Ronaldinho in Bronze

Belgium - Brazil 0 to 3
Brazil gripped this Friday for the bronze medal with a 3-0 triumph before inobjetable Belgium, disputed the stadium in Shanghai on the eve of the finals Argentina-Nigeria. The victory Brazilian gestó to 27 minutes with goals by Diego, while Jo rose to 45 and 90 +1.
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7 / 08: Brazil 1 to 0 Belgium
10/08: New Zealand 0 to 5 Brazil
13/08: China 0 to 3 Brazil

16/08: Brazil 2 to 0 Cameroon
19/08: Argentina 3 to 0 Brazil
22/08: Belgium 0 to 3 Brazil

Belgium 0 - 3 Brasil

Brasil seized on Friday from the bronze medal with a 3-0 triumph before inobjetable disputed Belgium at the stadium in Shanghai on the eve of the finals Argentina-Nigeria. The victory Brazilian gestó to 27 minutes with goals by Diego, while Jo rose to 45 and 90 1.


The result, which gives the bronze, tries to be a balm to the deep wound caused by embedded 3-0 defeat to Argentina and left him once again outside the struggle for gold, the only medal that was missing from her abundant collection.

"It is very important, although not the gold," Ronaldinho granted.

The Brazilian targets were also held by the coach Dunga, whose head was at stake by the premature elimination of Brazil, as if it were a final.

The first goal was scored by pushing a tip that Diego runoff between Thomas Vermaelen and Faris Haroun descerrajar for a shot that Coles between the legs of Jan Vertonghen it hindered the visual to his goalkeeper.

The Belgians, who appealed to play strong and strict brand Dinho, the articulator of the Brazilian game, also had their chances, especially one to 40 minutes, when the captain Maarten Martens tried a shot that was deflected by Breno miraculously.

Things iban to put in place after 45 when Ronaldinho opened the game by right Ramiro, which triggered first against the door of Logan Bailly, who in a bad clearance empowered Jo head to score the second Brazilian goal.

Given the impossibility of their run to seize control of the match, the Belgian Technical Jean Francois De Sart replaced the 58 battering ram to Kevin Miralles by the steering wheel creative Mulemo Landry and the captain Maarten Martens by midfielder Anthony Vanden Borre.

Dunga was forced by his party to replace injury to Breno and sent to the stadium to Thiago Silva, to 70.

Despite the changes in the red camp, sending verdeamarelha remained in the stadium with loads headed most often by Ronaldinho who was, however, rarely kick to bow to the strict brand that brought about the brand new recruitment AC Milan.

With the fate sealed, the Belgians rose revolutions in their game in the final minutes and had two shots at the door francs Brazilian Renan contained with the goal effort.

In the last sigh, Jo returned to raise the account with a low shot that went between the legs of goalkeeper, as a corollary to a tremendous run from three quarters of a stadium.

Brazil 2 - 0 Cameroon

One goal of Betica Rafael Sobis and one Marcelo Madrid, made both in the first part of the extension, defeated Cameroon with a ten, brought to Brazil in the quagmire that was sealed and ticket for the semifinals today of a vulgar " canarinha "


Dunga already opted for their classic 4-5-1 scheme that around 4-3-2-1 through the embodiments of Ronaldinho and Diego. However, introduced two amendments on the eleventh day no one expected: Breno by Thiago Silva in the centre of defence and, above all, Rafael Sobis, who finished giving the reason for Alexandre Pato pointed.

Brazil found from the kick-off that Cameroon would be a hard bone roer. Africans, with a 4-4-2 with their most prominent player, Song, putting the work of conductor well since the middle centre, at first, either from the centre of defence after the early injury Mbia, interrupted a and again, sometimes without any contemplation, the possessions of "canarinha" seriously hampers its construction of the game. In addition to muscle, Africans were also shown a good deal of speed and showed that they were able to exit quickly and planted in two steps in the vicinity of the area Renan barely recovered the ball, a factor that increased caution among Brazilians and that prevented that the "verdeamarella" optase, fearful of being caught on the counter attack, to seek happiness with the goal of Tignyemb, whose defense allowed just spaces.

Cameroon had knotted the game so much that the Brazilian could only be reached by any individual action, or failure of Africans to play ball stopped. Do not pass any of the three scenarios and the two teams cascaded the locker room tunnel after signing a dull first part, in which the domain corresponded to the "verdeamarella", who was unable, however, sometimes produce scoring noteworthy, except one Bot absence by the minute Ronaldinho 3 that cleared Tignyemb.

Cameroon tried to stretch something on the break, but was hampered its attempts to expel Baning in minute 51, who already had to leave the party in the first part (Diego also was able to do in the opening stages of the second half), although to which no provision wrinkles and, at times, felt that Africans were the playing eleven before a nervous Brazil and without ideas.

The duel again and stick to the script followed in the first, with a "canarinha" unable to transform into opportunities their numerical superiority and control of the ball, even with the entry of Thiago Neves, the better to China, and Cameroon agazapado confident able to impose his physical strength with the passage of minutes and strike the mazazo those of Dunga. The meeting seemed doomed to the extension since she arrived because none of the Brazilian stars did act appearance as the party required. Cameroon had a duel where it always wanted to have from the beginning.

And then, in one minute ten in the first part of the extension, when who else but who was beginning to think about the penalties and wondered why Dunga did not seek formulas that will revolutionize the clash, such as replacing an unpublished Rafael Sobis by Alexandre Duck, emerged from Betis striker to open the lock and lift African Brazil's tremendous predicament in which they lived. The Erechim took advantage of a pass in depth Diego after a stolen ball in the area and Brazilian beat Tingnyemb in its output, a goal which also launched in Brazil, which held that lock and defend the 1-0 had been playing with fire.

Thus, "canarinha" continued trying and Marcelo, right after a pretty accurate and Thiago Neves wall with four minutes later, Brazil finally allowed to breathe and close the match.

Belgium DIO surprise

In another match of the quarter-finals, Belgium gave the surprise and defeated Italy, one of the favorites for the title, 3-2.

China 0 - 3 Brasil

Golea Brazil 3-0 to host China on Wednesday in Qinhuangdao, was ranked as first in Group C of men's football tournament of the Olympic Games and now faces a quarter-final to Cameroon, next Saturday.


The team Dunga, who had overtaken Belgium (1-0) and New Zealand (5-0) in its early presentations, sealed his ticket to rooms with step pefect thanks to goals from Diego (18) and a beautiful double - Thiago Neves (69 and 73).

N. Zealand 0 to 5 Brésil

Golea Brazil 5-0 to New Zealand and Argentina defeated Australia 1-0 to qualify for the next round of the Olympics.


Brazil, however, apabulló by 5-0 to New Zealand of the hands of a resurrected Ronaldinho. The Milan player turned two goals, in addition to the delight of nearly 45 thousand people in Shenyang with its magic long forgotten.

The remaining goals of the verdeamarilla were converted by Anderson, Alexandre Pato and Rafael Sobis. The group led by Carlos Dunga leads Group C with six points, followed by Belgium with three and China and New Zealand with one. The Belgians beat the premises by 2-0 in the second half.

Ronaldinho said that he came to seek gold

After dialing a double in the goals for 5 to 0 on that New Zealand ranked Brazil to the quarter-finals of the Games in Beijing, the striker Ronaldinho said yesterday that DPA came to China to conquer the new gold for his country.


"The medal is my goal long since the Sydney 2000 Games. And what is even more now. These are my last Games and I want to play everything they know to help my colleagues to conquer this presea, "said Ronnie.

Moreover, Ronaldinho expressed satisfaction for having marked his first two so much today in Beijing 2008: "I am aware that helped Brazil to achieve an important victory and I am very happy about that."

The Milan Tour 2008

It started today the first stage of the Tour Milan, traveling a great event which will showcase the Via Turati throughout Italy. Today departed from the Duomo, Milan.

Without forgetting that Ronaldinho played the JO at least until August 13 (end of the first round) and the maximum until August 23 (final).


Last year the Champions League. This the European Supercup, the World Cup in the cabinet via Turati. The successes of Milan are itinerant and travel through Italy, in order to share with the tifosi emotions of being the most titled club in the world thanks to the trophies won by the team in Monte Carlo and Yokohama.

Now is the start Milan Tour: will be inaugurated on June 28 in Piazza Duomo in Milan and returned to the city Lombard, at San Siro stadium on August 31 next, for the first match at home of Milan.

The media, obviously rossonero, pass through Italy throughout the preseason: will be ten stages of the Tour Milan. For each occasion, the club rossonerotendrá a real "city'', with free admission, composed of two areas of entertainment: a multimedia entry to exposure of the 18 trophies and Milan Park, with games for children and all ages. There will be numerous recreational activities for the partner of the Tour.

The stages of the Tour Milan 2008:

July 29: TIM Trophy 2008 in the Stadio Communal in Turin, Juventus and Inter.

1 to 3 August: Russian Railways Cup in Moscow, with Lokomotiv Moscow, Chelsea and Seville.

August 9: friendly game against Manchester City, the City of Manchester Stadium to 17h15 (local time)

August 17: Berlusconi Trophy at San Siro, against Juventus.

August 21: Birra Moretti Trophy in Napoli, Napoli and Juventus.

August 24: friendly game against Sporting Gijon, in the El Molinon stadium.

August 31: First day of Serie A.

JO: Groups and Matches

Brazil is ranked (never won the gold medal) thanks to first place in the South American Youth Championship in Paraguay from 7 to January 28, 2007.

Here are the results of Olympic Brazil: Brazil-Argentina 2-2, Brazil-China 2-2, Brazil-Uruguay 3-1, Brazil-Paraguay 1-0, Brazil-Colombia 2-0.


The groups:

Group A: Ivory Coast - Argentina - Australia - Serbia
Group B: Netherlands - Nigeria - Japan - USA
Gruppe C: Cina - Nuova Zealand - BRAZIL - Belgium
Group D: South Korea - Cameroon - Honduras - Italy

The group phase of the Olympic Games in Brazil :

August 7, in Shenyang, Brazil-Belgium
August 10, in Shenyang, New Zealand-Brazil
August 13, Qinguanhdao, China-Brazil

If the Seleção will qualify for the second round, will face one of the other teams in Group D, comprising South Korea, Cameroon, Honduras and Italy.

Ronaldinho: "I was lucky with the goal"

Ronaldinho, who played the full 90 minutes of the friendly match that Brazil faced with Singapore, he was satisfied with his performance, while acknowledging he had luck on goal.

"I was lucky that ball came to me. Fallen my first shot, but the defender went to the ground and I could get the second," said the Brazilian in statements to a television in his country.


Ronaldinho, who will participate for the first time in about Games in Beijing, said after the match that still must continue working to reach one hundred per cent to the Olympic event.

"I'm going to keep working to get the best possible Olympic Games. It's hard to know what percentage I'm playing now. I'm working well and the trend is improving," said the Brazilian.

