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FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

  • 07-02-2009 4:40pm
    #1
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭


    Well after consultation with mi compañero eZe we have decided to make a FC Barcelona superthread and see how it goes. Not too sure if it will catch on or not but going by the la liga weekly match threads and the odd Barca game threads there seems to be enough interest to merit at least attempting a thread.

    Feel free to add all the team news and comments you wish. Just a note that this is not a general la liga discussion thread as there is already an existing one which can be located here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055276253 .

    To get things going Barcelona are having a quite remarkable season thus far with some scintillating performances. They are into the last 16 of the champions league and hold a 2-0 lead over Mallorca after the Copa del Rey semi-final 1st leg on thursday night. As we all know they are flying high in la liga sitting twelve clear at the top from arch rivals Real Madrid which is no mean feat. The club have broken both goal scoring and points records after the half-way point of the season.

    Leo Messi has been nothing short of a revelation this season boasting 25 goals in 28 appearances with 11 assists thus far. The sale of Ronaldinho has really led to Messi moving to the fore and becoming the superstar we all hoped he would be. Not to forget the others with admirable mentions also to going Samuel Eto'o with 22 goals in 26 appearances and Dani Alves who has slotted in behind Messi on the right as if he has been there his whole career. Sergio Busquets is also definitely going to be one to watch out for in the future.

    The only real negatives thus far have probably been the lack of progress of young Bojan Krkić who has put in some real hit and miss performances this season although he has been showing signs of improvement over recent games. Hopefully he can show some improvement over the latter parts of the season as he is a very promising young talent.

    Anyway that’s enough from me and over to you lot to really get this thing going. I will leave you with this.

    Barca Anthem
    Tot el camp .
    és un clam som la gent blau-grana .
    tant se val d´on venim, si del sud o del nord,
    ara estem d´acord,
    estem d´acord una bandera ens agermana:
    blau-grana al vent,
    un crit valent,
    tenim un nom,
    el sap tothom:
    Barça! Barça! Baaarça!

    Jugadors .
    Seguidors .
    tots units fem força: .
    són molts anys plens d´afanys, .
    són molts gols que hem cridat, .
    i s´ha demostrat, s´ha demostrat, .
    que mai ningú no ens podrà tórcer: .
    Blau-grana al vent, .
    un crit valent, .
    tenim un nom, .
    el sap tothom: .
    Barça! Barça! Baaarça


    ...And now the English translation...

    A clamor rises
    from the pitch
    We’re the blue and claret people
    Makes no difference where we hail from
    Whether it’s from the south or the north
    Now we all agree
    we all agree,
    One flag unites us in brotherhood
    Blue and claret flowing in the wind
    One valiant cry
    We’ve got a name
    that everyone knows:
    Barça! Barça! Baaarça!

    Players,
    Supporters
    United we are strong
    So much glory through the years
    Oh, the many goals we’ve cheered
    And it has been proven, it has been proven
    That no one can break us
    Blue and claret flowing in the wind,
    One valiant cry
    We’ve got a name
    that everyone knows:
    Barça! Barça! Baaarça
    Tagged:


«134567…160

Comments

  • #2
    Pigman III
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭Pigman III


    Hang on mate, you live in Madrid?


  • #3
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Pigman III wrote: »
    Hang on mate, you live in Madrid?

    No comment. :eek:


  • #4
    Headshot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 54,621 ✭✭✭✭Headshot


    Pigman III wrote: »
    Hang on mate, you live in Madrid?

    wow thats a great first post :rolleyes:

    does it really matter where he lives


  • #5
    Xavi6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,898 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Headshot wrote: »
    wow thats a great first post :rolleyes:

    does it really matter where he lives

    In before the 'support your local team' brigade

    OT - Xavi = God


  • #6
    Mgoraf
    Registered Users Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭Mgoraf


    Laporta praises the cantera;
    “Both of them [Pique and Busquets] have been doing very well and their presence in the national team brings a lot of merit to Barca, the players themselves and to the coach,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.

