Chelsea skipper Terry: Barcelona won't fancy us at the moment

Tue, 04/17/2012

Chelsea skipper John Terry is convinced Barcelona won't fancy facing them in the Champions League semifinal.

Blues want revenge for their 2009 defeat to the Spaniards when Andres Iniesta equalised in injury-time at Stamford Bridge to send them through on away goals.

Skipper Terry said: “We want to go to the end. We realise it is going to be tough but we’re playing well and I’m not too sure anyone would fancy us at the moment either because we are a very good side, especially in this competition.”

Barcelona keeping tabs on Huracan defender Thiago Casasola

Tue, 04/17/2012

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Huracan defender Thiago Casasola.

The 17 year-old centre-half is being watched by Barca scouts, despite yet establishing himself in Huracan's first team.

Huracan recently turned down a £325,000 offer from Boca Juniors for Casasola.

Barcelona monitoring Heerenveen striker Bas Dost

Tue, 04/17/2012

Barcelona are monitoring Heerenveen striker Bas Dost.

The towering centre-forward has been one of the big stars of this season's Eredivisie, where his goal scoring exploits have attracted interest from Aston Villa and Valencia.

Cadena Ser says Barca sports chief Andoni Zubizarreta has instructed his Holland-based scouts to run the rule over Dost leading up to the summer market.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola has always complained about a lack of a traditional centre-forward in his squad and Dost could fit the bill.

Barcelona plan new contract talks with Carles Puyol

Tue, 04/17/2012

Barcelona are ready to hand skipper Carles Puyol a new contract.

The experienced defender, who has just turned 34, is tied to Barca until 2013.

There's no concern at Barca over the situation, though president Sandro Rosell has made it clear to Puyol that he wants him to retire at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea's Lampard amazed by scoring record of Barcelona star Messi

Tue, 04/17/2012

Chelsea ace Frank Lampard admits being in awe of Barcelona star Lionel Messi's scoring record.

The two midfielders come face-to-face tomorrow night at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard said: "I grew up with (Diego) Maradona - he was my idol as a player - but I think Messi has taken it to probably further levels than him, certainly in his club football.

"To score the 70 goals he'll probably end up with this season, they're crazy figures.

"He deserves it. He's the best player in the world on merit. He's absolutely unbelievable."

Alves tells Tottenham's Bale: You will be fullback at Barcelona

Tue, 04/17/2012

Daniel Alves has told Tottenham winger Gareth Bale "at Barcelona you'll play fullback".

Bale has been linked with Barca in recent weeks.

And Alves told the Guardian: "Take Gareth Bale, a player I love.

"He's a full-back in the Brazilian mould, he has a similar idea. In Europe [Spurs] play him as a winger, but in my team he'd always be a full-back. People get scared and play attacking full-backs as wingers. They think they will attack more, but often they attack less and less well. It happened with Roberto Carlos: as a winger, he was less effective, he needs to start his run sooner. Bale is more skilful and good as a winger, but at Barcelona he would be a full-back."

Man Utd keeper De Gea tips Barcelona to beat Chelsea

Tue, 04/17/2012

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea feels Chelsea will find Barcelona too strong in their Champions League semi.

De Gea is impressed by Chelsea, but says Barca are a step above.

"Chelsea are a very strong team but they will find it very difficult because if Barcelona play at their usual level, the tie will be theirs," said De Gea, before praising Chelsea's Spaniards.

"Juan Mata and Fernando Torres are both having very good campaigns."

Chelsea fullback Cole: Good that Barcelona don't think much of us

Tue, 04/17/2012

Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole insists they do not fear Barcelona - nor Lionel Messi.

Cole is taking comfort from Chelsea's superb record against Barcelona - both sides have three wins from their 10 Champions League meetings in the past 12 years.

Asked who will reach the final, Cole replied: "Chelsea, of course. Chelsea against Real Madrid, I hope.

"We know what Barcelona are about and that we have to be on our game. We’re confident and feel we’re good enough to progress.

"I do think that while they’re not worried about us, out of the teams they’ve played in the Champions League and the Premier League sides they’ve faced, we have given them the hardest run.

"We’re a tough team, we never give up. We fight for every ball, we’re strong in tackles and hopefully that will be in the back of their minds and we can take advantage of that. With teams like Barca, we think we know how to stop them.

"Is it going to happen on the day? You never know. If people like Lionel Messi don’t turn up we have a great chance."

Arsenal alarm bells as Van Persie visits Barcelona team hotel

Tue, 04/17/2012

Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie has shocked fans after being spotted at Barcelona's team hotel - the Marriott on Park Lane.

It is not yet known why Van Persie took the trip to the base of the Spanish giants, who are in London ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Dutchman was spotted chatting with fellow countryman Ibrahim Afellay, who is part of the Barca party in the capital, says the Daily Mail.

