Forum | Football Insane http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc Simple:Press Forum Version 4.0.2 Malik on Messi steers Barca to Super Cup glory http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-steers-barca-to-super-cup-glory/#p226 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-steers-barca-to-super-cup-glory/#p226 Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to lead Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday and a 5-3 aggregate win in the Spanish Super Cup. [ad#ad-unit-468x15] The Argentine forward had a quiet World Cup in South Africa in June and July but looked more comfortable back among his club mates at the Nou Camp. [ad#image-468x60] Messi grabbed two well-taken first-half goals after Sevilla's Abdoulay Konko had put the ball in his own net early on, and rounded off the night with a third at the end. "We've won another important title after turning round what was a difficult (first leg) result. We now have the first trophy of the season," Messi told Spanish television. "I treat football as something you have to enjoy and try to do that to the best of my abilities here and with my national team," he replied when asked about criticism he has received in Argentina. Having lost the first leg 3-1 in Seville last week with a second-string side, Barca fielded an almost full-strength team to win La Liga's traditional curtain raiser for a record ninth time. Barca coach Pep Guardiola refused to speak about the future of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic before the match and gave little away as he left the Swede on the bench in favour of Bojan Krkic. It only took the hosts 13 minutes to open the scoring when Pedro squirmed his way into the area and crossed low for Konko to bundle the ball into his own net. SUPERB PASS Xavi's superb 24th-minute pass then put Messi through on goal and the World Player of the Year doubled the lead. Dani Alves tore down the right and fed Messi, who scored from a tight angle at the near post just before halftime, and Sevilla appeared to switch their attentions to Tuesday's Champions League playoff from then on. Sevilla slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Portugal's Braga last week. During the second period the home crowd's chants for favourite Andres Iniesta to be given a run out were answered and Spain's match-winner in the 1-0 World Cup final win over Netherlands was given a rousing reception when he came on. Iniesta was quickly followed by new €40 million signing from Valencia David Villa, who was keen to impress on his debut and almost opened his account with a fierce shot parried by Andres Palop. [ad#text-468x60] Adriano Correia was also given his debut but Ibrahimovic remained unused on the bench and it was Iniesta who laid on the ball for Messi to crash home the fourth. [ad#ad-unit-468x15] ]]> Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:18:09 +0000 galacticos on A mini-holiday for Messi? http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/a-mini-holiday-for-messi/#p202 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/a-mini-holiday-for-messi/#p202 Barcelona are evaluating the possibility of giving their superstar Lionel Messi permission to take a brief holiday, so that he can rest physically and mentally from a stressful time, the daily Sport said on Monday. "Such a dense schedule, saturation from tension in Argentina, unfair and disproportionate criticism of his play and the many doubts raised in his country around his commitment to the national team have led him into a dead-end. Messi is mentally exhausted and needs a break," the Catalan daily said. Messi has played a large number of matches and he has travelled a lot in the past two months, including activity with Barcelona and with Argentina. Criticism over his performances with the national team shirt en route to the 2010 World Cup may have reportedly damaged the striker's confidence. "The people who know him best are starting to fear that these first symptoms are the threshold to something more important, so they have suggested the possibility of giving him a break in the short term," Sport said. Messi might be given time off following Tuesday's Champions League match against Kazan, or perhaps next week, when Barcelona are playing the King's Cup against the modest Cultural Leonesa, the report said. "Messi is being exposed to unusual and totally disproportionate pressure for a boy his age, 22 years old, who has suffered immensely to get his national team to qualify for the World Cup, who cannot leave his home without people harassing him, and of whom the most is always demanded, with the excuse that he is the world's best player," Sport concluded. ]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:16:23 +0000 galacticos on Barca beat Malaga, Real see off Tenerife http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/barca-beat-malaga-real-see-off-tenerife/#p193 