Iniesta suffers hamstring injury

Andrés Iniesta has torn the femoral biceps in his left leg. The Medical Services have examined the injury and confirmed that he will be out for about a month.

In the 38th minute of the game the midfielder, in an individual action, felt pain in his left leg and called to be substituted. Cesc Fàbregas came on in his place.

Andrés Iniesta was subjected to a series of medical tests and the verdict is a torn femoral biceps in his left leg, which will mean he misses about a month of football.

He therefore joins Alexis Sánchez and Gerard Piqué on Barça’s injury list.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Real Madrid and Barcelona are above the rest in Europe

Getty Images

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that the financial muscle that Real Madrid and Barcelona - along with Premier League teams Chelsea and Manchester City - possess puts them a cut above the rest of the clubs in Europe.

Everyone else is playing catch up, including his London club.

"I believe that this season, I see two teams that are above the rest – Real Madrid and Barcelona – and the rest have to catch up during the season," Wenger said.

"Barca and Real Madrid have much more financial power than they had 14 years ago because they have individualized their TV rights. So they, at the moment, with teams like Man City and Chelsea, can take who they want," he added.

Wenger was speaking ahead of the curtain raiser for his side's Champions League campaign against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Arsenal is in its 14th season in the Champions League group phase and Wenger has noticed changes in the league, particularly with the competition in the Premier League becoming better each year.

"It is as difficult to win the Champions League because a team that wins the Premier League is in the Champions League final almost every year," Wenger said.

Wenger predicts that a "massive crisis" is going to take place in the future, which will eventually affect football revenue, and insists that the sport is not "untouchable". He points out that the first signs of resistance have been shown in Spain, where teams and fans complain about La Liga being nothing more than a two-team race.

"I believe that Europe overall, as a unit, is going towards a massive crisis, which nobody really expects now. I am convinced that Europe will go into a huge financial crisis within the next three weeks or three months and maybe that will put everything into perspective again.

"Football is not untouchable. We live with people going to the stadiums as well and from advertising from people who buy products. All our income could be a little bit under threat in the next few months. Football is not only about money. We believe in ourselves that we can compete with them but it's as simple as this."

The former Monaco boss also admitted that it is too early for the Gunners to think about winning the Champions League, as the club first need to prove its mettle following the arrival of a few new faces.

At the transfer deadline less than two weeks ago, Arsenal added Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun.

"We are full of hope but I understand why people raise that question [about Arsenal not being equipped well enough to win the Champions League]," Wenger said. "We have not had a particularly strong start in the league. We have had five players coming in and nobody knows how good they will be."

Real Madrid's Ricardo Carvalho handed one-year ban from Portugal national team

The experienced defender has been given a one-year ban after abandoning Portugal's training camp last month shortly before a Euro 2012 qualifier

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has announced that Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho will be unable to play for his country's national team in the next 12 months.

This means that Carvalho will sit out the Euro 2012 finals if Portugal qualifies for the showpiece event in Poland and Ukraine.

The 33-year-old walked out of the national side's training camp last month without explanation after learning he would not start in a Euro2012 qualifier against Cyprus.

Later that day, Carvalho issued a statement to announce his retirement from football, saying he had been 'disrespected and hurt in his dignity'.

According to the FPF regulations, the maximum penalty a player can face for a situation such as this is a two-year suspension.

If the federation decided to report the case to Uefa, Carvalho could then find himself in a even worse situation, as he could have to serve a Champions League ban of up to three months.

However, Portugal coach Paulo Bento has ruled out that scenario, insisting he is looking to put the incident behind him.

Xabi Alonso: Real Madrid is eager to win the Champions League

The Spain international has set his sights on the Champions League trophy, but guaranteed he is not expecting an easy match on Wednesday.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has confessed his club is determined to win this season's edition of the Champions League.

The Spanish side's last success in the UEFA competition came 10 years ago, when it defeated Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, the club has gone to the quarterfinals twice and lost to rival Barcelona in the semis last season.

And though La Liga is one of the few prestigious competitions Alonso has not yet won in his career, he conceded that winning the Champions League is his biggest wish.

"La Liga and the Champions League are the most important competitions. I am still missing La Liga and we want to win it, but everyone is eager for the Champions League," he said.

Real Madrid has been drawn with Lyon, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb, with the club's first game at the Croatian club's arena on Wednesday. Alonso stressed his side is not hoping to find the three points gift-wrapped in Zagreb.

"We have been analyzing Dinamo, I believe they got off to a good start in the league," he said. "They have not been in the Champions League for many years and to meet Madrid is an extra motivation for them. We expect a difficult match."

European giants clash in the first round of Champions League games

Just incase you didn’t know Europe’s top competition the Champions League starts tonight.
One of the biggest ties of the first round games is European Champions Barcelona vs. Italian champions AC Milan at the Nou Camp. These are two proper giants of European football.
Winners
Between them these two clubs have won the European Cup 11 times. That is an impressive haul of trophies.
Milan have won the trophy seven times in their history, their most recent victory coming in 2007 when they defeated Premier League Liverpool in final of the competition.
Barcelona have won the European Cup four times. Two of those victories have came in the last three years, both against Manchester United. Although they haven’t won as many European Cup’s as AC, they are currently regarded as the bigger club worldwide.
Draws
Both clubs drew 2-2 at the weekend. However the draws came under different circumstances. AC Milan were two goals down before coming back to claim a point against new look Lazio. It was their first Serie A game of the season after the start of the league campaign was delayed due to a players strike.
Barcelona on the other hand were two goals up in the first 15 minutes away at Real Sociedad in their latest league game. However the club from San Sebastian came back strong in the second half and shocked the champions. The champions had fielded a weakened side in the La Liga encounter.
Defence
Barcelona may have had a weakened side out at Real Sociedad but you can be sure that their team will be at near full strength for the fixture against the Italians giants. Barcelona have had injury problems in defence in recent months.
However the club are likely to have the likes of Carles Puyol and Maxwell back in the squad that hosts Milan at the Nou Camp. Barcelona will need to be at their best at the back with Milan’s attack the main strength of their side.
Attack
Ac Milan have a threatening strike force. In the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato the Rossoneri carry a major attacking threat. AC Milan’s attack is probably the strongest department of their team. Unfortunately, there is bad news for AC Milan fans.
Teams
Mercurial Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be denied the chance to appear against his former-team as he is currently out injured. AC will also be without midfield general Gennaro Gattuso, who is still suspended from last season. Dutch midfielder Mark Van Bommel could come in to replace the Italian international. The Italians champions will be missing centre-back Philippe Mexes, who is also on the injury list but would have been suspended anyway.
Barcelona are likely to welcome back club captain Carles Puyol to the centre of their defence. His first choice central-defensive partner Gerard Pique hasn’t appeared for the club since the Super Cup victory over Real Madrid and is likely to miss out on this encounter as well.
New signing Alexis Sanchez is ruled out of this clash after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Real Sociedad match. Spanish international David Villa is likely to replace the Chilean. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi is also likely to return to the team after starting the last match on the substitutes bench.
Tight
This should be a tight game. Italian champions AC Milan will be underdogs in this clash but it will no doubt prove to be a closer encounter than most Barcelona games. AC Milan are considered to be one of the challengers for Barcelona’s crown as European Champions.
Reaction
The draw at Real Sociedad was considered a poor result for Barcelona. Barca boss Pep Guardiola will be looking for a reaction from that game and Barcelona’s players usually produce what Guardiola wants.
AC Milan are a strong outfit but I can see Barcelona starting the defence of their European crown with a victory. Both sides will no doubt qualify for the knockout stages of the competition though and that’s when the real fun starts.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek: 'Jose Mourinho loves football like nobody else'

