Marc Guillén
In this interview FC Barcelona’s captain Carles Puyol looks back on Barça’s trophy successes in 2009, a year that has gone down in history at the club.
How does it feel to have lifted the only trophy Continue reading ‘Puyol: “There is nothing better than winning”’
Question marks over the fitness of a number of Barça’s strikers mean that Bojan Krkic thinks he may be playing on Sunday at San Mamés. He also says that he’s happy to play anywhere in attack.
With Henry and Messi doubtful for Sunday’s game and Iniesta still sidelined with injury, Barcelona could have a new strike force in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at San Mamés. Bojan says that Guardiola has yet to tell the squad who will be playing: “He hasn’t said anything and with so little time to recover from injury maybe I’ll play, though I hope everyone’s fit”. Continue reading ‘In’
Ex-Barca star Samuel Eto’o has expressed his gratitude to his ex-team mates as well as to the club’s fans for the way they treated him during his 5-year stint at the Nou Camp.
Speaking to the Catalan broadcaster TV3, Eto’o. who’s now at Inter Milan, explained that during his time at the club, in which he won two Champions League and three La Lliga titles, he had always: “defended the club’s colours with my life”. Continue reading ‘Eto’o grateful to Barca’
Leo Messi is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Bilbao. Tests have confirmed that the player has a strained left thigh muscle.
Club doctors say that as the injury is causing Messi pain, he will continue with treatment to reduce the inflammation. How quickly progress is made will determine whether he can turn out against Bilbao.
Messi first noticed the problem during training in Russia on Tuesday, the day before the game between Argentina and Russia.
The Frenchman, who has had Achilles heel problems in both legs in recent days, has trained with his teammates today. Barça are gearing up for the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup though the team’s international players have yet to return.
High temperatures meant that today’s training session was held in the evening rather than in the morning as initially planned. At 7 pm the players came out onto the pitch at the Joan Gamper sports facility with Thierry Henry putting in an appearance for the first time in some days. Continue reading ‘Henry is back training’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic trained normally with the FC Barcelona squad for the first time since he joined the club after spending his first weeks working alone after undergoing surgery on his hand.
After two trips abroad, the Blaugrana players reported back for duty to the Ciutat Esportiva and began their preparations for the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club on Sunday in San Mamés. Continue reading ‘Ibrahimovic trains with the squad’
A total of nine FC Barcelona are set to appear for their national teams on Wednesday evening, while three more were called up but will not play for various reasons.
The only Blaugrana star to be playing in a World Cup qualifier is Éric Abidal, who should be named by France in their game against the Faroe Islands and 6pm. Thierry Henry was included in the French squad by coach Raymond Domenèch, but he did not travel after suffering more problems with his Achilles tendon.
Four players with Spain Continue reading ‘Official:International evening’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will arrive in Barcelona on Sunday evening to put the finishing touches on his transfer from Inter Milan.
The Swedish striker will have a series of medical tests on Monday morning, first at the Hospital de Barcelona and then at the Centre Mèdic d’Assistència Sanitària at FC Barcelona. If the medical is satisfactory and the deal is finalized on Monday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be publicly presented on Monday evening in the Sala París at the Stadium.
‘Ibra’ will then be presented for his first appearance before the fans at the Nou Camp once the new turf has been laid.
Barça drew their first pre-season game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the Wembley Cup. Pep Guardiola gave several players a chance to shine and Bojan Krkic scored for the Catalan outfit during the first half of an entertaining encounter.
Kicking off the 2009/10 campaign, the Blaugrana produced a positive display in a game that saw them use 22 players as the team that began was completely replaced at half-time. No less than 15 of those players came from the club’s youth system, while Víctor Valdés, Rafa Márquez, Maxwell, Aliaksandr Hleb, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry watched from the sides as they were not in the squad.
Continue reading ‘Pre-season starts with a draw (1-1)’
Barça will face Manchester City of the English Premier League in the 44th Joan Gamper Trophy in August. The English club has grabbed the headlines this summer by signing stars such as Tévez and Adebayor and features Brazilian forward Robinho.
