Former Barcelona Star Eidur Gudjohnsen: I Moved To Monaco To Work Hard

intends to prove his worth to the Monaco fans following his move from Barcelona towards the end of the transfer window.

The Icelandic international made the switch after three seasons at the Camp Nou, and was on the periphery of the side for the for the majority of last season as Pep Guardiola’s men clinched their now famous Triplete.

The 31-year old has made it clear that he has not moved to France to retire, and intends to help Monaco to success.

Spanish publication Sport reports that Gudjohnsen said of his new club, “It is a new opportunity for me, it will motivate me and it is also a personal challenge.

“I will demonstrate why I played at clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona.”

Gudjohnsen also said that the switch to the French principality was an ideal move for him at this stage of his career.

“Monaco is the perfect choice,” he said, adding, “I promise to work hard. I have not come here to enjoy the sun, I can do that after I have completed my career.”

Player Ratings: Barcelona 5-2 Atletico Madrid

Barcelona

Victor Valdes - 6: Couldn't do much about the two goals, but had a few calamitous moments, including one where he was lucky not to be punished for being stranded well outside the area.

Daniel Alves - 8: Was a constant menace down the right. Scored a sublime free-kick, and played a huge part in the fifth.

Gerard Pique - 8: The best of the back-line, another commanding performance.

Dymytro Chygrynskiy - 7: Showed his skill with distribution, but was caught out on a couple of occasions by the speed of Atleti's forwards.

Maxwell - 7: Provided valuable support down the left flank, but did allow a bit too much space at times.

Sergio Busquets - 7: A great pass for the goal that started the rout, but he also gave away the first with a shocking header, having nearly made the same mistake earlier.

Seydou Keita - 8: Continues his impressive start to the season with another solid performance, capping it off with a goal.

Xavi - 8: Another masterclass. Hardly gave the ball away, and showed his sublime touch with the assist for Messi.

Lionel Messi - 9: Took both his goals brilliantly, and was a constant menace for the terrified Atleti defence.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 8: Drifted out of the game at times, but started things off with a sublime finish, and also played a large part in Keita's goal.

Thierry Henry - 7: Unlucky not to have a goal on the night, especially after his effort in the first minute, but once again demonstrated his value to the side.

Substitutes

Andres Iniesta - 7: Barca had eased off when he came on, but still showed some nice touches as he worked his way back to full fitness.

Rafael Marquez - N/A

Pedro - N/A

Atletico Madrid

Roberto - 6: Hard to blame for the goals, but the difference in quality between Asenjo and him was evident.

Luis Perea - 5: Was calamitous down the right in the first half, and by the time he regained some poise the damage was already done.

Pablo - 4: A poor performance, never looked comfortable and was lucky to still be on the pitch following a cynical foul in the dying minutes.

Tomas Ujfalusi - 6: Made some vital interventions to avoid the scoreline reaching double figures, but was too erratic in the first half.

Antonio Lopez - 6: Provided something of an attacking threat, but was terrorised by Messi and Alves on the right, as most left backs would have been.

Pablo Assuncao - 4: Completely failed to shut down Barca's midfield, and was only noticeable when putting in some rash challenges.

Maxi Rodriguez - 4: Barely had a touch of the ball, and wasted his one decent chance.

Simao - 5: Despite the space on offer, failed to seriously threaten the defence throughout the game.

Jose Jurado - 7: A decent performance, exploited the space on offer, and could have had an assist had others taken their chances.

Sergio Aguero - 7: Was starved for support throughout, but took his chance well when it came at the end of the first half.

Diego Forlan - 7: Took his goal well, but also missed a couple of easier chances that would have made the game a lot more competitive.

Barcelona 5-2 Atletico Madrid: Colchoneros Blown Away By Superb Barca

Barcelona crushed Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou with a stunning first half performance to return to the top of the table. Although the visitors found a brace of goals from Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, the Blaugrana were always in control of the match thanks to goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Dani Alves and Seydou Keita.

Both sides were at full strength up front: Messi, Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry formed the attacking trident for the hosts, while Aguero and Forlan lined up in attack for los Rojiblancos. Dmytro Chygrynskiy made his home debut for the Blaugrana.

Barcelona stated their intent after just 55 seconds, when Henry turned on the edge of the box to fire a shot off the crossbar. Barely a minute later, Ibrahimovic found the back of the net. Sergio Busquets slid a superb ball through to the former Inter man, who chipped the ball exquisitely over Roberto.

Antonio Lopez saved a certain goal after 13 minutes when he cut out Henry's cross just as Messi was preparing to tap home from a matter of yards, and los Rojiblancos were rocking.

The scintillating Argentine was not to be denied three minutes later, however. Xavi played an excellent ball over the visitors' defence which Messi brought down with ease, dropped his shoulder to dummy Roberto before rolling the ball home.

Los Colchoneros fashioned a good passage of play on 22 minutes after Maxwell needlessly gave the ball away in his own half, but Maxi Rodriguez was unable to capitalise on the final chance.

Aguero then fed Maxi with a cute through ball, but the Argentine took too long to take his shot and could only find the side netting from a narrow angle. Moments later, Jose Manuel Jurado saw his shot blocked by Chygrynskiy after he briefly saw himself through on goal as los Colchoneros looked for a way back into the game.

However, Barcelona cut any hopes short when Dani Alves lashed in a long range free kick that crashed in off the post after half an hour.

The fourth goal came five minutes before half time at the end of another gorgeous move by the Blaugrana. A flick by Ibrahimovic set up Messi, who turned magnificently before rolling the ball across the goal for Keita to tap home.

The hosts should have had a penalty just before the break when Ibrahimovic was felled in the box, before they conceded in the 45th minute, when Aguero picked up on Busquet's loose defensive header, raced away from Chygrynskiy and chipped over Victor Valdes.

Both coaches resisted the idea of making changes at half time, but while the visitors began the half positively, their defenders resembled rabbits caught in headlights when faced with another incisive Blaugrana attack.

10 minutes into the second half, Roberto was playing with fire as he firstly gave the ball away to Ibrahimovic before Messi rounded the visitors' keeper only for the ball to get caught up in the Argentine's feet.

Atleti probed and searched for ways through the Blaugrana defence, and Pep Guardiola responded by bringing on Andres Iniesta for the ever impressive Xavi.

The visitors continued to press forward, and Chygrynskiy was cautioned for a foul on Aguero as the Argentine forged his way towards the Blaugrana goal. Forlan struck just over the bar from 20 yards soon after, but Atleti were unable to really test Valdes.

Further substitutions were made on both sides as the game entered its final stages. Barcelona had taken their foot off the pedal, quite happy to sit on their 4-1 lead and not expend any further energy with a busy fixture list ahead of them.

It almost cost them in the 79th minute. Chygrynskiy was caught out by Sinama-Pongolle, who eventually fed the ball to Forlan. Unfortunately for the Uruguayan, he blasted his shot over with only Valdes in front of him.

Forlan found his goal with 5 minutes to go with a powerful finish from 20 yards after Valdes gifted possession to the visitors, however, and the Barca keeper comfortably gathered a shot from Jurado as los Rojiblancos sought a third goal.

Instead, it was Barcelona that found the game's seventh goal. Atleti were undone in the last few seconds of injury time, as Iniesta and Dani Alves linked up to provide Messi with the ball inside the area, and he swept home into the corner to wrap up a comprehensive win.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy Can't Wait To Make Camp Nou Bow For Barcelona

With Barcelona's packed fixture list over the next few weeks, Pep Guardiola will need to rotate his squad as much as possible.

It has previously been reported that Dmytro Chygrynskiy is set to start the next three Primera Division games, due to his ineligibility for the Champions League.

The Ukrainian has now admitted his excitement about making his first appearance at the Camp Nou after featuring for the Blaugrana away at Getafe last weekend.

"It's a special moment for any player who comes to Barca because it's when you find yourself with the Catalan fans," Chygrynskiy told the club's official website, fcbarcelona.com.

"The truth is I can't wait to play. I've been to the Camp Nou twice as a fan - at the game against Valencia last year and against Sporting [Gijon] the other day, and the atmosphere was incredible.

"I can imagine what it's like to walk on the pitch, and I can't wait for this moment."

I Want To Finish My Career At Barcelona - Lionel Messi

After signing a lucrative new contract with Barcelona, Lionel Messi has expressed his delight at being able to extend his deal and has declared that, if he could, he would sign away the rest of his career with the Blaugrana.

"I would like to finish here in Barcelona. [I want] to play my whole career here, if it's possible," the 22-year-old told Barca TV on Friday afternoon.

The contract renewal could not have come at a better moment for Messi, who won the treble with the Blaugrana last year, the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Supercopa this season as well as a host of individual awards for his recent performances.

This is something that has not passed the stellar Argentine by, and he admitted that the new deal was the result of "everything that happened last year and what I have done since I got into the first team".

However, Messi does not intend to stop the winning habit and hopes that his team-mates can continue in the fashion to which they have become accustomed.

"I am just one of a spectacular group of players in a beautiful team, we are very close and one in which I want to keep winning things."

Official: Lionel Messi Signs Bumper Contract Extension With Barcelona

Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract extension to stay with Barcelona until 2016 in a deal that takes him back to being the club's top earner.

A statement on Barcelona's official website, www.fcbarcelona.cat, reads that Messi has "extended and improved" his contract with the club, which contains a minimum fee release clause of €250 million.

Reports from Spain also claim that he is now the best paid player in world football, earning between €10m-12m per season according to AS and Cadena Ser.

This takes him above Barcelona's summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who earns a reported €9.5m a year, as well as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka at Real Madrid.

Messi signed the deal earlier this afternoon alongside president Joan Laporta and a number of other members of the Barcelona hierarchy.

Coach Pep Guardiola was thrilled with the news, telling Cadena Ser that "Messi's renewal is massive news."

Sylvinho Ready To Use Barcelona Tips To Help Manchester City Beat United

Sylvinho says he has been passing on some of the tips and secrets that helped lead Barcelona to a unique treble, after being quizzed by his new Manchester City team-mates.

The Citizens have spent big to rebuild their squad but the Brazilian arrived on a free transfer when he left the Blaugrana at the end of last season and his advice could be invaluable.

With preparations for the Manchester derby against United at Old Trafford on Sunday well under way, Sylvinho thinks that his advice and big match experience will be vital.

"They've not just asked questions about the Champions League, they recognise what Barcelona did in the last season, which was amazing," he was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

"That season was like a dream. If you want to live a dream then, first and foremost, you have to believe the dream can happen and believe in your work. You have to live it and have trust in your dream.

"You have to work so hard. If you don't, you won't win. But there are players who have come here with great experience of Champions League football and important matches and I think that will really help the club."

On the matter of City playing United, Sylvinho sees no reason why the visitors cannot pull off a win that would send out a strong message to the rest of the league.

"Yes, even a few weeks ago City beat Barcelona. It's a strong side with a good mentality. Of course, we still have to improve things but we're an important club in Europe today," he continued.

"I think we'll have more confidence playing United now that we've beaten Arsenal. But it's difficult to compare City with United. Both teams have good sides and good players but live in a different moment. We are at a different stage of our development to United.

"This season is going to be very important to us. We have got a target and some good players coming and the mentality of the club has changed a lot. Players have come here because they feel it's a good time to be here."

Barcelona's Lionel Messi Should Win World Player Award - Pele

Brazil legend Pele says that Barcelona forward Lionel Messi should be crowned FIFA World Player of the Year.

The Argentinian was the key figure for Pep Guardiola's side this year as they won an unprecedented five trophies, picking up the European Club Footballer of the Year award along the way and now Pele says it's time Messi was recognised as the best in the world.

"After giving it to Ronaldinho, Kaka and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, now it's the turn of [Lionel] Messi," Pele said, according to Sport.

Pele also said that he hopes Messi's national side, Argentina do not miss out on World Cup qualification.

"It's hard to imagine a World Cup without Argentina. Nobody expected this to happen but that's football. It wouldn't be good for football if they were not there," he said.

La Liga Preview: Barcelona - Atletico Madrid

Could Lightning Strike Twice?

In this fixture last season Barcelona obliterated Atletico Madrid with a 6-1 scoreline and were three goals to the good before the game was even ten minutes old.

This will be Barca's second home game of the season and the home support will expect to see goals. They managed three last time round against Sporting Gijon, which is consistent with last seasons home record, averaging 3.2 goals per game at Camp Nou in La Liga, while also keeping nine clean sheets.

Barcelona haven't conceded a goal yet and there appears no sign of weakness in the Blaugrana so far this season, so it's hard to see how anything other than their own mindset can cause their downfall and Pep Guardiola has enough quality options at his disposal to keep his players hungry.

Perhaps a lack of understanding between new signing Dmytro Chygrynskiy and the rest of the Barca back four could be exposed by the likes of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.

No team is invincible, though, and they will have to lose eventually but against an out-of-sorts Atletico at home, so early in the new season, it is highly unlikely.

When It Rains, It Pours

Things haven't been going Atletico's way lately. They are without a few key players due to injury and now they face Under 20 World Cup call-ups; the fans are not happy; they can't find form, then they come up against Dionisis Chiotis who plays a blinder in the Champions League in goal for APOEL and next up is Barcelona in the league.

However, the trip to Camp Nou might be a welcome relief for the side who are in the midst of a mini crisis at the Vicente Calderon with fans unhappy at the lack of summer signings at the club.

For the visitors, it's all about which side shows up on Saturday. Will it be the one that dispatched with Panathinaikos with ease in the Champions League qualifiers or will it be the one who took a 3-0 hammering off Malaga at the Rosaleda and have limped to two draws since?

Resino insisted on Friday that his side can win at Camp Nou. Nothing short of a top drawer Atletico performance will do if they are to manage that on Saturday. And even a top drawer display might not be enough, if Barca are in the mood.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Sept 16 Inter 0-0 Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)

Sept 12 Getafe 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)

Aug 31 Barcelona 3-0 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)

Aug 28 Barcelona 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (UEFA Super Cup)

Aug 23 Barcelona 3-0 Athletic Bilbao (Supercopa, 2nd Leg)

Atletico Madrid

Sept 15 Atletico Madrid 0-0 (UEFA Champions League)

Sept 12 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Racing Santander (La Liga)

Aug 30 Malaga 3-0 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Aug 25 Atletico 2-0 Panathinaikos (UEFA Champions League)

Aug 19 Panathinaikos 2-3 Atletico (UEFA Champions League)

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

As he misses out on Champions League football, Dmytro Chygrynskiy is set to keep his place for Barca in La Liga and make his Camp Nou bow. Andres Iniesta played the final fifteen minutes at Inter and may return to the first team.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Valdes – Puyol, Chygrynskiy, Pique, Abidal – Xavi, Toure, Keita – Messi, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta.

Atletico Madrid

Still without Raul Garcia, Camacho and Mariano Pernia, Atletico will also have to do without the services of first choice 'keeper Sergio Asenjo who links up with the Spain Under 20 squad for the World Cup in Egypt. Maxi Rodriguez should start, as should Juanito.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Roberto – Ujfalusi, Ibanez, Juanito, Antonio Lopez – Jurado, Assuncao, Maxi Rodriguez, Simao – Aguero, Forlan.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona

Lionel Messi makes his first appearance at Camp Nou this season and he is likely to once again show why he is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, world football has to offer.

Atletico Madrid

Midfielder Jurado has been one of Atleti's better players so far this season and they will need every ounce of his energy and exuberance if they are to come away from Camp Nou with anything other than their tails between their legs.

