Barca joined Real for a final-clasico

Barcelona Wednesday joined Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey with a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad after a 2-0 success go, which promises a tantalizing clasico mid-April for the award trophy .

At Anoeta stadium , Barca took the lead through a lonely feat against Lionel Messi in attack (27) , before the French Antoine Griezmann equalized for the honor of a powerful rally late in the game ( 88 ) .

This qualification , the result of a serious game from the Catalan club, allow it to run for a 27th triumph in this competition, Real Madrid , for his part already won 18 times. For Real Sociedad , prevent the reunion between the two major Spanish quickly became an impossible mission despite the support of its public hot.

Club San Sebastian has tried for twenty minutes to outpace the defense of Barça guilty of uncharacteristic errors in recent weeks. But coach Gerardo Martino Barca , who repeated several times that the cup was " an important goal," anticipated by aligning all its best ball handlers ( Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas ) to control and calm the .

And as soon as Real looked down the foot , Messi accelerated against : surrounded by five defenders in the entrance area , the four Ballon d'Or managed to ship a shot that the keeper Enaut Zubikarai has sufficiently slowed and that went dead at the bottom of the goal (27).

Griezmann for honor
The eighth goal of the Argentine in 10 games since returning from injury in early January was quenched Anoeta . Basque public , who hoped a "historic event " , dropped a tone . He breathed with relief when Pedro missed his face- to-face with Zubikarai (34) and held its breath when the Mexican Carlos Vela controlled six yards but too short , missed the shot (35).

Despite several opportunities to either side , the score has not budged either early in the second period . Iniesta sent a cross shot close to the pole (57 ), the very stirring Vela rolled a strike on the square of the Catalan cage (55) and Zubikarai before Messi and Fabregas , avoided the purpose of the break ( 56) .

It is finally Griezmann , top scorer in La Liga Real this season (14 goals), who saved the honor of a powerful shot from the edge of the surface on a ball from the left (87). With this qualification , here Barcelona in contention to win a second trophy this season after his coronation in the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico in August (1-1, 0-0) .

April 19 , Barça will play his fourth final of the King's Cup in six years: he had two successes ( 2009, 2012 ) and a defeat in 2011 against Real Madrid (1-0 aet) . For the Seventh Real- Barca final in the history of the Spanish national cup , no doubt that the club blaugrana already dreaming of revenge.

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The weekly witticisms

Like every Friday , FIFA.com honors those who have made ​​the news football by their statements. This week , self- proclamations of Samuel Eto'o and Adel Taarabt , the revelations of José Mourinho and the exasperation of Dani Alves .

To FIFA.com
"But the Ivory Coast can not win the World Cup ! While Côte d' Ivoire has a generation of players that ends . For some it will actually last World Cup . But Ivory Coast has elements can not create surprise, but to play at the level that it is recognized in the world " - Sabri Lamouchi , coach of Ivory Coast

" You always want to rub shoulders with the biggest play together and enjoy football ... But for me, the greatest of all time is Messi This is the best of all. . " - Xavi, midfielder FC Barcelona

"We always said that the coach chooses players and tactics, but then they move and systems change . However, I think Messi has something more and that all field players must support the . a single player can not win the World Cup may play an important role, but it will not win every game alone That's impossible . "- . Mario Kempes , former Argentina striker


in France
" He did what he did. What I find unfortunate is to have said what he said to the press, in public. Mistakes can commit , it may be ill-advised but be careful what you say . anyway, what he did , I never could. Exit cloakroom, stop training , it is unimaginable. Discuss yes , disagreeing ok , but just leave ... "- Florent Balmont , Lille midfielder , about Florian Thauvin

" If Ludovic Obraniak left is that we did not really thought weaken. Moreover, we proposed a potential recruit to a coach who has examined our perspective . And he told us not " - Jean- Louis Triaud , president of Bordeaux