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/barca-beat-malaga-real-see-off-tenerife/#p193 Barcelona and Real Madrid maintained their perfect La Liga starts on Saturday, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting the champions on their way to a 2-0 victory at Malaga and Real winning 3-0 at home to Tenerife. Real made it five wins out of five thanks to a Karim Benzema double and a sublime curler from Kaka and lead with 15 points, ahead of Barca on goal difference. Sevilla, who won 4-0 at Athletic Bilbao, are third on 12, while substitute Maxi Rodriguez struck in added time to earn struggling Atletico Madrid a 2-2 draw at Valencia. Ibrahimovic needed just 10 minutes to score his fifth goal in five games after coming off the bench for the injured Thierry Henry in the 29th minute of a bad-tempered clash. Lionel Messi lifted the ball over the static Malaga defence and the Sweden striker controlled with his chest and fired in. Defender Gerard Pique poked home a Xavi freekick three minutes after replacing Dmytro Chygrynskiy, who appeared to have picked up a knee problem, in the 56th minute. In a match littered with yellow cards, Malaga defender Weligton looked fortunate to stay on the pitch after TV replays showed him treading on Messi's ankle. The referee later sent Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova off the bench for protesting a decision and with five minutes to go showed Malaga forward Albert Luque a straight red card for a wild challenge on Daniel Alves. "It was a very aggressive match that took a lot out of us," Barca coach Pep Guardiola told a news conference. Asked whether the La Liga campaign was already a two-horse race between Barca and Real, he added: "Madrid has economic might but we have too and the players make the difference. In that sense we have a big advantage." CURSED ISLAND Brazilian playmaker Kaka, a second-half substitute earlier at the Bernabeu, bent in a stunning shot to end any hopes of a fightback from promoted Tenerife after France striker Benzema had netted twice in 11 second-half minutes. Tenerife are dubbed Real's 'Cursed Island' by the Spanish media after the Canary Islanders twice deprived the Madrid club of the league title in the early 1990s. After a closely-fought first half with few clear chances, Benzema rose early in the second period to nod in Xabi Alonso's cross and then outmuscled defender Manuel Martinez and curled a precise shot into the far corner. The Real defence looked far from solid in the second half despite the return of Portuguese international Pepe to the starting lineup after a 10-match ban. Forward Nino narrowly missed with a lob with Iker Casillas off his line and a mistake from the Real keeper almost let in Julian Omar before Kaka beat the keeper from the edge of the penalty area. "We were very bad in general in the first half and the substitutions obviously helped," Real coach Manuel Pellegrini said at a news conference. "It was clear that Kaka gave the team a boost but we have a Champions League match (against Olympique Marseille on Wednesday) and we tried to win the game with him." ]]> Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:34:58 +0000 galacticos on Atletico set sights on toppling Barca http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/atletico-set-sights-on-toppling-barca/#p189 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/atletico-set-sights-on-toppling-barca/#p189 Despite Atletico Madrid's dismal start to the campaign, winger Maxi Rodriguez believes that the under-performing side can rise to the challenge and beat champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday. While Barca are showing the form which allowed them to sweep all before them last season, Atletico Madrid have failed to pick up a win from their opening matches and know they will have to improve if they are to avoid a similar outcome to the 6-1 demolition they received at the hands of Pep Guardiola's men last time round. "Our results so far have not been what we expected and the team is very disappointed but if we get three points against Barcelona then we are all going to feel a lot better. It is always good to beat a big side as it changes the mood in the dressing room," said Maxi. "We cannot make the same mistakes as last season, we have to be concentrated in the first few minutes so that they cannot surprise you and then maybe slowly but surely we can assert ourselves on the game." Barca have won their two games played so far as have Real Madrid, who after a summer of expensive reinforcements are looking to bring an end to the Catalan club's dominance. While it had been said that Cristiano Ronaldo was feeling the pressure of expectancy after his high-profile move from Manchester United his two goals for Real in their mid-week Champions League victory over FC Zurich will have worked well to take the pressure off his shoulders. As the team prepare to face Xerez the bad news is that they will be without Xabi Alonso for up to 10 days with a calf injury. Valencia, who surprisingly managed to keep hold of their attacking stars David Villa, Juan Mata and David Silva, have also made a strong start to the campaign and coach Unai Emery demonstrated the ambition of the club saying they will be fighting for success in the Champions League as well as domestically. His side face a Sporting Gijon whose objective will be to stay in the top flight. Athletic Bilbao are in fine form but will face their first real test when they take on Villarreal this Sunday who have plenty of quality even without their injured talisman Marcos Senna. Mallorca surprised Villarreal last weekend earning a point at El Madrigal and now they take on new comers to the top division Tenerife who have shown that they will be no push-overs. After a poor opening day performance against Valencia, Sevilla answered their critics with a resounding win over Zaragoza and now travel to Osasuna hoping that they can overcome their ten year run without a win in Pamplona. Espanyol will be looking to get their first points away at Deportivo la Coruna and are hoping that midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is able to shrug off an ankle strain he picked up on international duty with Japan. The Catalan side are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their centre-half and club captain Dani Jarque who died of heart failure over the summer. Malaga coach Juan Ramon Muniz will be up against his former club Racing Santander this weekend but their will be few familiar faces in the away side who have replaced half their team since last season. Zaragoza and Valladolid will both be looking to bounce back after confidence sapping defeats in which they conceded four goals to Sevilla and Valencia respectively, while Barcelona's last league victims Getafe meet Almeria.

Fixtures

Saturday

Deportivo la Coruna v Espanyol Mallorca v Tenerife Osasuna v Sevilla Malaga v Racing Santander Barcelona v Atletico Madrid

Sunday

Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal Zaragoza v Valladolid Almeria v Getafe Real Madrid v Xerez Valencia v Sporting Gijon ]]> Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:24:34 +0000 galacticos on Marquez back for Barca, Senna out http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/marquez-back-for-barca-senna-out/#p183 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/marquez-back-for-barca-senna-out/#p183 Barcelona's Mexico defender Rafael Marquez has been passed fit to return to action after four months out with a knee injury picked up in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea last season. Marquez and Andres Iniesta, who has also returned from a lengthy injury lay-off this week, could make the squad for Barca's trip to Getafe on Saturday. Striker Bojan Krkic is injured. Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to find his feet at Real Madrid but director general Jorge Valdano said he was unconcerned ahead of the side's trip to face Espanyol on Saturday. "Possibly he's feeling a little anxious because he's very professional and always wants to be the best, but we'll have to wait a few games to see the real him," Valdano told Spanish state radio. Sevilla host promoted Real Zaragoza on Saturday with president Jose Maria del Nido having to back coach Manolo Jimenez after their opening day defeat to Valencia. "Jimenez will get the side back to winning ways and will end the complaints from some fans over the style of play," he told reporters. "All that matters is to win, then to win, and then to win again." Zaragoza will be without midfielder Angel Lafita, who is still unable to play for the side after Deportivo Coruna refused to release his registration papers due to a dispute over the transfer fee. "We'll have to wait until next week but everyone at Zaragoza is sure that the player will be able to join up with the rest of the squad from Wednesday," Zaragoza director general Gerhard Poschner told Radio Zaragoza. Atletico Madrid will be without injured midfielder Raul Garcia for Racing Santander's visit on Saturday but defender Antonio Lopez has recovered from a muscle strain and is available. Almeria travel to Sporting Gijon on Sunday without Colombia midfielder Fabian Vargas who has had surgery on damaged bone and ankle ligaments in his left leg, following an injury picked up while on international duty. ]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:41:17 +0000 Imad on Messi helps Barca to Super Cup win http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-helps-barca-to-super-cup-win/#p169 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-helps-barca-to-super-cup-win/#p169 Two goals from Lionel Messi and a poacher’s strike from Bojan Krkic gave Barcelona a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their