Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

17 years reigning in Europe


04/30/2012 11:50
With the historic victory of the Futsal team in Lleida, the Club can boast 17 successive seasons with at least one of its professional teams as European Champions
The Club have been proclaimed European champions on 34 occasions -4 times at football, 2at basketball, 8 at handball, 19 at roller hockey and now one at futsal
Over the last 17 seasons, the Club have won 22 European Cups

Javi Rodríguez, aixecant el títol a Lleida / FOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
Javi Rodríguez, aixecant el títol a Lleida / FOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
The Club won its 34th European Champions trophy this Sunday at the Barris Nord in Lleida this Sunday, when Barcelona Alusport beat Dynamo Moscow to take the first European crown for the futsal section in the Club’s history.
Marc Carmona’s men achieved a historic win thatensured the Club continued its amazing 17 year run with at least one of the professional teams winning at a European Champions League.
First Futsal trophy
The 34 titles won by the five professional sections include the four Champions League wonby the football team – Wembley, Paris, Rome and Wembley again- and the two won by the basketball section – the most recent in Paris in the 2009/10 season.
The handball section has won 8 Champions League titles, whilst the 19 won by the roller hockey team have dominated the continent with19 titles Today’s first win by the futsal team means the Club can claim 34 Champions League titles in total.
17 years and 22 titles
Since the 1994/1995 season, the Club have won at least one Champions League title per year, taking 22 titles in all : three at football, two at basketball, seven at handball, nine at roller hockey and now one more at futsal.
The professional teams have actually won an international trophy every year since 1988/89 when the football team won the Cup Winners Cup. Over those 24 seasons, the Club have claimed a total of 59 international titles.

FCB,

Sergi Garcia

 

[Classik]

Derby game against Espanyol scheduled for21.00 on May 5th
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/30/2012 12:00
The derby game at the Camp Nou against Espanyol will kick off at 21.00 this Saturday
Guardiola’s team’s last home game this season

FCB - Espanyol Season 2010/11 / FOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
The Spanish League have published the kick off times for next weekend’s round of games - week 37 – and FC Barcelona will play city neighbours Espanyol at nine o’clock on Saturday night . With the team also facing Malaga at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night (20.00) , this will be the second game at the stadium in four days and will also be Guardiola’s last home game in charge of the team.
Barça have two more games to play following the derby game – their final league match away to Betis (exact date and time to be confirmed) and the Spanish Cup Final against Athletic Bilbaoon Friday May 25th at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FOOTBALL
Alexis knock makes him doubt for Wednesday
www.fcbarcelona.cat 04/30/2012 12:41

Alexis has picked up a knock on his left leg and he will be kept under observation before a decision is made as to his availability for Wednesday’s game against Malaga
Victor Valdes also missed training today, under the weather with fever
The squad trained this Monday lunchtime after their big win against Rayo, but two big names were missing: Alexis , who picked up a knock on his left leg, and Valdes , who is ill. The Chilean hitman is doubtful for Wednesday’s game, though the Club doctors are keeping him under observation before making a final decision.
Gentle session for Sunday’s heroes
The players who figured on Sunday were given agentle session, whilst the rest of the squad began preparations for Wednesday night’s game, along with 10 B team players - Bartra, Tello and Montoya –who were included in the squad for the Rayo game- and Rodri, Carmona, Oriol Rosell, Espinosa, Lobato, Sergi Gómez and Masip.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Pinto: “Tito has our supportâ€


04/30/2012 14:45
Jose Manuel Pinto took over from Valdes in goal at the weekend and speaking to the press today he insisted: “Tito Vilanova has the strength and character†to take charge next season
Pinto wants Messi to win the Pitxitxi: “if he wins,the whole team winsâ€

