Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Alexis trains with the first team
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/02/2012 18:45
The Chilean, the last first-team player to return to Barcelona after the international break, trained with the team this Friday afternoon
Guardiola prepared his 19-man team, 15 first-team players and 4 Barça B youngsters, for the league match against Sporting Gijón

Alexis Sánchez, a l'entrenament d'aquest divendres / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
[highlight]Saturday morning training session
The team will train one last time at the Camp Nou before kickoff tomorrow against Sporting. The closed-door training session will start at 11:30[/highlight]
Alexis Sánchez returned to training with the Clubthis Friday afternoon after playing for Chile against Ghana midweek in Philadelphia, USA. Under the orders of Josep Guardiola , the Azulgrana striker joined 18 other players on field Number 1 at the Ciutat Esportiva to prepare the league match against Sporting Gijón (Saturday, 20:00).
Guardiola will be without Messi and Sergio Busquests against the Asturians tomorrow. Also, Abidal , who is injured will miss the match. Thiago , who is having trouble with his right tibia, is doubtful. To fill the ranks, Guardiola called up four Barça B players for today’s trainingsession: Tello and Muniesa , both of whom trained with the team on Thursday, and Jonathan dos Santos and Sergi Roberto .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “Clemente's teams have characterâ€
03/02/2012 21:18
The FC Barcelona manager, who was once the pupil of the Basque coach, warned that Clemente’s teams are “aggressive, direct and have characterâ€

Good relationship with the Board of Directors
When asked about his relationship with the board, Guardiola took the opportunity to clearly state that his relationship with Junta is very good: “They have been fantastic. I don’t have any complaints. This board and the last one havetreated me magnificently.†The Barça manager also confirmed that he met with President Sandro Rosell this Thursday: “We've had lot of meetings. It was simply another one. We talked about a lot of things, obviously [what was said] stays between us. The feelings are always good when we see each other. They take care of me.â€
"“In the [Spanish] nation side he never told us to go out to interrupt the game"
“In the last 15 or 20 meters, Messi is the world’s most decisive player"
The game this Saturday at the Camp Nou will be somewhat atypical. Without Messi , Busquets and Abidal , FC Barcelona will have to face a Sporting Gijón led by a veteran of the Spanish League, Javier Clemente : “His teams are difficultto beat. They are aggressive, direct and they have character.†The Barça manager, however, isn’t anticipating a physical match. “In the [Spanish] nation side he never told us to go out to interrupt the game. In a good sense, he’s intense and aggressive,†Guardiola said during the today’s pre-match press conference.
A style that cannot be applied
Tomorrow’s match will highlight two different types of game play. The possession and control style typical of FC Barcelona against the direct game play employed by the Asturians. “I know how Clemente likes to play. He prefers fewer transitions in the midfield and faster attacks. If we, with the players we have, could do it like them, we would. We would like to create chances with one or two touches, but it’s impossible to maintain that rhythm every three days. We’d finish with all of the players injured,†said Guardiola.
The solution to the absences
Beyond the duel between Guardiola and Clemente, FC Barcelona must win without the suspended Messi and Busquets, the injured Abidal or, perhaps, Thiago . “Thiago is better than he was yesterday, but we’ll decide before the match,†said the manager. On the absence of the Argentine, Guardiola had few words: “in the last 15 or 20 meters he’s the world’s most decisive player. It’s good that we get to play without him once in a while.â€
Leadership and the Cup
When asked about the possibility of winning theleague, Guardiola was clear: “We’re far away from the leaders and the leaders haven’t faltered in a long time. Fighting back from 10 points down is very difficult.†He added: “If we aren’t first, it’s not the fault of the referees.â€
He was also asked about the Cup final venue. “ Athletic Club wants to play on the 20th. We would also like to play on the20th, but we can still make it to the Champions League final. The Federation will decide,†said the manager.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Preview, Week 26


03/02/2012 22:52
With Barça playing on Saturday, Real Madrid may well feel some pressure 24 hours later, when they host Espanyol, who are themselves vying for a European spot with Levante (away to Betis), Bilbao (at home to Real), Málaga (away atGetafe) and At. Madrid who visit Seville

