Jorge Valdano 'Satisfied' With Real Madrid Performance In Barcelona Defeat

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Argentinian said his side needed a little luck against the champions
Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid (MARCA)

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said his team deserved more luck after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico at Camp Nou.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to grab the only goal of the game ten minutes into the second half to condemn Madrid to their second league defeat of the season.

"We've had the best game we've had in a long time and we had enough chances on goal, we're satisfied," he said afterwards as quoted by AS.

"It was a good match with both teams very ambitious and both had goal chances. We deserved better luck than we had.

"The team has shown great maturity in a very difficult field. We're very pleased with the performance of the players, who have taken the initiative for large parts of the game and have given a good display, but we want to win every time."

The defeat leaves Madrid two points adrift of Barca in second place in the Primera Liga after 12 games played.

Pep Guardiola Looks Immediately To Barcelona's Next Game

Barcelona won the derby and their coach wants them to win their next game


Pep Guardiola, Barcelona (MARCA)

Pep Guardiola was delighted to have beaten Real Madrid in the derby on Sunday evening but immediately looked to Barcelona's next game in midweek.

The Blaugrana boss was pragmatic when asked about how pleased he was to have won the showpiece match against the Catalan club's arch rivals and already his mind on the visit of Xerez.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the only goal of the game after coming off the bench and it was enough to put Barca back to the top of the league and earn the bragging rights.

"We won one game and that is it," he told the media after the game. "We have another test coming up immediately.

"Our ambition is to be champions and we want to win again on Wednesday."

Guardiola admitted that Madrid were impressive and asked his side some questions, but felt that Barcelona did enough in the game that saw Sergio Busquets and Lassana Diarra sent off.

"We were very strong mentally," he continued. "We showed enough character to win at home. Madrid are a very good team, there is no doubt about that.

"They had their chances and they made life difficult but we tried to maintain possession.

"I expected Madrid to be aggressive early on. They are gelling together now and I think that they played well.

"Sometimes you play better and you win sometimes you do not but you still win. With ten men we pressured and attacked and had a few chances."

Player Ratings: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid

Lass Diarra, Seydou Keita, Kaka, Sergio Ramos, Barcelona, Real Madrid (MARCA)

BARCELONA

Valdes - 7.5: Made two great stops early on and looked assured throughout as he kept Madrid out and Barcelona on course to victory.

Alves - 8: Set up the goal and showed his speed and tenacity both going forward and when tracking back to stop Madrid.

Pique - 7: Did lose Ronaldo on occasion, but overall showed why he is considered to be the first name in the centre of the Barca defence.

Puyol - 8.5: An immense display by the captain as he made three superb block tackles as different Madrid players were set to shoot.

Abidal - 7: The French full-back looks confident and strong although he was caught out on occasion.

Busquets - 4.5: No need to have been sent off as he stupidly handballed having earlier been sent off and his coach was not impressed.

Keita - 6.5: Played a withdrawn role given Madrid's tactics and was unable to press up and test Casillas and only went off after the red card.

Xavi - 7: Moved the ball about as well as making forward passes that set up chances while also trying to make bursts into the area himself.

Messi - 7.5: Evidently pinpointed by Madrid as he was hassled and clipped but still managed to twist and turn and produce some great moments of skill.

Iniesta - 7.5: Looked to create and open up the visitors' defence but often found that he had to go backwards with so little space.

Henry - 6: Was unable to help Barcelona open up the well-manned Madrid defence and he rightly made way for Ibrahimovic after the break

Subs

Ibrahimovic - 8: What more could be asked of a substitute than to go into such a high pressure game and score a stunning winner.

Toure - 6: Sent on to help protect the defence after Busquets was sent off in the second period.


REAL MADRID

Casillas - 7: A stunning save late on kept Madrid in a game that the keeper will be peeved to have lost as he had less to do than Valdes.

Sergio Ramos - 7.5: Moved forward well and ensured that Barcelona did not create much down his side in what was an encouraging display.

Pepe - 7: Worked tirelessly as he protected Casillas' goal from a team that are accustomed to scoring hatfuls at Camp Nou.

Albiol - 6.5: Both he and Pepe were solid as Barcelona had few clear chances and only one momentary lapse let the game go.

Arbeloa - 7: Committed several fouls in order to stop himself being exposed down the left in the first half before going off in the second period.

Lassana Diarra - 6: Frustration appeared to take over the French midfielder as he committed a needless foul late on to be sent off.

Alonso - 6: Creative and influential in the midfield the Spain playmaker also showed his physical side with a few crunching tackles.

Kaka - 7: Appeared to be playing at a slower pace to everyone else at times but did try to push Madrid forward when he could.

Ronaldo - 6.5: Showed some great touches and had two glorious chances to score only to see one saved and the second fly over the bar.

Marcelo - 7: Could have scored in the first half as he showed his versatility going forward as well as tracking back to support Arbeloa.

Higuain - 5: Was able to have an influence very occasionally, but overall was rarely seen and more was expected from him.

Subs

Benzema - 6: Had a good chance to level after going on and blazed over, but was sharper than Higuain.

Raul - 5.5: Had time to try one shot that was blocked although he could not help his side earn anything from the game.

Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid: Ibrahimovic Wins El Clasico For Barca

Madrid’s expensively-assembled superstars put up a good fight, but Barca have drawn first blood in the title race

Xavi, Pepe, Iker Casillas, Barcelona, Real Madrid (Getty Images)

After a deadlock in the first half, substitute Zlatan Ibahimovic became Barcelona's newest darling when he scored the only goal of the game in the 159th edition of El Clasico to bag three points to the Catalans.

Injuries and fitness issues had deprived to threaten the world’s Clasico of the biggest duel in football after reports emerged in the morning of matchday that neither Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo would start the game.

But the legions of fans and the global media were relieved to see both players in the starting XI, although the two other big guns, Ibrahimovic and Karim Benzema only started on the bench.

Barca wasted little time charging forward as Messi and Dani Alves looked to exploit Madrid’s weak left-back spot immediately, but the Brazilian wasted two early crosses as he uncharacteristically over-hit them.

Kaka launched the visitors’ first attack after four minutes when he lofted a through ball into the box but Gonzalo Higuain just couldn’t control, leaving Victor Valdes to gather easily.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first meaningful contribution was to carve up an opening on six minutes when he easily breezed past Carles Puyol down the left flank and dinked a low cross to Marcelo, who miscued his half volley and sent it well into the stands.

