Barcelona's Lionel Messi, the
world's greatest soccer player, is a bit poorer after he and his
father, Jorge, paid $6.6 million to Spanish authorities who had charged
the pair with filing false tax returns.
The Messis, who were
facing the possibility of jail time, deposited the "corrective payment"
last month, said a court in Gava, near Barcelona, according to Reuters.
The Messis, who are Argentine, are still due to appear at a hearing
on Sept. 17, although their lawyer had asked for it to be postponed as
he had another commitment that day, the court statement added. Both men,
who denied wrongdoing, allegedly hid more than $5.25 million by filing
incomplete returns for the years 2006 to 2009.
The sale of Messi's image
rights had been hidden using a complex web of shell companies in
Uruguay, Belize, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, according to the
prosecutor's office for tax crimes in Catalonia said.
"I never take care of that stuff myself and neither does my father,"
Messi, a four-time world player of the year, said in July. "We have our
lawyers and our wealth managers to take care of that and we trust them
and they will sort this out. The truth is that I don't have a clue about
all this and that is why we have people taking care of it."
Messi has been resident in Barcelona since 2000 and gained Spanish citizenship in 2005.
The
midfielder will find a team playing his brand of football, two
international team-mates to keep him company and a manager who can
explain his ideas in German
As you would expect, Mesut Ozil's £42.5m move to Arsenal
has reverberated through his home country – all the way down to the
nether regions of Regionalliga West, the fourth division. Rot-Weiss
Essen, a traditional powerhouse who have fallen on hard times, were
jubilant when they heard the news on Monday; they are expecting a
handsome windfall of €800,000 (£675,000) as compensation for developing
him over a decade ago. Schalke, where the son of Turkish immigrants
played from 2005-08, are due a similar figure.The real benefit to
German football of this record transfer – the 24-year-old is now its
most expensive footballer – will go far beyond financial considerations,
however. Ozil's "escape from circus Real Madrid" (Süddeutsche Zeitung) has been widely seen as a smart decision, both for him and, by extension, the national team. Germany's
manager, Joachim Löw, certainly will not have to fret about his
sensitive playmaker being frozen out at the Bernabéu in a World Cup
season any more.Ozil will instead find a team playing his kind of football,
two German team-mates to keep him company and a manager who can explain
his ideas in German. Most importantly, Ozil will go from feeling like
the fifth wheel at Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid to being the star attraction
in north London, and Arsène Wenger's personal favourite. The Frenchman
tried to sign him first seven years ago, before he moved to Werder
Bremen."I'm a player who needs the confidence [of the manager]," Ozil explained to dfb.tv,
the official channel of the national team, on Tuesday. "At the weekend,
I was certain that I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I
realised that I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses. I
am really looking forward to [joining Arsenal]
because I have the faith of the coach. I had spoken to him at length on
the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me –
that is what I need as a player."Germany's sporting director,
Oliver Bierhoff, joked about a "hectic" start to the international week.
The former striker had facilitated the deal just as he had done two
years ago, when Per Mertesacker was signed on deadline day
by the Gunners. You could just sense the slightest sense of
exasperation in the 45-year-old's voice – why do they always leave it so
late? – but it was in his own interest to see it get done. Ensuring
Ozil got out of the Madrid pressure cooker had become a thing of
national importance. He had no longer been feeling "the trust inside the
club", Bierhoff explained: "Ancelotti had perhaps different ideas."
