Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Di Matteo: “We'll try to score a goalâ€


04/23/2012 19:00
The Chelsea manager believes that his team must try to score a goal at the Camp Nou if they want to reach the final in Munich
Peter Cech recalled the semifinal in 2009 when Iniesta scored at Stamford Bridge to send Barça through to the final in Rome

Roberto Di Matteo during the press conference / PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS - FCB
Chelsea FC trained this afternoon at the Camp Nou. The English team, who come into the matchwith a 1-0 advantage from the away leg, are prudent ahead of tomorrow’s match because they know it’s not easy to play against Guardiola ’s men. Roberto Di Matteo , who recognized that both teams have “a 50% chance to go through†said “we have the advantage but it will be complicated.â€
The Chelsea manager, moreover, believes that “Barça will create opportunities, they do it against every team they play against. We have to try to score on Tuesday and avoid giving them chances.â€
Cech agrees with Di Matteo
The keeper Peter Cech also believes that his team must attempt to score at the Camp Nou. “The game this Tuesday will be just like the first one. I hope that we score because that will be the difference.†The keeper also recalled the goal Iniesta scored at Stamford Bridge in 2009 that earned Barça passage to the final in Rome.
The Chelsea player also believes that the result from the Clásico won’t influence the Catalan sidetomorrow. “It will be a great match, what happened on Saturday won’t influence the team on Tuesday. They have a lot of experience when it comes to managing defeat, they’ll concentrte on the match.â€

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Focused on Chelsea
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/23/2012 19:19
Guardiola names 21 footballers -18 first-team players and Barça B's Tello, Bartra and Montoya -to Barça's Champions League team against Chelsea

Today's training session at the Camp Nou / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
The players Guardiola named to Barça's UCL squad
Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Cesc, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Mascherano, Keita, Sergio Busquets, Pedro, Afellay, Adriano, Cuenca,Tello, Montoya and Bartra.
FC Barcelona completed their penultimate training session before the Champions League semi-final return match against Chelsea. All available first-team players, with the exceptionsof Villa , Fontàs and Abidal , were at Josep Guardiola ’s disposal this afternoon.
All of them, 18 first-team players plus Barça B’s Tello , Montoya and Bartra , trained at the Camp Nou. The 21 footballers, upon completing the session, returned to the Hotel W, where they willspend the night.
The team is scheduled to complete their final training session tomorrow morning. The closed-door training session will begin at 12:00 at the Camp Nou.
Henry visits the team
Today’s training session had a special visitor. Thierry Henry , ex-FC Barcelona player, didn’t miss the chance to watch his ex-teammates train.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Champions League afternoon at the Camp Nou
04/23/2012 19:58
PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “It's time for the players to step upâ€



04/23/2012 21:30

The manager has faith in his squad and their capacity to reach the final in Munich. “These players are unique, they will always be in our memory and this Tuesday they will do it again,†he said

Guardiola said that he always faces games with “optimism.†He added, “of course I think that we’ll get to Munichâ€

Creating goal-scoring chances, converting them and controlling Chelsea’s counterattacks are key,according to Guardiola

“Let him play, be happy and be who he’s always beenâ€

When asked about Messi’s form of late, Guardiola said, “allow me to never have to be concerned about Messi. Even if he doesn’t score for 27 matches. Give him tranquility and the rightto not have to score goals until he wants to. He’s scored a brutal amount of goals this season. Let him play, be happy and be who he’s always been. His ambition helps us all.â€

Josep Guardiola faces the decisive match againstChelsea on Tuesday as a new challenge and with complete “optimism.†According to the manager, he owes this attitude to his players: “I’ve always taken on this challenge with optimism because of the faith I have in this team.†Guardiola, speaking about his players, said that “it’s their moment†as Barça come into of this Champions League semi-final return leg. “They are great, unique, and they will always be in our memories and tomorrow, they’ll do it again ,†he said before reiterating his belief that “these players will eliminate Chelsea.â€

Guardiola explained that he never faces a challenge thinking that “it won’t go well." He added: "of course, I believe we’ll get to Munich.†He directed his attention to the packed press room and said “let me believe that we can do it. I thought it was possible from the first moment.â€He added: “it’s a new challenge for us. They are a fantastic rival, very difficult and we’re ready to fight against them in the Champions League semi-final in order to get to the final.â€