Dunga, satisfied with the performance of Ronaldinho against Singapore

The Brazilian team, Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, 'Dunga', today approved the performance of his team, which won by 3-0 to Singapore in which it was his first 'review' before coming to China to play in the Olympics, and said he was pleased with the performance of Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho Gaucho, recently transferred from Barcelona to Milan, was one of the few Brazilians who served the full 90 minutes of the friendly and, in his first match official after months of inactivity, scored a goal, gave the pass for another and was one of the most outstanding players

"The selection touched the ball well and the players looked closer for much of the game. I thought very good performance of the team," Dunga said in a statement released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro and which made its stock selection on the match disputed in Singapore.

On Ronaldinho, the coach stated that his intention was to play little time to continue their preparation on an individual basis. "But, as was well in the match, we resolved to quit until the end to win more pace of competition," he said.

In its first test before the Games, alignment holder of the Brazilian team was as follows: Renan; Rafinha, Alex Silva, Thiago Neves, Marcelo; Hernan, Luke, Anderson; Diego, Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.

Ronaldinho is reunion with the goal in Beijing

The selection of Brazil won his first match comfortably preparation towards the Olympics compared to Singapore.

The former Barca Ronaldinho, who capitaneó the 'canarinha', was the author of one of the goals of the match, which ended with the score of 0-3.


No problem. So resolved the selection of Brazil for his first friendly match before the Games in Beijing. As if in training, they were those of Dunga overwhelming the whole of Singapore for a clear 0-3.

Ronaldinho, who played 90 minutes of the match, was the author's second goal of the game and participated in the first. It was the 20-minute match when former Barca served as a good-heeled the ball outside the area, which his partner Diego, after a bicycle, not failed to finish inside the goal.

Six minutes later, Ronaldinho was the same, who very attentive, the network managed to finish a ball rebound in the area. Brazil already had the match encarrildado and Singapore could say little on the pitch.

When everybody thought at the end of the meeting, Jo scored the goal of the judgement, to finish a good center Thiago Neves (75 '). There was no time for more.

The next Friday, Dunga will again prove to his men in a second friendly match against the selection of Vietnam in Hanoi.



Fact Sheet:

Singapore: Hassan (46 'Lewis); Baihakki, Hieke, Bennet, Arai; Ridhuan (46' Nawaz), Wilkinson, Mustafic, Ishak; Sahdan (46 'Amri), Durica (57' Qiu Li).

Brazil: Renan; Rafinha, Alexis Silva, Thiago Silva (46 'Breno), Marcelo (69' Ilsinho); Lucas, Hernan (70 'Jo), Diego (46' Thiago Neves), Anderson (61 'Ramires); Ronaldinho Duck (46 'Sobis).

Goals:
1-0, min. 20 'Diego
2-0, min. 26 'Ronaldinho
3-0, min. 80 'Jô

Yellow cards: Hieke (Singapore); Rafinha (Brazil)
Red cards: Alex Silva (Brazil)

Course: National Stadium in Singapore

Coach: Avramovic and Dunga

Pato tuned understanding with Ronaldinho

Alexandre Pato has seized the juncture of the Beijing Olympic Games to match with Ronaldinho facing the Italian championship with AC Milan.

"This Olympic experience with Ronaldinho has served me so many, also according to the Italian championship," said the Brazilian striker in an interview published on Sunday, the Gazzetta dello Sport that he made in Singapore, where he is with his selection.


He noted that training is to refine the understanding with Ronaldinho, who this month he split from Barcelona in Spain to play with AC Milan.

"We managed to understand what are the best moves that we make and also to play with a champion, you do everything easier," he said.

After his first season with Milan, the player barely 18 years stated that "the experience helped me a lot, helped me to mature more quickly because they will face very strong defenders."

"Now I understand much better the characteristic of the defenses, as was overcome and I realize that I can score many goals," he said.

He also said that Milan will fight for three trophies at stake: scudetto, Italy Cup and Uefa Cup.

Ronaldinho, captain ... and'10 '

Dunga gives the command and finally signing peace with Ronnie.

The fitness coach said that he is not one hundred per cent in Beijing, "but at a 50% and can unbalance a game by himself."


Ronaldinho Gaucho has regained his throne in the seleçao and will be the leader and the great star of the canarinha in Beijing. Dunga has decided to confer on'10 'and captain's armband, enacting, in this way, reconciliation between technical and player. With this decision, the selector, little given to diplomacy, has displayed his full confidence with former Blaugrana.

The same technician in March 2007 that stripped him of'10 ', starting a war that ended with the resignation of player to participate in the americas Cup, now has given the mission of leading the Olympic seleçao in the search for novel gold medal.

There was a great interest in Brazil to see what would be the policy of technical gestures with regard to its conterráneo gaucho. Above all, after which the chairman of the CBF, Ricardo Teixeira, on their own to convene the new star rossonera to go to the Games, in a decision that lifted a huge controversy since it was called into question the leadership of Dunga.

The screening, passing through from their lowest in office, has defended the last month, ensuring that the call for Ronaldinho took him, along with the chairman of the Conferaçao. Tax or not, the matter is that since they confirmed the presence of Ronnie in Beijing, Dunga has adopted a line of maximum cordiality and was not tired of praise to crack, by the commitment he has shown as being in the Games.

The player began to prepare for the event two weeks ago in Porto Alegre, under orders from Paulo Paixao, the coach of the seleçao. While Ronaldinho will own all day 7, in the debut of Brazil to Belgium, Paixao has assured that the footballer, who does not play a match official since March, is still far from his best level. "Certainly not going to be 100%, everything involves a process and will only reach its peak during the season," said Paixao. Despite this, the coach has a blind faith in Ronaldinho and cree que marked differences in Beijing. "We are talking about a football player who was already twice the best in the world, and reaching the peak for him is different than the others, being 50% and can unbalance a game, gets to play as well," he added.

Dunga is convinced that Ronaldinho will be a destabilising footballer, in a competition of short-haul, which is crucial factor experience. Selector and player have recovered the line, at a time when both experiencing difficulties.

Dunga is very challenged, only Brazil is ranked the fifth in the South American playoffs for the World Cup and his position in jeopardy if not back home with the gold medal hanging on his chest.

For his part, Ronaldinho, before realizing its signing by Milan, was embraced the CBF to try to straighten his career. What, in principle, was a marriage of convenience is likely to become a honeymoon.

Ronaldinho : "The Milan has made me reborn"

"Coming to Italy and play at Milan I was doing reborn. I feel very well in my new city."

The Brazilian Ronaldo de Assis "Ronaldinho 'assurances that their arrival at Milan he is doing and rebirth that is" almost one hundred percent "in an interview published today by the daily' Gazzetta dello Sport '. "Coming to Italy and play at Milan I was doing reborn. I feel very well in my new city," Ronaldinho told the newspaper from Singapore (Japan), which is concentrated with the Brazilian team to prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing.


The Brazilian player, who arrived at Milan two weeks ago after five seasons at Barcelona, explained that it is conducting a personalized training program that includes diet, and is already assured that "almost one hundred percent" of his best physical form. "I'm moving slowly and August 7 (debut in Brazil in the Olympic Games) will be at full form," added the player who comes four months of inactivity.

"A new and wonderful stage"
Regarding his new adventure with the shirt rojinegra, the player Rio stated that "this is a new and wonderful stage" and expects to achieve the same success it has had in his previous clubs and "give the fans the same happiness" .

On the position in the field with his new team, Ronaldinho assured that he had no problem to play as mediapunta behind his compatriot and partner in the Milan striker or as a Duck.

Galliani bet on him
The vice-president of Milan, Adriano Galliani, also wanted to reassure fans about the conditions of the star Brazilian to explain yesterday that "Ronaldinho is a strong player who has never suffered any serious injury in his career."

While the 'Dinhomania' continues in Milan and with the arrival of Brazilian have shot the sale of tickets for the season, reaching 30,000, reported the leader rossonero.

Attacking play wins the day

FC Barcelona beat Osasuna thanks to a late goal from Xavi Hernández and closed the gap at the top of the table against an opponent that made no effort to win the game for themselves.


Two different styles
Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Deco had the first chances of the game inside the first 15 minutes as Barça went out looking for an early goal. The collective play of the home team, which saw them use the flanks to good effect, ensured that the ball was continuously in and around the Osasuna penalty area. Nevertheless, the visitors held out and made it to the 20th minute without conceding as they broke up the play by complaining to the referee, time wasting and employing a catenaccio style of play. In the 26th minute they finally looked to break out and young Carlos Vela almost caught Víctor Valdés by surprise.



No breakthrough
Barcelona's play was flowing as thy went forward without stopping the game and could have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark when Andrés Iniesta saw his effort cleared off the line by Monreal. Thierry Henry, Bojan and Messi stood out as Barça dominated, but even though the home team were able to create around a dozen chances they were unfortunate to not see one make the breakthrough.

Little change
After the break little changed in terms of how the teams approached the game. But Osasuna appeared to become even more defensive and give up on and thoughts of attacking Barça's goal. With the freshness gone, the home team found it even more difficult to break down the wall of defenders and Giovani Dos Santos and Ronaldinho were introduced in place of Henry and Messi.



Fans unhappy
The Blaugrana began to find it complicated to reach Osasuna's area and as time went on, it appeared that visitors were going to be capable of taking something from the game. The home fans were unimpressed by the time wasting tactics of Cuco Ziganda's team and there was a big cheer when Ricardo was booked with 15 minutes remaining.

Xavi nets the winner
With the rain now coming down even more strongly, the pace quickened and Xavi and Deco in the midfield looked to try and use the conditions to their advantage by pressing the ball forward at even greater speed. The left sided pair of Éric Abidal and Giovani were coming more and more into the game and it was the number 17 that was one of the key players in the winning goal. In the 87th minute Giovani saw his shot saved by Ricardo and Xavi was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

The Camp Nou celebrated long and hard as Osasuna's tactics wrre finally proved not to have worked and suddenly the visitors wanted the game sped up. Barça were able to sit back and play out the final minutes and reignite the title race.



The goals :1-0, Xavi (min 87)

Barça–Valencia in the cup semi final

FC Barcelona have been drawn to play Valencia in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey as the competition threw up a thrilling encounter that will see the Blaugrana play the first leg at home.

The first game will take place at Camp Nou during the final week of February and the second game will be in Mestalla on March 19.


League duty
Frank Rijkaard's side entertain Levante the week before the opening match of the and will then play in the Vicente Calderón in the following encounter.

For the second match against Valencia, Barça wll play at Almería in the 28th week of the league season and then entertain Real Valladolid the weekend after.

Getafe v Racing
In the other semi final, Getafe will take on Racing Santander with Michael Laudrup's team playing the first leg at home.


Source : FCB

Ronaldinho returns with a win

Ronaldinho made his first appearance of 2008 when he came on as a substitute in the Copa del Rey semi final against Villarreal on Thursday night, 32 days after he last played. The Brazilian superstar entered the fray in the 74th minute, just moments after the referee had awarded the Blaugrana a penalty.

As he ran on to replace Bojan Krkic, the Camp Nou crowd rose to given Ronaldinho an incredible ovation and remind him that he is still a hero to them.

