Tito Vilanova believes that FC Barcelonsa must be the team to set the rhythm of the game against Numancia in Los Parajitos if they want to start the new season under Pep Guardiola with a victory on Sunday.
The Blaugrana assistant coach told Barça TV and that he felt that if the visitors ensured the game was played at their pace then they would be successful. "We have to control the rhythm of the game," he explained. "We have to make sure that we do that throughout the game. We will have a better chance of winning if we can do that.”

Great experience

"We will have to be focussed and concentrate at all times because they are tactically very strong," Vilanova continued, looking at Numancia's style. "If the game is goalless then a slower rhythm will also suit them better. Sergio Kresic has a lot of experience and he will have worked on a lot of tactical ideas before the game."

Opening game

Continuing with his analysis of Barça's opponents, Vilanova added: "There players may not be well known and they have few overseas players too, but they managed to win the second division last season with some ease. This is their first game back in the top flight and these type of matches are always difficult for us."

Training session

Under Guardiola, Barça's squad have a light training session on the morning of the game and this weekend has been no exception. "These sessions are good because they mean that the players do not spend all day in the hotel," Vilanova said. "If they do that then they tend to go into the game feeling lethargic. Besides, it is good to run about after spending six hours on the coach. The players enjoy the ball games too. Often we use these sessions to deal our tactics, but this time we are not."

 
Josep Guardiola has named his eighteen players for his squad to face Numancia on Sunday. Messi has been included, but there is no place for any of Pedro, Víctor Sánchez or Sylvinho.
The Argentinian is back in the squad for the first time since winning Olympic gold for Argentina. The last time Messi appeared for FC Barcelona was a month ago, on July 30 against ACF Fiorentina ( 1-3 ).

Three players dropped

Unlike against Wisla Krakow, where Guardiola took all the players he had apart from Messi who had just returned the day before from China and Víctor Sánchez, who had only just received the medical all-clear, this time the manager has decided that some players can stay at home. Víctor Sánchez, Sylvinho and Pedro are the players that have not been included.

In Poland, Guardiola only decided which players he would drop on the day of the game.

 
The Barça manager has commented on how important it is to get the league season off to a good start this weekend. Guardiola considers that “if the League goes well, everything else works, because the league marks the pace for the team in general.”
With just a day to go before Barça start their League campaign, Pep Guardiola has explained why this weekend’s trip to Soria is s important and that the side has to “win and convince … because the league marks the pace for the team in general and when the League goes well, everything else goes better too.”

So Guardiola is aware off how important it is to get off to a winning start: “We have to be at our best as quickly as possible and that implies winning in Soria.”

First league game

The draw determined that Barça with start the season at Los Pajaritos against newly promoted Numancia, who Barça have never beaten away from the Camp Nou, but that is no excuse for Guardiola: “That’s the ground we have to go to and that’s the team we’re playing and there is no room for excuses, we simply have to go there and win.”

He described the opening game as “difficult because we have to do everything well…. The result we get in Soria will not win or lose the league, but it always helps to start with a win.”

Pleased with the team

The Barça manager said he is “very happy with the team and the signings we have made … all of them are ready to work hard.” Guardiola is also pleased with what his players have achieved so far: “they have done a good job in the preseason and now they have to round that off with a win in Soria. We are in three competitions and we have to fight hard in them all.”

Guardiola was delighted to get Leo Messi back, and sees the player as being “very happy and in good form” and he was also glad to see him coming back “with a medal and without injuries”.

 
The first team assembled on the pitch in the Miniestadi on Friday morning before training to have the first squad photo of the new season taken with the new kits and all the new signings being show off.
In this annual event, the players were all in good humour as they donned the new Nike kit after changing in the Miniestadi and walked on to the field to pose for the cameras. The photos took place this week after UEFA asked for the images from all teams competing in the Champions League this term.

Miniestadi

Pep Guardiola did pose for a team photo earlier in the month when the players posed before the Trofeo Gamer encounter with Boca Juniors. The Miniestadi was chosen for the photo shoot and only Gaby Milito was absent. The squad were all very relaxed and enjoyed their moment posing in front of the lens.

Training session

After the photos, training began as Barça continued their preparations for the first league game of the new campaign at Numancia on Sunday evening (7pm). The session was quick at first with a series of physical circuits that were worked through before a change of rhythm slowed the proceedings down.

 
Bojan Krkic believes that FC Barcelona's ambitions must have no limits this season because he believes that the current squad is capable of challenging on in every competition.
On his 18th birthday, the Blaugrana striker signed a new contract extension at Camp Nou that will keep him at the club until 2013 and he assured in a press conference on Friday that he is relishing playing in Europe. "It does not matter which teams we have drawn because we will go into every game in the same manner," he said. "The squad have a strong desire to really achieve something this season."

No easy games

"All the teams are in the Champions League and therefore nobody can say that because they do not have such a big name that they will be any easier," he continued. "We will treat every side that we meet the same way."

A privilege

On a personal level, Bojan is pleased with his place in Pep Guardiola's first team squad. "I am a young player and, just like last year, I hope to continue to have the confidence of the coaches," he explained. "Being in the first team at 18 is a privilege."

Starting again

"I think that last was very good for me, but that is now in the past. Everything is new and we all have to start from scratch," Bojan continued. "I need to take advantage of the minutes I am given this term."

No favourites

When asked about who he felt the favourites to win the title will be this season, Bojan was diplomatic in his answer. "It is impossible to choose a favourite," he explained. "All I know is what things are like here and that we are 100 per cent ready for the start of the league season."

Looking ahead to Real Madrid's chances, the young forward simply said: "They are a very good team with some exceptional individuals."

 
Between September 1 and 12, Barça will be missing a host of international players. In fact, the only first team players Guardiola will have will be Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Víctor Sánchez, Sylvinho and Eto’o.
The international games being played on September 5 and 10 will deny Barça of the bulk of the squad for 12 days. Apart from the injured Milito and Jorquera, 15 of the 21 members of the first team will be away on international duty.

Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta, with Spain

The new Spanish manager, Vicente del Bosque, has named his squad for South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifying games. Xavi Hernàndez, Carles Puyol and Andrés Iniesta have all been named. On the 6th Spain face Bosnia in Murcia, and four days later, on the 10th, they are in Albacete against Armenia.

Abidal and Henry, with France

After not being named for the friendly against Sweden, France have renamed Éric Abidal for the two games against Austria and Serbia. The Barça full back will not be able to play on the 5th, however, due to a suspension he has yet to serve following a yellow card in the European Championship.

The other Barcelona player in the list announced by Raymond Domenech is Thierry Henry.

Many kilometres

There will be longer journeys in store for Rafa Márquez, Martín Cáceres and Leo Messi. Mexico have to play Jamaica and Canada, Uruguay take on Colombia and Ecuador, while Argentina’s opponents are Paraguay and Peru. All three players leave Barcelona on September 1 and will be due back on the 12th.

Alexander Hleb and Eidur Gudjohnsen also have two matches. Belarus play Ukraine and Andorra, and Iceland are up against Norway and Scotland.

One game for Africans

Barça’s two African players have just one game ahead of them. Touré Yaya and the Ivory Coast face Mozambique, while Mali and Seydou Keita play Congo.

 
Touré Yaya knows all about playing against Shakhtar Donetsk having played for their local rivals Metalurh Donetsk for two seasons and will be able to give FC Barcelona some insight into how the Ukrainian outfit play.
The Ivory Coast midfielder will have his experience tapped into ahead of the Blaugrana's encounters with Shakhtar after they were drawn together in the Champions League group stage along with Sporting Lisbon and Basel. Touré played for Metalurh between 200 and 2005 and recalled some his memories to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat. "It was a difficult time because I was very young and it was a country with few resources," he explained. "But I am looking forward to going back there and playing again and to returning to the Shakhtar stadium."

Hard working and united

"Although I have not kept up with the currnt team, I know that Shakhtar are a side that have signed some very good players and have a number of Brazilians," Touré continued. "They are a hard-working team that are very united. They move as one block when going forward and when they defend and because of that we will have to take the games very seriously."

Memories of Donetsk

During his time with Metalruh, Touré played in several local derbies and knows how strong the rivalry is between the two Donetsk sides. "The truth is that they were tough game because the Shakhtar fans are noisy and we even had problems finishing one game because of problems off the pitch. There will be no problems with Barça though because the supporters their enjoy the visits of the big teams with great players."

What an atmosphere

"Their fans really supporter their team and will be singing from the start because they will be playing against Barcelona and picking up a result against us would be seen as something really important," he continued. "But we will have to play our own game and not be affected by anything." Touré then explained that he believes that the experience in the Barça team will see the team not be bothered by the atmosphere.

 
This Thursday, Bojan Krkic turns 18. The Barça forward celebrates his birthday having consolidated himself in the first team. Since his debut in the Al-Ahli ground, Bojan has had an unforgettable season in which he has lived up to expectations.
Bojan Krkic Pérez was born in Linyola on the 28th of August 1980. His parents, Bojan and Maria Lluïsa couldn’t have imagined then that 18 years later their son would become a key player for FC Barcelona. Bojan Krkic comes of age having confirmed all expectations that were awakened during his formation period with Barça’s youth teams.

