Sevilla stun struggling Barcelona

January 6, 2010

The next round of the Copa del Rey is in sight for Sevilla after they beat Barcelona in the first tie of the fifth round. The guests from Andalucia stunned the Cup holders in the Camp Nou: 1-2.

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola made nine changes to his starting lineup compared to the first La Liga match of the year against Villarreal, last Saturday (1-1).

Jose Manuel Pinto started in the goal, while Maxwell, Thiago Alcantara and Bojan Krkic were also starters for the Catalan side. Gabriel Milito made his comeback after a serious knee injury.

After a goalless first half Sevilla broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Diego Capel scored from close-range after Diego Perotti’s cross fell to him inside the box: 0-1.

Ibrahimovic broke the offside trap racing on to Rafael Marquez’s long pass, and rounded the keeper to equalise (1-1) but the scores only remained level for two minutes.

An out-of-sorts Dmytro Chygrynskiy pulled back Capel as he dribbled into the area, conceding a penalty.

Substitute Alvaro Negredo made no mistake from the spot to put Sevilla in control ahead of next week’s second leg at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Tags: alcantara, andalucia, Barcelona, bojan krkic, camp nou, catalan side, close range, copa del rey, deadlock, diego capel, Diego Perotti, Gabriel Milito, jose manuel, Jose Manuel Pinto, knee injury, last saturday, offside trap, out of sorts, perotti, rafael marquez, Ramon Sanchez, Rey, SEVILLA, starting lineup, Thiago, Thiago Alcantara

Messi hits back at Argentina critics

December 21, 2009

Barcelona star Lionel Messi, the favourite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday, has hit back at critics in his native Argentina who are angered over his failure to translate his club form to the international stage.

The Argentine media have suggested the striker does not show the same enthusiasm when he plays for the national team as when he hits the pitch for the Catalan side, which he joined at the age of 13 as a youth team player.

“It really gets me when they say I do not feel the Albiceleste. Nothing hurts me more than when they say I am not Argentine,” he said in an interview with daily El Pais, using the Spanish name for the Argentine national team.

“It does not bother me when they call me ‘the Catalan’ but it really bugs me that they think I am not Argentine,” the 22-year-old added.

Messi clinched an extra-time winner as Barcelona beat Estudiantes 2-1 Saturday to win the Club World Cup final, the European champions’ sixth trophy of the year.

Minutes after he hit the winner for Barcelona, fans took to the streets in the Argentine province of La Plata where Estudiantes is based to protest against the player, Argentine daily newspaper Clarin reported.

The fans left insulting graffiti against Messi on walls throughout the province and chanted “Messi is no Argentine”, it said.

Messi told El Pais that the Club World Cup win was one of his best moments of the year.

“It is much better than an individual prize because it is a collective prize that makes many people happy,” he said.

Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or award for the European player of the year earlier this month, winning the prize by the biggest percentage of votes since it was created in 1956.

He joined Barcelona from Newell’s Old Boys which is based in Rosario, Argentina in 2000.

In September the player signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2016. The deal increased his buy-out clause to 250 million euros from 150 million euros.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Argentina, Argentine, Barcelona, catalan side, Clarin, club world cup, contract extension, european champions, european player of the year, extra time, fifa world player, fifa world player of the year award, international stage, La, La Plata, Lionel, lionel messi, MADRID, native argentina, old boys, Rosario, rosario argentina, spanish name, striker, team player, time winner

Inter: Sneijder back for Juventus clash

December 1, 2009

Wesley Sneijder had to pull out of Inter Milan’s last games but is expected to return for this weekend’s top match against Juventus.

Sneijder was part of the squad that travelled to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona for the Champions League (2-0 loss) but eventually wasn’t fit enough to play against the Catalan side. Afterwards, Inter boss Jose Mourinho declared that his team missed Sneijder’s input dearly. The Holland international also pulled out of last weekend’s match against Fiorentina (1-0 win).

