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Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

Piqué and Puyol get medical clearance



Both the Barça centre backs will be able to play against Mallorca after being declared fit at the end of today’s training session. That means Guardiola has 19 players to pick from including the reserve team’s Isaac Cuenca.

The team got back to work today after Pep Guardiola had given them Wednesday off. The players met up at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on a rainy morning for the second to last session before playing host at the Camp Nou to Mallorca. The good news was that both Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué have been declared fully recovered from their respective injuries.

Two welcome returns

That means Guardiola now has a lot less to worry about in defence, after having to make do without his captain for two league games against Sevilla and Granada due to his pubic trouble. Meanwhile, Piqué has been struggling with a hamstring injury sustained against Racing.


The only injured players are now Pedro, Ibrahim Afellay and Alexis Sánchez. The Chilean is also well on the road to recovery and was able to join in with some of today’s training exercises.

Isaac Cuenca trains

All 18 of the first team players were on the pitch today, and were joined by Isaac Cuenca, the youngster who started the game at Granada, and has been asked to continue training with Pep Guardiola.


The team will train again on Saturday morning inside the Camp Nou and behind closed doors at 11.30.

FCB,
Marc Guillén / Anna Segura
 
Guardiola highlights Messi’s consistency

The manager says neither as a player or a coach has he known “a footballer that demonstrate the level Messi shows every three days …Nothing that we do would be possible without himâ€.


Reserve team

Josep Guardiola was also asked for his opinion about Eusebio Sacristán’s B team. “There is a lot of talent in the reserves†he said. “They’ve got off to a slow start, but you must remember that they hardly had a preseason because there were hardly any players. Now they’re all coming back. I think the team will have a good season. What they have to do is stay up, and finish as high as possible, and they have to learn concepts, get to play and move onwards. They have just got two wins that will do them the world of goodâ€.


Speaking to the press ahead of the league game at the Camp Nou against Mallorca, Josep Guardiola has singled out Leo Messi for praise, saying that he has never worked with anybody who can produce brilliant football with such consistency as Messi.


The special one

“I don’t think there has ever been a player in history that can do what he manages to do every three days. It’s unthinkable. People buy tickets just to see him play and he is doing something unique. To find a player that has managed to be so consistent for four years. Who is so fit, who fights so hard as him. I’ve never seen anything like it, such consistency … perhaps I’m too young, but I never played with anybody like him and I have never coached a player like that either. He is a better player than anybody else, he has a giftâ€, said Guardiola to the reporters in the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper pressroom.


Guardiola added that his star striker “knows very well what we all think, all of the coaching staff, the people that look after him, and the other players … We are all delighted with what he does, has done and will do. And of course nothing that we have done would have been possible without him. He is a different kind of player, his stats make him different and he lets you win games at all levels … There is never a game in which he doesn’t generate play. It’s undebatable as far as we’re concerned. If there is any debate, then so be it, but it doesn’t weaken him and it won’t weaken himâ€.


Dangers of Mallorca

On Mallorca, who FCB play on Saturday, Guardiola said “they have their weapons. Mallorca is a team which character, which Caparrós gets into the players, and they’re a difficult opponent. We will have to play with our heads if we want the three points … We will have stick to our way of generating a lot of chances and making sure they don’tâ€.


Guardiola will have both Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué back in the side now that they have been declared fit. He said that “it is always good news because the more we are the better. Whether they’ll get to play is something we’ll decide tomorrowâ€.


Nothing foolish

Asked about the tendency to only judge the team in the short term the manager answered that “that doesn’t matter. I go by what I see in the matches. We may play well or badly, but we never fail to respond. Generally, they’re playing more than excellently and I’m more than satisfied. We are on good form and I’m delighted with what the team is doing. We have never been made to look like fools in four years, and that’s not easy in sport. That’s the greatest value of this team, and without that we would never have won 12 titles out of 15.â€


He added that winning by huge margins is not always a good thing because it can lead to confusion. “Sometimes it can be positive not to be so brilliant. It is ot always good for us to win games by high scores because then people tend to start thinking that that is what should always happenâ€.

FCB,

Vanessa Forns
 
Spanish League Round Up Week 9


Llevant stay top after the midweek matches, but only just -after an injury time winner against RealSociedad.