"It is true that I am a little older it a few years ago , I no longer have the same hair ... That's all the same world it seems. But football is for smart people . And my brain is still in the same condition. Now we will see in some games if it is always the same Berbatov before! " - Dimitar Berbatov , striker AS Monaco

England
"I have not spoken before the game. This is Billy , the masseur , who spoke to the players. He cried so Scottish ' Grrr , grr , grr ! ' I did not even understand what he said. I'm serious! players applauded . chat It was Billy and he was fantastic. I did not understand , but I could see that the players understand. the last time I spoke to the players, it was noon " - José Mourinho, Chelsea coach after the victory against Manchester City

"I have nothing to show I'm Samuel Eto'o I do not belong to the group of players considered good, but the group of great players. . " - Samuel Eto'o, Chelsea striker

" Eden Zola remember I had never seen that before He was only 23 years and his talent at the foot ball is a nightmare for his opponents . . " - Didier Drogba Galatasaray striker , about Eden Hazard

Spain
" Here, people are pessimistic. Soon as their team wins a little less, they cool . If they do not believe in us , or if they do not think we are the best, they stay at home ! " - Dani Alves, FC Barcelona defender

Italy
"They Italian Balotelli, now they will have the Balotelli of Morocco" - Adel Taarabt , AC Milan striker

" The group that made ​​the Belgian national team is a group of very high level . For me, with a group of this quality, the last four of the World must be achieved because there is quality in all areas game " - Rudi Garcia , coach of AS Roma

Germany
" Guardiola makes no favor to the player making the play before two walls do not let get balloons. Bayern are wasting talent Götze . It is clear that he can play here, but this n . ' is not the best option for the player would be better behind a striker, he is much more dangerous in this position " - Franz Beckenbauer , honorary president of Bayern Munich, about Mario Götze

somewhere else
"I do not think it will be the Cup Neymar . He is still young , Brazil players must assume their responsibilities before him. I know he will play well, but it will be a lot of pressure during the competition, . the one who has just arrived in Europe other players must withstand this pressure for him " - Roberto Carlos , Brazil's former defender

. . "Maradona loves me Argentines like comparisons They had great players like Di Stefano , Sivori , Maradona , Messi ... I repeat at every opportunity in my Argentine friends ' First try to tell me who was your best player before designating the best player in the world " - Pelé , former Brazil striker

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AS Roma-Udinese-Fiorentina after Naples

Before the poster AS Rome-Naples on Wednesday, the other semi-final in Italy, Udinese-Fiorentina Cup play Tuesday (20.00 GMT).

Udinese, fell to 14th place in the Italian Championship after three seasons in the top five, plays his last chance to hang even a European qualification this season.

Club Antonio "Toto" Di Natale also has the possibility of expanding a record containing only minor trophies, the Mitropa Cup (1980), Central European tournament fell into disuse after the creation of the European Cups and the Intertoto Cup (2000).

Fiorentina after a short title for his "Coppa Italia" in 2001.

In the other semi-final, Roma received Wednesday Napoli, who rested his star Gonzalo Higuain championship Sunday, a choice that has resulted in a heavy defeat at Atalanta in Bergamo (3-0).

program

Tuesday
Udinese - Fiorentina

Wednesday
AS Roma - Napoli

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Xavi: "I want to make a great World"

The 2013 season was special to Xavi Hernández, not only because of his athletic success. The master of the midfield of Spain , part of the last FIFA / FIFPro World XI won another championship with FC Barcelona and is ready to play his fourth FIFA World Cup ™ . In addition, he married last July.

The only downside of this radiant 2013 season lasted 90 minutes: the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup at the Maracana , where Brazil has given a lesson to the world champions title , with the key to a final victory with a score of 3:0 .

With FIFA.com , Xavi back on this match on this particular year 2013 for him and his thirst for revenge against the Seleção .

