Praises pour in for talented Bojan Krkic after scoring his first official goal for FC Barcelona.


FC Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard has never hidden his admiration for Bojan Krkic. The coach sees Bojan as integral to the future of Barca and did not fail to mention his high expectations for the young lad. After the match against Villarreal in which Bojan Krkic scored the only goal scored by FC Barcelona, Coach Frank Rijkaard told the press that:

I am especially happy for Bojan. He scored a great goal and has showed that he is a player with a great future ahead of him. He can grow with us. I am very pleased for him.

Bojan Krkic in repsonse, said:

I am pleased with the goal, but I have a bad taste in the mouth as we were unable to take all three points. Messi is a great player and I have a great understanding with him. I will keep the shirt I wore today as a souvenir.

Bojan is expected to start featuring more prominently for FC Barcelona.

If English Premiership top scorer, Didier Drogba appears in Barcelona Jersey at the start of next season, do not gasp in surprise.


Drogba, speaking from his base in Abidjan, the capital city of the Ivory Coast, bared his mind on the frustrations of staying confined to one club and to one system without much exploration, competition and title inducing activities. The goalking is being strongly associated with Barcelona, who have mounted a public manhunt for the striker that surpasses all standards, probably to pair such a deadly marksman with their own striker who surpasses all standards the equally deadly kingpin, Samuel Eto'o.
It will be very delightful watching the three time African footballer of the year, Samuel Eto'o pair with the current African Footballer of the year, Didier Drogba to form the most dangerous attacking pair in the entire football world.

This vision is what Barca has caught and is very well able to pursue it to a conclusive end.
Drogba says:


I do not see myself lasting in places where achievements of the highest honour continue to be elusive. I want to play in a club where the ability to rise to the occassion is high. A club with great ambitions where one can achieve set objectives. I am 29 years now and cannot continue to waste any more time.

I will be in self-delusion if I end my career without playing in the right club and gatteing the right results.


Drogba's declining love for Chelsea may be connected with the declining relationship between the officials at Stamford Bridge and their Coach, Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese brought Drogba to Chelsea and is in many ways, playing the role of a mentor to the younger African Lion.


It could also be that Drogba is tilting toward Barca in respone to rumour winds blowing across from the Premiership, which has continued to link an increasing number of players and even coaches moving from England to Spain and Spain to England.

Match Preview: Saturday 09/06/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 37
FC BARCELONA - RCD ESPANYOL

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Iniesta (Motta), Xavi, Deco - Giuly (Iniesta), Eto´o, Messi - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Espanyol (4-4-2): Kameni - Velasco, Lacruz, Jarque, Chica - Rufete, Moises Hurtado, De La Pena, Riera - Luis Garcia, Tamudo - Manager: ernesto Valverde


Match Preview:

FC Barcelona (2nd/72 points) meets Espanyol (12th/48 points) in the ever important derby at Camp Nou. A victory is a must be and anything else dents all title hopes. At the same time, the Merengues are expected to slip in La Romareda against Zaragoza!


FC Barcelona know that they need 6 points out of their last 2 matches and this includes the derby win against Espanol. While the Periquos are save in La Liga this time, their pride is at stake. Espanyol players have not forgotten the songs from last year when the Camp Nou crowd was singing "Segunda, Segunda" at the players in Blue and White. No sweeter would be the revenge, if Espanyol would hand over the title to Real by beating Barca at Camp Nou. The confidence is there, having won the first match at Montjuic 3-1.


barca is still unbeaten at home this season, but an unlucky draw as against Betis would not be enough. They have to win and will attack right from the start. Unfortunately the deadly and successful trio of Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Messi are not teaming up. Only Messi and Eto´o will start while Ronaldinho (red) is suspended. Also Brazilian anchor Edmilson will watch from the stands (5th yellow).
Captain Puyol was rested and Xavi was suspended from Spain's midweek game. Puyol will partner Thuram in the centre of defence. Zambrotta will play on the right and Gio on the left full back position. Iniesta, Deco and Xavi could start in midfield, to prove Barca´s willingness to win, but may be Rijkaard will opt to field Motta as a defensive midfielder and sent Iniesta on the right wing for Giuly. Marquez recovered from his injury and could be an alternative in defence or defensive midfield. Giuly might start on the right wing while Messi could change to the left to replace Ronaldinho.


Espanyol could start with Kameni in goal and Luis Garcia is fit to play upfront, while Uruguayan striker Pandiani may miss out due to injury. Former Barca player Ivan de La Pena is expected to marshal the Espanyol midfield and Moises will be his cover.




My Prediction:
I have a very good feeling and I am optimistic. I have been in Camp Nou in 1992 on the last match day, when Real bottled it in Tenerife (2-3). Barca has got a good record to clinch the title in the last momments (ask the Merengues and Depor!)