From the novice category to the Third division, Bojan was the top goal scorer for the teams he played for. It was only a question of time for him to start with the first team. Since his debut on the 24th of April 2007, Bojan has had an unforgettable season with many dates underlined on the calendar.

An unforgettable night

24th of April 2007: Bojan played his first game under Frank Rijkaard in a friendly in Al-Ahli’s stadium in Cairo . Only 16 years and nine months old, the forward became the fourth youngest player to make his debut with the first team. To make the night even more unforgettable Bojan also scored his first goal, scoring the second of four scored by Barça.

Debut in the league and a new record

16th of September 2007: Makes his debut with the first team in an official match in the ‘Reyno de Navarra’ stadium against Osasuna in the third game of the league. Bojan played the last 12 minutes and almost scored the goal that would have meant victory for Barça.

22nd of September 2007: makes his debut in the Camp Nou against Seville ( 2-1 ). The player received the ovation of the night when he came on as sub for Messi a minute from the end.

21st of October 2007: Bojan becomes the youngest goal scorer in a league game in Barça’s history. In the ‘Madrigal’ against Vila-real ( 3-1 ), Bojan scored the goal to draw even in the 24th minute. With only 17 years, 1 month and 22 days, Bojan went down in the club’s history.

24th of November 2007: The Camp Nou witnesses Bojan’s first goal in the stadium. In the 13th league game of the season against Recreativo de Huelva ( 3-0 ), Bojan celebrated his first goal in the Camp Nou with the fans.

Bojan makes history in Europe

19th of September 2007: Makes his debut in European competition in the Champions’ League against Olimpique de Lion ( 3-0 ). At 17 years and 22 days, Bojan is the youngest player in Barça’s history to play an official game in Europe.

1st of April 2008: Scores his first goal in European competition in the Veltins Arena against Schalke 04 ( 0-1 ). It was the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions’ League and Bojan scored the goal that put them on the way to qualifying for the semi-final.

Debut for Catalonia

29th of December2007: Bojan Krkic fulfils one of his dreams: to play for the Catalan national team. The forward made his debut in the game between The Basque Country and Catalonia (1-1) and scored the only Catalan goal.

Bojan and the Spanish squad

9th of September 2008: Bojan is runner up in the Under-17’s World Cup held in Seoul. The Spanish team lost in the final to Nigeria (1-0). Bojan was suspended and didn’t play the final but was chosen for the Bronze Ball as best player of the World Cup. He was also the second highest goal scorer in the competition with five goals.

1st of February 2008: The manager, Luis Aragonés calls Bojan up for the friendly against France. Bojan takes part in the Spanish national side’s training but illness just before the match prevented him from playing his debut. The manager once again calls him up for the Euro 2008, but the player, along with Luis Aragonés, decides to step down due to physical and mental tiredness caused by a very intense season.

 
Guardiola is about to make his debut in ‘la Liga’ with FC Barcelona. Márquez, with Espanyol and Muñiz with Racing de Santander will also debut in the First Division.
The new season begins and, like every year the movement on the bench is classical. On this occasion there are three managers who are new to ‘la Liga’: Josep Guardiola, at the reins of a Barça that will go out to win the title, Bartolomé Márquez, at Espanyol, where he worked as Valverde’s assistant last year, and Juan Ramon López Muñiz, who will lead Racing in their European debut.

Veterans and foreigners

Eleven managers continue at the helm of the same club as last year. Emphasis: Javier Aguirre, who will play in the Champions’ League this year with Atletico Madrid, Paco Chaparro, at Betis where he will continue motivating in his own particular style, or Manuel Pellegrini, with Villarreal, who also has the honour of being the manager with most consecutive seasons managing the same team in the Spanish league.

This manager is on the list of foreign coaches in the championship, along with Bernd Schuster, Sergio Kresic, who debuted with Numancia, and Javier Aguirre. As for changing sides, Unai Emery, from Almeria to Valencia stands out along with Victor Muñoz, from Huelva a Getafe, or Gonzalo Arconada, from Soria to Almeria.

Bets on people from within

It’s the first time in many years that the league clubs count on homegrown managers. On the other hand, apart from Josep Guardiola, there are four more managers who came through the ranks of the club they are now training: Márquez-Espanyol, Ziganda-Osasuna and Manolo Jiménez-Seville

Comings and goings, like every season, what will definitely remain is the emotion for the league that is about to begin.

 
FC Barcelona now knows its three rivals in the first group stage of the Champions’ League and they are Sporting Lisbon, Basel and Shaktar Donetsk. The debut, in the Camp Nou, is against the Portuguese on the 16th of September.
After the eliminatory stage, the Champions’ League 2008/09 began this Thursday afternoon with the draw, which took place in Monaco. This was where the side managed by Pep Guardiola found out whom their three rivals were in the first stage of the top European competition, this will be played between the 16th of September and the 10th of December. Barça, in group C, will come face to face with Sporting Lisbon, Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The team will begín and end this first stage playing at home. That way, Barça will debut on the 16th of September, in the Camp Nou, against Sporting Lisbon. Next, on the first of October, the Barça squad will travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk. The third game will also be away from home, in this case in Basel’s stadium. The Swiss team will visit the Camp Nou on the 4th of November. Then on the 26th of November, Guardiola’s men head for Portugal to play Sporting Lisbon. FC Barcelona will finish this stage at home against Shakhtar Donetsk.

One previous meeting with Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA

The first rival for Gurdiola’s squad is Sporting Lisbon. Until now Barça and the Portuguese team had coincided only once in European competition. This was in the third round of the UEFA Cup in the 1986/87 season. The overall result of the eliminatory was a two all draw, but FC Barcelona ended up winning on goal average. The Portuguese also played in the Gamper in 1999, and they lost 3-1.

No previous meetings with Basel

As for Basel, to date there have been no previous meetings with this rival, but all Barcelona fans remember the historic final of the Super Cup in the Saint Jackob Stadium. Moreover, in the 58/59 campaign, they played against a selection from Basel in the fourth round of the Fairs Cup (Copa de Fires), in which Barça won by an overall 7-3.

The best known

The last team to enter this group was Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine. In this case Barça fans have a really recent encounter. It took place in the 2004/05 season in the group stage of the top competition. If Barça won by a clear 3-0, in the game in Ukraine they lost 0-2.
Before, the 1978/79 season, these two teams came face to face in the fourth round of the Super Cup. That time, Barça overcame its rival by an overall 3-2.

Barça’s games in detail

This is the order of the games that Pep Guardiola’s side will play throughout the first group stage of the Champions’ League:

Tuesday, 16th of September: FCB – Sporting Lisbon
Wednesday, 1st of October: Shakhtar Donetsk – FCB
Wednesday, 22nd of October: Basilea – FCB
Tuesday, 4th of November: FCB – Basel
Wednesday, 26th of November: Sporting Lisbon – FCB
Tuesday, 9th of December: FCB - Shakhtar Donetsk

 
Tito Vilanova has admitted that the Champions League draw could have been more difficult for FC Barcelona after they were picked out in the same group as Sporting Lisbon, Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Blaugrana first team assistant coach spoke Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat after the event in Monaco on Thursday and said: "There were teams that people felt would be tougher, but this group will still not be easy for Barça," he explained. "It is true though that it could have been more complicated that it has in fact turned out to be."

Worthy opposition

"If these teams are in the Champions League then it is because they deserve to be," Vilanova continued. "They are all difficult opponents. We know that every away game will be tough because of the atmosphere that the home fans will create for our visit and so we are not expecting any match to be easy."

Sporting

Looking ahead to the games against Sporting, the trainer said: "Portuguese football is good and they have some great players. Therefore, they will be more complicated than some people think. They have some good youngsters that the biggest clubs in Europe want."

Basel

Vilanova then admitted that Barça would need to do their homework on Basel. "We did not prepare notes for every team, but we will certainly study them and their players now and watch the way that they play," he continued.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Finally, the coach admitted that Shakhtar Donetsk could cause Barça the most problems. "I think they will be the most difficult because they are regulars in the Champions League and have more experience," he added.

 
FC Barcelona have been drawn in the same group as Sporting Lisbon, Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and all three will pose different questions and problems.
Sporting Lisbon

The Leões are, along with Porto and Benfica, one of Portugal's big three teams. They are coached by Paulo Bentoa, the former Oviedo player, who oversaw the team's campaign last term when they finished a creditable second in the table.

It is in midfield that Sporting's main strength lies as they can boast the talent of the highly-rated duo Miguel Veloso and Moutinho, both of whom are being watched by some of Europe's major clubs. Brazilian-born players form the core of the team and within their ranks the Portuguese outfit have former Blaugrana star Fabio Rochemback, who has returned to the club after a spell in England.

The main problem for Sporting has been their inability to score goals but they hope that the arrival of Portugal international Helder Postiga will solve that.