Mourinho and Sneijder aimed for a comeback in the much anticipated Derby d’Italia against Juventus on December 5. The Nerazzurri’s medical staff stated that this isn’t a risky gamble. “Everything is on schedulte. Nothing is final, but the chance that Sneijder will play against Juventus on Saturday is very big.” Three days after the match against Juventus, Inter takes on Rubin Kazan in a crucial Champions League match.

Ricardo Quaresma will miss both games. The Portugese winger will be out of action for at least a fortnight after injuring his right knee against Fiorentina on the weekend.

The 26-year-old suffered a straining of his ligament in his knee, but will not require surgery.

Paul Haring

Tags: Barcelona, boss, camp nou, catalan side, champions league, clash, fiorentina, fortnight, Holland, holland international, inter milan, jose mourinho, juventus inter, last games, ligament, match, medical staff, Milan, Paul Haring, ricardo quaresma, risky gamble, rubin kazan, Wesley Sneijder, winger

Messi wins Ballon d’Or

December 1, 2009

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi beat last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo into second place in the poll for Europe’s footballer of the year, organized by France Football magazine.

Messi, 22, the first Argentine to win the prestigious trophy, becomes the sixth Barcelona player to take the award but the first for four years since Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

Hailed by Argentina great Diego Maradona as his successor, Messi won an unprecedented treble in Spain last season, as the Catalan side swept the Champions League, the Spanish title and the Copa Del Rey. Messi was the top scorer in last year’s Champions League with nine goals, including his superb header in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the final.

Messi, who tallied 473 of a possible 480 points, largely dominated the voting and won with a record-margin of 240 points. Real Madrid winger Ronaldo had 233 and Xavi had 170.

Messi told France Football: “Honestly, I knew that I was among the favorites because Barcelona had a fruitful year in 2009.”

“But I didn’t expect to win with such a margin. The Ballon d’Or is very important to me. All the players who won it were great players, and some great players never won it.”

“For me it’s a big honour to win. I dedicate it to my family, they were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me,” he added.

Messi will lead Argentina to next year’s World Cup in South Africa. He has recently signed a new contract with Barcelona through 2016 and has a buyout clause of 250 million euros.

Anurada Bhat

Tags: Argentina, Argentine, Barcelona, catalan side, copa del rey, cristiano ronaldo, del rey, diego maradona, Europe, footballer of the year, France, france football magazine, Lionel, Manchester, manchester united, new contract, playmaker, prestigious trophy, real madrid, record margin, ronaldinho, ronaldo, South Africa, spanish title, top scorer, treble, winger

Barca play ´a thousands times better´ than Real – Cruyff

November 27, 2009

Defending champions Barcelona play “a thousand times better” than Real Madrid, former Holland and Barcelona star Johan Cruyff said Thursday ahead of the sides much-anticipated weekend clash.

“This is not a revelation. The whole world is captivated by this way of playing, this quality, this technique,” the 62-year-old said.

But he said Barcelona had to “respect” Real, who are heading into Sunday’s “El Classico” with a one-point advantage over the Catalan side following their best league start in 17 years.

“They do not play well, but they are at the top and they have time to improve,” said Cruyff.

Despite being without injured star strikers Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Barcelona defeated Inter Milan 2-0 on Tuesday in a crucial Champions League match.

Cruyff, a three-time European footballer of the year, started his career as a teenager at Ajax before going on to enjoy huge success with Barca, whom he coached to the 1992 European Cup.

Earlier this month he replaced Pere Gratacos as coach of the Catalonia regional team in Spain.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: 17 years, Ajax, Barcelona, catalan side, champions league, el classico, european footballer of the year, footballer of the year, Holland, inter milan, johan cruyff, lionel messi, MADRID, match, pere, point advantage, real madrid, regional team, revelation, Spain, strikers, weekend clash, zlatan ibrahimovic

Barca clash to decide Real coach’s future: press

November 12, 2009

Manuel Pellegrini’s job as coach at Real Madrid is safe only until the end of the month when they are to play the ‘classico’ against arch-rivals Barcelona, press reports said on Thursday.

“Pellegrini has credit until the match at Camp Nou,” said sports daily AS two days after big-spending Real were eliminated from the Spanish Cup by third division side Alcorcon, prompting jeers from fans.

