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[Classik]

Gripping derbies at the Camp Nou


05/04/2012 12:36
Since Josep Guardiola has been on the bench, the four derbies played at the Camp Nou have allbeen tight, and extremely difficult for FC Barcelona

PHOTO: ARCHIVE FCB
The fifth derby at the Camp Nou of the Guardiolaera will surely be the most special of all. It will be the last ever for the outgoing manager in front of his own fans, who will be keen to continue giving him the send-off that started on Wednesday against Malaga. And on top of that, it’s a local derby, and these games have always been cracking affairs since Guardiola has been incharge of the first team. Here we look at back them all.
Copa del Rey 2008/09. FCB v Espanyol (3-2, January 29, 2009). The first of the four derbies ofthe Guardiola era at the Camp Nou was the cup quarter final return leg, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Two goals from Bojan and another from Piqué had the home side in a comfortable 3-0 lead after 56 minutes. It looked all over, but goals from Coro and Callejón set things up for a breathtaking finish, with Barça eventually holding on to qualify for the semi finals.
Liga 2008/09. FCB v Espanyol (1-2, February 21, 2009). The only defeat to Espanyol came just three weeks later, in a game between the league leaders and a side that, at the time, was rock-bottom of the table and starting relegation in the face. Espanyol stunned everybody with a brace from De la Peña, and Keita was also red carded in a dramatic first half. Playing with ten men, Touré pulled one back with half an hour to go, but the equaliser failed to materialise.
Liga 2009/10. FCB v Espanyol (1-0, December 12, 2009). They day that Leo Messi offered the CampNou his Ballon d’Or for 2009 saw FC Barcelona win the derby by a solitary goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored from the penalty sport after a Baena foul in the box on Xavi, and that was enough for Barça to get a winning send off ahead of their trip to Abu Dhabi for the Clubs World Cup.
Liga 2010/11. FCB v Espanyol (2-0, May 8, 2011). Just like this season, the Camp Nou derby came right at the end of the season. The 2-0 win (with goals from Iniesta and Piqué) set things up for Barcelona to win the league title three days later away to Levante.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Guardiola hoping for natural reaction


05/04/2012 14:17
The current Barça manager will be sitting on theCamp Nou bench for the very last time on Saturday, but believes the derby with Espanyol isfar more important than his farewell

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
Josep Guardiola knows that before, during and after Saturday’s derby with Espanyol that he is going to be the focus of much attention. It will be his last ever home fixture as first team manager. Today he confessed that “I have never liked goodbyes. But I have been a very public person, the manager of a team like FC Barcelona and whether I like it or not, I’m always going to be on the front page and it’s only normal for things like this to happen … I just hope that the people react as they have always reacted - naturallyâ€.
The game matters more
No matter how many tributes and displays of gratitude are being prepared, Guardiola is far more concerned about what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch. “I have been a managerhere for four years and it’s only natural for there to be so much attention on me,†he said. “But that has to be the secondary issue here. The people are coming to see a football match.†He added that more than anything, the game forms part of his preparations for the cup final on the 25th against Athletic Club .
Taking his hat off
Asked about the many achievements of FC Barcelona in his four years in charge, Guardiola commented that “people have sensed that the players have given everything they can. And if the fans have reacted like this, it’s because the latest successes are still very fresh on their minds. We have taken chances at every ground we’ve played. We have made it to 90 points for the fourth year in a row. With numbers like those, you can only take your hat off to these playersâ€.
Not quite good enough
He also said that “to beat a team like Madrid, you have to do better than very well. This year we did things very well, but that wasn’t enoughâ€. Asked about recent comments about him as a person, his reply was short and to the point. “For some time they have trying to make out that I’m not who I say I am†he said. “I just wish theyâ™d leave me to be who I amâ€.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Maximum respect and cordiality ahead of the derby
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/04/2012 14:59
As is tradition, Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino participated in the traditional handshake between the two managers before the Catalan derby

Guardiola and Pochettino at the Camp Nou / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Guardiola and Pochettino met this Friday afternoon on the pitch of the Camp Nou before tomorrow’s derby. The managers came out onto the pitch to wish each other luck ahead of tomorrow’s match in the traditional handshake between the two men in front of the media. The two managers are the embodiment of the cordiality and respect that the two teams have for each other. In the pre-match press conference, Guardiola praised counterpart by saying that “Pochettino is doing a great job at Espanyol.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