Lionel Messi lined up to take the spot kick and, as he admitted afterwards, considered leaving for Ronaldinho to take. Instead, the Argentinian was told to take it and saw his effort tipped around the post by Diego López and away for a corner. It was the first penalty that Barça have failed to score since last season when Ronaldinho missed in the Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla.

Centre forward
In 20 minutes that Ronaldinho had on the pitch, he was employed as a centre forward but was not given any chance to score a memorable comeback goal. Despite that, he still combined well with Deco and Messi.

Semi finals again
The former Gremio star's last match for Barça was against Real Madrid and he was prevented from playing again in the new year by an injury, but now he has returned just in time to help the team in the semi finals. Barcelona will face Ronald Koeman's Valencia and will want to go one step further than last term when they were defeated in the final four by Getafe.

At home first
The draw has seen Barça drawn at home in the first leg against Los Ché and they will play that game on February 27. The second game in Mestalla is scheduled to take place on March 17. In the other semi final Racing Santander will take on Getafe.


Source : FCB

Henry the king of the cup (1-0)

Barcelona made it through to the semi final of the Copa del Rey thanks to a single goal from Thierry Henry in the first half of a one-sided game in Camp Nou against Villarreal on Thursday night.

The Frenchman netted the only goal of the tie shortly before the visitors were reduced to ten men when Pascal Cygan was sent off, while in the second half Lionel Messi saw a penalty saved and Ronaldinho made his long-awaited comeback.

The Blaugrana were in confident mood throughout the second leg of this quarter final tie, however, and overwhelmed a Villarreal team that only managed one shot on target all evening.


It was a domineering performacne by the hosts, who passed and moved the ball around and were only thwarted from increasing their lead by a number of fine saves, wasteful finishing and a busy defence.

Strong start
Frank Rijkaard had said that he wanted an early goal and Barça came out of the traps firing on all cylinders and made life very uncomfortable for the away team, who struggled to cope with the speed and strength shown by their opponents. Inside the first eight minutes Andrés Iniesta, Messi and Rafa Márquez had all had chances, before Henry warmed up down the left flank to test Diego López, who had a fine game in goal for Manolo Pellegrini's team.

Winning strike
Giuseppe Rossi did provide one moment of concern for the visitors in the 16th minute when he turned on the edge of the area and shot into the side netting, but the action soon resumed at the other end. Messi had a brace of chances in quick succession that the keeper kept out before Deco blazed over the bar. It did appear to be a matter of time before the deadlock was eventually broken and when it did, Villarreal suffered a double penalty just before the break. Cygan fouled Messi and was booked and the resulting free-kick was swung into the area by Deco where Henry was left unmarked to nod home before racing away to celebrate in the corner of the pitch.
Cygan sees red
Two minutes after going behind Cygan was again mesmerised by the quick feet of Messi and the French defender stuck out a leg as the Argentinian trickster jinked his way along the edge of the area and caught his opponent. The referee thought long and hard before issuing a second yellow card and then the red. From the free-kick, Diego López made a superb save to tip away Messi's curling drive towards the top corner.



Making changes
After the break, Pellegrini made a double substitution in a bid to change his side around, but that move may have backfired as Marcos Senna picked up a knock a few minutes later and had to be replaced. TheChilean coach looked set to introduce Nihat Kahveci before he was forced to use his third chance.

Rijkaard also made a switch as Carles Puoyol was taken off with a knock and replaced by Lilian Thuram at the back. But it was not in defence that Barça had to focus as the forward line again laid siege to their opponents's area with Messi in particular shining with his incredible runs into the area and passing outside it.

Intense finish

With 16 minutes remaining barça were handed a chance to double their advantage when the referee awarded a penalty after Diego López had palmed the ball away with his hands and not connected with Bojan Krkic.

The Barça forward did not appeal for a spot-kick and Villarreal were not pleased, but the keeper made amends when he tipped Messi's effort from 12 yards around the post. Just before the Argentinian had stepped up to take his shot, Ronaldinho made his return to action as he came on to a loud cheer from the home fans.



Goal :

1-0 Henry (41')

Ronaldinho and Márquez in Cup contention

Ronaldinho and Márquez are both back in the squad for the Cup game against Villarreal after recovering from injury.


The return of Ronaldinho and Márquez is the main talking point of the squad list of 16 names announced by Frank Rijkaard ahead of Thursday’s Cup quarterfinal decider against Villarreal. Sylvinho, Edmílson, Gudjohnsen and Oleguer have not made it onto the list.

Medical green light for Márquez
Club doctors cleared Rafa Márquez for action on Wednesday. The Mexican picked up a left leg injury in the first leg of the Cup tie last week and was forced to miss the league game against Bilbao at the weekend.

Ronaldinho returns
Meanwhile, Ronaldinho was passed fit on Monday after missing most of the last four weeks with a left knee injury. After an intensive individual recovery programme, he rejoined the squad on Tuesday.

The squad list :

The squad for Thursday’s match against Villarreal is as follows : Valdés, Pinto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Milito, Deco, Messi, Thuram, Abidal, Zambrotta, Bojan and Giovani.


Source : FCB

Second training session in one day

Barça’s second first team training session of the day involved an unusual exercise : a game of piggy in the middle involving the whole squad. La Masia was the venue for the day’s second session, following on from a highly physical workout earlier today at the Miniestadi. This evening’s session involved much more of the ball.

Leo Messi was not there with his team mates, for after only recently recovering from injury and playing ninety minutes at San Mamés, it was considered a better idea for him just to train in the morning and do specific exercises in the afternoon. He should be back again on Wednesday to get ready for the cup game with Villarreal along with everybody else.

Márquez and Ezquerro, meanwhile, worked out on their own in the gym and on the pitch as they recover from their respective injuries. The Mexican did, however, take part in most of the morning session with the rest of the team.

Giant piggy in the middle
All of the players, along with goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué and fitness trainer Albert Roca formed a huge circle, with 16 players in the ring and three inside trying to win possession of the ball. The players then worked on one-twos and then shots on the goals defended by Valdés and Pinto.

Game to end
The session ended with a match played on a three-quarter size pitch, with the following teams taking part :

In orange bibs : Valdés, Thuram, Abidal, Henry, Giovani, Gudjohnsen, Xavi, Zambrotta and Edmílson.
No bibs : Pinto, Oleguer, Bojan, Sylvinho, Ronaldinho, Deco, Puyol, Milito and Iniesta.

Ronaldinho decides the game
The game ended 3-2 to the bib-less players. Ronaldinho scored two goals for the winning side, with the winner coming on a spectacular half-turn following a clever combination with Bojan.



Goals :

0-1 Ronaldinho
1-1 Gudjohnsen
1-2 Xavi
2-2 Deco
2-3 Ronaldinho

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho joins team for training

After getting medical clearance on Monday, Ronaldinho joined in with normal training on Tuesday morning.

The Miniestadi was the venue as the side got ready for Thursday’s cup game.


The first team was at the Miniestadi for the first of two training sessions on Tuesday. After almost a month on the sidelines, Ronaldinho trained with the rest of the squad and from this moment on is once again available for selection by Frank Rijkaard.

High intensity
The main focus of the team’s preparations was the return leg of the cup on Thursday at home to Villarreal, where a semi final place is at stake. Rijkaard is getting his injured players back, and the only players missing at the Miniestadi were Jorquera and Ezquerro, apart from Touré and Eto'o, who are at the African Nations Cup of course.

Márquez, who missed the last game with a thigh injury, trained in isolation, but joined in with some of the group exercises. Although he did tackle the circuit training section, the Mexican left for the dressing rooms before the session ended.



Work on pressure
The players divided into two groups to work on creating pressure on the first touch, playing on a downsized pitch. The orange group featured Deco, Ronaldinho, Puyol, Edmílson, Bojan, Sylvinho, Milito and Oleguer, while in green we had Gudjohnsen, Henry, Abidal, Xavi, Zambrotta, Messi, Giovani and fitness coach Albert Roca.

Barça have another training session this evening at 18.00.


Source : FCB

Ronaldinho fit again

Ronaldinho was given the green light by club doctors this Monday evening and will be back in action after 28 days on the sidelines.


The Brazilian was given the all clear after the training match played this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva with Barça B players. In recent weeks the striker has been following a personalised plan to recover from an injury to his left knee.

Injury time
After the Christmas break Ronaldinho reported pain in his left leg and was immediately put onto a personalised rehabilitation plan combining fitness and skills work. The player has been working hard over the last week and his most recent tests and examinations have been very positive.



At the end of 2007
Ronaldinho’s last match was the game against Madrid, the last fixture before the Christmas holidays. Prior to getting injured he had played in 17 League and Champions League games and scored a total of seven goals.

28 days on the sidelines
Since he’s been on the injury list the striker has missed four League matches against Mallorca, Murcia, Racing de Santander and Athlétic de Bilbao, and 4 King’s Cup games: the return match in the last 32 against Alcoyano, the two legs of the last 8 tie against Sevilla and the first leg of the quarter-final against Villarreal.

Source : FCB

First team wins (4-1)

The Barça players took part in an afternoon training match today, Monday. One of the teams was mostly made up of first-team members and the other of Barça B players. Players from the first team, Barça B and the youth A and B sides played in an 11-a-side game at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva this afternoon.


Pinto, Abidal, Oleguer, Gudjohnsen, Edmílson, Giovani and Ronaldinho from Frank Rijkaard’s first team squad featured in the match which finished with their team winning 4-1.

Guerra notches two
One of the outstanding players in the 60-minute game was the Barça B striker Emilio Guerra, who scored the first two goals in the match. Gudjohnsen then made it 3-0 with an excellent chip.

The team made up of the rising stars of Barça’s youth setup didn’t throw in the towel, however, and got a goal back in the second half scored by Urbano from the penalty spot. A short while later Rueda made it 4-1 which is how the match ended.

Ronaldinho plays the entire game
Ronaldinho, who after the training session was declared fit by club doctors, played all 60 minutes and was in good touch. He was the main attacking force for his side and produced moments of sheer class on a number of occasions.

Spectators at the match included Frank Rijkaard, Txiki Begiristain, Eusebio Sacristán and Pep Guardiola, and the referee was Aureli Altamira, fitness trainer for Barça B.



MATCH STATS :

Team1, 4
Team2, 1

Team 1 : Pinto, Oleguer, Mario, Mauri, Abidal, Edmílson, Gudjohnsen, Rueda, Yepes, Guerra and Ronaldinho.

Team 2 : Planchería (Pau), Fali, Álex, Dani, Eneko, Fontás, Dimas, Toribio, Urabno, Víctor Vázquez and Rubén.

Goals :
1-0, Guerra
2-0, Guerra
3-0, Gudjohnsen
3-1, Urbano (pen.)
4-1, Rueda

Referees : Aureli Altimira.


Source : FCB

San Mamés holds Barça

Athletic Club and FC Barcelona have drawn 1-1 in the 21st round of league matches. A first half goal from Bojan (34th minute) was not enough to bring Barça their fourth win in a row. Barça failed to continue their winning streak at San Mamés. A first half goal from Bojan put Barça ahead, but they were unable to find a second. And tragedy struck in the 78th minute when Athletic equalised, putting a stop to Rijkaard’s excellent start to the year.

