Pique set to extend Barca contract

December 21, 2009


Barcelona is keen to hold on to the key players of their current, succesful squad. Gerard Pique is next in line to extend his contract at Barca after key players like Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol already signed a new contract with the Catalans.

“Gerard Pique will be one of the next players to renew his contract,” chairman Joan Laporta told several Spanish media on Monday. “He deserves it. He is one of the best in the world in his position.”

Pique, whose current deal with Barca expires in June 2012, is poised to extend his stay with the European and Club World Champions. “I consider it a challenge to be part of this beautiful and succesful club for many years.”

22-year-old Pique began his Barca career at the age of 10 and later spent three seasons at Manchester United and one term on loan at Real Zaragoza before returning to the Catalan capital where he was a key part of last year’s treble-winning side.

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Real’s precision missiles v Barca’s extraordinary teamwork

December 11, 2009


Cristiano Ronaldo’s thunderous free kick for Real Madrid against Olympique Marseille and Barcelona’s slick passing move that led to Xavi’s equaliser away to Dynamo Kiev were given a statistical overhaul in the Spanish media on Thursday.

Under the heading “Precision missiles” in sports daily AS, Ronaldo’s net-buster was measured at 102.7kph over 33.4 metres, and reached a height of 3.70 metres before tearing past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

(I’d be interested to know the stats around Mario Balotelli’s free kick screamer that he scored for Inter Milan against Rubin Kazan).

It isn’t Ronaldo’s fastest yet, though. The first of the two freekicks he scored against FC Zurich in September was measured at 103kph.

A full diagram of the player in action, showing angles of attack, muscles and even the bones in his foot where he makes contact with the ball (the famous metatarsals and the scaphoid bone, if you ask), were used to demonstrate his “biomechanically perfect style.”

Up the road in Barcelona, they championed Lionel Messi’s more conventional free kick against Dynamo, but went overboard with the statistics on Xavi’s goal.

Mundo Deportivo described “an extraordinary team move” boasting 55 touches and 20 passes in 53 seconds, in which nine players were involved.

Only goalkeeper Victor Valdes and defender Carles Puyol, and the entire Dynamo team were complete spectators as Eric Abidal crossed for Xavi to slide in and score.

It doesn’t match Barca’s goal I wrote about on March 17th of this year, but it was still impressive.

Does this battle of statistics sum up the difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona at present? One a group of brilliant individuals, the other a brilliant team?

Real are without suspended Ronaldo in Valencia on Saturday and Barca probably won’t have Messi because of injury when city rivals Espanyol visit. I suspect Ronaldo will be missed the most.

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal against Olympique Marseille during their Champions League soccer match at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, December 8, 2009. REUTERS/Philippe Laurenson

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Barca go five clear with Xerez win

December 3, 2009


Barcelona and their new Ballon D’Or victor Lionel Messi moved five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish league with goals from Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealing a 2-0 win at Xerez on Wednesday.

Barca built on their 1-0 win over foes Real in Sunday’s ‘Clasico’ and piled more pressure on their rivals in a rearranged league fixture to accommodate their participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.

France international Henry headed the opener 58 seconds into the second half before substitute Ibrahimovic scored his ninth goal of the season with a delightful chip in the final minute.

Messi, basking in lifting the Ballon D’Or 24 hours ago, came on as a substitute and hit the post before setting up Ibrahimovic’s goal.

Champions Barca are also in league action this Saturday at Deportivo La Coruna while Real host Almeria.

The Xerez game had been brought forward due to Barca’s participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi and coach Pep Guardiola rang the changes with Ballon D’Or winner Messi, who won the award on Tuesday at a canter, starting on the substitutes’ bench.

Messi was joined by first teamers Andres Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Gerard Pique and captain Carles Puyol while Sergi Busquets was suspended following his stupid dismissal against Real.

Nevertheless there was enough quality on show with Thierry Henry, Dani Alves and Xavi, voted third in the Ballon d’Or, to test a Xerez side that had been thrashed 5-1 by Getafe last time out to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.

With key inventive players missing Barcelona struggled to create chances and it was not until the 25th minute that they looked like scoring with Frenchman Henry shooting over the bar from an acute angle.

Two set-pieces provided the best first half opportunities with Cote D’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure, who recently expressed his disappointment at not being in the first team, wasting a golden chance as the ball ricocheted off his chest to goalkeeper Renan Brito.

Barca had drawn their last three league matches but Guardiola didn’t panic with the score 0-0 at the interval and 59 seconds into the second half the breakthrough came.