PREDICTION

This game has come at the wrong time for Abel Resino's men, whose confidence is waning. Barcelona were in fine form against Inter on Wednesday, despite not finding the net, which is something they should do here to pile more pressure on Los Colchoneros.

Player Ratings: Inter 0-0 Barcelona

INTER (4-3-1-2)

Julio Cesar: 6.5 - Despite Barca's dominance for long stretches of the game, did not have too many saves to make. A couple of smart stops from Messi.

Maicon: 6 - Was pushed back by Henry, and couldn't make too many of his trademark bursts down the right flank.

Samuel: 8 - Lived up to his nickname as 'The Wall' with a no-nonsense performance at the back. How does Samuel not get into the Argentina 'defence'?

Lucio: 6.5 - Struggled in a few one-on-ones and was caught out for Ibrahimovic's early chance, but largely did well.

Chivu: 9 - Absolutely outstanding tonight. Made three goal-saving tackles - two on Messi and one on Henry - forced Messi inside, and did the best defensive job that anyone has ever done on Dani Alves. Man-of-the-match.

Zanetti: 6.5 - Ran his heart out, but almost acted as a fifth defender at times as Barcelona controlled the play.

Muntari: 4.5 - Comfortably the worst player on the pitch. Muntari lost the ball time after time in the first half, repeatedly putting his side into trouble.

Thiago Motta: 5.5 - Little impact - Inter need more from the Brazilian if they are to move onto the next level in Europe this term.

Sneijder: 6 - Had a few smart moments, including one shot that fizzed just wide, but in truth just couldn't get hold of the ball.

Eto'o: 5 - Very disappointing. Received next to no service, but did little himself to try and make things happen.

Milito: 7 - A very commendable performance from 'El Principe' who, despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, was always a handful for the Barcelona defence.

Substitutes

Stankovic: 6.5 - Did well after coming on and fired just over.

Santon: 6.5 - Very energetic cameo.

Balotelli: N/A


BARCELONA (4-3-3)

Valdes: 6 - Barely touched the ball tonight.

Dani Alves: 6 - Had little to do defensively, but did not make any headway going forward against the superb Chivu.

Pique: 6.5 - A little flat-footed against Milito on a couple of occasions, but otherwise okay.

Puyol: 7.5 - Very spirited display, Puyol led by example and comfortably won his duel against Eto'o.

Abidal: 6.5 - One shaky moment in the first half when he gave the ball away, this aside Abidal was comfortable as Maicon rarely troubled him.

Toure: 7.5 - Dominant in the defensive midfield role, the major reason Sneijder couldn't get into the game was because of Toure.

Xavi: 8.5 - Quite simply the best centre midfielder in the world. Three genius passes that could have led to Ibrahimovic goals. Dictated the game.

Keita: 6 - The Malian was guilty for the miss of the match as he somehow scuffed wide with the goal gaping. Powerful, but sometimes sloppy.

Messi: 7.5 - An absolute joy to watch. Cut inside a great deal, and caused Inter all kinds of headaches but had nothing to show for it at the end. One glaring miss he will want to forget.

Ibrahimovic: 6 - A few nice link-ups and flicks, but was not clinical enough. Could have had a hat-trick tonight, and will particularly regret his first half miss.

Henry: 7 - Always looked dangerous down the left, and skinned Lucio on one occasion. Created a glorious chance for Messi. A good showing.

My Contract Renewal At Barcelona Is Not A Priority - Carles Puyol

After Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain announced that the Blaugrana are loathe to lose Carles Puyol, the captain has responded by saying that he doesn't want to worry about renewing his current deal.

"It's not a priority - it doesn't worry me," the 31-year-old explained to Sport.

"I won't stop committing myself in games because of it. I'm really happy at Barcelona. I feel valued by the coach, by my team-mates, by the fans - by everyone. I can't ask for more.

"My plan is to continue with Barca - I know that it's very difficult to leave this club and even more so now. But I want to think about whether I will retire here or have a spell abroad."

Meanwhile, the Blaugrana face Inter in the Champions League on Wednesday and Puyol is looking forward to playing against his friend Samuel Eto'o.

"It will definitely be emotional," he said. "After winning the Supercopa, [Eto'o] called me to congratulate us and we joked about how he might have scored. I wish him all the best. He's a friend, a great team-mate and we have to be very grateful for all that he gave us."

Barcelona Midfielder Xavi Surprised By Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Attitude

Xavi has admitted that he is surprised by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's upbeat attitude, as he had been told that the Swede was a serious character.

The Barcelona playmaker is pleased that the club's new striker enjoys a joke and has fitted in well with Pep Guardiola's squad after joining from Inter in the summer.

Ibrahimovic has made controversial statements in the past and has been accused of being aloof and arrogant, but Xavi does not believe that is the case at all.

"He is beginning an adventure that will last for five years," he told FIFA's official website.

"He has surprised me because he jokes a lot when I thought he would be more serious. Everyone said he was awkward but that is not the case. He is very likeable - he has adapted very well."

Ibrahimovic scored his second goal in as many games at the weekend as Barca beat Getafe.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi Hoping To Be Back To His Best

Lionel Messi thinks that he can bounce back to his best when he returns to action for Barcelona in midweek against Inter, but admits another treble could be difficult.

The Argentine was criticised in his homeland for not doing enough to prevent the Albiceleste from losing both their recent World Cup qualifiers.

That may have affected Messi temporarily, but now back in the fold at Camp Nou, he is hoping that he can find his rhythm again and start performing to the standard he set last term.

"I have had a good pre-season," he told UEFA's official website. "I took some time to do some physical work.

"That is important because with so many games during the year we don't have the chance to train a lot because you travel so much with the squad. What I have done is good in terms of maintaining me for the rest of the year."

Expectations at Camp Nou are even higher than usual after the club swept the board of trophies last time out, but Messi thinks that a repeat performance could be tough.

"We have to start again and take little steps like we did last year. We have to try to maintain the same things that we did before, our own football, well-structured, with the same discipline," he continued.

"It is very difficult. Last season was something very few clubs have achieved in the history of football, so it is very difficult to repeat that for a second year.

"We have to take little steps like we did last year, take it game by game and see how far we get."

Ibrahimovic: Playing With Barcelona's Great Squad Is Easy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in both of Barca's league games, and he credits his team-mates for his success.

'Ibra' opened the scoring against Getafe, before setting up Lionel Messi for the second. Speaking to Sport after the match, he said, "I am very pleased to have scored two goals, but the most important thing is to reach the rhythm."

"I am not at a hundred percent yet, but I am getting there."

The Swedish striker then acknowledged the impact of Messi and Andres Iniesta, continuing, "They make it easy for you."

"They open spaces up and defences do not know which one to mark."

Finally, Ibrahimovic looked forward to his impending return to Inter Milan, stating, "It will be a very special and difficult game for me, because I spent three years there and have great memories."

"I am very pleased to be returning with another team."

Chygrynskiy Delighted With Barcelona Debut

After making his debut for Barcelona, Dmytro Chygrynskiy has offered his first thoughts on the experience.

The Ukrainian centre-back was thrown straight into the starting line-up against Getafe, and he put in a commanding performance. Speaking to Sport after the game, he said, "I want to thank my team-mates and coaches, because they gave me confidence, which is very important for a player."

"I am very pleased."

Chygrynskiy then revealed that he had been involved in extensive discussions with Guardiola, continuing, "I have spoken a lot with him, and we practiced a lot of things in training, to prepare me for this."

Finally, he expressed his desire to learn Spanish as soon as possible, stating, "Everyone speaks Spanish, and I expect that I will be able to learn it."

"It is difficult now, but it is a question of time."

"For now, Pique and Toure speak to me in English, but I want to learn Spanish."