Another fact that gives us all hope: the Merengues have never won the final eight La Liga matches. They have already won 6 of the last 8, so it is time to slip. I guess there is no better place and timing than at La Romareda. If Real drops points, I guess that will be the Championship for Barca.


The pressure is on Barca, but the Blaugrana will cope.


FC Barcelona - Espanyol 2-0
Zaragoza - Real 1-0!



Visca el Barca!

Match Preview: Sunday 22/04/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 31
VILLARREAL CF - FC BARCELONA

EL Madrigal, Villarreal – Capacity: 23.000
Referee: Perez Burrull


Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Viera - Josemi, Fuentes (Gonzalo Rodriguez), Cygan, Jose Enrique - Marcos Senna, Josico - Pires, Jose Mari, Marcos - Forlan - Manager: Manolo Pellegrini


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Iniesta, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

Villarreal CF (12th/38 points) will host Spansish Champions FC Barcelona (1st/59 points) at El Madrigal (19:00, local time).


For the Blaugrana it is the perfect opportunity to frustrate their challengers again. Villarreal for sure is not an easy trip and Real Madrid and Sevilla are hoping that Barca will drop points. Real Madrid won against Valencia last night (2-1), which means that the Merengues are only 2 points behind the La Liga leaders Barca and Valencia is out of the title race. Sevilla play atletic Bilbao and could also pile pressure on Barca.
therefore FC Barcelona have to take 3 points from Villarreal before they fly to Egypt to play African Champions Al-Ahly. With 4 (Sevilla) and 5 points (Real Madrid) behind Barca in the La Liga table, it will be difficult to catch FC Barcelona in the last 7 matches, especially with the match Real Madrid vs Sevilla coming up in 2 weeks.


FC Barcelona seems to have found back to form in recent weeks. The Blaugrana will travel to Villarreal on a high, after the superb display on Wednesday against Getafe (5-2) with Leo Messi undoubtful being the hero of the night.


Another boost in the Barca Camp is the news that "El Magico" Ronaldinho has returned to help his teammates to get the necessary 3 points. By the way, Ronaldinho looked sharp in training and it seems that the special training has helped him to get back to full fitness.


Villarreal can not be happy with 12th place and for the team the season is over. May this they could lack motivation against the Spanish Champions but on the other hand they have nothing to lose. Still, they have a good team and in my opinion are able to beat any team on an excellent day. Main thread is Diego Forlan, who is back in the team against Barca.


FC Barcelona has Ronaldinho back, Edmilson, Motta and Belletti are injured and to a certain extend surprisingly left Rafa Marquez out to rest. Marquez is the only defensive midfielder and could also help out as central defender. Therefore the midfield is not a big secret: Iniesta, Xavi and Deco. R.E.M. will start upfront, with Messi on the right, Eto´o in the centre and Ronaldinho on the right.


Villarreal will be without Tomasson and Matias Fernandez, due to injury, while Franco (red card) and Somoza (yellow card) are suspended. So, there is not much choice for Pelligrini and he will probably pick Diego Forlan as the lonely striker and Jose Mari to support him from the midfield. Marcos Senna and Josico will build the defensive midfield pair, while former Arsenal player Robert Pires and young Marcos will play on the wings.


My Prediction:

The difference between Villarreal and FC Barcelona could not be bigger this week. While Villarreal got thrashed 3-0 by Getafe, FC Barcelona thumbed the Mardid outfit 5-2 with a stunning display. Now, with Ronaldinho back in the team (for Gudjohnsen), the team looks even stronger. All eyes will be set on Ronaldinho and Messi for different reasons, Ronaldinho, how sharp he will be tonight and to monitor if he is back to his best and Messi to repeat his outstanding performance midweek.


FC Barcelona have lost five games this season and all were lost away from Camp Nou. But the defeats were down to Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid, Zaragoza and in a hard fought Barcelona derby against Espanol. Villarreal is not on the same level and therefore I predict Barca to win!


Villarreal - FC Barcelona 0-1


Visca el Barca!

FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard warned in yesterday´s pre-match press conference of Real Zaragoza´s strength and feels that the Copa del Rey victory is history now.


Here is a selection of his comments in the official press conference:

That all belongs to the past now. Zaragoza is a very dangerous team that play especially well at home.

Zaragoza are a very dangerous opponent, made up of very talented players that form one of the strongest squads in the league. Every time they play us their mentality has been brilliant and they are playing for a place in Europe.

This will definitely be an interesting game, and the way it ends will be important for both sides. But the squad has the correct mentality to put on a good display.

We have two options in this sense. We still have to think about tactical things and tomorrow we’ll see what decision we come up with.

Every league game is difficult, you can’t afford to relax. Every game is important and tells its own story.