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 and Real Madrid are way ahead of the rest of the Spanish League in almost all individual and team stats. In many ways, their records are very similar, but there are also some striking differences.
A goal from Drogba on the stroke of half time sentenced Barça to defeat in a game where the Catalans were the better team and leaves them needing to pull back from 1-0 in next week’s second leg at the Camp Nou.
Barça players face Chelsea knowing that every time FC Barcelona have won the Champions League they have played at least one game in London, either in the final or against Chelsea. The semi final against Chelsea brings back memories of the famous Iniesta goal in 2009 that won the team its ticket to Rome. Puyol and Mascherano are one game short of suspension, as are Chelsea’s Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cole and Meireles.
The nearly 3,000 Barça fans that will make it to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to watch the Champions League semi-finals will be greeted in Catalan by the local team. FC Barcelona has Catalan as its first language, and the club has traditionally felt very much attached to Catalan society and culture.
Over the next 10 days Barça will play three games that are key to success this season: the two Champions League semi finals and Saturday’s La Liga clash with Real Madrid. The two matches against Chelsea stand between Barça and another Champions League Final, whilst the Madrid ‘clásico’ will define FC Barcelona’s chances in the Spanish League.
RCD Espanyol is the smaller of the two main football clubs in the capital of Catalonia. FC Barcelona’s La Masía football school is famous worldwide, and is where players such as Leo Messi have grown up. However, RCD Espanyol has also its own football school, and traditionally their junior teams were the most promising in the city.
Two goals from Leo Messi in reply to an early opener from Barkero gave Barça the win against Levante to keep the Catalans just four points behind the Spanish League leaders, Real Madrid, which won against Sporting de Gijón. Attention now switches to Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, with the clásico against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou next weekend on the horizon.