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.

With the absence of Toure Yaya and Samuel Eto'o, Marquez still says there's no cause for alarm.


Rafa Marquez has a big heart and this is when he wants to show it. With injury rocking the Barca squad, though now on a lighter scale due to returning players back from injury, another dimension of loss has come in the form of players committed to their countries as the African players in the first team leave to play for their national teams in the African Cup of Nations starting on January 20, 2008. Toure Yaya has already joined his country mates for the La Cote 'd Ivoire national team, while Samuel Eto'o is fully booked for the Cameroonians. Despite this, Marquez says:

The team should be concerned about winning, about the way it plays, and not think so much about who’s playing and who’s not.

Marquez praised the skills and contribution made by both Toure and Eto'o. Marquez will surely be happy to have them back at Camp Nou as soon as possible. The Mexican believed that Edmilson can fill the gap left by Toure Yaya in linking the midfield. Barca strikers like Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic will surely play well at any given day, along with the great in-form display from Iniesta and the likes of Giovani dos Santos and Eidur Gudjohnsen.


FC Barcelona's next match is in the Copa del Rey against defending champions Sevilla. The match takes place on January 09. Kick-off time is 22:00 hours local time. This is the first leg and will be hosted by Sevilla.

While warning of the might possessed by Sevilla, Marquez is ready for the challenge ahead.


The Mexican was in brilliant form against Mallorca over the weekend and hopes to carry on this great form into the Sevilla match tomorrow. Marquez wants to lift the Copa del Rey this season with Barca, and though he sees a resurgence of the old Sevilla side that were feared all across Spain and europe last season, the defender is ready to defend the rear gaurd of the Catalan giants to ensure Fabiano and his goal hungry colleagues do not see any chance against the Catalan giants. Read the full interview :


Exclusive Interview With Rafa Marquez.

The Blaugrana have the advantage of playing at home first, as they host Sevilla in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey 1/8 round.



FC Barcelona have been drawn with defending champions Sevilla for the next stage of the Copa Del Rey. The Catalan giants were pitched against Kanoute's team after the Draws were held Friday at noon. Both the 1/8 and 1/4 final rounds were drawn simultaneously. Barca's league oponents this weekend, Real Mallorca were drawn against Real Madrid. Getafe, who eliminated Barca last season, will square up against Levante. The full draw for the next two rounds are as follows:


1/8 Final:


Two legs - to be played January 9th and January 16th. Teams drawn first play home leg first.


1 - Recreativo - Villarreal

2 - Sevilla - Barcelona
3 - Zaragoza - Racing Santander

4 - Real Mallorca - Real Madrid
5 - Athletic Bilbao - Espanyol

6 - Real Betis - Valencia
7 - Atletico Madrid - Valladolid

8 - Getafe - Levante


1/4 Final:


Two legs - to be played January 23rd and January 30th. Teams drawn first play home leg first.


Winner 1 - Winner 2
Winner 6 - Winner 7

Winner 8 - Winner 4
Winner 3 - Winner 5

Watch all five goals scored by FC Barcelona against Inter Milan and clips from the tribute for Nicolau Casaus and Antonio Puerta.


Video highlights: Wednesday 29/08/2007 22:00 (GMT +1), Joan Gamper Trophy
FC BARCELONA - INTER MILAN 5-0 (3-0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona
Capacity : 98,772

Attendance : 98,559
Referee: Iturralde Gonzalez


Cautions:

Yellow Card - Rivas ( 82' )


Goals:
1-0 Ronaldinho ( 6' )

2-0 Giovanni ( 11' )
3-0 Toure Yaya ( 7' )

4-0 Iniesta ( 56' )
5-0 Motta ( 81' )


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Jorquera ( Valdes 46' ), Zambrotta ( Sylvinho 46' ), Marquez ( Thuram,46' ), Oleguer, Abidal ( Milito 46' ), Toure ( Marc Crosas 66' ), Xavi ( Iniesta,46' ), Deco, Giovanni ( Messi,46' ), Ronaldinho ( Eto'o 46' , Motta 49' ), Henry


Inter Milan(4-4-2) :Toldo, Burdisso, Rivas, Chivu, Cesar, Cambiasso, Luis Jimenez ( Morrouffi,60' ), Pele, Solari ( Fatic, 66' ), Crespo ( Recoba 60' ), Adriano ( Bolotelli, 60' )

Manager: Roberto Mancini


Video Highlights: