Improved version of the Champions (5-0)

Barça crushed Villareal with an exhibition of football, and made it clear that this season they’ve come back even hungrier. Three of the four new players, Thiago, Cesc, and Alexis, scored in the game, and Messi scored twice.

Both teams play neat football, but Barça is at a different level. Pressure, intensity, possession, and instinct make all the difference, and this Monday Barça had it all. The 5-0 win against a team in the Champions League just demonstrated the ambition of these players who never have enough. Sanchez and Cesc scored, Messi scored twice, and a sublime Thiago Alcantara got the other.

Audacity from the start
Starting with a 3 man defence of Sergio, Abidal, and Mascherano, Barça made their intentions clear from the start. They wanted to have the ball from the kick-off and were totally successful in their aim. With a midfield full of ball-players, Thiago, Cesc, and Iniesta, and one defensive pivot, Keita, Guardiola's side went for everything from the first minute. They controlled the game, and created the better chances, although at times the final pass went astray.
Thiago, who helped in defense, covering the right hand side, also got forward a lot. Proof of this was the first goal. A fabulous Thiago run high up the field brought the goal. Thiago went alone and, spurred on by the fans, got to the edge of the area, and with a low cross-shot beat Diego Lopez, to make it 1-0, in the 25th minute.

A lethal Fabregas

In his debut in the League with Barça, and at the Camp Nou, Cesc showed all his qualities, from helping out in defence, to getting into the box, without forgetting the combinations with his teammates. From one of these combinations, in the 44th minute, he made it 2-0. Messi, well inside the Villareal half, spotted Cesc’s run, and hit a superb through ball, that Fabregas took in his stride, rounded Diego Lopez, and slid the ball into the net.

Total domination
In the second half the story was the same. Same script, same actors, but 2 of the forwards hadn’t scored yet .The goal to make it 3-0, right at the start of the second half, fell to the Chilean, Alexis Sanchez, making his debut at the Camp Nou, who hit a low drive into the back of the net after a fantastic pass from Thiago. The striker from Tocopilla now knows what it’s like to score in the Camp Nou.

The fourth goal came from the best player in the world. Iniesta hit a brilliant pass into space, and Messi rounded Diego Lopez, to make it 4-0. The goal was Messi’s 100th in the Camp Nou, a truly amazing statistic.

The icing on the cake
Four goals ahead, Barca took their foot off the gas a bit, but not much. Pep took the opportunity to make three changes, and on came Xavi, Villa, and Dos Santos, but there was time to marvel once again with a fifth goal. Again, a superbly timed pass from Thiago, two assists and a goal in the game, reached Messi in the 6 yard box, who slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 5-0, in the 74th minute.

Then, in the last fifteen minutes, Barça stayed faithful to their style of play. Playing one and two touch football they had Villarreal chasing shadows, just like they had over the 90 minutes. A fabulous start to the season against a rival who are playing in the Champions League.

Goals

1-0 Thiago (25')
2-0 Fabregas (44')
3-0 Alexis (47')
4-0 Messi (51')
5-0 Messi (74')

European Super Cup Winners (2-0)

FC Barcelona lifted the European Super Cup for the fourth time in their history with a 2-0 win over Porto. Goals in each half from Messi and Cesc proved enough for Guardiola’s team to take their 12th title under his stewardship.

Barça and Porto lived up to expectations with a quality game in Monaco tonight, with the European Champions taking their second title of the season as they repeated their 2009 success to take the European Super Cup.

The game saw Leo Messi score his first goal in the European Super Cup, which means he’s now scored in every competition, as well as summer signing Cesc Fabregas get his debut goal for the team in just his second appearance.

It’s been a great start to the season so far, with two the first two titles on offer both won as the team set out on what could be another legendary campaign.

Porto pressure
Both teams started well, as Barça worked hard to escape the pressure in midfield from the Porto players, which brought about some uncharacteristic loss of possession, as they found it hard to bring the ball out under control. A Hulk free kick and another effort from Moutinho gave Valdes some early work, whilst at the other end, Pedro missed a great chance as he tried to chip the keeper, only for his attempt to go just over.

Messi makes the most of Porto gaffe
Barça gradually began to impose their passing style on the game though, with Xavi directing play and Iniesta and Messi both looking lively and after a good move down the left involving Villa and Adriano, Xavi fired in a rising shot that Helton just tipped over. A minute later, Barça were ahead when a misplaced back pass set up Messi, who shimmied past the keeper to slot home and send Barça in one up at the break .

Control
The rhythm of the game dropped in the second half and Barça found it easier to combine and lift the Portuguese pressure, though it was Porto who had the best chances early on after the break, with Guarin firing in a fierce shot that Valdes did well to stop. For Barça, Villa saw a chance saved by Helton as both keepers showed their class.

Cesc off the mark
Guardiola made two changes on the hour mark, bringing in Alexis for Villa on the left, whilst in the centre of defence Busquets replaced Abidal, who moved out left instead of the limping Adriano. The team took a while to get used to the shift at the back and Porto nearly took advantage to draw level before order was restored and Barça again took control with a number of dangerous counter attacks.

In one of the breaks, Messi brought about a second yellow for Rolando and his sending off proved a body blow for Porto, with Cesc, who’d just come on, almost immediately getting the second after a sublime assist from Messi. Guarin then left his team with nine men after a bad foul and Barça played out the final minutes before claiming yet another title.

The goals

1-0, Messi (min 38)
2-0, Cesc (min 87)

Leo Messi, player of the year in Europe

The Argentinian, who topped the goalscoring charts in the last edition of the Champions League has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi to win the award.

53 reporters from different media and countries have decided that Leo Messi was the best player in UEFA club competitions last year, and he thus becomes the first ever winner of the award. The announcement was made shortly after the Champions League draw, with the winner pipping team mate Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid to the honour. Iniesta and Piqué came fourth and ninth respectively.

Speaking after collecting the award, Messi said “I want to share this with my colleagues as it is thanks to them that I win these trophies … I am very lucky to have such good players at my side and it is them who give me the opportunity to score so many goals. The merit is everyone’s.” He added that the hunger to win among the Barça squad is one of the reasons for their ongoing success.

