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The Front Sport 30.07.2013
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THERE’S FEELING
Neymar said that he has fulfilled a dream after training with Barça
He trained with Messi and they could play together today in Poland
Lechia — Barça (20.45h)
Tata: “Don’t get tired of winning” He cheered the team before making them go through a tough training
Florentino offers 98 million euros for Bale
Guardiola looks for solutions after the defeat. Javi Martínez, defender
FC Barcelona arrive in Oslo
Thursday, July 25, 2013 | 0 comment
The plane taking the team from Munich to the Norwegian capital landed at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport at 13.20
Gerardo Martino, the new manager of Barça, will be travelling to join them in Oslo as soon as he has been officially presented in Barcelona
The team’s training routine is not being interrupted, and they have one session on Thursday evening and two on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s friendly (19.00) with Valerenga
Minut de silenci i braçalet negre
Before Saturday’s game in Valerenga a minute’s silence will be respected in memory of the victims of Thursday’s train accident in Santiago de Compostela.
The Barça players will also be wearing black armbands.
Barça have arrived in the second city on their preseason schedule.
They left Munich early this morning, following Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern, and were welcomed in Oslo at 13.20 by a temperature of 20ºC.
On arrival, the players and staff were taken directly to Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza, where they will staying throughout their time in Norway.
The second game of their preseason kicks off on Saturday at 19.00 in the Ullevaal Stadion, against Valerenga.
A number of FC Barcelona board members are travelling with the squad, including directors Jordi Moix, Joan Bladé and Josep Ramon Vidal-Abarca, plus director of football Andoni Zubizarreta.
Gerardo Martino to join them in Oslo
The new Barça manager will also be heading for the Norwegian capital. He’ll be travelling after being officially presented in Barcelona on Friday.
The Argentinian’s trip to Oslo will be his first contact with his new charges, who he is due to coach for the next two seasons.
In the meantime, the team will be continuing with its training schedule in Norway.
After arriving in Oslo, they have a training session this evening in the Bislett Stadion, a ground built in 1922 and reconstructed in 2005. That’s behind closed doors and starts at 19.00.
The players that featured for Spain and Brazil at the Confederations Cup have yet to return to duty, but the 12 available members of the first team and the 11 from Barça B are working on preparations for Saturday’s friendly with Valerenga at 19.00.
Training routine
The team will be maintaining the same rhythm of training in Oslo as they have done in Barcelona.
That means two sessions on Friday, one at the venue of the match, the Ullevaal Stadion, which will be open to the public, and the other behind closed doors in the evening, back at the Bislett Stadion.
Vacations in Hawaii Pique-Shakira (5photos)
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The Front Sport (25.07.2013)
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WAITING FOR EL TATA
Martino arrives today. The new coach will land in El Prat at 5 in the afternoon and will have dinner with Rosell
Barça’s coach was taken pictures with Barça’s jersey at the door of his home
BARÇA FELL WITH DIGNITY AGAINST A MORE PREPARED BAYERN (2 – 0)
Messi, wearing the jersey with the four bars which Barça wore in a match for a first time yesterday, fights against his former team mate Thiago
Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona 23 players to travel to Munich,Possible Lineups
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 | 0 comment
Barça will make its 2013-14 debut in Germany with a friendly against Bayern Munich this Wednesday at 18:30.
After Tuesday afternoon’s training session, the squad list for the trip was announced. All 23 players involved in training the last few days will make the trip, including the 12 available members of the first team and 11 from the B team.
The squad list is as follows:
Pinto, Oier, Montoya, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Song, Sergi Roberto, Dos Santos, Messi, Tello, Alexis, Sergi Gómez, Planas, Joan Román, Dani Nieto, Quintillà, Samper, Ilie, Patric, Dongou, Espinosa, and Kiko Femenía.
The team will leave Barcelona on Wednesday morning for Germany, and after Wednesday’s match will head directly to Oslo (Norway), where the second preseason friendly will take place on Saturday against Valerenga.
Before the squad list was announced, Barça held its second training session of the day at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The same 23 players who will travel were present at the Tuesday afternoon session.