Club officials have issued the Chilean coach with an “ultimatum,” rival sports daily Marca reported, adding the outcome of the match on November 29 could decide Pellegrini’s future at the club.

Real president Florentino Perez is beginning the fear that the team on which he spent over 250 million euros (370 million dollars) over the summer, with the recruitment of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, will not bear fruit under Pellegrini, the two newspapers said.

Top-selling daily El Pais meanwhile highlighted in a lengthy article published Thursday the “tactical errors of the Madrid coach”, who the paper said spends more time “managing the dressing room than aligning the best team”.

Rival paper ABC blamed Pellegrini’s “constant rotation” of players for Real’s poor form.

Despite the absence due to injury of Ronaldo, Real is in second place in the Spanish league, one point behind defending champions Barcelona, and has a good chance of making the knockout stage of the Champions League.

But the club is vulnerable to an accident in the European competition as its group includes a resurgent Marseille, as well as AC Milan, and a defeat to Barcelona would allow the Catalan side to extend their lead over Real in the Spanish league.

In that case Pellegrini, 56, would not withstand for long the unhappiness of fans and Real officials despite his appeals for calm, Spanish media said.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, arch rivals, barca, camp nou, catalan side, club officials, dressing room, good chance, knockout stage, lengthy article, manuel pellegrini, real madrid, ronaldo, spanish cup, spanish league, spanish media, ultimatum, unhappiness

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)

Tags: ac milan, atletico madrid, best defence, carles puyol, catalan side, getafe, league home, lionel messi, Michael Laudrup, real madrid, real mallorca, real zaragoza, relegation zone, rubin kazan, spanish champions, spanish media, sporting gijon, thigh injury, Vicente Calderon

Barca midfielder Hleb loaned to Stuttgart

July 30, 2009

Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb, unhappy at being loaned to Inter Milan as part of the Samuel Eto’o-Zlatan Ibrahimovic deal, has instead secured a one year loan to Stuttgart.

The German side will pay the 28-year-old Belarus international’s estimated four million euros in its entirety, according to Barcelona.

Hleb, who joined the European and Spanish champions from Arsenal in 2008, has not travelled with the rest of the Barcelona squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, the Catalan side said Thursday.

His switch from an intended loan to Inter means the cost for Barcelona of getting Swedish striker Ibrahimovic is now put at 68 million euros: 45m for Ibrahimovic, 20m – the price Eto’o is valued at, and three million euros in place of Hleb.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Alexander, alexander hleb, arsenal, barca, Barcelona, belarus, catalan side, german side, inter milan, MADRID, midfielder, Milan, samuel eto, samuel eto o, spanish champions, stuttgart, United States, zlatan ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic Barcelona move ´completed Monday´

July 25, 2009

The transfer of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan to Barcelona is expected to be completed on Monday, Nou Camp official Txiki Begiristain said on Friday.

“There is agreement in principle between Inter and player and the documents are being prepared at the moment,” he said on the Spanish club’s web TV channel.

“The only thing missing is the actual transfer document which (Barcelona’s) financial director and managing director are currently in Milan negotiating with Inter’s representatives.

“Taking this into account, the club will do all it can to conclude the agreement quickly, and to present the player as soon as possible. It might be on Monday,” he said.

Ibrahimovic has left the club’s pre-season training camp in the United States and returned to his native Sweden.

He was the top scorer in Serie A last season and has been Inter’s best player since joining the club in 2006 when Juventus were demoted to Serie B for match-fixing.

The complex 50 million euro deal between the Italian and Spanish clubs will also see Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o switch from Barcelona and Belarusian winger Alexander Hleb to go on a season-loan to the San Siro.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eto’o will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.

The 28-year-old Eto’o, who joined the Catalan side in 2004, has a year left in his contract with Barcelona but management at the Catalans have made it clear they have had enough of him.

He was the club’s top scorer in the Spanish league last season, with 30 goals.

In Milan, meanwhile, Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola said he was on his way to Spain to continue talks with the Spanish champions.

“We haven’t yet reached an agreement. Now I’m going to Barcelona and for today it’s over,” said Raiola after emerging from a meeting in Milan with Inter and Barca representatives.