“We’ll be able to go through with patience and intensityâ€

The manager said that the key to success lies within the team’s ability to create goal-scoring chances and capitalize on them, as well as beingaware of the English team’s virtues: “they are a strong physical team, defensive. They play into space well. Seeing all of this, we need to find thebalance between pace and necessary intensity. Idon’t think we’ll have a lot of chances and we must be ready to convert them when we have them. I have no doubt that with patience and intensity we’ll be able to go through. We’re starting with a goal against us, we have 90 minutes ahead of us and we’ll do everything we can to overturn the result.â€

Along these lines, when asked if he thinks Chelsea will score, Guardiola warned that the English side could get an away goal, especially because they “have the weapons to do it.†He went on to say that “I believe that their style of play will be dependent on the result. They’ll wait for us to lose the ball and then come out. It’s at this point that we have to be ready.†He added that in games like tomorrow’s “it’s impossible to not be excited.†“The players have shown us time and time again that they can cope in these types of situations, today is no exception,†he said.

Guardiola is clear that tomorrow’s game has no bearing on his decision to stay or leave next season. He reflected that after the match againstReal Madrid, he considers that Barça “did a good job. You can always improve your previous work.We’ve done it so well in the past that at times we underestimate our rivals. I think that we played great football this past week. Watching the game against Madrid, I believe we did a good job. It’s not easy to create goal-scoring chances against such a physical team that wait for you in their own half. Our football is peculiar. That’s the way it is, passing the ball is our essence, and that’s how we’ll play while I’m manager. I’m convinced that in time people will see what we were.â€

“I want Gerard just the way he isâ€

Finally, talking about Piqué , Guardiola said that he holds the defender in “high regard†and that Piqué is “a happy lad, that loves his profession and his life.†He added: “there’s nothing wrong between Gerard and I. He hasn’t played for a while, and now he has recovered. We started together, and I appreciate him greatly. He’sthe same person that I met four years ago, a happy lad, that loves his profession and his life. He’s gotfootball and a lot of other things going for him. I’m not here to tell him what he needs to do. He has the right to have concerns. I want him like this; just the way he is.â€

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Barça 2.0
The Catalan dream of three Chinese fans
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 09:00
Xia Miao, Shang Yan and Xie Bin, winners of the Tencent Sport and Catalunya Turisme contest, have finished their weeklong tour of FC Barcelona’s facilities and Catalonia
Dídac Lee, FC Barcelona director of New Technologies, guided the Chinese fans through the Club’s offices, the Museum and the Camp Nouafter enjoying the festivities of the Day of Sant Jordi in Barcelona
Figueres, Girona, Penedès and the Day of Sant Jordi were a couple of the destinations and attractions that the three contest winners visitedand experienced during their stay in Catalonia