Getafe 0-2 Barcelona: Ibrahimovic & Messi Score As Blaugrana Down Hosts

Getafe 0-2 Barcelona Lineup/Stats
La Liga Fixtures, Results

The match started at a slow pace, with neither side able to stamp their authority on the game in the opening few minutes. Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes had a scare on seven minutes, when Puyol played a pass back for Pique, who slipped inside the area, forcing the keeper to leave his post to clear the danger before Soldado could get to the ball.

Getafe were the better side at this time and could have broken the deadlock in the 12th minute, when Albin's left-foot volley from outside the area rebounded off the underside of the bar.

Barcelona tried to respond but they were finding it very hard to create any danger, despite Jeffren's attempts down the flanks.

The home side struck the woodwork for a second time 28 minutes into the game, when a pinpoint cross from Pedro Leon from the right was met by Soldado's overhead kick, which hit the left post.

The Catalan club produced a solid chance for the first time in the match two minutes later through Seydou Keita, who was given far too much room in the middle of the pitch and went for glory from 30 yards out, but his effort went slightly wide of the left post.

Barcelona wasted their best chance on goal in the 43rd minute as Jeffren's good cross from the right found Ibrahimovic, who did well to control the ball and get past the opposition of Rafa but the Swede's low shot was held by Ustari.

The second period began with Barcelona introducing Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta but it was from Xavi's feet that their first chance came from, when the diminutive midfielder fired a long ball from distance that Ustari had to divert over the bar.

Barcelona would find the back of the net on 65 minutes, when Abidal's cross from the left found Ibrahimovic at the near post, and the striker had only to use the tip of his boot to send it past Ustari.

And it would not take long for the treble-winning side to double their lead, as on 79 minutes Daniel Alves connected well with Ibrahimovic, who clipped the ball into the six-yard box for Messi to head home.

Despite their two-goal lead, Barcelona refused to take their foot back off the gas and Ibrahimovic almost scored his second of the game after being put through by Xavi but his shot went straight into the hands of the Getafe keeper.

It was a totally deserved win for Barca, who controlled the match in the second period. The Catalan club have moved up to first in the table and have yet to concede any goals after two games played. As for Getafe, after a promising 4-1 win over Racing Santander, their wastefulness in front of goal tonight proved high-priced as they go down the tunnel empty-handed.

Rafael Marquez Omitted From Barcelona Squad To Face Getafe - Report

While Andres Iniesta has been passed fit by the Barcelona medical team and could play some part against Getafe tomorrow, 30-year-old defender Rafael Marquez has been overlooked by Pep Guardiola.

Sport are reporting that although the Mexican has been cleared to play by the Blaugrana medical staff, Guardiola has decided not to select him for tomorrow's clash.

Marquez hasn't featured in a competitive game for four months now after a number of injuries, but should make his comeback to the first team next week.

Meanwhile, summer signing Dmytro Chygrynskiy has been selected by the Barcelona coach for the trip to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. According to Sport, however, the Ukrainian is unlikely to play as he has only trained a handful of times under Guardiola.

The Blaugrana face Getafe at 18.00 CET on Saturday evening before their Champions League clash with Inter next Wednesday.

La Liga Preview: Getafe - Barcelona

No Fear

Getafe stayed in the Primera Division by the skin of their teeth last season and have since seen Michel replace Victor Munoz as manager so one would be forgiven for thinking that Barcelona will come and take the three points without much of a fight.

However the Azulones have a history of giving Barcelona a run for their money in recent seasons and have only lost two of their last six league games against the Catalans and both were narrow 1-0 losses.

While they lost this fixture last season, the previous year they beat Barca 2-0 and three players in that side, David Cortes, Cata Diaz and Manu del Moral, are likely to line up against the Blaugrana tomorrow.

Michel has promised that his side won't fear Barca and Manu, Parejo and Mane have all come out this week insisting that they can beat the champions. El Geta certainly are well capable of far more than their poor league finish last year would suggest.

Complacency Could Be Costly

Pep Guardiola's men have been on a magnificent winning streak that has brought trophy after trophy to Camp Nou in recent months and raised the bar for teams all over Europe. However Barca showed hints of complacency towards the back-end of last season losing to Mallorca and Osasuna, albeit they were already league champions, but this is proof that even the best are not invincible.

Barca requested that this game be moved forward in order to prepare for Inter, despite having almost their entire first team away on international duty this week. They may be taking their eye off the ball here and Getafe are ready to punish them if they do.

They are likely to play without Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves who only arrived back from South America on Friday and this could well play in their favour as players coming in to the team will be desperate to prove themselves worthy of a starting place.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergi Busquets and Pedro will all be keen to put in big performances to catch the eye of Pep Guardiola while the return of Rafael Marquez and Andres Iniesta will give those in the first eleven plenty to think about.

FORM GUIDE

Getafe

Aug 30 Racing 1-4 Getafe (La Liga, Round 1)

Aug 22 Getafe 2-0 Real Zaragoza (Friendly)

Aug 18 Cordoba 1-2 Getafe (Friendly)

Aug 10 Udinese 1-2 Getafe (Friendly)

July 31 Waldhof Mannheim 0-2 Getafe (Friendly)


Barcelona

Aug 31 Barcelona 3-0 Sporting Gijon (La Liga, Round 1)

Aug 28 Barcelona 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (UEFA Super Cup)

Aug 23 Barcelona 3-0 Athletic Bilbao (Supercopa, 2nd Leg)

Aug 19 Barcelona 0-1 Manchester City (Trofeo Joan Gamper)

Aug 16 Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona (Supercopa, 1st Leg)

TEAM NEWS

Getafe

Michel has every reason to retain the side that won so convincingly away to Racing. Derek Boateng and new signing Pedro Leon may push for a starting place but it's unlikely Michel will change a winning side.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Ustari – Cortes, Diaz, Rafa, Mane – Rios, Parejo, Celestini, Adrian Gonzalez – Manu, Soldado

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola said that he has enough players for the season ahead once everyone is fit. While he is still without long-term absentee Gabriel Milito he will be pleased to have Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez available again. Bojan Krkic is still out and will be missed as Lionel Messi is set to be rested

Dmytro Chygrynskiy could make his debut with Carles Puyol switching to right-back in place of Daniel Alves.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Valdes – Puyol, Chygrynskiy, Pique, Abidal – Xavi, Keita, Busquets – Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Henry

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Getafe

After bagging a hat-trick on the opening day of the season, Roberto Soldado's confidence will be sky high and he will once again provide Getafe's most potent attacking threat.

Barcelona

He hasn't kicked a ball since the Champions League final win in May but Andres Iniesta is itching to get back in the Barca team. He is likely to start from the bench but if the game is close, Pep Guardiola will have no qualms about sending the midfield dynamo into action.

PREDICTION

The decision to move the game forward to Saturday to allow Barcelona to concentrate on next Wednesday's Champions League tie against Inter will help the home side, who were largely unaffected by international absentees this week. These games are usually quite tight but the influential Iniesta might provide Barca with that little bit extra from the bench.

Getafe 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona Starlet Thiago Out For Two Months

Barcelona starlet Thiago Alcantara has been told he will be out for at least two months following an operation just as he was breaking into the first team squad.

The 18-year-old, who is the son of Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho, is set to become another of the Blaugrana's homegrown talents and made his debut in la Primera against Real Mallorca in May.

Coach Pep Guardiola knows the majority of the club's youngsters fom his time in charge of the B team, Barca Atletic, and has already had most of the training with the top professionals.

"Surgery was required to repair damage to the player's internal meniscus in his left knee that he suffered during training on Tuesday," the club's official website confirmed.

Thiago is seen as an exciting prospect and a future playmaker in the centre of Barcelona's midfield who has already declared that he will play for Spain despite being spoilt for choice.

Born in Italy, he is eligible to play for the Azzurri or follow in his father's footsteps with A Seleccao, but he has already played for the Spanish Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 teams.

