Maxwell full of confidence

Jesús Carrillo

Maxwell spoke to the media this lunchtime and declared himself: “very happy with how things are going”, both for himself and the team, “the more I play the more confidence I have”.

With the majority away on international duty, Maxwell is one of the few first team squad players who trained on Tuesday, but he was upbeat about his own and the team’s start to the season: “I’m very confident and motivated. I’m very satisfied with the way the team is functioning so far this season”.

Versatility

Maxwell’s versatility has been key to the team and he explained: “I always follow the tactics that the boss sets out and try to be of use to the team, keeping possession and position, which we work on everyday. It’s true I prefer playing at full back, but the important thing is to play, whatever the position”.

World Player of the Year

With the debate as to who should be this year’s World Player of the Year very much a hot topic at the Nou Camp, Maxwell was diplomatic when asked for his favourite: “Messi, Xavi and Iniesta have been the best this year. I’ll just say I hope a Barca player wins”.

Pep’s praise

Josep Guardiola has declared Maxwell one of the club’s most useful signings over the last few years and the Brazilian claimed: “that just motivates me more. To have the boss saying these things about my work means a lot to me and I’m very grateful”.

Ibra and Raiola

Maxwell was also quizzed about his good friend Ibra’s departure and revealed: “Zlatan always behaved like a professional and I wish him well at Milan”, though he also admitted “I was surprised at some of the things he said, but it’s hard for me to comment – he’s a good friend and our families are very close. Our friendship will continue, but at a distance

“When you come into a new team, you have to adapt and if somebody else plays in your position, you have to accept that as part of the game”.

Mino Raiola is both Maxwell and Ibra’s agent and the Brazilian insisted: “I have worked for 10 years with him and I have never had the slightest problem. It has been, and still is, an honest, professional relationship which has been of great help to me over the years”.

Puyol on the mend

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Scans carried out on Carles Puyol’s injured left leg on Monday have revealed that the muscle is healing well.

His progress over the next few days should throw some light on when he will be able to return to action. Fans will remember that Puyol has already missed the opening league game of the season as well as two internationals with Spain.

Four untouchables

Sandra Sarmiento

Maxwell, Keita, Abidal and Dani Alves have all played the full 270 minutes of Barca’s three official games this season, an indication of their importance for Guardiola for the campaign ahead.

With the season just underway and with at least 45 more games to go, four first team players can boast a 100% presence in Guardiola’s teams so far - Maxwell, Keita, Abidal and Dani Alves played in both legs of the Spanish Super Cup and the league win in Santander.

Maxwell and Keita first back from break

Maxwell and Keita both began pre-season training on July 19th and were clearly looking close to full match fitness for the first leg of the Super Cup against Seville on August 14th . The Brazilian has figured as a full back and as a winger so far– as Guardiola has said of him “ he attacks well and defends even better”, whilst Keita has looked comfortable whether partnering youngster Oriol Romeu or veteran World Cup winner Xavi.

Abidal and Alves

Abidal cut short his post South Africa holidays to join up with the Barca pre-season and after a horrific summer with the French team, he seems to have recovered since his return to the Barca family. He has figured at centre half in all three games so far and shown a great spirit of sacrifice for the good of the group as a whole.

Dani Alves has already shown just what a ball of energy he is, joining the squad in time for the trip to Asia, which he left early in order to fly half way round the globe to play with the Brazil team and then arriving in Barcelona with hardly any time to train, he played the full 90 minutes of the first leg clash with Seville. If he keeps fit and free of injuries, Dani is a phenomenally strong player, who should be a major figure in the team’s season this campaign.

“Barca House” in Japan

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A Japanese family in Tokyo have customised their house to make it a shrine to their favourite team – Barca! The house is known in the area as “Barca House” and even has a small Nou Camp to play football on.

Three year old Touji Okuzumi and his father are both big fans of Barca and especially of Josep Guardiola and in January 2010 Touij became a child member of the club.