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
Josep Guardiola ’s farewell and Tito Vilanova ’s appointment was at the heart of José Manuel Pinto ’s press conference this morning and the keeper explained: “I completely understand what Guardiola has done. He takes everything very seriously and that takes a big toll mentally. You can’t compare them, but Tito has the character and strength, as well as our full backingâ€..
No change in style
Asked if the changeover would affect the team’sperformance, Pinto replied: “I don’t think much will change because the two of them share the same vision. We are all relaxed about it and we are right behind Tito and his way of looking at footballâ€. Pinto didn’t want to hear talk about the end of an era, insisting: “Only time will tellâ€.
Pinto did admit however, that: “all of us have been affected by the news and we’ve all felt badabout itâ€.
Individual awards for collective effort
The keeper also believes that Messi can win the Pichichi as the league’s highest scorer this season: “I want Messi to win –if he wins, the whole team wins. If he scores, it’s down to the work the whole team have put inâ€. Pinto also insisted that Víctor Valdés , who is guaranteed the Zamora as the keeper who’s conceded least goals this season if he plays no more league games his campaign: “is the keeper who most deserves itâ€.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Training session 30/04/2012
04/30/2012 15:43

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

FCB

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Round Up Week 35


04/30/2012 16:07
Málaga took a giant step towards Champions League football next season, rounding off a terrible week for Valencia with a 1-0 win, whilst Villarreal are increasingly in danger of the drop after this weekend’s round of games

Piqué playing against Màlaga / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
Málaga close in on Champions League spot
A first half goal from Camacho was enough to give Málaga the points against Valencia, who
had Feghouli sent off on the hour mark, and leave them level on 55 points, with Valencia
ahead on goal difference. Valencia’s under fire boss Unai Emery admitted: “it was a fair result.
Once we were down to 10 men, they looked more likely to make it 2-0 than we did to equalise,
but third place is still in our own handsâ€. Valenciahave two home games, against Osasuna
and Villarreal and a trip to Donosti to play Real Sociedad on the final day of the season, whilst
Málaga visit the Camp Nou and the Vicente Calderón, before ending the season with a home
game against Sporting.
Levante still in the chase
Levante may still have a part to play in the fight for third or fourth though, after beating
Granada 3-1 to move onto 52 points, with trips toZaragoza and Mallorca and a final day home
game against Athletic Club to come. Atlético Madrid inched into sixth on 49, a point ahead
of Bilbao, with a 2-2 draw at Betis. With just five minutes left to play, Atlético were one up
and looked likely to take the three points, before two quick strikes from Pozuelo and Pereira
turned the game around, only for Falcao to claima last gasp equaliser for Simeone’s team.
Bilbao themselves were well beaten by Zaragoza (2-0) and seem to have their focus firmly fixed
on their upcoming two Cup finals. Osasuna (48 points) kept their European hope alive with a
1-1 draw at Villarreal, whilst Sevilla’s 3-0 defeat at the Bernabéu leaves them a further two
points behind, together with Mallorca who won 1-3 at Getafe.
Villarreal back in the relegation dogfight
Raul Garcia’s second half equaliser for Osasuna pitched Villarreal back into the relegation
dogfight, after Bruno had apparently given Lotina’s team a lifeline with his 43 rd minute opener.
Like Zaragoza, Sporting are still in with a chance of catching Villarreal after beating Espanyol 0-
3 at El Prat with three second half goals and the two both now sit just four points off Villarreal,
who travel to Gijon in midweek for what could well be a relegation decider. After that game,
Villarreal are away to Valencia and at home to Atlético Madrid, whilst Sporting are at home
to Betis and away to Málaga, with Zaragoza hosting Levante and Racing, before travelling to
Getafe on the final day of the season.
Racing relegated
One team who won’t be suffering the stress of an end of season relegation fight are Racing,
who were mathematically relegated after their 3-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

International press hail Guardiola


04/30/2012 19:15
The international media has been unanimous in its recognition and appreciation of Josep Guardiola after the manager announced that he will leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season

