Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

Estrella Damm and Barça set to rollout newadvert

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The brewing company has begun working with FC Barcelona on the traditional advert that will premiere at the end of the year


Barcelona’s official sponsor has revealed only that it will revolve around The Masia

Barça players during the advert's filming.

Estrella Damm began, on Wednesday, the filming of anew TV commercial related to FC Barcelona . The popular brand of beer has prepared, each year since 2004, an advert that has become a tradition and "one of the most eagerly anticipated adverts by Barça fans" according to the Catalan company. The premiere of the advert is expected to be shown around the end of the year.


Secrecy about the content

The details of the publicity campaign are to remain under the utmost secrecy, therefore the FC Barcelona official sponsor has only revealed that the advert revolves around The Barça Masia. It's also known that some of the first team players brought up through the academy, will appear in it, like Valdés , Xavi , Busquets , Iniesta , Puyol , Pedro , Pique , or Cesc Fabregas .


Damm, with over 100 years of history, has sponsored many sporting events like the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. The company has also made commercials featuring Ferran Adrià and his world famous restaurant, El Bulli.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Piqué to miss Levante clash at the Camp Nou


www.fcbarcelona.cat


The Competition Committee has confirmed that FC Barcelona centre back Gerard Piqué will be suspended for one game after receiving his fifth yellow card


Piqué will be suspended for Saturday's game at the Camp Nou after the Competition Committee confirmedhis accumulation of five yellows. The fifth came on Tuesday away to Rayo, which now means he will have to sit out the game with Levante.


FCB

 

[Classik]

Barça always victorious against Levante at the Camp Nou

www.fcbarcelona.cat


Barça have won all six times that they have entertained the side from Valencia in their stadium


But this time Levante are fourth in the table and just five points adrift of FCB


FCB - Levante at the Camp Nou

Levante will be at the Camp Nou on Saturday at 20.00and are bulging with confidence after getting back to their winning ways and standing fourth in the league, just five behind FC Barcelona with 26 points.

The side coached by Juan Ignacio Martínez are looking to avoid away defeat to Barça for the first time after six failed attempts.

Six of the best for Barça

The first time Levante came to the Camp Nou was way back in 1963/64, when Barcelona were being managed by César Rodríguez and won 6-2. The home side also won resoundingly a year later, 4-2.

It would be another 40 years before they were back. Frank Rijkaard was the manager for all three of their next visits, which they lost in 2005 (2-1), 2007 (1-0) and 2008 (5-1).


Levante were also beaten at the Camp Nou last season, the first meeting of the two sides in what is the Valencians' third spell in the top flight. Against Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side they were narrowly beaten 2-1.


FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: "The most important game is against Levante"

Roger Bogunyà

Just one week before they face Madrid, the manager refused to discuss the clásico and instead preferred to focus on the game at the Camp Nou against a solid and physical team

Josep Guardiola likes to take each game as it comes and is making no exception this time. "The most important match is always the next one, against Levante." He wants his team "to stay as consistent as possible ... it all comes down to one thing, playing your game and trying to win ... I don't want to waste my timetalking about things that don't depend on us," he added.


Nothing unusual about being second

Neither is the manager too concerned that the team are currently second in the table. "You can always get behindin sport," he said. "When you are behind, you must have the ambition of trying to catch the leader. It's normal. Sometimes you can't do it, but if we weren't trying, we'dbe doing wrong. However, that is not the case. There is nothing odd about being behind such a strong team." Hepointed out that FC Barcelona have often being in positions other than first, as is the case right now.



Chance to extend gap

His main concern, however, is Levante , who are fourth and just two points behind Barça. "They were a strong, physical side last year," he said. "They started the season well and that's taken off some of the pressure. But this is a good chance for us to build a gap between us and them." He also likes the way that Levante have so many players that have been in the Spanish championship for so long.


Up to committees

He was also asked to comment on the yellow card that Gerard Piqué got against Rayo, which means he will be suspended against Levante, but will be able to play at the Santiago Bernabéu . "If the Competition Committee had decided he should get two games, then he would have been rested for two. If they said three, it would be three. We go by whatever the Committee decides. We always have," he insisted. Guardiola also said that in training sessions they never talk about getting yellow cards deliberately or resting players in case they get them. "If we did that, then I would never have played Alves in the Champions League when we still hadn't secured top spot," he observed.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Barça could get their ninth consecutive league win at the Camp Nou and complete their longest run without conceding a goal at home 20.00, GolT, Canal+ Liga and R@dio Barça: Barça face surprise package Levante in search of three more points before travelling to Madrid


