Wednesday training: Vilanova back, Adriano cleared
Fifteen days after the successful operation on his parotid gland, which kept him away from the team the last few weeks, assistant coach Tito Vilanova returned to lead training alongside Pep Guardiola. His return to normal activity was welcomed with great joy from the team. Vilanova met first with the players in the dressing room before the start of the session. On pitch no. 1 of the Ciutat Esportiva, the assistant of Guardiola received an emotional welcome from the players already working on the pitch. Hugs, smiles, applause . . . this was the welcome that the team has given to Tito Vilanova. Probably the most significant image has been the embrace between Tito and Éric Abidal, the player who last season underwent surgery for a liver tumor.
Under the watchful eye of Pep Guardiola and the man inseparable from the whole team, Tito Vilanova, the group exercised thinking about their next match, the clasico at the Bernabéu. The only current absence from the squad is Afellay. Adriano exercised with the rest of the group and after the session received his medical clearance. The players of the first team who started against BATE Borisov worked at the same rate as the others. The session also included the participation of Cuenca, Muniesa, and Soriano from the reserves.
The team will have a day off on Thursday and will not return to training until Friday afternoon. The session will be at 18:00 behind closed doors at the Camp Nou. Afterwards, Pep Guardiola will speak at a press conference.
Source: fcbarcelona.cat; Images: Miguel Ruiz
welcome tito,let’s poke mou 6-0
Hey guys!!! BEST POSSIBLE LINE-UP FOR MADRID CLASH!
Valdes – Alves – Mascherano – Pique – Abidal – Busi – Xavi – Iniesta – Pedro – Villa – Messi
Here is the reason; Madrid has a vital weapon who must be stopped. Thats the short guy with lots of hair. We need an actual winger to force him to stay back and defend. We need to mount pressure on him. And remember, its that same dude who said Barca's success is cuz of Pedrito… Pedrito must have been giving him a hell of a time on the right side. More so, We must not forget that Pedro is the best opportunist in Barca… He knows just when to make the final run and lash on a pass and score. PEDRO over Alexis. And Pedro's experience and his goals in classicos are very vital.
I chose Villa over Alexis merely because Arbeloa is not the best right back out there… so theres no need to place an actual winger on him… lets unleash a goalscorer instead, Villa is the choice guys.
Cesc is my favorite player in the squad, he has loads of goals in him, But he cant start this game because we need a RIGHT WINGER and a striker. Not two false players. But if Cesc is chosen, he is just as competent.
I go for Mascherano over Puyol because of his form… But i doubt my decision myself because stats dont lie. When Tarzan plays, we dont lose.
The midfield is obvious. Just my opinion
That is good analyzing on your part and i agree with all of your points except Masch over Puyol, because our greatest downside is defending the set plays. and no one is better at defending the set plays than Puyol.
alexis-messi-villa
alexis on the left wing will make marcelo tremble!!
Yes! Alexis will make Marcelo tremble. Pedro can do that as well. But where Pedro stands out is that Pedro can equally make the final run to lash in on Messi pass… Alexis is still to show consistency on that. Looks like so many people have written off Pedro already cuz of his spell on the sidelines. COMMON GUYS!! Its pedrito we're talking about here… I have more faith in him than i do on Villa. Pedro always shines in Big games
i total disagree
AGREE
The Manita line-up!!! (without capitan Puyol)
no offense but i rather chose this formation
VALDES
ALVES PIQUE PUYOL ABIDAL
BUSQUETS
XAVI INIESTA
ALEXIS MESSI VILLA
On my part I would not start with Pedro as he is just coming back from injury..my line up upfront would be Messi, villa, Cesc…this is because of Cesc’s recent form and his ability to play upfront and in midfield..he would interchange regularly with iniesta to cause madrid’s defence a torrid time. I would start villa over alexis coz of villa’s experience in la liga and also alexis would be a gamechanger coming off the bench unlike villa..i would also start puyol over maschete..i know masche has been awesome at the back for us but still we need Tarzan back there..but i have a weird feeling that Pep is gonna go for 3 at the back…
Thank god Tito is back.Only after his absence did i realize how important he is for our team.Pep really looks a bit uncomfortable without Tito besides him.
Welcome Tito, you must not forgive Mourinho and his boys. Poke him back with 5 good goals at bernabau. So, Barça fans in the world will title it. Revenge of The Day!
OT: Read Mou's answer on yesterday press conference: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/laligaloca/archive/2…
"Asked by the press to repeat everything in Spanish, Mourinho huffed “I’m not a translator” – a claim that will never find agreement among Barcelona fans." LOL
Graham Hunter about Classico: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist…
interesting that he mentions 3 key players (Messi, pepe, marcelo), but then devotes an entire section to VV – nice to see VV noticed for his amazing prowess at staying alert despite not having much to do.
it was great to see the senior team having fun watching the young-stars last night – i hope they feel inspired, rested, and with strong, fresh legs and minds to do what has to be done. for some reason, i think getting to see the next generation in action may have done something powerful for them.
visca el Barça!
welcome back, Tito!
power to the better team – mes que un club!
