Alves: Mistakes will be costly

With every remaining match crucial in the La Liga title race, Dani Alves believes Barcelona must be at their best when they meet Villarreal.

Defending champions Barca top the table by five points with nine games left this season and face a challenging fixture away to fourth-placed Villarreal on Saturday, with second-placed Real Madrid waiting to pounce on any slip-ups.

“We have to be as focused as we can,” Alves said.

“They (Villarreal) are one of the most dangerous rivals that we have, but we have enough quality to not fear anyone. We will try to earn the win – that’s always our goal.”

“We are playing against Villarreal for three more points, which in the worst case (if Barca lose) would maintain the gap over the second-placed team.”

“There is no turning back now – every game is a unique opportunity. The end is getting closer, and any mistake could be costly.”

Alves signed a new contract at the Camp Nou earlier this month, ending speculation that the Brazil fullback might be tempted by the riches on offer at Manchester City.

“I am very happy. I said many times that it wasn’t just about the money. It is an important part – I won’t deny that – but all the details have been resolved and I am very happy,” he said.

“I made my desire to stay here very clear, and to maybe finish my career here.

The new four-year deal ties Alves to the club until 2015.

Now 27, he hopes to become one of the longest-serving Brazilians to have played for the Catalan giants.

“Xavi (Hernandez), (Carlos) Puyol, (Andres) Iniesta, they have their stories within the club,” Alves said. “I am reaching three years here and want to have my own story. I want that respect.”

“To compare myself to them wouldn’t be a good idea, because they are the club’s history. I don’t like comparisons, but I want to make history.”

“I want people to have another opinion of Brazilians here; not that they are here for three or four years and then leave. I have always left clubs on good terms.”

Wed 30 March, 2011

Alves: Mistakes will be costly

With every remaining match crucial in the La Liga title race, Dani Alves believes Barcelona must be at their best when they meet Villarreal.

Defending champions Barca top the table by five points with nine games left this season and face a challenging fixture away to fourth-placed Villarreal on Saturday, with second-placed Real Madrid waiting to pounce on any slip-ups.

“We have to be as focused as we can,” Alves said.

“They (Villarreal) are one of the most dangerous rivals that we have, but we have enough quality to not fear anyone. We will try to earn the win – that’s always our goal.”

“We are playing against Villarreal for three more points, which in the worst case (if Barca lose) would maintain the gap over the second-placed team.”

“There is no turning back now – every game is a unique opportunity. The end is getting closer, and any mistake could be costly.”

Alves signed a new contract at the Camp Nou earlier this month, ending speculation that the Brazil fullback might be tempted by the riches on offer at Manchester City.

“I am very happy. I said many times that it wasn’t just about the money. It is an important part – I won’t deny that – but all the details have been resolved and I am very happy,” he said.

“I made my desire to stay here very clear, and to maybe finish my career here.

The new four-year deal ties Alves to the club until 2015.

Now 27, he hopes to become one of the longest-serving Brazilians to have played for the Catalan giants.

“Xavi (Hernandez), (Carlos) Puyol, (Andres) Iniesta, they have their stories within the club,” Alves said. “I am reaching three years here and want to have my own story. I want that respect.”

“To compare myself to them wouldn’t be a good idea, because they are the club’s history. I don’t like comparisons, but I want to make history.”

“I want people to have another opinion of Brazilians here; not that they are here for three or four years and then leave. I have always left clubs on good terms.”

Wed 30 March, 2011

Guardiola quiet on costly decisions

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has refused to discuss the performance of referee Miguel Lasa in his side’s 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Sunday.

Barca’s lead in La Liga was cut to just five points over Real Madrid after the Spanish champions could only manage a point at Sevilla, though Lasa was in the spotlight for two decisions that potentially cost Guardiola’s side the game.

Firstly, the referee disallowed an early Lionel Messi goal after ruling that Sergio Busquets had infringed at the free kick.

Then, the referee waved away calls for a penalty in the second half after goal-scorer Bojan Krkic appeared to be felled in the area.

But Guardiola did not wish to make any comment on the referee and said he was satisfied overall with Barcelona’s performance.

“The referees always do their utmost,” Guardiola said.

“I’m a representative of the institution Barcelona. I don’t want to talk about the disallowed goal of Messi.”

“A Barcelona coach doesn’t discuss the referee’s performance.”

“We put in a good performance against a great team. Maybe we deserved more than a draw after our first-half performance.”

“Sevilla improved after the break and showed their great mentality.”

“Overall I’m quite satisfied with how we played. We always try to control the game, but sometimes you face a strong opponent. We didn’t lose though and never stopped trying.”

Sun 13 March, 2011

Guardiola quiet on costly decisions

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has refused to discuss the performance of referee Miguel Lasa in his side’s 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Sunday.

