12 Points Clear

We are now leading Real Madrid by 12 points. FC Barcelona beat Real Madrid last night at the Camp Nou, 2-0, with two late goals from Eto'o and Messi. The win is a big step for us closer to the Liga title even if there's still a lot of games to be played. Even if Real Madrid had a good game, it's still a bad sign for them, because they it was their 4th loss in 5 league games and may drop to &th palce if Atletico de Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna win their respective games tonight. Another problem for them, actually it's Juande Ramos' problem, is not only Barca increased their lead against them, also Valencia, and maybe Villareal and Sevilla too if the win tonight.

Barca's new task is to defeat and have some revenge to Villareal, revenge because they beat us last season both home and away. Like us, Villareal, as of writing, has suffered only one defeat, against Real Vallodolid, 0-3. Hope we win next Sunday's match and our rivals to lose points so we can extend our lead and have a happy holidays. This, maybe, is my last post for he year so I wanna greet you guys,


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!!!

El Clasico Preview:Predictions

It's the biggest match of the season in Spain this weekend and it's fair to say that El Clásico this year is about a lot more than just on the pitch events. Barcelona are undoubtedly the in-form side in La Liga and whilst Real Madrid appeared to be bracing themselves for a humiliating defeat this time last week, with former coach Bernd Schuster saying victory was impossible, the dynamics appeared to have changed. Most significantly, Los Blancos have done a swift change around in the dug out, with Juande Ramos coming in to replace Schuster on Tuesday. It is not yet known how this shock move will affect the ailing defending champions but there is no doubt that it has thrown a spanner in the works. Along with the appointment of Ramos, Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has admitted that the growing pressure on his side does worry him. Laporta said the fact that everyone expects them to win heavily is concerning, and he hopes his players manage to keep their feet on the ground. Whatever happens it is sure to be a thrilling contest and with just a few days to go before the big kick-off, the Goal.com Spanish football team reveal who they think will come out on top, and how they expect the game to unfold.

THE PREDICTIONS

Barcelona 3-0 Real Madrid: Real Madrid might have a new coach but at the end of the day they haven't got any new players and are up against the form side in Spain, if not Europe. Barcelona simply blew Valencia away last weekend and whilst Juande Ramos might be able to instil some confidence in the Madrid team he won't have enough time to help them get anything other than a respectable loss, maybe... -- James Walker-Roberts

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid: As Bernd Schuster said, winning at the Camp Nou is "impossible". I don't feel that Real Madrid can win on Saturday but I don't subscribe to the idea that they would be mauled by Barcelona. It's arguably the biggest match on the planet and the Real players should know how to sustain some pride. Although it is tempting to suggest that Barca would win it, I would rather opt for a scoring draw, a 2-2, as Real are certain to concede. -- Subhankar Mondal

Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid: Juande Ramos' arrival has meant that Real Madrid will go into the game with a slightly different outlook, but Barcelona will not and when they are on song at home then they have been unbeatable this season. The game could hinge on an early goal with frustration growing if Pep Guardiola's side do not score qucikly, but the strength of the hosts, the injuries and suspensions of the visitors and a baying home crowd will see Barça come out on top. Madrid will make it more difficult than perhaps it would have been under Schuster but they were not outstanding against Zenit and the nerves are clearly still there and will be tested by a hyped up Blaugrana side. - Lucas Brown

Barcelona 4-1 Real Madrid: Despite the arrival of Juande Ramos, Barcelona will win the match at a canter becuase Real Madrid cannot defend. Cannavaro is showing his age, as is Michel Salgado, while Marcelo is fast becoming a terrible liability at left back. Diarra is out so will be unable to screen the back four and as for Iker Casillas, he is argubly going through the difficult period of form in his career. On the flip side, no side in Europe have scored more goals than the Blaugrana. It is impossible to see any other result than a potentially title-clinching victory for Pep Guardiola's side. -- Paul Macdonald

Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid: While past history has shown us that current form is often irrelevant ahead of El Clasico, it is hard to remember a time when there was such a gaping gulf between the two sides. At the moment, Real Madrid are the embodiment of Murphy's Law: whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time, and in the worst possible way. The "new manager" effect can not be entirely dismissed, but Barca are still smarting from the guard of honour they had to form before their bitter rivals last year, and that should be enough to inspire them on to another famous "manita." -- Arjun Miglani

Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid: Juande Ramos brings to the table something Schuster could not: tactical prowess. Barça have been scoring at will this season and the new Madrid manager is well aware of it. He will adjust his formation accordingly in an effort to challenge Messi, Eto'o, Alves, Henry, and Xavi to find the space necessary to work. The strategic change will not be enough, but the massacre would be worse in a classic Schuster formation. Robben's pace and dribbling ability will be sorely missed in relieving the pressure on the Merengue defence. -- Cyrus C. Malek

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid: If you told me six days ago that Real Madrid would get walloped by Barcelona at the Camp Nou, I would have believed you. But after the turn of events on Tuesday and after watching Madrid's game against Zenit on Wednesday, not anymore.This is a very different Madrid side under Juande. Ofcourse, he would not have had much time to make drastic improvements but all he needed to do was make a few tweaks. You could see in Schuster's final few games that he and the players were simply trying too hard. But against Zenit, Madrid looked so effortless and imperious. They defended cohesively, they attacked with purpose and they moved the ball around with confidence. Obviously, Barca will still be the rampant Barca but Los Blancos stand a better chance of getting at least a draw now than they did a week ago. -- KS Leong

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: A new coach often brings a sense of liberation and determination that can make a team feel invincible in the short-term. Real Madrid were outstanding against a jaded Zenit side, and even though it was Barcelona's second string that lost at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, they broke their unbeaten streak at the worst possible time. Though the injuries and suspensions for los Blancos will make matters difficult, the dogged defending Juande Ramos has drilled into them already could see them pinch the unlikeliest of victories... -- Sulmaan Ahmad

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid: Those who know about the Clasico know that it's always different. Form and tactics rarely matter, and it's purely down to motivation and passion. Still, Madrid are in a slump due to the plague of injuries and abscences, whereas Barca are going through their best patch of form over the past three years. It will be a close fought battle by two very brave sides. All the factors are in Barca's favor, but they rarely matter. -- Feras Saad

Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid: With so much at stake Real Madrid are likely to play a cagey game: this, coupled with the "new manager bounce" should see them able to pick up a point. That said it's very likely that Barcelona will dominate possession and chances. -- Ewan Macdonald

courtesy:goal.com

My Prediction:

I think the outcome of the match is 3-0 for Barca, with 2 goals from Eto'o and and a goal from Messi or Henry. Even if we lost our unbeaten streak last Tuesday, we all know that second-string players and reserves played.

I know that Real Madrid have a new coach, and just recently beat Zenit St. Petersburg, but they have a bad form on Liga and of course even if they said that they feel no pressure because the pressure is on us the 98, 000 fans inside the Camp Nou will make them feel pressure and fright.

Btw I would take any score as long as Barca wins. Hope we win.

El Clasico Preview:Key Battles

There's more to El Clasico than just a game of football. It is a match comprised of multiple battles between the Castellano and Catalan culture. Tempers run high and passion dominates the field of play. This encounter will be no different, as each player will have a counter-part on the pitch, which is destined to produce a marvel of footballing showdowns.

Samuel Eto'o vs Fabio Cannavaro
Arguably the best striker in the world comes against one of the best defenders of modern day football. This games means more to Eto'o than a mere three points; it's pulling one over his former club.Cannavaro has strict instructions to stay back and use his vast experience to stop Eto'o from finding the net - doing whatever it takes.

Xavi Hernandez vs Fernando Gago
Gago is out to prove that he is more than just "The New Redondo". His job will be to close down Xavi and stop him from creating any chances and dictating the midfield. Impossible? Think again, as Gago completely overshadowed the Spanish mastermind the last time these two sides met. A lot has changed since then though, and this one could turn out to be very interesting...
Iker Casillas vs Leo Messi
The clash of the titans, without a word of doubt. Messi is likely to crack through Madrid's defence, and the only man standing in his way will be Iker Casillas. The Madrid goalkeeper has the harder job this time; he'll be jumping from corner to corner and rushing forward in an attempt to keep his net squeaky clean. The winner of this showdown could very well be the winner of the game.