    “All their hardwork is paying off and this is proof that the Barca cantera have a lot of talent and the system works,” he beamed.

    Liverpool were linked with one of their youngsters (Gerard Deulofeu ) yesterday, only 14! Chelsea and Arsenal were linked with him last season too.

    Guardolia today:
    "We have lost a little brilliance, a little edge, but it does not worry me," he told Marca.

    "We have got to this stage well, and even at the end we will play good and bad games. We are in good form, we will continue with the same attitude we have had up until now, and I am convinced that, if we keep going like this, we will win something.

    "At times you are not so brilliant, and that can be costly, but in general, we are maintaining a good level."

    Do you agree with him or maybe he's just keeping them on their toes?


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  • #7
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Mgoraf wrote: »

    Do you agree with him or maybe he's just keeping them on their toes?

    I agree with him. Anyone who watches Barca week in week out could tell you they look like they are performing at a slightly lower level since after Xmas compared to before the winter break. Pep is a tell it like it is type of guy kind of like Keane so I wouldnt expect much bull out of him. He will tell them they are playing worse if he believes it to be so whereas a lot of other coach's wouldnt say so in public.


  • #8
    brayblue24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭brayblue24


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    In before the 'support your local team' brigade

    OT - Xavi = God

    Redout. Great idea. Look forward to this. I know myself and Xavi6 support the same teams but "Redout", it's not a Manchester reference is it????

    Seriously, great first post and good luck with this one.


  • #9
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    That's a great opening thread post Redout, much better than anything I would have created. You sure you're not a cule at heart??? ;):D It's nice to see a Barca superthread, whether it will have more than two regular posters remains to be seen, but at least it'll have that new thread smell for a few days. :D

    Mgoraf wrote: »
    Do you agree with him or maybe he's just keeping them on their toes?

    Yes, the thing that worries me is the fact we have been leaking too many goals since the xmas break. One a game roughly, but at the same time, there was virtually no way we were going to maintain the level of performance that was achieved before xmas.


    Plus, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, the best midgets in world football? :D:D


    Visca El Barca y visca Catalunya! ;)


  • #10
    Mgoraf
    Registered Users Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭Mgoraf


    Keita hasn't started that many games since the break has he? I think he's their best holding player, maybe hm not in the team is the reason for conceding more goals...


  • #11
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    I actually think he is our worst holding player! He is much more of a powerhouse CMF who is most effective in attack. Like Essien (albeit not nearly as good), Yaya and Busquets are the only two midfielders we have who are naturally suited to doing defensive dog work in midfield.


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  • #12
    Mgoraf
    Registered Users Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭Mgoraf


    Yeah Keita is more box to box but I think he plays there better than Yaya or Busquets.


  • #13
    Pigman III
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭Pigman III


    redout wrote: »
    No comment. :eek:
    I'm only asking mate, I just see it as the same as if someone supported Liverpool while living in Manchester. Sorry.


  • #14
    therecklessone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    Good idea guys. Needs saying though:

    This thread is for team talk, Gossip and Rumours pertaining to Barcelona. This thread is open for all users to post in. There are no preferences for fans of any team.

    Please note the following Rules:

    1. NO MATCH DISCUSSIONS
    - Match threads will be created for matches/match weeks where required.
    - Match discussion will be deleted.


    2. Transfers.
    - When a major transfer occurs, please post in the specific thread
    - We will merge/split discussion on requests
    - We will delete transfer discussion that continues here while a tangent thread is in progress.

    3. Users who repeatedly ignore these guidelines will receive warnings/bans.


  • #15
    ShoulderChip
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,875 ✭✭✭ShoulderChip


    therecklessone wrote: »
    Good idea guys. Needs saying though:

    This thread is for team talk, Gossip and Rumours pertaining to Barcelona. This thread is open for all users to post in. There are no preferences for fans of any team.

    Please note the following Rules:

    1. NO MATCH DISCUSSIONS
    - Match threads will be created for matches/match weeks where required.
    - Match discussion will be deleted.