Double challenge for Barça: to win and keep a clean sheet


Piqué, suspended and Adriano and Afellay, injured, all miss the clash


If Barça keep a clean sheet, they’ll complete their longest run ever without conceding a goal at the Camp Nou

WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT

Barça and Levante meet at the Camp Nou this evening. "It all comes down to one thing: playing your game and trying to win it" said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday. The manager never changes. He knows they can only make up the points between themselves and the leaders if they take each game as it comes. So, he has all of his attention focused on the visit of Levante , a team that has never even got a point at the Camp Nou, but that this season has stunned the Spanish football world, and are in fourth place in the table , just five points behind the defending champions. There are just two games to go before the crucial trip to the Bernabéu. After a convincing win midweek against Rayo Vallecano (4-0 ), Barça also have a Champions League game on Tuesdayat home to BATE Borisov . With FCB already qualified top of the group, there is very little at stake in that match, but this Saturday's game is certainly a big one. There are three essential points up for grabs, which could serve to close the gap on leaders Real Madrid, who will have just finished their game away to Sporting as Barça and Levante are about to kick off. Possible new record There are other targets this evening. If Barça win, it would be their ninth in a row in league fixtures at the Camp Nou, and if they manage to prevent their visitors from scoring, then they will beat their longest ever run without conceding a league goal at home, whichdates back to the 1986/87 season. Guardiola is missing the suspended Gerard Piqué tonight, in addition to the injured Ibrahim Afellay and Adriano . The latter is out for up to a week after examinations of his thigh injury on Wednesday. Levante, surprise package Levante have an impressive 26 points so far this season, having achieved such remarkable results as a win against Real Madrid at the Ciutat de Valencia and beating Villarreal at the Madrigal. In weeks 9 and 10 of the competition, they even topped the first division table for the first time in their history. But Juan Ignacio Martínez 's daunting challenge is now to guide the teamto its first ever point(s) at the Camp Nou , where Levante have lost on all six of their previous attempts.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Line-up
Barcelona FC :bicker Levente

FCB
Víctor Valdés
Puyol
Mascherano
Abidal
Xavi
Busquets
Fábregas
Iniesta
Isaac Cuenca
Messi
Alexis


Levente
Munúa
Javi Venta
Ballesteros
Del Horno
Juanfran
Farinós
Pedro López
Xavi Torres
Iborra
Valdo
Koné

Starters (FCB)
Víctor Valdés (1)
Puyol (5)
Mascherano (14)
Abidal (22)
Xavi (6)
Busquets (16)
Fábregas (4)
Iniesta (8)
Isaac Cuenca (39)
Messi (10)
Alexis (9)

Reserves (FCB)
Dani Alves (2)
Villa (7)
Thiago (11)
Pinto (13)
Keita (15)
Pedro (17)
Maxwell (19)


Starters (Levente)
Munúa (1)
Javi Venta (17)
Ballesteros (18)
Del Horno (15)
Juanfran (12)
Farinós (4)
Pedro López (19)
Xavi Torres (14)
Iborra (10)
Valdo (23)
Koné (2)

Reserves (Levente)
Héctor Rodas (5)
Pallardó (6)
Wellington (11)
Keylor Navas (13)
Rubén Suárez (21)
Cabral (22)
El Zhar (25)

 

[Classik]

Guardiola to rest 13 first team players against BATE


www.fcbarcelona.cat


11 Barça B players plus Pinto, Piqué, Fontàs, Maxwell, Thiago, Pedro and Cuenca may be named to Barça's squad on Tuesday


Pep Guardiola will rest 13 first team players for the upcoming Champions League match this Tuesday against BATE Borisov (20:45). The Barça manager will rest Valdés , Alves , Puyol , Abidal , Mascherano , Keita , Sergio Busquets , Xavi , Iniesta , Cesc , Messi , Alexis and Villa .

The first team will enjoy a day off this Sunday before they return to training on Monday at 19:00 hrs at the Camp Nou before the Champions League fixture on Tuesday (live on Barça TV ). First team players Pinto, Piqué, Fontàs, Maxwell, Thiago and Pedro, plus Cuenca will take part in the session. They will be joined by Barça B’s Oier , Montoya , Bartra , Muniesa , Sergi Gómez , Rafinha , Dos Santos , Deulofeu , Riverola , Sergi Roberto and Kiko Femenía .


Guardiola and Pedro will attend the pre-match press conference.


The 13 players not named to Barça’s team against BATE will hold a closed door training session on Tuesday at 10:30 hrs at the Ciutat Esportiva .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Valdés: "No one expected this kind of streak at the beginning of the season."