Local attraction

Being a member was just the start though as the family decided to customise their house and make it 100% Barca. There’s a small model Nou Camp over the garage and the house is painted in the club’s colours, which really attracts the local kids who come to look at the house.

Father big Guardiola fan

Touiji’s father Shinki loves Guardiola and became a fan when he was watching his other great hero Roberto Baggio playing for Bresca and Guardiola was a teammate of the Italian. Shinki was particularly impressed with Guardiola’s decision to turn down the chance to play for other teams and instead go to Brescia to join Baggio.

Although the family never miss a Barca game on TV and can look out onto their model Nou Camp on top of their garage, they have yet to visit the real Nou Camp, or indeed the city of Barcelona.

Adriano: “Guardiola is like a father figure to us”

Edgar Fornós

Summer signing Adriano says he feels Guardiola “is like a father figure to us – the relation we have with him is really good and very open, which helps to make us stronger as a group”.

In an exclusive interview with Barca TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Adriano gave his first impressions of the club after a month or so with his new boss and teammates, and stressed what a good atmosphere there was around the squad.

How are you enjoying being here in Barcelona?

“A lot. I’m very happy. Everything that has happened since the day I arrived has been good. We made a good start and I won my first trophy with the club. I’ve played quite a lot and both the players and the staff have been really good to me. Everybody has treated me really well and I’m very happy with that. What’s more, this is a beautiful city - I’ve been able to look around a bit and I love it”.

So, it’s been a good start...

“Yes, we’ve begun the season very well. People might think it was an easy game at Santander if they just look at the result, but it wasn’t at all. It was a tough match and if we made it easier, it was because we were very focussed. That’s what made the difference”

Did you expect such a successful start?

“We knew we could start well, the players were really fired up and so we were confident. The players who came from winning the World Cup seemed to be even hungrier for more titles and that pushes you to work harder as well. The new players have to follow the example of those who have been here for a while and also help them to keep their motivation”.

I wonder how you can still motivate yourself when you have won everything.

“You can’t imagine how tough it is to win and then continue to fight to win again. First you have to make sure of your place in the team and then focus on winning titles, that’s what defines a player’s career – what he has won, history only remembers winners, I’m very happy to be part of a group that has had such success and continues to want more . that helps to make us strong”-

Which trophies would you most like to win?

“The only two competitions I’ve been in and not won are the League and the Champions League, so those are the two I’d most like to win and I think Barca can do that”.

To win, you’ll have to face Madrid. Does that worry you?”

“I’m just focussed on Barca. We know Madrid have strengthened their squad and they have players who can make the difference, but I just concentrate on working hard with my teammates, if we do that then I think we’ll have success – it’d be great to be able to maintain the fantastic run of titles we’ve had here recently”.

Are you excited about the chance to play in a Madrid-Barca derby?

“Of course. When you come to Barca, that’s the game you think of. I just hope I’m available for the boss when we play. It’s a special game and everybody is watching you, it would be a unique opportunity if I had the chance to play”.

With the transfer window closed, how do you judge the squad?

“I think it’s very good. Barca have won everything with these players and I think the boss makes it so that everybody feels a part of the team, which is very positive. We all know we have the chance of playing, which is excellent and Guardiola knows that whoever he plays, we will all go out with the maximum intensity”.

Have you had time to get to know Javier Mascherano?

“The truth is that we have all had very little time to be with him, but I think it’s been long enough to see straight off that he is a really good guy. I hope that he, Villa and myself can help the team make history this season”.

What can you tell us about Guardiola?

“When I was a kid and I used to watch Barca play, I couldn’t believe how good Guardiola was, for me he was a real star. Now I’ve met him, I can only say good things about him – he’s a great person. Dani Alves and Keita had both told me he was and I have now found that out for myself. He treats us really well, he’s like a father figure to us – the relation which we have with him is really good and very open, which helps to make us stronger as a group. I’ve learnt from all my coaches. I’m a quiet person, but I observe what is going on around me and I love to learn from everybody. With Guardiola I have picked up so much already, particularly about tactics - that’s something he works on a lot”.

