Tag: Barcelona

Edinson Cavani Dismisses Suggestions of Struggles for PSG Against Ligue 2 Niort

Concerns about Paris St Germain’s ability to dominate the French league remained after the club had to rely on two late goals in order to get past lower league Niort in the Coupe de France game.


PSG were coming up against the French Ligue 2 outfit in order to secure a place in the quarter-finals. The club remain on course for a treble after managing to get a 2-0 win. The result could have been very different had it not been for Javier Pastore’s 78th minute goal. This finally broke the deadlock between the two teams and Edinson Cavani was able to make the game safe with an injury time goal.

Concerns about Paris St Germain’s ability to dominate the French league remained after the club had to rely on two late goals in order to get past lower league Niort in the Coupe de France game.

Edinson Cavani Dismisses Suggestions of Struggles for PSG Against Ligue 2 Niort

PSG were coming up against the French Ligue 2 outfit in order to secure a place in the quarter-finals. The club remain on course for a treble after managing to get a 2-0 win. The result could have been very different had it not been for Javier Pastore’s 78th minute goal. This finally broke the deadlock between the two teams and Edinson Cavani was able to make the game safe with an injury time goal.

Despite having to rely on two late goals, Cavani said that PSG played extremely well in the win over Niort. It has been a difficult campaign for the French outfit, who brought in former Sevilla manager Unai Emery in the hope of doing well in the Champions League. A 4-0 thumping of Barcelona in the last 16 stage of the competition certainly confirms the vast improvement made by the club in Europe.

However, PSG have been unable to dominate the French league as they have done in the last few years. Monaco lead the table with a three-point advantage over the big spending outfit. Cavani remains confident of winning the treble.

“We dominated throughout the match and we deserved the win. It was a solid performance. We knew before kick-off that it would be a difficult game because Niort are a team that defends very well.We are happy because the team battled well. There was a great atmosphere and difficult weather conditions – although they are not an excuse.We did what was necessary and showed a great mentality and good spirit. The Coupe de France remains an objective for us. It’s important we stay demanding,” said Cavani.

BARCA WILL MISS PIQUE

Gerard Pique has been injured in Barcelona’s recent match against Racing Santander. He left the field just 10 minutes into the game due to a right thigh problem.

The game eventually ended up in a win for Barcelona, but, whilst they were happy with the result, the Barcelona coaching team were concerned for their Spanish defender. As always, Messi was in tremendous form, with his skills and clever runs helping Barca to race into a 2-0 lead, which was enough to bring all three points back home to the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique has been injured in Barcelona’s recent match against Racing Santander. He left the field just 10 minutes into the game due to a right thigh problem.

The game eventually ended up in a win for Barcelona, but, whilst they were happy with the result, the Barcelona coaching team were concerned for their Spanish defender. As always, Messi was in tremendous form, with his skills and clever runs helping Barca to race into a 2-0 lead, which was enough to bring all three points back home to the Nou Camp.

The match was frustrating for Pique, who had only just returned to first-team action from a calf injury which had kept him out of action for over three weeks. Gerard needs to be more careful!

Having missed the European Super Cup win over FC Porto, Gerard also looks set to miss the Copa Del Rey match against rivals Real Madrid, which could have a massive impact on the game. Barcelona won the match-up in the league, but with Puyol and Iniesta also on the sidelines, they might struggle to keep their defensive shape against a team that boasts Cristiano Ronaod, Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria in attack.

VILLA HOPES FOR EARLY COMEBACK

FC Barcelona manager Josep Pep Guardiola has ruled out replacing crocked striker David Villa during the winter transfer window.

The Spanish international striker broke his leg during the FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Sadd and it was initially believed that the 30 year old striker would miss the rest of the season and could also miss Spain’s defense of their Euro crown in the summer.

But after the surgery, the doctors are of the opinion that Villa might just have a slim hope of returning just before the end of the season, albeit it all depends on the recuperation process.

FC Barcelona manager Josep Pep Guardiola has ruled out replacing crocked striker David Villa during the winter transfer window.

The Spanish international striker broke his leg during the FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Sadd and it was initially believed that the 30 year old striker would miss the rest of the season and could also miss Spain’s defense of their Euro crown in the summer.

But after the surgery, the doctors are of the opinion that Villa might just have a slim hope of returning just before the end of the season, albeit it all depends on the recuperation process.

Guardiola, who was known as a touch tackling midfielder during his playing days, said that it was extremely unfortunate for a striker like David Villa to have suffered an injury like that, just when he was starting to find his form again this season but added that injuries are a part of the game and they will not go into the transfer market looking for a replacement striker.

It was rumored that Barcelona were looking to sell the misfiring striker and look for a replacement in January a couple of months back with Liverpool being interested in taking the striker to Anfield. However, if The Blaugrana did have any plans like that, the injury to Villa might as well have ruined all that leading Guardiola to come out and say that they are not looking for a replacement striker.

However, according to the media reports in Spain, Barcelona are on the lookout for a young striker and are keeping tabs on Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie who is their first choice to replace David Villa. But at the moment, with Guardiola coming out in support of the striker, nothing seems to be on the horizon or on the cards.