Bojan has been promised more playing time

Asked about his decision to stay at the club this summer (read more here), Barcelona forward and Spanish youth international Bojan Krkic (18) has said in an interview with Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón that he decided not to leave on loan after having talked with Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola:

"I've always in the first place thought in terms of playing, not necessarily in terms of going out on loan. I'm young and at my age, one has to play. But it's also true that it's not the same sitting on the bench at 18 than at 29.

Guardiola told me that I shouldn't even think about a loan and that they would give me chances. To have more playing time here, has always been my priority. If you want to triumph here, you have to go through all this. I'm a culé through and through and because of those strong feeling I have, I will fight and try to grab those playing minutes that can help me becoming a full member of the first team."

Read more:
Treble celebrations lead to resits for Bojan
Guardiola convinced Bojan to stay
Pique reveals dressing-room secrets

Puyol doesn't see renewal problems

Asked about the renewal of his contract that expires in 2010 (read more here), Barcelona central defender and Spanish international Carles Puyol (31) has said in an interview with Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón that for him there shouldn't be any obstacle:

"I have one more year left at Barça. The truth is that I'm very relaxed, enjoying every season, like it should be. I know my age but, like I've always said, I want to continue at Barcelona. For me, there shouldn't be any problem.

It's true that I start thinking about the possibility that I could be able to retire at Barcelona, but in football you never know what can happen because from one year to another things can change a lot. My plan is to go on, but I know that it's complicated to keep on playing for a few more years We'll see. As long as I'm motivated and I perform well...

The truth is that I didn't yet think about the long term, but that I try to enjoy the moment. I think that I still have some years left, but we'll see what happens. I want to get better every day and add what I can. I think I'm going through a good moment and, above that, the team is great, so everything is going well."

Read more:
Renewal Puyol could be closed this week
Manchester City preparing offer for Puyol
Two-year extension offer for Puyol

Mascherano hounoured by Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Spain (read more here), Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (25) has said in an interview with Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón that he feels honoured by the interest:

"It's a great honour. For me this is a big recognition because we're talking about top clubs here. I feel comfortable in Liverpool but it's always good to know that teams like Barça or Madrid are interested in you. I feel very grateful."

Asked about the rumours linking Mascherano with a move to Barcelona, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said in an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero that a transfer won't be easy: "We're interested, it's a great player but it will be difficult to sign him. It's a key player for Liverpool."

British tabloid The Daily Mirror meanwhile claims that Liverpool may have to be foreced to treble Mascherano's wages. The cause of the Argentine's unhappiness at Anfield is the fact that he is paid considerably less than the majority of the squad. British tabloid The Sun also claims that Mascherano is one of the poorest paid first-team regulars and that Liverpool will have to more than double his salary to keep him at the club.

Read more:
Meeting on Mascherano in Barcelona
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Liverpool rejects first bid for Mascherano

Xavi: "We have to go out there, win it and that's it"

Barcelona player Xavi gave an interview to Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón.





How would you compare Manchester United and Chelsea?
They have a different philosophy. United maybe wants to have the ball more and their football is more similar to ours. They're an attacking team, they have very fast people up front. I think that one of the keys will be to have ball possession, to dominate the pitch. If we can achieve this, the victory will be closer.

You think the Englishmen will wait and play the counter-attack?
I suppose they will try to get the ball. They know what our philosophy is, that we feel most comfortale with the ball.

What about Henry and Iniesta?
I'm convinced they will play. I have been talking with them and they're very motivated.

They say that Manchester is even more favourite because of the absences of Alves, Abidal and Márquez...
Not at all. We don't want to look for excuses in any way. We want to win the final in Rome. We have to go out there, win it and that's it.

The Messi vs Cristiano Roaldo duel will be decisive?
It's clear that the team is the first thing and more important than anything. That's our philosophy: modesty and hard work have to lead us to victory. On the other hand, it's neverhtless logical that individual players can make the difference. Messi is better than any other player right now. People who don't want to see that don't like football.

There's some feeling of revenge because of the semi-final elimination last season?
No, that thought didn't cross my mind once. We just want to win because it's a final. We want to compete and at the end of the 90 or 120 minutes we want to lift the cup.

How do you see their midfield?
They have physical and technical qualities. Carrick is a very complete player, like is Scholes.

You'll meet Carrick a lot...
It's the player who gives balance to their team. He's good technically and in the built-up. He is somehow similar to Touré. Physically strong and a good header. I also want to point out Scholes. He's capable of anything. I like him a lot.

What does it mean to play a final with so many youth players?
It's something to be proud of and it's a reward for all those years of working at the academy, both for the players as for the coaches and all the other people involved.


Read more:
Pique: "I will score in Rome"
Keita: "We're convinced we can win the treble"

Barcelona ready to move for Cesc

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona will try to sign Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas (22) this summer.