Dudek spoke exclusively to our Spanish chief editor in Madrid about his time at the club and on Cristiano Ronaldo's new Castrol EDGE documentary which the Pole participated in

(Castrol)

Former Real Madrid shot-stopper Jerzy Dudek has hailed the influence of Jose Mourinho since his arrival at the Bernabeu. In an exclusive interview with Goal.com the Polish star spoke highly of the Special One.

"He loves football like nobody else," said the former shot-stopper. "He can't be your brother, he cannot be your father. But overall he is a very nice guy who tries to get the best out of his players."

Dudek was in the Spanish capital for the screening of 'Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit' documentary premiere. As a former teammate of the Portuguese superstar, the ex-Liverpool player was invited to take part in the feature film which is currently being broadcast around the world.

"It was very exciting for me," Dudek told Goal.com. "When they made this documentary they needed a goalkeeper for one or two of the tests. It would have been easier for them to call a goalkeeper who's not professional and make him concede a lot of goals in the tests, but I think it was good they used someone like me in this project."

In the documentary, which was recently broadcast in Britain on Sky Sports, the abilities of Cristiano Ronaldo are examined with a series of elaborate tests. Dudek observed the world's most expensive player at close quarters for two years and the two have remained friends since the Pole left the Bernabeu.

"Ronaldo always tries to be better and better every single day. As a player he is an example and as a person he is very nice," Dudek added. "All this global stuff that makes him look like a rock star, maybe it would make you think that he is different, but he is not like that. He is always very helpful. I would define Cristiano like a normal guy.

After six years and a Champions League title with Liverpool Dudek moved to Real Madrid in 2007. As Iker Casillas' understudy the Poland international had few playing opportunities but has no regrets for swapping England for Spain.

"The experience was even better than I expected," Dudek told Goal.com. "I knew I came here to learn and I knew I was not going to play a lot of games. But I also knew that if I got this job then I needed to do this job very well.



"Apart from football I also learned lots of things. I was surprised to see how we would go to places like Malaga and two thousand people would be waiting for us. We would go to the hotel and another two thousand people were there waiting for us. I was surprised to see how much people love Real Madrid."

Summing up his time in the Spanish capital, Dudek spoke highly of the country that he called home for two seasons.

"I learned a new culture and a new language," said Dudek. "The weather was also different than the one I had in England that’s for sure! Also I learned that Real Madrid is a club that is all about respect. It is the ‘white house’ you know. Respect, that's what defines this club."

Dudek was coached by Mourinho for a single season and after observing him from afar during his time in England he was impressed with the Portuguese coach's approach to the game.

"He is different. He loves football like nobody else. The way he manages his teams is also different. He can't be your brother, he cannot be your father. But overall he is a very nice guy who tries to get the best out of his players.

"If you have a problem he will always be the first to help you. These details are what it is important to him."

Real Madrid ended its trophy drought with the Copa del Rey last season but it's been 10 years since they last won the UEFA Champions League. Dudek is convinced the club have what it takes this season to land that coveted 10th title.

"When Real Madrid played the first game against Barcelona this year in the Supercup you could see that this year the club is capable to fight like never before. Real Madrid can face Barcelona like never before.

"I saw many positive things [in that match] good pressure, good organization, good control of the ball and a very offensive attitude. I think this year the Real Madrid supporters will be happy to see how the team brings the titles and gets the 10th Champions League crown."

Chelsea questions Fernando Torres over criticism of teammates

The misfiring Spanish striker will have to explain comments that appear on his official website questioning his teammates' ability.

Getty Images

Fernando Torres, step into Andre Villas-Boas' office.

After Torres called out his "very slow" and "old" teammates on Spain's Primera Liga website and later translated to English on his personal site, Chelsea's management has decided to review the comments in what is the latest low moment for the striker since joining the club last January.

"We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview," said Villas-Boas, the Chelsea manager. "We'll see if things play exactly as they are in that interview."

Torres has scored a grand total of one goal for the Blues in 18 Premier League games. It's not quite what Chelsea expected when it dished out over $79 million for the former Liverpool player, who had much more success at Anfield with 65 goals in 102 league games.

But, according to the translation, Torres did have an excuse for his lack of offensive power prior to being benched in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Sunderland over the weekend.

Torres' website, in Spanish, sees the 27-year-old say that the type of players Chelsea have "juega muy lento" - which translated means, "play very slowly". However, Torres has stated that he was misquoted by the online publication.

Still, those words struck a nerve with Villas-Boas, and if the translation proves accurate, the 33-year-old coach will surely take the proper action.

"We'd just talk. Just talk to share opinion. If it was unauthorised, I'd fine him. Of course. Anyhow, it's one player's perspective," Villas-Boas said. "I don't think it's a perspective that the manager shares. I don't have to share my players' ideas sometimes.

"I think we have competence, apart from the 'age problem', which for me is not a problem. Maybe we just have to speak about that situation and he has to see our view as well."

It is unclear if Torres will once again be on the bench Tuesday for Chelsea, which watched Daniel Sturridge take his place and score the team's second goal against Sunderland. If he sits, Villas-Boas expects some unhappiness.

But, as he says, who would be happy on the bench?

"I think any player who's not part of the squad or part of the selected players is not happy," Villas-Boas said. "I'm glad because maybe you can stimulate them to go one step further or motivate them a bit more."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger heaps praise on Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa and says Asian football is improving fast

The Frenchman is a big admirer of Dortmund's Japanese playmaker but says he's just one of many Asian footballers making waves as the region begins to produce 'top quality'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the examples of Shinji Kagawa and Ryo Miyaichi show Asian football is on the way up.

