Henry and Puyol return to full training 9
Following the changes brought on by the snow, it was all back to normal today with Henry and Puyol training normally and Keita also involved at the end.
Tag Marc Muniesa
Liga 1, Week 27: Barcelona Atlètic 1-1 UD Logrones 18
Barça Atlètic were held to a 1-1 draw against Logroñés, a rival who clearly came looking for a draw, which they achieved with a last minute equaliser, just when it looked as if Luis Enrique’s team would take the points.
Logroñés came looking for a draw, packing their defence and midfield in an attempt to stop their hosts from playing – something they achieved in the first 45 minutes in which Barca made a few chances, but were unable to get on the scoreboard.
Soriano on target again
Antonio Rubinos Pérez to Referee Barcelona – Malaga 4
Madrileño Antonio Rubinos Pérez will oversee Saturday’s contest at the Camp Nou between FC Barcelona and Malaga. Perez (40), a chemical engineer by day, has been a first division referee in Spain since the 2002-03 season. In 2007, he was awarded his FIFA badge and has presided over a number of international UEFA Cup and Europa League matches.
Pérez has a reputation for being somewhat liberal in the way he dispenses justice on the field. Last season he showed 103 yellow cards in 18 matches. This season, he leads the league in red cards, with 8 players expelled in 12 matches; 49 yellow cards have also been thrown in for good measure.
FC Barcelona are no strangers to Perez’s disciplined approach to officiating. He infamously gave Barcelona defender, and Spanish youth international, Marc Muniesa (17) a straight red card on his official first team debut in last season’s home contest with Osasuna, a decision that was met with vigorous protests from players, coaches and fans alike. Perez also recently refereed the first leg of the 2009 Spanish Supercopa which pitted eventual winner Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao.
19 Barca youngsters in shortlist for futbol draft awards, 2010 7
The list of futbol draft awards 2010, for young Spanish players, has been revealed. 132 young players were selected for the award; Barcelona have 19 youngsters on the list. The list starts from a pool of 132 players, which is then drafted to 33, and then the best 3 players from each position are selected.
Defenders
The list didn’t include any Barcelona goalkeepers but constituted nine defenders. In the right back position there is Barca Atletic’s Martin Montoya (18) and Juvenil A’s Albert Dalmau (17), while for the left back position Juvenil A’s Carles Planas (18) was selected. For the right centre back position, Barca Atletic’s Marc Bartra (18) and Juvenil B’s Eduard Campabadal (16) were selected. For the left centre back position there was a place for Barca Atletic’s Marc Muniesa (17), Andreu Fontas (20), Juvenil B’s Sergio Ayala (16) and Barcelona loan-out player and Sporting Gijon defender Alberto Botia (21).
Midfielders
Liga 1, Week 26: Sabadell 2-3 Barcelona Atlètic 12
Barça Atlètic have beaten local rivals Sabadell 2-3 thanks to a goal from Soriano and two from Nolito during the second half. Despite trailing from the first half, the reserves reacted well after the break and fought back for a victory.
The Barça reserves, coached by Luis Enrique, stay in second place in the second division table 9 points behind leaders Sant Andreu, who they beat last week 2-1.
An early setback
Youth: Four Barca youngsters called up for Spain U-19, two for Spain U-17 18
The Spanish Football Federation has called up U-19 and U-17 Spanish players for training sessions that will be held on the 22, 23 and 24th of February. Four Barcelona players were selected for the U-19 squad, while two were selected for the U-17 squad.
Marc Muniesa (17), Ruben Rochina (18), Carles Planas (18) and Thiago Alcantara (18) made it into the U-19 squad. The squad contains mainly players born in 1991 while Marc Muniesa is a year younger.
The U-17 team has two Barcelona players in the squad, namely Rafa Alcantara (16) and Eduard Campabadal (16). The U-17 team contains players born in 1993.