Cautious start
The early moments of the game saw Athletic well positioned on the pitch and Barça, despite enjoying most of the possession, unable to find a way through. It was an intense match but chances were slow in coming, with neither of the two teams getting close to each other’s goals.

Bojan opens fire
Mistakes were being made all over the pitch, and the game took a good half hour to really get going. Aduriz found himself one on one with Valdés but his shot went over (min 33). Just a minute later, after almost going a goal down, Barcelona went ahead. Messi failed to get on the end of a through ball, but it was enough to trouble Aranzubia, whose clearance only made it as far as Deco, who laid up Bojan to finish the move with an angled left foot shot that went straight into the back of the net to silence San Mamés.

After those two minutes of mayhem, the game reverted to the slow and steady pace of before, and there were no further incidents before the break.

Almost 0-2
20 minutes into the second half, Henry sent what could have been Barça’s second wide. Another chance went begging minutes later, when Deco put his effort over the bar. All of the most dangerous Barça attacks seemed to be coming through Leo Messi, as effective as ever on the right wing.

Chances each way
But these chances did little to demoralise the home side, who gradually started enjoying more and more of the possession. But one of the few real chances to come of it, from Javi Martínez in the 55th minute, was impeccably saved by Valdés. Barça only had the one chance of their own, which Puyol failed to take advantage of (min 70).

Home recovery
Edmílson came on for Xavi in the 63rd minute as Barça came under more and more threat. Caparrós adventurously sent on strikers Llorente and Aitor Ramos, plus attacking midfielder Garmendia. But none of the new arrivals were able to create anything of note until the 78th minute, when a Garmendia cross from the right led to a tussle between Llorente and Thuram that saw the ball end up in the net. 1-1, and a heavy blow for Barcelona.

The final minutes saw both sides surging forward in search of a win, but nothing came of it. The game ended with honours even and Barça have missed out on what would have been their fourth league win in a row.



THE GOALS :

0-1, Bojan (min 34)
1-1, Llorente (min 78)

Ronaldinho back next week

onaldinho has been cleared to rejoin the squad next week after recovering from the injury to his left knee.

Club doctors released a bulletin this morning in which they stated that the tendon problem in Ronaldinho’s left knee had completely disappeared.


He’ll be able to rejoin the squad at the beginning of next week.

The bulletin also confirmed that all the scans on the problem area had been positive.


Source : FCB

A valuable draw for Barça (0-0)

Barça have taken a well-deserved draw away from Villarreal’s Madrigal stadium in the Cup quarterfinal first leg. They dominated throughout but failed to punish the home side in the final metres. The Cup clash was a world away from the league game earlier in the season when Barça lost for the first time in the season. That day Villarreal were in dazzling form whereas tonight it was Barça that dominated and sparkled despite failing to take their chances, especially in the second half.

The ball just wouldn’t enter the net and now it’ll all be decided in next week’s second leg in the Camp Nou.

Taking control
Barça made a well-organised and serious start, pushing the ball around confidently and taking control of the game. Henry had Barça’s best chance of the first half after just 5 minutes, shooting just wide of the post after Iniesta’s assist. With Barça dominating possession, Giovani also tried his luck.

More control
Barça gradually lost some of their early penetration but continued to retain the ball. The game stagnated a little in midfield and the second quarter of the match was pretty much the least attractive, with a number of hopeful long range efforts easily dealt with by both keepers. The only exception was a dangerous shot from Nihat that Valdés turned away for a corner.

More penetration
Leo Messi replaced Giovani Dos Santos at the beginning of the second half and Barça continued to retain possession and concentration with Márquez policing the midfield area. Villarreal could hardly get past the halfway line and it seemed that every loose ball fell to a Barça player. Iniesta forced a spectacular save from Villarreal keeper Diego López in the 62nd minute.



Just lacking a goal
Barça were playing well and a goal looked inevitable. In the 73rd minute, Diego López produced another good save to frustrate Iniesta. The one-way traffic was broken only by a long-range effort by Marcos Senna that Valdés did well to touch over his crossbar. Bojan joined the party and together with Iniesta continued testing Diego López. The fans were treated to some pacy one-touch football in what was probably one of Barça’s best away performances of the season.

Barça had the chance to win the match and possibly the tie but were unable to take advantage of their excellent play and control and finally had to settle for a draw. A good result that leaves everything to be decided in the Camp Nou.

Source : FCB

Henry decisive

A goal from Henry has given Barça three more points in their third consecutive league victory.

Rijkaard’s men, with Messi back in the team, will have to be more effective in their struggle for the title.


Barça have won three more points against a tactically effective Racing, who had started the second part of the season in sixth place in the league. Rijkaard’s men found it hard to deactivate the ordered green-and-white defence. Thierry Henry decided the game in the first half, seeing home a deflected ball in the six-yard box. Henry’s goal and Messi’s reappearance were without doubt the highlights of a hard-fought victory.

Maximum organisation
Both teams started off very well organised, preventing each other from doing any damage. Barça, under more pressure than ever to win, found it difficult to find space in Racing’s perfect 4-4-2. The solid Cantabrian team was also prepared to slow the game down. The first chances came after the 20th minute, one after the other and very similar. First, Henry tried a header from a magnificent cross from Zambrotta, and then Bojan did much the same.

Henry punishes Racing
Barça were now showing their mettle, and the goal came soon after. In the 30th minute, Henry showed no mercy. He took advantage of a defensive error after a corner to head the ball home. Despite the goal, the match didn’t change much leading up to half time. Whilst strong in defence, Barça’s inability to create any play began to make the spectators impatient. In all this time, Marcelino Gracia’s team didn’t have one shot on target.



Surprise in the second half
The start of the second half was more entertaining, with Racing being more insistent, and with a near miss from a great shot by Deco in the 51st minute. Racing’s clearest chance arrived soon after, when Valdés just managed to get a hand to a powerful shot by Serrano. In an attempt to recover the consistency of the first half, Rijkaard bought on Márquez for Gudjohnsen.

Messi reappears
As Barça hadn’t been threatening Coltordi’s goal for a while, it was necessary to bring on a genius in intimidation: Leo Messi. It was the right moment. His entrance gave more depth and speed to Barça’s game, yet Racing’s defence held out till the end. But then so did Barça’s, keeping a clean sheet and winning three more vital league points.

Goal :

1-0, Henry (30')


Source : FCB

High voltage cup tie

Barça play this evening for a place in the quarter finals of the Copa de Rey against defending champions Sevilla. With Deco fit, they need to make the best of a 1-1 draw in the first leg.Most times Barça, meets the current champion, Sevilla. After drawing 1-1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán, there is everything to be decided, with some important absences and returns on both sides...

Deco was given medical clearance on Monday and is the main change to the squad for the game with Sevilla. It is the first game since Eto’o left for the African Nations Cup.
The Portuguese star completed training for the cup encounter without any signs of trouble and was named in Frank Rijkaard’s side to face the Andalusians. But Samuel Eto'o is of course absent, having left to play for Cameroon in the African Nations Cup.

Deco has been having abductor problems since playing in Mallorca on January 5, but is back in time to participate in tonight’s all important cup quarter final second leg at the Camp Nou.

Messi rejoins group
The other good news was the chance to welcome Messi back to training after he picked up an injury against Valencia at Mestalla on December 15. He tore biceps tissue in his left thigh, but is on the road to recovery, as are Abidal and Ezquerro, who had gastroenteritis, and Márquez who stayed in the gym on Sunday.


Ronaldinho and Edmílson still recovering
The injured Edmílson worked out on the Camp Nou turf in the company of a fitness coach, while Ronaldinho joined him as he continues working on a knee problem.

Out of action
As well as Eto'o, other players missing at the Camp Nou tonight are Messi, Oleguer, Ronaldinho, Jorquera and Edmílson, all injured, and Touré Yaya, who is away on international duty for the Ivory Coast. The only first team player not to be included in the squad of 16 is Ezquerro.

The squad :

So the definitive squad for Tuesday’s cup fixture at the Camp Nou reads as follows : Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Deco, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Bojan and Giovani.


Source : FCB

Barça storm to victory

FC Barcelona have beaten Murcia 4-0 in an exhibition of attacking football. Gudjohnsen, Bojan and Eto'o (2) were on target as the home side played an amazing second half to start a week in which they have three home games at the Camp Nou. Barça defeated Murcia without producing particularly good football in the first half, and missing key players of the calibre of Milito, Abidal and Iniesta. The game began with Murcia being blocked out of the game, and Barça’s efforts were finally rewarded with a Gudjohnsen goal in the 27th minute.

From then on, and especially after the break, Barça were unstoppable. Bojan and Eto'o (2) rounded off a great evening for the Barça forwards. Special mention goes to Henry, who despite not scoring was a constant danger down the left and made the evening a nightmare for De Coz and supplied a couple of assists.

Murcia organised at the back
The game started as cold as the Barcelona night it was played in. Bojan played on the right and Henry on the left, with much of Barça’s attack coming from those two positions. But Murcia played it tight at the back and Barça realised they would need to be clear about how they were going to deal with it. Only Eto'o (min. 6) and Bojan (min. 13) enjoyed early chances.

Improvements made
As the game progressed, Rijkaard’s side started playing a tighter game, and it was a fast one-two that led to a dangerous 23rd minute free kick on the edge of the area. This was a moment that changed the game, and it was another great team move in the 27th minute that led to Zambrotta picking out Gudjohnsen with a pinpoint pass, and the Icelander placed the ball exactly where keeper Notario could not reach it. That was 1-0.

From there on, and the linesman’s flag permitting, Barça piled the pressure on the visiting goal. There were claims for a handball outside the area by Notario, but the referee wanted to know nothing. The Camp Nou was infuriated, and soon after Eto’o almost made it 2-0 (min. 42).

Time for Valdés, Bojan and Henry
Murcia’s best chance came just after the break, when Baiano was through one on one against Valdés, who dealt with the situation expertly. And from a possible 1-1, it was soon 2-0 as Henry danced down the left towards the by-line and found Bojan who simply had to tap the ball into the back of the net (min. 52). The Frenchman had already threatened to score a minute earlier, and this time made sure the opportunity was converted.

Barça and more Barça
Barça were now were now well on top and Henry was making the evening impossible for De Coz, while Bojan and Eto'o almost combined to make it three in the 64th minute, and Xavi also came close to scoring.

Eto'o bids farewell with goals
The best was yet to come. Henry, on the back of a terrific assist from Sylvinho, excelled again in the 76th minute as he supplied another goal, this time to Eto'o. The Cameroonian struck home in expert style to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Eto’o is now off to Ghana to play in the African Nations Cup, and wanted to mark his departure in the best way possible, which he did with a second goal when Murcia would probably have preferred to hear the referee’s final whistle and end the nightmare. Eto’o tricked Notario once again after a stylish cross from Giovani, and was given a massive ovation as he left the pitch to be replaced by Pedrito, making his first team debut. It was a wonderful night for Eto’o, and for every Barça fan in the ground.