Espanyol-FCB / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Romaric “we can win at the Bernabéuâ€
The Bernabéu has not been a happy hunting ground for Espanyol in recent years, but their
midfielder Romaric , who scored for Sevilla whenthey beat Madrid 3-4 in 2008 insisted
that despite their recent poor run of form – just two points from the last four games –
Espanyol “are convinced we can get a result there. It’s possible to win and we are going
without fear, we’ll stay true to our footballing philosophy and although they are a big team
– it’s really just another gameâ€. Madrid will be without the suspended Pepe and the injured
Coentrao , Di Maria and Benzema as they try to extend their nine-game winning run in the league.
Tricky trip for Valencia
Valencia face a difficult looking game in Granada against Abel Resino’s improving outfit, who
have won both their home games under the newboss and thrashed Real Sociedad at the
Nuevo Las Carmenes a fortnight ago. In contrast, Valencia are coming off a terrible run, with
just one league win since Christmas and a severebeating in their last away game at the Camp
Nou, though they will have undoubtedly lifted bySoldado’s performance in midweek for Spain
when he grabbed a second half hat trick. The teams below Valencia will all be looking to make
up ground, with Levante hoping to build on last week’s big win at Espanyol when they play
Betis on Monday night.
Basque derby
Athletic Club, Málaga and Osasuna are all a pointbehind Levante and they all face a
tough weekend. The Basque derby at San Mamés on Sunday comes at a sweet moment for
Athletic who are fifth in the table, Cup Finalists and due to travel to Old Trafford next week,
but defender Mikel San Jose warned: “there are a lot of teams within a few points of each
other and if we let Real take three on Sunday, there will be one more side in the mixâ€. Real
themselves are on a good run, with three home wins on the run –though they have lost their
last two on the road.
Málaga away form has to improve
Málaga are away at Getafe and Pellegrini ’s team know they have to improve on their awful
away record, the fourth worst in the league withjust two wins so far this season, if they are
to mount a realistic challenge for a top four spot.Osasuna for their part have actually won
one less game than Málaga on the road and theyvisit Mallorca without the injured Lekic and
suspended Patxi Puñal to face the Islanders whohave won their last two home matches.
Negredo and Falcao miss big game
Sevilla and Atlético Madrid are also very much back in the fight for the European spots, on
32 points, just three behind Levante , and they meet at the Sanchez Pijuan on Saturday night,
though both will be without their star strikers as Negredo is injured and Falcao is suspended.
In the weekend’s other games, Villarreal will look to build on last week’s point against Bilbao
and put another nail in Zaragoza ’s coffin in Sunday’s noon game at La Romareda , whilst
Racing need the points from their trip to Rayo if they are to begin to claw their way out of the
relegation spots.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Spotlight on Sporting


03/03/2012 00:23
Real Sporting Gijón are many Spanish Football fans’ second favourite team and in their 107 year history they have played 40 seasons in the top flight, ending up as runners up in 1979 and reaching the Cup Final in 1981 and 82. Sporting have been back in La Primera since 2008

