Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Messi, a new record: 35 league goals, a newBarça record
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 03/25/2012 11:56
The Argentine international just keeps on breaking all the record. This time he has beaten the Club record of 34 league goals in a season held by Brazilian striker Ronaldo since the 1996/97 season. His current tally stands at 35
He also equalled Philip Cocu’s record of 205 appearances

Leo Messi / PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
Once again, Messi proved to be decisive. He opened the scoring against Mallorca on Saturdaynight and set Barça on the road to victory. The goal, his 35th in the league this season , established a new Club scoring record for leaguegoals in a season. Since the 2009/10 season he had shared the previous record of 34 along with former Brazilian striker Ronaldo .
The league’s highest scorer is enjoying a particularly productive run. He has scored for the last eight consecutive matches , including five in the league, accumulating a total of 18 goals in that period. So far this season he has scored an impressive 55 goals .
On the heels of Cocu
Messi made his 205th league appearance against Mallorca and thereby equalled Phillip Cocu ’s record as the foreigner who has made themost appearances for Barça. He looks set to surpass the record previously held by the former Dutch international and current PSV manager in the next game against Athletic Club. Fans may remember that last December Messi equalled and then passed Cocu’s record as the foreign player who has made the most competitive appearances for Barça.
Just last Tuesday, he smashed the long-standing Club scoring record previously held by Cesar Rodriguez with a valuable hat trick against Granada.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Busy week ahead

www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/26/2012 12:41

FC Barcelona face a busy week with two really attractive games – Wednesday’s Champions League clash in Italy against Milan and then the La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao on Saturdayat the Camp Nou

Messi and Xavi / PHOTO: FCB

There are two big matches for Pep Guardiola’s side as March comes to an end. After Sunday’s day off following their win in Mallorca, the players trained at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning and on Tuesday they will be flying out to Milan, where they will train, at the Giuseppe Meazza at 19.00 on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday at 20.45 Milan and Barça meet in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals as Barça strive for their tenth win on the run.

In Milan till Friday

The players will stay in Italy on Thursday and train at midday at the Centro Sportivo Faccheti on the outskirts of Milan, before returning on Friday morning in time for training at the Camp Nou at 13.00.

Bilbao game on Saturday

On Saturday at 12.30 the players will have a final training session before facing Athletic Bilbao at ten at night at the Camp Nou. The day after that, they will begin preparations for Tuesday’s return leg against Milan at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Afellay in squad for Milan trip
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/26/2012 12:55
After a six month injury layoff, the Dutch forward is back in the squad. for the Milan game on Wednesday night
Alves and Oier are the other players added to Saturday’s squad
The players trained this Monday morning and they will fly out to Italy on Tuesday morning

Afellay, en l'entrenament d'aquest dilluns. FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
Although Afellay has still not got the full medical okay after a six month layoff for his knee injury, he is included in the first squad sincehe suffered his injury. Barça will be taking 21 players to Milan on Tuesday morning – the 19 who were in the squad for the game against Mallorca, less Bartra and plus Alves, who has recovered from his injury, and B team keeper Oier.
The squad is made up of Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Fàbregas, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Mascherano, Keita, Sergio Busquets Pedro, Afellay,and Cuenca from the first team squad as well as Muniesa, , Montoya, Olazábal and Cristian Tello.
Training at the Ciutat Esportiva
The players trained this Monday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva with all the squad, except Oier, and the injured Abidal also trained apart on the pitch, whilst Adriano worked out in the gym.
The next training session will be on Tuesday evening at 19.00 at the San Siro.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Club appeals Puyol and Thiago cards
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/26/2012 13:09
In both cases, the ref’s report claims the players: “played the ball with the armâ€

Ayza Gámez expulsa Thiago a Mallorca / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Ayza Gámez expulsa Thiago a Mallorca / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
This morning FC Barcelona presented appeals to the Spanish Disciplinary Committee against the yellow cards handed out to Thiago Alcántara on 57 minutes and Carles Puyol on 88, during the game against Mallorca on Saturday.
In both cases, the referee Ayza Gámez wrote in his report that both players saw yellow for : “playing the ball with the arm, denying a chance for an opponent to play the ballâ€. In Thiago’s case, the yellow was his second and he was thensent off.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Valdés: “Milan are very dangerous on dead balls and on the counterâ€


