Despite the sadness of FC Barcelona players and fans, Pep Guardiola’s farewell was inevitable. The farewell took place in Barcelona’s stadium, Camp Nou, in the derby against Espanyol, last Saturday.
Messi gave the victory to Barcelona scoring all four goals (12′, pen 64′, 74′, pen 79′). the Argentinian player is targeted to be this season’s top scorer having reached his 50th goal against Espanyol. CR7 stands as second with 45 goals.
“When you see the stadium filled to the top, all you can do is notice a lot of satisfaction. I am very happy and very grateful for the treatment during this time, the connection I have with this club will always endure,” said Guardiola after the matched ended.
“I will always care for these players, from first to last player I’ve had over the years. It is not easy to leave a team like this one. All have helped me strive to be a coach better. I have received lots of love, they all know I love them very much,” Guardiola added.
Barcelona recently posted this video on their Facebook fan page.
As I sit there watching, it became evident that coach Pep Guardiola wasn’t going to renew his contract.
After much anticipation, Barcelona announced the departure of coach Pep Guardiola in a press conference, Friday. His replacement will be Guardiola’s current assistant, Tito Vilanova. “The club has made a good decision, he is a person more than capable, not only for all that he has helped me. Players know him. I only gave voice to ideas that we both had,” said Gauardiola referring to Vilanova.
“I thought about it in October and early December I told the president (Sandro Rosell) that the end of my era was very near. But I could not make it public, or tell the players. It would have been a mess. The decision was made a while ago, and so it has been too long and uncomfortable,” said Guardiola.
“We have lasted this long because we have won so much, if not, I would have been gone before. Time wears all, and I’m worn out. The strengthens one has, have declined, and so, now is better for someone else to continue,” he added.
Guardiola also thanked his players: “I’ve has the privilege to work with them. I’m grateful for the plays and the games I often imagined, the players made them come true. Day after day, for many years. There is nothing more valuable. and that is what I take with me,” said Guardiola.
Since he arrived in the summer of 2008, Guardiola’s has created an exceptional generation of players coming out of the La Masia.
Guardiola’s legacy include thirteen titles since the 2008-09 season: three league titles, two Champions Leagues, one Copa del Rey, Spain three Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two World club.
Aside from all the titles won, Guardiola leaves “with affection, with the experience. I have met extraordinary people in every way. I leave with people I’ve met, I leave content, I’ve done everything and more for everything to go well, “said Guardiola.
Among the players who attended the press conference were the four captains, Xavi, Puyol, Valdés and Iniesta. Also Pique, Cesc, Pedro and Sergio Busquets.
Messi, however did not attend. He stated the following on his Facebook fan page:
Courtesy: Lionel Messi's Official Facebook
Guardiola did not revealed what he will do once the season is over. Barcelona will still fight for La Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao. His goal for this summer is to rest, and take time to refuel. He doesn’t rule out the option coaching again. “Sooner or later I will resume to caching. I don”t know when. Now I have interest in other things, life will tell me where I go. In life there is more to soccer,” he said. resigned
The entire word of soccer stopped last Saturday to witness what promised to the match of the year.
Barcelona and Real Madrid didn’t disappoint. As expected, the game was be very close. Real Madrid defended most of the match but stuck first at minute 17′, when midfielder Kedira scored the first goal.
Barcelona’s reaction came in the second half when forward Alexis tied the scored 1-1.
However, CR7 shut down Barcelona’s hopes of earning the three points. At minute 73′ the Portuguese forward scored to practically win their 32 Liga championship.
Real Madrid puts a stop to Barcelona’s dominance. Since season 2007-2008 barcelona’s dominance over the Spanish soccer had been absolute. Barcelona’s coach, Guardiola, won three consecutive league championships and aspired to win the fourth one.
However, playing each game as if it were the last one was not enough of the Catalan team, who currently stands 7 points behind the leader and most likely to be champion, Real Madrid.
Barcelona can’t cry for too long. They have to analyze what they did wrong and prepare for the crucial game against the English team Chelsea, which will determine one of the finalist of the Champions League.
Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich Wednesday to determine the other finalist.
The engines are running. The most anticipated game of La Liga is almost here.
Barcelona will face Real Madrid at Camp Nou, next Saturday.
Neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid got the results they expected in the first leg of the semifinals of the Champions League. They both lost against Chelsea and Bayern Munich, respectively.
Real Madrid lost a 20-unbeaten game record when they lost to the German team, Bayern Munich, Tuesday. Their last loss had been last January 18 against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.
Despite playing better than the English team, Chelsea, Barcelona couldn’t score and ended up losing 1-0. Barcelona didn’t had the luck to score a goal like Real Madrid did.
However, there is no time for sorrows.
Both teams have pick themselves up and prepare for the most anticipated game of the year. The spotlights throughout the world will be focused on the clasico between one of the oldest rivalries in soccer.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are not just fighting for honor. They are fighting for three points. If Barcelona wins, they will stand only one point away from the leader, Real Madrid who is currently four points ahead.
The outcome of the game will be a decisive for the conclusion of La Liga. For Barcelona, the equation is simple: they must-win if you want any hopes of being champions.
The table is set.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. Get ready to enjoy what promises to the game of the year.
Real Madrid’s defender Pepe has a reputation for two things:
1. Faking fouls and
2. Using brutal strength when defending which causes injuries to opponents.
Something very strange happened in the game between Real Madrid and Valencia (0-0), last Sunday.
Pepe allegedly received a foul form player Valencia’s player, Piatti. He stays on the ground and exaggerates the foul and teammate Arbeloa asks him to get up and play. To which Pepe reacted by kicking Arbeloa on the knee.
