The top 3 reasons to see FC Barcelona at the Nou Camp - Sports

That Futbol Club Barcelona is one of the top soccer teams in the world is beyond any doubt and so any serious sports fan should pay at least one visit in their life to see them play in their home stadium, the Nou Camp.

FC Barcelona is often known simply as Bara, used to emphasise the hissing Catalan pronunciation rather than the lisp of Castilian Spanish's "Barthelona". While many people visiting Barcelona refer to the town as Bara, you'll find that none of the locals do - it is only reserved for the sports club.

And if you do attend one of FC Barcelona's matches you'll find many of those visitors at the stadium too. The rise in popularity of Barcelona as a short stay destination has resulted from super-cheap flights from EasyJet and Ryanair amongst others, and the rise in fortunes of the club over the last few years since Joan Laporta became president and Ronaldinho came on board has ensured that the number of Barcelona FC tickets sold to tourists has rocketed.

However the team does not start and end with Ronaldinho; Samuel Eto'o is another star of Bara while Lionel Messi is currently tipped as the next Maradona, with his own "goal of the century" to prove it. And let us not forget the goalkeeper Victor Valdes who is widely regarded as one of the best goalies in Spain, team captain Carles Puyol, or the likes of Xavi, Deco or Ludovic Giuly.

1. Passion

If you attend one of the more popular matches at the Nou Camp you'll experience the passion of the local crowd and if it's Real Madrid that Bara are playing then that passion will be on the point of overboiling.

Almost one hundred thousand spectators can be seated at the Nou Camp and when the stadium is full the roar of the crowd can deafen. You'll find people of all ages and backgrounds and if the match coincides with a public holiday in particular then many children will be treated to a match, accompanies by parents or grandparents.

2. Skill

Whether Bara win, lose or draw is always important, but if Ronaldinho is playing on form the final result can sometimes become secondary. With displays of ball control that many footballers practise but rarely put to use in a match situation, Ronaldinho can stun with his football, enjoying himself completely and delighting the crowd.

3. Experience

The Nou Camp is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world and going there is an experience all in itself. While football fans should aim to see Bara in action, the stadium is also hugely popular as a tourist destination. In fact the Bara museum is the most visited museum in Catalonia, ahead of Barcelona's Picasso Museum and the Salvador Dali museum in Figueres.

With displays of trophies, documents and photos you can also participate in the stadium tour, which includes visits to the changing rooms, the tunnel and the directors area.

With all that in store how can you call yourself a sports fan and not pay homage to one of the greatest teams on Earth on their home turf?

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Spanish League - Barcelona Postpones Celebration After 3-3 Draw - Sports - Soccer

Barcelona was about to celebrate their title Championship of La Liga as they were winning the match 3-1, when Villarreal scored two surprising goals almost at the end of the game. With 18 minutes left and with more than 95.000 fans at the Camp Nou Stadium, Bara fans and team were already celebrating their victory and title since they were two goals ahead at that moment, but something they were not expecting happened.

Villarreals effort was very remarkable, even though Barcelona was at home, they did not surrender at them and they fought until the end; the result was positive for them as the game ended in a 3-3 draw, after having been losing most of the game.

Seydou Keita's was the man who opened the score for Bara at the beginning of the game but ten minutes later it was leveled by Joseba Llorente. With a winning spirit, the Catalans took the lead of the game again at minute 36 with a goal by Samuel Etoo and later to make the lead secure, Daniel Alves scored at minute 45 and the team went to the halftime break with a victory feeling.

During the second half, Bara didnt show their usual intensity and effectiveness; they just tried to defend themselves to maintain the lead of the game, but at minute 78 Mati Fernandez converted the second goal for his team a penalty shot after Eric Abidal was sent off leaving Bara with 10 men but this did not scare the local team much since they were still winning the game 3-2. The big surprise came two minutes into injury time when Joseba Llorente scored the last goal to equalize the game when there was not time left for Catalans to do something about it. An imminent silence reigned in the crowd, who suddenly had to stop the celebration.

