Ronaldinho Style , Ronaldinho Gaucho , Ronaldinho goals , Ac Milan , Brazil , Videos

AC Milan vs Bologna Highlights

2009-09-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

AC Milan 1-0 Bologna
Goals:

AC Milan: Seedorf 75′

Marseille vs AC Milan UEFA Highlights

2009-09-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Ronaldinho Mystery Pictures

2009-09-07T01:28:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know the story behind these photos?

Argentina vs Brazil Highlights

2009-09-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

Argentina 1:3 Brazil

The Brazilian team became the first South American nation to make it to the 2010 World Cup finals. Brazil defeated Argentina 3-1 in the South American - League Group in Rosario.

Match Info:

Stadium: Rosario Central, Rosario, Argentina
Match Time: 20:30 ET
Official(s): Ruiz, Oscar (Referee)

Goals:

Brazil: Luisão 23′ ; Luis Fabiano 30′ ; 66′

Argentina: Jesús Dátolo 65′

Check out the Goals and Highlights here:

AC Milan vs Inter Milan Highlights

2009-09-07T01:26:00.000-07:00

Inter crushed AC Milan 4-0 in rival Milan derby.

Goals:

Inter Milan: Thiago Motta 29′ ; Diego Milito (pen) 36′ ; Maicon 45′ ; Dejan Stankovic 67′

Check out the Goals and Highlights here:

Champions League Group Stage Draw

2009-09-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

Champions League Group Stage Draw:

Group A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa

Group B
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg

Group C
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich

Group D
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL Nicosia

Group E
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrecen

Group F
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dinamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan

Group G
Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni

Group H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege

Fixture dates:

15/16 September

29/30 September

20/21 October

3/4 November

24/25 November

8/9 December

AC Milan’s Gattuso believes in Ronaldinho

2009-09-07T01:24:00.000-07:00

Well, if you don’t at least AC Milan’s Gattuso believes in Ronaldinho!

“Ronaldinho is a very important player, and if he can return to his great levels of the past, then we will lift as a club.”

“Over the past 20 days Ronaldinho has been doing a lot of hard work to make sure that he is fit for the new season.” - Gattuso said to Sky.
source: goal.com

Ronaldinho is confident to win again…

2009-09-07T01:23:00.000-07:00

Ronaldinho wants the Scudetto and the Champions League with AC Milan

AC Milan Brazilian player Ronaldinho is optimistic about the future:

"I want to win the Scudetto and the Champions League - Ronaldinho said of the German players.

"I know that it is difficult, even a victory, but I want them both."

"The competition with Inter is actually more motivating. You are one of the strongest club in the world, and we want to be better." - Ronaldinho, said of the rivalry between Inter and AC Milan.

AC Milan Still Winless

2009-09-07T01:21:00.000-07:00

Disappointing two losses back for Milan, under the leadership of Leonardo. Juventus beat Milan 2-0 to even Inter 1-0 in the Trofeo TIM Cup. For the first time in history that Juventus won the Trophy after the game against Milan and Inter.

Final Scores:

Juventus 2-0 AC Milan Highlights

Inter 1-0 AC Milan Highlights

Benfica vs AC Milan Highlights

2009-09-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

Benfica 1-1 AC Milan

On penalties: 4-3

Friendly Match

Match date: 8 August, 2009

Venue: Stadium of Light

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Still no win for AC Milan, this time a shootout loss against Benfica.

Goals:

Benfica: Oscar Cardozo58′

AC Milan: Sidnei (og) 88′

Ronaldinho vs Kaka

2009-09-07T01:18:00.000-07:00

NEW Official 2009-10 AC Milan Shirts

2009-09-07T01:15:00.001-07:00

Official 2009-10 AC Milan Ronaldinho home shirt:

Official 2009-10 AC Milan Ronaldinho away shirt:

Official 2009-10 AC Milan Roanldinho 3rd shirt:

Boca Juniors vs AC Milan Highlights

2009-09-07T01:02:00.000-07:00

Another loss for AC Milan, this time against Boca Juniors at the Audi Cup!

Final score: Boca Juniors 1-1 (5-4) AC Milan

Goals:

Boca Juniors: Lucas Viatri 87′

AC Milan: Thiago Silva 27′

Check out the Highlights here:

Napoli 0 - 0 Milan AC

2009-03-29T19:12:00.001-07:00

The Rossoneri managed to record a scoreless draw against Napoli at the San Paolo stadium, despite going a goal down in the first half that was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

First Half

Milan got the play underway in this match, and despite both sides taking an extremely attacking approach, neither could get a shot away in the early stages. Napoli, who were winless in their past ten league outings, looked the stronger in the opening minutes, and consequently managed to have the first attempt on goal, through Mannini, who attempted to chip Dida from outside the area after seven minutes of play.

From this point though, the Rossoneri began to settle down and control the match, as the likes of Pirlo, Beckham and Seedorf began to get on top through the midfield for them. The Partenopei began to look extremely hesitant when moving forward, and as a result they commenced playing with several numbers behind the ball to ensure that their opposing attackers would not make the most of their increasing amount of attacking opportunities.

Down the other end, the home side just could not find their rhythm; however Mannini did manage to produce a moment of brilliance yet again, to give his side an opportunity to break the deadlock. After successfully dispossessing Zambrotta in the middle of the park, the midfielder made his way to the edge of the area where he tested his luck yet again, only to see his shot sail inches wide of the bottom right corner.

Despite their dominance of possession and control of the play, Milan were unable to test Navarro in goal for Napoli, and they were yet to do so after 30 minutes of play. The keeper was called in to action for the first time at this point however; as he made a quick judgment to come from his line to punch clear a Beckham cross. Moments later, the Argentinean keeper did well to stand firm and push a fierce drive from Seedorf away and out for a corner kick.

The home side had recorded a mere 33% possession of the ball with just ten minutes remaining in the first half. In spite of this though, they certainly had created the better opportunities to this point, and they were at it yet again through Lavezzi, who arguably had the best opportunity of the match at this point. The talented South American was involved in some impressive link up play with Pazienza, before he decided to test Dida from the edge of the area with the outside of his boot, only to see the Brazilian push it just over the bar.

Moments following this, Napoli managed to take the lead through Hamsik, who tapped in the ball from close range. The flag was raised for offside however, and therefore the goal did not count. Replays of the disallowed goal indicated that Hamsik was in an on-side position when Zalayeta knocked the ball to him with his head, meaning that the goal should have stood, and that Milan should have been a goal down despite their dominance.

The Azzurri began to get themselves back into the match in the latter stages, however it was too little too late for them, as time had run out in the opening period. The sides ended the half deadlocked at 0-0, a result that certainly was unexpected due to the attacking nature of the contest to that point.

Second Half

The home side kicked the second half off however it was the visitors who picked up where they left off from in the first 45 minutes, as they quickly reclaimed possession of the ball, and began to once again dictate the play. Grava was easily dispossessed of the ball on 48 minutes, which led to Seedorf surging forward with real purpose, only to see his delicate chip easily held by Navarro in goal.

Carlo Ancelotti made the first change of the night after 57 minutes, when Kaka returned from injury to replace Seedorf in attack for the Rossoneri. The second came five minutes later, when another Brazilian superstar in Ronaldinho was introduced in place of Inzaghi, meaning that the dominant Ka-Pa-Ro trident was back in action once again.

Despite the strength of the visiting line-up, it was Napoli that should have scored moments following the Ronaldinho substitution, as Zalayeta squandered a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock. A delightful move and then chip into the area by Hamsik, resulted in Zalayeta finding himself on-side, unmarked and with a massive opportunity to open the scoring in the match. His decision to attempt a volley from close range was the wrong one however, as the ball struck his shin, and incredibly sailed wide of the target.

The Brazilian substitutes began to involve themselves in the play from this point, as Kaka found himself in a great position to do some damage from close range. Pirlo’s inch perfect pass found the substitute; however the angle was too acute for the Milan man, as he won a corner for his side. The home side immediately responded by launching an impressive counterattack, one that almost ended in a goal to Zalayeta, after he had two chances to beat Dida, due to the keeper fumbling his first effort.

Time was running out as the play entered the final ten minutes; however one just got the feeling that a scoreless result would suit both sides well. Lavezzi continued to make some improvements late on, however as had been the case for the large majority of the contest, his passing and shooting was off, and as a result, Napoli failed to construct anything worth noting from his hard work.

The match heated up as the final minute drew closer, as both sides continued to struggle to break down each other’s respective defences. Two minutes of stoppage time were indicated by the fourth official, as Beckham had a last ditch effort for the Rossoneri from a free kick, however Navarro was up to the challenge and consequently that’s how it ended on the night.

The result means that Milan fall further behind the second placed Juventus, however they do have a comfortable four point buffer over Genoa in fourth. Meanwhile, Napoli will consider themselves desperately unlucky not to have scored through Hamsik in the first half, as their winless run extends to an incredible 11 matches, as a result of yet another drawn match.

TEAMS

Napoli (3-5-2): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Grava, Pazienza, Blasi, Hamsik, Mannini; Lavezzi, Zalayeta (Bogliacino, 92')

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Maldini, Favalli (Senderos, 72'), Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Flamini; Seedorf (Kaka, 57'); Pato, Inzaghi (Ronaldinho, 63')

Source : Goal.com

Brasil - Ecuador con Ronaldinho

2009-03-29T19:11:00.003-07:00

Los 22 jugadores que conforman la selección de fútbol de Brasil se reunirán hoy en Río de Janeiro e inmediatamente se concentrarán en la ciudad de Teresópolis para comenzar su preparación, antes de viajar a Quito, para medir a su similar de Ecuador por las eliminatorias sudamericanas al Mundial Sudáfrica 2010

El seleccionador de la ‘verdeamarelha’, Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, Dunga, está optimista con el retorno al plantel del astro Kaká, quien ya se recuperó de una lesión en el pie izquierdo.

Para medir a los tricolores, el entrenador de los pentacampeones del mundo ha preferido mantener la base de la selección utilizada en los últimos tiempos, aunque en la convocatoria realizada hace dos semanas incluyó al defensa del campeón brasileño, el Sao Paulo, Miranda, así como al lateral Kléber, del Inter de Porto Alegre.

Miranda fue citado para sustituir al zaguero Juan, de la Roma, que se lesionó en el partido de la Liga de Campeones donde el equipo romano quedó eliminado. En tanto, Kléber había quedado fuera del amistoso ante Italia, ganado 2-0 por Brasil en febrero pasado en Londres.

Otro que fue considerado por Dunga fue el volante Felipe Melo (Fiorentina, Italia), que tuvo un gran desempeño en el reciente amistoso ante Italia y que Dunga dice le da una nueva chance porque exhibió “personalidad”, mientras otro que vuelve es el lateral Marcelo, del Real Madrid.

La ‘canarinha’ se medirá el domingo a Ecuador, en Quito, y el 1 de abril lo hará contra Perú en el estadio Beira Rio de Porto Alegre (sur), por la undécima y duodécima fechas.

Después de transcurridas diez fechas del premundial, Brasil figura en segundo lugar con 17 puntos, a seis del líder Paraguay. Ecuador es sexto (12 puntos) y Perú está décimo (7).

En las dos últimas presentaciones antes del receso, los auriverdes ganaron de visitante 4-0 a Venezuela y empataron 0-0 con Colombia en Río de Janeiro, lo que le valió duras críticas y abucheos.

“Espero el apoyo de la ‘torcida’ (hinchada) en Porto Alegre ante Perú”, expresó Dunga, quien ya fue blanco de gritos de “burro, burro!” y pedidos de renuncia desde las tribunas.

El estratega mantuvo al crack Ronaldinho (Milan) pese a las críticas que recibe en Italia por sus últimas bajas actuaciones y rechazó cualquier cuestionamiento: “llevo en consideración el gran jugador que es Ronaldinho. Es un crack, un jugador que puede hacer la diferencia”, dijo.

“Como ya dije antes, es mucho más fácil recuperar a un jugador que enseñarle a jugar fútbol”, puntualizó.

Ronaldinho, quien sufrió a mediados de febrero una lesión en el tendón de Aquiles en el clásico milanés ante Inter, tuvo buen desempeño en el amistoso ante Italia ganado con tantos de Robinho y Elano.

Ronaldinho y Kaká comandarán el ataque que tiene como números fijos al artillero Luis Fabiano ‘Fabuloso’ (Sevilla, España) y al hábil Robinho (Manchester City).

Pero también seguirá apostando en el discutido gigante Adriano ‘El Emperador’ (Inter de Milán).

Tras la no convocatoria del atacante Ronaldo Nazario de Lima -que reapareció hace dos semanas- al equipo brasileño, Dunga niega sentirse presionado para incluirlo en la nómina.

“Estoy tranquilo en cuanto a eso y hago fuerza por Ronaldo. Él no necesita probar para nadie que sabe hacer goles”, declaró el técnico que jugó al lado de Ronaldo en los mundiales de Estados Unidos 94 y Francia 98.

Añadió que “el fútbol es una cosa fantástica. El mismo Ronaldo que en 2006 tuvo otro tratamiento, hoy es idolatrado como merece. Yo estoy feliz que haya vuelto y también por que está haciendo lo que más sabe hacer”.

Los brasileños arribarán a suelo ecuatoriano este viernes, pero se quedarán en Guayaquil y el día del partido viajarán a Quito, pues quieren evitar los efectos de la altura.

Informaciones:

• El combinado de Brasil se impuso en el partido de ida 5-1 a Ecuador.

• En las dos últimas eliminatorias, los pentacampeones han perdido en la altura de Quito por la mínima diferencia ante los ecuatorianos.

• Ronaldo no jugará en esta ocasión frente a los tricolores, pues tiene dos semanas de haber regresado a las canchas tras una lesión.

Auteur : David Buhler

Siena 1 - 5 Milan AC

2009-03-29T19:11:00.001-07:00

With their Scudetto hopes all but over, Milan came into this game knowing that they needed to keep winning in order to ensure they qualify for next season's Champions League.

The Rossoneri still had serious injury problems as Gattuso, Borriello, Kalac, Nesta, Kaladze, Bonera, and Seedorf were all injured. Ronaldinho and Kaka returned to the bench after lay-offs, while last week's hat-trick hero Pippo Inzaghi partnered Alexandre Pato in attack.

First Half

Milan started the better of the two teams, and with just five minutes on the clock they were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Mathieu Flamini was adjudged to have been felled by Houssine Kharja in the area, and the referee awarded a penalty. Andrea Pirlo stepped up and made no mistake, shooting powerfully to Gianluca Curci's right.

The away side received a blow on 11 minutes though, as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was stretchered off with what looked like a serious injury, and he was replaced by Nelson Dida.

Siena tried to hit back, with Juan Zuniga particularly menacing down the right. Emanuele Calaio fired off target, while Massimo Maccarone lashed a fierce volley just wide.

Calaio wasted Siena's first real chance on 27 minutes, as he headed wide when well placed, following a fine cross from left back Cristiano Del Grosso.

Ahmad Barusso shot well over, Del Grosso tested Dida with a free kick, and Simone Vergassola wasted a good opening as he volleyed over at the back post.

But it was Milan who scored a second in first half injury time. Inzaghi lost his man at a corner, and in true predator fashion, the 35-year-old swept the ball home from close range.

Second Half

Kaka made his long overdue return from injury at the beginning of the second half, replacing Massimo Ambrosini.

Kharja embarked on a stunning solo run, and slipped Calaio through on goal, who fired past Dida. However, the offside flag was correctly raised by the linesman.

Milan were incredibly clinical in front of goal, and on 54 minutes they made it three. Pato received the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a rocket into the top corner. It was a stunning strike by the wonderkid.

It should have been four minutes later but for a contender for miss of the season by Kaka. Flamini did brilliantly down the left, committed Curci before cutting back to Kaka, but the substitute incredibly fired over a virtual open goal from six yards.

Maccarone was still lively for the home side, and just past the hour mark, he gave Siena some hope by pulling a goal back. The ex-Middlesbrough man shot into the bottom corner from just outside area.

Milan regrouped, and an inspired Beckham cross almost located Inzaghi for his second of the game. However, it was only a matter of time until Superpippo did get on the scoresheet again, and he ran onto Pirlo's pass and shot past Curci at the near post. It was the 300th goal of the legend's career, and he ran to the touchline to hold up a shirt with the number 300 on it.

It was not all good news for Milan though, as Kaka, who was making his return, had to be withdrawn due to injury. Ronaldinho entered the fray.

This game was fast becoming a rout, and on 78 minutes, Milan made it five. Pato ran onto Ronaldinho's pass, eluded Curci, and slotted into an empty net.

Siena hoped to find a second consolation, and substitute Nicola Amoruso almost turned Kharja's cross in, while Paul Codrea clipped the bar with a 25-yard drive.

Beckham should have made it six with the last kick of the game, but this was Inzaghi's day, and the whole of Italy will now salute one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of football.

Teams

Siena: Curci; Zuniga, Portanova, Brandao (Ficagna 48), Del Grosso, Barusso (Ghezzal 56), Codrea, Vergassola, Kharja, Maccarone, Calaio (Amoruso 69)

Milan: Abbiati (Dida 11), Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski, Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Kaka 46), Beckham, Pato, Inzaghi

Goals

Pirlo pen 6 (M)
Inzaghi 45 (M)
Pato 54 (M)
Maccarone 61 (S)
Inzaghi 71 (M)
Pato 78 (M)

Source : Goal.com
Auteur : Adrien Kovchar

Seleçao : Return of Ronaldinho

2009-03-29T19:10:00.001-07:00

Ronaldinho and Kaka were called up by Brazil coach Dunga on Thursday for the team's next two World Cup qualifiers.

The AC Milan players were both chosen for matches at Ecuador on March 29 and against Peru on April 1 despite struggling with injuries in the past month. Kaka injured his foot on Feb. 7 in a Serie A match against Reggina, and Ronaldinho has had lingering problems with an Achilles' heel.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter), Doni (Roma).

Defenders: Maicon (Inter), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Kleber (Inter de Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan) .

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Elano (Man City), Josue (Wolfsburg), Anderson (Man Utd), Ronaldinho Gaucho (AC Milan), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kaka (AC Milan), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina).

Strikers: Robinho (Man City), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Adriano (Inter Milan).

Source : IHT
Auteur : Adrien Kovchar

Milan loses again

2009-03-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

More importantly, the draw averted a third loss of the campaign and compounded the woes of city rivals Milan, whose fading title hopes disappeared in Genoa. Antonio Cassano (33) and Giampaolo Pazzini (51) grabbed the goals for Sampdoria before the injury-hit Rossoneri added a consolation effort through Pato with nine minutes remaining. Adding to the pressure on Milan, fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina moved to within two points after drawing 1-1 at basement outfit Reggina Calcio, though they will lament spurning the chance to draw level...

Fortunately for the Viola, Genoa CFC failed to leapfrog them as they were also held, 0-0 at AC Siena.

Raise their heads, and fight with pride to forget Europe. That was the intention of Sampdoria and Milan who face each other on the 7th matchday of the second half of the season, three days after the bitter Uefa Cup night which saw both sides eliminated at the sixteenth finals stage by, respectively, the Ukrainians of Metalist and the Germans of Werder Bremen. Ahead of the match in Genoa coach Carlo Ancelotti talked about a delicate moment, which has to be gotten through with strength and character. As for Samp, against Milan Mazzarri looked especially for consistency in results which so far has been lacking in the league.

Still without Kaká and Ronaldinho, the Rossoneri once again count on Pirlo's geometries, Beckham's crosses, and the muscles of Flamini and Jankulovski. A numerous midfield, then, to protect the defensive line Zambrotta-Bonera-Senderos-Antonini, which had the task to block the runs of the couple Cassano-Pazzini which was absent at Kharkiv. To complete Carlo Ancelotti's formation there was the usual Alexandre Pato, who's more and more irreplaceable of the Rossoneri's 11. Behind him another stalwart, Clarence Seedorf, who went off the pitch due to an injury to his ankle during the match against Werder Bremen, completely recovered for the match at the Marassi three days later.

It rained in Genoa, but the ground at the Marassi held well. The first saw a good Samp but a Milan side still far from their best, with Pato too isolated between the shirts of the Doriani's defence. There were few interesting moves in the first half. In the 18th minute Bonera brought down Sammarco near the edge of the area: splendid free kick by Cassano, Abbiati made a perfect diving save. In the 29th minute Flamini brought himself forward, after sacrificing himself mostly to contain Cassano, fired a shot from outside the area that finished just wide. In the 33rd minute Samp took the lead: corner kick by Palombo, pass by Raggi for the unmarked Cassano who didn't miss with his header. Abbiati and team mates protested because the ball allegedly didn't cross the goal line, but replays ensure it was a correct goal. Once again on a set piece. In the 42nd minute a great ball by Pirlo for Jankulovski in the area, but Marek lost his footing and the ball went out.

In the second half Milan made one change: Inzaghi for Antonini. The Rossoneri look more convinced, but in the 6th minute Samp doubled their lead with a great goal fashioned by the couple Cassano-Pazzini. The Blucerchiati's number 99 served a great ball to Pazzini, who dribbled past Bonera, and from a difficult position beat the blameless Abbiati. In the 10th minute there was the second change for the Rossoneri: Favalli in for Jankulovski. In the 15th minute there was a chance for Milan with a left footed shot by Inzaghi which was grabbed by Castellazzi. In the 23rd minute coach Ancelotti finished his substitutions inserting Emerson for Beckham. In the 35th minute super Pato reduced the distances and scored his 12th goal in Serie A (15th of the season): cross from the left by Favalli, header by the Brazilian which Castellazzi couldn't reach. Two minutes later another substitute, Emerson, gave Milan the illusion of the equaliser as he deflected a free kick by Pirlo past the goalkeeper with a header: but the linesman had already raised his flag to signal the Puma's offside position, although he might not even have touched the ball. By then it was a whole different Milan, angry and combative, with Samp suffering from the Rossoneri's pressing. That's why Mazzarri decided to cover up by inserting the young Marilungo for Cassano. It's too late, anyway, for Carlo Ancelotti's men to produce something that, perhaps, could have been a deserved draw considering the football and character shown in the second part of the second half.

