FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

La Liga - Team news: Barca strong again
Eurosport - Fri, 13 Feb 11:32:00 2009

We look ahead to this weekend's Liga action with leaders Barcelona facing a tricky test at Real Betis.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had all his players back fit from international duty and in training on Thursday with the exception of Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, who was still en route from the United States.

Captain Carles Puyol, who missed Spain's 2-0 friendly win over England on Wednesday with a muscle strain, trained separately from the rest of the group as the leaders prepare for Saturday's match at Betis.

Barca have struggled against Betis at the Ruiz de Lopera in Seville over the past decade, winning only twice in nine matches and losing five, including a 3-2 loss last season in a game they led by a two-goal margin.

"In general, Barca's track record at that stadium has been a difficult one," defender Gerard Pique said


http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13022009/58/la-liga-team-news-barca-strong.html






Also I would like to put the question to people "Is la liga a dirty league" ? I was looking over the stats for the season so far and worked out that the 24 referee's who have officiated games this season have issued an average of 5.4 yellow cards per game. Now that to me seems extraordinarily high. Thoughts ?

Sammy Eto'o is on fire lads. A brace in each of his last three games inside a week ! 2 last weekend against Gijon, two on wednesday night against Guinea and two tonight against Betis. Six goals in three games inside a week is phenomenal stuff. Depending on how Janko does this weekend for Salzburg could see Eto'o move to the top of the leaderboard in the race for the Golden Shoe. 26 goals in 30 appearances this season with 23 goals in 23 league games. Wouldnt sell this guy for anything !

K4t wrote: »

Eto'o is pure class alright. I would f**king love to see him go up against Rio/Vidic in the CL. I would pay anything to go to that match tbh!

How's Bojan playing these days?

Only happened last april brother !

Arsenal And Barcelona To Contest Glamour Charity Fixture


A pre-season charity game between Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Primera Division giants Barcelona could be pencilled in for June 13 in Strasbourg, if reports surfacing today are to believed.

The Alsace club's general director Jean-Luc Herzog is quoted by DNA as saying that a verbal agreement has been struck with the two clubs, as well as UNICEF, with the intention of holding the fixture in the summer.

There is yet to be written confirmation, but Herzog explained: "We have given our agreement in principle, but it’s just the preliminaries.

"At this hour, there’s no written confirmation."

The tie would no doubt throw up many conversational points including much-loved Arsenal son Thierry Henry playing against his former club.

It would also give the Gunners a chance to remedy the painful overturning of their 1-0 Champions League final lead in Paris in 2006, when the Catalan club scored twice in the final quarter of an hour to snatch the trophy.

And it would also be a particularly sentimental occassion for Arsene Wenger who is an Alsatian himself, and was once coach of the club's youth academy.


http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2009/02/17/1113670/arsenal-and-barcelona-to-contest-glamour-charity-fixture

A few news stories to report


The stand-off continues in the Samu-Barca contract talks and it would appear that the ball is now in the player’s court…19 Feb 2009 02:10:16


Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has insisted the club wants to retain the services of their Cameroonian hot-shot, Samuel Eto’o, but it is now up to the player to take the next step.

As the contract wrangle continues, both parties are blaming the other for stalling in what is quickly turning into a chess match. And Laporta has just made his move by swinging the responsibility over to the striker.

“It depends on what he wants. He has a contract with us and we want him to continue, but at the club, we love players who are committed. If he is uncomfortable here, then we have no intention of retaining him,” the president said during the press conference to announce their next sponsorship deal.

The focus then shifted to the next pressing matter, the Primera Division title race with arch nemesis, Real Madrid: “They already completed a comeback against us two years ago and they are trying to do it again now.

“But I hope that with the experience that we have gained, we won't make the same mistakes again,” he affirmed.


The UAE-based telecommunications services provider have agreed a deal to sponsor the iconic Catalan giants...
18 Feb 2009 17:24:38

Barcelona have agreed a deal with the United Arab Emirates-based telecommunications services provider, Etisalat, that will see them sponsor the club for the next four years.

Sport reports that the contract is worth €12 million and will see the club marketed in eighteen countries.

The telecom's customer base is claimed to reach 74 million customers and it is certainly a high-profile deal between the two parties.

