Kobe Bryant: “It’s great to wear a Barça shirt”

Kobe Bryant is a big fan of the Club and wearing his Barça shirt in an exclusive interview with Barça TV today he declared: “this isn’t the first time I’ve worn it, but it feels great to wear a Barça shirt!”.

In the interview, held at the Kastles Stadium at the Wharf in Washington where Mia Hamm had organised a charity game, the LA Lakers star appeared in the Club colours and explained: “it feels great to wear a Barça shirt”.

Big fan

Kobe Bryant is a big fan of the team and he told Barça TV: “I love FC Barcelona, everyone knows that. They’ve been my favourite team for a long time now. I’ve always liked the way they play –Barça play as a group, all together, with creativity and strength and I admire those virtues a lot”.

Bryant took part in the charity game, which was organised by the friends of Mia Hamm, an FC Barcelona Ambassador in the States, together with Pep Guardiola and Andoni Zubizarreta and he reckoned: “I’ve never played football in front of so many people. I’ll just go out on the pitch and do what I always do –I’ll just do what Mia Hamm tells me to do!”.

Final training in Washington

The players who didn’t take part in the United game, or only played in the final minutes, trained at the RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington this morning. The squad will fly out to Miami this afternoon.

The day’s only training was held at DC United ‘s RFK Memorial Stadium this morning, whilst those players who played a large part of the game against Manchester United stayed at the hotel to work out in the gym –something which is routine on the day after a match.

Eleven players with Guardiola
Guardiola worked with four first team players -Piqué ,Xavi , Pinto and Jeffren and seven from the B team -Masip, Carmona, Espinosa, Balliu, Riverola, Muniesa and Armando.

Flight to Miami
Following the training and a press conference with Puyol, Busquets and Lakers NBA star Kobee Bryant set for 13.00 (EST) the squad are due to fly out to Miami, where they will have their first training session tomorrow, Monday.

Afellay out for 4 to 5 weeks

The thigh injury to Ibrahim Afellay was confirmed this morning, with Club doctors predicting a 4 to 5 week layoff for the Dutch winger.

The Club’s medical services carried out further tests on Afellay when he got to the team hotel after last night’s game against Manchester United and concluded that the tear in his left thigh muscle would keep him out for between 4 and 5 weeks, confirming the original diagnosis made at the ground.

The injury came on 40 minutes, when the Barça number 20 pulled up holding his left leg as he felt his muscle go. He was then replaced by Isaac Cuenca..

Ibrahim Afellay has taken part in all four of the team’s pre-season games so far, playing out wide in all the games.

Barça strengthen global social commitment

Barça’s social commitment has taken on a further global character with the agreement signed today with The Gates Foundation to work towards eradicating Polio. Mr Gates expressed his personal satisfaction at working with the Club.

Barça launched another message of its social commitment today in Washington D.C. with the agreement with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to end the scourge of polio. The US philanthropist praised the Club’s commitment at an event where he was accompanied by Club President Sandro Rosell and first team coach Josep Guardiola.

Gates: “We share Barça’s values”
Bill Gates, who is now dedicating his time completely to his foundation, praised Barça’s implication in social work: “they don’t just win out on the field, they also have their values off the pitch and those are values which we share” The Microsoft co-founder also called Guardiola “a genius” and had words of support for the Club’s commitment to its youth system and the Club’s singularity: “a foundation at a football club is really something out of the ordinary”.

Rosell: “thank you for allowing us to work with you”
Club President Sandro Rosell explained that the deal had been agreed a month ago and went on to return the praise the Club had received from Mr Gates: “I’d like to stress his intelligence, but even more than that, his humanity and his ability to invest in other people through his philanthropic works”.

Sr Rosell continued: “I would like to thank you in the name of the Club members for allowing us the opportunity to work with you”, whilst making it clear that the Club and its Foundation were prepared to work hand in hand with the Gates Foundation in other areas beyond the “More than a goal, End polio’ campaign. “It is a great honour to be able to lend a hand here” admitted the President, who also stressed the ability of football, and particularly the global position of the Club, to communicate positive messages to children.