Now it's time to get straight back to work, without looking back. But the recovery of the injured players becomes the most important thing.

Source : A.C. Milan
Auteur : David Buhler

Ronaldinho in Bronze

2008-08-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

Belgium - Brazil 0 to 3
Brazil gripped this Friday for the bronze medal with a 3-0 triumph before inobjetable Belgium, disputed the stadium in Shanghai on the eve of the finals Argentina-Nigeria. The victory Brazilian gestó to 27 minutes with goals by Diego, while Jo rose to 45 and 90 +1.
Read the news

7 / 08: Brazil 1 to 0 Belgium
10/08: New Zealand 0 to 5 Brazil
13/08: China 0 to 3 Brazil

16/08: Brazil 2 to 0 Cameroon
19/08: Argentina 3 to 0 Brazil
22/08: Belgium 0 to 3 Brazil

Belgium 0 - 3 Brasil

2008-08-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Brasil seized on Friday from the bronze medal with a 3-0 triumph before inobjetable disputed Belgium at the stadium in Shanghai on the eve of the finals Argentina-Nigeria. The victory Brazilian gestó to 27 minutes with goals by Diego, while Jo rose to 45 and 90 1.

The result, which gives the bronze, tries to be a balm to the deep wound caused by embedded 3-0 defeat to Argentina and left him once again outside the struggle for gold, the only medal that was missing from her abundant collection.

"It is very important, although not the gold," Ronaldinho granted.

The Brazilian targets were also held by the coach Dunga, whose head was at stake by the premature elimination of Brazil, as if it were a final.

The first goal was scored by pushing a tip that Diego runoff between Thomas Vermaelen and Faris Haroun descerrajar for a shot that Coles between the legs of Jan Vertonghen it hindered the visual to his goalkeeper.

The Belgians, who appealed to play strong and strict brand Dinho, the articulator of the Brazilian game, also had their chances, especially one to 40 minutes, when the captain Maarten Martens tried a shot that was deflected by Breno miraculously.

Things iban to put in place after 45 when Ronaldinho opened the game by right Ramiro, which triggered first against the door of Logan Bailly, who in a bad clearance empowered Jo head to score the second Brazilian goal.

Given the impossibility of their run to seize control of the match, the Belgian Technical Jean Francois De Sart replaced the 58 battering ram to Kevin Miralles by the steering wheel creative Mulemo Landry and the captain Maarten Martens by midfielder Anthony Vanden Borre.

Dunga was forced by his party to replace injury to Breno and sent to the stadium to Thiago Silva, to 70.

Despite the changes in the red camp, sending verdeamarelha remained in the stadium with loads headed most often by Ronaldinho who was, however, rarely kick to bow to the strict brand that brought about the brand new recruitment AC Milan.

With the fate sealed, the Belgians rose revolutions in their game in the final minutes and had two shots at the door francs Brazilian Renan contained with the goal effort.

In the last sigh, Jo returned to raise the account with a low shot that went between the legs of goalkeeper, as a corollary to a tremendous run from three quarters of a stadium.

Brazil 2 - 0 Cameroon

2008-08-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

One goal of Betica Rafael Sobis and one Marcelo Madrid, made both in the first part of the extension, defeated Cameroon with a ten, brought to Brazil in the quagmire that was sealed and ticket for the semifinals today of a vulgar " canarinha "

Dunga already opted for their classic 4-5-1 scheme that around 4-3-2-1 through the embodiments of Ronaldinho and Diego. However, introduced two amendments on the eleventh day no one expected: Breno by Thiago Silva in the centre of defence and, above all, Rafael Sobis, who finished giving the reason for Alexandre Pato pointed.

Brazil found from the kick-off that Cameroon would be a hard bone roer. Africans, with a 4-4-2 with their most prominent player, Song, putting the work of conductor well since the middle centre, at first, either from the centre of defence after the early injury Mbia, interrupted a and again, sometimes without any contemplation, the possessions of "canarinha" seriously hampers its construction of the game. In addition to muscle, Africans were also shown a good deal of speed and showed that they were able to exit quickly and planted in two steps in the vicinity of the area Renan barely recovered the ball, a factor that increased caution among Brazilians and that prevented that the "verdeamarella" optase, fearful of being caught on the counter attack, to seek happiness with the goal of Tignyemb, whose defense allowed just spaces.

Cameroon had knotted the game so much that the Brazilian could only be reached by any individual action, or failure of Africans to play ball stopped. Do not pass any of the three scenarios and the two teams cascaded the locker room tunnel after signing a dull first part, in which the domain corresponded to the "verdeamarella", who was unable, however, sometimes produce scoring noteworthy, except one Bot absence by the minute Ronaldinho 3 that cleared Tignyemb.

Cameroon tried to stretch something on the break, but was hampered its attempts to expel Baning in minute 51, who already had to leave the party in the first part (Diego also was able to do in the opening stages of the second half), although to which no provision wrinkles and, at times, felt that Africans were the playing eleven before a nervous Brazil and without ideas.

The duel again and stick to the script followed in the first, with a "canarinha" unable to transform into opportunities their numerical superiority and control of the ball, even with the entry of Thiago Neves, the better to China, and Cameroon agazapado confident able to impose his physical strength with the passage of minutes and strike the mazazo those of Dunga. The meeting seemed doomed to the extension since she arrived because none of the Brazilian stars did act appearance as the party required. Cameroon had a duel where it always wanted to have from the beginning.

And then, in one minute ten in the first part of the extension, when who else but who was beginning to think about the penalties and wondered why Dunga did not seek formulas that will revolutionize the clash, such as replacing an unpublished Rafael Sobis by Alexandre Duck, emerged from Betis striker to open the lock and lift African Brazil's tremendous predicament in which they lived. The Erechim took advantage of a pass in depth Diego after a stolen ball in the area and Brazilian beat Tingnyemb in its output, a goal which also launched in Brazil, which held that lock and defend the 1-0 had been playing with fire.

Thus, "canarinha" continued trying and Marcelo, right after a pretty accurate and Thiago Neves wall with four minutes later, Brazil finally allowed to breathe and close the match.

Belgium DIO surprise

In another match of the quarter-finals, Belgium gave the surprise and defeated Italy, one of the favorites for the title, 3-2.

China 0 - 3 Brasil

2008-08-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Golea Brazil 3-0 to host China on Wednesday in Qinhuangdao, was ranked as first in Group C of men's football tournament of the Olympic Games and now faces a quarter-final to Cameroon, next Saturday.

The team Dunga, who had overtaken Belgium (1-0) and New Zealand (5-0) in its early presentations, sealed his ticket to rooms with step pefect thanks to goals from Diego (18) and a beautiful double - Thiago Neves (69 and 73).

N. Zealand 0 to 5 Brésil

2008-08-27T19:14:00.002-07:00

Golea Brazil 5-0 to New Zealand and Argentina defeated Australia 1-0 to qualify for the next round of the Olympics.

Brazil, however, apabulló by 5-0 to New Zealand of the hands of a resurrected Ronaldinho. The Milan player turned two goals, in addition to the delight of nearly 45 thousand people in Shenyang with its magic long forgotten.

The remaining goals of the verdeamarilla were converted by Anderson, Alexandre Pato and Rafael Sobis. The group led by Carlos Dunga leads Group C with six points, followed by Belgium with three and China and New Zealand with one. The Belgians beat the premises by 2-0 in the second half.

Ronaldinho said that he came to seek gold

2008-08-27T19:14:00.001-07:00

After dialing a double in the goals for 5 to 0 on that New Zealand ranked Brazil to the quarter-finals of the Games in Beijing, the striker Ronaldinho said yesterday that DPA came to China to conquer the new gold for his country.

"The medal is my goal long since the Sydney 2000 Games. And what is even more now. These are my last Games and I want to play everything they know to help my colleagues to conquer this presea, "said Ronnie.

Moreover, Ronaldinho expressed satisfaction for having marked his first two so much today in Beijing 2008: "I am aware that helped Brazil to achieve an important victory and I am very happy about that."

The Milan Tour 2008

2008-08-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

It started today the first stage of the Tour Milan, traveling a great event which will showcase the Via Turati throughout Italy. Today departed from the Duomo, Milan.

Without forgetting that Ronaldinho played the JO at least until August 13 (end of the first round) and the maximum until August 23 (final).

Last year the Champions League. This the European Supercup, the World Cup in the cabinet via Turati. The successes of Milan are itinerant and travel through Italy, in order to share with the tifosi emotions of being the most titled club in the world thanks to the trophies won by the team in Monte Carlo and Yokohama.

Now is the start Milan Tour: will be inaugurated on June 28 in Piazza Duomo in Milan and returned to the city Lombard, at San Siro stadium on August 31 next, for the first match at home of Milan.

The media, obviously rossonero, pass through Italy throughout the preseason: will be ten stages of the Tour Milan. For each occasion, the club rossonerotendrá a real "city'', with free admission, composed of two areas of entertainment: a multimedia entry to exposure of the 18 trophies and Milan Park, with games for children and all ages. There will be numerous recreational activities for the partner of the Tour.

The stages of the Tour Milan 2008:

July 29: TIM Trophy 2008 in the Stadio Communal in Turin, Juventus and Inter.

1 to 3 August: Russian Railways Cup in Moscow, with Lokomotiv Moscow, Chelsea and Seville.

August 9: friendly game against Manchester City, the City of Manchester Stadium to 17h15 (local time)

August 17: Berlusconi Trophy at San Siro, against Juventus.

August 21: Birra Moretti Trophy in Napoli, Napoli and Juventus.

August 24: friendly game against Sporting Gijon, in the El Molinon stadium.

August 31: First day of Serie A.

JO: Groups and Matches

2008-08-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Brazil is ranked (never won the gold medal) thanks to first place in the South American Youth Championship in Paraguay from 7 to January 28, 2007.

Here are the results of Olympic Brazil: Brazil-Argentina 2-2, Brazil-China 2-2, Brazil-Uruguay 3-1, Brazil-Paraguay 1-0, Brazil-Colombia 2-0.

The groups:

Group A: Ivory Coast - Argentina - Australia - Serbia
Group B: Netherlands - Nigeria - Japan - USA
Gruppe C: Cina - Nuova Zealand - BRAZIL - Belgium
Group D: South Korea - Cameroon - Honduras - Italy

The group phase of the Olympic Games in Brazil :

August 7, in Shenyang, Brazil-Belgium
August 10, in Shenyang, New Zealand-Brazil
August 13, Qinguanhdao, China-Brazil

If the Seleção will qualify for the second round, will face one of the other teams in Group D, comprising South Korea, Cameroon, Honduras and Italy.

Ronaldinho: "I was lucky with the goal"

2008-08-27T19:11:00.002-07:00

Ronaldinho, who played the full 90 minutes of the friendly match that Brazil faced with Singapore, he was satisfied with his performance, while acknowledging he had luck on goal.

"I was lucky that ball came to me. Fallen my first shot, but the defender went to the ground and I could get the second," said the Brazilian in statements to a television in his country.

Ronaldinho, who will participate for the first time in about Games in Beijing, said after the match that still must continue working to reach one hundred per cent to the Olympic event.

"I'm going to keep working to get the best possible Olympic Games. It's hard to know what percentage I'm playing now. I'm working well and the trend is improving," said the Brazilian.

Dunga, satisfied with the performance of Ronaldinho against Singapore

2008-08-27T19:11:00.001-07:00

The Brazilian team, Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, 'Dunga', today approved the performance of his team, which won by 3-0 to Singapore in which it was his first 'review' before coming to China to play in the Olympics, and said he was pleased with the performance of Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho Gaucho, recently transferred from Barcelona to Milan, was one of the few Brazilians who served the full 90 minutes of the friendly and, in his first match official after months of inactivity, scored a goal, gave the pass for another and was one of the most outstanding players

"The selection touched the ball well and the players looked closer for much of the game. I thought very good performance of the team," Dunga said in a statement released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro and which made its stock selection on the match disputed in Singapore.

On Ronaldinho, the coach stated that his intention was to play little time to continue their preparation on an individual basis. "But, as was well in the match, we resolved to quit until the end to win more pace of competition," he said.

In its first test before the Games, alignment holder of the Brazilian team was as follows: Renan; Rafinha, Alex Silva, Thiago Neves, Marcelo; Hernan, Luke, Anderson; Diego, Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.

Ronaldinho is reunion with the goal in Beijing

2008-08-27T19:10:00.001-07:00

The selection of Brazil won his first match comfortably preparation towards the Olympics compared to Singapore.

The former Barca Ronaldinho, who capitaneó the 'canarinha', was the author of one of the goals of the match, which ended with the score of 0-3.

No problem. So resolved the selection of Brazil for his first friendly match before the Games in Beijing. As if in training, they were those of Dunga overwhelming the whole of Singapore for a clear 0-3.

Ronaldinho, who played 90 minutes of the match, was the author's second goal of the game and participated in the first. It was the 20-minute match when former Barca served as a good-heeled the ball outside the area, which his partner Diego, after a bicycle, not failed to finish inside the goal.

Six minutes later, Ronaldinho was the same, who very attentive, the network managed to finish a ball rebound in the area. Brazil already had the match encarrildado and Singapore could say little on the pitch.

When everybody thought at the end of the meeting, Jo scored the goal of the judgement, to finish a good center Thiago Neves (75 '). There was no time for more.

The next Friday, Dunga will again prove to his men in a second friendly match against the selection of Vietnam in Hanoi.

Fact Sheet:

Singapore: Hassan (46 'Lewis); Baihakki, Hieke, Bennet, Arai; Ridhuan (46' Nawaz), Wilkinson, Mustafic, Ishak; Sahdan (46 'Amri), Durica (57' Qiu Li).

Brazil: Renan; Rafinha, Alexis Silva, Thiago Silva (46 'Breno), Marcelo (69' Ilsinho); Lucas, Hernan (70 'Jo), Diego (46' Thiago Neves), Anderson (61 'Ramires); Ronaldinho Duck (46 'Sobis).

Goals:
1-0, min. 20 'Diego
2-0, min. 26 'Ronaldinho
3-0, min. 80 'Jô

Yellow cards: Hieke (Singapore); Rafinha (Brazil)
Red cards: Alex Silva (Brazil)

Course: National Stadium in Singapore

Coach: Avramovic and Dunga

Pato tuned understanding with Ronaldinho

2008-08-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Alexandre Pato has seized the juncture of the Beijing Olympic Games to match with Ronaldinho facing the Italian championship with AC Milan.

"This Olympic experience with Ronaldinho has served me so many, also according to the Italian championship," said the Brazilian striker in an interview published on Sunday, the Gazzetta dello Sport that he made in Singapore, where he is with his selection.

He noted that training is to refine the understanding with Ronaldinho, who this month he split from Barcelona in Spain to play with AC Milan.

"We managed to understand what are the best moves that we make and also to play with a champion, you do everything easier," he said.

After his first season with Milan, the player barely 18 years stated that "the experience helped me a lot, helped me to mature more quickly because they will face very strong defenders."

"Now I understand much better the characteristic of the defenses, as was overcome and I realize that I can score many goals," he said.

He also said that Milan will fight for three trophies at stake: scudetto, Italy Cup and Uefa Cup.

Ronaldinho, captain ... and'10 '

2008-08-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Dunga gives the command and finally signing peace with Ronnie.

The fitness coach said that he is not one hundred per cent in Beijing, "but at a 50% and can unbalance a game by himself."

Ronaldinho Gaucho has regained his throne in the seleçao and will be the leader and the great star of the canarinha in Beijing. Dunga has decided to confer on'10 'and captain's armband, enacting, in this way, reconciliation between technical and player. With this decision, the selector, little given to diplomacy, has displayed his full confidence with former Blaugrana.

The same technician in March 2007 that stripped him of'10 ', starting a war that ended with the resignation of player to participate in the americas Cup, now has given the mission of leading the Olympic seleçao in the search for novel gold medal.

There was a great interest in Brazil to see what would be the policy of technical gestures with regard to its conterráneo gaucho. Above all, after which the chairman of the CBF, Ricardo Teixeira, on their own to convene the new star rossonera to go to the Games, in a decision that lifted a huge controversy since it was called into question the leadership of Dunga.

The screening, passing through from their lowest in office, has defended the last month, ensuring that the call for Ronaldinho took him, along with the chairman of the Conferaçao. Tax or not, the matter is that since they confirmed the presence of Ronnie in Beijing, Dunga has adopted a line of maximum cordiality and was not tired of praise to crack, by the commitment he has shown as being in the Games.

The player began to prepare for the event two weeks ago in Porto Alegre, under orders from Paulo Paixao, the coach of the seleçao. While Ronaldinho will own all day 7, in the debut of Brazil to Belgium, Paixao has assured that the footballer, who does not play a match official since March, is still far from his best level. "Certainly not going to be 100%, everything involves a process and will only reach its peak during the season," said Paixao. Despite this, the coach has a blind faith in Ronaldinho and cree que marked differences in Beijing. "We are talking about a football player who was already twice the best in the world, and reaching the peak for him is different than the others, being 50% and can unbalance a game, gets to play as well," he added.

Dunga is convinced that Ronaldinho will be a destabilising footballer, in a competition of short-haul, which is crucial factor experience. Selector and player have recovered the line, at a time when both experiencing difficulties.

Dunga is very challenged, only Brazil is ranked the fifth in the South American playoffs for the World Cup and his position in jeopardy if not back home with the gold medal hanging on his chest.

For his part, Ronaldinho, before realizing its signing by Milan, was embraced the CBF to try to straighten his career. What, in principle, was a marriage of convenience is likely to become a honeymoon.

Ronaldinho : "The Milan has made me reborn"

2008-08-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

"Coming to Italy and play at Milan I was doing reborn. I feel very well in my new city."

The Brazilian Ronaldo de Assis "Ronaldinho 'assurances that their arrival at Milan he is doing and rebirth that is" almost one hundred percent "in an interview published today by the daily' Gazzetta dello Sport '. "Coming to Italy and play at Milan I was doing reborn. I feel very well in my new city," Ronaldinho told the newspaper from Singapore (Japan), which is concentrated with the Brazilian team to prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Brazilian player, who arrived at Milan two weeks ago after five seasons at Barcelona, explained that it is conducting a personalized training program that includes diet, and is already assured that "almost one hundred percent" of his best physical form. "I'm moving slowly and August 7 (debut in Brazil in the Olympic Games) will be at full form," added the player who comes four months of inactivity.

"A new and wonderful stage"
Regarding his new adventure with the shirt rojinegra, the player Rio stated that "this is a new and wonderful stage" and expects to achieve the same success it has had in his previous clubs and "give the fans the same happiness" .

On the position in the field with his new team, Ronaldinho assured that he had no problem to play as mediapunta behind his compatriot and partner in the Milan striker or as a Duck.

Galliani bet on him
The vice-president of Milan, Adriano Galliani, also wanted to reassure fans about the conditions of the star Brazilian to explain yesterday that "Ronaldinho is a strong player who has never suffered any serious injury in his career."

While the 'Dinhomania' continues in Milan and with the arrival of Brazilian have shot the sale of tickets for the season, reaching 30,000, reported the leader rossonero.

Attacking play wins the day

2008-02-04T16:56:00.001-08:00

FC Barcelona beat Osasuna thanks to a late goal from Xavi Hernández and closed the gap at the top of the table against an opponent that made no effort to win the game for themselves.

Two different styles
Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Deco had the first chances of the game inside the first 15 minutes as Barça went out looking for an early goal. The collective play of the home team, which saw them use the flanks to good effect, ensured that the ball was continuously in and around the Osasuna penalty area. Nevertheless, the visitors held out and made it to the 20th minute without conceding as they broke up the play by complaining to the referee, time wasting and employing a catenaccio style of play. In the 26th minute they finally looked to break out and young Carlos Vela almost caught Víctor Valdés by surprise.

No breakthrough
Barcelona's play was flowing as thy went forward without stopping the game and could have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark when Andrés Iniesta saw his effort cleared off the line by Monreal. Thierry Henry, Bojan and Messi stood out as Barça dominated, but even though the home team were able to create around a dozen chances they were unfortunate to not see one make the breakthrough.

Little change
After the break little changed in terms of how the teams approached the game. But Osasuna appeared to become even more defensive and give up on and thoughts of attacking Barça's goal. With the freshness gone, the home team found it even more difficult to break down the wall of defenders and Giovani Dos Santos and Ronaldinho were introduced in place of Henry and Messi.

Fans unhappy
The Blaugrana began to find it complicated to reach Osasuna's area and as time went on, it appeared that visitors were going to be capable of taking something from the game. The home fans were unimpressed by the time wasting tactics of Cuco Ziganda's team and there was a big cheer when Ricardo was booked with 15 minutes remaining.

Xavi nets the winner
With the rain now coming down even more strongly, the pace quickened and Xavi and Deco in the midfield looked to try and use the conditions to their advantage by pressing the ball forward at even greater speed. The left sided pair of Éric Abidal and Giovani were coming more and more into the game and it was the number 17 that was one of the key players in the winning goal. In the 87th minute Giovani saw his shot saved by Ricardo and Xavi was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

The Camp Nou celebrated long and hard as Osasuna's tactics wrre finally proved not to have worked and suddenly the visitors wanted the game sped up. Barça were able to sit back and play out the final minutes and reignite the title race.

