Javier Saviola had his 25th birthday on Monday while in Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup. Saviola was born on December 11, 1981 in Buenos Aires and Saviola: with the age of 25 years, one of his dreams is coming true, an appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that is taken especially seriously by South Americans.
Saviola spoke to Barça TV and feels that Barca is favourites to win the title.


Barca TV: Have your team mates wished you happy birthday?


Saviola: As always, some people don't know about it, but then someone comes along to wish me well, and they start finding out. But tonight when we go for supper they will all know and will come and say happy birthday.


Barca TV: Have you had any presents?


Saviola: Not yet, I'm still waiting, but I don't mind if I don't get anything. It's more important just to be here with everybody.


Barca TV: And that is the best gift of all?


Saviola: You always want to spend your birthday with your family and friends, but there is something at stake here and knowing how things are going for us, I'd say it is great gift. We have to play a good World Cup and Barça will always be going for the top.


Barca TV: How is the injury?


Saviola: I am improving a lot. I will be training with the group while we are here and trying to get fully fit. I feel fine, I feel comfortable, and am waiting to see how things develop.


Barca TV: It is pleasing to see that the team is winning despite the injuries, isn't it?


Saviola: When the injuries started coming people speculated about signing new players, whether the team was going to miss the injured players We have always said that in a squad where there is so much individual quality it is very difficult to make it better. The important thing is that the boss has substitutes and that can and is helping the team.


Barca TV: What does the Club World Cup mean to an Argentinian?


Saviola: It means a lot. The whole world is watching. And with Barça in it, the people will be watching more than ever. But we are just as excited and focused on winning. For the club and for us as individuals it is something very important.


Barca TV: Can you compare this to the League or the Champions league?


Saviola: No. They are two very different things. We know how important they are, but the others are much longer competitions, they take more effort. Here it is two games. It is important to win, but the other two are more important.


Barca TV: Are Barça favourites to win the World Clubs Cup?


Saviola: Yes, Because of the club and the institution, Barça will always be favourites. But we should not underestimate anybody. Any of them can put pressure on us. We need to go into it with the right mentality and with all of our lights switched on.


Barca TV: Effects of "Jet Lag"?



Saviola: We are all a bit dizzy, and that lasts two or three days. That's just the way it goes and we just have to get focused.

FC Barcelona´s full-back and Italian world champion Gianluca Zambrotta spoke on Barça TV about the way things are going at his new club Barcelona. Zambrotta was happy he decided to move to Barcelona and is totally aware of the club's philosophy to create excitement and play positive, attacking football.


Barça TV: You are a month into the season. How do you feel about it so far?


Zambrotta: "I have a positive feeling. We have some top players and some top people, so it is very easy to adapt. I am finding that I made the right decision to come here."


Barça TV: The team has got off to an almost perfect start.


Zambrotta: "Apart from the European Super Cup it has all been good. We have won three league games, and you have got to be happy with that."


Barça TV: Now Valencia, a team on form.


Zambrotta: "Valencia and Sevilla are looking strong, and Sunday's game will be difficult. But we're playing at home, and that's an advantage."


Barça TV: What has most drawn your attention at Barça?


Zambrotta: "As a club and institution it is very similar to Juventus. It is in tactics, training and matches that things differ. Here people think about playing attacking football, not defensive. It is more important to score than to defend."


Barça TV: Are you getting used to circulating the ball?


Zambrotta: "Much better now. Here we play the ball around and you can see that on the pitch. In Italy, we work more on athleticism and running."


Barça TV: You can play on the left or right. Where are you most comfortable?


Zambrotta: "I started as a left back, but being right-footed I ended up on the right because it suits me better."


Barça TV: When Barça go forward, they do it as team. You can't feel quite so alone as when you moved up the wings in Italy.


Zambrotta: "That's for sure. It is always better for a full back to have support because then you can push up more. Like I said, here we think about scoring goals and putting on a show."


Barça TV: Have you thought about scoring your first goal?


Zambrotta: "Well, that's not really what I am here for, but if I get one, of course I'll be pleased."


Barça TV: But at the last World Cup, you scored a great one, and an important one.


Zambrotta: "Yes, in the quarter final against Ukraine. It was a really important goal, because the game was a difficult one."


Barça TV: With Barça's system, do you think you could also play in midfield like you sometimes did at Juventus?


Zambrotta: "In my early years, when Ancelotti was manager, I did play in midfield a few times. But I have now got into the habit of being a full back and I don't think it would be a good idea to change."


Barça TV: In these first few matches, Rijkaard has been switching between yourself and Belletti at right back, but you are two very different players.


Zambrotta: "Every player is different. Not just me, but also Edmílson, Xavi and Iniesta, all different, and Gio and Sylvinho. It is good that Rijkaard can swap around his players because they are all good."


Barça TV: Have you noticed that you, Thuram, and Gudjohnsen have all won over the fan's affection very quickly?


Zambrotta: "We have noticed, especially in the first few games like the Gamper against Bayern Munich. The fans have been wonderful to us and now we need to repay them for that by playing well and winning as many games as possible."


Barça TV: Thuram comes across as an outspoken player, but you seem shier and more reserved.


Zambrotta: "Well, I may seem shy at first, but as I get more confident, I start to open up more."


Barça TV: Our two main groups rivals, Werder and Chelsea are not having the best of times.


Zambrotta: "At the end of the day, it is never easy. When we play teams like these, the opposition always come out strong. We have to realise that it will be every difficult and we appreciate the importance of these games and will try to do the best we can."


Barça TV: They say Barça are the favourites, what do you think?


Zambrotta: "I am sure we are one of the favourites. But then there is also Milan, Inter have a good team, Chelsea or Arsenal, and there are plenty of others that could reach the final. It is never easy to say things so early on."