Formula One racing drivers Lewis Hamilton and Kazumi Nakajima have received yesterday a personalized Barcelona shirt in Istanbul.
Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Inter Milan is asking a record fee of 80 million euro° for Inter Milan forward and Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27).
Because Barcelona president Joan Laporta couldn't offer more than 25 million euro° plus Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (28) for both Ibrahimovic ànd Inter left back defender Maxwell (27) during Thursday's meeting with Inter president Massimo Moratti, Barcelona's bid was soon rejected (read more here).
Inter could be willing to accept players in return, but the cash part of the deal cannot be less than 50 million euro. The transfer fee Real Madrid could have paid for Kakà makes Inter stand firm. Real Madrid and Chelsea would meanwhile be preparing to enter the race for Ibrahimovic.
Italian sports paper Il Corriere dello Sport claims that Inter prefers to be paid in cash, but could accept to include players in the deal. Inter Milan manager José Mourinho would prefer Barcelona attacker Andrés Iniesta (25) but realizes that it's highly unlikely Barcelona will let the former youth player go. Two other possibilities that are mentioned are: Eto'o plus 40 to 50 million euro or Barcelona defensive midfielder Yaya Touré (26) plus 60 million euro.
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Inter rejected a bid of 40 million euro plus Eto'o. Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Inter asked 40 million euro plus Eto'o, while Barcelona, that is not interested in Maxwell, offered 25 million euro plus Eto'o. Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Inter asks a transfer fee of 65 million euro.
Read more:
Meeting with Inter on Ibrahimovic: A reconstruction
1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema
Italian sports paper Tuttosport claims that Barcelona is strongly interested in Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo (24).
Barcelona would already have contacted Fiorentina to ask for the Italian player.
Asked about the rumours, Montolivo said at a press conference that a transfer seems very unlikely to him: "I want to stay at Fiorentina. I want to keep on playing with this shirt. I've heard the talk about Barcelona but I saw them play in the final of the Champions league and it didn't look as if they need another midfielder... They have the strongest midfield in Europe."
Read more:
Fiorentina goalkeeper Frey has been offered
Offer for Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo
Watch a video of Montolivo here:
FC Barcelona's triumph in the Champions League final in Rome not only went round the world, it was also celebrated in space as the crew of the Columbus mission received a photo of the team and news about the win.
Barcelona fan Sergi Ginebrera is working as a telecommunications engineer for the project of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Munich is and he decided to include a report of the victory in the 'daily summary', a list of tasks and a news bulletin, that the astronauts are sent each morning from Houston.
The ESA director of communications accepted Ginebrera's proposal and the scoreline and report were included on the last page of the daily summary. Also included was a photo of the players receiving the Champions League trophy and that is now orbiting the earth inside the ship.
read the full story here
Although Barcelona sports papers Sport and El Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona wants to sell Barcelona attacker and Belarusian international Alexander Hleb (28) this summer, representatives of the player have said this week that Hleb wants to continue next season.
Asked about the transfer rumours, Hleb's agent Uli Ferber said in an interview with British sports site Sky Sports that the player is not thinking of leaving: "Even though he is not playing regularly he is not thinking about changing teams. He wants to stay at Barcelona and fight for his place."
Oliver Mintzlaff, a collaborator of Ferber, had earlier said the same in an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport: "Hleb isn't satisfied with the chances he has got... He wanted to play more, but he's convinced that he can prove to Guardiola that he's a quality player. With Barça, he has found a club where he can win trophies and his only option is to continue. Despite that, I can confirm that several very important English and German club have asked for him."
British tabloid The Daily Star claims that Aston Villa is interested in bringing Hleb back to the English Premier League. Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is believed to be interested in buying Hleb as a striker or wide midfielder, while Barcelona would be prepared to let the player go for a transfer fee of around 11,5 million euro°.
Ferber nevertheless denied the interest to Sky Sports: "We don't know anything about any requests from Aston Villa." And El Mundo Deportivo claims that Bayern Munich is no longer interested in Hleb after Louis van Gaal was appointed as the new coach of the German club.
Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta tried to include Hleb in a deal on Inter Milan striker Ibrahimovic (read more here). Olympique Lyon sports director Bernard Lacombe meanwhile confirmed in an interview with his club's official television channel that the French club is following Hleb: "Hleb is a good player, we'll see what we can do."
Read more:
Lyon interested in Hleb
Hleb will leave if asked by Barcelona
Possible pre-agreement between Hleb and Bayern
Sevilla regional sports paper Estadio Deportivo reports that Barcelona is interested in Coria forward Cristian Terán Sáez (17).
Because of the good scouting reports Barcelona youth academy director Alexanko had received about the player, Cristian has been invited to take part in the U-18 World cup for clubs with Barcelona. Sevilla and Betis are also following the player from the Spanish fourth division club.
Coria commented on the interest of Barcelona in an interview with the paper: "This is really nice. It's the perfect end of the great season I've had. I'm feeling good. I've played the first game against Boca Juniors, but I couldn't play the second one against Beijing because I got hit in a calf. Today I could get another chance against Dinamo Kiev."
Read more:
Barcelona B captain could join Aris Saloniki
Deportivo interested in several Barcelona players
Botia happy with first team debut
Catalan newspaper Avui claims that Barcelona wants to sign six players during the coming transfer wiondow.
Goal. Third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), whose contract expires in 2010, is seriously considering to leave this summer. If this happens, it's not yet sure how he will be replaced: either a new goalkeeper will be signed or Guardiola will count more on one of the Barcelona goalkeeepers, Oier Olazábal (19) or Rubén Miño (20).
Defense. Bayer Leverkusen central defender Henrique (22) will return from loan while central defender Martín Cáceres (22) could leave on loan for one season. It's not clear when central defender Gabriel Milito will have fully recovered from his knee injury.
Barcelona is looking at the option of signing a back-up for right back defender Daniel Alves and will certainly sign a left back to replace Sylvinho, whose contract expires and won't be renewed. Barcelona Juvenil A central defender Marc Muniesa (17), who can also act as left back, will start the pre-season with the first team and could stay afterwards.
Midfield. Attackers Eidur Gudjohnsen (30), whose contract expires in 2010, and Alexander Hleb (28) could be sold or included in a transfer deal. If one or both of them leave, a new midfielder will be signed, while Barcelona attacking midfielder Thiago (18) also has a chance of being promoted.
Attack. Barcelona will certainly buy a player for the left wing, with Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribéry (26) being the main candidate. Valencia forward Juan Manuel Mata (21 - picture) would be another option. Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola wants to sign a centre forward. Three names would be on the list: Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (29), Valencia forward David Villa (28) and Lyon forward Karim Benzema (21).
Read more:
Guardiola wants larger squad and new players
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
by: al
There is no better way to end the best season in blaugrana history than with a final gathering of the players, staff, board of directors, and everybody involved in the successful season.
That is why a feast was arranged at the Gran Hotel La Florida, on the night before the final fixture against Deportivo La Coruna, to end the season on a good note.
La Rabassada turned from a simple street to a caravan of vehicles being transported one by one to hotel La Florida. One of the first appearances of the night was done by Joan Laporta. The president caused a bit of traffic in front of the hotel by refusing to leave the vehicle because he struggled to tie his tie.
After him, the most punctual guests were the homegrown players. Bojan, Puyol, Pedro and Victor Valdes were the first to arrive, same with Thierry Henry and Toure Yaya, who were in a great mood.
Pep Guardiola, alongside his wife, arrived in a casual white shirt. Director Albert Perrin, confused by many as the ex-president Josep Lluís Núñez, came with a group of board members and collaborators: Joan Franquesa, Doctor Pruna, Paco Seirullo, and Juanjo Brau who was accompanied by Emili Ricart, Magda Oranich, and Joan Olivé.
Everybody was practically there. Only a few, such as Samuel Eto'o, arrived late to the feast. The player, who had to drop off his son at the airport, arrived later than expected, to the point where the fans that waited at the hotel's doors thought he would never come.