The power of sport
Pep Guardiola echoed the President’s feelings about the power of the game, claiming: “we know that many millions of children throughout the world look to us and we have a great responsibility. When I see what is happening in places like Somalia, it makes me happy that I am at a club which promotes the values that ours does”, Andres Iniesta and Eric Abidal also attended the event which was widely covered by the US media.

Barça touchdown in D.C.

After a nine-hour flight, the Barça expedition has arrived in Washington D.C. at the start of their nine day US Tour.

Foto: Miguel Ruiz - FCB

The party flew out of Munich airport straight after taking the Audi Cup with their win over Bayern and indeed the schedule for the flight was so tight that a number of fans and other members of the group had to leave the game at half time to get to the airport in time for their check in.

The squad and the accompanying press corps were the last passengers to embark and the plane took off for the States, arriving in Washington at 03.15 local time . There’s a long day ahead for the squad, with a gentle training session and then a press conference to present the game against Manchester United both scheduled for the first day of the Tour. There will also be the signing of an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the inauguration of the Penya de Washington DC.

The squad flew out on the same Turkish Airlines plane as for the Champions League final in London in May, and the Club sponsor has also given its name to the Tour –The Turkish Airlines US Tour 2011. The players were thus able to enjoy the maximum possible comfort during their flight, as they began the nine day tour which will take them to three US cities, before they return to prepare for the Spanish Super Cup.

Champions of the Audi Cup (2-0)

 

Barça beat Bayern Munich 2-0 and won their first trophy of the season. Two goals from Thiago Alcantara in the 41st and the 74th minutes decided a game that Barça dominated from the start.

There are no friendlies for Barça. This Tuesday, in the final against Bayern Munich, once again Barça captivated the Allianz Arena, showing that their style, despite missing several key players, remains intact. Possession and control of the game, Guardiola’s players best weapons, and 2 goals from Thiago, sealed the victory.

Villa had the first chances
Barça created more chances, and the first to shoot at the goal defended by Jens Butt was David Villa. The Barça number 7 had 2 free-kicks from central positions that failed to find the back of the net. The first was pushed out by Butt and the second went just wide of the mark. A while later, in the 32nd minute, he had another chance, again saved by Butt. In minute 38, Valdes was called on to save from David Alaba, who was unable to beat the Barça keeper in a 1 on 1 situation.

Thiago opens the scoring….
The first goalscorer was not one of the strikers. Part of Barca’s greatness is that the midfield players get into many attacking positions, and the player who took most advantage was Thiago Alcantara. In the 41st minute Thiago headed in a cross from the left by Jonathan Soriano, who later had to be replaced due to injury, putting Barça 1-0 ahead, the score remaining the same until half-time.

... and also decides the outcome
In the second half the game’s dynamics were no different from the first. The Barça performance and workrate was just the same, and although Bayern enjoyed slightly more possession, Barça were in total control of the game. There were fewer chances, but Thiago managed to convert one of them. In the 74th minute he played a 1-2 with Afellay, and scored with a fantastic shot, well placed, into the top corner of Butt’s goal to make it 2-0. From then until the end Barça didn’t suffer too much and reached their objective of becoming Champions of the second edition of the Audi Cup.

Barça win in Munich (2-2; 4-2)

Barça needed a penalty shootout to beat Inter of Porto Alegre after the 90 minutes of their Audi Cup semi final ended 2-2. On the basis of chances and control of play, Guardiola’s side deserved to win by a large margin.

A great first half, along with the intense discipline of the B team players and a bit of luck in the shootout, were enough to ensure the first win of the preseason. Barça were up against a Brazilian side that is more into the rhythm of playing matches, which added additional virtue to the impressive image offered in the Allianz Arena, the same venue that will be used for the next Champions League final. In the end, poor shooting from the Brazilians in the penalties, with Zé Maria and Leandro both missing the target, handed Barça a victory in the Audi Cup that really should have been settled far earlier.

Barça looking great
Only three members of the team that won the Champions League title at Wembley (Valdés, Busquets and Iniesta) started the game, but the Barça game was the same as ever. Thiago showed that he is quite capable of leading the midfield and also revealed his skill in front of goal when the opener came from a brilliantly rehearsed set piece. Iniesta took a free kick on the edge of the area, which he passed short to Busquets who then slipped the ball through to Thiago, who appeared from nowhere to be one-on-one on goalkeeper Muriel. The midfielder scored Barça’s first goal of the preseason with a precision finish to be proud of.