Xia Miao, Shang Yan and Xie Bin, winners of the Tencent Sport and Catalunya Turisme contest
China, an Azulgrana country
The contest, which was run on the Chinese socialnetwork Tencent Weibo, was extremely successful in the Asian country. After a long selection process, three finalists, who were chosen from the 11,194 contestants, started their journey to Catalonia. The contest website had over seven million visitors throughout the life of the contest.
Dídac Lee: “I’m very pleased with this contest along with Tencent Sport and the Catalan government because it allowed us to be closer to our Chinese friends and fans, and because we were able to show off Catalonia"
Antonio Li: “The trip was a success, with Barça’s direct implicationâ€
“It was unforgettable, a dream, a fantastic moment,†this is how Xia Miao, Shang Yan and Xie Bin described their trip to Catalonia. These three Chinese Barça fans were given a gift that they'il never forget. They are the three winners of the Tencent, a Chinese technology firm, and Catalunya Turisme contest. The contest was done in collaboration with FC Barcelona, Turkish Airlines and Nike. Barça did its part to promote Catalonia in Asia as the Club put itself at Catalonia’s service to show not only Barcelona but the Costa Brava, Figueres, Girona and, of course, Sant Jordi to the contest winners.
This Monday, after enjoying the Day of Sant Jordiin the city, the three contest winners were given a private tour of FC Barcelona’s facilities. Dídac Lee , FC Barcelona director of New Technologies, showed Miao, Yan and Bin the Club’s offices and the Barça Museum.
“I want to come againâ€
On the visit, Yan, who is a member of the board of directors of the Great Wall Barça Supporters Club in Beijing, presented Dídac Lee with presents for Éric Abidal from the Chinese Supporters Club. In fact, Yan has been working relentlessly to gather as many Culés as possible in the Asian country.
“I thought I would never be able to realize a dream like this!†said Bin, manager of a car sales company in the Chinese province of Liao Ning. Bin has been a faithful Barça supporter for more than 10 years; he also boasts an extraordinary collection of Barça jerseys. “It’s not sufficient to be in Barcelona with Barça just once. I want to come again,†said Miao, specialist in digital marketing.
Catalunya Turisme didn’t bring the three ChineseBarça supporters to Catalonia just to watch the Clásico and enjoy the Museum. The three contestwinners started their tour of Catalonia in Girona. Lee , who is of Chinese origin himself, received the contest winners in Figueres, his home town, and took them on a tour of the Dalí Theatre Museum. Lee places high value on these types of initiative, and is pleased that the Club is able to promote Catalonia as a tourist destination and introduce Catalan culture to Chinese society: “I’mvery pleased with this contest along with Tencent Sport and the Catalan government because it allowed us to be closer to our Chinese friends and fans, and because we were able to show off Catalonia. Without a doubt, this is the first of many initiatives that we’ll be involved in.â€
Catalonia’s emblematic destinations
Besides Figueres, the Chinese fans also visited Girona, Montserrat and other famous tourist attractions in Barcelona like Parc Güell, la Rambla and Montjüic. Miao, Yan and Bin were also able to enjoy the Day of Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s most esteemed traditions, and the cavas of Penedès.
Barça-Catalonia
“The trip was a success, with Barça’s direct implication,†said Antonio Lin , director of the Tourist Promotion Center and Catalan Tourist Agency in Beijing. “We managed to find a new way to combine culture and sport with Barça andCatalonia.†Catalunya Turisme reported that over 80,000 Chinese tourists come to Catalonia each year: “it’s an important number that keeps on growing, we’re promoting holiday packages that include Catalonia and Barça in the same itinerary.â€
On Saturday, Miao, Yan and Bin didn’t sleep too well. Even though the Clásico went to Real Madrid, and after years of staying up late to watch the Club on television, what kept the three contest winners awake was the image of 90,000 people working together to make this weekend’s mosaic. The three Chinese fans had also joined their voices to the a cappella rendition of the Barça hymn at the start of the Clásico.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FCB-Chelsea: Did you know...
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 09:12
A look at some of the curiosities surrounding tonight’s massive Champions Leaguesemi final second leg at the Camp Nou