Josep Guardiola / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Global audience for Guardiola’s goodbye
More than 34,000 users tuned in to FC Barcelona’s website to watch Guardiola’s live press conference this Friday at 13:00. When the news hit social media networks it spread like wildfire; traffic to the Club’s site jumped 10 fold. Moreover, throughout Friday, Barça’s official YouTube channel had over 60,000 users watch the recorded press conference at one time, the video itself was watched over 256,000 times in two days.
Multimedia: overview of Guardiola's careerLainformación.com, while analyzing Guardiola’sdeparture, created an excellent interactive overview of Guardiola’s career with FC Barcelona. The content special can be viewed here .
BBC also paid homage to the outgoing manager by creating a photo gallery of Guardiola’s best years both as a player and as a manager. The gallery can be viewed here .
The international media has been unanimous in its recognition and appreciation of Josep Guardiola after the manager announced that he will leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season. The announcement was made this Friday during a joint press conference with President Sandro Rosell and football director Andoni Zubizarreta.
Appreciation and success
Writing for ESPN , Graham Hunter analyzes Guardiola’s trajectory at the Barça helm and traces the overall impact Guardiola has had on the sport: “That is to say anyone, at all, who loves soccer owes Pep Guardiola a debt for the style, the creativity, the thrills, the bravery and the inventiveness. Sure, Barca fans covet and treasure the trophies, but neutrals like the majority of us simply know that someone who revolutionized football has been among us for a short, dramatic space of time.â€
Hunter goes on to make the case that Guardiola did, in fact, make the right decision to step aside after achieving unprecedented success in his relatively short tenure as Barça’s boss. “My view is that those who think that losing this season's Champions League semifinal and probably watching Madrid lift the title are reasons to delay departure are absolutely wrong,†writes Hunter. “[N]ow he has taken the correct decision... Guardiola, in life as in football, sees things just a little differently. His decision to leave the club he passionately loves comes at a cost because sooner or later it will move him to tears. Count on that ... But he knows he has reached that moment in time that, if ignored, will bring errors,regret, ill health and possibly failure.â€
Football writer and ESPN columnist Phil Ball explains how Guardiola raised his Club’s profile in the world of football: “it has been interesting to see just how the whole Barcelona image, internationally speaking, has changed since Guardiola took over back in June 2008. Before then, people were very aware of the club and its culture, of course. Now they're hyper-aware, not so much for the politico-cultural reasons but because of the footballing paradigm that Guardiola has helped create. Its impact has beenmassive, will continue to be, and the news last Friday that the architect of the edifice was not going to continue was akin to the resignation of a head of state.[...] He leaves on a wave of affection, but his departure should nevertheless mark a point of reflection for the club, and perhaps for La Liga in general.â€
Exhausting search for perfection
For the Guardian , Sid Lowe writes that “few menhave represented Barcelona like Guardiola ." Lowe adds: “it is not just the talent but the intensity and commitment that make Guardiola. It is the same intensity that has contributed to his departure and the same commitment that contributed to delaying it: the coach was concerned about the impact that his announcement could have. Ultimately, though, the impact upon him was greater. In the end, it was too great. His left-back Eric Abidal has had aliver transplant, his assistant Tito Vilanova [was sidelined with illness], he has been hospitalised with back problems. The emotional cost has been as great as the physical one. Managing Barcelona has taken its toll.â€
Global chorus
BBC pundit Andy Brassell writes: “Pep Guardiola's departure as Barcelona coach, after 13 trophies, including three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, will sadden many beyond the club and its supporters [...] Even if Guardiola decided to turn his sabbatical into a retirement, his Barca legacy will be felt for generations .â€
New York Times football journalist Rob Hughes writes, “trophies do not define Guardiola’s success: Style does. Even now, as he announces his imminent departure, he shows that the style is the man. Guardiola is not quitting because his team has lost its two major pieces of silverware — the Spanish league and the Champions League trophies — over the past week. In fact, losing and feeling the players need guidance makes it all the harder to go now.â€
Argentina’s Olé daily recounts Angel Cappa ’s, Argentinean ex-footballer and manager, take onGuardiola’s impact on the sport: “if I see him, I will say thank you. That’s the best think that we can say to him. Thank you very much, Pep. Come back soon [...] ach game promised happiness. Every match of Guardiola’s Barça made our dreams come true.â€

