FC Basel, Barça’s Champions League opponents next week, lead the Swiss championship after beating Sion 3-0 in a game brought forward to Thursday evening.
Basel won comfortable at home to Sion on Thursday night at St. Jakob Park, meaning Christian Gross’s side goes top of the Swiss Super League, although FC Zurich could catch up with them when they play BSC YB on Sunday.

Easy win

The Swiss champions only took eight minutes to break the deadlock from a Parovic free kick. Huggel made it two just before the break, scoring from the penalty spot after Eduardo had brought down Valentin Stocker. And it was Stocker himself who put victory beyond shadow of doubt with the third goal for Basel, putting them top of the table on 31 points, three more than Zurich. With their league commitments out of the way, Basel now have four days to get ready for their Champions League visit to the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Shakhtar into last eight

Another side in the same Group C as Barça, Shakhtar Donetsk, made it into the quarter finals of the Ukrainian Cup after winning 4-1 away to Zakarpattya. Mircea Lucescu’s side travels to Sporting Lisbon’s José Alvalade on Tuesday.

 
Málaga has never been an easy destination for Barça. The club has traditionally struggled at La Rosaleda and this Saturday’s task will not be a simple one for Guardiola and his team.
FC Barcelona have always found it difficult to pick up points at La Rosaleda. In 27 games between Malaga and Barça at that ground, the Catalans have drawn as often as they have won, ten times, and lost seven games. One of the more modest outfits in the Spanish championship has typically made things surprisingly difficult for one of the traditional giants.

Two wins since 1999/00

Between 1999/00, when Malaga returned to the top flight and 2006/07, when they were relegated, Barça only managed a couple of wins at La Rosaleda in seven attempts. Only one of those was a comfortable victory, 4-0 in 2004/05, the goals coming from Oleguer, Giuly (2) and Gerard, while the other was a narrow 2-1 win in 1999/00, with Van Gaal on the visiting bench.

Painful loss

That said, Barça have only lost at La Rosaleda once since the turn of the century. But that was by a shocking 5-1 scoreline in the fourteenth game of the 2003/04 season. A Salva hat-trick and two more goals from Diego Alonso and Canabal inflicted one of the most painful defeats Barça have suffered in recent years. That result saw Barça plummet to eighth in the league, a full ten points adrift of leaders Real Madrid. But the campaign ended with Rijkaard’s side turning things around with a remarkable second half of the season, eventually finishing second in the table.

No score draws

Those games may have been memorable affairs, but Malaga v Barça games at La Rosaleda do not traditionally produce a frenzy of goals, and the most common outcome has been 0-0 draws. The last game to end as it started was in 2005/06, when Barça were 13 points ahead of Real Madrid, and opted to rest a number of regular starters with their minds more on the midweek Champions League fixture with Benfica. Barça picked up a point in Andalusia as they moved closer to their famous League and Champions League double.

 
The game between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid will take place on Saturday, November 8 at 10pm and will be live on TV3 and La Sexta.
After the game this weekend against Málaga in La Rosaleda, league action will return to Camp Nou seven days later when Valladolid visit for a game that has now been rescheduled to allow live television coverage.

Basel first

Before then, Pep Guardiola’s side will play on Tuesday in the Champions League when Basel visit the Catalan capital. That now means that Barça will play at home twice in five days for the first time as it will be their first European encounter in their own stadium for the first time since the opening day of the group stage.

Last time out

Last season, Barça took all three points from their game against Real Valladolid at Camp Nou when a brace from Bojan Krkic and one apiece from Samuel Eto’o and Andrés Iniesta gave the Blaugrana a 4-1 win.

 
Gudjohnsen and Pedro have both been given medical clearance, but neither have been selected for the game with Malaga. Valdés, Henry, Xavi, Márquez, Iniesta and Messi, who were all left out of the Copa trip to Benidorm, are all back in the squad.
Josep Guardiola has decided that despite being declared fit, neither Gudjohnsen nor Pedro should travel to Malaga for Saturday’s game at La Rosaleda. Albert Jorquera is also absent. The players that were omitted from the Copa del Rey game with Benidorm, Valdés, Henry, Márquez, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, are all in the sixteen-man squad for the league fixture.

However, with respect to the last league squad, that for the Almería game, the only change is Sylvinho, who comes in for Abidal, who was injured on Thursday.

Guddy and Pedro fit

After several days training with the first team, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro have received the medical all-clear. Both players picked up injuries while away on international duty, and have missed the league games against Athletic Club and Almería, the Champions League trip to Basel, and the cup clash with Benidorm.

Under the rain

The players trained on Friday at the Camp Nou under heavy rain. All of Josep Guardiola’s squad was in attendance, apart from the injured Milito and Abidal. Keita, who is still recovering from his own fitness concerns, trained on the Camp Nou turf, but in isolation from the rest of his colleagues.

Trip to Malaga

After training, the players had lunch at the Camp Nou. At 17.00 today they will transfer from the ground to El Prat Airport, where they will be taking an 18.00 charter flight to Malaga. The plane is due to land in southern Spain at 19.30.

 
Futbol Club Barcelona has denied reports in the press that in recent hours have been claiming that the club is seeking to transfer midfielder Xavi Hernàndez this summer.
Both the technical secretary and the current coaching staff, and with the full support of the Board of Directors, are convinced that Xavi Hernàndez is an essential part of the team’s ongoing plans.

There is such conviction on this issue that the player and club and in discussions regarding the extension of the contract that currently binds the two parties until June 30, 2010.

Having joined the club’s youth system over a decade ago, Xavi has enjoyed an impeccable career in the FC Barcelona first team, his football talents are widely recognised and his implication in the club’s project and values are simply not up for discussion.

 
Pep Guardiola has his mind firmly set on Saturday’s game with Malaga, which he expects to be “very tough due to the quality of the opposition, the way they play and the ground … we have to stay humble and stick to the same values”.
The Barça manager is aware that Malaga are a dangerous opponent , saying “this is a new test, a new game.” He feels the ten-match winning streak “is a thing of the past” and that “there is no sense in resting on our laurels”.

A tough game

Guardiola is convinced that Malaga “will be coming out to score goals, to be aggressive and to play direct football, and they have good players that take care over their strategy”. He feels his team has to stick to its principles and thus prevent things from getting any more complicated than they have to be.

Faith in the side

Guardiola repeated what he has said several times of late in reference to it being in games like these that Barça have a tradition of slipping up. “Experience shows that these are the games we find difficult and I think we have to treat them with the right kind of importance” he said, while also denying that this means he fears his players might pay the price for getting over-confident. “Until now I have no reason to believe that to be the case. It is my obligation to warn them about it but I have no doubts about my players”.

Room for improvement

The Barça manager agrees that “there are always things you can do better” although right now he is concentrating on “specific and individual aspects, such as loss of concentration”. But Guardiola said he was generally satisfied with “the players’ behaviour, especially the way they get down to work”.

An eye on Basel

Just three days after the game at La Rosaleda, Barça entertain Basel in a Champions League group game, where they have the chance to seal mathematical qualification for the knockout stages. Despite their convincing win at Saint Jacobs Park ( 0-5 ) Guardiola doesn’t think Wednesday’s game will be a simple matter. “Basel will be hard because of how we won there. I am treating that game as an important one because we can clinch mathematical qualification and the teams we have to play after, Sporting and Shakhtar, are teams to worry about”.

 
Málaga are preparing to take on FC Barcelona on Saturday in La Rosaleda (8pm) and will be hoping to be able to continue chalking up points as they go into the game on the back of four successive victories.
The Andalucian outfit did make a poor start to the campaign as they lost their first game 4-0 against Atlético de Madrid in el Vicente Calderón. That was followed by a goalless draw in the game against Athletic Club in capital of the Costa del Sol before Almería earned all three points with a win that set alarm bells ringing at Málaga. Those sounded even louder when the team lost their next game 0-2 to Valencia.

No goals

That first home defeat brought about a moment of inflection as the club analysed how best to move forward. Coach Antonio Tapia gave a few players that had not had a chance until then an opportunity to prove themselves.

After four matches, Málaga were the only team in the Primera División that had failed to score a single goal. But the fifth game of the campaign changed that as a victory against Real Valladolid saw a comeback begin.

Bouncing back

The encounter with José Luis Mendilibar’s side was the start of the turnaround as Málaga won their first game of the season and finally found the net to raise spirits and confidence at the club. After almost 400 minutes without scoring, Lolo and Adrián netted and the first three points of the campaign were secured.

The biggest victory

In the Nuevo Colombino in Huelva, Málaga produced their best performance of the new season to date as they put in a very good performance to beat Recreativo 0-4 in their own stadium. Baha and Eli were the main protagonists in the emphatic win.