The goals :1-0, Xavi (min 87)

Barça–Valencia in the cup semi final

2008-02-04T16:55:00.004-08:00

FC Barcelona have been drawn to play Valencia in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey as the competition threw up a thrilling encounter that will see the Blaugrana play the first leg at home.

The first game will take place at Camp Nou during the final week of February and the second game will be in Mestalla on March 19.

League duty
Frank Rijkaard's side entertain Levante the week before the opening match of the and will then play in the Vicente Calderón in the following encounter.

For the second match against Valencia, Barça wll play at Almería in the 28th week of the league season and then entertain Real Valladolid the weekend after.

Getafe v Racing
In the other semi final, Getafe will take on Racing Santander with Michael Laudrup's team playing the first leg at home.

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho returns with a win

2008-02-04T16:55:00.003-08:00

Ronaldinho made his first appearance of 2008 when he came on as a substitute in the Copa del Rey semi final against Villarreal on Thursday night, 32 days after he last played. The Brazilian superstar entered the fray in the 74th minute, just moments after the referee had awarded the Blaugrana a penalty.

As he ran on to replace Bojan Krkic, the Camp Nou crowd rose to given Ronaldinho an incredible ovation and remind him that he is still a hero to them.

Lionel Messi lined up to take the spot kick and, as he admitted afterwards, considered leaving for Ronaldinho to take. Instead, the Argentinian was told to take it and saw his effort tipped around the post by Diego López and away for a corner. It was the first penalty that Barça have failed to score since last season when Ronaldinho missed in the Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla.

Centre forward
In 20 minutes that Ronaldinho had on the pitch, he was employed as a centre forward but was not given any chance to score a memorable comeback goal. Despite that, he still combined well with Deco and Messi.

Semi finals again
The former Gremio star's last match for Barça was against Real Madrid and he was prevented from playing again in the new year by an injury, but now he has returned just in time to help the team in the semi finals. Barcelona will face Ronald Koeman's Valencia and will want to go one step further than last term when they were defeated in the final four by Getafe.

At home first
The draw has seen Barça drawn at home in the first leg against Los Ché and they will play that game on February 27. The second game in Mestalla is scheduled to take place on March 17. In the other semi final Racing Santander will take on Getafe.

Source : FCB

Henry the king of the cup (1-0)

2008-02-04T16:55:00.001-08:00

Barcelona made it through to the semi final of the Copa del Rey thanks to a single goal from Thierry Henry in the first half of a one-sided game in Camp Nou against Villarreal on Thursday night.

The Frenchman netted the only goal of the tie shortly before the visitors were reduced to ten men when Pascal Cygan was sent off, while in the second half Lionel Messi saw a penalty saved and Ronaldinho made his long-awaited comeback.

The Blaugrana were in confident mood throughout the second leg of this quarter final tie, however, and overwhelmed a Villarreal team that only managed one shot on target all evening.

It was a domineering performacne by the hosts, who passed and moved the ball around and were only thwarted from increasing their lead by a number of fine saves, wasteful finishing and a busy defence.

Strong start
Frank Rijkaard had said that he wanted an early goal and Barça came out of the traps firing on all cylinders and made life very uncomfortable for the away team, who struggled to cope with the speed and strength shown by their opponents. Inside the first eight minutes Andrés Iniesta, Messi and Rafa Márquez had all had chances, before Henry warmed up down the left flank to test Diego López, who had a fine game in goal for Manolo Pellegrini's team.

Winning strike
Giuseppe Rossi did provide one moment of concern for the visitors in the 16th minute when he turned on the edge of the area and shot into the side netting, but the action soon resumed at the other end. Messi had a brace of chances in quick succession that the keeper kept out before Deco blazed over the bar. It did appear to be a matter of time before the deadlock was eventually broken and when it did, Villarreal suffered a double penalty just before the break. Cygan fouled Messi and was booked and the resulting free-kick was swung into the area by Deco where Henry was left unmarked to nod home before racing away to celebrate in the corner of the pitch.
Cygan sees red
Two minutes after going behind Cygan was again mesmerised by the quick feet of Messi and the French defender stuck out a leg as the Argentinian trickster jinked his way along the edge of the area and caught his opponent. The referee thought long and hard before issuing a second yellow card and then the red. From the free-kick, Diego López made a superb save to tip away Messi's curling drive towards the top corner.

Making changes
After the break, Pellegrini made a double substitution in a bid to change his side around, but that move may have backfired as Marcos Senna picked up a knock a few minutes later and had to be replaced. TheChilean coach looked set to introduce Nihat Kahveci before he was forced to use his third chance.

Rijkaard also made a switch as Carles Puoyol was taken off with a knock and replaced by Lilian Thuram at the back. But it was not in defence that Barça had to focus as the forward line again laid siege to their opponents's area with Messi in particular shining with his incredible runs into the area and passing outside it.

Intense finish

With 16 minutes remaining barça were handed a chance to double their advantage when the referee awarded a penalty after Diego López had palmed the ball away with his hands and not connected with Bojan Krkic.

The Barça forward did not appeal for a spot-kick and Villarreal were not pleased, but the keeper made amends when he tipped Messi's effort from 12 yards around the post. Just before the Argentinian had stepped up to take his shot, Ronaldinho made his return to action as he came on to a loud cheer from the home fans.

Goal :

1-0 Henry (41')

Ronaldinho and Márquez in Cup contention

2008-02-04T16:54:00.003-08:00

Ronaldinho and Márquez are both back in the squad for the Cup game against Villarreal after recovering from injury.

The return of Ronaldinho and Márquez is the main talking point of the squad list of 16 names announced by Frank Rijkaard ahead of Thursday’s Cup quarterfinal decider against Villarreal. Sylvinho, Edmílson, Gudjohnsen and Oleguer have not made it onto the list.

Medical green light for Márquez
Club doctors cleared Rafa Márquez for action on Wednesday. The Mexican picked up a left leg injury in the first leg of the Cup tie last week and was forced to miss the league game against Bilbao at the weekend.

Ronaldinho returns
Meanwhile, Ronaldinho was passed fit on Monday after missing most of the last four weeks with a left knee injury. After an intensive individual recovery programme, he rejoined the squad on Tuesday.

The squad list :

The squad for Thursday’s match against Villarreal is as follows : Valdés, Pinto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Milito, Deco, Messi, Thuram, Abidal, Zambrotta, Bojan and Giovani.

Source : FCB

Second training session in one day

2008-02-04T16:54:00.001-08:00

Barça’s second first team training session of the day involved an unusual exercise : a game of piggy in the middle involving the whole squad. La Masia was the venue for the day’s second session, following on from a highly physical workout earlier today at the Miniestadi. This evening’s session involved much more of the ball.

Leo Messi was not there with his team mates, for after only recently recovering from injury and playing ninety minutes at San Mamés, it was considered a better idea for him just to train in the morning and do specific exercises in the afternoon. He should be back again on Wednesday to get ready for the cup game with Villarreal along with everybody else.

Márquez and Ezquerro, meanwhile, worked out on their own in the gym and on the pitch as they recover from their respective injuries. The Mexican did, however, take part in most of the morning session with the rest of the team.

Giant piggy in the middle
All of the players, along with goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué and fitness trainer Albert Roca formed a huge circle, with 16 players in the ring and three inside trying to win possession of the ball. The players then worked on one-twos and then shots on the goals defended by Valdés and Pinto.

Game to end
The session ended with a match played on a three-quarter size pitch, with the following teams taking part :

In orange bibs : Valdés, Thuram, Abidal, Henry, Giovani, Gudjohnsen, Xavi, Zambrotta and Edmílson.
No bibs : Pinto, Oleguer, Bojan, Sylvinho, Ronaldinho, Deco, Puyol, Milito and Iniesta.

Ronaldinho decides the game
The game ended 3-2 to the bib-less players. Ronaldinho scored two goals for the winning side, with the winner coming on a spectacular half-turn following a clever combination with Bojan.

Goals :

0-1 Ronaldinho
1-1 Gudjohnsen
1-2 Xavi
2-2 Deco
2-3 Ronaldinho

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho joins team for training

2008-02-04T16:53:00.004-08:00

After getting medical clearance on Monday, Ronaldinho joined in with normal training on Tuesday morning.

The Miniestadi was the venue as the side got ready for Thursday’s cup game.

The first team was at the Miniestadi for the first of two training sessions on Tuesday. After almost a month on the sidelines, Ronaldinho trained with the rest of the squad and from this moment on is once again available for selection by Frank Rijkaard.

High intensity
The main focus of the team’s preparations was the return leg of the cup on Thursday at home to Villarreal, where a semi final place is at stake. Rijkaard is getting his injured players back, and the only players missing at the Miniestadi were Jorquera and Ezquerro, apart from Touré and Eto'o, who are at the African Nations Cup of course.

Márquez, who missed the last game with a thigh injury, trained in isolation, but joined in with some of the group exercises. Although he did tackle the circuit training section, the Mexican left for the dressing rooms before the session ended.

Work on pressure
The players divided into two groups to work on creating pressure on the first touch, playing on a downsized pitch. The orange group featured Deco, Ronaldinho, Puyol, Edmílson, Bojan, Sylvinho, Milito and Oleguer, while in green we had Gudjohnsen, Henry, Abidal, Xavi, Zambrotta, Messi, Giovani and fitness coach Albert Roca.

Barça have another training session this evening at 18.00.

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho fit again

2008-02-04T16:53:00.003-08:00

Ronaldinho was given the green light by club doctors this Monday evening and will be back in action after 28 days on the sidelines.

The Brazilian was given the all clear after the training match played this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva with Barça B players. In recent weeks the striker has been following a personalised plan to recover from an injury to his left knee.

Injury time
After the Christmas break Ronaldinho reported pain in his left leg and was immediately put onto a personalised rehabilitation plan combining fitness and skills work. The player has been working hard over the last week and his most recent tests and examinations have been very positive.

At the end of 2007
Ronaldinho’s last match was the game against Madrid, the last fixture before the Christmas holidays. Prior to getting injured he had played in 17 League and Champions League games and scored a total of seven goals.

28 days on the sidelines
Since he’s been on the injury list the striker has missed four League matches against Mallorca, Murcia, Racing de Santander and Athlétic de Bilbao, and 4 King’s Cup games: the return match in the last 32 against Alcoyano, the two legs of the last 8 tie against Sevilla and the first leg of the quarter-final against Villarreal.

Source : FCB

First team wins (4-1)

2008-02-04T16:53:00.001-08:00

The Barça players took part in an afternoon training match today, Monday. One of the teams was mostly made up of first-team members and the other of Barça B players. Players from the first team, Barça B and the youth A and B sides played in an 11-a-side game at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva this afternoon.

Pinto, Abidal, Oleguer, Gudjohnsen, Edmílson, Giovani and Ronaldinho from Frank Rijkaard’s first team squad featured in the match which finished with their team winning 4-1.

Guerra notches two
One of the outstanding players in the 60-minute game was the Barça B striker Emilio Guerra, who scored the first two goals in the match. Gudjohnsen then made it 3-0 with an excellent chip.

The team made up of the rising stars of Barça’s youth setup didn’t throw in the towel, however, and got a goal back in the second half scored by Urbano from the penalty spot. A short while later Rueda made it 4-1 which is how the match ended.

Ronaldinho plays the entire game
Ronaldinho, who after the training session was declared fit by club doctors, played all 60 minutes and was in good touch. He was the main attacking force for his side and produced moments of sheer class on a number of occasions.

Spectators at the match included Frank Rijkaard, Txiki Begiristain, Eusebio Sacristán and Pep Guardiola, and the referee was Aureli Altamira, fitness trainer for Barça B.

MATCH STATS :

Team1, 4
Team2, 1

Team 1 : Pinto, Oleguer, Mario, Mauri, Abidal, Edmílson, Gudjohnsen, Rueda, Yepes, Guerra and Ronaldinho.

Team 2 : Planchería (Pau), Fali, Álex, Dani, Eneko, Fontás, Dimas, Toribio, Urabno, Víctor Vázquez and Rubén.

Goals :
1-0, Guerra
2-0, Guerra
3-0, Gudjohnsen
3-1, Urbano (pen.)
4-1, Rueda

Referees : Aureli Altimira.

Source : FCB

San Mamés holds Barça

2008-02-04T16:52:00.003-08:00

Athletic Club and FC Barcelona have drawn 1-1 in the 21st round of league matches. A first half goal from Bojan (34th minute) was not enough to bring Barça their fourth win in a row. Barça failed to continue their winning streak at San Mamés. A first half goal from Bojan put Barça ahead, but they were unable to find a second. And tragedy struck in the 78th minute when Athletic equalised, putting a stop to Rijkaard’s excellent start to the year.

Cautious start
The early moments of the game saw Athletic well positioned on the pitch and Barça, despite enjoying most of the possession, unable to find a way through. It was an intense match but chances were slow in coming, with neither of the two teams getting close to each other’s goals.

Bojan opens fire
Mistakes were being made all over the pitch, and the game took a good half hour to really get going. Aduriz found himself one on one with Valdés but his shot went over (min 33). Just a minute later, after almost going a goal down, Barcelona went ahead. Messi failed to get on the end of a through ball, but it was enough to trouble Aranzubia, whose clearance only made it as far as Deco, who laid up Bojan to finish the move with an angled left foot shot that went straight into the back of the net to silence San Mamés.

After those two minutes of mayhem, the game reverted to the slow and steady pace of before, and there were no further incidents before the break.

Almost 0-2
20 minutes into the second half, Henry sent what could have been Barça’s second wide. Another chance went begging minutes later, when Deco put his effort over the bar. All of the most dangerous Barça attacks seemed to be coming through Leo Messi, as effective as ever on the right wing.

Chances each way
But these chances did little to demoralise the home side, who gradually started enjoying more and more of the possession. But one of the few real chances to come of it, from Javi Martínez in the 55th minute, was impeccably saved by Valdés. Barça only had the one chance of their own, which Puyol failed to take advantage of (min 70).

Home recovery
Edmílson came on for Xavi in the 63rd minute as Barça came under more and more threat. Caparrós adventurously sent on strikers Llorente and Aitor Ramos, plus attacking midfielder Garmendia. But none of the new arrivals were able to create anything of note until the 78th minute, when a Garmendia cross from the right led to a tussle between Llorente and Thuram that saw the ball end up in the net. 1-1, and a heavy blow for Barcelona.

The final minutes saw both sides surging forward in search of a win, but nothing came of it. The game ended with honours even and Barça have missed out on what would have been their fourth league win in a row.

THE GOALS :

0-1, Bojan (min 34)
1-1, Llorente (min 78)

Ronaldinho back next week

2008-02-04T16:52:00.001-08:00

onaldinho has been cleared to rejoin the squad next week after recovering from the injury to his left knee.

Club doctors released a bulletin this morning in which they stated that the tendon problem in Ronaldinho’s left knee had completely disappeared.

He’ll be able to rejoin the squad at the beginning of next week.

The bulletin also confirmed that all the scans on the problem area had been positive.

Source : FCB

A valuable draw for Barça (0-0)

2008-02-04T16:51:00.002-08:00

Barça have taken a well-deserved draw away from Villarreal’s Madrigal stadium in the Cup quarterfinal first leg. They dominated throughout but failed to punish the home side in the final metres. The Cup clash was a world away from the league game earlier in the season when Barça lost for the first time in the season. That day Villarreal were in dazzling form whereas tonight it was Barça that dominated and sparkled despite failing to take their chances, especially in the second half.

The ball just wouldn’t enter the net and now it’ll all be decided in next week’s second leg in the Camp Nou.

Taking control
Barça made a well-organised and serious start, pushing the ball around confidently and taking control of the game. Henry had Barça’s best chance of the first half after just 5 minutes, shooting just wide of the post after Iniesta’s assist. With Barça dominating possession, Giovani also tried his luck.

More control
Barça gradually lost some of their early penetration but continued to retain the ball. The game stagnated a little in midfield and the second quarter of the match was pretty much the least attractive, with a number of hopeful long range efforts easily dealt with by both keepers. The only exception was a dangerous shot from Nihat that Valdés turned away for a corner.

More penetration
Leo Messi replaced Giovani Dos Santos at the beginning of the second half and Barça continued to retain possession and concentration with Márquez policing the midfield area. Villarreal could hardly get past the halfway line and it seemed that every loose ball fell to a Barça player. Iniesta forced a spectacular save from Villarreal keeper Diego López in the 62nd minute.

Just lacking a goal
Barça were playing well and a goal looked inevitable. In the 73rd minute, Diego López produced another good save to frustrate Iniesta. The one-way traffic was broken only by a long-range effort by Marcos Senna that Valdés did well to touch over his crossbar. Bojan joined the party and together with Iniesta continued testing Diego López. The fans were treated to some pacy one-touch football in what was probably one of Barça’s best away performances of the season.

Barça had the chance to win the match and possibly the tie but were unable to take advantage of their excellent play and control and finally had to settle for a draw. A good result that leaves everything to be decided in the Camp Nou.

Source : FCB

Henry decisive

2008-02-04T16:51:00.001-08:00

A goal from Henry has given Barça three more points in their third consecutive league victory.

Rijkaard’s men, with Messi back in the team, will have to be more effective in their struggle for the title.

Barça have won three more points against a tactically effective Racing, who had started the second part of the season in sixth place in the league. Rijkaard’s men found it hard to deactivate the ordered green-and-white defence. Thierry Henry decided the game in the first half, seeing home a deflected ball in the six-yard box. Henry’s goal and Messi’s reappearance were without doubt the highlights of a hard-fought victory.

Maximum organisation
Both teams started off very well organised, preventing each other from doing any damage. Barça, under more pressure than ever to win, found it difficult to find space in Racing’s perfect 4-4-2. The solid Cantabrian team was also prepared to slow the game down. The first chances came after the 20th minute, one after the other and very similar. First, Henry tried a header from a magnificent cross from Zambrotta, and then Bojan did much the same.

Henry punishes Racing
Barça were now showing their mettle, and the goal came soon after. In the 30th minute, Henry showed no mercy. He took advantage of a defensive error after a corner to head the ball home. Despite the goal, the match didn’t change much leading up to half time. Whilst strong in defence, Barça’s inability to create any play began to make the spectators impatient. In all this time, Marcelino Gracia’s team didn’t have one shot on target.

Surprise in the second half
The start of the second half was more entertaining, with Racing being more insistent, and with a near miss from a great shot by Deco in the 51st minute. Racing’s clearest chance arrived soon after, when Valdés just managed to get a hand to a powerful shot by Serrano. In an attempt to recover the consistency of the first half, Rijkaard bought on Márquez for Gudjohnsen.

Messi reappears
As Barça hadn’t been threatening Coltordi’s goal for a while, it was necessary to bring on a genius in intimidation: Leo Messi. It was the right moment. His entrance gave more depth and speed to Barça’s game, yet Racing’s defence held out till the end. But then so did Barça’s, keeping a clean sheet and winning three more vital league points.

Goal :

1-0, Henry (30')

Source : FCB

High voltage cup tie

2008-02-04T16:50:00.000-08:00

Barça play this evening for a place in the quarter finals of the Copa de Rey against defending champions Sevilla. With Deco fit, they need to make the best of a 1-1 draw in the first leg.Most times Barça, meets the current champion, Sevilla. After drawing 1-1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán, there is everything to be decided, with some important absences and returns on both sides...

Deco was given medical clearance on Monday and is the main change to the squad for the game with Sevilla. It is the first game since Eto’o left for the African Nations Cup.
The Portuguese star completed training for the cup encounter without any signs of trouble and was named in Frank Rijkaard’s side to face the Andalusians. But Samuel Eto'o is of course absent, having left to play for Cameroon in the African Nations Cup.

Deco has been having abductor problems since playing in Mallorca on January 5, but is back in time to participate in tonight’s all important cup quarter final second leg at the Camp Nou.

Messi rejoins group
The other good news was the chance to welcome Messi back to training after he picked up an injury against Valencia at Mestalla on December 15. He tore biceps tissue in his left thigh, but is on the road to recovery, as are Abidal and Ezquerro, who had gastroenteritis, and Márquez who stayed in the gym on Sunday.

Ronaldinho and Edmílson still recovering
The injured Edmílson worked out on the Camp Nou turf in the company of a fitness coach, while Ronaldinho joined him as he continues working on a knee problem.

Out of action
As well as Eto'o, other players missing at the Camp Nou tonight are Messi, Oleguer, Ronaldinho, Jorquera and Edmílson, all injured, and Touré Yaya, who is away on international duty for the Ivory Coast. The only first team player not to be included in the squad of 16 is Ezquerro.

The squad :

So the definitive squad for Tuesday’s cup fixture at the Camp Nou reads as follows : Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Deco, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Bojan and Giovani.

Source : FCB

Barça storm to victory

2008-02-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

FC Barcelona have beaten Murcia 4-0 in an exhibition of attacking football. Gudjohnsen, Bojan and Eto'o (2) were on target as the home side played an amazing second half to start a week in which they have three home games at the Camp Nou. Barça defeated Murcia without producing particularly good football in the first half, and missing key players of the calibre of Milito, Abidal and Iniesta. The game began with Murcia being blocked out of the game, and Barça’s efforts were finally rewarded with a Gudjohnsen goal in the 27th minute.

From then on, and especially after the break, Barça were unstoppable. Bojan and Eto'o (2) rounded off a great evening for the Barça forwards. Special mention goes to Henry, who despite not scoring was a constant danger down the left and made the evening a nightmare for De Coz and supplied a couple of assists.