Adriano against Sporting / Photo: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
HISTORY
Founded in 1905, Sporting made their debut in the first division 39 years later and since then
have enjoyed a number of extended periods amongst the elite teams, most notably from the
late seventies until 1998, which saw them finish as runners up in 1979. During that time, they
produced two great teams: the first based around the soon-to-be Barça legend Quini and the
second in the late eighties featuring Luis Enrique and Abelardo . The club just managed to avoid
relegation in 1995 by beating Lleida in a relegation play off, but finally went down three years
later. The second division proved a hard place to get out of and economic difficulties also hit
the club, forcing them to sell one of their best young players, David Villa , to Zaragoza in 2003,
before getting promotion in 2008. Last season Sporting made a terrible start to the campaign,
but an inspired second half to the season saw them finish 10th.
THE BARÇA CONNECTION
Quini, Luis Enrique, Abelardo, David Villa….there is a long history of links between the two
clubs, with all those four ex-Sporting players becoming big favourites at the Camp Nou.
However, Barça haven’t been such welcoming guests for the Gijón team, who have
managed just one win in their 40 league visits tothe stadium and also lost one of their two
Spanish Cup finals to Barça – 3-1 in 1981, with Quini grabbing two goals against his old club.
THE BOSS
Javier Clemente was brought in to save Sporting from the drop, when the much admired
Manolo Preciado was sacked earlier this year and if experience is what the Sporting directors
were looking for, they couldn’t have picked a better man for the job. Clemente won two
league titles with Athletic Club in the early eighties before moving on to manage, amongst others, Espanyol , Atlético Madrid , Betis and the Spanish , Serbian and Cameroon national teams.
FORM GUIDE
It’s been a hard season for Sporting, who currently lie next to bottom and six points from
safety. They’ve won just once since Christmas, but lost just once in the four games they played
in February, drawing the other three. On the road, Sporting have won only two games – at
Mallorca and Rayo and lost on four of their last trips away from El Molinon .
ONE TO WATCH
Sporting’s leading scorer this season is their captain David Barral with eight goals. The Cadiz
born forward has been at the club since 2006 and in April 2009 he scored Sporting’s 1,000th
goal at El Molinon. He put in a fine performance, including a first half goal in last weekend’s
game in Santander and represents Sporting’s main threat to the Barça defence on Saturday.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

The Azulgrana Roundup, Week 6


03/03/2012 00:24
From comical adverts to Messi’s first Argentina hat-trick, check out what journalists and fans had to say about FC Barcelona and its players this week

Tello at the Reyno de Navarra / PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
If you have suggestions for this column, please tweet them to Barça’s twitter account , make sure you tag your tweet with #FCBroundup
LIGA BBVA . Iniesta and Casillas, from idols to supporters [Spanish] [VIDEO]
Olé . “Un día muy especial†[Spanish] [VIDEO]
Post-match interview with Lionel Messi
The Washington Post . Messi scores 1st international hat trick, leads Argentina over Switzerland 3-1
“It’s very difficult to say how good he is,†Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos said. “You know that every time he touches the ball, something special is going to happen.â€
Sports Illustrated . NHL Goalie Masks
Do you recognise the portrait on the Montreal Canadiens goalie Peter Budaj’s ice hockey mask?
NaturalPolice . Why Iniesta is the Greatest Attacking Midfielder of Our Time
The author attempts to answer the question posed by football writer Jacob Steinberg: “After Zinedine Zidane, has there been a better attacking midfielder that Andrés Iniesta in recent times?â€
El País . El Barça busca a los Messi de las aplicaciones. [Barça looks for the Messi of the smartphone applications]
“Barcelona se puede convertir en un Silicon Valley Mobile en unos cuatro años. Queremos tener las mejores las aplicaciones y ser los primerosâ€, ha explicado Dídac Lee, director de nuevas tecnologías del FC Barcelona.â€
Sport . Messi: "Cuando acabe mi carrera quiero seguir vinculado al Barçaâ€
Messi was interviewed by the readers of Sport, one of the daily football newspapers in Catalonia.
El País . Desbordante Tello
“Nacido hace 20 años en Sabadell, se ha ganado el reconocimiento general sin tener padrinos ni prensa sino con su esfuerzo y talento.â€
EuroSport . Christina Pulina. Con la mentalidad correcta, la Liga se puede ganar
“El Barça no debe perder la ilusión y debe combatir hasta el final. Solo con una mentalidad adecuada podremos ganar a rivales como el Sporting de Gijón de Clemente, que se está jugando tanto o más que nosotros y sin partido de Champions de por medio. No puede fallar el Barça en estos partidos. La mentalidad correcta es ser conscientes de que la única manera de conseguir la iga será ganando los 14 partidos que quedan.â€

FCB,

Ian MacLurg

 

[Classik]

FCB-Sporting: Barça looking to continue good form


03/03/2012 10:38
20.00, GolT, Canal+ Liga and R@dio Barça: The international break over, Barcelona will hoping to continue their winning streak at home to Sporting Gijón
Messi and Busquets are suspended and Abidal is injured