Barcelona absolutely wants to avoid that Cesc joins Real Madrid and will move after the final of the Champions League next week. If a transfer isn't possible, Barcelona wants to convince the midfielder to stay one more year with the English Premier League club while promising to sign him in the summer of 2010.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona has an agreement with Arsenal saying that Barcelona has the first option on the Catalan: if Arsenal accepts to sell the player, he will come to Barcelona if they match the highest bid.

That deal would have been closed between former Barcelona sports vice-president Sandro Rosell and former Arsenal vice-president David Dein as some kind of compensation for the way Cesc had left Barcelona as a youth player. Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón meanwhile claims that it's very unlikely that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain will move for Cesc this summer.

Asked about his future, Cesc said in an interview with British tabloid The Sun that he will continue at Arsenal next season: "For the last four summers people have been saying 'Oh, Cesc will leave now' but I am still here and I will be here next season as well. I wouldn’t be so committed to the club if I didn't believe we will win trophies. It does become more disappointing every year without a trophy. Every player wants to win. But I repeat once again, I am very happy at Arsenal.

I don't regret leaving Barça. Everyone knows why I came to Arsenal and it has been proved to be the right decision. I'm only just 22 yet I have already played more than 200 games for this club and nearly 40 games for my country. I've won the European Championship and played in the Champions League final, the FA Cup final and the Carling Cup final. I would not have got those opportunities at any other club. Everyone chooses their own life and I believe I made the right choice."

Read more:
Do we buy? Fabregas.
Aguero, Cesc and Asenjo could join this summer
Cesc will make decision at the end of the season

Pinto: "Nobody touches my tail!"

Barcelona player José Manuel pinto gave an interview to Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón.




At the start you joined for six months - to replace Jorquera who was injured - and now you could play the cup final after having played all games in that competition. This is like a dream, no?
Everyone in the squad would like to play this final and Víctor, Jorquera and I are equally worth to play. It's true that I've played all cup games but I don't think this gives me an advantage compared with the others.

You have been thinking a lot about this final?
No. The truth is that I’m always focusing on the next game on the calendar. I like to go step by step and when a game is over, then I start thinking about the following one.

You already lived a cup final (2001, Zaragoza-Celta 3-1), although you didn’t play...
That final left us with a bittersweet taste. We started as the favourites, because we were already qualified for the Uefa cup and even competing to be in the Champions League and we played great football, while Zaragoza was in the danger zone. We went to the game with an enormous motivation, so the result left us with a very bad feeling.

How did Guardiola tell you that you would be the goalkeeper for the cup?
Well, nobody ever told me "you'll be the goalkeeper for the cup". They just told me game by game and the coach just picked the one he thought to be the best choice.

Tell me the truth: you lately had nightmares in which Fernando Llorente appeared?
(laughs) Until now I sincerely didn't.

So Athletic's attack doesn't make you sleepless...
It's clear that they have great players, but I think that you never should be scared of an opponent. We all have a lot of respect for the quality of their players, but no fear.

What's the biggest danger of Athletic?
They have a very strong group. It wouldn't be right to point out one player because it's really a very solid block.

You were decisive in the semi-finals against Mallorca when you saved a penalty from Martí...
Well, for me there were also other key details, that are maybe less noticed, like a run by a defender or a forward who dropped back to defend. For me, those details are more important than my save, which maybe caught the eye more but that doesn't give it a higher value.

Did you train on penalties ahead of the final?
We still didn't. We've been training normally.

But you know how Llorente kicks them?
(smile) When the moment is there, I'll analyze things...

What has been the most delicate moment during the way to the final in Valencia?
Maybe the game we've been talking about, against Mallorca, when we were 1-0 down and they got a penalty after one of our players was sent off. The last minutes against Espanyol were also difficult. They put a lot of pressure, but the team stood strong. There have been delicate moments, but the team solved them in a good way.

How do you imagine things could be tomorrow at midnight?
Now I just wait for that day to come. I'm a person who lives in the present, the here and now. If I would think about the future, I would lose energy and I shouldn't waste it that way because I would lose the present.

You made some promise for in case you win?
I didn't. I don't like to bet.

You don't want to make one now? Like: "if we win, I’ll do this or that..."
(laughs) No. Although some wanted me to cut off my ponytail! They say: "If we win this things, you’re tail is off!" In Vigo, the press sometimes insisted. But the tail won't be touched...


Read more:
Pinto only goalkeeper who will certainly stay
Barcelona won't sign a new goalkeeper
Pinto explains how he saved the penalty

Toure: "We want to finish the league"

Barcelona player Yaya Touré gave an interview to Spanish weekly sports paper Don Balón.





What a season your team is having...
It's very good so far and not only because of the results. The way we're playing is valuable.

Is it hard having to play that much games in all competitions at the end of this season?
It's not easy to compete for three trophies at the same time. Every three days we have a game, that is every time more difficult.

That's why the whole world is jealous of your squad...
Yes, at this moment we have more than 20 quality players. Let's hope that leads to the three trophies at the end of the season.