Brazilian left back Maxwell broke down the flank and stood a cross up for Henry to glance a header in off the underside of the crossbar.

It was Henry’s first goal since his controversial handball helped France eliminate Ireland in the World Cup play-off and he celebrated wildly.

Xerez were frustrated at conceding so early and then had to deal with the sight of Messi warming up on the touchline.

Messi replaced Pedro Rodriguez on 55 minutes to give Barca more trickery going forward but Xerez recovered well from the goal setback and a fantastic counter attack almost provided the equaliser just after the hour mark but a poor touch from striker Mario Bermejo saw the move break down.

Xerez had only scored four goals in the league but were looking threatening and Guardiola threw on Ibrahimovic – the hero against Real with his winning volley – for Bojan Krkic.

Messi showed why his regarded as the best player on the planet with a great run and back heel to wow the crowd and set up Alves but the Brazilian’s cross was scrambled to safety.

Messi hit the post late on and Iniesta missed an unbelievable chance but they didn’t prove costly for the champions as Ibrahimovic chipped in a late second.

MADRID (AFP)

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Marquez extends Barca contract until 2012

December 1, 2009


Mexican international defender Rafa Marquez on Monday extended his contract with Barcelona until 2012, becoming the eighth player to renew with the European champions so far this season.

“I?m very happy to renew with a club where I?ve felt very wanted, where I?ve enjoyed myself and where I?ve suffered. I have to enjoy these moments, they pass very quickly,” he said after signing his new contract.

“Now I need to recover full match fitness to try and win back a place in the starting eleven, though competition is tough. I think I still have a good chance of being in the starting line-up.”

Marquez, whose contract was due to expire in June 2010, joined Barcelona in 2003 from French side Monaco.

Various injuries have restricted his appearances this season and he faces stiff competition to regain his place from the likes of Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique who put in strong performances during the club’s 1-0 league win on Sunday over arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona gave no financial details except to say that Marquez’s buy-out clause remains unchanged at 100 million euros (149 million dollars).

He joins Eric Abidal, Yaya Toure, Victor Valdes, Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi, Puyol and Andres Iniesta in renewing their contracts with Barcelona.

MADRID (AFP)

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Ibrahimovic volley gives Barcelona bragging rights

November 30, 2009


A Barcelona-Real Madrid game that veered from the brilliant to the banal, as is pretty much always the case in these contests, was settled 1-0 in favour of the Catalans by a great finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, following an even better pass from Dani Alves.

Real will go back to the capital content with their performance in all areas … apart from in front of goal. They will rue missing six or seven good chances to get something from a game that was pretty even, although that was partly to do with the sending-off of Busquets for a daft handball.

The result took Barcelona back top of La Liga but it obviously didn’t settle anything. What it did confirm is that Real have become a much tougher team to play against with all that new talent and that coach Pellegrini is on the right track. So they couldn’t get the ball off the Barcelona midfield at times? I can’t think of a single team that wouldn’t have had problems at Camp Nou against Iniesta, Xavi, Messi and the rest.

The Ballon d’Or will be announced on Tuesday and you can bet it will go to Messi, but after watching that match I was reminded that Iker Casillas and Carles Puyol deserve to be up there as well.

But what did you make of the game? And who do you think should be named Player of the Year?

PHOTO: Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts after scoring a goal during their Spanish first division soccer match against arch rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona November 29, 2009. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

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Barca edge past Real in ‘El Clasico’

November 30, 2009


Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division’s first ‘El Clasico’ of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves’ cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo – in his first ever ‘Clasico’ – shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed late on.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet.

Barca looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break.

Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry’s cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi.

Barca were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save.

Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian’s shot with a perfectly-timed block.

At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta’s low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry’s cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half.

And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block.

Madrid were certainly having their chances, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side soon found themselves behind when Ibrahimovic smashed home Alves’ looping cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Casillas no chance.

Barca’s joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets – who had already been booked – was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo’s cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level.

But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that.

His replacement, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

The France striker saw one effort blocked by the impressive Puyol and then flashed another wide moments later as Madrid looked for a way back into the game.

Raul also came on as Pellegrini rolled the dice once more in an attempt to make the most of his side’s numerical advantage.

But Barca still looked dangerous on the break and Abidal drilled an angled drive just wide of Casillas’ far post with 14 minutes left.

And Guardiola’s side should have made sure of the points with two minutes left, but Messi shot straight at Casillas from point-blank range.