The goal was just what Barça deserved after playing the kind of beautiful football that went unrewarded in Split. But today they seemed to have stepped up a gear, and their possession play meant Inter barely got a look in in the first half. At times it looked like Inter was the team in its preseason and Barça was the side that had been together for six months. Frankly, the Catalans had their South American opponents outclassed both physically and tactically.

They were attacking down the wings and down the middle. Iniesta and Thiago produced some delightful combination plays, with Afellay also getting very involved with some long range shots on goal, including one that struck the post after 17 minutes.

Many changes and less pace
The second half wasn’t quite as intense. Guardiola opted to change the forward line completely by sending on Villa, Jeffren and Pedro. Jonathan Dos Santos was sent on in midfield, and he also changed the full backs (Balliu and Abidal) and goalkeeper (Pinto). So many changes caused a certain imbalance and Inter pounced on the chance to exploit a Barcelona side that was still readjusting to tie the game after Nei latched onto the end of a Pinto clearance. That had been the first real chance of the match for the side from Porto Alegre, and they had found the net.

The first team players started leaving the pitch (Thiago, Busquets and Keita), but Barça never lost control of the game and continued looking for the win. The second finally came thanks to Jonathan Dos Santos in the 63rd minute, with a great finish from the edge of the area following a Carmona assist. It looked like it was all going to end 2-1.

Unfair equaliser and penalties
There were six Barça B players on the field by this point, and Inter weren’t going to lie down and be beaten quite so easily and managed to equalise the game from a corner. Leandro was waiting at the far post to convert an 85th minute goal that meant we were heading for penalties.

Luck was on the Catalans’ side in the shootout. Leandro and Andrezinho both missed the target. Although Jeffren also missed his spot kick, Armando scored Barça’s fourth which was enough to secure passage to the final, although this was not a game that they should have allowed to be decided this way.

Penalties

1-0 Villa
1-1 Kleber
2-1 Dos Santos
2-1 Leandro (wide)
3-1 Carmona
3-2 Andrezinho
3-2 Jeffren (saved Muriel)
3-2 Zé Maria (wide)
4-2 Armando

Alexis Sánchez

Alexis Sánchez has had a busy first day at FC Barcelona. The Chilean signed his contract this morning and in the afternoon got the chance to meet his new colleagues.

On a busy morning, he had also taken his medical tests and signed his contract, but those routine events were followed by a lively afternoon with no end of introductions.

Kissing the badge
At six in the evening Alexis appeared on pitch number one at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper now wearing the Barça kit. TV cameras and photographers crowded around to get the first pictures of Barcelona’s summer signing. Alexis was all smiles as he played around with the ball and made sure of kissing the badge on his shirt.

Meeting with Guardiola

The Chilean first experience of the Ciutat Esportiva was especially unforgettable because he crossed paths with the people that will be his future team mates. He was able to share a dressing room for the first time with the many illustrious players that make up the FCB first team squad, who welcomed him with open arms. Alexis also had a meeting with Pep Guardiola, who also made sure of welcoming his new player.

Watching the session
The player will not be expected to join the first team until August 8, the same day as the other players that played at the Copa America, but he wanted to get his first proper feel of the club, and stayed to watch the first 15 minutes of the training session.

At the end of his first day as a Barça player, Alexis Sánchez returned to the Camp Nou to be interviewed by Barça.

Childhood dream comes true for Alexis

The Chilean touched down at El Prat airport at 20.15 and was then photographed next to the Barça crest outside the Camp Nou offices, and said that he reckons Barça is a right place to be to win titles.



It has been some wait, but now he’s here. Alexis Sánchez, the first Barça signing of the 2010/11 season has had a look at his new stadium after arriving in the Catalan capital on Sunday. He went straight to be pictured outside the Camp Nou offices and spoke to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat. “Me and my family thought Barça would be a good club for winning titles and being happy. It has been my dream since I was a child”, he said.

Huge welcome
The Chilean will wear the number 9 shirt, and on his reception both at the airport and the Camp Nou, he said “I am very happy, I didn’t expect this … This is the biggest club in the world. I hope to do the best I can.” Alexis said one of the reasons he wanted to come to Barça was “the way they play, it’s the best in the world at the moment”.