    2. Transfers.
    - When a major transfer occurs, please post in the specific thread
    - We will merge/split discussion on requests
    - We will delete transfer discussion that continues here while a tangent thread is in progress.

    3. Users who repeatedly ignore these guidelines will receive warnings/bans.

    is it really necessary to have separate match threads for Barcelona mathces?
    i mean the matches that are not on sky won't get that much posts and it would be nice to keep them here,
    its not going to get out of hand like manu/liverpool ones.

    is it not a bit extreme to ban them from here, at least give it a chance dude.


  • #16
    therecklessone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    ShoulderChip wrote: »
    its not going to get out of hand like manu/liverpool ones.

    is it not a bit extreme to ban them from here, at least give it a chance dude.

    The same rule applies to all superthreads, and is included in the charter.

    How rare is it that Barca are playing a game on their own in domestic football? Most weeks the regular La Liga thread covers all of the league fixtures, and works well. CL games will get sufficient traffic to justify a thread of their own as well.

    It's not a major hindrance tbh.


  • #17
    gimmick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,296 ✭✭✭✭gimmick


    therecklessone wrote: »
    Good idea guys. Needs saying though:

    This thread is for team talk, Gossip and Rumours pertaining to Barcelona. This thread is open for all users to post in. There are no preferences for fans of any team.

    Please note the following Rules:

    1. NO MATCH DISCUSSIONS
    - Match threads will be created for matches/match weeks where required.
    - Match discussion will be deleted.


    2. Transfers.
    - When a major transfer occurs, please post in the specific thread
    - We will merge/split discussion on requests
    - We will delete transfer discussion that continues here while a tangent thread is in progress.

    3. Users who repeatedly ignore these guidelines will receive warnings/bans.

    Out of interest, why? There are few enough La Liga fans on this board. Much like the LOI threads this can be just a one stop shop for Barca fans.

    Props to redout for the thread.

    EDIT: Question answered above while i was typing. Not sure I agree, but whatever.......


  • #18
    dreamers75
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,558 ✭✭✭✭dreamers75


    Mgoraf wrote: »
    Keita hasn't started that many games since the break has he? I think he's their best holding player, maybe hm not in the team is the reason for conceding more goals...
    Mgoraf wrote: »
    Yeah Keita is more box to box but I think he plays there better than Yaya or Busquets.


    I think they should sell him back to Sevilla :D

    he doesnt suit a 433 more a 442 player with wingers so he can do the dirty work and if caught out breaking forward the other CM is there to cover him.


  • #19
    dfx-
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,693 Mod ✭✭✭✭dfx-


    As it would seem that we can't talk about matches or transfers, the thread may as well be closed. Anyone want to start a specific match thread for Barcelona v Sporting Gijon? Anyone?

    On Keita/Toure/busquets, I think Busquets is the best prospect for the...disciplined...English sides. Don't know why, but Toure doesn't give me confidence in the tougher games.


  • #20
    therecklessone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    dfx- wrote: »
    As it would seem that we can't talk about matches or transfers, the thread may as well be closed. Anyone want to start a specific match thread for Barcelona v Sporting Gijon? Anyone?

    Read the post again:
    - When a major transfer occurs, please post in the specific thread
    - We will merge/split discussion on requests
    - We will delete transfer discussion that continues here while a tangent thread is in progress

    There's no prohibition on discussing transfers, but if for example Man City were to bid £150m for Xavi, and a thread existed discussing that very move, you would be expected to post there rather than on this thread.

    As for your 2nd point, this could suffice.


