Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Guardiola receives Barça’s highest honour
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 11:07
Following on from the derby win and the emotional tribute to Pep Guardiola, Barça president Sandro Rosell awarded the Club’s highest honour to the outgoing coach in the presence of his father Valentí

Sandro Rosell, Pep Guardiola i Valentí Guardiola, en l'entrega de la insígnia d'or i brillants. FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
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The various tributes and farewell ceremonies for Pep Guardiola started outside the stadium, continued inside the Camp Nou and finished in the players’ changing rooms. It was here, and with his father Valentí looking on, that Barça president Sandro Rosell awarded him the Club’s highest distinction, the Barça gold medal.
Also present at the ceremony were vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu , sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta , assistant coach TitoVilanova , and the Club’s head of external affairs, Manel Estiarte.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Mascherano: "With Guardiola there’s a before and after in my careerâ€
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 12:09
The player understands Guardiola’s reasons for standing down and thanks him for everything hehas taught him
Mascherano also spoke about Messi’s goal scoring record of 50 league goals – 72 in all competitions – so far this season
He also highlights the work done behind the scenes by Tito Vilanova: "He’s brought a lot to the teamâ€

Mascherano / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
"I asked Messi if he was aware of what he was achievingâ€
“He’s done a formidable job as assistant coach. Now, it’s his chanceâ€
“Even without winning, the fans recognise everything that has been doneâ€
Speaking after Saturday’s derby win against Espanyol, Javier Mascherano told Barça TV that the players had experienced some emotional moments during the farewell tributes to Guardiola. In an interview for Barça TV’s ‘El Marcador', he summed up the players’ feelings towards the outgoing manager. “Guardiola has taught me many things. He’s one of the coaches who has most influenced me. He changed my position and since then there’s been a before and after in my careerâ€. Since joining Barça, Mascherano has been moved back into central defence by Guardiola and has enjoyed an extended run in the team.
Mascherano expressed his understanding for Guardiola’s decision, describing it as a personal choice that belonged to the manager alone, but criticised some of the speculation in the sporting press over the season: “It’s older than the sun itself. There’s no business in one team winning itall. It annoys some people that it’s always the same oneâ€.
Barça to maintain their style without Guardiola
Mascherano emphasised that the team will not abandon their style of football and thanked the fans for their support even in defeat: “People are demanding but not stupid. Even without winning, the fans recognise everything that has been done. This year is the best exampleâ€.
Speaking on behalf of the whole squad he also gave his full support to the next manager, Tito Vilanova: “Tito has been Pep’s shadow. He’s done a really good job as assistant coach to the extent that we noticed his absence when he wasill. He’s done a formidable job. Now, it’s his chanceâ€.
No words to describe Messi
When asked about Messi’s sparkling performance against Espanyol, Mascherano insisted: “There are no words to describe himâ€. He also admitted that he had spoken to his fellow countryman about his record-breaking achievements and underlined his modesty: “I asked Messi if he was aware of what he was achieving. Luckily, he isn’t! We will always remember this Barça as Messi’s and Guardiola’sâ€.
The support of the fans
Javier Mascherano’s excellent season was rewarded by the fans chanting his name during Saturday’s match: “I’m very grateful to the fans. It’s a source of pride that they chanted my name".

FCB

 

[Classik]

#graciesPep, worldwide trending topic

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 12:30

Hundreds of thousands of messages were made in support of Pep Guardiola on Twitter, Facebookand other social networks

The hashtag #graciesPep was a worldwide trending topic

Barça fans take to social networks to support Guardiola / PHOTO: GERMÃN PARGA

Josep Guardiola ’s farewell at the Camp Nou spread like wildfire on social networks. While thousands of Barça fans followed the emotional tribute to Guardiola at the stadium and on TV, others followed it online. Upon conclusion of the Barça-Espanyol match, the hashtag #graciesPep on Twitter trended worldwide ; the hashtag wastrending in Spain at the end of the first half. From 20:00 on, the number of tweets dedicated to Guardiola kept on growing: the amount of tweets tagged with #graciesPep started at 3,100 at 20:00, by 23:45 the number grew to 55,000 tweets.