Llevant left it late on Wednesday night with a 93rd minute winner from Ruben Suarez after RealSociedad had put up a brave fight, going one up early on and coming back after Llevant had scored twice in the second half to leave it at 2-2 on 90 minutes. Llevant boss Juan Ignacio Martinez said after his team’s seventh successive win: “this is a nearly impossible run we are onâ€. Real Madrid also kept up with the pace, seeing off Villarreal with three first half goals from Benzema, Kaka and Di Maria and remain a point behind Llevant and one ahead of Barça.


Villarreal troubles deepen

That defeat for Villarreal sent them down into the bottom three, with just seven points and only onewin in the last eight games. To make matters worse, they have also lost striker Giuseppe Rossi for the rest of the season after the Italian was operated on for a knee ligament injury on Thursday. Villarreal are third from bottom on seven points, with Granada in last spot on five, level on points with Racing, who got an unexpected point in Seville with their 2-2 draw. Manu del Moral scored twice for Seville, with a 91st minute equaliser after Racing had scored twice in the second half to come tantalisingly close to their first win of the season.


Jordi Alba gives Valencia the points

After two successive draws, Valencia were back to winning ways with a late Jordi Alba goal giving them a 0-1 win at Zaragoza to lift them ahead of Seville into fourth place, three points behind Barça. Espanyol are sixth after their third win on the run, beating Betis 1-0 thanks to a Walter Pandiani goal, which means Betis have now lost five on the row and slumped down to tenth. Another of the early season pacemakers, Malaga also lost their third game on the run, going down 2-0 at Rayo, with Raul Tamudo on the mark for the hosts’ second. Malaga are now seventh on 13 points, with Rayo on 12 in ninth place level with Bilbao, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 3-0 at San Mames with two goals from Fernando Llorente.


Mallorca go down ahead of Camp Nou visit


Mallorca didn’t make the best preparation for their trip to the Camp Nou at the weekend, going down 1-2 at home to Sporting, despite taking the lead early on through a Castro goal. Bilic and an own goal from Joao Victor gave Sporting their win, which takes them out of the bottom three, ahead of Villarreal on goal difference and also level on points with Getafe, who were held 2-2 athome by Osasuna.

FCB,

Nick Bedson
 
Mallorca Destroyed by Messi (5: 0)

Messi destroys Mallorca (5-0)



Leo Messi destroyed Mallorca with a first half hat trick to set up a comfortable win, rounded off after the break with two cracking goals from Cuenca and Alves. It really doesn’t pay to question Leo Messi and tonight he put paid to any doubts that had been voiced following his three games without a goal when he scored three within the first 30 minutes to ensure Barça took the points.


The team went out for the win right from the start and Messi revelled in their attacking intent. Barça welcomed back Puyol and Piqué, as well as giving Gerard Deulofeu his debut and Cuenca and Alves rounded off the win with goals at the start and the end of the second half.

Attacking intent

Barça again lined up with a 3-4-3 formation, featuring a deep lying Messi, David Villa and out wide Isaac Cuenca as their front three. Mallorca nearly took advantage of the high risk strategy on 6 minutes when Joao Víctor fluffed a great chance after a cross from Castro, but Messi calmedthe home side’s nerves with a 13th minute penalty after Nsue had handled in the box.

Hat trick hero

Xavi and Iniesta were both given the night off, but Barça were soon dominating and on the quarter of an hour David Villa nearly doubled the lead when he was one on one with the Mallorca keeper. The second goal wasn’t long in coming though as Cuenca broke down the right to cross for Adriano, whose mi**** shot fell to Messi to firehome.


The world number one got his hat trick on 30 minutes when he latched onto a perfect long range pass from Alves to fire home and put the game definitively beyond Mallorca’s reach. The visitors then defended desperately as the half drew to a close, as they fought to avoid a thrashing.

Reward for Cuenca

Guardiola brought Piqué on after the break to switch to a four man defence and soon after Puyol also came on. On 49 minutes, Isaac Cuenca scored his first goal with the first team, rounding the keeper and slotting home like a veteran.


Deulofeu debut and a great goal from Alves


With the result wrapped up, the pace dropped and the centre of attention switched to the debutant Gerard Deulofeu, who showed plenty ofspirit out on the left wing. Messi kept plugging away, but it was Dani Alves with a thunderbolt who made it five in injury time.