Getafe were next up for the Tapia’s men and things did not start well as Roberto Soldado put the Madrilenian outfit into the lead before Málaga mounted a great comeback to turn the game around and win 2-1.
Surprise win

Sevilla had begun the season in emphatic style with Manolo Jiménez leading the side on an unbeaten run that had people talking about their best days under Juande Ramos. But they had not bargained on a resurgent Málaga side spoiling things as they earned a 0-1 victory in the Sánchez Pizjuán last weekend.

The 13 points that Málaga have won has allowed them to stop worrying about going straight back down for now and there is a renewed confidence about the club, although staying up will remain the objective this term.

 
Following a day off, the FC Barcelona first team squad returned to training on Thursday morning for a session that saw Éric Abidal limp out of the action early on with an injury to his right knee.
The Blaugrana are now preparing for their next league game against Málaga on Saturday in La Romareda, but there was some bad news during the session in the Miniestadi. Abidal pulled up and had to leave training early after feeling some pain in his knee. The French defender will undergo a series of tests to determine the extent of the problem before the club’s medical services make an announcement.

Physical fitness

After the usual warm-up exercises and ball games, coach Josep Guardiola opted to put the players through a physical circuit in which they had to go round a series of cones and jump over hurdles to start the session.

Keita trains again

Seydou Keita was out on the pitch in the Miniestadi for his first training session since suffering a muscle injury in the game against Athletic Club de Bilbao in San Mamés, but he worked to the side of the squad along with physical fitness coach Juanjo Brau.

Surprise test

UEFA carried a surprise anti-doping test on nine of the Barça first team as they took urine samples from Carles Puyol, Albert Jorquera, Sylvinho, José Manuel Pinto, Sergio Busquets, Touré Yaya, Gerard Piqué, Víctor Sánchez and Pedro as well as from two Barça Atlètic players, Oier Olazábal and David Córcoles.

 
The Argentinian striker is delighted that Maradona has been named the new manager of his national side. He says “we have always had a good relationship” and believes that the legendary figure can create “a strong group and lead us to win things”.
Leo Messi’s reaction to Diego Maradona being announced as the new manager of Argentina was practically the only issue discussed at Thursday’s press conference. The Barça striker reckons Diego was a good choice, saying “I think it’ll be really good to have him so close, I think he can do a lot for us”.

Good relations

Messi also denied that he has personal issues regarding Maradona, saying that, quite the contrary, the pair have always had a solid relationship. “We have always got on well, every since I started playing we’ve had a good relationship” explained the player. “He has always shown affinity towards all of the players, and he has always been very close to me”.

The manager’s job

Leo Messi pointed out just what an important person Maradona is not only for Argentinian football but also for the country’s society in general. “We all love him because of who he is. I am sure he will try to get across to us everything that he has gone through, and everything he did as a player. It is very important for him to build a strong group and lead us to win things”.

In defence of Maradona

Messi also said it would be unfair to dwell upon the low points in Maradona’s life, as that shouldn’t have anything to do with his new managerial role. “We shouldn’t look at what he experienced outside of football, what he means for us is what he was as a footballer and is as a person … Despite things he might have said, he is still a great person” he said.

The Barça striker also said he doubts that there will be any special treatment towards Kun Agüero, even though Maradona and the Atlético Madrid player share family ties.

Candidate for FIFA World Player

Messi also commented on how pleased he feels to figure among the players short-listed for the next FIFA World Player Award. “It’s really nice for all the aspirants” he said, before adding modestly that his achievements have always been “the result of teamwork, because when things go well you always have a better chance of picking up individual awards”.

A difficult game

Barça are off to La Rosaleda on Saturday to face in-form Malaga, who have just won their fourth league match in a row. Leo Messi knows it won’t be an easy ride against the Andalusian outfit. “It will be hard because they’re a team that’s doing well at the moment, and who won last week at a very difficult ground (the Sánchez Pizjuán) and who are on a good run”.

 
Eric Abidal has undergone a series of tests on the injury to his right knee that he suffered in training and has been told that he has a cyst on his external meniscus and will be out of action for at least the next two matches.
During training on Thursday morning, the French defender told club medics that he felt a pain in his knee and limped out of the session in order to be examined to see what the problem was and now the results have revealed what has happened.

Cautious regime

Now Abidal will start on a cautious recovery regime and if after a week there are no signs of improvement then club medics will consider the possibility of carrying out an artoscopy. The early indication is that the player will miss at least the next two matches.

Málaga and Basel

Coach Josep Guardiola will not be able to include Abidal in the FC Barcelona squad for the trip to Málaga, that will take place on Saturday evening at 8pm. The French star will also miss the Blaugrana’s Champions League encounter at home to Basel at 8.45pm on Tuesday.

 
With Francesc Arnau in goal, Málaga CF were promoted to the first division last season. This is the Catalan stopper’s eighth season with the Andalusian outfit, and he is looking forward to meeting his former club.
Málaga are next up for FC Barcelona, the two teams that have featured Francesc Arnau in goal. The Catalan goalkeeper is one of the many stars to have grown up at La Masia, and after representing Barça at several youth levels, he made his first team debut in the 1996/97 season.

It was not until 2000/01 that he won a regular place as the first team’s second choice keeper, but before the year was out he had signed for Malaga, who were also a first division club at the time.

Impressed with Barça

Under Pep Guardiola, Barça are looking great and the excellent form of the Catalan club has not gone unnoticed in Malaga. Says Arnau “Barça is the team that is playing best and not only that, they are getting good results. They are a very hard team to beat and it’ll be a difficult game. I prefer playing at La Rosaleda because we have a better chance of winning there.”

Playing against his old team is always “a very special game for me because of all I experienced at FC Barcelona. I left a long time ago but I’ll never forget my time at Barça”.

Valdés, “a great keeper”

Víctor Valdés has kept three clean sheets in a row, and Francesc Arnau is a fervent admirer of the Barça goalkeeper. “Víctor is a great keeper, he takes criticism well, whether it is good or bad. He has been first choice keeper for Barcelona for many years and unless there is a twist in the tale, he’ll be as historic a figure for the club as Andoni Zubizarreta was.”

Arnau also spoke about the way goalkeepers come in for so much criticism. “What keeper hasn’t been criticised? We all have been at some point. We goalkeepers have to learn to live with it. If an outfield player has a bad game you don’t notice it as much, but if a keeper gets it wrong, the ball goes in. There is nobody behind to help you.”

Best wishes for Guardiola

Arnau played in the same side as the Barça manager and reckons “he was a magnificent team-mate, and a great person too. I think he’s an intelligent sort, and he applies all of his knowledge about football, I’m sure things will work out well for him. I wish him all the luck in the world.”

 
Although Pep Guardiola declared today a day off, three Barça players did appear at the Camp Nou today. Henry, Pedro and Gudjohnsen worked out with a fitness coach.
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro are injured and Thierry Henry has gastric problems, and so they didn’t travel to Benidorm for the cup match. So, on Wednesday morning, under torrential rain, the three players did some jogging and stretching exercises.

Training on Thursday

The Barça staff have arranged the next full training session for Thursday at 11.00 in the morning in the Miniestadi, which be held behind closed doors as the team gets ready for its match with Malaga on Saturday.

 
The reserve player made his first official first team appearance in Benidorm. He is the third player to get his debut under Guardiola.
It was Barça’s tenth win in a row, this time away to Benidorm in the cup, and also served as an introduction for the latest pearl to come up through the youth ranks: Abraham González. From Barcelona, the 23 year old is a versatile player, and can play anywhere from midfield to right back. Pep Guardiola has already handed chances to three new youngsters this season.

Five first minutes

Like Pedro and Sergio Busquets, Abraham came on in the 85th minute of the match, and as Guardiola had expected, and reiterated in his post-match conference, the player added consistency and fluidity to the way the ball was played around in the last few minutes.

Reserve team presence

The manager already knows Abraham very well after coaching him in the B team last season. The new Barça Atlètic coach, Luis Enrique, also feels the player has promise and has used him five of his last six outings. Abraham has even responded by notching up his first goal.

The happiest of all

At the end of the cup duel in Benidorm, Abraham expressed his full satisfaction. “I am very happy with my debut, it’s the biggest thing.” He thanked Guardiola for rewarding him with this opportunity and said “I’ll carry on working in order to get more chances”.

 
The Barça players Eto’o, Messi and Iniesta have been named in the 23 man short list for the FIFA World Player Award for 2008. The winner will be announced on the 12th of January.
FIFA have announced this Wednesday a short list of the 23 candidates to be named player of the year for 2008. Amongst them are four FC Barcelona players; Samuel Eto’o, Leo Messi, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

The captains and coaches of national sides will be given the chance to choose their favourites and the top three will be named in December. The winner will be made public during FIFA’s annual gala that will take place on the 12th of January in the Zurich Opera House.

International recognition

FIFA’s recognition adds itself to that of the magazine ‘France Football’ and of the International Federation of Professional Football Associations. Eto’o, Messi and Xavi are in with a chance of winning the European Player of the Year Award whilst the same players, along with Henry, Iniesta and Puyol, are amongst the finalists for the FIFPro Award .

