FC Barcelona

2007-09-17T18:40:00.000+01:00

Bojan: “A dream come true”

Bojan Krkic made his official debut when he came on for Barca in Pamplona last night and told reporters today: “It was a privilege just to play for 10 minutes – it’s a dream come true”.

Bojan, at just 17 years and 20 days wrote his name in the club’s history when he came on for his friend Giovanni Dos Santos and insisted: “I’m very happy indeed. It was a special day for me”.

Debut sensations

“Once you are out there on the pitch, you don’t worry about the score or making your debut, you just get on and do what you are supposed to do as well as you can.” He certainly did that and even though he was only on for 10 minutes, he had a couple of chances: “as a centre forward, you know that the longer you play, the more chances you’ll get, but I had a couple of occasions in the ten minutes, it was just a pity I couldn’t do more with them”.

Next aim

Bojan will surely never forget his debut, but he’s clearly got his eye on further aims: “my first dream was to play for Barca, now it’s to play at the Nou Camp – that’d be great”. Bojan’s meteoric rise –from youth team to first team in just one season – means he’s now playing with some of the best players in the game and he knows he can learn from them: “I’ve always had players who I tried to follow, but this is different, I’m in there with some of the World’s biggest stars and I’m determined to learn all I can from them”.

Pressure off

The club have insisted time and again on the need to protect their young star and allow him to play in a pressure free atmosphere and Bojan himself is clearly in agreement with the approach:. “both myself and Giovani have come up to the first team this season and we have to show the boss that he can count on us, but without putting too much responsibility on us – I think it’s good that they are keeping the pressure off us. I’m here with the first team squad now and the possibility of going back to the second team is completely discounted. I’m training with the first team and I want to show just why I’m here”.

2007-09-17T10:13:00.000+01:00

Rijkaard: "We are ready"

Frank Rijkaard is confident that his FC Barcelona squad are ready for the exciting encounter against Osasuna in the Reyno de Navarra on Sunday evening as he explained: "We are prepared, we know what the atmosphere will be like".

Following the break from league action last weekend due to the international commitments, Barça return to action this weekend at a ground that does not hold many fond memories in recent seasons. Rijkaard is keen for his team to put on an entertaining performance, but the three points are even more important. "There is no pressure, just motivation," he said. "A player needs the tension and be able to always cope with the expectations because that is something that can be used positively."

Osasuna rested

During the break for international games Rijkaard has had to work with a skeletal squad, as only five first team regulars stayed behind and were able to train with the Dutchman. Because of that, the Barça boss has only had a couple of days in which to truly prepare for this encounter. Osasuna coach, José Ángel Ziganda, has seen his side only play one game this season as their encounter with Sevilla was postponed after the death of Antonio Puerta. He has therefore had ten days in which to ensure Osasuna are prepared. "We have experienced this situation many times before," Rijkaard said. "It is an advantage for any team to be prepared. We have had less time, but our duty is to everything that we can to obtain a good result. We know that they will pressure us and will look to use the counter-attack to hurt us. We have to be ready for anything."

Giovani and Bojan are ready

Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos have both been included in the squad for the trip to Pamplona. While Dos Santos played in the last league game against Athletic Bilabo, Krkic will be experiencing an official game at the highest level for the first time. With Leo Messi reporting back from international duty with an injury, Rijkaard called upon both youngsters for the game. "They are ready," he stated, before responding to being asked whether either would start in the match. "You know my philosophy, but if we need them then I will have no problem."

2007-09-13T13:12:00.000+01:00

Márquez: "club directors gave me more confidence"

Rafa Márquez has said the support shown to him by the Barcelona board has given him motivation."I’ve worked hard to be at a good level, and bit by bit I am getting there. Talking to the club directors gave me more confidence," said Márquez."They gave me this, and when they told me I would still feature in the plans of the team, that I wouldn’t move on, that motivated me.

"After enjoying an excellent 2005/06 season in which he was a key part of the Barça team which won a Primera División and UEFA Champions League double and after having an excellent World Cup campaign with Mexico in Germany, he struggled in the following season and struggled to find any form.Following the aquisition of Gabriel Milito in the summer, speculation was rife that Barça were ready to dispose of the Mexico captain.

2007-09-11T14:13:00.000+01:00

Final preparations in the Mini

Barça had their last training session before the final of the Copa Catalunya. It was held behind closed doors at the Miniestadi, and included a number of reserve team players.

The team had enjoyed a two-day break, and returned to work wirth several players still off on international duty. Frank Rijkaard’s main focus was getting his side ready for Tuesday’s Copa Catalunya final against Nàstic of Tarragona and was assisted in his work by Barcelona B manager Pep Guardiola, as only five of the players under his command are regular first team players.

Group of 25

The players involved in the session were Valdés, Jorquera, Sylvinho, Oleguer, Ezquerro, Marc Crosas, Sergio Busquets, Oier, Gai Assulin, Dimas, Tiago Alcántara, Jeffren, Víctor Vázquez, Pedro, Espasandín, Fali, Víctor Sánchez, Abraham, Córcoles, Toribio, Eneko, Rueda, Botía, Guerra and Xavi Torres.

2007-09-11T13:56:00.000+01:00

Rijkaard: "It all looks very positive"

Frank Rijkaard is looking ahead to the new season with a renewed sense of excitement and expectancy and the hope that last year's mistakes are not repeated. He is also pleased with the rise of the club's youngsters and the professionalism of his team

The Dutch coach has revealed that he has been pleased with the way things have started this year for the Blaugrana. In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, the Barça trainer talked about his feelings at the beginning of the term: "There are new elements, new ways of doing things that are working very well," he explained. "During pre-season I have seen a good attitude from everyone and the arrival of young players like Giovani (Dos Santos) Bojan (Krkic) and Marc Crosas have to be taken into account. With everything added together, it all looks very positive."