Goals
1-0 Messi (p) (min 13)
2-0 Messi (min 21)
3-0 Messi (min 30)
4-0 Cuenca min 49)
5-0 Alves (min 91)

FCB,
Jordi Clos
 
Busquets: “We know that we can’t always win 5-0â€


The midfielder prefers to keep his feet firmly on the ground and is not getting carried away after the 5-0 win against Mallorca. Speaking to Barça TV after the match, Busi told us: “It’s never easy. We know that we’ve got people so used to winning".


After over 150 appearances with the first team,, Sergio Busquets already seems like a veteran when discussing these exhibitions by the team and is calling for caution: “We’ve got people so used to winning. We know that we can’t always win 5-0. The main thing is to know what we’re doing well and what we’re not, and try and improve. He told Barça TV, “The team did its homework†(against Mallorca) and insisted that the victory has boosted the players’ confidence ahead of next Tuesday’s match in Prague .


“We’re not machinesâ€

The win against Mallorca on Saturday was the 14th time the teamhas won 5-0 under Guardiola . However, Busquets emphasised that the team is bound to have its off days, like the match against Granada: “It’s never easy. We’re not robots or machines. Sometimes things can turn out better or worse. Scoring five goals and keeping a clean sheet is very niceâ€.


“Messi is the one who makes the differenceâ€


Messi, despite how it might seem, isn’t a machine either, and Busquets has never had any doubts about him. “We know that Messi is the best player in the world, that he’s the leader of this team and the one who makes the difference. But he’s not a machine and there’ll be matches when he can’t scoreâ€.

Cuenca and Deulofeu

The other big news of the match was the contribution of talented youngsters Cuenca and Deulofeu . “It’s important to bring the young players on. A manager like Guardiola has a lot of faith in the reserves, where they’re doing things really well. I’m sure a lot more players will make it through to the first team. We all try to help and relax them but they come well prepared.

FCB,
Roger Bogunyà
 
Injury doubt Alexis travels to Prague

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The Chilean striker is back in the 21-man squad for the Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen. Cuenca and Oier are also included for the trip to the Czech Republic.

Alexis Sánchez has been added to the squad for the first time since picking up his muscle injury on10th September. He will travel to Prague on Monday despite not yet having been given the all clear by Club doctors. The players will train on Monday in the Eden Stadium and then a decision will be taken on the South American star’s fitness.


The squad is made up of the 19 available first team players plus Isaac Cuenca and Oier Olazabalfrom the reserves. Olazabal has been taken along as a precaution against last minute injuries to the senior goalkeepers during Monday training, as connections between Barcelona and Prague would otherwise make it impossible for him to join the squad in time for the match. Pedro and Afellay miss the game through injury.


Reserves join session

The players were back in training on Sunday morning after their 5-0 drubbing of Mallorca. As usual after a match, it was a light session for most of them. They were joined by 11 players from Barça B: Cuenca, Montoya, Deulofeu, Soriano, Gustavo, Espinosa, Sergi Gómez, Rosell, Rodri, Armando and Masip.

FCB
 
Eden Stadium hosts final session with 21 players

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The 21 players that have travelled to the Czech capital have trained normally in the stadium to be used for tomorrow evening’s encounter, the Eden Stadium.

This was the last time the team will train before taking on Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night. Josep Guardiola had all 21 players in perfect condition and was able to familiarise himself with a new venue for the club, Prague’s Eden Stadium.

Three dropped

Guardiola will have to strike three of those names off his list before tomorrow’s Champions League match. He has taken 19 first team players plus Barça B’s Cuenca and Oier. Of these, Alexis Sánchez is the only one who has not yet been given medical clearance to play.

Guardiola meets Srnicek again

Before training, Josep Guardiola met a former team mate of his from his days at Brescia: Pavel Srnicek. He was the reserve goalkeeper for the Italian outfit in the 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons, the same time that the current FCB manager was in Lombardy. The former playertravelled to Eden Stadium to say hello to his old friend Guardiola.

FCB
 
Viktoria v Barça: Did you know...

