Saturday 7 March 2009

Match discussion: Athletic

This evening at 8 pm bt,
Barcelona plays the 26th game of the league against Athletic Bilbao.




Athletic squad list:
Iraizoz, Toquero, Koikili, Amorebieta, Garmendia, Llorente, Yeste, Gabilondo, Armando, Susaeta, Iraola, Orbaiz, Etxeberria, Gurpegi, Muñoz, Javi Martínez, Etxeita, Balenziaga


Barcelona squad list:
Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera, Puyol, Piqué, Botía, Márquez, Sylvinho, Xavi, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Víctor Sánchez, Gudjohnsen, Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Iniesta, Hleb, Pedro


Re-live Athletic-Barcelona 0-1

video
match data
pictures



!!! LIVE MATCH CHAT !!!

From two hours before until two hours after the game you can join a match chat (read more here)



Before (what are your expectations, what's your prediction, what should be the line-up,...), during and after the match, you can also comment on the game here.

Barça B - Statistics 08-09: Goals, assists, cards

goals
8 Maric
5 Pedro
4 Jeffren
2 Rochina
2 Abraham
2 Gai
2 Nolito
2 Botia
2 Longás
2 Benja
1 Verdés
1 Víctor Sánchez
1 Xavi Torres
1 Rueda


assists
6 Víctor Vázquez
3 Nolito
2 Gai
2 Longás
2 Maric
2 Jeffren
1 Botia
1 Thiago
1 Abraham
1 Benja
1 Pedro


yellow cards
11 Verdés
7 Nolito
7 Abraham
6 Joni
6 Víctor Vázquez
5 Botia
5 Longás
5 Corcoles
4 Xavi Torres
4 Maric
3 Rueda
3 Miño
2 Rochina
2 Gai
2 Víctor Sanchez
1 Pedro
1 Jeffren
1 Oier
1 Espasandín
1 Thiago


red cards
2 Abraham
2 Verdés
1 Corcoles
1 Xavi Torres
1 Longás
1 Víctor Sánchez
1 Botia
1 Nolito



Barcelona Atlétic has played 27 official games

[Crosas] St Mirren-Celtic Glasgow

Celtic Glasgow played this afternoon the quarter-finals of the Scottish cup. Celtic was defeated 1-0 by St Mirren and is eliminated.

Former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas started the game and was subsituted twenty minutes before the end.



Marc Crosas joined Celtic Glasgow in 2008. Since Barcelona can buy Crosas back in the summer of 2010 for two million euro (read more here), this blog will follow the performances of the midfielder over those two years.



Sunday 10 August - League game 1: Celtic Glasgow-St Mirren 1-0
Non-selectable. Crosas has signed his contract and is presented to the fans before the match.

Sunday 17 August - League game 2: Dundee United-Celtic Glasgow 1-1
Bench.

Saturday 23 August - League game 3: Celtic Glasgow-Falkirk 3-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Brown in the 73rd minute (3-0).

Sunday 31 August - League game 4: Celtic Glasgow-Rangers 2-4
Bench.

Sunday 14 September - League game 5: Motherwell-Celtic Glasgow 2-4
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Nakamura in the 80th minute (2-4).

Wednesday 17 September - Champions League group stage game 1: Celtic Glasgow-Aalborg 0-0
Bench.

Sunday 21 September - League game 6: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Hartley in the 74th minute (0-2).

Tuesday 23 September - League Cup 1/8 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Livingston 4-0
Not selected.

Saturday 27 September - League game 7: Celtic Glasgow-Aberdeen 3-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by McDonald in the 72nd minute (1-2).

Tuesday 30 September - Champions League group stage game 2: Villareal-Celtic Glasgow 1-0
Bench.

Saturday 4 October - League game 8: Celtic Glasgow-Hamilton 4-0
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.

Saturday 18 October - League game 9: Inverness-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Hartley in the 95th minute (1-2). Yellow card.