03/26/2012 13:19
The keeper said that the Champions League quarter-final tie is “very complicated†despite Milan missing key players
On the Liga, Valdés said that both Barça and Madrid will be under pressure until the end of the season

Valdés / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Valdés / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
“They are very dangerous on dead balls and they’re very good at counterattacks"
“Both teams are under pressure. Our only optionis to win all the games we have left and wait"
Víctor Valdés will, in all likelihood, defend FC Barcelona’s goal on Wednesday at the San Siro. It will be the second time this season, after playing against Milan in the group stage of the Champions League, that the Catalan keeper will start against the Italians away from the Camp Nou. Despite the injuries that the Milan side have, the last one keeping Thiago Silva on the sidelines, Valdés said that “they are very dangerous on dead balls and they’re very good at counterattacks . We need to be alert and keepan eye on unmarked players.†He added that “it’sa very complicated tie. It’s vital that we play our style.â€
The Azulgrana keeper recognised that the team “comes into the match on form,†but he reminded the press room that Milan is also enjoying a good string of results.
La Liga
“Both teams are under pressure. Our only option is to win all the games we have left and wait.†Valdés believes that the team needs to stay on form in order to reach the end of the League championship in the best way possible: “when we were 10 points behind we didn’t change, andwe won’t change now that we are 6 behind. We must compete against any rival and try to win the three points.†Furthermore, he admitted that he has taken a look at Madrid’s upcoming schedule, but that “if we don’t win our games it won’t matter.†He reminded the journalists that “the six-point distance is considerable, even more so seeing how Madrid is playing. We have to play our games with confidence and peace. The games and time will decide [the winner of the League].â€
Confidence in the youngsters
Valdés has complete confidence in the players coming up from the reserve side to the first team. “They’re mature. They prove it in games and in training. Their confidence rubs off on the team and on the manager.â€
The keeper said that Afellay , who is close to being match-fit after he sustained a serious ligament injury, is oing well. “He’s recovered nicely. We need him and I’m happy that he’s here.â€

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Youth Football
Sergi Roberto, represents Barça at the MIC presentation
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 03/26/2012 17:00
The Barça B player represented FC Barcelona at the unveiling of the 12th edition of the MIC, which was held in Girona

Sergi Roberto during the presentation of the MICin Girona /PHOTO: Mmillan/DIPUTACIO DE GIRONA
Sergi Roberto during the presentation of the MICin Girona /PHOTO: Mmillan/DIPUTACIO DE GIRONA
Sergi Roberto represented FC Barcelona at presentation of the 12th Mediterranean International Cup (MIC) held at the Salón Plenos of the Girona Provincial Council. The Azulgrana midfielder, who has played in the tournament three times; twice with Barça and once with his old team Reus, talked about his experience in the competition. Sergi Roberto admitted he had a “great experience†playing in the competition and that it was “very interesting playing against teams from other countries.â€
Up to 40 difference countries participate in the MIC. The director of the tournament, Juanjo Rovira , said that the competition has “reached a very important level†and that some teams find it difficult to “qualify.†Two different Barça youthteams compete in the tournament: U-14 and U-12.
MIC, four more years in Girona
Jaume Torremadé , President of the Provincial Council of Girona, signed a four-year agreement with David Ballvé , MIC President, to keep the competition in Girona. The presentation of the tournament was attended by Ãlvaro Vázquez , who represented RCD Espanyol.