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Find out some trivia about the fourth game of the Champions League group stages to be played on Tuesday in Prague.
► FC Barcelona have played five games on Czech soil in the past. They have won twice, drawn onceand lost twice.
► Guardiola’s side has won their last three away games in Europe: 0-1 in Donetsk, 0-2 in Madrid and 0-5 in Minsk. They beat Porto 2-0 in Monaco.
► Barça have let in 395 goals in all European ties in the past.
► No team has scored more goals than Barça in this year’s edition (9). The Catalans have also won the highest number of corners (29).
► David Villa is the only player that has scored in all three group games played to date.
► Leo Messi has had the most shots on targets (8).
► Viktoria Plzen are unbeaten at home this season. In their four European fixtures they have won three (all in the preliminary rounds) and drew with BATE (1-1).
► Dani Alves is one yellow card away from a suspension.
► Barça have not lost an official game for 22 matches, the last time being on April 30 away to Real Societat, 2-1).
► Tonight’s referee is Austria’s Robert Schörgenhofer, who is in charge of his third ever game in the competition. He has never officiated in a game involving either Viktoria Plzen or Barça.

FCB
 
Eight FCB players aspire to Balon d’Or 2011

www.fcbarcelona.cat

8 of the 23 candidates for the FIFA Balon d’Or 2011 play for Barça, the team with most names on the list. They are Abidal, Alves, Cesc, Iniesta, Messi, Piqué, Villa and Xavi. And Pep Guardiola is on the shortlist for the manager of the year.

A year after FC Barcelona had all three players on the Balon d’Or podium, the club has once again dominated the shortlist for the 2011 edition issued by FIFA and the magazine France Football. Leo Messi (winner of the last two editions) is joined by Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Éric Abidal, Dani Alves, Cesc Fàbregas, Gerard Piqué and David Villa.

The other candidates are Agüero (Manchester City); Benzema, Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ozil and Xabi Alonso (Madrid); Eto’o (Anzhi); Forlánand Sneijder (Inter); Müller and Schweinsteiger (Bayern); Nani and Rooney (Manchester Utd); Neymar (Santos) and Luis Suárez (Liverpool).


Guardiola up for top coach

Like last year, when he was a finalist, Pep Guardiola is one of the nominees for the FIFA Men's Football Coach of the Year 2011 along with Del Bosque (Spain), Ferguson (Manchester Utd), Rudi Garcia (Lille), Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Low (Germany), Mourinho (Madrid) Tabárez (Uruguay), Villas-Boas (Chelsea) and Wenger (Arsenal).

Announcement January 19

Now that the candidates are known, the national captains and managers and representatives of the world’s press chosen by France Football will be voting for the winners. The awards will be presented on January 9, 2012 at a gala in Zurich. On December 5, FIFA and France Football will announce the three finalists in each of the categories.

FCB
 
FC Barcelona
FC Viktoria-F CB (LINE-UP ): Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Fàbregas, Puyol, Messi, Thiago, Sergio, Adriano, Abidal and Cuenca.
 
Five hundredth goal sends Barça through (0-4)


FC Barcelona have beaten Viktoria Plzen thanks to a Messi hat-trick and another from Cesc, and also made it to 500 goals in the Guardiola era andqualified for the second round of the Champions League. FC Barcelona have broken plenty of records in a splendid victory at the Eden Stadium in Prague, and have also ensured passage to the last sixteenof the Champions League . The 4-0 win started with Cisovsky being sent off after committing a penalty that was subsequently converted by hat-trick hero Leo Messi, with Cesc Fábregas grabbing the other. Everything worked out right in the 200th game of the Guardiola era, with Messi scoring his 200th goal for the club and also the 500th since Guardiola became manager. Not only that, but Valdés broke the club record for not conceding a goal, young Cuenca was superb and laid on one of the goals and Alexis Sánchez finally appeared on the pitch once again.


The win means Barça are mathematically through to the last sixteen of the competition, and following AC Milan ’s 1-1 draw in Minsk they are well on course for topping the group.

Valdés saves record

Like against Mallorca , Guardiola played with two wingers, Adriano and Cuenca , in order to break down the tight Czech defence. With Iniesta and Xavi on the bench, Cesc, Thiago and Messi played in the middle, but struggled to find their game in the early minutes, with Viktoria Plzen playing very orderly football and almost going into the lead following a speedy Ptrzela counter attack. But Valdés produced a wonder-save that meant he was able to go on and beat Miguel Reina ’s legendary record. It was a stuttering start by a Barça team that wasn’t producing its characteristic combination plays.