Cuenca, doubtful; Alexis, to miss tomorrow's match
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/04/2012 20:15
Isaac Cuenca has a bruised right ankle and is doubtful for tomorrow’s match against Espanyol
Alexis continues to recuperate from the hamstring injury he picked up this week. The Chilean will not feature in tomorrow’s derby

Isaac Cuenca doubtful for Espanyol match/ PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Éric Cantona visits the team
Éric Cantona , ex-Manchester United player, was the special guest at Barça’s training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
The first team completed their penultimate training session before Saturday’s match againstEspanyol (21:00). Isaac Cuenca and Alexis Sánchez missed the session due to injury. Both players, however, completed individual recoverysessions this afternoon. The Catalan has a bruised right ankle and is doubtful for tomorrow’s match, his recovery will mark his availability for upcoming matches. Alexis continues to recuperate from the hamstring injury he picked up this week. The Chilean will not feature in tomorrow’s derby.
15 first-team players and 3 Barça B players
Guardiola worked this afternoon with 15 first-team players, among them Xavi , who is still recovering from a torn soleus in his left leg, and with three reserve players, Tello , Montoya and Bartra . Gerard Piqué worked apart from the group.
The team will hold a closed-door training session tomorrow at noon at the Camp Nou.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Éric Cantona visits Barça's training session
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/04/2012 21:30
Éric Cantona watched FC Barcelona’s training session this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper

Éric Cantona and Pep Guardiola / PHOTO: MIGUELRUIZ - FCB
The ex-football player, Éric Cantona , was present at FC Barcelona’s training session this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva. Cantona, living legend and Manchester United icon, watched Josep Guardiola in action as the manager prepared Barça’s first team for tomorrow's Catalan derby. Cantona and Guardiola had a chatminutes before the session.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Training session 04-05-2012
05/04/2012 20:45 / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

FCB

 

[Classik]

The Azulgrana Roundup: Josep Guardiola edition


05/05/2012 00:55
Tomorrow will be Guardiola's last match as headmanager of FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. For this reason, the subject matter of this week's column is exclusively dedicated to the outgoing boss



See VIDEO

Agraïment del Camp Nou a Guardiola
• ESPN . Graham Hunter. Adios, Pep Guardiola
This story featured earlier this week on FC Barcelona’s website, however, we know that articles can get lost in the shuffle of the constantly changing 24-hour news cycle. We’re linking to it again because it’s an excellent perspective on Josep Guardiola’s managerial career at FC Barcelona.
• totalBarça . This is not an end, but a beginning
“The uncertainty of winning or losing slowly transformed into this confidence that the team had it in the bag. Losses became less frequent, somuch so that people started assuming that Barçaversus any other team would be meaningless because the Catalans would win. I wouldn’t call this overconfidence, rather these are natural assumptions based on the team’s recent record. Pep took fans from a “Woah, we won it!†to “Of course we won it!†attitude.â€
• Wall Street Journal . Gabriele Marcotti. The End of the Guardiola Era
“When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he's actually just pushing down earth. In some ways, that's what Guardiola did at Barcelona after taking over in 2008.â€
• The Guardian . Sid Lowe. Barcelona roll out ‘Pep’s twin’ Tito Vilanova as Camp Nou kingpin
"Under Guardiola, Vilanova's role has been fundamental. Sergio Busquets described him as"like the manager but calmer"; Andrés Iniesta says he is "like a book, he teaches you so much"; and Puyol described him as 'discreet and hard-working'"
• r/Barça. Poetical_Poltergeist. Ancient photo of Pep and Tito circa 1980
The above photo is evidence, dug up by the reddit.com/r/barca community, of how far back the friendship between the outgoing manager and newly appointed boss goes. Finding Pep andTito in the photo is relatively easy, but can you name everyone else in the photo (and where it was taken)?
• Grantland . Brian Phillips. Homage to Guardiola
"Pep Guardiola liked to remind his players to have fun. Under normal circumstances, "go out there and have fun" is the emptiest sort of yapped-around-a-whistle coachspeak, but with Guardiola "normal circumstances" often felt like something more profound, and also stranger, than that: He made you believe that he meant it.He had the very disorienting gift of making banal sentiments seem to come from a place of deep soulfulness."