Basel

FC Barcelona will visit the arena where they won the European Cup Winner's Cup when they play Basel in Switzerland at St. Jakob Park, which was also one of the venues for the European Championships this summer.

The Swiss outfit caused a surprise when they made it in to Europe in 2002-03 and played in the Champions League, but since then they have been regulars, having won the last four domestic league titles.

Coach Christian Gross is in charge of the team for the ninth consecutive season and he has assembled a young squad which contain three talented Argentinian players as well as former Gimnástic de Tarragona playmaker David Abraham and Turkish forward Derdiyok.

Basel as supported by tennis superstar Roger Federer and wear the same Blaugrana colours as FC Barcelona.

Shakhtar Donetsk

The Ukrainian outfit have risen to prominence in recent seasons and challenged Dynamo Kiev's dominance in the league and their place as the country's most famous side in Europe.

Currently coached by Romanian Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar qualified for the group stages after easing past Dynamo Zagreb in the preliminary round this month. They have no less than seven Brazilian players in their team, while Croatian Dario Serna is the team's leader.

Shakhtar's strengths are their formidable forward line as well as the atmosphere their fans can create at home games, but they do have defensive problems.

 
FC Barcelona will play in the Champions League for the fifth successive season after beating Wisla Kraków over two legs in the preliminary tie and go into the draw for the group stage this week.
The Blaugrana have been in the competition for nine of the last ten campaigns having only missed out in 2003-04, when they played instead in the UEFA Cup for a year. In the last four seasons, under Frank Rijkaard, the Catalan club have played in and progressed from the group stages and won the trophy itself in 2006 when they beat Arsenal in Paris.

Since the European Cup was founded as a competition in 1955, FC Barcelona have participated in the competition on 19 occasions and have won the tournament twice, having been triuphant for the first time in 1992 when they defeated Sampdoria at Wembley.

Juve return

Alongside Barça in the draw for the Champions League this week, another major name in European football will officially return to the competition with Juventus playing again after two seasons away. The Bianconeri have a grand history in Europe and they will be joined by Panathinaikos, after the Greek team qualified on Tuesday evening, who are coached by former Barça trainer Henk ten Cate.

Wednesday action

The remainder of the second legs of the qualifiers take place on Wednesday evening and there are some big names that have yet to secure their place in the next stage. Ernesto Valverde, who played for Barça, will hope his Olmypiacos side can come back from three goals down against Anorthosis.

Atlético de Madrid still have plenty to do as well after losing their first game in Gelsenkirchen against Schalke 04. Liverpool will need to be at their best to beat Standard Liege at Anfield after drawing the opening encounter, while Fiorentina, Dynamo Kiev, Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal are all playing too.

Top seeds

The principality of Monaco will the setting for the draw for the group stage of the Champions League on Thursday. A total of eight groups containing four teams each will be pulled out. FC Barcelona will be number on seeds along with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Olympique Lyonnais, Inter and Porto. The final top seed will not be known until Arsenal and Liverpool have both played on Wednesday.

 
Pep Guardiola's appointment as coach of FC Barcelona was one of the main stories of the summer in the Spanish league, but now all the talking can stop as the 2008-09 campaign kicks off with Espanyol playing Real Valladolid this weekend.
The first game begins at 8pm in the Easti Olímpic on Montjuïc and will herald the start of a campaign that promises so much at this stage for every club. While there have been some major transfers, one of the biggest changes on the coaching staff has been the arrival of Guardiola at the helm of the Blaugrana and he will lead out his side for the first time at Numancia on Sunday at 7pm.

The contenders

Of all the clubs poised to vie for the title this season, Barcelona's transfer activity has made them one of the favourites to replace Real Madrid as champions in nine months time. The last four championships have been won by Barça and Madrid with two apiece, but every year there have been contenders to the crown with Villarreal, Sevilla and Atlético de Madrid all mounting concerted efforts to finish on top of the pile.

Valencia may have not lived up to expectations last season, but this year Unai Emery will hope to improve things having taken over in the summer and he will oversee his first match in charge against Real Mallorca on Saturday. The following day Villarreal kick off at Osasuna while Sevilla are in El Sardinero to play Racing Santander and Atlético de Madrid play Málaga away. At 9pm on Sunday, Real Madrid face a tricky trip to Riazor to take on Deportivo La Coruña.

Four foreign coaches

There have been few changes at the top with 12 clubs keeping the same coach that they ended last season with. One other fact is that Bernd Schuster at Real Madrid, Manuel Pellegrini at Villarreal, Javier Aguirre at Atlético de Madrid and Sergio Kresic at Numancia are the only foreign trainers in charge of top flight teams in la Primera, the lowest number for six seasons.

Few transfers

With only a few days to go before the close of the summer transfer window, there have been fewer transfers than normal. Barça have bolstered their squad with five new signings after bringing in Dani Alves, Seydou Keita, Martín Cáceres, Aliaksandr Hleb and Gerard Piqué. Málaga and Mallorca have signed the most players with 12 new arrivals each.

 
Puyol was not too disappointed with Barca’s defeat against Wisla Kraków because he was encouraged with the way the team performed. "We showed some good things despite the fact that it is never good to lose, but I think the results was not justified."
The Blaugrana captain spoke to the media after training on Thursday at a press conference and he stated that he had "great confidence" in the squad and that the reverse in the Champions League against the Poles did not change that.

Unity and desire

Looking ahead to the start of the league season, Puyol continued: "We have to work with a real desire and to want to reach our aims so we have be united as a squad. There will be difficult moments and we have to be together in order to ensure that we come through."

For that reason, Puyol does not believe that responsibility for performances can fall onto any individual and hopes that there is no pressure on Lionel Messi to perform. "He is one of the best players in the world, but the work should be a collective thing," he added.

A good pre-season

"Despite the defeat against Wisla, I still think that our performance was too bad at all. Pre-season has been great over all," he continued while looking back over all the past few weeks.

"Our goal tally has been high and maybe the defeat was a reminder to us," Puyol explained. "Wisla are a good team and they know how to play good football. The result was not justified though and did not reflect the way that the game went."

Set pieces

When asked whether he felt the defence had been a weak point, Puyol responded with a firm "no". "Set piece goals are common and we have to always be focussed to stop them. We also had chance to created opportunities from them too."

 
Having qualified for the group stages of the Champions League, Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona squad returned to training on Wednesday afternoon and were joined by Lionel Messi for the first time since his participation in the Olympic Games.
Following the defeat in the second leg of the European encounter with Wisla on Tuesday, the Blaugrana were back training and have already turned their attention to the first league game of the season against Numancia next Sunday. Now that Champions League qualification has been taken care of, all eyes are now set on making a good start in la Primera.

Reunion with Messi

One of the main events of the training on Wednesday evening has been Messi's appearance with his team-mates. The Argentinian returned from Beijing at teh start of the week and had to train alone while the rest of the squad were in Poland.

Recovery for the starting players

The session was used to allow the players that began the game against Wisla to warm down and go through their paces to recover. After starting out all together with some light jogging, the players all that broke into smaller groups to work on more individual tings.

Specific work

Carles Puyol, Seydou Keita, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry, Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves, Andrés Iniesta and Éric Abidal did sprinting and jogging, while the rest of the players played ball games. Iniesta then moved to one side and was able to work on his own recovery programme away from the squad.

Cuéllar’s visit

During the session former Barça player, Ángel Cuéllar, turned up to watch the session and the squad went over to greet him. Cuellar played for the Blaugrana alonside Guardiola between 1995 and 1997.

 
There are a number of curiosities regarding tonight’s Champions League third round match between Wisla Krakow and FC Barcelona.
- FC Barcelona have never lost in Poland. The side has played in the country five times and won four and drawn of one those matches.

- Barça have only played in Krakow once. That was in the 2001/02 season, and also in the Champions League preliminary round against Wisla. That time Barça won 4-3.

- Wisla won their first home game in this season’s Champions League 5-0. That was the return leg of their second round match with Beitar Jerusalem, after the Poles had lost the first leg 2-1. A similar result tonight would put Barça, 4-0 winners in the first leg, out of the competition.

- Martín Cáceres could play his first official minutes in an FC Barcelona shirt. He was the only one of the five summer signings not to feature in the first leg at the Camp Nou.

- This game will also be new manager Josep Guardiola’s first official away match.

- There are two others Champions League qualifiers being played tonight. These are Artmedia v Juventus and Panathinaikos v Sparta Prague. The rest of the programme will be played on Wednesday.

- The winners of this round will go into the Champions League stage, which will be drawn on Thursday at 18.00.

 
Leo Messi, who did not travel to Krakow, trained this morning at La Masia as he seeks to get fit in time for the game with Numancia.
After returning from Beijing on Sunday , the Olympic champions Leo Messi donned his boots again under the watchful eye of the club’s fitness staff. Josep Guardiola had decided not to take Messi to Poland, as the team was scheduled to leave so soon after he returned from China, the Argentinian will be working hard in Barcelona in order to be ready to take his place in the squad in the league opener against Numancia.