Minutes later, Messi danced past three players and slipped in Thierry Henry into the area down the left channel, but his tame shot was saved comfortably by Iker Casillas. Alves then sent yet another cross into empty space before Xavi pummelled in a 20 yard drive which sailed over the bar.

Ronaldo had a shooting opportunity of his own on 11 minutes as he stood over the ball for a freekick from nearly 30 yards out while deafening whistles rained down from the Camp Nou stands on 11 minutes when Ronaldo stood over the ball for a freekick from nearly 30 yards out, but his blistering effort crashed into Sergio Busquets in the wall, much to the delight of the Catalan faithful.

The best chance of the game came on 20 minutes. Kaka careened down the left, cut into the middle and squared the ball to Ronaldo, but his low drive was kick-saved by Valdes, leaving the Portuguese in disbelief. Barca’s normally flawless passing game collapsed a minute later when they lost the ball in their own half and Ronaldo’s deft backheel released Kaka, but Valdes dashed off his line to thump it clear.

The Blaugrana backline was sliced opened again on 25 minutes when Kaka teed-up an unmarked Marcelo, but Puyol lunged forward and blocked off the Brazilian’s shot.

Casillas was finally called to make his first big save of the game on 36 minutes when he tipped over Henry’s cheeky angled cross at the byline which was heading for the back of the net. The Madrid shot-stopper then dived low to save Iniesta’s left-foot drive as Barcelona looked to end the half the stronger, but both sides marched back into the dressing room even-stevens, although Los Blancos appeared the happier of the two sides with the way the contest was unfolding.

All the game needed was a goal to light the spark and Pep Guardiola decided to introduce the first of the two missing big guns as Zlatan Ibrahimovic replaced a quiet Henry after 50 minutes. And the Catalans immediately upped the tempo.

But it was again Madrid who looked the more likely to score. Barca failed to make the most of a corner and Sergio Ramos led the counterattack as he played in Higuain, who checked past one defender inside the box but Puyol again came to the rescue with a brilliant tackle just as the Argentine was about to pull the trigger.

The capital giants would pay for their profligacy as Barcelona surged infront on 55 minutes. Dani Alves drilled in an inch-perfect cross to Ibrahimovic, who stayed onside before he rifled in a masterful cushioned volley past Casillas at the back post.

But the Blaugrana were stunned on the hour mark when Busquets’ clumsy handball earned him a second yellow card and Guardiola suddenly found himself a man short. Ronaldo had another chance on 65 minutes but he thumped Marcelo’s cross over. That was his last contribution as Manuel Pellegrini made his first change, sending in Karim Benzema for ‘CR9’.

Gerard Pique almost killed off the contest in the 70th minute but hammered his header from a freekick agonisingly wide. Straight to the other end, Kaka danced his way past Alves at the byline and cut it back to Benzema, but Puyol, for the umpteenth time, made a pivotal interception to block the French striker’s close-range attempt.

Eric Abidal was next to queue up to become the hero for Barcelona when he latched onto Xavi’s through ball but pulled his shot marginally wide of Casillas’ left post. Over at the other side, Benzema almost became Madrid’s saviour when Xabi Alonso’s corner bobbled into this path, but the former Lyon man ballooned his shot from five yards out.

With two minutes left on the clock, Messi thought he had the icing on the cake. He ran onto Dani Alves’ squared ball but he was denied brilliantly by Casillas in a one-on-one. But it would be game over a minute later when Madrid’s midfield talisman, Lassana Diarra was dismissed.

It wasn't the goal rush fans around the world were expecting, as Barcelona did just enough to fight off a valiant Madrid in a fascinating encounter nonetheless.

“There is no game more important for us”

“There is no game more important for us”

Jordi Clos

Sunday's game against Real Madrid is Pep Guardiola's number one priority, but at his press conference this afternoon he refused to commit himself to playing either Ibra or Messi. Guardiola also praised Sunday's opponents' record this season.


“This game is a priority for me – there is nothing more important for us”, according to Pep, “We've prepared it very thoroughly and the line up against Kiev hasn't come into my reckoning”.

Messi and Ibra still doubtful

2009-11-28_ENTRRENO_25.JPGDespite that, Guardiola was unable to reveal whether Ibra and Messi would be playing against Madrid: “the doctors and I will decide on whether they play tomorrow, they've trained pretty well, but there are always risks with muscle injuries and they've not been back many days. We can win with Messi and without him. He's a very important player and it's better for us if he plays, but we'll have a look at him tomorrow and make our decision”.

Need to show Tuesday's ambition

Tuesday's win against Inter showed what the squad are capable of and Guardiola stressed “the players know why we won that game and we have to maintain that tone and ambition. However we can't say that just because we played well against Inter we'll win easily on Sunday. People say we are playing better and more attractively than them, but they are ahead of us in the table”.

Dangers of Madrid

2009-11-28_ENTRENO_19.JPGAs regards Madrid, Guardiola expressed clearly his respect for Pellegrini's team: “he makes controlling possession important and he wants to dominate. They are a very well organised team, they use the counter attack well to match the characteristics of their players. They've conceded just four goals on the road so far in the league and that's not a bad statistic. I've seen a lot of their games and I don't think they look bad at all – they are very good and that's why they are leaders at the moment”.

Last year is history

Guardiola also insisted that this season's game will have nothing to do with last year's meeting between the two at the Nou Camp: “that was different and we were in a better situation. I expect us to see both teams coming out to attack, I can't imagine Madrid will play for a draw – if you look at the games Barca have played against Pellegrini, you'll see he always aims to dominate . It should be a good game for the fans and we'll have to play well to win”.

Factor X

Factor X

Sandra Sarmiento

They are two players who've definitely got the X factor- Xavi and Xabi will be orchestrating their teams on Sunday night – two of Europe's very best playmakers pitting themselves head to head in El Classico.


Xavi is the player who's made the second highest number of league appearances for the club and that's a great record at a club like Barca where the demands are so great every season. Xavi is the epitome of Barca, whilst Xabi Alonso is fast becoming the link between Madrid's defence and attack after joining from Liverpool in the summer.