  • #21
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Golden Shoe standings 2008-09
    Current standings (League goals only)
    (Including games played on February 2, 2009)


    Pos
    Name
    Club
    Gls
    Mult
    Pts

    1.
    Janko
    Salzburg
    30
    1.5
    45

    2.
    Eto'o
    Barcelona
    19
    2
    38

    3.
    Ibisevic---Hoffenheim
    18
    2
    36

    4.
    Villa
    Valencia
    17
    2
    34

    5.
    Messi
    Barcelona
    16
    2
    32



    Two Barcelona players riding high in the race for the European Golden shoe 2008/2009. Cristiano Ronaldo was last seasons winner edging Dani Güiza finishing with 31 goals and 62 pts. We have the potential to have a non-striker winning the award for the second season running which is a feat never before seen.


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  • #22
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Barca are in a spat with TV3 catalunya over the broadcasting of the teams games with Barca claiming the are still owed €29 Milion for last season and are trying to get the transmission signal blocked so that TV3 can no longer show the games. This is not the only problem Barca have with the tv broadcasters as only last month a judge ruled that they had to pay Sogecable (owners of Digital+) about €50 Million for non-payment which they were entitled to over the past several years. Laporta brushed it off at the time saying the fee would not effect the clubs books as they were still owed €60 Million from Telefonica which would cover the costs. Now I am no accountant bet surely it would effect the books if you had to pay out €50 Million which you otherwise thought you would not have !

    Just goes to show the amount of money Barca make from tv each season is far higher than the English sides. Barca have their own individual tv deals in place.


  • #23
    PHB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Which is why the rest of the Spanish league is so poor, and why other sides can't seem to break Madrid's and Barca's dominance.


  • #24
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Regards to Barca's scoring record. Eto'o last year from Jan 08 to Dec 08 scored 44 goals in 46 (i think) games for club and country. The more goals and a better ratio than any other player in world football for the same period. Pretty awesome stat if you ask me.


  • #25
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Barcelona target leading Arsenal trio

    Van Persie tops list that includes Fábregas and Adebayor

    Duncan Castles guardian.co.uk, Saturday 7 February 2009 23.52 GMT Article history


    Barcelona have placed the core of Arsenal's team on a list of planned *summer reinforcements, with Robin van Persie a priority target. The Spanish league leaders had an offer of cash plus Alexander Hleb rejected last month but believe they can persuade Arsenal to sell in the close season when he enters the final 12 months of his current contract.

    In addition to recruiting Van Persie as a left-sided attacker, Barcelona are working on approaches for Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fábregas. While they do not consider it possible to capture all three in a single transfer window, Barça regard Arsenal as "a selling club" and expect the London club to release at least one of their star names to raise funds for reconstruction of their own squad.

    Van Persie is considered the most attainable because of his contract situation. The 25-year-old has less than 18 months left on his present deal and is stalling on an extension that would make him one of Arsenal's best paid players. Van Persie is understood to be concerned about Arsenal's failure to compete for *silverware in recent times.

    Barcelona attempted to exploit the uncertainty last month with a cheeky offer to return Hleb in part exchange. Still angered by the manner in which the Belarus midfielder engineered his exit from the club last July, Arsenal refused to countenance Hleb's return.

    Adebayor is coach Pep Guardiola's choice as a replacement for Samuel Eto'o, who has also entered the final 18 months of his current contract. While other *members of the Camp Nou hierarchy would prefer a move for Valencia's David Villa or Karim Benzema of Lyon, *Guardiola's stock is high after an impressive start to his reign as coach.

    Fábregas remains a long-term target for the club who lost him to Arsenal as a teenager. Though Barça are confident that Fábregas would return, the strength of the club's midfield this season has made his recruitment a less pressing issue.

    Arsenal, meanwhile, are preparing an overhaul of their own with signs emerging that the club will invest heavily in one or more established players in an attempt to make their first team more competitive. The club is also aware of the threat to expensive corporate ticket sales posed by their recent difficulties in domestic competition – a concern that partially explains the atypically fevered purchase of Andrei Arshavin last week.