Van Persie may have also used the trip to catch up with his old Gunners pal Cesc Fabregas, who left the Emirates to rejoin his boyhood club last summer.

However, Arsenal fans will fear that his friendliness with the Barcelona team will only increase his chances of moving to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

Adriano: Best form of my Barcelona career

Mon, 04/09/2012

Barcelona fullback Adriano Correia is delighted with his current form.

The Brazilian feels Barca fans are now seeing him at his best.

Adriano said: “I’m currently going through my best moment this season. I’ve lost weight and I feel much better. Now it’s time to take care of myself and play the remaining matches.”

Barcelona coach Guardiola demands opposition cut their grass!

Mon, 04/09/2012

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hit out at teams which keep their grass long when the champions come to visit.

Guardiola claims only Athletic Bilbao cut their pitch's grass for Barca visits.

"At every field away from home it is always true. In the Bernabeu (Real Madrid) and also everywhere else they leave it high, except for Bielsa's Athletic.

"It is their right, but I am not impressed."

Inter Milan plan bid for Barcelona midfielder Afellay

Mon, 04/09/2012

Inter Milan are lining up a bid for Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.

The Holland international is now fully fit and part of coach Pep Guardiola's matchday squads.

But after long-term injury, Afellay finds himself behind the likes of Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello in the pecking order.

Inter are waiting to pounce and hope to do business for Afellay at around €8 million.

Agent says David Villa only thinking of Barcelona stay

Mon, 04/09/2012

The agent of David Villa says he wants to stay with Barcelona.

Villa has been linked with a move to Italy as he recovers from knee surgery.

But Miguel Angel Vara told CalcioMercato.it: "They are just rumours. We know nothing and no one has made any comments to us.

"David has two years left on his contract with Barcelona and is happy. How can we not be happy at the club champion of Europe and the world?"

Real Madrid captain Casillas concedes: We can be caught by Barcelona

Mon, 04/09/2012


Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas says there's no reason for panic after their 0-0 draw with Valencia.

The draw sees Real now just four points ahead of Barcelona on the table.

Casillas said: "Mentality is very important. The lead we had has been reduced, but we shouldn't cry about it.

"We have a large lead, but it isn't definitive and we must continue focusing on one game at a time. We must focus on winning against Atletico Madrid. This moves very quickly and we play many games in few days. We have to go on."

Real Madrid legend Figo: I enjoy watching Barcelona play

Mon, 04/09/2012

Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has spoken glowingly of both Real and Barcelona.

Now with Inter Milan, Figo says he has affection for all his former clubs.

Asked to compare Real and Barca, Figo said: "It is always very subjective to answer questions about which is the best team or best player, because it has much to do with the time of each club, of the opposition and of course the number of titles they've won.

"I can say it's a great pleasure to watch Barça play."

On Lionel Messi and Real star Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo added: "My decision would be to have the two of them on my team. Two fantastic players and completely different."

Ronaldo: Champions League winner will come from Real Madrid or Barcelonav

Fri, 04/06/2012

Real Madrid legend Ronaldo believes the Champions League winners will come from Spain.

Ronaldo says either Real or Barcelona will win the competition.

"Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both at a high level and it will be a hard-fought semi-final, but I believe Real will go through," he is quoted as saying by ESPN Brazil.

"Spain is suffering an economic crisis but both teams [Madrid and Barcelona] are at a level much higher than the rest. The Champions League final will be between them."

Real Madrid star Kaka says Valencia clash a must-win

Fri, 04/06/2012

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka knows their clash with Valencia is a must-win.

Real are currently six points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table.

Kaka said: "We must only think about our game against Valencia now.

"That's our most important match right now because we have a six-point lead over Barcelona in the league and we want to keep it that way."

Chelsea defender Cahill hopes to see Barcelona action

Fri, 04/06/2012

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is ready to face Champions League opponents Barcelona.

Cahill may have to step in if John Terry doesn't recover from his rib injury.

He said: "I am ready to face them if selected. It is exciting to play against Barcelona.

"This is why I joined the club. If called upon to play in that game, it will be fantastic."

Chelsea skipper Terry: Barcelona won't fancy facing us

Fri, 04/06/2012

Chelsea skipper John Terry says Barcelona should fear them ahead of their Champions League semi.

Terry is convinced they're in the right frame of mind to take on Barca.

He said: "It's a very good achievement to reach our sixth semi-final in nine years, but we want to go through to the end.

"Clearly, that's going to be tough against Barcelona, but we're playing well.

"I am not sure anyone will fancy playing us at the moment because we are a very good side, especially in this competition.

"Barcelona are a very good team, but home and away we're a very solid side as well.

"We have shown that away against a very good Benfica side and proved on big nights at Stamford Bridge that we can really upset teams as well.

"We're confident. It is important we keep this momentum because we're going well in the league. That is the key for us."