Guardiola's natural successor

2009-09-22_PARTIDO_12.JPGGuardiola has always been a reference point for Xavi since he joined the club when he was just 11 years old and was groomed as a natural successor in the number 4 shirt Johan Cruyff's teams depended on to organise their play. Xavi was soon spotted as a natural for the position – a player who epitomises Barca's values and lays down the philosphy and style that mark the team out as different from the rest.

Xabi's first El Classico

Xabi Alonso has won the Champions League and been in some prettyu big games, but this is his first Barca-Madrid derby. The Basque midfielder was brought into Madrid to bring some vision to their midfield, though his time at Liverpool with Rafa Benitez also served to improve his defensive abilities

First names on the team sheets

Both Xavi and Xabi Alonso have proved themselves irreplaceable for their managers so far - Xavi has started 10 games and came off the bench in the last league game against Mallorca, whilst Xabi Alonso has missed just two games through injury.

Home grown players give Barca the edge

Home grown players give Barca the edge

Sandra Sarmiento

Pep Guardiola has 10 home grown players who are regulars in his line ups, whilst Manuel Pellegrini has half that number, just 5 who've come up through the ranks.
Barca are the team who've shown most faith in their young players and half of Guardiola's squad are home grown players, whilst Madrid have just 5 players in their squad who started their football at the club.

11 players and 6.500 minutes

2009-11-07_PARTIDO_01.JPGValdés, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Pedro, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Jeffren and Fontàs have all figured for Guardiola's team this season in the league, with Valdes playing every minute, just ahead of the ever present Xavi. Barca Atletic youngster Andreu Fontàs has played least, but has made his debut this season.

Casillas ever-present

QM3D1507.jpgMadrid's five local lads are Casillas, Arbeloa, Granero (these last two signed back from Liverpool and Getafe respectively), Guti and Raúl, though only the Spain keeper has proved himself a regular with Pellegrini. Club capitán Raúl González has started just six times and Arbeola just five games.

13- 6

Of the 28 goals Barca have scored in the league so far, 13 have come from the home grown players: Messi leading the scoring with 7, Pedro's got 3, Pique's scored twice and Bojan has one goal to his name. For Madrid, six of their 26 goals have come from their local players – three from Raul, 2 from Guti and 1 from Granero.

Ibra and Messi train with the rest of the squad

Ibra and Messi train with the rest of the squad

Marc Guillén / Vanessa Forns

The squad had their penultimate training session ahead of the Madrid game this morning and Ibrahimovic and Messi were back with the rest of the group for the first time since their respective injuries.
Good news at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper, as the two front men, who both sat out Tuesday's Champions League win against Milan, played a full part in training with the rest of the squad ahead of Sunday's big game – a big step forward towards full recovery.

Thigh injuries

2009-11-28_ENTRRENO_16.JPGIbrahimovic is coming off a hamstring injury in his left thigh and Messi from a grade 1 abductor tear in his left thigh and the presence of both players in the starting 11 against Pellegrini's team is proving to be one of the big talking points in the build up to the match.

Good atmosphere and clear focus

2009-11-28_ENTRRENO_22.JPGThere was a good atmosphere in training, which began at 11-00 this morning, but also a clear focus on the job in hand on Sunday night. As with Friday's session, only the first team players were at the session, with the youngster concentrating on Barca Atletic's game against Otinyent on Saturday afternoon, and the 21-man squad included the returning Milito.

Pellegrini: "Barca are playing brilliant football"

Pellegrini: "Barca are playing brilliant football"

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini believes that Guardiola's Barca are playing brilliantly and with a lot of “naturalness”, but warned that his team also have”plenty of quality”.
Speaking at press conference the day before the game, Manuel Pellegrini insisted, “Barca will not change the way they play, they never do, but we will go to the Nou Camp to attack”.

Real Madrid are due to leave the Spanish capital for Barcelona at 19.00 on Saturday evening.

Barca more than just individuals

2009-10-03_PARTIDO_09.JPGThe Chilean coach made it clear that: “Barca are not just Xavi, Iniesta or Messi. They are a team and they play football very well and they have great players all over the pitch”. As to his opposite number, Pellegrini had plenty of praise for Guardiola: “Pep's done a great job, even though he's a young trainer and has only just begun his career”.

Ronaldo and Albiol in squad

Cristiano Ronaldo will finally be available for the game after coming back from injury this week and his manager insisted: “ Cristiano Ronaldo is an irreplaceable player”, though he refused to reveal if the Portuguese winger would play the whole 90 minutes. Pellegrini's only doubt is Raul Albiol, who will travel with the squad, with a decision set to be made as to whether he plays on Sunday itself.

Barcelona Are Almost Unbeatable - Real Madrid Legend Zinedine Zidane

The treble winners are the best on the continent, according to Zizou

Zinedine Zidane (PA)

Zinedine Zidane has no doubt who is the best team heading into El Clasico in Camp Nou as he hailed Barcelona as virtually unbeatable and added that they are the best team in Europe.

The Real Madrid legend is hopeful that his former club, with whom he now works as an ambassador, can take something from the game on Sunday, but recognised how good the Catalan outfit currently are.

Talk of Pep Guardiola's side faltering disappeared in midweek with a commanding first-half display against Italian champions Inter and that drew praise from Zidane.

Hopeful that Barca can be weakened in some way, the Frenchman believes that even without key players, the team unit means that they are no one is ever really missed.

"Playing like they do, Real Madrid nor anyone else can stop them. It is almost impossible," he told Canal Plus France.

"When their team play like that have been, regardless if [Lionel] Messi or [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic plays, Barca are the best team in Europe.

"I hope and pray that players like [Andres] Iniesta cannot play against Madrid."

It Would Be A Surprise If Barcelona Were To Thrash Real Madrid Again - Gerard Pique

Friday, November 27, 2009

The defender is not expecting a repeat of last season's historic 6-2 victory when the sides meet on Sunday

Stankovic, Pique, Barcelona, Inter (MARCA)

Gerard Pique has played down the idea that Barcelona are going to steamroll over Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Sunday, emphasising the fact that the margin of last season's victory in the Santiago Bernabeu was unique.

"Those who think we are going to score a lot of goals can forget it - it won't happen unless there is a surprise," he declared to Marca.