Spanish Super Cup second leg on Sunday for a 5-1 aggregate victory. The Spanish and European champions were leading 2-1 from the first leg in Bilbao last Sunday and Messi’s superbly-taken opening goal early in the second half snuffed out any hopes of an unlikely Athletic comeback at a packed Nou Camp. The Argentina forward picked up a pass from new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 50th minute, rounded an Athletic defender and from close to the byline clipped the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz. His second came from the penalty spot after Daniel Alves was felled and Krkic made sure of Barca’s first trophy of the season when he intercepted Ander Iturraspe’s mis-hit backpass, rounded Iraizoz and stroked the ball into the empty net. Pep Guardiola’s side have a chance of winning five more trophies this season and play Uefa Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in the European Super Cup in Monaco on Friday. They are also contesting the domestic championship, the Uefa Champions League, the King’s Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup. The Super Cup is Spain’s traditional season opener between the winners of the league and King’s Cup. Barca won both last season, beating Athletic 4-1 in the final and have now won eight Super Cups, equal with Real Madrid. ]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:04:16 +0000 Imad on Zlatan set for first competitive Barca tie http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/zlatan-set-for-first-competitive-barca-tie/#p162 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/zlatan-set-for-first-competitive-barca-tie/#p162 Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make his competitive debut for Barcelona in a Spanish Supercup second-leg match against Athletic Bilbao after coach Pep Guardiola promised to field a full-strength lineup. "Tomorrow, we're playing a final and we won't hold anything back," Guardiola said on Saturday. "To start the year with a title would be very positive." Barcelona hold a 2-1 aggregate edge following last week's first-leg victory at the San Mames. Guardiola has pledged attacking football for Sunday's match at the Camp Nou stadium as the Catalans go for their eighth Supercup title. "We know we have to follow the same line as last year, like we saw at Bilbao," said forward Lionel Messi, who missed the first leg to injury but is now available. "It's going to be a very difficult match." Barcelona beat Athletic 4-1 in the Copa del Rey final and also won the Spanish league and Champions League titles, becoming the first Spanish club - and only the fifth European team - to win three major trophies in one season. Ibrahimovic, who moved from Inter Milan, made his Barcelona debut in a 1-0 preseason friendly defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday. The Sweden striker is still bothered by a left hand injury that required surgery, but will be available. "Every day that goes by, I am happier. I'm getting to know everybody and I'm starting to adapt to the team and getting adapted," Ibrahimovic said. "I'm very happy to be here and I take it day by day." Ibrahimovic was frustrated not to score on debut, but teammate Yaya Toure reminded Serie A's leading scorer from last season that there will be more opportunities with Barcelona competing for two other trophies apart from the Supercup - next week's European Supercup and the Club World Cup in December. "It's not easy, you know, because Barcelona is a big club and it takes time to adapt. But he's great player of a high level and this is going to be his year," Toure said. "The most important thing is that he adapts quickly because there isn't much time - we have important games coming up." Barcelona's league campaign begins on August 31 against Sporting Gijon. ]]> Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:00:44 +0000 Imad on Ibrahimovic joins Barca in five-year deal http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/ibrahimovic-joins-barca-in-five-year-deal/#p139 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/ibrahimovic-joins-barca-in-five-year-deal/#p139 Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed his transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona after signing a five-year contract, European champions Barca said on Monday. The swap deal sends Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, valued at €20 million, to Inter and is worth more than €66 million. Barca also said in a statement they were paying a separate €46 million fee and loaning Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to Inter for the season. The Italian side will have the chance to buy Hleb for €10 million plus variables next year. Ibrahimovic passed a medical earlier in the day, though Barca said the Swede had fractured a bone in his left hand during Inter's recent friendly