The same winning philosophy

A club like FC Barcelona has to maintain its status at the highest level, according to Rijkaard: "My task continues to be one of working as hard as I can," he continued. We have the squad to be successful and for the club and our supporters it is important that we are always at the top. One season you can win three or four trophies and the next year only one but you always have to be up there competing and giving your best. You have to maintain the philosophy that the board and the technical director want and to always be there competing for honours."

Giovani and Bojan

The rise to prominence of Dos Santos and Krkic is something else that has pleased Rijkaard. Looking at the Mexican starlet, the coach said: "He has improved a lot physically. We knew about what he was capable of last season, but now I think he is much stronger. He is a great talent and has improved even more." On Krkic, the Dutchman admitted that the maturity of the 17-year-old was unusual. "I have seen Bojan during pre-season and we have seen very early on what a talent he has. He has not had much of a break and that is maybe why in some games has tired, but for the way he reads the game and his decision making ability shows what a mature player he is for his age."

Down to experience

Looking back is not one Rijkaard's favourite pass-times as he prefers to talk about the present and the future and he was not prepared to reflect on last year for too long. "When happened last season now forms part of our experience and we have to look forward," he said. "I believe that failed on too many occasions, although I do not believe that we gave the league away as we never had it to begin to give away. The most difficult moment was against Getafe in the Copa del Rey. That affected us a lot."

2007-09-11T13:54:00.000+01:00

Gudjohnsen given clearance

Eidur Gudjohnsen has been declared fit by the FC Barcelona Medical Services and will therefore be able to play for Iceland on Wednesday.

The injury to the player’s left knee has progressed nicely in recent days and following a series of tests, Barça and the Icelandic federation have been involved in discussions and have come to the conclusion that he is fine to play for his national side this week. The game pits the Icelandic team against Northern Ireland in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. Gudjohnsen will be back under Frank Rijkaard’s orders on Thursday as the side prepares for Sunday’s away fixture at Osasuna. The player has been out of action since July.

2007-09-11T13:45:00.000+01:00

A final full of experiments

FC Barcelona take on Nàstic in Palamós tonight in the final of the 19th Catalonia Cup. Manager Frank Rijkaard has just 5 players from the senior squad available for the match.

With the bulk of the senior squad away on international duty, Barça will have to play the final of the Catalonia Cup with an experimental team – as they did in the semi-final last week. Frank Rijkaard has just five first team players available - Valdés, Jorquera, Sylvinho, Oleguer and Ezquerro- for tonight’s final in the New Municipal stadium in Palamós (21.45h, Barça TV and TV3).

Majority from Barça B
The rest of the squad is composed of thirteen players from Barça B and two from the youth team. Rijkaard looks set to continue with the policy adopted in the semi-final against Girona and hand their senior debuts to four players from the reserve squad (Fali, Abraham, Víctor Sánchez and Pedrito). This will be the first time any of them has been included in the first team squad.

2007-09-11T12:17:00.000+01:00

Rijkaard sees no favourite

Frank Rijkaard is thoroughly looking forward to the Copa Catalunya final against Gimnastic Tarragona. He says it will be “a good experience for the reserve players”.

After the semi final win against Girona, this is Barça’s first final of the season, in which they will face the side currently lying fifth in the second division. Most of the Barça side will be reserves, and Rijkaard says “you can’t speak of favourites. The truth is there are lots of reserve team players and this will be a great experience for them. It won’t be easy for them but they are all looking forward to it”. Positive vibes. Frank Rijkaard will not have much of a chance to get his team ready for Sunday’s game with Osasuna, as his international players will not be back until Thursday. He knows that there is still room for improvement following the 3-1 win over Bilbao last week. “Our criteria are always based on the last game we play. We started well and got worse from there on, but the team reacted well and it is important to keep working along those lines”.

Laporta’s comments

After the first official game of the season at the Camp Nou, Joan Laporta told Barça TV that “we have to keep working because the team needs to grow. We are getting into the right tone, but it is not the one we want quite yet”. Frank Rijkaard appreciates these views, and said “the president wants to show how enthusiastic we are and wants the team to work and win big things. I think that’s good, because the only thing we want is for Barça to win”. Asked how he and the president are getting on, the FC Barcelona manager made it clear that “on a personal and professional level we have a good relationship. From the start until now. I have a lot of respect for him and think he is doing a great job”.

Naming names

Ronaldinho was singled out for comment by the Barça manager, who said “I think he has a great attitude, he is committed and is gradually finding his form”. He is also glad to have Gudjohnsen back to full fitness, commenting that “he has recovered from his injury and he worked hard to do that. He is one more member of the squad right now”. He finally added how impressed he is with Bojan and Giovani, and was asked what he made of the rumours that other clubs are after their services. “The club is working to ensure they stay at Barça” he said. Bojan Krkic has attracted plenty of attention following his outstanding performances at the Under 17 World Cup, and Rijkaard says “he is a member of our squad. That his role, and that is role and everybody’s role”.

2007-09-10T10:54:00.000+01:00

Barça get tough Champions group

Barcelona have been handed arguably the toughest group in this seasons Champions League.

Group E will see Barça, French champions Olymique Lyon, German champions VfB Stuttgart and Scottish side Rangers FC all vying for a place in a place in the first knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

The top two sides in the group progress to the knockout stage whilst the team who finish in 3rd drop out of the competition and into the UEFA Cup. The team who come last in the group are knocked out and will see their European season come to an early end.

Barça will be bidding to win their 2nd ever Champions League title (and their 3rd European Champion Clubs' Cup) and have been installed by the bookies as the favourites to win the competition come May next year in Moscow.

But before Barça can think of that final in Moscow, they will have to get through the group they have been given today.