Xavi, the year 2013 has been very special and , for various reasons . What event was the most memorable for you?
There have been many . When we make a summary of this year, it was very good. We were not able to compete in Cup and Champions League with Madrid and Bayern , but we won the championship in an extraordinary way given the circumstances , with Tito Vilanova and his illness. I think the group was more united than ever in order to win the title with 100 points. This is a historic for us Liga. In terms of selection , we qualified for the World Cup in fine style in a very strong group since there was also France . He seemed very complicated to go to Paris to win but in the end we succeeded . The only bad experience was the final of the Confederations Cup, where Brazil was better than us. But in summary , it was a great year, I remember above all the Liga title given the adverse circumstances. It is an extraordinary merit.

You did not mention your wedding ...
We talk about football, is not it ? (laughs) That, too, yes ! On a personal level , I am very satisfied. It was the happiest day of my life, a very emotional moment also . I am very happy.

Even if your wife accuses you too watch football ?
Yes ( laughs). Well, this is my passion and my wife knows it. This is what I like and interests me most , which makes me happy and content . I watch football all my life , for sure . This is what I love most .

Knowing your passion for tactical analysis of matches, did you find an explanation for the difference between Brazil and Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup ?
I think we have not addressed the final best physically. The semi-final against Italy, with the extension, it hurts us. Scoring in the first minute , Brazil is immediately freed from the pressure of playing at home. It's a game where everything went wrong for us, while Brazil has achieved everything he undertook. But we must be fair and recognize that that day , Brazil was better than Spain. That's why it's still a positive experience with the World . We already know the weather conditions and we now know what to expect if we face Brazil. I'd say they were able to overcome the pressure of being the host country.

Much has been made of the Brazilian anthem before the match, and the intimidating atmosphere of the Maracanã . At the professional level , what is the real impact of the environment on the performance of a team?
A favorable environment always helps , even if often it can be against -productive. It is a pressure that adds and need to know to overcome . Brazil scored the first and last minute of the first period. It gives a huge advantage. I remember that before this action Pedro was saved on the line by David Luiz . If we had equalized the game has changed. But Brazil has played a big discipline. They pressed us, they moved the ball well and they did not let him play .

The fate that you may go cross Brazil from the second round. Expect a rematch ?
I hope, I hope ... Or in the final, why not? Knowing that this is the World and the difficulty of our group ... But they also do not have an easy group . Football always gives you the opportunity to take revenge . I hope that this will happen in the World Cup , and as late as possible in the competition.

Are you talking about this potential contrast with the rest of the team?
No no, just because we are in a tough group , very complicated , one of the hardest of the World Cup . We will fight and we want to make things right, to defend our title. But we must be careful. We know the difficulty of the World and in Brazil, it will be hard from the beginning, saw the group in which we are . This is not the most difficult, but one of the most difficult .

What did you think when you saw that the Netherlands were placed in your group?
Football is full of amazing stories . We'll start in the next World against the team we have beaten in the final of the last ... Fate has willed it so . He gave us the Netherlands and Chile , which is also very strong and we met several times. And then there is Australia. We'll see what it's worth but on paper , it's a really tough group .

You said this would be your last World . Is it still relevant?
Sure and certain , yes ...

This makes it different from other time issue ?
No, I do not think so. I will discuss this tournament with the greatest possible hope and I hope to be in good physical condition . At the moment , I feel good and I really want to participate and make a great World Cup. Spain go as far as possible and if we can defend our title , knowing how difficult it is to do , it will be even better. This is obvious. I would leave the World Cup in fine style .

Do not forget to visit FIFA.com Tuesday, February 4 to read the second part of this interview, in which Xavi speaks of FC Barcelona, ​​Gerardo Martino, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and his professional future .

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Le derby Genoa-Sampdoria décalé à lundi

Le derby génois Genoa - Sampdoria , initialement programmé dimanche , lundi a été à décalé to annonce vendredi football Ligue italienne ( Lega ) .