The Frenchman was speaking prior to Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, which is home to Kagawa.

Wenger is a known admirer of Kagawa and told reporters he would be a key in Tuesday's encounter, before discussing the growth of Asian football in recent times.

"Kagawa is a very mobile player, he is very clever, very creative and is very quick in the box and that is why he is a proven goal-scorer," said Wenger.

The Arsenal boss also said his new Japanese signing Ryo Miyaichi did not make the trip to Germany, and also went on to affirm his belief in the rising quality of Asian football:

"Miyaichi is not here, he is just coming back from injury and is playing for the reserves on Tuesday at Bolton."

"I think it just shows what is happening all over the world at the moment, the push of Asian football towards the top quality," Wenger said. "We saw it at the World Cup last year where teams like Japan did very well, along with North and South Korea."

Chairman Tom Werner: Liverpool is 'enormously pleased' with Kenny Dalglish

American says Scot is the right man for the job after guiding the club out of a dark period and up to sixth place last season, and admits ground-share with Everton is "non-starter"

Getty Images

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has admitted that the board are "enormously pleased" with manager Kenny Dalglish.

"We are enormously pleased that he is our coach, he provides great leadership on the pitch," Werner told Sky Sports News. "I've been with him when he's talking to employees and when he's talking to supporter groups, and when he talks about Liverpool, this is a man who understands the club's history and our relentlessness when we were winning and hopefully he will bring trophies."

The Scot was brought in as a replacement for Roy Hodgson, who was asked to leave following an ill-fated reign that lasted less than a season on Merseyside.

The current boss managed to steady the ship and guided the team to a sixth-placed finish last term, whilst selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea and bringing in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll during the January transfer window.

He has since conducted a significant amount of business in the summer, bolstering the squad to add a strength in depth that had previously been lacking at Anfield.

Werner also admitted that a groundsharing with Everton would be a "non-starter" since it would go against the wishes of the supporters.

"There's the possibility of building a new stadium at Stanley Park. The one thing I will say is that there have been rumours that we're interested in the possibility of a share with Everton," he said. "I won't ever say it is completely [ruled out], but our fans don't want it so I think it's a non-starter."

AC Milan's Adriano Galliani: Barcelona clash is the 'Derby of the World'

The Italian champions' vice-president has underlined the importance of the upcoming Champions League encounter with the Spanish titans

Getty Images

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is eagerly anticipating Tuesday evening's Champions League game against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

"Barcelona are the best club in the world at the moment," Galliani was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "However, Milan are the team with the most titles. The game could easily be described as the 'Derby of the World'. It's a great thing to start the Champions League with a match like this. It will be one big footballing feast."

The 67-year-old feels the Group H match is an encounter between the most successful team in history and the best club around at the moment.

AC Milan has won seven Champions League trophies so far and finished runners-up on four more occasions. Only Real Madrid has won European club football's elite tournament more often, having recorded nine victories.

Barcelona has, to date, won four Champions League trophies and is the reigning champions, following last year's 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Xavi: Barcelona has an amazing team

Xavi: Barcelona has an amazing team and have only become stronger with arrival of Cesc Fabregas & Alexis Sanchez

he Spain midfielder has hailed the signing of the former Arsenal and Udinese stars and feels the Catalans have actually improved this summer

Gettyimages

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has voiced his opinion that the Spanish champions have an amazing squad and have only become stronger over the summer following the arrival of new players.

The Catalans secured the services of Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal and Alexis Sanchez from Udinese, and Xavi is confident that the duo both add something special to the team.

"The truth is that we have an amazing team and this year it is even stronger," Xavi was quoted as saying on Uefa.com. "There are many players in the market but few that could have improved what Barcelona already have. Cesc and Alexis have improved the team, and so they have been welcomed; they will adapt easily because of their character, fitness, and the great team-mates around them.

"I am sure they will be playing very soon and they will adapt perfectly and show the class that they have shown in their teams."

Xavi then stressed that he does not consider Fabregas to be his successor, adding that such a label would put pressure on the former Arsenal captain.

"I had a rough time when people were saying that I was [Pep] Guardiola's successor and I did not enjoy my first years, it was hard for me to adapt," said Xavi of his early years at the club. "Cesc needs to be Cesc – he is a winner and we have different characteristics. I don't want anyone to be my successor and have to go through that pressure. Let him have his own personality and show what a great footballer he is."

Fabregas has impressed since his return to Camp Nou, scoring in the 2-0 European Supercup win over Porto and in the 5-0 La Liga thrashing of Villarreal on matchday one.

Manchester United Cruise to 5-0 win, Lose Tom Cleverley For Four Weeks 2

Manchester United were in cruise control from the 5th minute onward at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton following an early goal from Javier “El Chicharito” Hernandez. But the win was once again overshadowed by injuries for the Red Devils. Earlier this season United lost captain fantastic Nemanja Vidic and his reliable centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand in a convincing win over West Bromwich Albion in the their first fixture of the 2011-12 Premier League campaign. That same week the club lost Brazilian right-back Rafael da Silva for up to ten weeks following a shoulder injury in training.
Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra also received knocks against Bolton on Saturday. Sir Alex told MUTV, “We’ll see them on Sunday. Jonny is doubtful for Wednesday – he got a knee in the hip in the second half which was pretty painful, while Patrice got a kick on the kneecap. We’ll have a look at them on Sunday – it’s too early to say [how serious the injuries are].” United will travel to Portugal to take on Benfica in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday. It is the first time United will play in Portugal since the Red Devils defeated FC Porto 1-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnificent forty-yard effort the only goal of the match.
As far as Tom Cleverley’s injury, it seems to be not as bad as originally feared. Cleverley was injured against Bolton following a terrible challenge from striker Kevin Davies, who somehow escaped a booking for the rash challenge. Ferguson said, “It’s a bad one (Cleverley’s injury) and it was a bad tackle.” There no doubt that Davies should have been booked for his tackle, but the Englishman was booked shortly after for another clumsy tackle on left-back Patrice Evra.
Cleverley expressed his anger and frustration on his Facebook page shortly after the game.

“Not feeling good. Feeling like I have broken my foot. Won’t know more until  a scan, when I know more will update.
“So angry right now, want everyone to know I got no apology from kevin davies!  season could be over and received no apology.”