Is it a disadvantage to play the second game away in the Champions League?
It's quite a bad thing but we're used to play this kind of games and we have a great squad. It would be a very great honour for the club and for us to win that game. It would be valued a lot. For me, this semi-final against Chelsea is an anticipated final.

Who would you point out from Chelsea's squad?
All their players. They have an impressive and large squad, although I think we're technically better.

You would put your money on the treble?
That's even bigger than a dream. It really won't be easy. All we can do is continue to work like we've done until now and later on we'll see.

The good series of Madrid is asking a lot from you...
The two teams are showing to be strong. If we want to win this league without many problems, we should win all the games left.

Defeating Real Madrid in the Bernabéu would be the icing on the cake of a wonderful season...
We can beat them on their stadium. They did the same last year with a goal of Baptista and we are motivated to get a win there to show we're stronger.

Are you surprised by Madrid's results since the arrival of Juande Ramos?
It's a team that doesn't play very well but mentally and physically they're very good. What they're doing is impressive but we want to finish the league and we're going for the win.

For Real Madrid it will be the last opportunity.
I've heard them say several times that they will beat us but I guess that will be quite difficult.

One of the keys of the resurrection of Madrid has been the arrival of Lass Diarra, a player who plays at the same position as you. What do you think of him?
It's a good player like all players of Real Madrid, although for me Raúl sticks out. But I'm most focusing on my own team. We have incredible midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta. I prefer the players of Barcelona over those of Real Madrid.


Read more:
Toure: "For me Iniesta is a 'Golden Ball' winner"
Several clubs preparing bid for Barcelona players
Touré wants a pay rise this year

Kanoute couldn't wait any longer for Barcelona

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Sevilla forward and Mali international Frédéric Kanouté (31) has confirmed in an interview with Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón that Barcelona has shown interest in him in the past but said it's now probably too late for a transfer:

"I didn't think about that possibility last summer and that's the truth. I do know that Barcelona was interested in me a couple of times and at one point it was that concrete that I even imagined how it would be to join them. It's a club that I've always liked but it's probably too late now.

But there's a time for everything and my present and my future are here in Sevilla. My contract expired in 2010 and I actually was waiting for other offers because I still have three or four more seasons at the highest level left, but in the end I didn't want to wait any longer. I wasn't sure that the offers I would like would come, so I preferred to accept Sevilla's renewal offer for two more years a few weeks ago."

Read more:
Kanoute leaves Barcelona door open
Looking for a star
Transfer history: Guus Hiddink (PSV Eindhoven)

Transfer history: Cristian Karembeu (Sampdoria)

Former French football player Cristian Karembeu (38) talked in an interview with Spanish sports paper Don Balón about the fight for his services between Barcelona and Real Madrid before he joined the latter in December 1997:

"The fight between Real Madrid and Barcelona to sign me was total madness. It was the first time that two big clubs wanted to sign me and at that time I wasn't aware of the impact of the whole matter. I only thought about playing football and nothing else.

I had played the European championships in 1996 and I wanted to continue in that line. That fight put a little brake on my career since Sampdoria, my club at the time, excluded me from the squad and I went through a bad time.

Would I have preferred to join Barcelona? Let’s see, at that time the possibilities were playing for Barca or playing for Real Madrid. I chose Barça, I’m sorry: Madrid, but I had a lot of respect for Barcelona's executives when they came to see me. Barcelona is a great club and now they look strong and victorious. Everyone wants to play at Barça, a club that – by its culture – likes to offer good football to the people."

Read more:
Transfer history: Denilson (Palmeiras)
Transfer history: Enzo Francescoli
Transfer history: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

Alves: "I like to compete with the best"

Barcelona player Daniel Alves gave an interview to Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón.





Do you notice that the supporters are uneasy with Real Madrid only six points away? What would you tell them?
There's no need to stress before any possible disappointment because that's worse than anything. We're privileged to be in a good position and I'd be sure to win the league with three points advantage because the title is worth the same if it's won with twelve points advantage or three. We're not trying to annoy the opposing fans, but we don't care. The players know that we need to work hard until the end if we want to win.

According to you, what was the cause of the bad streak you had in the end of February?
It's hard to maintain the same level in three competitions, but we're happy that the bad streak happened when it needed to, in February and not now during the most important matches of the season.

Do you think that Real Madrid will win every match they have left?
If they're able to last a streak of 20 matches being undefeated and winning everything that is left, then let's stop thinking and lets get to work. Regardless, we also will try to win everything so if they win everything that's left, then things will still be how they are.

Let's talk about the Champions League, are you happy with the fixture in the quarter finals against Bayern or do you prefer a simpler rival?
To win the Champions League you need to defeat the best. There will be a moment when you can't be picking, because there won't be any easy teams.

Klose will miss the round from injury, Luca Toni is a doubt and it'll be your duty to handle the nastiest opponent, Franck Ribery...
We shouldn't think of who won't be playing, but of Bayern as a whole. As for Ribery, he's obviously a player with qualities that's fast and agile, so I'll have to play with an eye on him. But I like to compete with the best.