Barca’s lead in La Liga was cut to just five points over Real Madrid after the Spanish champions could only manage a point at Sevilla, though Lasa was in the spotlight for two decisions that potentially cost Guardiola’s side the game.

Firstly, the referee disallowed an early Lionel Messi goal after ruling that Sergio Busquets had infringed at the free kick.

Then, the referee waved away calls for a penalty in the second half after goal-scorer Bojan Krkic appeared to be felled in the area.

But Guardiola did not wish to make any comment on the referee and said he was satisfied overall with Barcelona’s performance.

“The referees always do their utmost,” Guardiola said.

“I’m a representative of the institution Barcelona. I don’t want to talk about the disallowed goal of Messi.”

“A Barcelona coach doesn’t discuss the referee’s performance.”

“We put in a good performance against a great team. Maybe we deserved more than a draw after our first-half performance.”

“Sevilla improved after the break and showed their great mentality.”

“Overall I’m quite satisfied with how we played. We always try to control the game, but sometimes you face a strong opponent. We didn’t lose though and never stopped trying.”

Sun 13 March, 2011

Injuries are costly for Fulham: Hughes

Fulham manager Mark Hughes insists he does not fear the sack and is focused on securing a vital victory against West Ham to kick-start his side’s season.

Reports have suggested that Hughes could be sacked if his team fail to beat the Premier League’s bottom side at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.

But the Welshman, who only replaced Roy Hodgson in July, is adamant that his team’s struggles – they are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference having won twice all season – are due to injuries.

With Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele both sidelined for most of the season, Fulham have scored just 16 goals in 17 games, but Hughes is convinced it is only a matter of time before his side start to move up the table.

“I haven’t spoken to the chairman this week,” said Hughes.

“It (being one game from the sack) hasn’t been discussed with me.”

“It is very obvious where we are and the issues we have within the team. We aren’t scoring enough goals because of the personnel missing.”

“It is about making sure we are still working hard and doing the right things and wait for something to change for us.”

“Do I feel under pressure? Not particularly. I’ve been through this before, and people at the club understand the difficulties we have had this year, and that the work we do is good work.”

“At some point in the future we will turn our results into positive results and start climbing the league.”

Hughes is well aware that his side could shoot up the league if they string a series of results together, and admits the same is true of their opponents.

Avram Grant is also under pressure with his side at the bottom of the table at Christmas – with 17 of the last 18 teams to occupy that position relegated at the end of the season – but Hughes is not expecting a walkover.

“Historically, being bottom isn’t the best position as it means you could be in trouble,” Hughes added.

“But maybe this year could be the exception as the league is so tight in terms of points.”

“If you go on a run then it can shoot you up the league, and that will have sustained West Ham’s confidence.”

“And we don’t feel we are a million miles away from where we need to be performance-wise, but we need a cutting edge to help us win matches.”

“Our general play is good enough to take us up the league, I’m convinced of that.”

Fri 24 December, 2010

Injuries are costly for Fulham: Hughes

Fulham manager Mark Hughes insists he does not fear the sack and is focused on securing a vital victory against West Ham to kick-start his side’s season.

Reports have suggested that Hughes could be sacked if his team fail to beat the Premier League’s bottom side at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.

But the Welshman, who only replaced Roy Hodgson in July, is adamant that his team’s struggles – they are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference having won twice all season – are due to injuries.

With Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele both sidelined for most of the season, Fulham have scored just 16 goals in 17 games, but Hughes is convinced it is only a matter of time before his side start to move up the table.

“I haven’t spoken to the chairman this week,” said Hughes.

“It (being one game from the sack) hasn’t been discussed with me.”

“It is very obvious where we are and the issues we have within the team. We aren’t scoring enough goals because of the personnel missing.”

“It is about making sure we are still working hard and doing the right things and wait for something to change for us.”

“Do I feel under pressure? Not particularly. I’ve been through this before, and people at the club understand the difficulties we have had this year, and that the work we do is good work.”

“At some point in the future we will turn our results into positive results and start climbing the league.”

Hughes is well aware that his side could shoot up the league if they string a series of results together, and admits the same is true of their opponents.

Avram Grant is also under pressure with his side at the bottom of the table at Christmas – with 17 of the last 18 teams to occupy that position relegated at the end of the season – but Hughes is not expecting a walkover.

“Historically, being bottom isn’t the best position as it means you could be in trouble,” Hughes added.

“But maybe this year could be the exception as the league is so tight in terms of points.”

“If you go on a run then it can shoot you up the league, and that will have sustained West Ham’s confidence.”

“And we don’t feel we are a million miles away from where we need to be performance-wise, but we need a cutting edge to help us win matches.”

“Our general play is good enough to take us up the league, I’m convinced of that.”

Fri 24 December, 2010