Enthusiastic

Leo Messi appeared at La Masia at eleven in the morning, joined by fitness coaches, and also by Víctor Sánchez, who was also there for the workout.

He started with a bit of jogging, but was obviously keen to get working with the ball, and every time his run brought him close to one, he made sure of giving it a kick.

Ball comes into play

The Barça player then did some passing practice, first statistically and then in combination with a circuit. He then did a bit of target practice by aiming the ball at the crossbar.

Once this was over, he worked on accuracy, kicking one ball and then trying to kick a second as close as possible to the first.

 
The FC Barcelona players took a walk this morning along the banks of the Wisla, the most important river in the country, which passes through the city of Krakow.
After breakfast, the FC Barcelona players and coaching staff stretched their legs in the area around the hotel as they enjoyed a sunny day in Krakow. The half hour walk took in the banks of the River Wisla (after which the team they face tonight is named) and viewed the Royal Castle of Wawel, an incredible structure dating back 1,000 years and where of old, the kings of Poland were crowned.

As they walked, the players constantly approached by Polish supporters and autograph hunters, and plenty of surprised but camera-happy tourists.

Morning activity

Pep Guardiola has therefore reintroduced the old system of match day mornings used in previous seasons. In Monday’s press conference, the manager has already said that the team would either have a light training session or otherwise go out for a walk, and he eventually opted for the latter.

 
Despite losing to Wisla Krakow (1-0), Pep Guardiola was upbeat about the way the team played and was delighted that Barça will be playing in the Champions League.
The FC Barcelona first team lost their first game of the season tonight but the Barça manager was happy with his players’ attitude and was delighted to have sealed passage into Europe’s premier club competition: “I am very satisfied with the team’s behaviour” he said . “The aim was to qualify for the Champions League and we did that. I am absolutely delighted”.

“No complaints”

Guardiola admitted that the result of the first leg affected his approach to the game: “We weren’t sure whether to attack or hold on to the result. We played thinking about the 4-0 win in the first leg. In the second half we changed our tune”. He said it was not so much about losing as “the way you lose. Of course a defeat hurts but in today’s case there are no complaints. Generally speaking we played a good game”.

It might have been the first loss of the season, but for the FCB boss it was not “a step in the wrong direction. Yes, we were lacking accuracy but we had an opponent that can play too, and we had four or five chances against their keeper. We lost, but we could have drawn or even won”.

League on their minds

On Wisla Krakow, Guardiola said they were “a very well organised team in which you can sense the manager’s influence”, and knows that this season Barça will have to play many games like this, “at difficult grounds against theoretically inferior opponents”. One example could be next week’s trip to Numancia where “I am quite aware that playing against newly promoted teams is always difficult”.

Major satisfaction

Guardiola ended his conference by reminding listeners that he was simply delighted that “the team is in the Champions League! We have beaten a good team. I have seen so many games like this that turn out to be complicated...”

 
Despite the defeat, the FC Barcelona players have recognised that the most important thing was to have qualified for the Champions League group stage. Touré reiterated several times that the team will need to work on its efficiency.
The Barça squad was delighted to have qualified for the group stages of the Champions league. They were the most important games of the season, said Gerard Piqué who considered them “two finals that either had to be won or won”.

Touré Yaya:

“The qualification is over. This year we will have to work on efficiency because we had a lot of chances that we did not convert”.

“We didn’t play well but we have to think about starting the league. The bad news is that we didn’t win this game”.

Gerard Piqué:

“We have qualified, which is the most important thing”.

“We defended in zones as we have done since the start of the season. We have worked on this more than once”.

“The qualification was the most important thing of the season. They were two finals we had to win”.

“I have always been one for attacking strategies. I like helping the team to score goals”.

Thierry Henry:

“It was an odd game because we had so many chances but they scored and we didn’t get any”.

“The most important thing for the club is to be in the Champions League”.

“We played well today even though it wasn’t a good game. Now let’s see what we can do at Numancia. It will be a tough game because last year I saw what they did in the second division”.

“Wisla was no easy team and they showed that tonight. We have lost our first game but it doesn’t matter because we are into the Champions League.

Víctor Valdés:

“The important thing was getting through the round. We were up against a team that plays good football and it was uncomfortable”.

“From the start we went out to win the game.”

Samuel Eto'o:

“We have gone through and we are lucky enough to be playing in a great competition”.

“We played a great game but we didn’t have the luck we had on other days We had chances but we didn’t finish them off”.

“We hope to start the league well and that the season goes as well as possible”.

“Barça’s only rival this season is Barça itself”.

Dani Alves:

“We have won the round and that was what was at stake. We qualified but whenever Barça take to the field the aim is to win”.

“We missed out today but the aim was to qualify”.

 
The group trained by Pep Guardiola is already in Krakow, where tomorrow, Tuesday they will confront Wisla in the second leg of the Champions’ League preliminary round (8.45p.m.).
Barça’s first team landed on Polish soil at 1.13p.m., ten minutes ahead of schedule. The Barça expedition, led by Joan Laporta along with Rafael Yuste, Albert Perrín, Joseph Antón Colomer, Jordi Torrent and Xavier Bagués, members of the Board of Directors and also the technical secretary Txiki Begiristain left for their destination at around 10.30a.m. from ‘El Prat’ airport. Once in Krakow, where the temperature is at 20 degrees, the group went directly to their team hotel.

Scheduled plan

In the afternoon, at 6.45p.m. to be precise, there is a press conference scheduled in which Pep Guardiola and Samuel Eto’o will take part. Immediately afterwards, at 7.30p.m., the squad will train in Wisla’s Henrik Reyman stadium. The local team, on the other hand, have scheduled a press conference for 5.15p.m. and will start training at 6.00p.m.

Despite the comfort of the 4-0 achieved in the first leg at the Camp Nou, the Barcelona manager called up all his players except for Messi , who arrived in Barcelona on Sunday having won the gold medal in Peking, and Víctor Sánchez. Dani Alves, with the doctors go ahead, is the most notable novelty to the call up list, along with Rubén Miño, the reserves goal keeper.

One precedent

This is not the first game FC Barcelona has played in Krakow. In the only other game between Barça and Wisla, in the 2001/02 season, an eliminatory just like this year, Barça won 3-4. In the return leg the Barcelona team beat its rival by 1-0 in the Camp Nou.

Leader in the Polish League

In the Polish League Wisla Krakow is at the top of the group on its own with nine points, having won the three games played to date. Arka and Ruch follow them, with 7 points each. Their most dangerous rival is Legia Warsaw, who is ninth at the moment with only four points.

 
The manager of the football first team has recognised that alñthough the eliminatory is pretty much wrapped up, with the first leg’s 4-0, it doesn’t mean it’s over: “We have to be prudent. It’s the most important game of the year”.
In a pressroom full of media from here as well as Poland, Joseph Guardiola appeared in a press conference before the transcendental game on Tuesday against Wisla Krakow. The Barça manager was clear that they would have to “go out and win the public and not just get through the eliminatory”.

The most important game

Right now, for Josep Guardiola the return game of the Champions’ League preliminary is “the most difficult of the season”. Despite the 4-0 in the home game, the Catalan trainer doesn’t want his men to relax: “We are here because we are not in the Champions’ League yet. We have to be very prudent. We have a good result from the first leg but we are still in the preliminary”. Guardiola insistedthat “there is too much at stake to take it lightly”.

Respect for Wisla

Despite heavily defeating Wisla in the first game, Josep Guardiola doesn’t hide his respect for the Polish team: “They are a rival who deserve a lot of respect because they no what’s at stake and they have good players in defence”. Moreover the Barça manager that “the Champions of any league are people you should respect”.

Open to any signings

Asked about the words of Txiki Begiristain in which he admitted that the squad was not closed yet, Guardiola assured that “I’m happy with the people we have. We are waiting to see if anything interesting comes up and then we’ll go for him, but it doesn’t really worry me”.

Names

On Eto’o, Guardiola explained, “it began with us, we both talked, with the team and loving him and him loving the club we decided that he should stay with us”.

As for Pedro and Víctor Sánchez, players from the reserve team now in the first team, the manager recognised that “they are still with us and they will have cards with the reserves so that one day they can play for Barça Atlètic. But they are staying with us because there aren’t many of us and I’m sure they can help us”.

He’s thinking about the day to day

Even though the league championship begins this weekend, Josep Guardiuola is still unclear as to his first eleven “as it’s silly to do so”. He argued, “I play those who are best or give me most confidence. I still haven’t thought about the game against Numancia as the most important thing now is this eliminatory and tomorrow’s game”. The barça manager also added that “during the year there will be lots of changes, lots of different line ups and everyone will take part”.