against Chelsea, and that treatment would be necessary. He will be presented to Barca fans at the Nou Camp with his number nine shirt, later on Monday. Eto'o flew to Milan earlier in the day and has passed the first of a two-part medical, Inter said. Eto'o told the Inter website (www.inter.it): "I made history at Barcelona, but that history is finished now. A new story begins at Inter, I'm starting from scratch, I want a new adventure and I hope everything goes well." Ibrahimovic could make his first appearance as a Barca player against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday in the opening match of their tour to the United States. He is a straight swap for Eto'o in the centre of Barca's three-pronged attack, between Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, and will be out to help them defend their European, and domestic league and cup titles. He is Barca's third close-season signing behind Brazilian left back Maxwell, and Brazilian striker Keirrison, though the latter is to be sent out on loan. FACTBOX: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Born Oct. 3, 1981 in Malmo, Sweden EARLY CAREER * The son of Balkan immigrants, Ibrahimovic plays for junior teams in the Malmo area before signing for Malmo in 1999. * The towering but skilful forward moves to Ajax Amsterdam in 2001 and establishes himself as one of Europe's most promising players, helping the club to the 2002 and 2004 league titles. VOYAGE TO ITALY * Signs for Juventus for a fee of around €19 million and helps the Turin side win Serie A in 2005 and 2006. He fails to shine in the Champions League, however. * Juve have the two titles stripped and are demoted in a match-fixing scandal, prompting the Sweden international to join rivals Inter Milan with Patrick Vieira. * He wins three Serie A championships with Inter and Juve fans never forgive him for leaving, controversially chanting 'Gypsy' at him whenever he plays against them. RESTLESSNESS * In 2009, Ibrahimovic lets it be known he is unhappy with Inter constantly flopping in the Champions League and says he has won everything he can in Italy. * Ibrahimovic signs for Spanish and European champions Barcelona for €46 million. As part of the deal Barca striker Samuel Eto'o, valued at €20 million, joins Inter together with Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb who moves to the Serie A side on loan for the season. ]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:03:34 +0000 Imad on Ibrahimovic passes medical at Barca http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/ibrahimovic-passes-medical-at-barca/#p138 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/ibrahimovic-passes-medical-at-barca/#p138 Zlatan Ibrahimovic passed a medical with Barcelona to move a step nearer the completion of his transfer from Inter Milan, the European champions said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat) on Monday. FOOTBALL Ibrahimovic a su llegada a Barcelona / foto EFE - 0 Barca pointed out the Swedish striker had fractured a bone in his left hand during Inter's recent friendly against Chelsea, and that treatment would be necessary. Ibrahimovic is set to sign a five-year contract and to be presented in the Nou Camp this evening, completing a complicated swap deal which involves Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o going in the opposite direction. Eto'o flew to Milan earlier in the day to take his medical. Barca are also reported to be paying fee of around €45 million and loaning Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to the Serie A side. ]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:33:10 +0000 Imad on Real Madrid's spending leave Barca in the shade http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/real-madrids-spending-leave-barca-in-the-shade/#p114 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/real-madrids-spending-leave-barca-in-the-shade/#p114 An array of blockbuster signings by Real Madrid is already taking the shine off Barcelona's historic season. Madrid have spent €214 million on five players, bringing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema to the Spanish capital after a trophyless season. Meanwhile, classic rival Barcelona signed their first player of the offseason on Wednesday after agreeing to pay Inter Milan €4.5 million for left back Maxwell, a 27-year-old Brazilian expected to fill in at defence after the departure of Sylvinho. It's hardly the start expected for a team that became the first Spanish club to win the league, Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies in one campaign. "The quality of the players is not because of how expensive he is," Ronaldo said Thursday from Madrid's preseason training camp in Ireland. "Maxwell is a fantastic player and I played against him a couple of times. I'm happy for him, that he signed for Barcelona." Maxwell's arrival for the