Before the winner was announced, Xavi showed his usual generosity when saying that “Messi is the best footballer in the world at the moment”, something he has been saying for years. He also felt that FC Barcelona is experiencing “one of the best moments in its history”.

This is just the latest of many awards to have been won by Leo Messi. He has already won a FIFA World Player (2009) and two Ballons d’Or (2009 and 2010), the last of which was after the two awards were unified. He also been top goalscorer both in Spain and Europe in 2009/10. “I have all my trophies at home, both the individual and team ones” he said.

Milan, Bate and Pilsen in Barça’s group in Champions’ League

Milan, Bate and Pilsen in Barça’s group in Champions’ League

Jordi Clos

Barça will play AC Milan (Italy), Bate Borisov (Byelorussia) and Viktoria Pilsen (Czech Republic) in Group H of the Champions League. They start against the Italian champions at the Camp Nou.

The Italian, Belarusian and Czech champions, namely AC Milan, Bate Borisov and Viktoria Pilsen will share a group with Barça in the Champions League following Thursday’s draw in Monaco. As defending champions, Barcelona were the number one seed.

There was a distinctly Barça related edge to the affair, with captain Carles Puyol presenting UEFA with the Champions League trophy won at Wembley and Leo Messi being named the best player of the last edition, with Xavi also present on the podium.

Debut against Milan at the Camp Nou
Barcelona start at home to Milan on Tuesday September 13. They then travel to play Bate Borisov before entertaining Viktoria. They will start the return games in the Czech Republic, then go to the San Siro and close the group at home to Bate.

One giant and two incognitos
Barça and Milan have met many times before. The two clubs have won eleven European Cups between them (four for Barça and seven for the rossoneri). They have met six times before in official competitions, including the grand final in Athens in 1994, which Milan won 4-0. In contrast, Barça have never played Bate Borisov or Viktoria Pilsen. The Belarusians qualified by beating Austria’s Sturm Graz and the Czechs eliminated FC Copenhagen.

All the groups

A:
Bayern
Vila-real
Manchester City
Napoli

B:
Inter
CSKA Moscow
Lille
Trabzonspor

C:
Manchester United
Benfica
Basel
Otelul Galati

D:
Madrid
O. Lyon
Ajax
Dynamo de Zagreb

E:
Chelsea
Valencia
Bayer Leverkusen
Racing Genk

F:
Arsenal
O. Marseille
Olympiakos
Borussia Dortmund

G:
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit
Apoel N.

H:
Barça
Milan
Bate Borisov
Viktoria Pilsen

2 days to the game in Monaco

Porto, Barça’s rivals this Friday in the Louis II Stadium in Monaco, have, amongst their achievements, a European Super Cup, won 24 years ago. Barça, however, are going for their fourth.

Monaco will host the Final of the European Super Cup for the last time. So, Porto and Barça will have the honor of being the last participants, in the Principality of Monaco, in the Super Cup, which from next season will be held in Prague (Czech Republic). The competition, played over just one game since 1998 in Monaco, has seen both sides of Barça. If in 2007 Barça lost 3-0 against Sevilla, in 2009 they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. The balance in the Principality is 1 win and 1 defeat.

How Barça are coming into the game
With the goal of picking up their second title of the season, Pep Guardiola’s Barça are up against Porto in their eighth Super Cup Final. Barça, who have won 3 and lost four, will be looking to win their fourth Super Cup on Friday.

Without Gerard Piqué , with a calf muscle tear that will keep him out for three weeks, and also Carles Puyol, who is still recovering from his knee injury, Pep Guardiola will choose from Mascherano, Abidal, Fontàs, Busquets, or one of the Barça B players to fill the central defensive positions .

Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez, and Maxwell returned to work with the group and could play if Guardiola sees fit. Ibrahim Afellay is still doing recovery work away from the main group.

How Porto are coming into the game

The Portuguese team, currently managed by Vitor Pereira after the departure of Villas-Boas to Chelsea, has already begun the Portuguese League, and on the right foot. They’ve won their 2 games so far and are in first place. Also, just like Barça, two weeks ago they won the Super Taça Cándido de Oliveira, the Portuguese equivalent of the Spanish Super Cup.

Going for the fourth Super Cup.
Barca won their first European Super Cup in 1992, beating Werder Bremen, over 2 legs. However, before that they lost 3 Finals against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and AC Milan. The second trophy came in 1997, also against a German team: Borussia Dortmund. The third and last trophy was two years ago with a goal from Pedro in extra-time. This Friday, Barça are looking for their fourth Super Cup trophy, and to get closer to AC Milan who, with 5 titles, leads the table of winners.

Messi’s pending challenge

The Argentine striker has scored in all competitions, except in the European Super Cup. Messi has taken part in the last two finals played in Monaco.

His smile tells it all. He’s come back really switched-on, motivated, and with the same desire to conquer the world. Messi will decide how and when he’ll do it. He doesn’t care how important the match is or who the opposition are. For him the word friendly is not in the dictionary. He’s the best, and makes all the difference. On Friday, Barça are in another Final, the European Super Cup, and Messi has never scored in this competition. So, it’s his pending challenge.


Third final
Messi has played in 2 European Super Cup Finals. He suffered first-hand the painful defeat against Sevilla in 2006, and got over that defeat two years ago against Shakhtar, a game that he didn’t score in, but made the winning goal for Pedro. Against Porto he has another opportunity, a new challenge for a Messi without limits.

Always decisive
European Super Cup aside, Messi has been decisive in every final. In every vital game he always appears, either in important League fixtures or in the final rounds of the Champions League, whether in Rome or Wembley, or Mestalla in 2009. He’s always there.

5 goals in 3 games
He came back to work on 8th of August, and with scarcely any training under his belt, Messi decided the Spanish Super Cup and contributed to the Gamper party with another 2 goals. He has no limits, and responds to every challenge. Last year he scored 53 goals and has just become the top scorer in the Spanish Super Cup with 8 goals.

Alexis and Maxwell work with the group

Alexis Sánchez and Maxwell joined the first team in training on Tuesday as they get ready for the European Supercup match in Friday in Monaco, There were 19 players there today.