Is it a disadvantage to play the second leg away?
Experience teaches you that sometimes when you wanted to play the return leg at home they eliminate you and when you played it away you go through. Winning at home is an advantage, but what's important is how you do in the second leg. So I don't know which is best.

Tell me your dreams in the world of football...
It's easy. In terms of clubs, winning the League and the Champions League. And in terms of national teams, with Brazil, the World Cup. If I can get any other trophy on the way, then the better (laughs).

How do you see Brazil on the verge of South Africa 2010? Do you put Spain within the main rivals?
Spain is the champion of Europe so you must put them within the favorites. With Brazil, it's a bit of the same. They're always within the favorites, but you can't always think like that or else you'll end up going home sooner than expected. What's important is getting to the World Cup and then what must happen will happen.

Do you expect a final with Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and friends in the opposing team?
It'll be something special. Hopefully something like that will happen because we would enjoy that day with a spectacular match.

translated by al


This is the third and last part of this interview. You can read the previous parts here:
Alves: "On the field I sometimes go overboard"
Alves: "I miss Xavi and Iniesta during Brazil games"

Pique: "If you need to prank, then you must prank"

Barcelona placer Gerard Piqué gave an interview to Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón.





Have the newly arrived players, like you for example, had a postive influence on the atmosphere?
Everybody puts in their bit. It's good that everyone tries to get along and form a part of the team because it's impossible if someone doesn't want to. The new players have shown good motivation, and every new player has helped towards the optimistic atmosphere. And you see that on the pitch.

Everybody puts in their bit, but for Henry, you are a pain in the neck... (read more here)
I owe him... You know why? "Titi" always arrives half-asleep and when I hit him to wake him up he gets mad. He tells me, "enough!"

There are few like you. You wouldn't waste any jokes on Guardiola, right?
If you need to prank then you must prank... But it's true that we have lots of respect for the coach. The jokes are more between the players. We leave the technical staff alone. For now.

Is Guardiola intimidating when you're right by him?
No, he's very human. He likes the relationship between people, he'll talk every day with you, tell you what he's thinking, and he gives advice... His methods are very direct and the players feel more involved.

***
Piqué tells us later that Pep took him apart that day to comment on the "superb" performance of Liverpool central defener Carragher at the Bernabéu.
***

And Eto'o, how is he in the dressing room, considering that you've only seen this year's version?
Well, he has a strong character, even though everyone already knows that. Nobody should forget that he can react in different ways. That's how he is and the squad accepts him that way.

So residing with him is good?
His character affects us positively. Many times the team reacts well to an unpleasant result thanks to him. We know how he is, some of us are more relaxed and have our own faults, but we're pleased with him.

Did it bother you when he said that Barcelona is like a job to him?
People forget that in the long run, a footballer is a worker. And Barcelona is a company. It's cold but that's how it is. It's another thing to have bled Barcelona for an entire life, being a culé since young and feeling that Barca is more than a club, like I feel. But you can't change the way that Samuel feels about being a part of Barca. As long as he's doing his job, we don't need to start any debates.

How did you react to the betrayal of Figo, based on this reasoning?
It was a painful episode. As a supporter I'll tell you that when you give so much to a player and then you see that he doesn't react nor return all the love that you've given, it's really hard. Then when you become a professional you begin to understand. Figo decided to go to the competition, which is Real Madrid.

Do you know who "Quini" (former Barcelona player 1980-1984) is?
Yes, of course.

Is it bad that Bojan didn't know this?
I'm surprised that he didn't know but I also don't know the level of Barcelonism of Bojan. But it's nothing to fuss about.

You were the last player to debut with the Spanish national team. How was the first contact with Vicente Del Bosque?
He seemed like a sensible person and is very noble. He left me with a good vibe. It was also a dream debut, defeating England 2-0, playing the 90 minutes. I didn't expect it, to be honest.

The Barcelona squad sung "Spanish Pique". Do the jokes carry on in the Spain team?
No. I guess that being new saved me but in those two days there the relationship was great and I connected well with everyone.

Do you speak Catalan within that dressing room?
Yes, of course. I'm used to doing it when I speak to Xavi or Puyol. If there's more players we speak in Castillian so everyone can understand.

Do you feel like a leader of anti-Espanyolism? The "pericos" are so far down the table...
I don't like that etiquette. There's rivalry but I simply defend the interests of my own team. If they get relegated to the Segunda it's their problem and they'll find their motives. But saying that I heatened thing up before the derby... It was all a little exaggerated it.

You're not an anti-Espanyolist?
No, and I want it to be clear. Someone that's "anti" is jealous and angry at something and to Espanyol I wish neither good nor bad. I don't care. I have friends at Espanyol, such as Sergio Sanchez and Torrejon. To them I wish the best personally, but as a club, I've never bothered about Espanyol.