THE GOALS :
1-0, Gudjohnsen (min 27)
2-0, Bojan (min 52)
3-0, Eto'o /min 76)
4-0, Eto'o (min 86)

FC Barcelona - Racing sin Ronaldinho

Messi, Oleguer y Pinto han entrado en la lista para enfrentarse al Racing de Santander este domingo.

El delantero argentino ha recibido el alta después del entrenamiento previo al encuentro.


La convocatoria del Barça para recibir al Racing de Santander cuenta con tres novedades importantes : Leo Messi, Oleguer Presas y José Manuel Pinto. El delantero argentino ha recibido el alta después del entrenamiento que ha completado este sábado por la mañana en el Camp Nou, mientras que el defensa catalán la recibió en el transcurso de la semana. El guardameta andaluz se estrena así en una lista de convocados, un día después de haber sido presentado como azulgrana.

Los ausentes ante el Racing serán los lesionados Ronaldinho, Edmílson, Ezquerro y Jorquera, además de Eto'o y Touré Yaya, en la Copa de África.

Puyol se entrena con normalidad
Carles Puyol, ausente el viernes por un resfriado, se ha podido reincorporar a la actividad este sábado por la mañana en el entrenamiento en el Camp Nou a puerta cerrada previo al partido contra el Racing. También José Manuel Pinto ha completado su primera sesión como azulgrana. El guardameta andaluz ha saltado al césped junto a Sylvinho –con quién coincidió en el Celta- y se le ha podido ver conversar con detenimiento con Eusebio y Víctor Valdés. Después de recibir la bienvenida de los compañeros, y de participar en los habituales rondos, se ha puesto a trabajar con el entrenador de porteros, Juan Carlos Unzué, junto con Valdés y Oier.

La lista :

Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Bojan, Henry y Messi.


Fuente : FCB

Laporta : “Pido respeto para Ronaldinho”

El presidente del Barça, Joan Laporta, así como el entrenador Frank Rijkaard, se han posicionado al lado del delantero brasileño, ahora lesionado, y han pedido respeto por su proceso de recuperación.

Durante la rueda de prensa de presentación de José Manuel Pinto, los periodistas han preguntado a Joan Laporta y a Frank Rijkaard por la situación de Ronaldinho.

Ambos han afirmado rotundamente que confían plenamente en el crack brasileño porque “se trata de un jugador de referencia para el equipo”


"No tenemos intención de venderlo"
“Quiero pedir respeto para Ronaldinho. Está intentando recuperarse de la mejor manera posible”, ha declarado el presidente. Según él, “no tenemos ninguna intención de venderlo y ya a principio de temporada dejamos muy claro que contábamos con él. Es una decisión unánime de la junta directiva”.

Rijkaard : "Volverá cuando esté bien"
Frank Rijkaard, por su parte, no ha querido poner plazo a la reaparición del ‘10' barcelonista. “Volverá cuando esté bien físicamente”, ha asegurado el técnico holandés. “Está entrenándose duramente, muchos días con dobles sesiones, para estar al cien por cien”, ha añadido.



Fuente : FCB

Rijkaard : "Solo tengo una esperanza..."

Solo tengo una esperanza, que el jugador vuelva a demostrar lo grande que es como jugador". Así ha definido Frank Rijkaard, el entrenador del Barcelona, la situación en la que vive Ronaldinho.


"Está trabajando muy fuerte, con mucha disciplina. Pero hay que tomar las cosas paso a paso, eso es bueno para el club. Tengo la esperanza de que se quedará muchos años para el Barcelona", comentó el técnico holandés.

Fuente : Elentorno

Rivaldo : "El Barça cometería un gravísimo error si traspasara a Ronaldinho"

A sus 35 años sigue triunfando en Grecia. Ahora está en el AEK. Siempre con un ojo puesto en Barcelona.

Rivaldo fue el último gran ídolo del barcelonismo antes de la llegada de Ronaldinho al Camp Nou en 2003. Como azulgrana, a imagen y semejanza de su compatriota, consiguió el preciado galardón de mejor jugador del mundo, el soñado Balón de Oro. Y los dos, también, pasaron de ser ídolos de masas a ser cuestionados.


En la actualidad, algunos sectores del barcelonismos no verían con malos ojos que Ronaldinho fuera traspasado. Rivaldo, por su parte, acabó gratis en el Milan... Hoy, sigue al pie del cañón en el AEK de Grecia con Serra Ferrer de entrenador.

¿Cómo va la vida por Atenas?
Muy feliz. Esta es mi cuarta temporada en Grecia y ya estoy muy adaptado. A pesar de que el Olympiacos y el Panathinaikos se han gastado mucho dinero en formar una gran plantilla, ahora mismo somos líderes de la Liga, por lo que tiene mucho mérito.

¿Ya habla griego con fluidez?
¡Ufff...! eso es más complicado. No, no lo hablo con fluidez. En el equipo hay seis jugadores brasileños, tres argentinos, un portugués, Serra Ferrer es español, así que para comunicarnos hablamos en portugués o español. Mi mujer sí que lo habla bastante bien.

Está cerca de los 36 años. A la vejez viruelas, ‘Rivo’...
Los cumpliré el 16 de abril, sí. Físicamente me encuentro muy bien. Siempre me cuidé mucho y las lesiones me han respetado bastante. Amo el fútbol y mientras tenga esta pasión por jugar seguiré al pie del cañón. Con el AEK tengo otro año más de contrato y pienso cumplirlo, por supuesto.

¿Está al tanto de lo que ocurre en el Barça?
Todo lo que se puede estar viviendo aquí, pero sí, veo la televisión española por satélite, como el Bar ça-Sevilla de Copa del miércoles, leo en internet la prensa y hablo con amigos que me explican algunas cosas. Algo está pasando con Ronaldinho, ¿verdad?

Verdad. ¿Y qué es?
No lo sé muy bien, pero Ronaldo se marchó después de estar un solo año en el Barça. Romario tampoco cumplió su contrato. Yo acabé en el Milan. Por lo tanto no creo que sea casualidad y, por supuesto, culpa única y exclusivamente del fútbolista. Algo pasa en el Barça con los jugadores importantes.

Quizá no aceptamos que una gran figura baje en su rendimiento. Quizá queremos que siempre esté al mismo nivel...
Pero eso es imposible, porque no puedes ganar cada año la Liga, la Champions League, ni ser siempre el mejor, ni el máximo golea

¿Usted cree que Ronaldinho sigue siendo el mismo de siempre?
Todos los futbolistas tenemos altibajos y pasamos por mejores y peores momentos, pero una cosa tengo muy clara: Ronnie es el de siempre. Seguro. Además, no creo que sea bueno para la imagen del Barça que se trata así a Ronnie...

¿A qué se refiere?
El es un icono, una referencia, un espejo donde se fijan muchos futbolistas. Si los demás ven que en cuanto Ronaldinho baja de rendimiento lo tratan así, esos jugadores, como Messi, por ejemplo, u otros muchos, pensarán que cualquier día ellos les puede pasar exactamente por lo mismo.

¿Y qué hacemos entonces?
A mi modo de ver lo que habría que hacer es darle más cariño que nunca a Ronaldinho.

¿Por parte de quién?
De todos. Empezando por el entrenador y acabando por la Prensa.

Estamos hablando de un profesional que percibe un ficha de millones de euros cada año...
Aquí el dinero no tiene nada que ver, créame. Hay muchas cosas que los futbolistas hacemos sin pensar en el dinero. Cuando uno está bajo de moral, lo que hay que hacer es levantársela, animarle, darle apoyo. Si a las primeras de cambio lo criticas, entonces tenemos un problema.

¿Qué ha de hacer Rijkaard?
Demostrarle que confía en él.

El público...
Demostrarle que le quiere.

Los medios de comunicación...
Darle un margen de confianza. Ronnie ha hecho grandes temporadas, grandes partidos, ha marcado goles muy importantes, ha ganado muchos títulos ¡Y aún no ha cumplido los 28 años! ¡Tiene mucho fútbol todavía en sus piernas!

Pues en Barcelona ya se oyen voces que dicen que lo mejor que haría el Barça sería venderlo.
Cometerían un gravísimo error y lo pagarían muy caro. Bajo mi punto de vista no existe en el mundo, hoy en día, un futbolista que pueda reemplazar el vacío que dejaría Ronaldinho. Además, déjeme preguntarle una cosa, ¿qué edad tiene Henry?

Thierry tiene 30 años, ¿por qué lo pregunta?
¿Y por cuántos años ha firmado por el Barça?

La actual y tres más...
Me parece increíble que alguien pueda pensar que Ronaldinho, con 28 años, ya no tiene más fútbol que ofrecer en el Barça cuando Henry ha firmado hasta los 34. ¿Entiende lo que quiero decir?

Perfectamente, pero eso depende mucho de lo que cada jugador quiera o pueda ofrecer...
Mire, yo fui campeón del mundo con Brasil en Corea y Japón con 30 años. Fui el segundo máximo goleador después de Ronaldo y me eligieron el tercer mejor jugador del Mundial. A todos nos quedan retos por cumplir y Ronnie tiene los suyos.

¿Sabe cuáles?
No estoy dentro de su cabeza y tampoco me gusta mucho hablar de las cosas de los demás, pero a mí me consta que Ronaldinho tiene mucha ilusión por hacer un gran Mundial en Sudáfrica.

Eso será en 2010...
Por eso. Querrá llegar a esa cita en la mejor forma posible y también querrá sacarse la espina de Alemania, donde las cosas no le fueron bien ni a Brasil ni a él en el aspecto personal. Sudáfrica sería su último Mundial y él, seguro, querrá brillar con luz propia.

Unos dicen que Ronnie volverá a ser el número uno. Otros que no...
Si él tiene motivación, ilusión y muchas ganas, lo conseguirá.

Y después de haber ganado un Mundial, dos Ligas, una Champions League, todos los premios individuales habidos y por haber, ¿qué motivación puede tener?
Seguro que él quiere volver a ser campeón de Liga, de Europa, del mundo con Brasil. Y nunca hay que olvidar que jugando a fútbol es como somos felicies. Mientras nos guste esta profesión.



A algunos jugadores del FC Barcelona se les ha acusado de no llevar una vida privada acorde con las obligaciones de un profesional del fútbol...
Mire, yo nunca he salido de noche ni he bebido alcohol. Jamás me gustó salir. Ahora bien, creo que un día a la semana, después de un partido, tomar una copa con responsabilidad no le hace daño a nadie. Lo que también importa son las formas y el don de la oportunidad.

¿Qué quiere decir con eso?
A nadie se le escapa que cuando ganas partidos y el equipo funciona, aunque te vean a las tres de la madrugada en una discoteca nadie te va a decir nada. Ahora bien, si el equipo pierde, lo primero que te piden y exigen es que cuides las formas. Pasa en todos los países del mundo. Cuando se pierde lo mejor es quedarse en casa, que no te vean.