"It is a real shame we couldn't celebrate the title with all the people who came to the stadium today," admitted Bara Coach Pep Guardiola."We did the same thing (scoring a late goal) at Stamford Bridge (in the Champions League semi-final) with Iniesta and today it was Llorente. We have to pick ourselves up quickly, put a smile on our faces and prepare for the Kings Cup final on Wednesday."

It seems that the recent matches that Barcelona had against Chelsea and Real Madrid had left the team a little tired and without the condition that we are used to see in the Bara. In addition, this Wednesday final of the Copa del Rey against Athletic de Bilbao would put more pressure on the team as they will have to make an extra effort since Andres Iniesta had an injury in his right thigh that will make him miss this game. The team has yet to analyze how serious this injury is, but their hoping to have Iniesta back for the final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United, which will be held on May 27 at Rome.

Bara is now just one point away from their 19th La Liga title, and they will probably make it on the weekend in the game against Mallorca.

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Spanish League - FC Barcelona Begins a New Season of La Liga after Beating Sporting - Sports - Soccer

In what was the beginning of a new season of Spanish League soccer, FC Barcelona began the work of defending its championship title with a 3-0 victory over Sporting. However, even though the team claimed victory, Bara didn't exhibit a level of play appropriate to a champion; with a slow pace and simple plays the players just managed to keep control of the ball and the game.

Sporting entered the game with five players missing due to injury, but in the first ten minutes of the game, the lack seemed not to matter. Diego Castro almost gave his team the lead, but his shot went over the bar.

The score first opened less than 20 minutes into the game, and the point did not belong to Sporting. Bara midfielder Seydou Keita launched a shot at minute 18 and Bojan Krkic was able to head the ball, sending it straight to the bottom of Juan Pablo Colinas' net.

The goal made the Asturians realize that they needed to raise their level of play, increasing their offense in order to tie the score. They tried, but the task was difficult to accomplish, as Bara was able to retain control of the ball.

As the minutes progressed, the excitement increased and the tension became palpable; Bara kept pushing Sporting, which could do nothing but defend itself in order to avoid being crushed.

With midfielder Xavi Hernandez leading the team in the middle, Bara continued the offensive strategy but without raising its game. Still, Sporting's defense wasn't strong enough to hold off its rivals, who scored a second goal at minute 42 when Dani Alves cleared the ball, later headed by Keita.

The goal was the last of the first half, and the teams went into halftime with a score of 2-0.

In the second half, Sporting changed its strategy of play, opting to place players in Bara's field and applying direct pressure to the player who had the ball. The team even came close to scoring halfway through the second quarter with Mate Bilic and David Barral.

From that moment onward, the pressure of the game fell on Bojan and Swedish player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the players at the front and the main targets of attack for Sporting. The two players - and in particular Ibrahimovic - intensified their attacks on the goal, exponentially increasing goalkeeper Colinas' work.

By contrast, Sporting made very few dangerous plays. In fact, there were only two threatening situations for Bara, but the incredible ability of goalkeeper Victor Valdes prevented any scoring.

Shortly before the end of the game, Ibrahimovic finally got his goal, scoring - just as with the first two goals - with a header. The third goal concluded the game, and Bara upset Sporting 3-0.

Despite being champions of the Spanish League, Barcelona did not begin the season in first place; a devastating 4-1 victory by Getafe over the Racing Santander gave the former provisional points, launching the team to the top of the standings. Bara comes in at second.

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Champions League- Barcelona loses against Rubin Kazan - Sports - Soccer

Europe's defending champions had a bad day on Wednesday. Barcelona was defeated by the Russian team FK Rubin Kazan 2-1 at Nou Camp in Spain. The loss was Bara's first since December, when the team was beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Kazan began giving Bara a hard time from the first minutes of the game. A loose ball some 35 yards from the Spanish goal seemed benign - at least, until Aleksandr Ryazantsev shot the ball past Victor Valdes into the top corner of the net, opening the score with the first strike of the match in Rubin's favor.