Iniesta during the match at Stamford Bridge / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
• FC Barcelona and Chelsea have met eleven times in Europe, with 4 wins for the
English club, 3 for the Catalans and four draws
• Barça have not lost a European fixture at the Camp Nou for 15 games, having put
together 13 wins and two draws
• In the five games they have played at the Camp Nou in this year’s edition, Barça have
scored 18 goals
• None of the last four results between Barça and Chelsea at the Camp Nou would
produce a result that would serve the interests of the former side this evening (2-1 in
2004/05, 1-1 in 2005/06, 2-2 in 2006/07 and 0-0 in 2008/09).
• But the 5-1 win in 1999/00, under similar circumstances to this year’s encounter, with
Barça needing to make up for 3-1 first leg defeatin London, would see the home side
through to the final
• Chelsea have been struggling to find form away from home in Europe this season,
having lost two and drawn two games, and only having won on the trip to Benfica.
Nevertheless, of their five away results, only the 3-1 loss to Napoli would not be
enough to see them qualify tonight at Barcelona’s expense.
• Barça have won 50% of their Champions League semi finals played to date (6 out of
12). Chelsea, meanwhile, have only won 20% (1 out of 5).
• Whenever they have won the first leg of a European tie, Chelsea have managed to
qualify 9 times out of 13.
• FC Barcelona have had the most shots (99) and the most corners (66) in the
competition, They have also received the fewestyellow cards (15)
• Puyol and Mascherano are both one booking short of suspension from a hypothetical
final appearance. Chelsea’s Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cole, Ramires and Meireles are all in
the same situation.
• Chelsea is the lowest scoring of all four quarterfinalists (22) and is also the side that
has leaked the most goals (9).
• The Londoners are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, having won six of
them. They haven’t even conceded a goal for four games.
• Patience may well be a virtue on Tuesday night. 18 of the 38 goals that Chelsea have
conceded in the Premiership this season were scored in the last quarter of an hour.
• The referee tonight will be Turkey’s Cüneyt Çakir, who is taking charge of his eighth
Champions League fixture. He has refereed both Barça and Chelsea once before. He
whistled Barça’s 1-1 draw in Kazan in the 2010/11 group stages and also Chelsea’s 4-
1 win over Spartak Moscow in the 2009/10) group stages.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona - Chelsea FC in focus
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 09:45
FC Barcelona with face Chelsea FC in the decisivereturn leg of the Champions League semi-final atthe Camp Nou this evening at 20:45. Here's an overview of the interviews, photo galleries, videos, analysis and reactions leading up to tonight's match

Iniesta's goal at Stamford Bridge in 2009
FC Barcelona with face Chelsea FC in the decisivereturn leg of the Champions League semi-final at20:45 at the Camp Nou this evening. Guardiola's men will have 90 minutes to overturn the 1-0 socreline from last week's away leg at Stamford Bridge.
Here's a quick and easy way to get all the information leading up to tonight's match:
[+] ARTICLES
- Carles Puyol: “we have to pick ourselves up – we have a very big game on Tuesdayâ€
- Training focus on Chelsea
- Reaction to setbacks always positive
- ]Xavi: “it’s in our own hands to finish with a good seasonâ€
- Chelsea irregular away from home
- 199 media from 28 countries to attend Barça Chelsea
- Piqué: “We'll have our chance if we play like we did at Stamford Bridge"
- Di Matteo: “We'll try to score a goalâ€
- Focused on Chelsea
- Guardiola: “It's time for the players to step upâ€
- FCB-Chelsea: Did you know...
[+] VIDEO
- The Barça Toons, ready to welcome Chelsea
- 90 minutes to keep the dream alive!

FCB

 

[Classik]

Comeback required for Munich


04/24/2012 10:23
20.45, La1 and R@dio Barça: Barça host Chelsea in the Champions League semi final second leg as they seek to make amends for 1-0 defeat in London and qualify for the grand final

Messi, in Stamford Bridge / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Barça are looking to make history tonight against Chelsea . After losing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, they need to win to make it into their eighth European final, and even so that might not be enough if Chelsea get any all-important away goals. Just one goal for the Premiership outfit, and the defending champions will need toget three. And to stop them from doing that, the Londoners are likely to pack their defence as tightly as they did to such devastating effect in the first leg.
Night of hope
But the Camp Nou is used to big European nights liked this. The fans will be eager to see their heroes shine again after the painful defeat at home to Real Madrid on Saturday, a defeat that as good as ended their hopes of retaining the Liga title. So now, all their dreams are focused instead on the fifth European crown in a season that has already seen them lift the Clubs World Cup and Spanish and European Supercup trophies – with the final of the Copa del Rey also to come next month.
All eyes on Europe
Pep Guardiola , as always for Champions League fixtures, has gathered his players in a hotel on the eve of the game. He has his full squad available apart from the long-term absentees Villa, Fontàs and Abidal . Barça B’s Tello, Bartra and Montoya also joined Monday’s training session at the Camp Nou. Both Mascherano and Puyol are one yellow card short of a suspension, which would mean them missing out on a hypothetical final appearance in Munich.
Drogba the main man
Chelsea’s biggest worry is the man who scored the only goal in the first leg, Didier Drogba . The Ivorian striker was missing from last weekend’s clash with Arsenal, although it looks like he will be available on Tuesday night, and all that reallystands between him and a place in the team is the opinion of manager Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian has no fewer than four players that are one booking away from a suspension: Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires and Meireles.
The London based outfit have been having a seriously below par season in the Premiership, and practically their only hope of appearing in the Champions League next season is to qualify by virtue of winning this year’s edition.