The Lega to pris cette décision après des protestations of politiques responsible locaux qui ne voulaient pas that " Derby de la Lanterne " (le phare du port du Gênes ) concurrence I marched Sunday from the city , qui se tient dans le quartier de Marassi , le stade où se trouve Luigi Ferraris .

Les deux des tifosi protested camp avaient également du contre dim fameux derby à midi et avaient menacé of the grève faire des encouragements .

22e journée Programme of du Championnat d' Italie football ( in heure GMT):

samedi
( 17h00 ) Bologne - Udinese
( 17h00 ) Cagliari - Fiorentina
( 19h45 ) AC Milan - Torino

Dimanche
( 14h00 ) Atalanta Bergame - Naples
( 14h00 ) Catane - Livorno
( 14h00 ) Verone Chievo - Lazio Rome
( 14h00 ) AS Rome - Parme
( 14h00 ) Sassuolo - Hellas Verone
( 19h45 ) Juventus - Inter Milan

Lundi
( 19h45 ) Genoa - Sampdoria Gênes

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Transportation to Manques et grands regrets

Les dernières heures du marché des transferts suscitent traditionnellement one part of intérêt du grand public et des médias . Parfois , you succès est au rendez- vous d' autres fois mutandis to a ne laisse raté transfert des regrets that ... FIFA.com s'est sur ​​ces joueurs dont penché carrière aurait pu prendre la toute une autre tournure if they négociations s'étaient déroulées autrement , et sur ​​ces passés clubs à côté d' une belle affaire .

Trente -six ans après les faits , les supporters of Sheffield United racontent toujours avec cette histoire dans la voix des tremolos . Parti in concert tour of Amérique du Sud recrutement in Harry Haslam repère un homme jeune 17 ans du nom de Diego Maradona. Nous sommes alors in 1978. Blades manager Le des qu'il est if impressionné contact Argentinos Juniors et transfert à hauteur negotiate a 350 000 livres . Mais ses dirigeants Preferent invest 160 000 livres sur Alex Sabella . Peu de temps après , is relegated Sheffield United in deuxième division ...

De son côté , Maradona faveur s'engage in Boca Juniors. Il aurait toutefois très bien les couleurs du pu porter grand rival River Plate . Toutefois , le président Rafael Cabrera n'a pas Aragon plier aux voulu will sue Maradona contrat qui a plus exigeait lucratif that Daniel Passarella et ceux Ubaldo Fillol , les deux des stars Millonarios . " J'aurais adored pour jouer River " trusted l' avait à l' époque intéressé . " Mais mon rêve brisé Cabrera . "

Canto, et Zizou Platoche
Pour ce qui est des transferts RATES, Sheffield semble particulièrement malchanceux . Frappe d'une suspension lourde in France, Eric Cantona prepares rejoindre Sheffield Wednesday . Trevor Francis , he des Owls manager , lui demande de sa période d' essai prolonger d'une semaine supplémentaire . Le Marseillais in ombrage prend , quelques jours refuse signe et plus tard à Leeds.

Cantona Alors on fait des merveilles Angleterre, le jeune Zinedine Zidane envisage lui aussi of tenter sa chance à l' étranger . Kenny Dalglish tente of recruter alors le milieu de terrain à 23 ans Blackburn . Malheureusement are président Jack Walker annule l' opération . " Pourquoi engager Zidane quand on a déjà Tim Sherwood ?" He sue you dirigeant dans un article du Lancashire Telegraph.

Il semblerait tous les grands that soient joueurs français à vivre au moins condamnés épisode de ce type one au cours de leur carrière . À 16 ans , est Michel Platini déclaré " à la pratique inapte de haut niveau du football " even one médecin du FC Metz. Le président messin Carlo Molinari souvient that " tant que jeune , il n'avait pas une cote extraordinaire . Entraineurs de l' époque Les qu'il avait trouvaient a" gros cul . ' Par contre , il avait une belle frappe .. . " Platoche rejoindra will rival Nancy , you dirigeant et des Grenats in tirera une bonne leçon " tellement ça m'a énervé qu'ensuite , you recrutement , je m'en suis occupé personnellement . "

Par une curieuse ironie du sort , Paul Gascoigne est victime d'un jugement du même type in 1983 , lorsqu'il rejoindre tente of Ipswich. Les responsible du club will trouvent trop gras. Auparavant Trois ans , les mêmes recruteurs renvoient chez lui one Néerlandais jeune, victime de son manque de rigueur . Ruud Gullit remettra of cet réalisant affront in the carrière that l' on sait ...