Murcia organised at the back
The game started as cold as the Barcelona night it was played in. Bojan played on the right and Henry on the left, with much of Barça’s attack coming from those two positions. But Murcia played it tight at the back and Barça realised they would need to be clear about how they were going to deal with it. Only Eto'o (min. 6) and Bojan (min. 13) enjoyed early chances.

Improvements made
As the game progressed, Rijkaard’s side started playing a tighter game, and it was a fast one-two that led to a dangerous 23rd minute free kick on the edge of the area. This was a moment that changed the game, and it was another great team move in the 27th minute that led to Zambrotta picking out Gudjohnsen with a pinpoint pass, and the Icelander placed the ball exactly where keeper Notario could not reach it. That was 1-0.

From there on, and the linesman’s flag permitting, Barça piled the pressure on the visiting goal. There were claims for a handball outside the area by Notario, but the referee wanted to know nothing. The Camp Nou was infuriated, and soon after Eto’o almost made it 2-0 (min. 42).

Time for Valdés, Bojan and Henry
Murcia’s best chance came just after the break, when Baiano was through one on one against Valdés, who dealt with the situation expertly. And from a possible 1-1, it was soon 2-0 as Henry danced down the left towards the by-line and found Bojan who simply had to tap the ball into the back of the net (min. 52). The Frenchman had already threatened to score a minute earlier, and this time made sure the opportunity was converted.

Barça and more Barça
Barça were now were now well on top and Henry was making the evening impossible for De Coz, while Bojan and Eto'o almost combined to make it three in the 64th minute, and Xavi also came close to scoring.

Eto'o bids farewell with goals
The best was yet to come. Henry, on the back of a terrific assist from Sylvinho, excelled again in the 76th minute as he supplied another goal, this time to Eto'o. The Cameroonian struck home in expert style to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Eto’o is now off to Ghana to play in the African Nations Cup, and wanted to mark his departure in the best way possible, which he did with a second goal when Murcia would probably have preferred to hear the referee’s final whistle and end the nightmare. Eto’o tricked Notario once again after a stylish cross from Giovani, and was given a massive ovation as he left the pitch to be replaced by Pedrito, making his first team debut. It was a wonderful night for Eto’o, and for every Barça fan in the ground.

THE GOALS :
1-0, Gudjohnsen (min 27)
2-0, Bojan (min 52)
3-0, Eto'o /min 76)
4-0, Eto'o (min 86)

FC Barcelona - Racing sin Ronaldinho

2008-01-19T16:09:00.005-08:00

Messi, Oleguer y Pinto han entrado en la lista para enfrentarse al Racing de Santander este domingo.

El delantero argentino ha recibido el alta después del entrenamiento previo al encuentro.

La convocatoria del Barça para recibir al Racing de Santander cuenta con tres novedades importantes : Leo Messi, Oleguer Presas y José Manuel Pinto. El delantero argentino ha recibido el alta después del entrenamiento que ha completado este sábado por la mañana en el Camp Nou, mientras que el defensa catalán la recibió en el transcurso de la semana. El guardameta andaluz se estrena así en una lista de convocados, un día después de haber sido presentado como azulgrana.

Los ausentes ante el Racing serán los lesionados Ronaldinho, Edmílson, Ezquerro y Jorquera, además de Eto'o y Touré Yaya, en la Copa de África.

Puyol se entrena con normalidad
Carles Puyol, ausente el viernes por un resfriado, se ha podido reincorporar a la actividad este sábado por la mañana en el entrenamiento en el Camp Nou a puerta cerrada previo al partido contra el Racing. También José Manuel Pinto ha completado su primera sesión como azulgrana. El guardameta andaluz ha saltado al césped junto a Sylvinho –con quién coincidió en el Celta- y se le ha podido ver conversar con detenimiento con Eusebio y Víctor Valdés. Después de recibir la bienvenida de los compañeros, y de participar en los habituales rondos, se ha puesto a trabajar con el entrenador de porteros, Juan Carlos Unzué, junto con Valdés y Oier.

La lista :

Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Bojan, Henry y Messi.

Fuente : FCB

Laporta : “Pido respeto para Ronaldinho”

2008-01-19T16:09:00.003-08:00

El presidente del Barça, Joan Laporta, así como el entrenador Frank Rijkaard, se han posicionado al lado del delantero brasileño, ahora lesionado, y han pedido respeto por su proceso de recuperación.

Durante la rueda de prensa de presentación de José Manuel Pinto, los periodistas han preguntado a Joan Laporta y a Frank Rijkaard por la situación de Ronaldinho.

Ambos han afirmado rotundamente que confían plenamente en el crack brasileño porque “se trata de un jugador de referencia para el equipo”

"No tenemos intención de venderlo"
“Quiero pedir respeto para Ronaldinho. Está intentando recuperarse de la mejor manera posible”, ha declarado el presidente. Según él, “no tenemos ninguna intención de venderlo y ya a principio de temporada dejamos muy claro que contábamos con él. Es una decisión unánime de la junta directiva”.

Rijkaard : "Volverá cuando esté bien"
Frank Rijkaard, por su parte, no ha querido poner plazo a la reaparición del ‘10' barcelonista. “Volverá cuando esté bien físicamente”, ha asegurado el técnico holandés. “Está entrenándose duramente, muchos días con dobles sesiones, para estar al cien por cien”, ha añadido.

Fuente : FCB

Rijkaard : "Solo tengo una esperanza..."

2008-01-19T16:09:00.001-08:00

Solo tengo una esperanza, que el jugador vuelva a demostrar lo grande que es como jugador". Así ha definido Frank Rijkaard, el entrenador del Barcelona, la situación en la que vive Ronaldinho.

"Está trabajando muy fuerte, con mucha disciplina. Pero hay que tomar las cosas paso a paso, eso es bueno para el club. Tengo la esperanza de que se quedará muchos años para el Barcelona", comentó el técnico holandés.

Fuente : Elentorno

Rivaldo : "El Barça cometería un gravísimo error si traspasara a Ronaldinho"

2008-01-19T16:08:00.005-08:00

A sus 35 años sigue triunfando en Grecia. Ahora está en el AEK. Siempre con un ojo puesto en Barcelona.

Rivaldo fue el último gran ídolo del barcelonismo antes de la llegada de Ronaldinho al Camp Nou en 2003. Como azulgrana, a imagen y semejanza de su compatriota, consiguió el preciado galardón de mejor jugador del mundo, el soñado Balón de Oro. Y los dos, también, pasaron de ser ídolos de masas a ser cuestionados.

En la actualidad, algunos sectores del barcelonismos no verían con malos ojos que Ronaldinho fuera traspasado. Rivaldo, por su parte, acabó gratis en el Milan... Hoy, sigue al pie del cañón en el AEK de Grecia con Serra Ferrer de entrenador.

¿Cómo va la vida por Atenas?
Muy feliz. Esta es mi cuarta temporada en Grecia y ya estoy muy adaptado. A pesar de que el Olympiacos y el Panathinaikos se han gastado mucho dinero en formar una gran plantilla, ahora mismo somos líderes de la Liga, por lo que tiene mucho mérito.

¿Ya habla griego con fluidez?
¡Ufff...! eso es más complicado. No, no lo hablo con fluidez. En el equipo hay seis jugadores brasileños, tres argentinos, un portugués, Serra Ferrer es español, así que para comunicarnos hablamos en portugués o español. Mi mujer sí que lo habla bastante bien.

Está cerca de los 36 años. A la vejez viruelas, ‘Rivo’...
Los cumpliré el 16 de abril, sí. Físicamente me encuentro muy bien. Siempre me cuidé mucho y las lesiones me han respetado bastante. Amo el fútbol y mientras tenga esta pasión por jugar seguiré al pie del cañón. Con el AEK tengo otro año más de contrato y pienso cumplirlo, por supuesto.

¿Está al tanto de lo que ocurre en el Barça?
Todo lo que se puede estar viviendo aquí, pero sí, veo la televisión española por satélite, como el Bar ça-Sevilla de Copa del miércoles, leo en internet la prensa y hablo con amigos que me explican algunas cosas. Algo está pasando con Ronaldinho, ¿verdad?

Verdad. ¿Y qué es?
No lo sé muy bien, pero Ronaldo se marchó después de estar un solo año en el Barça. Romario tampoco cumplió su contrato. Yo acabé en el Milan. Por lo tanto no creo que sea casualidad y, por supuesto, culpa única y exclusivamente del fútbolista. Algo pasa en el Barça con los jugadores importantes.

Quizá no aceptamos que una gran figura baje en su rendimiento. Quizá queremos que siempre esté al mismo nivel...
Pero eso es imposible, porque no puedes ganar cada año la Liga, la Champions League, ni ser siempre el mejor, ni el máximo golea

¿Usted cree que Ronaldinho sigue siendo el mismo de siempre?
Todos los futbolistas tenemos altibajos y pasamos por mejores y peores momentos, pero una cosa tengo muy clara: Ronnie es el de siempre. Seguro. Además, no creo que sea bueno para la imagen del Barça que se trata así a Ronnie...

¿A qué se refiere?
El es un icono, una referencia, un espejo donde se fijan muchos futbolistas. Si los demás ven que en cuanto Ronaldinho baja de rendimiento lo tratan así, esos jugadores, como Messi, por ejemplo, u otros muchos, pensarán que cualquier día ellos les puede pasar exactamente por lo mismo.

¿Y qué hacemos entonces?
A mi modo de ver lo que habría que hacer es darle más cariño que nunca a Ronaldinho.

¿Por parte de quién?
De todos. Empezando por el entrenador y acabando por la Prensa.

Estamos hablando de un profesional que percibe un ficha de millones de euros cada año...
Aquí el dinero no tiene nada que ver, créame. Hay muchas cosas que los futbolistas hacemos sin pensar en el dinero. Cuando uno está bajo de moral, lo que hay que hacer es levantársela, animarle, darle apoyo. Si a las primeras de cambio lo criticas, entonces tenemos un problema.

¿Qué ha de hacer Rijkaard?
Demostrarle que confía en él.

El público...
Demostrarle que le quiere.

Los medios de comunicación...
Darle un margen de confianza. Ronnie ha hecho grandes temporadas, grandes partidos, ha marcado goles muy importantes, ha ganado muchos títulos ¡Y aún no ha cumplido los 28 años! ¡Tiene mucho fútbol todavía en sus piernas!

Pues en Barcelona ya se oyen voces que dicen que lo mejor que haría el Barça sería venderlo.
Cometerían un gravísimo error y lo pagarían muy caro. Bajo mi punto de vista no existe en el mundo, hoy en día, un futbolista que pueda reemplazar el vacío que dejaría Ronaldinho. Además, déjeme preguntarle una cosa, ¿qué edad tiene Henry?

Thierry tiene 30 años, ¿por qué lo pregunta?
¿Y por cuántos años ha firmado por el Barça?

La actual y tres más...
Me parece increíble que alguien pueda pensar que Ronaldinho, con 28 años, ya no tiene más fútbol que ofrecer en el Barça cuando Henry ha firmado hasta los 34. ¿Entiende lo que quiero decir?

Perfectamente, pero eso depende mucho de lo que cada jugador quiera o pueda ofrecer...
Mire, yo fui campeón del mundo con Brasil en Corea y Japón con 30 años. Fui el segundo máximo goleador después de Ronaldo y me eligieron el tercer mejor jugador del Mundial. A todos nos quedan retos por cumplir y Ronnie tiene los suyos.

¿Sabe cuáles?
No estoy dentro de su cabeza y tampoco me gusta mucho hablar de las cosas de los demás, pero a mí me consta que Ronaldinho tiene mucha ilusión por hacer un gran Mundial en Sudáfrica.

Eso será en 2010...
Por eso. Querrá llegar a esa cita en la mejor forma posible y también querrá sacarse la espina de Alemania, donde las cosas no le fueron bien ni a Brasil ni a él en el aspecto personal. Sudáfrica sería su último Mundial y él, seguro, querrá brillar con luz propia.

Unos dicen que Ronnie volverá a ser el número uno. Otros que no...
Si él tiene motivación, ilusión y muchas ganas, lo conseguirá.

Y después de haber ganado un Mundial, dos Ligas, una Champions League, todos los premios individuales habidos y por haber, ¿qué motivación puede tener?
Seguro que él quiere volver a ser campeón de Liga, de Europa, del mundo con Brasil. Y nunca hay que olvidar que jugando a fútbol es como somos felicies. Mientras nos guste esta profesión.

A algunos jugadores del FC Barcelona se les ha acusado de no llevar una vida privada acorde con las obligaciones de un profesional del fútbol...
Mire, yo nunca he salido de noche ni he bebido alcohol. Jamás me gustó salir. Ahora bien, creo que un día a la semana, después de un partido, tomar una copa con responsabilidad no le hace daño a nadie. Lo que también importa son las formas y el don de la oportunidad.

¿Qué quiere decir con eso?
A nadie se le escapa que cuando ganas partidos y el equipo funciona, aunque te vean a las tres de la madrugada en una discoteca nadie te va a decir nada. Ahora bien, si el equipo pierde, lo primero que te piden y exigen es que cuides las formas. Pasa en todos los países del mundo. Cuando se pierde lo mejor es quedarse en casa, que no te vean.

Un buen consejo...
Los futbolistas importantes han de ser conscientes de que son el ejemplo para mucha gente, especialmente para los niños. Ellos quieren ser como nosotros el día de mañana, así que hay que cuidar mucho la imagen. Ronaldinho es el ídolo de los niños por su fútbol y porque siempre tiene una sonrisa y un momento para ellos. Esas cosas también hay que saber valorarlas.

Por cierto, ¿cómo ve al Barça esta temporada?
Creo que sigue haciendo el mejor fútbol de España.Es un juego atractivo, con extremos, que a mí me gusta. No me extraña porque en el Camp Nou la afición siempre quiso ver buen fútbol, no solamente ganar. Históricamente en el Barça siempre se apostó por la calidad, por eso han desfilado tantos grandes jugadores.

Ahí está el debate ahora mismo. Incluso Eto’o afirma que lo primero es ganar, que jugar bien viene después.
Porque hay urgencias y el Madrid está a siete puntos en la clasificación. Yo también lo entiendo. Además, en muchas fases de un partido no puedes unicamente pensar en hacerlo bonito, hay que ser más práctico. Es verdad que los tres puntos, o pasar una eliminatoria, es lo esencial. Cuando ganas títulos poca gente se acuerda si juegas bien o mal. Lo que sí es cierto es que sólo aquellos conjuntos capaces de hacer un fútbol atractivo son recordados muchos años después.

¿Los siete puntos de ventaja entre Madrid y Barça son el fiel reflejo de la diferencia entre los dos grandes rivales?
Yo creo que no, ni mucho menos. La clave estuvo en el partido del Camp Nou. Esa derrota le hizo mucho daño al Barça. De todos modos yo creo que esa diferencia no es insalvable. El Barça tiene plantilla para igualarla y superarla.

Pero ya no tiene mucho margen de error...
Mire, el domingo, el Real Madrid puede perder perfectamente ante el Atlético de Madrid. Y si el Barça gana al Racing se colocará otra vez sólo a cuatro puntos. Queda mucha Liga todavía y todo puede pasar.

¿Le gusta el Madrid de Bernd Schuster?
Hace un fútbol muy práctico y también cuenta con grandes jugadores, como Robinho, Van Nistelrooy, Casillas, Raúl, Baptista.... La Liga se va a poner muy emocionante. La temporada pasada lo fue.

Más infartos no, por favor...

Fuente : Sport

Brasil anuncia el ocaso de Ronaldinho

2008-01-19T16:08:00.003-08:00

Las voces autorizadas de su país muestran su decepción y preocupación por la caída de Ronaldinho.

En Brasil parece que ya se le ha empezado a agotar el crédito al blaugrana Ronaldinho. Y es que el debate de su rendimiento también ha llegado a su país y las conclusiones no son nada halagüeñas. Las primeras voces autorizadas ya han empezado a hacer su particular escarnio hacia el ‘crack’. Una de las más hirientes en sus comentarios ha sido el ex internacional Tostao, cuya columna de opinión es una referencia en todos los diarios. “Me equivoqué cuando antes del Mundial dije que Ronaldinho estaba cerca del nivel de Garrincha y Maradona, pero no podía prever su intensa caída. Por eso he cambiado de idea, a pesar de estar aun lejos el fin de su carrera, otros grandes cracks brillaron durante más tiempo y se han vuelto más importantes en la historia del fútbol que él”, subrayó Tostao en su columna.

En las misma línea crítica se postulaba el diario ‘O Estado de Sao Paulo’ que recordaba que “en el 2006 la revista Epoca le dedicó una portada con el título: ‘¿El nuevo Pelé?’ Los entendidos le otorgaron notas en su dominio de fundamentos en que incluso superaba a Pelé. Hoy, un año y medio después, el consenso es absoluto: ni superó ni va a superarlo”.

Greco Artero, comentarista del canal ESPN Brasil cuestionaba el estado de gracia que los brasileños habían concedido a Ronaldinho: “Me temo que no es uno de los legítimos dioses del fútbol como se había dicho. No era todo aquello que nos habíamos imaginado. Viendo la actitud de los aficionados del Barcelona al principio pensé que era una reacción de ingratitud, pero ahora me doy cuenta que no estaban tan equivocados como yo creía”.

No hay duda de que la situación de Ronaldinho en Brasil empieza a tener tintes trágicos, ya que muy pocos confían en él como salvador.

Scolari le recomienda que cambie de airesEn Brasil, quien más o quien menos, tiene claro que el futuro de Ronaldinho no pasa por seguir en el Barcelona sino que la única forma de salir del atolladero, físico y anímico, en el que se encuentra es cambiar de aires. “Lo mejor para él es que salga del Barcelona”, apuntó Luiz Felipe Scolari, actual entrenador de Portugal, en una entrevista en Zero Hora, de Porto Alegre.

Fuente : Sport

Gudjohnsen defiende a Ronnie

2008-01-19T16:08:00.001-08:00

Buen amigo de Ronaldinho, a quien dedicó uno de sus goles en Mestalla (0-3), Gudjohnsen lamenta que "la gente se haya olvidado tan rápido"...

...de que el brasileño fue "quien le dio la electricidad a un club que estaba en un momento muy bajo. Es una situación muy triste. Parece que uno le critica y el resto se deja llevar por la negatividad y también lo hace. Creo que hay que dejarle tranquilo, que se recupere, y criticarle en todo caso por su fútbol, no por su manera de vivir. Si seguimos así, estamos perdiendo la mayor sonrisa del mundo del fútbol".

Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

Ronaldinho aún tardará quince días para recibir el alta

2008-01-19T16:07:00.003-08:00

El brasileño evoluciona muy bien de sus molestias en el tendón rotuliano, pero para volverlo a ver entrando en una lista habrá que esperar un poco.

Si bien es cierto que la recuperación de Ronaldinho va mucho mejor -sobre todo desde que el recuperador Juanjo Brau se ha puesto a supervisar personalmente el brasileño-, también es verdad que su regreso a los terrenos de juego aún no tiene un plazo marcado y no está tan cerca como algunos apuntan.

De hecho, el ‘crack’ brasileño está totalmente descartado para jugar este domingo ante el Racing de Santander en el Camp Nou, así como para el partido de ida de Copa en Villarreal que se jugará entre semana y también de cara al encuentro de Liga en San Mamés ante el Athlétic del próximo fin de semana. Y es que la recuperación de Ronaldinho aún tiene que quemar varias etapas antes de que pueda entrar en una lista de convocados.

Todo parece indicar que en el mejor de los casos estaríamos hablando de unos quince días más para recibir el alta médica, por lo que su regreso a los terrenos de juego podría producirse en el partido de vuelta de Copa del Rey ante el Villarreal, previsto para el 30 de enero, aunque también podría producirse unos días después, cuando el Barcelona juega en el Camp Nou ante el Osasuna.

Sea como fuere, lo que está claro es que sus molestias en el tendón rotuliano tienen un difícil tratamiento y que su terapéutica es especialmente laboriosa. No hay que olvidar que Ronaldinho se lesionó el pasado 30 de diciembre en un entrenamiento y que desde ese día no ha vuelto aún a entrenarse con el grupo.Eso quiere decir que lleva ya 20 días sin ejercitarse con los compañeros, por lo que evidentemente, aparte de la lesión en sí, le falta también ritmo de entrenamientos para ponerse al mismo nivel que el resto.

El ‘crack’ brasileño se ejercitó ayer por la mañana en el Camp Nou junto a Juanjo Brau, mientras que el resto del equipo lo hacía en el Mini Estadi. Cuando Ronaldinho finalice su rehabilitación con el recuperador pasará a manos de los preparadores físicos que le pondrán a tono para entrar finalmente en el grupo. A partir de aquí dependerá de él y de Rijkaard cuándo volverá a una lista de convocados.

Fuente : Sport

Ronnie continúa sin entrenar con el grupo

2008-01-19T16:07:00.001-08:00

El brasileño siguió con su plan específico de recuperación en el Camp Nou.

Ronaldinho continuó con su plan de recuperación de la tendinitis que sufre en la rodilla izquierda y estuvo ejercitándose ayer en el Camp Nou mientras sus compañeros lo hacían en el Mini Estadi.

El brasileño estuvo acompañado del recuperador Juanjo Brau y sigue intentando lograr la puesta a punto necesaria que le permita poder tener el alta la semana que viene.

