Barcelona's wage structure

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona's wage scale has six levels:



GROUP A
Messi

GROUP B
Henry
Ibrahimovic

GROUP C
Alves
Xavi
Iniesta
Puyol

GROUP D
Valdés
Touré
Márquez
Keita

GROUP E
Bojan
Piqué
Jorquera
Pinto
Busquets

GROUP F
Pedro
Víctor Sánchez
Muniesa
Jeffren

Barca internationals return for medical tests

Catalan paper Sport reports that Barcelona internationals who enjoyed an extra week of vacation will soon rejoin the rest of the squad. Confederation Cup participants Carles Puyol (31), Xavi Hernandez (29), Gerard Pique (22), Sergi Busquets (21), Dani Alves (26) and Andres Iniesta (25), who is recovering from injury, are scheduled to carry out medical tests at 8:30 pm tonight at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi.

Pique would have already returned early and trained by himself at the Ciutat Esportiva for the past week.

Sport also claims that Guardiola is scheduled to train with this group for the first time tomorrow at 9:30 am. The group would only conduct training today and tomorrow before joining their teammates in the United States on Wednesday.

Read more:
First training of the season
Medical tests to start pre-season

Happy birthday: Sergio Busquets

Barcelona player Sergio Busquets turns 21 today.
Congratulations!

Pique reveals dressing-room secrets

In the run-up to the Champions league final, Barcelona player Gerard Piqué discussed his team-mates in an interview with British tabloid The Daily Mail.





Víctor Valdés
He's unbelievable when one-on-one with a player. The fact he's not in Spain's team is strange because he is one of the best five goalkeepers in the world. I like him because he doesn't moan when I am DJ in the dressing room. He also plays the piano.

Carles Puyol
Despite playing centre-back, I think he is best at right-back. He is like a barnacle or limpet that you find on rocks on the beach. You have to keep scratching away but still get little out of it! He is the captain, a good friend but an animal who is relentless on the pitch. If I was playing chess, he would be my rook. A tower of strength.

Gerard Piqué
What can I say? Scandalously good-looking (see my picture, above right). Talented on and off the pitch. There's nothing better than me, but maybe I could do with a little more confidence!

Sylvinho
The daddy of the team. A real good guy. He is always concerned for the welfare of the side and asks questions all the time when we are travelling, making sure we are ok. Not played enough in key games but very reliable.

Xavi
Best example of how good Barcelona's academy can be. He loves the ball more than anything else in the world. It is almost impossible to take the ball off him in training and if anyone does you normally get an ovation from the rest of the team.

Sergi Busquets
He is the rookie of the season. He was a striker and Pep changed him into a defensive midfielder. We call him Superman. You can kick him as much as you like but he won't feel it. He will be a reference point in world football in a few years' time.

Andrés Iniesta
Best midfielder in the world. You can study his hips as he is moving towards you but he will bluff you with his body. If Andres scored more goals he would be the biggest act in the world. Bigger than any singer! As a person, soft as a loaf of bread.

Lionel Messi
No 1 in the world. You can't fight against him, you will lose because he is quicker and more athletic than you. Not superstitious, but always wears his Argentina flag shinpads. I grew up with him here at Barcelona and he hasn't disappointed me.

Samuel Eto'o
We asked the coach and the chairman at the start of the season to make sure that we kept him. He had to stay, there's no other striker like him. He was having a bad time but proved to everyone that he is a top professional. He is fanatical about cars and watches.

Thierry Henry
He looks very cocky, but on a daily basis he has shown strong humility — despite being the best footballer in Arsenal's history. He kisses a tattoo on his wrist every time he scores and I have told him he is in danger of wearing out his skin, he has scored so many.

Yaya Touré
He always leaves everyone open-mouthed with his show of strength. Quiet in the dressing room but very friendly and never complains. He doesn't care whether he plays defensive midfield or centre-back, and we all feel comfortable whichever position he plays. Has some unusual dance moves, though.

Seydou Keita
The lungs of the team. He can run from deep and score, he is good in the air and cares a lot defensively. He doesn't know the meaning of the word 'no'. He says 'yes' to requests from the gaffer and ends up paying five times for it.