The striker will take a medical examination on Monday. After that he will be presented and will don a Barça shirt for the very first time. 

Unzué: “We’ll fight for every title again”

The Navarran, who is back to coach the first team goalkeepers after spending a year in Soria says “I feel privileged to be able to come back home”, where he senses the squad to be as ambitious as ever.



This is Juan Carlos Unzué’s second period of coaching at Barça. He first started in 2003 under Frank Rijkaard at continued in the job after the arrival of Pep Guardiola. After a year in Soria, where Numancia came tenth in the second division, he has decided to come home. He spoke today to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about his return.

How have the first few days of work gone? “It’s like coming home. In some ways it’s like nothing has changed. The group is the same; the connection between the players is the same. Personally, this year has been thrilling. Nobody can take the experience of Soria away from me. I was anxious to give it a try, and I’m happy I made that decision and also happy to have decided to come back home”.

Why did you decide to leave Soria and come back to Barcelona? “Last year I was anxious to manage a team but for some months I was anxious to be with my family again. As simple as that. I didn’t think the distance would matter that much. When I decided I’d like to return to Barcelona the opportunity arose of returning to this great club and I feel privileged”.

And if a new coaching job had appeared? “My priority was to stay in Barcelona. I am where I want to be. Those that know me know I have experience and knowledge to offer that will help the club maintain its status and the capacity that it has shown in recent years”.

What are your conclusions from your time at Numancia? “Mainly personal. It was a situation where I was pressed to the limit, under a lot of stress, something I’ve never experienced before. It helped me grow. Being an assistant coach is nothing like being the head coach. Now I appreciate what coaches do even more. But I’d also try it again, because I feel like a coach”.

Is playing like Barça away from Camp Nou very difficult? “Normally it’s difficult because other clubs have not acquired the same habits. It is the defenders that notice it most, not when they’re defending but when they’re attacking. This year I have learned that footballers have many fears. They had played a different way for many years, but I am pleased that over the season the players were willing to learn and managed it”.

Carles Busquets is going back to the B after doing a grand job. “Busi did a fantastic job last season. I know what he was doing because Pep, Víctor and Pinto have spoken to me about it. But I think we need to realise who the real protagonists are here, and in this case it’s the goalkeepers. Whether it’s Juan Carlos Unzué or Carles Busquets who’s working with them, it’s the men on the pitch who matter most. Both are very high quality players”.

Did we see the best yet of Valdés last season? “I have seen an improvement. Especially when creating plays. A lot of opponents have put him under pressure this season, but both he and Pinto have had the upper hand and have excelled with their decision making”.

Has Valdés reached his peak? “There is always room for improvement because he has a strong mentality. Whenever he dons the gloves he gets the feeling that he can improve. His ambition hasn’t stabilised, quite the opposite. I think Valdés has enjoyed these last few years. I have seen him enjoying himself in matches, and that also forms part of the process”.

Pinto has played more than ever. “Pinto has shown since the start that he can play here. And it’s not easy for him because he doesn’t get many matches and everybody is looking at him. So he usually has less margin for error. Given the circumstances he has played under, he has been top class. It would be hard to find another keeper who accepts his role as much as Pinto and who has performed so well”.

Do you think the squad is still hungry for titles? “Yes. I’d be surprised if that wasn’t the case. Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Valdés and company have never lost that ambition because they have always been aware of where they came from. It is not easy for a team to play at such a level for so long and the feeling I get is that this can continue. I have no doubt that we’ll be fighting for every title once again”.

The team can win six titles again. “Now we have the experience. But sometimes to win the same thing you can’t just do the same thing, you need to do a little more. One thing we did well when we won six titles was to take things a day at a time. We tried to play every game at the best of our ability. And with such top class players, it is only normal to go into the important months of April and May with every title to play for, and the rest depends on many circumstances”. 

United States tour in detail

Next Thursday 28, Barça start their nine-day tour of the United States, participating in the Herbalife World Football Challenge which involves three friendliest, and various institutional activities to transmit the club’s values around the USA.

