Goodbye Pep Guardiola: In Pictures

Pep Guardiola: 'Being Barcelona coach for four years is an eternity'

At last Friday's press conference Pep Guardiola, coach of FC Barcelona for the past 4 years, announced that he is calling it quits at the end of the season. Guardiola helped Barcelona to victory with 13 trophies and a 14^th on the way if they win the Copa del Rey later this month vs. Athletic Bilbao.

It was an emotional presser with all four captains present, and a few other players showing up. They were stunned. Even exactly one week before his press conference, Xavi was quoted saying, "It is imperative that Pep continues here. He's a key figure, and perhaps even the most important person at the club."

People were also surprised to hear that Tito Vilanova was being promoted at the same time. To me, I asked, why is that surprising? He knows the players, the system and the tactics better than anyone else. Pep and Tito grew up together in La Masia and are a close pair. Tito was Barcelona B's assistant coach from 2007-2008 and moved up to Barcelona's first team assistant coach with Pep in 2008. Last October he did have a successful surgery to remove a tumor, but he is fully recovered and has had no problems since. He deserves this promotion and we have to trust he will do great. Tito's first day will be July 1, the day of the Euro 2012 final.

Next year will be different emotionally but not so much technically. I can't imagine Tito changing too much of what Pep has put in place. For Pique, Cesc and Messi it will be a reunion as Tito coached them at the youth level.

"Tito is more than capable. The players know him. He will make few changes. He will give the club and these players something that I thought I could no longer," Guardiola claimed.

As for his first signing... Barcelona need another defender (if anything) such as Jordi Alba, to replace Abidal if necessary. The other option is Bale, which I feel isn't the best fit for the team. Fontas will be back at the start of the season, Villa will be in full form by then and Afellay has already started the process of getting back into the groove of things. I do not think there is any need to replace Puyol, as some say, because to me he is not slowing down. Puyol gives 100% every game and will go into next season strong as always.

Pep does not know what is next for him or if he will coach again, but he has given Tito the comfort that he is here for him. No one can blame him for being tired after coaching the best team in the world for four long years. It is stressful, full of pressure but also fun. Pep now needs to give back to himself. No questions he would be welcomed back to Barcelona with open arms.

The 10 Point Gap

Since Barcelona's loss to Osasuna last week, many believe their chance of catching up to Madrid is over. Even Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque thinks the opportunity for Barcelona to reclaim the title is lost. Victor Valdes believes otherwise. With 16 games left to play, there are many points at stake and players should be optimistic and not lose hope of gaining on Madrid.

"I still believe we can win the league. We are professionals and we must accept victories and defeats in equal measure," Valdes said.

Real Madrid have only lost to Levante and Barcelona this season and Cristiano looks like he's on the way to win the Pichichi trophy as well. While he accepts it, I would like him to thank the refs for giving him so many penalties.

The absence of David Villa has greatly affected the whole team. Villa will hopefully start training with the team by mid-March. Other injuries with Iniesta, Pedro, Afellay, Fontas and Xavi have also influenced team performances. Afellay is expected back in a month and Fontas at the start of next season. Xavi has talked down his leg injury, but has only played one match out of the past five.

Away from the league, Barcelona have stayed alive in the Champions League, winning 3-1 against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The champions of last year's tournament have also won all of their away matches (Barca host BL on March 7).

This weekend Barcelona face third place team Valencia at home. Real Madrid play the day before, Saturday, against 18th place team Racing Santander. We can hope that Mourinho will rest some starters before their Champions League match at CSKA Moscow next week.

Secret Santa Footballer Gifts Revealed

Cristiano Ronaldo received a wax figure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Sir Alex Ferguson received a pack of Zebra Fruit Stripe Gum; secret santa was Howard Webb.

Pique received a Shakira poster from Puyol. 

Landon Donovan received a Shakira poster from Tim Howard.

Samir Nasri received monopoly money from Samuel Eto'o. 

