First up, Athletic Club Bilbao

22.00 Canal + and R@dio Barça: Barça must forget about their match against Milan, to refocus on the League, and the important game against Bielsa’s team, if they want to continue to aspire to the title
Barca, with the only doubt about the still injured Adriano, are seeking to go eleven consecutive games without defeat

Anna Segura

03/31/2012 10:55

Three days after the tough match at the San Siro, FC Barcelona will receive Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou (22.00 Canal + and R@dio Barça) with the objective of maintaining the form of recent weeks that has allowed Guardiola’s side to close the gap with Real Madrid  from 10 points to 6. With the return of the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Milan in the background, the players should focus exclusively on the crucial game against the Basques if they want to continue their League title aspirations.

Spanish League Preview, Week 27 

There are some big games in La Liga this weekend, with Athletic Club, fresh from setting Europe alight with their win at Old Trafford, facing Osasuna in Pamplona and two of the other teams fighting for European places, Málaga and Levante meeting at La Rosaleda 

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  Puyol and Thiago against Racing Santander / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

La Liga teams really made their mark in Europe this week -as if Barça’s demolition of Bayer
wasn’t enough, all three Europa Cup teams won, with Athletic Club grabbing the headlines
thanks to their defeat of Manchester United and Valencia and Atlético Madrid also getting good results.

Second derby in a week for Athletic Club

Sunday sees Athletic Club’s second derby game in a week, when they travel to Pamplona to
play Osasuna who lie seventh just two points and two places behind them. Osasuna’s ex-Barça
utility man Damia explained: “there’s a really intense rivalry between Bilbao and us. It’s a good
feeling though and these are the games you want to play. If we can win, we’ll consolidate our
position in the European places, everyone knows our aim is to stay up, but it’s exciting to be
fighting at the other end too”. His captain Patxi Puñal reckons: “Bilbao gave an exhibition in
Manchester. They’ll come here full of confidence, but we are at home and we are doing well
here”.

Good week for Valencia….so far

Valencia have enjoyed a good week, putting an end to their poor league run last weekend by
beating Granada and defeating PSV 4-2 in the Europa League on Thursday, but although they
are still in third place, they are only five points clear and will be looking to build on the week’s
success when Mallorca come to the Mestalla on Sunday ahead of their trips to Eindhoven and
Athletic Club next week.

Atlético look to progress

Atletico Madrid scored three great goals against Beskitas on Thursday night – and none of
them by Falcao!- as Salvia(2) and Adrian demonstrated the fire power that Simeone has at his
disposal and with four of the five teams immediately above them playing each other, three
points this Sunday from the visit of struggling Granada, could catapult them back into the
fight for the fourth Champions League spot. Two of those four, Levante and Malaga play on
Saturday and a win for the hosts would send them into that fourth place – for 24 hours at
least. However, Malaga winger Joaquim warned: “it won’t be easy, they are a strong team and
if they get ahead, it’s hard to catch them. They are full of experienced players, they know what
they are doing and they are where they are thanks to their own effort”.

Zaragoza’s problems”in their heads”

At the bottom, Zaragoza travel to Donosti after last weekend’s morale lifting win against
Villarreal. Zaragoza boss Manolo Jimenez insists his team’s problems are “in their heads, just
psychological – I’m trying to convince them that they can play at a high level”. Sporting have
an equally motivating boss in Javier Clemente of course, and for the visit to Gijón of Sevilla on
Saturday there will be further inspiration for the players, as the Sporting board have decided
to drop ticket prices to ensure a full house to get behind the team. Villarreal are the side the
bottom three have to catch and they host Getafe in Monday night’s game.

In the weekend’s other games, Real Madrid travel to Betis on Saturday night with Benzema still
a doubt, whilst at noon on Sunday, Espanyol, who’ve lost their last two matches at home, host
Rayo, who have won their last three games on the road to overtake Espanyol in the table.

