Thuram joins Barcelona after Juventus scandal

The Italian scandal is over for him. French player Lilian Thuram has passed a medical and signed a two-year contract with Barcelona to enhance th soccer power of the European Champions.

"I am absolutely pleased. To play at this club is the best thing that could happen to a footballer," Thuram told the club's website.

According to unofficial sources, Barcelona have paid troubled Serie A club Juventus five million euros for the player.

We must keep in mind that Thuram has won a record 121 caps with France and announced his international retirement after losing in the World Cup final match to Italy earlier this month.

He was a key member of the French side that won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000, and we also know that Thuram can play in the centre of defence or at right back.

French Monaco and italian Parma are some of his former clubs, and Thuram won four league titles with Juventus alongside defender Gianluca Zambrotta, who has also agreed a move to Barcelona from Turin.

Edmilson trains again

He is back. Brazilian player Edmilson said he felt no ill-effects on his return to training with Barcelona after a knee operation that caused him to miss the World Cup.

"I felt really good and did not notice any pain," the 30-year-old was quoted as saying in Barcelona sports daily publication on Tuesday.

We must remember that Edmilson pulled out of Brazil's World Cup squad after suffering a torn knee cartilage in his right knee when the team were preparing for the championship in Switzerland at the end of May. The midfielder was operated on in Brazil on June 1.

The talented player, who can also play in the centre of defence, joined Barca from Olympique Lyon in 2004 but missed much of his first season at the team after tearing the cruciate ligament in his right knee during a league encounter in October.

It's good to mention that the Spanish and European champions returned to training on Monday with striker Eidur Gudjohnsen joining his new team mates for the first time since his 12 million-euro ($15 million) move from english side Chelsea.

"I know I've come to a really good team where there are a lot of quality players," said the Icelandic international. "I know that I won't be playing every game, but I'm determined to win myself a place in the squad."

Giuly extends blaugrana deal

According to official sources, French footballer Ludovic Giuly will extend his contract with FC Barcelona until June 2008.

"Ludovic Giuly, who had a contract until 2007, will extend his deal with Barcelona for another season," the club announced. "The buy-out clause on his contract will remain at 60 million euros ($76.87 million)."

The midfielder, who was dismissed by French coach Domenech for the World Cup, will sign a new deal on Wednesday.

As we know, Giuly joined Barca from Monaco in 2004 after helping the Ligue 1 club reach the final of the Champions League. He has won two league titles with the Catalans and was part of the side that defeated Arsenal in the final of the Champions League in Paris.

Lampard will not be "Blaugrana"

Barcelona board has denied romours about Frank Lampard's move to Cataluña.

The England midfielder has been constantly linked with a move to the Camp Nou in recent months, yet the Catalans' president Joan Laporta has denied such a possibility.

"Lampard is a really good player, one I admire," Laporta is quoted as saying in The Sun. "But I can say that we definitely will not be signing him this season. Our central midfield is closed now."

In fact, Lampard has become a key member of Chelsea side since moving from West Ham United under the reign of Claudio Ranieri, and has constantly assured that he is more than happy at Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona might break up with Saviola

Despite Saviola's good performance at the World Cup, FC Barcelona will be moving Argentina striker.

At least that's what Barcelona technical secretary Aitor "Txiki" Begiristain said: Saviola, whose yearlong loan with Sevilla ended recently, will be offloaded despite impressive displays so far in the World Cup. He has started both matches, scoring in the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

"I have to say that Saviola's good play at the World Cup in Germany will not prevent him from leaving our club. This decision is not based on performances over a game or two," Begiristain was quoted as saying by sports daily Mundo Deportivo on Sunday.

"We don't dispute the player's talent. However it is difficult for him to fit in to the idea of football we have."

In fact, Saviola has a year remaining on his contract with the European champion, and he is of interest to Arsenal, according to a British press report on Sunday.

But Begiristain said Saviola's "priority" was to remain in Spain and Barcelona would study offers for the 24-year-old forward, who joined the club from River Plate in 2001 and scored 61 times in three years.

"We'll see which is closest to his wishes and which financially is the best for the player and the club," Begiristain expressed.