Who will play at the Calderon? 36
FC Barcelona are in a defensive crisis and have yet again turned to La Masia as a remedy. Injuries to Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Yaya Toure and Dmytro Chygrynskiy, in addition to the suspensions of Gerard Pique and Rafa Márquez, have left the Barca defense wanting, especially for the league game against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
So delicate is the situation that Guardiola will have only three first team defenders in Puyol, Milito and Maxwell available for the match. Hence, the Barça coach has called up three defenders from the academy, namely Marc Bartra, Albert Dalmau, and Marc Muniesa to cover for the injured defenders.
At this point, the mystery remains as to who amongst these three would start at the Calderon. This article gives you a brief insight about the three youngsters:
Four youth players in training 13
Barca Atletic central defenders Marc Bartra (18), Marc Muniesa (17); midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos (19) and Juvenil A right back Albert Dalmau (17), all trained with the first team on Thursday to cover for the injured Alves, Abidal, Touré and Chygrynskiy.
The mystery about who will play at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday, has begun to unravel on Thursday morning at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper.
Injured players recuperating
Liga 1, Week 24: Denia 1-0 Barcelona Atlètic 12
Barça Atlètic conceded an early goal away to Denia and despite controlling most of the game could not find a way through the packed local defence.
Barça Atlètic will go into next weekend’s match against the league leaders with a 12-point deficit. The defeat against Denia combined with Sant Andreu’s victory against Badalona (2-1) means that the Barça reserves are now third with 47 points, a point behind Benidorm in second place.
Early goal
Henry back; Dalmau and Muniesa called up 7
The French striker was back in training on Wednesday after recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis. Both he and Carles Puyol took a full part in the session. Reserve team defenders Muniesa and Dalmau joined the main group for the session.
On Wednesday it was back to the usual training routine after Tuesday’s trip up the Costa Brava to Palafrugell. The main news today was the return of Thierry Henry after a stomach bug forced him to miss Tuesday’s session. Meanwhile, Carles Puyol was also able to take a full part in training though he will miss the Getafe game through suspension.
Alves and Abidal doubtful
Liga 1, Week 23: Barcelona Atlètic 5-0 Gava CF (Updated) 38
Barça Atlètic chalked up another home win on Saturday, thrashing Gava 5-0 with goals from Jose Rueda (22), Elvis Onyema (23), Nolito (23), Jonathan Soriano (24) and Gai Assulin (18).
After going 14 games unbeaten, 12 wins and two draws Barca Atletic lost 1-0 to Mallorca B a fortnight ago and only drew 2-2 with Benidorm in their next game, but they got back to winning ways with a convincing win over Gava at the Mini Estadi on Saturday.
Chances from the off
Luis Enrique’s team were making chances right from the start with Elvis shooting wide on 4 minutes after being set up by Montoya and Gai down the left and two minutes later birthday boy Rueda opened the scoring with a great long range effort.
Liga 1, Week 22: Benidorm CF 2-2 Barcelona Atlètic 5
Barca Atletic managed to garner only one point from their trip to Foietes. The reserves went ahead with goals from Benja and Soriano in the first half but Benidorm drew the game with two goals in the second half.
Barca Atletic failed to repeat their away victory of the previous season against Benidorm and had to settle for a draw, despite having entered the break with a comfortable lead (0-2).
Great first half
Youth Medical: Muniesa recovers 24
Barcelona Atletic defender Marc Muniesa has overcome the discomfort he has had in his ankle and has been training at full intensity all week. Muniesa is likely to start the game against Badalona this Saturday at 17 hrs CET. Muniesa returned from the Under-17 World Cup that was held in Nigeria with a slight discomfort in his ankle, but was still played in the game against Villarreal Villajoyosa despite feeling a slight pain in his ankle which had thus aggravated and ruled him out of action ever since.
The only other players unavailable for the weekends game against Badalona are central denfender Marc Bartra (18), who was sent off in added time against Orihuela, as he recieved a second yellow card along with long term casuality James Sobregrau (23). Bartra could strengthen the Juvenil A side, who will play this Sunday at 12 hrs CET, in the field of Casablanca Stadium in Zaragoza. In addition to the return of Muniesa, the coaching staff also have Armando Lozano (25) and Ivan Benitez (21), as potential substitutes at the centre of the defense.