"Nothing can be discounted, of course, and hopefully we will be able to win handsomely, but the usual thing is that we struggle to achieve a victory. What happened last year won't be repeated in a long, long time."

While Pique recognises the fact that los Blancos have spent a lot of money on a lot of new players over the summer, he has neither hate nor envy for the club.

"Real Madrid are practically a new team and it's clear that they will go out looking to win, but that always happens in this sort of match," he said.

"I've always said that I'm not an anti-Madridista or anti-anything because this would mean that I envy them. But no. I'm in the best team in the world and I don't hate anyone. But, of course, I am a lifelong Barcelona fan and a Clasico is a Clasico."

Pique was among the goalscorers in last season's 6-2 victory, and he revealed that he would not exchange that goal or last season's trophies for anything in the world.

"It seems fashionable at the moment [to want] to change things," he mused. "But I wouldn't change anything. I wouldn't change the goal in the Bernabeu or the treble for anything because it's what I've achieved. From here, I welcome everything, but what's done is done."

I Want To End My Career At Barcelona - Andres Iniesta

The playmaker is delighted with his new contract and wants to win many more titles with the Blaugrana

Andres Iniesta celebrated his return to the Barcelona first-team by scoring in their 3-1 win over Mallorca.

It was confirmed today that Andres Iniesta has signed a contract extension with Barcelona that will keep him at the Spanish champions until 2015.

Iniesta has now expressed his delight at inking the new deal, revealing that he wants to end his career with the Blaugrana.

"It's a very special day," he enthused to Barca TV.

"I want to thank the president [Joan Laporta], the board and [technical secretary] Txiki Begiristain for continuing to have faith in me. It's one more step towards realising my dream, which is to retire here.

"I would like to end my career here, and look back and see all the titles that we have won - that's what makes us happy. I will fight for this."

Iniesta also added on his Facebook page that he hopes that the Blaugrana will continue to win as many games as possible, beginning with el Clasico.

"I don't know how many games there have been until now, but I hope that we will win as many as possible. Starting on Sunday. It will be hard, but we have been training and there are good feelings."

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career with Barcelona since signing for the club as a youth player from Albacete in 1996. He has made over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning the Champions League twice and the Primera Division on three occasions.

Real Madrid Are Playing Better Than Barcelona - Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese superstar maintains that the league table doesn't lie, and los Blancos must be respected for leading the way in the Primera Division

Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has demanded that Real Madrid be shown respect for their efforts this season ahead of Sunday's showdown with Barcelona.

The Portuguese star has spent around the last six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but is expected to feature when los Blancos travel to the Camp Nou for el Clasico.

Manuel Pellegrini's side recently overhauled the Spanish champions at the top of the table, and for Ronaldo, it shows that the capital side have been playing better than their rivals this season.

"If we are playing that badly, we shouldn't be first. But that must be respected," he stated to Marca.

"It seems that Barca are playing better but the statistics don't say that. Nothing is won without going through difficulties.

"We must work hard to achieve something. Real Madrid are playing some brilliant football, but the results are good. We must have the humility to understand that we can always improve.

"I enjoy it when Real Madrid win - I go home relaxed and I sleep well. The most important thing is to win - if we play well, even better."

Ronaldo also claimed that "I wouldn't buy anyone" from Barcelona for los Merengues, even though he recognises that they have some "very good" players.

With a wide smile on his face, the 24-year-old added that he would love to score "10 or 20 goals" against the Blaugrana, but joked, "I don't know if that will be possible."

El Clasico Preview: Barcelona - Real Madrid

Barca Back In The Groove

Whether you come from Addis Ababa or Zaragoza, you know just how much this one means. This is the big one. Two historic clubs, blood rivals - in the literal sense of the word - lock horns in a 90-minute battle that has roots that run as deep as the ideological rift of the Spanish Civil War.

While Real Madrid have been sailing smoothly, but not spectacularly, in the few weeks leading up to this clash, Barcelona have had to contend with a topsy-turvy run-in due to the injuries to their two big guns, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahiimovic, as well as claims from their critics that they are struggling to replicate last season’s dominance.

The have, however, only dropped points at Osasuna, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in what has otherwise been a perfect defence of their Primera Liga crown. And while Madrid are narrow leaders in this year’s title race, Barca are still the team to beat with a perfect home record in the league after five games at the Camp Nou.

The difference between Madrid and Barcelona became evident on Tuesday night against Inter: the champions’ undeniable ability to produce not just wins but impressive performances without their star player and joint-leading scorers, Messi and Ibrahimovic was there for all to witness and admire.

They demolished the best team in Italy midweek without the deadly duo and if you compare that to how Madrid fared against a lacklustre Milan last month, Barca’s quality appears to be on a different level entirely.

It’s not that they necessarily have a better squad than Los Merengues but the players that come in when the big names are absent possess the same fierce hunger, collective spirit and ultimately the same flawless understanding of the Barca philosophy that softens the blow of such notable absences and allows them to play the same game. Perhaps they don’t have the delectable cherry on top but the cake and the icing still taste as good as it looks.

Madrid may lead La Liga with Cristiano Ronaldo back in action but Barcelona have shown that even without their stars the can still produce the results with far greater flair than Madrid’s recent hat-trick of successive 1-0 wins.

Manuel Labour For Madrid

For the Neo-Galacticos, El Clasico is the long-awaited examination. Unable to compete with an insuperable Barcelona last season in the title race or over the two La Liga encounters, Los Blancos stole the summer headlines from Barca’s triplete-winning season as newly elected club president Florentino Perez spent a whopping €254 million in signing consecutive Ballon d’Or winners Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with a host of other world class stars in Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Esteban Granero and new coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Florentino Perez’s new superstar-ship troopers have, at times, shown their promised potential, exhibiting the kind of football that has made the Bernabeu gasp with glee. However, these moments of magic have been short-lived and infrequent and for the better part of 90-minute spells, Madrid have languished in the enigmatic realm of mediocrity.

At times, Los Blancos have even been dreadfully poor, as evidenced by their humiliatingly historic elimination from the Copa del Rey by Segunda B side Alcorcon and their dip in form has curiously corresponded with an ankle injury to Cristiano Ronaldo that kept the Portuguese winger out of action for over a month.

Now, as Madrid prepare to face their first big test of the season in the well-oiled machine that is Barcelona, they do so with many questions yet unanswered: Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from injury, but can he recover the red-hot form he enjoyed before being sidelined?