next five seasons was met by some question marks, with Barcelona newspaper Sport asking "Who is Maxwell?" It's a tame statement after a campaign that will be remembered for the exciting, attacking football in coach Pep Guardiola's first season in charge. But Maxwell was a second choice after the Catalan club couldn't reach an agreement with Deportivo La Coruna over left back Filipe Luis. Now that that position has been filled, the club is also likely to struggle in its bid to sign a striker - amid a contract saga involving Samuel Eto'o - as Madrid's record spending spree has inflated player prices. Barcelona have extended the Cameroon striker's holidays by one week to July 27 to give them more time to try and find a solution, with Eto'o so far declining Barcelona's two-year extension offer. As it stands, he can leave for free at the end of next season. Eto'o rebuffed Manchester City, a move which has made Barcelona's pursuit of Valencia striker David Villa or Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan more difficult. Villa reportedly said he would be ready to pay the difference to leave Valencia, with Barcelona falling short of the club's €50 million asking price for the Spain striker. A €36 million buyout clause appears to be Forlan's price with Atletico unwilling to let go of the Spanish league's top scorer. "We're not selling any player in the squad," Atletico president Enrique Cerenzo said. "(Sergio) Aguero, Forlan, Maxi (Rodriguez) and all the rest fit into our plans." Regardless of the outcome, Real Madrid were eager for the season to start. "It's not important for me who Barcelona signs. I'm training here with the best players in the world, and I don't care who the other teams sign," Ronaldo said. "The new players have to show they have been brought in for a reason. We have to think about winning everything." ]]> Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:08:51 +0000 Imad on Eto'o could stay with Barca next season http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/etoo-could-stay-with-barca-next-season/#p84 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/etoo-could-stay-with-barca-next-season/#p84 Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is set to stay with the Catalan club amid a dearth of offers for the star, sports daily AS reported on Thursday. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00746/sport-graphics-2008_746099a.jpg "They have received no offers," reported the paper, a comment which would be music to the ears of Barca chairman Joan Laporta, who wants the 28-year-old to stay for the rest of his career. AS added that wage demands of some €10 million a year were frightening top clubs off Eto'o. Last week Laporta said that "we're trying to find a way in which he can stay" after talks between the player's agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, and Barca's director of football Txiki Begiristain. Eto'o bagged 30 goals in La Liga last season and also hit the opener in the Champions League final win over Manchester United but his current contract only runs for another year. That has sparked interest from big-spending English Premier League club Manchester City, French side Lyon and Italy's Inter Milan. City's initial interest has waned with the club landing Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn. Spanish media have tipped Valencia's David Villa, Atletico Milan's Diego Forlan and Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic as possible replacements for Eto'o if he should leave. ]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:46:18 +0000 Imad on Messi tops Ronaldo as world star http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-tops-ronaldo-as-world-star/#p83 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/messi-tops-ronaldo-as-world-star/#p83 Cristiano Ronaldo may be the world's most expensive footballer, but Barcelona star Lionel Messi outshines him in terms of media value, at least according to a team of Spanish researchers. http://redsports.sg/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/championsleaguefinal_messi1.jpg The team from the University of Navarra said the Argentine had ousted the Portuguese striker as the player with the highest profile last season. However, Ronaldo remains the most expensive player, with the researchers valuing him at €82 million, less than the world record 93 million Real Madrid paid Manchester United for him this month. Messi was next at 80 million, followed by Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres at 67 million. The study cited Barcelona's European Champions League victory, and Messi's goal in the final, for his leap to number one in the media rankings over last year's winner Ronaldo. It forecast "an exciting media fight between these two brilliant players" next season. In team rankings, it recorded a "technical tie" between Barcelona (86.2 points) and