VALDES HAILS BARCELONA

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes does not want his team-mates to rest on their laurels and wants to keep winning, stressing that the Catalan giants are still as hungry and driven by the urge to succeed as they were before, maybe even more!

According to Valdes, the search for more and more silverwear is what keeps that club going, it is what drives each and every player in the team and in Pep Guardiola, they have a manager who is the ideal person to motivate a side that has won everything there is to win in club football over the last three years, but still keep wanting more.

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes does not want his team-mates to rest on their laurels and wants to keep winning, stressing that the Catalan giants are still as hungry and driven by the urge to succeed as they were before, maybe even more!

According to Valdes, the search for more and more silverwear is what keeps that club going, it is what drives each and every player in the team and in Pep Guardiola, they have a manager who is the ideal person to motivate a side that has won everything there is to win in club football over the last three years, but still keep wanting more.

The 2011-12 season started in a familiar fashion for the Claret and Blues as they won the UEFA Super Cup beating Portuguese side FC Porto and recently won the FIFA Club World Cup, decimating South American champions and Brazilian powerhouse Santos 4-0 to become World Champions.

The additions of Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas at the beginning of the season has added further firepower to a side that was already firing on all cylinders and this means that other sides will need to be wary of the threat they pose even more. The experienced goalkeeper also added that with the additions, there is increased competition in the side for a place in the starting lineup with each and everyone giving their absolute best, trying to impress the manager. Looking at the online football betting, Barcelona seem favourites to win each and every competition then enter!

Victor Valdes believes that other clubs need to be very wary of the threats that this new and improved Barcelona now pose and with the Catalan giants signaling their intent with the emphatic victory against arch rivals Real Madrid, there is every scope that Valdes will get the chance to build on his already bulging trophy cabinet.

VALDES WANTS MORE TROPHIES

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that he is keen to see Barcelona lifting more trophies in the future. Since 2008, Barcelona have been extremely successful in the domestic and European competitions.

Not only have they dominated the domestically by winning a hat-trick of League titles, but they have also dominated the European front with two Champions League titles in just three seasons.

Guardiola has totally transformed the strength at Barcelona, while retaining the same philosophy of the club that has been in place since Cruyff. Victor Valdes was initially regarded as a goalkeeper not capable of being on the same level as Casillas, but he has proven his doubters wrong by becoming one of the greatest goalkeepers in recent seasons.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that he is keen to see Barcelona lifting more trophies in the future. Since 2008, Barcelona have been extremely successful in the domestic and European competitions.

Not only have they dominated the domestically by winning a hat-trick of League titles, but they have also dominated the European front with two Champions League titles in just three seasons.

Guardiola has totally transformed the strength at Barcelona, while retaining the same philosophy of the club that has been in place since Cruyff. Victor Valdes was initially regarded as a goalkeeper not capable of being on the same level as Casillas, but he has proven his doubters wrong by becoming one of the greatest goalkeepers in recent seasons.

He says that despite Barcelona winning all the major trophies in the last few years, he is very much looking forward to many more trophies with the Catalan club. Barcelona have just returned after their latest trophy this season – and Club World Cup. They beat Brazilian club Santos 4-0 in the final, thus lifting the crown of being the best club in the world twice in three seasons. Only Inter Milan have been able to stop the domination by Barcelona since 2008. Real Madrid seem closer to winning their first title since 2007 only now.

“We have shown that we want to win a lot of titles. When we lift a trophy, we do it as if it was our first. We want to win more. The Club World Cup is a title that’s really important to us. We all must respect this title a bit more, because it’s difficult to win it,” Victor Valdes said on Barcelona’s official website. Victor Valdes also praised the Guardiola by saying that he is responsible for the huge changes at Barcelona.

VALDES ADMITS IT WILL BE DIFFICULT

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been the first to admit that Real Madrid now have a sizeable advantage in the title race. After the 1-0 loss against Getafe, Barcelona face an uphill task to catch Real Madrid, who are six points better off the Catalan giants.

Even though the season is only nearing its halfway stage, it is still a sizeable advantage according to Victor Valdes. He has admitted that Real Madrid now hold the advantage in the title race. Barcelona failed to find their way past Getafe in a very tight match, but they were in for a shock late on in the match when Juan Valera scored with a header to give Getafe all three points.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been the first to admit that Real Madrid now have a sizeable advantage in the title race. After the 1-0 loss against Getafe, Barcelona face an uphill task to catch Real Madrid, who are six points better off the Catalan giants.

