and Atletico Madrid before hosting Barça next month. Michel's team are level on points with Betis and Villarreal, who beat Granada 2-1, with just 4 points separating the 8 teams between 11 and 18th.
In the weekend's other game, Rayo beat Getafe, who had Michel sent off, 2-0 to move up into the top half of the table.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Xavi, to miss Leverkusen clash

www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-14-2012 20:13

The player sustained an injury to his right leg ahead of the away leg match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Xavi, a la grada del BayArena / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Xavi Hernández has been ruled out of the last-16 away leg of the Champions League against Bayer 04 Leverkusen . The Barça midfielder sustained an injury to his right leg, forcing Guardiola to replace him at the BayArena.
The player’s recovery will mark his availability for Barça’s upcoming matches. Xavi has not played in three of Barça’s four latest matches. Hewas on the bench for the league games against Osasuna and Real Sociedad and for the Cup return leg at the Camp Nou last week against Valencia.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Quick recovery, Xavier Hernández

 

[Classik]

Bayer Leverkusen - FC Barcelona: Barça delight Europe once again (1-3)
Barça have given their fans the perfect Valentine’s Day gift – a convincing win away to Bayer Leverkusen that puts them well on course for a place in the quarter finals. Alexis (2) and Messi scored the goals for the visitors

02-14-2012 22:52

The European champions resumed their title defence in style. For the first time under Guardiola, they won the away leg of a second round tie, 3-1 at German side Bayer Leverkusen. And it was thoroughly deserved win too, with the Catalans dominating from start to finish, and Alexis Sánchez playing the decisive role. The Chilean was on target twice, while Messi finished things off with Barça's third. Kadlec had managed to pull the Bundesliga side back level early in the second half, but an outstanding Valdés managed to prevent Beyer from adding totheir tally.
The result puts FC Barcelona in a wonderful position and they can rightly feel optimistic about their chances of ensuring a place in the last eight on March 7 at the Camp Nou.
80% possession
It didn't take long to work out what kind of game it was going to be. Bayer sat back with as many as five defenders and all eleven players in their own half, and thus handed the initiative to their visitors. That's always a dangerous tactic against Barça, who played the ball around with ease as they patiently searched for gaps in the German defence. Indeed, at one point, their possession was as a high as an extraordinary 80%, and it seemed only a matter of time before the first goal would come.
Crucial goal
But Guardiola's players were uncharacteristicallyunimaginative up front – even with seven players in attack they struggled to find space, which was understandable with eleven tightly packed Leverkusen men to find their way through. It was going to take either a wonderful combination play or a flash of individual brilliance to break through the German wall. Or otherwise a Bayer error, which is precisely how the build-up to Alexis' goal began. Messi collected the ball in the centre of the park and sent a delightful through ball to the Chilean, who drove the ball low and hard past goalkeeper Leno. 1-0.
Kadlec equalises, Alexis replies
Straight after the break and in practically Bayer'sfirst serious approach on Valdés' goals, Bayer Leverkusen scored. A high cross into the area from Corluka was headed home by Kadlec and the celebrations broke out in the Bayarena. But they didn't last long. Two minutes later Cesc spotted Alexis breaking away from his marker, and the Chilean once again got the better of Leno, this time with some splendid dribbling skilland an expertly converted finish. Two for the Chilean. Silence in Germany.
Valdés decisive
Now 2-1 down, Bayer Leverkusen had no option but to abandon their ultra-defensive approach and go for something a little more proactive. And the plan might have worked had it not beenfor Valdés, who managed to block no more than three clear-cut chances, one of which was turnedonto the post. But despite these isolated moments when Bayer were threatening, Barça always looked more in control of affairs. Messi almost scored the goal of the competition, but his amazing chip over Leno rebounded back off the post, while Alexis almost completed his hat-trick with a header from a corner.
Messi settles it
The second half had been a considerably more gripping affair than the somewhat sleepy first 45 minutes, and it seemed highly unlikely that it was going to end 2-1. One sensed there was more to come, and indeed there was when yet another penetrating through ball from Barça, this time by Alves, led to Messi making it three for the visitors. It was the perfect end to an evening on which Barcelona were once again able to show the world just why they are the reigning European champions.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “The second half is a lesson for the return legâ€