'I am really looking forward to joining Arsenal because I have the
faith of the coach,' says Mesut Ozil. Photograph: Gerard
Julien/AFP/Getty Images
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung's Spanish correspondent Paul Ingendaay
took a more negative line on Ozil's departure to the Emirates. The
outrageously gifted playmaker did not impose himself in any of Madrid's
big matches in the past three seasons, he recalled, and wryly noted that
his at times breathtakingly elegant performances were "the stuff of
dreams, but not of trophies".The move to Arsenal – "a club that's
always involved at the top but never tends to win anything" – amounted
to him failing in the Spanish capital and was not simply a consequence
of new arrivals Gareth Bale and Isco stealing his limelight. "The air at
Real had been thin for him before," Ingendaay insisted.There is
some truth to that. Serious seeds of doubt about his future at Madrid
were first sown in a meeting with club management in mid-May.Mustapha
Ozil, the player's father and agent, expected the president, Florentino
Pérez, to offer a contract extension beyond 2016 and improved wages
that reflected his popularity with the supporters, but the club coolly
professed contentment with the existing status quo. Feelers were put out
to a number of Premier League sides over the course of the summer.A
combination of Ozil's wage demands – he was already on €5m a year after
tax at Madrid, roughly the equivalent of £150,000 per week before tax
in the UK – as well as Madrid's preoccupation with incoming players did
not lead to any concrete negotiations before the beginning of the
weekend, however. Then Arsenal called.As late as last Wednesday,
when Ozil was professing his love for Real to German journalists at a
Madrid event organised by his sponsors Adidas, he firmly expected to
stay at the club. Madrid soon made their plans – or lack of them – for
him clear, though. "Real Madrid mobbed him towards Arsenal," was Bild's
take on the affair."I wasn't surprised, I had known about it for two or three days," confirmed his former Los Blancos
team-mate Sami Khedira, possibly the only German who has seemed upset
about Ozil's London move. "I regret the decision, it could weaken
[Madrid], from a sporting point of view," said the 26-year-old in
Munich.Bierhoff carefully suggested that Germany's No10 will
"have to adapt to new conditions" in England after leaving a league that
seemed more tailored to his lightness of touch. "In Spain, the style
suited him, naturally," Bierhoff admitted, "but he will mature [in
England]."A similar hope for Germany's most beautiful but also
frail flower was expressed in Süddeutsche. "Wenger is someone who
understands artists," mused the broadsheet, "[at Arsenal] somebody like
him could find ideal conditions to blossom."
Four
teams still have 100% records in La Liga following another pulsating
round of fixtures on week three in Spain's first division.
The action began on Friday as Almeria welcomed fellow newly-promoted side Elche. The hosts led until the 90th minute, but a late equaliser from Richmond Boakye secured a share of the spoils.
Levante also waited until the final minute to pick up all three points on the same evening, as Andreas Ivanschitz's strike handed them a 2-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano.
Celta Vigo shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Granada in the early match on Saturday, before Real Valladolid picked up all three points with a 1-0 win over Getafe. Villarreal ended the evening in style as they made it three wins from three games with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Osasuna.
There were no fewer than five games on Sunday, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all hopeful of joining newly-promoted side Villarreal on nine points before the international break.
Isco inspired Real to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, before Atletico continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad. Sandwiched between those two games was a forgettable 0-0 draw between Espanyol and Real Betis.
Sevilla and Malaga
are still looking for their respective first wins of the season as the
two sides played out a four-goal thriller at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan,
but the game of the weekend was at the Mestalla where Barcelona claimed
all three points with a 3-2 win against Valencia.
Here, INTERMEDIA selects its 11 star performers in the last weekend of Spanish action before the international break.
Miguel Angel Moya (Getafe) There were a few contenders for the goalkeeping spot this week, including Thibaut Courtois and Victor Valdes,
but Moya just shades it following a fine performance in his side's 1-0
defeat to Valladolid on Saturday. His team might have lost, but it would
have been by a much more comprehensive margin had the 29-year-old not
pulled off a number of stunning saves, especially in the latter stages.
Marc Valiente (Real Valladolid) It
has not been the best start to the season for Valladolid, but they
picked up a much-needed win with a 1-0 success over Getafe on Saturday.
It was the 26-year-old who secured all three points with a header in the
second period, but it was his towering performance in the back four
that impressed the most. Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) His
side might have conceded twice in Sunday's 3-2 win over Valencia, but
it would have been worse if the Argentine had not been on form in the
latter stages. Not only did the Argentine put his body on the line, he
was also calm and composed in possession, which helped the Catalan
outfit close out the match in the final couple of moments. Hector Moreno (Espanyol) Espanyol's
0-0 draw with Real Betis on Sunday will go down as one of the worst
league matches in recent seasons, but Moreno was the saving grace. The
Mexican defender was exceptional in the air under constant pressure from
the away side, while he also made a number of clever interceptions in
the second period.