Un buen consejo...
Los futbolistas importantes han de ser conscientes de que son el ejemplo para mucha gente, especialmente para los niños. Ellos quieren ser como nosotros el día de mañana, así que hay que cuidar mucho la imagen. Ronaldinho es el ídolo de los niños por su fútbol y porque siempre tiene una sonrisa y un momento para ellos. Esas cosas también hay que saber valorarlas.

Por cierto, ¿cómo ve al Barça esta temporada?
Creo que sigue haciendo el mejor fútbol de España.Es un juego atractivo, con extremos, que a mí me gusta. No me extraña porque en el Camp Nou la afición siempre quiso ver buen fútbol, no solamente ganar. Históricamente en el Barça siempre se apostó por la calidad, por eso han desfilado tantos grandes jugadores.

Ahí está el debate ahora mismo. Incluso Eto’o afirma que lo primero es ganar, que jugar bien viene después.
Porque hay urgencias y el Madrid está a siete puntos en la clasificación. Yo también lo entiendo. Además, en muchas fases de un partido no puedes unicamente pensar en hacerlo bonito, hay que ser más práctico. Es verdad que los tres puntos, o pasar una eliminatoria, es lo esencial. Cuando ganas títulos poca gente se acuerda si juegas bien o mal. Lo que sí es cierto es que sólo aquellos conjuntos capaces de hacer un fútbol atractivo son recordados muchos años después.

¿Los siete puntos de ventaja entre Madrid y Barça son el fiel reflejo de la diferencia entre los dos grandes rivales?
Yo creo que no, ni mucho menos. La clave estuvo en el partido del Camp Nou. Esa derrota le hizo mucho daño al Barça. De todos modos yo creo que esa diferencia no es insalvable. El Barça tiene plantilla para igualarla y superarla.

Pero ya no tiene mucho margen de error...
Mire, el domingo, el Real Madrid puede perder perfectamente ante el Atlético de Madrid. Y si el Barça gana al Racing se colocará otra vez sólo a cuatro puntos. Queda mucha Liga todavía y todo puede pasar.

¿Le gusta el Madrid de Bernd Schuster?
Hace un fútbol muy práctico y también cuenta con grandes jugadores, como Robinho, Van Nistelrooy, Casillas, Raúl, Baptista.... La Liga se va a poner muy emocionante. La temporada pasada lo fue.

Más infartos no, por favor...

Fuente : Sport

Brasil anuncia el ocaso de Ronaldinho

Las voces autorizadas de su país muestran su decepción y preocupación por la caída de Ronaldinho.

En Brasil parece que ya se le ha empezado a agotar el crédito al blaugrana Ronaldinho. Y es que el debate de su rendimiento también ha llegado a su país y las conclusiones no son nada halagüeñas. Las primeras voces autorizadas ya han empezado a hacer su particular escarnio hacia el ‘crack’. Una de las más hirientes en sus comentarios ha sido el ex internacional Tostao, cuya columna de opinión es una referencia en todos los diarios. “Me equivoqué cuando antes del Mundial dije que Ronaldinho estaba cerca del nivel de Garrincha y Maradona, pero no podía prever su intensa caída. Por eso he cambiado de idea, a pesar de estar aun lejos el fin de su carrera, otros grandes cracks brillaron durante más tiempo y se han vuelto más importantes en la historia del fútbol que él”, subrayó Tostao en su columna.


En las misma línea crítica se postulaba el diario ‘O Estado de Sao Paulo’ que recordaba que “en el 2006 la revista Epoca le dedicó una portada con el título: ‘¿El nuevo Pelé?’ Los entendidos le otorgaron notas en su dominio de fundamentos en que incluso superaba a Pelé. Hoy, un año y medio después, el consenso es absoluto: ni superó ni va a superarlo”.

Greco Artero, comentarista del canal ESPN Brasil cuestionaba el estado de gracia que los brasileños habían concedido a Ronaldinho: “Me temo que no es uno de los legítimos dioses del fútbol como se había dicho. No era todo aquello que nos habíamos imaginado. Viendo la actitud de los aficionados del Barcelona al principio pensé que era una reacción de ingratitud, pero ahora me doy cuenta que no estaban tan equivocados como yo creía”.

No hay duda de que la situación de Ronaldinho en Brasil empieza a tener tintes trágicos, ya que muy pocos confían en él como salvador.

Scolari le recomienda que cambie de airesEn Brasil, quien más o quien menos, tiene claro que el futuro de Ronaldinho no pasa por seguir en el Barcelona sino que la única forma de salir del atolladero, físico y anímico, en el que se encuentra es cambiar de aires. “Lo mejor para él es que salga del Barcelona”, apuntó Luiz Felipe Scolari, actual entrenador de Portugal, en una entrevista en Zero Hora, de Porto Alegre.


Fuente : Sport

Gudjohnsen defiende a Ronnie

Buen amigo de Ronaldinho, a quien dedicó uno de sus goles en Mestalla (0-3), Gudjohnsen lamenta que "la gente se haya olvidado tan rápido"...


...de que el brasileño fue "quien le dio la electricidad a un club que estaba en un momento muy bajo. Es una situación muy triste. Parece que uno le critica y el resto se deja llevar por la negatividad y también lo hace. Creo que hay que dejarle tranquilo, que se recupere, y criticarle en todo caso por su fútbol, no por su manera de vivir. Si seguimos así, estamos perdiendo la mayor sonrisa del mundo del fútbol".

Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

Ronaldinho aún tardará quince días para recibir el alta

El brasileño evoluciona muy bien de sus molestias en el tendón rotuliano, pero para volverlo a ver entrando en una lista habrá que esperar un poco.

Si bien es cierto que la recuperación de Ronaldinho va mucho mejor -sobre todo desde que el recuperador Juanjo Brau se ha puesto a supervisar personalmente el brasileño-, también es verdad que su regreso a los terrenos de juego aún no tiene un plazo marcado y no está tan cerca como algunos apuntan.

De hecho, el ‘crack’ brasileño está totalmente descartado para jugar este domingo ante el Racing de Santander en el Camp Nou, así como para el partido de ida de Copa en Villarreal que se jugará entre semana y también de cara al encuentro de Liga en San Mamés ante el Athlétic del próximo fin de semana. Y es que la recuperación de Ronaldinho aún tiene que quemar varias etapas antes de que pueda entrar en una lista de convocados.

Todo parece indicar que en el mejor de los casos estaríamos hablando de unos quince días más para recibir el alta médica, por lo que su regreso a los terrenos de juego podría producirse en el partido de vuelta de Copa del Rey ante el Villarreal, previsto para el 30 de enero, aunque también podría producirse unos días después, cuando el Barcelona juega en el Camp Nou ante el Osasuna.

Sea como fuere, lo que está claro es que sus molestias en el tendón rotuliano tienen un difícil tratamiento y que su terapéutica es especialmente laboriosa. No hay que olvidar que Ronaldinho se lesionó el pasado 30 de diciembre en un entrenamiento y que desde ese día no ha vuelto aún a entrenarse con el grupo.Eso quiere decir que lleva ya 20 días sin ejercitarse con los compañeros, por lo que evidentemente, aparte de la lesión en sí, le falta también ritmo de entrenamientos para ponerse al mismo nivel que el resto.

El ‘crack’ brasileño se ejercitó ayer por la mañana en el Camp Nou junto a Juanjo Brau, mientras que el resto del equipo lo hacía en el Mini Estadi. Cuando Ronaldinho finalice su rehabilitación con el recuperador pasará a manos de los preparadores físicos que le pondrán a tono para entrar finalmente en el grupo. A partir de aquí dependerá de él y de Rijkaard cuándo volverá a una lista de convocados.


Fuente : Sport

Ronnie continúa sin entrenar con el grupo

El brasileño siguió con su plan específico de recuperación en el Camp Nou.

Ronaldinho continuó con su plan de recuperación de la tendinitis que sufre en la rodilla izquierda y estuvo ejercitándose ayer en el Camp Nou mientras sus compañeros lo hacían en el Mini Estadi.

El brasileño estuvo acompañado del recuperador Juanjo Brau y sigue intentando lograr la puesta a punto necesaria que le permita poder tener el alta la semana que viene.

Visto que todavía no se ha unido el grupo, parece difícil que pueda estar para el encuentro de cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey que el Barça disputará en Villarreal el próximo jueves, aunque se confía en que, si todo va por el camino correcto, sí pueda entrar en la lista del choque liguero ante el Athletic de Bilbao en San Mamés, que se jugará posiblemente el domingo día 27


Milito se va antes
Frank Rijkaard va recuperando poco a poco a jugadores, aunque la exigencia de la temporada hace que la mayoría tengan pequeños problemas físicos que en un momento u otro les afectan. Ayer fue el caso de Gabriel Milito, que se marchó a la hora de entrenamiento, justo antes de que sus compañeros se pusieran los petos para realizar ejercicios de posesión de balón en espacios reducidos. El argentino no parecía tener nada importante, simplemente es de ese grupo de jugadores que se encuentran algo más cargados que el resto de compañeros.

Ezquerro, KO
Quien sí se ausentó de la sesión fue Santi Ezquerro. El riojano sufre "una pubalgia de predominio derecho que requiere tratamiento específico y volverá a los entrenamientos con el grupo cuando disminuyan las molestias", rezaba el parte médico facilitado por el club tras el entrenamiento. El delantero fue uno de los pocos ausentes por lesión, junto a Albert Jorquera, el ya citado Ronaldinho y José Edmílson, quien se quedó en el gimnasio trabajando en la rehabilitación. Las otras ausencias fueron las de Touré y Samuel Eto'o, ambos con sus selecciones para jugar la Copa de África.


Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

Villarreal, rival en la Copa

El FC Barcelona se enfrentará al Villarreal en los cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey, después de que los amarillos hayan ganado 2-0 al Recreativo de Huelva.

La eliminatoria ha sido muy igualada y se ha decidido en la prórroga.

Después de eliminar al actual campeón de la Copa del Rey, los azulgranas tendrán otro emparejamiento complicado en los cuartos de final, el Villarreal.


El equipo de Pellegrini ha sufrido mucho para eliminar al Recreativo. Un gol de Rossi en la prórroga después de una gran jugada de contragolpe ha decidido la eliminatoria.

Empate después de 180 minutos
El Villarreal ha ganado 1-0 al Recreativo durante los 90 minutos disputados en Valencia. Bien pronto, Marcos Senna ha rematado un buen centro de Nihat. Con este gol la eliminatoria quedaba igualada cuando aún quedaban 80 minutos por el final, porque el Recreativo había ganado la ida 1-0 con gol de Cáceres.

Como en la ida, el partido ha sido muy igualada. El Villarreal llevaba el peso del juego pero los dos equipos han tenido ocasiones de gol. Camuñas ha dispuesto de las mejores ocasiones de los visitantes. Para el equipo local, Nihat ha seguido demostrando que está en un momento de forma envidiable y ha sido el jugador más activo del ataque del Villarreal.



Una prórroga de locura
En el minuto 11 de la prórroga, un contragolpe de libro del Villareal ha decidido el partido. Después de un gol en contra, Godín ha conducido un rápido contragolpe que ha finalizado Rossi con un chut ajustado al palo.