 
The team returns to training on Thursday as they prepare for Saturday’s game at La Rosaleda. It’s going to be an intense end to the week.
After winning in Benidorm ( 0-1 ) and having a day off on Thursday, Barça get back to action on Thursday with training at 11.00. This will be the first session that will be fully focused on the league game away to Malaga on Saturday (20.00). In fact, there are only two sessions, one on Thursday and one on Friday before the league fixture.

When the Friday morning session is over, Guardiola will appear before the media (17.00) and then the team will be transferred to El Prat airport for their flight to Malaga. And the Champions League

As usual, the squad will fly straight back to Barcelona after the match. There is no time for rest as there is a Champions League game with Basel on Tuesday, which Barça will start preparing on Sunday, the day after the game at La Rosaleda.

 
Thierry Henry will not participate for FC Barcelona in the first leg of the last 32 Copa del Rey encounter against Benidorm on Tuesday evening after suffering from gastric problems and Carles Puyol will take his place in the squad.
The French international will not travel down the coast for the Blaugrana’s first cup game of the season. After visiting doctors on Tuesday, Henry was advised to rest for 24 hours in order to recuperate from the gastric problems that he has been suffering and Pep Guardiola was advised that the player would not be travelling.

Puyol called upon

Following a bad night, Henry went to Camp Nou, but it was determined that he could not play and so Puyol was called up by Guardiola to complete the squad . The Barça captain had been preparing for a midweek rest, but he will now be required to be ready to play should his presence be needed.

 
Pep Guardiola was one of the stars when FC Barcelona won the Copa del Rey on the last two occasions and now as the club’s head coach, he hopes to guide them to the 25th triumph in the competition.
On Tuesday evening, the Blaugrana start out on the first rung of the ladder in a tournament that the club is very familiar with having won it 24 times in their history. The return to Copa del Rey action also sees Guardiola make his return to the competition in charge of the team. The trainer places great emphasis on the even after tasting success twice during his playing days.

Two cups for Guardiola

Guardiola enjoyed both the Copa del Rey successes in his career while playing for Barça. The first came in the 1996/97 campaign when Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. The final was played in the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Betis and it was the Catalan giants that won the game after 120 minutes. The opening 90 minutes ended level, but Barça came out on top with a 3-2 win following extra time to lift the trophy for the first time in seven seasons.

Second win

The second win for Guardiola was the last time that FC Barcelona won the tournament too and that came in the 1997/98 season. Louis van Gaal was in charge and he oversaw a victory over Real Mallorca on penalties after extra time. Guardiola celebrated the victory, but did not participate in the second leg because he had a hamstring injury.

Last game in the cup

Another link between Guardiola and the Copa del Rey is the fact that the current coach’s last game for the club came in the competition when he played against Celta Vigo in Camp Nou during the 2000/01 season.

 
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro were able to train at the same level as the rest of the players that did not travel to Benidorm on Tuesday took to the pitch in front of La Masia for a session.
While the majority of the first team squad travelled south to play in the first leg of the Copa del Rey encounter, seven players trained on the pitch in the Camp Nou complex as the rain poured down. Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Víctor Valdés and Rafa Márquez have all been given a break by coach Pep Guardiola. Gudjohnsen and Pedro joined them under the supervision of three physical trainers.

Physical start

Carles Puyol was due to be part of the group training in Barcelona, but in the end he was called into the squad after Thierry Henry had to pull out with gastric problems. After the usual warm-ups and ball games, the group was put through their paces with a physical circuit that involved that jumping over and running around different obstacles, while Valdés worked away from the group.

Co-ordination and pressure

The next circuit saw the players paired up with Messi and Pedro, Gudjohnsen and Pmárquez and Iniesta and Xavi together for a set of exercises with a ball to improve co-ordination and pressurising. After a set of passing games between the players, the last few minutes on the pitch were spent doing a circuit that saw the players go through a course before ending with a shot at goal.

 
Pep Guardiola was keen to highlight the performance of his players after the victory against Benidorm. “We took the game very seriously,” he said after the 0-1 triumph. “But the victory is still not secured.”
The Blaugrana recorded their tenth consecutive win in all competitions with the win in the Copa del Rey, last 32 first leg and the trainer was delighted with the way that his players went about the game. “The team played like we want them to in games like this,” Guardiola continued. “We played a serious match.”

A great start

After the game, Guardiola believes that there were plenty of positives to be taken, especially from the first half. “We went out and started very well all across the pitch,” he explained. “I think that we had a very good first half and we only lacked a goal. Maybe in the second half we did not do so well, despite maintaining our discipline throughout. When a team plays like this then there is not much a coach can say.”

Positive conclusions

Guardiola was enthused by the display and continued by stating that he was going to draw “good conclusions” from the game that Barça won in the Municipal de Foietes. The trainer was also pleased that some of the players that have not have many chances this term were able to play. “It was positive because some of the squad played 90 minutes and did very well,” he added.

One of the new tactics that the coach tried was to play Sylvinho on the left flank. “He did very well there,” Guardiola said. “He was able to play on the wing and I am very pleased that he did so well.”

Faith in the players

When asked whether the felt that FC Barcelona fielding a team that was not as strong as it could have been showed Benidorm any disrespect, Guardiola responded sharply. “I never show disrespect to any team,” he stated. “The players that were named were included because I have faith in them.”

 
FC Barcelona maintained their winning run and made it ten victories out of ten by beating Benidorm in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening.
“We have prepared well,” Sylvinho explained. “The coach advised us well and told us that we had to focus for games like this. We have gone out and started well and it just a shame that we could not score more goals.”

The match was won 0-1 thanks to a second half goal from Bojan Krkic. Below is what some of the players had to say.

Abraham

“I am very happy to have made my debut, it is the best. I will continue to work to have more opportunities, that is the aim.”

“This type of game is always difficult and even more so if you play for the first team.”

“I am happy that the coach chose me and he seems the same as he was last year with the B team.”

Gerard Piqué

“The quality of the team was evident and we knew how to mix that quality with a bit of aggression and that will give us more points than we won last year.”

“Everyone deserves the credit. The coach especially does because he gives us the inspiration to go out and win.”

“We cannot become accustomed to winning by a big scoreline in each game because winning 5-0 is difficult. It is more important just to win.”

Sergio Busquets

“We played well in the first half. They defended in numbers and were close together and we had a number of chances, but the ball would not go in. The second half started in the same way, but the goal allowed us to relax. It was just a shame that we could not increase the lead.”

“With every game we show that the team is playing well and that we all help each other. That would explain the ten consecutive wins.”

“Bojan is a decisive player. He has an eye for goal and with more time he will always play like that.”

“Málaga will be a difficult team to beat. Playing away is always difficult and they will also go into the game in a positive mood with four consecutive victories.”

Victor Sánchez

“We know that every game is important. We have to go out and try and win them all and be confident from the first minute.”

“Sergio Busquets and I have known each other for many years, since our days at Jàbac Terrassa. That is why we are so confident on the pitch and we understand each other and only need a quick look to find each other.”

Bojan

“I am very happy because we have secured another win. I am very pleased with the goal and with the work of the team.”

“It was a game that we have to be focussed on from the start as we all want to qualify for the next round.”

“There are still no easy games. We have complete respect for our rivals and we always go out to try and win.”

“Sometimes you miss the easier chances and score the more difficult ones. I will remain calm and confident.”

 
Nolito and Abraham are in the 16-strong squad for Barça’s Cup match away at Benidorm. Valdés, Márquez, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi will not be playing.
Reserve team players Nolito and Abraham have been called up to the 16-man squad for the King’s Cup match at Benidorm. Nolito is a striker signed from Écija this summer, and though not an out-and-out winger Luis Enrique can play him on either side of the attack. He’s started 9 out of Barça Atlètic’s 10 games and found the net twice. Abraham is a utility player who can play in midfield or at full-back. He went to Scotland with the first team in preseason.

Albert Jorquera is also back ten months after suffering a serious injury while playing for Catalonia at San Mamés.

Pep Guardiola has decided to rest Valdés, Márquez, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. Milito, Pedro, Gudjohnsen and Keita will also miss out on the Benidorm trip due to injury.

Back to training

After hammering Almeria, the first team had Sunday off and came back to training this Monday morning at the Miniestadi in a session combining recovery and preparation for the King’s Cup match. Gai Assulin trained normally with the first team.

Those not called up for the Benidorm clash will train this Tuesday at the Miniestadi at 10.30 am.

The team will travel to Benidorm on Tuesday morning to play the away leg of its last 32 Cup tie. Barça also travelled on the day of the match to Murcia last 17 May for its final game of the 2007/08 League season.

