Watch Giovanni Dos Santos score his beautiful goal against Yokohama Marinos.


Video Highlights: Tuesday 07/08/2007 (12:00,GMT+1)Pre-Season Freindly

Yokohama Marinos - FC Barcelona 0-1 ( 0-0 )
Nissan Stadium, Yokohama Japan

Capacity : 72,327
Referee: Masayoshi Okada


Goals :

0-1 Giovani (75')


Line-up:
FC Barcelona: Valdes(Jorquera 46'), zambrotta, Turam, Oleguer, Sylvinho(Motta(64'), Toure, Xavi(Crosas 81'), Iniesta, Ronaldinho(Maxi 87'), Eto'o(Ezquerro 85'), Henry (Dos Santos 46')


Yokohama Marinos :Enamoto, Tanaka, Jurihira, Matsuda(nasu 46'), Komiyama, Marques(Yoshida 46'), Kawai( Ueno 58'),Koji Yamase(Kano 72'), Yukihiro, Yamase, Oshima(Suzuki 61')


Video Highlights:

After overcoming fatigue, Ronnie is coming back to his old best.


FC Barcelona's Brazilian dynamo, Ronaldinho is very happy with the way things are going in Barca and also with his new state of health and well-being. Ronaldinho was mentally sidelined towards the ending of last season, a situation which showed in his fatigue-ladden game and sometimes low level of performance. This tiredness was actaully a carry over from excess workload on the skillful player, who had to opt of Brazil's Copa America team in order to gain full rest and some private time. Now back into action, Ronaldinho feels revived, rejuvenated and ready to take on any form of oppostion. Ronnie says:

I’m 100% happy again. I have been able to share a few moments with my friends. Football is great medicine. I am feeling fine physically, though I need to get my ankle right before I can fully relax. But the ball is helping me to forget the pain. A rest over the summer was the best thing.

Ronaldinho spent time on the beach, shopping and having quality time with family and friends, activities that worked magic on the Braca star. During one of his trips to the city of Milan, Ronnie was ambushed by AC Milan officials who wanted to talk the charismatic artiste into joining the Serie A side, but this did not succeed as Ronaldo had his heart set on Barcelona.

The Catalan giants played a tough match but maintained their win-it-all-record. After the match, some of the Blaugrana made comments accordingly.


FC Barcelona players made their comments after the Yokohama match, with the general opinion being that the Japanese side were tough, and gave the Blaugrana the stiffest opposition so far. The general conclusion was that even though FC Barcelona played a great game, there was still room for improvement. First to speak was Ronaldinho, who was elated and in bright mood, with the explanation that he had gotten adequate rest and was now bubbling with life. After that, the Brazilian super star commented on the game and on emerging talent, Giovanni Dos Santos. Ronnie said :

We played a good game. I am happy particularly for Giovanni because he is a young player with a lot of quality. I hope he can do all he can to help us and that he thoroughly enjoys playing with us.

Team goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who made some few saves, said :

It was a physically difficult game. A lot was asked of the team and the response was good. This win was another step forward. Yokohama Marinos is a team that has always made things hard for us. They are physically very strong. We are deliberately working on physical pressure and things are slowly coming into place.

Iniesta, who gave a good account of himself in the midfield along with Xavi, said :

The team is gradually improving. Today’s opposition was physically in better shape. We are working hard on pressure. It is the kind of detail that makes a team great.

Barca's hardworking Italian defender Zambrotta said :

We worked hard. I am pleased because we played much more aggressive football than before. Yokohama is the strongest team we have played so far. We are doing well. Constant improvement is the key.

Oleguer said after the match :

This was a tough match. Yokohama Marinos were fitter than we are. They are a serious team and position themselves well. We still need to be more aggressive and create more pressure. We played further back today and waited for the moments to come in order not to overdo things.

Finally, match winner, Giovanni Dos Santos said :

My aim is for the team to win titles and to work hard on a daily basis. It is still the start of my career.

On being awarded the Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) award after the match, Giovanni said :

I didn’t even know there was an MVP award, but I am very happy. I will continue to give my best.