Training after break and some other news

I missed our boys so much, so it was pure pleasure to see them again in training this morning.

After a four day break, Maxwell, Abidal, Keita and Pinto were back in training this morning as Guardiola began his preparations for Saturday’s league game against Hercules. With the internationals still away with their national teams, Guardiola again called on the B team to make up the numbers at the training session. Puyol and Jeffren, who returned from their international call ups last week with injuries, both trained apart from the rest of the group as they fight to back to full fitness as soon as possible

Photos from morning training:







One of this morning’s biggest surprises was Jose Manuel Pinto’s new hair cut, which was the subject of much attention when he came out for training.




Scans carried out on Carles Puyol’s injured left leg on Monday have revealed that the muscle is healing well. His progress over the next few days should throw some light on when he will be able to return to action. Puyol has already missed the opening league game of the season as well as two internationals with Spain. Take care Carles!


After training Maxwell spoke to the media and declared himself: “very happy with how things are going”, both for himself and the team, “the more I play the more confidence I have”. (more you will find here- click)



Slightly less high profile friendly took place on Pitch #7 of the Ciudad Esportiva: Barcelona B vs. Brazil. A chance for our youngsters to pit themselves against one of the world’s powerhouse national teams featuring Barça players Dani Alves and Adriano.
Our young boys lost 0-3. Pep Guardiola watched game from stands:)






Club's news:


Club Statutes to be reformed (read more here-click)

Shortly club will announce the new ethics code of FC Barcelona (click here for more deteails)

Sandro Rosell is new vicepresident of ECA (read more here). The European Club Association (ECA) is the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level.



Some news from national teams:

The Spanish World Cup winning team has been awarded the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes 2010 it was announced this morning.

Spanish U-21 team won game agains Poland 1-0. Our Barca boys Thiago and Bojan were part of winning team. Great assist by Barcelona’s Thiago led to the winning (and only) goal.

La Roja wasn't so lucky and lost game 1-4 with Argentina. It was entertaining game to watch, friendly with many yellow cards took place at amazing El Monumental de River. There were 10 Barca players! In Spain: Iniesta and Villa played in 1st half, Pedro(wonderful game), Xavi and Valdés in 2nd half, Pique and Busquets played full time. In Argentina Mascherano and Gabi Milito played 90 minutes, Messi who scored frst goal was substituted in '88 and recieved massive applause.

Happy Birthday Maxwell!

On August 27th, FC Barcelona left back Scherrer Cabelino Maxwell Andrade turns 29

Busy Monday

On Monday afternoon, David Villa gave his first press conference since he started training as a Barça player. He revealed that he’s itching to get out on the pitch and put himself at Guardiola’s disposal for the return leg of the Super Cup. (read full article here- click)


Four Barça players nominated for UEFA award! Oh yeah! The Four Barça players feature on a shortlist of 12 players who have been nominated for the prestigious award, three in each of the four positions: best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder and best forward. The winner will be announced during the draw for the Champions League next Thursday (I can't wait!).



UEFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year
Júlio César (FC Internazionale Milano)
Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais)
Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona)

• UEFA Best Defender of the Year
Lúcio (FC Internazionale Milano)
Maicon (FC Internazionale Milano)
Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona)

• UEFA Best Midfielder of the Year
Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München)
Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale Milano)

• UEFA Best Forward of the Year
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Diego Milito (FC Internazionale Milano)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC)

Both Xavi Hernandez and Lionel Messi could make it two years in a row in the UEFA awards. Last year, Xavi was chosen as best midfielder while Messi was chosen as best forward and best club footballer.


Maxwell going strong! On official website of FCB there is intresting article about this player (click to read more)



Did you know that everyone can come into the changing room and leave a message for favourite player? Now it's possible! if you want to participate click here. As you probably know, during Joan Gamper Trophy fiesta there will be some events at Camp Nou, like music concerts, games for kids and adults and of course presentation of new squad! I think it will be great evening for every cule!