Moreover, there were also thousands of tweets supporting Guardiola that weren’t tagged with the trending hashtag, some of which belonged to Barça’s first-team players. Andrés Iniesta said:“fantastic end of the season at the stadium. Thanks, boss!â€

Facebook and YouTube

Facebook was another favoured platform for FC Barcelona fans to offer up their support to the outgoing manager. The Club’s posts regarding the Camp Nou’s tribute to the manager received 340,000 likes and 35,000 comments . The post that generated the most activity, 83,000 likes , was the news that Barça had won the match, just before Guardiola gave his speech on the pitch. The Barça Toons ’ tribute to Guardiola was also successful on YouTube. The video had been seen more than 88,000 times by halftime.

Support from China

The tribute to Pep Guardiola surpassed international boundaries. More than a million messages of support for Guardiola were made on the Chinese social network Tencent Weibo . “It’s difficult to find the correct word to express how I feel. Thank you, Pep, let’s pay tribute to the great Guardiola,†and “King of the Camp Nou forever, Pep Guardiola,†represent the overall sentiment of Chinese supporters.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Tribute to Pep Guardiola, the focus of the worldwide press

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 12:49

The press, especially the Catalan sports media, dedicated their covers to the outgoing Barça boss

Leo Messi was also the focus of attention as he reached the 50-goal mark in La Liga

‘Unforgettable’ and ‘See you soon’ were the most-used headlines of the dailies

Pep Guardiola, the focus of the worldwide press/PHOTO: Miguel Ruiz - FCB

May 5th will always be remembered by Barça fans. Josep Guardiola led his team for the last time at the Camp Nou in an emotional match against Espanyol. Guardiola’s farewell to the Camp Nou was the focus of attention this morning by the press as the manager’s speech and his emotive goal celebration with Messi featured prominently on the covers of dailies from around the world.

Catalan news outlets like Sport or El Mundo Deportivo devoted their front pages to Guardiola’s emotional farewell to the Camp Nou.Moreover, Messi’s four-goal performance also featured highly in they dailies’ front pages. The international press highlighted the Argentine’s magnificent game, which saw him reach the half-century goal mark in La Liga.

Here is a recap of what the worldwide press saidabout Messi’s new record and Guardiola’s goodbye to the Camp Nou

- Sport : “ I'll see you later. You'll never lose me â€.

- Mundo Deportivo : “ Unforgettable â€.

- El 9 Esporti : “ It wasn't a dream â€.

- As : “ Messi says farewell to Guardiola with four goals â€.

- La Vanguardia : “ See you soon, Pep !â€.

- El Periódico : “ Tears and Goals â€.

- L’Équipe : “ Messi: four goals that are 50 â€.

- Olé : “ Four for Pep â€.

- La Nación : “ Messi said goodbye to Pep his way: with four goals â€.

- Clarín : “ Messi gifted four goals to Guardiola in his goodbye â€.

- Gazzeta dello Sport : “ Messi, four goals for Guardiola. Farewell party at the Camp Nou â€.

- Emol : “ With an inspired Messi, Barcelona bids farewell to Guardiola at the Camp Nou â€.

- Lance : “ Messi scored four goals in Pep Guardiola's goodbye party â€.

- Univisión Deporte s : “ The Camp Nou's emotional farewell to Josep Guardiola â€.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Farewell to Guardiola, in 13 minutes

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 12:53



SEE VIDEO

Here's the Camp Nou's tribute, in its entirety, to Guardiola on the day that the manager led his team for the last time at the stadium

L'homenatge del Camp Nou a Guardiola

.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola, surrounded by his family, bids farewell to the Camp Nou
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/06/2012 17:39
Guardiola, accompanied by his family and close friends, returned to the Camp Nou’s pitch after the supporters had left to say his final goodbye

Pep Guardiola with his family and friends at the Camp Nou / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Last night’s emotional sendoff won’t be forgotten by Pep Guardiola any time soon. His home, his people, his supporters paid tribute to the outgoing manager in his last match at the Camp Nou. After the crowds had left the stadium and most of the lights had been turned off, Guardiola returned to the Camp Nou’s pitch. Accompanied by his partner and his three children, the manager repeated the ritual he started in 2001, when he said goodbye to the Club as a player. His partner and his parents stood by his side 11 years ago.
After spending a couple of minutes on the pitch, he went to the Camp Nou’s bench with his children, as time went on family members and close friends slowly gathered around the manager to offer their support. Just before Guardiola and his entourage left the stadium, they posed for one last picture at the Camp Nou.