Possible Lineups
Bayern Munich Starting XI: Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Daniel van Buyten, Jerome Boateng, Diego Contento, Toni Kroos, Martinez, Thiago, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Thomas Müller
FC Barcelona Starting XI: Pinto, Montoya, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Song, Dos Santos, Sergi Roberto, Tello, Messi, Alexis
Gerardo Martino to manage Barça
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Multiple sources – including Mundo Deportivo, Sport, Marca, and the very reliable Graham Hunter - are reporting that Gerardo “Tata” Martino is to be Barça’s new coach following Tito Vilanova’s resignation on Friday.
The decision was apparently between Luis Enrique and Martino, with sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta pushing for Martino. All sources agree that Martino will sign on for three seasons.
Sport and MD add that Elvio Paolorroso and Jorge Pautasso, Martino’s physical trainer and assistant respectively, will also join. The official announcement could come as early as this evening.
Martino becomes the first South American coach in almost 30 years. The last one was the famed Argentine footballing philosopher, César Luís Menotti.
Martino, who became a fan favorite at local club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario Argentina, left the club after being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.
He hails from the same town as Menotti, Marcelo Bielsa and Lionel Messi, who spoke highly of Martino.
Source: Mundo Deportivo, Sport, Marca
The Front Sport (22.07.2013)
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FINAL MEETING
Barça will decide today between Luis Enrique and Martino
1 – Zubizarreta will present Rosell with a favorable report for the Asturian
2 – The fans also prefer Celta’s coach
3 – Martino keeps his hopes of being finally elected high
Cesc, non-transferrable in a letter. Rosell wrote Manchester United so as to make them desist
The Front: Sport 21-07-2013
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HANKS BARÇA, THANKS TO EVERYONE
Open letter from Tito Vilanova, ‘to say to you that I am calm, strong and that I start this new stage of my recovery with full confidence that everything will be fine’
Guardiola, “I wish the best for Tito and his family. He is my friend and I love him loads; this is very hard for me”
Luis Enrique and Martino, candidates for the bench – Barça negotiate with both and will decide in the next few hours
FC Barcelona’s next manager Jupp Heynckes
Saturday, July 20, 2013 | 7 comment
With the unsettling and tragic departure of Tito Vilanova, social networks and sports blogs have lit up with speculation about who the next Barça manager will be.
The team at fcbarcelonamembers weighs in on who might be the best man to fill the boots at our storied club.
FC Barcelona’s next manager should be Jupp Heynckes.
When Bayern Munich lost the Champions League final to Chelsea a year ago in such heartbreaking fashion, many managers might have found it difficult to motivate their squads for another go at the trophy.
But Jupp Heynckes found energy in defeat, and one year later led his squad to an all-conquering campaign that included Bundesliga, domestic cup, and Champions League titles.
Now the man has the opportunity to channel the same energy into a final chapter in his career that would allow him to lead some of the best players in the world on a collision course with his former team, and to exchange places with the man who replaced him in Germany, Pep Guardiola. What serendipity!
The poetic justice of choosing Heynckes as the new Barcelona manager has incredible power, but there are many practical reasons to offer this man the job as well.
First and foremost, he understands the Barcelona system: possession, passing, and intelligent pressing are the foundations of his brand of football. In fact, before the Champions League semi-final draw, he infamously noted, “I know [Barcelona] like the back of my own hand, maybe even better than my own team … I know their philosophy, their system, their tactics and all their players.”
That said, Heynckes would undoubtedly inject a fresh perspective that might be lacking from some of the other Spanish or Catalan contenders.
The fact that he was able to so comprehensively dismantle Tito’s Barcelona speaks volumes about his tactical mastery of football at this level.
Another factor in Heynckes’ favor is his deep understanding of Spanish football.
He has coached many seasons in La Liga, first at Athletic Bilbao in 1992, and then with unfancied Tenerife who he helped qualify for the UEFA Cup in 1995. In 1998, his Real Madrid squad won the Champions League title.
Outside of Spain, Heynckes has coached in Portugal and Germany where he has won three Bundesliga and two Champions League titles. Heynckes might not be a name you’d associate with elite-level football coaches, but his trophy case must command respect.
Finally, Heynckes’ approach to football is the product of an amazing career as a player.
He had a distinguished tenure as a striker for Borussia Mönchengladbach where he won a number of titles, including the UEFA Cup; he remains the third leading goalscorer in Bundesliga history with 195 goals. Playing with West Germany, he won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup titles. Not too shabby!