FCB,

Ian MacLurg

 

[Classik]

Puertollano-Barça Alusport: No rest for the champions


05/01/2012 09:30
Barça Alusport, newly crowned champions of Europe, will visit Puertollano's court this Tuesday(20.30) with the goal of finishing first in the regular season
Fernandao will miss the match due to injury

At the Palau, Barça Alusport won 4-2 / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
There’s no rest for the champions of Europe. Barça Alusport, who claimed the European title this Sunday in Lleida, will play away to Puertollano, 12th in the league table with 33 points, this Tuesday at 20:30. Marc Carmona’s men will attempt to forget their biggest athletic accomplishment as they focus on retaking the top spot of the league. ElPozo Murcia, with a five-point advantage and a game in hand, currently sit in first place.
Fernandao, injured
This match corresponds to matchday 28 of the league, was rescheduled because of the Final Four played in Lleida this weekend. Barça will play without Fernandao, the Brazilian, who also didn’t play this weekend, has not recovered frominjury and did not travel with the team. Eric Martel travelled in his stead.
Last chance for Puertollano
Barça Alusport’s big challenge will be to forget about their Final Four success. It won’t be easy seeing that the team managed to accomplish its most significant feat in Club history this weekend. Moreover, they’ll be playing against Puertollano, only three points above the relegation zone. This is the last chance for the home team to secure their position in the top flight. Puertollano have lost their last two matches against direct rivals (3-7 against Azkar Lugo and 7-2 Ríos Renovables Navarra).

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Valdés to equal Ramallets’ five Zamoras
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/01/2012 11:41
The Barça stopper is heading for his fifth ZamoraTrophy, which would equal the tally of club legend Antoni Ramallets
Valdés would also become the first person to winfour consecutive awards for the best goalkeeping record in La Liga

Ramallets and Valdés / PHOTO: FCB
The 18 Zamora winners for Barça
Velasco (1948)
Ramallets (1952, 56, 57, 59 and 60)
Pesudo (1966)
Sadurní (1969, 75 and 75)
Reina (1973)
Artola (1978)
Urruti (1984)
Zubizarreta (1987)
Valdés (2005, 09, 10 and 11)
If, as seems likely, Pinto plays in the three remaining league fixtures, Víctor Valdés will collect his fifth Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeping record in Spain. It would also be hisfourth consecutive title, and would equal the record of FC Barcelona legend Antoni Ramallets, who won the accolade in each of the 1951/52, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1958/59 and 1959/60 seasons. As Guardiola has hinted, Pinto will probably play all the team’s last league games. “I need to give some minutes to the goalkeeper who has taken us into three cup finals in the last four years†he said.
“Records are there to be brokenâ€, said Ramallets in issue 43 of Barça Magazine in October 2010, an article in which he and Valdés shared anecdotes and impressions. “Whenever I have met Antoni, he has always made it clear that he has faith in me. Ever since the start. He trusted me, and I am grateful to him for that. It has beena luxury and a privilege to have always been able to count on such support†said the current Barcelona number one.
0.76 goals a game
Valdés has let in 26 goals in 34 league matches to date, a coefficient of 0.76 goals a game. He is followed by Casillas, with an average of 0.86. Even if the Real Madrid keeper gets three clean sheets in his last three games, Valdés would still have a better record and so it is just a case of waiting until the end of the season before he is confirmed as the winner.
Having grown up through the club youth system, Valdés first won the Zamora in the 2004/05 season, when Rijkaard was still manager. Under Guardiola, the keeper from l’Hospitalet has added four further titles, in consecutive years (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12), something nobody has ever done before. The nearest anybody came was Arconada, who won the award three times with Real Sociedad in the early eighties.
Pinto commented at his Tuesday press conference that “individual honours are recognition for the work of the whole squad … He is the goalkeper who most deserves it.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Preview Week 36