Translated by: Al


This was the second and last part of this interview. You can read the first part here:
Pique: "Return better than Champions League win"

Read more:
Piqué: "Now I want to score in the Bernabeu"
An evaluation of last year's transfer summer
International: Pique makes debut for Spain

FCB Miami: Azkargorta confirms talks

Asked about his plans for the future, Basque coach Xabier Azkargorta (55) has confirmed in an interview with Spanish weekly football paper Don Balón that he had been talking with Barcelona about getting involved in the Miami project:

"I'm waiting to see what will happen. A while ago, there was talk about Barcelona's project in Miami. I had a meeting with Joan Laporta to look at the possibility of leading the franchise over there. In the end the project won't go through but we were only talking, we didn't yet have an agreemnt.

I've always had a good relationship with Laporta, from his time as member of the opposition with the Elefant Blau group. Back in those days, I used to be be a pundit on the radio and I always went to the studio with my bike. One day, I bumped into Laporta on the cycle path when he was leaving his office at the Avinguda Diagonal. We stopped and we talked about football. Since that day, I have an excellent relationship with him."

Read more:
FCB Miami: Bid for MLS team withdrawn
FCB Miami: Azkargorta to become sports director
FCB Miami: Barcelona reconsidering MLS deal

Keita: "Guardiola has a lot of confidence in me"

Barcelona player Seydou Keita gave an interview to Spanish weekly sports paper Don Balón.





Making you eat together is part of the Guardiola system. What has surprised you most about his style of coaching and his way of dealing with the group?
Guardiola is a calm person who knows what he is doing. I remember what we said when we lost against Numancia on matchday one, it is the same as what he says now. After that game we could not imagine we would do what we have done, but surely he knew what he wanted.

Is it true that Guardiola is someone who does not impose his ideas, but convinces you with his words?
I am very good with him. Once I was even surprised by what he said, it was the first time that a coach had told me that.

What did he say?
I do not know how to explain it, it was about personal things, but he surprised me, and showed me that he had a lot of confidence in me, more than I thought. I had scored three goals and I said to myself that I had to do much more, but the coach was already very happy with what I had done. Perhaps people want every player at Barca to be like Messi for example, but that is not possible (smiles). As a team, everybody does their job, and if he does it well then the coach will be happy.

Guardiola knows how to convey confidence thanks to his words, his attitude and his past...
Yes, and he says what he thinks, he will never talk for the sake of talking. When things are not going well he tells you because he is not happy. This happened with me once, and I think it is a good way to act. You have to comment on things that are done well and also on the things that are done badly in order to correct what is not working. Also, we do plenty of video sessions. The coach leaves nothing to chance.

Lets talk about your time at Sevilla. You were there for one season. What is your best memory?
From Sevilla I have good memories, but there I also felt a lot of sadness. Not on a sporting level, but what happened to our teammate Antonio Puerta. When you arrive at a club, and within weeks something happens like what happened, you may end up having a good season but you know you do not feel happy. Antonio was a kid who was always happy, full of life, and everything happened on the pitch, in front of us. It was very hard. You can lose friends, but to see it with your own eyes is very difficult. Later, the coach left, and things were very complicated. But despite everything, the team struggled and made a great season, sportingly speaking. But as I say, it was not easy.

Who do you maintain a relationship with from the staff at Sevilla?
I maintain in contact mainly with my friend Frederic Kanoute and with the physiotherapists. Sevilla is part of my past and is a club I love very much.

What luck that Alves came with you to Barca, right?
Yes. It is always better to change clubs at the same time as a teammate.

Tell me a secret: what does Alves eat to be up and down the pitch from the first minute until the ninetieth without getting tired?
That is how Dani plays. And he did the same in Seville, it was always like that.

To conclude, have you felt yourself the racism in football?
If you want me to tell you the truth, not many people are behaving in a racist manner, and those who do, do not understand anything at all. They don’t see that we are all equal, and that when they defend the colours of a club, it doesn’t matter which one is white, black or yellow. What counts is the shirt, this is most important. Then, those who behave like racists in general have not understood anything, I didn't choose to be black, you didn't choose to be white, we breathe the same air, we eat the same things, there is nothing to distinguish us, just skin colour. But in my opinion, everyone thinks what they want, frankly.

You're very religious. How do you explain the importance of religion in your daily life?
It is true, religion is very important to me. I was born into a Muslim family, and as we said, coming into the world in one place or another is not something one chooses. But above all, with time I learned to know what it is to be Muslim. Professing my religion, I don’t have any problems with anyone, I am calm and healthy, but is difficult to explain this to people because, as a result of certain things that have happened, people now associate the ideas of muslims with violence. But inwardly, I feel great and I have no problem with any other belief. Everybody is free to do what they want.