FCB,

Ian MacLurg

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona v Espanyol: The farewell derby


05/05/2012 09:54
21.00 – GolT, C+ Liga and Radio Barça – Against Espanyol this evening, Josep Guardiola is managing his very last game at the Camp Nou as FC Barcelona first team manager
Alexis and Piqué miss the game, while Xavi couldbe back after a two-game absence
Espanyol need to win all six remaining points if they want any chance of qualifying for Europe

Guardiola's last match at the Camp Nou / PHOTO:ARXIU FCB
The time has come to thank Pep for everything he has done for the club over the last
half decade. On Saturday, in an otherwise largely meaningless derby, the Barça fans
will have the chance to give the most successful manager in club history, winner of no
fewer than 13 major titles, the send-off he deserves. After five years at the club,
including one with Barça B, Josep Guardiola is bidding farewell to the club in a game
against local rivals RCD Espanyol .
Alexis and Piqué both out
Missing from Guardiola’s emotional farewell to the Camp Nou are Alexis Sánchez (who
is still having trouble with his left thigh) and Gerard Piqué (who is still recovering from
the nasty knock he took in the game with Chelsea). But while that duo will be watching
from the stands, Xavi has recovered from his tornsoleus, which has left him sidelined
for the last two matches (Rayo and Málaga), and has been training normally since
Thursday. But Cuenca is doubtful due to a right ankle injury, meaning all of Bartra ,
Montoya and Tello of Barça B are once again named in the squad.
Preparations continue
Since Wednesday, Barça know that they will definitely finish this League season in
second place, and so it will be other targets that will be on their minds in their final two
games against Espanyol and at Betis. One of those, perhaps the most important, is to
help Leo Messi become the leading goalscorer in the tournament. The weekend starts
with the Argentinian on 46 goals, two more thanhis rival Cristiano Ronaldo . But the
game will also form part of the ongoing preparations for the Copa del Rey Final on May
25 against Athletic Bilbao.
Europa, an impossible challenge?
If anything, it’s Espanyol who have the most to play for this evening. Mauricio
Pochettino ’s side is currently thirteenth in the league and five points short of the
seventh and final place in Europe, which is currently occupied by Atlético Madrid.
With just six points left to play for, if the ‘parakeets’ are to have any chance at all
of featuring in next season’s Europa League, then they are going to have to win at
the Camp Nou, and also take all three points from their final game at home to Sevilla.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Final training session at the Camp Nou before Catalan derby
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/05/2012 13:37
The team completed final preparations at the Camp Nou before hosting Espanyol. Isaac Cuenca, who continued his recovery plan, is doubtful for tonight’s match

Last training session at the Camp Nou. PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
The team completed their final training session before tonight’s match against Espanyol (21:00). Behind closed doors at the Camp Nou, the 15 available first-team players trained with normality, including Xavi . Isaac Cuenca , who is doubtful for the Catalan derby, continued with his recovery plan, as did Alexis Sánchez , who has been ruled out of tonight’s clash.
Tello , Bartra and Montoya also trained with the first team. Gerard Piqué worked apart from the group.
After the session, the team ate together at the Camp Nou and were then given free time. The players are due back at the Camp Nou an hour and a half before kick off.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Spanish League Preview – Week 37

05/05/2012 17:20
All of these weekend’s games – the penultimateround of matches- kick off at nine tonight and there is something at stake in virtually all of them