 
Barcelona players Xavi, Puyol and Messi have been included in the FIFPro World XI 2007/08. This means that Barça is the club with the most players in the side.
This Monday morning the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) has announced its World XI 2007/08. Barça players Leo Messi, Xavi Hernàndez and Carles Puyol are all in the FIFPro team which is chosen by the Federation’s 57,500 members.

First for Xavi

This is the first time Xavi Hernàndez has been chosen for the FIFPro World XI. This recognition comes in addition to being named Best Player at Euro 2008 by UEFA and receiving an award from sports paper ‘Marca', also as the best Euro 2008 player.

It is the second year that Leo Messi and Carles Puyol have been in the FIFPro World XI.

The club with the most

Barça has the most players in the FIFPro World XI at three. It is followed by Manchester United, with Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, with Casillas and Sergio Ramos, and Liverpool, with Fernando Torres and Gerrard. Chelsea, with John Terry, and Milan, with Kaká, contribute one player each.

 
Barça’s opponents in the Cup are old foes of Bojan Krkic, who will once again be playing against Benidorm but this time with the first team.
Bojan Krkic is back in Benidorm after a gap of two years. As a Barça B player under Quique Costas in the 2006/07 season he played against them twice, scoring a goal. However, that experience also tells him that Benidorm are a tough nut to crack as Barça B lost both games.

Debut at the Miniestadi and first goal

Bojan Krkic made his debut at the Miniestadi for Barça B against Benidorm in the Second Division B in the 2006/07 season. He also managed to score a goal to make the experience even more memorable, even though his side lost. “It was a very special game, my first in the Miniestadi and a goal that wasn’t worth much as we lost, but it was special as the first,” he now recalls.

Lost to Benidorm twice

“We lost both games against Benidorm, couldn’t get a single point off them” he adds. Two years later Bojan is back but this time in the first team and determined to win the tie.

Getting his own back

Benidorm are standing between Barcelona and a place in the last 16 of the King’s Cup, and Bojan will have the chance to get his own back. “It’s always special, just like last year against Alcoyano,” he points out. “We went there with the first team and that’s when you see the difference compared with going there as Barça B. Then you realise how far you’ve come, so having the chance to play against them in the King’s Cup for the first team means a lot to me.”

 
Guardiola says he thinks the Spanish Cup is very important and wants “to get across the idea to the players that this is an important game” in which they will have to be very careful.
This Tuesday Barcelona are away at Benidorm in the first leg of their last 32 Spanish Cup tie. For Pep Guardiola both the game and the tournament are “very important”. “You have to go for all titles and all games,” he argued. “No game is more important than the rest, and no competition is more important than the rest.”

Modest favourites

“Of course we’re favourites, but we are respecting our opponents and taking it seriously,” said the Barça manager. “I want to get across the idea to the players that this is an important game.” He thinks that Benidorm will make life difficult so the team will have to be very careful, as it wouldn’t be the first time a Second Division B giant killer had downed a First Division side. “If we don’t start well and do things properly, they’ll make it very hard for us,” he warned.

Two reserves

Nolito and Abraham from the reserves have been called up as Guardiola rests Valdés, Márquez, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. “I have a lot of faith and belief in the players in the squad,” he said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have called them up.”

Guardiola thinks that both teams will “try to play football as Benidorm has its weapons and players who can and want to play good football. I hope the local fans get to see a good game.”

Keeping feet on the ground

“Winning nine on the bounce is great but it’s not easy to do,” pointed out Guardiola. “In fact it’s a little unreal, so you’ve got to make sure you keep your feet on the ground and take each game as it comes.” For Guardiola the key is finding out what the side is doing right in order to keep on doing it, as there is still a lot of the season left to go.

Five crucial games

Today’s press conference also looked at developments in the League. Guardiola said that the club’s fixtures with Almeria, Malaga, Valladolid, Recreativo and Getafe immediately prior to four with the League’s strongest teams are crucial: “They are massive games. We began well against Almeria and we’ve got to keep on plugging away. If we get our preparations right we can win those games.”

 
Barça manager Josep Guardiola wants to make use of his entire squad, and as he recently said, he approaches games with fourteen players and not just his starting XI in mind.
In every game this season Barcelona have used up all their three substitutions, and save on two occasions the players who come on have had at least fifteen minutes game time. The exceptions were against Spor ting Lisbon , when Sylvinho came on in the 88th minute, and Wislaw Krakow , when Hleb made his appearance in the 84th minute.

Confidence

In most games the first substitution comes more than half an hour before the end, the second with more than twenty minutes to go and the third with over 15 minutes left on the clock. This pattern was repeated against Almeria , when Guardiola took off Touré in the 57th minute, Henry in the 64th and Alves in the 72nd. Guardiola’s substitution policy is another demonstration of the confidence he has in all his players.

Almost all have started

Guardiola has put all his players – except for goalkeepers Juan Manuel Pinto and Albert Jorquera and the injured Gaby Milito – in the starting XI for at least one of Barça’s twelve competitive matches this season. “I do it because I have a lot of faith in them,” he says. “Obviously some play more than others but that’s to be expected. That way we give players the chance to rest and make sure everyone’s ready to play.”

 
Barça has found the net 24 times in its first eight League games, a record only beaten once in the last 40 years.
Barça has really gone for goal at the start of this League season, scoring 24 times in its first eight games to give it an average of 3 per match. Only one season has beaten this record in the last 40 years.

The year of Robson and Ronaldo

It was the 1996/97 season when Bobby Robson was in the dugout and Ronaldo scored virtually at will. In its first eight League games the team put away 29 goals, and its 8-0 thrashing of Logroñés — also the eighth game of the season — is a scoreline that has not been seen since.

Eto'o on target

Twelve years later Barça’s line is being led by Samuel Eto'o, and his hat-trick against Almeria puts him at the top of the list of goalscorers with nine. He’s also receiving valuable support from players like Leo Messi (5) and Thierry Henry (3).

Last 5-0 result three years ago

The last time Barça won five nil in the Camp Nou in the League was on 30 October 2005 when they beat Real Sociedad.

 
Josep Guardiola has made the best start of any Barça manager in the club’s recent history.
Not including the Champions League qualifiers against Wisla Krakow, Guardiola’s results are the best by a Barça manager in his first season since Vic Buckingham in the 1970/71 campaign.

More wins

So far this season Barça has racked up nine wins, a draw and a defeat. None of Barça’s seventeen previous managers achieved as many wins in their first eight League games and three European fixtures in their debut seasons.

So Guardiola has the best numbers for a first season in charge of Barça since the 1970/71 campaign.

Great start to the League

Despite losing away at Numància and drawing its second game with Racing Santander in the League, Barça has made an excellent start to the campaign. Indeed, it has only been bettered in the last ten years by the beginning to the 2004/05 season: Guardiola’s Barça has picked up 19 out of a possible 24 points, while Frank Rijkaard’s team got 22 on the way to their first League title.

Nine wins on the bounce

Barça has now won nine games in a row in the League and Champions League. This is a rare achievement as the side has only done it on one other occasion in the last five campaigns, when it put together an historic run of 19 consecutive wins in the 2005/06 season.

 
Last time round Almeria was the surprise team of the year, and in their first season in the top flight they didn’t drop below tenth in the whole of the second half of the campaign.
In the end they came eighth, and aside from good results also impressed with the way they played good football.

They say that the toughest thing to do after an excellent season when no-one expected anything of you is to keep up the level in the following campaign. Almeria aim to do just that by sticking to the philosophy that has brought them success so far. Firstly they hired Gonzalo Arconada as a manager who is very similar to his predecessor Unai Emery. They have also continued with a policy of signing new international talent, especially from South America; the cash they got from selling Felipe Melo was reinvested in promising newcomers like Michel Macedo, Piatti and Nieto.

Almeria retains the core of its old side

Despite eight new signings, Almeria still retains the core of its old side. In goal Diego Alves is a safe pair of hands, while out wide there are solid attacking players in Bruno and José Ortiz on the right and Mané and Corona on the left. The centre of the defence is where Arconada has brought in most new talent and new signings Chico and Pellerano have been regulars. The manager rings more changes in midfield, though Julio Álvarez and Juanito have had most game time so far. Up front Negredo is the man who scores the goals.

A good start

His five strikes so far this season have helped Almeria to get off to a good start. A spectacular day one win at San Mamés (1-3) has been followed by two more victories, two draws and a defeat. A good base from which to attack what some call the Everest of the League, consecutive games against Seville, Barça, Madrid and Villarreal, and which many teams are finding hard to climb. So far Almeria is no exception, having gone down 0-1 at Seville, yet nonetheless they come to the Camp Nou in a very commendable sixth place.

 
Pep Guardiola remains cautious and attaches little importance to the fact that Barça is provisional League leader. He expressed his satisfaction with the way his players performed and said that you have to “take each game as it comes".
After the match Josep Guardiola immediately went to congratulate the team both individually and as a group in the changing room. He says that Barça’s big wins in recent weeks are because “the players are playing well” and not because “the manager’s performing miracles”.