The good news for United is that Cleverley is only expected to miss four weeks with some ligament damage. If any club can cope with injuries its Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils, who have already quelled without Nemanja Vidic since week one of the season. Michael Carrick is likely to get some playing time in central midfield, while Ji-Sung Park and Ryan Giggs are also surely to get a look. French starlet Paul Pogba could feature in the side in the next few weeks, with the Carling Cup clash against Leeds United looming.
As far as United performance, there is not much that they did wrong. De Gea and Phil Jones anchored United’s defence, while Nani, Rooney, and Chicharito were heavily involved in the attack. Rooney bagged his second consecutive hat-trick, the first Premier League player since Didier Drogba to accomplish the feat. Chicharito Hernandez grabbed a brace, recording his first two goals of 2011-12 for United.

FCB-Milan. Did you know...

The duel between Barça and AC Milan is a European classic, full of interesting facts and figures. Did you know…?

Images: arxiu Seguí / Miguel Ruiz (FCB).

► The game takes place exactly 110 days after Barça’s win against Man United at Wembley.

► Barça and Milan have faced each other 11 times in official games, with both teams winning four times and drawing three.

► The two met in the 1994 Champions League Final in Athens, when Johan Cruyff’s Barça lost 4-0 to Fabio Capello’s legendary team.

►The time the two met in the Champions League, Frank Rijkaard’s team knocked Milan out in the semi finals thanks to a goal from Ludovic Giuly at the San Siro.

► The most recent game was in the Gamper Trophy in 2010 when Barça won on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

► Milan have failed to get beyond the quarter finals in the Champions League since they won the competition in 2007.

► Barça are on a run of 9 wins and a draw in the competition at the Camp Nou.

► Barça have lost just one opening game in their 17 seasons in a Champions League group stage.

► Milan have won their opening games for the last ten years.

► There are three ex-Barça players in the Milan squad: Mark van Bommel (2005/06, Gianluca Zambrotta (2006-08) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2009/10).

► Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani played together for Liverpool in the 2009/10 season, whilst Cesc Fàbregas and Mathieu Flamini (injured) were together at Arsenal between 2004 and 2008.

► English ref Martin Atkinson will be in charge of the game.

Iniesta: “we want to get back on the winning track again”

Ahead of the Milan game, Iniesta stressed the team’s desire to get back to winning ways after the draw on Saturday: “when you don’t win, what you most want is to play again, feel as if you are doing things in the right way and taste victory again"

To be back in the Champions League and in the high quality game against AC Milan is a great place to come back from the disappointment at Anoeta and Iniesta insisted: “the team is feeling really good and here we are starting the Champions League campaign at home against a powerful opponent. It’s important to start on the right foot and taste victory again. We will be doing so with the maximum motivation and excitement”.

“Milan will always be a big team”

Iniesta is clearly a big fan of Milan: “they are a club with seven European Cups. It doesn’t matter who is playing, they will always be one of the big teams. However they play, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to play against a team like them”.

2011-09-12_ENTRENO_02.JPG“It’s a pity Ibrahimovic can’t play”

Iniesta regretted the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovich for Tuesday’s game: “it’s a pity that he can’t play –he’s a great player and you always want to play against good players. He really wanted to come and play and it’s a shame he can’t make it. However, I don’t think that takes anything away from the game which should be fantastic”.

“I’ve got no problem with Van Bommel”

There were a number of questions about Iniesta’s attitude towards Milan’s Mark van Bommel, following the incidents at the World Cup final last summer, but he stressed that there was no problem: “fortunately I have never had any problems with anybody I’ve shared a changing room with. It’s true that during the final there was some rough play, but I prefer to think there was no malicious intent. He’s an opponent, but above all we are professional companions and I respect him in all respects”.

Porto's Hulk: We can go far in the Champions League

The Brazil international believes the club can reach the latter stages of the Champions League, while stressing it is not favorites to win the competition

2

Comments

More On :  Porto, Hulk

Getty Images

Porto striker Hulk has confessed he is optimistic about his side's chances in this edition of the Champions League.

The Portuguese champions enter the Champions League on the back of an impressive season in which they added the Europa League crown to the Portuguese League and Portuguese Cup titles.

Porto faces Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St. Petersburg and APOEL in the group stage, with the first match scheduled for Tuesday against the Ukrainian club.

And Hulk, who played a pivotal role in Porto's success last season, says he is hopeful the club will be able to make its mark in Europe again, this time in UEFA's main competition.

"I believe we are not favorites, out of respect for the opponents who are playing in the Champions League," he is quoted by A BOLA as saying.

"Everyone will be expecting the best from Porto because of all the titles we won last season. If we continue playing like we always do, with humility, we have everything to go far in the competition."

Barcelona's Pep Guardiola: 'We are not favorites to win the Champions League'

The 40-year-old guaranteed Saturday's La Liga draw is history now, but conceded his side are not favourites to win Europe's most prestigious competition

Getty Images

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has rejected suggestions his side is the team to beat in the Champions League ahead of the clash against AC Milan.

The Catalan club heads into its first European match of the season on the back of an impressive campaign in the UEFA's premier competition last term.

After moving past Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid, Barcelona went all the way and defeated Manchester United in the final 3-1 at Wembley to win the fourth Champions League crown in the club's history.

As Barcelona prepare for their first Champions League encounter of the season, Guardiola tried to shake some of the pressure off his side by insisting it has been more than two decades since a club last won back-to-back titles in the competition.

"When we won [the Champions League] in Rome, I said the same thing I will say now: we are not favourites because no-one has been able to win two titles in a row in the last 20 years," Guardiola said at a press conference. "AC Milan have done it and no-one has been able to repeat it during all this time, and this shows how difficult this competition is."

However, Guardiola insisted that retaining the Champions League crown would be of utmost importance for his side.

"In these three years we won two Champions League crowns and we reached the semi-finals once. We competed very well and now we want to do the same and go as far as possible."

The Spanish coach played down Saturday's 2-2 defeat Real Sociedad and stressed his men are aware of the hard task ahead.

"We have to quickly forget the previous matches, whether you win them or lose them, though it is always better to come off a victory," Guardiola noted. "I have very few things to reproach about regarding what happened on Saturday. The players are grown men and they know Milan are coming, a great team backed up by their history. We always compete knowing we can draw or lose and that is why we have won so many titles in the last three years."

Cesc Fàbregas: 3 goals in 179 minutes of official games

The return of Cesc Fabregas to the Club couldn’t have been more successful –after a month back at the Camp Nou, he has made his mark as a key part of the squad and has so far played 179 minutes and scored in all of the last four games.

Nobody doubted Cesc’s talent, but not many would have imagined that he was going to make such a great start on his return. His integration has been complete and his stats since he’s come back certainly show that.

Goals coming thick and fast

Cesc played 90 minutes at Anoeta on Saturday - the first time he’d played a full game for nearly six months, but he showed no rustiness. His pass to Alexis set up the first goal for Xavi and although he’s never been a big scorer, the second was also his second in the league, in addition to the winning goal in the Spanish Super Cup, as well as scoring against Napoli in his debut at the Camp Nou. So far, Cesc has scored a goal every 59 minutes in official games.