Visto que todavía no se ha unido el grupo, parece difícil que pueda estar para el encuentro de cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey que el Barça disputará en Villarreal el próximo jueves, aunque se confía en que, si todo va por el camino correcto, sí pueda entrar en la lista del choque liguero ante el Athletic de Bilbao en San Mamés, que se jugará posiblemente el domingo día 27

Milito se va antes
Frank Rijkaard va recuperando poco a poco a jugadores, aunque la exigencia de la temporada hace que la mayoría tengan pequeños problemas físicos que en un momento u otro les afectan. Ayer fue el caso de Gabriel Milito, que se marchó a la hora de entrenamiento, justo antes de que sus compañeros se pusieran los petos para realizar ejercicios de posesión de balón en espacios reducidos. El argentino no parecía tener nada importante, simplemente es de ese grupo de jugadores que se encuentran algo más cargados que el resto de compañeros.

Ezquerro, KO
Quien sí se ausentó de la sesión fue Santi Ezquerro. El riojano sufre "una pubalgia de predominio derecho que requiere tratamiento específico y volverá a los entrenamientos con el grupo cuando disminuyan las molestias", rezaba el parte médico facilitado por el club tras el entrenamiento. El delantero fue uno de los pocos ausentes por lesión, junto a Albert Jorquera, el ya citado Ronaldinho y José Edmílson, quien se quedó en el gimnasio trabajando en la rehabilitación. Las otras ausencias fueron las de Touré y Samuel Eto'o, ambos con sus selecciones para jugar la Copa de África.

Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

Villarreal, rival en la Copa

2008-01-19T16:06:00.002-08:00

El FC Barcelona se enfrentará al Villarreal en los cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey, después de que los amarillos hayan ganado 2-0 al Recreativo de Huelva.

La eliminatoria ha sido muy igualada y se ha decidido en la prórroga.

Después de eliminar al actual campeón de la Copa del Rey, los azulgranas tendrán otro emparejamiento complicado en los cuartos de final, el Villarreal.

El equipo de Pellegrini ha sufrido mucho para eliminar al Recreativo. Un gol de Rossi en la prórroga después de una gran jugada de contragolpe ha decidido la eliminatoria.

Empate después de 180 minutos
El Villarreal ha ganado 1-0 al Recreativo durante los 90 minutos disputados en Valencia. Bien pronto, Marcos Senna ha rematado un buen centro de Nihat. Con este gol la eliminatoria quedaba igualada cuando aún quedaban 80 minutos por el final, porque el Recreativo había ganado la ida 1-0 con gol de Cáceres.

Como en la ida, el partido ha sido muy igualada. El Villarreal llevaba el peso del juego pero los dos equipos han tenido ocasiones de gol. Camuñas ha dispuesto de las mejores ocasiones de los visitantes. Para el equipo local, Nihat ha seguido demostrando que está en un momento de forma envidiable y ha sido el jugador más activo del ataque del Villarreal.

Una prórroga de locura
En el minuto 11 de la prórroga, un contragolpe de libro del Villareal ha decidido el partido. Después de un gol en contra, Godín ha conducido un rápido contragolpe que ha finalizado Rossi con un chut ajustado al palo.

En la segunda parte de la prórroga, Pires ha provocado un penalti que parecía que sentenciaría el partido. Pero Barbosa ha parado el lanzamiento de Rossi y ha dado opciones al Recreativo hasta el último minuto. A poco para el final, un remate espectacular de Cáceres podía haber eliminado a los de Pellegrini, pero el palo lo ha evitado.

Bojan prefería evitar al Villarreal
Después de eliminar al Sevilla, el delantero azulgrana Bojan Krkic aseguró que preferiría al Recreativo como rival de cuartos de final de la Copa. El de Linyola explicó que el Recreativo era un rival muy duro, pero sobre el papel creía que el Villarreal era más temible.

Fuente : FCB

Ronaldinho fuerza el ritmo y ya divisa el alta

2008-01-19T16:06:00.001-08:00

Se entrenó 45 minutos chutando faltas a Oier y podría estar OK la semana próxima.

Mientras sus compañeros disfrutaban de una jornada de fiesta tras eliminar al Sevilla en los octavos de la Copa del Rey, Ronaldinho no descansó y prosiguió ayer con su plan de recuperación.

El delantero brasileño quiere volver cuanto antes a los terrenos de juego y ayer forzó el ritmo durante los 45 minutos que estuvo en el campo de La Masia bajo la supervisión de Eusebio Sacristán, los preparadores físicos Paco Seirul.lo y Albert Roca y el fisioterapeuta Juanjo Brau.

Ronnie corrió y disparó a puerta con una intensidad superior a la de los días anteriores. Paulatinamente, van remitiendo los dolores por la tendinitis rotuliana en la pierna izquierda que sufrió el primer día de 2008. El crack de Porto Alegre se prodigó en una tanda de remates desde fuera del área ante Oier Olazábal, que también trabajó tras ser suplente de Víctor Valdés en los últimos cuatro encuentros, incluidos los dos de Copa ante el Sevilla. Ronnie tuvo por fin en el irundarra un portero con carne y hueso después de que fuera norma habitual que se quedara en La Masia unos minutos tras finalizar los entrenamientos chutando faltas a puerta sin un guardameta bajo los palos. El 'Gaúcho' disparó con la derecha, con lo que la pierna de apoyo y donde residía todo el peso del cuerpo era la izquierda, donde sufre la citada tendinitis.

Salvo que hubiera una recaída, Ronaldinho debería recibir el alta médica la próxima semana, con lo que Frank Rijkaad podría recuperar al brasileño de cara al partido de ida de cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey que se disputará en el feudo del Villarreal el próximo miércoles como muy pronto. Si su regreso se aplazara unos días, tendría lugar el fin de semana en San Mamés contra el Athletic. El duelo de la 21ª jornada de Liga tiene muchas posibilidades de celebrarse el sábado 26 a las 22.00 horas y ser ofrecido en abierto por laSexta y las cadenas autonómicas.

Baja desde el clásico
Ronaldinho, que se ha perdido los últimos cinco encuentros, no juega desde el clásico contra el Real Madrid del 23 de diciembre. En caso de reaparecer la próxima semana, tendría unos quince días antes del amistoso que la selección brasileña disputará el miércoles 6 de febrero en Dublín contra Irlanda. En el Barça temen las consecuencias de una posible incorporación a las filas 'canarinhas'.

Fuente : Mundo Deportivo

High voltage cup tie

2008-01-19T16:05:00.002-08:00

Barça storm to victory

2008-01-19T16:05:00.001-08:00

Honours even in Seville

2008-01-19T16:04:00.001-08:00

Sevilla and Barcelona ended the first leg of their Copa del Rye tie with honours even in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán after Thierry Henry had put the visitors ahead and Diego Capel levelled for the hosts. The opening encounter between the two sides did not solve anything, but Barça may feel that they now have the advantage ahead of the second game in seven days time in Camp Nou. In an intense match, the referee handed out eight yellow card, five going to Barça, while there were plenty of chances for either side to gain the upper hand.

After both goals came before the break, the second half saw both teams search for a winner on the night only for Ernesto Chevan´ton to hit the bar at one end and Edmílson strike the post at the other.

Henry breaks the deadlock
In the opening minutes the referee's whistle was a familiar sound as the tackles went in from the start. While the pace of the game heated up, it was Barça that had the first clear chance of the match as Giovani Dos Santos fired just wide of Morgan De Sanctis' near post from ten yards out.

Barça continued to attack and in the 24th minute made the breakthrough as Thierry Henry netted a trademark goal. Rafa Márquez lifted a pass over the Sevilla defence and the Frenchman took one touch to control the ball and a second to slide it perfectly past the keeper and into the back of the net before wheeling away to celebrate.

The equaliser
Sevilla won the cup last season and were not prepared to give it up easily as the goal conceded appeared to spur them on and they raced forward in search of an equaliser. Five minutes before half-time Daniel Alves took aim from long range and saw his free-kick tipped over the bar by Valdes.

From the resulting corner the majority of players went to the near post and Diego Capel was able to stay back and meet the ball 12 yards from goal. The young full-back had time to take the ball down before firing it past Valdés and speeding off to celebrate.

Denied by the woodwork
After the break, the rhythm of the game changed little although Sevilla appeared to have an extra spring in their step and Chevantón went close as he met Alves' cross only to head against the crossbar. Luis Fabiano then produced a fine save from Valdés with a curling free-kick on the hour mark. At the other end Barça showed that they were still looking for a second goal too as Edmílson sped onto the ball before sending a low shot against the far post from nearly 30 yards out.

Evenly balanced
Neither side were able to score again before the end as Giovani shot over from the corner of the area before Chevantón nodded wide of the goal in the closing minutes. The tie is finely balanced ahead of next week's second leg in Camp Nou.

THE GOALS :

0-1, Henry (min 24)
1-1, Capel (min 43)

Ronaldinho and Deco to miss Sevilla

2008-01-19T16:03:00.004-08:00

Deco and Ronaldinho have both been omitted from Frank Rijkaard’s squad for Wednesday’s cup match in Sevilla, while Touré’s name is of course also missing. Frank Rijkaard has left the Portuguese international out of the side because a press statement issued by the club medical services has said he “is having trouble with the middle abductor in his left leg and should not play on Wednesday.” The same announcement stated that the player’s availability for future matches will depend on how things develop.

Ronaldinho still recovering
Ronaldinho is still not over his tendonitis in his left leg, and the same statement had the following to say about the Brazilian’s situation : “he is following a specific programme that involves physiotherapy in the mornings and work on the pitch in the afternoons, but he is still having trouble with his left knee.

He will not be able to play tomorrow against Sevilla and his availability for forthcoming matches will depend on how the injury develops”. This injury has already meant Ronaldinho missing out on last week’s Copa del Rey match with Alcoyano and the league fixture against Mallorca.

Touré Yaya joins Ivory Coast
Also missing will be Touré Yaya, who flew out to the Arab Emirates on Sunday to join his national side’s preparations for the African Nations Cup.

Depending on how far the Ivory Coast can go in the tournament in Ghana, and also on whether Barça knock Sevilla out of the cup, the midfielder could miss between five and nine Barcelona matches.

And then on course there are the injured Jorquera, Messi and Oleguer who also miss the trip south, while Sylvinho, Ezquerro and Marc Crosas have been dropped.

Sevilla without Kanouté and Keita
The African Nations Cup has also been causing problems for Barça’s rivals, Sevilla, who have been negotiating with the Malian Federation to see if there is any chance Kanouté and Keita can stay in Andalusia for a few extra days in order to play in the cup tie.

But the efforts were in vain, and both players have been told they have to report for international duty.

The squad :

The full squad for the cup match in Seville reads as follows : Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Eto’o, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Edmílson, Zambrotta, Bojan and Giovani.

Sevilla kick-off at 10 pm

2008-01-19T16:03:00.003-08:00

The first leg of the Kings Cup match against Sevilla will kick off at 10 pm on Wednesday. The squad will spend the night in Seville after the match.

The match between Sevilla and Barça will finally kick off at 10 pm. If Barça qualify for the next round, they will be playing in midweek for the rest of the month of January.

Returning Thursday morning
The Barça players will be unable to return immediately after the match as Seville airport will have closed. Instead, they will fly back on Thursday morning in time for a noon training session.

Effectiveness leads to triumph

2008-01-19T16:03:00.001-08:00

A highly effective Barcelona got the 2008 league programme off to a terrific start by beating Mallorca 2-0. Márquez put Barça ahead on 63 minutes and Eto’o finished off the job deep into injury time.

Barça got back into winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Mallorca, and thus took three important points to put the pressure on Real Madrid. It was just the boost for morale that the team needed at a time when there is simply no more margin for error. This was the sixth year in a row that Barça have come back victorious from a trip to the Balearics.

With Ronaldinho out through injury, Frank Rijkaard opted to start Giovani in his first eleven. Gudjohnsen took his now usual midfield role while the game would also see the return to action of Thierry Henry, while Edmílson played his first league game for over half a year.

FC Barcelona dominated the first half possession but struggled to create danger in attack. Mallorca were well positioned on the park and did their best to create pressure, at the same time leaving very little room for the visitors to manoeuvre. Gregorio Manzano’s side was also threatening on the counter attack, but the deadlock held fast.

Few chances
Mallorca fired the first warning shot in the 9th minute with a Güiza strike from within the area that failed to hit the target. Barça immediately responded with an Iniesta effort in the 14th minute, but one that did little to trouble Mallorca keeper Lux. Mallorca’s closest chance came in the 22nd minute when Basinas almost surprised Valdés with a low shot from the edge of the area that skimmed wide off the post. Six minutes later, Valdés dealt easily with a free kick taken by Arango.

With the first half drawing to a close, Barça had three consecutive opportunities. A high header by Márquez in the 36th minute was followed by a Xavi free kick that sailed over the crossbar on the back of an impeccable assist from Eto’o, and on the stroke of half time Iniesta tried again, this time from long range. But neither side had opened their account as the whistle blew for the break.

Barça up it in attack
After the restart, Frank Rijkaard opted to power up his forward line by sending Bojan on for Gudjohnsen. Five minutes into the half and Touré Yaya was shown a yellow card for a foul on Jonás which means he will be suspended for the next match. The half began as a carbon copy of the first, with few goalscoring chances, but Barça more incisive up front. But everything Barcelona concocted came stuck against the rock solid Mallorca defence.

Márquez opens the scoring
But Barcelona tried and tried and eventually got their reward. In the 63rd minute Márquez, unmarked at the near post, headed a Xavi corner past a hapless Lux.

Henry and Edmílson back
Just after the goal, Henry substituted Giovani to make his first appearance since November 24 against Recreativo. The night also marked the return of Edmílson, who played midweek against Alcoyano and was back for his first league outing since his injury. Coming on in the 69th minute, this was his first league match since May 26.

Referee Ramírez Domínguez disallowed a Thierry Henry goal in the 74th minute, but the French international was certainly revitalising things for a Barça side occasionally bereft of ideas. Henry then brought the best out in Lux with a strike that was turned behind for a corner. As the game went into the last quarter of hour, Barça settled down and concentrated more on keeping their lead.

Eto'o sentences affairs
The game was as good as over when, two minutes into injury time, Samuel Eto'o bagged Barça’s second with a powerful drive from outside the area to round off a move started by Bojan and involving a delightful through ball from a highly active Thierry Henry. Thus it ended 2-0 to Barça, meaning 2008 has started with three absolutely crucial away points.

The goals :
0-1 Márquez (min. 63)
0-2 Eto’o (min. 92)

Ronaldinho : out for Mallorca game

2008-01-19T16:02:00.001-08:00

First team doctor, Ricard Pruna, has confirmed that Ronaldinho will not play against Mallorca as he is continuing with his recovery from tendonitis in his left knee.

Frank Rijkaard can’t count on Ronaldinho for the league match on Saturday against Mallorca. The Brazilian is still recovering from tendonitis in his left knee, according to first team doctor Ricard Pruna. For this reason Ronaldinho is definitely out of the game against Mallorca on Saturday.

Specific programme
The first team doctor said that “Ronaldinho noticed some problems in his left knee during training on Sunday. An exploration and scan of the knee revealed some inflammation of the tendon”. Ricard Pruna also explained that the number 10 was following “a specific programme of physiotherapy and gym work, and later will do some pitch work with a physio”. According to Doctor Pruna Ronaldinho’s return “will depend on how his problems develop”.

Messi making good progress
In his press conference following the surgery on Albert Jorquera, Ricard Pruna also spoke about Leo Messi’s progress. The azulgrana doctor confirmed that “his revovery is on schedule”. The player was injured on 15 December against Valencia and his recovery was put at one month. “The player should be given the all clear by around 20 January, more or less”, said Doctor Pruna.

Barça in the next round

2008-01-19T16:01:00.002-08:00

Barcelona qualified for the next round of the Copa del Rey after they drew at home to Alcoyano in the second leg of the last 32 on Wednesday evening. Santi Ezquerro scored twice as Frank Rijkaard's side progressed after winning the opening leg.

Having secured a three-goal lead in the first match, Barça were able to rest several players and give minutes to the second string and young stars against the third division visitors. On a rain-soaked night in the Catalan capital two early goals put the result of the tie completely beyond doubt. Goalkeeper Oier Olazábal made his first team debut following the injury to Albert Jorquera while Víctor Sánchez also made his first appearance at the highest level.

With the game and the tie won, Barça let their guard down after the break and Alcoyano took advantage as they scored with a penalty before drawing level in the final minute.

Ezquerro bags a brace
Just two minutes of the game had passed when the deadlock was broken as Ezquerro finished off a powerful team move. The forward pounced on the ball to tuck home after a shot from Deco. The hosts could not have asked for a better start, but the Blaugrana continued to push forward and were able to double their lead with ten minutes on the clock. This time Bojan Krkic provided the pass for Ezquerro to tuck home side second of the evening.

Barcelona were never forced to play at their best as they controlled proceedings for the remainder of the opening half. Despite being behind, though, Alcoyano never took their foot off the pedal and forced a series of corners, but were unable to test Olazábal.

Alcoyano come back
After half-time, the game continued along the same lines as the first half. The weather did not help the rhythm of the match and the intensity was missing. That did not stop chances being created as Bojan had an opportunity on the hour mark, but he saw his effort strike the woodwork. Alcoyano then went up to the other end and reduced the arrears as the former Barça player, Perona, netted from the penalty spot after Eidur Gudjohnsen had handled in the area.

Unable to find a third
In the final 15 minutes, Barça looked set to add a third goal, but they were unable to score despite both Bojan and Ezquerro having chances. Then, in the final minute of the game the visitors raised their game one last time and managed to snatch a dramatic equaliser as Arnau scored. The draw for the next round of the Copa del Rey takes place on Friday.

The goals :

1-0, Ezquerro (min 2)
2-0, Ezquerro (min 10)
2-1, Perona (pen) (min 69)
2-2, Arnau (min 90)

Source : FCB

Barça to face Celtic in Champions League

2008-01-19T16:01:00.001-08:00

FC Barcelona will meet Glasgow Celtic in the second round of the Champions League.

The first leg will be played at Celtic Park and the return at the Camp Nou.

The first legs will be played on February 20 and the returns on March 4...

The other matches :

Olympique Lyon – Manchester Utd
Schalke - Oporto
Liverpool - Inter
Roma - Real Madrid
Arsenal - Milan
Olympiakos - Chelsea
Fenerbahçe – Sevilla

Barça put on a show

2008-01-19T16:00:00.002-08:00

Barcelona produced a domineering display against Valencia in Mestalla and put any talk of away day problems behind them as Samuel Eto'o scored twice in the first half and Eidur Gudjohnsen added a third after the break. Frank Rijkaard's side employed their quick passing football to devastating effect as they recorded their second away victory of the season and added to Valencia's woes in their own stadium. Eto'o was clinical in front of goal, while the defence and midfield looked strong and secure as they prevented Valencia from creating any real chances of note.

Dominating effect
From the start it was clear that Barça were the more confident side as they moved the ball around and looked for ways through the Valencia defence. The home side were forced to sit back and only edge forward when they could on the counter-attack. In the opening half all the best chances came at one end as Santi Cañizares had a busy evening.

Eto’o on form
In the 12th minute, the Blaugrana capitalised on their domination as Messi picked out Eto'o in the area and Cameroonian striker skipped past two defenders before creating space to drive the ball past Cañizares and into the top corner of the net. The strike was Eto'o's first goal in the league this season, after he opened his account in the Champions League in midweek.

A second arrived after 26 minutes and again the same pair created the move. after a superb string of passes, Messi picked up the ball just outside the area before threading it to Eto'o and he hit it first time to leave Cañizares flat-footed and unable to react as the shot flew past him.

Messi injured
There was some bad news in the opening period for Barça as Lionel Messi limped out of the action after picking up an injury three minutes before the break. The Argentinian was replaced by Giovani Dos Santos and is set to miss the visit of Real Madrid next weekend.

Looking for four
Despite having a comfortable lead, the visitors looked to continue pushing forward in the second half and, although Valencia pushed further up the field to try and break up Barça's passing game, a third goal came. Dos Santos picked up a loose ball on the right of the area and edged forward before rolling a pass across goal where Gudjohnsen was able to tap home from close range.

Giovani goes close
In the closing minutes, there were chances for Rijkaard's side to add to their tally as Dos Santos had chance si the 74th and 76th minute, while Bojan Krkic warmed Cañizares' gloves with a shot. While they were unable to find a fourth goal, Barça enjoyed a comfortable victory against a Valencia side that rarely looked likely or capable of causing many problems and confidence is now high in the camp ahead of the visit of Madrid.

The goals :

0-1, Eto'o (min 12)
0-2, Eto'o (min 26)
0-3, Gudjohnsen (min 61)

Source : FCB

Barca prepare for Valencia test

2008-01-19T16:00:00.001-08:00

After being rested on Wednesday against Stuttgart, Messi has been named in the team to travel to Valencia. The Argentinian and the Italian Zambrotta are the main changes to a squad that does not include either Thuram or Marc Crosas.

Messi and Zambrotta come in for Thuram and Crosas with respect to the last FC Barcelona match, with the rest of the squad identical to Wednesday’s.

No Oleguer or Ezquerro
Oleguer and Ezquerro both missed training on Friday due to their recovery programmes. But Henry was present, although he worked out in isolation.

The squad list :

Valdés, Jorquera, Puyol, Márquez, Abidal, Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Milito, Xavi, Iniesta, Touré Yaya, Gudjohnsen, Deco, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Bojan, Giovani and Messi.

Source : FCB

There’s always football at the Camp Nou

2008-01-19T15:59:00.003-08:00

Barça were the better side against Stuttgart in the final, and ultimately irrelevant, game in the Champions league group stage.

In a lively encounter, Giovani, Eto'o and Ronaldinho responded to an early goal from Antonio da Silva.