02-14-2012 23:00
The Barça manager said that he’s “satisfied with this first step†after the victory over Leverkusen, but he called for prudence ahead of the return leg

“I had a better time in the second half, [however] we played better in the first.†These were the first words of Josep Guardiola after his team put in a good showing against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Champions League . In the firsthalf Barça corralled Bayer Leverkusen in their own half and in the second, much more open than the first, the Catalans finished off the game (1-3).
The second half allowed the manager to encourage his team to not lose focus ahead of the return leg: “the second half should be a lesson to us for the return leg. The Germans havea great virtue, they only need half a chance to put you in a bind. Their faith is indestructible.â€
Three goals away from home
Guardiola highlighted his team’s attitude: “scoring three goals away from home is great, the guys behaved themselves like they always do. We took a step towards the quarterfinal draw.†The manager said that he wasn’t surprised by the chances Leverkusen created in the second half. “I can’t expect to come here and not concede goalscoring chances. We also created quite a few chances in the second half,†said Guardiola.
The manager said he has a good feeling about the team after tonight’s match at the BayArena: “I have the perception that since we were on such good form before it makes us seem merely regular now, but we’re OK. These guys are artistswhen it comes to competing .â€
“Piqué is untouchableâ€
When asked about specific players, the managerwas very clear about Messi and Piqué . On the Argentine, Guardiola said, “he continues to demonstrate a certain fortitude that’s vital for us. He’s the best and we’re fortunate to have him.†On the defender, one of the four players that didn’t suit up tonight, the manager said, “on Saturday we don’t have Mascherano or Alves, I couldn’t afford to lose Gerard . I called up Bartra because we needed him and I wanted him to be on the bench. Piqu© knows that I have lots of love for him. For us, he’s untouchable.â€

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Pedro reaches 150 official matches for FC Barcelona



02-14-2012 23:01
In his 150 official matches, the striker has scored52 goals, many of them decisive, for FC Barcelona

Pedro came on for Adriano / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
[highlight]Goals in every competition
In 2009, Pedro was the first player to ever score in six different competitions in the same year. Henabbed the record on December 16, 2009, in AbuDhabi in the semifinals of the Club World Cup. That was the only remaining competition that he needed to score in after netting goals in the league, Champions League, King’s Cup and both the Spanish and European Super Cups.[/highlight]
Pedro Rodríguez played in his 150th official match for FC Barcelona tonight at the BayArena against Bayer Leverkusen. The 24-year-old striker made his debut for Barça’s first team, whilst under the management of Frank Rijkaard , four years ago. It was in January 12, 2008 whenPedrito, his preferred nickname at the time, came on for Samuel Eto’o in the dying minutes ofthe game against Real Madrid (matchday 19).
Since then he’s played 89 league matches, 18 Cup matches, 32 Champions League matches, 5 Spanish Super Cup matches, 2 European Super Cup matches and 4 Club World Cup games.
From Pedrito to Pedro
Frank Rijkaard was the manager that gave the then reserve side player his debut with the first team. However, it was under Pep Guardiola , Perdo’s manager during Barça B’s promotion-winning year, that the Spaniard made room for himself in the first team. Under Guardiola, Pedro’s quality and goalscoring prowess have been on display for nearly three and a half years.His first goal for the team was in San Mames in the Spanish Super Cup in the summer of 2009 and since then he’s scored 52 goals in the Barça strip. The player also has a knack for scoring decisive goals, like the overtime goal in Monaco during the European Super Cup, or in the final of the Club World Cup that brought Barça level withEstudiantes minutes before full time.