Eto'o has big projects

Barcelona's best striker Samuel Eto'o achieved a lot during the last season. Despite his absence at the World Cup, he feels happy. And he has many erasons to feel that way:

He was voted African player of the year for the third consecutive time, being the first African to get a hat trick award. What's more, the African star has emerged as FIFA's third best football player of the year after Barcelona teammate Ronaldinho and Chelsea's Frank Lampard. He won La Liga with Barcelona for the second consecutive time, the UEFA Champions League and emerged with the title of pichichi, which is traditionally awarded to the best scorer in the Spanish tournament. He received several other distinguished awards from Cameroon, Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia in appreciation for his firm fight against racism in football.

But now he has new dreams and projects. Some of them are the new Foundation Samuel Eto'o (FSE), and a football academy hn the Cameroon coastal town of Kribi. In fact, the football academy is the biggest project of the foundation, designed to unearth a new generation of Cameroon players. Other preoccupations of the foundation are in health and social activities.

Speaking at a press conference in Yaounde on May 30, prior to the laying of a foundation stone, Eto'o announced to the applause of his audience that his project is not about a football academy -- but rather football academies. In other words, he explained, Eto'o is going to open as many centers as possible across the nation, so every aspiring youth can have an opportunity to attend.

The player explained that he is concerned with training not only footballers but also "social ambassadors." That's why the recruited team will be actively involved in health and social activities across his country.

This foundation will seek methods of improving the health and medical facilities. In fact, he already announced a symbolic donation to the government, "We already have some ambulances ... to hand over to the government."

Belleti gives Barcelona their second Champions League title

Arsenal and Barcelona were playing the Final in Paris, and with all those famous players on the field, no one would have figured that Juliano Belletti will be the one to make the difference.

Not even him. But the Barcelona defender came on the field with 19 minutes to go Wednesday and soon scored the deciding goal to give his team a 2-1 victory over 10-man Arsenal to win the Champions League.

We must remember that the Gunners, which played with 10 men from the 18th minute after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was red-carded, took the lead in the 37th at Stade de France when defender Sol Campbell headed in the first goal.

African best player Samuel Eto'o tied the match for Barcelona in the 76th minute, and Belletti scored the winning goal in the 81st.In that play, Henrik Larsson found Belletti on the run, and the Brazilian charged through the English defence and sent his angled shot off replacement keeper Almunia and into the net for his first goal in a European competition.

"Scoring a goal in the Champions League is really hard for a full back," Belletti claims. "I thought this afternoon that perhaps I would have played, but I knew it was difficult. The Champions League is for all the persons who don't appear in the press. It is for everyone."

Sevilla beat Barcelona

Barcelona travelled to Andalucia without eight of their most influential players. This was taken advantage of by Sevilla, who took a secure lead with goals from Alves Daniel in the 22nd minute and Aitor Ocio in the 76th.

It's important to notice that Barcelona came back through Santiago Ezquerro in the 41st minute and Sylvinho in the 43rd. However. Sevilla had some energy left and Kepa got the winning goal in the 76th minute.

We must mention that Gabri was sent off for the visitors in the dying minutes, leaving Barcelona with just ten players.

Sevilla are now fourth, which gives access to the Champions League third preliminary round. The Andalucians share this position with Osasuna, as both have 65 points. On Tuesday, Sevilla face Real Madrid while Osasuna host Valencia.

Ronaldinho's dreams of Glory

The best player of the squad, Ronaldinho says that having the chance to win trophies such as the Champions League is precisely the reason he joined Barcelona three years ago.

"When I came here my objective was to win important competitions like the Spanish league and the Champions League and now I am very close to realising that dream," the Brazilian said on Wednesday, a week before his side meet Arsenal in the final match.

"Before I came here there were other teams that were interested, but I wanted to look for a club and a place which I could adapt to rapidly and one that was better for my career.

"I'm really happy that I made that decision. I'm enjoying myself a great deal here."

The 26-year-old Brazilian joined Barcelona from Paris Saintt Germain for a fee of $25 million in 2003 despite interest from rivals Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Barcelona advanced to the Champions League Final

Barcelona and AC Milan tied 0-0 and the Spanish team advanced to the Final game in Paris against Arsenal. The Blaugrana side took the win over Milan with a measured celebration rather than unbridled euphoria. They want to accomplish higher objectives.

"We accomplished our goal in this match," was coach Rijkaard's statement on his side's achievement in qualifying for their first final in 12 years. "But this is not the end, we want to go to Paris and win the title."