Is your versatility your main strength?

“Yes, I think so. I’ve been playing in different positions in defence and in midfield for a couple of years. I’m available for the boss to use where he needs me and I’ll always go out and give everything and be happy about the job I’ve been given”.

But where do you feel most comfortable playing?

“My natural position is as a left back. I used to normally play on the left at Seville, but when Alves signed for Barca, I switched to the right”.

How did you feel when you heard Barca wanted you?

“It was the best news I could have received. When I found out that they had made an offer and Seville had accepted, it was just a fantastic feeling. It just needed my okay and of course I gave it straight away. My lad has been a Barca fan since Alves came here and he was so happy that I was coming to the club”.

Was the fact that Keita and Alves already here an important factor?

“They had spoken about how good the club was and the city too and everything affects your final decision. I’d had offers from other clubs, but there was no real question in my mind once I knew Barca wanted me. This is the best club in the world. I’m very happy to be here and I want to again thank Sandro Rosell and Josep Guardiola for bringing me here”.

You are one of the few foreign players in the squad. What do you think of Barca’s policy of bringing in home grown players?

“I think it is very good. They work very hard with the youngsters. I’ve been working with them during the pre-season and we’ve seen that they are all able to slot into the first team at any time. That’s what clubs should be doing – building up their youth schemes and saving money”.

Is it true that you have to be a good five a side player before you become a footballer in Brazil?

“Well, maybe more so in the past, it’s not so common now, but five a side gives you the touch and the dribbling skills”.

That’s what happened with you?

“Yes, I started out on five a side pitches. When I was young that was normal. You would play five a side and then move to eleven a side when you were thirteen or fourteen”.

Keita expects a good year

Jesús Carrillo

Seydou Keita is certain that Barça will have another great season. “We have a winning squad and we’ll be going out to win” said the Malian. “But who knows what might happen after that”.

After training on Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva, Keita spoke to the press and said he feels “very happy. I cam here three years ago and I feel at home. I’ve got no problems and I have a good feeling about things”.

No player shortage

“The squad is not too small. We have good players behind us and in the reserves, who are able to help us at any moment of the season” says Keita. “So, there’s no shortage and as long as we have no injuries, this will be a good year for us”.

Draws no good

Asked what titles FC Barcelona can aspire to this year, Keita know what the club is all about. “Since the first day I came to the club, they have told me that draws aren’t good enough for Barça. So we have to carry on doing things well and trying to win every game we play”.

Asked if he foresees another straight head to head between Barça and Madrid for the title, the African said “I couldn’t say anything at this moment. There are teams like Valencia, Sevilla and Atlético Madrid that have a chance of being up there with us. I don’t know if it’ll be a more open championship than last season”.

Zubizarreta: “We have a winning squad”

Jordi Clos

The Sporting Director of Professional Football, Andoni Zubizarreta and the First Vice-President responsible for the Sports Area, Josep Maria Bartomeu, addressed a press conference at the Camp Nou on Wednesday on a wide range of footballing issues.

Now that the summer transfer window has closed, these two keys figures in the Club’s organigram spoke to reporters for an hour and a half on Wednesday. Some of the issues covered were the reorganization into professional football and youth football, areas headed up by Zubizarreta and Guillermo Amor respectively, the movement of players in and out and the contract renewals of the coaches and of Mali international Keita.

A balanced squad
“Barça always has a team that wants to win. Historically, that’s the way it’s always been and that’s the way it is now. The fact that the first team squad consists of 19 players isn’t important. We have plenty of cover because there are players in Barça B that could be in the first team. We’d had plenty of offers from the Spanish first division and from around Europe for them”.

“We have a balanced squad. We’ll keep on looking at what we have and at the market but there’s no pressure to bring players in from the reserves or in the winter transfer window”.

The reserves
“The objectives are to supply players for the first team and maintain their second division status. At their age, and in order to develop their game, we want them to play in the second division”.