Liga 1, Week 16: Lleida 1-2 FC Barcelona Atlètic 20
Barça Atlètic have racked up their second victory of the week after beating Lleida away. Nolito snatched the winner in the last minute after Soriano had got the first in the 32nd minute.
Barça Atlètic are going great guns in Second Division B and have beaten Lleida 2-1. The side showed they were up for the game right from the kick off as they put pressure on the home team’s goal and continued their run of excellent results.
Barça show superiority
Liga 1, Week 14: Vila-Joiosa 0-1 FC Barcelona Atletic 11
Barça Atlètic won their seventh game of the season at Vila-Joiosa thanks to a goal in injury time. They left it late, having squandered several chances to settle the win earlier on.
Luis Enrique’s side are in the top half of the table with seven wins and 24 points, with a game in hand, after this important win on the road at Vila Joiosa.
First threats
Barça went straight onto the attack from the outset. Playing in a well-structured formation, it was Benja (20) who produced the first threat against the Valencia based side by making a penetrating run through the defence, but his one on one with the goalkeeper saw Nico turn the ball behind for a corner.
Muniesa sent off as Spain U-17 progress to WC semifinals 2
Barcelona Atletic defender, Marc Muniesa, was sent off on the 45′ minute in Spain U-17 quarter finals match against Uruguay. Spain won 4-2 on penalties after 3-3 in 120 minutes. While dominating in the first half, La Rojita fell behind as Uruguay opened the scoring in the 11′ minute. However, Spain quickly drew as Federico Saurrate fouled Pablo Sarabia in the area and Isco scored the penalty at the 18′ minute mark.
Liga 1, Week 9: FC Barcelona Atlètic 1-1 Alcoyano 0
Barca Atletico have have drawn their ninth game of the season against Alcoyano on Saturday at the Mini Estadi.
Many players missing
As has been the case so far this season Luis has again not been able to count on many of his troops. Marc Muniesa (17) and Sergi Roberto (17) were on international duty with the Spain U-17 while Thiago Alcantara (18), Victor Vazquez (22), Jonathan Soriano (22) have being out injured. Luis Enrique decided to replace young Marc Muniesa, Sergi Roberto with Andreu Fontas (19) who himself has just got back from Spanish U-20 duty and Ilie Sanchez (19) respectively.
Alcoyano opens the scoring
Alcoyano opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of the game with a goal by Victor Curto after a defensive mistake due to the lack of understanding between new defensive pairing Fontas (19) and Bartra (18). The reserves reacted quickly and showed first signs of warning in the 7th minute, as Joanthan Dos Santos (19) played Nolito (23) with a great through ball but he could not finish.
Liga 1, Week 8: UD Logroñés 0-1 FC Barcelona Atlètic 13
Barcelona Atletic have achieved their third victory of the season in their eighth game against UD Logroñés yesterday.
Elvis (22) opened the scoring in the very first minute of the game, when he headed in a cross from the left by Nolito. Barca Atletic could not capitalize the many chances they created throughout the game to take the scoreline to a much higher margin.
Great opportunities
The reserves could not seal the game despite creating many chances. Elvis missed a golden opportunity in the 40th minute, when he controlled the ball superbly and all he had to do was put the ball in, but surprisingly he put it wide. At the end of the first half Sergi Roberto (17) dribbled around most of the opponent defense only to lose the ball to the goalkeeper.
Liga 1, Week 7: Barca Atletic 3-0 Sabadell 4
Barcelona Atletic has yestecrday achieved their first home win of the season at the Mini Estadi, 3-0 against Sabadell.
Jonathan Soriano opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd min by latching on to a header from Sergio Roberto following a set piece situation and Marc Muniesa scored the second just before half time with a header following a corner. Nolito, who came on as a substitute at halftime replacing Gai Assulin , sealed the victory in the 79th minute.
It was all in all a comfortable victory for Luis Enrique’s lads as the away side were kept at bay throughout the game.