In fact, Barcelona have never missed a European season in the 50 years since continental competition began. However, they have won the Champions League trophy only once.

"Our dreams are a step closer to become true" said striker Samuel Eto'o. "We had to suffer to get here but it will be nothing compared to the joy if we can win the final. We all want to get the victory and dedicate it to the fans."

The African striker is convinced that past disappointments, such as last season's elimination by Chelsea in the first knockout round, have given the side a harder edge that has enabled them to beat the English champions and Milan this time round.

"We learned last year that we have to know how to defend a result and that's what we have done. We've learned how to struggle to achieve what we want."

Even though hos team dominated for long periods of the game against Milan on Wednesday, they certainly had to sweat it out to beat the Italian side.

Eto'o and Henrik Larsson were denied what looked like certain goals by some top-class saves from Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, while defender Juliano Belletti spurned a gilt-edged chance with an air-shot when the goal was at his mercy.

We must consider that Milan looked to have forced the tie into extra time when Andriy Shevchenko headed home midway through the second half, just to see the goal ruled out for an apparent foul on centre back Carles Puyol.

But Barca kept their heads and managed to become only the second side to beat Milan in the semi-finals since the European Cup began 50 years ago.

The final match will be an oppostunity to see the two most talented players of the World face to face: Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.

Barcelona beat AC Milan in Italy

Barcelona edged AC Milan 1-0 and a crowd of 76,883 at the San Siro on Tuesday night just couldn't believe it. French midfielder Giuly score the goal that makes Barcelona dream of Champions League final.

We must say that AC Milan had the better of the first half, Alberto Gilardino hitting the post with a snapshot from a tight angle and Víctor Valdés denying Andriy Shevchenko with a wonderful block shortly afterwards.

However, there was a play that changed everything. In the 57th minute, Ronaldinho Gaucho lifted through a magnificent pass for Ludovic Giuly, who impressed in controlling the ball and then sweeping it past Dida, Milan's keeper. It was an away goal crafted by the gods.

Frank Rijkaard gave the rival credit: "It was an absolutely important result and I want to congratulate my squad. We were playing at a tough venue against a great squad and it wasn't easy."

Great victory with Champions League smell

Spain has two teams in the semifinals of the Champions League, and they played on Friday. But this time it was a Spanish League match. Despite it, Samuel Eto'o managed to score the winning goal to help Barcelona beat Villarreal 1-0.

As we said, the match could have been a preview to the Champions League final next month. It's a must to say, though, that both teams had key absentees.

Barcelona was without world class player Ronaldinho, who also missed last weekend's draw against Santander with a right thigh injury.

Carles Puyol was able to play, after Barcelona's successful appeal against his suspension on Thursday. We must remember that Barcelona is set to meet AC Milan on Tuesday in a Champions League first-leg semi-final.

In the other hand, Villarreal, enjoying a sparkling Champions League debut season, will play Arsenal in London on Wednesday.

Barcelona Keeps the Lead

Barcelona FC runs closer to their 18th Spanish league title. The "blaugranas" got a 2-2 draw Sunday against Racing Santander.

This draw keeps Barcelona 11 points ahead of Valencia and Real Madrid - who share second place - with just six games left to play.

It's important to say that Frank Rijkaard's squad now have 70 points from 32 games, while Valencia and Real have 59.

All the scoring in Santander came in an eventful first half. Barca took the lead through Henrik Larsson, but Antonito Perez and Oscar Serrano quickly gave the hosts a surprising 2-1 lead.

African star Samuel Etoo levelled for Barca just before the break. The second half was a more relaxed affair, with both teams appearing to settle for a point toward the end.

All Eyes on the Derby

Barcelona is preparing everything to face the classic enemy in the Spanish Derby on Saturday. The will host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

Frank Rijkaard claims he will not be resting players for Saturday's big game against Real Madrid in order to save them for next week's Champions League quarter-final with Benfica.

"Everyone who is fit will play, I will not rest players," Rijkaard told sports daily Sport on Friday.

The Catalans are without the injured Rafael Marquez and Edmilson in defence, along with livewire Argentine forward Lionel Messi, for Saturday's game.

It's important to say that Silvinho has been left out of the Barcelona squad for precautionary reasons. In the other hand, captain Carles Puyol returned from suspension and will be able to play.