Gonzalo Higuain vs Rafael Marquez
Rafa Marquez has to do everything to stop "Pipita". Higuain's pace can be devastating when he's on the break, and his low, powerful drives are rarely off target. Marquez will have the upper-hand in the air, but will be given a throbbing headache by Higuain when the ball is on the ground.

Guti vs Yaya Toure
The towering defensive midfielder is a monster when he wants to be. Guti can be a handful to deal with though, as his through balls are very tricky to anticipate. Toure has already won the physical battle, but the tactical victory is up for grabs.

Sergio Ramos vs Barca Fans
98,000 vs 1. The die-hard Barca fans, known as the cules, have always had an unexplained hatred toward the young Madrid stopper. Last year, they booed him whenever he had the ball and gave him an absolute nightmare when he surged forward. It will be hard for Ramos, who has the already lost the battle in terms of numbers. Still, if Ramos manages to at least find the net, he'll be the one taking the spoils home; regardless of what the end result turns out to be.

Feras Saad, Goal.com

Pick Your Choice

Barca will meet either Chelsea, Arsenal, Inter or Lyon on the first knock-out round of the CL. It's because the other four teams in the pot 2 are Sporting, whom we met at the group stage, so they can't meet us. The other three our Real Madrid, Villareal and Atletico which are also from Spain so not them also. I fancy facing Arsenal, not just because it'll be a rematch of Paris 2006, but i'll be also Henry, Hleb and Sylvinho against their former team. And we can also see Cesc Fabregas in action at Camp Nou. But in terms of progressing to the next round I'd pick Lyon, because of the four teams they are not as strong, eventhough Inter has a bad reputation in European competition.

The draw will be on December 19, 2008. The first leg will take place on February 24/25, 2009, while thr returning leg will be on March 10/11, 2009.

Is This For Real?

Am I dreaming? I can't believe that Barca is performing like this. Earlier in the season, some said that we will still have the same season like last year, no trophies, the "crisis" will continue. After we started winning some said that we can't big teams. But come on we beat Atletico, 6-1, Sevilla, 0-3, and just this Saturday, Valenicia, 4-0. Now the only thing we need is to thrash Real Madrid. Although we are almost assured of three points because they are injury-struck and obviously their confidence are very low. We are already through to the next stage in the CL, as we won our group, and the match against Shakhtar tonight is just formality. As Pep rested 8 first team players, and try to give a chance for our second-string players and four reserves. We are also through to next round of Copa del Rey, unlike Real, which we are going to meet Atletico, who are the only threat remaining.

This team is really different last season. Obviously Rijkaard, Ronaldinho and Deco are gone. With Pep, Hleb and Dani Alves replacing them. But just the chemistry in our matches, the team spirit is also very high and so as the team confidence. And one more thing we are performing very much better than last term.

It's nice to be back. And it's good to see that Joan Laporta is doing some charity event in that MÉS project with Nike, and ACNUR (UNHCR).

Still Lucky in Europe

Lady luck is still in our side when it comes to Champions League draws. We were paired in Group C with Sporting Lisbon, Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Basel. I'm not underestimating them but come on, with the likes of Juventus (paired with Real Madrid in group H), Roma (paired with Chelsea in group A) and Bayern Munich (paired with Lyon in group F) who were at pot 2, we're lucky to be with Sporting. In pot 3, we're fortunate to dodge opponents like Celtic, Fenerbahce, and Zenit. Although we got one of the strongest at pot 4, with Fiorentina the other, I think we will still cruise to win this group. For the results of the draw here is the list:


Group A:
Chelsea
Roma
Bordeaux
Cluj

Group B:
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis

Group C:
Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D:
Liverpool
PSV Eindhoven
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Group E:
Manchester United
Villareal
Celtic
Aalborg BK

