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Monday, April 27, 2015
Gerard Pique has had a VERY bad day at the Barcelona office
Pants pulled down, a highly embarrassing game of piggy in the middle… Barcelona's big centre-back has had better days
For Gerard Pique, life is pretty sweet. Still a key part of a Barcelona team once again destroying all in front of them, the Spanish defender recently had another kid with his beautiful pop star partner.
In short, Pique is living the dream.
So does our enjoyment of this video - which shows him being embarrassed by his team mates - mean we're grumpy, bitter people?
Probably.
In fairness to the Barcelona players who made Pique look foolish during training on Monday, it was all in good fun. As you can see in the video, an old-fashioned shorts-pull-down is followed by making him chase the ball for an eternity during a prolonged game of piggy in the middle.
It's all very Sunday League, which just adds to the beauty of the clip. And yes, we know 99.99% of the world's footballers would look equally daft chasing the ball in a game of Barcelona keep ball. But let's not forget that Gerard Pique once wore this outfit - which means we are allowed to laugh at him forever more: mirrorr.co.uk
Barcelona feeling the pressure with Real Madrid close on their heels
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says his players cannot let their guard down and must stay focused during their upcoming fixtures because every victory towards winning the league title.
La Blaugrana hold a two-point advantage over second place Real Madrid in La Liga and have already navigated their way through the difficult portion of the schedule.
They now have five league matches remaining against: Getafe (home), Cordoba (away), Real Sociedad (home), Atletico Madrid (away) and Deportivo (home). Barcelona would be considered clear-favorites in four of their last five matches, with the game against Atletico on May 16 being the trickiest of the bunch.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have difficult matches remaining against Sevilla (away) and Valencia (home), sandwiched between their two-legged Champions League semi-final against Juventus.
Regardless of the fixture list, Luis Enrique knows that every win is vital towards securing the league title and is demanding his team stay focused on each opponent.
“We can’t relax one bit,” the manager said ahead of his team’s game against Getafe. “Tomorrow we need to be a tight, concentrated team.
“We see that our rivals are keeping up the pressure. Tomorrow we need all three points to keep our fight for the league title. That’s the way things are.
“I don’t think there is a point total that has to be reached. This is a top-level club and we therefore have to go all out for every title.
“Looking at it on paper, we can all draw the conclusions that we feel like. But the reality is that there is very little difference between one and the other.
“We will focus on the only thing that we can control, which is the game against Getafe. We cannot make the mistake of looking beyond that.” worldsoccertalk.com
Messi is god-like - Beckenbauer
Bayern Munich and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi "god-like" and believes the Catalans hopes of success this season rest on his shoulders.
The 27-year-old has recovered from a disappointing end to 2014 to inspire his side to a fine run of form domestically and in Europe to leave the club challenging for silverware on three fronts.
Barca lead La Liga by two points ahead of Real Madrid and face Bayern in the semi-finals of the Champions League, while Athletic Bilbao await in the Copa del Rey final.
Beckenbauer will, of course, hope Messi has a dip in form as his side take on Luis Enrique's men over two legs, but admitted he is a big admirer of the Argentina international.
He told Sky 90: "He is a divine player, he is god-like. The hopes of Barcelona are reliant on Messi."
The European tie will see Bavarians coach Pep Guardiola face Barca for the first time since leaving the club in 2012 and Beckenbauer believes his knowledge of the club could be key.
"Guardiola knows the ins and outs of Barcelona. He knows the smallest of details that could put Bayern on their way."
Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday and the 69-year-old says anything other than a perfect performance could see his former team shocked by BVB.
"I think Bayern must put on a flawless performance, otherwise they will go out. The minute you think negatively of Dortmund they will catch you out." goal.com
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
A deserved victory
Luis Enrique feels Barcelona were well worth their 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
A Luis Suarez brace and one from Neymar gave Barca a commanding lead to take back to Camp Nou even with Gregory van der Wiel’s late consolation.
Enrique spoke to Canal+ immediately after the match and was asked for his thoughts on a good night for his side.
“It’s a good time to congratulate the players. I think it’s a deserved victory,” he said, AS reports.
“PSG tried to cause us problems too but their goal was the result of a play in which we had no luck.
“There are many adjectives to describe that performance. Intelligence is one of them. We did well with possession, in defence and we have a strong team.
“I wanted a little bit of everything. I have many options and you always appreciate that as a Coach.
“The players are free to move in attack, with balance. We’re not interested in freedom without balance.”
Luis Suarez elevates Barcelona to a new level and Neymar is back
Luis Suarez elevates Barcelona to a new level and Neymar is back on form, too... but PSG desperately missed banned Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Champions League defeat
Luis Suarez scored a brace while Neymar also netted in 3-1 win at PSG
Suarez has 17 goals for the season after slow start to life at the Nou Camp
Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar is the best front three in world football
PSG missed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's world-class qualities in their defeat
Barcelona took a major step towards qualification for the last four of the Champions League after they dismantled Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Sportsmail's ADAM CRAFTON takes a look at five things we learned from Barcelona's emphatic victory.