Benfica resist Barcelona and hold a 0-0 draw

Barcelona went to Portugal in order to defeat Benfica and assure a place in the semifinals. But the local team had enough power to hold them to a 0-0 draw. Ronaldinho and Eto'o couldn't break the deadlock.

The Spanish side had a string of opportinities to score, but a mix of poor finishing and stubborn defending kept Benfica in with a chance of springing a surprise in the return leg of this Champions League quarter-final next week.

Local keeper Moretto de Souza performed a double save from Ronaldinho Gaucho, initially parrying his fierce drive before tipping the rebound over the bar. That was an important moment of the game.

Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Mark Van Bommel shot many times to beat Benfica, but they were not precise enough.

In the second half, Fabrizio Miccoli replaced Laurent Robert. With this decision, Benfica's attack immediately improved.

In the 80th, Sabrosa got behind the Barcelona defense but Valdes rushed out to stop him.

Giorgos Karagounis then managed to hit the Barcelona post with a free kick from 25 meters in the most dangerous move of the last part. The game was esciting indeed, but it wasn't a good result for Barcelona.

Henry supported Eto'o in the tough time

With all the speculations about Thierry Henry going to Barcelona, Samuel Eto'o was asked by the press to give an opinion.

What the press didn't know is that the two strikers are very good friends. After this week's victory over Getafe, Eto'o said in public: "It's ridiculous people are saying I'll be upset if Thierry Henry was to join us.

"They say I'd be upset because he'd take my place. But how can I be angry with my great friend Thierry?!!"

Now we know that when Eto'o suffered racial abuse from Real Zaragoza fans last month, it was the French striker who sent him a series of SMS messages in support of the Cameroon star. A really good gesture.

African smile in victory over Getafe

Samuel Eto'o was looking forward to score in this game. It was a special occasion since he was just one goal away from the 100 goals mark in the Spanish Football. And he did it twice. With these goals, Barcelona got an important victory over Getafe 3-1 and they're closer to a second straight title.

In the very beginning of the match, Nano Macedo had given the visitors a fourth-minute lead today, and Anibal Matellan put the ball into his own net to tie the match.

And the Blaugranas broke clear from the resulting corner and Eto'o put the finishing touch to a stunning passing move to give the Catalans a 2-1 lead.

In fact, Deco gave a good pass to Mark van Bommel on the right, the Dutchman slipped a pass to Eto'o who exchanged a slick one-two with Giuly and then fired home for the 100th league goal of his career. He scored another goal 16 minutes later, and Barcelona assured the victory.

Barcelona, Spain's second-most-successful squad after Real Madrid, has 67 points from 29 of 38 games. Madrid has 14 fewer points and has played one a less match. Valencia and Osasuna are a further point back.

Osasuna achieved what Chelsea couldn't

Nine-man Barcelona were shocked 2-1 by a hard Osasuna on Sunday in one of their worse nights on the pitch this season.

Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o couldn't satisfy the fans, in a game that will everyone wants to forget.

Barcelona had the opportunity to put more daylight between them and chasing teams Real Madrid and Valencia but the gap remains nine points.

But a mistake by Barca keeper Victor Valdes gifted Osasuna the opening goal for Valmiro Lopez Valdo, then Francisco Punal knocked home a 59th-minute penalty shot. Henrik Larsson gave Barcelona some consolation with a goal after a deft through ball by Ronaldinho Gaucho with 18 minutes left.

Worse was to come for Barcelona who finished the match with nine men after Thiago Motta was sent off with a red card.

Barcelona eliminate Chelsea

A magical moment of Ronaldinho gave Barcelona a well-deserved place in the Champions League quarter-finals after they drew 1-1 with Chelsea here on Tuesday in their last 16 second leg match and a 3-2 victory on aggregate. It was a sweet revenge for last year’s 5-4 aggregate defeat by the Premiership champions and left Liverpool as the only English side to have ever beaten the Catalan giants at home and that was 30 years ago.

In fact, Ronaldinho’s sixth goal in seven Champions League matches came just over 10 minutes from time while Chelsea got a generously awarded penalty in stoppage time as Giovanni van Bronckhorst was adjudged to have fouled John Terry though it looked as if he had got the ball. Frank Lampard slotted home the penalty but it was all to no avail as the referee blew the final whistle almost immediately. “The best one did not win,” said Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, who must have had little cause for complaint as his side had never really threatened to pull off the victory. “Eleven against 11 we would have won (he said referring to the sending-off of Chelsea’s Asier del Horno in the first leg). “The first leg we lost an important piece and we had to come here 2-1 down. If we had a bit of luck and scored before the last minute it could have changed us mentally and it would have been different.”

