FC Barcelona presents the first official interview with Jose Manuel Pinto.


Since joining the Catalan giants on a six-month, convertible loan deal, Jose manuel Pinto has been on the spotlight as the experienced keeper ahs been regarded as an effective back up - and sometimes alternative - for first choice keeper Victor Valdes, who has been in spectacular form this season. The Celta Vigo safe hands is confident that he will make a great impact in Barca both on and off the pitch, while insisting that the Blaugrana have all it takes to rise to the pinnacle of world soccer. The new goal keeper has spoken once to Barca TV since his arrival, but now presents an official interview in which the custodian shares his views in a lengthy discussion. Read the full interview and watch the Spanish
version on Barca TV:


Official Interview With Jose Manuel Pinto of FC Barcelona.

Victor Valdes is alert and ready for the challanges ahead. This is seen in his recent interview.


Safe hands, Victor Valdes, who has an excellent record in maintaining long hours without conceding goals, has offered his views on FC Barcelona's new signing Jose Manuel Pinto and also on other issues such as the highly rated Barca defence, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and other happenings affecting the Blaugrana. Valdes, who is great friends with French goal king Thierry Henry, had some words for his friend who dedicated the goal scored against Racing Santander to Victor Valdes. In response, Valdes said:

I already knew he would celebrate it like that. He’s always joking about that and he’s a great team-mate.

Valdes then added jokingly:

I would have preferred him not to score !

Read the interesting interview below:


Valdes Happy With Goal Dedication By Thierry Henry.

Ingla sees result and has a lot of hope for the future.


FC Barcelona vice President, Marc Ingla is very pleased with the Murcia victory and happy with the team spirit shown by Samuel Eto'o and the rest of the Barca players. The club official had last week, hoped for some form of magic in the atmosphere at Camp Nou, after rising demands and pressure from the fans and from the press have delt a big blow to the mood around Barcelona. Now, Ingla is breathing a huge sigh of relief along with the other officials, who were also becoming increasingly worried with the team's performance. Ingla said in the post-match press conference:

We needed a result like this to confirm the positive dynamic of the team in different competitions. I am very happy with the way the whole team played and the spirit was great. I commend Eto'o for choosing to stay back and play this last match with Barca. This shows the spirit of desire and commitment in the team.

FC Barcelona have been in high spirits since the victory of Real Mallorca, but the mood in the camp has been inspirational since the 4-0 defeat of Murcia. Barca will play Sevilla on Tuesday, January 15 in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey after a 1-1 first leg draw in Seville last week. The second leg match kicks off at 21:00 hours at the Camp Nou.

It's a big night for the King's cup. Rijkaard is ready for the occassion. In fact, more ready than many people know.


Frank Rijkaard is eager to take on Sevilla not for any scores to settle, but a natural sign of the rising confidence in the coach and the entire Blaugrana squad after starting 2008 on a high with a 2-0 away victory over Mallorca. Another away duel now lies in wait for the Catalan giants as this time, a stronger host by the name of Sevilla are in line. The strength and name of the host does nor scare Rijkaard one bit, as the brave coach says:

I think it’s good that we get to play Sevilla because they are a strong side and we’d like to knock them out. We are confident enough we can do it. I wouldn’t accept a draw because we want to win and you can only say a draw is a good result once a game is over.

With such resolve by the Dutchman, fireworks are indeed already flying. Read more from Rijkaard:


Sevilla - FC Barcelona: Coach Rijkaard's Pre-Match Comments.

Ahead of the big cracker with RCD Mallorca, Coach Frank Rijkaard is all calm about it all...and ready as well.


As FC Barcelona prepares to face hosts RCD Mallorca tonight in the ONO Estadi, the Island will be set on fire and may keep burning with magical football and great play by both sides especially from the ever colourful Barca. The coach of the Blaugrana, Frank Rijkaard is all set and ready for the task that should reduce Real Madrid's lead to 4 points afterwards. Rijkaard speaks to the press before the crucial match:


RCD Mallorca - FC Barcelona: Coach Rijkaard's Pre-Match Comments.