 

In the first session after lifting the Joan Gamper Trophy (5-0), Josep Guardiola had two of his four missing players back in Alexis Sánchez and Maxwell, who rather than only join in some of the activities as they have done in recent days, completed the whole session today.

Guardiola therefore has 19 players to choose from for the game against Porto on Friday. Only Puyol and Afellay, who worked in isolation today, are still unavailable. There were no Barça B players involved in Tuesday’s workout.

FC Barcelona’s next training session is on Wednesday at 19.00 at the Camp Nou. It will be their last session in Barcelona before travelling to Monaco on Thursday.

Collective excellence (5-0)

Barça has won the Joan Gamper Trophy thanks to an emphatic win over Napoli. The home side performed brilliantly, and showed how extensive the squad is. Cesc, Keita, Pedro and Messi (2) scored the goals.

The players’ strike that led to the cancellation of the first day of Liga action turned the Gamper into an excellent opportunity for Barça to continue the preseason. And they seized the moment. Guardiola gave chances to almost everybody, including six from the reserves, who produced a tremendous all-round display. Napoli, third in Serie A last season, were played off the park, and only showed the occasional spark in attack but were considerably weaker in a defence that Cesc and Keita perforated in the first half, followed by Pedro and Messi (2) in an exquisite second half in which they also hit the woodwork four times. There was no doubt who deserved to win the 46th edition: Barça.

Same personality, new faces
The Spanish Supercup winners went out with a very different starting eleven to the one against Madrid five days ago. Piqué, Iniesta and Villa were the only ‘survivors’ . Montoya and Kiko Femenía both settled in brilliantly on the right as they started their first games for the first team, as did Cesc Fàbregas, playing just behind the strikers. Despite the new faces, Barça’s style was as apparent as ever. They dominated possession and went out to attack from the outset. All that is needed is a little time to get them back into their flowing passing game and perhaps to generate more goalscoring chances.

Cesc makes his presence felt
But it was Napoli who had the first chance of the game, with a spectacular overhead kick from Cavani that was disallowed for a previous offence in the 9th minute. In the 18th minute, a delightful team move, with Cesc coming through from behind, ended up with the new signing hitting the crossbar. He got another chance shortly after and this time did find the net, although much of the credit goes to Adriano for his exceptional run down the left.

Pressure from Barça
Napoli gave some signs of their attacking fame, with Pinto called upon to save from Lavezzi. But Barça were as effective as they have been in recent games and Keita immediately responded with the second goal, one that was strikingly similar to the goal that secured last season’s league title in Levante. The Malian would later be handed the man of the match award.

De Sanctis produced a terrific save to deny Villa just before the break, once again following a great run by Adriano. The Asturian had another chance seconds later, but this time centre back Aronica prevented it from going to 3-0.

Goals and posts

There were several chances at half time (on came Dos Santos, Bartra, Sergi Roberto, Cuenca and Pedro) and Pedro twice and Cuenca once hit the post. The loudest cheer of the night was for Leo Messi, who came on in the 55th minute. The best player in the world immediately responded with a free kick that hit the crossbar, but Pedro was there to convert the rebound. That was in the 61st minute, and shortly after the Canary Islander returned the favour by providing the assist that led to the fourth. In just twenty minute of the second half, Barça had hit the woodwork four times and scored twice. The Camp Nou celebrated with a Mexican wave. This was imply outstanding football they were witnessing.

Messi bags brace
With the result in no doubt, Barça spent the rest of the game practicing their possession game. Napoli barely touched the ball and there was still time for Messi to make it 5-0, which is how things stayed until the end. The Barça squad had responded in incredible form ahead of Friday’s game in Monaco.

Alexis works with the group

On Monday morning, the FC Barcelona first team trained for the last time before the Joan Gamper Trophy (20.30, TV3, GolT and R@dio Barça). Alexis Sánchez joined the group for some of the session.

The Chilean spent the rest of the time working in isolation, after pulling a muscle in his left leg during the warm-up before the game with Real Madrid on Wednesday. Maxwell also trained with the rest of the team after joining part of Saturday’s session.

The session took place on pitch number 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva, and also featured six members of Barça B, namely Sergi Roberto, Dos Santos, Cuenca, Montoya, Bartra and Kiko Femenía. For Bartra and Femenía it was the first time they had ever trained with the first team.

Napoli will also train once more before tonight’s match. That will be on pitch 7 at the Ciutat Esportiva, from 10.30.

Fc Barcelona vs porto super cup europe 2011 Trailer

Napoli: The sensation of the Calcio

Barça's rival in the Joan Gamper Trophy finished third in Serie A last season and will play in the group stage of the Champions League. With only one preseason defeat, the Italians will make their League debut next weekend, at home to Genoa.

The 2010/2011 season was a historic one for Napoli. They finished the League in third place and 20 years later they are back in the European showpiece competition. Five years ago they won promotion to Serie A and last year they were one of the sensations of the Calcio. This year they’ll play the group stage of the Champions League. Walter Mazarri, one of the great architects of the Napoli success, is working to maintain the competitiveness of a squad that has had an almost unblemished preseason, and are visiting the Camp Nou on Monday to play in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Lavezzi and Cavani, the stars
They are the stars of the Napoli attack. Both are internationals and played in the recent Copa America. Edinson Cavani, from Uruguay, has become one of the players most loved by the Italian fans. 33 goals in 47 games speak for themselves. He was one of the top scorers last season in Serie A and will start the new season with a lot of self-esteem after winning the Copa America with his country. For his part, Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi is an ambidextrous striker, and very competitive. He scored 9 goals last season and complements Cavani really well.

Victor Ruiz, central defender for the future
He came to Napoli last January from Espanyol. He’s a young left-sided central defender with a great future. He’s only 22, and together with Thiago, Montoya, Miño, Jeffren, and Bojan, amongst others, won the European Under-21 Championships this summer. Last season he played 7 games with Mazarri’s team. Another player known to Spanish football fans is the Italian goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, who played for Sevilla in the 2007/08 season.

One defeat in preseason
Napoli have played six preseason games. They’ve won four, drawn one, against the Uruguayan team Peñarol, and lost one, against Sevilla. Their last friendly was played just seven days ago against Mallorca in Son Moix, and they won 1-0 with a goal from the Colombian, Zuñiga. The Slovakian, Marek Hamsik, with 3 goals, and veteran Lucarelli, with 4, are their top scorers in the summer friendlies.

Cesc: "I haven’t come to retire Xavi"

The new Barça midfielder stresses that Xavi still has lots of years left, and that he can see himself "playing and winning with Xavi……my best years are starting now", and Guardiola "will get the best out of me".

Cesc arrived at the Barça TV studios with a smile from ear to ear. Following the most drawn out transfer in World football, he looked relieved, but mainly very happy. It’s how the new Barça number 4 feels, and hopes it’ll carry on for many years. In a long conversation, Cesc explained his feelings as a new Barça player.

How does it feel? Like a release? "The last months I’ve been under a lot of pressure. Mentally it’s really tiring, but it finally happened and I’m very happy to be back at Barça".

Did you ever imagine that coming back home would be so complicated? That the process would be so long? "It is partly my fault for having left. Not in my wildest dreams had I imagined that one day I would play for the Barça first team. Not as a child, nor playing with Arsenal had I thought I’d live a day like Monday".

In your presentation, you said that Wenger was like a Father to you. You do understand that many Barça fans don’t have much time for the French manager? "I think the image of Wenger here is a bit mistaken. If I’m here today it‘s, at a high percentage, thanks to him. He makes the decisions, and told me I could come. It's he who took the lead in the negotiations. Thanks to Wenger I am now a Barça player”.

It’s been a long time, but why did you leave Barça in 2003? "I saw that I didn’t have any chance of getting into the first team and Xavi was very young at that time. Also there was Andres and some of the youth players who were far ahead of me, and I saw that I was well behind them. I thought it was funny that an English team like Arsenal were asking about me, and I was amazed that the first team manager, Arsene Wenger, cut his holidays short to come and see me. I was 16 and playing for Barça juniors. The offer they made me was brutal".

We know that Barça is your lifetime club, but why have you decided to come back now? "The easiest thing would have been to stay at Arsenal. I’m the captain, playing every game. We are always in the Champions League, always fighting for titles. For all that, and the tough competition here, perhaps now might be the worst time to return to Barça. It’s going to be really tough to make the starting 11, but I needed a new challenge in my life. I thought I’d stagnated a bit, and needed a change of scenery. I needed a special motivation to bring the best out of myself".

Your involvement has been admirable and Barça have made a great effort to sign you. But above all, it was Guardiola who wanted you. What does that mean to you? "It's the key. I know I can learn a lot from Pep and my teammates. I know they’ll bring the best out of me. On top of that there are many tactical and technical aspects that will make me better in this team".

10 years ago you thought there was no one who could think as fast as Pep on the field. Do you still think the same, or that Cesc has bettered that? "Not at all!. There are also two before me who think very fast, like Xavi and Andrés, and they’ve demonstrated that fact. They are 2 stars on and off the field. Pep has always been a reference for me, but now they are both the benchmark".

Many years ago Pep dedicated a shirt to you which read "you’ll be the Barça number '4'. How did the story go? "My parents separated when I was 13 or 14. I went to play in a tournament in Valladolid or Italy, I don’t remember very well. I was a bit depressed about the separation. I was having a bad time, and my manager, Rodolf Borrell, a fantastic person, came and told me that he’d heard that he was going to give me this shirt. It's a great coincidence, an anecdote. My father has kept the shirt. I’ll treasure it forever".

You were part of a great generation, that of 87. You’ll be back playing with Messi and Pique. When you were young, did you speak about one day becoming first team players? "We played some very good championships with that team and we were very together. They were the best years of my life. But talking about it, no we didn’t. I don’t think that any of the three of us ever imagined that one day we’d play together in the first team".

What remains of that Cesc who left at 16? Or is the Cesc of today a product of Wenger? "I think that Cesc has changed very little. I have improved in some ways, but I’ve always been willing to work hard, and that's what’s helped me to improve every day. I am always keen to learn. It's a mistake to think you know it all or you are better than others".

How do you think it will be, working every day with your great friends Puyol and Pique? "Special. It’s what I really wanted. They are great friends and I have other great friends in this dressing room. But it’s also true that I lived with them via the national team in European Championships and World Cups. For me it will be a brutal experience, and they’ll certainly help to get the best out of me".

Have the "oh oh!! and moooc moc" on Twitter finished? "Certainly not. Now we’ll do it more often (laughs)".

You’ve known Gerard since childhood, but Carles Puyol less time, and he’s become an important person to you. "For me Carles is an amazing person. Last year in the World Cup I was having a really bad time, and he was in my room every day encouraging me. And finally, I came on in the World Cup Final, it all ended well and he said to me 'do you see that you have to have more confidence in yourself?’. He’s a captain on and off the field, due to his personality and his humility. I’ve met very few people like him in football".

With your signing does Barça now have the best midfield in the history of the club? "Time will tell, depending on results and performances on the pitch. Thiago and myself have come this year, hopefully to offer more quality, and more competition. Together we’ll be a great group. It doesn’t matter whether or not it‘s the best ever. The most important thing is that Barça continues performing at the top level, keeps winning titles, and that the fans enjoy it".

You are considered a signing for today, but also for the future? "I hope so. I’ll work hard to make it happen. I’m very young and the best years of my football career are beginning now, and in the future. I still have a lot to learn and hope to mature with Barça for many years to come".

There’s a surplus of players in midfield. Do you think that everyone has a different profile and can provide different solutions? "Exactly. We are players that understand football the same way, yet we’re quite different. More than people think. Together we make a very good combination and at a footballing level that’s great, but we have to prove that on the pitch. We understand football the same way, but we all have different characteristics, which might just make us a very special group".

Many years ago it was said that Xavi would take over from Guardiola. Is Cesc Xavi’s heir apparent? "I don’t know. I think that Xavi still has some years left in him, huh! He does things you wouldn’t believe! I haven’t come to retire Xavi. I came here to play with Xavi, to compete with Xavi, and to win with Xavi. What I’m saying about Xavi also goes for Andres and Thiago. I think altogether we make a very good group. I know what we’ll do. With the great group we are, we’ll do great things together".