Even though the season is only nearing its halfway stage, it is still a sizeable advantage according to Victor Valdes. He has admitted that Real Madrid now hold the advantage in the title race. Barcelona failed to find their way past Getafe in a very tight match, but they were in for a shock late on in the match when Juan Valera scored with a header to give Getafe all three points.

This was the first defeat of the season for Barcelona, but it is a crucial one given that Real Madrid had managed to win against Atletico Madrid on the same weekend. Real Madrid entered into the weekend having a three-point advantage, but this latest round of results has put them on the fantastic position to finally bring an end to the dominance of Barcelona in the domestic competitions. Even though they have a long way to go – to achieve that in the European competitions, José Mourinho can finally feel satisfied that he has been able to achieve the impossible.

Speaking after the loss against Getafe, Victor Valdes said,” “This is the first defeat of the season, and we did not expect it. We knew we had to win here and that did not happen. There are many matches left. Madrid are on a good run and they are getting victories. We have to continue and raise our heads because we have two matches coming up.”

Still, Victor Valdes believes that Madrid will also drop a few points during the course of the season.

VALDES PRAISES GUARDIOLA

Barcelona’s Victor Valdes has become the latest person to praise Pep Guardiola. The Barcelona goalkeeper has said that Guardiola is responsible for making the team almost invincible!

In just over three years since Guardiola took over at Barcelona, the team has been totally transformed into one of the meanest machines, capable of going on a long winning runs. One of the very few persons to criticise Pep Guardiola has been former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, Victor Valdes has said that Guardiola is easily the best coach he has ever worked with.

Barcelona’s Victor Valdes has become the latest person to praise Pep Guardiola. The Barcelona goalkeeper has said that Guardiola is responsible for making the team almost invincible!

In just over three years since Guardiola took over at Barcelona, the team has been totally transformed into one of the meanest machines, capable of going on a long winning runs. One of the very few persons to criticise Pep Guardiola has been former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, Victor Valdes has said that Guardiola is easily the best coach he has ever worked with.

Valdes told the club’s official website “I have been trained to believe that the coach is the figure that you have to respect within a team and that you should follow the most. He led me down the road to victory and I hope to have that mentality until I retire.”

It was only a few seasons ago that Valdes was not thought to be capable of playing for Barcelona. In these past three years, Valdes has totally demolished that notion, becoming one of the top goalkeepers in Spain and in the world along with Iker Casillas.

This season has been certainly different for Barcelona, who have been playing catch up with Real Madrid for most of the season, though currently they trail Real Madrid by just one point.

Valdes has now become the record holder for Barcelona by not conceding for almost 10 matches in a row. The previous record for not conceding for the longest time was set by Miguel Reina back in the 1972-73 season. However, after maintaining a clean sheet against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, Victor Valdes has now become the record holder.

BARCELONA READY FOR DIFFICULT SEASON

Victor Valdes has said that Barcelona will be ready for a difficult season ahead. The Spanish international stated that he is not concerned about what Real Madrid does in the transfer market this summer, and is focused only on his club.

“I do not want to talk about Real Madrid. I am only talking about Barcelona. We know that another tough and long season awaits us, but we will be up for it,” Valdes was quoted as saying by El Periodico de Catalunya.

“People know my philosophy. For me, football is all about having the ball and winning games. My personal task is not to concede goals.”

Victor Valdes has said that Barcelona will be ready for a difficult season ahead. The Spanish international stated that he is not concerned about what Real Madrid does in the transfer market this summer, and is focused only on his club.

“I do not want to talk about Real Madrid. I am only talking about Barcelona. We know that another tough and long season awaits us, but we will be up for it,” Valdes was quoted as saying by El Periodico de Catalunya.

“People know my philosophy. For me, football is all about having the ball and winning games. My personal task is not to concede goals.”

Valdes then went on to say that Barcelona’s Champions League final win over Manchester United was special for him on a personal level, as it meant that he had achieved his target of lifting the trophy on three separate occasions.

VALDES LOOKING FOR REAL MADRID

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that the prospect of facing Real Madrid excites him more than anything else, according to the Free Football Bet website.

The Spanish champions defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the second-leg of their quarter-final tie in Ukraine on Tuesday evening to go through 6-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that the prospect of facing Real Madrid excites him more than anything else, according to the Free Football Bet website.

The Spanish champions defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the second-leg of their quarter-final tie in Ukraine on Tuesday evening to go through 6-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona are now set to face Jose Mourinho’s side in the last four with their La Liga rivals holding a 4-0 lead over Tottenham ahead of Wednesday’s second leg, and Valdes is looking forward to the confrontation against their arch-rivals.