Pep received the Nobel Peace Prize from Barack Obama.

Arsene Wenger received a Cesc Fabregas Bobble head from Sandro Rosell. 

David Villa received a fire extinguisher from Del Bosque. 

Neymar received 9 different color headbands from Sergio Ramos.

Cesc Fabregas received Enrique Iglesias' latest album from Dani Alves.

Pepe got a cookbook from Marcelo.

Fernando Torres received 'Soccer for Dummies' from Roy Hodgson. 

Di Maria received diving gear including a snorkeler and a wet suit from Sevilla. 

Chicharito received a bag of frozen peas from his doctor.

David Beckham received a book of French sayings, including “Pass me the Ball” from PSG. 

Mourinho received a high-five from Tito Vilanova. 

Pele got his own DVD of tips and tricks along with 8 minutes of bragging rights from his wife.

Ramos received an unbreakable bouncy ball; secret santa is unknown. 

Sepp Blatter received an already-written-ready-to-go resignation form from everyone.

 

Luis Suarez received a sweatshirt in support of Luis Suarez to go over his shirt in support of Luis Suarez from Andy Carroll. 

Wayne Rooney received David Beckham's new fragrance from David Beckham. 

L'Hospitalet received Justin Bieber on a 3 month loan.

Sergio Aguero received Carlos Tevez's locker space from Roberto Mancini. 

Petr Cech received a hockey helmet from Andre Villas-Boas. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic received a Hello Kitty watch with Pep's face in the center from Pep Guardiola

Merry Christmas Football Fans!

Villa's 50th Goal vs. Scotland Buildup

David Villa scored his 50th goal for the Spanish National Team during a Euro 2012 qualifier vs. Scotland. Here are some screen shots of the buildup. It was some of the best teamwork I've seen. David Silva is also just on fire lately for national and club side.

"Messi made ​​me a better player" | David Villa El País Interview - Madrid 10/10/11

Thanks to El País for the interview. Here is the loosely translated English version. The original can be found here: El Pais

David Villa (Tuilla, Asturias, 1981) came to Barcelona a year ago and reinvented himself as a striker. It stopped being pointed reference to accommodate play at left wing, in the shadow of Messi. Top scorer of the Spanish team (49 goals), tomorrow, against Scotland, will be 80 games with the Red.

Question. What was the neighborhood, where he grew up?

Answer. Block is an area of ​​my people. They grew up playing football in the street. Anywhere we made a goal with two stones. Now I see my daughters and surely have many more things that could be me, but it is difficult to breed in the street like me.

Q. What's that smell your childhood?
A. A happiness.

Q. What do they look like those football games where you live?
A. In essence, I just wanted to be a footballer, but I got things I could not even dream of. Before it was just a game. Now a requirement. That's how important it is to participate there. You always have to go to win.

Q. They say they love so much football that you don't disconnect.
A. When I'm with the girls, yes. It is true that I spend more time than you should think in football, far more training, games and travel. But I like it. At least I have girls. If you have children, even disconnect less certain, though my oldest daughter likes to watch the games, go to the field.

Q. I guess it helps that his wife play football, right?
A. I know she did for so many years! It takes a lifetime to me. I understand. I Know which is my profession and enjoy it. She played until age 15.

Q. Is she very critical?
A. No. I'm not getting into that, but I know when I'm having a bad time and there it is.

Q. How is the new floor [house]?
A. [Laughs]. The works of the palace are slow ... That's why we have said Xavi asked me, right? There we are. Well, that takes more than my wife, who is the one that understands. What she says is fine. She knows more than me, besides, I want you to like it. I hope that we finish soon.

Q. To have purchased home, is a sign of good integration?
A. We are very happy in Barcelona. The truth is that we were lucky. Valencia was great and change is always a risk, but we are very happy.