Will Barça be able to keep winning titles playing with the football style they have in recent years? "We’ll try but it’ll be difficult. There are teams like Madrid, who have strengthened their team, who’ll want to beat us, and don’t only want to win the League but also want to win the Champions League. There’ll also be Manchester United, Inter, etc. up against us. We’ll have to be very careful, therefore, be very disciplined and work to maximum capacity. We can’t relax. If you relax too much that’s when the problems start".

Which Arsenal memory stays with you? "It's very complicated, but I guess I’ll remember my debut the most. It was the day when I least expected it. I thought I would make the squad and that's it, and suddenly there I was in the starting 11, and my family was in the stands. It was a really spectacular day".

You’ll miss London, but your grandmother’s crayfish are better than the London banter? "I’ll miss the London banter, but there’s nothing to compare with my grandmother’s crayfish. They are the best".

A curiosity: why have you got Fabregas on the shirt? "I would normally wear the shirt with Cesc, but it's what I wanted and it’s not that I’m superstitious. In England I had to put Fabregas because the player’s surname has to be displayed and when I made my debut with the national team, they put Cesc on the back and things didn’t go so smoothly. But then, they changed it to Fabregas and we won the European Championships and World Cup. Barça were going to put Cesc on the shirt, but I thought 'if everything has gone well with Fabregas, then we should continue with Fabregas and carry on winning trophies".

I thought you were going to say it was the right thing to do because not everyone can pronounce your name well. "No, it’s not because of that. I let everyone call me what they want. I can’t do anything about it, there’s no remedy. At least I know they’re talking to me. It doesn’t matter. It's a funny story and nothing more".

Camp Nou to decide the champion

Three days after drawing 2-2 in the first leg at the Bernabéu, the two sides go head to head again in another edition of the clásico. It should be a thrilling evening in Barcelona’s first appearance at the Camp Nou of the new season.

 













Slight advantage
The draw from the first leg means everything is still to play for, but Villa and Messi’s goals in Madrid mean that Mourinho’s side are going to have to score at least once if they want to prevent Barça from winning the trophy for the third year in a row. But we all know that sitting back and defending a result simply isn’t the Guardiola way. This looks like being a night of plenty of goals.

Mystery eleven
Barça will not be announcing its line-up until an hour before the match. Xavi, Piqué, Busquets and Pedro all started the first leg on the bench, but could well be starting tonight. And after an impressive debut, many will be wondering whether we will be getting to see more of Alexis Sánchez tonight.

But the big question is Cesc Fàbregas, who trained for the first time with his new club on Monday and could make his debut tonight. If he does, we can be sure he will receive a rapturous welcome from the Camp Nou faithful.

Madrid on a high
Mourinho’s side are confident that they can stop the Camp Nou party tonight. After finally arriving in Barcelona on Tuesday night, they have already shown on Sunday night that they are more than ready for the challenge, and all look in peak fitness, while some of the FCB players have only recently arrived back from their holiday.

Super cup number ten
If Barça win tonight, they will collect the Supercup trophy for the tenth time, and the third in a row after defeating Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla in recent editions. But they know it won’t be easy, and in fact, they have lost all four Spanish Supercups when Madrid have provided the opposition. But if they can set that record straight, it would mean Guardiola has won an amazing 11 of the 14 official competitions in which he has led the team since becoming manager.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid 3-2 All Goals

A home-grown eleven

This season, the first team will have eleven players that came up through the club’s youth system. Fifty per cent of the team is from la Masia.

The power of the Barça youth system is more evident than ever. Guardiola often fields around six or seven local players in a game, whether at El Molinón or in the Champions League final. The doors to the first team are wide open to players fostered at the club itself, as Thiago and Fontàs well know, who have both just become fully fledged first team members.

This year there are an unprecedented 11 players from La Masia out of a total of 21. These aren’t reserves used as a complement, these are first team players in every sense of the word.

Starting eleven
It is years since the team has had so many of its own players to choose from, and although some players would have to play in unfamiliar positions, Guardiola could theoretically play them all at once: Valdés in goal; Puyol and Fontàs as full backs; Busquets and Piqué at centre back; Xavi, Thiago and Cesc in midfield and Pedro, Messi and Iniesta up front. Cesc completes an eleven that would fill any Barça fan with pride.

Nine under Rijkaard
Under the Dutchman in the 2003/04 season, there were eight local players in the first team: Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Gerard, Gabri, Luis García and Motta. But they weren’t all regular starters. In 2008, there were nine: Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Giovanni, Messi, Oleguer, Bojan and Jorquera. Under Guardiola, the number has done nothing but increase.

La Masia products in recent years
Season 2010/11: Valdés, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Bojan, Messi, Jeffren, Busquets and Pedro.
Season 2009/10: Valdés, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Busquets and Pedro.
Season 2008/09: Valdés, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Busquets and Jorquera.
Season 2007/08: Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Giovanni, Messi, Oleguer, Bojan and Jorquera.
Season 2006/07: Valdés, Motta, Puyol, Xavi, Messi, Oleguer, Iniesta and Jorquera.
Season 2005/06: Valdés, Motta, Puyol, Xavi, Gabri, Oleguer, Iniesta and Jorquera.
Season 2004/05: Valdés, Motta, Puyol, Xavi, Gerard, Oleguer, Iniesta and Jorquera.
Season 2003/04: Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Gerard, Gabri, Luis Garcia, Motta and Jorquera.

Cesc Fàbregas: "It’s the toughest challenge of my life"

The new Barça number 4 said in his presentation that the club "has made my dream possible" and stressed that he’s fully prepared to "take on whatever role I’m given”.

