Fingernails were bitten, but the Camp Nou crowd saw their side edge another excellent performance from PSG. Barça were second best until Lionel Messi came on and despite playing at 60% or so due to an injury, the Argentine led the Catalans into the back of the net. Ryu was in Barcelona to see the mighty Zlatan go silent as Pedro stole the show.
[You can interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede and check his Flickr. Posted by Eric.]
![Welcome home, Tito
It’s difficult to understate just how important Tito Vilanova is to Barça. From his irreplaceable position as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, forming ideas and helping tiki-taka evolve, to his unbelievable record in his first season as Barcelona manager, the man has been a silent staple of the club’s success year after year. So when Tito was diagnosed with cancer and forced to go to New York to combat it in January, the team lost its unsung leader. Clásicos were lost and doubt filled Catalunya after a defeat to AC Milan.
Now, nearly four months after entering the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where he received radiotherapy and chemotherapy for throat cancer, Tito Vilanova returns to Barça. The Champions League awaits. The La Liga title awaits. The man behind the scenes in back. It’s time to step foot in the Camp Nou, Tito, and we’re delighted to see you again. [Posted by Eric. GIF by Dale con Comba.]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/953145357c4da850bd4ee2990c03c841/tumblr_mkdntgnpQf1qaznnlo1_500.gif)
It’s difficult to understate just how important Tito Vilanova is to Barça. From his irreplaceable position as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, forming ideas and helping tiki-taka evolve, to his unbelievable record in his first season as Barcelona manager, the man has been a silent staple of the club’s success year after year. So when Tito was diagnosed with cancer and forced to go to New York to combat it in January, the team lost its unsung leader. Clásicos were lost and doubt filled Catalunya after a defeat to AC Milan.
Now, nearly four months after entering the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where he received radiotherapy and chemotherapy for throat cancer, Tito Vilanova returns to Barça. The Champions League awaits. The La Liga title awaits. The man behind the scenes in back. It’s time to step foot in the Camp Nou, Tito, and we’re delighted to see you again. [Posted by Eric. GIF by Dale con Comba.]
Many began their development on the streets or in a playground, a stage which would then take plenty of aspiring footballers to the next level, the 5-aside arena, where futsal is played. A style of football religiously practised throughout South America and Spain, where illustrious names such as Redondo, Ronaldinho and Iniesta mastered the art of this game that revolves around fast touches and controlling the ball in small confined areas. It became a key influence behind their technical abilities and the widely praised ‘tiki-taka’ performed by Iniesta on a weekly basis. And as he points out, possession is key.
To celebrate Iniesta’s style of play and the launch of the new mint green Elastico Finale II shoe, Nike took Iniesta back to his roots, to Fuentealbilla, his hometown and to his ground. Where a much younger talented kid mastered the game of futsal, before jumping into the Albacete youth set-up and then joining Barcelona at the age of 12.
Although the game changed from 5 men to 11 as Iniesta grew up, his style and ability hasn’t, they remain loyal to futsal, which clearly shaped him into the world class player he is today. This is my ground. [Posted by Dom]
“Eric Abidal is gradually reaching the same level as his teammates. We can’t say exactly when he’ll be back, but he is in a very positive mood because he knows it won’t be much longer.” - Dr Ricard Pruna
Since starting a recovery from a second liver transplant 5 months ago in Vall d’Aran, Abidal has been tirelessly working to return to the fields with FC Barcelona. Today - which is also Father’s Day in Spain - the left-back played his first competitive match in the ‘blaugrana’ colours since March last year. It was a closed doors friendly against second division French side Istres, where the French international featured for 65 minutes.
It’s been an endless battle for Abidal and it now appears that the moment where he’ll finally step foot onto the Camp Nou, once again, is becoming a reality. The same applies to club manager Tito Vilanova, who’s been a huge absence too. Estamos contigo! [Posted by Dom]
It’s only mid-February, yet some clubs have been impatient. Who needs drama when you can go out and put one hand on a trophy three months in advance? Barça are already hoisting the La Liga title, Bayern are running away with the Bundesliga, and Manchester United are closing in on their 20th Premier League title. With Top of the League, 3nil wanted to share make a shirt that shares that tremendous feeling of reaching the summit after a treacherous path and enjoying the view. [Posted by Eric. GIFs by Dale Con Comba]
It’s official. At the end of the season, the man we’ve all been waiting to make a comeback will join Bayern Munich as their new manager in July. After being linked with every club with deep pockets and billionaire owners, Pep Guardiola surprises us all once again. We’re going to let this one process for a moment, but what are your thoughts on the Catalan maestro making his return to football in the Bundesliga? Is success on the horizon, or will he await a challenge much more difficult than the one presented to him when he began his tenure at the Camp Nou?
On the Seine, red lights and wild sensation
Gave way to greater fire and contest
Madrid ignored the revelation
For despite the wonder he possessed and showcased fortnightly
The Brazilian had features closed to commercial exploitation
Beckham’s hair and face impressed, and introduced us to Keira Knightley
Though the joke would always be on them
As that grin full of genius brought a bucket of trophies to the Catalan men.
We’re delighted to be working with Matheus, the man behind 8-bit Football, as we head into 2013. Poetry by Max Grieve and Eric Beard.
“What is important today isn’t important tomorrow. … Nothing is that important … nothing.” - Tito Vilanova
On Wednesday the 19th of December, the news broke that FC Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova had suffered a relapse in the treatment that had until now seemed to have quenched the cancer within his parotid saliva gland. The Catalan coach will now take an extended leave of absence as he prepares for surgery and a hopeful speedy recovery.
In light of such news, the famous Barcelona slogan ‘Més que un club’ has never seemed more appropriate as a flood of support for the young coach has come from friend and foe alike.
FC Barcelona have also set up a specific page on their site, dedicated to the continued fantastic support shown from fans, players and clubs from all across the globe. #ànimsTito [Posted by Stefan, graphics via]
In theory, ‘more than a club’ means feelings, it means a political idea of freedom and passion… for football, right?
At a time where politics and more importantly, Independència, is buzzing throughout the rambling state of Catalunya - FC Barcelona’s voice in the movement is long established. When Camp Nou makes a statement, people listen. Spanish football expert Sid Lowe explores FC Barcelona’s involvement in such a delicate and important issue - one which can completely transform Spain.
The journalist interviews a series of politicians, former and current board FC Barcelona members. In particularly, he underlines Joan Laporta’s role, the club’s former President and now an upcoming figure in Catalan politics.
“The Catalans had two options. Either do nothing and continue as we were… Or the option that has never been tried, which is to give as a solution the process for the independence of Catalonia.”
FC Barcelona is a football club, although they are more than a club, or as they like to express it: ‘més que un club’. However, despite their involvement in Catalan politics, which is certainly pioneered through their board directors and passionate fans - the club must be careful, they can’t be used as a political engineer.
And as Cruyff states, “their attitude is one of the most improtant things - and sometimes it’s a battle.”
The next weeks and months will be crucial in Catalonia’s fight for independence, and Barça too will be greatly affected - on or off the field; but it’s important to remember they are neither the protagonist nor the leader.
[This short documentary was first posted on the Guardian, by Sid Lowe - Posted by Dominic]
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