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Spain Euro 2012 profile: Review of Spain’s team, coach and more
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How Spain qualified for Euro 2012
Giants Spain had to play against Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Scotland and the Czech Republic in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers. The Spaniards enjoyed positive run which included 4-0 and 6-0 wins against Liechtenstein.
With 24 points from 8 games, Spain secured automatic tickets to this summer’s competition. However, the road was not as smooth as numbers may suggest.
Scotland threatened Spain’s perfect record when both teams met in Glasgow in October 2010. A 58th minute strike from Naismith and a 67th minute own goal from Gerard Pique cancelled Spain’s 2-0 lead. However, Fernando Llorente rescued his side with a winner 11 minutes from time.
Spain vs Venezuela Preview
Team news
The one whose lone goal won the cup for La Roja against Germany, Fernando Torres, is not in the squad that will face Venezuela on Wednesday night. The truth is that the Chelsea striker is going through a horrific spell that has seen him score only once in 18 months for Spain’s national team.
Euro 2008 star striker David Villa is recovering from a long-term injury and won’t participate in the friendly. Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo and Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez are also on Spain’s injury list. David Silva has developed into an even better player since the past few years. The Manchester City talisman is expected to start the match against Venezuela. Alongside him could be new face Iker Muniain from Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona and the Pep Guardiola romance: Why the coach must renew his contract
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The extension of a contract for successful professionals often comes with the fear of climbing too high only to fail or of driving for too long only for the engine to burn into flames. Pep Guardiola’s record at the Camp Nou is so fantastic that one would advise him to quickly put an end to it on a magnificent note.
However, there’s a romantic bond between Barcelona and Pep Guardiola. Let’s just say that the relationship between both sides is meant to be an issue of “for better, for worse”. In this case, why should the manager even think twice before accepting or refusing the club’s contract extension offer?
We must not respect Champions League titleholders Barcelona too much—Friedrich
It looks like Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team mates should prepare for a harsh and physical approach from the hosts. Speaking to UEFA.com, Friedrich stated the following:“We should have respect, but not too much. You just have to look forward to the challenge, give everything, run until you need to see a doctor and then see what comes from that.”
Friedrich and his Bayer Leverkusen team mates might have to sweat a lot indeed in search of a win. They’ll be affronting a wounded Barcelona side hungry to bounce back from the recent set-backs at all cost.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Messi & Ronaldo’s impact, Mou’s respect & more in quotes
We bring you a preview of the pre-match preparations in quotes from the Catalans’ point of view. What do people think of Barcelona? What are they predicting concerning Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Psychologically, how do Pep Guardiola’s players regard the game?
1) Xavi – as quoted on Barcelona’s official website
The midfielder is naturally bold and hard to break in midfield. After experiencing so many unbelievable results against Real Madrid, Xavi’s desire to triumph still exists. The 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or nominee has promised to give Los Blancos a tough time in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
“We'll play with our trademark style and philosophy, exciting, spectacular and looking for a goal – the more goals you score away from home, the better!”
Landslide win for Messi over Ronaldo and Xavi in 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or triumph
The FIFA Awards gala took place on Monday night without the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid. In fact, the stage was set for Messi to create history. The explosive play maker scooped his third straight FIFA Ballon d’Or award to match the record of France’s great Michel Platini.Lionel Messi (44.78%) cruised to an emphatic win against the likes of nominees Cristiano Ronaldo (21.60%) and Xavi Hernandez (9.23%). Brazilian legend Ronaldo handed the prize to La Pulga, who stated afterwards:
“It’s a huge pleasure to win the third time, a big honour. I want to thank the teammates, players and coaches that voted for me. I want to thank my Barcelona and Argentina teammates, without them this would have been impossible.”
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011: Title holder Lionel Messi’s 2011 year in stats – Debate
Undoubtedly, 2011 was a year filled with excitement for followers of the game. Messi fans would generally not disagree, considering that the Barcelona playmaker also excelled for the Blaugrana.
Looking at the fact that he won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, it is easy to conclude that he clearly deserves to be the Ballon d’Or 2011 winner. But fans interested in international football certainly have a different point of view.