It was not unlike Saturday’s early setback against Deportivo, as Barça responded with stylish football. Giovani evened affairs in the first half and Eto'o and Ronaldinho added two more to continue Barça’s amazing home form this season.

German surprise
The game got off to an electric start, with Antonio da Silva putting the visitors ahead in the second minute with a splendid free kick that struck the bar and Jorquera’s body before going in. Eto'o almost levelled the game seconds later after taking advantage of a confusion in the Stuttgart defence, but failed to beat Schafer. The visiting keeper was also called upon to defy Xavi’s shot after a great team move in the 11th minute and Giovani and Eto'o both came close before the first quarter of an hour was up.

Giovani on target
Ewerthon came close at one point, but it was generally one way traffic in the Catalans’ favour. The side that was already group champion before the game kicked off eventually got their reward when Giovani found the target with a goal that was vehemently protested by the Stuttgart players, who felt the Mexican had scored from a pass delivered by Ronaldinho’s hand. The second half almost started in identical fashion to the first when Antonio da Silva very nearly struck home from a corner.

Eto'o’s first since his comeback
Johan Neeskens, replacing the suspended Rijkaard, sent on Bojan in the second half, a player seeking to become the youngest ever Champions League goalscorer. Barça went ahead twelve minutes into the second half when Xavi stole the ball in midfield and guided it towards Eto'o who hit home with a powerful left-footed strike. The Cameroonian was substituted soon after and left the field to a standing ovation.

Ronaldinho smiles
And then came Ronaldinho’s moment. His involvement in a terrific move in the 67th minute led to a goal that he himself finished off was rewarded with the stadium chanting his name, and the Brazilian almost beat Schafer from a free kick moments later. Barça were in total control, although Ewerthon could have scored from a long shot that struck the bar. All attention had turned to Bojan and whether or not he would be able to score that record-breaking goal, but it wasn’t to be.

Given the lack of anything other than honour being at stake, this was a thoroughly convincing display from Barça as they go unbeaten into the next round of the Champions league.

Goals :

0-1 Antonio da Silva (min 2)
1-1 Giovani (min 35)
2-1 Eto'o (min 57)
3-1 Ronaldinho (min 67)

Source : FCB

Strong comeback

2008-01-19T15:59:00.001-08:00

Barça have won three more points against Deportivo de La Coruña. Rijkaard’s men grew stronger during the game and came back thanks to Ronaldinho and Xavi after being a one down after Cristian’s early goal.

The strong wind and Cristian’s early goal were about to leave Barça in the cold, but they managed to come back and win three more valuable points at Nou Camp. Firstly Ronaldinho, back in the starting 11 and menacing on the left wing, brought it to a draw with a penalty, then, in the second half, Xavi produced the deciding goal.

Both Eto'o and Deco had good games, and Barça came back from being a goal down for the first time this season.

Early shock
In the 2nd minute, ex-“blaugrana” Cristian surprised Valdés with a shot from 25 metres out that crossed the penalty area and dipped into the top left-hand of the goal. An opposing team hadn’t scored in Nou Camp since September 26th. This wasn’t in the script, and Barça were slow to react. They had possession, but they weren’t able to move the ball around quickly enough due to Deportivo’s strong pressure.

Ronaldinho equalises
Barça first real chance came in the 22nd minute, when a deflected Ronaldinho free-kick resulted in a goal-mouth scramble that nearly ended in a goal with Puyol and Eto’o coming close. Deportivo quickly responded when Xisco had a clear chance, but headed just over the crossbar. Lotina’s men imposed a slow pace on the game which affected Barça until the 40th minute, when Cristian committed a clear foul on Iniesta inside the area for a penalty, and Ronaldinho dummied the keeper, slipping the ball into the right of the net.

Insistent domination
Deco came on for Zambrotta in the second half, and the Portuguese player brought more depth to Barça’s game, and nearly scored in the first minute after a one-two with Eto’o ended in a corner. Depor slowly began to lose strength after their first-half effort, and Barça began to gain territory.

Xavi finishes things off
Iniesta almost got Barça’s second in the 56th minute after some great play with Ronaldinho. The game had become dominated by Barça, and in the 64th minute, Bojan came on for Eto'o. Six minutes later Xavi resolved the game, when the ball fell to his feet after Múnua had got a right hand deflection to a great cross from Puyol out on the right. With the score at 2-1, Barça were looking for the third to put themselves at ease. They didn’t find it, but the score was enough to maintain their unbeaten run at Nou Camp.

Goals :

0-1 Cristian (min 2)
1-1 Ronaldinho (p) (min 40)
2-1 Xavi (min 70)

Source : FCB

Honours even in vibrant derby

2008-01-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

FC Barcelona earned a valuable point in the local derby with Espanyol at the Olímpic Estadi, but the visitors certainly had the chances to snatch a victory in what was an intense encounter. The build-up surrounded the fact that both sides are so close in the league table and it was tipped to be one of the best gaesm between the sides for many years. It lived up to its billing after a dramtic opening. In the sixth minute Barça opened the scoring as they gained the early lead that they always seek in order to settle the team down and allow them to play. But there was not much space in midfield and the game was played at a frenetic pace throughout.

Another good start
Just like they did on Tuesday against Lyon, the Blaugrana score early on and it was the same man who added his name to the scoresheet as Andrés Iniesta was int he right place at the right time to beat Carlos Kameni. Lionel Messi, who caused Espanyol problems all night, eased in from the right, skipped past marc Torrejón before crossing to the far post where Andrés Iniesta had the simple task of firing home from close range. Espanyol looked stunned and took their time finding their feet after the early setback.

Messi shines
Messi was Barça's main attacking force as he continued to attack the Blanc i Blau back line down the right flank. The Argentinian created space for himself before shooting wide of the far post before Xavi fired over after being set up by Bojan Krkic in the centre of the area. Barça's next chance came after Messi was fouled on the edge of the area, but Kameni was relieved after Xavi's free-kick came back down off the bar and Bojan then looked to head home the rebound only for his effort to hit the woodwork too.

Off the bar
Víctor Valdés had a relatively untroubled opening period as he was nt called upon to make any dramatic saves to keep Espanyol out. Instead, Barça retained the upper hand and could well have further ahead two minutes before the break as Messi, again, tricked his way through as he passed Marc Torrejón before shooting towards the near post, but Kameni tipped the drive wide.

Raising their game
At the start of the second half, Espanyol raised their game slightly and began to enjoy more possession than they had before the break. The home team's renewed confidence saw them push the visitors back and could have levelled when Daniel Jarque turned in the area before firing just wide of the post. With the opposition coming forward, Rijkaard attempted to shake up his side as he took Bojan Krkic off and introduced Ronaldinho into the fray.

Level pegging
In the 68th minute, Espanyol drew level when Albert Riera was picked out down the left by Clemente Rodríguez and the winger clipped the ball back into the centre of the goal where Corominas hit it first time into the far corner of the net. Barça came back and Ronaldinho had two chances as his free-kick was tipped away by Kameni and the keeper then saved his downward header.

Final efforts
Following the equaliser, FC Barcelona began to take control of the game once again and could have snatched a late winner. Eight minutes from time, Kameni became the home team's hero as he saved from Iniesta and then made a second stop to deny Ronaldinho from close range. Messi had two shots that required more power to trouble the Cameroonian keeper before Espanyol's last chance came when Coro set up Jonathan Soriano, but his drive was kept out by Valdés.

Goals :
0-1 Iniesta (min 6)
1-1 Corominas (min 68)

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho is 12th in the Golden Ball award

2007-12-08T01:29:00.000-08:00

Ronaldinho was twelfth in the Golden Ball award given by the French magazine France Football, which was won clearly by the Brazilian from Milan Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, better known as ‘Kaká’. The Gaúcho received 18 votes in a classification which, in addition to his Brazilian national team-mate, included Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Leo Messi from Barcelona, in the places of honour. Kaká’s is the fifth Golden Ball for a Brazilian player in the last 10 years, since Ronaldo won it in 1997 and 2002, Rivaldo in 1999 and Ronaldinho in 2005. “It is a special year for me and this prize is the icing on an impressive year with Milan in which we have won cups and have played good football”, said the player at the prize-winning ceremony in Paris.

Honours even in vibrant derby

2007-12-08T01:28:00.002-08:00

Barça top group with good football (2-2)

2007-12-08T01:28:00.001-08:00

Barça have achieved both of the main objectives from their trip to Lyon. They sealed qualification for the second round and performed well in doing so. Also, Rangers’ loss in Stuttgart (3-2) means they mathematically top the group.

Qualified, leaders and all done in style. Barça come home for Gerland with second round qualification assured, the top spot guaranteed and also outplayed French champions Olympique Lyon for most of Tuesday night’s game. The Blaugrana always looked the better side and went ahead thanks to an early goal from Iniesta, which was immediately cancelled out by Juninho...

Messi put Barça ahead again from the penalty spot in a game where Bojan Krkic was named by Rijkaard in the starting eleven and failed to disappoint, laying on the first goal and being involved in the penalty incident. With the game almost over, Juninho converted a penalty to equalise the game, but this did not mean that Barcelona could not comfortably feel they had been the better side.

All-out football
The game got off to a crazy start. It all started with a beautiful counter attack that saw Messi send the ball down the right to Bojan, who crossed on the first touch to Iniesta, who had no doubts about striking the home beyond reach of Lyon stopper Vercoutre (min 2). It had been a dream start, but the game had hardly restarted before Juninho drove home an inch perfect free kick from 35 metres that Valdes was unable to get a finger to. With matters all square again, the excitement continued with two clear chances, one for each side. In the 15th minute, Fabio Santos broke through on a one on one with Valdés and then Touré brought out the best in the home keeper with an absolute thunderbolt of a shot.

French fancies
The match eased off the pace for the next quarter of an hour, until Olympique had two chances to go ahead with chances that fell to Govou and Juninho, saved by Valdés and then cleared off the line by Abidal respectively. The Brazilian striker was having a lively evening, and soon had another chance with one of his specialist free kicks, this time seeing the ball just skim wide of the post. The French side continued to pile on the pressure, but Barça always looked in control and created plenty of danger thanks to the mobility of the strikers. The Lyon defence occasionally felt the need to resort to dirty tactics to hold Barça at bay, something which infuriated Frank Rijkaard to such an extent that he was shown the red card in the 44th minute.

Barça put on a show
The second half was not as end to end as the first, but started in similar fashion, with a Barça goal. Messi scored from a penalty after he himself had been brought down in the box following a pass from Bojan (min 58). The game continued at a frenetic pace and several Barça players were cautioned by the Italian referee. Lyon were visibly affected by the goal, and there was a muted atmosphere at Gerland as Gudjohnsen had the chance to settle the result with an effort that went just a little too high (min 62). Barça were in clear control by now and a pass from Gudjohnsen’s instep very nearly saw Leo Messi make it three.

Leaders
Ronaldinho came on in the 71st minute. Shortly after, Barça’s dominance was interrupted by a penalty committed by Abidal on Keita. Juninho powerfully stuck the ball into the back of the net (min 79) to set up what would be the final score of 2-2. Nevertheless, the draw, combined with the score of Rangers’ game in Stuttgart (3-2), was a positive one for Barcelona’s interests, for with one game still to play they have already ensured that they will qualify for the next round, and as group leaders too.

Goals :

0-1 Iniesta (min 3)
1-1 Juninho (min 7)
1-2 Messi (p) (min 59)
2-2 Juninho (p) (min 79)

Unquestionable goal spree

2007-12-08T01:27:00.000-08:00

Barça are still unbeaten in Nou Camp, having overcome Recreativo with a resounding 3-0. In the second half, goals from Milito, Bojan and Messí proved decisive. It was more difficult than the result would suggest, but once again Barça left no options to their rivals. In the first half Barça were relentless, but didn’t find the way to crack Recreativo’s well-ordered defence. Bojan entrance in the 60th minute was the key, just when his team were putting Recre’s goalmouth under siege.

A goal by Milito from a corner eased Barça’s nerves, and Bojan himself scored a second to raise the level of euphoria. Messi added to the festival by scoring a third from a penalty.

Total domination
From the outset, the game had been dominated by Barça. Rijkaard’s men kept possession against a well-ordered Recre, but they only looked dangerous when they managed to step up the pace. The clearest chances were when Sorrentino deflected a shot from outside the area by Iniesta, and when a Zambrotta shot swerved just wide of goal. Barça found it difficult to create chances, but slowly gained confidence, dominating the game and quickly regaining possession through pressure whenever they lost it.

Looking for the goal formula
With patience and with an unstoppable Messi, Barça began to find the formula to crack Recre’s somewhat outfield defence. The Argentinean brought out the best from Recre’s goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Despite Barça’s domination, half-time arrived without goals.

Nerves begin to show
Soon after the start of the second half, Puyol had to be substituted by Márquez alter a clash with Sinama Pongolle. With the crowd becoming impatient, Messi raised their spirits with a classic move which nearly ended in a goal. Gudjohnsen was then replaced by Bojan in the 60th minute.

Bojan brings joy
In the 63rd minute, Milito blasted the ball into the net from a corner taken by Xavi on the right. The can was now open, and it was down to Bojan to destroy it, scoring from an impeccable pass from Henry. The youngster showed that he forms a great partnership with Henry.

Intense run-up to the end
Alter an over-long delay for a foul which resulted in a yellow card for Touré, Messi proved his worth once play resumed, getting a penalty from a foul on him by Martín Cáceres. The Argentinian star cold-bloodedly put home the third, making the score reflect more what had happened on the pitch. Messi and Henry both came close to making it four. In the end, they didn’t find their prize, but the crowd’s ovation was prize enough, and Barça remain unbeaten in Nou Camp.

Goals :

1-0 Milito (min 63)
2-0 Bojan (min 65)
3-0 Messi (p) (min 81)

Source : FCB

Why are football fans crazy about Ronaldinho?

2007-12-08T01:25:00.001-08:00

Who is Ronaldinho? For millions of football fanatics, he is an adoring idol, whose very name brings awe and invokes respect and admiration to this twenty-seven-year-old Brazilian footballer. He is an attacking mid-fielder and plays his game in a thrilling way. His dazzling samba-like dance moments around the ball, his defense-smashing passes, the stunning free kicks and those lovely overhead shots that sends the ball reeling into the goal post have all fascinated and hypnotized millions of football lovers around the world.
When the ball comes to him or when he moves around the ball the adrenaline in spectators rushes to their cheeks in expectation that something dramatic is going to take place. Everything happens in a split-second and then the inevitable beaming big grin baring his buckteeth make him all the more endearing to his fans around the world. This is Ronaldinho for you. This is how he plays his game wearing that disarming smile all through the game. He is a delight to watch. There are some die-hard fans who just cannot imagine a football game without Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho suing his girlfriend

2007-12-08T01:24:00.002-08:00

Ronaldinho’s poor performance in the world cup came under severe flak from all quarters and was even attributed reasons for his awful show. He was accused of late night parties and hot romances with the alleged French model, Alexandra Paressant. In fact in the Sun magazine interview, Alexandra Paressant spilled out the beans much to the consternation of Ronaldinho. The sexy model gave juicy details about their all-night flings in the bed like how he used to sneak out of his hotel rooms and come running to her for romping in the bed.

More than his miserable performance in the World Cup, the interview has caused much heartburn for this magnificent midfielder. In order to clear his name and come clean out of this muck, Ronaldinho decided to sue Alexandra Paressant. He said, “I am very sad to see all these stories about me in the media. Those are nothing but false information about by personal life and about an assumed relationship that could have affected my play during the World Cup. My lawyers will start the suing procedures against Miss Paressant so that my name could be cleared.”

Now it is to be seen whether Alexandra Paressant will defend her statements made in the Sun magazine or soon face the legal wrath initiated by Ronaldinho. Only time will tell.

The truth behind Brazil’s lackluster performance in the 2006 World Cup – Ronaldinho’s flings with Alexandra Paressant?

2007-12-08T01:24:00.001-08:00

When Ronaldinho was criticized in the media for his lackluster performance in 2006 World Cup events, not many of his die hard fans took notice of the criticism and thought that losing or winning was all part of the game. But when the Sun magazine exploded with the news that Ronaldinho during World Cup events was sneaking out of his hotel room each night and having wild flings with his girlfriend Alexandra Paressant, the world of football couldn’t just digest it. While the so-called investigative journalists jumped into the fray to find out the truth his fans wondered how could the romantic nights have gone unnoticed by the hot-on-heels paparazzi.

Interestingly Josh Robertson, the editor of the dashing ‘Playboy’ magazine has come out with a stunner. His strenuous investigation led him to believe that it is all fake. He has pored over thousands of photographs while looking into the wives and girlfriends of soccer players during 2006 World Cup events and thoroughly looked into the issue. He finally concluded saying, “There’s no competent news story I can find tying Ronaldinho to Alexandra Paressant. (The Sun doesn’t say how its interview with her came about — she probably just called the paper up and asked to talk to a reporter.)”

In spite of all this, the debate still rages on, whether Ronaldinho had romantic flings with Alexandra Paressant. Only Ronaldinho could tell the truth since the ball is in his court.

Ronaldinho and Barcelona

2007-12-08T01:23:00.002-08:00

Barcelona’s fame began to soar after Ronaldinho joined the club in 2003. He scored 14 league goals and led the club from the front; and with an unbeaten 17-match run he inspired Barcelona to finish second in the Spanish League in 2003-2004. Ronaldinho continued his amazing run in the following seasons and led Barcelona to championship wins in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

When Ronaldinho was in action Barcelona won 81% of points and when he wasn’t playing it dropped to 53%. When Ronaldinho joined in 2003 Barcelona had 103,000 paying affiliates and it grew to 140,000 as of 2006. This phenomenal rise has been attributed to the star performer, Ronaldinho, who won twice the ‘FIFA World Footballer of the Year’, proved time and again that he is the best footballer in the world.

Thanks to Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach who transformed the Brazilian ace into an attacking player, whose job is to create opportunities and score goals rather than breaching the defense and defending. The world’s best footballer is all set to repeat his winning performance for Barcelona this season too.

Barcelona on top of the world

2007-12-08T01:23:00.001-08:00

Barcelona has lined up its galaxy of stars for the upcoming season. The star team includes players like Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, Carles Puyol, Yaya Toure, Gabriel Milito, and Eric Abidal. These reigning football superstars have played their smashing games in the last season and spurred the hopes of millions of its fans that it is going to repeat its splendid form in the upcoming season too.

Of late Barcelona has turned out to be the biggest sensation on the football circuit. Thanks to Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach for his farsighted strategies in molding Barcelona to its present status. When Barcelona plays millions of crazy fans flock the stadium and watch their favorite stars in action.

Barcelona’s soaring popularity could be gauged from the fact that more than 800 journalists hailing from some twenty countries have descended from Los Angeles, New York, and Houston and Mexico just to watch Barcelona play its rivals during the last season. Even for the practice matches more than fifty thousand fans flocked to watch the team. But what is surprising is that these die-hard Barca fans paid through their noses to watch the practice matches. This is because the organizers of the tour exploited Barcelona’s soaring popularity and encashed it by fleecing the fans of their cash.

True to the expectations the Barcelona team too never let down its fans and played their games in style

Dual Spanish nationality for Ronaldinho

2007-12-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

The Spaniards would be greatly delighted to have Brazilian’s ace midfielder, Ronaldinho in their midst as their own kith and kin with Spanish citizenship being conferred on him. Brazilian dazzling footballer is soon going to receive his Spanish passport that bestows on him the dual Spanish nationality.

The Spanish Football league or La Liga is allowed to recruit only three non-European members under Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules. These three berths were already occupied by Mexican forward Giovanni dos Santos along with the Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure.

Now to accommodate this Brazilian ace midfielder, it would not be wise to drop any of these three players and is also not possible legally. The only avenue available to solve this Ronaldinho riddle is to bestow the dual Spanish citizenship on the Brazilian star and free up a slot for a non-European Union player in the squad, reveals a source in the Primera Liga.

In the midst of this high-strung drama, AC Milan big boss, Silvio Berlusconi, a die-hard fan of Ronaldinho is ever ready to bring his idol into his club. But it is highly unlikely that Barcelona would let go the Brazilian football wizard.

Brazil held in Peru, Salas strikes

2007-11-19T08:41:00.001-08:00

Kaka produced another superb strike to help Brazil draw 1-1 away to Peru in Sunday's FIFA World Cup qualifiers while Marcelo Salas scored his first international goals for more than two years in Chile's 2-2 away draw to Uruguay.Kaka scored with a 30-metre shot which dipped and swerved away from Peru goalkeeper Diego Penny to give the five-times world champions a halftime lead in Lima before Juan Vargas equalised in the second half.

Salas, Chile's all-time leading scorer who was recalled to the squad in August, took his international tally to 37 goals after scoring twice in 11 minutes in Montevideo.

The former Lazio and Juventus striker stopped playing altogether for the first half of the year after failing to negotiate a new contract with Universidad de Chile but rejoined the Santiago club in July to resume his career.

Uruguay, who had taken the lead through Luis Suarez, snatched a point thanks to a late equaliser from Sebastian Abreu.

Argentina, 3-0 winners over Bolivia on Saturday, are the only team with maximum points after three of the 18 rounds of games in the single South American group.They are followed by Paraguay (7 points), Brazil and Colombia (5), Uruguay and Chile (4), Venezuela (3), Bolivia and Peru (2) and Ecuador (0).

The top four teams qualify directly for the 2010 finals in South Africa and the fifth plays off against the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF region.

Brazil could have secured all three points with the last move of the game but Juan's header from a Ronaldinho free-kick crashed against the crossbar.