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/feb/07/barcelona-arsenal-transfers


  • #26
    kinaldo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,563 ✭✭✭kinaldo


    PHB wrote: »
    Which is why the rest of the Spanish league is so poor, and why other sides can't seem to break Madrid's and Barca's dominance.
    Lol at the rest of the Spanish league is so poor comment. The tv deals have been like that for a while now, and Benitez did it twice in 3 seasons with Valencia not so long ago

    and for all the money Atletico Madrid spend they can barely qualify for the CL


  • #27
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    PHB wrote: »
    Which is why the rest of the Spanish league is so poor, and why other sides can't seem to break Madrid's and Barca's dominance.

    The other teams in the Spanish league are better than their equivalents in the EPL despite having less resources. They still get the developing South Americans and the Spanish youth players are of a higher skill level. You talk about Barca's dominance, yet over the past 7 years there has been a different Copa Del Rey winner, none of whom were Barca or Madrid.

    Over the past 10 years Spanish teams like Betis, Sevilla, Atletico, Osasuna, Deportivo, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Zaragoza, and Valencia have finished in the top 4. On any night I can see a weak La Liga team thorougly outplaying one of the big teams, that doesn't happen in England, if a weaker team beat a big 4 team it's usually by playing anti-football. The only real anti-football teams in La Liga are Deportivo, Getafe (this season), and Recreativo.

    Whereas this season is the only one where the weaker teams are doing well in the PL, and subsequently it means the mid-table teams are being put under pressure to get results, so they resort to anti-football iswell.

    kinaldo wrote: »
    Lol at the rest of the Spanish league is so poor comment. The tv deals have been like that for a while now, and Benitez did it twice in 3 seasons with Valencia not so long ago

    and for all the money Altetico Madrid spend they can barely qualify for the CL

    Agreed my Madridista friend. Agreed.


  • #28
    Quazzie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,059 ✭✭✭✭Quazzie


    Great idea Redout. I'm really surprised that there aren't more Spanish football fans in Ireland considering you can travel to games in Spain for less than England.


  • #29
    keane2097
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,775 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    I don't know why there isn't more speculation about Van Persie - every club in the world should want him imo.


  • #30
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    keane2097 wrote: »
    I don't know why there isn't more speculation about Van Persie - every club in the world should want him imo.

    Injury woes, if he wasn't so injury prone, I couldn't think of a better player to replace Henry at Barca. The perfect mixture of striker/ winger for left side of the Ajax 4-3-3 formation that Barca use.


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  • #31
    PHB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    I didn't mean poor in terms of quality, I meant poor. A Madrid are the exception. The money the crap teams in the EPL can throw about is massive compared to the amount that La Liga teams can spend.


    ----


    Van Persie would be wanted by every club in the world if he could show he can stay fit. Fantastic striker.


  • #32
    anladmór
    Closed Accounts Posts: 367 ✭✭anladmór


    Quazzie2002 wrote: »
    Great idea Redout. I'm really surprised that there aren't more Spanish football fans in Ireland considering you can travel to games in Spain for less than England.

    sheep mentality.

    anyway i think spanish premeira league has been poor this season and the title race is very boring. bundesliga is where its at this year.


  • #33
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    PHB wrote: »
    The money the crap teams in the EPL can throw about is massive compared to the amount that La Liga teams can spend

    Agreed, they do get all the young South Americans though, the Garay's and Cacares' of this world are always likely to start off with the likes of Racing or Recreativo because it'd be easiest country to adapt to. So that's how they remain skilled teams. You only have to look at Athletic Bilbao though to see the difference between Spanish (or should I say Basques, before I get eaten :D) players and English. How good would a midtable team fair in the EPL if it was solely made up of English players only?


  • #34
    Frisbee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,569 ✭✭✭✭Frisbee


    eZe^ wrote: »
    Agreed, they do get all the young South Americans though, the Garay's and Cacares' of this world are always likely to start off with the likes of Racing or Recreativo because it'd be easiest country to adapt to. So that's how they remain skilled teams. You only have to look at Athletic Bilbao though to see the difference between Spanish (or should I say Basques, before I get eaten :D) players and English. How good would a midtable team fair in the EPL if it was solely made up of English players only?