05/01/2012 16:55
The final midweek series of games this season could well decide things at both ends of the table, with key matches in Bilbao, Zaragoza and Gijon, as well as in the Camp Nou

PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
A win at San Mames on Wednesday would give Real Madrid the title for the first time in four years Madrid will be without the suspended Di Maria and although Bilbao do seem to be focussed on their Cup efforts, the Basque crowd are bound to demand a big effort from their team. With Malaga at the Camp Nou, Valencia have to take the points when Osasuna visit on Wednesday and they can welcome back their talismanic captain David Albelda, though Mathieu is a doubt. Osasuna themselves know that a win would keep them very much in the fight for a Europa League spot.
Levante eye Champions League spot
Levante could leapfrog Malaga into fourth if they can win at Zaragoza- who themselves needthe points as they try to haul themselves out of the bottom three. Time is running out for ManoloJimenez’s team, but they have won their last two games at home and Levante lost their last two on the road and they know that Wednesday’s game is a must win if they are to catch Villarreal.
Zaragoza and Sporting on Villarreal’s tails
By the time Zaragoza kick off, Sporting’s fate may be virtually decided or the relegation battleblown wide open: a win for Clemente’s team over Villarreal on Tuesday evening would take them to within a point of the visitors. Granada are just a point ahead of Villarreal and entertain Espanyol ahead of Saturday’s visit of Real Madridand what could conceivably be a six pointer on the final day against Rayo. Following their big defeat against Barça, Rayo are just a point ahead of Granada and they need a result away to Mallorca, before travelling to Seville at the weekend.
Seville derby
Atletico Madrid are still aiming for a Champions League spot, but to achieve that they need others to slip up and for themselves to win all three remaining games, starting with Wednesday night’s visit of Real Sociedad, who are already safe and theoretically at least have nothing much left to play for. The same could be said for Betis, but there will be no relaxation on Wednesday night, when the Seville derby kicks off at the Sanchez Pijuan – a game Pepe Mel has called “the match of our seasonâ€, whilst Michel has asked the fans to cheer the team on so that “your throats are as sore as when you come backfrom the Feria – we know what we are playing for and that’s motivation enoghâ€.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Alexis to miss the Barça-Málaga match

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/01/2012 19:15

The medical tests that Alexis underwent this afternoon confirm that the player will miss tomorrow’s match

Piqué, after resting for a week, is recovering well from the knock he received in last week’s match, but will not play against Málaga tomorrow

Valdés, who was with fever this Monday, returned to training this afternoon

Alexis will not play against Màlaga / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB

Alexis Sánchez will not feature in Barça’s team against Málaga this Wednesday. This afternoon the player underwent control tests to evaluate the hematoma caused by the contusion on his left thigh. The results confirm that the player will not be able to play in tomorrow’s match, according to the Club’s Medical Services.

Piqué recovers, but won’t play

Gerard Piqué will also miss tomorrow’s match. The player’s recovery is very favourable after a week of rest. Piqué returned to training, albeit apart for the group, this Wednesday. He’ll miss the match against Málaga and his recovery will mark his availability against Espanyol this weekend.

Valdés trains with the team

The keeper Víctor Valdés , who was with fever onMonday, trained with the rest of the team this Tuesday. Bartra , Tello and Montoya also trained with FC Barcelona’s first team.

 

[God's_gift]

we know what we are playing for and that’s motivation enough

wow,;) but your signature giving me heart attack:biglol

 

[Classik]

wow,;) but your signature giving me heart attack:biglol

Visit a mechanic.