FCB

 

[elijah23]

Classik, you and I seem to do most of the posting on the Sports Forum. Maybe they change its name to the "Classik and Elijah23 Forum."

 

[Classik]

Classik, you and I seem to do most of the posting on the Sports Forum. Maybe they change its name to the "Classik and Elijah23 Forum."

Yeah. The forum is ours.

 

[Classik]

The players of FC Barcelona have enjoyed more than 50% possession in all their matches for the last four years


05/07/2012 09:30
Barça have dominated possession for the last four years running
Barça’s possession stats are overwhelming: 247 consecutive matches with possession well abovetheir rivals

Guardiola at the Camp Nou. PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ- FCB.
Consecutive games with superior possession
Season 2007/08 : 2
Season 2008/09 : 62
Season 2009/10 : 59
Season 2010/11 : 62
Season 2011/12 : 62
TOTAL 247
Today is the fourth anniversary. Not of any trophy (in fact Barça ended up losing), but
of a way of understanding the game of football which is envied throughout the world.
The last time FC Barcelona held less than 50% of possession in a match was on 7th
May 2008 . It was in the Santiago Bernabéu, withthe 2007/08 league title already
decided, that Real Madrid clearly outplayed Frank Rijkaard ’s Barça team to win 4-1.
Since then, Barça have played 247 consecutive matches, the last two under Rijkaard
and all those in the Guardiola era, enjoying superior possession of the ball.
A few days ago, while looking back over his timein charge of the team, Guardiola
explained that he was especially proud that his teams had always dominated their
matches. They’ve done so for 245 consecutive matches. And there are still two left.
An analysis of all the games played by FC Barcelona under Guardiola shows that
there are only two where possession was relatively balanced. The first time was in the
final of the Champions League in Rome (2-0) when Manchester United came close
with 49%. However, the fact that the game was all but decided in the 70th minute by
Messi ’s headed goal helps to understand the stats a little better. The second case was
in this season’s Spanish Super Cup final (2-2). On that occasion José Mourinho ’s Real
Madrid managed 48%.
Unforgettable evenings
By contrast we can find some overwhelming displays of superior possession by Barça,
especially in decisive matches. In the last World Club Cup final against Santos (4-
0), Barça enjoyed 71% possession, with 768 completed passes compared with only
233 by Santos. An outstanding performance that prompted the astonished rival
manager, Muricy Ramalho , to explain at the end of the match that Barça had played
a "3-7-0" system. Alex Ferguson said much the same thing in different words after
his Manchester United lost the CL final in Wembley (3-1), having managed a meagre
37% possession: “They’re the best team we haveplayed. Nobody has ever given us a
drubbing like this. They hypnotised us with their passing game€.

FCB,

DAVID SAURA

 

[Classik]

Camp Nou attendances continue to rise


05/07/2012 15:55
With 75.158 supporters per game this season, the average crowd at the Camp Nou has grown slightly compared to previous years
With similar figures for the League and Champions League games, the main rise in attendance has come for the Spanish Cup games

Camp Nou / FOTO: GERMÃN PARGA -FCB
Average attendance during the Guardiola era
2011/12: 75.158
2010/11: 74.722
2009/10: 75.570
2008/09: 62.071
Saturday’s derby game marked the end of the season at the Camp Nou and the attendances over the season have registered have a slight increase compared to previous seasons, averaging 75.158, compared to last season’s 74.722.
It’s been the Spanish Cup that has seen the biggest increase, with the games against Hospitalet, Osasuna, Madrid and Valencia drawing an average gate of 71.392, well above last season’s 48,388 average for the same competition. The League and European gates forthe last two seasons have, in contrast, stayed more or less at the same level -75,069 (11/12) and 79,191 (10/11) in the league and 77,953 (11/12) and 78,128 (10/11) in the Champions League.
The season’s highest attendance was the 99,252for the league game against Real Madrid and the 95,845 who turned out for the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Three of the five lowest gates came at midweek league games - against Rayo, Granada and Malaga.
Spanish Super Cup
As well as the League, Champions League and Cup matches, there were also the Spanish Super Cup and Joan Gamper games at the Camp Nou, which bring the average for the whole season to75,825, compared to 75,082 last season if the corresponding games against Seville and AC Milan are included.