From July 28 to August 6, the team will be visiting Washington, Miami and Dallas, thanks to Turkish Airlines, the main sponsor of this 2011
tour. The following is a detailed explanation of the expedition, including training sessions, matches and events that the players Hill be attending.
Thursday, July 28
06.00. Arrival at Washington airport
11.30. Press conference in the Hotel including appearance of two players.
14.30. Visit to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation attended by Sandro Rosell, Josep Guardiola and two players
18.00. Inauguration of the Penya Blaugrana de Washington attended by Sandro Rosell
19.00. Training at RFK Stadium

Friday, July 29
09.00. Training at RFK Stadium
20.00. Open doors training at FedEx Field
21.00. Attendance of Redskins supper. Whole group will attend

Saturday, July 30
09.00. Training at RFK Stadium
19.00. Friendly match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at the FedEx Field, especially sponsored by Turkish Airlines
Sunday, July 31
09.00. Training at RFK Stadium
11.00. Charity match featuring the Friends of Mia Hamm (FC Barcelona ambassador in the USA), with participation of Josep Guardiola and Andoni Zubizarreta.
17.30. Flight departs for Miami
20.00. Arrival at Miami airport

*All times are local (CET is six hours ahead of Washington)

Monday, August 1
09.00. Training at University of Miami
11.00. Visit by two players to the Nike Store in Miami
14.15. Press conference by Josep Guardiola and a player at the hotel
17.30. Event involving FC Barcelona and ‘Pies Descalzos’ Foundation. Attended by two representatives of each foundation
19.00. Training at University of Miami

Tuesday, August 2
09.00. Training at University of Miami
11.30. Visit to Seaquarium Discovery Cove where several players will be able to swim with dolphins.
11.30. Visit to Campus FCB in Miami, situated in Kendall Soccer Park. Attendance by representatives of FC Barcelona
19.00. Training session open to fans at Sun Life Stadium
20.00. Activity with the Penya Blaugrana de Miami at venue TBC. Attendance by representatives of FC Barcelona.

Wednesday, August 3
09.00. Training at University of Miami
20.00. Friendly match between FC Barcelona and Chivas Guadalajara at the Sun Life Stadium.

*All times are local (CET is six hours ahead of Miami)

Thursday, August 4
09.00. Flight departs for Dallas
11.15. Arrival at Dallas airport
12.30. Visit to the Nike Store attended by two players
14.15. Press conference by Josep Guardiola and one player
19.00. Training at SM University

Friday, August 5
09.00. Training at SM University
16.00. Unicef event. Venue to be confirmed
19.00. Open door training session at Pizza Hut Stadium

Saturday, August 6
09:00. Training at SM University
15.00. Friendly match between FC Barcelona and Club America at the Cowboys Stadium
19.30. Departure of flight to Barcelona arranged by Turkish Airlines.

*All times are local (CET is seven hours ahead of Dallas)

Sunday, August 7
16.00. Arrival in Barcelona

First game in Split

FC Barcelona have their first game of the preseason in Split on Saturday evening (20.30, TV3 and GolT). It’s the first of three games before heading off on the US tour. Xavi, Piqué, Pedro and Puyol are not travelling to Croatia.

56 days after the final at Wembley, FC Barcelona are back in action. The Poljud Stadium in Split is the venue, home of Hajduk, in a game that honours the proud Croatian club’s centenary. The club was founded on February 13, 1911.

24 in squad
After seven training sessions, this is the first match for the players after the summer vacation, as they prepare for official competition to begin in mid August. 24 players have been named for the trip, exactly half from the first team and half from Barça B.

Piqué, Xavi, Pedro and Puyol stay behind
Josep Guardiola is missing four players for the trip to Hajduk. Xavi and Pedro are following special individual programmes, Piqué is having trouble with his left calf muscle, and Puyol is still not recovered from his knee injury. The players that have only just finished their participation in the Copa America are also missing, for they are currently enjoying a well-earned break. Star Chilean signing, Alexis Sánchez, is also missing the trip east, and will arrive in Barcelona on Sunday.

The team will be flying straight back to Barcelona after the match. They are due to land at around 2.15 in the morning.

Bojan, transferred to AS Roma

FC Barcelona and AS Roma have reached an agreement for the sale of Bojan Krkic for 12 million euros. The player will be giving a press conference at 13.30 in the Ricard Maxenchs pressroom at the Camp Nou.