 

[Classik]

wow,;) but your signature giving me heart attack:biglol

This signature:

[SIZE="+2"]Crestfallen[/SIZE]
[SIZE="+2"]You will be hated by all...YES: because you are Barça. They are justified to hate you - because my Barça has given headache and heartattack to you all. Força Barça[/SIZE]
[SIZE="+2"]Tenim un nom el sap tothom: Baaarça[/SIZE]:D

 

[Classik]

Puertollano-Barça Alusport: The character of champions (3-5)
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/01/2012 20:44
Barça Alusport took the three points from Puertollano in the Liga’s match day 28, which was rescheduled because of the Final Four in Lleida
The team led by Carmona now have 71 points in the Liga and are only 2 adrift of ElPozo Murcia, with 2 games still to be played in the regular season
Barça Alusport are unbeaten this season away from the Palau, with a record of 10 victories and 4 draws

El Puertollano ha fet el passadís al Barça Alusport / FOTO: RUBEN DE PEDRO - LNFS
MATCH STATS
Puertollano FS, 3
FC Barcelona Alusport, 5
Puertollano FS: Borja, Contreras, Nano, Merino, Robert –starting five- Palomeque, Cuco (2), Nacho Pedraza (1), Fer, Chano.
Barça Alusport: Cristian, Ari (1), Lin, Igor, Saad –starting five- Torras (2), Gabriel, Javi Rodríguez, Sergio Lozano (2).
Goals: 0-1, Sergio Lozano (min. 7); 1-1, Cuco (min.13); 1-2, Torras (min. 22); 2-2, Nacho Pedraza (min. 32); 2-3, Ari (min. 35); 2-4, Lozano (min. 36); 3-4, Cuco (min. 37); 3-5, Torras (min. 38).
Referees: Moreno Reina and Ramos Marín
48 hours after claiming the European crown, Barça Alusport jumped onto the court at Antonio Rivilla with the objective of fighting for the first place of the LNFS, a spot currently occupied by ElPozo Murcia. Marc Carmona’s men, with the absence of Fernandao, faced a team that were playing for a spot in the play-offs.
The home team welcomed Barça Alusport, playing in the black kit, onto the court with an honour guard. At the start of the match, David Ramos’ men, with the help of their supporters, looked to take advantage of Barça Alusport’s fatigue. However, on seven minutes, a right-footed shot from Sergio Lozano silenced the arena. The ball went in the upper 90 of the goal.
Level at the half
Contreras and Palomeque tested Cristian, who was back in the starting team, but it was Cuco that netted the equalizer with a long-range shot. The goal gave confidence to Puertollano. Barça Alusport, despite not having a lot of time to prepare for the match, never gave in. A back-heel pass from Javi Rodríguez for Lin almost gave Barça the lead, but it wasn’t to be - both teams left the court at the half with a 1-1 draw.
Barça take the lead
At the start of the second half, Cristian saved twoalmost consecutive shots from Merino and, on the other end of the court, Borja could do nothing to deny Torras a goal after a good give-and-go with Lozano. From that point on, Barça Alusport controlled possession and dominated the match. Puertollano, seeing the chance to get to the play-offs slip away, gave it their all and Nacho Pedraza brought his team level with eight minutes to go from the end.
The last stretch of the match was not easy for Barça Alusport. Carmona called a time out to talkto his men and, seconds later, on a corner, Ari Santos netted the 2-3, demonstrating the fighting character of the European champions.
Final minutes
A couple of minutes later, Lozano took advantage of a rebound from Borja to score his 28th goal in the Liga, which draws him level with Wilde as Barça’s top goal scorer. With Contreras playing as a keeper-player, Cuco pulled one back on 37 minutes, but a minute later Torras scored the definitive 3-5.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “The transition has been impeccableâ€