The frenchman Eric Abidal was the person that stood out the most because of his vehicle, an orange Porsche Cayenne that looked like it was driven from a far away place. Lionel Messi was well-received as he exited his vehicle and was immediately surrounded by fans that took advantage of the chance to ask for an autograph and a photo. Manel Estiarte practically had to save him.
Many of the players arrived with their significant others, but all eyes were on Rafael Marquez's woman, model and actress Jaydy Mitchell. Only Hleb's woman, ex-pop star Anastasia Kosenkova, could compete with the beauty of the Mexican's girlfriend.
Dani Alves, whose woman is pregnant, attended alone but Sylvinho, Pedro, Iniesta, Víctor Sánchez, Gudjhonsen, Corbella, Tkiki Begiristain, and Tito Vilanova were complemented with their respective women.
The first to leave were Henry, Valdés and Touré Yaya, who left barely after eleven at night and didn’t even get to see Eto’o arrive. Many other players soon followed, as they had to rest up for the match at the Riazor the next day. The feast finally died down around 1:30 the next morning, as some players said their goodbyes and called it a night. A well deserved treat for a historical season.
see more pictures here
(sources: sport, el mundo deportivo)
Sylvinho:
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is looking to replace Barcelona third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), who will most probably leave in the summer.
After having searched the market for several months, the possible candidates would have been reduced to a short-list of three: Real Valladolid goalkeeper and Spanish youth international Sergio Asenjo (19), Mallorca goalkeeper Miguel Àngel Moyà (25 - picture) and Recreativo Huelva goalkeeper and Real Sociedad loan out Asier Riesgo (25).
Asenjo was the main option but the player would want to become the first-choice goalkeeper at his new club and seems now very close to joining Atlético Madrid (read more here). Moyà and Riesgo would accept to be the back-up of Valdés and both are expected to leave their clubs during the transfer window.
Mallorca wants to sell one of their three goalkeepers and thinks Moya, who would be delighted to join Barcelona, could get them a higher fee than Dudu Aouate and Germán Lux. Moyà, whose contract expires in 2011, was last summer already close to an exit, and Mallorca president Mateo Alemany would now feel morally obliged to let him go if an offer from a big club comes in.
Because of the economic situation of the club, second division team Real Sociedad has informed Riesgo's agent that they plan to sell the goalkeeper this summer. Barcelona would already have asked for Riesgo and the transfer fee wouldn't be more than 1 million euro°. Villarreal would also be interested in the Basque goalkeeper.
Read more:
Who could replace Valdes?
Scouting report recommends transfer Asenjo
Barcelona managing list of four goalkeepers
this post was published exactly one year ago:
Roma sports paper Il Romanista claims that Barcelona and AS Roma winger Amantino Mancini (27) have already closed a deal.
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona could be ready to listen to offers for Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Touré (26).
Although Barcelona will negotiate this summer with Touré about a pay rise (read more here ), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has been contacted by several clubs to sound him out on the situation of the player.
Taking into account the progress made by Barcelona midfielder Busquets and the possible new signing of a midfielder during the summer transfer market, Barcelona could consider to let the Ivorian midfielder go if the club would receive a huge offer for Touré in the coming months.
British tabloid The Sun meanwhile claims that Arsenal is willing to push hard for Touré (read more here). Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger would be preparing a 15 million euro° bid for the player but would accept he may have to improve on that following Touré's impressive performances in the Champions League last month. AC Milan would also be interested in Touré.
Read more:
Manchester City prepares summer bid for Toure
Mascherano ideal candidate to strengthen midfield
Barcelona wants to renew the contract of Toure
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is interested in Hamburg left back defender and German international Marcell Jansen (23).
Jansen signed last summer a five-year contract with Hamburg after having played one year for Bayern Munich.
The other main names on the list to strengthen the left back position and to replace Sylvinho, whose expiring contract won't be renewed, are at this moment AS Roma left back defender and Norway international John Arne Riise (28) and Deportivo La Coruña left back defender Filipe Luís (23).
Read more:
Riise an option for the left back position
Abidal linked with Liverpool
First contact with Deportivo on left back Filipe
Wach a video of Jansen here:
Portuguese sports paper A Bola claims that Barcelona is still trying to sign Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).