“There are no problems but we’re trying to reach the best possible solution.”

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP)

Tags: alexander hleb, Barcelona, barcelona spain, Belarusian, cameroon, catalan side, catalans, financial director, gazzetta dello sport, inter milan, Milan, native sweden, nou camp, pre season training, raiola, samuel eto, samuel eto o, San, san siro, Spain, spanish champions, spanish club, spanish clubs, spanish league, Sweden, top scorer, transfer document, United States, zlatan ibrahimovic

Football star Eto´o signs Inter Milan deal – agent

July 24, 2009

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has agreed terms on his transfer from Barcelona to Inter Milan, the Cameroon international star’s agent Jose Maria Mesalles said on Thursday.

Mesalles emerged from two hours of talks with Inter representatives to tell the waiting press that a deal had been agreed, which was later confirmed by Inter’s transfer specialist Marco Branca.

“The only problem is his loyalty bonus with Barcelona,” said Mesalles.

Eto’o is due to arrive in Milan on either Monday or Tuesday to put pen to paper.

“It was a really long negotiation but it was always conducted with respect and for that I have to thank Inter,” said Mesalles.

The agent spent three days negotiating with Inter before a deal was reached which will see Eto’o switch from Barcelona while Inter’s Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic joins the Spanish champions.

As well as Eto’o, the Catalans would pay the Italians 50 million euros and allow Belarusian winger Alexander Hleb to go on a season-loan to the San Siro.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eto’o will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.

The 28-year-old Eto’o, who joined the Catalan side in 2004, has a year left in his contract with Barcelona.

He was the club’s top scorer in the Spanish league last season, with 30 goals.

Inter president Massimo Moratti told the club’s website that the transfer was ‘nearly finalised’ and said he would not comment more until it has been completed.

But Moratti moved to deny speculation in the Italian press that Inter coach Jose Mourinho doesn’t want the Cameroon star at the club.

“That’s completely untrue, I’ve spoken with Mourinho on the telephone and he has been a part of this process all along,” said Moratti.

“As for the Ibrahimovic question, that was something that he (Mourinho) always knew might happen.

“Obviously the coach made it clear he didn’t believe the Swedish striker could go to another club but he is a big admirer of Eto’o and he is very satisfied and happy about this possibility, this exchange.”

Since then the club website also revealed that Ibrahimovic, who has injured his wrist, has left the club’s pre-season training camp in the United States and returned to his native Sweden, possibly with the view to finalising his move to Spain.

Ibrahimovic was the top scorer in Serie A last season and has been Inter’s best player since joining the club in 2006 when Juventus were demoted to Serie B for match-fixing.

But while he has often dazzled on the Serie A stage, scoring some spectacular goals, he has been much criticised for failing to produce on the biggest stages, such as the Champions League.

He has also made it clear that he is not happy at Inter’s failure to mount a serious Champions League challenge having been knocked out in the second round in each of the last three seasons, by Valencia, Liverpool and then Manchester United.

Eto’o by contrast has twice risen to the occasion on the biggest club stage of all, scoring goals in the Champions League final in both Barcelona’s last two triumphs.

He scored in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Paris in 2006 and he opened the scoring in the 2-0 success against United in Rome in May.

He is the only African player ever to score in two Champions League finals.

Meanwhile, Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said on Thursday he was looking forward to playing alongside Ibrahimovic.

“Technically he can keep whatever ball you throw at him,” Henry said. “And what I like about him is his character. For some people it is a bit too much but I don’t mind. To be a player like that you have to have it.”

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola had already admitted that it would be better if Eto’o left.

“I fully understand that people ask why. He is a wonderful player. Everyone knows there are no ‘football’ reasons. So why? It is a question of feeling,” Guardiola said earlier this week.

“I feel that it is the best for the team, for the club, but I don’t dare say that it is best for Samuel. I am very grateful to Samuel, not for this year but for the five years he has spent here.

“The coach’s job is not to change the personality of players but it is my job to decide who to work with. It’s my responsibility and I think we need to change something.”

ROME (AFP)