So, whether you’re voting with your heart or with your head, FC Barcelona’s next manager should be Jupp Heynckes.
Anybody disagree?
ARTICLE BY : TOM REINOLDS
The Front: Sport (20-07-2013)
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WE LOVE YOU
All Barça fans gather to support Tito Vilanova
Tito had a relapse and left Barça’s bench. The treatment becomes incompatible with his job
President Rosell, depressed. “It is a hard blow but we will go through”
“The next week we will announce who will be the new coach”
Barça postpone the friendly match which was due to be played today in Poland
Anims Tito Vilanova
Friday, July 19, 2013 | 0 comment
President Sandro Rosell announced this Friday afternoon that the Catalan manager will not continue at FC Barcelona due to ongoing treatment of his illness
The team will not travel to Poland on Saturday
President Sandro Rosell and Andoni Zubizarreta announced that Tito Vilanova will no longer manage FC Barcelona.
Due to the manager’s new treatment regiment, he will not continue at the Club.
In light of this news, FC Barcelona will not travel to Poland on Saturday.
FC Barcelona Fabregas is not for sale
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The Blaugrana have made it clear to Manchester United the attacker is not for sale despite a €30 million bid being received for his services
Barcelona have issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United over Cesc Fabregas, according to the club's vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
David Moyes had stated earlier on Friday that he was hopeful of receiving some good news regarding a deal for the midfielder after club executive vice chairman Ed Woodward entered into negotiations with the Catalans.
But despite reports that United are confident of reaching an agreement for the Blaugrana star, Bartomeu has moved to quash any speculation.
"Barcelona can assure you we will not entertain any offers for Cesc," he told Sport. "It is totally ruled out, he's not for sale."
United confirmed an opening offer of €30 million had been made to Barca on Monday, before Woodward left the club's pre-season visit to Australia on Wednesday to attend "urgent transfer business".
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has been in regular contact with Fabregas this summer, claimed on Wednesday that his former captain has decided to stay at Camp Nou for another year.
Elsewhere, speculation regarding Wayne Rooney's future has intensified, with reports in Friday's press claiming that the United hierarchy are keen to sit down with the striker and his agent, Paul Stretford, after claims that he is "angry and confused" were leaked to the press. BY:GOAL.COM
Xavi wins second consecutive Fair Play award
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 | 0 comment
Xavi beat out his teammates Abidal, Messi, Inesta, Pedro and Puyol to win the Fair Play award for the second time in a row. This year marks the fourth edition of the Barça Player Awards. The Barça Players Association award this title to the first team player that has shown the most fair play throughout the past season.
All finalists are chosen by votes. Voting began on the 2nd of June and ended on the 30th of June with the participation of Sandro Rosell, the president of Barça. The public were able to share their vote either via the Barça Player Association Facebook page or on twitter. Ultimately the jury was made up of the press, FC Barcelona members, and representatives from different sporting institutions.
They had this to say of why they have chosen Xavi to win the award: “The player’s great personality and his capacity to synthesize and wholly transmit the values of barcelonismo, [are what influenced us].”
Source: fcbarcelona.com
The Front: Sport (17.07.2013)
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“PEP WAS NOT THERE WHEN I NEEDED HIM”
Tito responds to Guardiola
The fans (76%) believe Tito’s version
Signings: “They will sign a centre back, I’m sure. If it’s not Thiago, it will be another one”
On Thiago: “I appreciate him so much but those who don’t want to play at Barça should leave”
“Leo and Neymar are compatibles; with them it all will be perfect”
Busquets renews his contract which now lasts until 2018 with a 150 million euros buyout clause
Florentino, to sign Ibra or Luis Suárez
The Perfect Birthday Sergio Busquets Renews Until 2018
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Sergio Busquets, who turns 25 today, has been given the perfect birthday present.
Andoni Zubizarreta announced at press conference that the midfielder will sign a fresh contract with Barça until June 30 of the 2017/18 season with the option to an additional year. The 25 year old’s buyout clause stays at 150 million euros.
Source: fcbarcelona.cat,
First training session of the season
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FC Barcelona’s first team held its first training session of the 2013-14 season this Tuesday morning.
The session took place on pitch no. 1 of the Ciutat Esportiva and 12 players took part: Pinto, Oier, Montoya, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Song, Sergi Roberto, Dos Santos, Messi, Tello, and Alexis.