Group F:
Olympique Lyonnais
Bayern Munich
Steaua Bucaresti
Fiorentina

Group G:
Arsenal
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kyiv

Group H:
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit St. Petersburg
BATE

This Guy Pisses Me Off

This Felipe Melo (right) guy is pissing me off. First he said that Lionel Messi should play basketball instead of football because he doesn't obey football rules. He's just jealous because Messi is 1000x better than he is. And if Messi does play basketball, I think he will still be a superstar, but if he play any other sport i think he would not excel. Then he is claiming that Barcelona and Real Madrid were interested at him. He just snubbed them for Fiorentina because he wants to play in Italy. Come on stop your illusions, delusions and hallucinations your just bitter that Barca crushed your team at the Artemio Franchi Memorial. And now he is begging the Brazilian national team for a cap, honestly he is good but there are lots of better Brazilian midfielders than him so I would say he won't get any (sounds like I'm also bitter). This guy is good in disrespecting others.

For those who don't him he played at Almeria last season.

From R10 to LM10

The squad numbers for the new season has been released. Messi, Bojan, and Milito will have new their new numbers. Messi will now wear number ten, previously wore by Ronaldinho. Bojan got number 11, that was vacated by Zambrotta and Milito will now wear the number he asked, 18.

The new members got their numbers. Caceres is number 2, Pique got 3 (which was vacated by Milito), Keita will wear number 15, Alves will have number 20, and lastly Hleb got the number 21. Marc Crosas, who may leave for Celtic anytime, still has his number last season, which is 26.

The B team player who are doing preseason with the first team also got their numbers, Pedro, Busquets, Victor Sanchez, Victor Vazquez and Jeffren will wear numbers 27-31 respectively. For the rest of the numbers, here is the list:

1. Valdés

2. Martín Cáceres

3. Piqué

4. Márquez

5. Puyol

6. Xavi

7. Gudjohnsen

8. A. Iniesta

9. Eto’o

10. Messi

11. Bojan

13. Pinto

14. Henry

15. Keita

16. Sylvinho

18. Milito

20. Alves

21. Hleb

22. Abidal

24. Touré

25. Jorquera

26. Marc Crosas

27. Pedro

28. Sergi Busquets

29. V. Sánchez

30. V. Vázquez

31. Jeffren

Oleguer's Goodbye Letter

"When I arrived at the Camp Nou I saw one of my greatest dreams come true. From an early age I dreamed of wearing the Barça shirt; I used to imagine the Camp Nou at full capacity and me playing for the league title, surrounded by magnificent players, and helping win by scoring one, two or three goals. Obviously not everything is possible, but what had only been a dream a few years before, became reality on the 13th of November 2002: to play for Barça and be able to celebrate with everyone involved in Barcelona the teams successes.I arrived without much fuss, with a desire to learn and give my very best in order for the dream to continue. Aware of my faults and virtues, but above all bearing in mind that what allowed me to play in this team was the desire to do well and the feeling that makes you give your all on the pitch. We all know that there are days when things go well and others not so well but the will to improve and the effort have been inseparable companions along the way. A few years in which I have enjoyed unforgettable experiences, like the title-winning celebrations on the streets of Barcelona and the Camp Nou, or winning the Champion’s League in Paris. But these moments would mean nothing without the little details that go along with them: the signs of joy, the support, and the warmth of the people, the complicity with my team-mates, the jokes, the hugs and above all knowing that each title has been the culmination of a years work, the team and the fans together.Thank-you to all those who shared these experiences with me, without them it would not have been possible.I’ve tried to show myself as I am. I’ve tried to act professionally coherent with my ideas. I’ve never enjoyed being the centre of attention for the press but this is not why I refuse to express my feelings. We all have our own and it is good to be able to express them and talk about them freely and respectfully in order to understand others and put ourselves in their skin. I think it is the best way to move towards a tolerant society.My declarations have often been used to create problems, they have tried to read between the lines with things I haven’t said and misinterpreted others out of context. Throughout these years I have merely expressed my will to improve the society in which we live, still full of injustices, inequality and problems to be solved.Thank you to all those who made an effort to understand and respect me, whether they agreed with me or not.I say goodbye therefore with a letter, without making a noise, just as I arrived. I am going to Amsterdam to live a new experience and I hope to enjoy the minutes I haven’t had recently and help my new team to success. I think now is the time to do so and a good opportunity to experience other cultures, other languages, a new club, new team-mates…Definitively, a good way to continue growing in every way.Therefore, it only remains to say that I will be among the millions of anonymous heads who celebrate my dream teams’ victories together. Thank you for everything."