After a grey outing in their midweek Champions League match against FC Zurich, can Madrid put together the attractive football that allows them to compete with Barcelona or will they be thoroughly dominated by the Blaugrana as they were last season (and as Barca toyed with Inter in their midweek match)?

Can Madrid make the Liga pendulum swing away from Catalunya and effectively shift the balance of power back to the Spanish capital?

In the press conference after the match against Zurich, Manuel Pellegrini admitted that he and the coaching staff are worried about Madrid’s play and their lack of a brand of football. Will three days of training be enough for Pellegrini to correct the glaring weaknesses in his team’s play?

Having claimed the lead in La Liga, can Madrid open up a four-point gulf against their eternal enemies by handing Barcelona their first Liga defeat of the season?

On Sunday, these and many more questions will be answered, but the exciting quality of El Clasico is that they could be answered within the first minute of play or in the final seconds of stoppage time. One would be wise to prepare the antacid and the defibrillator for this one; drama knows no stage like El Clasico.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Nov 24
Barcelona 2-0 Inter (UEFA Champions League)

Nov 21 Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona (La Liga)

Nov 10 Barcelona 5-0 Cultural Leonesa (Copa del Rey)

Nov 7
Barcelona 4-2 Mallorca (La Liga)

Nov 4 Rubin Kazan 0-0
Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)

Real Madrid

Nov 25 Real Madrid 1-0 FC Zurich (Champions League)

Nov 21 Real Madrid 1-0 Racing Santander (La Liga)

Nov 10 Real Madrid 1-0 Alcorcon (Copa del Rey)

Nov 7 Atletico de Madrid 2-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)

Nov 3 AC Milan 1-1 Real Madrid (Champions League)

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

The big news is that Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have shaken off their respective muscular problems and began normal work-out with the rest of the squad, but there’s still no word from the Joan Gamper training ground whether they are fit to start the game, although coach, Guardiola has become well-known for keeping his first XI cards close to his chest.

Dani Alves gave his team-mates a scare when he missed out on Thursday’s session after sustaining an ankle knock against Inter in midweek but he has resumed normal training in Friday’s morning schedule. Yaya Toure is also back having shrugged off his H1N1 viral infection, but he is unlikely to start with Xavi, Busquets and Keita set to pull the strings from midfield again after a dominant midweek Champions League display.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Valdes – Dani Alves, Puyol (c), Pique, Abidal – Xavi, Keita, Busquets – Messi, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta

Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo had his first minutes back on the pitch on Wednesday against FC Zurich and while there has been no reports of recurring problems with respect to his ankle injury, it is believed that he still feels discomfort and is still well short of match fitness. It is also suspected that Pellegrini will relegate both Gonzalo Higuain and Raul to the bench, opting instead for Benzema and Ronaldo up front with Kaka in a slightly withdrawn attacking role behind the strikers.

In defence, Alvaro Arbeloa will likely be used at left-back and be charged with the nightmarish task of marking Messi - assuming the Argentine wizard is fit to play. Sergio Ramos makes his return at right-back after serving out his red card suspension last week against Racing. Raul Albiol, however, is a doubt after suffering a minor knee injury in midweek Champions League aciton and the stage seems set for Ezequiel Garay to pair with Pepe to complete the back line.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Casillas (c) – Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Garay, Arbeloa – Lass, Xabi Alonso, Marcelo – Kaka – Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona

In this game all eyes will be on the Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo firecracker, but the man that makes it all happen for Leo and his Barcelona team-mates is influential playmaker Xavi. The midfield mastermind showed the world that the Blaugrana did not miss ‘El Mesias’, or Ibrahimovic, at all in midweek against Inter as he single-handedly tore the Italians apart and his performance will be crucial if the champions are to secure a victory. Messi may not be fully fit come kick-off and in the past, it has become evident that he turns into a mere shadow of himself when he’s suffering from fatigue and lack of sharpness, but take your eyes off him for a second and he will punish you.

Real Madrid

With two consecutive Ballon d’Or winners in the squad, it will be difficult to recommend anyone else on which to fixate one’s attention. Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka showcase some of the best football on offer and it will be extraordinarily entertaining to watch how these two exceptional players are able to squeeze through the closing spaces of Barca’s quickly-tightening defensive noose. Watch for both players to try to touch the ball past the last man in defence in an effort to outrace the defender and create a one-on-one opportunity against Victor Valdes. CR9 has boasted that he will score in this match as well so expect him to try his luck from long range and from set pieces.

Andres Iniesta Pens New Barcelona Deal



Andres Iniesta has put pen-to-paper on a contract extension at Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2015 and has seen his buy-out clause rise to €200 million.

The 25-year-old playmaker has been rewarded for his performances last term in the treble-winning season with an improved deal as the Blaugrana continue to tie down their stars.

Iniesta's previous contract ran out in 2014 and included a €150 million buy-out clause, but the club were keen to see that rise and ensure that he remains with them for longer.

Barca already secured the services of Eric Abidal earlier this week for an extra season and he followed the likes of Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Yaya Toure, Lionel Messi and Pedro in extending his stay.

After being removed from Real Madrid's youth ranks by his mother for being housed too close to a red light district, Iniesta has thrived at Barcelona.

Making his first-team debut in 2002 he has become a mainstay in the team and is seen as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world for both club and country.

Real Madrid Defender Pepe Insists His Team Don't Fear Barcelona

The Portuguese international says they will show they can beat Barca at Camp Nou

Pepe, Real Madrid (Peace Cup)

Real Madrid central defender Pepe says his team will not fear Barcelona in El Clasico and also says Los Merengues are going to show that they can win at Camp Nou.

Madrid travel to Catalunya in search of just their third league win in 25 attempts but Pepe is confident that his side can collect all three points.

"We are not afraid of anyone. We will go to Barcelona to play our game, to win. We shall show that we are able to win against Barca at Camp Nou," he told Marca.

"With the players we have we can not go backwards, we must go for them, look them in the face."

The Portuguese centre back also said that in order to beat the champions on their own turf, his team must stifle the influence of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who he feels are the heartbeat of the team.

"We must be smart, be very focused. Iniesta and Xavi are very important, we must avoid letting them have time to think. They are vital to Barcelona," he added.

Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid Will Beat Barcelona 2-1

Thursday, November 26, 2009

he defender is looking forward to El Clasico, although he is wary of the quality that the Blaugrana have in their ranks

Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has confidently predicted that his side will emerge victorious when they face Barcelona in the Camp Nou on Sunday.

"I would be satisfied with a win, but I will say 2-1," he proclaimed to the club's official website.

Although he believes that los Blancos will extend their lead at the top of the Primera Division table, Ramos added that he knows Pep Guardiola's side have a lot of quality within their ranks.

"[Thierry] Henry is going through a great moment. He's very fast, has an impressive change of pace and you have to try and avoid letting him come at you with speed.

"[Andres] Iniesta is one of the best in the world. Maybe he's not considered as such because he is Spanish and because he plays for our eternal rivals, but he has been making a difference for some time. It's very difficult to do what he's doing in a club like Barcelona.

"[Lionel] Messi is also among the best in the world. Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, he has an extra gear."

While Ramos has joked about the match with some of the Blaugrana players on international duty, he insists that any friendships will be put aside when the match kicks off.

"There are always the usual jokes, but it's never anything serious - it's always like that with this healthy rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona. There are very good vibes among the team, including friendship with Xavi, Iniesta, [Carles] Puyol, who have spent many years with the national team.

"[The importance of the match is] the small difference of points. You can note the small difference that separates us now and then when the league finishes it could define the championship. It happened in the league with [Fabio] Capello, where the victory against Barcelona won us the title.

"These games can change your year and give you the calmness of having beaten Barcelona. Then you have your reward."

I Hope Cristiano Ronaldo Plays For Real Madrid Against Barcelona - Dani Alves

The Brazilian wants both teams to be at full strength. He also believes los Blancos will arrive in Catalunya with a burning desire for revenge

Dani Alves, Pedro, Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona (Getty Images)

Dani Alves hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo is able to play for Real Madrid against Barcelona to ensure that el Clasico is played by the best players on both teams.

The Portuguese has vowed to play through the pain barrier in order to experience his first taste of one of the world's biggest derbies, and for the Blaugrana defender that is good news.

"I want him to be there in Camp Nou on Sunday because in huge games like this all the best players should play," AS quoted him as saying.

"We will decide the Clasico with our domination."

Alves believes that the Madrid players who were at the club last term will still be hurt by the incredible 6-2 win that Barcelona achieved in the Santiago Bernabeu.

"If I played for Real Madrid I would be coming to Camp Nou with a great desire for revenge after that result, but I think they will also come and show respect," he continued.

"With games like the one we played against Inter, we have shown how great Barca can be.

"We were also able to show that we are not the least bit fearful of games like the one on Tuesday, despite the important players who did not play."

El Clasico Build-up: A Video On The Rivalry Between Barcelona & Real Madrid

Looking at a game like Barcelona against Real Madrid as an outsider can give a different perspective to the partisan views of fans of the two clubs.

Here Danish TV presenter Luna Christofi talks about her thoughts on the rivalry between the teams who meet on Sunday in Camp Nou.

She discusses the time when things became competitive between the superpowers, and how various players have dared to cross the divide and then had to return to the club they left.

Gerard Pique Insists Barcelona Will Beat Real Madrid

The defender says he will take any result as long as Barca win

Stankovic, Pique, Barcelona, Inter (MARCA)

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has insisted that his side will beat bitter rivals Real Madrid when they face off in El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday.

The champions go into Sunday's game trailing Madrid by a point and Pique believes that his side will beat Los Merengues to resume top spot in the league race.

"I believe in my team, who look to attack in every game we play, no matter who the opponent. If we play well it is normal for us to win. We are in the right condition to get a positive result in El Clasico," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

While he believes Barca will win Pique admits that Real are a tougher prospect this season and he is expecting a difficult game and a battle for the title.

"I think they are more solid defensively. It takes more for them to create chances but they dominate games more and play very well on the counterattack. This year will be harder to win the league because they know us more but they still are adapting," he added before saying he will take any sort of victory.

"I'm not predicting results because then they don't happen. I want to win, I do not care if it is 1-0 and we score in the last minute."

I Want To Play And Win Against Barcelona - Real Madrid Star Cristiano Ronaldo

He says he doesn't care about the score as long as Madrid win

Cristian Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Marseille (MARCA)

Talismanic Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he wants to play in and win El Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Speaking after his return to first team action in the 1-0 win over FC Zurich, after an eight week lay-off, Ronaldo admitted that he felt tired and also praised the work of the team in his absence as Madrid lead in their UEFA Champions League group and the Primera Liga.

"I'm tired because I am not yet 100 per cent. In fact, it's almost like starting from scratch but I'm sure that I can return to being the player I was before injury, scoring goals, playing good matches and helping the team," he said afterwards, as quoted by AS.

"I want to play El Clasico if I feel good, but that [if he plays or not] is the responsibility of the coach [Manuel Pellegrini]. In any event, with me or without me, the team is first in the league and in the Champions League group."

Ronaldo also added that the scoreline against Barca is not important as long as his side wins. A win would leave Madrid four points clear at the top of the league going into December.
"Good players always have to play. Today I didn't score but I hope to do in the next game. I do not mind if it's 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1. The important thing is to win," he declared.

Real Madrid Defender Pepe Calls For 'Sacrifice' From Team-Mates To Overcome Barcelona

The Portuguese defender was satisfied with the three points against Zurich

Pepe, Real Madrid (MARCA)

Real Madrid defender Pepe says his side must sacrifice to beat Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday after a lacklustre UEFA Champions League display from Los Blancos against FC Zurich.

Madrid beat the Swiss outfit at the Bernabeu thanks to a Gonzalo Higuain goal midway through the first half and Pepe feels that the win was the most important thing on the night and also feels that his side must move on and prepare for Barca.

"They [Zurich] have come to defend but the important thing is we won and now we have to rest for the next match," he said, according to AS.

"It's an important game [against Barcelona], we are very motivated and with sacrifice we can win there."

Pepe also said that he was glad to see his Portuguese team-mate back in action as Cristiano Ronaldo made his comeback after an eight week lay-off with an ankle injury.

"I see him with a lot of hunger. He's very important for this Sunday and he can help us win," Pepe noted.