Cani (Villarreal) Everything
good about Villarreal this season has come through the experienced
31-year-old. The newly-promoted side have won each of their three league
games thus far, a total that has left them third in the table. The
midfielder was again in fine form in his side's 3-0 win over Osasuna on
Saturday, dictating the tempo from the middle of the pitch. Isco (Real Madrid) The
21-year-old might be in the very early stages of his Madrid career, but
he was already made quite an impression. He scored his third goal in as
many league games with a brace in the 3-1 win over Bilbao on Sunday.
You have to be quite a player to keep someone of the ilk of Mesut Ozil out of the team, there is no question about that. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) It
seems a long time ago when the Croatian was getting some stick for his
performances in the early part of his Madrid career. Well, that is not
the case anymore. Coach Carlo Ancelotti
did not want to lose him this summer and it is easy to see why. He
outshone two-goal Isco with a determined and clever performance in the
middle of their midfield against Bilbao. Koke (Atletico Madrid) It
is no surprise that the Spaniard has been a key member of an Atletico
team that is impressing a lot of people. When watching his performance,
it is incredible to think that he is just 21 years old. He was up to his
old midfield tricks in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad on Sunday and
added their second with a smart finish in the second half.
Helder Postiga (Valencia) The
Portuguese attacker scored the goal of the weekend with a stunning
volley in the first period against Barcelona, before adding his second
with a fine header moments later. Aside from his goals, his all-round
performance was also impressive. He already appears to be a very astute
signing for the Champions League hopefuls. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Different
week, same old Messi. A first-half hat-trick ensured that Barcelona
picked up all three points in a 3-2 win over Valencia. He missed a
couple of golden chances in the latter stages, but he had already
secured the match ball following a wonderful opening 45 minutes. He has
now scored 101 goals in his last 71 La Liga appearances. David Villa (Atletico Madrid) There
has been a lot of money spent in Europe this summer, but the signing of
Villa could be the best piece of business. Spain's all-time leading
scorer was in fine form in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad at the
weekend – scoring with a fine chip before assisting Koke for the second. It was a top-drawer performance from the former Barcelona forward.
It seems our defensive problems are over! With the transfer window
now closed Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta gave a press conference
this lunchtime alongside Vice-President Josep Maria Bartomeu to explain
Barça’s activity, or rather lack of it, in this summer’s market.
Zubizarreta stated that the club had tried everything to try and sign
Thiago Silva both last summer and this, but the Brazilian had preferred
PSG. Zubi then defended the decision not to incorporate another central
defender with the usual excuse of the difficulties of finding the right
player to fit the Barça system. He went on to talk about Carles Puyol,
saying “there were 24 hours to go before the transfer window closed and
yesterday Puyol went out to train. This is our signing.”
Now, nobody needs an introduction to Carles Puyol. As captain of our
best ever team he has won every cup possible at club and international
level. A blaugrana living legend. However, given his recent bad luck
with injuries it is difficult to expect the 35-year-old Puyol to play
too often or to offer the same level of performance as in previous
seasons. Zubizarreta tried to justify the decision by stating that last
season we achieved the best first half to a season ever with the same
group of defenders even though we suffered injuries. However, Zubi
failed to remember that last season we conceded 70 goals in 60 matches
in all competitions, a poor record when compared to the previous four
seasons under Pep Guardiola (2008/09: 55 goals conceded in 62 matches;
09/10: 41 goals in 59 matches; 10/11: 36 goals in 60 matches; 11/12: 48
goals in 64 matches).