He attaches little importance to the fact that Barça is provisional League leader after beating Almeria: “What is important is to win each game as it comes and we’ll know where we are at the end of the League.”

Surprised by the goals

Josep Guardiola expressed his surprise at the thrashings his team is handing out as “they’re not normal”. He pointed out that during the first games of the season “goals were scored early on” and emphasized that “we create lots of chances and they don’t”.

Players

Barça’s coach spoke about Andrés Iniesta and Dani Alves. He is pleased with the ability of the former to play wide or in midfield: “He’s there to help out and do it. He’s a role model for the academy and his team-mates about how to behave as a player.”

Then just as he said at the press conference before the Almeria game, Guardiola repeated his view that Alves “is a player who helps us a lot with his work rate and commitment and we’re very happy with him”.

Numancia line-up

Josep Guardiola put out the same players against Almeria who took the field against Numancia ( 1-0 ). “Against Numancia we played worse but we had some bits like today,” he said. “However, our positional play and other things were poor back then. Now the wins make everything a lot simpler.”

 
Samuel Eto'o has scored the fastest ever League hat-trick by a Barça player. It took him just the first 23 minutes of tonight’s game, and it is the third time he’s found the net three times in a match for Barça.
Scoring three goals in the first 23 minutes of a League encounter is not that common, and until this Saturday no Barça player had done it. Then along came Samuel Eto'o against Almeria. The Cameroon striker got his first in the 5th minute after a weak defensive header, his second in the 20th minute after a great move between Iniesta and Xavi, and his third in the 23rd minute with a neat back heel.

The three strikes make him the top goalscorer for the competition on nine, one more than Valencia’s David Villa.

Third time

It is Eto’o’s third hat-trick in a competitive match for Barça since he signed for the club in the 2004/05 season. His first came on 2 November 2005 in the Champions League against Panathinaikos (5-0), while the second was in last season’s League encounter on 24 February against Levante (5-1).

Leaders again after almost a year and a half

Barça’s excellent football and thrashing of Almeria have made them provisional League leaders. After six straight wins they now sit on top of the table with 19 points, the same number as Valencia, two more than Seville and Villarreal and three more than Madrid.

51 League games ago

The last time Barcelona topped the table was on matchday 33 in the 2006/07 season after beating Real Sociedad away by 0-2. It happened on 5 May 2007 and since then almost a year and a half and 51 League games have gone by.

 
“The goal’s for my wife and my Dad, who’s in Brazil,” said Alves after the game. “He always says that Barça scores a lot and I never do. So this one’s for him because he deserves it as well.”
Like the other players, Dani Alves also highlighted the commitment and effort of the entire team. It was Barça’s second 5-0 win on the bounce after Basel but Barça’s players are keeping their feet on the ground and they all agree that the team kept up its intensity for all 90 minutes. Other factors are pressure on the pitch and keeping a clean sheet.

Below are the players’ comments after the game:

Leo Messi

“We’ve played just like we did in previous games, keeping hold of the ball and pressuring up front and keeping a high tempo.”

“More important than the actual scoreline is the fact that we won.”

“We’re finding the net a lot at the moment but you can also win 1-0 like we did at Bilbao.”

Bojan Krkic

“I’m not worried about being in the starting XI but of course you want to play from the kick-off. But I’m cool and I try to do what I can with the time the boss gives me.”

“The fans are being great. They back me to the hilt and that makes things a lot easier.”

“You’ve got to be patient. Like when things were going badly and we said it’s a long season, now they’re going well we’ve got to say the same. We’ve got to keep cool and see where we are in May, because it’s a long campaign.”

“It’s great seeing this type of game. Even when we’re winning 5-0 we keep pushing right up to the end because that’s the type of team we are.”

Thierry Henry

“The result’s important but keeping a clean sheet is as well. There’ll also be games like the ones with Betis, Espanyol and Bilbao.”

“I scored because I thought I should stay at the back post because Messi wanted to put the ball in the box again, and I was there to stick it away.”

“My celebration is a personal thing with one of my friends.”

“Eto'o is an amazing player. He’s always scoring and we hope he continues that way.”

“The boss has laid down the law here, and he made it clear at the start of the season that anyone who didn’t like it was free to leave. He’s got the squad he wanted and we’re really up for it.”

Andrés Iniesta

“We’re happy with the final score and especially the way we did it with a great first half. We’ve got to go on that way. I’m very happy with the three points.”

“At the end of the day the most important thing is that things turn out well. We’re working to make sure that happens.”

“I usually play on the inside and that’s where I feel happiest.”

(On the drag back move)

“It’s a pity, it’s a very quick move and today it didn’t really come off. Still, I’m happy with the way everything turned out in the end.”

Samuel Eto'o

“I’m pleased with the three goals but even more so because we won. We’re doing a good job and that’s the most important thing.”

“Leo deserves the credit for the back-heel goal. The defender had blocked the ball and I put it away in the only way I could.”

“When you get injured twice it’s hard to get back to your previous level, but now physically I’m good and I’ve tried to do my best.”

“Keeping up the pressure means we respect our opponents. The problem comes when you’re three nil up and drop your game.”

 
The LFP has announced that the game between Málaga and FC Barcelona, the ninth of the current league campaign, will be played on Saturday November 1st at 20.00.
The first team knows when they will be facing Málaga at La Rosaleda. It will be on the first day of November and will start at eight in the evening. Málaga v Barça is one of several games being brought forward to Saturday, the others being Athlétic v Villarreal, Atlético Madrid v Mallorca and Valencia v Racing.

Plenty in store

Pep Guardiola’s side will play this game shortly after kicking off their Copa del Rey campaign on Tuesday October 28 in Benidorm. Once the Málaga game is over, it will be time to start thinking about the Champions League against, with Basels’s return visit to the Camp Nou on November 4, the fourth game of the group stages.

Three home games in a row

The Basel match will be the first of three consecutive games in which FC Barcelona will enjoy home advantage. The following weekend the game will be Barça v Valladolid, in the League, and then on Wednesday 12 they have the second leg of their Copa del Rey encounter with Benidorm.

Check the full Barça fixture list by clicking here

 
Guardiola’s side trained on Friday behind closed doors as they prepare for this Saturday’s game with Almería. The squad for the game being played at 22.00 will be announced later.
The first team trained on Friday morning ahead of the game at the Camp Nou tomorrow against Almería (22.00). They trained in the stadium, but the session was not open to the general public.

Gudjohnsen and Pedro

The injured Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro continued their recovery plans, and both appeared on the pitch for the first time since receiving their respective injuries.

Another session

Guardiola has called his players for another training session at noon on the day of the match. It will also be behind closed doors at the Camp Nou, and after it is over, the manager will announce the players he has picked for the Almería encounter.

 
Guardiola is very pleased with the team’s performances but wants them to keep their feet on the ground going into the game with Almería on Saturday. The Barça manager is happy with the team and hopes the fans respond by coming to the stadium.
After the 5-0 win in Basel, the eighth win in a row, Josep Guardiola knows that there is a real thrill surrounding the team right now, and hopes the good vibes carry over into Saturday’s clash with Almería at the Camp Nou (22.00).

But he doesn’t want the players to get carried away and wants them to stay focused on the next challenge. “We exaggerate what’s good and bad, and I understand that, but it is important to find a point of moderation. The players know we need to strengthen the values that win us games and to recover when things don’t go so well. They have trained well and have the right mentality for the game with Almería”, said Guardiola.

Almería and Chico

In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said Almería is a good team that has started the season well, so the team will need all the support they can get. “We have to remember that Almería only have five points less than we do and are a very good team. I hope the fans come to the ground because with our supporters on our side, we are so much stronger”.

He also mentioned Chico, a player that trained with Barça B last season and is now on Almería’s books, saying “I am delighted he’s playing in the first division. He helped us a lot in the time he was here and I’m sure he has fond memories of Barça. I wish him all the best”.

“I believe in my players”

Guardiola has confidence in all of his players, and that’s why there are so many rotations going on, and also why he recurs so often to reserve players. “I have a lot of faith in my players, in all of them” he said. “Of course some players get more minutes than others but I have my confidence in all of them, and they have all started games this season, apart from Jorquera and Pinto. It is the players that give me my prestige, not mine that gives them theirs”.

As for the excellent performances by reserve players, Guardiola is applying his personal touch. “The youngsters are here to complement and to gradually break into the team. I’m not surprised with their performances, because I knew them from the reserves. I was sure they wouldn’t let me down”.

 
Sylvinho played in his 100th official game for FC Barcelona in the emphatic 0-5 victory against FC Basel in Switzerland on Wednesday evening.
The Brazilian full-back made his second appearance of the season, after having played against Sporting Lisbon last month, when he played in Saint Jakob-Park in the Champions League. The game also marked his century of matches for the Blaugrana.