El Sevilla-Barça 3-1

As I promissed tonight there will be post about game (but not only match itself). I don't want to write all that stuff about tactic, squad problems and so, everyone knows the situation, so I want to concentrate on players, best moments and so.

Let's begin with trip to Seville, this time no photos from plane but I found some from airport. Our players again in blue kits.






Our young players. Great photo in my opinion

This one is also cool:)


Here are Adriano and Zubi, I love how Adriano looks on this one, like little boy:P







Pep Guardiola has called up 19 players for the trip to Seville, with 10 of the first team squad joined by 9 players from Barca B, including keepers Miño and Oier. None of the club’s World Cup winners were included in the squad for the game(read more here-click).

Squad list for Seville: Miño, Oier, Abidal, Milito, Alves, Sergi Gómez, Maxwell, Muniesa, Oriol Romeu, Keita, Adriano, Jonathan Dos Santos, Thiago, Jeffren, Sergi Roberto, Nolito, Ibrahimovic, Messi and Bojan

Now a little about game.
Barca went down 3-1 against Seville thanks to a second half fight back from the hosts with two goals from Kanoute and another from Fabiano wiping out the 0-1 lead Ibra had given Barca at the break.

But as you know, I want to concentrate on GOOD things so here are some positive aspects of that game:
- Zlatan scored! Ibra’s goal on 20 minutes with fine cross from Maxwell playing as a left winger was great opening of game. Watch this action here:

-Barca’s youngsters were looking comfortable and with Alves, Keita and Ibra lending experience and class
-great stop from Miño on 55 minutes, and whole game, I think he played well:)

Want some photos? I think so!



















Now it's time for highlights:
Here you can watch all goals


here is funny moment(or not so funny because it ended with yellow card for Dani)


And please look once again on this photo, intresting (or rather strange) fact is that Zlatan had shirt without FIFA Club World Cup badge!


As offcial website reported The 11 players who have stayed behind in Barcelona were watching the game televised on Spanish TV.

Speaking to the press on Saturday night, Josep Guardiola reckons that his team deserved more from the game at the Sanchez Pizuan and “paid a rather high price”, given how they performed overall. Although Seville turned the game round in the second half, Guardiola expressed himself: “very satisfied” with his team,”we tried and showed that we wanted the win. In general, my older players and the youngsters all played a good game. We paid a rather high price considering how the game panned out”.
Quizzed as to the chances of his Spanish internationals being fit for next week, Guardiola was cautious: “we’ll have to see how they train this week and then have a look at them. Some of them might come in, but not all of them I don’t think. We’ll see what happens”. (read more here- click)

Maxwell gave press conference today

Brazilian defender Maxwell told a press conference on Monday that the players feel they are in debt to the fans after last season’s European semi-final exit against Inter Milan. He also assured reporters that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking forward to better things this season , “He’s very motivated although it’s been a difficult year for him. - said Maxwell- He’s done some good things which people haven’t noticed but in the squad we know, and he’s training really well”.

2009/10 season was Maxwell’s first in Barcelona. He played 36 matches and improved on his first seasons with Ajax and Inter. He revealed today: “It was very positive because I accumulated a lot of matches, especially after Abidal’s injury. The league title, and the other three, made me very happy and motivated me to carry on the same way. I’m here to do my bit like everyone. I have to try and do more, the best I can, and stay fit and focussed”.

We also get to know that Maxwell is helping his fellow countryman Adriano settled down at the Club and in the city: “It’s great we’ve signed him. He makes the team more complete and in training I try and be with him to help him integrate. I want to help him and his family settle in here”.

With the incorporation of Adriano and Villa, Maxwell believes the squad is very competitive. However, he stressed: “That’s a matter for the manager and the directors. The players have to concentrate on giving 100% but for the moment the squad is very good and very competitive”.

Finally, Maxwell spoke about Gio Van Bronckhorst (FCB player in 2003-2007), who retired from the game yesterday after the match between Feyenoord and Mallorca in Rotterdam.