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Sandro Rosell: “Barça will be eternally grateful to the greatest manager in our history”

The Barça president has expressed “the club’s utmost respect” for Josep Guardiola after his decision not to stay on as manager next season and has thanked him for everything he has done for what he calls “your Barça”

After stating that the aim is to be able to administrate “Pep’s legacy”, Rosell announced that the next manager of FC Barcelona will be Tito Vilanova.



Sandro Rosell has announced on Friday that Josep Guardiola will not be staying on next season. He described the decision as “the most difficult” that he has had to accept in his time as president of FC Barcelona. After expressing “the club’s utmost respect” for the outgoing manager’s decision, the Barcelona president highlighted that “the club is more mature and solid than ever … which has to be the basis for consolidating a strong and unified future”.

“Thank you, Pep”

The president constantly reiterated his gratitude to Guardiola, and for a number of reasons. “For the happiness you have given us and for all you have done for your Barça; for having perfected a footballing model that can never be questioned again; for having represented the institution in such an exemplary fashion, honouring the values that define us as a Club; for all your support, affection and love”.

It is for all these reasons that Sandro Rosell has no doubt that fans “will be eternally grateful to the greatest manger in our history … with all my heart, thank you very much, Pep”, the president reiterated.

Looking ahead to next season, Rosell expressed aloud his desire for the club to administer the legacy that Guardiola has left, and what he says will always be called “the Pep system.” Having revealed that Tito Vilanova will be the next FC Barcelona manager, the president said that he is convinced that “he will be working from an excellent base … he has to improve whatever he can and never settle for things as they are”.

STOKE CITY

PROBABLE LINE UP (4-1-4-1): Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Whelan; Pennant, Walters, Palacios, Etherington; Crouch.

Vs

ARSENAL

PROBABLE LINE UP (4-1-4-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Song; Diaby, Ramsey, Rosicky, Benayoun; Van Persie.

Referee: Chris Foy


Although it has now gone way beyond cliché, Arsenal have shown, whether it is raining or not, they have struggled at the Britannia Stadium since Stoke’s promotion to the Premier League.

Including an FA Cup defeat, they have lost in three of their last four trips to the Potteries; a run of games that has done little to warm relations between Tony Pulis and Arsène Wenger, who will be looking to underline his team’s claims on third place.



Team News
Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson misses is out. He was substituted after 33 minutes at Newcastle last week, is also doubtful for Tuesday's meeting with Everton but could be back for the final two games of the campaign.

Winger Jermaine Pennant is back in contention after a virus.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will be assessed ahead of the trip to Stoke after suffering from a virus.

Who's Your Money On?

Czech international Tomas Rosicky has shrugged off a similar illness, while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun comes back in after being ineligible to play against his parent club last weekend.

Winger Theo Walcott may feature before the end of the season but Mikel Arteta is out for the rest of the campaign, along with Jack Wilshere and German centre-back Per Mertesacker.

CHELSEA

PROBABLE LINE UP (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Cole; Essien; Sturridge, Romeu, Malouda, Kalou; Torres.

Vs.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

PROBABLE LINE UP (4-4-2): Kenny; Onuoa, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo; Mackie, Barton, Diakité, Buzsaky; Cissé, Zamora.

Referee: Howard Webb


The conundrum for Roberto Di Matteo is this: does he rest players exhausted from Tuesday’s exertions, particularly with an FA Cup final to come next weekend?

Or does he push for a top-four finish which, if they lose in Munich, will represent their only chance of a Champions League spot next term?

Rangers have already beaten Chelsea at home in the Premier League and will fancy at least a point at the Bridge.



Team News
Chelsea are facing a defensive crisis ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against QPR.

Gary Cahill and David Luiz have both been ruled out with hamstring injuries, while Branislav Ivanovic serves the final instalment of his domestic three-match ban, leaving John Terry as the Blues' only recognised centre-half.

Manager Roberto Di Matteo has no further selection concerns.

Who's Your Money On?

MANCHESTER CITY

PROBABLE LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Y Touré, VBarry; Silva, Tévez, Nasri; Agüero.

Vs

MANCHESTER UNITED

PROBABLE LINE-UP (4-4-2): De Gea; Smalling, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Nani; Rooney, Welbeck.



As far as derby clashes go, it doesn't get much bigger than this.

As far as season-changing matches go, it doesn't get much bigger than this.