Manchester City are managed by former Barça striker Mark Hughes. Last season they finished ninth in the Premier League, far from the expectations of a club that had spent a lot of money on players such as Pablo Zabaleta, Elano, Martín Petrov, De Jong, Robinho and Shay Given. Continue reading ‘Official:Barça to play Manchester City in the Gamper’
The Brazilian centre back reflects on his first training sessions with Barça. He’s particularly impressed by Guardiola and Messi, and looking forward to seeing his friend Keirrison before his Barça debut.
”We’ve been here in Marlow for two days now and so far it hasn’t rained during any of the training sessions. In these early sessions we’ve been working pretty hard on defensive aspects. The boss gets us defenders together and sends us off to do a number of positioning exercises. This is all new to me because up to now when I had done defensive training in other teams all the players did it at the same time whereas here we do it separately. Guardiola talks a lot during these exercises – he encourages us when we do it right and he corrects us if we make a mistake – and I think that helps us a lot. I haven’t stopped learning since I got here. Continue reading ‘Official:Henrique’s Blog (II)’
French international Thierry Henry, speaking at his first press conference of the season, praised the numbers and quality of the players coming through the Barça academy: “It’s an extraordinary achievement.
Henry is coming up to his third season with FC Barcelona and compares the situation at the Club with his experience at Arsenal: “Wenger did the same thing at Arsenal, but here there are many more”.
Few comparisons Continue reading ‘Official:Henry praises Barça’s home-grown talent’
Josep Guardiola takes full responsibility for developments with Samuel Eto’o. He says the decision to do without the player is due to “feeling” and has nothing to do with football or behaviour issues.
As was to be expected, the first question at his press conference was about whether Samuel Eto’o is to stay at Barça. Guardiola made things clear: “Without him we wouldn’t have done what we did last year. There are no football or personal or behaviour issues here. It’s just a feeling I have. I think there is a need for change. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s my responsibility and decision”.
Eto’o is exemplary Continue reading ‘Official:Guardiola on Eto’o: “The decision’s mine”’
Leo Messi is to train this Monday with the first team. The Argentine has decided to cut his holiday short and travel to London with the side for the first part of preseason.
The club had given him holiday time until 27 July, after the London trip had finished and before the US tour starts. But Continue reading ‘Official:Messi comes back early’
Toni Bruins, who assisted Johan Cruyff at Barça and was then assistant manager at Ajax to Ronald Koeman says he delighted that FC Barcelona have signed Maxwell, who he worked with at the Dutch club.
Speaking to www.fcbarcelona.cat, Toni Bruins Slot said “I congratulate everybody at Barça that was involved in the Maxwell deal. It was a good move because he’s the ideal kind of player for Barça and Josep Guardiola”.
“He will adapt quickly” Continue reading ‘Official:Toni Bruins; “Barça have made a great signing”’
Maxwell has completed his medical examination prior to signing his contract with FC Barcelona. “He has strong muscles and all of the right structures in his right knee”, said Doctor Ricard Pruna.
He was referring to the knee for a reason, for Maxwell once injured it seriously. “It was a long examination. We have explored him in depth. Basically, we looked at the right knee that was operated on a few years ago”, explained Pruna.
Maintenance plan
There are special plans in place for the Brazilian: “What we will have to do, as we do with all operated knees, is develop a maintenance and muscle building programme, so that there won’t be problems in a season like the one to come, with so many games”.
“Very strong muscles”
But all told, Pruna was very impressed by Maxwell’s muscles, “especially his isquiotibials. In Italy they work on that a lot. As for the rest, I have to say he has some small muscular lesions in his abductors, but they haven’t led to anything major. In terms of muscles, he’s perfect”.
In his official presentation to the media, Maxwell, Barca’s new left back has said that “today is a very special and happy day for me … it is a dream come true.”
Serious, relaxed and humble, the first new addition to the treble winning squad, Maxwell, was officially presented today in Sala París at the Camp Nou. In his first official statement since signing, he said: “today is a very special and happy day for me. It is a dream come true. This is the strongest team in Europe”.