Eidur Gudjohnsen
The Viking or The Gargoyle. He has a special humour for the dressing room. He is always funny and cheery. Unbelievable first touch and is probably the best in the team with his back to goal. Speaks very good English and likes a party.

Bojan
It doesn't matter how many minutes he plays, because he always gets a chance. Don't give him half a metre because he will take you to the cleaners. His body is like a snake, he can change direction quickly and can slip past easily. He is a kid in the dressing room but I am trying to make him become a man!

read the full article including Piqué's comments on his former Manchester United team-mates here


Read more:
The merging paths of Pique and Busquets
Pique: "Classical music makes me fall asleep"

Ten youth players nominated for prestigious award

The final list of nominations for this year Fútbol Draft trophies, the most prestigious Spanish awards for youth players, have been announced.

55 Spanish players between 16 and 21 years old are nominated (five for each position) and on 7 May a Golden, Silver and Bronze Eleven will be announced.

Besides two former Barcelona players - Fran Mérida (Arsenal, 1990) and Iago Falqué (Juventus, 1990) - ten Barcelona players are among the nominated players.


Goalkeeper
Rubén Miño (1989)

Right back defender
Albert Dalmau (1992)
Martín Montoya (1991)

Left central defender
Marc Muniesa (1992)

Left back defender
Carles Planas (1991)

Right central midfielder
Sergi Busquets (1988)

Left winger
Jeffrén Suárez (1988)

Attacking midfielder
Thiago Alcántara (1991)

Centre forward
Bojan Krkic (1990)
Rubén Rochina (1991)


Read more:
Bojan fourth in Golden Boy trophy
An introduction to Ruben Rochina
English and Italian clubs monitoring Barça youth

International: Spain debut for Busquets

Spain defeated Turkey 1-2. Barcelona players Gerard Piqué and Xavi played the whole game. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets made his debut for the Spanish national team by replacing Silva in the 74th minute (1-1). Xavi got booked at the end of the first half.

1. Spain (6) 18
2. Bosnia-Herzegovina (6) 12
3. Turkey (6) 8
4. Belgium (6) 7
5. Estonia (6) 5
6. Armenia (6) 1

the group winner qualifies for the world cup, the eight best runners-up (nine qualifying groups) will compete in two-legged play-offs for a ticket
























France defeated Lithuania 1-0. Barcelona forward Thierry Henry acted as captain and played the whole game.

1. Serbia (5) 12
2. France (5) 10
3. Lithuania (6) 9
4. Austria (5) 7
5. Romania (5) 4
6. Faroe Islands (4) 1

the group winner qualifies for the world cup, the eight best runners-up (nine qualifying groups) will compete in two-legged play-offs for a ticket






























Belarus defeated Kazakhstan 1-5. Barcelona attacker Alexander Hleb played the whole game and scored the first goal of his team (1-1) in the 48th minute.

1. England (5) 15
2. Croatia (5) 10
3. Ukraine (4) 7
4. Belarus (4) 6
5. Kazakhstan (5) 3
6. Andorra (5) 0

the group winner qualifies for the world cup, the eight best runners-up (nine qualifying groups) will compete in two-legged play-offs for a ticket
























Iceland lost 2-1 against Scotland. Barcelona attacker Eidur gudjohnsen played the whole game.

1. Netherlands (5) 15
2. Scotland (5) 7
3. Iceland (5) 4
4. FYR Macedonia (4) 3
5. Norway (3) 2

the group winner qualifies for the world cup, the eight best runners-up (nine qualifying groups) will compete in two-legged play-offs for a ticket




















Spain under-21 and Sweden under-21 drew 0-0 on Tuesday. Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic played the whole game.

Busquets: "I didn't expect this"

Barcelona player Sergio Busquets gave an interview to the club's official media.





A year ago, you were playing in the third division against Manlleu and Banyoles with Barça B. Now you are preparing to face sides like Bayern Munich. How would you define this change?
Yes, my life has changed, but all I can do is get used to it. You have to work hard and train every day and try to get better and win a regular place in the first team, which is what everybody dreams of doing one day. I didn’t expect this, but you just have to get used to it, work hard and try to get better and better.

