FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

redout · 01-05-2009 12:15PM

So Henry is a doubt for El Clasico after being injured against Chelsea. He has some neck discomfort and feelings of dizziness and sat out training on wednesday.

Marquez is the only absentee from the 19 players who travel to Madrid after damaging his meniscus against Chelsea and will miss the remainder of the season.

Squad to travel to Madrid are as follows:

Valdés, Jorquera, Henry, Xavi, Piqué, Iniesta, Puyol, Caceres, Sylvinho, Bojan, Eto'o, Messi, Hleb, Daniel Alves, Abidal, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Touré, Sergio Busquets

keane2097 · 01-05-2009 12:43PM

redout wrote: »

No special equipment. I had an Olympus and the girlfriend had a Panasonic which cost about €250 each. That was obviously nothing compared to the photographers beside us with 100x zoom lenses ! Some of the pics have good detail because we were sitting right behind the dugout. The Iniesta one was down to luck more than anything else if being honest although it did come off quite well The getafe stadium is so small that the technical box is only about 3-5 yards in length as its right up against the pitch

Is it tough to get tickets for a game like that?

redout · 01-05-2009 01:36PM

Barca 'agree' Ribery deal
Bayern thought to have accepted £30million package

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign French star Franck Ribery, according to reports in Spain.

Ribery has been a long-term target for Barca and the Catalan giants are thought to have a struck a deal with Bayern to sign the 26-year-old winger this summer.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that representatives of the two clubs met with Ribery's agent Alain Migliaccio in Ibiza, agreeing a £30million cash-plus-player deal.

Bayern are believed to have accepted a fee of 25m Euros (£22.3m) plus the choice of either Aleksandr Hleb or Eidur Gudjohnsen, who are valued at 8m Euros (£7.1m).

The France international has two years left on his Bayern contract and it is thought Barca have offered a four-year deal, although the club are yet to make an official announcement.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked with a big-money move for Ribery, who cost Bayern a club-record 25m Euros from Marseille in 2007.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_5263310,00.html

Ribery on the left, Messi on the right.

Titi could be finished me thinks if this is confirmed.

yabadabado · 01-05-2009 01:49PM

redout wrote: »

Ribery on the left, Messi on the right.

Titi could be finished me thinks if this is confirmed.

i was just thinking where would he fit into the team i suppose it would be henry's spot.no other position open really

eZe^ · 01-05-2009 01:57PM

Henry said he would like to retire at Barca a few months ago, and that he realises he only has a season or two of regular top tier football left in his legs. Meaning he will happily warm the bench and play as a super sub (and considering his ****ing wages he better be

), great squad player to have.

gimmick · 01-05-2009 02:08PM

And sure isn't there talk that Bojan is going out on loan, so Barca will need another forward player.

yahoo_moe · 01-05-2009 03:18PM

gimmick wrote: »

And sure isn't there talk that Bojan is going out on loan, so Barca will need another forward player.

I think that'd be good for Bojan - last season, he kind of exploded onto the first-team scene with loads of momentum but that's stalled a fair bit this season. Regular football at a decent level (and ideally in a good passing team) should help ready him to take the step up permanently in a season or so...

His underage scoring records are phenomenal I seem to remember so the ability he showed last year was clearly class, rather than just form.

As for Henry, pretty scary for everyone else to have him to come into the team when someone needs a rest (almost like Bojan did once or twice this year) - he's looked really potent again this year for the first time in a couple of years.

Warper · 01-05-2009 07:25PM

Ribery is exactly what Barca need. I know Henry's form has improved this year but he isnt the Henry of Arsenal, he just seems to lack the same conviction. Ribery is world-class and is one of the few players in the world who would improve this teams attack.

redout · 02-05-2009 03:30PM

Bit of an argy bargy outside the Bernabeu earlier with fans heckling and pushing eachother after tickets ran out for tonights game. Police were called in the settle things down. Many fans left without tickets. I was there an offered tickets for €450 each - No thanks. Be watching on tv like the rest.

Real Madrid acting president Boluda has admitted a Barca victory tonight at the Bernabeu will hand Barca victory in la liga. All the pressure on "los blancos".