The Copa America was a competition on which all eyes were set; and again, Messi was initially the main man behind the competition’s attraction. Unfortunately though, he was unable to prove himself for his country, leading many spectators to assume that he was simply a good player at club level.
No FIFA Ballon d’Or for award nominee Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday, January 9
The truth is that the Real Madrid and Portugal star winger will not even attend the ceremony. Along with his manager, Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain in Spain to respect the club’s fixture list.Real Madrid actually have a crucial match to play against Malaga in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night. Barcelona, meanwhile, will engage in cup action on Thursday. The timing of the awards night definitely doesn’t interfere with the schedule of FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees Xavi and Lionel Messi.
Speaking about Messi, he is the hot favorite to triumph on Monday night. The skill of the reigning Champions League, La Liga, Spanish Supercopa and FIFA Club World Cup champion is approved by millions of football fans around the globe.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Report
What else could we expect from El Clasico anyway? Only video highlights can best describe the heat of the match, in which both teams aimed for a famous victory.Unexpectedly, it did not take too long for the scoreboard’s indication at the Santiago Bernabeu to change. A goal from Karim Benzema after only 21 seconds immediately put Real Madrid in front, subsequent to a costly mistake from Victor Valdes.
With the match going on at a lightening pace, Barcelona never looked too likely to net an equalizer. Conversely, it was Madrid who appeared to be perfectly on track as they fought to inflict even more pain on their visitors.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Players to watch and El Clasico comparisons
Yes, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, when it comes to naming the true favourites, it is largely a matter of management.
Certainly, trying to determine who has the best players only raises issues of personal taste. It is not wrong however to assess both teams’ positives and weight their advantages along with their expectations. This puts into question the form and aim of each key player in El Clasico.
All 22 active players on the field after the referee’s opening whistle will surely be ready to put on a good show for a million reasons. But then, each player will be having his challenges; and one could identify these challenges as the results of both teams’ close standards - which eventually increases the excitement ahead of El Clasico in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona and the 12 best quotes – El Clasico’s hype in words
Sevilla and Valencia’s away games against Levante and Real Betis respectively will open La Liga’s weekend of action. However, it’s El Clasico that will put Matchday 15 on fire. Real Madrid vs Barcelona will kick-off at 22:00 CET, 21:00 GMT and 16:00 EST.
The match is sure to keep the public awake until the early hours of Sunday, at least. Two very different football philosophies will collide in the Spanish capital in a celebration of pure rivalry.
Barcelona have a great record in El Clasico and Pep Guardiola is yet to taste defeat against Los Blancos in La Liga. The Santiago Bernabeu is the ground where the Catalans recorded an emphatic 6-2 victory a couple of years ago. Barca faithful want the club to continue its dominance over Real Madrid.
El Clasico won’t be a final verdict – Xavi ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Barcelona have played a game more than Real Madrid due to their FIFA World Club Cup schedule. Eventually, they will be level on points with Los Blancos should they claim victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid would restore their 6-point lead with a win and eventually stand the chance of opening a 9-point gap at the top of La Liga standings. Still, 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or nominee Xavi insists that the Catalans’ title hopes wouldn’t end even with defeat against Real Madrid.
“If we did not win, there would still be many points. There will be no [final] verdict,” Xavi reportedly told AS. Acknowledging Los Blancos’ current hot form, the key player pursued:
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo & Xavi make 2011 FIFA Ballon d’or shortlist
Portugal and Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina and Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi and Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez have been nominated above the rest to make the Ballon d’Or’s three-man shortlist. The announcement was made on Monday morning by France Football director Francois Moriniere and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke. Lionel Messi, who is the hot favorite to grab the prize, could emulate Michel Platini’s record of three consecutive Ballon d’Or triumphs. His team mate from Catalonia, Xavi Hernandez, has never won the award despite receiving worldwide praises for his majestic attitude on and off the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, succeeded in the voting of the 2008 edition.