The current situation only goes to magnify the foolishness of the
decision not to offer Eric Abidal a new contract. With every day that
passes Abidal proves his fitness, playing regularly for Monaco and being
called up again for France. You might expect that when the decision was
taken to let Abidal go, the club would have had somebody ready to sign
as his replacement. But no, the club was thinking only of Thiago Silva
who had already turned down the chance to join Barça in 2012. As
Zubizarreta said today when talking about the Brazilian defender “not
every player gets up in the morning thinking how wonderful it would be
to play for Barça”. If Silva chose PSG over Barça in 2012 I think you
can be pretty sure it is because they offered him more money. The club
should have realised that the only way to get the player was by matching
PSG’s wages. If this didn’t agree with Barça’s wage structure, then
fine, don’t sign the player, but at least have an alternative ready
before letting a player of Abidal’s qualities go.
Zubizarreta also spoke of the confidence the club has in Marc Bartrá.
Now, Bartrá is still a promising player and he may still prove to be
the answer to our defensive problems. However, last season when the
first moment came to give him a chance, Tito Vilanova preferred to play
Alex Song and then Adriano in central defence. Later in the season when
Bartrá was thrown in at the deep end against Bayern he didn’t look quite
ready for the job. The player needs playing time in some of our easier
matches to continue to develop. So far this season he is the only fit
outfield player who has still not played a minute, which also means
Piqué and Mascherano are the only players who haven’t had a minute’s
rest. At the moment it seems as though Bartrá could still face problems
if suddenly needed against tough opposition.
On paper, Barça have started the season well. The first trophy of the
season is in the bag and we are top of La Liga with the maximum nine
points. However, there is a feeling that having failed to sign anybody
apart from Neymar this summer, we may have to rely more than ever for
good fortune regarding injuries if we are to challenge for the top
trophies next May.
AC Milan have concluded talks with Real Madrid that will pave the way
for Brazilian playmaker Kaka's return to the San Siro, reports claimed
late on Sunday.
Milan CEO Adriano Galliani flew in a private jet to Madrid on Sunday
morning and Sky Sport Italia later claimed the Spanish giants have
agreed a two-year deal with the Rossoneri.
No firm details were given in the report, although speculation suggests
Real could release Kaka for free or allow him to go on a two-year loan.
Kaka last week made a public plea to be able to leave the Spanish giants
as he looks towards cementing a place in the Brazilian national side
ahead of next year's World Cup.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri on Friday praised the Brazilian's attributes and said he had "faith" a deal could be struck for Kaka.
"Kaka would strengthen us. He's versatile, and his technical attributes would be a big plus to the team," said Allegri.
"We still have two and a half days till the end of the transfer window and the club is working on it. I have faith."
The deal is now confirmed and Kaka is now set on with free transfer to Milan.
Real Madrid have broken the world transfer record to sign Tottenham forward Gareth Bale.
The Wales star has agreed a £300,000 per week, six-year deal after sealing an £85.3m (100m euros) move which
eclipses the £80m Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo
in 2009.
"It's very important for Gareth to throw his heart and soul into this move.
"He's got it all and ability-wise he is phenomenal. The
only question is whether he's got the mental strength to cope with such
a big transfer and the spotlight that will be immense in Spain.
"But it's a fabulous opportunity for him and the important thing is he really needs to grasp it with both hands."
"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," said 24-year-old Bale.
"We've had some special times together and I've loved every minute of it."
Bale will have a medical and then be presented to the
Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu at 12:00 BST on Monday before speaking
at a media conference.
He added: "I am not sure there is ever a good time to
leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of
my career to date.
"I know many players talk of their desire to join the
club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream
come true.
"Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure this season will be a successful one for them.
"I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid."
Bale
joined Spurs as a left-back for £10m from Southampton in 2007
and scored 26 goals last season as he was named both the
Professional Footballers' Association's and Football Writers' player of
the year.
Bale's season-by-season Premier League stats
2012-13:
Played 33, goals 21, assists four
2011-12:
Played 36, goals nine, assists 10
2010-11:
Played 30, goals seven, assists one
2009-10:
Played 23, goals three, assists five
2008-09:
Played 16, goals 0, assists 0
2007-08:
Played eight, goals two, assists 0
His representatives
told Spurs at the end of July
that he wanted to speak to the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's claim at the start
of August that they were "in talks to find a solution" to the transfer
angered Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, but the clubs have now
reached a settlement.