There was maximum excitement in the Sala Paris. The return of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona is not just any homecoming. Eight years after leaving for London, Cesc has come home to fulfill a dream.
Before starting to talk and answer the relevant questions, Cesc stared open-mouthed at the images being projected. A video showing images of Fabregas in the youth teams. "Watching these images it‘s like I’d never left," he said.
Thanks to the Club
The effort made by Barça to sign him hasn’t gone unnoticed by Fabregas, who wanted to give his thanks to everybody concerned. "I want to thank all the people involved, from President Sandro Rosell, to Josep Guardiola, who has been very important to me" Cesc recognised. He also wanted to thank Thiago Alcantara who has given up the number 4 shirt, in a gesture which, according to Cesc, "honours him".
He also stressed that "it’s not easy to have confidence again in someone who left the club at youth level", referring to him going to England when he was 16.
The biggest challenge
"I'm ready to take on whatever role I’m given. I’ve chosen the harder path, but the most rewarding for me" said a Cesc Fabregas with very clear ideas. He also explained that coming to Barça, and weighing up the other options, "is the toughest challenge of my life". His initial goal, however, is "to improve a little what is already the best team in the world".
The new Barça number 4 made it very clear that he’ll give "up to my last drop of sweat for Barça" and that never, even being far away, "have I stopped loving Barça".
A summer dream
" Barça have made my dream come true and I just hope that no one ever regrets it" said Fabregas adding that, today, "a great weight off my mind" has been lifted, signing for Barca. He also added: "You can tell by my face how happy I am”, even though he’s aware that some people will “demand twice as much from me".
Arsene Wegner, like a father
"Wegner has a negative image here, but it’s not true, I can assure you," said Cesc. For Fabregas the French manager "is really special and a second father to me, because he’s given me everything in the world of football". He also said that if today he’s a Barça first team player "it’s also thanks to Wenger".

Cesc Fabregas signs until 2016

Cesc has finally joined FC Barcelona, after signing a contract for the next five seasons. His buyout clause will be 200 millions of euros.

Cesc Fàbregas: Guaranteed versatility

After eight seasons away from Catalonia,Fabregas is coming back to FC Barcelona as one of the best midfielders in the world. His career stats support this

He moved to London in the summer of 2003, at only 16 years of age. Now, at 24, he’s coming home. He played 303 games with Arsenal, where he managed a total of 57 goals and 100 assists. These fantastic stats from the World star have not gone unnoticed by Barça, who have done everything possible to get Cesc back.


The best goal assist record in the Premier
Fabregas has one of the best records in goal assists in the Premier League over the past five years, with a total of 71 goal passes. His personal record for assists was established in the 2007/08 season, when he reached 19. No one has made more goals for his teammates than Fabregas, and with Barcelona he’ll try to repeat these numbers. This last 2010/2011 season, despite playing only 25 games, he managed to make up to 14 goals for his teammates.

Complete Midfielder
Cesc’s versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed by Josep Guardiola. Fabregas can play in every midfield position. He can play as defensive centre mid, left or right midfield pivot, or even just behind the striker. At Arsenal he’s shown that he can perform extremely well in all these positions, and that could be seen in the 2009/2010 season, when he scored 15 goals and had 15 assists. His vision of the game and getting into the box are never in question.

Over 300 official games
Despite his youth, Cesc Fabregas became captain of Arsenal, for whom he played a total of 303 games. Of these, 212 were in the Premier League, where he made his debut at the age of 17. In addition, he became the youngest player in Arsenal’s history to score his first goal, when he scored against Wolves on December 2nd, 2003.

Camp Nou to decide (2-2)

Barça and Real Madrid have drawn 2-1 in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup. The visitors responded to Ozil’s opener with goals from Villa and Messi. After the break, Xabi Alonso converted Madrid’s equaliser.

The Spanish Supercup will be decided at the Camp Nou. Everything is still to play for after an intense first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu ended all square.

Barça didn’t get off to the best of starts. A very physical Madrid came out strong and enjoyed the first few chances, but Valdés was on splendid form in the FCB goal. But after just 12 minutes, Ozil put Madrid one up after a deft strike following a Benzema cross from the right. However, following the goal, Barça started playing the way we know and love, and gained control of most of the possession.

Double strike

A far more comfortable looking FCB side was putting together some delightful combination moves and tied the game with ten minutes of the first half remaining. David Villa produced an absolute stunner, bending the ball from outside the area into the top right hand corner, totally out of reach of Madrid stopper Iker Casillas. The equaliser boosted Barça even further and just before the break Leo Messi made it 2-1, after rounding Pepe brilliantly and then beating Casillas.

Better play but no goals
Thiago really came into his own in the second half, assuming the central playmaker role and bringing out the best in Barça. Not for the first time, Madrid were totally confounded by the Catalans’ passing game, but it was the all-whites who scored the only goal of the half. In the 53rd minute, Xabi Alonso received an assist from Pepe and his low, hard shot was too much for Valdés, who was unsighted by the many players around him.

Concentration at the end
Xavi, Piqué and Pedro came on for Thiago, Adriano and Villa, adding new freshness, and the last half hour was a demonstration of how Barcelona know how to dictate a game. Nevertheless, it was Madrid who had the best chances, but failed to convert any of them.

Next Wednesday August 17, Barça and Real Madrid will face each other again at the Camp Nou, where the Spanish Supercup title will be decided.

Supermatch

FC Barcelona make their official debut this season in the Santiago Bernabeu in a classic to get the Spanish Super Cup underway (22.00, TVE and R @ dio Barça). The whole squad has travelled to Madrid.

It's been 103 days since the last classic, the one where FC Barcelona qualified for the Champions League final at Wembley. The result then was a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou, that put an end to the 4 game marathon between Madrid and Barcelona, games that were almost consecutive. Tonight will be another story. Both teams open the season with a match which will show the sort of form they are both in half way through August. It’s the Super Cup, and a Supermatch.

More unknowns with Barça

The game comes at a moment quite different from the series earlier this year. Then, it was the end of the season, and now it’s just the beginning. The two managers have approached the match in different ways. Mourinho can count on players who’ve had a longer preseason, and played many more minutes.

Guardiola, on the other hand, opted to extend the holiday periods of his players. Those who took part in the Copa America came back a week later than the Madrid players, so there are more unknowns in the Barça camp ahead of the match at the Bernabeu. Mascherano, Messi, Alves, and Alexis, for example, haven’t played a game so far this preseason. Guardiola has taken the whole squad to Madrid, including the injured players.

Almost certain Madrid starting 11

Everything points to the fact that the Madrid starting line-up is already decided. Only Coentrao, Madrid’s most expensive summer signing, might sneak into the starting 11 at Di Maria’s expense. The most likely outcome is that Mourinho will line up with 11 players who were already in the squad last season. What won’t change is Madrid’s approach to the game, who’ll seek a more physical match than technical, to try to beat Barça.