Milan and Cesc are no strangers

The 2007/08 season saw Milan and Arsenal meat in the last 16 of the Champions League and a very young Cesc Fabregas scored a goal from outside the box which dumped the then reigning Champions out of the competition. Now Milan are set to meet up with Cesc again –but this time as a Barça player.

Benzema: "I'm in top form"

"I have a lot of faith in myself; Mourinho and the President do too, which helps"

Barbara Jimenez / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Karim Benzema scored a brace against Getafe and commented on the team's 4-2 victory tonight. Sergio Ramos also talked to the press in the mixed zone.

Benzema
"I'm in top form and have a lot of faith in myself. Mourinho and the President do too, which helps. I work on each game at a time and train hard every day. Higuain played very well. We both want to score and help the team all the time."

Ramos
"It wasn't one of our best games, but the victory is important because we took three points. We have a positive vibe due to this, but we're not happy with our performance in the first half. We want to do our best."

Guardiola: “Milan are coming –that says it all”

Pep Guardiola reckons we are in for “a very attractive match” on Tuesday, because Milan: “have always been known for wanting to play the game”. The boss also dismissed any fears that the Anoeta result would have a negative effect on his players.

“Milan are coming –that says it all, seven European Cups speak for themselves”, according to the boss, who spoke at the Camp Nou this evening: “we are lucky to be playing in the Champions League and even more so against an opponent like Milan”. As respectful as ever towards his team’s opponents, Guardiola said he is expecting: “an attractive game, because if there is anything that characterises Milan it is that they always want to play the game”.

Home points vital
Guardiola is clear about the objectives for his team in the first game of the competition: “our aim is to play well, know the weak points of the opposition and win the game. Points at home are fundamental in the group stage. The league is a more important competition, but the Champions League is the nicest one. It’s an honour to defend the title. In 20 years, nobody has ever regained the title and that just shows how difficult it is ”.

No Anoeta hangover
Guardiola doesn’t think that the recent draw against Real Sociedad will affect his players too much: “the team is good, we’ll see how they react tomorrow. We never go into a game thinking we are bound to win it, we know that if we go into a match without preparing it properly, we could lose. San Sebastian is over and done with and I have no complaints to make. When you win, that’s got nothing to do with the next game and when you don’t win, it doesn’t make any difference either. The players know that Milan are coming tomorrow….”.

Ibrahimovic
Milan will be without the ex-Barça man Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the game and Guardiola expressed his disappointment: “football belongs to the players and the fans want to see the best players. Ibrahimovic is one of the world’s great players and one of Milan’s most important figures. It’s always best to play against the best because that strengthens you. It is a pity that he cannot play”.

With his usual conciliatory tone, Guardiola concluded: “before he came here, he struck me as a fantastic player and afterwards even more so. I am grateful for all he gave us. He was very important to us in the 99 point league winning season. I’ve heard he’s doing well at Milan and I am happy about that”.

Champions League Predictions for Chelsea FC and Arsenal: 13 September 2011

The UEFA Champions League group stages are finally here. Tomorrow marks the first fixtures, with Chelsea FC and Arsenal representing the English Premier League. Manchester United and Manchester City will take the field on Wednesday with extremely high expectations for the Manchester-based clubs. Previews for United and City will be available tomorrow. So let’s get to it.
Chelsea v. Bayer Leverkusen: from Stamford Bridge, London, England
This match stands out for one reason, it marks the return of former Blues midfielder Michael Ballack to Stamford Bridge. Ballack will reportedly be honored by Chelsea prior to kick-off. The club will be thanking Ballack for the four years he spent with the team and Ballack is ever so thankful.

“The presentation is a very nice gesture and it will be a very emotional moment for me tomorrow.
“There are still a few players there and some who left in the meantime who I am still friends with and whom I am still in touch with, and also a few of the staff.
“When I moved to Chelsea, it was a big, big challenge and experience for me at the time to play with so many good players.
“If I look back, I had a very good time. I feel always welcomed by the fans and the club. They treat me always very well and we had success.
“We missed a few chances, but we had some successes and I will remember this always and it is a big part of my career.”

Ballack will have a lopsided day in London. On one note, he will be honored by his former club. On the other, Chelsea will win the match convincingly. An eye for an eye? I think so.
Prediction: 3-1 Chelsea
Arsenal v. Borussia Dortmund: from Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Once again we have another Premier League versus Bundesliga battle. Assuming Chelsea takes care of business at home, the Bundesliga will even the score with a win versus Arsenal. Yes I said it. Despite a flurry of signing on transfer deadline day, their is still chaos surrounding the Gunners. Wilshere and Vermaelen are set to miss significant time, which does not bode well for Wenger. But it gets worse for the Gunners. Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of Tuesday’s match.
Now let’s take a look at the reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund. Two words can describe why Dortmund will defeat Arsenal at home on Tuesday, Mario Goetze. Goetze is on splendid form for club and country. In five appearances for Dortmund in 2011-12, Goetze has one goal and three assists. He will be the primary threat to pick apart Arsenal’s shaky back four. The 19-year-old starlet also scored in his first start for the German national team in 2011. I forgot to mention that his start was against Brazil.
Prediction: 2-1 Borussia Dortmund

Zubi puts success down to hard work, humility and respect‬

Club Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta stressed the importance of hard work , respect and humility as key to the team’s latest success and their fantastic title winning run.‪

Before flying back to Barcelona, Zubizarreta spoke to the media at Nice Airport and made it clear that there would be no resting on laurels after the team’s win on Friday night: “we always work with the aim of improving and we know that titles are won through hard work, humility and respect for our opponents”. Zubi also stressed the key role of: “the character of the players, the technical staff and the manager and their ability to continue setting themselves objectives”.

Praise for Guardiola
Zubizarreta made it clear that : “we are lucky to have a great squad and back room staff. Pep and his team are unique”, whilst not forgetting the team’s great ability to set themselves objectives and look to the future.

Messi goal typical of team’s attitude
Leo Messi has now scored for the team in every competition he’s taken part in and Zubi made it clear that his opener against Porto was a clear example of the values the team try and live up to: “that goal came from a very important value the team hold-that the whole team defend and pressure so that the ball gets to the feet of the guys who can make it count”.

Zubi puts success down to hard work, humility and respect‬

Club Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta stressed the importance of hard work , respect and humility as key to the team’s latest success and their fantastic title winning run.‪

Before flying back to Barcelona, Zubizarreta spoke to the media at Nice Airport and made it clear that there would be no resting on laurels after the team’s win on Friday night: “we always work with the aim of improving and we know that titles are won through hard work, humility and respect for our opponents”. Zubi also stressed the key role of: “the character of the players, the technical staff and the manager and their ability to continue setting themselves objectives”.

