Injury Report

Catalan newspaper Sport reported today that Barcelona defender, Dymtro Chygrynskiy, took part in the first team training session, two weeks after sustaining an injury. The Ukraina international had recovered from the knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines in recent matches and trained as normal.

Furthermore, the paper reports that all first team players who returned from international duties – Xavi, Puyol, Toure, Keita, Alves and Marquez – did not train with the group and enjoyed a dayoff with the permission of the club.

The paper adds that Xavi, who was injured with Spain’s WCQ match with Armenia, will go through a series of test on Wednesday to determine the extent on the injury. Anyhow, the Terrassa-born midfielder is doubtful for the clash against Valencia on Saturday.

Ibra Interview(Click Here)

“I do not like the idea of being second, third or fourth. To me this means being last. Either I am first or nothing at all,” sums Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the FC Barcelona striker, when trying to explain why his character is a winner’s character. In an interview with the magazine Barca, Ibrahimovic recalls how his origins have marked him, at a time when he was developing his talent on the field of play. The son of a Bosnian father and Croatian mother, Zlatan grew up in a modest quarter of Sweden.

In Rosengard, the Barca number ‘9’ began forging his strong personality, saying, “In life you have to keep strong and not let anyone step on you. If you respect me, I will respect you. I like people who speak unambiguously and tells it like it is”. Starting his career in the modest Swedish football, it was followed with a journey with Ajax before further consolidating his credential in the competitive ‘calcio’ with Juventus and Inter, and now Ibrahimovic has reached his fourth league. When he speaks of his last team and the differences it has with Barcelona, it is obvious to Ibrahimovic. “At Inter, there were not so many players who can make a difference. When one was not well, the match will be difficult. But at Barca, even if one were to be out, there are others that can make a difference and we win. That’s what makes Barca a great team”.

Based on goals scored and assists, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended the comparisons with Eto’o debate. “He has done a very good job at Barca and I have great respect for everything that he has done,” says the Swedish footballer. “He is one of the greats but it doesn’t pressure me to replace him. Quite the opposite, it is an incentive for me. But I think we cannot be compared because we are so different,” he adds. Having trained under Koeman, Capello, Mancini and Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is said to have adapted to the new system of Guardiola smoothly. “He explains to you very well what he wants from you and asks you what you like best, what you want to do … You can always have a very open dialogue. His winning mentality is like mine. And like Guardiola, I like to win with grace and with a beautiful game, and he tells you this very specifically,” he clarifies.

With five goals in the first five league matches, Ibrahimovic has joined the club’s history as the best debutant scorer, but he says he just wants to live up to the traditions of being aBarca number ‘9’. “I remember the times of Romario, and of Ronaldo, who is one of the best players of all time. For me the most complete footballer in history. Players like Stoichkov, Ronaldo, Romario, Eto’o … All have done extraordinary things for the fans. I too want to leave my mark with the club,” he declared, ending the interview.

Medical Report

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito’s (29) recovery is well under way and he has been able to exercise well. Milito’s doctor, Ramon Cugat said that Milito’s recovery is now much better and he is already doing some training with the team members. He also mentioned, that Milito can’t be rushed and his recovery must be done slowly in order to get him fully fit.

In general, Cugat is happy about the recovery process and he is carefully observing, when he will be available to Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola. The big question now is to know when Milito can make his comeback from a serious injury, which occurred in the second leg of Champions League semifinal against Manchester United of the season 07-08. Cugat wanted to calm down any rumours about his return: “We should not create any false expectations, but everything is going well. We continue working as usual and we progress slowly.” For now, Milito is training with the ball in the Ciutat Esportivo and he’s gaining more confidence about his return.

Barca The True Champions of Europe

Barça is the only team in the major European leagues to maintain a 100% record compared to the other giants team in Europe.

Barça will enjoy their position as the only team to have won all their league encounters to date for at least another fortnight. If Barça win again on their next outing to Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, not only will they continue their run as the only team in Europe to enjoy a 100% record, they will also break a Club record.

Inter, in Serie A

Inter have gone top of Serie A in Italy after beating Udinese on Saturday thanks to an injury time goal from former Real Madrid star Wesley Sneijder. Inter have the same number of points as Sampdoria but stay ahead on goal difference. Inter, who feature former Barça players Eto'o and Motta, have won five, lost one (against Sampdoria) and drawn one, against Bari in the opening game of the season.

Chelsea, one defeat

Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea, who beat Liverpool 2-0 at the weekend, lead the English Premiership with 21 points. They have only lost one match – against Wigan Athletic (managed by young Spanish coach Roberto Martínez) 3-1 two weeks ago. Just like Barça, Chelsea won their first six matches.