The Azulgrana Roundup, Week 7

On this week's Azulgrana Roundup: 'AMC's' Don Draper and Josep Guardiola, why Andrés Iniesta is the best midfielder in the world, why young Cristian Tello doesn't go unnoticed, and of course, opinions on Lionel Messi's historic five-goal performance in the Champions League

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  Lionel Messi

After Barça's stellar performance in the Champions League the worldwide press was ablaze with praise for the Catalan side. While the 7-1 scoreline, Messi's five-goal performance, or Keita's brilliant strike took the headlines, the Azulgrana Roundup will attempt to bring you a couple of pieces that might have slipped through the cracks. If you have any suggestions for this column, please tweet them to FC Barcelona's Twitter account, remember to tag your tweet with #FCBroundup.

Twelve Point Sports. Pep Guardiola: A Mad Man

An essay examining the parallels between Don Draper from AMC's 'Mad Men' and FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola

The Guardian. Sid Lowe. Lionel Messi now bears comparison with Diego Maradona

The hand as an icon of a game played with the feet: from 1986 and the symbol of Diego Maradona, Argentina's greatest talent in a generation, in any generation, to the almost mystical symbol of FC Barcelona's greatest nights. A manita, a goal for every finger: the 5-0 against Real Madrid with Johan Cruyff the player in 1974; the 5-0 against Madrid with Johan Cruyff the manager of the Dream Team in 1994; the 5-0 with Leo Messi leading the Team That's Better Than The Dream Team in 2010.”

New York Times. Rob Hughes. A Little Magic in Nicosia, a Lot More in Barcelona

Little Leo scored five goals in Barcelona’s 7-1 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen. “It’s nice,” he said, “to score five.” Nice? It’s downright outrageous. Messi chipped goals with his right foot and left. He drew three defenders and then waltzed away from them, the ball still in his possession until he once more released it into the net.

QQ.com. 巴萨绝代搭档如绿茵法拉利 掏8000万也别想挖 [The pair (Xavi and Iniesta) are a Ferrari on the pitch, don’t even think about taking Xavi to another team, even if 80 million is offered] [Chinese]

腾讯体育讯 作为皇马(微博 数据) 球迷的费尔南多-阿隆索来到诺坎普观战巴萨VS希洪，目睹了与自己身高相仿的哈维(微博 数据) 与伊涅斯塔(微博 数据) 两个小个子共同领衔主演的一堂足球技术教学课。如果说作为两届F1年度冠军与法拉利结合是赛车界的钻石级结合，那巴萨双核无疑便是足球场上王冠，宏伟的艺术雕塑，划时代的杰作。

[A Real Madrid supporter, Fernando Alonso, came to the Camp Nou to watch the Barça v Sporting match, and he enjoyed the football show put on by Xavi and Iniesta. If we say the connection between Fernando Alonso and Ferrari is perfection in Formula 1, than Xavi and Iniesta are a work of art on the pitch.]

Bild.de. Phillip Arens. Fußall-Gott Messi [Messi the Football God] [German] 

His five goals humiliated Leverkusen, a mere sparring for Barça. Leo is a joy for any football fan.

El Confidencial. José Manuel García. El mejor equipo del mundo posee la mejor cantera del mundo [The best team in the world have the best youth academy in the world] [Spanish]

La nómina de canteranos azulgrana no la dispone nadie. Veintiún jugadores salidos de las parideras de La Masia, casi dos equipos para montar un lienzo de Velázquez, una multinacional del fútbol, que eleva a este equipo, Fútbol Club Barcelona, a lo más alto de la pirámide mundial. Nadie recuerda semejante logro.


ICONS.com. Andrés Iniesta: The World’s Best Midfielder 

Iniesta’s brilliance lies in the apparent ease with which goes about his job. Everything he does on the pitch looks natural, and his virtuosity brings out the very best in his teammates. Barcelona manager Guardiola has handed him greater responsibility since taking charge in 2008. The unparalleled success that has followed is no coincidence.