It is generally believed that Alves, who has a buyout clause of 30 million euro°, will leave the Portuguese champions this summer, although the fact that he is represented by Jorge Mendes, who's also the agent of Inter Milan manager José Mourinho, makes it at this point more likely that he will end up in Italy.
Read more:
Bruno Alves reveals transfer to Barcelona
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
Possible pre-agreement with Bruno Alves
British tabloid The Sun claims that Barcelona is interested in Chelsea left back defender and English international Ashley Cole (28) (read more here).
Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola likes the player and Barcelona would be preparing a 22,5 million euro° bid but Chelsea are confident Cole will stay at the club. The English defender, whose contract expires in 2011, will be offered a new four-year deal worth as much as the club's top earners Frank Lampard, John Terry and Michael Ballack.
A Chelsea source is quoted by the tabloid as saying that new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to hold on to Cole: "One of the first things Mr Ancelotti said when arriving at the club was not to allow Ashley to leave. He is aware that Barcelona rate him extremely highly and Guardiola sees the left-back position as the team's only weak link. We're extremely hopeful that Ashley will stay at Chelsea."
Read more:
Barcelona preparing bid for Chelsea left back Cole
Lahm offers himself to Barcelona
Chelsea will try to sign Alves this summer
Barcelona president Joan Laporta met last night in Barcelona with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti. Although both presidents didn't want to confirm the issues discussed, it is believed that a possible transfer of Inter forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27) was the main reason for the meeting.
Nothing is certain but putting all pieces together, this blog can at least offer you this attempt to reconstruct the events.
(sources:
el mundo deportivo, la gazzetta dello sport, rac 1, sport, reuters)
On Thursday morning, Moratti met in Milan with Inter manager José Mourinho. The Portuguese gave the green light for the transfer of Ibrahimovic under the condition that Inter would get in return Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (28) and a serious sum of cash, which would be used to sign Chelsea players Carvalho and Deco.
After the meeting with Mourinho, Moratti talked with Mino Raiola, the agent of Ibrahimovic, to explain him what had been decided in the meeting that had taken place. Raiola talked by phone with Ibrahimovic, who is preparing international games with Sweden, to inform him about the latest events.
Moratti decided to fly in the afternoon to Barcelona with his private jet. Barcelona president Joan Laporta cancelled a dinner in the Catalan town of Igualada, sixty kilometres to the east of Barcelona, and both presidents met at the Majestic hotel in the heart of Barcelona before heading to the Via Veneto restaurant where the two men arrived around 9.30-10 pm. Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain possible joined them there.
Moratti would have opened discussions by putting his offer on the table: Eto'o plus 30 to 40 million euro° for Ibrahimovic. Laporta had to admit that the Cameroonian striker at this moment doesn't seem very willing to leave the club this summer and tried to come up with alternatives.
Barcelona offered to include Barcelona attacker Alexander Hleb (28), whom Inter tried to sign last summer, in the deal, but this was rejected. Barcelona offered 40 million euro° plus one player, but Moratti returned to his initial asking price of 70 million euro° cash.
Inter would only be willing to change their minds and lower the amount to be paid in cash if one of the following three players is offered in exchange: Eto'o, Barcelona attacking midfielder Xavi (28) or Barcelona defensive midfielder Yaya Touré (26). Somewhere down the line, Inter left back Maxwell also appeared upon the table (27).
When the two president left the restaurant after midnight, Laporta said it had only been a dinner between friends: "We didn't profoundly discuss any issue. We just had a first contact, nothing has been decided." Moratti confirmed this and added that a swap deal including Ibrahimovic and Eto'o probably won't go through: "I don't think that's possible. I like Ibrahimovic a lot and Laporta likes Eto'o a lot."
Moratti returned this morning to Milan, while Raiola closed the debates for now telling reporters today that Ibrahimovic would welcome a move to Barcelona: "I only know that if the two clubs find an agreement we would not have trouble agreeing with Barcelona."