When Manchester United travel to the Etihad to take on Manchester City come Monday, much more than three points will be on offer—rather, the entire English Premier League will be up for grabs.

United currently hold a three-point lead over City, and if they could pick up all three points here, then they'll nearly be impossible to run down for the title. However, if City win, their superior goal difference would take them to the top of the table.

It all comes down to this one, and here's everything you need to know and more about this crucial Manchester derby.

Few City fans will forget the time that they waltzed in to Old Trafford and gave the hosts a 6-1 drubbing; few United fans will have forgotten it either.



n United's defense, City did score three goals in stoppage time and the Red Devils were down to 10 men, but at the end of the day, the scoreboard read what it did.

United will know the embarrassment they felt at home and will be desperate to make amends in some way for that horrible day back in October. City might not have lost at the Etihad this season in the Premier League, but if any side is going to be able to change that, it will be United.

Big Question: How big is Manchester City's home-field advantage?

After watching their dominance at the Etihad this season, there is little doubt as to the advantage that Manchester City have playing at home. They've won 21 of their last 22 Premier League matches there and haven't been defeated at home all season.

United, on the other hand, lost their last away match to Wigan Athletic and only just got up in their road match before that, leaving it until the final 10 minutes of play to find a match-winner against Blackburn Rovers.

Yet, for all City's home field dominance and United's recent road flutters, don't expect there to be a gulf in class between these two sides at all.

The Red Devils may be scoring less goals away from home (2.12 per game), but they're also conceding far less as well, averaging just 0.76 goals against per game away from home.



Manchester City will be throwing everything at the United back line—just like they've done all season long at home, where they average exactly three goals per game. This is made even tougher for the visitors, who will know that City have conceded just 10 goals at home all season long.

So how big is City's home-field advantage?

It would be naive to suggest that it doesn't exist, and City will certainly enter the match as favorites due to it being played at the Etihad. But I wouldn't rule out United's away form. They've only lost twice all season away from Old Trafford and they are, after all, the team atop the Premier League table. So, yes, it definitely exists, but not to the extent that one might think it does.

 

Difference-Maker: David De Gea (Manchester United)

If Manchester United are to hold off City at home, they'll need their defense absolutely on fire, and that begins with the man at the back, David De Gea.

The Spaniard has been in superb form of late, and it's no coincidence that United's run to the top of the table occurred around the same time that the keeper's form started to surface.

Still prone to the odd cross or long ball at times, De Gea's quick reflexes and natural skills, which he nurtured throughout La Liga, have saved United more than once this season and could well do so again. Whilst there wasn't much he could have done to stop Everton's late rampage at Old Trafford, no keeper likes to concede one goal, let alone four, and definitely not at home.



Before the Everton match, De Gea had let in just one goal in seven matches; he'll be looking to bring that form to the Etihad as he tries to keep out the dominant Manchester City attack.

 

Hot Stat to Remember: Manchester City in the second half

Don't be surprised if both clubs enter half time at a deadlock. City have only gone into the break with a lead in less than half of their Premier League matches so far.

However, the second half is where this game will be won and/or lost. The Citizens are scoring just under 70 percent of their goals in the second half, while United are conceding nearly 80 percent of their total goals for the season after the interval.

In particular focus will be the final 15 minutes of play, where Manchester United have conceded more goals than any other period and where City have found the back of the net nearly 20 times this year.

Who's Your Money On?

According to Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United’s hop across town to play bitter rivals Manchester City on Monday, will be the “biggest Manchester derby” in the club’s history as it could decide the destination of the 2011/12 Premier League title.

As recent as three weeks back, the door to the title seemed firmly shut in the face of City as United enjoyed an eight point lead at the summit of English football.

Recent results, however, including the dramatic 4-all draw against Everton have re-opened the door for City. The match is exclusively live on SuperSport and in High Definition.

Former United midfield hard men, Roy Keane will be in studio for the one-hour build up to the match which will be preceded by a season-so-far review of both clubs on Monday Night Football.

SuperSport will also broadcast Looking for Manchester, a documentary where former United icon and captain Eric Cantona, explores the city of Manchester’s obsession with both clubs in the lead up to the 2009/10 second round league tie.

In the documentary, the spotlight focuses on what it means to be a fan of either side as told by the people of Manchester.

Barcelona have revealed that playmaker Xavi will be out of action for more than two weeks with a damaged left calf muscle.

The 32-year-old has been struggling with a calf problem for much of the season and has only completed two of the Spanish champions' last eight matches.