Tuesday 21 October - Champions League group stage game 3: Manchester United-Celtic Glasgow 3-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 25 October - League game 10: Celtic Glasgow-Hibernian 4-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 29 October - League Cup 1/4 finals: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 2 November - League game 11: Hearts-Celtic Glasgow 0-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 5 November - Champions League group stage game 4: Celtic Glasgow-Manchester United 1-1
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 9 November - League game 12: Celtic Glasgow-Motherwell 0-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 12 November - League game 13: Celtic Glasgow-Kilmarnock 3-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 16 November - League game 14: Hamilton-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 22 November - League game 15: Saint Mirren-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Tuesday 25 November - Champions League group stage game 5: Aalborg-Celtic Glasgow 2-1
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 30 November - League game 16: Celtic Glasgow-Inverness 1-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 7 December - League game 17: Hibernian-Celtic Glasgow-Inverness 2-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 10 December - Champions League group stage game 6: Celtic Glasgow-Villareal 2-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 13 December - League game 18: Celtic Glasgow-Hearts 1-1
Bench.

Sunday 21 December - League game 19: Falkirk-Celtic Glasgow 0-3
Bench.

Saturday 27 December - League game 20: Rangers-Celtic Glasgow 0-1
Bench.

Saturday 3 January - League game 21: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee United 2-2
Bench.

Saturday 10 January - Cup 1/16 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee (2) 2-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Robson in the 64th minute (2-1).

Sunday 18 January - League game 22: Aberdeen-Celtic Glasgow 4-2
Bench.

Saturday 24 January - League game 23: Celtic Glasgow-Hibernian 3-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Robson in the 78th minute (3-1).

Wednesday 29 January - League Cup 1/2 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee United 0-0 (pen 11-10)
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 120 minutes. Scores penalty.

Sunday 1 February - League game 24: Inverness-Celtic Glasgow 0-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Nakamura in the 64th minute (0-0).

Saturday 10 January - Cup 1/8 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Queen's Park (3) 2-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Donati in the 42nd minute (1-0).

Sunday 15 February - League game 25: Celtic Glasgow-Rangers 0-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Brown in the 83rd minute (0-0).

Sunday 22 February - League game 26: Motherwell-Celtic Glasgow 1-1
Bench.

Saturday 28 February - League game 27: Celtic Glasgow-St Mirren 7-0
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Goal. Assist.

Wednesday 4 march - League game 28: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Assist.

Saturday 7 March - Cup 1/4 finals: St Mirren-Celtic Glasgow 1-0
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Samaras in the 74th minute (1-0).



Table
1. Celtic Glasgow 63
2. Rangers 60
3. Hearts 48
4. Dundee 43
[...]

B player Botia in Athletic list

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola announced earlier today a list of 21 players for the 26th league game of season against Athletic Bilbao this evening at 8:00 pm.

The list:
Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera,
Puyol, Piqué, Márquez, Botía, Sylvinho,
Xavi, Víctor Sánchez, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Gudjohsen,
Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Hleb, Iniesta, Pedro

Barcelona Atlètic central defender Botía is for the first time called-up for a league game. Alves (five yellow cards) and Cáceres (red card) are suspended. Abidal and Milito are still recovering from an injury. The team had a last training session at 12 pm today. After a lunch together, the players had the afternoon off and are expected back at the Camp Nou at 6:15 pm, 1 hour 45 minutes before the start of the game.







Barcelona sounds out Juventus goalkeeper Buffon

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona is interested in Juventus goalkeeper and Italian international Gianluigi Buffon (31).

Barcelona's technical staff would be unsatisfied with the performances of Víctor Valdés this season and the club would be looking to strenghten the goalkeeping position in the summer.

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would like to sign a younger goalkeeper by following the advice of Barcelona goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué and former Barcelona assistant coach Eusebio who recommended Valladolid goalkeeper and Spanish youth international Sergio Asenjo (19) and Atlético Madrid B goalkeeper and Spanish youth international David De Gea (18).

The board of the club would nevertheless be wanting to buy a more experienced goalkeeper. Buffon has therefore already been sounded out and the Italian goalkeeper would have welcomed the interest and would be glad to live a new football adventure before he retires.

In this scenario, Valdés could well leave the club this year, one year before the end of his contract. In that case, Barcelona would try to sign De Gea, who would then be given the time to grow in the shadow of Buffon in the coming years. Atlético Madrid would be aware of the interest of Barcelona in their young player and will try to counter it by promoting De Gea to the first team next season.