The Italian outfit will pay 12 million for the player and the agreement includes an obligatory repurchase clause to be exercised by FC Barcelona at the end of the 2012/13 season, for a cost of 13 million.

This purchase can be blocked by AS Roma, but in such a case the overall cost of the transfer will rise to 40 million euros.

President Abbas visits the Club

The President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmud Abbas this morning visited the Camp Nou, accompanied by the Club’s Institutional Area Vice-President Carles Vilarrubí.

As part of his tour of Europe to visit a number of institutions, the President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmud Abbas visited the Camp Nou this morning. Mr Abbas was met at gate 15 of the Stadium at 11.30 this morning by the Club’s Institutional Area Vice-President Carles Vilarrubí and the two then moved inside the Camp Nou where the President gave a short speech.

”Honour”
Abbas explained he was “full of honour and happiness for the hospitality Barça have shown to me. This is a Club with a wide recognition. FC Barcelona represents a civilisation and a people with good values and that can always be seen. I would love them to visit Palestine one day to play a game”.

Vilarrubí: “Barça is a window onto the Catalan society”
Replying, Sr Vilarrubí responded to the President’s visit by declaring: “it has been an honour. FC Barcelona represents a window through which people can see the Catalan feeling – the way a whole people feels. This is a special moment for the Club as we are enjoying such great success. Barça share the values of peace, living together, sport and civil society with the Palestinian people ”

Visit to the Club Museum
Abbas and Vilarrubí exchanged various gifts, including two shirts for the President’s grandchildren who accompanied him on the visit. Mr Abbas then signed the Club’s book of honour and then visited the Museum with Sr Vilarrubí to see the 16 titles won by the Club’s various teams last season.

Pedro: “we want another season full of success”

Pedro Rodríguez spoke to reporters after training this morning and explained that the squad is excited about the season ahead and already working hard to ensure another successful campaign.

The Spanish World Cup winner reckons the squad have made a good start to their pre-season training “the sessions we’ve had have been hard, but we are getting into shape and working really well”.

Enthusiasm
Pedro believes that the maximum motivation for the team is their desire to continue winning titles: “we’ve got a tough season ahead of us with 6 titles to play for. We’re starting with plenty of enthusiasm and it’d be great if we could put in another season full of success”.

New signings
With expectation rising about new signings at the Club, Pedro was naturally quizzed about Alexis Sanchez and Cesc, both of whom he reckons will fit perfectly into the team, and after praising the South American’s speed and ability to pressurise, he explained: “we have a special thing with Cesc because of our experiences for Spain. If he comes he’ll be very welcome here”.

Commitment to Club style
Barça’s first official game of the season will be in Madrid for the Spanish Super Cup, but Pedro insisted the squad weren’t looking that far ahead just yet: “we’ve got a tough pre-season schedule and we’ll be playing against some really good teams. I don’t know how Madrid will go into the game, but we will be playing with the same philosophy of the game as always”.

“All I can do is work hard”
Pedro wants to continue working hard and learning this season, but he knows that whether he plays or not is down to the manager: “I’m here to do what the coaches tell me to . It’s not up to me whether I start or not – all I can do is to work hard, as always, and I’ll continue to do that to try and improve and learn”.

Barça sign Alexis Sánchez

Udinese and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement on the transfer of Alexis Sanchez. The cost of the deal is 26 million Euros with added variables of 11.5 million.

The player is due in Barcelona this weekend. Medical tests and the signing of the contract, which is for five years, will take place on Monday.

The 22 year old Chilean player is coming to Barça from the Italian club Udinese, where he’s played for the last three seasons. Last season he was voted best player in Serie A, after scoring 12 goals in 31 games.

This summer (of 2011) he’s been playing in the Copa America for his country’s national team, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Venezuela. Alexis played a total of four games in which he scored 1 goal and where he was chosen MVP in two of the matches.

Dazzled in Italy
After his debut in the 2008/09 season with Udinese, where he played 95 games, the last two seasons have been the most prolific in terms of his play and goals. Last season he scored 12 goals, 4 of them in the same game, and has been sought by the best teams in the world. However, he has been strongly committed to playing for Barça.