All time record in play
This edition of the Super Cup includes an interesting battle in Super Cup history. Barça are currently the kings of the competition, with 9 titles. They are followed by Real Madrid, who have 1 trophy less, and who will try to equal Barças titles. For Guardiola, the challenge is to break the statistic that tells us that Barça has lost the 4 Super Cups played against Real Madrid. Two Supermatches will decide all. The first one, tonight.

Outright leader

Leo Messi is tied with José Mari Bakero as Barça’s highest goalscorer in the Spanish Supercup with five goals. He could extend that record this week.

Leo Messi knows all about breaking records, and is the joint highest Barça scorer in this competition despite only appearing in two editions. He scored a brace against Athletic Bilbao in 2009, and a year later scored a hat-trick against Sevilla.

Shared leadership
That means he is now tied with José Mari Bakero, and is so young that he is likely to have plenty of chances to extend that tally much further, starting with Sunday’s match at the Bernabéu.

Just behind Messi and Bakero, with four goals in the Supercup, is Giovanni da Silva.

Xavi excels
Xavi Hernández has always performed well in the Supercup, scoring the first of his team’s three goals on his debut in the event in 1998 away to Mallorca. His other victims were Espanyol in 2006 and Bilbao in 2009, and like Messi, he is probably going to enjoy plenty more chances to score in this competition.

The Dream Team
Like Xavi, Hristo Stoichkov also scored three goals in the Spanish Supercup, as did the current technical director for youth football, Guillermo Amor.

In Madrid on Sunday, Xavi and Messi, if Josep Guardiola plays them, have the chance to extend their impressive Supercup records.

Three players hoping for Bernabéu debut

Thiago Alcántara, Andreu Fontàs and Alexis Sánchez are the three Barça players that have yet to experience a game at the Bernabéu. The Spanish Supercup game on Sunday is especially motivating for them.

A clásico at the Bernabéu is an amazing way to start the season, even more so when the first official title of the season is up for grabs. Thiago, Fontàs and Alexis Sánchez will all be hoping to get a run out for the first time at the Bernabéu.

Thiago Alcántara, midfield promise
Thiago Alcántara joined the Barça youth system in the 2005-2006 season and has since risen to the first team, and has been the revelation of the preseason, scoring four goals. The all-whites will be eyeing the youngster with caution on Sunday night.

Thiago said this week that “a Barça v Madrid is not just the Spanish classic, it is a world classic. Coming back from holiday to face such an important match against one of the hardest opponents in the world really makes you start to feel excited”.

Andreu Fontàs, power and elegance
Andreu Fontàs has also shown his qualities during the preseason. Like Thiago Alcántara, he spent time at La Masia after arriving at Barça from Girona in the 2007-2008 season. The centre back is an excellent example of the Barça philosophy, and everything he does in the centre of the Barça defence oozes confidence and security.

First official game for Alexis Sánchez
Alexis Sánchez has arrived at a epic moment, and starting life at Barça with a game against the old rival at the Bernabéu is not the usual way players are introduced to the club. The first ever Chilean to play for FCB has been training under Guardiola’s this week, and is ready to make his official debut.

As manager, Guardiola has never been beaten at the Bernabeu

Historically, the Bernabeu is the toughest ground for Barça to visit, but since Pep Guardiola took over the team, they have chalked up three wins and a draw and remain unbeaten on their trips to Real Madrid’s stadium.

The 2011-12 season kicks off this Sunday with what is typically the toughest of trips – to the Bernabeu for the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. However, for Pep Guardiola’s teams, playing Real Madrid in their own back yard has become synonymous with success over the last few seasons.

Memorable debut (2-6)

Guardiola’s first visit to the Bernabeu in charge resulted in the spectacular 2-6 win which sealed the 2008-09 league title. Higuain put Madrid ahead, but Henry and Puyol soon turned the score around before Messi got a brace, Henry his second and Piqué the sixth for a historic and unforgettable win.

Second win, second league title (0-2)
The following season saw Barça in Madrid with a similar situation in the table and although they didn’t produce the spectacular beating of the previous campaign, goals from Messi and Pedro were enough to give them a 0-2 win and confirm another La Liga title.

Draw enough (1-1)
Last season, Guardiola took his team to the Bernabeu with a comfortable 8 point cushion at the top of the table and the 1-1 draw, with yet another goal from Messi, was enough to maintain the points and goal difference between the two as they made it three league titles on the trot.

Wembley via Bernabéu (0-2)
Last season, Barça made another visit to the Bernabeu of course, when they beat Madrid 0-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi final. Two great goals from Messi in the second half were always going to be too much for Madrid to try and pull back in the return leg and set Barça en route for the Wembley final.

Players back for training

Pep Guardiola was finally able to train with the majority of the squad this evening, with the return of his international players. Puyol, Maxwell and Afellay worked apart from the rest of the group and Piqué and Busquets received medical treatment.

The available first team squad were in the main group, joined by Barça B players Cuenca, Lobato, Dalmau, Montoya and Dos Santos and the Youth team player Dongou.

Preparation for Sunday
The boss will be working hard to get his players ready for Sunday night’s Super Cup game against Real Madrid and this evening’s session will be followed by two more tomorrow, as well as a further session on Saturday morning before the trip to Madrid.

Sergio and Piqué, doubtful
Following medical tests, Piqué and Busquets are both doubtful for Sunday’s game afater picking up knocks on international duty.

Fontàs joins the group

Andreu Fontàs trained this morning, as did the five team mates who also trained on Monday evening –Messi, Mascherano, Alexis, Keita and Adriano.

Fontàs was the new face in the squad that trained at 9.00 this morning. This was the first time the defender has trained since the tour, and he was joined by Messi, Mascherano, Adriano, Alexis and Keita, who also trained on pitch number 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday.

Montoya and Masip too
The six first team players were once again joined by Barça B’s Martín Montoya and Jordi Masip.

Pep Guardiola participates
The players were all given pulsometers before training. It started with a gentle warm up session and then the usual drills, in which Pep Guardiola also decided to take part. Masip worked in isolation with Juan Carlos Unzué.

Puyol on his own
Carles Puyol also put in an appearance, and continued his recovery programme under the watchful eye of Juanjo Brau.