Read more:
Valdes unaware of the club's renewal plans
Transfer history: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Agent Asenjo confirms Barcelona contact


Watch a video of Buffon here:

Pichichi and Zamora (day 25)

With Barcelona players competing for the trophies of best goalscorer and best goalkeeper of the Spanish league, this blog will follow the events during the second round.



Pichichi
23 Eto'o (Barcelona)
19 Villa (Valencia)
17 Messi (Barcelona)
17 Forlán (Atlético Madrid)
15 Negredo (Almería)

Zamora
0,96 Víctor Valdés (Barcelona)
1,12 Casillas (Real Madrid)
1,36 Diego López (Villarreal)
1,36 Riesgo (Recreativo Huelva)
1,56 Diego Alves (Almería)

[2008] Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04)

this post was published exactly one year ago:


Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is closely following Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (21). The player caught the attention of the Barcelona scouts rather accidentally when they were spying on other Schalke players. Barcelona has now several detailed and very positive scouting reports about the German youth international.

Because the contract of Barcelona second goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (29) expired in June of this year and it was believed he could leave to have more playing time elsewhere, Barcelona has been seriously looking to transfer another goalkeeper who could rival with regular Víctor Valdés (26). Neuer was one of the names on the list of the technical staff.

The situation nevertheless changed when Jorquera got injured last December and Barcelona had to hurry to bring in a reliable back-up for Valdés. During the January transfer window, the club transferred Celta Vigo goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto (32) on loan until the end of the season, with an option for a permanent deal (read more here). Meanwhile, the contract of Albert Jorquera has been renewed for two more years (read more here). Because of the seriousness of Jorquera’s injury, who could not be totally fit when the new season starts, there still would be a possibility a new goalkeeper will be looked for.



Read more 7 March 2008 news:
Mourinho checkmate
Garay not for now

Live Match Chat: FC Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao


(original post by OmarX)





FC Barcelona - Athletic Club de Bilbao
(Saturday 7 March 2009 @ 20:00 barcelona time)

Chat Link:
http://fcbarcelona.hopto.org/

Chat starts around 18:00 - 6:00 pm


Have you ever sat infront of your TV or computer while you were watching a FC Barcelona game and hoped you could share your excitement, feelings, and opinions with other fans LIVE as it happens?

We are proud to present you the new FC Barcelona Match Chat. Now you will be able to communicate before, during and after the match. The chat will be available from two hours before until two hours after the match. In the future this could turn into a 24/7 chat.

The chat is designed to be very user friendly and just requires you to enter your desired nickname and join (no registration required!). It is open to everyone, therefore make sure to invite your friends and spread the message. If you encounter any troubles or difficulties please put them here in the comments section or contact omarx in the chatroom.


To make all this work, we're setting up a moderator's system. Until that's in place, please keep in mind the following basic rules:

- on the public chat the main language is English

- you can hold private conversations by using the appropriate button you find below at the right of your screen
(mark the person you want to have a private talk with and click the button)

See you there!

Gudjohnsen has no intention to leave

Asked about the continuous rumours over the past years linking him with an exit, Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (30), whose contract expires in 2010, has said in an interview with football site Goal that at this moment he has no intention to leave the club:

"I am a lot more confident this season and I am playing more games. Last summer I spoke to Guardiola and he told me that he wanted me to stay and that gave me confidence, and now I am playing better this year. I do not officially know if I have played more games, but I am enjoying my time this season a lot more.

I really like the city and being here so I am happy. I know that every year things are said, but I have not wanted to leave Barcelona. I think it is normal in football for there to be stories, but with Guardiola coming in and telling me he wanted me that was a big thing.

I would nevertheless love to play at PSV Eindhoven again. I think it is a really good club and I was treated very well during my time there. Maybe I do not have the best memories, given that I was injured a lot, but I learned a lot at the club. But I do not want to go back now of course, because I am playing for Barcelona and I want to stay here and win things."

Read more:
PSV interested in Gudjohnsen
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Everton interested in Gudjohnsen

Friday 6 March 2009

Xavi: "I pass and I move, I help you, I look for you"

Barcelona player Xavi gave an interview to Catalan newspaper El Periódico.