FCB

 

[Classik]

An exciting week of football awaits
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/26/2012 18:00
FC Barcelona face a busy week with two really attractive games – Wednesday’s Champions League clash in Italy against Milan and then the La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao on Saturdayat the Camp Nou

Messi and Xavi / PHOTO: FCB
Messi and Xavi / PHOTO: FCB
There are two big matches for Pep Guardiola’s side as March comes to an end. After Sunday’s day off following their win in Mallorca, the players trained at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning and on Tuesday they will be flying out to Milan, where they will train, at the Giuseppe Meazza at 19.00 on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday at 20.45 Milan and Barça meet in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals as Barça strive for their tenth win on the run.
In Milan till Friday
The players will stay in Italy on Thursday and train at midday at the Centro Sportivo Faccheti on the outskirts of Milan, before returning on Friday morning in time for training at the Camp Nou at 13.00.
Bilbao game on Saturday
On Saturday at 12.30 the players will have a final training session before facing Athletic Bilbao at ten at night at the Camp Nou. The day after that, they will begin preparations for Tuesday’s return leg against Milan at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Friday, ticket application process for the King's Cup final opens
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/26/2012 19:21
The application process will close on April 4th at 19:00
The tickets, only available for Club members, start at €60
Barça have 20,000 tickets available, 13,600 are reserved for Club members and 3,400 are reserved for Supporters Clubs

King's Cup Final 2010/11. PHOTO: ARXIU FCB.
King's Cup Final 2010/11. PHOTO: ARXIU FCB.
This Friday at 10:00, March 30th, the Club will open up the ticket petition process for the the King’s Cup final in Madrid against Athletic Bilbao (May 25th at 22:00). The process, which is exclusive to Club members, will be open until 19:00 on April 4th.
It’s worth remembering that this process requires Club members to fill out an online application form on the Club’s website ( www.fcbarcelona.com ) starting this Friday. As usual, each member is allowed to petition for one ticket, however up to four members can be included on one application form, in the event that said members want to travel together. Members under the age of 12 are excluded from this process.
Possible draw on the 10th
All of the petitions will be handled after the established cutoff date. In the event that there are more petitions than there are tickets available, the Club, with the assistance of a notary, will hold a public draw on April 10th at 10:00. On the 10th, 11th and 12th, the Club will inform members that won a ticket, how and when to collect the ticket and finalise the payment process.
You must have a bank card
Completing the application process indicates that a member has the intention of buying a ticket. Therefore, after completing the application, members will be asked to input their bank card data. In the event that a ticket is granted the member’s card will automatically becharged the sum of the ticket price (€60). The difference will be paid at the ticket window should the member wish to upgrade their ticket (limited availability).
Starting at €60
Prices for tickets for the King’s Cup final in Madrid against Athletic Club start at €60. In the event of applying for multiple tickets (one ticket per person, up to four persons on an application form), only one bank card’s data is required to reserve said tickets. If the charge defaults, the right to reserve a ticket is lost.
85% of the tickets for Club members
The Vicente Calderón has a capacity of 50,000, each club will have 20,000 to give out to their fans, while the rest are reserved for the Spanish Football Federation. As usual, 85% of the tickets available for the final (17,000) are allocated to members (13,600) and Supporters Clubs (3,4000) . The remaining 15% (3,000) are reserved for theClub for institutional and sponsorship purposes.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Ibrahimovic and Messi, two strikers on form
JORDI CLOS 03/27/2012 11:22
On Wednesday, AC Milan’s Swedish striker will be face to face with Barça’s Argentinian, two of Europe’s most lethal strikers at the moment
The Swede has scored 22 goals in 23 league games so far, while the Barça star is the provisional top scorer in the Spanish league with35 goals in 28 outings