Cesc, durant el FCB-València. FOTO: ARXIU FCB.
Barça’s quest to cut down Real Madrid’s lead continues tonight against Sporting Gijón. After impressive wins against Valencia (5-1) and Atlético Madrid (1-2), there is new hope that the ten point deficit can be reduced. But to keep the dream alive, they’ll need a further three points against the Asturians, following a week in whichthere has been practically no time to prepare due to most of the squad’s international commitments.
The international effect
And two of the players that were away on international duty, Éric Abidal and Thiago Alcántara, have come back injured. The Frenchman is out for ten days with a groin strain,while the Spanish-Brazilian has swollen membrane on his tibia and is in doubt for the game. To add to FCB’s woes, both Messi and Busquets are suspended, while Villa, Afellay and Fontàs, of course, are sidelined with long term injuries
This will be the first league game this season that Barcelona will start without the triple Ballon d’Or winner and current Liga top scorer.
The game will be a reencounter for Pep Guardiola with Javier Clemente, who took over as manager of Sporting a fortnight ago, and managed the current Barça coach when he was in charge of the Spanish national team from 1992 to 1998. It will also give Guardiola the chance to meet up with another old friend, Abelardo, who was at Barça from 1994 to 2002, and is now Clemente’s assistant.
Six points from safety
Sporting are coming to the Camp Nou in desperate need of points, for they are currently in the relegation zone, and six points away from safety. With just one win in 40 league visits, history is very much against the red-and-whites, but Clemente reckons Barça can be surprised by “applying pressure up front and getting the ball out quickâ€. If there is to be a shock, Sporting will need to get it without the services of the injured Colunga and Lora.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Solidarity award
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/03/2012 11:30
The first two winners of the Bobby Robson and Breakthrough Brest Cancer solidarity auction visited the Club’s installations this weekend

Michael Belhassen and Cesc Fàbregas / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
The first two winners of the Bobby Robson and Breakthrough Brest Cancer solidarity auction visited the Club’s installations this weekend. FC Barcelona donated a chance to watch a first-team training session and a game at the Camp Nou.
The first two winners are two French nationals that live in London, David and Michael Belhassen, father and son. They attended yesterday’s afternoon training session and they got the chance to snap photos of themselves with the players and Josep Guardiola presented the pair with two Barça jerseys autographed by the whole team.
The most exciting meeting was between Cesc and Michael . Michael, who favours FC Barcelona over his local club Arsenal, was especially excited to meet the Catalan midfielder in person.Both Michael and his father will watch today’s match between Barça and Sporting at the Camp Nou.
The online auction took place between the 8th and 23rd of last October, the Belhassen family donated £12,000. There was a second pair that also won this past October, they will visit the Club at the end of the season.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Four Barça B players in the final session
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/03/2012 13:33
Barça, with all the available first-team players plus Tello, Muniesa, Dos Santos and Sergi Roberto, trained this afternoon at the Camp Nou. Thiago trained apart from the group

Training session. Photo: Miguel Ruiz-FCB.
The first team finished preparing last-minute details ahead of the match against Sporting Gijón this Saturday afternoon in a closed-door training session at the Camp Nou . The same footballers that trained yesterday - 15 first-teamplayers and Tello , Muniesa , Dos Santos and Sergi Roberto - trained today. Thiago , who is dealing tibia problems, trained apart from the group.
It’s worth remembering that Guardiola will not be able to call on the suspended first-team players Messi and Busquets or the injured Abidal .
After the session, the team ate lunch together at the stadium and will have free time until 18:30, at which time they will return to the Camp Nou. The match will start at 20:00.
Milla visits old stomping grounds
The training session was followed by the U21 Spain manager, Luis Milla . The manager and La Masía graduate played for Barça between 1988 and 1990.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Leverkusen beats Bayern Munich before visiting the Camp Nou (2-0)


03/03/2012 17:47
The German side will visit the Camp Nou after winning three games in a row in the Bundesliga
Goals from Kiessling and Bellarabi sunk Bayern Munich at the BayArena