What a confidence boost, and the pic of abidal and tito was touching
Am so Happy is back in the team now.
Thank God.
Welcome back Tito!
Third Picture…
Iniesta: Puyol to the left of me…Puyol to the right of me…. WTF…???
VVelcome back T1T0! Alexis and Adriano smiling once again.
messi is having his personal training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i heard it is a hat-trick one…..lol
we should win this game for tito,he has come only for this game(he wont travel to japan!) we did it before! we won last year CL for abidal and now we should win this for tito. go barca.
Best possible line up against Madrid (I believe attack is the best form of defence)
Valdes
Alves Puyol Pique Abidal
Fabregas
Xavi Iniesta
Cuenca Messi Alexis
I don't expect half of you to agree with me! just my opinion! but I have stated what everyone knows deep inside
REASON
DEFENSE
I think there is no two ways about the defense which should be selected for the El classico
Yes mascherano is in form!! but NO ONE can replace our captain Carles puyol!
6 defeats and puyol has not featured in any of them!! Period
MIDFIELD
Midfield is the area where MANY of you won't agree with me!
hear what I have to say before giving me the insignificant thumbs down!!
Busquests is invaluable I agree! no doubt!
So what makes me pick Fabregas instead of our beloved Sergio??
1. Fabregas is really good in tackling
2. He is getting the goals, (more likely to score than sergio) in the process reduces a lot of pressure from Messi!
3. He is a good finisher, so he is not likely to miss an easy chance. First goal is going to be very important if he finishes a half chance and opens the scoring it will set up a perfect night! xD
4. As far as defensive cover is concerned I prefer the full backs in their places because it must be admitted madrid has some really dangerous wingers ( Angel Di Maria Ronaldo and Marcelo)
So fabregas does not need to cover for anyone and even if he needs to I think he will do well..
ATTACK
1. Messi as false 9.. anyone who disagrees should follow throw ball!!
2. Alexis and Cuenca are Wingers! Villa is a great finisher but it must be accepted he is NOT a winger
3. Alexis puts in a lot of effort in defense as well..
4. Cuenca is in an awesome form!! his hard work and talent should be rewarded by giving him the chance in the biggest game of the season Moreover Cuenca was :* against BATE..
5. Cuenca helps Barcelona to use the full width of the pitch! it will give the likes of Messi Xavi Iniesta and Fabregas a lot of space in the center
I hope PEP could read my reasoning!
But he knows the best..
Whatever the line up, I know we will win..! we simply are better than those pricks!
Wow, thats quite a good essay there, but even though cuenca is an amazing football player, I still think he needs some time before he can be fully ready for el clasico. I prefer Villa to Cuenca, then.
Dude… You want to play against Madrid without Busi?? Am sorry but that doesnt make sense.
If You want Fabregas to shield the defense, then how can you justify that he will get into scoring positions. Moreover= Fabregas has always been used higher up the pitch than any other midfielder in Barca since his arrival. He gets the free role to manouver through midfield and attack. Infact, he's more of an attacker than the position you are giving him here.
Busi has owned all great attackers in the world cup and in the Champions league. Wether its against Germany, Holland or Man United. I dare to say he's as important as Xavi to this set-up. Just few will see.
I agree with playing Cuenca. I believe the kid can do some real harm on the wings, but games against Madrid in the bernabeu are not test experiments, especially when you fing yourself 6 points behind, and at risk of making it 9 points.
As for Alexis, I could bet my money that Pep will not start him. GUYS! Madrid is no Vallecano, Alexis is good, but there are certain fine details that he is still to grasp. He's not yet at the level of such a game. I will rather have a 75% fit Pedro in this game.
What I cant understand is just how much cules have written off pedrito… Injury? Yes, but he's gotten minutes and goals. Thats the confidence you need for games like this. I love Pedrito cuz he is a combo of many things. He finishing against top teams is marvellous. He almost always scores against Madrid, That experience is priceless. He knows just when Messi is about to make a pass… and Messi will shower passes in this game, cuz he'll not be allowed the freedom to dazzle thru himself. PEDRITO over Alexis on this one.
I still think Villa is necesary on the left. Arbeloa is a nobody, so why unleash a winger on him? Instead, unleash a goal scorer who can drift in and do the majic, Just like Henry did on Ramos in the famous
2 – 6.
In this game we need goals. I have no doubt Pedro and Villa are our best options.
Messi will be forced to drift way back to the false 10 position by that Hooligan called Pepe. Therefore, if Cesc plays, we'll have two people in that position which is unnecesary.