Do you follow the ramadan? Would you be willing to leave a club if they prevented you from following it?
I do not see why they would put obstacles in my way when the ramadan lasts a month and the season is lengthened to nine months. Football is our job and we must do things so they do not pose difficulties for our work, and compensate later in the evening or even during the week, so I have no problem. I do celebrate the ramadan, but with the competitions, it is impossible to comply every single day of the month. It would not be normal to say that I did not train or play during the entire month of the ramadan, I have to do my job. And God gives you options. God does not impose things on people if you do not have the ability to do them.

Translated by: Andrew


This was the third and last part of this interview. You can read the previous parts here:
Keita: "I have to get better to contribute something"
Keita: "Piqué lives in his own crazy world"

Henry will be put for sale in the summer

Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón claims that Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) will be put for sale in the summer.

Although the Frenchman is performing better this season, he's still not the player the club wanted to see. Because Barcelona wants to renew and rejuvenate the squad this year, Henry will have to leave the club.

Barcelona thinks this could be an ideal time to recover part of the transfer fee paid in the summer of 2007. Henry still has a good reputation in England and English Premier League clubs Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are expected to enter the race.

Another option could be that the French striker would leave for the new American team that Barcelona is setting up in Miami (read more here). If Barcelona's bid for a place in the MLS is accepted in the coming weeks, Henry could join FCB Miami when the team starts in 2010. The French striker nevertheless would prefer to return to the English Premier League, where he would feel more comfortable football-wise.

Read more:
Manchester City preparing a move for Henry
The man who changed Henry's luck
Ribery or Gourcuff to replace Henry next summer

Vilanova: "Pep and I are ready for the bad times"

Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova gave an interview to Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón.





Is it possible to win the treble: Liga, Champions League and Copa?
At this moment, this possibility isn't crossing my mind. Two of those competitions are cup competitions with direct elimination and in those you have to be good ànd have some luck. When you're doing everything you should in the league, you have a big chance to win it because you depend more on yourself. In a cup competition a detail can decide everything. It's just very difficult and I'm not saying this to give a good image.

Who are the most dangerous rivals?
There's a lot of league left and if we drop back, each of the five or six teams behind us can come close if they win some games in a row. Historically speaking, Real Madird has of course always been the big rival but that doesn't mean that a team like Valencia is going strong, with a great squad and a coach who knows want he wants. We'll see how the other teams will deal with playing several competitions.

And which teams will be the biggest rivals in the Champions League? Manchester? Chelsea? Real Madrid?
As we speak, our most dangerous rival in the Champions League is Lyon. Sincerely, if you don't pass this round, you won't be able to think about the other teams.

Which of the two competitons would you like to win most: the Liga or the Champions League?
I would like to win both but having a closer look, I would prefer to win the Liga. In the Champions League you need to have some luck at certain moments. The Liga on the other hand means work, regularity, and the club didn't win it for two years. I think we should make a special effort to win the league again.

Are you prepared for when the bad moments will arrive?
Yes. I'm ready and I think Pep is too. We didn't change after the loss against Numancia and the draw againt Santander. I continue to think that the latter was one of our best games of the season, but we had problems scoring. When we prepared for the game againt Sporting Gijón, we were reminded several times that in case we lost that would be the worst start in the history of the club. So I think we're prepared. Since the beginning it's clear to us that we should do what we believe is right. So when we make a mistake, it will be our mistake. It won't be about the ideas of others.

Barça has the best squad in the world?
No. I think that, at this moment, the best squad, or one of the bests, is that of Manchester United and that's why they are the European and Intercontinental champions. At the end, the best squads are those that win, the others don't count.

You're a former youth player yourself and the youth players are very important for the current team, right?
They are extremely important. When you're away with the group and you see there are eight or nine players from the academy eating at one table, you're thinking: "This is Barça's first team, this is the highest you can get". It's impressive. Our players know each other for years, they know very well how the club is functioning, you know they will be united, that nothing can surprise them about the club, because they've been here since they were younger and they've lived everything. That's all very important and it makes our work easier.

You don't feel like everyone in Europe is jealous about you right now?
No. I think that people see Barça as a club that plays good football, both with and without the ball. It's very satisfying that they like our way of playing but good teams, good squads, are those that win and this team hasn't won anything for two years. We cannot consider ourselves the best as long as we don't win something.

There's talking about Villa or Van Persie for next season, although it doesn't seem the current squad needs to be changed a lot...
Well, the results will determine what will happen. When the team wins, people will think that one or two changes is enough and if the team stops wnning, everyone will say that players who are here for a long time will have to leave. And the same happens with the coach. Barcelona has an excellent squad and there aren't many changes needed, and even less because our players are quite young.

There's a lot of pressure coaching Barça?
I personally didn't notice that pressure. In fact, last year, in the fourth division with Barça B, the first year of Pep, where we had a difficult promotion play-off, the pressure was even higher, because everbody expected that we would promote. This year we know that we have a quality squad and that it will be our fault if the teams doesn't do well. So that's why I didn't feel the pressure until now. When we will start losing games, that's when we will start feeling the pressure of this club but at this moment, I'm just enjoying myself.