Read more:
1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema
Inter Milan interested in Hleb
Maxwell could be included in Eto'o deal
Catalan radio station Ona FM claims that Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito (28) underwent a new surgery.
Milito's right knee would have been operated in Argentina by doctors from the Argentinian football federation, lead by doctor Homero de Agostin, under the supervision of Ramon Canal, the head of Barcelona's medical services, and with the assistance of Catalan doctor Ramon Cugat.
The Argentinian underwent for the fourth time an arthroscopy trying to find out why the player is still feeling pain, which blocks his recovery. Although Barcelona's medicall staff is optimistic, it's certain that this new surgery will postpone the recovery of the player even more and it's almost impossible the defender will be ready to start the pre-season with the first team.
Milito suffered a right knee injury on 29 April 2008 during the second game of the Champions League semi-finals against Manchester United last season. The predicted recovery time was then being estimated between six and nine months.
Read more:
Independiente wants Milito on loan
Medical: Milito could undergo new surgery
Genoa interested in Milito
Catalan sports papers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport both claim that Barcelona forward and Spanish youth international Bojan Krkic (18) will not leave on loan in the summer.
With the permission of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and according to the wish of the player (read more here), the club would have decided on Wednesday that Bojan will stay with the team next season. Barcelona would have informed the player's agent Ramón Sostres about the decision during a meeting yesterday.
Sport claims that Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar would have been the last club to have asked for the player, with new AZ manager Ronald Koeman having discussed a possible loan with Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain.
El Mundo Deportivo claimed earlier this week that Deportivo had given up on Bojan (read more here) but that Barcelona was considering to include the loan of Bojan in an offer for Atlético Madrid striker Forlán.
Almería sports director Alberto Benito said two days ago in an interview with local televisión channel Interalmería Televisión that Almería would give a loan another try (read more here): "Our president is very interested in Bojan. We know it will be very difficult but the president has a great relationship with Joan Laporta and I can assure you that we will try to sign him."
But the sports director gave up on the player in an interview with Madrid sports tabloid As today: "Our interest in Bojan was real. It's a young and motivated player who could have fit in in the team. But if Barça doesn't want him to leave, we cannot do a lot about that. It's a shame, also because it's very hard to find born strikers."
Read more:
Bojan has received almost twenty loan offers
Chelsea considering Bojan transfer
Zaragoza and Shakhtar interested in Bojan
The medical staff of the Spanish football federation has confirmed after new tests today that Barcelona player Andrés Iniesta (25) has torn a muscle in his thigh.
Iniesta is expected to be out for the next six to eight weeks, which means that he won't be able to take part in the friendly game against Azerbaijan on Tuesday 9 June and in the Confederations cup that will be played later this month.
Iniesta torn a quadriceps muscle on the front of his right thigh during the league game against Villarreal on Sunday 10 May and although he played the Champions League final against Manchester United on Wednesday 27 May, he has never fully recovered from that injury (read more here).
Read more:
Medical: Pique out for ten to fifteen days
Medical: Henry out for France friendlies
Medical: Season over for Dani Alves
* after the euphoria... *(click the cartoon to enlarge)
source:
elmundodeportivo.es
see more cartoons here
Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), AS Roma left back defender and Norway international John Arne Riise (28) has said in an interview with Norwegian tabloid Aftenbladet that he's flattered by it:
"It is flattering and great to see my name being linked with a club like Barcelona. I got a text message on my phone and I actually got some little ticklings in my stomach when I read it. Barcelona has been the best team this season. When the rumours would become reality, I guess we would have a chat but I am Roma player and so far this is only speculation."
Read more:
Riise an option for the left back position
Liverpool and Juventus interested in Abidal
Barcelona rejoins the race for Zhirkov
Turkish club Galatasaray has today officially announced the appointment of former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (46) as their new manager.
Rijkaard had been away from coaching since he left Barcelona in the summer of 2008 and is expected to sign later today a two-year deal with Galatasaray.
After being dismissed by Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam in 2002, Rijkaard arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 2003. Rijkaard stayed five years at the club before leaving last year. With Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard won two Spanish leagues in 2005 and 2006, two Spanish super cups in 2005 and 2006 and one Champions League in 2006.