Praise for Guardiola
Zubizarreta made it clear that : “we are lucky to have a great squad and back room staff. Pep and his team are unique”, whilst not forgetting the team’s great ability to set themselves objectives and look to the future.

Messi goal typical of team’s attitude
Leo Messi has now scored for the team in every competition he’s taken part in and Zubi made it clear that his opener against Porto was a clear example of the values the team try and live up to: “that goal came from a very important value the team hold-that the whole team defend and pressure so that the ball gets to the feet of the guys who can make it count”.

Spanish League Preview Week 1

The 2011-12 La Liga season finally gets underway this weekend, with games spread over three days and there’s a clash of newly promoted teams in Granada and a chance to see how the summer’s big spenders kick off as Malaga travel to Seville.

There are nine different kick off times for the ten games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with Sporting kicking off against Real Sociedad at 18.00 on Saturday and Barça closing the weekend’s games on Monday night - in between times, there will be a Sunday game at noon, when Atletico Madrid take on Osasuna.

Andalucía newcomers’ derby
The cancellation of last weekend’s games meant that Betis were denied the chance to mark their return to the top flight with a derby game at home to Seville and instead travel to fellow newcomers Granada on Saturday. Before that game, Sporting take on Real Sociedad and Valencia are at home to Racing Santander. Unai Emery starts his fourth season in charge of Valencia, after losing Joaquim to Malaga and Juan Mata to Chelsea, with the signing of Piatti from Almeria, Dani Pareja from Getafe and the loaning of Canales from Madrid the most eye catching additions to his squad.

High noon at the Vicente Calderon
Sunday sees the introduction of noon kick offs – something that has raised eyebrows given the 40º temperatures in parts of Spain this week – as Atletico Madrid take on Osasuna. New boss Gregorio Manzano achieved his first aim of the season by getting Atletico through the qualifying round of the Europa Cup and with the summer departures of De Gea and Kun Aguero, much will depend on the two new strikers Adrian and Falcao.

Bielsa debuts at San Mames
Athletic Bilbao’s bold appointment of Marcelo Bielsa has raised expectations at San Mames, as has the Club’s ability to hold on to Llorente and Javi Martinez and the Basques get the first chance to show their credentials on Sunday when they take on newly promoted Rayo Vallecano, a club immersed in financial problems, but who have signed both Raul Tamudo from Real Sociedad and Liverpool’s on loan youngster Dani Pacheco.

Luis Garcia up against old club
Luis Garcia Plaza begins his new job as Getafe manager following Michel’s departure earlier this summer against his old team Llevant and will be boosted by the signing of Dani Guiza, La Liga pichichi in 2008, who played at Getafe between 2005 and 2007. Llevant have replaced Garcia with Juan Ignacio Martinez and brought in Nabil El Zahr from Liverpool, as well as Aranda from Osasuna and much travelled veteran Farinos from Hercules. Espanyol begin life without their chief goal scorer Osvaldo –who has signed for Luis Enrique’s Roma – with a trip to Mallorca on Sunday.

Malaga out to topple Seville
Seville have ruled the roost in Andalucia over the last few years, but Malaga’s big spending this summer, which has included the signings of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Cazorla, Joaquim and Monreal, has signaled their intent to become the South’s top team. Pellegrino’s side get the chance to show if they have begun to gel when they visit Seville on Sunday night, with the hosts still reeling from their Europa Cup exit in midweek. Seville themselves have been quiet on the transfer front, with new boss Marcelino the main change at the club.

Juan Mata takes just 23 minutes to prove he's exactly what Chelsea has been crying out for

Getty Images

It took Juan Mata just half an hour to equal the goal-scoring record of compatriot Fernando Torres at Chelsea.

It’s a statistic that is loaded with implications yet the most important one for Blues’ fans is that the club has finally found the man that can ignite its hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title.

Jose Mourinho sees improvement as Real Madrid looks to catch Barcelona

Coach warns his side that it cannot afford to drop any points if it is to win the title and believes the opening game will be tough against a team that is "very hard to beat".

Getty Images

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho claims his side is playing better soccer than last season and says he is looking forward to Sunday's La Liga opener against Zaragoza at La Romareda.

The Portuguese coach saw his team win all seven of its pre-season friendlies, only to lose narrowly to fierce rival Barcelona in the two-legged Spanish Supercopa 5-4 on aggregate following epic encounters at the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.

"In the Spanish championship you can't afford to drop points," Mourinho said.

Madrid, second to Barca in each of the last three campaigns, will now look to go one better this season and Mourinho knows his side cannot afford to slip up against Zaragoza as it did at home late last term with a surprising 3-2 loss to Javier Aguirre's relegation-threatened outfit.

"On the first day of the season there can be surprises and I have warned my players that," Mourinho said. They need to change the chip following this period when they didn't know whether they would be playing or not."

Due to the players' strike, the first round of matches were postponed last weekend. With an agreement reached for this weekend's games to go ahead, Mourinho hopes his side can pick up where it left off in the preseason.

"I prefer to look at the positives from preseason [rather than at the Spanish Supercopa defeat to Barcelona] and I have been very pleased with my team - we are playing better than we did last season," he said.

Real Madrid faces Zaragoza at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday while Barcelona is not in action until Monday when it takes on Villarreal.

 

Nasri praise for Wenger

New Manchester City signing Samir Nasri says Arsene Wenger was like a "second dad" to him at Arsenal.

French playmaker Nasri quit the Gunners to join Manchester City for a fee believed to be around £24m.
Wenger was reluctant to part with the 24-year-old but the former Marseille player had made clear his desire to leave and, with just one year left on his contract, the London club admitted defeat.

Yet despite his departure being a blow to the club, Nasri insists his three years with Arsenal, and particularly Wenger, made a big impression on him.

cannot forget

"I will never forget what he did for me," Nasri told City TV. "He was like a second dad.
"He came to pick me when I was at Marseille. I was an international but I have become the player I am now because of him.
"He always trusted me even when I was injured. When I came back he always gave me my chance.
"He was always there for me, always talked to me."
Wenger has been criticised this summer for his failure to invest significantly in his squad and the ultimately futile battles to keep Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.
Nasri added: "I have seen the newspapers and people have been harsh with him but you cannot forget what he has done for Arsenal and English football.
"I respect him a lot and I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me."
Nasri could make his City debut in Sunday's Barclays Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur.

