Simply Barcelona Tickets

Messi scores

June 17th, 2007

We have FC Barcelona tickets for all competitions at the Nou Camp

More good news in the 34th minute when the Argentinean superstar scores to put Barcelona 2-0 ahead against Nastic.

Mallorca scores! And Barcelona

June 17th, 2007

Real Madrid 0, Mallorca 1. With Barcelona tying with Nastic they now lead the table after 16 minutes. Mallorca are playing to win and so the first important goal of the night is in Barcelona’s favour.
And now Puyol scored for Barcelona in minute 20.

Posted in Match report

Player Profile – Victor Valdes

June 16th, 2007

Full name: Victor Valdes Arribas
Birthplace: Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
Date of Birth: 14^th January 1982
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 183cm
Weight: 78kg

Previous Teams: Peña Cinco Copas, Spain
National Squad/Number of Appearances: Spain/None

Victor Valdes initially joined Barcelona in 1992 as a youth player although he then moved to Tenerife with his family before returning to the club three years later. He initially played for the club’s Youth and B teams before joining the first team squad in the 2002-3 season. In the following season he took his place as Barca’s first choice goalkeeper. Facts:

Valdes was not initially expected to claim the No 1 jersey in the 2003-4 season as the first choice keeper on paper was Rustu Recber. Barcelona, however, insist that their foreign players must learn Spanish before they can play regularly for the first team and Valdes was able to cement his claim in goal.
Valdes won the Zamora Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in Spain, in the 2004-5 season which saw Barcelona win their first league title in six years.
He won a lot of fans worldwide in the Champions League win of 2005-6 with two fantastic point-blank saves from Arsenal’s Thierry Henry.
Although Valdes has earned approval for his role in Spain’s Under 18 and Under 21 teams he has yet to win a place in the senior national squad, although his form and high profile dictate that a call up may soon come.
He has won two Spanish Supercups (2005-6/2006-7), two League Titles (2004-5/2005-6) and the Champions League (2005-6) with Barcelona.
Valdes is signed to Barcelona until 2010.

Posted in Player Profile

The race for the Spanish league

June 15th, 2007

We’re just 2 days away from the last match of the season, with Barcelona and Real Madrid equal on points and Madrid in the lead due to goal average.

The Spanish League ordered that all teams playing for the top places – like Barcelona and real Madrid – be played on Sunday at 21:00 so that no club has the benefit of a pychological advantage when playing.

Barcelona’s match against Nastic (Gimnastic de Tarragon) ought to be a walkover and an easy 3 points, but For Barcelona to win the league they need Madrid to drop points. With Mallorca visiting Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, that hope may easily go unfulfilled.

Posted in La Liga, Match preview

Player Profile – Motta

June 13th, 2007

Full name: Thiago Motta
Birthplace: Sao Bernardo, Brazil
Date of Birth: 28^th August 1982
Position: Midfielder
Height: 188cm
Weight: 77kg

Previous Teams: Juventude, Brazil.
National Squad/Number of Appearances: Brazil/8+

Thiago Motta joined Barcelona in 1999 from the Brazilian club Juventude. Initially spotted by the then Technical Director of Youth Football for Barca, Llorenc Serra Ferrer, Motta started his career at the club for the B team. Motta made his first team competitive debut in 2001 against Mallorca. A versatile and highly rated midfielder, Motta has yet to reach his full potential following a series of unlucky injuries in recent seasons.

Facts:

Motta has dual Brazilian/Italian citizenship so he qualifies as an EU player rather than as a foreign one for the Barcelona team.
The player’s career with Barcelona has been frustrated by intense competition for midfield places at the club and by injuries to his knee and toe as well as various muscular problems. Speculation over a move to another club is therefore fairly constant and he has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal.
Motta is much admired for his strong physique and his versatility in midfield positions. He is strong, good in the air as he is relatively tall for a midfielder and possesses a powerful long range shot.
Motta made his debut for the Brazilian national team in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He has won two Spanish Supercups (2005-6/2006-7), two League Titles (2004-5/2005-6) and the Champions League (2005-6) with Barcelona.
Motta can play in various midfield roles although he is considered most skilful as a defensive midfielder by many people.