Archives for August 2013

Real Madrid prepare to unveil Gareth Bale

By the state of the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, it suggests that a deal with Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is imminent. According to the Daily Mirror a platform has been erected at the stadium as Real Madrid finally prepare themselves for the arrival of 24-year-old Welshman.

Reports suggest that Bale is set for a world record £85 million transfer, with a deal thought to be only hours away from completion.More on the Gareth Bale transfer

I see no problem with Casillas signing for Barca says Santiago Cañizares

Ex Real Madrid and Spain international keeper Santiago Cañizares has dropped a bombshell by stating he sees no problem in fellow stopper Iker Casillas signing for Barca.

“I would see no problem with Iker leaving Real Madrid for Barca,” said Santiago Cañizares in an interview on the radio program ‘The Graderia’ on Cadena SER. More on Santiago Cañizares

Ter Stegen gives nod to Barca as he delays contract renewal

German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who the Catalan club has their eye on for a possible replacement for Victor Valdes, has put the brakes on a contract renewal proposal that Borussia Moenchengladbach has made him.

Talking to Kicker magazine, the young German is in no hurry to renew, which is tantamount to a nod towards Martino’s men. More on Marc Andre Ter Stegen

An equal match says Javier Mascherano

With an exceptional goal from ex Blaugrana David Villa to put Atletico Madrid in the lead, it needed Neymar to come on in the 67th minute to make the scores even. Javier Mascherano said after the game that it was very equal and he was so right.

Simeone’s men matched Martino’s for pressure and the tie will now be decided at the Nou Camp next week. More on the Supercup draw

Barcelona snap up Manchester City starlet Denis Suarez

FC Barcelona have snapped up young Manchester City starlet Denis Suarez for the fee of 1.5M euros. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who is a product of City’s youth program, will now join up with the Barca B team where he will be allowed to sharpen his skills.

Suarez has reportedly signed a four year deal with the Catalan club. More on Barca’s new signing Denis Suarez

Martino to place his bets on a young central defender

In a change of tack, Gerardo Martino is placing all his bets on a young central defender for the Blaugrana club. It’s not actually a change for the coach, as he has insisted all along that the likes of David Luiz or Daniel Agger may not fit in with his project at Barca.

Therefore, the coach will put his trust in Puyol and the young defenders such as Bartra and Bagnack while keeping an eye on a player from a modest team. More on Barca’s defense issues

Valdés surprised that Casillas was left on bench

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes stated that he was surprised that Iker Casillas was left on the bench. The Real Madrid stopper was sidelined on Sunday with new boss Ancelotti fielding number 2 keeper Diego López.

The Catalan keeper was surprised because for him, Iker is “the best”. More on Victor Valdes

With Martino we’ve found our lost pressure, says Dani Alves

One of the things that distinguishes this new Barca team under Gerardo Martino is the pressure it puts on rival teams. It’s one of the great changes that the new coach has reintroduced into the Catalan team.

Pressure was one of the things that made Guardiola’s Barcelona stand out from the rest and last year the team lost that facet. More on Martino’s changes