Victorious Guardiola salutes 'amazing' Barcelona

He may have just won the 12th honour of his hugely successful tenure, but FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola was quick to shift the focus on to his "amazing" players − and in particular Lionel Messi − after a 2-0 defeat of FC Porto in the UEFA Super Cup. Guardiola said Messi, scorer of the first goal, is a player "who can drag everyone along",  while defeated coach Vítor Pereira could find little fault with his team's display despite their failure to prevent the Azulgrana from triumphing in the competition for the fourth time.
Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
We're very, very happy. Not just with those 12 titles, which is absolutely great, but because it was very difficult to win this. Twelve out of 15 would have been unimaginable but it just shows how great these players are − I never tire of praising them. After the Spanish Super Cup I thought 'will they be competitive'? Will they have the will to play? Considering the time of the season they did extremely well and all the players were there for each other.
We all know who Leo is; even with very little training this summer he showed he can be decisive. To win all the titles these guys have in the last three years you need plenty of things, but one of them is a player who can drag everyone along. We have Leo and when you add the others then they are amazing.
We played an excellent match considering the conditions. A lot of factors can affect finals; finals like Wembley don't happen very often. My players are very reliable, they've experienced this situation many times before, and their serene confidence comes over time [after time].
We have a generation of young players but they're still very eager to win and they keep impressing me with the way they move forward. To win 12 out of 15 titles is an average of four a year − it's too much, unthinkable! It's only possible because FC Barcelona have a generation of players who have made things possible, and a lot of people contributed to that.
Vítor Pereira, Porto coach
I hope you enjoyed a good game, I hope you enjoyed the performance of our team and our attitude. I witnessed a great game between two teams who respected each other and who both wanted to win. Naturally in such an intense game, in such a demanding game in terms of concentration, sometimes one moment will lead to a goal. It was a shame we weren't able to capitalise on the mistakes we made Barcelona commit and take advantage of them.
I'm a big fan of Barcelona, they're a team of great quality who play in an exciting way. That's the football I enjoy watching, which means I am glued to the television. Today we have a Porto team that likes to hold on to the ball, apply pressure upfield and is not afraid of any opponent. We never give up and we told everybody that we weren't here to watch Barcelona play but to play our own game.
We created many problems for Barcelona and were up to the task in terms of defending from the front and making them make mistakes. It's hard enough with 11 against 11 against Barcelona but when you are two players down it is very, very difficult.
I was happy with our performance, the only thing I didn't like was the result. At the end of the game emotions were high but [Guardiola] congratulated me for the great performance we had given and wished me good luck for the season, telling me to win all the games Porto has ahead of us.

Barcelona breeze to fourth UEFA Super Cup

FC Barcelona 2-0 FC PortoThe Spanish champions claimed the trophy for the fourth time thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas against nine-man Porto.

Xavi Hernández lifts the UEFA Super Cup aloft ©Getty Images

 

Match statistics

BarcelonaPorto

Goals scored	2		0
Attempts on target	5		2
Attempts off target	2		3
Corners	5		7
Fouls committed	9		18
Yellow cards	1		4
Red cards	0		2

More

Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas scored late in either half as FC Barcelona defeated nine-man FC Porto at Stade Louis II to win the UEFA Super Cup for the second time in three editions and a fourth overall.
Fresh from becoming the first recipient of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, Messi was the epitome of coolness on a sweltering night in Monaco as he seized upon Fredy Guarín's back pass, jinked his way past Helton and rolled in the 39th-minute opener.
The Portuguese champions were still in the contest until the 86th minute, when Rolando collected a second yellow card and Porto's first red. Barça wasted little time capitalising, substitute Fàbregas finishing delightfully before Guarín was dismissed in the final minute for a sliding challenge on Javier Mascherano.
Both coaches had talked up the fixture and chances came and went during a lively opening spell. Hulk had already curled a free-kick over from a promising position when Víctor Valdés dived to his left to tip behind an angled shot from João Moutinho.
The first true opportunity fell to Pedro Rodríguez in the tenth minute. So clinical when scoring a delightful goal in the UEFA Champions League final, the Spanish international could only loft an effort on to the roof of the Porto net when free in the area after an Andrés Iniesta pass had been deflected into his path via the heel of Jorge Fucile.
Hulk was the next to flash a shot across goal − earning due applause for a series of speedy step-overs in the build-up − and Helton then took no chances with a rising Xavi Hernández shot from outside the box.
As the half wore on, so did Barcelona's influence, the pressure telling when Guarín, boxed in in his own half, prodded a hopeful ball backwards that was gratefully collected by the unmarked Messi. The rest was inevitable.
Porto had little choice but to come out and attack after the break, yet save for a fierce shot from distance from Guarín, rarely troubled a Barça defence shorn of regular centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué. Instead, there was more space for Josep Guardiola's side to counter and from one end-to-end foray David Villa could have made the game safe but his low shot lacked punch and Helton smothered at his near post.
Two minutes later, as the hour approached, the goalkeeper charged off his line to deny Pedro as the striker attempted to bring a Messi pass, which had dissected the Dragons' defence, under control. The real drama was saved for the closing stages, Fàbregas − eight minutes after replacing Pedro − keeping his cool as Porto lost theirs to control a Messi chip on his chest and fire emphatically into the net with a first-time volley.
It would have been 3-0 had Helton not denied man of the match Iniesta in added time, leaving Porto to ponder a third UEFA Super Cup defeat since 2003.

Barcelona 2-0 Porto: Lionel Messi does it again and Cesc Fabregas hits debut goal as Catalans claim UEFA Super Cup

The Argentine gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead late in the first half and the club's most recent signing opened his account to secure victory close to the end.

Getty Images

Lionel Messi's goal late in the first half and Cesc Fabregas' first for his new side gave Barcelona a 12th title under Pep Guardiola and a second already in 2011-12 with a 2-0 victory over Porto in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco on Friday evening.

Messi, named European Player of the Year at UEFA's Champions League draw on Thursday, scored in the only competition in which he had failed to net after he was left all alone by Fredy Guarin's shocking pass-back six minutes before the interval.

Europa League holders Porto started brightly against the Champions League winners, with Hulk a lively presence up front for the Portuguese outfit. Aided by the busy Guarin, Porto rattled their illustrious opponents in the opening exchanges.

Porto was playing the Catalans at their own game, and every time Pep Guardiola's men ventured forward, they were caught out by their rivals' offside trap.

But it doesn't take long for Barca to figure out Porto.

Barca took the lead as Guarin inexplicably played a back-pass into his area where Messi, who would have been offside had the ball been sent through by a teammate, was waiting all alone to pounce, leaving Helton grounded with a glorious feint and slotting into the empty net.