Javier Mascherano
“We paid Liverpool 20 million euros plus the 4 million that came from the player by reducing his salary”.

Players on loan
The clubs that have taken the five Barça players on loan all have an option to make the move permanent. As regards the players’ salaries, Santos and Getafe have agreed to pay 100% (Keirrison and Victor Sanchez); Racing 85% (Henrique), Sevilla 90% (Martin Cáceres) and Birmingham City 75% (Hleb), depending on objectives.

No last-minute signings
“We have made no effort to sign a forward. Some were offered to us but we weren’t interested”.

Summer tours
“The new Board have drawn both positive and negative conclusions from the recent tour of Asia. We’ll continue with them but we’ll have another look at how we do them”.

Guardiola contract extension
“Guardiola knows that he can come and sign for another season whenever he likes. It’s too soon to talk about this”.

Cesc and Arsenal
“Both the Club and the player did as much as possible. Our second offer was 40 million euros. From the moment Arsenal said they didn’t want to negotiate we respected their position”.

“We would have liked to have signed him but we weren’t able to negotiate. It wasn’t a disappointment – it was simply impossible”.

“Thanks to the conversations we have re-established contact with Arsenal”.

5% reduction in squad salaries
“The total salaries of the squad have gone down by 5%. We weren’t looking for this but we wanted a competitive team”.

Alves contract negotiations
“We’re made an offer to Alves to extend his deal and soon we’ll negotiate. We want him to stay and this will be one of our objectives over the next three months”.

Puyol injury shock

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Tests carried out at the Camp Nou on Wednesday morning confirmed that Puyol has injured his soleus muscle just below the left calf. He’ll require treatment and is doubtful for the next few matches.

The news of Puyol’s injury hit the headlines on Tuesday evening when the Barça captain limped out of a training session with the Spain squad. Spain are currently preparing for their matches against Liechtenstein and Argentina.

Fans will remember that Puyol still hasn’t started training properly with FC Barcelona this season and has only played 63 minutes in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. Last Sunday, Puyol was all set to start against Racing but had to pull out at the last moment because of a twinge in his left calf muscle and was replaced by Piqué.

Keita extends contract

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Barca’s Mali midfielder Seydou Keita has extended his contract with the club until 2014, depending on appearances made, with a buyout clause of 100 million euros.

Seydou Keita’s contract was set to finish in 2012, but today’s deal could keep him at the club for a further two years with an extra 10 million also added to his buyout clause.

Key in midfield
Keita, who will be 34 when the contract runs out, signed from Seville in 2008 and quickly settled into the Barca style to become a key piece in Guardiola’s plans, slotting into a defensive role beside Sergi Busquets and after today’s deal he explained: “I’m very happy to play at this club. I‘m in my third year here and we’ve won everything, but I want to stay and win it all again. Barca have given me everything and I really want to stay on here. There is a lot of pressure, but I’d love to stay here till I hang up my boots. That’s my dream, but we’ll have to see how it goes”.

Guardiola
The African star made clear his feelings for Guardiola, claiming: “he’s not just a good coach, he’s a good person. He’s shown his confidence in me and I know he like players with a big heart who can help their teammates and the club”

Keita also stressed the importance of the social commitment of the club to making his decision to extend his stay: “this is more than a club. The Fundacio has helped set up a school in my country to help the children and that is very important for me”.

Villa: "I could do no more"

David Villa was pleased to have scored his first league goal for FC Barcelona as he netted in the 0-3 win against Racing Santander, but also felt that starting the season with a victory was vital.

The Asturian striker nodded in Barça’s third in El Sardinero on Sunday evening and also netted in the opening period only to see the effort ruled out for a dubious offside flag. “I am pleased with the way everything went today,” Villa said after the game . “I am pleased with the result, the win and the three points. It was a complete league debut and I could not do any more.”

Dominating displayu

“The team has played well and we always had the initiative while playing well and dominating,” Villa continued as he reflected on the performance. “We created chance and won well. To start the season is always tricky and we came from pre-season without much time. We took the points though and felt good.”