Rumour is that Robben will start but dont be surprised if he is pulled off before the end as he has only had about 3-4 days training since coming back from injury.

Rafa Marquez injury against Chelsea has been put at 3 months by Barca medical team so he wont feature again until pre-season.

Mgoraf · 02-05-2009 03:34PM

Dunno if it's been mentioned yet but does anyone think Abidal will play centre back against Chelsea during the week and Slyvinho at LB? And maybe even see Abidal play in that position tonight...

redout · 02-05-2009 03:44PM

Marca are predicting a Real lineup of:

Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Heinze, Lass, Gago, Robben, Marcelo, Higuaín, Raul.

My guess at the Barca lineup would be:

Valdes,
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal
Iniesta, Toure, Xavi
Messi, Eto'o, Henry

ShoulderChip · 02-05-2009 08:29PM

OMG

redout · 02-05-2009 11:27PM

eZe^ · 03-05-2009 09:12AM

What Lionel Messi's T-Shirt At The Bernabeu Meant

When Lionel Messi netted for Barcelona during their historic 6-2 win at the Santiago Bernabeu over Real Madrid, he lifted his shirt to reveal a message to the fans on a t-shirt.

However, the logo was displayed so briefly that it was difficult for the worldwide audience to catch.

But by looking at a photograph of the moment, we see what Messi was trying to tell the world:

The t-shirt reads 'Sindrome X Fragil', which is the name of a medical condition known in English as Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic problem that leads to emotional, mental, and sometimes physical problems in its sufferers, with some of its effects being compared with those of autism.

Messi treats the syndrome as a personal cause, having during last month spent a day in Barcelona with children who suffer from the affliction.

As the player himself explained, he suffered from hormonal problems as a child, and had he not received help he could never have been in a position to score a vital goal for one of the world's top clubs.

Players often talk about giving something back, and with tonight's show of publicity it looks like Messi is serious about doing just that.

What a classy guy. Love him.

yahoo_moe · 03-05-2009 04:55PM

Ah, was wondering what that was - whatever else he is, he's certainly not the best in the world at showing off messages on t-shirts.

eZe^ · 03-05-2009 05:10PM

Dead right, remember the last time he revealed a message to the Barca faithful...

He was only a bloody teenager then. So scary....

redout · 04-05-2009 09:06AM

Henry is out of the Chelsea match on wednesday.

Just confirmed a two week lay-off.

redout · 04-05-2009 09:31AM

Update

Golden Shoe standings 2008-09
Current standings (League goals only)
(Including games played on May 3, 2009)

Pos

Name

Club

Gls

Mult

Pts

1.

Janko

Salzburg

37

1.5

55.5

2.

Eto'o

Barcelona

27

2

54

3.

Forlan

Atletico M

25

2

50

4.

Villa

Valencia

25

2

50

5.

Messi

Barcelona

23

2

46

keane2097 · 04-05-2009 11:43AM

redout wrote: »

Update

Golden Shoe standings 2008-09
Current standings (League goals only)
(Including games played on May 3, 2009)

Pos
Name
Club
Gls
Mult
Pts

1.
Janko
Salzburg
37
1.5
55.5

2.
Eto'o
Barcelona
27
2
54

3.
Forlan
Atletico M
25
2
50

4.
Villa
Valencia
25
2
50

5.
Messi
Barcelona
23
2
46

Is that "Mult" thing a multiplier based on the league yeah?

Frisbee · 04-05-2009 12:05PM

keane2097 wrote: »

Is that "Mult" thing a multiplier based on the league yeah?

It is indeed

keane2097 · 04-05-2009 12:11PM

Frisbee wrote: »

It is indeed

I see...

Fairplay to Forlan by the way - same amount of goals as David Villa? Makes me wonder if certain players are underrated or overrated...

Frisbee · 04-05-2009 12:20PM

keane2097 wrote: »

I see...

Fairplay to Forlan by the way - same amount of goals as David Villa? Makes me wonder if certain players are underrated or overrated...