The sign from Barcelona, who have been in the shadow of Real Madrid for some time now in terms of advertising in Asia, is that they are ready to expand too.

With plenty of money on offer in a large continent, the deal comes as no great surprise, and Etisalat is a big business for Barcelona to be tied with.

They currently rank in the top 500 companies trading on the stock market and are one of the largest in the Middle East.


Los Blancos closed the gap on the Blaugrana ever so slightly last weekend but it is not something that is causing Messi to lose sleep.
19 Feb 2009 07:55:49


Barcelona’s come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Real Betis, coupled with Real Madrid’s impressive 4-0 win at Sporting Gijon, breathed new life to the Primera Division title race as the Blaugrana’s lead at the top was cut from 12 to just 10 points.

It may still be a considerable gap but it has given Los Blancos cause to hope, although Barca’s star player, Lionel Messi, is showing no signs of concern just yet.

“Ten points is still a significant advantage for us,” he said during an interview with Antenna 3.

“We just have to keep thinking about increasing our lead and winning all our remaining games, although it will be very difficult.

“However, even if we were to lose, we shouldn’t be too worried. Seven points is equally just as good and as important a lead.”

When asked if he would prefer winning La Liga or the Champions League, or both, the nippy Argentine replied, “It would be spectacular to win both, but it is necessary to think about La Liga first.

“The Champions League is very difficult and we must first see how we confront the knock-out phase, starting with Lyon.

“Playing the second leg at home will be an advantage and we can secure qualification in front of our fans. It will take a lot to win the competition, but it is possible,” he assured, before going on to pin-point Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter as their main rivals for the crown.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola has lead the team to a remarkable and swift resurgence ever since taking over from Frank Rijkaard in the summer, and Messi had nothing but glowing commendation for the Santpedor-born trainer.

“The squad learned very quickly what Guardiola wanted from us. It’s impressive how he views football from within and from the outside. It’s not necessary to have experience to be a good coach,” he said.


The 21-year-old concluded by reserving a few words of praise for the Spanish national team.

He said, “They are playing the best football in the world at the moment. It is great for fans who really love the game, because it is fun to watch their games.”


The Spanish international star is confident that with such a big margin, Barcelona can fend-off the challenge of Real Madrid.
18 Feb 2009 17:35:54

All the talk in the press this week might have been about Barcelona's dropped points last weekend but the Catalan players seem less than concerned by the incident.

Martin Caceres came out yesterday to say that nothing has changed and Xavi has declared that their ten point lead is still a "considerable" one.

"If it was the other way round, we would say that it was impossible,” he told Marca. “[In Madrid] they still believe [they can win the league] but the mentality of some is different to others.

"Ten points is a considerable gap and we are in a great run of form. We are dominating our opponents and playing good football. We are relaxed and I expect to continue this way. Titles can be won this year."

Indeed, Barcelona are in line to win all three competitions they are involved in this season - not that Xavi is thinking about a treble success yet.

"We have a good chance of winning the league and the Copa del Rey; we must take this chance to do so,” he mused. “As for the Champions League, we must be wary because we have not historically done well in the competition, although we have a lot of desire to win it.”

The midfielder also spoke about his team-mate Samuel Eto'o, whose future is somewhat cloudy at present.

The Spaniard acknowledged that he wants the striker to stay and that perhaps too much significance has been taken from an interview the Cameroon international gave earlier this week.

"I think too much importance has been given to his words,” he opined. “He did an interview and he said that he knows where his future is - that is all.

“I am always the first person to defend him. I think he is a great professional and the best forward in the world. I would like him to stay. His statistics are good and when we need a goal he is there. He is a top player and he deserves to be at Barcelona."

Alongside Eto'o, Andres Iniesta is one of the most important players at Barca, and Xavi admits that his injury is a blow.

"He is a very important and impressive player for us, but we have won without him,” he stated. “His is an important absence, though. He gives us extra quality on the pitch.

"The three competitions come and we must be prepared to play a game every three days. The demand of the fixture list is great, but I think we are working well with the coaches. The team is mentally prepared to compete."

Up next for the league leaders is the derby against Espanyol and Xavi believes it will be a tough game.