FCB,

JORDI CLOS

 

[Classik]

FCB-Málaga, Wednesday May 2nd, at 20:00
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 12:16
The LFP has confirmed the schedule for the FCB-Málaga match. The game will be played at the Camp Nou at 20:00
This will be the penultimate La Liga match at the stadium this season

Messi against Málaga / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
The Professional Football League (LFP) has confirmed the schedule for La Liga’s next round of matches. FC Barcelona will play at home against Málaga on Wednesday, May 2nd at 20:00 . This is week 20 of the competition, whichhad to be moved due to week 1’s rescheduling. The start of La Liga was delayed due to the Spanish Footballers Association strike (AFE).
The match against Málaga will be the penultimate game at the Camp Nou this season. The only other match that will be played at the stadium will be the Catalan derby against Espanyol, which will take place the following week on the 5th or 6th of May. Kickoff time for this match will be announced in the coming week.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Last training session before the fight back
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 13:16
The 21 players named to the team by Josep Guardiola trained this afternoon at the Camp Nou

Last training session before hosting Chelsea / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ -FCB
FC Barcelona left the team hotel for their last training session at the Camp Nou before tonight’s match against Chelsea. The 21 players named to the team took to the field at 12:00. Guardiola’s men must fight back from a one-goaldeficit if they want to make it to the Munich Final on May 19th .
Upon completion of the training session the team returned to Hotel W where they will remain until 18:30, at which time they return to the Camp Nou to play against Chelsea.

FCB

 

[Classik]

One crest before the Clásico
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 13:32
During the previous hours, the Peruvian supporters’ club saw their plaque officially unveiled

Crest unveiling of the PB de Lima
Last Saturday, right before the match against R. Madrid, the Penya Blaugrna de Lima was of celebration. Around twenty supporters went to Rampa Nord, to see their print stamped at Camp Nou’s façade.
Daniel Sala , director of the Penyes Comission, had the honour along with vicepresident of the penya Alfredo Pereyra . Their supporters went several miles to attend this match, and live a historic moment of this supporters’ club with seven years of history.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Fans are optimistic ahead of tonight's match against Chelsea
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 15:20
Barça fans believe that Barça will overcome Chelsea tonight and reach the final in Munich

In the hours leading up to tonight’s Champions League match, Barça TV asked Barça fans if they think Barça will go through to the final. Without a doubt, the Culés believe that their team will overturn the 1-0 result from last week’s match against Chelsea.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Barça arrive at the Camp Nou
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 15:40
Get all the information on tonight's Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC

Road to Munic.
- 19:30 : The stadium doors open up to the public. The fans begin to take their seats.
- 19:19 : FC Barcelona arrive at the stadium . The doors to the Camp Nou will open shortly.
- 18:49 :The team's motor coach has left the Hotel W and is headed for the Camp Nou.
- 18:15: UEFA is briefing all the television stations on proper protocol and television rights. The final details are being made for tonight’s broadcast.
- 18:00 : The players are having tea at the Hotel W. When they finish they'll make the short trip tothe Camp Nou for tonight's match.
- 17:45 : We're three hours away from the match.The Barça Toons are ready for the Champions League semi-final.
- 16:30 : Barça fans optimistic ahead of tonight's match against Chelsea
- 15:30: There will be 60,000 Barça and Catalonia flags at the Camp Nou to receive FC Barcelona and Chelsea as both teams enter the stadium.
- 14:30: The press start to take up their positions.For the FCB-Chelsea match a total of 824 accredited professionals and 199 press outlets from 28 different countries will cover tonight’s game.
- 14:00: Official meal between representatives of FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at the Opium Mar restaurant. Barça are represented by Sandro Rosell.
- 13:40: The Barça players, after completing theirtraining session , return to the Hotel W. They willreturn to the Camp Nou at 18:30.
- 12:50: Chelsea will not hold a training session today. The team will remain at the Rey Juan Carlos I Hotel. Chelsea’s last match was on Saturday, the game ended in a goalless draw against Arsenal.
- 12:27: The team begins their final training session. All 21 players named to Barça’s team fortonight are participating in the session.
- 11:30: Barça’s motor coach arrives at the Camp Nou. The players will be on the stadium’s pitch in30 minutes.
- 11:00: Barça departs the Hotel W for the Camp Nou. Starting at 12:00, Guardiola’s men will complete their final training session.
- 10:30: Representatives from both clubs, UEFA, local police and the visiting team’s security detail meet at the Camp Nou. The meeting was also attended by a member of tonight’s referee delegation to confirm each team’s kit for tonight’s match.
- 10:00: The last tickets for the FC Barcelona - Chelsea FC match go on sale.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Coming soon