En la segunda parte de la prórroga, Pires ha provocado un penalti que parecía que sentenciaría el partido. Pero Barbosa ha parado el lanzamiento de Rossi y ha dado opciones al Recreativo hasta el último minuto. A poco para el final, un remate espectacular de Cáceres podía haber eliminado a los de Pellegrini, pero el palo lo ha evitado.

Bojan prefería evitar al Villarreal
Después de eliminar al Sevilla, el delantero azulgrana Bojan Krkic aseguró que preferiría al Recreativo como rival de cuartos de final de la Copa. El de Linyola explicó que el Recreativo era un rival muy duro, pero sobre el papel creía que el Villarreal era más temible.


Fuente : FCB

Ronaldinho fuerza el ritmo y ya divisa el alta

Se entrenó 45 minutos chutando faltas a Oier y podría estar OK la semana próxima.

Mientras sus compañeros disfrutaban de una jornada de fiesta tras eliminar al Sevilla en los octavos de la Copa del Rey, Ronaldinho no descansó y prosiguió ayer con su plan de recuperación.


El delantero brasileño quiere volver cuanto antes a los terrenos de juego y ayer forzó el ritmo durante los 45 minutos que estuvo en el campo de La Masia bajo la supervisión de Eusebio Sacristán, los preparadores físicos Paco Seirul.lo y Albert Roca y el fisioterapeuta Juanjo Brau.

Ronnie corrió y disparó a puerta con una intensidad superior a la de los días anteriores. Paulatinamente, van remitiendo los dolores por la tendinitis rotuliana en la pierna izquierda que sufrió el primer día de 2008. El crack de Porto Alegre se prodigó en una tanda de remates desde fuera del área ante Oier Olazábal, que también trabajó tras ser suplente de Víctor Valdés en los últimos cuatro encuentros, incluidos los dos de Copa ante el Sevilla. Ronnie tuvo por fin en el irundarra un portero con carne y hueso después de que fuera norma habitual que se quedara en La Masia unos minutos tras finalizar los entrenamientos chutando faltas a puerta sin un guardameta bajo los palos. El 'Gaúcho' disparó con la derecha, con lo que la pierna de apoyo y donde residía todo el peso del cuerpo era la izquierda, donde sufre la citada tendinitis.



Salvo que hubiera una recaída, Ronaldinho debería recibir el alta médica la próxima semana, con lo que Frank Rijkaad podría recuperar al brasileño de cara al partido de ida de cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey que se disputará en el feudo del Villarreal el próximo miércoles como muy pronto. Si su regreso se aplazara unos días, tendría lugar el fin de semana en San Mamés contra el Athletic. El duelo de la 21ª jornada de Liga tiene muchas posibilidades de celebrarse el sábado 26 a las 22.00 horas y ser ofrecido en abierto por laSexta y las cadenas autonómicas.

Baja desde el clásico
Ronaldinho, que se ha perdido los últimos cinco encuentros, no juega desde el clásico contra el Real Madrid del 23 de diciembre. En caso de reaparecer la próxima semana, tendría unos quince días antes del amistoso que la selección brasileña disputará el miércoles 6 de febrero en Dublín contra Irlanda. En el Barça temen las consecuencias de una posible incorporación a las filas 'canarinhas'.


Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

High voltage cup tie

Barça play this evening for a place in the quarter finals of the Copa de Rey against defending champions Sevilla. With Deco fit, they need to make the best of a 1-1 draw in the first leg.Most times Barça, meets the current champion, Sevilla. After drawing 1-1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán, there is everything to be decided, with some important absences and returns on both sides...

Deco was given medical clearance on Monday and is the main change to the squad for the game with Sevilla. It is the first game since Eto’o left for the African Nations Cup.
The Portuguese star completed training for the cup encounter without any signs of trouble and was named in Frank Rijkaard’s side to face the Andalusians. But Samuel Eto'o is of course absent, having left to play for Cameroon in the African Nations Cup.

Deco has been having abductor problems since playing in Mallorca on January 5, but is back in time to participate in tonight’s all important cup quarter final second leg at the Camp Nou.

Messi rejoins group
The other good news was the chance to welcome Messi back to training after he picked up an injury against Valencia at Mestalla on December 15. He tore biceps tissue in his left thigh, but is on the road to recovery, as are Abidal and Ezquerro, who had gastroenteritis, and Márquez who stayed in the gym on Sunday.



Ronaldinho and Edmílson still recovering
The injured Edmílson worked out on the Camp Nou turf in the company of a fitness coach, while Ronaldinho joined him as he continues working on a knee problem.

Out of action
As well as Eto'o, other players missing at the Camp Nou tonight are Messi, Oleguer, Ronaldinho, Jorquera and Edmílson, all injured, and Touré Yaya, who is away on international duty for the Ivory Coast. The only first team player not to be included in the squad of 16 is Ezquerro.

The squad :

So the definitive squad for Tuesday’s cup fixture at the Camp Nou reads as follows : Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Deco, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Bojan and Giovani.

Barça storm to victory

FC Barcelona have beaten Murcia 4-0 in an exhibition of attacking football. Gudjohnsen, Bojan and Eto'o (2) were on target as the home side played an amazing second half to start a week in which they have three home games at the Camp Nou. Barça defeated Murcia without producing particularly good football in the first half, and missing key players of the calibre of Milito, Abidal and Iniesta. The game began with Murcia being blocked out of the game, and Barça’s efforts were finally rewarded with a Gudjohnsen goal in the 27th minute.

From then on, and especially after the break, Barça were unstoppable. Bojan and Eto'o (2) rounded off a great evening for the Barça forwards. Special mention goes to Henry, who despite not scoring was a constant danger down the left and made the evening a nightmare for De Coz and supplied a couple of assists.

Murcia organised at the back
The game started as cold as the Barcelona night it was played in. Bojan played on the right and Henry on the left, with much of Barça’s attack coming from those two positions. But Murcia played it tight at the back and Barça realised they would need to be clear about how they were going to deal with it. Only Eto'o (min. 6) and Bojan (min. 13) enjoyed early chances.

Improvements made
As the game progressed, Rijkaard’s side started playing a tighter game, and it was a fast one-two that led to a dangerous 23rd minute free kick on the edge of the area. This was a moment that changed the game, and it was another great team move in the 27th minute that led to Zambrotta picking out Gudjohnsen with a pinpoint pass, and the Icelander placed the ball exactly where keeper Notario could not reach it. That was 1-0.

From there on, and the linesman’s flag permitting, Barça piled the pressure on the visiting goal. There were claims for a handball outside the area by Notario, but the referee wanted to know nothing. The Camp Nou was infuriated, and soon after Eto’o almost made it 2-0 (min. 42).

Time for Valdés, Bojan and Henry
Murcia’s best chance came just after the break, when Baiano was through one on one against Valdés, who dealt with the situation expertly. And from a possible 1-1, it was soon 2-0 as Henry danced down the left towards the by-line and found Bojan who simply had to tap the ball into the back of the net (min. 52). The Frenchman had already threatened to score a minute earlier, and this time made sure the opportunity was converted.

Barça and more Barça
Barça were now were now well on top and Henry was making the evening impossible for De Coz, while Bojan and Eto'o almost combined to make it three in the 64th minute, and Xavi also came close to scoring.

Eto'o bids farewell with goals
The best was yet to come. Henry, on the back of a terrific assist from Sylvinho, excelled again in the 76th minute as he supplied another goal, this time to Eto'o. The Cameroonian struck home in expert style to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Eto’o is now off to Ghana to play in the African Nations Cup, and wanted to mark his departure in the best way possible, which he did with a second goal when Murcia would probably have preferred to hear the referee’s final whistle and end the nightmare. Eto’o tricked Notario once again after a stylish cross from Giovani, and was given a massive ovation as he left the pitch to be replaced by Pedrito, making his first team debut. It was a wonderful night for Eto’o, and for every Barça fan in the ground.



THE GOALS :
1-0, Gudjohnsen (min 27)
2-0, Bojan (min 52)
3-0, Eto'o /min 76)
4-0, Eto'o (min 86)

Honours even in Seville

Sevilla and Barcelona ended the first leg of their Copa del Rye tie with honours even in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán after Thierry Henry had put the visitors ahead and Diego Capel levelled for the hosts. The opening encounter between the two sides did not solve anything, but Barça may feel that they now have the advantage ahead of the second game in seven days time in Camp Nou. In an intense match, the referee handed out eight yellow card, five going to Barça, while there were plenty of chances for either side to gain the upper hand.

After both goals came before the break, the second half saw both teams search for a winner on the night only for Ernesto Chevan´ton to hit the bar at one end and Edmílson strike the post at the other.

Henry breaks the deadlock
In the opening minutes the referee's whistle was a familiar sound as the tackles went in from the start. While the pace of the game heated up, it was Barça that had the first clear chance of the match as Giovani Dos Santos fired just wide of Morgan De Sanctis' near post from ten yards out.

Barça continued to attack and in the 24th minute made the breakthrough as Thierry Henry netted a trademark goal. Rafa Márquez lifted a pass over the Sevilla defence and the Frenchman took one touch to control the ball and a second to slide it perfectly past the keeper and into the back of the net before wheeling away to celebrate.

The equaliser
Sevilla won the cup last season and were not prepared to give it up easily as the goal conceded appeared to spur them on and they raced forward in search of an equaliser. Five minutes before half-time Daniel Alves took aim from long range and saw his free-kick tipped over the bar by Valdes.

From the resulting corner the majority of players went to the near post and Diego Capel was able to stay back and meet the ball 12 yards from goal. The young full-back had time to take the ball down before firing it past Valdés and speeding off to celebrate.

Denied by the woodwork
After the break, the rhythm of the game changed little although Sevilla appeared to have an extra spring in their step and Chevantón went close as he met Alves' cross only to head against the crossbar. Luis Fabiano then produced a fine save from Valdés with a curling free-kick on the hour mark. At the other end Barça showed that they were still looking for a second goal too as Edmílson sped onto the ball before sending a low shot against the far post from nearly 30 yards out.

Evenly balanced
Neither side were able to score again before the end as Giovani shot over from the corner of the area before Chevantón nodded wide of the goal in the closing minutes. The tie is finely balanced ahead of next week's second leg in Camp Nou.

THE GOALS :

0-1, Henry (min 24)
1-1, Capel (min 43)

Ronaldinho and Deco to miss Sevilla

Deco and Ronaldinho have both been omitted from Frank Rijkaard’s squad for Wednesday’s cup match in Sevilla, while Touré’s name is of course also missing. Frank Rijkaard has left the Portuguese international out of the side because a press statement issued by the club medical services has said he “is having trouble with the middle abductor in his left leg and should not play on Wednesday.” The same announcement stated that the player’s availability for future matches will depend on how things develop.

Ronaldinho still recovering
Ronaldinho is still not over his tendonitis in his left leg, and the same statement had the following to say about the Brazilian’s situation : “he is following a specific programme that involves physiotherapy in the mornings and work on the pitch in the afternoons, but he is still having trouble with his left knee.