Read more:
Ex-Barça: Koeman to AZ Alkmaar
Ex-Barça: Stoichkov to Abu Moslem
Ex-Barça: Van Gaal to Bayern Munich
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is interested in Shakhtar Donetsk right back defender and Croatian international Darijo Srna (27) and Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22 - picture).
A Barcelona scout will be present at the World cup qualifier Croata-Ukraine on Saturday to watch both players in action.
Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would like both players after having seen them play during the Champions League games against Shakhtar last year.
Srna, whose contract with Shakhtar expires in 2011, would be delighted about the possibility to join Barcelona but despite the promise of Shaktar president Rinat Akhmetov to let the Croatian player go if a big club shows interest (read more here), the player's agent Damir Stimac thinks a transfer will be difficult, also because of the high salary Srna receives in Ukraine.
Read more:
Shakhtar defender Chygrynskiy being monitored
Deal with Shakhtar Donetsk winger Willian
Shakhtar Donetsk right back Srna is an option
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (24).
Barcelona wants to strengthen the midfield because of the most probable exit of Barcelona attacker Gudjohnsen and the participation of Barcelona players Yaya Touré and Seydou Keita in the Africa cup at the beginning of next year.
Barcelona has been monitoring Mascherano for the last two years and the scouting and personality reports on the player are all excellent. Although the club realizes that a transfer will be very difficult, there's total unanimity on the qualities of the midfielder (read more here).
The first steps have been taken but Barcelona plans to move slowly. They have sounded out the entourage of the player, who wants to move to Spain and would be willing to force his departure. His agent is also rumoured to have offered him to Real Madrid.
Barcelona is nevertheless aware that it doesn't seem very likely that Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez will allow Mascherano to leave. Besides, Barcelona isn't ready to spend big for a midfielder this season, while the Argentinian midfielder would cost more than 25 million euro° if Liverpool would accept to negotiate a transfer, although Barcelona could also offer a swap deal including Barcelona left back Eric Abidal plus cash (read more here).
Read more:
Liverpool wants Eto'o in 2010
Mascherano offered
Torres first option to replace Eto'o
Spanish second division team Sevilla Atlético, the second team of first division club Sevilla, played last weekend their 39th league game of the season. They lost 0-4 against Tenerife.
Former Barcelona Atlètic player Marc Valiente (21) was replaced by Cordero 20 minutes before the end of the game.
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: Murcia-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.
Sunday 8 March - League game 27: Real Sociedad-Sevilla Atlético 1-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder. Yellow card.
Saturday 14 March - League game 28: Sevilla Atlético-Las Palmas 2-2
Substitute. Valiente replaces Cabral in the 56th minute (1-2). Defensive midfielder.
Saturday 21 March - League game 29: Zaragoza-Sevilla Atlético 4-0
Substitute. Valiente replaces José Carlos in the 52nd minute (2-0). Defensive midfielder.
Saturday 28 March - League game 30: Sevilla Atlético-Murcia 3-3
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder. Yellow card.
Sunday 5 April - League game 31: Hércules-Sevilla Atlético 8-0
Suspended. Due to yellow cards.
Saturday 11 April - League game 32: Sevilla Atlético-Alavés 1-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and is replaced in the 68th minute. Defensive midfielder. Yellow card.
Saturday 18 April - League game 33: Elche-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.
Saturday 25 April - League game 34: Xerez-Sevilla Atlético 2-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and and is replaced in the 71st minute (2-0). Defensive midfielder.
Sunday 3 May - League game 35: Sevilla Atlético-Girona 2-1
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.
Sunday 10 May - League game 36: Castellón-Sevilla Atlético 3-0
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.
Sunday 17 May - League game 37: Sevilla Atlético-Nástic 1-3
Substitute. Valiente replaces Cabral in the 80th minute (1-3). Defensive midfielder.
Sunday 24 May - League game 38: Eibar-Sevilla Atlético 2-2
Starter. Valiente starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Defensive midfielder.