FCB,

Jordi Clos

 

[Classik]

Messi, the perfect scorer


05/07/2012 16:00
The Argentinean superstar has now scored moregoals so far this season than 13 of La Liga’s teams, scored nine goals in his last three games and has bagged twice as many as 49 of the previous “Pitxixisâ€
Messi has scored none goals in his last three games – his second best run at the Club.
Only six La Liga teams have managed more goalsthan Messi

Messi and Busquets / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB
More than twice the goals of 49 Pitxitxis
Messi’s 50 league goals are more than twice as many as 49 of the competition’s previous leading goalscorers, who include Zarra (19 goals in season 1944/45 and 24 in 1945/46), Di Stéfano (24 goals in 1955/56), Puskas (20 goals in 1963/64), Quini (20 goals in 1973/74, 18 in 1975/76, 24 in 1979/80 and 20 in 1980/81), Hugo Sánchez (19 goals in 1984/85 and 22 in 1985/86), Raúl González (25 goals in 1998/99 and 24 in 2000/01) and Ronaldo (24 goals in 2003/04).
His average of 1,39 goals a game is the fourth highest amongst Pitxitxis, only bettered by ‘Bata’(1,59 goals in 1930/31, with 27 goals in 17 games), Lángara (1,44 goals in 1933/34, with 26 goals in 18 games) and Zarra (1,42 goals in 1946/47, with 34 goals in 24 games) and the same as the ex- Barça goalscorer Martín (1,39 goals in 1942/43, with 32 goals in 23 games).
Two against Rayo, three against Malaga and four more against Espanyol on Saturday: that’s nine goals in his last three games for Leo Messi - his second best run since he debuted with the first team, only bettered by the 10 goals he scored against Valencia (5-1, 4 goals), Atletico Madrid(1-2, 1 goal) and Bayer Leverkusen (7-1, 5goals).
More than 13 teams have managed
Those nine have taken him from 41 to 50 goals over the last week and that’s a figure that 13 of the La Liga teams haven’t managed. The league’s lowest scores, Racing have scored just 26, nearly half of Messi’s haul and only six other teams have managed more than him: Madrid (117), Valencia (59), Malaga (53), Bilbao (52), Rayo Vallecano (52) and Llevant (51). Anotehr hat trick this coming weekend could even see Messi overhaul these last three teams if they all fail to score.
Leader in Europe too
Compared with teams in the main European leagues, Messi 50 goals from 36 games means he’s outscored 15 French teams in La Ligue (over 35 games), 14 of the Premier League’s teams(after 37 games), 13 Bundesliga outfits (after completing their 34 games) and 12 of the Serie A teams in Italy. He is the goal king!

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona named world's best team of the decade by the IFFHS
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/07/2012 21:02
FC Barcelona was named ‘The World’s Club of the1st Decade’ by the IFFHS this Monday evening
The Club won a total of seven awards during the IFFHS' World Football Gala that took place in the W Hotel in Barcelona

Andoni Zubizarreta with two of FC Barcelona's awards / PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
Other awards
Best referee of 2011: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
2nd best referee of 2011: Howard Webb (ENG)
Best national manager of 2011: Óscar Tabárez (URG)
2nd best national manager of 2011: V. Del Bosque (ESP)
Best keeper of 2011: Iker Casillas (ESP)
2nd best keeper of 2011: Manuel Neuer (GER)
Best league in the world: Primera División (ESP)
2nd best league in the world: Premier League (ENG)
FC Barcelona was awarded seven awards at the IFFHS World Football Gala which took place this Monday evening in Barcelona. Barça was named the ‘The World’s Club of the 1st Decade’ (2001 through 2010) and the best team of 2011. The ceremony, which took place at the W Hotel, was attended by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, director Jordi Mestre and football director Andoni Zubizarreta .
Leaders of the 21st century
Of the 37 awards passed out tonight during the Gala, FC Barcelona won 7. Among them, two of the most important: Best European team of the decade and world’s best team of the decade. From 2001 through 2010, the team won a total of two Champions Leagues (2006 and 2009), oneClub World Cup (2009), one European Super Cup (2009), four La Liga titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09 and 2009/10), one King’s Cup (2008/09) and three Spanish Super Cups (2006, 2007 and 2010).
FC Barcelona was also named the the best team of 2011. Last year Barça won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the Liga, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
Xavi, Messi and Guardiola win awards
Xavi, Messi and Guardiola also won awards. Xavi was named The World’s best Playmaker in 2011 , Messi finished runner up for the award. The Argentine, however, was named 2011’s World’s Top Goal Scorer . Lastly, Josep Guardiola was named The World’s best Club Coach in 2011 ahead of José Mourinho.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Lionel Messi: “Pep will always have my respect. I will always cherish him"