Gerard Piqué in the match against Granada /PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ
Valencia stand in Villarreal’s way
A point at home to Villarreal will be enough to confirm Valencia’s third spot, whilst a win for
the visitors would ensue that they will be in the top flight next season. Emery will be without
Soldado, who has a neck injury, and Parejo – who was caught drink driving early on Friday
morning and has been left out of the squad, whilst Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna is out
with a muscle strain. A point below Villarreal on 40, Rayo are the team in Zaragoza’s sights,
with Manolo Jimenez’s team just three points behind ahead of their home game against
already relegated Racing, whilst Rayo travel to one of Jimenez’s old teams, Seville. Zaragoza
will be without Aranda and Zucukini – who is still in hospital following a kidney injury he
received in the midweek win over Levante.
Sevilla could still make Europe
Rayo will face a Sevilla team who can still mathematically take a Europa Cup spot and will
be looking to bounce back from their painful derby defeat in midweek, though they will be
without striker Ãlvaro Negredo who is suspended. Sporting(34 points) needed to beat Betis
at El Mólinon and hope other results go their way if they are to go into the final week still in
with a chance of escaping the drop whilst Granada, on 42, are the other team who could still
theoretically be relegated and they entertain Real Madrid, who have announced that they will
be giving game time to their fringe players and are likely to be still suffering the after effects of
their title winning celebrations.
Mallorca crash European party
Mallorca(49 points) could yet be the European party crashers after their three game winning
run took them into seventh spot and they have the chance to consolidate that when they
entertain Levante, fifth on 52 points. Malaga(55)travel to sixth placed Atlético Madrid (50)
who may perhaps understandably be more concerned about their midweek Europa Cup final
against Bilbao(48 points) who themselves entertain Getafe(46) – another team still with an
outside chance of a Europa League place. A win for Málaga and anything less than a Levante
victory, would ensure Pellegrini’s team take the final Champions League spot. The other team
in the European mix are Osasuna, eighth on 48 who play fellow Basques Real Sociedad in their
last home game of the season knowing they have to reverse their horrible recent run of one
win in their last seven in order to have any chance of bringing European football to Pamplona
next season.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Spotlight on Espanyol


05/05/2012 17:28
Barça’s city neighbours are the sixth oldest professional Club in Spain and although they’ve never matched their fellow Catalan’s immense success, they have won the Spanish Cup 4 times and were runners up in the UEFA Cup in 1988 and 2007

ESPANYOL-FCB (2011/12). FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
HISTORY
Founded in 1900, Espanyol took their name fromthe fact that all of their players were locals,
unlike the some of the more cosmopolitan teams in the city , such as Barça. In 1923, the Club
opened their famous Sarria stadium, where they were to stay until 1997, when the ground
was sold and the team moved first as tenants to Montjuich and then, in 2009 to their own new
stadium at El Prat-Cornella. The Stadium was opened with a game against Liverpool on August
3rd, but tragedy struck the Club a few days later when their captain Dani Jarque died of a heart
attack during their pre-season tour of Italy. As a mark of respect, the club’s fans chant Jarque’s
name on 21 minutes of every game, remembering the number 21 shirt he always wore.
Espanyol’s most successful period came in the first decade of this century, when they finished
just a point off Champions League classification in 2005, won their fourth Spanish Cup in
2006 and were runners up in the UEFA Cup in 2007. Since 1970, Espanyol have spent just two
seasons out of the top flight and consolidated themselves as the sixth largest Spanish club in
terms of members(more than 35,000 season ticket holders).
FORM GUIDE
After looking good for European classification earlier on in the season and occupying fourth
place for a while, Espanyol’s form has suffered a bit of a dip of late, with just one win in their
last nine games and three successive defeats coming into the derby, all of which has left them
in 13th on 45 points and with only an outside chance of making the Europa League spots.
Espanyol have won just three games on the roadthis season, at Rayo Racing and Sporting –
their last away win in December.
ONE TO WATCH
Espanyol have a young squad, with many of theirplayers coming up through the youth
system at the Club, but their creative midfielder Joan Verdu is actually a product of La Masia ,
having played alongside Víctor Valdés , Iniesta and Leo Messi in the B team, before signing for
Deportivo in 2006. He stayed in Galicia for three years before returning home to Catalonia,
signing for Espanyol where he soon established himself as an attacking reference point. Verdu
has scored five goals this season and is the third most used player in Pochettino’s squad.