Changing fortunes

Villa does not have fond memories of his previous visits to play Racing Santander. “I have never had much luck in this stadium,” he commented. “But my luck is changing and this is a new chapter. Today I played well here and scored. It was not easy to fit straight in here in some ways, but in others it has been great. What is certain that the players here are suited to my way of playing.”

Family support

In El Sardinero watching from the stands were Villa’s family who travelled across Asturias to see him. “I dedicate this to all my family,” he explained. “It was just chance that the game was near where I am from and they could come.”


Below is what some of the other players had to say after the game:

Xavi Hernández

“It is very important to start the league well and now there is a break and many of us will go away for internationals.”

“Without doubt we have a great team to retain the title.”

Víctor Valdés

“The defensive work was great. Racing wanted to play football and were brave while we played well and created chances with our style.”

“I do not think it was a penalty, but once they are given that is it. The last time I saved a penalty was at Betis and I personally pleased that I was able to help the team here.”

“[ Puyol and Xavi ] felt knocks and it as intelligent to not risk them.”

“I am very pleased for Villa and he told me that he picked up an injury here, but now everything was fine.”

“To go to join the Spain squad is great.”

Sergio Busquets

“The game was good in general. They are only three points, but it is much better to start like that because we wanted to calm ourselves.”

“Villa is a great player and he scored twice, even though one was ruled out, but the win is more important than the players.”

Guardiola delighted with winning start

Pep Guardiola was pleased with the display and outcome of FC Barcelona’s first league game of the new season as he felt that the result was important after the 0-3 win against Racing Santander on Sunday evening. The Blaugrana boss praised his own team for their performance as Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa all scored and Víctor Valdés saved a penalty in El Sardinero. “To start with a 0-3 win is important,” he said. Racing never gave up on their principles and that earned praise from Guardiola. “They are one of the few teams that we have played face-to-face as they did not resort to long balls,” he continued. “We watched them and doubted that they would and instead they tried their luck.” Lacked spark
Despite evidently being pleased with the performance Guardiola admitted that there was room for improvement. “We have lacked a spark, but that is normal,” the stated. “More games will give us that throughout the season. We are very satisfied with what we have done.” Valdés confidence
Valdés stood out as he saved a penalty and then made other stops to earn the gratitude of his trainer. “He is Mister Reliable,” Guardiola commented. “He is very important to us between the posts and in the dressing room. Valdés gives everyone confidence. His penalty save at that moment was crucial to the game.” Ibrahimovic move
Questions about Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s move to AC Milan were inevitable and Guardiola was charitable with his responses. “He is an immense player,” he said. “I wish him all the best in his new adventure. He was part of five trophies that we won.” Iniesta praise

Iniesta also played very well in El Sardinero and Guardiola was delighted. “He is in great form after a very complicated year,” the coach explained. “His goal was very difficult to pull off.”

Racing Santander-Barcelona 0-3

Barça start drive for title hat-trick

FC Barcelona kick off the second consecutive defence of the league title with a trip to the north coast where they meet Racing Santander in El Sardinero on Sunday evening (19.00, R@dio Barça).

Pep Guardiola's team start the season in Cantabria and the excitement and expectation is sky high after the team secured their first trophy last weekend when beating Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup. Now the side are faced with a fresh challenge as David Villa, Adriano and all the regular stars aim to become the only other outfit apart from Johan Cruyff's Dream Team to win more than two league titles in a row in Barça's history.

Ready for the off

The Blaugrana have shown in pre-season that they have not lost any of their desire nor have they seen a change of style or a drop in their level. After friendly wins in Norway and the Far East the Catalan outfit bounced back to win the Spanish Super Cup before having their last pre-season test in midweek against AC Milan in the Trofeo Gamper.