Ibrahimovic and Messi
Ibrahimovic and Messi
The game between Milan and Barça on Wednesday will bring together two of the most effective attacks in European football, with two particularly prominent names: Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Serie A outfit, and Leo Messi for the Catalans. Both have incredible strike rates this season.
Stunning form
The Swede has scored 22 goals in 23 league games played to date , and is undoubtedly the man the Lombardy giants are looking to for goals this season. Since returning from suspension, Ibrahimovic has scored 7 goals in just four games, including two in the dramatic comeback against Roma last Saturday.
The Argentinian is top of the goalscoring charts in Spain with 35 goals in 28 matches . This is possibly his best moment of the campaign so far,with 12 goals in his last six domestic championship appearances, with his amazing five-goal spree against Bayer Leverkusen in between. In doing so, Messi has also been confirmed as Barcelona’s highest ever goalscorerin official matches.
A year together
Ibrahimovic and Messi know each other well after sharing a dressing room in the 2009/10 season and the start of the following one. In thattime, Ibra scored 22 goals, while Messi got 47, allof which contributed to that amazing year when Barça won six trophies.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Zubizarreta: “A different game to the one in the groupsâ€
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/27/2012 11:24
Andoni Zubizarreta has said that Wednesday will be “a difficult match against a strong opponent†but that Barça are ready to compete with the Italians for a place in the semi finals
Zubi: “The two group matches allowed us to get to know each other a little better but we also know that a knockout match is played differentlyâ€
“We have more important players missing than they do, but great teams are used to playing under any circumstancesâ€

Zubizarreta / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Zubizarreta / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Andoni Zubizarreta was speaking to the media before departing for Italy. “We know what we have to do to get to the final. It’s a great game against a great opponent. It’s one of the best games in the quarter finals. It will be a difficult match against a team we already knowâ€, said the director of football. Of course, the sides already met earlier in the competition. “Both games in the group stages will help us get to know each other a bit better, but we also know that knockout matches are played differently†he said.
Asked about the key players that AC Milan are missing, Zubi commented that “I’m sure our missing players are more important than the ones they have. But great teams are used to playing under any circumstances … The greatest teams are made up of great players. It’s true thatthe such players tend to appear in big matches because they thrive on such pressure. Ibrahimovic is one of them, and he’s an important part of AC Milan â€.
Zubizarreta and the team are not only ready to fight with Milan for a place in the semi finals of the Champions League , and also for three pointsin all their remaining league fixtures. “That’s ourintention. We’ll see whether we ed up winning the league or not†he concluded.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Squad arrives in Milan
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/27/2012 12:14
Barça landed in Milan at 12.00 and have been taken to their hotel, where they will rest before training this evening at 19.00

Squad arrives in Milan / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Squad arrives in Milan / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Official directors dinner
The traditional official dinner for the respective Boards of Directors will be held in the Cracco restaurant in Milan. Adriano Galliani, for AC Milan, and Sandro Rosell, for FC Barcelona, will be the main representatives of each club.
The FC Barcelona expedition gathered on Tuesday morning at 9.30 at the Camp Nou and were transferred to El Prat Airport. The charter flight to Milan left at 10.30 and landed around 12.00. Once in Milan, the team made its way to the hotel, where they will rest before going to the San Siro for the final training session before Wednesday night’s match.
The session will start at 19.00, before which Guardiola and Piqué will be speaking to the media.
President Sandro Rosell leads an expedition thatalso includes vice presidents Bartomeu , Faus and Cardoner plus directors Moix , Monés , Guinovart , Bordas and Arroyo .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Piqué: “The best and the worst is that we know each other wellâ€


03/27/2012 19:21
The defender explained what he expects from the two-leg tie against AC Milan
He’s clear: “we’ll see two fantastic games, it’ll bea great tieâ€