The keeper is very pleased with the spectacular streak of not conceding any goals at the Camp Nou in the Liga


Puyol, substituted as a precautionary measure


Puyol became dizzy after colliding with Levante’s Koné and asked to be substituted as a precautionary measure. He started to feel better in the dressing room and he's fully recovered.


FC Barcelona won another match at the Camp Nou in style, this time against Levante (5-0). Cesc Fàbregas scored a brace giving Barça a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes of play. The youngster, Isaac Cuenca , scored the third just before the break and in the second half Messi and Alexis both bagged goals. With these 5 goals, the team has scored 39 goals and conceded none at the Camp Nou . Víctor Valdés , pleased with the good form at home said, “no one expected this kind of streak at the beginning of the season.†The keeper went on to say, “this says a lot about the team and our willingness to work hard.†With that said, Valdés highlighted tonight’s rival and their phenomenal run in the League so far: “we had more work than usual at home. Levante is a great team and they made it difficult for us during certain parts of the match.â€


Focused on BATE with the clásico looming


When asked about next week's match against Real Madrid , Valdés gave preference to the match against BATE Borisov next Tuesday. However, the keeper did say, “the game at the Bernabéu is always different, it’ll be nothing like the game against Levante.â€


Cesc Fàbregas echoed his keeper: “We have to focus on the Champions League. After that, the clásico.†The midfielder went on to say, “Madrid may be the most on form team of the world, but we’ll try to play our best to beat them.â€


Player’s statements after the match:

Isaac Cuenca:

“I’ve adapted little by little to the team, now I’m more calm when I go out onto the field. I always fight to be inthe starting lineup.â€

“It would be a dream to play against Madrid, but it’s also been a dream to play all of these games.â€

(On the 39-0 record at home): “We always attack and thanks to the size of the pitch it’s easier to have chances and score goals.â€


Mascherano:

“It’s always good to win, but the simple fact of playing for this Club should give you enough self-esteem and confidence.â€

“I’ve played in the three defender formation a lot, in themiddle and on the right and I feel comfortable with it.â€

“We’ll play well against BATE because a lot of people dream of playing in the Champions League and you always have to respect your opponent.â€


“Madrid was just as good last season, now that they are leaders people highlight their quality.â€

FCB,

Luis Davó

 

[Classik]

Messi matches his personal best with 16 league goals in the Camp Nou


The Argentine forward equals his 2009-10 record of 16 league goals in the Camp Nou

He’s now tied with Cristiano Ronaldo as top scorer in La Liga with 17 goals


Messi continues to make history. He’s unstoppable this season and is breaking every record in the book. In the game against Levante , he matched his total of 16 home goals for the whole of the 2009-10 season. And he’s done this before reaching the halfway mark of the current league campaign, so the fans can look forward to plenty more goals in 2012. His tally of 17 goals (16 at the Camp Nou and 1 at San Mames) also keeps him in pole position to dispute the honorary title of “ pichichi †(top scorer in the league) with Cristiano Ronaldo, also on 17 goals. In addition, Messi notched up his 292 nd appearance for the Club, equalling Philip Cocu asthe foreigner who has played the most times for Barça.



But apart from Messi’s achievements, the match against Levante threw up a number of other interesting facts:


- Barça break their own unbeaten record in the Camp Nou. The win against Levante was the ninth in a row at home, all nine games ending in a clean sheet for Barça. The winning run extendsto 12 matches if we include the 3 from the end of last season.


- Against Levante, Cesc scored twice in a match for the first time this season, and is now joint second top scorer with Villa on 9 goals, 3 of themheaders.


- Guardiola has been in charge for 100 matches in the Camp and his record couldn’t be better: 82 wins, 296 goals scored and 59 conceded.

- It was also the fourth time Barça have won 5-0 this season . Together with 2-0, this has been the most frequent score line during Guardiola’s stewardship.


- Alexis has scored 4 goals so far this season, 3 ofthem in the last two matches against Rayo Vallecano and Levante.

FCB,

Raquel Planas

 

[Classik]

Cesc Fabregas: "We’re going to the Bernabéu to win and to play our style. We’re not afraidâ€


The Barça midfielder has assured Barça TV the squad is convinced there is only one way to play against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on 10th December: “With bravery and courageâ€


Cesc insisted that his team-mates are “feeling very positive†and “strong†ahead of their first league clash of the season against the team coached by Jose Mourinho


"If we go there with nerves or thinking we'll sit back and see what happens, the Bernabeu is a very dangerous place to play"

"Scoring always makes me happy but at the end of the day the main thing is that the team keeps on winning and collecting points"


After the great win against Levante, and despite having a midweek Champions League match against BATE Borisov , it's inevitable that the fans are looking ahead to next weekend's Real Madrid game. In an interview with Barça TV , Cesc makes it very clear that, "The teamhas always been upbeat. We always try and compete at the highest level." He also emphasised that the team is in good shape and will go to the Bernabeu looking "for awin". And whatever happens there'll be no lack of"bravery and courage" to "play our own style".


