Xavi: “Chico chased me into a corner”
Last night, Almeria came to the Camp Nou not to play football but rather to prevent FC Barcelona from playing, charged Catalan paper Sport. Hugo Sanchez, the visitor’s coach tasked two players, Chico and Ortiz, to mark midfield maestros Xavi and Iniesta. Such was their pressure that their target almost gave up.
“It’s overwhelming because you don’t know where to put yourself. At times, I just feel like leaving the pitch so as to not to be bothered. I have never had such tight marking. He was obsessive, and pursued me even in the corners”, said Xavi after the match. “I try not to be upset and to play with one touch. It is unfortunate that they come here (to play) to close us down but I believe more teams will do the same to us”, he added.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Iniesta, who is happy to have been able to play the full 90 minutes. “I felt good and finished (the match) well but I feel bad for Ortiz, who came to play but was not able to. There were two players tasked to pursue us. It was a different (kind of) game. The most important thing is we won six out of six and I feel good”, said the ghost-face midfielder.
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was left unmarked for the first time in a league match was satisfied with the work rate carried out and with the three points. “We did not start well but Pedro scored a great goal. Of course, it is always difficult to play against a rival that closes you down as much as Almeria”, said the Scandinavian.
For his part, Victor Valdes said titles are won on days like this, “Leagues are won from matchday to matchday and especially in matches such as these and we are very proud of Pedro.”
Finally, Dani Alves welcomes the team’s six league wins in six matches. “Getting three points is what matters“. He also presented his views on Brazil’s bid to become Olympic hosts “I am very happy because Rio de Janeiro will organize the 2016 Olympic Games.”
Interesting how it is totally accepted to taunt Iniesta for his light skin color which he can do nothing about. I wonder if it would be seen appropriate to taunt a person who was especially dark-skinned and call him all sorts of names regarding his skin? I feel bad for Iniesta, it is really not acceptable in my view.
I agree Jbarca but for Barca fans they love him even if he had the ugliest
face in the world
What kind of "love" is this though? How would you feel if someone constantly brought up your skin color, and made fun of your skin color. And it is not only Barca fans who do this. It seems to be totally acceptable by everyone which is strange, because I doubt it would be well received if some very black person was treated the same way.
Yes Jbarca it would be bad if someone makes fun of anything of me not just anything about my appearance and I think those who feel people talk about their app turn out to be very shy but of course being shy is better than being shyless butIniesta for me has the best personality of barca players and of course noone loves being made fun of although most people sense saying ghost like is not abad thing but I think it is bad
JBarca, get off you're high horse. There is no negative connotation linked with Iniesta. It is the same as when Ronaldinho was referenced as an ugly guy.
It's true that it's not a compliment, but what is a sense of humor without the ability to reserve literal judgment and enjoy the adoration of a player.
Iniesta is one of my favorite players, and calling him ghostface is simply a comical term of endearment. It's not like HE reads this blog anyway. Calm down.
I say this not because this blog calls him this, I say this because it is accepted by all sports magazines and fans of all teams to call him all sorts of names based on his skin color which he can do nothing about. Do you think it is comical Jon? What would you say if references to skin colors of other players where also the subject of laugh? If Keita was even more dark, what kind of funny names would you call him? I don't find it funny. I find it very childish and rude.
Jon:of course he will not read it hear but I can understand Jbarca bec I also hate people saying Dark player and bald player and the player with big ears or nose maybe some people will find it a joke but many will disagree and I am from ones who disagree with these comments
errr…How about a player with big d**k???:D
Getting back to the topic… Barça will have to find a way to break the buss AND the one-on-one obsessive marking some of our guys are getting cuz this is going to happen at almost every game now.
Their so sh*t less scared of Barça´s total football that they won´t come out and play the game anymore. Just defend and counter, when you get he chance… great tactics…. I hope this season Barça wins it all again so other clubs start to understand that just defending and praying for us to slip up is not they this game is supposed to be played.
Grow some balls and start playing football, for goodness sake!
“We did not start well but Pedro scored a great goal. Of course, it is always difficult to play against a rival that closes you down as much as Almeria, Yeah Ibra is right and that is the more reason why we must start using tactics that we make good use of his height. i am yet to see Alves float a descent cross in the penalty box for Ibra, all we have done this season is still to use last season's methods but i thought Guardiola said Ibra gives us a different dimension, we therefore need to start experimenting that dimension soon. Any objection to my view?
Yes, Laurens. Of course Ibra gives us something different, but not headers. He is tall, but almost never scores headers in his career. Ibra can hold the ball upfront, Eto'o couldn't, Ibra is strong, and has great passing and vision, Eto'o does not. It is totally different.