a blog about fc barcelona with la liga news, transfers and rumours
It hasn’t taken too long for Gerardo Martino to fire off a few shots in Real Madrid’s general direction. The new coach was speaking at a press conference ahead of today’s match against Malaga and mentioned that the Gareth Bale deal is ‘disrespectful’ given the world’s financial climate.
The world’s media have picked up on this, quickly pointing out the £50m Barca paid for Neymar.More on Martino’s statements
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
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
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
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
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
Tata Martino began his spell in charge of FC Barcelona in the best possible way with the biggest win in the history of the club in the first game of the season. Levante had no chance against a Barca side that were more like a whirlwind in the first half.
Levante were not allowed to play football and the pressure the Catalans put on the visitors was tremendous. Read the rest of the match report
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