Ibra, thankful and proud
AC Milan was represented by Zlatan Ibrahimovicat the pre-match press conference. The striker said that his Barça are “the strongest team in theworld†and he wishes the Catalan side the best. “I want Barça to win the Liga, I want them to win like I want all my past teams to win.†Moreover, he said he was “proud to have played in the Club.†He preferred not to talk about his departure from FC Barcelona.
In the press conference before the Milan-Barça Champions League quarter-final clash, Gerard Piqué talked about what he expects from tomorrow’s match at the San Siro. “The best and the worst thing about this match up is that we know each other. We’ll try to play a good game and it’s clear that scoring away from home is very important in the Champions League.†The defender said that his team “is on form after a managing to securing a couple of wins consecutively†and that Barça will try to impose their style of play from the first minute. “We know that we have the return leg at the Camp Nou, but we have to leave everything on the pitch.â€
The Catalan warned that his team’s opponent is “among the best three teams in the history of the sport; of course we can be eliminated. We’ll give it our all. We’ll see two fantastic games, it’ll be a great tie.†Piqué also refused to talk about which team is favoured to go through to the semi-final: “we’re the current champions and they like to give us the mantle of favourite. But that’s not worth anything, you have to show it onthe pitch. We have to play at our best to be in Munich.â€
A goal and a game to gain confidence
Piqué played a superb game and scored the winner in the match against Mallorca this weekend. “More than anything else, I’m sticking with my overall game over the goal, with how I feel personally. The most decisive part of the season is here and I hope I can help,†said the defender. It hasn’t been an easy season for the Catalan: “it’s been a complicated year. I started with an injury and it was difficult to plug into theteam dynamic. When I was on the bench, it’s because my teammates were playing better than me.â€
Ibrahimovic’s Milan
Piqué praised the man that he’ll, in most likelihood, have to mark tomorrow, Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “he’s one of the world’s best players. He’s very difficult to stop, he’s a very complete player. He’s fantastic in the air and heâ™sgreat with the ball at his feet - we have to be alert and try to deny him the ball. We can’t let him breathe because he’s having a fantastic year.â€

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Barça returns to the Giuseppe Meazza
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/27/2012 20:38
Barça trained this Tuesday afternoon in AC Milan’s stadium. The Catalans will play the awaymatch of the Champions League quarter-final tomorrow evening at 20:45

Training at the San Siro. PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
The first team trained for the first time this Tuesday at the venue for tomorrow’s Champions League clash (Wednesday, 20:45). It’s the Giuseppe Meazza, well known by the Barça squad, seeing the the Catalan team have played there in this year’s Group Stage and twice in the 2009/10 season.
All 21 footballers that traveled to Italy trained with normality, amongst them Ibrahim Afellay, who has yet to receive the medical all-clear. Barça trained with the Champions League official ball.
Van Bommel visits the squad
The training session, which is part of the routine when Barça plays away matches, was watched by Sandro Rosell and some of the directors that travelled with the team. The ex-Barça player, Mark van Bommel was also present. The current AC Milan player will miss tomorrow’s match due to suspension. However, he didn’t want to miss the chance to greet some of his ex-teammates.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “We must play two good matches or we won't go throughâ€



03/27/2012 21:16
The manager believes that the quarter-final match against AC Milan, “one of the best teams in the world,†will test Barça’s resolve “to perform well in another tieâ€
He hopes to “have long spells of ball possessionâ€to deactivate Ibra and the Italian’s offensive play

Allegri: “We're readyâ€
Massimiliano Allegri, AC Milan manager, believes that his team must have an offensive mindset if they want to have any chance of reaching the semi-finales. “We have to score. I hope we’re learned something, we know how they play more or less. It will be a beautiful match, very difficult on a psychological level,†hesaid. Allegri also highlighted the importance of “no committing errors†that could aid Barça in creating goalscoring chances.
On the Thiago Silva’s absence, injured this weekend against AS Roma, allegri admitted thathe’ll be missing a key player: “He’s a champions and we’ll miss him, but Nesta is in reasonable form and luckily we have other defenders that can play. I’d like to face Barça with a complete squad, but we’re ready.â€
Josep Guardiola is aware of everything that surrounds the Champions League playoff that kicks off this Wednesday against Milan. History, tradition and a lot of top footballers at the height of their careers. “San Siro is one of the great stadiums in European football and AC Milan is one of the best teams in the world. In the quarter-finals of a competition like this, withan opponent like this one, you must be aware that have to play two excellent games or you won’t go through,†said the Barça manager.
“Ibra is unbeatable in the airâ€
The Azulgrana manager praised AC Milan’s team. “I expect to see the best Milan. They have great combative play, they’re good in the air, and they dominate long passes, thanks to Ibrahimovic,†said Guardiola. Guardiola said that the ex-Barça player “has a lot of solutions. He’s an important player for them. When he receives the ball, the whole offensive mechanism of the team snaps into play. He’s unbeatable in the air. We must try to deactivate him and AC Milan through ball possession.â€
The 2-3, forgotten
AC Milan and Barça know each other well thanksto the two games in the Group Stage, the first ended in a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou and a 2-3 victory in Italy. Guardiola talked about Barça’s Group Stage game at the San Siro: “It didn’t go too badly. There’s somewhat of a bad memory ofhow we played here. It’s true that during certain periods of the game they have more chances than we would have liked, but we cannot forget that they have a team that can create chances. We also created quite a few chances that day.â€
Guardiola does not want to look beyond tomorrow’s match, which he considers “more important†than the return leg. He also refused to talk about the possibility of winning the treble: “I don’t look beyond the match against Milan. The year we won the treble I neer thought about it. If we don’t win on Tuesday or on Saturday, we can say goodbye to two titles. We have to take this one step at a time.â€