After his side's 1-0 loss to Arsenal,
Villas-Boas said: "Bale is a wonderful player. He is going to join Real Madrid so we wish him all the best.
"He left us with some great memories from last season."
Bale, who becomes Real Madrid's fifth signing of the
summer, paid tribute to both Southampton and Tottenham for developing
his career.
He said: "I am well aware I would not be at the level I
am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by
me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment
and support they have.
"I would like to thank everyone at the club; the
chairman, board, staff, coaches and players, and, most of all, the
fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career
opportunity."
Spurs have been busy in this transfer window, signing seven players for a total outlay approaching £105m.
Tottenham's summer signings
Argentina forward
Erik Lamela
(Roma, £25.7m, pictured)
Brazil midfielder
Paulinho
(Corinthians, £17m)
Spain striker
Roberto Soldado
(Valencia, £26m)
Belgium winger
Nacer Chadli
(FC Twente, £7m)
France defensive midfielder
Etienne Capoue
(Toulouse, £9m)
Romania centre-back
Vlad Chiriches
(Steaua Bucharest, £8.5m)
Denmark midfielder
Christian Eriksen
(Ajax, £11.5m)
Brazil midfielder Paulinho has
arrived from Corinthians for around £17m; forward Roberto Soldado has
signed from Valencia for £26m, and
Roma playmaker Erik Lamela
has joined for a reported £25.7m.
Their other summer arrivals are
Nacer Chadli
from FC Twente for £7m,
Etienne Capoue
for £9m from Toulouse, Romania centre-back
Vlad Chiriches
from Steaua Bucharest for £8.5m, and Ajax's 21-year-old Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen for £11.5m.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy admitted he did not expect to have to plan for the season without Bale.
"Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future," said Levy.
"He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four-year contract.
"Such has been the attention from Real Madrid, and so
great is Gareth's desire to join them, we have taken the view that the
player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current
season.
"We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to
this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally
strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top
internationals.
"More importantly, we have an immense team spirit and a dressing room that is hungry for success."
Bale's sale could now trigger a series of deals
involving other Premier League clubs before the transfer window closes
at 23:00 BST on Monday.
A
first-half Leo Messi hat-trick proved enough to earn Barça a nervous
victory over Valencia at Mestalla tonight. Messi’s goals gave Barça a
commanding 0-3 lead in a brilliant opening 41 minutes from Barça but two
late first-half strikes from Helder Postiga put Valencia back in the
game. After the explosive end to the first half neither side could find
the net in the second period. There were chances for both sides with the
closest attempt coming in the 86th minute when Victor Valdés got his
fingertips to Jonas Gonçalves’s shot before the ball bounced out off the
post.
With Xavi and Alexis rested, Tata Martino made the logical decision
to bring Pedro back on the right wing while restoring Iniesta to
midfield to form a trio with Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas. There
had been interest to see whether Iniesta or Fabregas would play the Xavi
role of organising the team and from the kick off it seemed clear that
Iniesta was in his normal position on the left of midfield with Fabregas
on the right. However, Iniesta played a more reserved game which
allowed Fabregas to excel in a varied role, dropping back sometimes but
more often surging forward to support Messi through the middle while
also impressing with an array of passes.
Both
teams played a high pressing game from the start but there was little
penetration until the 8th minute when Messi fired wide after Fabregas
slipped a pass into the area. After this, for a splendid twenty-minute
spell, Barça began to find space behind Valencia’s high defence with
remarkable regularity. Iniesta sent Neymar haring for goal but after
entering the penalty area the Brazilian tried to turn only to find the
Valencia defence closing him down. Thirty seconds later and Messi played
a superb pass through to Neymar who this time managed to shoot past
Diego Alves only to have the goal disallowed for offside. The replay
suggested that Guardado had played Neymar onside but in less than a
minute Barça had the ball in the net and this time it counted. Busquets
found Fabregas who threaded a ball through for Messi to chase, Diego
Alves came running out of his goal but Messi resisted the goalkeeper’s
challenge, sprinting on to beat Ricardo Costa to the ball and force it
over the line.