Occasions manquées
Andriy Shevchenko lui aussi à convaincre comb . In 1994 , le futur international ukrainien effectué one essai d'une semaine à West Ham. L' année suivante , il est au proposé FC Cologne . Deux ans plus tard, you Werder Brême are etudie à son tour dossier . À chaque fois , il refus essuie one cop, mais ferme . "Je ne vois pas ce qu'il at spécial " deems Harry Redknapp , manager des Hammers .

Quelques années plus tard, Gaziantepspor s'intéresse of près à un jeune de São Paulo joueur . Les Turcs renoncent cependant à recruter Kaka , échaudés par l' indemnité réclamée ( 1,83 millions d' euros). Trois ans plus tard, l' AC Milan verser doit plus six fois pour l' engager ... Cependant , l' erreur de rien n'est Turcs in comparaison of celle leurs homologues of Flamengo . O Mengão est passé à côté de l' affaire du siècle pour avoir de payer refusé a ticket bus centimes d'une valeur de quelques , au jeune prodige ...

Fulham connu aussi quelques déboires avec un champion du monde brésilien . In 1978 , they Cottagers végètent in deuxième division parviennent mais tout de même à attirer Paulo Cesar . Hélas , you transfert au dernier moment échoué , les deux parties incapable of s'entendre étant sur ​​le paiement des appels téléphoniques vers le Brésil du joueur . De son côté , Arsenal is passé à côté de quelques in or occasions . Yaya Touré effectué one essai d'une semaine à London in 2005 , mais des problèmes administratifs finissent par les dissuader Gunners . The quelques années intervient erreur deuxième plus tard . " Cristiano Ronaldo J'avais à l' entraînement " Arsène Wenger reconnaît . "Je lui ai fait visiter les installations et je lui ai donne a jersey . Finalement , les deux pas pu s'entendre clubs n'ont sur ​​l' indemnité . "

Les dirigeants n'ont pas pu is résoudre à verser you 5 millions d' euros par leurs portugais homologues demand it . Mais à cette époque , Arsenal avait déjà pris l' habitude de revers sur le marché des tels transferts . In 2000, the formation is londonienne offrir voit l' opportunité of recruter Zlatan Ibrahimovic. " Arsène m'avait donne you fameux maillot blanc et rouge " is souvient Suédois him . " Il portait him No. 9 et il était à mon nom. À ce moment , je à ce qu'il m'attendais essaye of me convaincre of rejoindre are équipe . Il fait rien n'en to . Apparemment , voulait voir il quel genre of joueur j'étais . devais je faire un essai . Incroyable! Zlatan ne passe pas d' essais ! Alors , j'ai parti refusé et je suis à l' Ajax . "

Pour une poignée pesetas ...
Le destin de Munich 1860 lui tout autre été aurait if Franz Beckenbauer Gerd Mueller et ses rangs avaient rejoint . Le jeune attaquant disposé était à signer mais l' intérêt ALERTES pair of leurs voisins , Bayern dirigeants du les ont une décision emporté the heure avant fixé will rendezvous between Müller et des Löwen them accountable . De are côté , à rejoindre Munich Beckenbauer s'apprêtait 1860 mais un joueur a mauvaise idée of the eu will lors d'un match gifler du SC 1906 Munich. Furieux of cet affront him to Kaiser préféré rejoindre Bayern will ...