 
Samuel Eto’o he feels good and web motivated at Barça. Before the training session in Wisla’s stadium, the Cameroon centre forward assured that they would go out to win out of respect for the other team and both teams’ fans.
Samuel Eto’o is happy at Barça and in Barcelona and would not change his present situation. The Barça forward spoke in a press conference before the first training session on Polish soil. Eto’o assured that he is very comfortable at the club and in the city: “Whilst I feel comfortable I will continue with Barça. Right now I am very happy and I wouldn’t change my situation for anything. I only want to help the team and win titles with Barça.

He won’t change his style

Eto’o doesn’t want to give up his way of playing football which has made him successful at a team level as well as personally. The Cameroonian stated that he has nothing to demonstrate after many years of playing top-level football: “I’m 27 years old and I’ve played football the same way for a long time. I’m not going to change now, as my style of play is what brought me to Barça and helped me to win lots of titles. I have nothing to prove. I only want to play my very best to help my team mates and the club.”

Maximum respect for Wisla and their fans

Asked about this Tuesday’s game against Wisla, Eto’o assured that he and the other players will go all out for victory: “Each game is a different world but at Barça we are required to win and, if possible, playing well. Out of respect for our rival, their supporters and our fans, our obligation is to go all out for victory. Personally, I get excited in every game I play in the Barça strip.”

 
Barça have played their first training session on the field that will be used for their Champions second leg match against Wisla. Barça don’t want any nasty surprises and are keen to smoothly seal their passage into the group stages.
The team exercised on a pitch in excellent conditions, and the weather, with the temperature of 17 degrees, was ideal. They used the same kind of ball as they will use in the actual match against Polish league outfit Wisla Krakow.

Pinto a last minute doubt

All of the players in Krakow will be under their manager’s orders minus José Manuel Pinto, who is a doubt until the final moments with an injured elbow. Pinto worked out with the team, but with less intensity. Pep Guardiola has taken the precautionary measure of also travelling with Barça Atlètic’s Ruben Miño. Wisla out for revenge

Wisla Krakow are desperate to prove to Barça that they are capable of much more than they were able to achieve in the first leg at the Camp Nou. Polish manager Maciej Skorza has said the team will go out in full force from the start, but knows that the challenge is a difficult one. He also has central player Cantoro suspended and is also missing the injured Sobolewski and Glowacki.

 
First team players trained this Sunday morning in what will be the last training session before leaving for Poland tomorrow.
After a double training session on Saturday in the Miniestadi, Josep Guardiola’s men this morning had a session in the Nou Camp. The players started their session at 10.30 and Dani Alvez and Victor Sanchez trained without any problems.

Tactical session

In the first fifteen minutes open to the media, the coaching staff concentrated on tactics. Josep Guardiola was correcting positions, asking for a more pressing game and using the wings.

Two teams

After this, the squad was divided into two teams. One was made up of Caceres, Puyol, Abidal, Victor Sanchez, Keita, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Pedro and Eto'o. The other team consisted of Alves, Pique, Marquez, Sylvinho, Toure, Hleb, Xavi, Bojan and Henry.

 
Messi has now returned to Barcelona after winning Olympic gold on Saturday in Beijing. The player, who had just arrived, went almost directly to the Nou Camp where he admitted that he was highly motivated to play again for Barça.
Leo Messi arrived at Barcelona airport this morning from Beijing. With his gold medal in his hand, the player went home to change and then went directly to the Now Camp to meet up with his team mates and start work.

Grateful

But first Messi spoke with the media and once again he thanked the club for allowing him to go to the Olympics in the first place: “I was only able to go thanks to them. I am grateful to the club, the president and the manager”.

Medal makes up for everything

Leo Messi admitted that “the medal makes up for everything that has been said. And to return with a medal is even more perfect”.

The Argentinian also said that the gold medal allowed him “to continue growing. It gives me strength and a lot of joy for myself, my team mates and for Argentina”.

Barça on his mind

Once in Barcelona, Leo Messi is only interested in returning to work with his club. The young Argentinian is “highly motivated and happy with the squad, with the new players and the hope and excitement that is evident at the club”. He added that he “wants to be with the squad from the beginning”.

 
Pep Guardiola has called up 20 players for the return leg of the Champions League qualifier against Wisla, with Dani Alves and youth keeper Ruben Miño among them. However, Messi and Victor Sanchez will not travel.
Dani Alves, who has been given the all clear following his shoulder sprain injury in the first leg against Wisla, is the main new addition to the squad to travel to Poland for the return leg. Also travelling is 19 year-old youth keeper, Ruben Miño as well as Jose Manuel Pinto, despite his elbow injury.

Without Victor Sanchez and Messi

Another player who has been given medical clearance is Victor Sanchez but he hasn’t been called up by Guardiola. The utility player has recovered from the ankle sprain injury he suffered in training at the beginning of August. Nor will Leo Messi travel as he has just returned today from Beijing.

 
FC Barcelona’s newest signing, Alexander Hleb, has admitted that he needs more time to fully adapt to his new team. The Belorussian’s aim is to be able to communicate with his team mates on the pitch.
“It takes time to adapt. It’s important for me to learn Spanish and to be able to communicate with my team mates and make myself understood on the pitch.” This is how Hleb summarised his adaptation to FC Barcelona. The Belorussian hopes to resolve this language problem “soon”.

Team first

When asked if these communication problems would affect his time on the pitch, Hleb explained that it could have a bearing but right now it wasn’t something that worried him too much. The Belorussian believes that the team is the priority, and not one individual player: “Obviously I want to play but we have a team of great players and the most important thing is that the team wins”.

His favourite position

The number ‘21’ also spoke about where he felt more comfortable on the pitch. “It’s in the middle, behind the striker”, he said. His utility, however, is one of his greatest attributes: “I’ve learned to play in a lot of positions; on the left or on the right and in the middle of midfield, or further forward; wherever the manager needed me”.

Guardiola: similar to Wenger

On another matter, the Belorussian expressed the importance of having a manager who is on top of the players. “At Arsenal we had a fantastic manager. Wenger was very close to the players, like Guardiola. Proximity to the players is important; it allows you ask him about the game, ask him for help or let him know about your concerns”, he explained.

 
Txiki Begiristain has said that he wants to return to being a winning team. “We want to be winners again”, he explained.
FC Barcelona’s director of football Txiki Begiristain, spoke at Sunday’s General Assembly about how Guardiola’s nomination as new manager would restore the club as one that could win trophies.

Team above individuals

Txiki explained that the club must “rediscover the spirit and unity of the team and put it above individualism”. The team over individuals is how the director of football sees trophies returning to the Nou Camp.

Guardiola to restore commitment

Txiki Begiristain also referred to the reason he decided to relieve Frank Rijkaard of his position. “The image of the club had deteriorated. We had to restore involvement in, and commitment to, the club” and that’s why I thought of Josep Guardiola.

“He has a perfect understanding of the club, a methodology (which we saw with Barça B) and a respect for attractive football” which make him the best choice to manage the team. He added: “I don’t think anyone can doubt the decision to appoint Guardiola as manager of Barça”.

Out with the old …

The director of football also spoke about the change in team personnel this season. Of those sold, he agreed that “Ronaldinho needed a change” and he saw the deal to sell him to AC Milan as “good”. With Deco he said that “because of his age and fewer and fewer appearances” 10 million euro justified his transfer.

Giovani and Oleguer wanted to play more football and decided to seek that chance elsewhere and Zambrotta wanted to return home.

… and in with the new

Of the new signings, Txiki said Alves was the most expensive but he explained: “Seville received better offers last year but the player didn’t want to negotiate with anyone else this summer because he knew his future lay with FC Barcelona”.

He said Caceres was “a young player for the present with an extraordinary future”, Keito was a perfect replacement for Deco because of his “ball winning skills and physical strength” and Hleb was “a very strong skilful player with an ability to play in various positions”. He singled out Pique for his defensive abilities and “eagerness to return home”.

Of Henrique, loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen, Txiki explained that the club had “a great opportunity to sign a young player with a huge future”.

 
Argentina have beaten Nigeria 1-0 in the final of the Olympics in Beijing. Ángel Di María scored the only goal of the game after latching on to a pass from Messi.
The Argentina side successfully defended their Olympic gold thanks to a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the final. Leo Messi proved to be the South Americans’ talisman once again, providing the assist for Di María’s goal in the 57th minute. In a game that was played in quite a heated atmosphere, the Benfica player’s goal proved to be the only difference in what was a fairly equal, though not very attractive, contest.

Before the goal, Argentina took the initiative but never really threatened. A Messi led attack and a free from Riquelme were the only chances of any danger the South Americans managed in the first half. The first chance for the Africans came just before the break with Issac missing a great opportunity.

Ángel Di María’s goal, a beautiful chip, forced the Nigerians to stretch themselves and Obinna and Odemwinge came closest to a “Green Eagles” equaliser. Argentina, however, with experience on their side and Messi playing a leader’s role, were well capable of running out the game and achieve their objective for the Beijing Games: Olympic gold.

 
The squad have carried out the first of a double training session this Saturday morning with Marquez rejoining the group.
Barça returned to work early this morning after their day’s rest yesterday. Training began at 9.30 in the Miniestadi for the first of a double session. Returning to the squad was Rafa Marquez who missed Thursday’s session, which coincided with his return from international duty with Mexico. With Marquez back, Pep Guardiola had a total of 20 players at his disposal.