Messi brace

A brilliant run by Messi undid all the good work by the home side at one stroke. The Argentinian was brought down in the area by Cisovsky, who was sent off for a tackle on the last man. Messi took the ensuring penalty, and with an extra man, Barcelona found themselves handsomely in command for the rest of the game. All Viktoria Pilsen could produce in return was foul after foul and they found it harder and harder to get the ball out of their half. As the half drew to a close, Messi added his second of the night to make it 2-0.

Cesc and Thiago looking fine

The second half started with a delightful move involving Messi and Cesc that ended with the latter’s shot skimming just wide of the post. Barçaclearly weren’t satisfied with what they had achieved in the first half. Messi then brought out the best in Pavlik with a perfectly executed free kick, and as the win didn’t look to be in any doubt, the visitors were able to rest some players ( Sergio, Alves and Abidal ) and send on Keita, Maxwell and also Alexis , who was declared fit just moments before kick off. A brilliant assist by Messi was almost headed home by Thiago, but there would still be more chances.

Goal 500

Barça really wanted a third goal to make sure of the three points and finally got it following the umpteenth run down the wing by Barça B’s Cuenca , who delivered the perfect cross into the area, which was headed goalward by Cesc Fàbregas. And with the win settled, there was still time for some more magic with as Piqué backheeled the ball for Messi to score his second hat-trick in a row and the 500th of the Guardiola era. It was the perfect end to a perfect game that ensured Barcelona go into the next round with two games in hand.


The goals
0-1, Messi (min 22, pen)0-2, Messi (min 45+1)
0-3, Cesc (min 71)
0-4, Messi (min 90+2)

FCB,
Roger Bogunyà
 
Alexis and Bielsa, teacher and student to reunite in San Mamés


The Barça player, Alexis Sánchez, admits he learned a lot from the Argentinian manager

The current Athletic coach praises Barça's signing of Alexis

Alexis: “I want to thank everyone that has helped me along the way, those that taught me. I learned a lot from the Profe."

Bielsa: "I'm really happy for Alexis and FC Barcelona. I think he'll do really well."

Profe Bielsa (Professor), how he became to be known in Chile, and the “chico maravilla†(wonder kid), Alexis Sanchéz will be reunited in San Mamés this Sunday. Both coincided in the Chilean national side from August 2007 to November 2010, and if the wonder kid is one of the best wingers at the moment, it’s largely due to Bielsa’s tutelage.

Alexis, appreciative of the Professor's teachings

During the three years that the current Athletic boss managed Chile’s national side, Bielsa molded and perfected the raw talent of the thenUdinese player. The “Europeanization†of Alexis’ play style in the Italian club was polished over the 24 games he played under Bielsa for the Chilean national side. The Barça player had words for his former manager during his unveiling as an Azulgrana, “I want to thank those that taught me along the way. I learned a lot from the Profe. At times I didn’t think I would be able to learn everything that I needed to, but little by little I started to understand what he [Bielsa] had in mind and I learned a lot.â€

Bielsa: “Alexis will fit in really well at Barçaâ€

Marcelo Bielsa also had words of praise for Alexis when the coach was presented as the new manager of Athletic Bilbao: “I’m very happyfor him and for FC Barcelona. I think they’ll mix really well together. Although, Alexis would do well in any team, I know he can do it at Barça, becase he’s such a good player.â€

FCB,
David Puig
 
our cool shirt (Home shirt) for 2011/2012


Barcelona Authentic Home Shirt 2011-12

NEW 2012 NIKE AUTHENTIC SHIRT!

New revolutionary design by Nike made of 14 recycled plastic water bottles.

The most eco-friendly official kit ever reducing up to 30% the energy waste and recycling 23,000,000 bottles.

Features the thinnest stripes ever in Barça’s history with 11 red & blue stripes.

The club’s initials “FCB†and the “Senyera†(Catalan flag) placed at the rear in yellow.

The club’s motto “més que un club†(more than a club) printed at the inside neck.

Also inside the Shirt and directly behind the crest at the chest you can find the hidden message embroidered “tots units fem força†(stronger united).

Nike DRI-FIT fabric for a better performance on the pitch whilst keeping you dry and cool.

Ultra-lightweight composition 13% lighter than any other previous kits with strategically placed ventilation for a distraction-free fit on the pitch.

100% recycled polyester.

THIS SHIRT HAS ALREADY WON 2 TITLES –THE 2011
SPANISH & EUROPEAN SUPERCUPS!