FCB,

Nick Bedson

 

[Classik]

Barça fans, eternally grateful to Guardiola
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 05/05/2012 20:28
Multitudinous response from the Barça fans in their acknowledgment of Josep Guardiola’s managerial career at FC Barcelona
Messages dedicated to Guardiola can be found in nearly every language and from all parts of the world and the globe bids farewell to the manager

PHOTO: German Parga - FCB
Over a million messages in China
Barça’s official page on Tencent Weibo (Chinese social network) registered a record amount of activity. More than a million Chinese fans thanked Pep Guardiola on the social network.
It was a night of gratitude at the Camp Nou as Josep Guardiola led his team for the last time in the Barcelona stadium. Minutes before kickoff between Barça and Espanyol, a massive banner was unfurled by the Barça members and fans that read “t’Estimem Pep! [We love you, Pep!]
On the esplanade of the Camp Nou two murals were installed under the heading #GraciesPep - where fans wrote their farewell messages to Guardiola. In groups of 10, fans of all ages offered up their acknowledgment to the outgoing manager. In fact, new murals had to bebrought in as the amount of people leaving messages quickly surpassed original estimates.
In all languages from all parts of the world
The murals boasted messages from around the world. “Pep, thank you for returning football to its essence,†wrote one Mexican couple. “Thank you Pep for all the moments of glory and tears that you’ve given us,†said a Barcelona native.
Also on social networks
Messages of gratitude to Guardiola were also made on social networks: Twitter, Facebook andTencent Weibo. Over 9,000 tweets were made per hour with the #graciesPep tag , which was Trending Topic on Twitter in Spain, during the match against Espanyol. In total, over 23,000 tweets were made in tribute to Guardiola beforethe end of the first half.
On Facebook, the Club’s posts were received with unconditional support from the Barça fans. In total, more than 210,000 likes and 15,000 comments were made on the Club’s posts regarding Guardiola’s last match at the Camp Nou. More than 1,100 fans shared their photos and messages of gratitude to Guardiola on the Club’s Facebook #graciesPep tab. Which breaks down to about 24 photos uploaded per minute.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Estiarte announces he’ll also be leaving
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/05/2012 20:44

Manel Estiarte has informed Club President Sandro Rosell that he will be standing down as the Head of External Relations at the end of this season
“I want to give an enormous thank you to the Club, the board who have shown their confidence in me and especially to Pepâ€, he told Barça TV
Manel Estiarte , Barça’s Head of External Relations has announced that he will be leaving the Club, along with Pep Guardiola at the end of this season: “I told the President three days ago that I was leaving- It’s been an amazing time that we have enjoyed together and I want to give an enormous thank you to the Club, the board who have shown their confidence in me and especially to Pep†he told Barça TV.
Estiarte also admitted: “I feel very sad but also pride in the fact that I am following a friend†, referring to Guardiola’s decision to quit. “maybe I’m wrong, but I have always done what I thought was best for the Clubâ€.
Manel Estiarte joined Barça in the summer of 2008 as Head of External Relations and for the last four years he has worked in the post, alwaysclosely linked with the fortunes of the first team.

FCB

 

[Classik]

50 La Liga goals for Messi


05/05/2012 23:01
The Argentine, after breaking Müller’s record this week with hat-trick in the match against Málaga, broke Georgescu’s record of most goals scored in a European league in a single season
Messi leads Ronaldo in the Pichichi race by five goals

The Argentine scored four against Espanyol / PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
Third time
Arsenal, Valencia and Espanyol. These are the teams that Messi has scored four goals on in a single game. Messi also netted five times against Bayer Leverkusen.
Absolutely brutal record set by Leo Messi . The Argentine genius took his La Liga goal tally to 50goals, which sees him clear of Georgescu’s (47) record, as he fired 4 past the visiting team’s keeper. The Argentine goal-scoring machine, who smashed the record set in 1976 by the Dynamo Bucharest striker of most goals scored in a single season in a European league, has one more game to increase his La Liga goal tally.
With an average of 1.24 goals per game , Messi has scored 72 goals in 58 official matches . The Argentine has scored in every competition that he’s played in this season: 50 in the Liga, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup, 2 in the King’s Cup, 2 in the Club World Cup and 1 in the European Super Cup .After breaking Müller’s record this week with a magisterial hat-trick, Messi continues to increasehis legendary numbers at a breakneck pace.
The Pichichi race
Messi continues to raise the bar for most goals scored in a single La Liga season, which was previously set at 41 by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2010/2011 season. The Argentine currently leads the Portuguese by five goals in the Pichichirace thanks to the four goals he scored against Espanyol this evening,