    The whole work permit thing surely has an effect too


  • #35
    dreamers75
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,558 ✭✭✭✭dreamers75


    eZe^ wrote: »
    Agreed, they do get all the young South Americans though, the Garay's and Cacares' of this world are always likely to start off with the likes of Racing or Recreativo because it'd be easiest country to adapt to. So that's how they remain skilled teams. You only have to look at Athletic Bilbao though to see the difference between Spanish (or should I say Basques, before I get eaten :D) players and English. How good would a midtable team fair in the EPL if it was solely made up of English players only?


    Would a team 5th from bottom have 50 million to spend on players at christmas thanks to tv monies? jaysus do barca have that?

    Agree with PHB the tv deals in spain and italy are unfair to the lower teams, the EPL has the right idea "share the wealth".


  • #36
    Call Me Jimmy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,449 ✭✭✭Call Me Jimmy


    messi playing tonight? gf can go **** herself if he is...


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  • #37
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Call Me Jimmy wrote: »
    messi playing tonight? gf can go **** herself if he is...

    Mine supports Barca. Life's great aint it :D


  • #38
    Call Me Jimmy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,449 ✭✭✭Call Me Jimmy


    swapsies?


  • #39
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Call Me Jimmy wrote: »
    swapsies?

    Can she cook ?


  • #40
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    .


  • #41
    therecklessone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    Quazzie2002 wrote: »
    Great idea Redout. I'm really surprised that there aren't more Spanish football fans in Ireland considering you can travel to games in Spain for less than England.

    It's pretty hard to arrange trips to Spanish games as they don't confirm TV fixtures until a couple of weeks before, and it's impossible to do a day trip.

    That said, I know loads of people who'd consider themselves followers of the league rather than of a specific team.


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  • #42
    LuckyLloyd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,399 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    Match thread for this weekend's La Liga games is here.

    I've moved a couple of posts there and deleted some off topic stuff here. TRO, give us a shout if you want to discuss the matter further. Cheers.


  • #43
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Kobe loves Barca !

    Messi watch your back.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3866767


  • #44
    Mgoraf
    Registered Users Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭Mgoraf


    Some transfer news....
    It has emerged that Barcelona rejected a bid for Martin Caceres from Olympiakos in the winter transfer window.
    http://www.goal.com/en/news/1706/barcelona/2009/02/08/1099185/report-barcelona-rejected-martin-caceres-bid-from-olympiakos
    Recent reports suggest that Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Karim Benzema from Olympique Lyonnais.
    http://www.goal.com/en/news/1706/barcelona/2009/02/08/1099177/barcelona-uninterested-in-karim-benzema-report
    Barcelona have their scouts trained upon two rising stars who are making waves at the South American Under-20 Championships.

    According to Mercafutbol, the first name on their radar is Nicolas Lodeiro. The Uruguayan, who descends from Galicia, is already a regular in the Nacional first team. He is said to posses good vision, an eye for goal and a good physical condition.

    The other name is Brazil's Walter da Silva, who is a centre-forward from Internacional's youth team. He has already made some appearances for the seniors, where he is expected to shine this season. He is the leading scorer of the tournament, and has impressed many with his physical presence.
    http://www.goal.com/en/news/1706/barcelona/2009/02/08/1099063/barcelona-eye-nicolas-lodeiro--walter-da-silva


  • #45
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Captain Carlos Puyol has pulled out of wednesday nights clash against England in Seville after suffering an injury against Sporting Gijon in tonights match which finished 3-0 to Barca.


  • #46
    Frisbee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,569 ✭✭✭✭Frisbee


    redout wrote: »
    Captain Carlos Puyol has pulled out of wednesday nights clash against England in Seville after suffering an injury against Sporting Gijon in tonights match which finished 3-0 3-1 to Barca.

    :)


  • #47
    eZe^
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Frisbee wrote: »
    :)

    What was it again, 0-0 with Spurs? Where are you again? 5th? :p


  • #48
    kinaldo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,563 ✭✭✭kinaldo


    Nice piece by Gabriele Marcotti about all the new records Guardiola's side are heading for this season

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/gabriele_marcotti/article5689479.ece


  • #49
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    Sir Alex commenting on Barcelona.

