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.
Tags: Andres Iniesta, barca, Barcelona, carles puyol, catalans, gerard pique, joan laporta, lionel messi, Manchester, manchester united, new contract, real zaragoza, spent three, three seasons, treble, winning side, world champions, ZaragozaRelated posts
FIFA Club World Cup: Estudiantes-Barcelona preview
December 19, 2009
FIFA Club World Cup 2009 will conclude on Saturday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, when Catalonia giants Barcelona face Argentina’s Estudiantes.
The kings of Europe will play Copa Libertadores champions in the tournament finale, as has been the case in the last four years.
With Europe running out as winners in the previous meetings, Estudiantes will be looking to reverse the trend as they bid to become the fourth South American side and the first Argentinians to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
And no one knows better the size of task at hand for the El Pincha than Juan Sebastian Veron, who was a member of the Boca Juniors side that went down 4-2 to AC Milan at Japan 2007.
However, Veron is not the only one as Barcelona have also tasted defeat in the final of the competition, having played second fiddle to Internacional three years ago.
Even the presence of the likes Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto’o in their ranks could not help the Spanish giants to avoid a defeat.
The urge to claim the only trophy missing from the cabinet, is greater and the Blaugrana goal scoring machine will be ready to go all guns blazing
After an impressive display against Atlante in the semi-final the Catalans now have their eyes fixed firmly on an unprecedented sixth trophy.
Tags: ac milan, Argentina, argentinians, atlante, Barcelona, boca juniors, catalans, catalonia, club world cup, deco, Europe, fifa club world cup, finale, giants, guns, impressive display, Japan, juan sebastian veron, Milan, ronaldinho, samuel eto, samuel eto o, second fiddle, sheikh zayed stadium, South American, trophy, urge, zayed stadiumRelated posts
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
Tags: arch rivals, ballon, Barcelona, barcelona real madrid, bragging rights, busquets, camp nou, camp nou stadium, carles puyol, Casillas, catalans, daft, division soccer, favour, gustau, MADRID, messi, midfield, pellegrini, reuters, spanish first division, volley, zlatan ibrahimovicRelated posts
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
Tags: bookable offence, carles puyol, Casillas, catalans, diarra, half volley, kaka, nou camp, Primera Division, real madrid, ronaldo, take the lead, thierry henry, victor valdes, winger, xaviRelated posts
Barcelona victorious in Copa del Rey
October 29, 2009
FC Barcelona did better than arch rivals Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey match with Cultural y Deportivo Leonesa on Wednesday, beating the Segunda B side 0-2 in the first leg.
Both goals at Leon’s Municipal Reino de Leon stadium were scored by Pedro. The talented forward first netted in the 41st minute, and added a second in the 63rd.
With this result, the Catalans are with one foot in the next round, in which they were most likely to face Real Madrid. However, this remains to be seen following the latter’s 4-0 defeat at Alcorcon on Tuesday.
Valencia visited CD Alcoyano in the neighboring province of Alicante, and left with a 0-1 win in the pocket. The only goal came from Joaquin in the tenth minute.
Jonathan Roorda
Tags: alcorcon, Alicante, arch rivals, b side, Barcelona, catalans, cd alcoyano, copa del rey, fc barcelona, Joaquin, Leon, leonesa, MADRID, match, Pedro, real madrid, reino de leon, ReyRelated posts
Who will win the battle between Ibra and Eto’o?
September 15, 2009
Boy, the Champions League is back with a bang. How much juicier can you get than holders Barcelona at Inter Milan in their first game?
If the Spanish champions against their Italian counterparts wasn’t enough, we’ve got the added spice of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o playing against their former clubs at the first possible opportunity following their extraordinary close-season swap deal.
Barca midfielder Xavi has told Reuters it will still be strange to line up against Eto’o on Wednesday while Inter’s Jose Mourinho, who has had an up and down relationship with the Catalans, has been stealing the headlines as usual.
“Eto’o is the best attacker in the world. My players are always better. Last year
Ibrahimovic was the best forward in the world, now I say
Eto’o,” he told reporters.
So will Ibra come back to haunt the San Siro or will Eto’o prove that Inter are not missing him?
No one is really sure what reception the Swede will get on Wednesday.
Although he was the driving force behind Inter’s last three titles, fans were not crazy about him — especially when he clashed with a few at the end of last season when he’d made clear he wanted to move.
So fireworks expected in Milan but there are a few other tasty games such as Chelsea v Porto. And that Rome final only seems like yesterday…
PHOTO: Look they have the same celebration! REUTERS
Tags: added spice, attacker, Barcelona, catalans, champions league, counterparts, fireworks, first game, former clubs, inter milan, Jose, jose mourinho, Milan, PORTO, reuters, ROME, samuel eto, samuel eto o, San, san siro, spanish champions, swap deal, zlatan ibrahimovicRelated posts
Caceres makes Juve switch
August 7, 2009
Uruguay international Martin Caceres has joined Juventus on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Spanish club have confirmed.
The 22-year-old defender made only 13 appearances as the Catalans claimed the treble last season and has been told he does not feature in the plans of Barca coach Pep Guardiola.
The deal gives Juve first option to sign Caceres permanently at the end of the season, with Barcelona slapping a 12million euro price tag on the player’s head in a statement on the club’s official website fcbarcelona.cat, which confirmed the deal this evening.
Caceres took part in a training session with his new team-mates on Thursday and will attend Juve’s pre-season friendly against Villarreal in Salerno.
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: barca, Barcelona, catalans, Defender, fcbarcelona, first option, guardiola, martin caceres, part, pep guardiola, price tag, rajput, salerno, span, spanish club, target, team mates, training session, uruguay, VillarrealRelated posts
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 ibrahimovicRelated posts
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)
Tags: admirer, catalan side, catalans, gazzetta dello sport, inter milan, international star, italian press, italians, Jose Maria, jose mourinho, pen to paper, president massimo moratti, samuel eto o, san siro, spanish champions, spanish league, spent three, top scorer, transfer specialistRelated posts
Eto´o poised to sign Inter deal
July 23, 2009
Samuel Eto’o is on the verge of signing a deal to join Inter Milan, according to Italian press reports on Thursday.
The Cameroon striker’s agent spent a second day in talks with Inter bosses on Wednesday and emerged to say that a transaction could be completed on Thursday.
Eto’o is likely to switch from Barcelona in a swap deal that will see Inter’s Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic join the Catalans with 50 million euros, Eto’o and Alexander Hleb (on loan) moving in the other direction.
“We’ve made progress, we will see each other again (on Thursday) and I think we’ll come to an agreement with Inter,” said Jose Maria Mesalles.
“But that doesn’t mean the player will sign because it’s a pretty big deal.
“But what is sure is that Eto’o, who I’m keeping constantly informed of developments, is very happy to be joining Inter.”
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eto’o will arrive in Milan on Thursday to undertake a medical.
He will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.
According to press in Italy and Spain, Eto’o’s transfer has been delayed by a dispute with Barcelona over a five million euro loyalty bonus.
ROME (AFP)
Tags: 5 million, 50 million, AFP, Alexander, alexander hleb, Barcelona, bonus, cameroon, catalans, Gazzetta, gazzetta dello sport, inter milan, italian press, Italy, Jose Maria Mesalles, loyalty, Milan, ROME, samuel eto, samuel eto o, Spain, striker, swap deal, Sweden, ZlatanRelated posts
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