Oleguer may not be remembered as one of blaugrana's brightest stars, but definitely as a true cule and Catalan.

Pure Genius

This is not a news article or rumor about Barca, but this about a Barca fan who has full of talents. I was browsing barca-related blogs until I found hers, and got mesmerized by her talent to draw (using water colour). For more of her drawings visit her site.

Oleguer is Leaving

Oleguer is leaving FC Barcelona (finally!). The rumor was confirmed after Ajax Amsterdam and Barca agrred to a fee worth 3 million euros + 2,25 million euros variables depending on Ajax's qualification for the Champions League for the next three seasons. I'm sure a lot of Barca fans will be happy with the news, but let us not forget that he was also a key member for the 2005 Liga, and the 2006 double. The news said he was recommended by ex-Barca manager Frank Rijkaard to the new Ajax coach, Marco van Basten. According also to some sources, his former Barca teammates Gabri (Ajax) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyennord) also did some recommendation.

In other news, Henrique Adriano Buss has comleted his 8 million euro (+2 million variables) move from Brazilian club Palmeiras to Barca. He already completed his medicals, where he met Xavi, Carles Puyol, and Andres Iniesta (who reported for their first day of pre season after given extended holiday due to their appearance at Euro 08 for the Champions, Spain), he signed for Five years, but will spend the first year on loan to German club Bayer Leverkusen for him to adapt to European football and lifestyle

Thank You Ronnie!!!

After His departure to AC Milan for 21 million euros + 4 million variables here's what Ronaldinho can say about his stay at Barca:

"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the fans of Barça. I have always felt their affection. I was very happy in Barcelona because the people always gave me great feelings. I always felt these sensations on my path, and they gave me strength at all times. I enjoyed playing football for Barça and I loved the enjoyment of the fans. I felt close to the people of FC Barcelona, who have always shown me their affection. I remain with the dream of one day being able to say goodbye at Camp Nou."I am going to a great club, but with a sense of loss for having left a place where I was happy, in which we shared not just triumphs but, above all, emotions as well. Brazilians also play football to make people happy: that was a goal of mine and I'm glad to have succeeded."Also, I want to express my thanks for the support I received from each of the players with whom I shared a dressing room. For me it was an honour to play alongside footballers of both high professional quality but also of humility. We had a great group, and each member contributed to its success. No one player wins anything along. I owe thanks to my companions and the club for the individual trophies that I've won at this stage - it was especially gratifying to win the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player award. I thank you because here I experienced some of the best years of my life."I don't wish to forget the coaches, the masseurs, the doctors, the club workers, and the employees because they were also a part of our triumph. I give extensive thanks to the club directors who have supported me, and the press members who were alongside me for those long years."I am left with the best moments of an exceptional spell. There were many, many of them. I loved living happily in Barcelona and with Barcelona. I keep in my heart all the affection. Football is a game, it's a fiesta, it's a sport that gives joy and spreads joy. We need to play football with a smile. That's something we understand. Thank you for smiling with me."

Ronaldinho stayed at Barca for 5 years and won major trophies, such as two Primera Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups, the 2006 Champions League with the club during that time, and lifting the solo awards of the Ballon d'Or, the FIFA World Player of the Year (twice each), European Footballer of the Year, FIFPro World Player of the Year (twice), UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, UEFA Club Best Forward, EFE Trophy for Best Ibero-American player in Spain, and the Liga's Best Foreigner prize (twice) on an individual level.