05/08/2012 10:00

The Argentine talked about his goal celebration with Josep Guardiola in the manager's last match at the Camp Nou

Messi: “it's been a great pleasure to share so many good moments with Pep over these last few years!â€

Messi and Guardiola / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t knowwhat you go ‘til it’s gone,†goes the 'Big Yellow Taxi' single released by Joni Mitchell in 1970. Michell was right, she hit it on the head. It’s often the case in the complex world of modern football that fans, members, players, managers, teams... we often don’t realize how good we truly had it until that special player or manager is walking through the back door. This, however,wasn’t the case this Saturday as hundreds of thousands of Barça fans paid tribute to one of the greatest stars in FC Barcelona’s history, JosepGuardiola.

Barcelonistas gathered at the stadium on Saturday night to wish Guardiola a heartfelt farewell as the manager coached FC Barcelona for the last time at the Camp Nou after four successful years on the Barça bench. The tone forthe night was set as the manager led his team out onto the pitch and was greeted by a massive banner, unfurled by Barça supporters, that read ‘We love you, Pep!’ The ensuing 90 minutes offered up the perfect platform for both the players and the fans to show the manager the truth of that statement. Guardiola, visibly touched by the displays of affection from the stands , was also the recipient of an intimate gesture of gratitude and respect from the world’s best player.

Leo Messi made sure he added a personal touch to the Camp Nou's tribute to Guardiola. The Argentine, who at the start of the game against Espanyol had 46 La Liga goals, netted four times to bring his tally to a record-breaking 50 before the end of the match. The four-star performance was capped off when Messi ran to the sideline and embraced his manager as the Camp Nou roared in celebration of the Argentine’s fourth goal. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner talked about his goal celebration after the match on Tencent Weibo , the leading Chinese social network: “it was a game that was very emotional for me. I felt the need to hug Pep to thank him.â€

Messi went on to tell his Chinese followers that “Pep will always have my respect, I will always cherish him [...] He’s been very important in my career. I’m also very thankful to the people that are happy with my goals.â€

After the match, Sandro Rosell , FC Barcelona President, said that “it’s important our heroes can leave through the front door. We’ve maturedas a Club and as supporters.†Hours after posting on Tencent, Messi noted, this time on Facebook , a statement that rings true for any Barça fan: “it's been a great pleasure to share so many good moments with Pep over these last few years!â€

Not always, Mitchell. Barcelonistas , fans and players alike, gave Guardiola the sendoff he deserves.

FCB,

Ian MacLurg

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona named world's best team of the decade by the IFFHS
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/07/2012 21:02
FC Barcelona was named ‘The World’s Club of the1st Decade’ by the IFFHS this Monday evening
The Club won a total of seven awards during the IFFHS' World Football Gala that took place in the W Hotel in Barcelona