Four years, and option for one more
Before the presentation, Maxwell visited the offices to sign his contract, which will be for four seasons, with an option to stay for a fifth, depending on the number of games the Brazilian plays for Barça in his fourth year. The buy-out clause on the contract has been set at 50 million euros. Continue reading ‘Official:Maxwell delighted at Barça’
On arrival in Barcelona, Maxwell immediately expressed his delight at being able to play for the Barça first team, saying he believes they are a fantastic side that plays the best football in Europe.
The Brazilian defender arrived in the Catalan capital at 13.00 from Los Angeles, and spoke to Barça TV and the club website in the airport itself. Josep Guardiola’s new signing said he feels “very happy and contented to be in Barcelona” and said the transfer operations “have gone very fast”.
Keen to start
Though he was tired after the flight from Los Angeles, where he had been involved in the preseason with Inter Milan, Maxwell said he wanted to “sign as quickly as possible and get started straight away” with work with what will be his new colleagues.
“I’ve come to a fantastic team”
Maxwell knows he is joining “a fantastic team”. The Brazilian commented that back in Italy he and his team mates have all said that “Barça play the best football in Europe. I am happy to get the chance to form part such a good and positive group”.
Barça’s new star signing, Maxwell, has told Barça TV and fcbarcelona.cat that the way Barça play reminds him of Ajax when he was there.
Happy to be in Barcelona, having heard great things about the club and admitting that he can both attack and defend, Maxwell had plenty to say in his first interview since signing for FCB.
When you arrived at the airport, you were met by loads of cameras. Are you starting to realise what Barça is about?
“Yes, you start feeling the climate, people coming up to you, cameras coming up to you, that’s when you realise how important this club is. I was just hoping to pass my medical and be able to officially become a Barça player. It’s a great feeling.”
How did your transfer come about?
“I had heard I a chance of coming here some time ago. The final stages were finished very quickly, but it all started months ago and I was always interested in coming.”
What did you think when they told you Barça are interested?
“I was delighted to come. I didn’t think twice. I want to thank everybody that has made this possible, the lawyers, the president, everybody that formed part of the project.”
What do you know about FC Barcelona? Continue reading ‘Official:Maxwell; “I expect a similar game to that at Ajax”’
A number of FC Barcelona players reported back for the start of pre-season on Sunday as they were due to undergo the usual medical tests after enjoying their summer holidays.
The exams started early in the morning with the club’s Medical Services team ten of Barça Atlètic’s squad were present to have themselves checked over. Put into pairs, the players joined the three first-team members to be tested by the Blaugrana doctors.
Touré Yaya was one of the regular stars of Pep Guardiola’s side due to attend, but he was unable to and will have his exam on Monday.
Montoya and Dalmau Continue reading ‘Official:Pre-season medical begin’
Gaby Milito was keen to send a personal message to FC Barcelona’s supporters explaining at what stage he is in his long-term recuperation from a serious knee injury.
Writing from Argentina, the defender said:
“I would like to take advantage of this opportunity that FC Barcelona have offered me to express my deep regret that I will not be able to join my team-mates for pre-season training.
As everyone knows I have been recovering for over a year to return to playing after my injury. Up until now I and Doctor Ramon Cugat and the club’s medical services have sought many different paths to find a solution to the problems that I have.
Unfortunately, we still have not found the answer that would allow me to rejoin my team-mates and to be completely happy playing again.
Every day I work hard in order to fulfil my desire of putting this all behind me and coming through this complicated situation that I am in because it has been, without doubt, the worst moment of my career and my life. Continue reading ‘Official:Milito: “I am not going to let my head drop”’
Joan Laporta has confirmed that there is an agreement in principle between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan for Ibrahimovic to join the club in exchange for Eto’o and a certain fee.
During the press conference to present Maxwell, Joan Laporta has stated that there is an agreement in principle with the Italian club for the transfer of Ibrahimovic. As Samuel Eto’o also forms part of the deal, the Barcelona president has commented that this agreement is being conditioned by the fact that both players have to settle their interests with what could be their new clubs.