Is it very different to what you imagined it would be like?
You can imagine a bit what it is like because you’ve seen it on TV. But when you are here you soon get used to the way that it is no longer you watching TV, but others watching you on TV. It’s different, but it’s nice.

What do you think about Bayern as the opposition in the Champions League quarter finals?
They are a very difficult team, they were the best team in the first round. We expect a very hard game against a very strong team with players up front that can score lots of goals.

As well as their form, Bayern is a classic of European football. What memories do have of that club?
Since I was a kid, I remember Oliver Kahn and many other famous players that I’m familiar with after playing with the console. They have always had famous players. Neither can I forget 1999 when they played Manchester in that final with the incredible finish.

That’s the Champions League, but the team is also top of the league and into the Copa del Rey final. Which competition would you be most excited about winning?
It’s my first year in the first team and I’m excited about winning any title as I have never won any of them. I’d like all three, but I appreciate that that’s difficult. There is still some time to go before we can ask whether we’ll win one, two or three.

How do you deal with putting Barça aside and focusing instead on two games for Spain against Turkey?
You get used to it. Sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the team. You forget a bit about those three competitions and that takes some of the pressure off. That’s good but sometimes it’s also hard to go back to your club and play against teams that don’t have internationals, because they are better prepared, and have had two weeks rest. We’ll only have three days before the game with Valladolid, and that’s a bit difficult.

You played for Guardiola last season in Barça B. Now you’re together in the first team. Has he changed much, Does he work the same way as he used to with the reserves?
The boss is just the same. Last year he worked the same way as he does now. Of course the situation is very different, because here it’s more intense, there’s more pressure, but he’s the same person and the way he runs training sessions and games is the same, it’s the same Guardiola as last year in the third division.

Read the complete interview here


Read more:
The dizzying journey of Sergio Busquets
Busquets delighted with renewal
Busquets sr: "Sergio always had that easy touch"

Busquets: "Sometimes I think I'm dreaming"

Barcelona player Sergio Busquets gave an interview to Spanish newspaper El País.





Have you already gotten rid of the "son of..." label?
I'm the son of Busquets [Carles, goalkeeper for Barça between 1988 and 1998]. I'm very proud. As a kid, I went to see him at the Camp Nou. It's clear that I'm where I am not because I'm his son.

You must be flabbergasted right now.
Well yes. Last week I was dining with players that not too long ago I was rooting for in front of the television set during the Euro. Yes, I'm amazed; of course I'm flabbergasted.

Did you ever think what would be of you if Guardiola hadn't crossed your path?
Yes, sometimes I think about it. But the answer isn't clear. You never know... Sometimes I even think to myself if what I'm going through is actually happening, because it's like a dream. But, you know?

What?
I worked hard it. Guardiola was important... Well, he was very brave. But he must see something in me, right? And I'm sure that I work hard every day.

What importance does it make to have a dad that played as keeper for Barcelona?
That I grew up in a determined environment. My dad went through things that I also went through and I noticed that. That's why I'm aware of what goes on and that I don't lose my head.

What advice does he give you?
To not lose myself, to stay in the moment, and most of all to think about the day-to-day, because tomorrow never knows...

Why didn't you play as goalkeeper?
Because I don't like getting scored on. Playing football is fun if you get to touch the ball. Without touching it, I'd rather not play.

Guardiola says: "It's difficult for Busi to play badly. He has a lot of character and personality. He's a different kind of player. He knows how to play football."
What can I say? I can play badly, but I always play with ease.

And you don't get rusty. I'm talking about recent matches. You're the player on the team that makes the most fouls. Does it have to do with the formation? You arrived at Barcelona as a youngster, having played in youth teams, on dirt fields...
I don't know... I have my personality. A coward I'm not. It's not the same growing up with football at teams as good as Barcelona or Espanyol, in a youth team of one of the greats, who always have the ball. I had to earn my place. I always liked to play touching the ball, quickly, from the start. I think that they kick me more than I kick them.

