Coldplay on the Barcelona bus

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola puts on music from the British band Coldplay each time the team bus drives before the match from the hotel to the stadium.

Renewal negotiations with Busquets have started

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain met yesterday afternoon with Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) to start the negotaions about a contract renewal.

Several media claim that Busquets, whose current contract expires next summer, has been offered a four-year deal consisting of a fixed salary plus incentives. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has offered a very low fixed part, that would be comparable to a B-team contract, with high incentives.

After the two-hour meeting, Orobitg told journalists that an agreement isn't even close at this point: "This was a first contact, we're not anywhere near a deal. I've listened to the proposal that, to my judgment, clearly isn't high enough and I've informed my client about it. Sergio of course deserves far more than a B-team contract. Several clubs are interested but he wishes to stay with Barcelona. So I'll soon meet again with Txiki Begiristain. The negotiations will continue next week."

French football site More Foot meanwhile claims that both English Premier League club Arsenal and Italian club Juventus are interested in Busquets.

Read more:
Busquets wants to renew as soon as possible
Marquez wants renewal before returning home
Busquets wants to renew despite Milan interest

Medical: Toure uncertain for Bilbao game

Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivory Coast international Yaya Touré (25) returned this week to Barcelona with an injury.

The Ivorian suffers a problem at the internal meniscus of his right knee.

On Tuesday Touré didn't particpate in the training session, yesterday he did some exercises. His availability for the Sunday game against Athletic Bilbao depends on the evolution in the coming days.

Read more:
Medical: Pedro out for four weeks
Barcelona wants to clarify Toure situation
Medical: Hleb probably out for three to four weeks

How things stood: Wing attackers

At the end of last season, this blog looked forward to the coming transfer summer under the title "How things stand". Five months later and knowing what we know now, it's interesting to take a look back.



2007-2008
On the right wing, Giovani dos Santos (19) got a lot more playing time than expected due to the two serious injuries of Lionel Messi (20). Bojan (17) and Eto'o also moved away from the centre to the right side a few times this season.

First choice on the left wing Ronaldinho (28) had a season full of injuries and was rarely fit and on top of his game. Andrés Iniesta (24) and Thierry Henry (30) were the players who used to replace him. Santiago Ezquerro (31) did not get many opportunities.

Out
Despite interest from Chelsea and Inter, Messi will certainly stay. The situation of Giovani is not clear. He could leave on a loan or a permanent deal. Manchester City, Inter and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested. Both players could also be used more on the left wing next season.

Ronaldinho will most probably leave in the summer. AC Milan is the main candidate for the transfer, with Manchester City and Inter Milan as the most important challengers. The contract of Ezquerro expires in June and the player didn't receive a renewal offer.

In
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich - 24), who can play on both wings, is probably the main candidate but is very unlikely to leave the German champions after one year. The other name that has been sticking out is left winger David Silva (Valencia - 22).

Further there were rumours about Hatem ben Arfa (Lyon - 22), Diego Capel (Sevilla - 20), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - 23), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña - 21) and Mancini (AS Roma - 27). Gai Assulin (17) could be promoted from the Barcelona B team.


How things stood:
Goal keeper
Right back defender
Central defenders
Left back defender
Defensive midfielder
Attacking midfielders

International: Decisive goals from Iniesta and Henry

With a late winner, Spain won against Belgium with 1-2. Barcelona central defender Carles Puyol and Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta started the game. Barcelona forward Bojan wasn't selected.

Iniesta scored the 1-1 at the end of the first half and was replaced by Guiza in the 85th minute. Puyol and Iniesta got booked.

1. Spain (4) 12
2. Turkey (4) 8
3. Belgium (4) 7
4. Bosnia-Herzegovina (4) 6
5. Estonia (4) 1
6. Armenia (4) 0




France didn't play an World cup qualifying match. The team won on Tuesday a friendly against Tunisia with 3-1.

Barcelona left back defender Eric Abidal and Barcelona forward Thierry Henry played the whole match. Henry scored the 1-1 and the 2-1 in the 40th and 48th minute. Henry was the captain of the team, Abidal acted as central defender.

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




Iceland defeated Macedonia 1-0. Barcelona attacker Eidur Gudjohnsen started the match and was replaced in the 81st minute.

1. Netherlands (3) 9
2. Scotland (3) 4
3. Iceland (4) 4
4. Macedonia (3) 3
5. Norway (3) 2


Belarus lost 1-3 against England. Barcelona attacker Alexander Hleb wasn't selected because of an injury.

1. England (4) 12
2. Croatia (4) 7
3. Ukraine (3) 7
4. Belarus (3) 3
5. Kazakhstan (4) 3
6. Andorra (4) 0