If Cesc must play, then the only wing that is up for grasps is Villa's wing. Cuz Arbeloa is not so much of a threat.
But for Marcelo's wing, There's no joke on that, we need Pedro there, Letting Marcelo loose is a crime against football. I bet you on that.
Dude, ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF UR MIND?! You cant pick Cuenca over Maravilla!! Just because he had a few great games, doesnt mean he is ready for the most important match of the year. We cant experiment! Im not saying Cuenca is bad, but against Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo he doesnt stand a chance! They will break him. Its like putting a baby in a cage with lions. They will rip him. Im concerned about the injuries. Besides, Cuenca is not physically strong as Pep already said.;)
Barca, youre funny, but Im gonna go with Cule33 now. He is right.
PS: cule33, you dont have to write an essay just to tell whats on your mind. Make it short, cuz sometimes im not feeling like reading.:)
For such matches I like long essays from any cule.We need different and miscellaneous views.
Anyway, my favorite and most suitable line-up is the Manita Squad:
————-Valdez————-
Alves-Puyol-Pique-Abidal
————Busquets———–
——–Xavi—–Iniesta——–
-Pedro—-Messi—–Villa—
I dont agree with you completely.Sanchez runs and runs like a headless chicken but doesnt bring much to the attack even though he is a good player. And I would really like to see a fool who thought that Fabregas arriving in barca wouldnt mess things up. We all knew that some players would get benched because of him, even though they dont deserve it, so Busquets is unfortunatly just a victim here and im sure there will come games that he will just have to watch from the bench. Its unfair, but thats the way it is.
btw, defence is with a C not S.
Depending on which English you're using: British or American.
I agree with you about the defense but i disagree about the midfield (with cesc) and i think pedro should start ahead of alexis on right wing and villa should play instead of cuenca.
REASONS
FOR MIDFIELD- Xavi and iniesta are undisputable. xavi's vision and passing range will be needed to boss the midfield and keep possession. iniesta's close control, dribbling in tight spaces and understanding with messi will be crucial to scoring goals. cesc should'nt start in place of busquets despite the reasons you stated in his favour. we need busquets to keep a tight leash on ozil cos he's the only playmaking threat that madrid possess (cesc does not have the defensive mentality to do this).
FOR ATTACK- Messi as false 9 as always. pedro should play right wing cos he has the necessary predatory skills/tricky off-the-ball movement to finish off xavi/iniesta/messi's through balls and the poacher's instincts of scoring that alexis is yet to show. villa should start on the left wing cos arbeloa (madrid's right back is rubbish at attacking and defending) and placing a goalscorer there (villa) would be a good idea. cuenca, for me is not ready for such a huge stage yet despite his great performances of late. that's my analysis and i hope barca win and it's a great match.
VISC BARCA!!!
*VISCA BARCA!!!, not VISC BARCA!!!
valdes
alves pique masch abidal
keita
xavi iniesta
messi cesc alexis
I love Puyol and Busi but they are way off form and have played very little football recently. Same goes for Pedro and Villa.
you have no clue buddy
Let's make sure Tito wears goggles hahahahahahaha, or some mask
all d best a bernabeu
THREE CHEERS FOR TITO!!!
ooooooo geez i would hate to be iniesta in that pic… sandwiched between Tarzan and Tarzan Jr!! Do something tricky and get out of there!!
Fabregas must play from start! and i want Sanchez to play aswell, BUT the best thing would be to play with Fabregas from start upfront with both Villa and ofcourse Messi!
In defense Pique should start! I would start with Puyol instead of Mash, Mash have been brilliant and he deservs it, in a way or two! But Puyol is Puyol
Victor Valdes
Dani Alves
Gerard Pique
Carles Puyol
Eric Abidal
Xavi Hernandez
Sergi Busquets
Cesc Fabregas
David Villa
Lionel Messi
Andres Iniesta
I want Sanchez to come in early in second half, if its needed
All of you – Pique will play even though he is suspended??
He WAS suspended last game, just one game.
would really like to know where i ca get one of the winter jackets pep and vilanova are wearing cant find it on the barca store website
OT: manchester untied are out of the CL, so much for a rematch of last seasons final.
I'm sorry, but Mascherano HAS to start. Even if it means in place of Puyol (although it doesn't necessarily mean that).
The only certain starters are Valdes, Alves, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi
My starting 11
Valdes
Alves – Puyol – Pique – Adriano
Mascherano
Xavi-Iniesta
Sanchez – Messi – Fabregas
Adriano because he is fast and can attack hen Alves must defend. Mascherano because he can sit back win Puyol and Piqué, Sanchez because he will track Marcelo and work his a** off, and Fabregas because he can be physical, he’s from the epl and he has a telepathic relationship with Messi
To me anybody dat plays for barca love to proof a point in Elcassico..EVRYBODY..no matter who is selected..GO boys n thrash d net of madrid n bring it to our achieve once again…