In August he played in the Trofeo Joan Gamper against Manchester City and was expected to feature on the substitutes' bench in the early part of the season as Barca rotate their squad during a heavy fixture list.

Joan Laporta: Barcelona Will Boost Lionel Messi's Confidence

Joan Laporta is confident that Barcelona's players will help Lionel Messi recover from a tough week away with Argentina.

The Blaugrana president has recognised that his star player will have been deflated by defeats against Brazil and Paraguay that saw him criticised by the media and fans.

Claims that Messi does not play as well for the Albiceleste as he does for Barca have hurt the player and Pep Guardiola may rest him this weekend depending on his fitness levels.

Messi has played 27 games in the last 99 days and it appears to have taken its toll on him as he was unable to lift Argentina and that saw his commitment questioned.

Laporta thinks that returning to Barcelona will allow Messi to put it all behind him though and he can train his thoughts solely on helping the club to maintain their good start to the season.

"Messi will come back feeling sad, but his team-mates will give him a lift so that he can bounce back and start thinking about Barca again," Sport quote him as saying.

"He will have plenty of time to focus on Argentina when the time comes."

Francesco Totti: I Snubbed Real Madrid & Barcelona To Stay At Roma

Roma striker Francesco Totti has claimed he deserves his contract extension because he snubbed big money from Real Madrid and Barcelona earlier in his career.

'Er Pupone' is about to be rewarded with a new five-year deal worth around €5 million-per-season. Some critics have slammed the move, but the player believes he is worthy of the new terms.

"I think I have earned my contract," Totti told Sky Sport Italia.

"No-one has ever gifted me anything. It's an important contract, but I have never thought about the money, otherwise I would have gone to either Real Madrid or Barcelona when they wanted me at 26 to earn double of what I get now.

"I have always wanted to have a career with this shirt. I deserve respect as it's a question of the heart, not money."

Earlier reports claim his extension has been put on hold until next week.

San Siro Sold Out For Inter - Barcelona Champions League Showdown

Fans hoping to get a last-minute ticket for the Champions League showdown between Inter and Barcelona next week will be left disappointed as the club have announced they have sold every ticket.

The two giants of European football will tussle on Matchday 1 as they attempt to take a stronghold on Group F. Inter have confirmed they have shifted the last remaining tickets, and unsurprisingly it didn't take long for them to be snapped up.

A statement on the club's official website reads, "Inter-Barcelona sold out. With five days to go until the Champions League clash against Barcelona, the Giuseppe Meazza has sold out in every section.

"After going on general sale, the last few tickets were sold in the early hours of this morning."

Those who were lucky enough to get hold of the tickets will be able to see former hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic return to confront his old team-mates.

There will not be a hero's welcome though, as the Curva Nord have already promised a frosty reception towards the striker.

Barcelona Doctor Hopeful About Gaby Milito Comeback

Gabriel Milito is on course to play before the end of the current year as he enters the last stage of his long road back from a serious knee injury, according to Barcelona's club doctor.

The Argentinian defender suffered ligament damage during the Blaugrana's Champions League semi-final with Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2008 and has been out ever since.


Having spent a long spell in his homeland recuperating, Milito is now back in Barcelona and underwent a series of tests this week that Doctor Ramon Cugat, the medic that performed the surgery, said were very encouraging.

"I hope that he can start playing again before the end of the year," Doctor Cugat told Catalunya Radio.

"The player is currently working on a bicycle, doing muscle building exercises and in some respects is ahead of his team-mates.

"Now the only thing he wants is for the slight pain to go when he runs. Over the last week that has improved and pain has lessened.

"I hope that soon that will disappear completely."

Playing Champions League Final Was A Risk - Barcelona Star Andres Iniesta

Having now returned to full fitness Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has admitted that he knew playing in last season's UEFA Champions League Final win over Manchester United was a risky decision.

Iniesta suffered a hamstring injury in a Primera Liga game against Villarreal at the back-end of last season and was in a race against the clock to try and make the Champions League final. He played, aggravating the injury, as Barca won 2-0 to complete an historic treble.

"I knew I would play injured and do more damage. For seventeen days all I thought about was the final in Rome and winning, even knowing that I would do more damage," he confessed.

The player insisted that he would do the same again, despite having been ruled out of action for three months.

"I'd repeat it, for sure. I love this club and my profession and I wanted to win. If we had lost [the final] that would have been a total disaster," Iniesta added.

The 25-year-old said he is glad to be over the "worst summer of his life", which saw the untimely death of his friend Dani Jarque, and he is now looking forward to the season ahead.

"I am eager and hopeful. I welcome the return with more joy than usual. Last season is over and we start from scratch. Humility and the right mentality will give us the chance to win more titles," he added.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy Trains With Barcelona For The First Time

New signing Dmytro Chygrynskiy trained with his new Barcelona team-mates for the first time today since making his €25 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Chygrynskiy watched the Blaugrana's opening Primera Division game from the stands at Camp Nou as they defeated Sporting Gijon 3-0 and afterwards linked up with the Ukraine for their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Belarus.

His first training session as a Barcelona player included most of the first team squad, barring Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves who are not expected to return from international duty in South America until Friday afternoon.

Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez took a full part in training after being given the all-clear by the club's medical staff.

Pep Guardiola has nearly a full squad at his disposal ahead of Saturday's trip to Getafe. Gabriel Milito is still a long-term absentee but was at the training ground yesterday while Bojan Krkic is out with a thigh strain.

Barcelona Star Andres Iniesta 'Feeling Good' Ahead Of Getafe Clash

Andres Iniesta was declared fit by the Barcelona medical staff yesterday, and the midfielder has now announced himself that he is healthy and raring to go.

The 25-year-old has missed the start of this season due to a thigh injury that he picked up at the end of last season, and played through the pain to help his team win the Champions League against Manchester United.

"I knew that I would play injured. I knew that I would do more damage," Iniesta admitted to Sport.

"I had 17 days in which I was only thinking about the final in Rome, of coming back to play, of coming back to win it even though I knew I would do myself more damage.

"I would do it again - I am sure of that. I love this club, I love this job and I wanted to win."

Although Iniesta knows that he will struggle to complete the entire game this weekend against Getafe, he is ready to pull his boots on again if coach Pep Guardiola needs him.

"I've been running for almost a week and a half, training myself at a good pace. The leg is working fine, I'm feeling good and I'm already available to the coach. Obviously I don't see myself [playing] for 90 minutes," he concluded.

Barcelona Defender Gabriel Milito Not Setting Comeback Date

Gabriel Milito insists that he is not setting any date for his return from a knee injury that has kept him out since April 2007, but instead is taking great care over his recovery programme.

"I don't want to set deadlines for my return," he explained to Barcelona's official website.

"I am focused on day-to-day life and overcoming this injury."

The 29-year-old has recently returned to Barcelona from Argentina in order to continue his rehabilitation with the club's medical team, who have been keeping a watchful eye on proceedings in his home country.

Barcelona have gone from strength-to-strength in Milito's absence, and the former Real Zaragoza centre-back is eager to return to the side and participate in the Blaugrana's success.

"[The team] are on the same lines as last season - hopefully we will win the same as last year," Milito concluded.

Everyone Wants To Play Like Barcelona - Getafe Coach Michel

Getafe coach Michel has unashamedly admitted that he wishes he could be as successful a coach as Pep Guardiola has been.

The 46-year-old coach added that the Barcelona tactician has revolutionised modern football in the same way that Arrigo Sacchi's Milan team did during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"[In a way not seen] since Sacchi's time, the arrival of Pep Guardiola has been a revolution in football," Michel enthused to Marca.

"Along with the Spanish national team's capabilities, [who have] a similar idea of football, everyone wants to play like Barcelona and everyone wants to play like Spain.

"This, with Barcelona, is what Pep Guardiola has done.

