And, Pep Had Tears in His Eyes

The success of Barca won 6 trophies (la liga, copa del rey, champions league, spanish super, super-European, and world cup) will really make a lot of football fans will chuckle admiringly. According to Messi, it will be something very difficult to be followed by another club.

The coach was touched to tears. It's something a dream come true. However, according to Pep Barca future dark precisely because Barca would have to maintain this achievement. And, Pep did not know how. Pep, who felt the bitterness of failure to achieve true world championships as a player the club in 1992, is now very understanding of what happiness and joy felt by the winning team.

If we look back and understand how Barca suffered in the game against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals before, we can share a bit what it felt Pep today. The team of Chelsea, which is filled with stars of English Premiere League field, choose the total stay to prevent Barca scoring at Camp Nou. (So, Chelsea just to prevent Barca making goal, not to win over Barca, in the Nou Camp. This can be understood because Chelsea knew how so horrible Barca attack). At that time the game seemed to occur only in half the field, and it was at the Chelsea field. Mastery of the ball and control the game, Barca held approximately 70% of time. And, Barca failed to score a goal. Chelsea cheer. Terry, Chelsea captain, expressed his pride, and feel optimistic will reap the full result at Stamford Bridge.

Fortunately, Barca are consistent with their own character and understanding of what they call football. Faced with any team, everywhere, and pressure however, Barca still play beautiful game, control the ball, and continue to focus on victory. For Barca, victory is the result of the beautiful game, control the ball and attack.
And it was really tested in Stamford Bridge. Coming from behind a goal by Michael Essien accurate kicking, beautiful game and continued to attack Barca suffered pain. But Iniesta beautiful kick sent Barca to the Final!

Pep is a disciple of Cruijff, the knight of total football. For Cruijff, football should be played with a mastery of the ball. Because if we controlled the ball, the opponent can not score goals. To continue to control the ball, players may not run fast, because it meant he was late. Just play ball with short passes, and soon, accompanied by the movement of players without the ball.

Behind the clicking sound impressed many of the game and the success of Barca, there are many parties who would expect Barca will fail to reach the next trophy. One of them, the players Madrid, Higuain, who expect to reap misfortune Barca in Club World Cup. It would certainly be a lot of other Higuain. However, it is not the important point here, because Barca have managed this season. Viva Barca!


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Wasting time in the first half, Barca finally won 2-1 over Estudiantes

With formation 4-2-1-3 where there were Keita and Busquets as defending midfielders and only Xavi as playmaker, Barca just as wasting time in the first halftime of the championship final of FIFA Clubs World Cup against Estudiantes. Barcelona played poorly in the first half, failed to play ball with their character so far. Ibrahimovic repeatedly failed to touch ball into goal. Henry had difficulties to pass through Estudiantes defender. Xavi also could not do much. In minute 37, it was Estudiantes player, Boselli scored with his heading, 1-0 for Estudiantes.
In the second half, Keita was replaced by Pedro and so Messi played a little to the rear with Xavi. It was the real 4-3-3 formation. Barca play was starting to look attractive. Entering Toure to replace Busquets increasingly emphasized the barca character. However, the goal has not been created. Henry was withdrawn and replaced by young player, Jefren. Jefren movement in the left sector was remarkable that makes the opponent into trouble. After left 1-0 for 88 minutes, a goal from Pedro finally saved Barca, 1-1. The game should be extended for 2 x 15 minutes. And, Messi finished with a 2-1 victory by his chest. Finally, Barca won 6 trophies in the season 2008/2009. Viva Barca!!


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Barca Will Accept Estudiantes' Challenge Without Iniesta

Saturday night at 8:00 (GMT +7), Barcelona will complete the ambition, won the club world title. Barca will face Estudiantes, champions of the Libertadores cup, from Argentina.


Unfortunately, Iniesta suffered a muscle injury so he will almost certainly be absent in this final. Iniesta who together with Xavi always guarantee a beautiful game and attacking Barca, very sorry can not perform. Messi will play as attacking midfielder with Xavi and Busquets. In front is a trio of Henry, Ibrahimovic-Pedro or Bojan. Meanwhile, in the back: Alves, Puyol, Pique, and Abidal.

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Barca beat Atlante 3-1 to the Final of FIFA Club World Cup 2009

Starting the game with a formation that is not appropriate, Barca had a bad game even though hold the ball up to 80%. With a 4-4-2 formation which tends to have two defensive midfielders Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets, forced Andres Iniesta tend to be driven as the left striker. Xavi alone in the middle as an attacking midfielder could not make breakthrough passes to the front hence Pedrito and Ibrahimovic did not have any chance to kick the ball into the goal. At minute 5, Marquez and striker Alves failed to guard Atlante, Rojas kicked the ball bounced past the keeper Valdez, followed by a stroke on goal, 0-1.


By not changing the formation, Barca's attacks always foundered. But, the luck in the 35th minute obtained. Toure heading let the ball led to the foot of Busquets. Busquets able to pass the ball into the net of Vilar goal, 1-1. The score stood until the first half finished.


Entering the second half, two changes made by Guardiola. Messi and Pique went in to replace Toure and Marquez. Substitution directly change the game. Barca standard pattern became visible. In the 55th minute, Messi could carry the ball bait Ibrahimovic, past Atlante defender, and beat Vilar, 2-1. Barcelona continued to rule the game with a beautiful game. In the 67th minute, Iniesta breakthrough bait succeeded by Pedrito, and Vilar have picked up the ball from the net goal, 3-1. Unfortunately, Iniesta looked a little injury, and pulled out at the 74th minute to be replaced by Bojan. Score stood until the second half ended. Barcelona advanced to the finals to face Estudiantes, who beat the Asian champion, Pohang Steelers, 2-1.