The Portuguese player later declared that he has no “flaws not to wear Real Madrid’s jersey.” Pepe defended himself arguing that he would give “body and soul” for his team.
The 29 year old player said that “referees are the once to be decided and to whistle. They do their work. I play and you (journalists) will analyze that. If the referee believes that they must draw a card or expel me from the game, it’s his decision and won’t argue.”
However, this is not the first time Pepe has been involved in controversy due to his temper on the field. Recently, he gave a questionable apology to Lionel Messi for kicking him on the head.
Pepe declared: “It’s an involuntary act, but if Messi feels offended, I ask for forgiveness. It never occurred to me the idea to do harm to any colleague”
Will Pepe ever be punished? Or will his bad temper continue to moth his opponents and teammates?
Real Madrid tied 0-0 against Valencia, last Sunday. Now the race for La Liga is getting tighter for Real Madrid who is only 4 points away from Barcelona.
Is the comeback possible for Barcelona?
Possibly. Real Madrid is up to face more challenging opponents including: Atelitco de Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Barcelona itself.
Barcelona will be facing more accessible teams, including: Zaragoza, Betis, and Rayo Vallencano, who stand as number 18, 13, and 12, respectively, on the table.
I was struggling to find a topic to write about for this week’s analysis section. I logged-in to Facebook and saw a post from Spanish soccer player David Villa (who currently is signed by Barcelona) that read “We are preparing something great.”
I asked myself: “preparing something great? Isn’t Villa injured?” Later I found out that Villa is partnering with McDonald’s for a children’s campaign.
But it made me wonder how Villa’s life was been since the injury where he broke his left tibia, last December playing against Al-Sabb.
I cannot imagine five months of inactivity for the thirty year old who has won it all, who was the world champion in the 2010 World Cup. I just couldn’t.
David Villa better known as the “Guaje” or the “kid” in Asturian, was born and raised in the small mining town of Tuilla in Asturias, Spain.
Villa began to play soccer when he was 9 years old. The forward recalls “I would often forget the books, but not the soccer ball, not the soccer ball.” Later, he would leave his native Tuilla to live in Gijon, Spain, where a phenomenon was born.
Villa was unstoppable. He scored goals in every match, and so, the bigger and more powerful teams began to notice him. He was signed by Valencia in 2005, where he played for 5 years.
Finally, in 2010 and $50M dollars later, Villa began to play in a soccer club of his level, Barcelona.
But perhaps Villa’s biggest accomplishments had come with the Spanish National team. In six years, Villa has become the top scorer in Spain’s history.
Teammate Xavi Hernandez describes him as “as very smart player.” “To me, being a smart player is having the ability to adapt to any situation, and Villa has everything.”
Despite having accomplished everything there is to accomplish in soccer, humbleness is what characterizes Villa.
Courtesy: funscup.com
El Guaje can easily vacation to exotic beaches all over the world. Instead, he spends his free time in his native Tuilla.
When asked why he always returned to Tuilla, Villa answered: “Because I love to be there. I’m happy there. Because the people treat me like a normal person, like the boy who lived there a few years ago.”
Suddenly, it became apparent what David Villa might be doing during his recovery. He must be enjoying his native hometown.
Week 31 of La Liga a usual one. Real Madrid scored 5 goals against a very weak Osasuna, who currently stands as number 6 in the table.
A very dull Barcelona managed to win against Athletic Bilbao 2-0. However, defender Gerard Pique seems to be back to his fullest potential. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will face each other once again for the final of the King’s Cup.
Will Guardiola renew his contract with Barcelona for the 3012-2013 season?
That is the question many cule fans are asking themselves. As the 2011-2012 season of La Liga is fast approaching to an end, Guardiola has not renew his contract, which expires next June 30th.
But, what are the reasons why Guardiola has not decided to renew? According to Guardiola, its a matter of personal reasons.
He recently declared: “I would renew for three, five or six years more, but it is a personal matter that has nothing to do with the institution. I have said more than once that I will be better no where else, but here. I cannot work in such demanding club if I have no strength. I’d rather take a little longer (taking the decision), when I make the decision I’ll tell the club, and if they respect me, good, if not, too bad. ”
However, the most likely reason why Guardiola hasn’t renew might because he and Barcelona’ president, Sandro Rosell do no get along. ESPN Deportes reported that the two barely have a work relationship, which interferes with Guardiola’s vision of soccer.
For instance, Rosell wants to sign Brazilian sensation Neymar, however; Guardiola finds the signing unnecessary because Messi is performing to his fullest potential and Alexis is now recovered from an injury.
Barcelona’s players have reacted to Guardiola’s hesitation to sign renew his contract.
Xavi Hernandez, midfielder and team leader, said that Guardiola” is key piece of the 13 championships won.” Defender Gerard Pique said that Guardiola “is the leader of the locker room, everyone wants him to continue.” Iniesta also reaffirms him: “We hope he stays with us for many more years.”
Defender Dani Alves recently stated that Guardiola “had given back the smile to the club. Without him we are nothing. Without Guardiola the team will fall apart. There should be a statue of him. If at the end he doesn’t renew, us the players, will feel guilty.”
The 41 year-old coach has wont it all with Barcelona: La Liga, the King’s Cup, the European and Spanish Supercup, and the UEFA Champions League.
It seem that Real Madrid is back on track. La Liga is getting closer for los merengues, who won 5-1 against Real Sociedad.
However, Barcelona is not giving up. Despite having trouble with their defense and several injured players, Barcelona still managed to win against Mallorca, with goals from Messi and Pique.
La Liga Unveiled 