Who's Next to be Promoted?

Who do you think will follow the footsteps of Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Lionel Messi, and Bojan to be promoted from the B team and a regular for the first team. We all know that young prodigies Gai Assulin and Thiago Alcantara will spend at least another year for the reserves. The list of the reserves that Pep included for the pre-season are:

• David Corcoles, 23, right back (former Valencia B)
  
• Abraham, 22, midfielder
• Sergi Busquets, 19, midfielder (son of former Barca keeper Carles Busquets)
• Victor Sanchez, 20, midfielder
• Victor Vazquez, 21, forward
• Jeffren, 20, left winger
• Pedrito,20, right winger

I wonder why Gai and Thiago aren't there. Maybe they are too young, by the way, not all of them can have the privelige that Messi and Bojan had, being promoted on an early age. Hope that they won't follow the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida, Gerard Pique (although he's back), and recently Marc Valiente who left for Sevilla Atletico (Keita and Alves' replacement, lol).

La Liga Fixtures for 2008-09 season

The fixtures for the 2008-09 season has been released, which will start on August 30 & 31 and will conclude on May 30 & 31. Barca start of with the newly promoted C.D. Numancia at Los Pajaritos, while rounding it of with Deportivo La Coruna in Riazor. El Clasico will be on December 13/14 at the Camp Nou and April 25/26 at the Bernabeu. The Barcelona Derby will be on September 27/28 and February 21/22 at the Montjuic and Camp Nou respectively Schedules for Rounds 13-16 and 32-35 will be tough as we get on Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid and Villareal in the same order.

For the full schedule, click here.

The Transfers So Far

Alright, as of now we've had four new players arrived ( Keita, Pique, Caceres and Alves) and six players departed to other teams ( Edmilson, Giovani, Zambrotta, Thuram, Ezquerro and Deco). We are maybe just days away until Aliaksandr Hleb signs for Barcelona from Arsenal FC and Henrique from Palmeiras, who maybe loaned out to another European team. Others who may join us are Thiago Neves (Fluminense), Dmitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spartak Moscow). While the others that may leave are Eidur Gudjohnsen (?), Ronaldinho (Milan/Manchester City/Chelsea) and Samuel Eto'o (?). Others unwanted at the Camp Nou are Marc Crosas, who just returned after a loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais, and maybe Oleguer (at least by fans) who had an injury-struck season.

The projected signings that maybe over are: Andrei Arshavin, after two bids were rejected by Zenit St. Petersburg; David Villa and David Silva, after the new Valencia President insisted that they are not for sale; Hernanes, Sao Paulo still insist that they will only let him for 25 Million Euros.

And by the way I hope the "crisis" that our club faces will be over sooner rather than later.

Transfer and transfers

All right, we have two signings so far, Seydou Keita (Sevilla) and Gerard Pique (Manchester United). i think both of the signings are great, but I can't wait to see if Daniel Alves wearing the blaugrana strip (hope it'll happen). Then just earlier, I read about Inter and Barca discussing about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's transfer(pictured) and striking a verbal agreement with Arsenal's Aleksandar Hleb. Man I'm so excited. I think both will be expensive, especially Ibra, but the news said that Barca will only pursue Ibra if Samuel Eto'o is included in the package. Roma is also in talks with Barca offering the player they can't re-sign, Mancini, for Eric Abidal. I think we should just ignore this offer, because we need Abidal than Mancini. But I think not all news are great, because I've read that we will re-sign Jose Manuel Pinto, but I think it's better than re-signing Jorquera (although he already signed a new deal). Oh damn! Uncle Joan, Txiki and Pep please hurry up we need to sign Alves. And welcome to Seydou Keita, and to Gerard Pique, welcome back!