Q. How's the Catalans?
A. Good. I already knew their culture, club ... I knew what we would find and I was not surprised at all. Well, one thing, that we dipped in salsa ... calçots [onions]! They said: "We go to a spring onion." And I thought: "Where?". That did surprise me. But otherwise well. Coming from Valencia, including the language I was used to.

Q. Do you think that marginalizes the Castilian Catalonia?
A. Not at all. More or less, as in Valencia. People have their culture, speak their language and that comes out has to be coupled. I have not had any problems. Talking is more difficult, but I was in Valencia a long time: I've learned to understand all.

Q. A change of club involves changing habits even on the field ... In your case look very stressed.
A. Yes, I have other duties. Offensively, it's the same: get open on the back, be alert in the area, trying to open the field, away from the central ... All my life I had to flee that fight with the central because my size and I can not get physical in specific fight. So I've taken advantage of the free space. But defensively, it's different. I am proud to have engaged and to enjoy football from a position that until recently was not mine.

Q. Are you a better footballer?
A. I am more complete, I think. Maybe I play less, but enjoy. I would not say better ... I would say more complete.

Q. Tops less, but combines more.
A. Yes I get and I have occasionally, but more combinations. Valencia was referenced above, alone, and my moves were finding gaps and action for goal. Now I come to the middle, I'm open. It is different and more complete. The most difficult thing was surely catch the defensive work.

Q. Before were you working less in the field?
A. No. I came here because I worked hard, I have it clear. I was never a striker to stay stop. If so, I would not have achieved anything. It is a matter of concept: knowing when to push, when to defend ... These patterns, these movements that, when you doing better and in time, you realize that you run less. I told that Pedro was very helpful. When in doubt, looking at him. When I was a bit lost in the field, looking to see what to Pedrito on the other side and I reconducía.

Q. It has been said that Abidal gives you more than one voice.
A. Yes, because Abi has more perspective and takes longer to similar items. I positioned. The goalkeeper sees it best. The forwards do not have that perspective that the defense have. You lack vision. Abi helped me a lot. But I'm happy with how everything went.

Q. How has Pep Guardiola helped you?
A. If not for him, I don't think I would have adapted. In his talks in training has helped me to place myself. He and his staff supported me a lot. This team works hard. It is therefore only the talent of the players. The coach is the one in the end, fits the talent. The day to day work at the club is different from everything I knew, the way to train and prepare the games.

Q. Xavi ensures that success comes from humility.
A. I do not think that is my fault. I come from a poor family and that's what I learned in the day. My wife also is so and so we try to educate our daughters. I do not think that he has more merit because I am. It's that simple. They taught me that with hard work can always be better at what you do not know of another way.

Q. What do you want to improve on in your second year?
A. Everything I do on the field I think I can do better than last year. I always had the mindset to improve, and more on football, because every day things are more difficult, people prepare a lot and if you do not renew, if you're not a little further, you're on the road. And in Barcelona, ​​where the demand is huge and every opponent plays like it's the biggest game of the year.

Q. Your scoring average has improved.

A. The goal is a component of uncontrollable fate. One day you send it to corner as in Prague and another into the top corner you put it like Wembley.

Q. Is that your best goal at Barcelona?
A. All concurred. I got into the story of a big club like Barca: in 50 years will be there, when someone remembers Wembley, I will go myself. From the result, so pretty goal, it was the last to Van der Sar ... That's what I thought then, I did not fall, but it is the last to score a goalkeeper of his importance in the history of football makes me dream. It was a fantastic final between the top two in Europe that year. I am proud of the goal and how I played. But, above all, the way I played. We made small to a big team like Manchester United and that seems impossible. Falls short of a few.

Q. Is the gesture that defines this template is that of Puyol giving the bracelet to Abi at Wembley?
A. Surely. And many who were not, but that is one, no doubt. Abi was absolutely unexpected. It was as meaningless. At first, when he told me Manel [Estiarte], I could not even believe. But thanks to God and especially to him, the costume went ahead. He brought us closer together. What Puyi is only available to a person with a big heart. I noticed above. Everyone has dreamed of lifting the Cup at Wembley and he gave it to Abi.