“It was very important for me because I feel a big part of this club and this is an important phase of my life,” he told reporters after the game.

Five seasons with Barça

In the 2004/05 campaign, Sylvinho moved to Camp Nou and has gone on to play in 75 league games, eleven Champions League matches, ten Copa del Rey encounters, one European Super Cup outing and three Spanish Super Cup games. In those games he has scored twice.

Sylvinho made his debut for the club on September 11, 2004 when the played in a 2-0 win in Camp Nou against Sevilla.

First 90 minutes

This season, the former Celta Vigo star has played less games as the match against Basel was his first start of the campaign, and he went on to play the full 90 minutes. His other appearance this term came against Sporting Lisbon, also in the Champions League.

Unaware of landmark

“I felt very good,” Sylvinho continued. “It is always important to be given some playing time to gain confidence and to improve physically. But little-by-little the coach is giving us all chances. I felt very comfortable and I am happy.”

On his centenary, Sylvinho confessed that he had not known that he had reached the landmark. “The other day somebody told, but I did not know,” he explained. “It is an important moment for me because I feel a big part of this club and this is an important time in my life.”

 
Bojan Krkic was delighted after netting twice against FC Basel on Wednesday evening. “Everyone likes to score,” he said. “The squad congratulated me and scoring is always pleasing.”
The young striker was one of the stars of the Blaugrana’s 5-0 triumph in the Champions League in Switzerland and gave his thoughts after the match that saw three players, Sergio Busquets, Martín Cáceres and Víctor Sánchez, make their debuts in the competition for the club.

Below are what some of the players had to say after the game.

Sergio Busquets

“We have placed a great game and I was able to help. I am very happy.”

“I have dedicated my performance to my grandfather.”

“I am young and I still have a lot to learn. I will continue to go slowly and will keep working hard.”

“I am used to being fouled because they are part of the game.”

“I feel comfortable in both positions. I played more in an attacking role when I was younger, but I can also play as a defensive midfielder. I am equally happy in both and will play where the coach tells me.”

“It has been a great game and we have scored a lot of goals. We you score a lot you enjoy the game more.”

“In the two previous games I did not play. It has been a dream to start and I scored a goal, which will thrill me for some time to come as I do not score many.”

Messi

“These games are never easy. We have worked hard and found a high rhythm of play.”

“It is most important that the team played well, at a quick pace, and that makes everything easier for me and the other forwards.”

“The next objective is our league game at the weekend and to continue moving up the table. We know what we want and we play for that in every game. We never presume anything.”

“From the start we have looked to score and we have scored the first goal very early on. From then on it has been a lot easier and we have played a great game.”

Cáceres

“We are very pleased with the result. It was a good game for everyone.”

“I am pleased to have made my debut, but I am even more pleased that we have won and collected the three points. We know the coach will rotate.”

 
FC Barcelona enjoyed a training session immediately after flying back from Switzerland on Thursday morning after they, unusually, stayed in Basel after the Champions League instead of returning straight after the game.
After recording an emphatic 0-5 win, the Blaugrana stayed in Basel for a night due to the fact that the airport in the Swiss city closed at 23:00. The team spent the night in a hotel and then on Thursday jetted back to la Ciutat Contal at 09:15 and arrived in time to participate in a previously scheduled training session behind closed doors.

No break

Through a cloudy sky, the squad flew back to Barcelona and arrived in Barcelona just before the scheduled time of midday. The players quickly disembarked and headed towards Camp Nou where they quickly changed back into training kit and took to the pitch for a warm-down session that coach Pep Guardiola had planned for 18:00.

Thinking about the league

The first team had to quickly change their mindset from the Champions League to now begin to focus on la Primera and the next game against Almería on Saturday in Camp Nou. With only three days to go before the encounter, there would be no time for a break and preparations began immediately.

Behind closed doors

With the in mind, the training session began on Thursday with one eye on the next match as the players took to the pitch in front of La Masia. It was the first of three sessions that Guardiola has organised before the match. Training will also take place on Friday and then, as usual, on the morning of the day of the game at 11:00.

 
FC Barcelona have made a superb start to the Champions League group stage this season and have picked up nine points from a possible nine to take a huge stride towards qualifying for the next stage.
The Blaugrana are in great form and that has also been noted in la Primera, where Pep Guardiola’s team have won their last five consecutive matches. But it is in Europe that the team has really shone with three wins from their opening three games that has seen them move clear at the top of Group C.

The only teams with three wins

It may only appear to be three matches on the surface, but each game in the Champions League is a new test. The best demonstration of just how tough it is record such a run is that Barçá are the only one of the 32 teams in the competition to have won all three of their opening group games.

Goals galore

It can also be said that all three wins have been deserved after strong performances and, above all, creating plenty of chances. The team has scored ten goals in their trio of games, which gives them an average of 3.3 goals-per-game. Only Arsenal have an equal record. Another important factor is that eight of the ten goals have been scored by homegrown players .

Leaders in possession

Barça are not only out in front in terms of goals though. Also they are the only team in the competition to have had more than 60 per cent possession (62 per cent exactly). Real Madrid are second with 58 per cent. The Blaugrana are second in number of chances created with 24, behind Villarreal who have 27, and also in free-kicks won with 58, with Bayern Munich above them on 68.

 
FC Barcelona 0-5 victory against FC Basel on Wednesday evening was the team’s third emphatic victory in just over a month and has seen their goals-to-game ratio rise to 2.8 goals in every 90 minutes.
Pep Guardiola’s team have started the new campaign with a number of superb displays and the win in Switzerland is the third high-scoring triumph in the past 32 days. The trio of teams that have now conceded five or more goals in a game against Barça are Sporting de Gijón, Atlético de Madrid and now Basel.

32 days

All three of those wins has come in the past 32 days, despite the fact there was a break for international games at the start of the current month. The first triumph came on September 21 in El Molinón when Sporting de Gijón were stunned by the Blaugrana and were beaten 1-6 .

Three games later and Guardiola’s team were looking sharp in front of goal once again as the racked up another high score. This time it was Atlético de Madrid that were unable to keep them out and went down 6-1 in Camp Nou. This week saw another huge scoreline as Basel were beaten 0-5 in Switzerland.

2.9 goals-per-game

The only game this season when the Balugrana have not been able to score came in the first match of the campaign when they lost 1-0 to Numancia. Since then, a goal has been scored in every encounter and in the ten matches in all competitions the team have hit the net on 29 occasions, making an average of 2.9 goals-per-game.

Qualifying average

If the two Champions League qualifying games are included into the statistics then the goals average goes down slightly to 2.75 goals-per-game because despite netting four goals in the first leg against Wisla, the team were beaten 1-0 in Krakow in the second outing.

Consistent Messi

The only player that has scored in all three of the high-scoring victories this term is Lionel Messi. After netting twice in El Molinón, the Argentinian added another against Atlético in Camp Nou and another against Basel on Wednesday evening. Samuel Eto’o has also scored three in two matches, and Xavi Hernández has netted two in the games.

 
Touré Yaya has stated that he is happy at FC Barcelona and believes that whoever plays in the team will do a great job due to the high level of individual ability available to coach Pep Guardiola.
The Ivory Coast midfielder believes that the 0-5 win in Basel on Wednesday night was proof of the quality at the club. “The team played very well and we performed excellently,” he told reporters. “The pitch may have been a bit heavy and I felt a bit of cramp, but nothing serious.”

Busy schedule

With such a busy schedule, Touré is keen for Barça to maintain their current form, although he admits that it will be difficult to play very well in every match. “The only worry is that we are playing every three or four days and that is not an easy situation,” he explained.

At the same time though, the midfield believe that coach Pep Guardiola will use his entire squad to great effect. “The trainer is working hard and wants everyone to play,” he continued. “We all have a lot of quality and a high level.”

Happy at Barça

Asked about his personal situation at the club, after some rumours in the media about his possible departure, Touré sought dismiss the stories and put an end to the reports. “I am very happy here and so is my family,” he said. “I am calm and am enjoying playing for this great club. To play for this team is great and I want to help the side to win a trophy this season.”

 
Both the histories of FC Basel and FC Barcelona are closely related through their origins. The ties between the Catalan and Swiss teams were made even stronger by Barça’s Cup Winners Cup win in 1979.
- Barça’s founder, Joan Gamper, was a player and member of FC Basel in 1896. This may be why both clubs share the same colours and the same FCB initials.

- The first two games between the Catalan and Swiss sides were played at Christmas 1916. They played at the old Carrer Indústria ground, and both sides won a game each, both 3-1.

- FC Barcelona have never met Basel in an official match, but they did face a Basel Select XI in the Fairs Cup of 1958/59. The Swiss side featured players from FC Basel and Concordia, and it was Barça, then coached by Helenio Herrera, who went through, 7-3 on aggregate.