Saturday 30 May - League game 39: Sevilla Atlético-Tenerife 0-4
Starter. Valiente starts the game and is replaced in the 70th minute (0-4). Defensive midfielder. Yellow card.
Table
1. Xerez 78
2. Tenerife 75
3. Zaragoza 74
4. Hércules 69
5. Rayo 65
6. Real Sociedad 63
7. Salamanca 60
8. Levante 59
9. Castellón 56
10. Gimnástic 54
11. Elche 53
12. Murcia 48
13. Girona 48
14. Córdoba 47
15. Huesca 47
16. Albacete 47
17. Las Palmas 45
18. Celta 43
19. Alavés 40
20. Alicante 34
21. Eibar 31
22. Sevilla Atlético 17
The top three are promoted to the Primera División. The bottom four are relegated to the Spanish third division.
Bayer Leverkusen played lost last weekend the German cup final. Werder Bremen defeated Bayer 1-0.
Brazilian central defender and Barcelona loan out Henrique (22) wasn't available because of an injury.
Barcelona bought Henrique last summer and decided to loan him out to Bayer Leverkusen for one season (read more here). This blog follows Henrique's performances during this season.
Sunday 10 August - Cup round 1: Rot-Weiß Oberhausen-Bayer Leverkusen 2-3
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 120 minutes.
Saturday 16 August - Bundesliga game 1: Bayer Leverkusen-Borussia Dortmund 2-3
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 23 August - Bundesliga game 2: Vfb Stuttgart-Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 30 August - Bundesliga game 3: Bayer Leverkusen-Hoffenheim 5-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Saturday 13 September - Bundesliga game 4: Hamburg-Bayer Leverkusen 3-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Friday 19 September - Bundesliga game 5: Bayer Leverkusen-Hannover 4-0
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Tuesday 23 September - Cup round 2: Augsburg(2)-Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Saturday 27 September - Bundesliga game 6: Bochum-Bayer Leverkusen 2-3
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 4 October - Bundesliga game 7: Bayer Leverkusen-Hertha Berlin 0-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Saturday 18 October - Bundesliga game 8: Eintracht Frankfurt-Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Friday 24 October - Bundesliga game 9: Bayer Leverkusen-FC Köln 2-0
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Tuesday 29 October - Bundesliga game 10: Werder Bremen-Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Friday 31 October - Bundesliga game 11: Bayer Leverkusen-Wolfsburg 2-0
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 8 November - Bundesliga game 12: Karlsruhe-Bayer Leverkusen 3-3
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Saturday 15 November - Bundesliga game 13: Bayer Leverkusen-Schalke 2-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 22 November - Bundesliga game 14: Bielefeld-Bayer Leverkusen 2-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 29 November - Bundesliga game 15: Bayer Leverkusen-Bayern Munich 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Saturday 6 December - Bundesliga game 16: Borussia Mönchengladbach-Bayer Leverkusen 1-3
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 13 December - Bundesliga game 17: Bayer Leverkusen-Cottbus 1-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Wednesday 28 January - Cup 1/8 finals: Bayer Leverkusen-Cottbus 3-1
Bench.
Saturday 31 January - Bundesliga game 18: Borussia Dortmund-Bayer Leverkusen 1-1
Bench.
Saturday 7 February - Bundesliga game 19: Bayer Leverkusen-Stuttgart 2-4
Substitute. Henrique replaces Castro in the 66th minute (0-2). Assist.
Friday 13 February - Bundesliga game 20: Hoffenheim-Bayer Leverkusen 1-4
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Sunday 22 February - Bundesliga game 21: Bayer Leverkusen-Hamburg 1-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Saturday 28 February - Bundesliga game 22: Hannover-Bayer Leverkusen 1-0
Suspended. Henrique cannot play because of five yellow cards.
Wednesday 5 March - Cup 1/4 finals: Bayer Leverkusen-Bayern Munich 4-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Sunday 8 March - Bundesliga game 23: Bayer Leverkusen-Bochum 1-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 14 March - Bundesliga game 24: Hertha Berlin-Bayer Leverkusen 1-0
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes.