Cesc knows that the result of the Madrid game could have a big impact on the race to the league title. A defeat would be a serious setback to Barça's hopes–"although you never know" - while a win would put the Club right back in the hunt and give the players a boost ahead of the World Club Cup in Japan . Summing up the mood of the squad, he guaranteed that Barça "will fight to get the three points" while sticking to their trademark style of play – "We'll go to win. We're not afraid."


The Bernabeu, "very dangerous"

"If we go there with nerves or thinking we'll sit back andsee what happens, the Bernabeu is a very dangerous place to play. Obviously they'll go all out for a win and the home fans will make their presence felt. We know that if Real Madrid win, it could have a serious impact on the league."

Turning to the team's performance against Levante , Cesc proudly insisted, "it was a great all-round performance by the whole team. We felt in great shape physically and our tactical positioning was very good." He called on his team-mates "to keep on improving and perfecting the system." On a personal level, Cesc's two goals were one of the high points of the match. "Scoringalways makes me happy but at the end of the day the main thing is that the team keeps on winning and collecting points."


Nine goals, three from headers

So far this season, Cesc Fabregas has scored nine goalsand he highlights the role played by his team-mates: "My team-mates are amazing. In that sense I feel that I'm benefiting a lot from having them around me. I always try and expect the best from them because I know they're fantastic players." Finally, Cesc explained why three of his nine goals have come from headers: "I play higher up the pitch with Barça and that makes it easier for me to get into the box."

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Leo Messi and Xavi Hernández finalists for Ballon d’Or again


www.fcbarcelona.cat


For the fifth year on the run there will be a Barça player on the podium for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, as Messi and Xavi are again amongst the top three candidates


Cristiano Ronaldo is the third finalist


Barça dominate top three spots

It's the fifth year on the run that Barça have been represented in the last three of the competition, with Messi a regular in the top three, Xavi appearing for the third consecutive season and Iniesta the third current Barça player reaching the top three last season.


Messi , Iniesta , Xavi (2010)
Messi , Cristiano, Xavi (2009)
Cristiano, Messi , Torres (2008)
Kaká, Cristiano, Messi (2007)
The three finalists for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 were announced at an event in Paris this lunchtime.
Winner to be named on January 9th
The award ceremony will be held on January 9th in Zurich (Switzerland), when the name of the winner will be revealed. If Messi wins the award again he will equal the feats of players such as Cruyff, Platini and Van Basten, who all won the Ballon d'Or three times. Only Platini managed it over three consecutive seasons. Should Xavi be declared the winner, it will be the first time the Catalan midfielder has won the award.


Eight Barça players make 23 man shortlist

There were originally eight Barça players nominated in the shortlist of 23 for the award:Abidal, Alves, Cesc, Iniesta, Messi, Piqué, Villa and Xavi.

Top three spots filled by Barça players in 2010
Last season, all three top spots were filled by Barça players, something only Saachi's Milan team had previously achieved. Leo Messi won the award, Andrés Iniesta was second and Xavi Hernández third.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Guardiola prepares for BATE with 11 Barça B players


www.fcbarcelona.cat


players from the reserve side, plus Isaac Cuenca, trained this afternoon at the Camp Nou to prepare for the Champions League match against BATE


First team players Pinto, Piqué, Thiago, Maxwell, Fontàs y Pedro, plus Adriano, who is recovering from injury, were also named to the squad and trained alongside the reserves.


The List


Pinto, Piqué, Thiago, Maxwell, Fontàs, Pedro, Cuenca (39), Oier (36), Montoya (35), Bartra (32), Muniesa (26), Sergi Gómez (33), Rafinha (34), Jonathan dos Santos (28), Deulofeu (27), Riverola (29), Sergi Roberto (30), Kiko Femenía (38).


Barça will play their final game of the Champions League group stage against BATE Borisov with nothing to lose. With the top spot in Group H secured, Pep Guardiola decided to rest 13 first team players and name 11 footballers from Barça B to FC Barcelona’s squad to face the Belorussians.