The Telegraph. Oliver Pickup. The next Lionel Messi: who is Barcelona’s forgotten Champions League hero Cristian Tello?

In the latest swirl of Messi-mania, Tello's superb European debut on Wednesday night is in danger of being lost; a mere forgotten footnote among the thousands in the career of the greatest player ever to have kicked a football.


EUMD. Barca 2012-13 (II): Montoya y Bartra [Spanish]

La decisión de ascender hasta cinco canteranos de golpe al primer equipo tiene un componente que va más allá de la evaluación individual. Se trata también de una decisión de vestuario, de renovar desde dentro. De inyectar ilusión y entusiasmo al grupo, ante los nuevos retos que se le presentan.  

Xavi Skills 2011-2012

Fc barcelona vs leverkusen 7-1

Pedro: “I don't know what to say about Messi anymore”

After the Argentinian's five-goal display against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7-1), Pedro said that “he bests himself in every game” 

  “We created a lot of goalscoring chances"

“The most important thing is that we have him for many years to come”

Pedro cracked a smile when he was asked about Leo Messi. “We’re running out of adjectives to describe him. I don’t know what to say anymore about Messi. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play with him. We have the best player in the world playing alongside us. He bests himself in every game. He a magnificent person and player,” said Pedro on Barça TV’s El Marcador. “The most important thing is that we have him for many years to come,” said Pedro, who also indicated that he doesn’t know how many games Messi will need to beat César’s Club all-time high goalscoring record. 

“Tremendous job” against Bayer 04 

Beyond Messi’s exhibition last night, Pedro recognised that the whole team did a “tremendous job” against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7-1). “We created a lot of goalscoring chances, we played the ball well and we earned a great result,” he said. This victory “leaves us feeling pretty good ahead of our upcoming matches.” 

“I’m doing well physically”

On his personal performance, Pedro lamented the chances he had but didn’t capitalise on: “I left the wings to other players, but I felt comfortable. It’s a shame that I wasn’t able to score, because I had a lot of chances. The most important thing is that the team won, goals only give you confidence.” Pedro said that he’s on track to regaining his best form: “Injuries affect you a bit and later it’s difficult to break into the team, but I’m on my best form. I’m doing pretty well physically.”

Keita hosts young Mali compatriots 

Before Thursday’s training session, Seydou Keita hosted a group of adopted children from Mali and their families at the Ciutat Esportiva  

                                                                 

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  Keita with Mali children and their families. Photo: MIGUEL RUIZ / FCB

The FC Barcelona Foundation brought together Keita and a group of children from Mali that have been adopted by Catalonian families. The boys and girls, all between one and five, visited the Ciutat Esportiva with their parents and were able to meet and take photos with the Barça midfielder. Keita was able to spend some time with the visitors as well as give them Club merchandising and autographs. 

The families are all part of Fretanissô, a family adoption association in Africa, founded in 2008, which attempts to strengthen the bonds between adopted children and their country of origin.

Xavi: “We feel strong” 

The Catalan midfielder reckons the team are “putting in a great season” and after last night’s qualification for the Champions League quarter finals “we feel strong and dominant”  

                                                                

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  PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB

Xavi reflected on last night's amazing 7-1 win and claimed : "we are showing that we really are at  a high level. We are feeling good, happy with the way we are playing and enjoying our performances" Asked whether the team feel invincible, Xavi replied: "we never feel that we are  unbeatable. We feel strong and dominant, because we are creating chances and enjoying long periods of possession. That helps to make us feel secure in our game, but we aren't invincible - we are 10 points off the leaders in the league".

"Messi is incomparable"

Xavi was subbed when the scores stood at 3-0 and Messi had already got his hat trick, but still had two more to score and he believes the Argentinean is "the best player in the world- maybe the best of all times. Football is moving on, but he stays the same. He deserves the admiration of any sportsman. He is incomparable, a one-off. There is no other player who can make such a difference  - he'll break all the records".

Barça-Madrid in the final?