The move left the stadium - and Bara - stunned. It was the first time in the season that Barcelona had fallen behind in a game, in either Europe or the Primera Division.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and Daniel Alves struggled to equalize the score for Barcelona, but Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov was able to halt their attempts. (Ryzhikov would stop all but one of Bara's 24 attempts; the figure is all the more miraculous since Rubin made only 3.) By halftime, Barcelona still hadn't caught up, and the players went to break looking slightly shell-shocked.

Whatever happened during break, Bara returned to the game with a changed attitude. Ibrahimovic was able to score just three minutes after play resumed, in minute 48, when Xavi's chip over the Rubin defense was chested down by Ibrahimovic at the edge of the area; he then drilled an unstoppable shot in off the far post.

Bara may have been re-motivated, but the Russian team wasn't flagging. Rubin refused to give up opportunities to their Spanish opponents, and at minute 78, scored again. When a break from the Russians left a hole in the area, Karadeniz Gokdeniz stole a left shot past Valdes for the goal that sealed the victory.

Bara tried to equalize again; Alves and Messi united to give Ibrahimovic his chance, but his shot from the penalty spot crashed against the crossbar. In the final minute of injury time Toure headed Xavi's corner ball, but it thudded against the post.

And so Bara lost the game.

The game now ties Rubin and Barcelona, along with Kiev, at four points; Inter is in last with three points. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said that the team was coming from a 0-0 draw against Valencia during the weekend's La Liga tournament and was almost certain of a victory over Rubin - and so a secure qualification for the knockout phase.

Only the two leading contenders, however, will move to the knockout, and Bara is no longer the inevitable choice.

"These things happen. It's not the first time and I doubt it will be the last," Guardiola said during a news conference. "I didn't feel like we played a bad match. They [Rubin] had a very well-structured defense and all the teams [in the group] are very good. They are all professionals."

Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev was extremely proud of the team and its capabilities under pressure.

"The whole team played well and they showed great control during the match and that's why we won today. I am very proud and I think today will be a big party for our fans".

Indeed, there will be a big party in Russia for the team, which only recently entered the top division.

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Spanish League- Barcelona Struggles to Defeat Malaga - Sports - Soccer

FC Barcelona has managed to win another match, this time against Malaga in the twenty-fourth round of the Spanish League. The Spanish champions had to give an extraordinary effort during the match, as their rivals gave a strong fight.

Although Bara displayed an evident superiority, it wasn't easy for the team to get the win. From the opening minutes, Malaga players imposed themselves, blocking the locals' defense, including defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.

The two had some trouble controlling the ball. Midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets moved to take charge of receiving the balls in their area, hoping to develop Bara's game.

The Boquerones launched a strong attack in Bara's advance, focusing all action on the center of the pitch. Barcelona responded, turning its game to the sidelines, where the Brazilian defenders Maxwell and Dani Alvez - the latter of whom was out for three weeks due to injury - did an outstanding job.

Malaga tried to match the locals, resisting during Bara's attacks. In the midst of the action, Pique committed a foul in the area against Nigerian striker Victo Obinna, giving the visitors an opportunity to open the scoring. However, Malaga was unable to capitalize.

During the penalty kick, an accurate left-footed shot from Portuguese midfielder Duda endangered the local's goal; however, a quick response from Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes prevented the shot from scoring. The penalty kick was the only risk Bara suffered during the first half.

After that, Barcelona took control of the game. With the ball in their possession, the Spanish leaders had several opportunities but failed to score, largely due to the outstanding work by Gustavo Munua, Malaga's goalkeeper, who offered an incredible defense of his net. One of the most breathtaking moments of the match saw Munua deflect a hard shot from Xavi above the goal.

Barcelona was consistent in its attempts, but its attackers seemed to lack precision. The first half ended at 0-0.

The second half began with the visiting team squared away in its area, in defensive mode, waiting to deflect the Azulgranas' shots out of the area. Bara exhibited skill but wasn't particularly dangerous.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the one who began to flirt with risk. The Swedish player made two direct headers to the goal, but again Munua showcased, arresting the ball.