Q. Do you mind staining that success?
A. We're above that. We know why we got what we did well to get ... The rest I do not care.

Q. It seems incredible that in a year like this, you were world champions in South Africa and Europe in Wembley with the club, the Spanish football out spotting.
A. More outside. The players have been easy knowing what's there. Obviously, we have seen things that are not pretty, but is normal in games so much tension, which will play both. Well, I do not know if the word is pretty ... There were things that I did not like me or anyone, but [bueno...]

Q. This year look set to keep fighting the Barcelona and Madrid, that the League is bipolar.
A. The League will gain it every Sunday. We've just played two games against Madrid. But it is clear that Madrid is a very strong team, which has long been greatly strengthened with spectacular players. The challenge of winning at Madrid is getting bigger because it is getting better. But we can do it.

Q. Who do you think plays better, the club or the Spanish?A. We play different. It's similar, but different. But clearly, today, I think the club and make the choice more attractive football.

Q. Is Xavi the cornerstone of the two teams?A. Xavi would be the cornerstone of any team in the world. In any generation. Not in this: in past or future. It is unique. Much of the boat and the choice is yours to play as well as printing.

Q. The difference would be Messi.
A. Surely.

Q. I have a friend who holds that Messi should play some time with each team.
A. Maybe. It is outstanding. The coach said: You can't talk of Leo, you have to see it. I have not ever seen something like this: every day you think you can not beat it, you've already seen everything, and the next morning doing another. He's a humble guy who has not been successfully raised the head, with a very humble family, which is always with him, watching them on their way to be who know where they come, with very strong roots ...No matter how you play, there is an exceptional companion Messi earns our affection not only for what he gives us in the field, but also and more importantly, how you share in the locker room, the way it is.

Q. How is Messi?
A. It is a very demanding player who is on your side because you always have to watch. Sometimes it seems impossible for you to see and he has seen you. Be prepared for the impossible when you play with Leo because, well, not what he does, is what makes doing to others. Put a lot of goals, but it generates many more things to the team: low, open spaces, has a sensational final pass, generous ... It's wonderful playing alongside him. Sincerely, Leo playing beside me has improved me. Look, I know that tomorrow, when they leave pictures of Leo and I appear close, I can say: "I played with Leo Messi." It is a privilege.

Q. Excuse me, but where did the singing come from?
A. I do not know ... I've always loved music and singing, I guess like everyone. But, as I recorded with Ana Torroja subject to a beneficial action, which of course I'm very proud ... I hesitated a lot about that if it was my voice or not ... So in the end I had to sing at the Camp Nou in a moment of unconscious happiness.

Q. In front of 100,000 people. That has only been done by Lluís Llach, Zubi and Valdes
A. Do not know the shame I went through. In my village we say: "Zapatero, your shoes." So ... I work best at scoring goals.

Interview credit: LUIS MARTÍN

Cristiano's Feelings Are Hurt

Wait... I can almost see my reflection in the ball. (Photo: AFP)

The most famous, rich, handsome, greatest football player ever feelings have been recently hurt by every non-Real Madrid fan in the entire world. Cristiano Ronaldo has been constantly booed and has had enough; he finally broke down [in tears]. After standing hours in front of his full-body mirror at home, he has been trying to think of the greatest excuse of why people boo him. "It can't be the way I sometimes act like a baby and throw a tantrum when Iniesta, Xavi and Messi pass in a triangle around me..no...and it can't be that I like to stand on the field with my arms on my hips when I don't get my way..." he takes his shirt off and strokes his abs for some inspiration. "Obviously people are jealous of my rock hard body. Messi is jealous of my abs, Villa is jealous of my hair, Cesc is jealous of my earnings and Di Maria is jealous of my famous-ness." Ronaldo went to bed last night in his Barcelona shirt (which he secretly owns, #1, says Victor V on the back), which he thinks makes him a better player while he sleeps. Cristiano, I think people booing you is normal. People boo you because they don't like Real Madrid. And you are their best player so you are the one primarily targeted to boo; pretty common sense...Anyway Cristiano, I don't see Messi saying things like this, even when he is booed for winning everything in the world.