With the team through to the quarter finals, Xavi was asked about the possibility of a final against Real Madrid: "that's just a hypothetical possibility. There's the draw and many games to play before that – and Madrid still have to play their second leg game".

Satisfied with his own form

Xavi also expressed his satisfaction with his own form: "I'm happy with my season so far – not just for my goals, but also because I've been involved in a lot of games and only had a few slight injuries. I'm in good form and helping the team". Xavi has played 36 games so far this campaign and scored 12 goals – just two short of his all time best for the Club.

Rosell: “For me there is no comparison. Messi is the best ever”      

I still feel that discussions on whether Messi is the best player in the history of the sport or not, if he can be compared to other players... for me there are no comparisons. He is the best player ever. I don’t think we’ll ever see another player like him. Like Guardiola said, let’s enjoy him because he’s incredible, he stratospheric,” saidPresident Sandro Rosell this Thursday morning during a Global Sports Forum session. “He’s the best player in the world, for Barcelona and for Argentina.”

Sabella anecdote 

The FC Barcelona President recounted his experience with Argentina’s national manager, Alejandro Sabella, during this Wednesday’s match in the presidential box. “When I saw him before the match I said, ‘Hey, boss! What are you doing here?’ He responded that he came to watch the lads play. I then told him to focus on Barça’s number 10. ‘I think he’s pretty good,’ I said. ‘I imagine that you’re still not sure if you’re going to name him to your team, right?’ I asked. He said yes, he still had doubts. At half time, when Messi already had two goals, I asked him, ‘how’s the decision coming along?’ ‘I still have doubts,’ he said. Obviously we were joking around.”

Rosell also highlighted the team’s effort last night: “Messi is a spectacular player, he has other spectacular players around him that help him be spectacular. It’s a pleasure to watch this team.”

Options to cover for Messi, Busquets and Abidal

Barça are missing some crucial players for the match at home to Sporting, and here we look at the options available to Guardiola as replacements

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  Messi on the bench at the Reyno de Navarra. PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB.
  

Barça have already played several games this season without Messi, Busquets or Abidal, the first of whom is suspended this weekend, while the other two  are injured. The Argentinian has not started 6 matches, Busquets has missed 14, and the French defender has been out for 9. The following are the different options available as cover.

It must be remembered that one of the usual choices to take over from Messi, Thiago, is having problems with his tibia, and is also in doubt for the game against Sporting.

LEO MESSI

COMPETITION	MATCH	SUBSTIT.
League	R.Sociedad-FCB	Cesc
Champions	FCB-BATE	Rafinha
Cup	Hospitalet-FCB	Cesc
Cup	FCB-Hospitalet	Cesc
Cup	FCB-Osasuna	Cuenca
Cup	Osasuna-FCB	Pedro

SERGIO BUSQUETS

COMPETITION	MATCH	SUBST.
League	FCB-Racing	Thiago
League	FCB-Sevilla	Keita
League	FCB-Zaragoza	Keita
League	FCB-Rayo	Keita
League	FCB-R.Sociedad	Dos Santos
League	Osasuna-FCB	Mascherano
Champions	BATE-FCB	Keita
Champions	FCB-BATE	Dos Santos
Supercup Spa	Madrid-FCB	Keita
Supercup Eur	FCB-Porto	Keita
Cup	Hospitalet-FCB	Keita
Cup	Osasuna-FCB	Mascherano
Cup	FCB-València	Thiago
World Cup	FCB-Al Saad	Keita

ÉRIC ABIDAL

COMPETITION	match	SUBST.
League	R.Sociedad-FCB	Adriano
League	FCB-Racing	Maxwell
League	FCB-Zaragoza	Maxwell
League	FCB-R.Sociedad	Adriano
Champions	FCB-BATE	Maxwell
Cup	Hospitalet-FCB	Maxwell
Cup	FCB-Hospitalet	Piqué
Cup	FCB-Osasuna	Piqué
Cup	Osasuna-FCB	Adriano