Leverkusen will arrive in Barcelona full of confidence / PHOTO: www.bayer04.de
Bayer Leverkusen ’s record in the Bundesliga is three victories from three matches since Pep Guardiola led his side to victory in Germany in the Champions League knock-out away leg (1-3).
In their last match before taking on Barça in the return leg of the Champions League, Bayer was host to Bayern Munich at the BayArena . Robin Dutt , despite the importance of the upcoming match in Europe, sent out his best men to cut intothe Munich side’s lead in the table.
The first half was electric and only magnificent saves from the keeper and a quick defence kept Bayern at bay. Arjen Robben was extremely active from the wing, but Müller and Mario Gómez were unable to beat an insurmountable Leno . The defender Friedrich , on the goal line, also denied a Munich goal. In terms of offence, Schürrle and Kiessling both had chances to put the home side ahead, however, their efforts weren’t successful.
Rewarded consistency
The game didn’t change in the first minutes of the second half, with a Bayern attacking and Leverkusen standing tall on defence. Reinartz had the first chance but was unsuccessful and Neuer brilliantly saved Kiessling’s header.
Leverkusen was standing its ground. The home side took the lead in a decisive play where the indecision of Neuer and Boateng allowed Derdiyok to assist Kiessling for the first goal of the night. Bayern was in the hunt for the equaliser and Leverkusen was looking dangerous on the counterattack. In fact, on one such counter, Bellarabi scored the home side’s second goal to the delight of the fans. Thus, Bayer will visit the Camp Nou in the fifth positionof the Bundesliga this Wednesday, March 7th.

FCB,

Sergi Garcia

 

[Classik]

FCB-Sporting: Superior football (3-1)


03/03/2012 22:34
Barça put in a gritty performance to see off an ultra defensive Sporting team despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Piquéwas sent off
Late goals from Keita and Xavi sealed the win after Iniesta had opened the scoring in the first half

El 2-1 de Keita. FOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB.
Barça chalked up their third league win on the trot after overcoming a Sporting team who'd clearly come to defend and park the bus in front of their goal right from the start. Guardiola's menwere without Messi who was suspended but they had no difficulty in taking the initiative against such conservative opponents. There was plenty of controversy too, with three pretty clear penalty shouts denied the home team and a harsh looking red for Pique, but although Sporting managed a second half equaliser, Barçashowed they are not just the most talented teamon the planet, bit also full of steely determination, as Keita and Xavi gave them the points with two splendidly taken goals.
Defensive set up
Clemente took an unusual tactical approach to the game, with a four man defence and man markers in midfield - a clear indication of his team's intention to defend from the off. As usual,Barça got hold of the ball and just attacked, looking sharp from the start as they tried to find a way through the wall of red and white shirts infront of them.
Deserved first half lead
It wasn't an easy job though. Pedro saw a goal disallowed on 10 minutes for off side and Adriano hit a shot wide soon after. The full backswere getting heavily involved in attack and Alves was unlucky not to be given a penalty when he was bundled over in the box. Space was a t a premium around the Sporting area, but Keita found some to shoot, only for a Sporting hand to block it. There was no penalty blown though –much to the Camp Nou crowd's disgust!
Soon after though, on 41 minutes, they were on their feet to applaud a brilliantly worked goal between Keita, Adiano and Iniesta which the Spanish midfielder slotted home for the opener.
Red card for Piqué
The goal came just at the right time – just beforethe break – but soon after the second half got underway the scene changed dramatically whenGerard Piqué was shown a red card on 46 minutes after he clashed with a Sporting attacker just outside the box. Clemente saw his chance and threw on top scorer David Barral, who rewarded his manager with a goal from only his second touch. Now the fans really got behind their team as the players rolled up their sleeves and fought for the points despite being agoal down.
Justice is done
Alexis came on and almost immediately fluffed a great chance, but Xavi and Iniesta were pullingthe strings and more opportunities were bound to come. A third penalty was denied on 68 minutes and the volume inched higher from the crowd as they urged their team on amidst a flurry of yellow cards for the visitors.
The second goal and justice came via a beautifully flighted shot from outside the box by Keita and with the fans now revelling in the lead, Xavi rounded off the night with an exquisite chip over the keeper to make it three. The game saw Barça finish with nine men as Alexis limped off, but this was a heroic performance in which the team showed their commitment, their authority and their brilliance.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Perfect return for Keita