It wasn't until minute 69 that the score finally opened. Bara striker Pedro Rodriguez brought the score to 1-0.

The point seemed to increase Bara's confidence; in fact, it seemed to increase it too much. Malaga took advantage, scoring at minute 81, thanks to a shot from midfielder Valdo.

The draw put Barcelona in a difficult situation: the outcome of the game would determine whether the team continued as the leader of the Spanish League. If the players didn't manage the three points from victory, Barcelona would drop to second place after Real Madrid's 5-1 victory against Tenerife.

With just ten minutes left, Bara concentrated on regaining control of the match. The final, determining point was scored by Lionel Messi. Xavi sent a difficult pass to Alvez, who gave it to the Argentine. Messi scored at minute 84, putting the score at 2-1, locking in Bara's victory in the game and preserving its position at the top of the league.

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Spanish League- Barcelona Outstanding against Real Madrid at Classic - Sports - Soccer

Barcelona regained the top spot in La Liga in the Derbi Spanish Classic this past Sunday. The team beat its archrivals, Real Madrid 1-0 at Camp Nou after an astonishingly well-executed goal by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Bara may have played with only 10 men for almost half an hour but nonetheless managed to secure the victory.

The match, the most anticipated in the Spanish league, did not disappoint. It had everything: passion, good play, talented players, spectacle, stress, talent, and heart - in short, exactly what was required for Bara to defeat Real.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid went to Camp Nou with the intention of winning. The Whites, already ahead of Bara as of last weekend, hoped to consolidate their leadership.

At home, Bara gave a showy game, playing while looking for the space to assist Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, and Thierry Henry. The team was backed by over 70,000 spectators at Camp Nou, and dominated the first 15 minutes of the meeting, with Messi making great plays despite recovering from pain in his left abductor.

Madrid, meanwhile, tried to stifle Bara's game, pressing forward, avoiding giving space to the Azulgrana, and looking for the steals to allow quick departures from the Brazilian Kak and the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both the strikers gave a shock at minute 27, when Kak dodged defender Gerard Pique and ran to the penalty area, passing to Ronaldo who had a clear shot to the net. Victor Valdez, Bara's often-understated goalkeeper, managed to stop the shot with difficulty.

Barcelona had the ball but couldn't overcome the compact wall defense mounted by Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini. At the same time, Bara itself enjoyed great defensive work from Carles Puyol - perhaps the real hero of the team - and Pique, who managed to stop much of the Whites' offensive action.

The teams faced a stalemate, and the first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, Bara coach Pep Guardiola substituted a not-so-active Henry with Ibrahimovic to improve the team's offensive action. Five minutes later, the move would pay off for the Azulgranas.

At minute 56, Bara right-winger Dani Alves moved to the right, sending a good cross toward Ibrahimovic, who appeared to be without defense. Without even dribbling the ball, the Swede finished the play with a great volley that sent the ball to the bottom of Iker Casillas' net, opening the score 1-0, in favor of Barcelona.

Only a minute earlier, Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain had a great opportunity, indeed managed to move into Valdes' area, but Puyol crossed to deflect his shot.

Bara was now up in the score and Real Madrid was left confused. Even when the visitors lost Sergi Busquets at minute 62 - a double yellow card - the Whites were unable to take advantage of their opponents' numerical deficiency.

With only 10 players, Bara closed themselves in their area, focusing on defense, but did not lose sight of their quick counterattacks on the opposite goal. However, it was the Whites who forged forward with the most attacks, especially with the entry of French striker Karim Benzema for Ronaldo, who did not play 90 minutes.

In the end, Madrid attacked but couldn't score. Barcelona, in contrast, seemed close to taking a second goal, this time from Messi, but Casillas took the shot out with his foot and saved the ball. That play signaled the end of the match, with Barcelona ahead 1-0.

The triumph shoots Barcelona to the top of the standings with 30 points. Real Madrid is behind with 28, followed by Sevilla with 25 points.