05/01/2012 20:45

Guardiola praised the way the Club handled the transition of managers. He also said that Tito is “very enthusiastic about the upcoming challengeâ€
The manager explained that Barça’s last three LaLiga matches will serve as preparation for the Cup final against Athletic Club
Guardiola's future
Pep Guardiola indicated that he does not know what the future holds for him after June 30. “I’m going to go home and I have no idea what my goal will be for the future. I don’t know,†he admitted. He also said that he doesn’t know if he’ll manage FC Barcelona again.
"We’re following our usual process and I’m by his side. I want Tito to know that I’ll be close to himâ€
“Each game and each training session is done in preparation for the Cup final. Everything is focused on that"
(On Messi's Pichichi bid) “We just have to play well and attack as best we can"
Pep Guardiola reminded the press room that he has eight more press conferences, not counting today’s, as Barça’s head manager. The Barça bossused this Tuesday’s press conference to talk about the match against Málaga, how the team will prepare for the remaining matches of the season, and obviously, his departure. “The Club has handled the transition impeccably. Tito is very enthusiastic about the upcoming challenge,†said the Barça manager.
After last week’s announcement that Tito Vilanova will take over the Barça helm next season, Guardiola said: “my relationship with him hasn’t changed at all. We’re following our usual process and I’m by his side. I want Tito to know that I’ll be close to him.†At the same time, the manager said he’s worn down because of “the day to day [work] with the team, winning so many titles.†On his farewell at the Camp Nou - Barça’s next two games will be at home- Guardiola said: “I’ve always believed that things should be done naturally, that’s how we’ll do it.â€
Mentally preparing for the Cup final
On the other hand, with the Liga out of reach, Guardiola recognized that Barça’s three remaining matches in the domestic competition will serve to prepare the team for the Cup final. “Each game and each training session is done in preparation for the Cup final. Everything is focused on that. Against Rayo the players provedthat they’re eager,†he said. Guardiola went on to say that “I’m mentally prepared for the Cup final. It’s this month’s objective.â€
Guardiola added, “we cannot play poorly in our next three matches and then go on to the final.†The manager also said that “ Pinto will play†in the last three La Liga games and that he doesn’t want his players to obsess about Leo Messi ’s fight for the Pichichi award. “We just have to play well and attack as best we can. We’re playing against good opponents, football will dotrest.†When asked if he would give Messi theBallon d’Or again, the manager said “he’s done a brutal job this year†and, therefore, the Argentine’s merits “are evident.â€

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Spotlight on Málaga


05/02/2012 01:28
Barça’s opponents tonight are looking to qualify for their first Champions League – boosted over the last couple of years by the millions of their Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani and have already recorded their best ever season

Messi playing against Málaga / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
HISTORY
The origins of the club lie in the 1940s and the current Málaga CF is the successor to CD
Málaga which was dissolved due to financial problems in 1992. They had some success in the
early seventies, when they spent seven seasons in the top flight, but their most memorable
period up until now was at the turn of the century when they won the Intertoto Cup in 2002
under Joaquin Peiro and were in the Primera from 1999 to 2006, before spending a couple
of years in the second division and then winning promotion again in 2008. The big change for
the club came in the summer of 2010, when Sheikh Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani forked out a
reported 36 million Euros and began to invest in big name players – and managers, with first
Jesualdo Ferreira and then Manel Pellegrini given the reins of the team, which was boosted by
players such as Martin Demichellis , Julio Baptista , Ruud van Nistelrooy and the most expensive
signing the club have ever made, Santi Cazorla .
FORM GUIDE
Sunday’s 1-0 win over Valencia gave Málaga a real chance of taking third spot, drawing
level with Emery’s team and seemingly having the impetus to finish off the season in style.
However, they have not been the most consistent of teams, with just one win before the
Valencia game in their last five. On the road, Málaga have taken just 16 points from 17 games,
with only four wins –at Mallorca, Racing, Getafe and Espanyol.
ONE TO WATCH
Signed for a club record 20 million Euros, Santi Cazorla has had to live up to a lot of
expectations, but he has been Málaga’s outstanding player this season, playing more minutes
than any other player in the squad and is also currently the joint leading scorer with 9 goals.
Cazorla is a speedy, two footed midfielder who excels at beating players and also has a
vicious shot – particularly useful at free kicks. He was a member of Spain’s 2008 European
Championship winning squad, but was unlucky to miss out on the South African World Cup
after suffering a hernia. He was at Villarreal from 2003 to 2006, when he became Recreativo
de Huelva’s record signing, but Villarreal had included a buy back clause which they used the
following season to bring him back to El Madrigal.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona v Malaga: Champions League quality fixture