03/03/2012 22:37
The Mali player scored his second goal of the season tonight at the Camp Nou
The midfielder hadn’t started a Liga match since the Barça-Rayo (4-0) game on November 29th, 2001

Keita, celebrating his goal against Sporting / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
It was a dream-like night for Seydou Keita . The Mali international, who played the full 90 minutes against Sporting Gijón , was the decisiveplayer on the pitch when Barça desperately needed a goal. The midfielder, playing in his firstmatch after the Africa Cup of Nations , unleashedpandemonium in the Camp Nou when he directed his left-footed shot to the upper corner of of Pablo ’s goal. Amazing goal.
“I’m very pleased because it was very important to win, we were 10 points down,†said Keita at the end of the match. “We could have drawn, butin the end we won the three points,†he said.
Absent for 13 games
It’s been a while since the midfielder graced the pitch for FC Barcelona . Keita was with the Mali national side for the Africa Cup of Nations for 11 Barça matches, and he didn’t play against Valencia (5-1) or Atlético Madrid (1-2). In total, he hasn’t played in 13 games. Before tonight, his last minutes on the pitch for Barça were at Cornellá - El Prat against Espanyol (1-1), at the start of the new year. The last time he started for the team was against Rayo (4-0), the game was played on November 29th, 2011.
Twentieth goal as an Azulgrana
His return to the starting XI was brilliant. He scored his second goal of the season, his first was in the semifinals of the Club World Cup against Al-Saad (4-0). This was, throughout his Azulgrana career, his 20th goal for Barça. Up until now he’s scored six goals in each of the seasons he’s been at the Catalan club (starting in2008/09).

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Thiago missed the Barça-Sporting match
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/03/2012 18:57
Despite showing improvement, Thiago wasn’t able to overcome his tibia injury ahead of the match against Sporting. The midfielder missed the game at the Camp Nou against the Asturians

Thiago against Osasuna / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Despite showing improvement, Thiago wasn’t able to overcome his tibia injury ahead of the match against Sporting. The midfielder will missed the game at the Camp Nou against the Asturians.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Piqué: "The team did a brutal job"


03/03/2012 23:23
The Barça defender praised his teammates afterthey earned the three points against Sporting Gijón
The Barça squad believes that in order to win the Liga the team must “win three points every weekâ€

[highlight]Two reinforcements for Barça B
Sergi Roberto and Dos Santos, both on the benchin tonight’s victory over Sporting, will join the reserve side tomorrow morning. Both of the footballers will travel to Huelva to play with Eusebio Sacristán’s team (19:45, GotT and Canal+ Liga).[/highlight]
Iniesta: “Once again, the team played some great football"
Pedro: “I’m very pleased with how the team reacted"
Alves: “It’s obvious when Messi isn’t on the pitch. He’s the best player in the world"
FC Barcelona , after the surprising expulsion of Gerard Piqué and David Barral ’s goal, reacted perfectly to take the three points against Sporting Gijón . The Azulgrana players all agree that the most important thing is to keep on winning three points each week to keep Barça’s title hopes alive.
“Our work is done, we won and we want to keep[our title hopes] alive. This is our aim week afterweek. The only thing we can do is win the three points every week,†said Piqué. “There weren’t any spaces, there were a lot of defenders and they didn’t attack attack us. You want to close the game out quickly in games like this, but we couldn’t do it until the end,†said the fullback.
Piqué also talked about Seydou Keita , the man that scored the go-ahead goal as the clock was winding down: “he scored an amazing goal. To score a goal in the upper 90 is worth admiring. What can I say about Keita? He’s a very important player, a key piece in this team.â€
The team’s good attitude
Despite being shown a red card, the Azulgrana defender highlighted the attitude displayed by his teammates against a rock-hard Sporting side: “I’m very happy for my teammates. They were able to win a very complicated match that keeps us alive in the League.
“My teammates were magnificent, they did a brutal job despite only having 10 men on the pitch,†said Piqué.
The defender took the opportunity to tell his version of the play that earned him a straight red card: “[the foul] wasn’t worth a red card, but there’s one referee and he makes the decisions.â€
Here are the statements made by the FC Barcelona players after the match:
Pedro Rodríguez :
“I’m very pleased with how the team reacted
“I’m also pleased with how the fans responded, they helped the team throughout the match
“Playing a man down, we had to be a bit more aware of their counterattacks. However, we created our chances and we managed to earn animportant victoryâ€
Andrés Iniesta :
“The distance [with Madrid] is considerable, but we have to fight until the end
“We were expecting them to shut down spaces. In the end, however, the points stay here
“The manager knows that we all want him to stay
“When an important player like Messi can’t play, we all must try a bit harder
“Once again, the team played some great football
“The game got tough after the referee’s decision, but we had to attack. Our necessity is winning three points week after week
“Being a referee is very difficult, they make theirdecisions within seconds
Dani Alves :
“We have to value the great work we did tonight. We’re happy
“Talking about the referees is a lost cause
“We don’t have a margin of error. We have to keep on going with this attitde, and with it we’ll keep our title hopes alive
“It’s obvious when Messi isn’t on the pitch. He’s the best player in the world
“Gerard Piqué has his reasons to be angryâ€