- That was Barça’s first game at the Saint Jakob Stadium, where 20 years later they would play in a game that has never been forgotten by the club’s fans. The date was May 16, 1979, when Barça won their first Cup Winners Cup by beating Fortuna Düsseldorf 4-3 in extra time, watched by no fewer than 30,000 travelling Barça fans.

- But a decade earlier, FC Barcelona had also played in a Cup Winners Cup Final at the same venue, where they lost to Slovan Bratislava.

- Barça have not played a Swiss club since 1968, when one of their Cup Winners Cup opponents was FC Lugarno.

- The legendary Saint Jakob Stadium was knocked down in 1998 and since March 2001 the same site has been the home to the more modern Saint Jakob Park.

- 30 years after the historic CWC final, Barça return to Saint Jakob to face FC Basel in the third game of the Champions League group stage. Both teams come into the game in contrasting situations: The Swiss have lost both games played to date, while the Catalans have clocked up two wins.

- Before the start of the third set of games, Leo Messi was the second highest goalscorer in the tournament with two goals, while Xavi Hernández is leader in assists, also with two.

- Christian Gross’ side is the current Swiss league and cup champion, and this is the first time in five years that they have reached the group stage.

- Their biggest star is the Swiss of Turkish origin Eren Derdiyok. Aged just 19 years, he had an excellent Euro 2008 and was one the main reasons Basel came through the qualifying rounds.

- The game is being played at the same time as the ATP Indoor tennis tournament in the same city. Local hero and FC Basel fan Roger Federer began his campaign this Tuesday against the USA’s Bobby Reynolds.

 
Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal for FC Barcelona in Saint Jakob-Park on Wednesday night with what was a superb effort that gave the away side the lead after just four minutes.
The first goal of the night by the Argentinian forward against FC Basel saw him clinch his half-century of goals for the Blaugrana. Messi has played 119 official matches since making his debut for the club on October 16, 2004 against Espanyol in Montjuïc.

37 goals in the league

The 50 goals that Messi has scored are divided up in the following manner: 37 in the league, ten in the Champions League and three in the Copa del Rey. His first ever goal came in week 34 of the 2004/05 campaign in Camp Nou against Albacete.

Eighth goal of the season

Of that half-century , eight have come in the 2008/09 campaign with five in the league and three more in the Champions League, tow of which came in the final minutes against Shakhtar in Donetsk.

Messi’s has netted eleven goals in 24 matches in Europe, which gives him an average of almost two goals-per-game.

 
Pep Guardiola does not want the emphatic 0-5 scoreline secured against FC Basel to “confuse” his players as they turn their attention to the game at the weekend against Almería.
The Blaugrana coach believes that his squad should be focussed “more on how it was achieved rather than the final result”, he told reporters. “I want to highlight the performance because we were able to not move a lot by moving the ball a great deal and that gives me great confidence,” he continued. Always exacting with his players and remaining prudent, Guardiola said that the 0-5 “cannot confuse” the squad and that the result “will not do us any good when looking towards the next game”.

Talent and strength

Despite that, Guardiola was happy with the attitude of the players throughout the90 minutes and stated that victory against Basel came about through “talent and strength” of everyone of his team as they “played together and worked hard” throughout. “I sincerely believe that we have played better. With respect to Basel, we have not played as well as we have done in previous games,” he added.

Praise for Bojan and Hleb

Bojan Krkic scored two goals after being named in the starting team for the first time this season and was one of the main stars of the game. “Bojan is a very young player and has much to learn,” the trainer insisted. “He has played very well from the start, above all in the first half, and worked very well in the centre of the pitch. He done well and I am very pleased for him. I have to say that I am delighted with him and not just because of the goals. He deserves it because he is a great lad.

Guardiola was also keen to highlight Aliaksandr Hleb’s performance. “He knows how to play the game so well,” the coach continued. “He can play in four of five different positions. In his case I am especially pleased because I have been able to test him in the centre of the park. I know he will give a lot to the team this season.”

Confidence in the squad

On the matter of squad rotation, Guardiola insisted that he has “faith” in “all his players”. He went on: “The victories always justify the coach’s decision, but when the results do not go our way I will be the first one to explain things. I would never put anyone in the side that I did not think could contribute anything to the game because I have faith that every player here can give something. I am happy because I completely trust them all.”

 
Sergio Busquets, Víctor Sánchez and Martín Cáceres made their Champions League debuts for FC Barcelona. The trio were able to taste life at the highest level of the continental game in Basel.
In the 15th minute, Busquets marked his opening game in Europe for the Blaugrana by netting the team’s second goal in a 0-5 victory against the Swiss side. After being picked out by Xavi on the right of the area, the midfielder took a touch to control the ball before beating Franco Costanzo.

Martín Cáceres

Cáceres made his entrance as a substitute in the 53rd of the game when he went on to replace Rafael Márquez and was able to sit back as the visitors were already five goals ahead by the time and he was able to enjoy the remainder of the game.-

Víctor Sánchez

Sánchez was also a substitute when he went on to replace Touré Yaya with 67 minutes of the game on the clock. The Barça number 29 was able to have a few touches of the ball and show his creative side.

 
After winning the League and Cup double last season, Basel have renewed their squad in order to cope with the challenge of Champions League football. The side managed by Christian Gross has plenty of talent to offer.
After several seasons in which the Yakin brothers and goalkeeper Zuberbühler were the main men, Basel has renovated its squad in order to be competitive both in the Swiss championship and in what is only their second ever appearance in the group stages of Europe’s premier club football competition.

Newcomers

Argentine midfielder Gelabert, Serbian Marko Perovic, striker Federico Almeraes, signed from River Plate, and Chilean Javier Rubio, signed from Colo Colo, were the most important summer signings. Orhan Mustafi was another major signing. He’s from Macedonia and plays up front, although for the time being has been denied the chance of regular first team opportunities. All of these players were drafted in to make up for the loss of the Yakin brothers and Zuberbühler.

The stars

Eran Derdiyok is the biggest name at the club. He is a Swiss international and was a regular starter at the recent European Championship. Other major faces are Australia’s Scott Chipperfield, signed in 2001, and Serbia’s Ivan Hergic, who played for his country at the last World Cup. In the Basel goal we find Constanzo, a Argentinian who was on Alavés’ books in 2005.

The manager

Christian Gross has won all Swiss football has to offer. In total, he’s collected six league championships and five cups, four of each with his current club. The others were won with his previous side, Grasshopper. He has managed Basel since 1999, although he is better known in some parts for the year he spent in charge at Tottenham.

But Gross’ greatest glory came in the Champions League campaign of 2002/03. Little Basel was the surprise package of the competition, qualifying for the second round at the expenses of none other than Liverpool and Spartak Moscow. In the second group stage, the one before the quarter finals, Basel finished higher than Deportivo and ended with the same number of points as Juventus.

 
Josep Guardiola wants no euphoria among his players and qualified the game against Basel as “very difficult”. He also said how sorry he was to learn of the death of Ricard Maxenchs.
Guardiola has once again made a call for calm ahead of the third Champions League game of the year, against Swiss side Basel. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola spoke about the difficulty of the task ahead. “Experience tells us that there are no easy games in Europe, especially away from home. Basel will be no exception. They are a powerful team, with tall players, and we are not up to the occasion, we won’t win”.

Ready to give it everything

The idea is to win the two games against Basel and thus make sure of qualification for the second round, which will also take some of the pressure off the December schedule.

Guardiola is not pleased to hear people speaking about the job already being done before they have kicked a ball against the Swiss outfit. “It’s a typical thing for Barça to think they have won a game before it has even started. December is a long way off and we have to be prudent. The important thing is to get three points against Basel and take things step by step. We mustn’t forget that we are playing against a league champion, so it won’t be an easy game”.

Support for Ricard Maxenchs’ family

Josep Guardiola said he was sorry to learn of the death of Ricard Maxenchs, the ex general secretary and assistant general manager of FC Barcelona for 22 years. “I want to send my condolences and all my support to Ricard Maxenchs’ family. He is a major loss to Barcelona and to his family. Ricard Maxenchs was always willing to help everybody. I urge all of the people that were close to him to stay strong through these hard times and I send them my warmest of wishes”.

 
Dani Alves is happy at Barça. And he’s getting happier still, as he told a press conference in the build up to Wednesday’s Champions League match. The Brazilian said concentration and mentality will be the keys to beating Basel.
Dani Alves has made it clear that he feels fine at Barça and that his words were misinterpreted at the start of the season when he said Barcelona would not see the same Alves as Sevilla did. “What I meant to say is that they play the game differently here to what they did at Sevilla. But of course I am still the same player.”

He is also starting to feel more at home. “I am feeling better and better and getting to know my colleagues and what the manager wants. I feel really comfortable” he said.