True. You're also the player on the team that gets fouled the most. Is there a reason?
I would like to know that! It's probably because I have long legs. They think that I don't reach the ball, but when I do, I barely touch it and then... I get kicked!

Back to Guardiola, is he coach that's as serious as he seems?
No way, not at all. I have the advantage of knowing him better than anyone on the team. Well, Victor Sánchez and I, who were in the B team with him, we know him well. You also don't have to try hard to understand him. He told me what he wanted from me at the beginning of the season and he doesn't hesitate to repeat it before every match.

What does he ask from you?
Nothing, to play how I play, by one or two touches. One day he told us that the faster we move the ball, the faster the rival gets tired.

And what do you do?
Well, I touch the ball. That's my position, where I have to think fast, and I have no problem playing with both feet, and thats what I do, I move the ball.

What do you aspire for?
Nothing, because I'm living my dream. What I do is work for the team.

Translated by: AL


Read more:
The dizzying journey of Sergio Busquets

Bojan, Busquets and Sanchez want another cup

original source: www.sport.es




The Copa del Rey is a tournament that exists to make a great season even better or to make a bad season acceptable. This point of view that the majority of the supporters hold doesn't seem to be something that the players share in thought. And much less the Barça players, who have gone two years without winning a trophy. However, in the blaugrana roster, there are three players who are especially hopefull for the Copa for a simple reason: they've won it before.

Víctor Sánchez, Bojan Krkic and Sergio Busquets won the trophy with the Juvenil team in 2006, which was the last time that the team has won the cup. With a team that consisted of, minus those previously mentioned: Marc Crosas, Jeffren Suarez, Iago Falque, and Giovani dos Santos, it was logical to win the trophy. That's how things went, in both the Copa and the Liga. These three players that are now a part of Pep Guardiola's first team want to repeat the celebration they lived that day in Soria. This time it'll be in Valencia.

The knockout tournament is allowing the coach to give minutes to all of his players, and everybody does what he has to. Bojan has played almost every minute in the Copa and has been important in the reaching of the semi finals, thanks to his goals against Benidorm, Atlético and Espanyol. Busquets had only missed a few minutes, before the game against Mallorca on Thursday. He played in the rest of the matches. Victor Sanchez played the first game of the 1/16 finals, although he didn't make another appearance until the Espanyol game, when he came in for Rafa Márquez, who left the pitch injured.

Feeling important to the team gives these players extra motivation to give everything in this tournament. On one hand, none of them know what it feels like to win a title with the first team. Bojan couldn't do it last season and his fellow players only arrived to the first team last summer. The forward says it clearly: "The Copa is one of the three titles that we can win, one of the three that we're still participating in and it's obvious that I'm hoping to lift the trophy because, although I hope that it's not the only title that we can win, it'll be my first. Also, I'm participating often."

The Linyola native remembers the Copa that he won with the youth team, and especially the final: "In that match Busquets scored a great goal, a cracker." Bojan arrived to Alex Garcia's team with the tournament already started, from the Juvenil B, but was still vital in the final victory: "The fixture against Real Madrid was great."

Sergio Busquets also remembers those games to be special: "Winning that Copa was incredible. Also, we defeated Real Madrid in the semi-finals in a great match at the Mini Estadi." Today, the midfielder is determined to help the first team repeat the feat: "Defeating Espanyol was the first objective and if we reach the final, which I hope to do, I'm certain that it'll be a great match. It must be impressive to see how your supporters occupy half the stadium and the rival team's supporters occupy the other half." In that case, it would also be a great career start for the player: "It would be awesome to win a title in the first year in the senior team."

Victor Sánchez entered the final against Zaragoza in the second half and was an important player during the whole tournament, where he was a key player for the coach, Alex García. The all-around player remembers: "I have great memories about that match. I felt like I was involved because I played many matches and because it was my first title," said the player, who also won the Liga with the team.