FCB,

Sergi Garcia

 

[Classik]

Alexis, out for 10 to 15 days
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/03/2012 23:25
The Chilean striker has a small tear in the adductor of his right leg

Alexis after picking up his injury. PHOTO: MIGUELRUIZ-FCB.
Alexis Sanchéz came on in the second half of La Liga match against Sporting Gijón , however, he couldn’t finish the match due to muscle problems. According to Barça’s Medical Services, the striker has a small tear in the adductor of his right leg. The Chilean will be out of action for 10 to 15 days .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “I'm happy with how the players reactedâ€


03/03/2012 23:30
The Catalan manager said that tonight’s match isa “morale boost†for the team
Guardiola also praised Seydou Keita’s, who scored the go-ahead goal, performance and behaviour

"The fans had a great time because we appealed to the epic [spirit] that this Club can sometimes have"
“It’s very necessary to win games like this throughout the yearâ€
Pep Guardiola was proud of the attitude that his team showed in tonight’s match against Sporting Gijón . The Barça manager said, “we won a match against a very defensive side in a match that turned against us. I'm happy with how the players reacted. They’ve done it again. The fans had a great time because we appealed to the epic [spirit] that this Club can sometimes have.â€
Despite not being able to use Messi in tonight’s match, the manager knew that his team wouldn’t falter: “the players took a step forwardtonight.â€
Necessary victory
“It’s very necessary to win games like this throughout the year.†Guardiola believes that tonight’s game against Clemente’s side will reinforce the Catalan club in the future. “The way this game was won reinforces our morale,†said that manager. Guardiola also highlighted the “self-esteem†of his players.
This Wednesday, Barça is to face Bayer in the return leg of the Champions League knock-out stage. “We have to try and enjoy this tie as we try to get to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the forth year in a row,†he said. Guardiola also warned that the tie isn’t over despite the 1-3 from the away leg, and that his team should not underestimate their midweek opponents.
Praise for Keita
Guardiola had special words for Keita . “He scored a golazo [amazing goal], he never plays poorly. He does his best whenever I need him. He makes my job asier. I hope he can stay in this house as long as possible.â€

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Barça v Sporting: Match Stats
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/04/2012 10:15
A personal league scoring record for Xavi, a 48thconsecutive league win for Iniesta and no fewer than 14 different Barça players on the score sheet so far this season – just some of the stats from this Saturday’s win