"We have the experience of the last game, when they almost beat us, and we have to be very attentive,” he warned. “They are a competitive, battle-hardened team and it will not be easy at all.”


Andres Iniesta's absence from the Barcelona derby at the weekend will be noticed by Josep Guardiola's side, according to Espanyol boss Mauricio Pochettino.
19 Feb 2009 09:34:58


As he prepares his Espanyol team for the local derby in Camp Nou at the weekend, Mauricio Pochettino has stated that he believes that Barcelona will miss Andres Iniesta.

The Blanc i Blau boss stated that he was not happy that the Blaugrana star was sidelined with a knock but he does expect that his absence will be noted by Espanyol’s hosts.

Espanyol lost 3-2 on aggregate to their city rivals in the Copa del Rey last month and Iniesta played a key role in that triumph, however, a hamstring injury means he cannot appear this time.

"As a former player I never like to see other players suffer injuries because I know what they go through," Pochettino explained.

"But it is clear that Iniesta is a great player and he will be an important absence for Barcelona on Saturday."

Former Espanyol coach Ramon Moya stated this week that player power is an active influence at the Barcelona-based club, however, Pochettino has dismissed these claims, stating that they are merely excuses.

"Those comments a tiresome and they do nothing more than sully the name of our players," he continued.

"I think that they are used an excuse for coaches - like those who always blame the referees. We do not have any excuses.”


The Spanish striker is wanted by Manuel Pellegrini's side...
18 Feb 2009 18:52:37

Reports in the Spanish press today suggest that Villarreal will make a move for Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic next summer.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that El Submarino Amarillo are seriously interested in bringing the youngster to El Madrigal and are planning a deal at the moment.

The main problem for them will be how to convince Barcelona to let go of one of their young talents.

Even though Bojan has not been used much by Pep Guardiola he is still a highly-rated player, and Villarreal may have to explore a few routes to sign him.

A straight transfer seems unlikely, unless it has some sort of buy-back deal, so it is thought the club are considering a loan, with an option to buy at the end of it.

That would give the player plenty of experience next season, and Barcelona would still be able to retain him in 2010.

It is not clear where Guardiola stands on the idea of letting Bojan go, but the Villarreal hierachy are known to be interested in the Spaniard.

The main reason they are looking so far in advance is because the futures of both Guille Franco and Nihat Kahveci seem unclear.

The Mexican has not been first choice by any means this year, and it is thought there have been offers for him from his home country. Nihat on the other hand has been plagued with injury, but has also generated interest from around Europe.



The Mexican is not rushing contract talks but wants to stay...
18 Feb 2009 19:19:07

Barcelona defender, Rafael Marquez, has declared his belief that he will extend his contract with the Catalan side.

Marquez, who is currently with Barcelona until 2010, told Marca that he is not rushing things, but intends to continue in Catalonia.

"I have not yet spoken [to the club] about it, but I want to stay here as long as possible," he began.

"I am not in a rush, but to relax everyone it might be better if it is spoken about soon and the future decided upon.

"My priority is to stay with Barcelona, but there is a world outside, there would be other doors open and I could go elsewhere. I trust that everyone will be sorted before the end of the season because I want to stay and I do not think there will be any problems."

With regards to another Barcelona player's future, that of Samuel Eto'o, Marquez was mindful that he "continues to be the same person," and his comments "do not affect the performance of the side".

The Mexican also spoke about the title race and insisted that the "pressure is on Real Madrid...We have a ten points advantage and we have not shown any weaknesses."

Marquez acknowledged that despite the draw with Real Betis last weekend, Barcelona "are the same" and that "the team will not drop their level until the end of the season.






The Bojan loan deal can only be a positive thing in my opinion as he needs more games to help him fully develop and get him so more vital experience. The sponsorship deal can only be a good thing with a timely cash boost to the club in these uncertain economic times. Iniesta's injury is a blow but the team should be ok without for a few weeks considering they already went a couple of months without him in the first half of the season and didnt do to bad.:) The Eto'o situation is a mess and I think Laporta is playing a dangerous game with his comments. Eto'o is not a player who can be very easily replaced. Would hate to see him leave.