HIGHLIGHTS
A familiar pattern followed of Barça pinning an opponent back in its
own half. Neymar curled one wide after Messi’s neat pass and Iniesta
drove over from 25 yards. The nervousness in the Valencia defence was
demonstrated by Diego Alves sending a loose pass towards Iniesta who was
just impeded from shooting by an excellent intervention from Michel
Herrera. Then in the 27th minute Messi set Fabregas up with a shooting
chance and Diego Alves had to be alert to save the awkward bouncing
sidefooter from 25 yards.
Valencia had hardly been seen in attack until Pabon fired in a
30-yarder from the left that went straight at Valdés in the 31st minute,
then three minutes later Pabon shot again from a bit closer but the
effort lacked power and Valdés dived comfortably to gather. There was
nothing easy about Valdés’s next save, Ever Banega found Pabon inside
the area and the Barça keeper sprang magnificently to his left to parry
the Columbian striker’s shot.
The
game had been intense and entertaining up until this point but the
final minutes of the first half were breathtaking. In the 39th minute
Busquets robbed Canales midway inside the Valencia half, knocking the
ball on to Fabregas who played Messi into the right of the area to beat
Diego Alves with a right-footed finish into the far corner. Messi
completed his hat-trick two minutes later and Fabregas was again
involved. Messi started the move, finding the ex-Arsenal man in the
inside left position, Fabregas then sent Neymar into the left of the
area and the Brazilian slipped a neat pass through to Messi who had
continued his run through the middle to steer the ball low past Diego
Alves from eight yards.
Three-nil up and Barça should have been home and dry. Things started
to go awry in the 44th minute when Pedro underhit a back-pass to Valdés,
allowing Postiga a chance which Valdés managed to deflect out for a
corner. A minute later the ball came out to João Pereira on the right,
Neymar didn’t drop back to cover, allowing Pereira the chance to cross
to the near post where Postiga met the ball with hooked shot that flew
past Valdés just inside the near post.
The game then entered first half injury time which had been signalled
to be just one minute. Inexplicably the referee, Jose Antonio Teixeira
Vitienes, allowed play to run on for more than two minutes in which time
first Valdés had to tip over from Banega’s 20-yard drive, then from the
resulting corner Postiga rose above Alves and Iniesta at the near post
to power a header across Valdés inside the far post. Two-three, and
finally Teixeira Vitienes blew for half time. Both
sides began the second half more cautiously but as Valencia gradually
pushed further forward the chances started coming at both ends. Guardado
had Valencia’s first attempt after the break, blasting wide after
Pabon’s assist, then soon after, Messi let fly from 25 yards, forcing
Diego Alves to tip the ball over. Then in the 64th minute, Iniesta, who
had a relatively quiet game, delivered a fine cross from the left but
Pedro misplaced his header from eight yards. Pedro’s misfortune
continued a couple of minutes later when he hesitated after Messi’s
chested pass and missed a possible shooting opportunity. Valencia’s
coach Miroslav Djukic reacted by bringing on Feghouli and Jonas, and
soon after Martino sent on Tello in Pedro’s place.
As the game neared its end the tension mounted with the Mestalla
public trying to roar their team on to an equalizer. One very good
Valencia build-up in the 79th minute led to Jonas firing a shot that was
deflected for a corner. Then from the resulting kick Ricardo Costa
headed over the Barça crossbar.
Martino brought on Johnathan dos Santos in place of the tiring
Fabregas, a signal to the critics that the Barça coach has faith in his
youngsters to perform in important moments. Fabregas wasn’t the only one
showing signs of fatigue as the heat and humidity took effect which led
to the game remaining open to the end. In the 83rd minute Messi came
agonizingly close to his fourth goal, his shot grazing the post after a
splendid flick from Neymar and a quick exchange of passes with Alba. A
minute later Neymar headed the ball into Messi’s path but the
Argentinian couldn’t force the ball past Diego Alves.