This was the second and last part of this interview. You can read the first part here:
Vilanova: "We might only be here for two years"

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Simao looks back at time with Barcelona

Asked about how he feels about having to face the club he played for between 1999 and 2001, Atlético Madrid winger Simão Sabrosa (29) said in an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo that he doesn't regret his stay:

"Barcelona is a very big club and the two years I was there were very important for my development. I don't feel as if I have something to prove.

The people in Barcelona know why I left. I did it because I wanted to play. I arrived there when I was only 19 years old and at a difficult moment for the club, with changes in the technical staff and problems in the board."

In an interview with Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón, Simão also looked back at his time at Barcelona: "Despite being a wing player, Van Gaal only allowed me to touch the ball two times: a control and a centre or a control and a pass. I think that influenced my style. If a coach wants, he can change your way of playing.

I know Guardiola more as a player but it's clear that he's doing great as a coach right now. His Barça is playing fabulously because they have a lot of quality players but that doesn't mean it's easy to be the coach of that team because you should be able to deal with such a group.

I call him Pepe. I was his team-mate for two years and back then you already saw he had a coaching attitude. During training sessions, Pepe already liked to talk with everybody, he put us in position, he helped us making the right movements so we could receive his passes.

When I arrived with only 19 years, I always sat between him and Figo if we had to take the plane. It was a little unreal to sit side by side with those two great players I had seen on television so many times. Will I ever where the blaugrana shirt again? No. I don't say it's impossible, but I don't see myself playing there again."

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Transfer of Aguero is well underway
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Arshavin repeats Barcelona is his favourite club

Asked about the rumours that linked him earlier this year with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Zenit Saint Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27) has said in an interview with Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón that Barcelona is his preferred destination:

"I still want to go and play abroad. I would like to play in Spain or England. Barça is my favourite club. My childhood idols were Stoichkov, Romario and later on Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. All played for Barcelona, the club I was fan of. I loved their playing style. In England, I first liked Manchester United but now I like Chelsea more."

Read more:
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Marquez: "Giovani couldn't deal with the pressure"

Barcelona player Rafael Márquez gave an interview to Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón.





You felt persecuted last year with all sort of rumours about your private life made public?
No. Besides, I take care of not reading the press, I avoid it. I talk with the people around me, the coach and the board member, it's also an important part of my job. They said they believed that I would continue at the club and I didn't give attention to those rumours.

One of the important persons now is Guardiola. How do you get along with him?
Well, very good. The first time I talked with him was very special. When his arrival was announced, it was very clear to me that I wanted to stay at the club. But I didn't know if I was part of his new project. We were lucky to meet and he told me how he felt. His wish was that I didn't leave the club.

What did he exactly say to you?
That he was convinced that I would get back at the level I had shown in previous seasons.

That means he implicitly was saying that he wasn't satisfied with your performances last season?
I also consider myself to be an ambitious person and of course I wasn't playing as good as before during the last two seasons. It was a challenge for me to try to regain my best form again.

You feel a regular this season?
With Guardiola, it's difficult. There are so many games, there's so much competition, it's not easy. There's a big squad and nobody should feel too sure.

Taking into account the years you've been playing here, would you have liked to be one of the captains?
In every team where I have played, I have tried to be a leader on the pitch and to help the team, but I have never been obsessed with wearing the armband.

With the Mexican national team you're wearing it but there you're also a true idol. How do you deal with that?
Well, I always try to be the same person and to not change my attitude. What I try to do is to give the example because being the capitan gives you a lot of responsibility.

How do you look at the qualifiers for the World cup in 2010?
Things are fine. We're having some troubles in the away games but we hope to be present in South Africa.

Guardado is your big hope?
It's a great player, he has already proven that. If he doesn't get injured and he keeps on making progress, the logical thing is that he will join a big club soon.

Giovani seems to go in the opposite direction. Are you talking with him about what he's going through?
We've lost contact somehow but it's a very talented young player and he'll sure recover in Tottenham.

Why do you think he left Barça?
He arrived together with Bojan and people were immediately talking about his talent. But he didn't have enough experience to deal with the pressure and he paid for that. He wanted to do too many things at the same time and he ended up making one mistake after the other. All this affected him greatly and it prevented him from showing what he could.


This was the fourth and last part of this interview. You can read the previous parts here:
"We're starting a new era"
"You won't find a substitute for Eto'o"
"Atlético Madrid wanted to sign me"

Marquez: "Atlético Madrid wanted to sign me"

Barcelona player Rafael Márquez gave an interview to Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón.





Let's return to the unity in the squad. Piqué is a good example of the importance of having a good atmosphere in the group?
Yes, of course. He's a joker. But he doesn't do it with the objective of being noticed or he's not acting like someone he is not. He is like that and it's nice to have someone like him who brings joy to the group.

With which players do you feel most connected?
I get along good with the majority. It's a logic thing since we're passing a lot of time together. But maybe I'm feeling most close to Gudjohnsen, Henry and Jorquera.