You are nominated for the 'Catalan of the year' trophy. Wouldn't it be strange to win that trophy thanks to shining in the shirt of Spain?
Well, excuse me, but I think that would only make it more beautiful, no? I think that there cannot be more diversity than that. I'm feeling Catalan through and through but, at this moment, I don't know any other way to win the European championships than by playing for Spain.

You know that, at this moment, a lot of people have already casted their vote.
I saw the list of nominees and the truth is that it's impressive. I think that winning the Euro, a very important trophy that Spanish football needed really badly, has been the break-through of a generation of excellent players. Believe me, playing with Puyol, Iniesta, Torres, Silva, Villa and many others is a real joy.

It was a great victory.
Extremely beautiful. The football we played was very nice to watch, not only because we played in an attacking way, but also because of the idea behind it. We became champions with a game based on passing and talent. Luis likes to play like Cruijff. There's more, the national team has seven or eight players "made in La Masia".

What is that so much talked about Barça DNA that everyone is envious of?
If you want to enjoy football, you have to love the ball. You can win by not liking the ball, true, but then you forget to enjoy, you and the others. 'With what do we defend?', Cruijff asked himself. 'With the ball', he answered. If you have the ball, you can play like you want to play. The one who has the ball, is the master of the game.

And once you have it, once it's yours, you can pass, pass, pass.
Yes, but with a plan. Quick passes, using the space, triangles, double passes, depth, pausing, rhythm, I pass and I move, I help you, I look for you, I stop, I raise my head, I look and, above all, I open up the pitch. Cruijff always said: 'If you put Pele and Maradona in a phone booth, you don't have to worry because they won't even make a double pass'. If you make the pitch wide, even the most clumsy one can make a double pass, or two. That's the school of Joan Vilà, of Albert Benaiges, of Johan Cruijff, of Pep Guardiola.

And you love the ball, you're dying to have it, for it to come your way.
On Saturday, I sometimes go and watch my friends of Natació Terrassa and I sit in the stands with Elsa, my girlfriend. From my seat, I'm hoping the ball will bounce an come my way. I'm a fanatic, I admit it. I don't know if I should be punished for that sin.

Joaquim, your father, still doesn't understand why you didn't want to go to AC Milan.
Father knows and understands that I couldn't go there. I'm born to play at Barça. Father tried to open my eyes. 'Pep is there, you're having a myth before you'. And mother said to him: 'Joaquim, Xavi has to stay with Barça. Can't you see that?'. You see which kind of discussions they had. I talked with Zaccheroni, the coach, and even with Galliani, the one who's in command. But I made the right choice to stay. I had been given birth for Barça. And mother knew that, of course.

I hear that your brothers Oscar and Alex still didn't forgive you that you left them without bread.
I know, I know. When I came back from school, I had to go and buy bread every day. Mother gave me money for four pieces and I went to the market place to buy it. But I always stopped to play football and the bakery was always closed when I arrived there.

Is it true that your sister Ariadna has dribbled you a lot during your youth?
True, true. We have almost the same age and we played together. She has the left foot of Messi. I always picked her for my team and the others always laughed with me. 'How can you pick her, that's a girl!', they said, but we trashed them several times...

Elsa, your girlfriend, has asked me to tell you that not everything is football, football.
Elsa is the one who keeps my feet on the ground, who keeps me connected with the reality, she opens my mind, she helps me to see that not everything is football. She's my sweetheart. And she knows it.

My boss has asked me to ask you about the crisis of Barça.
Crisis? We're in the beginning of March and you know how many games we have played? 42. 42! You know how many games Valladolid has played? 29. 29! You know how many games they will play in the whole season? 42. 42! With still three months to go before the end of the season, we have already played the same number of games that 80 per cent of the teams will play in the whole season. I think that's something you should keep in mind, no? Tell your boss that he can stay calm. Hopefully every crisis could be like this one!



Read more:
Xavi: "Give me a couch and a movie and I'm happy"
Transfer history: Xavi was close to Milan
OFFICIAL: Xavi renews until 2014

Barcelona interested in Inter left back Maxwell

Italian football site Calcio Mercato claims that Barcelona is interested in Inter Milan left back defender Maxwell (27).