However, Jose Manuel Pinto, worked alone as he is still suffering from some problems in his right elbow.

The team will return for a second session this evening, again in the Mini, at 18.30.

Messi arrives on Sunday

After winning a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, Leo Messi is expected to return to Barcelona on Sunday morning.

 
Leo Messi has become the fourth player to have won an Olympic gold medal while wearing the Barça colours. Furthermore, he is the fourth player from the current squad to have won an Olympic medal.
Messi’s success in Beijing has only three precedents in the history of FC Barcelona. Pep Guardiola and Albert Ferrer for Spain in Barcelona 1992 and Javier Saviola for Argentina in Athens 2004 were Barça’s previous Olympic champions. They are the only four players to have won Olympic gold as azulgranas, though Antoni Pinilla also won gold in 92, though that season he was on loan to Mallorca.

Another medallist on the team

However, Messi’s won’t be an exclusive medal in the current squad. It will be the fourth. Samuel Eto'o won a gold with Cameroon in Sydney in 2000 while he was playing for Mallorca. His team beat Spain in the final. Spain had Xavi and Puyol in the team, so Eto'o and his fellow countrymen consigned his future team mates to the silver medal.

Precedents

Before Messi, Saviola, Xavi, Puyol, Guardiola and Ferrer, there were five other players who won Olympic medals as Barça players; they are Josep Samitier, Agusti Sancho, Felix Sesumaga and Ricard Zamora, all silver medallists in 1920 and Gabri Garcia, silver medallist in 2000. As well as these, three other players, Aloisio (silver in Seoul 88), Amunike (gold in Atlanta 96) and Ronaldo (bronze in Atlanta 96) also won Olympic medals just before signing for the club.

 
Gudjohnsen has said he will stay with Barça because Guardiola believes in him. The Icelandic midfielder believes he can help the team a lot and remains optimistic about the upcoming season.
Eidur Gudjohnsen, speaking at the press conference after this morning’s training session, said that Guardiola convinced him to stay with the club this season. The midfielder revealed that he spoke to the manager about his future after the summer break: “I was doubtful about my future but when speaking with Guardiola he told me he believed in me and felt I could help the team a lot. I only wanted to stay if the manager believed in me and if I could bring something to the team”.

Guardiola asks for work and goals

Competition in the middle of the park will be fierce. There are a number of quality options but Gudjohnsen is clear about what he can bring to the team and what the manager wants from him: “There are a lot of midfielders in the team but they all have different qualities. Guardiola has asked me to come from deep and score goals. The season will be long with almost 70 games and the team needs all its players in top form”. Gudjohnsen has stated that he will not move on in December but will stay at least until the end of the season.

Working well

The Icelandic midfielder is optimistic about what the team can achieve this season. Pre-season is going well and the team is working hard to be in the best possible shape for the start of the season. “We’ve seen some changes during the pre-season. The manager is very clear about how he wants the team to play. He knows the club and everything around it. I think we are very well-prepared for a big season.”

Youth team players can be important

Asked if he thought the squad was a bit small for a hard, demanding season, Gudjohnsen backed the youth squad. “There aren’t a lot of us but we’re very strong. Also, Busquets, Victor Vazquez and Jeffren have shown that they can help us out at any moment. The important thing is that all the players play at their best.”

 
Víctor Valdés is about to start his seventh season as a Barça player and is as excited as ever at the prospects. Speaking to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat the Barça keeper analysed the team’s expectations ahead of the new campaign.
Optimistic and demanding, ambitious and prudent, Víctor Valdés is a man who likes to taker risks as long as there is also some control, and above all is aware that hard work and sacrifice are the keys to meeting the challenges that lie ahead.

The season is over. On Tuesday you are playing Wisla in Krakow and ten days later the league starts. How do you see the team?

Very good, I think. We have started a very positive season in many ways and the results are what we wanted. Now what we want is to get into the Champions League by winning the game we have left against Krakow and then we can start thinking about the first league match.

The team has had a good preseason. You are winning games and the way you are playing is enthusing the fans.

There is a new trainer and it is normal for a trainer to want to impose his philosophy and style of play. Guardiola’s been very clear from the start about what he wants from us and it is bearing fruits. I think the team is playing very well and is achieving the things it wants.

Are you surprised by Guardiola?

"Not much. Those of us who are from here knew him as a player and a person and knew that he likes to win, that he knows the club well and that he wants Barça to play attractive and sometimes effective football. It has come as no surprise to me".

Tactically, the team is once again putting on a lot of pressure, with a highly advanced defensive line. Does that mean more risk for the goalkeepers?

"One of the things the manager wants is for the goalkeepers to play a bit more like sweepers behind the defence. That means we have to concentrate for the full 90 minutes, more than before because at any moment you might have to make a run of several meters out of the area. This involves a certain risk but I think it will work well".

It is a risk, but does it imply greater attacking capacity?

"Yes. We have seen that during the preseason. The team has put intense pressure on the opposition practically throughout the 90 minutes. That is explained because the line of defence plays very forward, we play more in the opposition’s half and so the team is supported in attacking zones".

What do you think of Juan Carlos Unzue staying on as the goalkeeping manager?

"It is always nice for people to whom you owe so much to be at your side. I have always said that Juan Carlos Unzue has been a companion that has been at my side at all times. And now he is staying there. He helps me a lot and we always work hard to improve".

What do you think about the fans being so enthusiastic about the team even though you have just gone two seasons without any titles?

"The people are enthusiastic because of what they have seen of the preseason. The team has been reinforced and the results speak for themselves. The people are excited about the season, and as the manager said on the day of his presentation, our challenge is to win over the fans again by winning titles".

This season there are ten players in the first team that are products of the club’s own system, almost half the squad. What does it mean to you to have been educated at La Masía?

"I have always said that it is important for home grown talent to be in the first team. That encourages them to keep working hard because they could be promoted to the first team at any moment".

You are a role model for youngsters. What do you think about that?

"It is an honour to have young people admiring you. Yes, I am now one of the veterans in the team but that does not mean I have excessive responsibilities. In this team, the goalkeeper is always going to be a responsible position. I am used to that and am looking forward to this new challenge".

When Jorquera is passed fit, there will be three first team goalkeepers and more competition. Do you think this will improve the goalkeeping?

"I think so. Competition means you can’t afford to relax at any time. As well as the competitive spirit each player has, I think competition for places is always good for the team".

During the presentation of the team, Josep Guardiola said to the fans “Tighten your seat belts, we’re going to have fun. Do you think that’s what this season will be like?

"The basis of football is to have fun but it is still just a game. But I always want to win whatever happens. I don’t care if I enjoy myself or not. At this club it is winning that counts".

 
The football first team has a holiday on Friday, and will then have three preparatory sessions at the weekend before travelling on Monday to Krakow, where on Tuesday they will play the return leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Pep Guardiola, who after training on Thursday afternoon has given all of his players a break on Friday, has programmed an intense week to get the players fit and ready for their Champions League encounter. On Saturday the team will have two training sessions, although on Sunday they will only train in the morning.

Double session on Saturday

So, the members of the Barça squad will be returning to full-on training on Saturday. The first of the sessions will take place at the Miniestadi at 9.30, the same venue for an early evening session later the same day at 18.30.

Sunday only morning

On Sunday, the first team will be back at the Miniestadi, and once again at 9.30, and will not have to report back until Monday at 9.30 to head off to El Prat Airport, where there will be a plane waiting to take them to Krakow at 10.30, arriving in the Polish city around 13.20.

4-0 in first leg

FC Barcelona and Wisla Krakow meet again on Tuesday at 20:45 (Barça TV, TV3 and La Sexta), in the Champions League return leg. The first leg, played at the Camp Nou on August 13 ended in a clear victory for the Catalans, 4-0.

 
Puyol and Messi are the two Barça players in the list UEFA has just published of the best players in the last edition of the Champions League.
Both are competing in different categories. Captain Carles Puyol has been named as one of the best defenders in the competition and the Argentinian is one of the best forwards.

Five players per position

Twenty players have been nominated, five for each of the four main positions. Puyol is competing in the defence category with Carragher (Liverpool), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea) and Vidic (Manchester United).

Leo Messi, meanwhile, will compete for best forward along with Drogba (Chelsea), Ronaldo (Manchester United), Rooney (Manchester United) and Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

The other nominees

Goalkeepers
Almunia (Arsenal)
Cech (Chelsea)
Neuer (Schalke 04)
Reina (Liverpool)
Van der Sar (Manchester United)

Midfielders
Essien (Chelsea)
Fàbregas (Arsenal)
Gerrard (Liverpool)
Lampard (Chelsea)
Scholes (Manchester United)

The winners for each of the positions will be announced on the day of the Group Stage draw for the 2008-09 edition on Thursday August 28 at 18.00 in Monaco.