Aiming for top spot

Asked what Barça would be setting out to achieve in Basel, Alves had no doubt what they are after. “The aim is to top the group. To do that, we need to win on Wednesday, but we know it’ll be difficult to win away from home. But that’s the mentality of this team: winning”.

The Brazilian also said that he wanted seal passage into the last sixteen as quickly as possible so that they could focus more on other competitions in November and December.

Concentration or defeat

So it is important the team stays focused for the full 90 minutes, and they should beware of any superiority complexes. “We are taking the game very seriously, as if it was a city derby. We have already had the experience of losing to a newly promoted side, Numancia, so we know there are no easy opponents, especially in this competition” he commented.

 
Barça have trained at the place where they won their first ever Cup Winners Cup in 1979, and where on Wednesday they face FC Basel in the third game of their Champions League campaign.
Thirty years later, FC Barcelona are back where they won their first ever Cup Winners Cup. Things have changed, and the old Saint Jakob Stadium has now been replaced by the ultra-modern Saint Jakob Park, which holds 37,500 spectators. The pitch was in excellent conditions as the team trained in preparation for their key European encounter.

Training in the rain

The session started at 19.30, and the light rain made the pitch much faster than usual. Only the first fifteen minutes were open to the media, during which time the 19 Barcelona players went through their usual warm up drills.

Next time Guardiola’s players set foot on the Saint Jakobs turf will be on Wednesday night for the game with Basel.

 
After producing some dazzling football in previous encounters, Barça rolled up its sleeves yesterday to get an away win at a tough ground like San Mamés. Guardiola’s men opted for a more physical approach to counter the home side’s strengths.
In spite of the 6-1 win in its previous match, the international break and Bilbao’s traditional way of playing at home turned the San Mamés clash into a real test of Barça’s mettle (0-1). Two of the creators of the thrashing of Atlético Madrid and Barça’s electric playing style, Messi and Xavi, sat out the game as Guardiola brought in more physical players.

More physical midfield

Thus Barça’s midfield line-up was made up of Touré Yaya, Víctor Sánchez and Keita. When the Mali international left the field injured after half an hour, Sergio Busquets came on to bring the solidity required to take on and beat Bilbao. Without Xavi there to hold the reins, the three midfielders’ all-round game enabled them to hold the line and make a contribution in defence and in attack.

Eto'o on target

With all parts of the team working hard, Barça were able to take all three points with an Eto'o goal in the second half, made possible by an exceptional assist from Henry. The Cameroon striker is on a roll with six strikes in the last five League matches. He has also found the net twice with his national side.

Valdés keeps clean sheet

In addition to being lethal in their opponent’s penalty area, Barça was also massively solid in defence. Bilbao’s only two dangerous goal attempts came in the first half and Valdés blocked both of them. Guardiola was full of praise at the end of the game for his keeper, who kept a clean sheet for the first time in the League this season.

 The first team has a tough week ahead of it, revolving around Wednesday’s game at Basle and Saturday’s home fixture against Almería.
After the away win at Athletic Bilbao this Sunday (0-1), Pep Guardiola’s men are starting out on a week that is marked by Wednesday’s Champions League encounter away at Basle and Saturday’s clash at home with Almería.

Preparations began this Monday after the presentation of the club’s new official coach, with a training session behind closed doors in the Miniestadi that began at 11 am.

First up Basle

This Tuesday the team will meet up at Camp Nou before heading for El Prat airport at 11 am to catch a flight to Switzerland, where on Wednesday at 8.45 pm they take on Basle in the third round of Champions League group stage matches. Once in Switzerland the side will train at the St. Jacobs Stadium on Tuesday at 7.30 pm.

Back to the League

After the Champions League fixture the team will spend the night in Basle before flying back to Barcelona on Thursday, with another training session at 1 pm in the Miniestadi. This will mark the start of preparations for Saturday’s League fixture, and two more sessions are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Camp Nou, both of them at 11 am.

 
Xavi and Martín Cáceres are in the squad announced this Monday by Pep Guardiola for Wednesday’s Champions League game at Basle.
The Barça manager has called up 19 players for the trip to Basle where on Wednesday the team plays its third CL group stage game. The squad that travelled to Bilbao has been joined by Xavi Hernández, who this Monday was declared fit by club doctors after hamstring problems, and Martín Cáceres, who wasn’t called up for Sunday’s game.

Both Márquez and Touré, who picked up niggles at San Mamés, were declared fit today after a series of medical tests.

Missing in Basle will be Keita, who will be out for a fortnight, and Jorquera, who has been left out by Guardiola. Keita thus joins the injury list of Gudjohnsen, Pedro and Milito.

 
Barça defender Gerard Piqué says that the three points gained away at Bilbao are very important, not only because the sides at the top of the table are also winning but because San Mamés has always been a tough ground for Barça.
Sunday’s win against Athletic Bilbao was not only Barça’s fifth League triumph in a row but also brought three points at a ground where Barça have traditionally found it hard to get a result. “You win Leagues with games like the one yesterday,” said Gerard Piqué at today’s press conference

Keeping up

Plus the three points help Barça to keep up with other title contenders. “If the other sides keep winning, you have to as well,” the defender pointed out.

Starting XI in last four

Gerard Piqué is gradually finding his feet in Josep Guardiola’s team, and was in the starting line-up for the fourth match in a row at San Mamés. “I came here to help the team and play as much as possible,” he commented, “and I’m just proud that I can do that”.

Piqué admitted that being in Barça’s starting XI was not easy. “There’s lots of competition and we have some great players,” he said. “But I work hard every day, the team works hard and the boss has faith in me.”

Valdés best keeper for Barça

In Piqué’s view, “Víctor Valdés was superb” against Bilbao. “He should be Barça’s keeper for a long time to come, and he’s been showing that for ages,” he argued.

Memories of Basle

A Barça fan since he was a kid, Gerard Piqué also talked about this week’s trip to Basle, a city which is a key part in Barcelona’s history. Though he hadn’t been born when Barça won the Cup Winners’ Cup there in 1979, the defender described the Swiss city as “a very important place for the club” and recalled the enormous number of fans who went to that final. “In some ways the new Barça began there, and has since grown to become one of the great sides in the Champions League,” he said.

 
Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Eto’o, Henry, Messi, Ronaldinho, Deco and Zambrotta have all been shortlisted for the World Player of the Year 2007/08 award as chosen by professional footballers. Alves is also among the 55 nominees.
The Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballers Professionnels (FIFPro) announced this Monday the 55 nominees shortlisted for the World Player of the Year title. Nine of them played for Barça in the 2007/08 season: Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, Deco, Gianluca Zambrotta and Ronaldinho. That means that Barça heads the list for the most nominations.

Also on the list is Dani Alves, who last year played for Seville.

Xavi, Eto’o and Iniesta are also candidates for the Golden Ball.

Winner to be announced on Monday the 27th

The 45,000 professional footballers belonging to the 42 professional organisations forming part of FIFPro around the world were given voting forms to choose who they thought were the best goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards in the 2007/08 season. The winner will be announced on Monday 27 October.

 
Failure to score and two defeats in a row mean that Bilbao are not in the best of form as they host Barça. Home advantage at San Mamés and the return of two key players are their main hopes.
After several poor seasons including nearly getting relegated, this campaign Bilbao has a team which should aspire to do better. It features a good mix of experienced younger players who have the ability needed to keep up the good form shown at the end of last season which saw the Basque outfit finish eleventh. The main problem is their inability to score enough goals.

Missing goals

The biggest headache for their manager Joaquín Caparrós this season is finding a replacement for Aduriz, who has gone to Mallorca. With no major reinforcements, the Basques are hoping that experienced youngsters like Javi Martínez and Llorente can step up to the plate in attack. For the moment, however, Bilbao’s goals for record (four in six games) is poor and the side has only one win under its belt.

Two defeats in a row

Bilbao have had a very uneven start to the season, with one win, two draws and three defeats. Defeat at home to Almeira (1-3) was followed by draws away at Malaga (0-0) and Recreativo (1-1) and a home win over Valladolid (2-0). However, they have lost their last two games, at home against Getafe (0-1) and away at Seville (4-0), leaving them in 15th spot and anxious to pick up three points a month after their last win.

Only one out

Playing at home in the Cathedral should help the players raise their game. Plus they have practically a full strength side available; with Etxeberría and Javi Martínez back, the only player out through injury is Ander Murillo.

 
Three Barca players have been nominated for the European Player of the Year Award (el Ballon d’Or): Xavi, Messi and Eto’o are included in the list of 30 players presented by the “France Football” magazine this morning.
The magazine’s editor Dannid Chommier announced the list this morning on the French TV programme “Telefoot”. The award will be handed out on December 2. Xavi’s great performances at the Euro 2008 which helped Spain to win the tournament were clearly important in his nomination, whilst Messi, one of the bookies’ favourites alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, boosted his chances by winning gold at the Olympics with Argentina. As well as the three Barca players, Cesc Fabregas, who