AND IT CAN WELL BECOME ANOTHER MEMORABLE SHIRT OF ANOTHER LEGENDARY SEASON...

FCB

http://shop.fcbarcelona.com/stores/..._details.aspx?pid=86275&lid=1&portal=XA3ESRT2
 
Valdés: “Guardiola set me on the road to victoryâ€

The Barça goalkeeper has said that it was his manager who taught him a number of things on a tactical level

He also denied that there are any problems between Villa and Messi, and feels the comments were intended to destabilise the team


Team above awards
Victor Valdés is not a big fan of awards, even though eight of his teammates are on the shortlist for the Balon D’Or . “These things have never been important to me. It is more important to play for Barça every Sunday and to try to win cups. If that happens, then I’d be quite happy not to be on any lists … I have always felt the love of my fans, and that’s what really matters. And I have always tried to return that love by doing things well.â€

Víctor Valdés spoke at today's press conference with the same composure that he shows when defending the Barcelona goal. This week he broke Miguel Reina's record for the longest run without conceding a goal for FC Barcelona , but Valdés has never been one for individual milestones or awards, and said that if there is any reason why he has reached such a peak of excellence, then that reason is Pep Guardiola .

Respect for the boss

Valdés came to Guardiola 's defence following the stories in the press that Ibrahimovic has heavily criticised his former manager in his biography. "They taught me that the coach should always be respected in a team and that he is the person to obey. And I did that all the way through to becoming a professional ... I'll be his pupil as long as he is next to me. He set me on the road to victory and I hope to stay with him until I retire."

Learning each day

Valdés says that before Guardiola came to the club "I was not a goalkeeper that could see things tactically. I have improved tactically, and with my footwork, and I want to keep winning things every day, and am still learning new things in training. And it is only him who has done that for me," he said.

Valdés added that "he should stay here all his life. He has shown that he is the main secret behind this team's success."

Strong against falsities

Valdés, being one of the four team captains, also spoke about the rumours in the press that Messi and Villa don't get on. "It's totally false. You just have to look at the way they behave on and off the pitch," he said. "They are always saying these things to try to destabilise us whenever things are going well. We are the first who have to be strong when we know that these things are completely false."

Now for Athletic Club
Valdés is more concerned about the forthcoming trip to San Mamés . " It is important to win that game. We know how intense Athletic are under Bielsa, they create pressure, they play without inhibitions." He expects an intense encounter against a team he says "are always really nice and lively."

FCB,

Anna Segura
 
Víctor Valdés breaks Miguel Reina's unbeaten record


In Prague, the goalkeeper has broken the club record for going unbeaten that dated back to the1972/73 season, 824 minutes

Pep Guardiola, Leo Messi and Alexis Sánchez were also protagonists tonight


Víctor Valdés is now the FC Barcelona goalkeeper who has gone the most games without conceding a goal. Following nine clean sheets, he has now gone unbeaten for 877 minutes , more than the 824 minutes established by Miguel Reina in the 1972/73 season. As the game ended 4-0, Valdés can still extend his incredible record.

Monumental save
He had to work to earn that record though. In the 16th minute Viktoria ’s Petrzela was through on goal and Valdés came out better in a one-on-one situation. That play could have changed the course of the match, shortly after Cisovsky was sent off for a penalty offence.

Not since Pablo Hernández scored against him atMestalla in the 23rd minute of the Valencia v Barça match has Valdés been beaten, and he has since kept clean sheets against all of Atlético Madrid, Sporting, Racing, Sevilla, Granada and Mallorca in the League and BATE and Viktoria (twice) in the Champions League.

Guardiola and Messi make 200, Alexis back
The other protagonists in the win in Prague were Pep Guardiola, Leo Messi and Alexis Sánchez. The coach was in charge for his 200th match, where he was able to enjoy the 144th win and 500th goal. The Argentinian scored goals 200, 201 and 202 of his Barça career in his second consecutive hat-trick. And the Chilean was back in action after an absence of a month and a half through injury

FCB,

Jordi Clos
 
Messi, team unity is behind our success

He warns that: “Athletic Club studies their opponents in depth, they aren't afraid to bring the game to youâ€