Then came the heart-stopping moment for Barça fans, Piqué failed to
make a good clearance, sending the ball to Jonas who turned Piqué and
Mascherano this way and that before cracking in a low shot that Valdés
just managed to touch with the tips of his fingers and the ball bounced
out off the base of the post.
There was still time for a double chance for Alba and Messi but Diego
Alves completed a fine game by stopping both efforts. Both goalkeepers,
despite the goals conceded, had very good game which should help to
demonstrate the quality of the entertainment. In one final push from
Valencia Valdés first gathered Feghouli’s weak header, then in the final
action of the game the Barça keeper punched clear a Valencia corner.
Nine points out of nine for Martino’s Barça but the pressure is on with
Atlético, Villarreal and Madrid all winning their first three games too.
Valencia: Diego Alves; João Pereira, Rami, Ricardo Costa, Guardado;
Michel Herrera (Dani Parejo m82), Javi Fuego; Pabón, Banega (Feghouli
m68), Canales (Jonas m68); Postiga.
Barça: Valdés 8; Dani Alves 6.5, Piqué 6, Mascherano 7, Alba 6.5;
Fabregas 9 (Dos Santos m80, 6.5), Busquets 8, Iniesta 7; Pedro 6 (Tello
m72, 6.5), Messi 8.5, Neymar 7 (Sergi Roberto m91, –).
Goals: m11 Messi 0-1, m39 Messi 0-2, m41 Messi, m45 Postiga 1-3, m45+3 Postiga 2-3.
Yellow cards: m17 Pereira, m29 Alba, m65 Dani Alves, m74 Neymar.
Tata
Martino has decided to rest Xavi Hernandez and Alexis Sanchez for
tomorrow evening’s league match at Valencia (Sunday 9 pm). Barça will be
hoping to continue the 100% start to La Liga with another victory and
Martino has recalled Adriano Correia to his 19-man squad for the game at
the Mestalla stadium while there is also a place for Leo Messi after
concern about his fitness this week.
Messi’s problems were made evident when he trained apart from the
group on Thursday and Friday. However, this morning (Saturday) he
trained normally with his teammates and looks likely to make the
starting team tomorrow. Messi has been struggling with minor
injuries ever since his hamstring injury against PSG in April, an injury
that was blamed on the player’s lack of rest. The club, no doubt,
recognize the need to have him at his best in the closing stages of the
season and there would be no reason to take any unnecessary risks with
him now. If he plays tomorrow it should be because he is in optimum
condition, otherwise it would make more sense to start him on the bench.
It
is very early days to be judging Martino, and after taking full points
from the first two league games and clinching the season’s first title,
it might be said that he has made the perfect start. However, having
scored seven in the opening game against Levante, Barça have only
managed to find the net twice in the last three games, a poor return
given the immense talent of our forwards. On the positive side the
defence has only conceded one goal in four games this season though
Victor Valdés has needed to demonstrate his worth on several occasions
already. Only time will tell if Martino’s apparent decision not to sign a central defender is exposed during the season.
Of course we need to be patient. Neymar is still adapting to his new
team, Messi has not been at his best and Andrés Iniesta is a long way
from the form we saw last season. Despite maintaining the general
philosophy of play, Martino has introduced his own variations. The full
backs take fewer risks and have been told to make runs inside the
wingers rather than overlapping, there is the intention to return to the
highest-possible pressing game while there is sometimes a slightly more
direct style with the midfield trying to find the forwards more
quickly. Even with minor changes the players need time to assimilate the
new ideas.
Tomorrow’s opponent’s Valencia have begun the season with a 1-0 home
win over Malaga and a 3-1 defeat at Espanyol. Like most teams in Spain,
Valencia have needed to sell more than buy in this summer’s transfer
window. Roberto Soldado (Tottenham €30 million), Tino Costa (Spartak
Moscow €7 million), Nelson Valdez (Al-Jazira €3 million) and Fernando
Gago (Boca Juniors €1.7 million) have been sold, David Albelda has
retired and Aly Cissokho (Liverpool) and Johnathan Viera (Rayo
Vallecano) have been loaned out.