Messi: I am not the best but Pep is phenomenal and Barca has changed football
In an interview with Onze ahead of Barcelona’s enticing fixture away to AC Milan, the talisman shared his humble opinion with the public, stating:“I don't consider myself the best in the world. If I am what they say, I repeat, it is thanks to my team-mates. We have done all this work together.”
Messi, who is a hot favorite to win the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award, is in top form this season as well. However, many pundits believe his greatness is down to the influence of Spanish midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta. Lionel Messi had special comments for the duo:
England to face real challenge in Spain friendly as Del Bosque names strong squad
Vicente del Bosque is taking the clash very seriously as his squad lists shows it. The goalkeeping positions have been shared between Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina whereas the entire man-squad is, in majority, a blend of Real Madrid and Barcelona players. Andres Iniesta returns to La Roja and he is set to partner in midfield with Xavi Hernandez. Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are the other Barcelona-based stars that have been called up by Vicente del Bosque for the England vs Spain matchup.
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 award shortlists for men’s player and coach of the year revealed
Most football fans are particularly interested in the player award nomination. Lionel Messi, who is the reigning champion, is poised to retain his title. However, his 2011 Copa America fiasco with Argentina could cost him a ball made of gold. A potential contender would be Luis Suarez. The ex-Ajax striker was controversially omitted from the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or award list.Expectedly, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named alongside Messi whereas Sergio Aguero, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez are the only English Premier League-based players in the list.
Interestingly, young Brazilian star Neymar is part of it. Copa America hero Diego Forlan and Anzhi Makhachkala’s Samuel Eto’o have been included as well.
Granada vs Barcelona Report
Pedro, Lionel Messi and Cuenca led the attack in a 4-3-3 formation for Pep Guardiola’s team. Cesc Fabregas returned to the starting XI while Maxwell, Abidal and Mascherano were part of the defensive line that excluded the injured Puyol.The game was sure to produce several yellow cards as Granada striker Uche entered into the referee’s book as early as inside the third minute. The Nigerian was guilty of making a late tackle on Argentina’s Javier Mascherano.
Immediately, Barcelona imposed their possession game. They took a bit of time to test Granada’s goalkeeper Roberto. After a quarter of an hour gone down the clock, the visitors made their intentions to win clearer.
Invincible Barcelona annoyed after drawing twice in a row
Barcelona lost a precious 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against minnows and rivals Real Sociedad last weekend. That draw allowed Real Madrid to open an early 2-point gap against them at the top of La Liga standings. In the UEFA Champions League recently, the Catalans failed to make the most of their dominance against AC Milan in the second period of the match as a late Thiago Silva header forced them to settle for a single point at the Camp Nou.
Xavi called the result “unfair” and a product of “pure bad luck.” Team mate Carles Puyol echoed Xavi’s comments by stating at a press conference on Wednesday:
Why Rooney is on track to beating Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi as the world’s best
When football fans discuss about their opinion concerning the world’s best player, it is most likely for the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez to come out from their mouth. Since the past 3 or 4 years, awards have been mainly contested by Messi and Ronaldo.
The pair—composed of Argentine talent and Portuguese trickery—has taken world football’s stage by storm. Midfielder Xavi has also strengthened into a maestro.
Where Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have ranked in recent FIFA Awards:
2007 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd, Lionel Messi 3rd
2008 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 1st, Lionel Messi 2nd
Barcelona vs FC Porto: Team news, players to watch & lost stars ahead of the UEFA Super Cup 2011
Barcelona last participated in the annual contest in 2009, when they narrowly edged past then-Europa League winners Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in extra time thanks to a Pedro goal. For FC Porto, one will have to go back in 2003 to recall their last appearance, which saw them lose by a goal to nil to then-Champions League title holders AC Milan.
Barca obtained their Super Cup tickets after defeating Manchester United 3-1 at the Wembley Stadium on28 May 2011, while the Dragons turned into their opponents subsequent to their 1-0 triumph in last season’s all-Portuguese Europa League final against Sporting Braga on May 18.
Certainly, the teams have enough weapons to hurt each othe. But somehow, it is Porto who appear to have the less advantage.