So you know first hand if Henry is worried about his situation?
Henry is a very demanding person. He's focused on his job and we see that every day. He always wants to give his best for the team.

Let's talk about your career at Barça. If I give you the names of Reiziger, Frank de Boer and Koeman, what are you thinking then?
Emmm... That they are all Dutchmen?

That's right, but that's not where we were going to. They are the only three foreign defenders who have played more games than you in the history of Barça. You feel proud about that?
Well yes, obviously. Those three were great players and such a fact makes you understand the value of the years you have been playing here.

Looking at the numbers, you could reach the number one on that list, Koeman, in two years time. Can you imagine that this will happen?
Of course, why not? My priority is to continue here for many more years. I'm feeling very comfortable in the city and much appreciated within the club.

So you will renew your contract?
Well, there's no need to hurry. I still have a contract for this season and the next one. The truth is that I'm very happy here, with the club, the city, the teammates.

You thought about looking for another club during the past summer?
No, no. Not at all. I never thought about leaving Barça. My objective has always been to stay here.

You must have had a bunch of offers, right?
I received a lot of offers and this also gives you a relaxed feeling because it means that there will always be teams where you can go to if you wouldn't have opportunities here.

Atlético Madrid, coached by your compatriot Aquirre, has shown interest for you?
I don't know if the club received a formal offer but I know that Atlético wanted to sign me.

What was your best season, of the five you've already completed at Barça?
The season when we won the double, Liga and Champions League. It was, without any doubt, the most important season and the one during which I felt best on the pitch.

Your performances were excellent that season. Personally, I think that you grow in the games where there's a lot of pressure, like the ones against Chelsea and Milan that season...
Maybe. You have to be fully conncentrated in those games and that leads to a rise of the football level and the responsibility. Personally, I like those games a lot. Although I try to be more regular and to keep one same line in all the games.


This was the third part of this interview. You can read the fourth and last parts on thsi blog in the coming days with Márquez talking - among other things - about his relationship with Guardiola and about the Mexican national team.

Read the previous parts of this interview here:

Marquez: "We're starting a new era"
Marquez: "You won't find a substitute for Eto'o"

Marquez: "You won't find a substitute for Eto'o"

Barcelona player Rafael Márquez gave an interview to Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón.





Tell me something about Rijkaard. You have known him from the day of his arrival until the day he left.
It's a very stable person. When he needed to be strong and severe, he was able to achieve that and when he wanted to be happy, sympathetic and trasmit us positive things, he also could do that. We liked his philosophy of being relaxed and close to us.

I have the impression that Guardiola has more rules...
Not as much as people are saying. But it's true that he is much more demanding when we have to work. He's firmer. Since he has been part of such an important club, this has made him focus more on some things. Regarding aspects like the discipline and the mentality, you can see that.

One of the moments that symbolized the end of Rijkaard's Barça was the game at the Bernabeu, when Barcelona had to pay tribute to the champions and was severely defeated. This was the saddest day for you?
It was more something I forgot about the same day. I just keep the good things.

You think that could be repeated if we look at how the teams are performing his season?
I don't know, we'll have to wait for the next game.

I say it because there seems to be a crisis in Madrid. Is there that much dfference in the way of playing between Barça and Madrid?
It's not about the way of playing. In the end, we're two teams with great players and when we face each other everything can happen.

It's not easy to praise Madrid these days... You think that the exit of Robinho has an influence on the performances of Schuster's team?
Not at all. I don't think one player alone can destabilize a team.

They sure don't seem very united... In your case, it's just the opposite: how has this squad been able to regain the joy and the companionship?
We're just all feeling comfortable and that is reflected on the pitch. It's extremely important to have a good atmosphere off the pitch and to be able to work with a happy group because if that's not the case, you easily have problems or disagreements. At this moment, the team is aware of that and we want to keep the dynamics going.

It hasn't been like this over the last two years...
We were trying it, but we couldn't achieve it. This season things have changed and now we're on the right way.

Eto'o was accused of being a destabilizing element and look where he is now. In what way has he changed?
He hasn't changed. Samuel is still the same person. We all know his character and his way of being. He's ambitious and he always wants to be the first. He puts his heart and soul in everyting he does. He is still here because he's a quality player.

You think that he's the best centre forward for Barça?
It's difficult to start looking for a centre forward with the same profile of Eto'o. Personally I don't think you'll find someone. I think that for now he's the best striker we can have.

Who was never on the market is Leo Messi. You would give him the Golden Ball this year?
Well, there has been a lot of talk about the issue but, as things stand now, Cristiano Ronaldo starts with an advantage. Titles are important in this perspective. On the other hand, Leo is very young and from now on, he'll always be a candidate to win the trophy.


This was the second part of this interview. You can read the following parts on the blog in the coming days with Márquez talking - among other things - about the renewal of his contract and the offers he received this summer.

Read the first part of this interview here:
Marquez: "We're starting a new era"