Three of the fifteen players who returned for the preseason on Monday are currently injured: Puyol, Cuenca, and Afellay. Barça’s captain is recovering from surgery which removed a Baker’s cyst from his right knee this past June, Cuenca is working back from an arthroscopic stabilization of the meniscus in his right knee, while Afellay recovers from a muscle injury to the quadriceps of his right leg.
All three spent this morning’s session doing recovery work.
Tito Vilanova’s squad will train again this afternoon at 19:00 hours.
Source: fcbarcelona.cat,
Fabregas wants to stay at Barcelona, says Vilanova
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The Red Devils have made an opening offer of €30m for the 26-year-old, but his coach insists the Spain midfielder wants to prove himself at Camp Nou
Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has cooled speculation linking midfielder Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United, insisting the 26-year-old wants to stay with the Catalan club.
The English champions have made an opening offer of €30 million for the former Arsenal captain, who has failed to hold down a regular first-team place since returning to Camp Nou.
Having already seen Thiago depart to rejoin former boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, Barcelona are keen to avoid losing another world-class La Masia graduate this summer.
And Vilanova is confident Fabregas is still motivated by the prospect of proving himself at his boyhood club and has no thoughts of returning to the Premier League.
Speaking to reporters, Vilanova said: "I am aware that we have received offers from other teams. I talked with him and he told me he wants to stay.
"Cesc doesn't contemplate the possibility of going to another club. He knows that the competition here is great. His dream is to succeed here. I'm totally calm."
Portada del Sport [16/7/2013]
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“I ASK US ALL TO BE GUARDIOLA-SUPPORTERS”
Rosell does not want this war to continue
“It is false that we used Tito’s illness to attack Pep”
“If Pep presented to be (Barça’s) president, I would vote for him”
“I have been a Cruyff supporter but there are things I do not like of him as a person”
“Leo is the only cock of the henhouse”
Thiago did not say goodbye to Tito. He is already in Munich
Starter the preseason. Medical checkings on the first day
Manchester United make £25m offer for Fàbregas
Monday, July 15, 2013 | 0 comment
Manchester United boss David Moyes has made Cesc Fàbregas his main summer transfer target, having seen Thiago Alcântara join Bayern Munich.
It would appear that Moyes was reluctant to battle it out with Guardiola for Thiago’s signature because he really had his eyes on Cesc.
A £25 million bid (€28.9m) is the starting point for Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.
It is significant because if accepted by Barcelona, it means that he will automatically be offered to Arsenal for the same amount.
Barcelona is yet to officially respond to anything, but it remains very unlikely that they will allow his departure with Thiago out of the picture.
Cesc, only a few months ago, bought a new family house in Castelldefels, the same area of Catalunya where Ronaldinho used to live.
He has been on holiday with Messi; their partners get along very, very well and they both have toddlers around the same age.
It’s safe to say that Cesc is very settled at the moment, and he has recently said that any transfer speculation surrounding him is “absurd.”
“I’ve always said that I’m happy at Barca,” Fàbregas said. “Whoever says that I’m leaving doesn’t know me and has never spoken with me.”
Fàbregas, Messi, and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are the only players who tallied over ten goals and ten assists in last season’s La Liga campaign.
Source: SKYsports.com
Portada del Sport [15/7/2013]
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SOLD
€ 25 million is the amount agreed between the two groups for allowing Thiago Alcántara
Signed for four years and could make his debut against the Basra
Thiago Silva: Last Round
The defense goes on the offensive: He travels to Paris to push PSG
Barca and Madrid starts preparations
The second project of Tito begins
Messi dressed hippy
Confidential: The wedding of Xavi
Official Thiago sold to Bayern Munich for 25 million euros
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FC Barcelona has officially announced Thiago Alcântara’s sale to Bayern Munich today.
The fee will be €25 million, a surprising amount more than the want-away midfielder’s €18m buyout clause – the deal also includes a friendly between the two clubs to be played in the next four years.
Thiago will be reunited with Pep Guardiola at Bayern, who was influential in the transfer, even going so far as to declare publicly last week that he wanted Thiago at Bayern and his admiration for him as a player.
With his former coach offering more public support and encouragement than his current one, it is unsurprising that Thiago eventually chose Bayern.
It has been a painful and drawn-out transfer saga, but totalBarça wishes Thiago all the best at his new club.