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona - Chelsea FC in focus
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 17:35
FC Barcelona with face Chelsea FC in the decisivereturn leg of the Champions League semi-final atthe Camp Nou this evening at 20:45. Here's an overview of the interviews, photo galleries, videos, analysis and reactions leading up to tonight's match

Iniesta's goal at Stamford Bridge in 2009
FC Barcelona with face Chelsea FC in the decisivereturn leg of the Champions League semi-final at20:45 at the Camp Nou this evening. Guardiola's men will have 90 minutes to overturn the 1-0 socreline from last week's away leg at Stamford Bridge.
Here's a quick and easy way to get all the information leading up to tonight's match:
[+] ARTICLES
- 60,000 flags will welcome the teams to the Camp Nou
- Last training session before the fight back
- Carles Puyol: “we have to pick ourselves up – we have a very big game on Tuesdayâ€
- Training focus on Chelsea
- Reaction to setbacks always positive
- Xavi: “it’s in our own hands to finish with a good seasonâ€
- Chelsea irregular away from home
- 199 media from 28 countries to attend Barça Chelsea
- Piqué: “We'll have our chance if we play like we did at Stamford Bridge"
- Di Matteo: “We'll try to score a goalâ€
- Focused on Chelsea
- Guardiola: “It's time for the players to step upâ€
- FCB-Chelsea: Did you know...
[+] VIDEO
- The Barça Toons, ready to welcome Chelsea
- 90 minutes to keep the dream alive!
- Fans are optimistic ahead of tonight's match against Chelsea

FCB

 

[Classik]

Training session 24/04/2012 / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

FCB

 

[Classik]

Barça bow out, but with their heads held high (2-2)


04/24/2012 22:49
Busquets put FC Barcelona ahead shortly before Terry was sent off for kneeing Alexis in the back
Leading 1-0 and with an extra man, Iniesta increased Barça’s lead
Shortly before the break, a long range chip from Ramires put Chelsea back in control
Barça hit the post twice in the second half, once from the penalty spot
A late Torres goal while Guardiola’s side was deep in the Chelsea half settled the game in injury time