    However, when it comes to defending the title they won in Moscow last summer, Sir Alex sees FC Barcelona as his side's main competitors.


    "Barcelona have got strength in depth as far as their squad is concerned and having a 12-point lead at this stage at the top of La Liga is quite a confirmation of their strength," he said. "I think Barcelona will be the biggest threat if Manchester United are to win the Champions league this season."


  • #50
    brayblue24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭brayblue24


    Lads,

    We have done the stadium tour but I intend taking the kids over to the Nou Camp in the new season for a match so will be coming here for advice as I won't be going near a travel operator to be fleeced. I'm basing this on the assumption that by then it'll be easier to get tickets than at the CoMS and it'll probably be cheaper too. So any advice on accommodation, tickets, food etc. would be a great help to those of us not used to travelling outside the eircom League or EPL for our fix.

    ps. Redout-apologies about earlier post questioning your colours, I'm only noticing now you too are posting in the Citeh site.


  • #51
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭redout


    brayblue24 wrote: »
    Lads,

    We have done the stadium tour but I intend taking the kids over to the Nou Camp in the new season for a match so will be coming here for advice as I won't be going near a travel operator to be fleeced. I'm basing this on the assumption that by then it'll be easier to get tickets than at the CoMS and it'll probably be cheaper too. So any advice on accommodation, tickets, food etc. would be a great help to those of us not used to travelling outside the eircom League or EPL for our fix.

    ps. Redout-apologies about earlier post questioning your colours, I'm only noticing now you too are posting in the Citeh site.

    The stadium is getting redeveloped if my memory serves me. Not sure if its starting this summer or not but I am sure eZe will know the answer to that. Here is a pic of the new design. I cant say I am an admirer of it to be honest so best get there before work starts.

    [IMG][/img]camp_nou_fosters_oct07_1.jpg


    For tickets check out http://www.servicaixa.com/nws/jsp/session.jsp;jsessionid=JQFQLpnBSvMy1t3hJCh5Yr29TpQX8QJ3JfmQMvmFDJWF1hp5vQG7!1211638816!-160111044?control=serviticket.sis.servlets.hSrvRecinte&codTipusEvent=3&codPoblacio=5&codRecinte=5100&idioma=CAS&CODIUSU=servicaixa&loce=cas-sbhmdeporte-areaequipo-ar2-1-LinkExterno they are official ticket agents and I have used them on over a dozen occasions. Just present your cc and ID at the ticket office before kick-off or else use one of the automated machines. If its not Espanyol, Real Madrid or a big European team then the stadium will not be sold out and you can buy on the day. Just remember that the bigger the opposition the bigger the ticket prices and these prices can be very expensive. Plane tickets are cheap if you book in advance, Aer Lingus and Iberia fly direct between Dublin and Barcelona as do some other Spanish airlines. Check Spanair, Air Europa, Vueling and Clickair to see.

    Food and accom I dont know. If your renting and cooking your own food then the likes of Mercadona and Al Campo are decent cheap supermarkets. They have Aldi and Lidl also. If you like the more expensive then El Corte Ingles is your store. Think of it like a big Brown Thomas with some having their own supermarkets or else seperate Hipercor.

    To finish off I have some bad news for you brother. I am a United supporter who just so happens to live in Madrid. Its the gf who is the Barcelona supporter so I end up watching and going to the games. I dont really mind as Barca are a joy to watch and if one has to watch another team then who better than Xavi, Eto'o, Messi and co. right ! I do have a soft spot for La Blaugrana and I dispise Real Madrid so its kind of a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing. Its highly odd but I have watched as many Barca games as United over the past three years barring when they clash ! The lads on here will be able to sort you out with more info I am sure as someone is usually at a game at least every month or so. eZe is the Barca man for all your Q's.


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