We can say that Mourinho even had a go at the referee Markus Merk. “As it was after the penalty the referee did not play another second.” But Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard focussed on his team. “The team pulled off a really good performance,” said the former Dutch footballing great. “We stayed focussed till the end and although we made some tactical mistakes our defenders held the line really well.” Barcelona’s veteran Swedish striker Henrik Larsson said Chelsea had played well but there was no doubt who deserved to progress. “We showed we were the better side for the two legs,” said the 34-year-old.

“We tried to play our normal game and try and not give them too much space behind us as they are quality players. We tried to fill the gaps. I think in the first-half we had everything under control and it meant as time went on we were even more in control.” Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, who was sent-off in the match in Barcelona last year, had a glorious opportunity to open the score in the 20th minute but he directed his header tamely into the hands of Victor Valdes. The Ivorian striker had not been too far away 10 minutes earlier from getting to a delightful cross by Joe Cole but it flew inches over his head. Chelsea’s physical tactics had an effect on the more elegant style of the Barcelona side and in the end it did for Lionel Messi who pulled up with an injured hamstring after a foul by William Gallas and had to be replaced by Larsson.

Gallas was fortunate not to be called for a penalty after barging over Ronaldinho just before the half hour mark but in truth Barcelona had yet to test Petr Cech. Carvalho - whose controversial holding of the Barcelona goalkeeper last year resulted in Chelsea’s decisive goal - could also have been penalised for a penalty after dragging Edmilson to the ground inside the penalty area. However it was Valdes who was again tested as Arjen Robben cut in from the right in the 38th minute but the Barcelona keeper got down well to save his shot and not to let it rebound into the path of Drogba. Chelsea again went close a minute from the end of the first-half as John Terry won the ball in the air and Cole produced an inspired overhead lob which beat Valdes but landed on top of the net.

In the end, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made a double switch in the 59th minute bringing on Eidur Gudjohnsen and Crespo for Drogba and Damien Duff. However it was Barcelona who were on target shortly after that as Samuel Eto’o at last got a shot in that forced Cech to beat it away and Terry headed it to safety. Hernan Crespo nearly made a dramatic entrance as on the hour Cole’s expertly directed cross was met by the Argentinian at the near post but his shot trickled wide.

Samuel Eto'o taunted in Barcelona's victory

Racism is in the headlines again. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o threatened to leave the field in the 77th minute when he received racist taunts from the crowd, but was persuaded to remain by Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard and finish off the club's 2-0 victory at Zaragoza on Saturday.

The three-time African player of the year could be seen saying ''No more,'' and was encouraged by teammates to remain. Eto'o also was taunted by Zaragoza supporters at La Romareda stadium a year ago, when the striker responded by mimicking a monkey.

Indeed, the striker's actions follow those of Ivory Coast's Marc Zoro, who threatened to leave the field during Messina's Italian league game with Inter Milan last November. Saturday's incident likely will intensify recent calls for football authorities to impose harsher sanctions against clubs whose fans racially taunt opposing teams' players.

We can say, though, that Barcelona took the lead three minutes later when Ronaldinho converted a penalty, awarded after Albert Celades was called for hand ball that prevented a goal by Edmilson. Celades was ejected.

Substitute Henrik Larsson added the second goal two minutes later when he clipped home a low cross from the right by Eto'o.

Barcelona's victory in Rijkaard's 100th league game at the helm of the club gave it 58 points and extended its lead in the standings to nine points.

Barcelona's entered the game coming off Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win at Chelsea. It appeared cautious against Zaragoza, which eliminated it from the Copa del Rey quarter-finals last month and ended its 18-game winning streak with a 4-2 win in the first leg.

In fact, Zaragoza came closest in the 29th minute of a tense first half when goalkeeper Victor Valdes tipped tipped a fierce shot by striker Ewerthon over the bar. Barcelona's only reply came 14 minutes later when Thiago Motta put a shot just wide.

Barcelona substitute Mark van Bommel fired just over the bar in the 61st as the game remained tight after halftime.

Is important to notice that Zaragoza, which has advanced to the Copa del Rey final after also eliminating Madrid, suffered its first defeat in five league games.