“I am happy with how things are going,” Valdes enthused, according to Spanish daily AS. “In addition, the team is playing better than in other years and we hope to prove this with titles.”

VALDES TO RETURN IN THREE WEEKS

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said that goalkeeper Victor Valdes’s injury is not as serious as initially thought and he will be coming back soon. Guardiola has stated that the shot-stopper would not be out for six weeks as first thought.

Valdes, 29, missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao with a complaint in his left knee and, after initial reports suggested he would be out for six to eight weeks, the Spain international is now expected to return in three weeks.

“It looks like he (Valdes) will not be out for one or two months,” Guardiola said.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said that goalkeeper Victor Valdes’s injury is not as serious as initially thought and he will be coming back soon. Guardiola has stated that the shot-stopper would not be out for six weeks as first thought.

Valdes, 29, missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao with a complaint in his left knee and, after initial reports suggested he would be out for six to eight weeks, the Spain international is now expected to return in three weeks.

“It looks like he (Valdes) will not be out for one or two months,” Guardiola said.

“In any case we have (Jose Manuel) Pinto who has always done well and is an excellent goalkeeper.”

VALDES RULES OUT CESC MOVE TO MADRID

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that he can not imagine Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas joining Real Madrid. There’s been speculation in the press recently linking the Blancos with a sensational £50 million swoop for Fabregas but Valdes remains sceptical.

“I cannot imagine Cesc wearing the white shirt,” he said, according to ESPNsoccernet. “As you know, I believe his wish is to return home [to Barca], although that is not up to me.

“He knows our system perfectly and he would fit in well here.”

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that he can not imagine Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas joining Real Madrid. There’s been speculation in the press recently linking the Blancos with a sensational £50 million swoop for Fabregas but Valdes remains sceptical.

“I cannot imagine Cesc wearing the white shirt,” he said, according to ESPNsoccernet. “As you know, I believe his wish is to return home [to Barca], although that is not up to me.

“He knows our system perfectly and he would fit in well here.”

The 29-year-old shot stopper went on to reveal that the squad has reacted positively to the news that coach Pep Guardiola will pen a new deal with Barca later this month.

Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Spanish giants, keeping him at the club until the end of next season, with an official announcement expected to be made on February 22.

VALDES PRAISES GUARDIOLA

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has praised Pep Guardiola by saying that he has changed Barcelona completely. The Spanish goalkeeper was part of Rijkaard’s squad when the Blaugrana were conquering Spain and Europe and has been a vital presence between the sticks for Guardiola’s widely heralded team.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has praised Pep Guardiola by saying that he has changed Barcelona completely. The Spanish goalkeeper was part of Rijkaard’s squad when the Blaugrana were conquering Spain and Europe and has been a vital presence between the sticks for Guardiola’s widely heralded team.

“We tried to play the ball, pressure all over the pitch and play with a high defensive line, [while now under Pep] we are more prepared to take risks at the back and if that works then there are more goals to be had. Barca have prospered under Guardiola,” Valdes told the club’s official website.

Victor Valdes also gave his take on the possibility of Barcelona winning the treble this season.

BARCA WIN WITHOUT VALDES

Barcelona managed to keep their incredible from going despite resting high profile players like Victor Valdes for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The Spanish La Liga table toppers were playing a traditional 4-3-3. Victor Valdes was rested so Jose Manuel Pinto took his position as the goal stopper for the Catalan club.

Barcelona managed to keep their incredible from going despite resting high profile players like Victor Valdes for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The Spanish La Liga table toppers were playing a traditional 4-3-3. Victor Valdes was rested so Jose Manuel Pinto took his position as the goal stopper for the Catalan club.

Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique combined as centre backs while the two Brazilian full backs Maxwell and Daniel Alves took their positions on the left and right respectively. Sergio Busquets played as the holding midfielder for the Spanish Giants as Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta featured in their favourite midfield positions. Lionel Messi featured on the right flank as Pedro Rodriguez featured on the left with the Spanish goal-scoring machine David Villa in the centre as a striker.

On the other hand, Real Betis played a traditional 4-4-2. Casto was the one who featured between the two poles as a goal stopper and he was helped by Isidoro, Miki Roque, Arzu and Nacho at the back. Salva Sevilla and Iriney featured in the midfield while Benat Etxebarria Urkiaga and Israel David Bascon Gigato featured on the wings. Ruben Castro and Jorge Molina featured up front as strikers.

Barca might have some new faces in the team themselves, with Theo Walcott and Branislav Ivanovic linked in recent weeks.