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Lionel Messi and Aguero with Argentina Jersey has a perfect comprehension and understanding - Sports - Soccer

Lionel Messi put on their own after the national team's first ever hat-trick, Aguero in a congratulations on Twitter about their friends, he wrote: "yesterday I said that training is a big dream with LEO, so today I was at his side kick, it was like a dream, such as magic. LEO the great, he has staged himself in the national team's first hat-trick! "Argentina on the Switzerland game, Aguero in conjunction with Messi, Argentina had made the first goal, in the two sparks from time to time. Messi and Tevez proved to be incompatible, but that does not mean that experts are not gregarious, Lionel Messi and Aguero with Argentina Jersey has a perfect comprehension and understanding. Switzerland's competition, Savilla stressed opposition to repression of the opponents, Aguero and Lionel Messi is to help the team make threats, these two guys can say that touches your heart, but other players are difficult to integrate into their ensembles. The game, Savilla announced early on with 442 formation, the team the biggest question is, uses two defense-lumbar discitis case Javier Alejandro Mascherano and combinations of Brana, to create a threat of opportunities. Lucky is, Savilla combinations that can be used by another team, Messi and Aguero, a deadly combination, two formidable genius, can make a huge threat.Argentina the Bugle newspaper said that although Messi's magic aura, the game came out a hat trick, but Aguero company, Macy's would be even more powerful. They are close friends, two speed quickly, passing was precise, attack, it can be said that they are speaking the same language, that is the language of football. In November last year to Colombia match, Messi and Aguero with Argentine National Shirt Soccer in 84 minutes in the 60th minute goal for Argentina in the second half to achieve a reversal. Into a ball, Messi was involved in another ball Argentina winning hero, however, direct cause of Messi's in the second half performance, play is that A guero. Argentina media that Aguero is the man behind Lionel Messi, he lit a Messi's was inspired. Aguero after goals, Messi and Aguero crazy celebration, such a scene between Messi and Villa, Messi and Tevez are hard to see. Argentina fans also believe that only works with Aguero, Macy's team to show the highest level. This field on the Switzerland game, in addition to the victory itself, in addition to Lionel Messi hat-trick, Argentina Messi and Aguero also combinations of media attention, the ioline said, Savilla this game from Switzerland took back to the very good news is that verification of the power of Messi and Aguero combination. Argentina's first ball is a product of two excellent coordination, 19 minutes, Argentina in the other half, tackling, Massey Beck, kill the restricted area to each other with the ball, he was in front of the closed area will pass the ball to Aguero, which is heels return, Macy's into a restricted area score. In fact 12 minutes, Massey also create opportunities for Aguero, in his counterattack zhichuan Aguero, unfortunately, the ball is first received by beinaliao time attack. Brana after injuries, Savilla sent plus Al Gore takes over, this was one more pass by Lionel Messi and Aguero in combination help to "wall" when many a Mason. Last minute Savilla let Iraq takes over again, Argentina's attacks became more complete, the team started playing 343 tactics, Aguero with Argentina Jersey last minute twice making threats, 42 minutes of the second half, Aguero frontcourt steals pass, Massey through Senderos crane shot of the closed area after break. 93 minutes, Aguero plunge into a restricted area passes to the left, behind afuerte on Iraq because of fouls, Macy's penalty kick hit a hat-trick. Combined of the Massey and yigua, in Argentina last 2 to play a big role in the victory, they started together to reverse the Colombia, followed by yet another tie against Switzerland. Aguero in Manchester City playing was fe ngshengshuiqi, 37 field competition into has 21 ball, but because the manner of ball playing and Messi near, location also not typical of 9th, striker, Aguero in team more when are only acts as a strike alternate of role, but recent he and Massey of wonderful tie proved, he in blue white Army team within of status absolute should improve, he full can and Massey together debut. In the view of many people in the next 10 years, he and Lionel Messi with Argentina Jerseys should be Argentina national team's Gold partner.The article is transferred from /blog

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