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

AC Milan - FC Barcelona: Did you know...
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/28/2012 08:00
Two historic teams in European football will face off in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Italians have qualified for the semis11 times from 14 attempts, Barça have qualified 11 times out of 13 attempts
Here are all the facts and stats surrounding tomorrow’s quarter-final match:

Valdés during the group stage at the San Siro / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Valdés during the group stage at the San Siro / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
This will be the third match against AC Milan thisseason. In the first two games, Barça beat Milan at the San Siro (2-3) and drew at the Camp Nou (2-2)
The last Champions League tie against the Italian side ended with FC Barcelona crashing out of the competition. It was against Inter Milan in the 2009/10 season (3-1 in Milan and 1-0 at the Camp Nou)
The last time Barça faced off against an Italian side in the quarter-finals was in the 2003/04 season. The Catalans were eliminated by Juventus (1-1 in Turin and 1-2 at the Camp Nou)
Barça are in the hunt for their fifth consecutive semi-final berth; only Real Madrid have managed to qualify five times in a row in the continental competition (1955/56 through 1959/60)
The last AC Milan victory over Barça was on October 20 2004, when the Italians won 1-0 in the Group Stage at the San Siro
Milan’s record in the quarter-finals is fearsome. In 14 matches, they’ve won 10 and drew 4. They’ve never lost a game at home in this round of the competition
In total, AC Milan have qualified for the semi-finals 11 times from 14 attempts. Barça’s record is superior: they’ve qualified 11 times out of 13 attempts
FC Barcelona have won their last six matches away from the Camp Nou in the Champions League
Playing in Italy, Barça’s balance is five victories, six draws and five defeats
Tomorrow’s most notable absence will be Thiago Silva . The Brazilian scored the equaliser at the Camp Nou in the Group Stage (2-2) this year
Mark van Bommel will also miss the match. The player is suspended
Both Nocerino (AC Milan) and Carles Puyol (Barça) are a yellow card away from suspension
Another ex-Barça player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic , is the player that has committed the most fouls in the competition (22)
Leo Messi is the player with the most goals (12) and the player with the most shots on goal (26) in this edition of the Champions League

FCB

 

[Classik]

The reconquest of the Giuseppe Meazza


03/28/2012 11:30
20.45, Radio Barça: FC Barcelona are back in Milan, where they already won in the group stages, but this time in the most attractive of all the quarter final matches
Both teams are currently enjoying some stunning form

Messi / PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
Messi / PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
The next stop on the road to Munich is one of thetemples of football, nothing less than the San Siro . AC Milan and Barça face each other in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals – undoubtedly the most enthralling of all the games being played in this round. After all, we are talking about two clubs that have eleven European Cup titles between them.
Back to business
The ‘rossoneri’ and ‘blaugrana’ know each other only too well, for they already crossed paths in the group stages of this same competition. The sides drew 2-2 at the Camp Nou , but then Barcelona won 3-2 at the San Siro , a game that ensured they topped the group.
Barça risked everything that night and played with just three defenders, just like they did in the last game against Mallorca. But the Catalans have yet to take such an ambitious risk in a knockout match. However, with only four first team defenders available , namely Alves, Piqué, the repositioned Mascherano and Puyol , it may well be the best option, with the latter being an option to play at left back given the absences of both Abidal and Adriano.
Top form
Both sides are coming into the game on the best form they could wish for. Barça have just won nine games out of nine , with Leo Messi scoring an incredible 18 goals in the process. And comparison will surely be made tonight between the Argentinian and his former Barcelona teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic , who has just scored 7 goals in 4 games for his current club.
Serie A champions and leaders AC Milan , managed by Massimiliano Allegri , also have to deal with missing players, and likewise in defence. Centre back Thiago Silva was the latest player discounted through injury, while former FC Barcelona man Van Bommel also misses the game through suspension.