Mostly reserve players

This afternoon the Barça B youngsters Oier , Riverola , Montoya , Bartra , Muniesa , Sergi Gómez , Rafinha , Jonathan dos Santos , Deulofeu , Sergi Roberto and Kiko Femenía trained on the Camp Nou’s pitch. Isaac Cuenca also took part in the session, even though he’s been training with the first team for a couple of weeks.


The youngsters were joined by the seven first team footballers that Pep Guardiola has named to the Barça squad against BATE: Pinto , Piqué , Thiago , Maxwell , Fontàs , Pedro and Adriano , who is still recuperating from injury.

The team will spend the night at the Mandarín hotel, andwill hold a closed door training session tomorrow at noon at the Ciutat Esportiva before the Champions League match.

Tuesday, the players not named to the squad return to work


Valdés , Alves , Puyol , Abidal , Mascherano , Keita , Sergio Busquets , Xavi , Iniesta , Cesc Fábregas , Messi , Alexis and Villa have off until Tuesday and will not feature against BATE Borisov. They will also hold a closed door training session, along with Adriano , at the Ciutat Esportiva tomorrow at 10:30.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Approximately 61% team B players (11 players)and 39% team A Barcelona players (7 players) are to face Bate Borisov today in the last final game of the champions league group stage.

It is going to be a very tough match if Bate is to use 100% of their first team.
The question is, can FCB remain unbeaten in this group stage game? Today is the final.

First team players:
Pinto, Piqué, Thiago, Maxwell, Fontàs, Pedro, Cuenca (39),

Second team players:
Oier (36), Montoya (35), Bartra (32), Muniesa (26), Sergi Gómez (33), Rafinha (34), Jonathan dos Santos (28), Deulofeu (27), Riverola (29), Sergi Roberto (30), Kiko Femenía (38).

 

[Classik]

Guardiola: “Against BATE Borisov I want the youngsters to be audaciousâ€


VANESSA FORNS

The Barcelona manager called on his players, most of whom will be from the Barça B side, to be courageous and audacious this Tuesday against BATE Borisov


Guardiola said that it is “an absolute pleasure†to be able to watch the Barça B youngsters play in person


The nominations for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, “an honourâ€

This Monday FIFA announced that Xavi and Messi were once again finalists to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or : “without titles it wouldn’t make sense. It’s an honour that last year we had three finalists and this year we have two. It’s our time to be joyful. People need to vote without being bothered.â€

"Whatever they do, my opinion of them will not change, because I know them fairly wellâ€

“It won’t be a surprise how we play at the Bernabéu, we know each other perfectly, there are few secrets between usâ€

With qualification as group leaders in the Champions League secured, Barça will take on BATE Borisov in the last group stage match this Tuesday at the Camp Nou . For this reason, and keeping in mind that the teammust travel to the Bernabéu this Saturday, Josep Guardiola will use many players from Eusebio Sacristan ’s side to round out his squad. The Barça boss said that “the best times as manger come during these moments . . . they shouldn’t hold back because of stage fright or fear of their manager. Whatever they do, my opinion of them will not change, because I know them fairly well.â€


Along these lines, Guardiola affirms that Barça faces this match “with utmost seriousness,†and highlights that the Barça B players that get to play for the first team do so “with enthusiasm,†he also added that “it’s good to have them close.†The manager hopes that the reserves will work hard during tomorrow’s match and that “they show all of their talent.†Guardiola also reminded the youngsters that “to move up to the first team you must take small steps, tomorrow is one of them.â€


“They will give their allâ€

For Guardiola, the fact that one can watch a Champions League match when “most of the players are lads from the B side†is an incentive. “We’ll help them so that tomorrow they will be able to develop their play in the best possible way,†he said. Guardiola is totally convinced that the players picked to defend Barça’s colours tomorrow will “give absolutely everything†for the cause.


When asked about what kind of play he expects from BATE tomorrow, the manager said, “they were defensiveand tried to counterattack during the first match.†However, Guardiola said there was a possibility that “theymight be a bit more ambitious because they know that they will be playing against younger players.â€

“Whatever happens at the Bernabéu, there will be a lot of Liga leftâ€

With the clásico edging closer each day, the questions about the match against Madrid were unavoidable. After saying that “it won’t be a surprise how we play at the Bernabéu , we know each other perfectly, there are few secrets between us,†Guardiola added that regardless of the outcome of the match, “there’s still a lot of Liga yet to be played.†“Whatever happens, we must keep on training and looking forward, because there is a lot of Liga left. t’s obvious that we’ll try to find the way to play well, generate chances, and limit their options . . . I’m only preoccupied with playing the best game possible,†he said.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona - BATE Borisov: Chance for youngsters to shine 20.45 hores, GolT i R@dio Barça: Barça host BATE Borissov with the aim of making it win number 150 of the Guardiola era


With one eye on Saturday’s trip to Madrid, the boss puts his faith in youngsters and rests 13 first team squad members

BATE need a win and FC Viktoria to lose in Milan if they are to take third place in Group H Aleix Santacana 12-06-2011 10:21


Seven places still up for grabs Current Champions FC Barcelona are one of nine teams already through to the next round of the competition, with the remaining seven places in the last 16 still up for grabs. Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid and Arsenal have already qualified as group winners, whilst Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, Apoel and Milan are also assured a place in the next round.