Maxwell, whose contract with Inter expires in 2010 and who doesn't seem willing to renew now that he seems to be losing his spot to the Italian youngster Davide Santon, could leave in the summer and Barcelona would have asked for the player. Valencia and Bayern Munich would also be interested in the Brazilian left back.

Read more:
Zhirkov and Lahm on top of left back list
Barcelona considers offer for free agent Cruz
Barcelona will sign left back next summer


Watch a video of Maxwell here:

Barça Classic: Man United-Barcelona (sep-nov 1999)

Manchester City denies preparing bid for Messi

Following yesterday's rumour about Manchester City supposedly preparing a record bid for Barcelona right wing attacker and Argentinian international Lionel Messi (21) in the summer (read more here), the English Premier League club has published an official statement on its website denying the story:

"Following an article in The Sun newspaper which claimed that Manchester City are preparing a £100m bid for Lionel Messi, the Club would like to make the following information clear.

The story is untrue and this fact has been accepted by the newspaper in question. General comments about Lionel Messi, made by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, who holds no position at the Club, were mistakenly linked to Manchester City. The article was printed in error and an apology to His Highness Sheikh Mansour, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim and a correction in Saturday's edition of the newspaper will follow."

Asked about the new rumours linking Messi with Manchester City, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said yesterday in an interview with Spanish radio station Radio Punto that he's not worried about a possible bid: "Football players are being well advised and they know that the idea of tycoons in football doesn't work, it's fake. Barça is the standard club at this moment and I'm not at all afraid by these attempts. Leo knows that Barcelona will always do everything to make him feel comfortable. it's the best player in the world and he's very involved with the club."

Read more:
Manchester City preparing a move for Henry
WAG: Lionel Messi
Manchester City planning record bid for Messi

Barça B: Botia probably called-up for first team

Barcelona official's website claims that Barcelona Atlètic central defender and Spanish youth international Alberto Botía (20) could be part of the match list for the league game against Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.

With Milito and Abidal still injured and Alves (five yellow cards) and Cáceres (red card) suspended, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola could call-up the Spanish defender.

Botía has over the last two days been training with the first team. Yesterday, Barcelona Atlètic players Rayo and Longás also joined the training session of the first team. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the fact that Botía didn't travel with the second team today is another indication of a probable call-up.

Read more:
International: Jeffren and Botia make U21 debut
Introducing the four selected B-team players
Four B-team players in Shakhtar list

Pinto explains how he saved the penalty

Pinto:
Before the penalty, I told the player of Mallorca that if he scored, I would produce a record for him. And the boy got nervous.






(click the cartoon to enlarge)

source:
golsud.com

see more cartoons here

Poll result - Man of the match: Mallorca

This is the final result of this blog's Mallorca-Barcelona: who was our man of the match? poll:


1. Pinto 56%
2. Messi 29%
3. Iniesta 4%




see full results here
see previous poll results here

[Crosas] Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow

Celtic Glasgow played on Wednesday their 28th league game of the season. Celtic defeated Kilmarnock 1-2 and returns to the top of the table.

Former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas played the whole game. The Catalan player gave the assist for the 0-1 in the 27th minute.



Marc Crosas joined Celtic Glasgow in 2008. Since Barcelona can buy Crosas back in the summer of 2010 for two million euro (read more here), this blog will follow the performances of the midfielder over those two years.



Sunday 10 August - League game 1: Celtic Glasgow-St Mirren 1-0
Non-selectable. Crosas has signed his contract and is presented to the fans before the match.

Sunday 17 August - League game 2: Dundee United-Celtic Glasgow 1-1
Bench.

Saturday 23 August - League game 3: Celtic Glasgow-Falkirk 3-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Brown in the 73rd minute (3-0).

Sunday 31 August - League game 4: Celtic Glasgow-Rangers 2-4
Bench.

Sunday 14 September - League game 5: Motherwell-Celtic Glasgow 2-4
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Nakamura in the 80th minute (2-4).

Wednesday 17 September - Champions League group stage game 1: Celtic Glasgow-Aalborg 0-0
Bench.