Bayer Leverkusen, two draws

ln the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen (managed by Jupp Heynckes) remain unbeaten after 8 matches but unlike Barça have conceded a draw in two of those eight – to Mainz 5 on the opening day of the season and to Werder Bremen on 20th September.

Lyon go it alone

Olympique Lyon, under head coach Claude Puel, have taken up their familiar position at the top of the French league. Like Bayer Leverkusen, they have won six and drawn two of their opening eight - away to PSG and Le Mans.

Manchester United faced hard competition

The EPL title became hard this season with the new football giants 'Manchester City' where Man U had a narrow win against the derby in the last match .

Messi Dream Start With Aimar

The best footballer in the world always speaks wonders of the 'Clown', in whom is reflected much more similarities than differences in the game. Like Messi, Aimar has always been known for speaking what is just and necessary, to stay away from the hustle and the shyness and humility that did not stop him being a leader within the field.

Both Leo gets along with Pablito is rumored that up, although Maradona repeat that "no one suggests to me nothing", that the presence of the current player of Benfica in the selection due to an express request for Barcelona.

Aimar, who once confessed that he blushed with shame to hear Messiaen called idol, said "if my game makes Leo is happy and its level increases with my presence, that's going to make happy." Meanwhile, Maradona said that "the Clown is always my weakness. Seeing him play is a delight, has incredible touch, starters, brakes ... It was a waste if you did not call. Hopefully, with Messi give us nice moments.

An unforgettable day

Back in December 2004, barely two months after the release of Messi in the hands of League Rijkaard, Barcelona and Valencia were crossed at the Camp Nou, in a game in memory of Leo was recorded but not just because of anecdotal final draw (1-1).

"Hi Lionel, how are you," he greeted Aimar just finished the meeting. The Blaugrana was shocked by the surprise, but gathered the courage to suggest the exchange of slabs. Over time, recognize quenunca Leo had asked for a shirt before and never understood how his idol knew his name.

Paul, meanwhile, had sensed that an opposite phenomenon, and since that time the jersey number 30 of the Barça occupies a privileged place among his great trophies

La Masia, 30 years of residence

La Masia de Can Planes, located next to the Camp Nou, is the birthplace of the club youth system began. It was opened on October 20, 1979 as a players’ residence and 30 years later it is still developing sportspeople, and more importantly, human bein

Dreams and frustrations

La Masia, catalogued as a historic-artistic building by the Barcelona Council, has witnessed three decades of dreams coming true, but also years of frustrated hopes and desires. Its management has successfully promoted a blend of sports and personal training for all of its residents.

Workshop, offices and residence

La Masia is an old country residence built in 1702. Barça first used it as a workshop for building the original scale models of the Camp Nou. After the stadium opened, La Masia was closed, it serving no direct purpose.

Under Enric Llaudet’s presidency, the building was remodelled and extended and became the club headquarters, inaugurated on September 26, 1966. But the club was expanding and new secretaries were created, meaning the La Masia was too small a site, and once again fell into disuse. It was Josep Lluís Núñez and his board who came up with a new use for it. From October 20, 1979, La Masia became a home for the youth players that were from outside of Barcelona.

From 15 to 60 residents

At first, La Masia housed 15 residents, all living on the top floor. But times were changing, and FC Barcelona now has two residences for youth players. There is La Masia, with dormitories, bathrooms, study rooms, a dining room and kitchen, and a new residence in the Camp Nou, known as La Masia 2.

This season, La Masia has a total of 56 residents. 10 reside in the actual Masia and the others sleep in the stadium, on two floors with three-bed rooms.

Abidal Contract Renewal Up Next..............

Barcelona are on the verge of handing French defenderEric Abidal a contract extension that will see him remain at Camp until 2012, according to Sport.

Talks have been ongoing between the two parties to extend his current deal for one year and it is believed that they are now close to an agreement.

Abidal signed a four year deal when he joined from Lyon in 2007. A five year deal has increased tax implications for foreign players in Spain and as a result the club opted for a renegotiation after the fourth year, in order to maintain the same terms as the player currently enjoys.

In fact, the new deal will see improvements in the players terms as coach Pep retains faith in the French star, despite the arrival of Maxwell from Inter. Abidal's buy-out clause in the new deal is believed to be in the region of €90 million.

Club officials are hoping that the finalising of Abidal's new deal will be followed by the completion of agreements between the club and Andres Iniesta, Rafael and Carles Puyol.