The Spain international is set to miss the La Liga matches against Rayo Vallecano, Malaga and Espanyol.

But Xavi is targeting a return in time for the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25.

That is now Barcelona's only realistic chance of adding another trophy this campaign after seeing their hopes of a glorious season go up in smoke in the past week.



The Catalan giants slipped seven points behind Real Madrid when they were beaten at home on Saturday before being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Chelsea on Tuesday evening.

Barcelona have also confirmed that defender Gerard Pique will be unavailable for a week after suffering a blow to the head during a collision with his goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Tuesday.

The Premier League have suspended the pre-match handshake at Sunday's game between Chelsea and QPR due to the legal situation involving John Terry and Anton Ferdinand.

Ferdinand's lawyers had advised him not to shake Terry's hand - the first time the pair would have met in a Barclays Premier League match since the Chelsea captain was accused of racially abusing the QPR player in October.

After taking legal advice, the Premier League have now decided to suspend the handshake convention.



A Premier League statement released to Press Association Sport read: "The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent.

"In all normal circumstances it must be observed.

"However, after discussions with both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers about the potential and specific legal context in relation to John Terry and Anton Ferdinand the decision has been taken to suspend the handshake convention for Sunday's match."

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- John Obi Mikel believes UEFA should overturn suspensions on the "devastated" Chelsea quartet that will miss the Champions League final.

FIFA changed their rules for the 2010 World Cup to provide an amnesty after the quarter-finals to ensure no player could miss the final through a booking in the last four.

The Blues overcame John Terry's first-half sending off at the Nou Camp to progress to the Munich finale at the expense of Barca.

The Chelsea captain kneed Alexis Sanchez from behind and will miss the final against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich as a result, and will be joined on the sidelines by Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles.



The trio incurred one-match bans after collecting bookings and Mikel is frustrated by the current system.

Asked if he felt his team-mates have been robbed of their dream, the Nigeria international said: "Yes, the yellow cards should be cancelled going into a final and UEFA should look into that.

"When you get to the final everyone wants to see the best players and it's a shame that JT, Ivanovic, Meireles and Ramires won't play.

"The JT one was soft from what I saw and it was a yellow card. I think Sanchez made the most of it.

"Alexis did the same to me as well. He got me yellow-carded.

"There was a little touch and he rolled on the ground 10 times. He definitely made the most of it.

"The four players were devastated in the dressing room.

"They're happy for the team but are very disappointed to not be in the final. We will go out to win the trophy for them."

FIFA changed their rules for the 2010 World Cup to provide an amnesty after the quarter-finals to ensure no player could miss the final through a booking in the last four.

For UEFA to do the same, the Club Competitions Committee would have to propose such a rule change but it would not come in time for this year's final, much to Ivanovic's disappointment.

"We can't talk about the referee's decisions but, to be honest, it feels like someone has taken something from your career," the Serbia international said.

"My booking? I got it for kicking the penalty spot before the penalty (which Lionel Messi missed).

"It was strange. But I have to be positive.

"Nobody believed we'd get through and we did.

"Yes, Chelsea can win it without us if we go into the game with the mentality we showed here."

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The disappointment of the unexpected end to Barcelona's season will have fans pointing fingers all over the place.

But one place where blame simply isn't deserved is if it's placed on Lionel Messi and his missed penalty kick.

Quite simply, it should've never came down to that.

Granted, we always expect the best out of one of the best soccer players on the planet and his miss was a huge moment in the loss to Chelsea.

But even bigger than that was the 2-0 lead Barca squandered to Chelsea that knocked them out of the Champions League for good.

Two early goals in the first half from Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta had Barcelona cruising to victory, but the only problem was there was so much time left on the clock for Chelsea to climb back into the match.



A strong counter-attack gave Chelsea life and in the second half, a goal from Ramires put them on the board. Late substitution Fernando Torres was the ultimate difference-maker and notched the match at 2-2.

It'll be a tough loss to swallow because of how close Barcelona was, but if you're going to place blame on anyone for this loss, it has to be Barcelona's game strategy in the second half.

After taking the 2-0 lead, it seemed Barca took their foot off the pedal as a team. Chelsea became much more aggressive and were able to outplay a Barcelona defense that didn't look as good as they did in the first half.

The easiest thing to do when a team losses a disappointing game is to blame the best player when he doesn't come through in the end.

In this case, not a single fan could possibly blame Messi for this loss in any way, shape or form.