He will not be able to play tomorrow against Sevilla and his availability for forthcoming matches will depend on how the injury develops”. This injury has already meant Ronaldinho missing out on last week’s Copa del Rey match with Alcoyano and the league fixture against Mallorca.

Touré Yaya joins Ivory Coast
Also missing will be Touré Yaya, who flew out to the Arab Emirates on Sunday to join his national side’s preparations for the African Nations Cup.

Depending on how far the Ivory Coast can go in the tournament in Ghana, and also on whether Barça knock Sevilla out of the cup, the midfielder could miss between five and nine Barcelona matches.

And then on course there are the injured Jorquera, Messi and Oleguer who also miss the trip south, while Sylvinho, Ezquerro and Marc Crosas have been dropped.



Sevilla without Kanouté and Keita
The African Nations Cup has also been causing problems for Barça’s rivals, Sevilla, who have been negotiating with the Malian Federation to see if there is any chance Kanouté and Keita can stay in Andalusia for a few extra days in order to play in the cup tie.

But the efforts were in vain, and both players have been told they have to report for international duty.

The squad :

The full squad for the cup match in Seville reads as follows : Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Eto’o, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Edmílson, Zambrotta, Bojan and Giovani.

Sevilla kick-off at 10 pm

The first leg of the Kings Cup match against Sevilla will kick off at 10 pm on Wednesday. The squad will spend the night in Seville after the match.

The match between Sevilla and Barça will finally kick off at 10 pm. If Barça qualify for the next round, they will be playing in midweek for the rest of the month of January.


Returning Thursday morning
The Barça players will be unable to return immediately after the match as Seville airport will have closed. Instead, they will fly back on Thursday morning in time for a noon training session.

Effectiveness leads to triumph

A highly effective Barcelona got the 2008 league programme off to a terrific start by beating Mallorca 2-0. Márquez put Barça ahead on 63 minutes and Eto’o finished off the job deep into injury time.

Barça got back into winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Mallorca, and thus took three important points to put the pressure on Real Madrid. It was just the boost for morale that the team needed at a time when there is simply no more margin for error. This was the sixth year in a row that Barça have come back victorious from a trip to the Balearics.


With Ronaldinho out through injury, Frank Rijkaard opted to start Giovani in his first eleven. Gudjohnsen took his now usual midfield role while the game would also see the return to action of Thierry Henry, while Edmílson played his first league game for over half a year.

FC Barcelona dominated the first half possession but struggled to create danger in attack. Mallorca were well positioned on the park and did their best to create pressure, at the same time leaving very little room for the visitors to manoeuvre. Gregorio Manzano’s side was also threatening on the counter attack, but the deadlock held fast.

Few chances
Mallorca fired the first warning shot in the 9th minute with a Güiza strike from within the area that failed to hit the target. Barça immediately responded with an Iniesta effort in the 14th minute, but one that did little to trouble Mallorca keeper Lux. Mallorca’s closest chance came in the 22nd minute when Basinas almost surprised Valdés with a low shot from the edge of the area that skimmed wide off the post. Six minutes later, Valdés dealt easily with a free kick taken by Arango.

With the first half drawing to a close, Barça had three consecutive opportunities. A high header by Márquez in the 36th minute was followed by a Xavi free kick that sailed over the crossbar on the back of an impeccable assist from Eto’o, and on the stroke of half time Iniesta tried again, this time from long range. But neither side had opened their account as the whistle blew for the break.

Barça up it in attack
After the restart, Frank Rijkaard opted to power up his forward line by sending Bojan on for Gudjohnsen. Five minutes into the half and Touré Yaya was shown a yellow card for a foul on Jonás which means he will be suspended for the next match. The half began as a carbon copy of the first, with few goalscoring chances, but Barça more incisive up front. But everything Barcelona concocted came stuck against the rock solid Mallorca defence.

Márquez opens the scoring
But Barcelona tried and tried and eventually got their reward. In the 63rd minute Márquez, unmarked at the near post, headed a Xavi corner past a hapless Lux.



Henry and Edmílson back
Just after the goal, Henry substituted Giovani to make his first appearance since November 24 against Recreativo. The night also marked the return of Edmílson, who played midweek against Alcoyano and was back for his first league outing since his injury. Coming on in the 69th minute, this was his first league match since May 26.

Referee Ramírez Domínguez disallowed a Thierry Henry goal in the 74th minute, but the French international was certainly revitalising things for a Barça side occasionally bereft of ideas. Henry then brought the best out in Lux with a strike that was turned behind for a corner. As the game went into the last quarter of hour, Barça settled down and concentrated more on keeping their lead.

Eto'o sentences affairs
The game was as good as over when, two minutes into injury time, Samuel Eto'o bagged Barça’s second with a powerful drive from outside the area to round off a move started by Bojan and involving a delightful through ball from a highly active Thierry Henry. Thus it ended 2-0 to Barça, meaning 2008 has started with three absolutely crucial away points.

The goals :
0-1 Márquez (min. 63)
0-2 Eto’o (min. 92)

Ronaldinho : out for Mallorca game

First team doctor, Ricard Pruna, has confirmed that Ronaldinho will not play against Mallorca as he is continuing with his recovery from tendonitis in his left knee.

Frank Rijkaard can’t count on Ronaldinho for the league match on Saturday against Mallorca. The Brazilian is still recovering from tendonitis in his left knee, according to first team doctor Ricard Pruna. For this reason Ronaldinho is definitely out of the game against Mallorca on Saturday.

Specific programme
The first team doctor said that “Ronaldinho noticed some problems in his left knee during training on Sunday. An exploration and scan of the knee revealed some inflammation of the tendon”. Ricard Pruna also explained that the number 10 was following “a specific programme of physiotherapy and gym work, and later will do some pitch work with a physio”. According to Doctor Pruna Ronaldinho’s return “will depend on how his problems develop”.

Messi making good progress
In his press conference following the surgery on Albert Jorquera, Ricard Pruna also spoke about Leo Messi’s progress. The azulgrana doctor confirmed that “his revovery is on schedule”. The player was injured on 15 December against Valencia and his recovery was put at one month. “The player should be given the all clear by around 20 January, more or less”, said Doctor Pruna.

Barça in the next round

Barcelona qualified for the next round of the Copa del Rey after they drew at home to Alcoyano in the second leg of the last 32 on Wednesday evening. Santi Ezquerro scored twice as Frank Rijkaard's side progressed after winning the opening leg.

Having secured a three-goal lead in the first match, Barça were able to rest several players and give minutes to the second string and young stars against the third division visitors. On a rain-soaked night in the Catalan capital two early goals put the result of the tie completely beyond doubt. Goalkeeper Oier Olazábal made his first team debut following the injury to Albert Jorquera while Víctor Sánchez also made his first appearance at the highest level.

With the game and the tie won, Barça let their guard down after the break and Alcoyano took advantage as they scored with a penalty before drawing level in the final minute.

Ezquerro bags a brace
Just two minutes of the game had passed when the deadlock was broken as Ezquerro finished off a powerful team move. The forward pounced on the ball to tuck home after a shot from Deco. The hosts could not have asked for a better start, but the Blaugrana continued to push forward and were able to double their lead with ten minutes on the clock. This time Bojan Krkic provided the pass for Ezquerro to tuck home side second of the evening.

Barcelona were never forced to play at their best as they controlled proceedings for the remainder of the opening half. Despite being behind, though, Alcoyano never took their foot off the pedal and forced a series of corners, but were unable to test Olazábal.

Alcoyano come back
After half-time, the game continued along the same lines as the first half. The weather did not help the rhythm of the match and the intensity was missing. That did not stop chances being created as Bojan had an opportunity on the hour mark, but he saw his effort strike the woodwork. Alcoyano then went up to the other end and reduced the arrears as the former Barça player, Perona, netted from the penalty spot after Eidur Gudjohnsen had handled in the area.

Unable to find a third
In the final 15 minutes, Barça looked set to add a third goal, but they were unable to score despite both Bojan and Ezquerro having chances. Then, in the final minute of the game the visitors raised their game one last time and managed to snatch a dramatic equaliser as Arnau scored. The draw for the next round of the Copa del Rey takes place on Friday.



The goals :

1-0, Ezquerro (min 2)
2-0, Ezquerro (min 10)
2-1, Perona (pen) (min 69)
2-2, Arnau (min 90)


Source : FCB

Barça to face Celtic in Champions League

FC Barcelona will meet Glasgow Celtic in the second round of the Champions League.

The first leg will be played at Celtic Park and the return at the Camp Nou.

The first legs will be played on February 20 and the returns on March 4...


The other matches :

Olympique Lyon – Manchester Utd
Schalke - Oporto
Liverpool - Inter
Roma - Real Madrid
Arsenal - Milan
Olympiakos - Chelsea
Fenerbahçe – Sevilla

Barça put on a show

Barcelona produced a domineering display against Valencia in Mestalla and put any talk of away day problems behind them as Samuel Eto'o scored twice in the first half and Eidur Gudjohnsen added a third after the break. Frank Rijkaard's side employed their quick passing football to devastating effect as they recorded their second away victory of the season and added to Valencia's woes in their own stadium. Eto'o was clinical in front of goal, while the defence and midfield looked strong and secure as they prevented Valencia from creating any real chances of note.

Dominating effect
From the start it was clear that Barça were the more confident side as they moved the ball around and looked for ways through the Valencia defence. The home side were forced to sit back and only edge forward when they could on the counter-attack. In the opening half all the best chances came at one end as Santi Cañizares had a busy evening.

Eto’o on form
In the 12th minute, the Blaugrana capitalised on their domination as Messi picked out Eto'o in the area and Cameroonian striker skipped past two defenders before creating space to drive the ball past Cañizares and into the top corner of the net. The strike was Eto'o's first goal in the league this season, after he opened his account in the Champions League in midweek.

A second arrived after 26 minutes and again the same pair created the move. after a superb string of passes, Messi picked up the ball just outside the area before threading it to Eto'o and he hit it first time to leave Cañizares flat-footed and unable to react as the shot flew past him.

Messi injured
There was some bad news in the opening period for Barça as Lionel Messi limped out of the action after picking up an injury three minutes before the break. The Argentinian was replaced by Giovani Dos Santos and is set to miss the visit of Real Madrid next weekend.



Looking for four
Despite having a comfortable lead, the visitors looked to continue pushing forward in the second half and, although Valencia pushed further up the field to try and break up Barça's passing game, a third goal came. Dos Santos picked up a loose ball on the right of the area and edged forward before rolling a pass across goal where Gudjohnsen was able to tap home from close range.

Giovani goes close
In the closing minutes, there were chances for Rijkaard's side to add to their tally as Dos Santos had chance si the 74th and 76th minute, while Bojan Krkic warmed Cañizares' gloves with a shot. While they were unable to find a fourth goal, Barça enjoyed a comfortable victory against a Valencia side that rarely looked likely or capable of causing many problems and confidence is now high in the camp ahead of the visit of Madrid.

The goals :

0-1, Eto'o (min 12)
0-2, Eto'o (min 26)
0-3, Gudjohnsen (min 61)


Source : FCB