Option still open in attack
At the same time, Joan Laporta made it very clear that the deal has not been closed yet, and so the club has not forgotten another of the options that they have been studying as a possible new centre forward: David Villa. “The Ibrahimovic operation is not settled, at it is too early to say which of the two options –Villa or the Inter player– is the most satisfactory. In the end we will be going for the option that we consider best for Barça”, he said.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain also stressed that there is nothing definitive regarding the future Barça centre forward role: “There are several options open, and we have to work on them and operate as well as we can. Ibrahimovic is one of the options we have”.
Continue reading ‘Official:Laporta announces agreement in principle with Inter’
Ten years ago Bojan Krkic started out in the Barça academy. After having reached the first team, the player says he’d like to be there for another decade.
He says there have been “magic moments” over his 10 years at Barcelona, and last season’s treble is undoubtedly one of them. Bojan Krkic, who ever since he began in the academy has felt a special chemistry between him and the club, spoke to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about the last ten years.
What do these ten years at Barça mean?
Continue reading ‘Bojan: 10 years at Barça’
Although of course in the League you eventually play everyone twice, Tito Vilanova thinks that having the first game at home is a good thing, especially as the team will have just played the European Super Cup.
The football first team assistant coach has spoken to Barça TV and the club’s official website about the League fixture list announced last Friday. Vilanova, who is well aware that Barça have a game against Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Super Cup on 28 August, thinks that beginning the League campaign on 31 August at home against Sporting Gijon is a good start.
Continue reading ‘Vilanova: “I like the first game being at home”’
In Los Angeles thoughts are already turning to 1 August, when Barcelona will be taking on LA Galaxy and David Beckham in the Rose Bowl. The California outfit’s website reflects that interest.
On the website there is a video advertising the game with some of the best Barça moments of last season including goals by Eto’o and Messi at Camp Nou against Madrid (2-0).
“Fantastic opportunity”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” said LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena on the club website. “Barça have some of the top players like Messi, Henry and Eto’o and other great players who back them up.”
The date of the game cannot be considered definite until the kick off time (GMT+1) is given.
The date and time of games will be decided approximately ten days before.
August
Week 01 Mon 31 Aug –:– FC Barcelona - Sporting Gijón
September
Week 02 Sun 13 Sep –:– Getafe CF - FC Barcelona
Week 03 Sun 20 Sep –:– FC Barcelona - At.Madrid
Week 04 Wed 23 Sep –:– Racing - FC Barcelona
Week 05 Sun 27 Sep –:– Málaga CF - FC Barcelona
Born in Sabadell, he joined the Barça youth system in the summer of 2005 from Jabac. That season, playing for the Juvenil A side, he won three major trophies in a team that also included the likes of Bojan, Giovani, Jeffren and Marc Crosas.
In the 2006-07 season, Sergi Busquets continued with Juvenil A and was one of the core players in the side coached by Àlex Garcia. In his third year at the level, and despite still being a midfielder, Sergi scored 7 goals in 26 games.
The next season, Busquets was promoted to Barça B under Pep Guardiola. He didn’t play until the 12th game, but from then on he managed to hold down a regular place in the starting line-up, playing 23 games and scoring two goals.
Continue reading ‘Sergio Busquets Burgos’
José Manuel Pinto joined Barça on 18 January 2008 from Celta, the club he had played for during the previous ten seasons. He came on loan but FC Barcelona signed him permanently at the end of the 2007/08 season.
Born in Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz) on November 8, 1975, Pinto start his professional career in Andalucia. After spending three seasons with Real Betis’s B side, he moved up to the first team and made his debut for the club during the 1997/98 campaign. A year later he agreed to move to Celta Vigo, where would spend the next decade before leaving to go to Camp Nou.
After being replaced by Toni Prats at Betis, Pinto opted to join Celta and it was there that he found stability and was awarded the captain’s armband. He went on to play 126 games in la Primera, 56 matches in la Segunda A as well as appearing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup regularly with the club. As well as helping the side to qualify for the Champions League in 2003/04, Pinto won the Zamora Trophy as the best keeper in the league in 2005/06.
Continue reading ‘José Manuel Pinto Colorado’
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