Saturday 21 March - Bundesliga game 25: Bayer Leverkusen-Frankfurt 1-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Yellow card.
Sunday 5 April - Bundesliga game 26: FC Köln-Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Sunday 12 April - Bundesliga game 27: Bayer Leverkusen-Werder Bremen 1-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Saturday 18 April - Bundesliga game 28: Wolfsburg-Bayer Leverkusen 2-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Wednesday 22 April - Cup 1/2 finals: Bayer Leverkusen-Mainz 4-1 (aet)
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 120 minutes. Right back. Yellow card.
Saturday 25 April - Bundesliga game 29: Bayer Leverkusen-Karlsruhe 0-1
Starter. Henrique starts the game and plays for 90 minutes. Right back.
Saturday 2 May - Bundesliga game 30: Schalke-Bayer Leverkusen 1-2
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Friday 8 May - Bundesliga game 31: Bayer Leverkusen-Bielefeld 2-2
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Tuesday 12 May - Bundesliga game 32: Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen 3-0
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Saturday 16 May - Bundesliga game 33: Bayer Leverkusen-Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-0
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Saturday 23 May - Bundesliga game 34: Cottbus-Bayer Leverkusen 3-0
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Saturday 30 May - Cup final: Bayer Leverkusen-Werder Bremen 0-1
Injured. Henrique has a muscle injury in a knee.
Table
1. Wolfsburg 69
2. Bayern Munich 67
3. Stuttgart 64
4. Hertha Berlin 63
5. Hamburg 61
6. Borussia Dortmund 59
7. Hoffenheim 55
8. Schalke 50
9. Bayer Leverkusen 49
10. Werder Bremen 45
11. Hannover 40
12. Köln 39
13. Frankfurt 33
14. Bochum 32
15. Borussia Mönchengladbach 31
16. Energie Cottbus 30
17. Karlsruhe 29
18. Bielefeld 28
1st and 2nd place: group phase of Champions League
3rd place: third qualifying round of Champions League, winner enters the group phase, losers enter the Uefa Cup
4th place: qualifies for 4th qualifying round of Uefa Cup
5th place: qualifies for 3rd qualifying round of Uefa Cup
British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Barcelona has picked up their interest in CSKA Moscow left winger and Russian international Yuri Zhirkov (25) after the player's transfer to Chelsea couldn't be finalized this week like had been expected.
Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have identified five areas to strenghten the team and would see the versatile Rusian as a two-in-one solution who could cover for Eric Abidal at left-back as well as providing an alternative for Thierry Henry on the left wing (read more here).
Chelsea would however still be favourites to complete a transfer. Barcelona would realise they are not in the lead to sign Zhirkov because of the close relationship between CSKA and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The transfer fee asked by CSKA Moscow is believed to be around 21 million euro°.
Read more:
Zhirkov and Lahm on top of left back list
First contact with Deportivo on left back Filipe
Asenjo, Zhirkov and Silva main transfer targets
this post was published exactly one year ago:
Asked about the rumours linking the player with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Boca Juniors president Pedro Pompilio said in an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nación that there have been contacts between Barcelona and Boca Juniors forward and Argentinian international Rodrigo Palacio (26):
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Liverpool and Arsenal have sounded out Barcelona on a transfer of Barcelona left back defender and French international Eric Abidal (29).
Especially Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez would be keen on signing the Frenchman. Abidal is said to be valued at 15 million euro° but after the exit of Sylvinho, Barcelona nevertheless doesn't seem willing at this point to let him go.
Asked about the rumours linking several left back defenders to Barcelona (read more here), Abidal has said in an interview with French sports paper L'Equipe that this doesn't worry him: "They can all come. I like competition. I still have two years left on my contract and I plan to stay at Barcelona."
Asked the same by French radio station Europe 1, Abidal said: "Personally, I'm happy here. I have been feeling good this season. I don't know if the club still counts on me, but I'm very comfortable here and I don't want to leave."
Read more:
Lahm offers himself to Barcelona
Juventus wants to include Trezeguet in Abidal deal
Zhirkov would consider offer by top club
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti met yesterday in Barcelona.
(full story later today)
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