Rijkaard Replaced by Pep

Oh thank God!Finally the board of directors finally realized that Franky's magic are gone. And we need a new brain to make new plays. And I think they made a great choice for picking Josep "Pep" Guardiola. He may do not have any first team coaching experience but look what he has done for our B team. On his first coaching job he led Barca B to the top of its regional group in La Tercera and may have a quick come back in La Segunda B if things go well in Segunda B playoffs. So, should I say, adios Frank! and bienvenido Pep!

Another Trophy-less Season

As of now, while I'm typing this, I am very disappointed, because we are having another season without a damn trophy. Right now were sitting 3rd on La Primera, 14 huge points behind the leaders, Real Madrid and 4 points behind Villareal CF. We lost to the Valencia on the semis of Copa del Rey few months ago. And just last night we lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford to blew our chance in going to the finals at Moscow. I think each season were getting worse, unless Uncle Joan and Uncle Txiki realize that Franky's plays are not working anymore and that we need to sell players like Deco (he's getting old), Ronaldinho (to earn big cash for buying new players), Ezquerro (we pay him to sit on the bench), Edmilson (we pay him to get hurt), Oleguer (we pay him to do nthing), Thuram (he's old), and of course the no good kkeper Victor Valdes (we pay him to do mistakes). And then buy players like Philipp. Lahm (young and one of the better full backs, previously stated his desire to play for Barca), Daniel Alves (one of the best full backs), Diego Capel (young and upcoming star), Christian Poulsen (rock solid at mifield a good competition for Yaya), Fabricio Coloccini (looks like Carles and Gabi, also a good competition at CB), Marco Amelia (one of the better GK, way better than that mediocre Valdes), Daniel Guiza (a good competition for Sammy at CF) and of course why not promote Pep to be the coach of the first team and bring some Barca alumnis such as Luis Enrique to join him at the dugout. We need young minds, fresh ideas. That' all for now.

Lucky in Europe

Wow! That's all I can say after the draw for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Wanna know why? Beacause I thnk this was draw we ever had in European competetions. In the first knockout round we drew Celtic FC of Scotland, they are a good team (especially at home) but still not in Barca's league. Then at the QF of the CL we drew FC Schalke 04 from Germany, not that tough but still shouldn't be underestimated. But come the semis we will be facing Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of Manchester United or if AS Roma can manage to defeat the men from the Old Trafford just like what they have done to the patheic Real Madrid in the the first knockout round. I think after the draw, except us Chelsea also had another good draw after being paired with the Turkish team Fenerbahce SK (also had a good year after faacing Olympiacos in the previous round). The remaining tie is a tough one between the young Arsenal team and the men from Anfield, Liverpool, although they are both led by two Spaniards, Cesc Fabregas for the former and Fernando Torres for the latter, I'll be cheering fot the gunners because Cesc is a Catalan, unlike Torres who is from Madrid.

Once Again, It's Eight

I am very disappointed because once again we trail Real Madrid by eight points, after two consecutive losses from Atletico de Madrid at the Calderon (4-2), and the home defeat against Villareal CF (1-2). And to add insult to injury our gap to the third placed Villareal is cut down to a mere four points. What the hell is happening to us? According to the legendary Johan Cruijff, we lack fighting spirit, especially our stars, some says we are still hurting from Lionel Messi's injury. After I was surprised on how fast we closed the gap to two points, I was more surprised on how fast we've stumbled. The $1, 000, 000 question is who is to blame? The players? The coaching staff? Frank Rijkaard? Messi's injury? Joan Laporta got the answer to that, he said to an interview that all were to blame for the recent results. Not just Rijkaard, the players, coaching staff and especially not Messi's injury, he even threw himself to the blame list. Anyway, the season is not yet over, we are already in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and a win to go for a place in the Copa del Rey final in the Bernabeu, which Real Madrid are not (eliminated by Roma in CL and Mallorca in the Copa).

Mourinho to Barca?