FCB,

Sergi Garcia

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona - Espanyol: Fantastic send off (4-0)


05/05/2012 23:15
It was a triumphal send off for Pep Guardiola, as the team won their last game at the Camp Nou under his charge, beating Espanyol 4-0 thanks tofour Messi goals

FCB - Espanyol / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
The emotion surrounding Guardiola’s last game in charge at the Camp Nou made up for any feelings that this was a dead rubber, with neither team having anything to really play for but pride, and the packed stadium (89.044) saw Leo Messi score all four goals in an atmosphere of appreciation and respect for the departing manager.
Messi starts the celebrations
Espanyol’s well organised and disciplined approach restricted Barça’s typical possession game at the start of the match and neither team imposed themselves in the first 25 minutes. Onceagain, it was the genius of Leo Messi which made the difference, with the world number oneopening the scoring with an exquisitely hit free kick from just outside the box . There may indeed not have been much at stake in terms of points, but this was a derby and pride was up for grabs, something that was clear to see in the intense rhythm of the early exchanges.
With Espanyol dedicating their efforts to stopping rather than creating, the weight of making chances fell on Barça, specifically their leader in attack, Leo Messi. Cristian Ãlvarez made a double save from Keita and Iniesta o 29 minutes to keep the visitors in the game, though Barça weren’t quite showing the attacking finesse which has become their trademark under Guardiola.
Messi makes it two
With no real threat at the back, Guardiola switched his attacking options just after the break switching to a 3-4-3 with Adriano and Pedro out on the wings, which gave the team more space and soon began to create more danger. On 64 minutes, Messi put away a penaltyafter a rather harsh handball in the box, just after Espanyol had had their own claim turned down in the Barça area.
Thanks you Leo and Pep!
At 2-0, Espanyol were forced to push forward and they began to have a bit more bite upfront, with Mascherano denying them a goal with a goal line clearance. Then Leo Messi put an end toany hopes the visitors might have had with two more goals, one a penalty and another a well taken individual effort, after which he ran over to embrace his boss. The Camp Nou was boiling with emotion now and that just increased with the appearance of Xavi off the bench.
The final minutes of the Guardiola era at the Camp Nou were full of emotion as the ground paid homage to a manager who hads brought somuch success and who will close his fantastic time in charge of the team next week at the Benito Villamarin and then at the Vicente Calderon in the Cup Final.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Sandro Rosell: “Pep left through the front doorâ€
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/05/2012 23:59
The Barça President is very pleased with how the Camp Nou said goodbye to Josep Guardiola: “The Camp Nou clamored for Guardiola. Pep we love you. We can’t say anything elseâ€
“We’re in an era where Barça have learned to win and lose, where we also pay homage to our heroes,†he said

Sandro Rosell is very pleased with how the Camp Nou said goodbye to Guardiola / PHOTO: ARXIU FCB
Tito Vilanova, the new manager
The President also talked about the decision to name Tito Vilanova as Guardiola’s substitute next season: “the Club is mature. Decisions are thought through, with maturity and wisdom. It will continue to be a good story.†He added, “it’s Barça’s philosophy: create and bring up the players and the managers.â€
Sandro Rosell was very pleased with how the Camp Nou said goodbye to Josep Guardiola. “TheCamp Nou clamored for Guardiola. Pep we love you. We can’t say anything else. It was fantastic,†said the FC Barcelona President.
Moreover, Rosell highlighted the changing mentality of Barça fans and members: “we’re in an era where Barça have learned to win and lose, where we also pay homage to our heroes.†He added, “it’s important that our heroes can leave through the front door. We’ve matured as a Club and as supporters.â€
“He’ll come back through the front doorâ€
During his talk on the Camp Nou’s pitch after tonight's match, Pep Guardiola hinted at a possible return when he said “I’ll see you later.†Rosell said that this “is good news. Everyone loves Pep and we all want him to return.†He added that the manager has “exceeded any protagonism in the Club.†He added, “he left through the front door and he’ll come back through the front door. When he wants. In these moments, I’m proud to be FC Barcelona’s president."
After two years of leading Barça, Rosell explained that Guardiola’s success is based, among other things, on work: “I’m sticking with the image of him on the plane, after an away match, when he returns home and starts to work. He doesn’t stop. It’s admirable. I’m very surprised. Success in’t achieved by chance, success is achieved through hard work. We’ll miss him but I’m sure that we’ll thoroughly enjoy[this team] once again.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