Manchester United (86.0 points). But the manager with the most media pulling power was United's Alex Ferguson, ahead of Barca's Pep Guardiola. ]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:40:32 +0000 Imad on Barca trounce Real in 'Clasico' classic http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/barca-trounce-real-in-clasico-classic/#p40 Barcelona FC http://footballinsane.com/forum/barcelona-fc/barca-trounce-real-in-clasico-classic/#p40 Barcelona took a major step towards securing La Liga after beating Real Madrid 6-2 in an astonishing edition of the fixture known as 'El Clasico' at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Thierry Henry celebrates scoring for Barcelona against Real Madrid. Lionel Messi is on his back. - 0
Barca are now seven points clear of defending champions Real with four games of the season remaining after braces from Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi plus goals from Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique rendered strikes for Real from Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos irrelevant. The statistics of Barca's season are astounding: Pique's goal - Barca's sixth - was their 100th in La Liga this season, and between them Samuel Eto'o, Messi and Henry have scored more goals than the entire squads of any side - excluding only Real - in England, Italy, Germany or Spain. The reverse fixture back in December - a 2-0 Barcelona victory at the Nou Camp - was Juande Ramos's first match in charge of Real Madrid, and following that match they embarked on an incredible run of 17 wins and one draw from 18 games. Real took the lead after a high-tempo first quarter of an hour when Sergio Ramos curled his cross around Eric Abidal to Gonzalo Higuain, who was left completely unmarked by Carles Puyol in the centre of the penalty area, to head in his 19th league goal of the season. That lead lasted only a few minutes until Messi found Henry and the Frenchman tucked a neat side-footed finish into the net to make it 1-1. Puyol made amends for his earlier mistake and turned the game on its head just two minutes later. Fabio Cannavaro had desperately hauled down Henry on the left wing near the byline, and Xavi's free-kick was met by a firm header from the Barca captain to give his side the lead. Ironically, it was Higuain who should have been on hand to stop Puyol from that set piece. Lassana Diarra was caught dithering in possession, and Xavi robbed him before setting up Messi, who clipped the ball past Iker Casillas with the outside of his boot to send Barca 3-1 up at half-time. After the break, Real looked as though they could have mounted one of their trademark fight backs when Arjen Robben's free-kick was headed in by Sergio Ramos, but the Spain right-back undid his good work two minutes later when he was too late in springing the offside trap on Henry, who went on to knock the ball past Casillas and see it roll into the empty net and make it restore the two-goal gap. Henry, a doubt before the match, was substituted soon afterwards, and is not certain to be fit to face Chelsea in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg. With 15 minutes left Messi got his second of the night and 23rd league goal of the season when he beat Casillas from close range before former Manchester United centre-back Pique capped an impressive display at the back with his first goal in La Liga from inside the six-yard box. Villarreal 0-2 Sevilla Sevilla tightened their grip on third place in the table with a 2-0 win over fifth-placed Villarreal at El Madrgial. Luis Fabiano opened the scoring in the second half after strike partner Fredi Kanoute find him with a through ball, and the Brazilian slotted coolly underneath goalkeeper Diego Lopez to give the visitors the lead. Despite going down to 10 men when right-back Abdoulaye Konko was sent off for a second bookable offence, Sevilla doubled their lead when Kanoute got a goal of his own with a clinical drilled shot from distance that went in off the far post. The result leaves Manolo Jimenez's side four points above fourth-placed Valencia, who travel to Espanyol on Sunday. Villarreal could drop down to sixth if Atletico Madrid win their match at Athletic Bilbao. Numancia 2-0 Malaga Numanica moved off the bottom of the table with a home win over Europa League hopefuls Malaga. Midfielder Juan Carlos Moreno struck in first minute for the struggling side, who now move above Recreativo Huelva into 19th place. Striker Javier del Pino doubled the home side's lead in second-half to help deny Malaga a point that would have seen them at least temporarily leapfrog Atletico Madrid into fifth. Malaga could drop as low as eighth by the end of the weekend if Deportivo la Coruna win at home against Valladolid tomorrow, while Recre could move back off the bottom of the league with a victory at Osasuna. ]]> Sun, 03 May 2009 21:17:44 +0000