FCB,

JORDI CLOS

 

[Classik]

'I'm going to Istanbul, you're going to Munich'
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/28/2012 11:02

On Tuesday Barça Regal qualified for the Euroleague’s Final Four in Istanbul, today it’s FC Barcelona’s turn to play in the Champions League to get a little closer to the Munich final

FCB

 

[Classik]

Ticket application to the Spanish Cup Final
www.fcbarcelona.cat 03/28/2012 11:03
Supporters' Clubs can apply for tickets from March 30 until April 4

Spanish Cup Final Athletic Club - FC Barcelona
Spanish Cup Final Athletic Club - FC Barcelona
Next Friday March 30 at 10.00 CET , the process for applying for tickets for the Copa del Rey Finalat the Vicente Calderón in Madrid (May 25) will begin in the supporters clubs section of the official Club website
The process is exclusive to supporters club members and will remain open for six days until Wednesday April 4 at 19.00 CET .
Please remember that during this process, supporters clubs will have to make their application using an online form available from this Friday on the Club website (www.fcbarcelona.cat), in the supporters clubs section. As usual, each supporters club can make an application for up to four tickets, although these are not directly allocated, but are merely an application.
Bank card required
Inscription for this process is considered a firm intention to purchase a ticket. Therefore, when making the inscription, the details of a credit card must be provided. Once the tickets have been assigned, cancellations will not be permitted. The price of tickets will be from 60 euros.
Also, the clau, credential number and name of supporters club must be provided, as well as contact details.
Allocation from April 10
From April 10, the Club will start allocating tickets in accordance with the applications received. The Club will contact supporters club by email to inform them both of the tickets allocated and the process for collection.
85% of seats for members and supporters clubs
Out of the Vicente Calderón’s capacity of 50000 seats, each club will receive 20000 tickets, whilethe remainder will be provided to the Spanish Football Federation. The Club will provide members and supporters clubs with 85% of the tickets available for this final (17000 tickets), which will be distributed among members (13600 tickets) and supporters clubs (3400 tickets). The remaining 15% (3000 seats) will be for the Club’s sporting and institutional commitments and its sponsors.

FCB

 

[Classik]

The Competition Committee withdraws Thiago Alcántara's yellow card
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 03/28/2012 11:29
The decision means that the midfielder can play against Athletic Club this weekend

Thiago Alcántara during a promotional event / PHOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS - FCB
Thiago Alcántara during a promotional event / PHOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS - FCB
The Competition Committee of the RFEF announced that the second yellow card shown to Thiago Alcántara in the game against Mallorca has been withdrawn. Therefore, the red card that the player received is also void and Barça will be able to name the Spanish-Brazilianmidfielder to the squad against Athletic Club.
The appeal for Carles Puyol ’s yellow card, however, was overruled. FC Barcelona have decided to not file an appeal to the Appeals Committee.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Renewal of membership card 2012
03/28/2012 15:55
If your fees are outstanding, you still have time to renew until April 15

Carnet de soci sènior 2012
Carnet de soci sènior 2012
Next March 30 the period expires for payment ofthe 2012 membership card for many members. The Club has extended the period until April 15 . If you have yet to pay your membership fees for 2012 , we recommend that you renew your membership as quickly as possible.
You can do so quickly and comfortably via a secure server . You simply have to identify yourself using your membership details and you can then make the payment using your credit card.
If you like, you can also make the payment in person at the FC Barcelona Supporter Services Office from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 21.00.

FCB