Gabriel Milito In Barcelona Club World Cup Squad

The Argentinian is set to return after over a year and a half out

Gabriel Milito, Barcelona

Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito is set to finally return to competitive action after 20 months out of football at the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, according to Goal.com Spain.

The 29-year-old Argentinian has not played for the Blaugrana since damaging ligaments in his right knee in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester United in 2008.

Milito featured in a friendly against Bolivian outfit Bolivar last week as he continues his recovery. After months recovering from surgery, his recuperation work began in February of this year and Barca have been extremely careful to bring the player back slowly and avoid any further relapse of the career threatening injury.

Ruben Mino and Jonathan dos Santos are added from Luis Enrique's B team.

The squad in full for the Club World Cup is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Valdes, Pinto, Ruben Mino.

Defenders: Alves, Pique, Marquez, Puyol, Chygrynskiy, Milito, Maxwell, Abidal

Midfielders: Xavi, Iniesta, Keita, Busquets, Toure, Jonathan dos Santos.

Forwards: Ibrahimovic, Messi, Henry, Pedro, Bojan, Jeffren.

Barcelona's first involvement in the tournament will be a semi-final tie on December 16.

Joan Laporta & Eric Abidal Delighted With Barcelona Contract Extension

The Frenchman was tied down to an improved deal earlier on Tuesday, and both the player and the club president are pleased that negotiations have been successfully completed

Barcelona's Eric Ebidal tussles with Athletic Bilbao's Susaeta during the Spanish Supercup
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has explained his pleasure at signing a new deal with the Blaugrana.

"I'm doing really well here in Barcelona," he enthused.

"This club is the best in the world and the longer I'm here, the better."

Blaugrana president Joan Laporta was equally happy with the positive outcome from the talks. He praised the defender's attitude off the pitch as well as his quality on it.

"It's an honour to have a player like Abidal at Barca," Laporta explained.

"We are a club who have players with an excellent human quality."

Abidal has recently overcome the H1N1 virus and is expected to take his place in Barcelona's starting XI when they take on Real Madrid in el Clasico on Sunday.

Eric Abidal Pens New Barcelona Deal

The defender has agreed to an extra season and more money at Camp Nou

Abidal, Salgado, Barcelona-Real Madrid (Marca)
Abidal, Salgado, Barcelona-Real Madrid (Marca)

Eric Abidal has put pen-to-paper on a new deal at Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2012 as coach Pep Guardiola looks to tie down his key players.

The club's official website states that the French full-back signed the new agreement the day after helping the Blaugrana to an impressive Champions League win against Inter in Camp Nou.

With his previous contract running until the end of next season, Abidal was keen to add at least another year and after negotiations with technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, a deal was reached.

While his buy-out clause has remained at €90 million, the French international, who recovered from the H1N1 virus this week, saw his salary increase.

Barca have worked on trying to secure the services of several of their first-choice stars in recent months and Abidal is the sixth player to pen a new deal.

Victor Valdes, Pedro, Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi and Yaya Toure have all reached agreements with the club after being key members of last term's treble-winning squad.

Abidal joined Barcelona in the summer of 2007 from Olympique Lyonnais and competed with Sylvinho in his first two seasons at the club before Maxwell joined from Inter this summer.

Barça-Inter: did you know...?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Barça-Inter: did you know...?

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça and Inter Milan go head to head on Tuesday evening in the Camp Nou. Here are some of the facts and figures that may influence that match.


- Barça have never lost two European home games in a row.

Mendietainter.jpg- This will be the second time Inter Milan has visited the Camp Nou for a Champions League match. In the 2002-03 season they lost here 3-0 in the group stage. However, in the 50’s and 60’s the teams met here twice in the Fairs Cup, with one victory apiece.

- There are six players still active for Barça and Inter Milan who took part in that last meeting on 26th February 2003: Xavi, Puyol and Motta (/now Inter) for Barça, and Toldo, Córdoba and Zanetti for Inter.

- Barça haven’t come up against an Italian club since 2006, when they defeated AC Milan in the CL semi-finals to reach the Paris Final against Arsenal.

- Maxwell and Ibrahimovic moved from Inter Milan to Barça in the summer while Samuel Eto’o went the other way. The Inter squad also includes former Barça players Motta and Quaresma while manager Jose Mourinho was on the Barça coaching staff from 1996 to 2000.

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a key contribution to Inter’s last three league title winning seasons in Italy, scoring 57 goals in 88 Serie A matches from 2006 to 2009.

- Samuel Eto’o had a fantastic goal scoring record with FC Barcelona. Between 2004 and 2009 he scored 130goals in 199 competitive matches. In addition he opened the scoring in Barça’s two recent Champions League finals in Paris and Rome.

web_4.jpg- The duels between Mourinho and Barça have become classics of the Champions League in the 21st century. As boss of Chelsea, he successfully guided his team through the R16 (2004/05), was knocked out in another (2005/06) and came out strong from the double duel in the group stage 2006/07.

-The nerve jangling 1-2 win against Kiev broke Inter’s poor run of eight Champions League games without a win.

- Barça is, by a wide margin, the leading team in the Champions League in terms of possession: 52 minutes per match ahead of Manchester United with 35.

- Ibrahimovic has had more shots on goal than any other player in the tournament (11).

- Walter Samuel, Chivu and Maicon are one card away from a suspension.

- Inter is looking for the club’s 150th win in European competition.

Laporta proud of the club's youngsters

Laporta proud of the club's youngsters

Jaume Marcet

President Joan Laporta stressed the importance of the values the club's youth teams represent the “excellent image they project of this club”, during the annual photo session for all the academy teams.


From the very youngest players to the Barca Athletic team and including the four women's teams, the club's 17 youth and children's teams posed for the official 2009-10 photo session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

Directors and executives present

2009-11-23_PRESENTACION_FUTBOL_BASE_020.jpgAs well as the players and their coaches, President Laporta and Sporting Vice-president Rafael Yuste, Barça Atlètic President Jacint Borràs, Txiki Begiristain, academy teams director José Ramon Alexanko and football director Raúl Sanllehí were also present for the photo session.


Speeches from Laporta and Àlex Corredera


2009-11-23_PRESENTACION_FUTBOL_BASE_012.jpgInfantil A midfielder Àlex Corredera spoke on behalf of all the young players and stressed: “the pride which is involved in wearing the Barca shirt, for all that it implies not just in the sporting arena, but for the whole of our country”.