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
Tonight’s game showed just how cruel football can be sometimes. FC Barcelona , who shot no fewer than 23 times, twice onto the post, as also happened in the first leg, have been knocked out of the Champions League . But they go out with their heads held high, having remained faithful to their brave, attacking style, and almost incomprehensively being unrewarded fortheir efforts. There was nothing to criticise aboutBarça tonight, but luck simply was not on their side.
And that was despite things getting off to a far better start than anybody could have wished for. Busquets and Iniesta scored and Terry was sent off . It had taken just 43 minutes for Barça to turnthe tie back into their favour. But a shock goal from Ramires meant that Barça still had some work to do in the second half. Messi hit the post twice, once from the penalty spot, and the last 45 minutes were a monologue as FCB tried and tried, and tried again, to find their way through the ten remaining men that Chelsea had campeddeep in their own half. The goal just didn’t want to come, and then, inexplicably, Fernando Torres ran half the length of the pitch on his own before rounding Valdés to slot home the goal that sentenced the tie. Di Matteo ’s side barely had any chances in the entire game, but made the very most of the few they did.
The upshot of it all is that the defending champions are out of the competition despite demonstrating that they are a far superior side to Chelsea . But if you don’t take your chances, you pay the price, and it is for that reason alone that Barcelona will not be going to Munich.
Stop-start beginning
Guardiola made as many as four changes to the side that started the clásico. He opted for a three-man defence of Mascherano, Piqué and Puyol , without out-and-out full backs. And it was the respective team’s centre backs that were the protagonists of the first few minutes offootball. For Chelsea , Cahill was substituted by Bosingwa after just 11 minutes of play. A quarterof an hour later Piqué was replaced, by Alves, in the same position for FCB, after a brutal aerial clash involving himself, Valdés and Drogba left him momentarily stunned on the floor. So many interruptions were doing nothing to benefit Barcelona’s plans.
Busquets pulls the tie level
Whenever the ball was in play, events panned out almost identically to the way they did at Stamford Bridge . Chelsea, with only Drogba in an advanced position, had little intention of doing anything other than defend, and left it to Barça to take the initiative, with Alexis the most active, especially when supplied by an energetic Cuenca on the right. And it was the latter who created the first goal of the night, following a corner kick, with an exquisite pass to Busquets . Everything was back level, and the Camp Nou started roaring.
Terry off
Shortly after his side went a goal down, Terry , inan off the ball incident, kneed Alexis in the back.It was a shockingly foolish action for a man of his experience, and cost him a red card and ultimately a place in the Munich final. With Cahill injured, Terry sent off and David Luiz already sidelined through injury, Chelsea were left without any natural centre backs. Their intention had clearly been to come to Barcelona and defend, and they were now condemned to doing so with a makeshift back four of Ramires, Ivanovic, Bosingwa and Cole . Five minutes later, Barça made them pay the price with a rapid counter attack that ended with Messi supplying an assist for Iniesta to make it 2-0. At that point, it looked like Barça would end up romping home. Munich was in sight.
But just like on Saturday against Madrid, when Cristiano Ronaldo responded almost immediately to Alexis’ goal, FC Barcelona were hit within in seconds of scoring themselves. Ramires managed to lose his marker and sent home a long-range chip to make it 2-1, and the away goal meant that Chelsea were, as things stood, heading for Munich again.
Messi misses penalty
The manic end to the first half carried over into the second. Within seconds, the referee was pointing to the penalty spot after Drogba brought down Cesc in the area. But Messi struck his spot-kick straight against the Chelsea bar. Moments later, an Alexis header skimmed wide of the post, and then a Cuenca effort was turned away by Chelsea keeper Cech. The onslaught on the Chelsea goal was constant, and Chelsea had withdrawn so intensely into their own area that even Drogba did his bit by playing at left back.
Everything was heading in one direction – that of Cech, who was simply outstanding this evening. But he was beaten by Alexis , who was caught offside by the very narrowest of margins, and shortly after Messi hit the post for the second time of the night. The ball just did not want to go in.
Torres, and game over
And incredible as it might seem, with Barça now sending everything they had forward in search of the elusive third goal, the ball somehow ended up in the path of late substitute Torres . The Spaniard ran solo across half the length of the pitch, dribbled the ball around Valdés , and scored the goal that ended any hope Barça had of appearing in the Munich final. Football can be so unfair sometimes.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Piqué in hospital
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/24/2012 23:45
Medical tests have ruled out any injuries to the player

Piqué after the collision / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
Gerard Piqué underwent tests at hospital after the collision with Víctor Valdés and Drogba. The player will remain in observation at hospital even though any type of injury has been ruled out.
The Catalan defender was involved in a collision with Drogba and Valdés at the start of the first half of the Champions League semi-final at the Camp Nou. He was subbed off after 25 minutes for Dani Alves.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “This year it wasn't to beâ€


04/24/2012 23:46
Pep Guardiola, disappointed with his team’s elimination, indicated that Barça played two fantastic matches against Chelsea
The manager thanked the supporters and his players for their dedication