05/02/2012 09:23
Guardiola’s side needs just two goals to break itsrecord for a season (105)
Alexis Sánchez misses the game with a badly bruised left thigh
Malaga, without the injured Isco, need a result inorder to hold their position in the Champions League places

Messi va signar un hat-trick a La Rosaleda / FOTO: ARXIU FCB
The Camp Nou prepares for the penultimate home game of the season, in which Barça entertain fourth placed Malaga in a fixture that will provide perfect preparation for the Copa del Rey Final on the 23rd against Athletic Bilbao. All three games between now and that trip to the Vicente Calderón are against top level sides: Malaga, Espanyol and Betis. Although FCB’s hopes of winning the Liga title are extremely slim, they would still love to see out the season with nine points out of nine in order to go to the cup final with their morale on a high, and at the same time break their record for goals in a single season, which is currently the 105 scored in the 2008/09 season.
Missing Alexis
Josep Guardiola can pick from the 18 players that attended training on Tuesday evening, namely the 15 available first team players plus Bartra, Montoya and Tello of Barça B. Alexis Sánchez has a thigh injury, while Piqué has been unable to train all week, and both miss the game along with long-term absentees Fontàs, Villa, Abidal and Xavi.
Big game for Malaga
The game at the Camp Nou is an important one for the side coached by Pellegrini, who are currently fourth with 55 points and need points to boost their Champions League challenge and maintain distance between themselves and fellow aspirants Levante and Atlético Madrid. But they will have to do so without the suspended Isco or the injured Toulalan, Caballero, Mathijsen, Baptista and Maresca. However, Monreal, Recio and Juanmi all return to the team as they face a side that beat them 4-1 at Rosaleda earlier this season.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Video thanking Guardiola is a YouTube hit
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/02/2012 11:16
The ‘Gràcies Pep’ video was watched more than a million times in four days and was the most popular in April on the official FC Barcelona YouTube channel

Guardiola, a Wembley. FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
The farewell to Pep Guardiola as FCB manager was the most watched video on the FC BarcelonaYouTube channel in the month of April. The biggest hit was the musical ‘Gràcies Pep’ , which is a one and a half minute review of the outgoing manager’s time on the Barça bench. In just four days, the video was watched an amazing 1.2 million times.
That is three times the number of the second most watched video of the month, which was precisely the press conference at which Guardiola announced that he would not be staying on as first team manager .
Chelsea, Messi and Afellay
Apart from the manager’s departure, the other subject that attracted massive attention among web users was the semi final against Chelsea . As usual, images of Messi were among the most viewed. These included one about the Argentinian’s solidarity and the fifth anniversaryof his unforgettable goal against Getafe .
Another hugely popular video on the Barça YouTube channel was the welcome back for Ibrahim Afellay after six months sidelined through injury.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Penyes help Barça Alusport lift cup
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/02/2012 13:25
As usual, supporters clubs from all over gatheredin Lleida to lead Marc Carmona’s team to lift their first European Cup

Barça Alusport, European Champions
Once more, Barça Alusport was facing history again. After reaching the top last season, by winning all competitions played, Carmona’s team went one step beyond and now belonging to the European elite.
The Barris Nord arena in Lleida was the setting of a thrilling final four. One could feel in the atmosphere that Barça was about to make history once again. And supporters clubs were there, once more, supporting their colours, showing their civility and Barça spirit.
Supporters clubs proved that FC Barcelona does not only live at Camp Nou. The Miniestadi, Palau Blaugrana and the Ciutat Esportiva are also venues to witness great shows and magical evenings. With this success, Barça is still reigningin Europe, being the 17th year running to win at least one sport’s top continental competition.
All supporters clubs can enjoy exclusive offers to attend games at the Palau Blaugrana (futsal, handball or roller hockey). Click here for further information.

FCB