Looking to the Super Cup, Pep claims: “we may be short on preparation time, but the mind can do anything”

Pep Guardiola is clear that his team will go into the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid a little short of preparation, but insisted that: “it’s the state of mind that counts in these cases – the mind can do anything”.

The boss reminded reporters that his team went into last year’s Super Cup in a similar situation to that in which they find themselves this time around, but hopes that his players’ mental strength will be decisive: “of course we are short on preparation going into the Super Cup and it will be the players’ mental strength that will make the difference, It’s similar to last year but in these situations the mind can do anything”.

“We accept the challenge”
Guardiola went on to claim Real Madrid: “will be more prepared, but my squad accept the challenge. We really need more time to get to our peak of fitness. Maybe the legs can’t respond, but the mental attitude of the players will be important and I will convince the players that they can win”. Looking to the week ahead, Guardiola commented: “we will all be back together in Barcelona on Thursday and we’ll see how we plan things out”.

Satisfied with Tour
After finishing off the US Tour with a win, Guardiola reflected:: “this tour has gone really well. It’s a pity about the injuries, but I am very happy with everybody’s performance. The heat meant it was difficult to train and that affects the team’s levels of intensity, as we have seen”. Guardiola brought a number of youngsters onto the tour and he expressed himself happy with them all: ”their behaviour has been impeccable, every day and in every game. We have trained them well in a lot of areas”.

Big thanks to the fans
The boss was asked why he felt the team had proved so popular in the States and replied: “I guess it’s down to our attractive style of play”, before going on to thank the fans who’d come to support the team on the Tour: “we really didn’t expect this level of support, it’s been incredible. We are very grateful and we hope we can come back as soon as possible – thanks to all of you”.

Cowboys Stadium, “incredible”
Pep also praised the Dallas Cowboys Stadium: “what an incredible stadium. Congratulations on having such a magnificent stadium, which even has air conditioning. Really, I have never seen a stadium like it”.

Finally, the boss gave his view on the pore-season so far, stressing that it had been longer and included more big name games than in other years: “we used to have a pre-season, but now we do tours –we just have to adapt to that”.

Tour ends with a win (2-0)

A 25th minute goal from David Villa and a second from Keita in the 90th, saw Barça to a comfortable 2-0 win over Club America to take their first win of the US Tour in a game they dominated from start to finish.

Barça finished off their US Tour by beating Club America at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium with David Villa heading home an inch perfect Adriano centre to open the scoring just before the half hour and Keita rounding off the night by putting in a Deufoleu cross after a great run by the youngster who came on in the second half.

Villa looking sharp again
David Villa followed up his sharp showing in the game against Chivas with another impressive display in the first half against Club America, getting plenty of chances and using space cleverly. He got his rewards when he latched onto an Adriano cross to head home on 25 minutes and only two good stops on 28 and 30 minutes from the Mexican’s keeper Navarrete stopped him from getting on the score sheet again.

On 35 and 38 minutes it was Pedro’s turn to come close, but once more Navarrete foiled the Barça forwards’ hunger for goals.

Control

Nothing much changed after the break as Barça continued to dominate possession and control the pace of the game, but their inability to convert that into clear chances let Club America in with a glimpse of hope and their Ecuadorian star Benitez began to create some danger.

After starting the game with a strong side, Pep Guardiola used the second half to bring on a number of youngsters, but their presence on the pitch certainly didn’t affect the overall shape of the team and indeed it was Deulofeu out on the left wing who caught the eye with a late surge into the box to set up Keita for the second on 90 minutes.

Straight back home to Barcelona
The Barça party left the Dallas Stadium straight after the game for their flight back to Barcelona where they are due to arrive on Sunday at 11.50 local time.

Club America finish off US Tour

Barça play the final game of their US Tour against Club America at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night(22.00 Catalan time).

The Tour reaches its third and final stopping off point tonight, when Barça play at the hi-tech Dallas Cowboys Stadium against Mexican side Club America – a team they also faced on the 2006 Tour.

Pep Guardiola will be looking for the team’s first win on the Tour after Wednesday’s defeat to Chivas , but will have to do without the injured Afellay, Puyol and Muniesa, whilst Maxwell remains a doubt.

For their part, America are already up and running with their season and have played three games in the Torneo Apertura , with a win , a draw and a defeat so far.

Two games in 2006
The two met twice in 2006: once on tat year’s US Tour, when they drew 4-4 in a great game also played on August 6th and then in the semi finals of the World Club Cup, when Barça won 4-0.

Nearly a hundred years old
America are coached by the Chilean Carlos Reinoso and will mark their 95th anniversary this Autumn. They have won the Mexican League 10 times and play their home games at the massive Aztec Stadium, whose 105, 064 capacity is even bigger than the Camp Nou.

Guardiola will call on reserves to cover for Milito

After praising Gaby Milito and his competitive desire, Pep Guardiola announced that he will cover the loss of the Argentinean defender with youngsters from the reserves.

We have more than enough cover in the reserves”, declared Guardiola after it was announced that Gaby Milito would be leaving the Club and with players such as Marc Bartra, Marc Muniesa or Sergi Gómez who already have experience with the first team he certainly should feel confident.

Guardiola was full of praise for Milito –a player who won 10 titles in his time at the Club -: “I know very few players who have his competitive desire. He has always been an important player for the rest of the team and he needs to be playing regularly. It’s a privilege to have had him with us. He got a bad injury and many players at his age would have just let it go, but he didn’t”.

Alves and Alexis off on international duty
Guardiola also reacted to the news that he will be without Dani Alves and Alexis Sanchez –neither of whom has taken part in the pre-season so far- as they have to go off and play with their national teams: “that’s a battle that is lost. The national teams are in charge and I guess it will stay that way. We just have to live with it. We will have to compete and play well with the players we do have•, he concluded, with one eye on the Spanish Super Cup.

Getting into the right frame of mind
Guardiola also insisted on the need to focus his players for the upcoming Super Cup game: “preparation isn’t just physical or tactical- last season we came into the Super Cup without 8 or 9 players and we need to work in our heads to get to these games in the right frame of mind”- Guardiola also reminded reporters that last year his team played just three games before the Super Cup, whilst this year they will have played six.