Joan Laporta defined the youth team structure as: “teh expression of our footballing identity - a set of young players who serve as a reference point for the whole of the footballing world”. Speaking directly to the young players, Laporta reminded them of the importance of their behaviour: “we are proud of you because you give a great image of the club – you are an example to us all”.

Messi and Ibra train at the Nou Camp

Messi and Ibra train at the Nou Camp

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Messi and Ibrahimovic trained with the rest of the squad at the Nou Camp on Monday night and form part of the 19-man squad for the game.


Barca had a 15-minute open training session at the Nou Camp before the whole squad moved onto the Hotel Florida where they will stay the night and remain up until just before kick off time.The injured Abidal, Touré and Milito,as well as the cup tied Chygrinskiy, were the only players not on the bus to the hotel.

Guardiola sweats on Ibra and Messi

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_18.jpgLeo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came out onto the pitch after the rest of the players and both trained apart from the rest of the group. Both have niggling injuries and their presence in the starting line up will be in doubt until Tuesday - Guardiola insisting that he'll not choose whether to play them until the last moment.

Márquez Okay

On the plus side, Rafa Marquez trained with the rest of the players after having missed the trip to Bilbao at the weekend. It's been confirmed that he doesn't have swine flu and was able to rejoin the full squad for training.

Abidal back with squad on Tuesday

Both Touré and Abidal do have swine flu, though the Frenchman is likely to join the rest of the squad for Tuesday lunchtime training once his isolation period is over.

Two youngsters

The two youngster who were called into the squad for the Bilbao game -Andreu Fontàs and Jonathan dos Santos are again in the squad for the Inter Milan match.

Guardiola has blind faith in team

Guardiola has blind faith in team

Jordi Clos

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola was unable to confirm if Ibra and Messi will be fit in time for the Inter clash but insisted that whoever plays, Barça will be up to the task.


Just 24 hours ahead of Barça v Inter, it seems that all eyes are on the injury problems of Ibrahimovic and Messi. However, at this evening’s press conference, Pep Guardiola declined to clarify the situation: “We won’t know until tomorrow. We’re doing everything possible to get them ready. The doctors haven’t promised me anything, nor ruled anything out”. However, whatever happens, he’s convinced the team will respond: “I don’t now if Ibra and Messi will be there, but we’ll play. They’re very important but if it can’t be then others will take their place. Remember that everything we’ve done we’ve done together”.

A message for the fans

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_31.JPGGuardiola spoke directly to the fans: “If they’re nervous when they come they’ll see that they’ll be excited after 5 or 10 minutes. The important thing is us. If we generate good sensations the fans will help us”. As for the return of former Barça striker Samuel Eto’o to the Camp Nou: “We have marvellous fans and he’ll get the reception he deserves – which is great”.

Inter a great team

The Cameroon striker is the main attraction of an Inter Milan side Guardiola defined as: “A great team. They’re leaders of the Italian league, with the most prestigious manager of the moment, who changes systems a lot during the match. They’re all internationals so it’s a very strong team”. Given the strength of Inter Milan Guardiola isn’t ruling out an attacking approach: “Their virtue is that they can play every way possible”. One thing is for sure; Barça will definitely take the game to the Italian champions: “Whatever happens in Kazan, we will try to win the match. There’s no other way to play here”.

A difficult group

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_08.JPGIf Rubin beat Dynamo Kiev, Barça will have no room for error. Even so, Guardiola is staying calm: “There are two matchdays left. We have to get four points and I think we can. The squad’s strong. When I saw the group I thought that it would be decided in the last two matchdays”.

Iniesta: “The fans intimidate the opponents”

Iniesta: “The fans intimidate the opponents”

Edgar Fornós

The Barça midfielder is convinced the fans will be vital in the match against Inter: “The fans intimidate the opponents. The Camp Nou fans have always been behind us and that’s vital to win the three points”.
On Tuesday evening, Barça have their Champions League future at stake against Inter Milan and Iniesta believes the fans will have a big influence on the match. “When we’ve needed them, the fans have always been behind us. I understand that the team may have generated the odd doubt about whether we will qualify but I’m convinced they’ll give us their full support and they will be key to getting a good result. Playing in a packed Camp Nou is uncomfortable for the opponents”.

Up for the challenge

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_32.JPGIniesta assured reporters that Barça is up to the task of beating Inter, claiming first place in the group and qualifying for the next round: “We’re completely focussed on this match. We know that if we win we will have taken an almost definite step in qualifying for the R16 and a win against Inter would give us a boost ahead of our upcoming commitments”.

“Every day I try to be better”

Iniesta has been training hard to regain full fitness after the injuries he suffered at the end of last season: “Every day I try to do better. I’m training flat out to try and get match fitness and above all consistency. That’s so important for all footballers. I hope things work out well”.

With or without Messi

Whether or not Messi plays, Iniesta is certain of one thing: “A win is the only valid result. If Messi can play then great but if he isn’t fit there are other players who will also give 100% to win the match. There’s no other option”.

Ibra and Eto'o in the spotlight

Ibra and Eto'o in the spotlight

Jordi Clos

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o will both be playing against their former team-mates on Tuesday evening and will undoubtedly be the focus of much of the attention.


They featured in the biggest player swap of the summer and on Tuesday they will have to line up against the team that gave them so much success in recent seasons. Barça v Inter will be very special for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though the Swedish striker is still an injury doubt. Meanwhile, Samuel Eto'o returns to the Camp Nou determined to do what he knows best – score.

All eyes on Ibra

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_18.JPGIbrahimovic has missed the last two games due to a leg injury. Tests on Sunday showed that the problem has improved and on Monday he worked hard with one of the fitness coaches, together with Leo Messi. As of Monday evening he remains doubtful and a decision will be taken before the match.



The return of Eto'o

2009-11-23_ENTRENO_INTER_14.JPGEto'o hasn’t waited long to return to the Camp Nou, this time on the opposing side. Six months to the day since his last match in the stadium, Eto’o was back on the pitch for a training session at 5.30 pm. He spent a long time saying hello to a host of old friends.

Gallery - Youth team on Presentasion (24.11.2009) 11:26

24.11.2009 11:26

Youth team

Presentation