Andoni Zubizarreta with two of FC Barcelona's awards / PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
Other awards
Best referee of 2011: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
2nd best referee of 2011: Howard Webb (ENG)
Best national manager of 2011: Óscar Tabárez (URG)
2nd best national manager of 2011: V. Del Bosque (ESP)
Best keeper of 2011: Iker Casillas (ESP)
2nd best keeper of 2011: Manuel Neuer (GER)
Best league in the world: Primera División (ESP)
2nd best league in the world: Premier League (ENG)
FC Barcelona was awarded seven awards at the IFFHS World Football Gala which took place this Monday evening in Barcelona. Barça was named the ‘The World’s Club of the 1st Decade’ (2001 through 2010) and the best team of 2011. The ceremony, which took place at the W Hotel, was attended by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, director Jordi Mestre and football director Andoni Zubizarreta .
Leaders of the 21st century
Of the 37 awards passed out tonight during the Gala, FC Barcelona won 7. Among them, two of the most important: Best European team of the decade and world’s best team of the decade. From 2001 through 2010, the team won a total of two Champions Leagues (2006 and 2009), oneClub World Cup (2009), one European Super Cup (2009), four La Liga titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09 and 2009/10), one King’s Cup (2008/09) and three Spanish Super Cups (2006, 2007 and 2010).
FC Barcelona was also named the the best team of 2011. Last year Barça won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the Liga, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
Xavi, Messi and Guardiola win awards
Xavi, Messi and Guardiola also won awards. Xavi was named The World’s best Playmaker in 2011 , Messi finished runner up for the award. The Argentine, however, was named 2011’s World’s Top Goal Scorer . Lastly, Josep Guardiola was named The World’s best Club Coach in 2011 ahead of José Mourinho.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Carles Puyol to miss Copa del Rey Final
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/08/2012 12:05
The Barça defender, whose right knee will be subjected to arthroscopy, will be sidelined for about six weeks

Carles Puyol / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
Carles Puyol will not be featuring in the Copa delRey Final on May 25 . The Medical Services have announced that the player ended the game on Saturday against RCD Espanyol feeling pain in his right knee. “Following complementary tests, we have decided to subject the player to arthroscopy next Saturday May 12†it was said. The surgery will be directed by Doctor Ramon Cugat. The Catalan is expected to need about six weeks to recover.

FCB

 

[Classik]

PEÑAS
Three meeting posters presented
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/08/2012 12:44
Pau Vilanova received the delegates and representatives of the organizing penyes

Poster presentation of the Terres de l'Ebre BarçaSupporters' Clubs Meeting

The end of this season was the occasion to present the posters for three zone meetings. Terres de l’Ebre , Tarragona Nord and Bages , Berguedà i la Cerdanya presented their gathering events of Barça Supporters’ Clubs. Pau Vilanova , chief director of the Social Comission, welcomed the representatives of each supporters’ club.
The first to launch its meeting was Bages, Berguedà i la Cerdanya on the 2nd of May duringthe prior hours to the Barça-Málaga match. The meeting, to be held on the 27th of May, is organized by the Penya Blaugrana Santpedor , also celebrating its silver anniversary. Ramon Burniol , delegate of the Supporters’ Clubs Advisory Council , and penya president Antoni Valverde , presented the poster along with Valentí Guardiola , Pep Guardiola’s father.
Tarragona was the star during the previous hours to the derby against Espanyol. The Penya Barcelonista de Tivenys was represented by its president Fancesc Josep Pinyol . This supporters club is alos celebrating its XXV Anniversary this year, and holds the XIV Baix Ebre, Montsià i Baix Maestrat Barça Supporters Clubs Meeting, taking place on the 2nd of June. Delegate of the Supporters’ Clubs Advisory Council for Terres de l’Ebre Ramón Fibla did not miss this occasion.
The XI Tarragona Nord Barça Supporters’ Clubs Meeting, to be held on the 10th of June in Vallmoll, was also presented that evening. Francesc Serra , delegate of the Advisory Council came along with president of Tarragona Nord Barça Supporters’ Clubs Federation Pere Joan Cols , and Josep M. Porta , vicepresident of Penya Barcelonista de Vallmoll .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Thiago: “We have a lot of confidence in Tito Vilanovaâ€