“See you soon!â€


05/06/2012 00:01

FC Barcelona bid farewell to Pep Guardiola with an emotional display of appreciation, before, during and after the game. The boss replied, telling the fans: “you will never lose meâ€
“Life has given me this present. For five years I have been able to have you close to me and enjoy the great show that these boys have givenus during that time. I’ve been no different than you - I’ve been equally privileged. A little closer to the pitch maybe, but I’ll take this privilege with me. You can’t imagine the happiness and pleasure I’ll take with meâ€.
“Thank you to absolutely everybody, especially those who have been closest to me, because every day we have been working hard so that you can enjoy watching us play. And thank you also to you in the crowd, who maybe haven’t been so close, but who have really made us feel your supportâ€.
“You should know that I will miss you. I’m the person who is losing most, but I am leaving you in the best possible hands – particularly of this group of players. The pressure was strong and I needed to ease it a bit, but you don’t need to do that – stay with us, because this still has a long way to go. I wish you all the best of luck - I’ll see you soon and you will never lose me!â€.
That was Pep Guardiola’s final farewell speech made to the fans from the centre of the Camp Nou after tonight’s game, during which the crowd never stopped paying homage to the departing coach for the many wonderful moments he has offered them over the years.
Guardiola’s final party
Before the game, a video with the best images of the Guardiola era was shown at the stadium and with emotions running high, 40,000 flags with the Barça and Catalan colours welcomed the teams onto the pitch.
Then one of the iconic moments of the night, when Guardiola stepped out onto the pitch and took his place on the bench. A massive banner (46x47 m, a total of 2.162 m²) with Pep’s photo and the words ‘T’estimem Pep’ – “we love you Pep†was unfurled as the fans sang ‘Ser del Barça és el millor que hi ha!â€.
Once the game was over, the crowd stayed in their seats and after Manel Vic spoke a few words over the loudspeakers about how much Guardiola had brought to the Club with the musicof Coldplay and Luis Llach in the background, Guardiola, surrounded by his players waited to take the microphone and make his farewell speech.
There were tears in many fans’ eyes as he spoke and afterwards the players threw him into the air in celebration. Just as they have done when winning so many titles, the players did a lap of honour and then made a guard of honour to see their manager off the pitch and into the history of the Club.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “It’s not easy to leave these players"


05/06/2012 00:26

The manager said that each and every one of the players that he has managed at FC Barcelonahave helped him be a better manager. “I’ll always carry them inside of me,†he said
Guardiola also noted that the bond that he has with FC Barcelona “will last foreverâ€
“Let’s let life make its own pathâ€
Guardiola was very clear when he was asked if he’s thought about returning to FC Barcelona: “I haven’t left yet and you’re already asking me when I’ll come back. Let’s let life make its own path, and I’ll make mine. I haven’t thought aboutanything right now. I want to be absolutely anonymous and regain my desire to keep on managing.â€
“When you see the stadium packed to the brim, the only thing you can do is be satisfied. The bond I have with the Club will last forever"
“I’m grateful to Leo for the gesture. I’ve received a lot of love from the players this wholetime, within the demands that unite us"
Josep Guardiola was given an emotional farewell this Saturday after his last match as FC Barcelona's manager at the Camp Nou. After saying that he’s “very pleased and grateful,†the manager noted the importance of recognising the work “of the people that have been at the Club.†Guardiola said that “this is a bond that lasts forever,†just before thanking the institution “for everything.
“When you see the stadium packed to the brim, the only thing you can do is be satisfied. I’ve verypleased and grateful for the way I’ve been treated this whole time, it’s a bond I have with the Club that will last forever,†he said. The Barça manager also praised his players: “it’s not easy to leave these players, this team. I will always carry them inside of me, from the first to the last. All the players that I’ve had have helpedme be a better manager, and that’s what I’m leaving with. I’ve received a lot of love, and they know that I love them a lot.â€
The importance of the youth system
He also talked about the youngsters in Barça’s youth system that reinforced the first team this season: “they contributed and they helped us a lot. It’s never easy, but all of them have been up to the task. We’ve scored a lot of goals this season, and we conceded very few. It’s clear thatthey’ve all done their part.â€
When asked if he thought Messi, who scored four goals tonight and took his La Liga goal tally to 50, was the focus of tonight’s match instead ofhim, a smiling Guardiola said: “Leo has captured the limelight all season, I can’t be jealous. Expecthim to keep on doing it in the future. I’ve tried tohelp him as much as I can, and he’s helped me improve and become a recognisable manager.â€
An emotional celebration
The Argentine decided to celebrate his fourth goal by hugging Guardiola, a gesture was repeated by all of the players. The manager said that he’s “very pleased with these gestures,†andthat he’s “very happy to have been part of this Club.†H added, “I’m grateful to Leo for the gesture. I’ve received a lot of love from the players this whole time, within the demands that unite us. I love them a lot and that’s what we have left.â€