Diarra was then dismissed a minute later for scything down Xavi as frustration got to Madrid, who are now two points behind leaders Barca.

Abhimanyu Rajput

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Supersub Ibrahimovic wins Clasico for 10-man Barca

November 30, 2009


Swedish supersub Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as 10-man Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in an enthralling ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou to move top of the table by two points on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who was exceptional, both started but it was Ibrahimovic, back from injury, who stole the limelight volleying in a 56th minute winner just five minutes after coming on.

“It is such a great feeling especially after just coming back from injury,” beamed Ibrahimovic. “The cross from Dani (Alves) was brilliant and I just slotted it in.”

Barca were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Busquets stupidly handballed just after the hour mark and needed some heroics from captain Carles Puyol

Real missed some clear-cut chances with Ronaldo spurning a glorious chance to put Real ahead after just 19 minutes.

“We had so many chances so I don’t think 1-0 is a fair result,” said Real captain Iker Casillas. “I don’t really care about the image we portrayed I care about winning games but the luck wasn’t with us tonight.”

It was a third successive Clasico win for Barca who are still unbeaten this season and nudge Real off the summit holding a two-point lead over their rivals.

Ronaldo started for the first time since the end of September with his ankle holding up. Karim Benzema dropped to the bench and was joined by captain Raul.

Barcelona started with Messi who shrugged off a thigh strain but Ibrahimovic was on the bench with a thigh strain of his own so Thierry Henry kept his place in attack.

It was touted as the Clasico between Real’s ‘Galacticos’, the most expensive team on the planet, and the homegrown talent of Barca’s ‘cantera’ who the most successful team on the planet last season when they won a unique treble.

Real were second best in terms of possession and Messi looked match fit as he thrust at the Real defence twisting Pepe inside out but Henry’s poor low shot ended the danger.

Barca were passing like they can do but Real were looking the more dangerous.

On 19 minutes Ronaldo should have scored after Kaka cut inside before sliding the ball across goal but Ronaldo’s side-footed shot was saved brilliantly by Victor Valdes using his trailing foot.

It was then Puyol’s turn for a heroic block to deny Marcelo on 29 minutes.

Ibrahimovic came on for Henry minutes into the second half and had an immediate impact on his Clasico debut scoring the opener five minutes after coming on.

Dani Alves curled a delightful ball across the face of goal and Ibrahimovic arrived on cue guiding a left-footed volley past Casillas.

Barca looked in control but Busquets was then sent off for handball just after the hour mark and Pep Guardiola was furious with his midfielder.

Real threw on Benzema but Barca should have made it 2-0 only for Gerard Pique to head wide.

Down to ten men Barca still attacked although Real had chances with Ronaldo heading over and Puyol producing another great block to thwart Benzema.

Real substitute Raul skied from right in front of goal while Casillas pulled off a wonder save to deny Messi at the death.

Madrid’s Lass Diarra was sent off in the closing stages for hacking down Xavi after Barca pinged the ball about like they were in training.

Earlier former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado scored his second hat-trick of the season as Getafe heaped more misery on bottom side Xerez with a 5-1 thrashing on Sunday.

Xerez took the lead but Soldado equalised on 44 minutes and then netted his second 60 seconds later from the penalty spot.

To make matters worse Xerez had David Prieto sent off for giving away the penalty.

Getafe exploited the numerical advantage scoring three times in as many minutes with Soldado wrapping up his hat-trick.

It was a second treble for the striker following his hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Racing Santander.

In other matches, Deportivo La Coruna moved level on points with Valencia in fourth thanks to a 1-0 win at Racing Santander.

Atletico Madrid are also in action later when they host Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon.

MADRID (AFP)

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Messi, Ibrahimovic in doubt for Barcelona-Real

November 26, 2009


Star strikers Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed Barcelona’s training session on Thursday and are in doubt for the club’s weekend clash at home against arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Messi, who injured his leg in a league match on Saturday, and Ibrahimovic, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, “continued their process of recuperation”, the club said in a statement posted on their website.

Sunday’s match at the at the Camp Nou comes as Real have have a one-point advantage over the reigning champions following their best league start in 17 years.

Both strikers missed Barcelona’s crucial 2-0 Champions League defeat of Inter Milan on Tuesday because of their injuries.

“It was an important game and it has given us confidence and lifted morale because we were at our best. We could have gone out of the Champions League,” Barcelona captain Carles Puyol said Thursday after the training session.

“We have great respect for Madrid. They are league leaders and that means something. They have won nearly all their games and are a difficult side. I think (the odds of) our game with them is 50-50,” he added.