Peru mounted an early barrage on Julio Cesar's goal but Brazil weathered the storm and went ahead with Kaka's third goal of the qualifiers five minutes before half-time. The AC Milan player nearly scored again with a clever chip two minutes later but Peru goalkeeper Diego Penny tipped the ball over.

Peru came back into the game and Vargas equalised with a deflected 25-metre shot in the 71st minute, the first scored by his team and conceded by Brazil in the group."Our performance was very good in the first half but we dropped off in the second, when we lost a lot of balls in the midfield and they were able to hit us on the break," said Brazil coach Dunga.

Suarez gave Uruguay a 41st minute lead after they had dominated the first half in Montevideo before Salas, who scored his last international goal in June 2005, sprang into action.

He equalised by meeting Carlos Villanueva's cross with a diving header in the 59th minute and converted a 70th minute penalty after Matias Fernandez was bundled over by Uruguay captain Diego Lugano.

Abreu salvaged a point for Uruguay with nine minutes left.

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa conceded his team did not deserve to win."If we had won the match, it would not have coincided with what happened on the field of play, for which reason the point which we obtained was valuable to us," said the former Argentina coach.

Source : FIFA

Ronaldinho optimistic of facing Peru

2007-11-19T08:40:00.003-08:00

Brazil's Ronaldinho, troubled by an ankle injury, said he was confident of facing Peru in Sunday's FIFA World Cup™ qualifier in Lima.

However, the Barcelona player said he would play only if he was fully fit and that he was not prepared to risk aggravating the injury.

"The ankle is not swollen any more but I still feel some pain," he told reporters. "It's in the final stage of treatment. I've had a big improvement, I'm going to continue the treatment, travel with the team and my thinking is that I will play."

Brazil, who have four points from two games in the South American Zone, also face Uruguay at home on Wednesday. "There has been progress every day since I arrived and I intend to play both games," said Ronaldinho.

"But it's not a question of sacrifice. I want to play well here but I also want to return in good shape for my club. They have called every day to see how I'm progressing, I want to be 100 per cent, without pain and with confidence."

Ronaldinho took part in a practice match for 20 minutes on Thursday, but trained alone in the gymnasium on Friday. Diego, Julio Baptista or Elano are the likely replacements if he cannot play.

Source : FIFA

Everything looks decided

2007-11-19T08:40:00.001-08:00

FC Barcelona won 3-0 away to Alcoyano with goals from Henry, Gudjohnsen (p) and Bojan, and as good as sentenced the tie, although there is still the second leg to play at the Camp Nou on January 2. Are going to miss out on a place in the next round. A first half goal from Henry and two late additions from Gudjohnsen and Bojan mean that despite their aggressive attitude to the game, Alcoyano are will only be playing at the Camp Nou for the experience, and not for any realistic hope of qualification.

Barça wholly superior
The game was intense from the outset, with Alcoyano clearly desperate to make a game of it, but nothing they could do was of any trouble to Barça. The visitors took a professional attitude from the start and refused to allow their hosts to get carried away and little by little started pegging Alcoyano back in their own half.

Gudjohnsen and Henry connect
Barça’s dominance finally played dividends with Henry’s opener (min 25), who found the target nicely following a delightful assist from Gudjohnsen. The Icelander and Frenchman have developed a terrific understanding and in the 42nd minute combined again, only for Henry’s effort to hit the post. At half time it was still 1-0, but only Barça looked like scoring any more.

Second hard to find
But despite his excellent first half, Henry made way for Bojan after the break, although the Icelander stayed on and continued to perform well, and almost got his reward in the 50th minute with a shot that missed by inches.

Bojan (57) and Gudjohnsen again (72) also came close, but both strikes went over the bar. Things took a turn for the worse when Giovani was stretchered off.

Gudjohnsen at last
It was all one-way traffic, but the second goal did not arrive until the 80th minute after the home side were reduced to ten men when Baixauli received his second yellow card. Shortly after the referee granted Barça a penalty for handball in the area, and Gudjohnsen coolly converted in the 82nd minute to make it 2-0.

Final barrage
The third came deep into injury time, and that with Alcoyano down to nine men after Carrión was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Bojan, the same player who scored Barça’s third following a delightful cross from Xavi from the right (94).

In the end Barça came home with a 3-0 advantage that hardly forced the best out of the team, and a place in the next round now seems little more than a formality.

The goals :

0-1, Henry (min 25)
0-2, Gudjohnsen (pen, min 89)
0-3, Bojan (min 94)

Source : FCB

Second defeat of the season

2007-11-19T08:39:00.001-08:00

Barca went down to their second defeat of the season at Getafe tonight as Laudrup’s team took advantage of two of the very few chances in the game to win 2-0.

Rijkaard’s men lacked the aggression that a tough away trip like this was always going to demand and once again tasted defeat on the ground that saw their dramatic cup hammering last season. It seemed that few lessons had been learned from that defeat when Getafe went ahead after some poor defending in the first half and Barca were unable to muster any kind of reply to the home team’s determined pressing, even suffering a further goal late on after they had been reduced to 10 men following Zamrotta’s red card.

Slow start
The game got off to a slow start, though Getafe showed that they were willing and able to take the game to their visitors, even dominating at times and forcing Barca to defend deep.

Ulche gave notice of things to come with a good effort on 17 minutes, which Valdes did well to deal with and that seemed to draw some kind of response from Barca as Henry latched onto a precise Iniesta through ball on 23 minutes, only for the keeper to stop his effort with his legs, then soon after Milito also came close, heading a corner inches over the bar.

Getafe make most of their chances
Just as Barca appeared to be about to impose themselves on the game, Getafe scored, Manu taking advantage of slack marking to fire home a flick on from Mario on 27 minutes. It was a body blow to the visitors, who for the rest of the half never looked like turning the game around again.

Changes fail to turn the game around
Trijkaard shuffled the pack at half time, bringing on Zamrotta for Thuram and moving Puyol back into central defence and Barca took control of the game, as Getafe closed up shop, determined to defend their one-goal lead. Unfortunately tonight Barca seemed to lack the spark up front to convert their massive possession advantage into real goal scoring opportunities. Rijkaard again tried to inject some fresh legs, replacing Ronaldinho, who’d suffered a crunching tackle from De La Red, with Giovanni and then Bojan for Messi, but the youngsters were unable to make much impact.

Zambrotta sees red
Getafe slowed the game down with continual interruptions and fouls and Zambrotta lost his nerves with a reckless two footed tackle that saw him given a straight red.

Laudrup’s team took full advantage of the space left down Barca’s right flank and as the game drew to an end they finished off the game with a strike from Albin and sent Barca to their second league defeat this season.

Goals
1-0 Del Moral (min 27)
2-0 Albín (min 90)

Source : FCB

Barça in contro

2007-11-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

FC Barcelona comfortably beat Rangers with a domineering display of passing and incisive football to move clear at the top of the group. First half goals from Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi gave the hosts maximum points.

The Blaugrana called for an early goal and they achieved their aim as the deadlock was broken after just six minutes as Rangers set themselves up to defend in numbers. That goal failed to open the visitors up, however, and Barça were forced to continue to look for space in which to create a second. That was eventually found just before the break and left the Scottish side with no way back.

In the second period, the hosts created even more chances as they were bale to relax and produce their trademark attacking football. Rangers maintained their stance and only troubled Víctor Valdés in the closing minutes. The victory saw Frank Rijkaard's side move three points clear at the top of the group and become clear favourites to progress to the next round. The desired startThe first goal of the night arrived after just six minutes when Ronaldinho floated a cross to the far side of the area where Messi arrived unmarked to head back across goal and Henry beat Carlos Cuellár to prod the ball home from point-blank range after it had clipped the inside of the post. It was just the start that the hosts wanted and was an important strike after Barça had failed to find a way through when the teams first met in Glasgow two weeks ago.

In the 17th minute Iniesta ran onto a loose ball after Messi's run was halted, and the Barça midfielder bent a drive just wide of the post from 20 yards out. Ten minutes later Ronaldinho, who was clearly enjoying himself again, made a quick turn of the hips and a realignment of the body to provide himself with the space to send a fizzing drive goalwards, but Allan McGregor was equal to the effort as the Scottish custodian tipped the ball over the bar.

Messi goal
The game remained intense as Rangers sat back and Barça continued to probe. Then, three minutes before half-time the second goal arrived. Ronaldinho played a neat one-two with Messi on the edge of the area to allow the Brazilian to surge forward and shoot. McGregor saved the initial shot with his legs, but was helpless as Messi strode onto the rebound and tucked the ball home from close range.

Further chances
After the break there was little change in the pattern of the game as Barça continued to press forward, while the visitors continued to look to protect their goal. Xavi had two good chances to put the Blaugrana further ahead, but both his efforts were off target, while Messi was denied twice by McGregor.

Carles Puyol was revelling in his role at right-back and spent the majority of the game surging down the flank to play as a second winger and a third goal looked to be on the cards.

Rangers edge forward
That goal never arrived through, despite substitute Bojan Krkic's attempts to break through. The youngster replaced Ronaldinho with 14 minutes remaining and looked lively, despite being unable to make his mark in the Champions League with a goal.

In the closing moments, Rangers finally ventured forward and Jean-Claude Darcheville saw a free-kick saved by Valdés before the Catalan custodian was called on again in injury time to deny Nacho Novo.

THE GOALS :

1-0, Henry (min 6)
2-0, Messi (min 42)

Source : FCB

Barça and Rangers battle for supremacy

2007-11-19T08:37:00.002-08:00

Frustrated by Rangers FC's stubborn resistance on Matchday 3, FC Barcelona will try to improve on their 0-0 draw with Walter Smith's side in Glasgow when the top two teams in Group E reconvene at Camp Nou.

Only goal difference separates Barcelona from Rangers at the group summit with the sides both unbeaten with two wins and a draw apiece. Victory for either in Spain would represent a major step towards the last 16 – and in the event of third-placed Olympique Lyonnais losing at home against VfB Stuttgart, would actually secure the winning team a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage with two games to spare.

Prior to their stalemate at Ibrox, Barcelona had won 2-0 at Stuttgart on Matchday 2, Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi scoring in the second half. Frank Rijkaard's men defeated Lyon 3-0 at home in their opening fixture, Messi and Thierry Henry adding to the lead given them by François Clerc's own goal.

Rangers began their campaign with a 2-1 success against Stuttgart, coming from behind to win through goals from Charlie Adam and Jean-Claude Darcheville. They built on that positive start with a 3-0 victory at Lyon on 2 October, Lee McCulloch, Daniel Cousin and DaMarcus Beasley all scoring as Rangers recorded their first away win in the UEFA Champions League since 2000/01.

Following their unbeaten start, Rangers are on course to register their best points tally in the UEFA Champions League since the introduction of the 32-team group stage. Their best performance to date in terms of points was in 2000/01 when they accrued eight points, having recorded two wins, two draws and two defeats.

Barcelona are one of only two teams in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League yet to concede a goal along with Arsenal FC.Barcelona have won only once in six previous meetings with Scottish opposition. That victory came on their last visit to Glasgow to face Rangers' neighbours Celtic FC in the UEFA Champions League in September 2004 – Deco, Ludovic Giuly and Henrik Larsson were the scorers in a 3-1 success.

The Spanish club's home record against Scottish teams does not inspire confidence with one defeat and two draws, most recently a 1-1 draw with Celtic in the 2004/05 group stage. Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring for Barcelona in that match only for John Hartson to level for the visitors.

Prior to that draw, they had lost 2-1 to Dundee United FC in the 1986/87 UEFA Cup quarter-final and been held 0-0 by Celtic in the fourth round of the same competition in 2003/04, running out aggregate losers on both occasions.

However, Rangers have a disappointing record in Spain, with two draws and six defeats from eight matches there.

In addition, they have lost five out of seven two-legged ties against Spanish opposition, the most recent reverse coming last season in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, where they lost 2-1 on aggregate to CA Osasuna. Brahim Hemdani's injury-time equaliser earned Rangers a 1-1 first-leg draw prior to their second-leg defeat in Pamplona.

Rangers' most recent UEFA Champions League opponents from Spain were Villarreal CF, whom they met in the first knockout round in 2005/06. The Light Blues fought back twice to salvage a 2-2 draw at Ibrox but a 1-1 draw in Spain left them eliminated on the away-goals rule.

Barcelona defender Lilian Thuram was part of the Parma FC side defeated 2-0 at Rangers, and 2-1 overall, in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie in August 1999. More recently, Thuram was in the France team beaten by a Scotland outfit featuring four Rangers players – David Weir, Alan Hutton, Lee McCulloch and Barry Ferguson – in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying match in Paris in September.

Weir, McCulloch and Ferguson were also in the side that beat Thuram and Henry's France 1-0 in Glasgow in October 2006.

Rangers' Spanish forward Nacho Novo began his career with SD Huesca before leaving his home country to join Raith Rovers FC in 2001.

Source : UEFA

Ronaldinho : "I’m still not 100%"

2007-11-19T08:37:00.001-08:00

Speaking the day after scoring two goals in Barça’s 3-0 defeat of Betis, Ronaldinho gives us his thoughts on the start to the season and his own form. He believes he has room for improvement.
In an exclusive interview with Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Ronaldinho speaks freely about the criticism he has received recently. He assures us that he’s not worried by it and that his aim is to perform at 100% of his possibilities and stay with Barça.

At home you’re unbeatable. You’re the best team in Europe at home.
"Perfect, isn’t it? Things are going really well at home and now we have to try and be at the same standard in away matches. The objective is to do well at home and away”.

Why does Barça change so much away from the Camp Nou?
"I think it’s normal. The same difficulties that teams have when they play here, we have when we play away. When they play at home, other teams are very motivated and have the support of the fans. All this makes it very difficult for us”.

Rijkaard says you need more mentality. More sacrifice away from home.
"He has a perfect right to say whatever he likes. He’s the coach. It’s true that we’re performing better in every match. You have to listen to him and respect him, and it’s our job to do what he asks”.

Are you starting to get back to the form you were in before the international break?
"Every time you stop, you find it a bit difficult to get back to the same level. Let’s hope the same thing doesn’t happen after the next break. It’s normal when you stop playing regularly with the same team at the same rhythm”.

Are you feeling better?
"Each day that goes by, I’m happier. After my injury, I’m feeling good again and I hope to be 100% as soon as possible”.

Does that mean you still don’t feel fully fit?
"No. I’m still not 100%. I want to improve in all aspects. I’m better than before but I’m aware I could be much better”.

We saw you smile yesterday. Does that mean you’re enjoying yourself on the pitch?
"They only film me when I’m not smiling because I’m always happy. But sometimes, people don’t want to see you smiling and don’t show you smiling. But it’s true. I enjoyed myself yesterday and I’m feeling better all the time”.

Was the goal against Valladolid psychologically important in your performance yesterday?
"I don’t think it was fundamental. I’m fitter in every match and that’s good. It’s not the goal that gives me more confidence, especially if you bear in mind that I’m not a player that scores in every match. But it’s great when you find yourself with a good rhythm. If the goals come, then better still. What makes me even happier is scoring from free kicks. It’s something I work on a lot and when it comes off I’m very happy”.

Did you need a performance like that to regain confidence, or for people to have confidence in you again?
"Neither. A player has to check every day if he’s in good shape. That’s a footballer’s life. You have to keep proving every day that you have what it takes to be in the starting line-up, to be an international, to entertain the fans. So that’s my life every day”.

By the way, who did you dedicate the goals to?
"To a great friend, who’s always here for every match (Manel Vich, the Camp Nou announcer). I get on very well with him and yesterday I dedicated my goals to him”.

The second one as well?
Yes, both goals. He’s a great friend”.

You’ve now scored 90 goals for Barça and you’re the top scorer in the squad. This year you’ll reach 100, won’t you?
“Yes? Even I didn’t expect to score so many goals. It’s good and I hope it stays that way”.

Do you think we’re going to see the Ronaldinho of 2 or 3 seasons ago – the player that scored impossible goals?
"You’re always going to see a motivated player, who wants to give 100%, and I hope that’s what everybody comes to see. A Ronaldinho that is always trying to do the best for his team”.

I suppose it’s difficult to be at the same standard. Do you think you set such a high standard that, now that you aren’t matching it, people think it’s not enough”.
"I think there’s criticism and criticism. There’s criticism from people who have never played football and don’t know what’s happening. Criticism from people who played and know how difficult it is and know everything that’s happening. I think I’m playing well but I’m aware I can improve a lot. I want to be where I think I can be”.

Some people say that you need to reinvent yourself as a player, that you can bring other things and be very important for the team.
"The important thing is to keep on innovating and finding a way to surprise. You always look to surprise, with dribbling, a new move, a new pass... As long as I believe I have the creativity for that, that’s what I’ll try and do. I’m never going to lose my characteristics because that’s what I know how to do. I want to mix everything that is innovative with the same things as always”.

Do you think you find it harder to do things that were easy before?
"No, but perhaps the fans expect me to do all the tricks, the opponents as well. If you don’t innovate, they all take the ball away from you. I believe it’s important to innovate in order to avoid repetition”.

How have you been these past few weeks? How do you react to criticism?
"I don’t worry. I always try and give 100% and bring the best to the team”.

Do you feel you’ve been unfairly treated?
"Never. Not at any moment. The fans have always been with me, which is what is important to me”.

Even now when people are talking about your private life?
"People always talk but they haven’t got anything to show. I’ve been here for many years, I’ve always had my way of living, and I’ve behaved the same. So far, nobody’s been able to prove I’ve done something. People always invent loads of stuff. And as they form public opinion, many people end up believing them”.

All your team-mates have defended you in recent weeks. They still consider you to be the leader of the team. Has their support been vital?
"They’re friends and they treat me well. We’re like a family. And that’s normal. When someone’s being criticised or unfairly treated we always defend him, because we want to see everyone at 100%”.

You’ve given a lot to FC Barcelona. The history of the Club has changed a lot in recent years. Do you think people have forgotten that?
"People have always been behind me. They’ve never left me. And that’s what motivates me: to train more and more every day to keep on entertaining. That’s my motivation”.

Are you happy in Barcelona?
"As always”.

As much as before?
"As always. More each day”.

Have you ever thought of leaving?
"Never”.

Team-mates What do you think about Messi being one of the idols of the Camp Nou?
"It’s normal and I’m very happy about it. Being with him and seeing everything that’s happening in his life is perfect. It’s wonderful and being his friend is something that delights me because he’s never changed”.

Why do you think Messi dedicates nearly all his goals to you?
"Because we’re very good friends and we always try and help each other. Both on and off the pitch. Most of the goals we score come from joint moves and we talk a lot about how to do these moves. When it works, it’s fantastic”.

What do you think about the two youngsters, Bojan and Giovani?
"It’s fundamental to have young players. It’s the future of Barça. Let’s hope the same happens to them as happened to Messi. They look good to me; they’re more and more confident. They’re with the squad each day and learning a great deal. They’re looking better and better”.

And the new signings? In particular Abidal and Touré, who were unknown to many of us and yet have become important players.
"They’re both great players. They’re contributing a lot and can contribute even more. They’re adapting to a new rhythm of play, to a team that plays in a different style to all the others, and I believe they still have a lot to give”.

There’s a lack of cohesion between you and Henry. You look for each other but very often the pass doesn’t come. Do you need time?
"It’s normal. Henry changed from a place where he’d been playing for many years and now he’s adapting. He can adapt to anyone. I’m very comfortable with him and each match we play together we know each other better. He’s a very intelligent player and very creative. It’s just a matter of time”.

The 2014 World Cup is going to be held in Brazil. Do you dream of taking part?
"Yes. I can see myself playing there. I imagine myself in form and in shape. My objective is to keep my place in the Brazil team all that time and help my country win another World Cup”.

Source : FCB

Three hard-earned points

2007-11-19T08:36:00.003-08:00

Barça have beaten Almeria 2-0 in a slow moving game.

Goals from Henry and Messi, who made his mark in the last quarter of an hour, put the balance in favour of the team who had most chances.

Playing with little vision, and possibly still tired from last week, Barça faced more problems than expected against a plucky Almeria. It’s not that the Andalucian team gave Valdés much work, but Barçá’s lack of fluidity caused some nervous moments in the stands. An opportune goal by Henry near the end of the first half took away any element of surprise, but Barça seemed to be missing Messi during the first 74 minutes. In the end, a goal from a penalty by the Argentinean star ten minutes from the end assured that the three points would stay at home.

Pressure from visitors
Unai Emery’s men began with their ideas clear. Well positioned, they put pressure on Barça’s creation zone. With few opportunities of getting the ball to Xavi or Iniesta, Barça played with patience from the back, and also fought to win the ball in their opponent’s half. Without being offered any verticality, Thierry Henry struggled to get into the game.

Henry opportunistic
Barça’s first chances came with a counter-attack which Ronaldinho played into the hands of Cobeño and two weak shots from Milito after two corners. Almeria had the game as they wanted, with Barça looking uncomfortable. The crowd also began to get impatient, whistling at the Almeria goalkeeper’s attempts to waste time.

Nervousness changed to euphoria in the 37th minute. Giovani won the ball from Almeria’s defence, and when Cobeño tried to neutralise the situation, he left Henry with a dead ball, leaving the Frenchmen to enjoy his fourth league goal (and his first in Camp Nou). The goal came as a relief to Barça, who had been unable till then to break the Andalucians’ defensive wall.

Brave Almeria
Puyol, who had been impeccable on returning to his central position, was substituted by Márquez after half time because of intestinal problems. The Mexican defender, along with Zambrotta and Touré, was back after three weeks out through injury. The game looked open, and the first chance of the second half was a missed header from Crusat (min. 50). This afternoon, Almeria have shown bravery and good footballing taste.