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Iniesta: “We can make history”

During an interview given to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Andres Iniesta revealed his hopes for winning the Clubs World Cup, which is “an important trophy for all Blaugranes as we have never won it”.

The team has won all the silverware possible, except the Clubs World Cup. Do you feel anything special for this trophy?

“This is the most important title for all of us as we’ve never won it. We’re excited about taking part. We played in it three years ago, and it left us with a taste for more. We really want to win it as we’d be making history”.


Some people see the Clubs World Cup as a title of lesser importance. How do you see it?

“It’s not of lesser importance. It’s always great to win a trophy. This year we have won every competition we have been in, this is the only one left for us to win. This is enough to give us 100% motivation.

Does the fact that the other sides come from technically inferior leagues give Barça an advantage?

“Most of the other sides are unknown to us, but we must remember they are still the champions of their respective regions. We can’t relax because any team could beat us. If we want to win, we’ll need to be focused”.

Have you been talking about the defeat three years ago at the hands of Internacional from Porto Alegre?

“Nobody likes to lose in a final, and the defeat three years ago unsettled us. At least it taught us the lesson of not taking any team for granted”.

Whenever we’ve interviewed you, we always get the impression you are a very demanding player. Are we wrong?

“I’ve always been very demanding with myself, ever since I was little. Maybe it is because of my background. But I think you have to be like this as a player. You can’t just settle for what you have, you always have to strive for more because time goes by quickly and your time as a footballer is relatively short-lived”.

After so much team and personal success with Barça, how do you feel?

Trying to improve and winning the next thing is what I try to do every day. My greatest wish is that I can get to the end of my career and look back on my triumphs with the club”.

If more than one Ballon d’Or was awarded each year, you’d have probably got one by now. Do you ever think you’ll win it?

“It’s really difficult to win something like that, but one can live in hope. For the moment, I only think of doing things well and feeling satisfied with myself after each game. It’s great to see the fans and players on such a high. I’m a team player, but if I were to win an individual award, then it’d be welcome”.

By Marc Guillén/Edgar Fornós

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/12/n091212108295.html

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Ibrahimovic does the job (1-0)

FC Barcelona defeated Espanyol 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Ibrahimovic in the first half. With this win, Guardiola’s men go on beating records in La liga, especially at Camp Nou, where they have taken all possible points. Before the match, Leo Messi had offered the Ballon d’Or to the Barça fans. Barça missed him during the game, which was a bit dull. Not what we’ve come to expect from Barça but fairly typical of Catalan derbies between the two clubs. The game was fought intensely, with a considerable number of fouls and resulting stoppages, especially in the second half.


It was down to Ibrahimovic to do his job, just before the end of the first half, when he whacked home a penalty to give Barça victory. The league leaders now have 39 points, breaking their own league record, and making them look unstoppable.


Barça’s ball


From early on it was clear that Barça would have most of the possession and that Espanyol were going to wait at the back in the hope of a counter-attack. The visitors tried to go forward on some occasions, but Barça were more persistent, and Pedro nearly scored in the 14th minute.


Ibrahimovic, as usual


Despite nearly scoring themselves a minute later, Espanyol were to go without another shot on target for the rest of the first half. For their part, Barça looked comfortable. Ibrahimovic set up some chances for his team-mates but neither Henri in the 17th minute nor Maxwell in the 36th were able to put the ball home.


Then Baena committed a foul on Xavi in the area and Ibrahimovic smashed home the resulting penalty to give Barça a deserved 1-0 lead.


Under control


After the break, Pochettino brought on Callejón and Javi Márquez for Verdú and Baena, hoping to bring some force to their attack. Whilst they began to look more threatening, they were still unable to get a shot on target. Though seemingly lacking their usual finesse, Barça were on top of the game, but they were getting fewer chances.


Continual stoppages

The last part of the game dragged on a little, with the visitors seemingly wanting a replay of last year’s game with continual stoppages and protests. Guardiola had warned that Espanyol would play tough, and they did. In the dying minutes, with Keita and Bojan now on the pitch, hardly any football was played. It didn’t matter. Barça had closed down the game and they will travel to Abu Dhabi with their work done in the league.


By Roger Bogunyà

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada14/Barcelona_Espanyol/partit.html

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Barça qualify to continue the tradition

Barça have made it through the group stages of the Champions League, as they have done all but once in the last decade.

The wait is over, and after winning in Kiev ( 1-2 ), Barça are into the last sixteen in the Champions League. The Catalans have been almost ever-presents in that round recently, only having missed out once (2000/01), while the group stage led directly to the quarter finals on three occasions.


Six faultless years

Barça have made the second round six times in a row, and four times as group champions, thus gaining the advantage of playing the second leg at home. Olympique Lyon, Glasgow Celtic, Liverpool and Chelsea twice have been the sides they have met in the first knockout match.

Absences

The only time this century that Barça have not been in the round of sixteen was in 2003/04, when the format was slightly different. In 2003, 2002 and 2000, Barça topped their group to go into the quarter finals, and met Juventus, Panathinaikos and Chelsea, respectively. The only time they failed to get out of the groups in the last decade was in 2000/01. Milan, Leeds United and Besiktas knocked out the side coached by Llorenç Serra Ferrer.

The draw

Barça will find out who they play next on Friday, December 18 in Nyon (Switzerland). Their possible opponents are Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, AC Milan, Porto, Lyon, Stuttgart and Olympiakos. The first leg is on February 16 or 17 or a week later. The return will be on March 9 or 10 or a week later, Barça playing the second leg at the Camp Nou.

By Jordi Clos
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/12/n091209108238.html


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