Super Suarez
It feels rather strange now but there was a time last summer when we were all wondering whether Luis Suarez - with his penchant for a human-based snack during football matches - was worth all that money for Barcelona. There can be no question anymore. It is now 17 goals for the season and Barcelona's front three, spearheaded by Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar is the most in-form in world football. They are a frightening prospect and Suarez, after three goals in his first 12 games for Barcelona, has hit the high notes at the right time. He has scored 10 in his last 11 games - including two crucial goals away at Manchester City - and his understanding with his strike partners has elevated this Barcelona side to a new level.
PSG yearn for Zlatan's quality
Prior to this game, PSG were unbeaten so far this season when playing without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, winning 11 and drawing 5 of the 16 games. It had developed a view - nourished by that inspiring performance when Ibrahbimovic was sent off at Chelsea - that PSG may be a stronger collective unit without the Swede.
Yet on the grandest occasions, you still require that moment of world-class quality and Laurent Blanc really needed Edinson Cavani to stand tall here.
Once more, though, the Uruguayan failed to deliver on the biggest stage. PSG fans still wince at the memory of his miss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season and so often, he leaves you wanting more in these pivotal games. He was brilliantly denied by a Javier Mascherano challenge in the first half but you sensed he lacked the conviction to really make the most of the opportunity.
He does some wonderful things, moving with pace and intelligence but when faced with a guilt-edged opening, he too often loses that defining ability to remain cool and detached when faced by a goalkeeper and the roar of the crowd.
When bearing down on Mascherano in the first half, he was like a pianist whose timing has deserted him, hesitating and pontificating. It is now only four goals in 15 games and you can perhaps understand why PSG may be tempted to cash in on him.
Neymar back in form
After a run of three goals in 10 games, the Brazilian had begun to fade into the shadows a little, particularly when placed against the the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
The local rumour mill had begun swirling and there were suggestions - not without foundation - in the Catalan media that Neymar is unhappy with how often he is substituted by his manager. This was a good response. He remains such a talent and the opening goal tonight was clinically dispatched and marked his 28th goal of an excellent season.
Messi was pulling the strings as ever but Neymar was the most eye-catching Barcelona forward in the first-half.
PSG's Euro home run comes to an end
This victory for Barcelona brought a shuddering end to PSG's proud unbeaten run at the Parc de Princes in European competition. Barcelona are the first team to win here in either the Europa League or Champions League since Hapoel Tel-Aviv in 2006 - an undefeated streak that had lasted nine years, yielding 22 wins and 11 draws. In truth, the victory was rarely in doubt from the first whistle, such was Barcelona's composure and quality on the ball.
Sir Alex Ferguson once described the experience of facing Barcelona's passing game as like being on a 'carousel'. PSG started brightly and for a few moments, it looked like the carousel might have malfunctioned. But it was no more than a glitch. PSG hopped on and when the referee finally called time, they staggered off across the fairground, most probably feeling rather sick.
Busquets is the midfield maestro
We have marvelled for years at the gifts of Xavi and Andres Iniesta and while the shielding work of Sergio Busquets has also been appreciated, it does seem as though he has become even more prominent under Luis Enrique.
He reads the game with such intelligence, stepping in with poise and composure to mop up the danger. Those around him - Iniesta, Rakitic and Xavi add the decoration - but Busquets' consistent brilliance forms the foundations of this Barcelona midfield.
Every team is grateful to its 'water-carriers', as Eric Cantona once dubbed Didier Deschamps, but with Busquets in this form, Barcelona could be heading towards the champagne come the end of the season.
Luis Suarez scored a brace while Neymar also netted in 3-1 win at PSG
Suarez has 17 goals for the season after slow start to life at the Nou Camp
Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar is the best front three in world football
PSG missed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's world-class qualities in their defeat
Barcelona took a major step towards qualification for the last four of the Champions League after they dismantled Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Sportsmail's ADAM CRAFTON takes a look at five things we learned from Barcelona's emphatic victory.
Super Suarez
It feels rather strange now but there was a time last summer when we were all wondering whether Luis Suarez - with his penchant for a human-based snack during football matches - was worth all that money for Barcelona. There can be no question anymore. It is now 17 goals for the season and Barcelona's front three, spearheaded by Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar is the most in-form in world football. They are a frightening prospect and Suarez, after three goals in his first 12 games for Barcelona, has hit the high notes at the right time. He has scored 10 in his last 11 games - including two crucial goals away at Manchester City - and his understanding with his strike partners has elevated this Barcelona side to a new level.
PSG yearn for Zlatan's quality
Prior to this game, PSG were unbeaten so far this season when playing without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, winning 11 and drawing 5 of the 16 games. It had developed a view - nourished by that inspiring performance when Ibrahbimovic was sent off at Chelsea - that PSG may be a stronger collective unit without the Swede.
Yet on the grandest occasions, you still require that moment of world-class quality and Laurent Blanc really needed Edinson Cavani to stand tall here.