Meeting with Rosell
When asked if he will continue to manage the team next season, Guardiola said: “I’ll meet withPresident Sandro Rosell in the coming days and we’ll decide in what’s best. Obviously, it’s time totalk about it.â€
“It wasn’t meant to be this year. The first thing that goes through my head is immense sorrow. Forgive me if I’m not clairvoyant, but I have the perception that with time I’ll say: ‘we played an excellent tie.’†Josep Guardiola analyzed the two-leg tie against Chelsea with his heart and and head: “we played exceptionally well for 180minutes, we did everything we could to be in thefinal. We’ve never worked this hard to be in a final.â€
He added: “we have to know what we did incorrectly and correct it.†The Barça manager analyzed the moments after his team took a two-goal lead: “with the 2-0 we didn’t stop, we kept on attacking. No one can have everything. It can be a lesson that you learn with time.â€
The story repeats itself
Guardiola, who congratulated Chelsea “for their defensive work†and for their spot in the final, was clear and honest: “we failed because we didn’t score [more goals]. However, we worked very hard to be here.†According to the manager, “the important thing is that we made it here andwe were once again very, very close.â€
He also highlighted a couple of key aspects of tonight’s match: “the 2-1 wasn’t good for us psychologically. We went out in the second half, we had a penalty, and they were reinforced.†He added with resignation: “we saw a repeat of thesame story in Lodon, they scored in the 45+1 minute.â€
Praise for the fans and for Messi
Guardiola especially wanted to thank the fans for their support. “The fans, simply spectacular. They carried us and I’m very thankful to them. They also saw that we gave it our all. Perhaps we have changed their mentality but we have towin once again,†said the manager while trying to hide his disappointment with a smile. Guardiola also acknowledged Leo Messi in a verypublic way: “I want to thank him for everything he’s done, my admiration for him is insurmountable. He’s an example to us all on how to be better each day.â€
Barça now have four games left in La Liga and the final of the Cup. Pep Guardiola explained how he plans o keep his men motivated: “we have to value the emotional aspect of the players and see how we can recover them.â€

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Cesc: “We were loyal to our style of playâ€


04/25/2012 00:12
The Azulgrana midfielder thanked the fans for their support and he said that tonight’s defeat was “a hard blow†for the players
Cesc advised his teammates to look forward and to think about the “last four games of the Liga and the final of the King’s Cupâ€

Cesc Fàbregas /PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ -FCB
Training session on Friday
Puyol and Xavi passed an anti-doping test after the match. The team will have two days off before their next training session, which will take place on Friday at 11:00, at the Ciutat Esportiva Sant Joan Despí. Sergio Busquets will hold a press conference after the session.
The FC Barcelona players are disappointed that they didn’t make it to the Champions League final. “It’s a painful way to go out because we were superior. The result in Stamford Bridge is what did us in,†said Cesc Fàbregas after the match. When Barça went up 2-0 the team had itssights set on Munich, however Chelsea scored two goals from two chances and killed off the tie. The Azulgrana midfielder said that “we played a great game, we dominated and we created a lot of chances. We didn’t sacrifice our style.â€
A very difficult defeat
“It’s painful to be eliminated this way, seeing that we had a lot of chances to score,†said a very up-front Cesc, who added “it’s a very hard blow.†The midfielder, however, reassured hit teammates and Barça fans that “we have to holdour heads high†and that next year “we’ll have the chance to do important things.†He added that the players have shown “that they can better themselves.â€
The players must look forward and think about “the last four games in La Liga and the King’s Cupfinal.†Fàbregas said that it’s too early to make a judgement on his team’s season and that “we have to keep looking forward. We have to react quickly, even if it’s only for our fans.â€
10 out of 10 for the fans
Despite the defeat, the midfielder congratulatedthe supporters for their amazing attitude and forcheering on the team. “I’ve never seen the Camp Nou like that after a defeat,†said Cesc. He addedthat Barça “are a big team†because it has incredible “players, managers and fans.â€
Here are the statements made by the some of the players on Twitter after the match:
Isaac Cuenca
“We fought until the end. Fans, I’m very sorry. We’ll pick ourselves up with your help#forçabarçaâ€
Iniesta
“It’s a difficult and hard moment. We did everything to be in the Munich final, but it wasn’tmeant to be...â€
Alves[/url
“I’d like to thank all the Culés for your support and, at the same time, apologize for what happened. We tired but it wasn’t meant to beâ€

FCB,

ITZIAR BRAVO