Now, three seasons later, Victor Sanchez is a part of both the senior team and Barça Atlètic, where he's doing well: "It's easy because what I like best is to play football and I know that, no matter where it is, I will play." Therefore, he could be the first player in the club's history to win the Copa del Rey and also win promotion to the second division: "It would be great for everyone. Winning a title with the first team must be great."

The next objective would be to win the fixture against Mallorca next month, after the 2-0 home game. After that, there would be one more game for the three players to repeat the moment that they lived on June 24, 2006, a day that is now already distant, even though it's still fresh in the minds of Bojan, Sergio Busquets, and Victor Sanchez. History always repeats itself.


Translated by: Al

Bojan fourth in Golden Boy trophy

Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic has finished fourth in the Golden Boy election, the award that designates the best under-21 football player in Europe, voted by sportswriters and organized by Italian sports paper Tuttosport.

Barcelona player Lionel Messi won the trophy in 2005, former Barcelona player Cesc Fàbregas won it in 2006. Last year, Atlético Madrid forward Sergio Aqüero was elected.



Full results

1. Anderson (Manchester United, Bra, 20) --- 129
2. Theo Walcott (Arsenal, Eng, 19) --- 126
3. Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid, Arg, 20) --- 109
4. Bojan (Barcelona, Spa, 18) --- 101
5. Pato (AC Milan, Bra, 19) --- 68
6. Mario Balotelli (Inter Milan, Ita, 18) --- 54
7. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona, Spa, 20) --- 27
8. Ivan Rakitic (Schalke 04, Cro, 20) --- 21
9. Diego Capel (Sevilla, Spa, 20) --- 20
10. Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax, Ser, 20) --- 18

11. Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal, Dan, 20) --- 15
12. Angel Di María (Benfica, Arg, 20) --- 14
13. Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich, Ger, 20) --- 14
14. Juan Mata (Valencia, Spa, 20) --- 10
15. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina, Mon, 19) --- 7
16. Alexis Sánchez (Udinese, Chi, 19) --- 7
17. Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split, Cro, 20) --- 5
18. Simão (Panathinaikos, Moz, 20) --- 5
19. Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen, Ger, 20) --- 4
20. Gareth Bale (Tottenham, Eng, 19) --- 3

Bojan and Busquets nominated for Golden Boy

Turin sports tabloid Tuttosport has drawn up a shortlist of 40 candidates to win the Golden Boy trophy for players born in 1988 or later.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets (20) and Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic (18) are included in the list. The winner will be announced in December.

Barcelona player Lionel Messi won the trophy in 2005, former Barcelona player Cesc Fàbregas won it in 2006. Last year, Atlético Madrid forward Sergio Aqüero was elected.

The 2008 shortlist:

Adu (Usa)
Agüero (Arg)
Anderson (Bra)
Balotelli (Ita)
Bale (Wal)
Banega (Arg)
Bendtner (Den)
Boateng (Ger)
Breno (Bra)
Busquets (Spa)

Capel (Spa)
Derdiyok (Swi)
Di Maria (Arg)
Di Santo (Arg)
Giovani (Mex)
Jovetic (Mon)
Kaboré (BFa)
Kalinic (Cro)
Kroos (Ger)
Krkic (Spa)

Marcelo (Bra)
Mata (Spa)
Michedlidze (Geo)
Okaka (Ita)
Özil (Ger)
Papastathopoulos (Gre)
Pato (Bra)
Piatti (Arg)
Pjanic (Bos)
Rakitic (Cro)

Ramsey (Wal)
Renato Augusto (Bra)
Richards (Eng)
Sarpong (Net)
Sánchez (Chi)
Sidnei (Bra)
Simão (Moz)
Sulejmani (Ser)
Vela (Mex)
Walcott (Eng)

Barça B: Busquets represented by father

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona Atlètic midfielder Sergio Busquets (20) is these days receiving several offers form agents who wants to represent the player who made his first team debut last weekend against Racing Santander (read more here).

At this moment, Busquets is represented by his father and former Barcelona goalkeeper Carles Busquets, who is at this moment the goalkeeping coach of Barcelona Atlètic (read more here).

Read more:

Barça B: Busquets satisfied with first team debut

Who will assist Guardiola?