Interview with a Barça Fan: @FCstartingXI

If he didn’t live thousands of miles away from Camp Nou, he would be a season ticket holder, stand outside the training ground everyday to get a glimpse of a player or two and wear his Barcelona jersey to church. Here's our first interview with one big Barcelona fan from Minnesota.

Why do you like Barcelona?

Coming from an American family with no futbol influence growing up it was easy to fall in love with Barcelona. The players play for eachother with a brotherhood that is unmatched by any other team/club I've seen. Barça's play is very fluid, very sexy, possession based, pass & move, and their tiki-taka style of play is what make them so very appealing to the eye. However, there is an underlayer to that as well that defines them more. They work extremely hard in training and also hustle to regain possession in defense. It reminds of velociraptors in a way, how they all work together in unity to hunt, and in Barça's case, retrieve the ball back into their possession.

What makes a good player besides skill?

Hard work, discipline, vision, patience, awareness, and an undeniable will to win

What formation do you favor with Cesc now on the squad?

Same as always, 4-3-3 with more of a rotation of our midfielders to keep them fresh and in fitness all year. Although I am intrigued by the Villarreal performance when they used a 3-1-3-3 attacking formation.

One word to describe Victor V: 

Irreplaceable

If you could ask Pep one question, what would it be?

What is the goal you would like to see achieved with these specific group of players?

What do you think of Villa’s hair?

He copied my hairstyle, I want royalties.

Favorite player?

David Villa is my personal favorite, Andres Iniesta is my emotional favorite, and Leo Messi is undoubtably the best.

What are you favorite teams outside of FCB?

I have none, I am singularly loyal to Barcelona.

Favorite Barcelona memory:

Although beating Madrid 5-0 at Camp Nou and winning at the Bernabeu 2-6 might rank higher for others, the way we played at Wembley in the Champions League Final and the 3-1 scoreline of complete domination against Manchester United was my moment of pure blissful happiness.

If you’re a Barca fan and want to have your interview posted, contact us at barcalista7@gmail.com :) 

Spain Previews

So far Spain have won five Euro Cup qualifiers in five matches -- they are leading Group I with 15 points and Tuesday they will play their next group stage match v Liechtenstein. Last time they met, Spain crushed them 4-0. For the tournament so far, David Villa is the top goal scorer [for Spain] with 4 goals, Llorente is next with 3 and Torres then with 2. Spain are perfect as to this point (Klass-Jan Huntelaar of Netherlands and Miroslav Klose of Germany have the most goals in tournament; 8). Before their next qualifier on Tuesday, they will be playing a friendly tomorrow v Chile. Alexis Sanchez will go from teammate to opponent as he will face some of his Barcelona buddies on the field. They will be using this match at St. Gallen as preparation for the qualifier game. 14 out of 24 players will be coming from Barcelona or Madrid but we know the Spain squad will step up above rivalries at the national level and will play well with each other like they always do. [view full squad list here]

This nice stat was also on Twitter today via @OptaJose 41 - David Villa has played for Spain in more matches than any other player under Vicentre del Bosque. Favourite.

Note: for both international matches being played there will be no Pique, Puyol, or Andoni due to injuries. To fill in Bosque called Alvaro Dominguez (A. Madrid), Botia (Sporting Gijon) and Barca B boy Montoya.

Del Bosque: "There are some new names in the list but that doesn't mean we're eliminating others like (Carlos) Marchena and (Joan) Capdevila from future squads. We're using this opportunity to bring in young players so we get to know them better. We're well covered."