"Guardiola has five titles, which I do not," the former Real Madrid Castilla coach mused. "There will always be differences between him and me, always favourable towards him. One hopes to have the abilities that he has, but you have to forge them with teams like Getafe."

Michel's side host Barcelona this Saturday, and the coach was not optimistic about his sides chances.

"We have our own weapons and qualities and we will try and use them. [But] in no area can we say that we are superior to Barcelona."

Spanish Inquisition: The Towering Pique Of Barcelona

While it was Pep Guardiola who may have been the mastermind behind today’s dominant Barcelona side and Dani Alves who, as the most expensive right-back in football, may have been the missing link in completing a dynamic offence positioned well into the opposition’s half of the pitch, there was one player added during the off-season last summer who was integral to Barcelona’s successes in the 2008/09 campaign and promises to be a gem in the Barca line-up for seasons to come.

Gerard Pique, the grandson of former Barcelona vice-president, Amador Bernabeu, began playing his football in Barcelona’s youth ranks, before Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson coveted the youngster and the Red Devils subsequently prised the towering defender away from Catalunya to sign him to his first proper footballing contract, incidentally without any transfer fee as Pique was then too young to hold a professional deal.

With the United, the young Spaniard slowly began to learn the rigours of the English game, making his debut in late 2004 as a late-match substitute. His performances, most notably with the reserve team, earned him another contract, which he signed in February 2005 which tied him to Old Trafford until 2009.

Before the 2006 season, however, Pique was dealt to La Liga side Real Zaragoza on a season-long loan deal that would see the central defender gain a substantial amount of playing time. The conditions of the loan involved Pique having to feature in at least 20 games for the Aragonese outfit. Pique ended up making 22 first team appearances, many of them made alongside Argentine defender Gabriel Milito (who, incidentally, would sign with Barça during the following season, a year before Pique would re-join the Blaugrana ranks).

For the 2007/08 season, Pique was brought back to Old Trafford and this time his first-team appearances were much more involved as he made nine league appearances and scored in his first start in the UEFA Champions League, a 4–0 home win against Dynamo Kyiv. Little more than one month later, he would earn himself a reputation for having an eye for the back of the net and scored his second Champions League goal in an away match to Roma. Learning from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Pique had become one of the most promising young defenders in European football and the rest of the continent began to take notice.

But it was his home-town club and new Barca coach Guardiola who would entice the player away from England and in the summer of 2008, Pique signed a four-year contract with Barcelona, with a €50 million buy-out clause, reflecting the value the future treble champions saw in the youngster and the determination not to allow him to be whisked away from the Camp Nou again so cheaply.

It was at Barcelona that Pique’s play hit a new plateau entirely. Alongside veteran captain Carles Puyol, the young defender became a force in the Blaugrana backline with strong tactical play and a physically imposing style of defending. It is thanks to Pique’s confident play that both can afford to spread the central defenders across the width of the pitch, allowing the right and left backs to climb up across the halfway line.

But despite his role as a central defender, Pique still found the back of the net with surprising efficacy, scoring his first goal in the club's 5–2 UEFA Champions League group stage win at Sporting CP and tallying his first domestic goal for the club two months later, in a Copa del Rey match against local rivals Espanyol (that vital goal turned out to be the game winner in a 3–2 victory for Barca).

None of the goals in his first season with the Blaugrana were as memorable though as his first league goal, which came in a 6–2 away thrashing of Real Madrid, in El Clasico. On one of his typical runs through the centre of the pitch (on this particular run, Pique was leading the line of attack), the defender received a pinpoint-accurate cross from Samuel Eto’o. The Spaniard’s shot initially ricocheted off the always-clairvoyant Iker Casillas, but Pique managed to follow the play at the far post and, collecting the ball, spun around and slotted the rebound into the back of the net.

In his first season at Barca, Pique managed to help the club secure the Copa del Rey trophy, the Primera Division championship, and the Champions League crown, becoming third player to ever win the European club championship with two different clubs in consecutive years.

As if his club successes have not been impressive enough, Pique’s performances for Barca have seen him earn a coveted call up to Vicente del Bosque’s Spanish national team where the Catalan defender has enjoyed significant minutes and, recently, featuring in the starting lineup alongside club teammate, Puyol.

In only his second appearance for the national squad, Pique found the back of the net, scoring in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match against Turkey, and just this past Saturday against Belgium, he netted one of his most impressive goals of his so-far-brief-albeit-illustrious career, marauding up the centre of the pitch to receive a cross in the box and slot home with the cool, collected, composure of a world-class striker.

At just 22 years old and at 6 feet 3 inches tall (1.91 m), Gerard Pique looks well on his way to becoming a legend at the Camp Nou. Defensively sound and extraordinarily frugal with the ball at his feet, he not only fulfils his duties as a staunch defender who does not shy away from physical contact, but also a strong contributor to his team’s attack, deftly distributing the crucial pass out of the back and, when he chooses to follow the play on the counterattack, a deadly efficient goalscorer.

Pique’s return to the Camp Nou after his developmental years at Manchester United have given the Blaugrana what one of their most important players for years to come. With Puyol slowly fading into the twilight of his career, Pique will soon be ready to take up the leadership duties at the back and provide Barca with defensive security for the foreseeable future.
But furthermore, and somewhat more interestingly, Pique’s return to the Camp Nou may have established an interesting precedent for Barcelona youth players who have taken their football elsewhere only to return home to contribute to the first team - a precedent that could see Cesc Fabregas follow in Pique’s footsteps in the very near future.

Inter Defender Marco Materazzi Snipes Back At Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Inter centre-back Marco Materazzi has reacted strongly to Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comments, which suggested the Swede was the main reason behind the Nerazzurri’s recent dominance in Italy.

‘Ibra’ was certainly instrumental in Inter securing three straight titles following his move from Juventus in 2006, but Materazzi thinks his former team-mate is not telling the whole story.

“He helped us win three Scudetti, but we were a team,” the ‘Matrix’ told reporters at the Civic Arena in Milan last night, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Homeless World Cup.

“Thank you, Ibra, for the three titles, and we’ll see you on Wednesday.”

The Beneamata fans are expected to give Ibrahimovic a hostile reception, but Materazzi would prefer a different tack.

“The thing that can hurt a person the most is indifference,” he concluded.

Barcelona Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic Deserves Inter’s Respect - Agent

Zlatan Ibrahimovic deserves respect from Inter after everything that he did for the club and should not be resented for leaving to join one of the world's biggest teams, his agent has claimed.

The Swede has been promised a heated reception when he returns to his former club in the Champions League next week.

Mino Raiola thinks that it will be unfair on Ibrahimovic, but he will have won few friends with his defence of the outspoken striker.

“I think Zlatan gave everything to Inter and did not behave badly towards the club,” Raiola told reporters in Italy.

“I thought the friction with the fans from March had been cleared up. Now he plays for Barcelona and will do everything he can to help his new team win.

“The important thing is that the crowd maintains respect for Ibra’s time in Milan, which was wonderful and successful.

“After all, he left to join a huge club and not, with all due respect, someone like Bristol City.

"Ibra is happy and so is Maxwell, who has moved from a coach who did not believe in him to someone who encourages and respects his talents.”

Barcelona Defender Maxwell Wary Of Inter Threat

European champions Barcelona travel to Italy next week to face Italian giants Inter in a much-anticipated Champions League clash, in which the ‘ex-factor’ will take centre stage.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell will come face-to-face with their former team-mates for the first time after their summer moves to the Catalans, and though the Swedish striker is doing his best to irritate the already resentful Nerazzurri supporters, the Brazilian is giving tips to new boss Pep Guardiola.

“Inter are a very solid side at the back,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“They have physical strength and are tactically prepared. We will have to give our best if we want to get a positive result, because we will face a dangerous top-level team.

