Caption This: Messi & Llorente
Messi: “How do you say I’m going to dribble through your entire defense in about 60 minutes in Basque?” I wonder what they really were discussing?
Image: PEP MORATA
To Buy or not to Buy, Part 2
Earlier this week I wrote an article detailing the difficulties I face whenever Barça reveal one of their brand spanking new jerseys, my fan instinct telling me to ‘Buy Buy Buy’, my conscience saying otherwise. Fortunately my head has so far triumphed over my blaugrana heart when it comes to our coveted merchandise. But, as I’m sure that previous piece made clear, I am not a man (or a fan, for that matter) who comes to decisions lightly, my life a sleepless haze of inner monologues, always debating the pros and cons of every little issue concerning my beloved club.
Really, it’s almost like I haven’t got a real life to be lived.
With this in mind you can imagine how hard it is for me to actually put my money down on the table and pick out the potential transfer targets I’d like to see arrive at the Camp Nou, the decision taking me all summer, by which time the deals have been done, the contracts all signed, and the new season set to begin. Luckily the club turned down my application to be director of football, otherwise Pep’s fondness for a small squad would have been severely tested – so disturbingly thorough am I in my chase for perfection.
Transfer talk: Alba bound for Barca?
According to Barcelona based paper Sport, Tito Vilanova will be in charge of a blaugrana squad next year with several new faces in it. The newly appointed coach for next season will not present any traumatic changes nor will he necessitate a revision of the plans designed by the sports directors. And the previous discussions between Pep, Zubizarreta and vice president Bartomeu have always relied on the involvement of Tito Vilanova.
There is a lot of work ahead, but the first steps have already been taken in decisive form. Building on rumours published in their paper several weeks ago, Sport strongly believes that La Masia graduate Jordi Alba is bound for Barça. The uncertainty of Eric Abidal’s availability in the upcoming season necessitates the need for a left-back even more. The circumstances for signing Alba seem ideal. The Valencia left back’s contract finishes in 2013 and the only thing remaining is to seal the transfer price of the player. A deal can be struck between the two clubs, or Alba could return to Barça in two seasons for free. Everything indicates that Barça and Valencia will agree to an amount to settle any contention that might arise.
Praise for David Villa and Spain continues
David Villa’s efforts in Spain’s perfect Group I campaign for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers earned him as well as his country praise from their opponents in yesterday’s game, Scotland.
Llorente: Xavi is one of the best of all time
Fernando Llorente, Athletic Club de Bilbao and Spanish international striker, gave praise to Barcelona maestro Xavi Hernández, who this week will play his 100th game for the Spanish national team. The Basque striker stated that “Xavi is one of the best in Spanish football of all time“.
Fernando Llorente : “Barcelona is superior”
Athletic Bilbao forward Fernando Llorente confessed, in an interview with Barca TV, that Barcelona’s first half against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League was a joy to behold. Continue reading »
Match Preview: FC Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
Saturday, April 3, 20:00 CET – Camp Nou, Barcelona
In contrast to FC Barcelona’s mid-week exploits, this game seems to be of minimum and scarce importance. However, the statement that this game is insignificant could not be further from the truth. For at this stage of the competition, each breath taken by the Catalans has a magnitude of the greatest proportions. Each match in the Spanish Primera is as important as the last, for at this stage of the competition a win could spell triumph, while a loss could point toward the ultimate demise.