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
FC Barcelona's win against Sporting Gijon (3-1) threw up some interesting stats:
- Xavi Hernandez has now broken his own personal league scoring record. His goal against Sporting was his eighth so far, his best total since scoring seven in the 2007-08 season.
- Xavi tops the ranking in the major European leagues for completed passes in the opposing half 1,553. Messi is second and Alves, fourth.
- Barça has the widest spread of goal scorers in La Liga – 14 different players from the senior squad plus Tello from the reserves.
- Andrés Iniesta has extended his unbeaten league run to 48 matches. Only Butragueño with50 has gone more consecutive league matches without losing.
- Javier Mascherano regained possession 12 times during match – more than any other player.
- Gerard Piqué is the first Barça player to be sent off in the Camp Nou since February 2010.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Xavi, the passing king
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 03/04/2012 10:20
The Barça midfielder leads the way in the five main European leagues in terms of completed passes in the opposing half of the pitch (1553). Team-mates Messi and Alves are second and third respectively

PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
Xavi Hernandez is the passing king of the leading European football leagues – England, Italy, Germany, France and Spain – with 1553 completed passes in the opponents' half. As well as Xavi, the top five in this particular ranking feature Leo Messi (1351 passes), Xabi Alonso (1271), Dani Alves (1215) and Mikel Arteta (1207). That makes three out of five for Barça.
Not just in the opposing half
However, Xavi Hernandez not only leads the way when it comes to passes in the opposing half. He also tops the ranking in all completed passes with 2139, the only player to pass the 2000 mark. As such he's well ahead of Xabi Alonso (1985), Andrea Pirlo (1925), Philipp Lahm(1896) and Mikel Arteta (1804).

FCB

 

[Classik]

Keita: “My football is about working hard and helping my teammatesâ€
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/04/2012 12:12
The Mali midfielder, scorer of the go-ahead goal against Sporting, says that his goal makes him “happy,†but “winning the three points is always the most important thingâ€

Seydou Keita , one of the stand-out players against Sporting Gijón , sat down with Barça TV’s El Marcador to talk about yesterday’s match. The Mali international said that he’s only focusing onthe team instead of his individual performances. “If I score, I’m happy, but my football is about working and helping my teammates. Winning three points is always the most important thing, because we always have to win.†The midfielderbelieves Barça’s team spirit was the key to unlocking yesterday’s deadlock: “the most important thing is that the team have always had that eagerness to win games.â€
Keita believes that Josep Guardiola will end up renewing his contract with the Club: “he’s home. He has said that he needs time, but, for me, I’m sure that he’ll stay. He has everything here: family, friends... I would stay in my country if I had the chance.â€
He also made mention of the Guardiola’s words of praise: “it’s my fourth year here. I never say anything. If the manager puts me on, perfect, if not, no problem. Football is a team sport. If he has good words for me, perfect. Sometimes footballers are very egocentric, but there are harder things in life than a football atch. I respect the Club a lot, they pay me, and the fans.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

Fernando Alonso: "Watching this Barça play is a pleasure"
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/04/2012 18:10
The Formula 1 driver, Fernando Alonso, says that“for anyone that loves football, coming to the Camp Nou and watching this current Barça side isa pleasureâ€

Fernando Alonso , who is in Barcelona as he prepares for the new Formula 1â„¢ World Championship, watched the match between FC Barcelona and Sporting at the Camp Nou. “Even though I’m more of an Oviedo fan than a Sporting supporter, and more an a Real Madrid man than a Barça follower, I love football and watching this current Barça side in one of the world’s best stadiums is a pleasure.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

Xavi, the passing king
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 03/05/2012 09:50 (Latest update: 03/05/2012 09:50 )
The Barça midfielder leads the way in the five main European leagues in terms of completed passes in the opposing half of the pitch (1553). Team-mates Messi and Alves are second and third respectively

PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB


Xavi Hernandez is the passing king of the leading European football leagues – England, Italy, Germany, France and Spain – with 1553 completed passes in the opponents' half . As well as Xavi, the top five in this particular ranking feature Leo Messi (1351 passes), Xabi Alonso (1271), Dani Alves (1215) and Mikel Arteta (1207). That makes three out of five for Barça.
Not just in the opposing half
However, Xavi Hernandez not only leads the way when it comes to passes in the opposing half. He also tops the ranking in all completed passes with 2139, the only player to pass the 2000 mark . As such he's well ahead of Xabi Alonso (1985), Andrea Pirlo (1925), Philipp Lahm (1896) and Mikel Arteta (1804).

FCB