Valencia’s biggest signing has been the €7 million paid to Mexican
team Monterrey for Columbian striker Dorlan Pabón who scored eight goals
in 17 games in a short spell at Betis last season including the opening
goal in Barça’s 4-2 over Betis at Camp Nou last May. Pabón’s transfer
has been cleared in time for tomorrow’s game and he could replace
another summer signing, Helder Postiga (Zaragoza €3 million) in the
starting XI. Coach Miroslav Djukic has three other new players at his
disposal, Michel Herrera (Levante €420,000), Javi Fuego (Rayo Vallecano
free) and ex-blaugrana, Oriol Romeu (on loan from Chelsea). Djukic is
expected to make various modifications to the team that lost at Espanyol
including a possible change of goalkeeper with Vicente Guaita in line
to replace Diego Alves. Djukic has also tried out with Andres Guardado
at left back in training this week and there could also be a place in
the starting XI for Dani Parejo and Sergio Canales.
For Martino the most logical Barça XI would seem to be the same team
that started against Atlético on Wednesday with Pedro and Iniesta coming
in for Alexis and Xavi. With a probable midfield three of Busquets,
Fabregas and Iniesta it will be interesting to see how Fabregas and
Iniesta combine to work the Xavi role. Will one of the two be asked to
play a role closer to Busquets or will they take it in turns to drop
deeper?
Last season’s game in Valencia ended in a 1-1 draw
at the start of February, Ever Banega put Valencia in front after 33
minutes but Leo Messi converted a penalty five minutes later to earn
Barça a point. Given that Valencia look a long way from their best,
Barça should be looking for all three points tomorrow, but it is never
going to be easy at Mestalla.
Barça’s 19-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Montoya, Piqué, Bartrá,
Mascherano, Adriano, Alba, Busquets, Song, Dos Santos, Sergi Roberto,
Fabregas, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Neymar, Tello.
Possible starting XIs:
Valencia: Guaita; João Pereira, Rami, Ricardo Costa, Guardado;
Michel Herrera, Ever Banega, Dani Parejo; Feghouli, Pabón, Canales.
Barça: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Neymar.
Prediction: Valencia 1 Barça 2
Date: Sunday 1 September 2013. Kick off: 9 pm local time.
Lionel Messi scored a lovely opening goal as his ‘Messi & Friends’ team beat a Rest of the World XI 9-6 in Colombia.
The Barcelona star staged the match to raise money for charity and brought a host of stars with him to the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin, including the likes of Javier Mascherano, Pablo Aimar and Florent Malouda.
Brazil star Robinho was leading out the Rest of the World XI but they could do nothing to stop Messi and his friends running away with the victory.
Messi curled home the opener from just inside the area and was substituted with 20 minutes remaining to a standing ovasion.
Watch all the goals from the Lionel Messi & Friends v Rest of the World XI below...
love u leo-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The treble winners ran out comfortable winners during the Spaniard coach's first game in charge, with several youngster's handed their chances to impress
Bayern Munich earned a comprehensive 15-1 victory in a friendly match against a team of local fans on Saturday, during what was Pep Guardiola's first game in the dugout.
The Bavarian's hosted their Wildenau-based supporters and were already 3-0 up in the first period, thanks to goals from Thomas Muller as well as youth prospects Oliver Markoutz and Vladimir Rankovic.
Die Roten opened the floodgates in the second-half as Patrick Weihrauch, Julian Green, Franck Ribery, Mitchell Weiser and Toni Kroos struck.
Germany Under-19 international Weihrauch will have done his first-team prospects no harm after his four-goal haul, while fellow starlet Green, who was born in Florida, impressed with his display and subsequent hat-trick.
Guardiola will also be pleased to welcome back Kroos, after the playmaker missed the tail-end of last season through injury.
The 23-year-old turned out beside Ribery and Jerome Boateng in the second-half.