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Alves: “It's a good advantage but we have to finish it at homeâ€



02-15-2012 00:23
Pep Guardiola’s players are very pleased with tonight’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but they all agree that they cannot feel too comfortable ahead of the return leg
Cesc Fabregas said: “The team, always, has the same level of excitement and the same motivation. The boss won’t let us give upâ€

[highlight]Next training session
The next training session will be on Thursday, Feb. 16th. The team will train at 12:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Sant Joan Despí. Víctor Valdés will hold a post-training press conference[/highlight]

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The FC Barcelona players were satisfied when they walked off the pitch of the BayArena . VíctorValdés said, “the key was controlling the game from the beginning.†However, Cesc Fabregas recognized that his team was sluggish at the start of the second half: “in the second half, we fell asleep in the first minutes but on the whole we played a very good game.â€
The tie is not yet won. Pep Guardiola ’s men are aware that this result is not definitive and that they still have a very important match at the Camp Nou . Alexis Sánchez said, “the tie isn’t over. We have to win again and do as good of a job as we did here.†Cesc also talked about the return leg: “ it’s a good result but in football you have to be humble and respect your opponent . We have to go for it at the Camp Nou, like always.†Lastly, Dani Alves said that the team cannot feel too confident against a team like Bayer Leverkusen: “against German teams you can’t feel comfortable, because at the slightest chance they’ll score. We have to remain concentrated in the next match.â€
Here are some of the best statements made by some of the players after the match:
Cesc :
“There were reasons we played like we did in the first half: they are a very physical team. Perhaps this kind of play is a bit boring but that’sthe kind of play we needed to employ.
“We’re always excited [to play] even though it can appear otherwise from the outside. The team always has the same level of excitement and the same motivation. The boss won’t let us give up.
“They can complicate the whole game with one counterattack but we dominated the situation. We’re very pleased.
“What happened in Pamplona was a disappointment because we let the league slip away, but the Champions Leauge is the most beautiful competition there is. The Champions League is difficult [to win] because the best teams in Europe compete for the title.â€
Alexis :
“I scored two goals, but a teammate gave me the opportunity to do it. I took advantage of the room they gave me.
“I always like to give more of myself in each game, but I still don’t feel completely comfortable.â€
Valdés :
“You always have the return leg, and this time it’s against a German side. It’s a good result but we have to finish it off at home.
“It’s worth highlighting each player that went forward against a team that closed itself off verywell defensively.â€
Alves :
“I think we have an important advantage but we must finish our work at the Camp Nou.
“Winning always helps, it gives you encouragement and another spirit. A good quality that we have is that we accept things as they come. We adjusted phenomenally from onecompetition to another and we’ll fight until the end.
“I wasn’t too preoccupie with shooting, I simplydecided to assist Messi. He had made an important play previously, and I wanted him to score. We’re all happy.â€

FCB,

ITZIAR BRAVO

 

[Classik]

Second 1-3 in a European away match
www.fcbarcelona.cat 02-15-2012 11:28
It’s the second time that Barça have won 1-3 in the first game of an elimination round in European competition

Distillery-FCB (1971/72)
The 1-3 win that Barça achieved in Leverkusen is not a very common result in international competition. In fact, FC Barcelona, the only club that has been an ever- present in Europe, only did it once. It was in the 1971/72 season, in the last 32 round of the old European Cup Winners Cup. Then, the opponent was Distillery from Northern Ireland, and in the return leg at the Camp Nou, the Barça team managed by Rinus Michels finished the job with a convincing 4-0 win.
Another 1-3, in 2005
Having said that, the last time Barça won by 1-3 in the Champions League was in the group stages in 2004/05. That time the opponents were Glasgow Celtic.
In the entire history of the European tournaments, a 1-3 scoreline has happened 178 times in an away leg, and only 4 times were the defeated sides able to turn it around. The only team able to turn it around in the top European competition were Ajax, against Benfica, in 1969.

FCB