05/08/2012 19:27

The Barça midfielder is convinced that next season, with Tito Vilanova as manager, the team’s style of play and philosophy won’t vary too much from the past four seasons
Thiago's advice: Keep calm and believe in yourself
When asked to give advice to players that are onthe verge of breaking into the first team, Thiago said: “they need to be calm, meaning, that they need to be faithful to the qualities that brought them this far, and they have to believe in themselves.†This advice is almost identical to the guidance that Guardiola gave the midfielder when he was called up to the first team.
“Carle’s commitment is amazing. He’s our insignia, a leader in every regard, he exemplifiesthe Club’s values like no one else"
While reiterating the team’s respect and acceptance of Josep Guardiola ’s decision to not continue as Barça’s manager, Thiago Alcántara praised the newly appointed boss Tito Vilanova . The player considers that next year’s team “will be more or less the same as in past years.†He added: “it won’t be anything new, except that we’ve lost someone very important to us. He [Guardiola] will be the most notable absence in the dressing room. Tito has always been by Guardiola’s side, he knows the team perfectly and he knows what he wants.â€
Along the same lines, the midfielder said that Tito and the players are very accustomed to working together: “we’re very accustomed to see Tito in the dressing room. We know him, andhe knows us. I’m convinced that he’ll adapt well to this new role, and we’ll have no problems identifying him as the head manager. We have alot of confidence in him.†Thiago also talked about the division of labour between Guardiola and Tito for the past four seasons, noting that the outgoing manager attended “to the psychological aspects of the game while Tito hasguided us tactically.â€
Puyol’s injury
The news broke this morning that Carles Puyol will be out of action for up to six weeks, which means he’ll miss the Cup final. “It’s a very important loss for us ahead of the King’s Cup final,†said Thiago, just before saying that the Catalan captain “will do everything he can to getto the EURO.†The midfielder added that he’d like to participate in the international tournament.
When asked about what someone with the character of Puyol brings to the team, Thiago said: “consistency, the top-notch level of play he brings to what is the best Club in the world. Each person can come to their own conclusions after that.†Also on the Barça captain, Thiago highlighted that Puyol shows “a consistency throughout each and every match, it’s somethingthat’s contagious and excites you.†He added, “arle’s commitment is amazing. He’s our insignia, a leader in every regard, he exemplifiesthe Club’s values like no one else.â€

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Piqué and Cuenca receive medical all-clear
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/08/2012 20:00
The defender and the striker trained with normality this afternoon and were given the medical all-clear after the session
Alexis Sánchez started his recovery work on the pitch, whilst Keita continues to recover from a soleus injury

Piqué, en l'entrenament d'aquest dimarts. FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
The first team returned to training this Tuesday afternoon with two important additions: Gerard Piqué and Isaac Cuenca . Both the players trainedwith normality with the rest of the team. Alexis Sánchez , on the other hand, continued his recovery on the pitch. The Chilean missed the Catalan derby due to injury.
Seydou Keita worked apart from the group due to problems with the soleus in his left leg. Carles Puyol , who will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury that he picked up against Espanyol, did not train. The other first-team absences are Villa , Fontàs and Abidal . The Barça B players Tello , Bartra and Montoya trained with the first team.
Tito Vilanova did not attend this afternoon’s training session due to a viral illness that was caused by a slight fever. The assistant manager is scheduled to return to the team’s training sessions on Thursday. Barça will continue preparing for the match against Betis in their next training session, which will take place on Wednesday at 11:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Sant Joan Despí,

FCB

 

[Classik]

Barça return to training

05/08/2012 21:03

Training session. IMAGE: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.

FCB

 

[Classik]

French supporters clubs meeting in Lyon
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/09/2012 10:33
Patrick Thonomal and François Arsene were the Club’s representatives

Patrick Thonomal, François Arsene and Antonio Freire during the meeting with French penyes
Commitment with international penyes
Directors of the Penyes Commission Patrick Thonomal and François Arsene focus their efforts on supporters clubs established in French-speaking countries. Under the coordination of Josep M. Barnils , director of the Social Commission and responsible for foreign penyes, they endorse the movement at an international level, one of the big goals of the Penyes Segle XXI project .
Several French supporters clubs were represented during the meeting in Lyon last week. The FC Blaugrana Plus Que Des Supporters organized this meeting, the first in French territory.
Directors of the Penyes Commission Patrick Thonomal and François Arsene were the Club’s representatives on this event. Antonio Freire , president of the Penya Fanatiek FC Barcelona Limburg, of Belgium, and delegate of the Supporters’ Clubs Advisory Council for zone 35 The World, also attended.
The Penya Blaugranor du Nord de la France , the Peña Barcelonista Gabriel López Solá de Saint Juery and the Penya Blaugrana de París were represented on this meeting. Its goal was no other than sum um their activity, and resuming the state of the movement in this country.

FCB