FC
Barcelona, popularly known as Barça,
is a sports club based in Barcelona,
Catalonia,
Spain. It was founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, English
and Catalan footballers led by Joan Gamper. The club has become
a Catalan institution, hence the motto Més que un club
(More than a club) .
It is the biggest week of the season so far, with two high profile fixtures against Chelsea and Real Madrid. Gudjohnsen is excited, especially by the chance to face his former club, Chelsea.
Barça have opened up a three point gap at the top of the Primera Liga with a fantastic 3-1 win over close rivals Sevilla at the Camp Nou. Two goals from Ronaldinho and a superb finish from Lionel Messi capped a professional performance.
"My dream is for the children to have a better future"
The FC Barcelona Foundation and the Edmilson Foundation are to join forces in helping the needy in the player's home town, Taquaritinga, in another example of the Brazilian international's social conscience.
Speaking at a Nou Camp press conference after training on Thursday, Sylvinho assured reporters that the team is improving day by day and that the prospects for the tough matches coming up in the next few weeks are good.
Rafael Márquez still has complete confidence in FC Barcelona's ability despite the loss of Samuel Eto'o and strong criticism of the team's recent performances from the media.
Barcelona overwhelmed Athletic in the San Mames on Saturday evening, running out 3-1 winners after the Basques were reduced to ten men when Javier Casas was sent off. Goals from Carles Puyol, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Javier Saviola did the damage. Fran Yeste scored a cracker for Athletic
Barcelona will face up to life without Samuel Eto'o when they visit the Basque country to play Athletic on Saturday. Nevertheless Barca will be confident of victory, while their opponents will be desperate for a first win of the season.
The serious injury sustained by Samuel Eto'o was the main topic of conversation in the press conference in the build up to the game on Saturday against Bilbao. "We'll miss him", said Rijkaard.
The injury to Samuel Eto'o has paved the way for Saviola to return to the first team line up. Sitting out of this Saturday's game along with Eto'o will be Ezquerro, Oleguer and Silvinho.
The extent of the injuries sustained by Samuel Etoo means he will be out for up to five months. Doctors successfully carried out the operation - managing to conserve the meniscus, however, the time needed to fully recover has been extended to more than previously predicted.
Substitute Lionel Messi proved to be Barcelona’s saviour and Werder Bremen’s heart-breaker as his late goal saved the Catalan giants from defeat in Germany after Carles Puyol had gifted the hosts the lead with an own goal.
Javier Saviola believes he has a very open relationship with coach Frank Rijkaard as he explained that they always talk face-to-face and openly discuss things whether they are good or bad.
It has been a month Werder Bremen would prefer to forget. Thomas Schaaf's side has lost matches in all official competitions, but a good result against Barça could make up for all that.
Rijkaard has stayed loyal to his squad rotation system and has brought Thiago Motta, Lilian Thuram, and Sylvinho back into to the squad for the trip to Germany after the trio were rested against Valencia.
Rijkaard: "We just needed that extra something to win"
Frank Rijkaard was not happy with the draw against Valencia after seeing his side dominate the game, although he admitted that it was always going to be tough against such strong opposition.
On Sunday evening, Sevilla surrendered an unbeaten run that extended back well into last season to Atletico Madrid while at the foot of the table Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Racing Santander have still to record their first win of the season.
Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen is not worried about being on the bench at the moment. He is confident of getting his chance in the season. "when the time comes, I'll be ready to take advantage of it".
The last open door training session before the first big test against Valencia was held today. With the exception of Ezquerro, Frank Rijkaard has been able to rely on all his players over the last few days in the build up to the game on Sunday (21:00).
FC Barcelona have made the best start to a league season since Frank Rijkaard became coach. The team has also scored the most goals in the opening three games for 40 years. The 2006-07 team has already started breaking records.
One of the main similarities between all three of Barça's league victories this season is that they have all seen Samuel Eto'o score the first goal as he proves that he is an expert at breaking down defences.
Three games, three wins and three goals in each game. Barça's start to the season is proving some what successful so far. The 'Sardinero' has been a difficult place to go in recent seasons, however, this time around, it too had to submit to a Barça team firing on all cylinders.