 
The Barça first team knows the time and date of the first League fixture, away to Numancia. It will kick off on Sunday August 31 at 7 o’clock in the evening.
The 2008/09 edition of the Spanish League Championship is just around the corner. Pep Guardiola’s side makes its debut in the league at Los Pajaritos in Soria, where they will face Numancia at 19.00 Sunday week.

Camp Nou, weekend of September 14

Members and fans of FC Barcelona will be desperately keen to be there to see the first league game at the Camp Nou, but they will have to wait a fortnight before the game at home to Racing Santander on the weekend of September 14. That is because the week in between there is a programme of international matches.

 
Barça has scored 31 goals this pre-season, eleven of which were the work of midfielders and defenders. Goals are not just for the forwards. The whole team is involved in attacking moves.
One of the premises set out by manager Josep Guardiola when he took charge of the first team was the implication of all the players in defence and attack. Defending is not only a job for defenders and neither is attacking only for forwards. The players have taken note of this and in the pre-season 11 of the 31 goals scored by Barça were by midfielders and defenders, which accounts for 35% of the total.

The second line works

The midfielders have been particularly inspired in front of goal, especially Xavi Hernández, who scored three of the seven goals from players in the second line. The man from Terrassa is on a roll and we also have to add to the tally the goal he scored for the national squad on Wednesday against Denmark. Gudjohnsen, with two goals and Touré and Hleb with one, have also scored this pre-season.

The defenders score too

The attacking play of the defenders has paid off with four goals. Of these two were scored by the Barça captain, Carles Puyol, especially the one against Boca Juniors in the last Joan Gamper Trophy. Martín Cáceres and Márquez were the other goal scoring defenders for Barcelona.

Variety in attack

If we look back at the 31 goals scored this pre-season we will see a lot of variety. They have scored two with headers, from outside the box, from corners, goals scored from crosses from the wing, in individual actions and in fast triangulations. Sylvinho summed it up well in Tuesday’s press conference: “We have players who finish the play off well. Others push up dangerously from the second line. It’s also important to have good players on the wings and that the crosses come in as we already have players who specialise in interior play, capable of triangulating, blocking and dribbling.”

 
F.I.F.A.’s official website published an article this Wednesday which talks about Barça as more than a club. The text looks back at the history of the club through the great players who have played for the club.
The article, titled ‘FC Barcelona, much more than a club’, begins by quoting this slogan pronounced by Narcís de Carreras in 1968, and goes on to talk about the origins of the club, with Hans Gamper as the main character.

Why it is ‘more than a club’

F.I.F.A. explain how FC Barcelona “strengthened its symbolic image associated with Catalanism, which was denied by the political regime in Spain” during the dictatorship of Franco. Later on it explains the agreement with U.N.I.C.E.F., when the club wore publicity on the shirt for the first time, but with no financial gain and only aiming to give support.

Barça’s stars

The look at Barça’s history is all about the stars that have played for Barça. Kubala, Cruyff, Maradonna, the ‘Dream team’ and Ronaldinho or Eto’o are some of the names used by F.I.F.A. to describe the major victories - and some losses – of FC Barcelona.

Click here to read the article on FIFA.com.

 
In the Thursday training session, the team recovered most of the players that were away this week on international duty. Before starting, the players held a minute’s silence in memory of the people that died in the plane tragedy at Barajas.
Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Bojan, Gudjohnsen, Piqué, Touré, Henry and Hleb were all back this afternoon after playing international games this week. In total, Pep Guardiola had 19 players under his orders at La Masía. The last to arrive was Gudjohnsen, from Iceland, after his planes were delayed. As was already known, the only international, apart from Messi, not to be back in time for training was Márquez.

Minute’s silence

The team joined the national sentiment of mourning following the airline accident at Barajas and before starting work they observed a solemn minute’s silence. One player who was absent was Pinto, who has specific work to do to recover from an elbow problem. His place was taken by reserve team stopper Oier.

Alves back

After the minute’s silence, the first training session of the say began. Dani Alves was involved for the first time since being injured against Wisla Krakow, and was able to train as normal with his colleagues, although he did retire early, as did the players that had played international matches.

 
Ivorian Touré Yaya knows FC Barcelona is a winning club. And the midfielder insists that they can’t fail this year.
The Barça player said that “we have to win the league for our fans”. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday he repeatedly said “a big club like Barça” cannot go a third consecutive year without a major title.

Quality and sacrifice

Touré Yaya explained how these trophies will come. “This year we have a lot of quality and have made some good signings. But it is not just quality, because we had that last year. Now we have to work and make sacrifices”.

To make his Spanish better understood, the Ivorian referred to last season’s Real Madrid who had “a good quality squad” but based their success on the group and sacrifices.

In form

Asked about his form after recovering from a hernia in his back in the late stages of last season, the Barça man said “I am one hundred per cent fit” and asked whether he might be replaced, he said “I am a professional and it is the manager who decides. I am training at 100% and at the club’s disposition”.

On another matter, the player said the manager has asked him to play “in the same position as last season” and described Josep Guardiola as “a good trainer”.

 
The first team squad trained on Wednesday morning in the Miniestadi. During the session the players underwent a number of tests to measure their fitness levels.
The session saw the welcome return of Martin Cáceres, who trained apart from the group on Tuesday after missing out on the Joan Gamper win against Boca due to a muscle problem in his left leg. Victor Sánchez, who was also struggling with an injury, completed the session without difficulty. However, Dani Alves was restricted to the warm-up exercises.

A day for experiments

The eight players available for training - Eto'o, Abidal, Cáceres, Valdes, Pinto, Pedro, Sánchez and Sylvinho - completed a number of tests for speed, strength and stamina. They also repeated a test from earlier in the summer to measure their evolution and current level of fitness. The results will show if any of the players needs to work on a specific area.

 
Eric Abidal told reporters today that the team is ready to start the league campaign. He also highlighted a good pre-season and the support the players have received from the fans.
The team is strong and has the right mentality to ensure a good start to the season. Speaking after training on Wednesday morning, Eric Abidal was upbeat in his comments on the current state of the team. Ahead of the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Wisla, the French fullback is positive about the prospects for the coming league season: “We’ve played some good matches before the opening league game. In the last one against Boca, we won in the last minute and showed that we have a winning mentality. I believe we’re strong to start the league”.

New priorities

Bearing in mind the philosophy that Josep Guardiola wants to implant, Abidal knows that he has to intensify his defensive work, something he’s quite confident about. With Henry more focussed on attack and with the constant attacking runs of Alves up the right wing, Abidal is clear about his priorities: “Henry defended a lot last year but this year his fundamental work will be to score goals. Alves also has a job to do. He gets up into attack a lot but I less so. The only important thing is for the team to attack and defend well”.

3-4-3

Abidal was not surprised when Guardiola set out a three-man defence in the second half of the match against Boca Juniors:” With a three-man defence, a further player was added to attack in order to turn the match around. I like playing in central defence and I don’t mind playing in a 3-4-3 system”.

The importance of the fans

Abidal is not worried that the fans have high hopes for the season as a result of some good performances during the summer. He believes that the role of the fans is very important for the team: “When you’re out there on the pitch it’s important for the team to feel that you have the support of the fans and that they’re asking you to play well. We’re starting a new season with a new manager and new coaches. We only have to work a little harder than last year because with the good players we have we can do well”.

 
Daniel Alves is delighted to be able to play the opening league match away to Numancia. He spoke exclusively to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about the amnesty announced by the Spanish FA.
The Spanish FA has amnestied all the players who had accumulated less than a four-match ban from last season. As a result, Alves – who had a one-match ban left over – will be able to play the first league game of the season.

“I didn’t expect it”

“I’m very happy because I didn’t expect it. I’m very happy because for me it was very important to begin the competition. It’s good news for a good start”. Before the amnesty was announced, Alves was due to miss the match against Numancia because of a red card against Sevilla.

Ready to face Numancia

The head of the Club’s medical services, Ricard Pruna, also confirmed that Alves would be fit to play against Numancia and might even be ready for the return leg of the CL game against Wisla. His recovery from injury is going according to schedule.

“The diagnosis of a grade one strain has been confirmed and it is evolving well. He’s already doing water exercises and field work. We won’t rush his return but he certainly won’t have any problem to play against Numancia. We hope that he’ll be able to play against the Poles but we’ll have to wait until the final stage of the recovery process”.

 
Five wins and two draws, a good result for Barça’s internationals in the games played this Wednesday. Victories for the national and under-21 teams from Spain, France, Mexico, and the Ivory Coast, with draws for Belarus and Iceland.
Barça’s internationals got through most of their games positively. Those that stand out were Spain’s victory in Denmark, France’s in Sweden (2-3) or Mexico against Honduras (2-1). The under-21 squad also beat Russia 1-2 and this almost assures their qualification for Euro 2009.