Flashback to 2003, Messi had missed a similar opportunity in his Barcelona debut, but this time he left the Portuguese team with an uphill task.

Barca was the better side and continued to attack in the second half and that pressure brought a rash challenge from Rolando, already booked, who then saw red after a cynical foul on Messi.

And the Catalans took quick advantage as Mess turned provider for Fabregas, who chested down Messi's pinpoint cross and volleyed past Helton to register his first goal in some style.

It could have been three after that, but Barca was comfortable in the end as they lifted a 12th title under Guardiola - and two in two games for Fabregas.

Cesc: “They have a similar style to our own”

Pedro and Fàbregas agreed that Barça’s opponents on Friday have a great team, and the Catalan thinks they share a similar style of football.

One was the hero of the last European Supercup to be won by Barcelona, Pedro Rodríguez, who scored the winner in 2009 against Shakhtar Donetsk (1-0). The other is about to appear in his first ever continental Supercup match, in just his second outing in an official match for his new club, Cesc Fàbregas, which could bring his second Barça title in as many games! But both players know that Porto will provide stern opposition and that it will be anything but easy to get their hands on the coveted trophy.

Cesc explained that “this is my first trip away with the team and I’m happy to form part of this great squad. Until now, they have treated me very well. I don’t know if we’ll win or lose, but with this team we can go all the way”.

Speaking about Porto, Cesc said “I think they have a similar style to our own. They like to hold onto the ball and don’t to play long balls. They play well and it’ll be hard. We know they won everything last year and they scored five goals against Villarreal in 45 minutes”.

Fàbregas was also pleased that Arsenal won away to Udinese last night to secure a place in this evening’s Champions League draw in Monaco.

The press conferences also produced a series of questions relating to the sad incidents at the end of the Spanish Supercup match. Both Pedro and Cesc said they would rather forget all that and concentrate instead on Friday’s game with Porto. “Enough has already been said about the Spanish Supercup”, said Cesc.

It was announced today that Montoya has been picked for the full international Spain squad. Pedro, unlike Guardiola, did not think it was a surprise. “He has been playing very well in the youth teams. He’s very good at defending, can cover a lot of ground and plays the ball well. It’s great, I know him very well, and I’m really happy.”

Guardiola: “It’s an excellent final”

Pep Guardiola has nothing but praise for Porto, Barça’s opponent in the European Supercup, and doesn’t want the shortage of defenders or the poor state of the pitch to serve as excuses.“It is an excellent final between two teams that deserve it” said Guardiola in his pre-match press conference. “We won the right to be here by winning the Champions League, and that’s what counts. We have had just enough time to prepare. At first we were worried about getting ready for the Spanish Supercup and having this game so soon after”.

Guardiola didn’t want to rue on the absence of his centre backs Puyol and Piqué, nor the state of the pitch in the Louis II. “We are lucky to be here and we have to think of the difficulties as a challenge. We always get through and we have to make sure this time is no exception”.

Porto, a very strong team
The Barça manager has also had a good look at Friday’s opponent. “They are a team that comes at you with intensity, they play well up front and all know how to play good football. There is a lot of sense to what they do. We’d love to do the things they do … They change players and managers and keep on winning. Last year they won the league without losing a match. It’s a very strong team, in all senses, they are well put together. We’ll have to perform very well to beat them”.

Enjoyment and suffering
As for his own team’s approach, he said “we always go out one hundred per cent. When you play in finals you wonder if you’ll ever get the chance again. In part we have to enjoy it and in part we have to suffer.” As for fitness, he said “we are better than we were ten days ago but poorer than we will be ten days from now. You can’t expect to be at your peak at this stage because there’s a lot of competition ahead. If we were able to overcome such a tough test as Madrid then we have to go into tomorrow’s match believing we can win it”.

Surprised about Montoya
It was announced today that Martín Montoya has been picked to play for Spain. Said the FCB manager, “I was surprised. For a B team player to be picked for the national team is a very nice surprise. I know they’ll treat him well and he won’t feel alone”.

Leo Messi, player of the year in Europe

The Argentinian, who topped the goalscoring charts in the last edition of the Champions League has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi to win the award.53 reporters from different media and countries have decided that Leo Messi was the best player in UEFA club competitions last year, and he thus becomes the first ever winner of the award. The announcement was made shortly after the Champions League draw, with the winner pipping team mate Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid to the honour. Iniesta and Piqué came fourth and ninth respectively.

Speaking after collecting the award, Messi said “I want to share this with my colleagues as it is thanks to them that I win these trophies … I am very lucky to have such good players at my side and it is them who give me the opportunity to score so many goals. The merit is everyone’s.” He added that the hunger to win among the Barça squad is one of the reasons for their ongoing success.

Before the winner was announced, Xavi showed his usual generosity when saying that “Messi is the best footballer in the world at the moment”, something he has been saying for years. He also felt that FC Barcelona is experiencing “one of the best moments in its history”.

This is just the latest of many awards to have been won by Leo Messi. He has already won a FIFA World Player (2009) and two Ballons d’Or (2009 and 2010), the last of which was after the two awards were unified. He also been top goalscorer both in Spain and Europe in 2009/10. “I have all my trophies at home, both the individual and team ones” he said.

Champions League draw: AC Milan meets Barcelona, Manchester City takes on Bayern Munich & Real Madrid faces Ajax

The Seven-time winners take on the Spanish and European champions in the pick of the games for the curtain-raiser of this season's competition, while Group A also stands out

Figo

AC Milan meets Barcelona in the Champions League in one of the top European clashes of the group stages.

Group A meanwhile promises to be 2011's 'Group of Death'. Roberto Mancini's Manchester City will surely be in for a tough test as it faces Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli.

Manchester United faces Portuguese side Benfica in its Group C, while Real Madrid renew old European rivalries with Ajax.

Elsewhere Chelsea meets Valencia, Arsenal plays Borussia Dortmund and Porto meets Shakhtar Donetsk, while Inter faces French champions Lille.

GROUP A   Bayern Munich   Villarreal   Manchester City   Napoli	GROUP B   Inter   CSKA Moscow   Lille   Trabzonspor
GROUP C   Manchester United   Benfica   Basel   Otelul Galati	GROUP D   Real Madrid   Olympique Lyonnais   Ajax   Dinamo Zagreb
GROUP E   Chelsea   Valencia   Bayer Leverkusen   Genk	GROUP F   Arsenal   Olympique Marseille   Olympiakos   Borussia Dortmund
GROUP G   Porto   Shakhtar Donetsk   Zenit St Petersburg   APOEL Nicosia	GROUP H   Barcelona   AC Milan   Bate Borisov   Viktoria Plzen