Barça are the competition’s leading scorers with16 goals Barça and BATE Borisov play the last game in the group stages of the Champions League at the Camp Nou tonight. The hosts go into the match with top placealready secured and face their third home game on the run after wins over Rayo Vallecano (4-0) and Llevant (5-0) ahead of Saturday's clash against Madrid . The game will be a chance for the team to notch up win number 150 under Guardiola's stewardship, whilst BATE Borissov, who have been in Catalonia training for the lastfive days, need a win and for Viktoria to lose in Milan in order to qualify for the Europa League. Youngsters get their opportunity Pep Guardiola has called up just six first team players for the game ( Pinto, Piqué, Fontàs, Maxwell, Thiago and Pedro ). The rest of the squad for the game are made up of B team players, led by Isaac Cuenca and including Oier, Montoya, Bartra, Muniesa, Sergi Gómez, Rafinha, Dos Santos, Deulofeu, Riverola, Sergi Roberto and Kiko Femenía . Riverola and Femenía have the chance to make their first team debuts, whilst Oier, Montoya, Muniesa, Gómez, Rafinha and Deulofeu could play their first ever game in the Champions League. Guardiola has rested 13 first choice players for this game: Valdés, Alves, Puyol, Abidal, Mascherano, Keita, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Messi, Alexis and Villa .

FCB

 

[Classik]

Pedro aims to regain form against BATE Borisov with the clásico looming

“Every player has the ambition and wants to play in a clásico, against BATE I’ll try to do my bestâ€

“The game in the Champions League allows us to prepare for the Bernabéuâ€

In reference to tomorrow’s Champions League match: “There are players in the B squad that perhaps aren’t as well known by the public, it’s agood opportunity to get to know themâ€


Incentives to watch tomorrow's game against BATE

Pedro considers that the match against BATE is a good opportunity for him, “for me, yes, it’s important.†The striker encourages the Camo Nou faithful to come to thestadium for tomorrow’s match: “There are players in theB squad that perhaps aren’t as well known by the public, it’s a good opportunity to get to know them.†He also took the chance to give one piece of advice to the B side youngsters: “They should play their game, like they know how to play. They are good players and they should take advantage of this opportunity.†With that said tomorrow’s objective is obvious to Pedro: “we have the opportunity to close out the group stage without losing.†A new challenge for Pedro and his teammates.

Pedro Rodríguez is one of the seven first teamers to be named to Barça’s squad for the upcoming game against BATE Borisov this Tuesday. The striker hopes to get back to full form after a peroneal strain in his leftheel has kept him off the pitch for three weeks. “I’m gaining confidence. I’ve missed out on a lot of games because of this injury, what’s important now is to continue working with the team so I can recover my form,†he said during the press conference.


Pedro has been following the team’s progress closely and he’s satisfied with their performance: “I’m happy that all my teammates are performing at such a great level.†He went on to talk about his colleagues that share his position on the pitch: “Every year there is competition and I believe it makes the team stronger. Cuenca is a great striker and he’s scoring goals, he’s doing well both on offence and defence. Alexis gives the team depth, constant movement, he’s great at one on ones and he can score. In my opinion they are great players.â€


Praise for Messi and Xavi

If there are two players being talked about in Barça’s dressing room this Monday it’s Messi and Xavi , finalists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. “The three finalists arefantastic players. Hopefully the winner ends up being a Barça player. Messi and Xavi are the best in their positions, it’s hard to choose between them.â€

An open clásico

Pedro also talked about this Satruday’s clásico at the Bernabéu : “Both teams are doing really well at the moment and I think the game will be open.†The striker did lament Barça’ La Liga position going into the game, however: “the team is working well, it’s a shame that we aren’t in a better position going into the clásico.â€

FCB,


Aleix Santacana

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona - BATE Borisov: Young guns (4-0)


An FC Barcelona team with an average age of just 22.7 years in the starting line-up overcame BATE Borisov with exquisite football to end the group with 16 points

None of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta or several other big names from the first team were on the field, but tonight's display from Barça was as brilliant as ever. The Catalans were simply too good for BATE Borisov in the final game of the group stages, a victory that is yet another wonderful tribute to the amazing work being done by the staff and players at la Masía, in which the Camp Nou was able to celebrate goals from Sergi Roberto, Montoya and Pedro (2) . No fewer than nine members of Barça B played their part in a win by a side with an average age of just 22.7 . They may only be youngsters, but there was nothing immature about the way they performed. As was made patent on Tuesday night, the future, or even the present, is bright at Barcelona.