Sunday 21 September - League game 6: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Hartley in the 74th minute (0-2).

Tuesday 23 September - League Cup 1/8 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Livingston 4-0
Not selected.

Saturday 27 September - League game 7: Celtic Glasgow-Aberdeen 3-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by McDonald in the 72nd minute (1-2).

Tuesday 30 September - Champions League group stage game 2: Villareal-Celtic Glasgow 1-0
Bench.

Saturday 4 October - League game 8: Celtic Glasgow-Hamilton 4-0
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.

Saturday 18 October - League game 9: Inverness-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Hartley in the 95th minute (1-2). Yellow card.

Tuesday 21 October - Champions League group stage game 3: Manchester United-Celtic Glasgow 3-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 25 October - League game 10: Celtic Glasgow-Hibernian 4-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 29 October - League Cup 1/4 finals: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 2 November - League game 11: Hearts-Celtic Glasgow 0-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 5 November - Champions League group stage game 4: Celtic Glasgow-Manchester United 1-1
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 9 November - League game 12: Celtic Glasgow-Motherwell 0-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 12 November - League game 13: Celtic Glasgow-Kilmarnock 3-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 16 November - League game 14: Hamilton-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 22 November - League game 15: Saint Mirren-Celtic Glasgow 1-3
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Tuesday 25 November - Champions League group stage game 5: Aalborg-Celtic Glasgow 2-1
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 30 November - League game 16: Celtic Glasgow-Inverness 1-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Sunday 7 December - League game 17: Hibernian-Celtic Glasgow-Inverness 2-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Wednesday 10 December - Champions League group stage game 6: Celtic Glasgow-Villareal 2-0
Injured. Crosas has a hamstring injury.

Saturday 13 December - League game 18: Celtic Glasgow-Hearts 1-1
Bench.

Sunday 21 December - League game 19: Falkirk-Celtic Glasgow 0-3
Bench.

Saturday 27 December - League game 20: Rangers-Celtic Glasgow 0-1
Bench.

Saturday 3 January - League game 21: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee United 2-2
Bench.

Saturday 10 January - Cup 1/16 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee (2) 2-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Robson in the 64th minute (2-1).

Sunday 18 January - League game 22: Aberdeen-Celtic Glasgow 4-2
Bench.

Saturday 24 January - League game 23: Celtic Glasgow-Hibernian 3-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Robson in the 78th minute (3-1).

Wednesday 29 January - League Cup 1/2 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Dundee United 0-0 (pen 11-10)
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 120 minutes. Scores penalty.

Sunday 1 February - League game 24: Inverness-Celtic Glasgow 0-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Nakamura in the 64th minute (0-0).

Saturday 10 January - Cup 1/16 finals: Celtic Glasgow-Queen's Park (3) 2-1
Starter. Crosas starts the game and is replaced by Donati in the 42nd minute (1-0).

Sunday 15 February - League game 25: Celtic Glasgow-Rangers 0-0
Substitute. Crosas replaces Brown in the 83rd minute (0-0).

Sunday 22 February - League game 26: Motherwell-Celtic Glasgow 1-1
Bench.

Saturday 28 February - League game 27: Celtic Glasgow-St Mirren 7-0
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Goal. Assist.

Wednesday 4 march - League game 28: Kilmarnock-Celtic Glasgow 1-2
Starter. Crosas starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Assist.



Table
1. Celtic Glasgow 63
2. Rangers 60
3. Hearts 48
4. Dundee 43
[...]

[Valiente] Sevilla B-Levante

Spanish second division team Sevilla Atlético, the second team of first division club Sevilla, played last weekend their 26th league game of the season, losing 1-2 against Levante.

Former Barcelona Atlètic player Marc Valiente (21) was not available due to a sprained ankle.



Because Barcelona has the right to buy Valiente back at the end of this season (read more here), this blog will follow the performances of the central defender during the season.





Sunday 31 August - League game 1: Albacete-Sevilla Atlético 2-1
Injured. Valiente has pubis problems.

Sunday 7 September - League game 2: Sevilla Atlético-Salamanca 1-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Central defender.