Debut days

Barça have travelled to Santander with 18 players after leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic , Aliaksandr Hleb and Martín Cáceres out. Villa and Adriano have both already played in their new club's colours, but this encounter could mark their league debuts. Samuel Eto’o, Deco, Ludovic Giuly, Henrik Larsson, Thierry Henry and Yaya Touré all made their first appearances for the team in El Sardinero as Barça have met Racing six times on the opening day away from home and four times in the past 12 seasons.

All change

For the hosts it has been another summer of change as coach Miguel Ángel Portugal looked to improve on last term's finish of 16th place. The club's rising starlet Sergio Canales completed his move to Real Madrid and experienced heads such as José Moratón, Toni Moral and Luis García all left. While Barça's Henrique saw his loan deal renewed, the club signed six new faces, including former Championship Manager favourite Kennedy Bakircoglü from Ajax, Adrían González from Getafe and Cisma.

Ibrahimovic loan to AC Milan agreed

FC Barcelona and AC Milan have agreed a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to move to the Italian club on loan for the entire season 2010/11 with the Rossoneri paying all his earnings.

Included in the agreement is the option for AC Milan to make the move permanent next summer for a fee of €24 million.

If the option to buy Ibrahimovic is taken up by the Serie A club then that could see FC Barcelona save approximately €60 million.

The deal was able to be done thanks to the collaboration of the player and the willingness of his agent to conclude the negotiations.

Guardiola welcomes Mascherano

Pep Guardiola has congratulated Javier Macherano after a deal was reached for him to join FC Barcelona from Liverpool and stated that the midfielder will improve his squad.

The Blaugrana boss was delighted with the latest addition to his ranks after Mascherano joined David Villa and Adriano Correia as the summer signings at Camp Nou. After the former West Ham United enforcer landed in the Ciutat Contal on Saturday Guardiola stated: "Mascherano will give us many things and I want to congratulate him and the club, who did things well. He is much more than a defensive player. He has a great touch, keeps things simple, is very strong and will add a lot to our midfield. Also, despite being young he has great experience and we have references that he is a good person too."

Midfield magic

The arrival of Mascherano makes him a direct replacement for Yaya Touré, who left to join Manchester City at the end of last term, but Guardiola does not want to compare the two players. "Mascherano is different. But he will integrate quickly because tactically he is very intelligent. Both he and Sergio Busquets can play together because use different ways to move the ball out from the back." Guardiola remembered that Barça had been keen to sign Mascherano a year ago, but having both Touré and Busquets meant he was unable to.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been making headlines this week and Guardiola reflected on the situation. "That people are talking so much about his future is down to the time of year," the coach explained. "I am keeping a cold head and will not lose my calm while taking what I believe are the best decisions for the club." The Swedish striker has not been included in the squad to face Racing Santander. "That is my decision," Guardiola explained. "He has trained well and is in form. Because of the situation that we find ourselves in though I have chosen not to call him up. I am the one who is in control here." Should Ibrahimovic leave Guardiola was asked if he would look to replace him. "At this moment he is a Barça player. Depending on what happens we will decide. We will see how the market looks," he added.

Difficult start

Barça travel to the Nuevo Sardinero on Sunday to face Racing Club and Guardiola is well aware of what a tricky trip it could be. "It is always a difficult place for us to go," he said. "It was the same during my time as a player as well. I have watched them and know how they play. They use different pressure and are well organised and have stand-out players like [Pedro] Munitis. I am very excited and hope that it will be a great game." Some critics have said that the league could be a two-horse race between Barça and Real Madrid, but Guardiola does not agree. "It will be completely between us," the trainer commented, adding that Valencia, Sevilla and Atlético de Madrid could be involved.

Champions League

On Thursday the Blaugrana drew Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen and Rubin Kazan in the Champions League. "Again we are four league champions in the same Champions League group," Guardiola said. "It makes me feel better to play against teams who everyone thinks will be difficult. I am not looking forward to seeing Rubin and I have utmost respect for them." The Champions League final will be played at Wembley Stadium next spring, but Guardiola is not thinking about history repeating itself. "To play the final anywhere would be great, but Wembley is currently a long way off," he stated.