Once more, though, the Uruguayan failed to deliver on the biggest stage. PSG fans still wince at the memory of his miss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season and so often, he leaves you wanting more in these pivotal games. He was brilliantly denied by a Javier Mascherano challenge in the first half but you sensed he lacked the conviction to really make the most of the opportunity.
He does some wonderful things, moving with pace and intelligence but when faced with a guilt-edged opening, he too often loses that defining ability to remain cool and detached when faced by a goalkeeper and the roar of the crowd.
When bearing down on Mascherano in the first half, he was like a pianist whose timing has deserted him, hesitating and pontificating. It is now only four goals in 15 games and you can perhaps understand why PSG may be tempted to cash in on him.
Neymar back in form
After a run of three goals in 10 games, the Brazilian had begun to fade into the shadows a little, particularly when placed against the the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
The local rumour mill had begun swirling and there were suggestions - not without foundation - in the Catalan media that Neymar is unhappy with how often he is substituted by his manager. This was a good response. He remains such a talent and the opening goal tonight was clinically dispatched and marked his 28th goal of an excellent season.
Messi was pulling the strings as ever but Neymar was the most eye-catching Barcelona forward in the first-half.
PSG's Euro home run comes to an end
This victory for Barcelona brought a shuddering end to PSG's proud unbeaten run at the Parc de Princes in European competition. Barcelona are the first team to win here in either the Europa League or Champions League since Hapoel Tel-Aviv in 2006 - an undefeated streak that had lasted nine years, yielding 22 wins and 11 draws. In truth, the victory was rarely in doubt from the first whistle, such was Barcelona's composure and quality on the ball.
Sir Alex Ferguson once described the experience of facing Barcelona's passing game as like being on a 'carousel'. PSG started brightly and for a few moments, it looked like the carousel might have malfunctioned. But it was no more than a glitch. PSG hopped on and when the referee finally called time, they staggered off across the fairground, most probably feeling rather sick.
Busquets is the midfield maestro
We have marvelled for years at the gifts of Xavi and Andres Iniesta and while the shielding work of Sergio Busquets has also been appreciated, it does seem as though he has become even more prominent under Luis Enrique.
He reads the game with such intelligence, stepping in with poise and composure to mop up the danger. Those around him - Iniesta, Rakitic and Xavi add the decoration - but Busquets' consistent brilliance forms the foundations of this Barcelona midfield.
Every team is grateful to its 'water-carriers', as Eric Cantona once dubbed Didier Deschamps, but with Busquets in this form, Barcelona could be heading towards the champagne come the end of the season.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Messi named in Barca squad
Lionel Messi has been deemed fit enough to feature in Barcelona’s 18-man squad for the trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday.
The No 10 missed Argentina’s friendlies against El Salvador and Ecuador during the international break with a swollen foot, but he is free to start at Balaidos following confirmation that he is in “perfect condition” from Luis Enrique.
Elsewhere, neither Jordi Alba nor Javier Mascherano are included in the travelling party due to injury, while Jordi Masip and Douglas Pereira are both omitted on technical grounds.
Kick-off between Barca and Celta is scheduled for 20:00 BST.
Barcelona squad in full: Ter Stegen, Bravo, Alves, Montoya, Pique, Adriano, Mathieu, Bartra; Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Xavi, Iniesta, Rafinha, Rakitic; Pedro, Neymar, Messi, Suarez.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Pique: Messi should be fit for Celta Vigo
-Lionel Messi didn't feature in either of Argentina's recent friendlies
-Messi suffered a foot injury in Barcelona's win over Real Madrid last month
-Barca sit four points clear of Real in La Liga with 10 game remaining
Lionel Messi should be fit to play in Barcelona's La Liga game at Celta Vigo on Sunday despite a scare over a possible foot injury, centre back Gerard Pique said on Wednesday.
Messi, the top scorer in La Liga, did not feature in either of Argentina's friendlies during the international break after sustaining a blow to his right foot in last month's 'Clasico' against Real Madrid.
'I am optimistic about Messi, I have spoken to him,' Pique told reporters at a promotional event.
'I think that he can play at Balaidos (Celta's stadium),' added the Spain international, who came through Barca's youth academy with Messi.
'In the end it is up to how he feels during the rest of the week. The medical staff are those who should decide. My feeling is that he will play.
' Barca's 2-1 win at home to Real stretched their lead over their arch rivals at the top of La Liga to four points with 10 games left.
Second-placed Real, who host Granada on Sunday, have stuttered in recent weeks and the 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp was their third loss in their last four outings in all competitions.
Barca, by contrast, are on a seven-match winning run and in with a chance of repeating 2009's unprecedented treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup after failing to secure major silverware last term for the first time in six years.
They play Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition and are through to May's King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao.
'We know it is going to be very hard and we will have to be at a high level if we want to win the titles,' Pique said.
'We have the team and we have demonstrated an improvement over the past year, the level has been rising and has given us a lot of confidence.'
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