Sunday 14 September - League game 3: Córdoba-Sevilla Atlético 1-1
Injured. Valiente has an ankle injury.

Sunday 21 September - League game 4: Sevilla Atlético-Rayo Vallecano 0-0
Substitute. Valiente plays the second half. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 28 September - League game 5: Levante-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 5 October - League game 6: Sevilla Atlético-Real Sociedad 1-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Central defender.

Saturday 11 October - League game 7: Las Palmas-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Saturday 18 October - League game 8: Sevilla Atlético-Zaragoza 0-4
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Central defender.

Sunday 26 October - League game 9: Las Palmas-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 2 November - League game 10: Sevilla Atlético-Hércules 1-2
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Central defender.

Sunday 9 November - League game 11: Alavés-Sevilla Atlético 2-2
Starter. Valiente starts the game and is excluded in the 87th minute (2-2). Central defender. Red card.

Sunday 2 November - League game 12: Sevilla Atlético-Elche 0-2
Suspended. Due to red card.

Saturday 22 November - League game 13: Sevilla Atlético-Xerez 1-2
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Central defender. Yellow card.

Saturday 29 November - League game 14: Girona-Sevilla Atlético 1-0
Injured. Valiente has an injury.

Sunday 7 December - League game 15: Sevilla Atlético-Castellón 1-0
Injured. Valiente has an injury.

Sunday 14 December - League game 16: Gimnástic-Sevilla Atlético 3-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 21 December - League game 17: Sevilla Atlético-Eibar 0-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 4 January - League game 18: Tenerife-Sevilla Atlético 2-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and is replaced in the 65th minute. Defensive midfielder.

Saturday 10 January - League game 19: Sevilla Atlético-Huesca 1-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Saturday 17 January - League game 20: Celta Vigo-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 25 January - League game 21: Sevilla Atlético-Alicante 2-3
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder. Yellow card.

Saturday 31 January - League game 22: Sevilla Atlético-Albacete 1-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Sunday 8 February - League game 23: Salamanca-Sevilla Atlético 6-0
Bench.

Saturday 14 February - League game 24: Sevilla Atlético-Córdoba 0-2
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.

Saturday 21 February - League game 25: Rayo Vallecano-Sevilla Atlético 1-0
Injured. Valiente has an ankle injury.

Sunday 1 March - League game 26: Sevilla Atlético-Levante 1-2
Injured. Valiente has an ankle injury.




Table
1. Xerez 50
2. Tenerife 47
3. Hércules 45
4. Rayo 44
5. Zaragoza 43
6. Castellón 43
7. Salamanca 38
8. Levante 38
9. Huesca 37
10. Gimnástic 37
11. Real Sociedad 36
12. Girona 36
13. Murcia 34
14. Elche 33
15. Celta 33
16. Albacete 32
17. Alavés 30
18. Las Palmas 28
19. Córdoba 28
20. Eibar 27
21. Alicante 19
22. Sevilla Atlético 10

The top three are promoted to the Primera División. The bottom four are relegated to the Spanish third division.

Barcelona president opens door for Cesc return

Asked about a possible return of Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas (21) (read more here), Barcelona president Joan Laporta has suggested in an interview with Spanish radio station Radio Punto that the club is interested in the Catalan player:

"Cesc was born here and grew up in our youth academy. He has the Barça DNA, our way of playing, the passing football.
We always go for the victory, we have an aestetical idea about football and that plays a decisive role. Players like Iniesta, Cesc, Xavi, Busquets, Bojan... all the youth players have that same idea. Does that mean we will sign Cesc? I don't know, that depends on the technical staff."

Asked about Cesc's statements that he would consider a transfer if Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger would leave the club (read more here), the French coach said at a press conference that he hopes that the player will stay longer than him with the English Premier League club:

"I hope his future will last longer than mine because I think he can still be here in ten years. He should be one of the bases of this club. I think the club should be built around personalities like Cesc and that’s why I hope he will still be here. He was born in 1987 and he is 22 years old in 2009 and at 32 he will still play."


Read more:
Cesc considers transfer if Wenger leaves Arsenal
Barcelona moving for Arsenal trio
Cesc wants to return to Barcelona

The Pictures: Mallorca

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