Real defeated Racing Santander 1-0 on Saturday to wrestle top spot from unbeaten Barca – who drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao – and their haul of 28 points from a possible 33 represents their best start since the 1991-92 season.

MADRID (AFP)

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Stuttering Barca target response against Zaragoza

October 24, 2009


Reigning European and Spanish champions Barcelona will aim to put their first dip in form of the season behind them when they host Real Zaragoza in La Liga on Sunday.

After losing their perfect league record with a 0-0 draw at Valencia, the Catalan side suffered a shock 2-1 Champions League home defeat by relatively unknown Russians Rubin Kazan in mid-week.

The Kazan loss was Barca’s first since the end of May when they lost 1-0 at home to Osasuna having already wrapped up the league title.

“I don’t believe in positive defeats, nor that it gives us a reality check,” said coach Pep Guardiola, whose side lead Real Madrid by a point.

Real also lost at home in Europe with a 3-2 reverse against AC Milan but have the chance to go above Barcelona as they are in action first on Saturday at Sporting Gijon.

Atletico Madrid harboured aspirations to challenge Barca and Real for the title but hover a point above the relegation zone with their coach Abel Resino clinging to his job after a 4-0 mauling by Chelsea in the Champions League.

“I am not worried about my situation but the team’s situation,” explained Resino.

Former Getafe coach and Real Madrid favourite Michael Laudrup has been identified as Resino’s likely successor in the Spanish media.

Atletico host high-flying Real Mallorca, currently fifth, at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday aiming to tighten up at the back after leaking eight goals in their last two matches.

Barcelona, in contrast, have the best defence in the league but must do without Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who is out for three weeks with a thigh injury sustained against Rubin, so Carles Puyol may deputise at right-back.

Lionel Messi may be the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or but he has received criticism following some below-par displays for Argentina and Barcelona.

“He is so strong mentally,” said Guardiola. “He is the best player in the world and will continue to show that.”

Real are still waiting for their Messi equivalent, Cristiano Ronaldo, to return from an ankle injury so will turn to Brazilian Kaka for inspiration in Gijon on Saturday.

Going forward Real have been menacing but at the back they look unsure and even the ever-reliable goalkeeper Iker Casillas is having problems and was at fault for two of Milan’s goals in the 3-2 Champions League defeat.

Madrid have leaked seven goals in their last three matches and Spanish international centre-back Raul Albiol called for an improvement.

“We have to learn from our mistakes,” said Albiol. “If we can’t win games we at least have to learn not lose them.”

While the trio of Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid all lost in Europe, Sevilla made it a perfect three wins with a 3-1 triumph at Stuttgart to top their Champions League group.

Sevilla entertain Espanyol on Saturday hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Deportivo La Coruna last time out.

“Real aren’t at the same level as at the start of the season and Barcelona have dipped,” said Sevilla’s Aldo Duscher.

“This is added motivation for us to try and catch up and perhaps go past them.”

Villarreal were expected to be tussling with the top sides but are the only side without a win and prop up the standings going into Sunday’s home match with Malaga.

It has been a nightmare start for coach Ernesto Valverde, who has not won a league match since taking charge.

Malaga were challenging for the Champions League last season but have lost five out of their opening seven games to lie second from bottom, a point in front of Villarreal.

Fixtures

Saturday

Atletico Madrid v Real Mallorca (1600GMT), Sporting Gijon v Real Madrid (1800GMT), Sevilla v Espanyol (2000GMT)

Sunday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Valladolid v Deportivo La Coruna, Getafe v Athletic Bilbao, Tenerife v Xerez, Racing Santander v Osasuna, Almeria v Valencia (1700GMT), Barcelona v Real Zaragoza (1900GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

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Fabregas, Xavi among five Spanish to miss Bosnia match

October 11, 2009


Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Xavi are among five Spanish internationals who will miss their final World Cup qualifier against Bosnia on Wednesday.

Fabregas has opted out for personal reasons while Xavi is among three players to have picked up injury niggles.

Fenerbahce striker Dani Guiza was injured on Friday while Sevilla central defender Carlos Marchena picked up an injury during Spain’s 2-1 defeat of group opponents Armenia on Saturday. Xavi also picked up a knee knjury in that game.

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol’s yellow card tally is reaching dangerous levels and so he has been rested while Fabregas is out for “serious” family reasons, according to the Spanish football federation.

Spain are the current European champions and have already secured automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

MADRID (AFP)

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