Barça B: What with the non-promoted guys?

Guardiola's staff

While it is believed that a deal has been reached earlier this week with future Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola (37) (read more here), it is also generally excepted that Barcelona B assistant coach Tito Vilanova will continue to be Guardiola's right hand next season (read more here).

The main lines of Vilanova's contract were also agreed upon this week. Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Guardiola, informed Vilanova on the talks on Wednesday evening and the assistant will most probably give his agreement shortly.

The composition of the rest of the coaching staff is not yet clear. Bulgarian newspaper Meridian Mach claimed last weekend that former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov (42) had accepted an offer to become an assistant of Guardiola. This news was not confirmed and Stoichkov would now be negotiating with Red Star Belgrade to become head coach.

Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Guardiola has suggested the appointment of Real Sociedad manager Juan Manuel Lillo (42) (picture), who has a very close relationship with Guardiola, as assistant but that this was vetoed by the Barcelona board (read more here).

The club thinks that Lillo has a poor track record. But most of all, during the election process of 2003, both Guardiola and Lillo were part of the candidacy of Lluís Bassat, then the main rival of Laporta. Letting the duo Guardiola-Lillo take charge of the team would be like admitting that the Bassat project was in fact the right one.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims nevertheless that Lillo could be added to the coaching staff when the competition in Segunda División ends next month. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that there simply won't be a second assistant coach next season.

Sport says that current goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué (41) would be willing to continue, although he could also accept an offer by another club to become head coach. Barcelona B goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets (40) is a valid alternative for Guardiola.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Guardiola has rejected the continuation of Unzué, despite attempts of Barcelona officials to convince the new manager. Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Guardiola wants to take Busquets with him and doesn't want to give in to the pressure from the club to keep Unzué on board.

In the physical department it is expected there will be some serious changes, but all of this is yet to be confirmed.

Although no official announcement has yet been made, it is generally believed that former Barcelona player Luis Enrique will replace Guardiola as manager of Barcelona B (read more here). This week, Luis Enrique has been following some training sessions of the team.

Fernando Hierro, sports director of the Spanish football association, confirmed earlier this week that Luis Enrique will not accept his offer (read more here) because he has chosen to coach Barcelona B next season: "After a few meetings, Luis Enrique has in the end taken the decision to accept the offer of Barcelona. His motivation and the possibility to stay with his family in Barcelona have been decisive."

Read more:
Who will assist Guardiola?
Deal with Guardiola
Luis Enrique to coach Barcelona B

Who will assist Guardiola?

Together with Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45), his assistants Johan Neeskens (56) and Eusebio Sacristán (44) will have to leave at the end of the season. The situation of Barcelona goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué (41) is unclear: it is not yet decided if he will stay or if Barcelona B goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets (40) will take over.

Rijkaard's successor Guardiola is expected to take a part of the Barcelona B technical staff with him to the first team. His currect assistant Tito Vilanova (picture, at the left) will most probably continue to act as Guardiola's right hand next season.

Former Barcelona captain Luis Enrique (38) was mentioned as a possible candidate to return to Barcelona as assistant coach, both in case that Guardiola or Mourinho would become the next Barcelona manager, and felt ready for the job (read more here).

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo nevertheless claims that Luis Enrique has received some offers in the meantime and would be close to accept an offer from the Spanish football association to work with several youth teams. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Guardiola has urged Barcelona to sign his former team-mate as Barcelona B manager.

Juan Manuel Lillo (42) is being put forward as another possible assistant. Lillo was Guardiola's coach when the latter ended his career playing for the Mexican club Dorados and has in the past been coaching Salamanca, Oviedo, Tenerife and Zaragoza when they played in the Spanish Liga.

Since a few months he is the coach of second division team Real Sociedad, who he still can lead to the Primera División. Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona, Lillo, whose contract with Sociedad expires in June, said at a press conference that he's now totally focusing on his club and will not pronounce on his future before the season ends mid-June.

Read more:

Official: Rijkaard out, Guardiola in

Luis Enrique ready for assistant job

Guardiola takes Mourinho's pole