Valencia and Seville kept up their 100% record in La Liga this weekend, with wins on Sunday against Betis and Getafe respectively, whilst Athletico Bilbao and Villarreal continued their miserable start to the campaign and are both in relegation positions
Márquez, Silvinho and Ezquerro have been named in the 18 man squad for the tie against Racing Santander this Sunday. Thuram, Motta, Belletti and Saviola are given a rest.
Frank Rijkaard knows Barça will not have it all their own way this Sunday. The coach remembers the experience from last year: "We have to prepare ourselves in the best way possible".
Nowadays, few teams can boast having such a luxurious choice of full backs like FC Barcelona. The result being that if any changes are made, quality is not lost. Both Gio and Belletti can accept this, however, as with all top footballers; they wish to get as much pitch time as possible.
World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta has admitted he is puzzled by the Spanish approach to scheduling his new club Barcelona’s fixtures. This comes after the news that Barca’s game against Racing Santander this weekend has been moved back from Saturday to Sunday.
Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Roma were convincing winners but Fernando Morientes was the star of the night with a classy hat-trick in Valencia's 4-2 triumph against Olympiacos.
Frank Rijkaard is conscious that Barça are considered to be the favourites to win the Champions League game with Levski Sofia, but he does think that will change his team's mentality. "We have to show what we can do on the pitch,- he said.
Lilian Thuram is starting to enjoy Barça's style of football. The Frenchmen made a "very emotional" debut on Saturday and is already learning the difference between his new and old clubs: "Here you think more about playing with the ball".
Champions Barca enjoyed a stroll in the park at the Nou Camp on Saturday, nullifying Osasuna 3-0 thanks to a superb brace from an electric Samuel Eto'o and a cheeky third from Lional Messi. Over in the capital, Valencia's David Villa struck early on to sink ten-man Atlético Madrid.
"The board should be congratulated for the UNICEF deal"
The FC Barcelona coach is also delighted with the five-year agreement with UNICEF. "I think it's splendid," he says. "It is something that has never been seen before in the football world".
Frank Rijkaard has selected a total of 18 players for this Saturdays game against Osasuna. He has made 2 changes, Silvinho and Ronaldinho come in for Ezquerro and Gio.
Xavi "The agreement with UNICEF is an example to society"
One of the captains of FC Barcelona has praised the agreement with UNICEF for the next five years."it's worth it, it's an example to society', stressef Xavi Hernandez.
Brazil have beaten Wales in a friendly played in London, with Barça's Ronaldinho and Edmílson both playing as starters. Marcelo and Vagner Love won the match with two second half goals.
Frank Rijkaard has called up all his available first team players for the final of the Copa Catalunya on Tuesday evening and stated that he is taking the game very seriously.
On Thursday, UNICEF and FC Barcelona will make public their alliance; the announcement will coincide with the celebration of the worldwide work achieved by UNICEF.
Barça left back, Sylvinho gave assurance that this season, the competition for places is even higher than last season. "We have two top teams, therefore we are going to have to work harder".
Argentinean forward, Javier Saviola, has decided to stay on at Barça: "The decision is mine and is a sporting decision. I give my thanks to Txiki as he has helped me"
One of the most anticipated duels of the moment will be played this Sunday at 17:00. Brazil-Argentina is an encounter few would miss. Messi, Saviola, Edmilson and Ronaldinho are likely to play.
Ronaldinho and FC Barcelona have denied via www.fcbarcelona.com the rumours in a Moroccan newspaper that claim the Brazilian international made tactless comments regarding the conflict in the south of Lebanon.
FC Barcelona opened their league campaign with a win at Celta Vigo, coming from behind to win 3-2 in an action packed second half. Eidur Gudjohnsen slammed home the winner with just three minutes left to play.
Ronaldinho will miss out on Barca's first league game of the season due to an injury he picked up against Sevilla. Saviola, Belletti and Sylvinho have been excluded for technical reasons.
The manager of FC Barcelona revealed to reporters on Sunday: "The defeat (against Sevilla) was disappointing because we're used to winning (but) this doesn't change my team's opinion".