“Guardiola has asked me for some tips and it’s always nice to counsel your own coach.”

Maxwell had joined the Italian champions in 2006, but struggled to hold down a regular starting shirt under Jose Mourinho last term and opted for a fresh start in Spain this summer.

Inter Winger Mancini Slams Barcelona Star Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will come face to face with his former Inter team-mates next Wednesday as Barcelona travel to Milan to kick off the defence of their Champions League crown.

And Ibrahimovic should brace himself for a hostile reception after claiming earlier this week that the Nerazzurri should be thankful for his time in Milan as “they had won nothing for 17 years.”

“He has done important things with us and won three Scudetti, but his remarks struck me as a bit provocative and exaggerated,” Brazilian midfielder Mancini reacted in the Corriere dello Sport.

“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion and we need to respect that, but it’s not like he says: Inter have existed for 100 years and had won trophies before his arrival.”

Mancini seemed on the verge of leaving the Italian champions this summer and was rumoured to be returning to his former club Roma, after finding his opportunities limited under Jose Mourinho last term.

“I spoke to Mourinho and he told me he didn’t want me to leave,” explained the 29-year-old.

“But someone from Roma did approach my agent during the last days of the transfer window.

“I now hope to have a different season than last year. I am eager to prove a point and go back to being the Mancini you all know: it’s the beginning of a new life for me.

Inter Duo Samuel Eto'o And Diego Milito Will Hurt Barcelona - Maurizio Ganz

Barcelona need no introduction to Samuel Eto'o or Jose Mourinho, but former Inter striker Maurizio Ganz has warned Pep Guardiola's men what to expect.

The two giants will battle a 90 minute conflict in the Champions League next Wednesday as they aim to take a stronghold on Group F.

Ganz, who played for Inter between 1995 and 1997, believes Samuel Eto'o will pose a serious threat to his former side.

"It will be a spectacular game full of players who know how to arouse the fans," Ganz told FCinternews.it.

"I don't think Inter are the underdogs. The Eto'o-Milito partnership will damage Barcelona."

The European champions will rely on Xavi Hernandez as their source of hope, but Ganz feels Mourinho has laid his trap.

"Inter will have to watch Barcelona's play-makers, but I think Mourinho is preparing a plan to foil them," concluded the Italian.

Maxwell Hails Andres Iniesta's Return For Barcelona

Maxwell believes that the return to full fitness of Andres Iniesta will give Barcelona a huge boost, and he was not slow to heap praise on the talented midfielder.

The Brazilian full-back has yet to play with the Blaugrana star as the Spaniard has only just overcome a muscle injury that kept him out for three months.

Now Maxwell is looking forward to playing with Iniesta because he thinks that his comeback can only be good for the treble-winning Catalan outfit.

"Iniesta's return now is important for the team because he is a unique player with so much quality," the left-back was quoted as saying by the club's official website.

"He makes everything much easier on the pitch and he decides the outcome of a game on his own.

"I think that he is still recovering his form, but he will be a pleasure to play alongside."

Barcelona travel to Getafe on Saturday having spent ten days with only a few first-team players able to train together, but Maxwell thinks that they should still do well.

"We will not look for excuses. We have a good squad and with the strength of the team we can move forward," he continued.

"The coach knows perfectly how we should play, and I do not think that the international players being away will present a problem."

Barcelona Livewire Andres Iniesta Declared Fit After 100 Days

Andres Iniesta has been given the green light to return to action after spending the entire summer recuperating from an injury.

Barcelona medics told the midfielder that he was fully fit after a round of tests on Wednesday morning saw him come through without any problems.

On May 10, Iniesta suffered a small tear in his thigh but he played through the pain to help the Blaugrana win the Champions League in Rome later that same month.

That encounter saw his condition worsen slightly and the Barca favourite has had to forego his summer holidays in order to regain his fitness.

As well as missing out on pre-season training, Iniesta was also unable to play for Spain in the Confederations Cup in June or the World Cup qualifiers that are taking place this week.

Barca have also been busy without their star as they have won the Supercopa de Espana against Athletic Club and claimed the UEFA Super Cup last month with victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco.

Iniesta will be named in Pep Guardiola's squad for the game against Getafe at the weekend, but it is unlikely that he will start.

Barcelona Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic Mooting International Retirement

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will consider retiring from international football after the World Cup finals next summer in order to focus on playing for Barcelona.

The 27-year-old is mooting the idea of making the tournament in South Africa his swansong for his country after playing more than 50 times and scoring over 20 goals.

Sweden are not yet assured of a place in the finals as they lie third in Group 1, but Ibrahimovic believes that they will make it through and give him a stage to bow out on.


"That possibility will be considered after the World Cup finals," he told Swedish reporters.

"It is important for a player of my level to play internationals, but I've been to two European Championships and two World Cups."

Having played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals, if he were to appear next summer it would complete an impressive hat-trick for the striker.

Valencia’s Juan Mata Puts Barcelona Link Behind Him

Juan Mata has intimated that he is happy at Valencia, despite Barcelona enquiring about his availability in the summer.

The Spain international was targeted by the Blaugrana as they sought a player to compete with Thierry Henry on the left side of their favoured front three.

Valencia were reported to have placed a hefty price tag on the Real Madrid youth team product, and Barca opted to end their interest.

Mata would not disclose whether he was disappointed by los Che's decision to price him out of a move, rejecting the chance to discuss what a move to Barca would have meant.

"The market is closed and to tell you the truth, I prefer to think about the present and the exciting season ahead," he told reporters in Valencia.

"I am only focused on what is waiting for me with Valencia and nothing else."

Thiago Motta: Inter Are Ready For Barcelona

Inter midfielder Thiago Motta has sent a warning shot to former employers Barcelona ahead of their Champions League showdown next week.

The Nerazzurri welcome the European champions to the San Siro next Wednesday, but a party is unlikely. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to his former home, while both Motta and Samuel Eto'o face their old colleagues. The midfielder believes his side can hold their own against Pep Guardiola's men.


"Inter will have the support of the San Siro, and we are ready to face this difficult match," Motta is quoted as saying on Puntosport.net.

"We need to be at our best in order to better them. Eto'o is our weapon, but we also have other players who can decide this game, and I am hopeful."

Motta has promised to feature, despite a minor muscular strain he picked up during the derby defeat.

"I cannot miss such an important game. I had a little set-back recently, but it seems to have gone. I will be there against Barcelona," concluded the midfielder.

Maradona Should Go And Sell Newspapers - Keita

Mali international Seydou Keita believes that Diego Maradona would do a better job selling newspapers than being head coach of Argentina, after their defeat at the weekend to Brazil.

The Barcelona star was riled by comments from the Catalan club's former star that Lionel Messi should become a man and took his chance to let the trainer know he is not a fan.

Argentina have it all to do in order to qualify for the World Cup Finals after being beaten by their arch rivals and Keita has laid the blame firmly at the feet of Maradona.




"The coach does not play the game, Maradona could do well selling newspapers, but perhaps as a coach he's no good because he does not play," he was quoted as saying by EFE.

Keita added that he would like to see Argentina make it to South Africa next summer, but only for the sake of his team-mate Messi who he believes would be a star at the tournament.

Mali are already out and Keita publicly asked the country's Football Association to allow him to join up with the squad in January for the African Cup of Nations late so he would not miss many Barca games.

Guardiola's Future At Barcelona Still Not Known

Pep Guardiola's protracted contract talks at Barcelona look set to continue with his friend and club director of external communications Manel Estiarte quoted by Sport as saying that Guardiola doesn't know if he will continue as coach.

However, Estiarte stated that Guardiola is happy in his role and is hopeful of continuing at the helm at Barca.

"Pep is very happy with what he is doing and has started this year with an amazing hope," Estiarte said.

"He does not know if he will continue next year but he hopes to."