Enter Messi
During the second half, Barça persisted in looking for a second goal. Iniesta had the clearest chance with a shot from the edge of the area which Cobeño saved (min.62). Despite this, Barça’s imprecision continued. Rijkaard modified the midfield, bringing on Gudjohnsen for Touré Yaya. The panorama didn’t change with the Icelandic player and the next one to come on was Messí (min 74).

A calmer end
Giovani won a penalty in the 79th minute and Messí sent Cobeño the wrong way.
The 2-0 lead made the last part of the game calmer, and produced two of the best moves of the game. The first started with Henry and ended with Giovanni just missing. Straight after, a pass from Messi to Henry brought off a good save from Cobeño. These last actions left a better taste in the mouth in a victory which was more complicated than expected.

Goals :
1-0 Henry (min 37)
2-0 Messi (p) (min 79)

Source : FCB

Unrewarded superiority

2007-11-19T08:36:00.001-08:00

Barça and Rangers played out a goalless draw at Ibrox Park. Rijkaard’s enjoyed more of the play and the most chances but were out of luck in front of goal.

Playing the ball won over the physical style employed by the Scots, but none of this was reflected on the Ibrox scoreboard. Barça ran the show in Glasgow but failed to transform any of that into goals, but did make it three Champions League games in a row without conceding a goal.

This result leaves the two sides neck and neck at the top of the group with seven points each. The two clubs meet again at the Camp Nou in a fortnight’s time.

Barça impose their style
Rijkaard had already warned about the physical approach Rangers take to their game and responded with an aggressive combination style throughout the first half, which thwarted Rangers and left them with no option other than hopeful high balls into the area.

For most of the game Rangers were held back in their own half, and Puyol, playing in the unfamiliar right back role, was more involved in attacking than defensive duties. The home side opted for long balls, but Milito and Thuram proved impenetrable at the heart of the Barça defence.

Ronaldinho hits the post
The Scots always looked dangerous from dead ball situations, but it was Ronaldinho who came closest to scoring early on with no fewer than three chances. The clearest came in the 23rd minute, when his effort struck the Rangers crossbar.

In the 40th minute, the Brazilian and Puyol both had chances off a corner, and the ball was cleared from the six yard box by a hand in the Rangers defence, but the referee failed to spot the infringement.

All out attacks
After the restart, Barça created even more pressure on a Rangers side that rarely moved out of its own half. Gudjohnsen worked well as a defensive midfielder and also led the team’s attack as they found their way deep into the Rangers half, but rarely caused excessive danger to the well-positioned Scottish defence. In fact the clearest chance was struck by Cuéllar almost into his own net, along with a Henry header that hit the post.

Rangers wake up
Barça faced the most problems in the final quarter of the half when Rangers started playing more practical football. Playing down the wings they won a series of corners, but nothing truly managed to trouble Valdés. The game ended as it had begun, 0-0, and both sides maintain strong positions at the top of Group E.

Source : FCB

Ronaldinho is back

2007-11-19T08:35:00.003-08:00

Ronaldinho has been named in the squad to travel to Glasgow Rangers for the Champions League encounter this week.

He took part in Sunday morning training, at which Touré and Zambrotta also trained as normal...

The defeat to Villarreal behind them, Barça trained this morning at La Masia, with all thoughts on the Champions league game in Scotland. After the session, Frank Rijkaard announced his squad for the game in Glasgow, in which Ronaldinho comes in for the injured Deco.

Missing players
The first league defeat of the season has brought further bad news for Barça with Deco out injured. The Portuguese player spent the morning doing tests with the medical services. Not only Deco, but also Messi, Henry and Milito were missing, as they were instead working out in the gym with Márquez, all concentrating on physical problems.

Touré and Zambrotta back to normal
The positive note were the returns of both Touré Yaya and Gianluca Zambrotta to normal training. The players that played on Saturday evening only did a gentle warm-down routine, while the other players including Touré and Zambrotta, did a series of circuits and ended up taking shots at Jorquera.

The full squad :
Valdés, Jorquera, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Puyol, Messi, Thuram, Sylvinho, Xavi, Oleguer, Abidal, Milito, Henry, Ezquerro, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Bojan and Crosas.

Source : FCB

Brazil scramble draw in Colombia

2007-11-19T08:35:00.001-08:00

Colombia and Brazil kicked off their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying campaigns with a 0-0 draw in Bogota on Sunday.

The only team to have played at all 18 editions of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil are likely to be happier with the point given that they failed to play the free-flowing football for which they have become renowned.

Despite making wholesale changes from their Copa America Venezuela 2007 squad and fielding an inexperienced team, Colombia had most of the pressure and Brazil became less adventurous as the game went on.

The match kicked off 45 minutes late after a torrential downpour left puddles on the pitch but the water drained away quickly.

Backed by a passionate crowd at the El Campin stadium, Colombia took the game to Brazil and Radamel Falcao went close after a well-worked move from a free-kick in the third minute.

Colombia striker Wason Renteria twice forced Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar to make difficult saves from headers before the break.

Brazil's best first-half effort came when Ronaldinho had a shot from a narrow angle turned around the post by Agustin Julio.

Colombia continued to press forward after half-time and Julio Cesar was forced to parry a long-range shot from substitute Freddy Grisales.

Aldo Ramirez also tested the goalkeeper with a low drive, but Colombia were unable to find their way past a packed Brazil defence.

Midfielder Mineiro had Brazil's only second half scoring chance when his 25-metre drive was turned away by Julio.

Source : FIFA

Barça continue unbeaten against Atlético

2007-11-19T08:34:00.001-08:00

FC Barcelona extended their unbeaten start to the new season to nine matches as they beat Atlético de Madrid thanks to goals from Deco, Lionel Messi and Xavi in Camp Nou on Sunday.

The build up the encounter focussed on the two sides that were seen as the in-form teams in the top flight as they both went in search of another win....

Despite a bright opening by Atlético though, it was Barça that stretched their run of consecutive victories to six matches as they ended up as comfortable winners. Three goals capped a confident display in a game that saw Frank Rijkaard's side dictate the pace of play throughout and never really allowed the visitors to create many clear chances to worry Víctor Valdés.

A decisive mistake
In the opening minutes, Atlético's strategy of trying to deny the Blaugana any time or space in which to play looked to be working as they hastled and harried from the start and looked dangerous going forward. Then, in the 15th minute a mistake by Chrsitian Abbiati undid all their good work and allowed Barça to take the lead. Messi cut back inside Mariano Pernía on the right flank before sending a low pass into the area. Abbiati looked set to comfortably collect, but the Italian spilled the ball and Deco was on hand to tuck home from close range.

Ronaldinho and Messi produce the second
Having broken the deadlock, Barça's spirits began to lift and they began to enjoy the game and they added a second goal just five minutes later. Thierry Henry rolled the ball back for Messi who made a sudden surge forward and, after a neat interchange with Ronaldinho, was able to take aim and guide the ball across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

The rhythm of the game was set by the home team and they continued to attack, but the urgency had gone after giving themselves a two-goal cushion and they were able to stroke the ball around. Seven minutes before the break, Ronaldinho was given a golden chance to add a third when Messi's pass along the area was nudged on by Deco, but as the Brazilian met the ball on the left he fired it wide of the near post. Messi then fired a shot straight at Abbiati after receiving the ball on the right of the area thanks to a fine piece of skill from Ronaldinho, who had lifted a pass over the Atlético defence.

A flawless defence
At the start of the second half, the home team almost added a third as Deco forced Abbiati into a save as he drove goalwards, before Gabi Milito was thwarted from close range by Abbiati after Henry's ball had picked out the defender at the bear post. It was not until the 64th minute that Valdés tasted his first action of the period when Maxi Rodríguez's shot looked bound for the top corner only for the Catalan keeper to make a flying save to tip it away. Simão then looked to lob the Catalan keeper from close range, only to see his effort drift wide of the far post. Carles Puyol had an inspiring game at the back as he made several fierce challenges to keep the danger away.

Third strike
There was time for a sudden upturn in pace by the hosts as Deco again tested Abbiati before he set up Messi who saw his effort turned onto the post by the keeper. In the final minute there was some icing added to Barça's cake when Deco and Messi exchanged passes before the Portuguese international slotted the ball down the left for Dos Santos whose first time pass across goal was met by Xavi to put Barça three goals ahead.

Goals :
1-0 Deco (min 15)
2-0 Messi (min 19)
3-0 Xavi (min 89)

Fuente : FCB

Barça’s winning streak continues

2007-11-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Goals from Puyol and Messi brought Barça a crucial victory in Stuttgart in the second round of matches in Champions League Group E. Barça now have six points out six, as do co-leaders Glasgow Rangers, who won in Lyon.
Barça are impressing both at home and abroad. From start to finish this was the kind of football we like to see from the team, and only for a few spells in the first half were Stuttgart able to produce anything of major concern.

Puyol left the pitch early with an injury, but not before he had opened the Barça account, while Leo Messi was on the end of a Henry assist to make it two.

That makes for five wins out of five in all competitions, and if Barça can keep this kind of form up, then there will be a lot to enjoy this season. But injuries are once again putting a dampener on the proceedings, and both Márquez and Puyol were withdrawn with injuries tonight.

Lively start
A shot onto the post by Deco and the early injury to Márquez, who was replaced by Puyol after just 7 minutes, set things up for a dramatic opening period. Barça conjured up a series of delightful combination plays to confound the German midfield and create chance after chance, leaving Stuttgart with no option but to try to keep things as tight as possible at the back.

Ronaldinho, back to his old self in the playmaker role, supplied numerous danger-balls to Messi (min 21) and Henry (min 24), but Schäfer always seemed to be on hand to intervene. Barça were on top, but that lethal touch in front of goal just wasn’t appearing.

Valdés keeps the sheet clean
The game was over half an hour old before Stuttgart finally decided the time had come to launch an attack, and almost got away with it. Mario Gómez had two golden opportunities within a second, but the first struck the bar and second was parried away on the line by a lightning quick Valdés. Ten minutes later, and Stuttgart were at it again, and once more Valdes was the saviour. All of a sudden, the control of the game seemed to have switched to the home side, and the half time break could not have come at a better time.

Puyol scores and goes off
Puyol was the focus of all attention after the restart. He broke the deadlock when pouncing on the end of a Schäfer clearance from a powerful header by Ronaldinho in the 52nd minute. But minutes later, the Barça captain fell awkwardly and asked to be replaced. It was the second forced substitution of the night, and will come as huge frustration to a player that has only just returned from a three-month absence with a leg injury.

A joy to watch
Barça were forced to play an unorthodox back four, but despite several players being in unfamiliar positions, they got the job done in remarkably professional fashion. Messi added the second thanks to an impeccable pass from the by-line by Thierry Henry. That was in the 65th minute, and the next ten minutes or so saw a series of superlative moves from Barça that proved just why this team is so hotly tipped to do well in this year’s Champions League.

For Stuttgart, it was a case of pressing forward in the forlorn hope of salvaging something from a game that was looking increasingly like a lost cause. And indeed it was Barça who enjoyed the last big chance of the night when substitute Bojan broke through one on one with Schäfer deep into injury time, but the German keeper just got his fingertips to the ball to turn it wide for a corner.

It all ended with Barça convincing victors 2-0, and next up is a trip to Glasgow in three weeks time to face a side that currently shares the lead with Barça after Rangers caused the shock of the evening by coming away from Lyon with an emphatic 3-0 win.

The goals :

0-1, min. 52' Puyol
0-2, min. 67' Messi

Fuente : FCB

Pre-season gets under way

2007-08-18T18:46:00.003-07:00

LET'S GO !
The pre-season has started for the 2007-08 squad. The team was divided into four groups for different medical tests and the first training session. Frank Rijkaard’s players met at 9 o’clock in the morning at the Camp Nou, where in morning and afternoon sessions they will take a series of medical tests and also start training. After being divided into four groups, they will also be working out in the gym as well as doing physical work in La Masía...

Reprise de l'entraînement

2007-08-18T18:46:00.001-07:00

Après une journée de repos bien mérité, les joueurs du Barça (de retour à Barcelone) se sont entraînés ce lundi à La Masia.

Frank Rijkaard a de nouveau partagé son effectif en plusieurs groupes, altèrnant les exercices de récupération et les tours de terrains. Plus tard en fin de journée, Ronnie et ses coéquipiers se sont livrés à un petit match à onze contre onze dont en voici les compositions:

Belletti, Marc Crosas, Abidal, Motta, Deco, Dimas, Maxi, Giovani, Henry et Bojan.

Zambrotta, Thuram, Oleguer, Sylvinho, Iniesta, Xavi, Touré, Ronaldinho, Eto’o et Ezquerro.

Les 3 gardiens du Barça (Valdes, Jorquera et Oier Olazábal) ont fait un roulement dans les cages des 2 équipes.

Hearts 1-3 Barça

2007-08-18T18:45:00.001-07:00

Le FC Barcelone s’est imposé ce samedi en match amical face à Hearts. Les Catalans ont battu 1-3 l’équipe écossaise avec deux buts de Ronaldinho et un de Gio Dos Santos.

Frank Rijkaard n’a pas souhaité innover et a aligné le même onze de départ que lors du match de jeudi dernier, face à Dundee United (0-1). Le trident d’attaque était donc composé de Ronaldinho, Eto’o et Ezquerro, tandis que Yaya Touré, Iniesta et Xavi occupaient le milieu du terrain. En défense, la paire Thuram - Oleguer était accompagnée des latéraux Zambrotta et Silvinho. Victor Valdés gardait les buts.

Un bon début
Barcelone démarrait très bien la rencontre en dominant facilement son adversaire. Bien en place, l’équipe catalane faisait patiemment circuler le ballon. Pendant le premier quart d’heure, Ronaldinho puis Eto’o étaient sur le point de marquer le premier but.

Comme lors du match de préparation de jeudi, c’est sur penalty que le Barça planta sa première banderille. Bousculé dans la surface, Gianluca Zambrotta permettait à Ronaldinho d’ouvrir le score depuis les 11 mètres. 0-1 à la 20ème minute.

Barcelone s’était à peine repositionné que les Écossais rétablissaient l’égalité au tableau d’affichage. Moins de deux minutes après le but de Ronaldinho, le milieu de terrain Makela envoyait un très bon tir au fond de la cage de Victor Valdés à la suite d’une phase arrêtée.

Heureusement, le Barça réagissait à cinq minutes de la pause. Sur un excellent centre de Silvinho, Ronaldinho reprenait magistralement le cuir de la tête et battait Gordon au second poteau pour le 1-2. Le public du Murray Field Stadium, venu en masse, appréciait le spectacle.

Dos Santos creuse l’écart
Frank Rijkaard réalisa de nombreux changement à l’entame de la seconde période. Jorquera entra pour Valdés dans les buts ; Belletti et Abidal pour Silvinho et Zambrotta en défense ; Deco pour Iniesta au milieu ; et enfin Henry, Dos Santos et Bojan Krkic pour Ronaldinho, Eto’o et Ezquerro en attaque.

Le nouveau trio offensif semblait à son aise et trouva rapidement ses marques puisque, cinq minutes après la reprise, le Barça creusait l’écart avec une troisième réalisation. A la suite d’un bon jeu de passes faisant intervenir Bojan et Henry, Dos Santos permettait au Barça de mener 1-3.

Avec ce bon score en poche, les Catalans baissèrent le rythme au fur et à mesure des minutes. Notons simplement trois bonnes mais infructueuses opportunités de Thierry Henry à la 65ème, 70ème et 88ème minute, ainsi que les débuts prometteurs de Bojan et Dos Santos, très présents devant.

Fin du stage en Écosse
L’aventure écossaise s’achève donc avec cette victoire. Les Barcelonais se rendront la semaine prochaine en Asie pour une grande tournée qui comprendra 3 rencontres. Prochain rendez-vous dimanche prochain : le Barça fera escale en Chine pour jouer face au Beijing Guoan.

Dundee United 0-1 Barça

2007-08-18T18:44:00.002-07:00

En stage de préparation en Écosse, le FC Barcelone s’est imposé 0-1 en fin de match et sur penalty face à Dundee United ce jeudi.

Une reprise… c’est toujours difficile. Le FC Barcelone est tout juste parvenu à battre la modeste équipe écossaise de Dundee United en match de préparation ce jeudi soir. Ceux qui attendaient du spectacle ont donc été déçus, mais saluons néanmoins les bonnes premières impressions laissées par les nouveaux venus, comme Thierry Henry qui a participé à toute la deuxième période et qui a marqué sur penalty.

Un trio Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Ezquerro en pointe
Frank Rijkaard avait opté pour un onze de départ composé de Valdés, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Thuram, Sylvinho, Yaya Touré, Iniesta, Xavi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o et Ezquerro. Sur le banc, Henry et Abidal, deux des nouvelles recrues barcelonaises, allaient attendre la seconde période pour obtenir du temps de jeu. Au cœur de nombreuses rumeurs évoquant un départ vers l'AC Milan, Deco était lui aussi sur la touche.

Barcelone dominait les échanges en première mi-temps, mais sans toutefois trouver la faille. Seul un coup franc de Ronaldinho, un tir d’Ezquerro à la demi-heure ou encore une combinaison malheureuse entre l’attaquant basque et Samuel Eto’o en fin de période auraient pu faire mouche lors des 45 premières minutes.

Avec Henry, mais toujours sans but
Match « d’entraînement » oblige, Frank Rijkaard réalisa de nombreux changements à la pause. Valdés, Zambrotta, Silvinho, Xavi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho et Ezquerro laissèrent leur place à Jorquera, Belletti, Abidal, Deco, Krkic, Dos Santos et Henry.

La présence de ‘Titi’ Henry en attaque mais aussi celle d’Éric Abidal au poste de latéral gauche étaient les principales attractions de cette seconde période, aussi pauvre en but que la première.

Très actifs, les deux Français laissèrent une bonne impression à l’issue de la rencontre, notamment concernant Thierry Henry. Au centre de toutes les attentions, l’attaquant des Bleus réalisa une première prestation irréprochable.

Une victoire sur le fil
C’est à quelques secondes du coup de sifflet final que le score a tourné en faveur des Barcelonais. Victime d’une faute dans la surface, Gio Dos Santos offrait à Thierry Henry l’occasion d’inscrire sur penalty son premier but sous ses nouvelles couleurs. Le Français ne manqua pas l’opportunité et envoya en deux temps son tir au fond des filets (0-1).

Le spectacle, ça sera pour une autre fois...
C’était un match d’entraînement et, au vue du tableau d’affichage, les supporters n’ont pas eu grand chose à se mettre sous la dent. On peut donc supposer que le seul homme satisfait de cette rencontre est le coach Blaugrana, très attentif aux premiers pas de ses poulains et qui commence tout doucement à mettre ses schémas tactiques en place. 0-1 score final… le spectacle, ça sera donc pour une prochaine fois.

Ronnie: "J'accepterai d'être remplaçant"

2007-08-18T18:44:00.001-07:00

Ronnie veut que le Barça redevienne une équipe de champion. Le Brésilien affirme de nouveau que son désire est de rester sous les ordres de Frank Rijkaard à Barcelone, malgré l'intérêt pressant du Milan AC.

"C'est toujours bon de savoir qu'il y a un intérêt de la part d'un grand club pour moi, mais je suis content içi , je ne pense pas à autre chose qu'au FC Barcelone, c'est là qu'est mon futur" a déclaré aujourd'hui le crack depuis le camp d'entraînement du Barça, en Ecosse. Le brésilien est très motivé pour la saison prochaine, après avoir fait l'impasse sur la Copa America, le crack est en pleine forme: "Depuis mon retour de vacances je me sens très bien, je vais m'entraîner pour être au top pour la nouvelle saison".

Ronaldinho a également parlé de l'arrivée de Thierry Henry dans l'effectif blaugrana. "C'est une personne très simple et très ouverte qui s'adapte rapidement au groupe, il est venu nous aider à atteindre nos objectifs, à savoir gagner des titres" déclare le brésilien. Quant a la possibilité que Frank Rijkaard puisse aligner les 4 attaquants en même temps (Ronnie, Eto'o, Henry et Messi), le 10 du Barça le verrai d'un bon oeil: "Plus il y a de joueurs de qualités dans l'équipe, mieux c'est pour le club" affirme Ronnie, qui accepterait le statut de remplaçant si Rijkaard le décidait: "C'est quelque chose de normal dans le football, ce sont les joueurs qui sont les mieux physiquement qui méritent d'être titulaires".

1er match d'entraînement du nouveau Barça

2007-08-18T18:43:00.002-07:00

Après 4 jours d'entraînement, le nouveau Barça s'est enfin livré à un match à 11 contre 11 ce mardi en Ecosse. Henry, Eto'o et Ronaldinho ont joués dans la même équipe.

Les compositions des 2 équipes

Equipe orange: Valdés, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Thuram, Abidal, Iniesta, Touré, Xavi, Henry, Ronaldinho et Etóo.

Equipe jaune: Jorquera, Belletti, Olmo, Marc Valiente, Sylvinho, Marc Crosas, Motta, Deco (Dimas), Giovani, Bojan et Ezquerro (Maxi).

La partie a durée 20 minutes, le score est resté vierge (0-0). L'équipe orange a eu les meilleures occasions, Samuel Eto'o ratant de peu le but en début de match.

En 2e mi-temps Henry et Ronaldinho se sont proccurés les deux plus belles occasions. L'attaquant français a profiter d'un bon mouvement entre Ronaldinho et Xavi pour armer sa frappe, mais la balle est aller s'écraser sur le poteau gauche de Jorquera qui était battu. Ronnie a aussi faillit marqué mais après avoir driblé 3 défenseurs, le crack a vu sa frappe arrêtée de justesse par Jorquera.