Sergi Roberto opens scoring

Guardiola may have picked a side that featured mainly players that ply their trade in the Miniestadi, but right from the kickoff they looked quite comfortable on the bigger stage. They maintained almost all of the possession, and had BATE Borisov pegged back in their own half for almost the entire first half, with Rafinha almost opening the scoring with practically the first move of the night.

It was a constant onslaught on the Belarusian goal. The Alcántara brothers, Pedro, Sergi Roberto and an stupendous Cuenca showed a clear understanding as they produced chance after chance. And it was Sergi Roberto who finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute to finish off a delightful combination move. These might not have been the players the Camp Nou faithful are used to seeing, but the football was exactly the same.


Cuenca on song

The second half produced more of the same. The visitorsbarely got a look-in as FCB played the ball around fast and smoothly, with excellent chances for Pedro and SergiRoberto to extend the lead, while Fontàs had a goal disallowed for offside. But the second goal looked inevitable and finally came through Cuenca , who with a flash of brilliance following an assist from Montoya , made no mistake on his European debut.


Pedro bags brace

The early moments of the second half were the best of all from Barça, with the crowd shrieking with delight at such fast and entertaining football. It was no surprise when the third goal appeared, this time following a splendid move involving Pedro, Montoya and Cuenca ,the latter providing the final assist, which was backheeled home by the Canary Islander.


Riverola makes debut

With the result decided, Guardiola gave three further members of the Barça B squad the chance to make their Champions League debuts. Muniesa, Deulofeu and Riverola (the latter playing first team football for the first time ever) came on for Dos Santos, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto . And there was still time for another goal. Cuenca, shortly after hitting the post, was brought down in the penalty area and Pedro rounded off a magical night for the Barça youth system by converting the ensuing spot kick. It was the perfect end to an almost immaculate group campaign.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

Xavi: "Winning at the Bernabeu would be aturning point"


The Barça midfielder believes that "it's always nice to win at the Bernabeu and even more so looking at how the league is going"


Xavi, who’ll be playing in his 13th “El Clásico†in the League, away to Madrid, thinks that Madrid are "better" than in recent years.


The return of Tito was "a pleasant surprise"

Xavi Hernandez explained how they received the news ofthe return of Tito Vilanova to training. The Barça number 6, who recognised that he hadn't expected Tito's return so soon, said "it was a pleasant surprise, thebest possible surprise for the squad". He added that his recovery "it's an extra, and spectacular, motivation" not only coming into the clásico, but with regard to life in general. In this sense, Xavi said that Tito Vilanova had a chat with them in which "he gave us a lot of encouragement, he told us about his experience, and that we should value where we are" he said.

If one Barça player knows what it's like to play in a clásico it's Xavi Hernandez. On Saturday Xavi could play his 13th league match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and he would like the game to be "open, with both teams going for it, where one can see the potential of both teams". Although they're going to Madrid three points behind Mourinho's team, and with a game more than them, Xavi said that "means nothing as far as this game is concerned......the clásicos have nothing to do with the table, nor how either team are doing. Anything can happen".


Winning at Madrid is "a pleasure"

Xavi is aware that whatever happens on Saturday at the Bernabeu, the League title will not be decided. However, he knows that a win in Madrid would be important. "It's always nice to win at the Bernabeu and even more so looking at the table. It would be a turning point for us". He stressed that "to go and win at the Bernabeu is a footballing pleasure".


Lets just talk about football

One of the things that Xavi wants, once the clásico is over, is that only the football is talked about, and not any controversial incidents like in recent games against Madrid. Xavi, who thinks that of the last three or four years "this is the clásico that we're coming to in our best form", he thinks the game will be "very physical" but if"we impose our philosophy on the pitch we have much to gain".


On whether Barça will play with a three or four man defence, Xavi said "we played with three defenders in Milan and it went very well. It's a system that when you have the ball you have more players forward, but when you don't, you leave spaces at the back. Everything depends on having the ball". So, the midfielder doesn't discount this option at the Bernabeu. "It's possible, with the players that we currently have".