Leo Messi is the footballer of the moment. First, he surpassed Kubala as Barça’s second all-time highest goal scorer and now, with back to back hat-tricks, he’s beyond the 200 goal mark as an Azulgrana. He’s the leader of a legendary team. This Thursday, he explained the key factors behind Barça’s success: “It’s fundamental that we get along as a team, to have a group of players that play this well isn’t easy to find. We’ve known each other for years and we’ve always gotten along, this is why we’ve performed so well.â€

Good vibes with Villa

The double Ballon d’Or winner categorically denied the claim, made by a Valencia newspaper, that there was a rift between him and David Villa. “It really surprised both of us. I have no idea why this story was published. The fact of the matter is that I don’t have a problem with El Guaje, not at all. We get along great, just like we do with the rest of the squad. Neither of us have anything to say about this, we’re not worried about it because we know it’s not true,†added Messi.

Goal record, out of mind

Messi feels as though he can maintain the excellent form he’s showed since the beginning of the season, 22 goals in 17 matches. “I feel great physically, strong enough to play as many games as possible, like last year,†said Messi. The Argentinian, despite edging closer and closer to César’s goal record, isn’t obsessing about reaching 235 goals this season: “I’m not aiming to break the record this year. I hope to doit someday seeing that I want to stay here for the rest of my career.â€

What’s really on the Argentinian’s mind is the upcoming game in San Mamés. “The most important thing is to win the three points this weekend because it’s a very difficult stadium to win at. The opponent [Athletic Bilbao] is a great team, they study heir rivals in depth, and they aren’t afraid to take the game to you,†added Messi

FCB,

Jordi Clos
 
Preparations continue for Bilbao


The 19 first team players plus Isaac Cuenca trained on Friday morning with their eyes on Sunday’s visit to Athletic Bilbao.


Pedro Rodríguez is still working on his recovery from injury.

The second training session before the always complicated journey to San Mamés on Sunday was held behind closed doors. Like on Thursday, the venue was a wet Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.


20 players involved

The same players were on pitch number 2 in Sant Joan Despí as the day before, the 19 fit first team players plus reserve team winger Isaac Cuenca. Injured Pedro Rodríguez continued with his treatment programme in isolation from the others.

Barcelona will train again on Saturday at 11.00 in the Ciutat Esportiva. Afterwards, Pep Guardiola will be speaking to the press.

FCB,


www.fcbarcelona.cat
 
Guardiola: "We’ll need courage to win in San Mamés"


Speaking at Saturday’s press conference, Pep Guardiola admitted that his players will have to be at their best to take all three points against Athletic Club

He also expressed his admiration for Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa


(Ferguson celebrates 25th anniversary

Sir Alex Ferguson is celebrating his 25th anniversary as manager of Manchester United. Pep Guardiola today added his congratulations to Mr Ferguson on his long career with the Premier League club. "I take my hat off to him. I'd love to have his ability to re-build teams and to stay so, so competitive. This is only within the reach of highly intuitive people who know what they want."
)

"San Mamés is always San Mamés and Athletic is always Athletic." Pep Guardiola has plenty of experience against the Basque side both as a player and as a manager. And though a game in Bilbao has many attractions for the Barça manager, there is one that stands out above the rest. This will be Guardiola's first managerial head-to-head with the experienced Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa , a man he admires greatly: "Bielsa's teams are authentic, different and unique. The only way we can win in San Mamés is to show more courage than them."

Guardiola revealed that he has only met the current Athletic manager once before and didn't hesitate to express his "admiration for what he'sdoing and what he's done."

Good vibes in the squad

Guardiola also took the opportunity to describe the excellent mood in the changing room:"There's always been a good atmosphere and the players have always got on together fantastically." However, he confirmed that this year it's even better: "There are people here who apart from getting on together, are very close friends. Their behaviour is excellent."

Apart from the upcoming clash against Bilbao, Guardiola also commented on a couple of other issues that have attracted attention. Earlier in the week, there was a story in the press that insisted that Spanish international striker David Villa was not happy at Barça. Guardiola dismissed the rumours saying, "It's impossible to make an enemy of David. He's much too nice a person, generous on the pitch and in his personallife."

There have also been a number of press reports originating from Barça's former Swedish international striker Ibrahimovic reflecting negatively on his time at the Club and in particular on his relationship with the manager. Guardiola closed the matter in typically polite manner: "I've got nothing to say. I don't want to make this a personal issue. I'd just like to thank him for everything he gave us that year."

FCB,

Anna Segura
 
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