Sports

FC Barcelona was named ‘The World’s Club of the 1st Decade’ by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) this Monday evening. Barça won a total of seven awards during the IFFHS' World Football Gala, which took place in the W Hotel in Barcelona’s Barceloneta beach. Xavi, Messi and Guardiola also won awards.

The Summer X Games are expected to bring 140,000 people and generate an income of €70 million. The world’s most important action sports event, arranged by the U.S. sports broadcaster ESPN and ABC network, will be held in Catalonia’s capital between 2013 and 2015. Barcelona will host the Summer X Games, together with 5 other cities worldwide. The Summer X Games have championships in skateboarding, motocross, car rally and BMX.

It was a triumphal send off for Pep Guardiola as Barça Manager, since FC Barcelona won their last game at the Camp Nou under his charge, beating Espanyol 4-0 thanks to four Messi goals.

The current FC Barcelona Manager, Pep Guardiola, will be sitting on the Camp Nou bench for the very last time on Saturday, but believes the derby with Espanyol is far more important than his farewell.

A goal from Puyol and a hat trick from Leo Messi, which served to take him past Gerd Muller’s previous record strikes in a European season, gave Guardiola, cheered all night by the crowd, another win at the Camp Nou. Two hours later, Real Madrid was winning the Spanish League title in San Mamés.

In the press conference before FC Barcelona vs Malaga, Barça’s Manager, Pep Guardiola, praised the way the Catalan club is handling the transition of managers. He also said that Tito Vilanova is “very enthusiastic about the upcoming challenge”. The current manager explained that Barça’s last three Spanish League matches will serve as preparation for the Spanish Cup final against Athletic Club from Bilbao.

Goals from Messi (2), Alexis, Keita, Pedro (2) and Thiago gave Barça a record win at Vallecas in a game the Catalans totally dominated. Further good news for FC Barcelona was the return of Ibrahim Afellay after his long injury layoff.

The substitute of Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, who will be FC Barcelona’s 2012/13 manager, has shown that he’s more than capable of managing the team after five seasons as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. As a footballer, Vilanova was at La Masía and he played in first division with Celta de Vigo.

Tito Vilanova, Guardiola’s assistant, will take over and become Barça’s next Manager. Pep Guardiola has announced to FC Barcelona’s President and the squad that he will not be staying at FC Barcelona after June 30, when his present contract ends. Guardiola justified his decision is “worn out and empty” after 4 years being the coach of the best team in the world. He emphasised that Barça’s Manager needs to be full of energy and therefore, the best for the club is he stepping down. The club’s President expressed his “eternal gratitude” to Guardiola’s job.

Barça dominated against Chelsea over both legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-final: shots, completed passes, possession, corners… except one – goals scored. Xavi Hernández made more passes during the Camp Nou game than all the Chelsea players combined.

Barça have crashed out of the Champions League after drawing 2-2 in the semi final with a Chelsea side that managed to equalise after the home side had gone 2-0 up through Busquets and Iniesta. Busquets put FC Barcelona ahead shortly before Terry was sent off for kneeing Alexis in the back. Iniesta increased Barça’s lead but shortly before the break, a long range chip from Ramires put Chelsea back in control. Barça hit the post twice in the second half, once from the penalty spot. A late Torres goal while Guardiola’s side was deep in the Chelsea half settled the game in injury time.

Barça host Chelsea in the Champions League semi final second leg as they seek to make amends for 1-0 defeat in London and qualify for the grand final (20h45 CET).

The Barça defender talked about the decisive match against Chelsea, the defeat in the Spanish League Clásico against Real Madrid, and his recent absence from Barça’s starting line-up.

Barça have lost to a practical and effective Real Madrid, but have come out of the game with their heads held high. A Cristiano Ronaldo goal just after Alexis had equalised was enough to sentence the clásico at the Camp Nou. Barça are now seven points adrift of the Spanish League leaders.

FC Barcelona Manager notes that their only objective against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou is to “win to prolong the competition.” He adds: “if they win or draw, the Liga is theirs”. Guardiola considers that, whatever the result is, that “Barça have already won,” in regards to how well the team have played in recent years. The manager warns of the dangers that Real Madrid bring to the match: “they dominate all aspects of the game ... they’ll come out to win”.