The squad, guarantee for the future

Xavi was able to enjoy the great team display on Tuesdayagainst BATE, with a Barça team full of young reserve team players. The midfielder said: "They enjoyed themselves, and so did we. It's great that we have such a squad and that the manager is not afraid to play them". This means, according to Xavi, that "it's a guarantee of the good health that Barça is in today". He added that"Barça has a great future and there are lots of youngsters ready to compete for places in the first team".


Happy to be a finalist for the Golden Ball

For the third consecutive year Xavi Hernandez is one of the three finalists to win the FIFA Golden Ball. Xavi is"very pleased and happy to be nominated. It gives me great pride". He's not losing any sleep that he'll end his career without ever having won this award, despite being nominated in more than one occasion. "I'm just proud to be there. It will always stay with me, and is something I'd never dreamed of as a child. Then, my goal was to make my way in football, play for Barça, and play international football, "he concluded.

FCB,

Anna Segura

 

[Classik]

Barça's first team players support the Japanese people


www.fcbarcelona.cat

Messi, Alves, Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc send a message of support to the Japanese people affected by the earthquake in March


Barça supports all of the people of Japan

FCB Supporters Clubs in Japan

There are two active FCB supporters clubs in Japan, Sol Naciente and Peña Japan. Both of them are based in the capital, Tokyo. Josep Barnils, head director for the Comisión Social, wrote the leaders of the supporters clubs in Japan to show them that FC Barcelona supports them and their clubs during these difficult times.

Barça will arrive in Japan next week to play for the FIFA Club World Cup . Even though the team will be vying for the title, Barça will also bring a message of support to the Japanese people. Messi , Xavi , Iniesta , Cesc and Dani Alves recorded a video to support the people affected by the earthquake that devastated Japan in March. In the video, recorded in Japanese, the players show their solidarity with the Asian country and explain that Barça “supports all the Japanese people.â€

FC Barcelona, with a FCB Escola in Fukuola and a total of 1,470 Japanese socios (Club members) - the second country with the most socios-, showed its sensitivity to the Japanese people when the country suffered the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that tragically left many wounded and dead in its wake.

FCB

 

[Classik]

The clásico could be Xavi's 600th game for Barça


The midfielder made his debut for the first teamand scored his first goal on August 18, 1998, during the the Spanish Super Cup in Mallorca.

Since then he’s played in 397 League matches, 121 Champions League matches, 13 UEFA Cup matches, 10 Spanish Super Cups matches, 3 European Super Cups matches, and 4 Club World Cup matches

Xavi holds the record for most games played for the Club and most titles won (18


Xavi Hernández could reach his 600th game as an Azulgrana at the Bernabéu


Titles and honours

With FC Barcelona:
- 3 Champions Leagues
- 6 Ligas

- 1 King's Cup
- 2 European Super Cups
- 5 Spanish Super Cups
- 1 Club World Cup
With Spain's National Team:
- 1 World Cup- 1 Euro Cup
Individual honours:
- Best player of the Euro Cup 2008
- Third consecutive year as finalist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or


During the post-training press conference Xavi Hernández said that “going to Madrid and winning is a pleasure.†Beyond the “footballing pleasure†that is winning at the Bernabéu , Barça’s master midfielder is about to cross an important threshold in this career: if he plays in what would be his 13th clásico, he will reach 600 official games with FC Barcelona .

This is Xavi’s 14th season with Barça. He made his debut in the Spanish Super Cup in 1998 thanks to Louis van Gaal , since then he’s been a permanent fixture in Barça’s midfield with Serra Ferrer , Antic , Rexach , Rijkaard and Guardiola . Barça’s vice-captain reached 300 official games as an Azulgrana player when he was 25 years old. Now, at 31, he’s about to reach 600.


63 scored goals

In Xavi’s 599 official games for the team he has scored a total of 63 goals. 42 of which came in the League, 10 in the Champions League, 7 in the King’s Cup, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup and 1 in the UEFA Cup. The only competitions that Xavi has not scored in are the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup .


The record holder

Xavi Hernández, who started playing for the Club in 1991, holds many of the Club’s individual records. Since January 2nd, 2011, after beating Migueli ’s long-standing record, Xavi is the player with the most games for FC Barcelona. He's also won the most League titles (6), tied with Ramallets and Guardiola . But now Xavi stands alone at the top of a long list of fantastic players that have donned the Barça shirt as the player with the most titles won for his Club, 18.

FCB,

ALEIX SANTACANA