Back in December many of the cules want to replace Frank Rijkaard with Jose Mourinho as the coach of our beloved team, but the board especially our president, Joan Laporta, and our Director for Football, Aitor "Txiki" Beguiristain insisted that they still support Frankie and he's here to stay at least until Laporta's term end. Luckily for us and for Frankie, Barca's performing very well as of late, yet still even if we already reduced the gap from 9 points to 2, many blaugrana fans still want Mourinho. My say to this, ust like what Barca legend Hristo Stoichkov said, Rijkaard is the best manager for Barca. Why? Hristo Stoichov said that in 108 years of Barca it only won 2 European Club Champions' Cup (Champions' League) and the Rijkaard was on the bench when we won the second, we are still on the race for the La Liga, on the Semi-finals of the Copa del Rey (eventhough I was so disappointed that we've only manage a draw against Valencia in the first leg at Camp Nou, after we trashed them at Mestalla earlier in the season), an don the drver's seat on our Champions' League tie with Celtic. It's very hard to be on three competition and still have a chance to win them all. And another if Mourinho replaced him, the beautiful Barca attacking game will also be replaced by a boring defensive game courtesy of "the special one".

Midfield Crisis?

I was reading columns about Barca on goal.com that com when I saw a link about Johan Cruijff disappointment on the team's midfield game when they drew against Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuain. He's commenting on how Edmilson, Deco and Xavi ruined the game with their poor passes. But I think I would agree with Xavi(who scored the equaliser) that the mid shouldn't be blamed, the rojiblancos had a great first half. Still, the Barca legend has a point our midfield is not anymore flashy as we won the double in 2006. I think we have to buy a midfielder that create more chances for the forwards just like Deco was doing in his prime. And speaking of Deco, i think we should sell him, if Ronaldinho's form is bad, Deco's form is awful(although he had a great game against Real Zaragoza). Many Premier League teams are still interested in him. We should buy a young creative midfielder like Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric. Although at this time luring Cesc from Arsenal is impossible because he had just signed a new and improved contract that will keep him with Arsene Wenger at the Emirates until 2016. In Luka Modric's case, we have a ginormous chance of getting him from Dinamo Zagreb because of his statements of wanting to play at the Camp Nou and rejecting Wenger's offer to join the gunners. Eventhough Dinamo Zagreb's boss is not willing to sell him, we still can get him if he will do just what like Eric Abidal did last summer, threatening your club that he will not report to traning if won't get the transfer.

These are just my opinion you can tell me what's yours, just comment on this post.

That's all. Thank You. Visca Barca! Visca Catalunya!

The New Keeper

Jose Manuel Pinto is now an official blaugrana after being presented in Camp Nou on Friday. The 32 year-old shotstopper will be the replacement for the injured Albert Jorquera as his former team, Celta de Vigo, agrees for the player's 6 month loan spell. Barca payed Celta 500, 000 euros for the keeper and can purchase the player before May 31, 2008 without additional payment.

The 2005-06 Zamora trophy winner came from the ranks of Real Betis and joined Celta in 1999, where he and Sylvinho were teammates until the Brazilian fullback joined the blaugranas. He already appeared in 126 top flight matches and 56 in the second-tier. He has also competed in the Champion's League and UEFA cup with the Gailician Club. With his experience, he can compete with Valdes for first team action.


My opinion to that is Pinto is a good choice, but we should have gone for younger and better keepers like Amelia nad Shchmeichel. Still, a good choice, because of his experience and leadership.

That's all. Thank you. Visca Barca! Visca Catalunya!

The Search For a New Goalkeeper

Our beloved Barca are currently busy looking for a new back-up to Victor Valdes due to the injury sustained by the 2nd choice keeper Albert Jorquera. Many names were involved in this search, like Petr Cech, Jens Lehman, Edwin van der Saar, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kasper Schmeichel, Sander Westerveld, Pablo Cavallero and currently the unsettled Livorno shotstopper Marco Amelia.

My opinion to this transfer saga is why not seek a 1st choice keeper and not a back-up. They should go for Amelia or Schmeichel, both young and very good between the posts, and then demote Valdes to the bench and sell Jorquera. And maybe this can improve our defence and have a better chance in winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

That's all. Thank You. Visca el Barca!

Welcome!

The very first post on this blog. I hope Barcelona fans will visit this blog. Adios