Spain shows what it’s got in Copenhagen

Spain thrashed Denmark 0-3, with Xavi scoring a goal but Bojan will have to wait for another day to make his debut in the national side. In Vicente del Bosque’s debut as manager, the Barça striker saw the whole game from the bench. Meanwhile Xavi and Puyol played the 90 minutes and Cazorla substituted Iniesta in the 62nd minute. Spain beat Denmark outright by 0-3 thanks to a good second half in which they were superior to the Danes.

A game marked by grief

The game was marked by the grief over the tragedy at Barajas Airport where an accident took the lives of more than 150 people. Before the game there was a minute of silence and both teams’ members wore black armbands as a sign of grieving.

Denmark dominated the first half

Denmark played better in the first half and had good chances on goal. In one of these, Barça’s Puyol was decisive, parrying a centre by Bendter in front of an open goal. The Spanish team didn’t have many chances. The clearer ones were for Barça players. In the 45th minute Xavi almost scored from a well-aimed shot sent out for a corner by Sorensen. In extra time Iniesta shot just too wide.

Spain superior after the break

Spain’s game improved after the break. Vicente del Bosque’s men recovered the passing football that we saw in Euro 2008 and five minutes into the second half Xabi Alonso made it 0-1 scoring from a cross by Torres. The second came in the 73rd minute when Xavi, unmarked beat Sorensen with a well-aimed shot from the front of the box. It was Xavi’s eighth international goal. In the 90th minute, Xabi Alonso rounded off the victory with Spain’s third goal putting away a cross from new boy Capel easily.

Mexico beats Honduras (2-1)

Mexico beat Honduras 2-1 in the first game of the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup. Sven-Göran Eriksson made his official debut as the Mexico manager and Barça’s Márquez played the full 90 minutes and hit the post with one shot. Mexico had lots of problems overcoming Honduras who had gone ahead through a goal from León. Pavel Pardo turned the game around with two almost consecutive goals in the 74th and 76th minutes.

Henry, the main man in the victory over Sweden

Thierry Henry played a good game wearing the captain’s armband. France beat Sweden 2-3 in Gothenburg in a spectacular game. Henry played the full 90 minutes and, although he didn’t score, was a constant danger and set up the move which gave the Gauls their third goal. Benzema and Govou, twice, were France’s goal scorers whilst the ex-Barça player Larsson and Kallstrom, from a penalty, scored for the Swedish side.

Hleb played the full game against Argentina (0-0)

Alexander Hleb played all 90 minutes of the friendly between Belarus and Argentina played in Minsk, which ended in a goalless draw. The Barça midfielder played from the start and he did so in a somewhat more defensive position than that which he has been playing for Barça so far this season. The game was pretty even, although Argentina had better chances

Under-21s, one step away from qualifying

The Spanish under-21s beat Russia 1-2 and practically assured their qualification For the Euro 2009 in Sweden. Barça player Gerard Piqué was in the starting line-up and played all 90 minutes. The Spanish side didn’t miss the absence of Bojan and Capel, called up for the national team against Denmark, and were superior to the Russians. Xisco, in the 7th and Jurado in the 26th minute were the goal scorers for López Caro’s side.

 
The team returned to training on Tuesday morning after a two-day break. Just nine players reported for duty (including two from the reserve squad) with the bulk of the squad still away on international duty.
Present at training this morning were Victor Valdés, Pinto, Sylvinho, Eto'o, Martin Cáceres, Abidal and Alves, plus Pedro and Victor Sánchez from the reserve squad. A further ten members of the Barça squad are still involved with their international commitments.

Busquets, Jeffren and Vázquez

Meanwhile, Busquets, Jeffren and Victor Vázquez returned to training with Barça Atlètic. Dani Alves, Martin Cáceres and Victor Sánchez, who have all been struggling recently with fitness problems, all trained normally although Cáceres and Sánchez worked out separately after the initial exercises.

 
Barça players have scored five goals with the head so far in the pre-season. In just six matches, the players have demonstrated that the latest Barça squad could prove to be dangerous in the air.
Five of the 27 goals scored during the summer have been headers. Martin Cáceres headed in from a corner to make it 5-2 against Chivas while against the New York Red Bulls Xavi and Márquez both scored with the head. Finally, Puyol and Eto'o sealed the result with two more headed goals.

Guardiola strengthens aerial threat

Pep Guardiola is keen to score more headed goals from corners as well as encouraging fast breaks down the wings finishing with an aerial cross. So far, during the pre-season preparations three corners have resulted in headed goals.

Few headed goals last season

Last season, Barça did not pose a great threat in the air, scoring just eight headed goals, six in the league and two in the Cup. Henry got three, Eto'o and Márquez two and Milito one.

 
Sylvinho has the longest playing career in the Barça squad and he is delighted to be able to share his experience of the game and of the Club with his team-mates.
Silvio Mendes Campos is 100% behind the new footballing project and told reporters today that Barça has “an excellent, balanced squad”.

“Football goes beyond the 90 minutes”

The Brazilian full back is looking forward to his fifth season with Barça and his fourteenth as a professional footballer. It’s this level of experience that tells Sylvinho that “football goes beyond the 90 minutes”. So he’s upbeat about the changes brought in by manager Pep Guardiola: “For matches to go well, the management of the group, the changing room, the daily work etc are all very important”.

He would like to use his experience to help the squad: “With the experience I have in football and in the Club I believe I can help my team-mates. I feel a responsibility to help the squad”.

“We’ll have the support of the fans”

Sylvinho also referred to the message put across by Guardiola at the presentation of the team at the Gamper tournament: “As the coach said, we’ll give everything we’ve got in every match. So I’m sure we’ll have the support of the fans and, with a strong Camp Nou, we’ll be a much better team”.

 
Leo Messi has made it to the final of the Olympic Games after Argentina beat Brazil 3-0. They will face Nigeria for gold.
Leo Messi’s Argentina side is just one match away from Olympic gold thanks to a convincing 3-0 win over Ronaldinho’s Brazil in the semi-finals. A goalless first half was finely balanced but Argentina – coached by Sergio Batista – scored three in the second half (Sergio Agüero min. 53 and 57, and Juan Román Riquelme min. 76). Brazil’s best chance came from a Ronaldinho free kick that hit the post.

Lionel Messi played the full 90 minutes but made a limited impression on a tough tackling Brazil defence. Messi spent most of the match in the centre of the Argentine attack.

Argentina must now overcome Nigeria, who dismissed Belgium 4-1 in the other semi-final. The final will be played on Saturday.

 
Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of his debut, Xavi Hernández spoke to Barça T.V. and www.fcbarcelona.cat to talk about his years at Barça and also about Guardiola’s team, of which he assures he feels a part of.
It has now been ten years since an18 year-old called Xavi Hernández debuted for the first team at FC Barcelona. That same player who began playing as a midfielder kept growing, he’s won a lot of titles and has gradually moved forward in his position becoming an unbalancing player, as he showed by being chosen as the best player in the Euro 2008 tournament.

Are you having the sweetest period of your football career?

“I’m having one of my best periods. Having won the Euro 2008 and been named best player of the championship it gave me a morale boost and the confidence to face this new season. The fact that I know the new manager, and get on well with him and have played in the same team, makes me feel like I am part of this team”.

In what way has Xavi evolved and changed during these last ten years at the club?

“I’m the same person. I was taught the ‘Can Barça’ values and I have the same level of studies. On the other hand, as a footballer I’ve evolved and matured. I understand the game more, when to make a pause in the game, what the team needs, I talk more on the pitch, etc.”

You are the player with the third highest total of official games played for FC Barcelona. Do you realise that you are now one of Barça’s legends?

“Yes it’s been a lot of years. I was lucky to start very young, only eighteen years old. I’m very grateful to all the managers who have come and gone. I’m very happy to have done better than all these Barça legends and there are still a couple to beat-Migueli and Rexach- because I’m still strong and feel useful enough to continue playing for FC Barcelona

What do you remember about replacing Pep Guardiola in your first few seasons?

“The fact that Pep was injured and that I had to play in his position at the time, when he was a symbol of being a ‘culé’, was an incredible challenge. I was only eighteen to take on the role that Pep played in that team was very difficult. But everyone helped me a lot and Van Gaal trusted me fully. I also remember how much Pep supported me. While he was still injured they wanted us to play together, I remember his maturity and his advice”.

With his character, did Guardiola act as manager while he was still a player?

”As a manager no, but he was a very meticulous and methodical player. He really liked to give orders and have you under control all the time. He was an essential part of that team that’s why he was a player who gave out the orders. He was mad about football and hasn’t changed. He is a person who communicates a lot and I’m very pleased to have known Pep as a footballer and now as a manager.”

After winning the league in your debut season you went five seasons without any titles. How does one survive at Barça without titles?

“It was the worst spell I’ve had at Barça. It was a very sad time for everyone connected to Barça. We weren’t having a very good moment, neither socially nor sportingly, and that weighs you down. But at the same time it makes you stronger. For players like Carles Puyol and myself it was hard. The truth is it’s really sad. Luckily we got back on top.”

In the 2003/04 season Rijkaard arrived as the new trainer, as did new players hungry for titles like Ro