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Video: The Camp Nou's tribute to Guardiola

05/06/2012 00:27

VIDEO

[video]http://youtu.be/ZyzuV3pibs8 [/video]

....

FCB

 

[Classik]

The players show their gratitude to Guardiola


05/06/2012 00:40

The players highlighted the manager’s work on the Barça bench and what he’s taught them over the past four years
Adriano: “These two years have been very important in my career and I’ve learned a lotâ€
Training session this Tuesday
Barça will train this Tuesday at 19:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Sant Joan Despí. Thiago Alcántara will hold a pre-training press conference at 18:00.
Cesc Fàbregas: "Increïble el privilegi que he tingut aquest any"
Pinto: "Pep Guardiola ens ha arribat al cor, ens ha ensenyat valors"
After beating Espanyol by 4 to 0, the players thanked Pep Guardiola for what he’s taught them over the last four years. The players were unanimous in their message and they paid tribute to the Barça manager after his last matchat the Camp Nou.
Pedro Rodríguez praised Guardiola for his confidence in the youth system. “He gave me thechance to be here, to win titles,†said the Spanishstriker. Pedro said that he didn’t know Guardiola’s decision to stay or leave until last week’s press conference: “I honestly thought he was going to stay. He worked the same way. It’s a pity that he’s decided to leave, but we have to understand [his decision].â€
Great season that could end with a title
The Barça striker lamented the fact that his team was eliminated from the Champions League despite the team’s season-long good form. However, Pedro recognized that the team is mentally prepared to win the 14th title of the Guardiola era. “The main objective is to win the King’s Cup,†he said.
Here are statements made by the FC Barcelona players after the match, some of them were made on Twitter:
Adriano Correia :
“Very emotional night, without a doubt. Even more so because it was a derby, and for the manager’s farewell. We can only say thank you. He brought me here and he gave me the chance to be his player.
“These two years have been very important in my career and I’ve learned a lot. I’ll remember what he’s taught me for the rest of my life. I’ve improved a lot of things on a personal and footballing level.
“I like Guardiola’s transparency. He always tried to help you. He’s a good person and he has good character.
“We managed to make the party much bigger than the final result (4-0).
“The people have been with us. It’s a shame thatwe didn’t make it to the final or win the Liga, butthe people know that we gave it our all. We’ll keep on fighting. We still have a very important final coming up.
“My objective is to stay here. I have two years left on my contract and I’m very happy to be hereat Barça.â€
Pinto :
“It was a great tribute to Guardiola. I doubt we’llsee anything similar to that in a long time. Besides, it’s good that people acknowledge what he’s done.
“Pep Guardiola got to our hearts and he taught us values.â€
Cristian Tello:
“I’m very pleased with the victory. Thanks to the fans for the love that you show us and thanks to Pep Guardiola. He’s taught us a lot.â€
Cesc Fàbregas :
“I’ve had the incredible privilege this year to be at the Stadium next to this man. Eternally grateful, thank you, Pep.â€

FCB,

Sergi Garcia