Ces deux ont transferts scored toute une génération , comme celui d' Alfredo di Stefano au Real Madrid. Le FC Barcelone croyait pourtant well tenir la Saeta Rubia. Au terme of négociations longues , les deux clubs partager décident of the garde du joueur , une année sur deux . Un peu plus tard, les dirigeants du club d' abandonner leurs droits décident sur ​​l' échange 5.5 attaquant in millions of pesetas. Compte tenu des misères Di Stefano fera up aux Catalans, l' indemnité maigre Parait well .

Same Old L' AS Monaco in 1986 mésaventure même . Le club Principality trouve one accord avec Jean -Pierre Papin Marseille arrache mais la décision in proposant beaucoup plus one contrat lucratif . Les supporters phocéens regrettent ne pas un instant that the compensation doit leur équipe à l' ASM verser . In l' espace de quelques années , devient une legende vivante Papin sur le Vieux Port . Il est meilleur buteur notamment Sacre du championnat de France cinq ans de suite, between 1988 et 1992.

Causes unlikely
Autre legende , même à 33 ans , Johan Cruyff n'avait , a priori, rien à faire dans une équipe de milieu de deuxième tableau in écossaise division . Ancien adjoint au Jock Stein Celtic , Sean Fallon parvient pourtant convaincre à Barcelone you pour quitter Néerlandais rejoindre of Dumbarton . Malheureusement , Cruyff finit par renoncer in raison du climat . " Est- ce que j'étais tempted ? Oui, évidemment " , count -t- il dans une biographie à consacrée Fallon. " Toujours voulu J'avais jouer en Grande- Bretagne . Mais avec l' âge , moins les muscles deviennent souples . Écosse In m'installant in , sans doute j'aurais connu grosses difficultés physique sur le plan . "

Malgré are frêle physique , l' Italien Gianfranco Zola, lui , n'a pas eu bad au jeu à faire and in devenant britannique à une legende Chelsea . Mais sa glorieuse carrière aurait pu connaître tournure . Zbigniew Boniek , entraîneur Lecce in 1990/ 91, voulait obtenir du jeune you ready joueur of Naples. Les papiers n'attendaient that Signes mais être d' un certain Diego Maradona intervint : " Ce petit , je le veux avec moi ... " In order to saison , Lecce will be relegated . Qui sait ce qui serait arrivé avec le talent of Zola ?

De même , quel niveau aurait atteint if l' Olympique de Marseille in 1989 , le club avait donne à la suite avec Bebeto transaction ? "Je suis alle il ya une à Marseille quinzaine of jours avec mon et j'ai beaucoup agent apprécié city are climat et celui qui me rappelle Bahia " alors racontait you buteur brésilien Flamengo . " J'aimerais jouer à l' OM . Aller à même Je préfèrerais Marseille Bayern plutôt qu'au aussi avec qui je suis in contact . Accord a été trouvé A between et moi le club . Mais le prix 2 millions de dollars était valable seulement jusqu'au 30 juin . dirigeants Les pas de l' OM n'ayant envoyé pour confirmer telex , je ne sais pas si ils sont toujours Interesses ... "

L' OM peut -être manqué pour l' affaire du siècle non envoyé telex , Liverpool mais faire une croix sur dû Frank Worthington , mais pour des raisons différentes well . Bill Shankly would negotiate international transfert de l' anglais mais l' attaquant Huddersfield , dissolue connu pour sa vie , est recalé visit médicale à la raison d'une forte in artérielle pression . " Activité sexuelle excessive" , explain l' intéressé . Shankly en vacances à l' envoie et lui demande de Majorca repasser the visit à son retour . Les mêmes causes provoquant les effets mêmes , second test will be revealed négatif plus encore to premiere , et l' opération évidemment annulée ...

Of transactions nombreuses conclues seront dans les heures à venir . Et au milieu de toute cette excitation , peut -être et quelques clubs that quelques joueurs d' être un jour regretteront passés à côté d'une occasion en or ...

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