I'm not quite sure how it works but depending on difficulty of the league and average amount of goals you get a higher/lower multiplier.

Forlan has done brilliantly this year. Infact he usually bags 20+ goals a year.
People just remember him for a bad stint and United and think he's muck.

redout · 04-05-2009 05:16PM

Barca deny Henry report

Barcelona have refuted reports that Thierry Henry is out of action for two weeks and stated that not only is he in the squad to face Chelsea, but he could play.

The Frenchman was the subject of claims that the knock on his knee that he suffered during the Blaugrana's historic win against Real Madrid would sideline him for two weeks.

Sport ran the report as their main story, but have since been forced to retract it and replace the news with confirmation that Henry is travelling to London.

Barca spokesman Jose Miguel Perry said: "Reports that Henry has been ruled out are not true.

"Team doctors and the coach will look at his situation and decide this afternoon whether he will be in the list or not."

Marca state that sources from within Barcelona have told them he is not out for two weeks and will be monitored ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge before undergoing a late fitness test.

It is a sudden turnaround from the earlier statement, because while he was kept quiet in the first leg against Chelsea, Henry showed what he can do against Madrid three days later.

After netting two goals in a superb display in the Bernabeu, Henry's absence would have been sorely noticed by the Catalan outfit and there was talk that Andres Iniesta would move up to the left side of attack.

Allied with an injury to Rafa Marquez and the suspension of Carles Puyol, coach Pep Guardiola would have had to shuffle his squad even further had Henry been ruled out

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_5277934,00.html

redout · 04-05-2009 09:19PM

Barcelona Defender Rafael Marquez Undergoes Knee Surgery

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez underwent knee surgery today to repair the damage he suffered in his side's Champions League clash with Chelsea at Camp Nou last Tuesday evening.

The Mexican, who has made over 150 appearances for the Blaugrana following his switch from French side AS Monaco in 2003, fell awkwardly in the second half under no challenge from any Chelsea player, and instantly signalled his distress to the bench, clutching his knee.

Fourfourtwo.com comments that the club have reported the surgery to have been a complete success, and are hopeful of having the 30-year-old back in training in time for the start of the 2009/10 Spanish season.

The injury is not dissimilar to that suffered by fellow defender Gabriel Milito, who has missed the entire campaign as a result of cruciate ligament damage sustained at the beginning of the season, although Marquez's is not thought to be as severe as that of his colleague.

Coach Pep Guardiola now faces a defensive crisis ahead of their crunch second leg tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

Carlos Puyol picked up a yellow card that sees him suspended for the clash, and along with the injuries to Marquez and Milito, it leaves only Gerard Pique and Martin Caceres as recognised central defenders available for selection.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/05/04/1246306/barcelona-defender-rafael-marquez-undergoes-knee-surgery

yahoo_moe · 06-05-2009 09:07PM

Ha, I'll never criticise Iniesta for not shooting again - looks like he was just saving it for tonight.

redout · 06-05-2009 10:10PM

Have to say congrats are in order to this side.

150 goals and counting.

La liga Champions

Copa de Rey finalists

Champions league finalists

Priviliged to have attended several of their games in what could turn out to be the greatest season in their history.

eZe^ · 06-05-2009 11:46PM

VISCA BARCCCCCCCCCCCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

CASPER YOU LEGENDDDDDDD

If there is one trophy this team needs to win more of then it is the CL, we are massive underachievers along with Benfica... Let's hope we can start to put that right under Pep and this new squad.

I'm still smiling...

I can see the final being more about Henry vs Rooney than Messi vs Ronaldo tbh....

kinaldo · 07-05-2009 12:22AM

I don't think anyone could begrudge Barca's success this season

(unless they're affiliated with that horrible team called Chelsea)

Let's hope they go onto win it for the sake of beautiful football, in the truest sense of those words.

Dubliner28 · 07-05-2009 08:27AM

Congrats.
Dream Final now

brayblue24 · 07-05-2009 08:46PM

Dubliner28 wrote: »

Congrats.
Dream Final now

The 2011 final is the dream final: Manchester City V Barcelona!

(I gotta dream)

FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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