With presidential elections due to take place at Camp Nou next season, Guardiola is reported to be seeking assurances regarding his role at the club, with Estiarte stating that there are no guarantees.

"There will be elections and no one knows who will in charge next year, all remains to be seen," he remarked.

AS, meanwhile, have reported that Guardiola is unlikely to pen a new deal during Joan Laporta's current term as president and isn't likely to do so until the elections are over.

Daniel Alves Delighted To Return To Salvador With Brazil

Barcelona and Brazil left-back Daniel Alves has spoken of his delight at returning to Salvador de Bahia with the Selecao, having begun his career at Esporte Clube Bahia in 2001.

Brazil take on second place Chile in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday knowing that they have already secured qualification for the competition in South Africa next year.



The Canarinha will be without some of their bigger names as the likes of Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Lucio are suspended while Manchester City striker Robinho is injured.

Alves feared missing the game through injury but is now likely to start and he says that he wants to play in this game at all costs.

"It's a pleasure to return to Bahia with the national team. I would never have dreamt of living this situation. I would even accept playing as goalkeeper to play in this game," said the Barca star.

Iniesta And Marquez In Barcelona Squad For Getafe Trip

Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez are set to be given the all-clear by Barcelona medical staff on Thursday and will be included in the squad for Saturday's Primera Division tie against Getafe, according to Sport.

Both players have failed to feature for Barcelona so far this season and a lack of match fitness means they will start from the substitutes bench at the Alfonso Perez Coliseum.





Iniesta hasn't played since suffering a thigh injury towards the end of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League final triumph over Manchester United in Rome last May, while Marquez hasn't featured in a competitive game in four months after a string of injuries, the latest being a left-leg calf strain.

Coach Pep Guardiola has been cautious in the handling of both players' comebacks and is still looking to bring the pair back to full first team action gradually.

While their return is a welcome boost, neither are expected to start next weeks Champions League tie against Inter at the San Siro.

Cesc Fabregas Denies Link To Barcelona Presidential Candidate Rossell

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has denied any connection to the potential presidential candidacy of Sandro Rosell at Barcelona.

Rosell is believed to be one of a number of possible candidates set to challenge current club president Joan Laporta in next year's elections, but Fabregas insists he is not involved.

"I have not spoken to anyone at the moment, there is nothing," the 22-year-old told Marca.

While he stated that his immediate focus is on Spain's World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Wednesday, Fabregas added that he doesn't know what will happen next year..

"I do not know if I will leave the Premier League next year. I am happy an it is an important year for the club. I have not spoken to anyone, if something has to happen will happen, but currently there is nothing," he stated.

The former Barca youth player confirmed that Real Madrid had shown interest in him and he claimed that although he was flattered, it was never serious.

"Two or three years ago, there was something. [Real] Madrid and its fans have always been very good to me and for that I will be forever grateful," he said.

"There has never been anything serious with another team since I joined Arsenal."

Xavi: Spain Play The Barcelona Way

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez, at a press conference, has claimed that the national side share the same football philosophy as his club.

"The philosophy is almost the same, dominate, keep possession of the ball and pass," Xavi said.


The 29-year-old midfielder is an ever-present member of Vicente Del Bosque's side and Xavi declared that it is a real pleasure to play amongst players of such quality with Spain and also with Barca.

"Their players are at a high level with a tremendous technical quality. It is a privilege and a pleasure to play on both teams."

He warned too that, despite being favourites, Spain must respect Estonia on Wednesday.

"We are favorites but nothing is done before playing. We must respect our opponent," he said before adding that Spain can seal their own fate by booking their place at the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

"We have everything in our favour to secure qualification. They goal is to qualify, then we will see what happens," he remarked.

I Am A Better Player Compared To Last Year - Barcelona's Seydou Keita

Of Barcelona's signings last summer, Seydou Keita was relatively unheralded as he joined from Sevilla, but in the last 12 months the 29-year-old believes that he is still improving as a player.

"I'm better now than I was last year, I'm more suited to the team's style of play," Keita explained to Sport.

"I always want to do more and continue learning but the truth is that if we compare my performances now to last year, I have improved."



Unfortunately for Keita, he will not be able to showcase his talents on the world's biggest stage after Mali drew with Benin in their World Cup qualifier this weekend.

Coupled with Ghana's win against Sudan, it has resulted in the Black Stars' qualification for the World Cup at the expense of the Eagles.

"Football has to be played on the pitch, we had to do more to qualify for the World Cup," the former Lens midfielder lamented.

"I would have liked to have qualified but it wasn't to be."

I Don't Know How Inter Fans Will Treat Me - Barcelona Striker Ibrahimovic

After his much-covered summer switch from Inter to Barcelona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic must return to his old club as the two European giants square off in the Champions League next week.

However, the big Swede is wary of how the Nerazzurri fans will treat him on his return.

"How will I be accepted at San Siro? Honestly I don't know, I've not thought about it," Ibrahimovic told Tuttosport.




The 27-year-old has had his run-ins with the Beneamata faithful in the past, and Ibrahimovic responded to the jeers and whistles by putting his finger to his lips. Despite this, the former Ajax man is hopeful that the fans will realise what he gave to the Nerazzurri during his spell with the club.

"I believe that the real Inter fans know what I did for the club and, above all, know that before I arrived they had not won [the league] for 17 years.

"When I arrived, we won for three consecutive years," Ibrahimovic added, not including the 2005-06 championship that was awarded to the Nerazzurri in the wake of the calciopoli scandal.

However, the Barcelona striker's immediate concern is Sweden's World Cup qualifier against Malta tomorrow night. Group 1 is still wide open, with Denmark, Hungary, Sweden and Portugal all in the running to qualify for South Africa.

Pep Guardiola Was Nearly Getafe Coach – Angel Torres

Pep Guardiola could have been preparing Getafe to face Barcelona this weekend if Angel Torres had been successful in his talks with the Catalan coach two seasons ago, the Madrid club's president has revealed.

The Blaugrana boss may have guided his side to treble success last term, but his agent held talks with Los Azulones when he was still in charge of Barca B in 2008.


Torres explained that Michael Laudrup, who was then Getafe coach, was wanted by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, and he was prepared to swap Guardiola for the Dane.

"Guardiola could have been the coach of Getafe 18 months ago," Torres told AS.

"There was a moment when Laporta wanted Michael Laudrup to take over at Barcelona, and we in fact spoke about the possibility.

"I told him that there would be no problem with him speaking to the Dane in exchange for me being able to speak to Pep Guardiola about him coming here.

"I went there and spoke with [Guardiola's] agent, on two occasions about it. Then things happened and Laporta made the decision that Guardiola would be promoted by him."

Barcelona do not have impressive track record in the Coliseum against Getafe, and Torres believes that the home side could be in line for another surprise win.

"I have a feeling that we are going to win the game 2-0. Laporta has told me in the past that he always feels nervous when he knows when Barcelona are playing here," he added.

Aliaksandr Hleb Warns Dmytro Chygrynskiy About Barcelona

Aliaksandr Hleb has warned Dmytro Chygrynskiy that he will have to learn Catalan and adapt quickly if he wants to be fully accepted by Barcelona and their fans.

The Belorusian spent one season at Camp Nou before returning to Stuttgart and is evidently bitter about the way he was treated by the European champions.

Playing only a bit-part in Pep Guardiola's first season at the helm, Hleb was often overlooked as the midfield trio and front three played at such a high level.


Failing to learn anything more than basic Spanish, Hleb felt distanced from the squad and the fans, and thinks that if he had learnt Catalan then he would have fitted in better.

Chygrynskiy joined Barca late in the transfer window and has vowed to adapt quickly, and Hleb thinks that if he does not then he will not be seen as a success.

"In Catalunya the people who live there are very patriotic and the Ukrainian will have to speak their language to be accepted fully," he told the German media.

"His exploits on the pitch do not guarantee that they will accept him."