THE REFORM OF CAMP NOU

Tomorrow, Monday, January 20th, 2014, the Board of Barça will meet and, apparently, there will be a decision about the future of Camp Nou: Reform or New Stadium. So far, the arguments that have appeared in the press could be signed by a 4 year old kid: "If San Mames was demolished, why not the Camp Nou", "It will be much more comfortable", "This is very old " "The renovation work would be an inconvenience for the Socis (Share-holders)", etc.. The fact is, however, nothing has been said about this reform: what will be and, or how it will. All we know is the approximate price: Reform: 600M€; New Stadium: 1200M€.

I shall not value what the Board said when elections on reforms and similar. Not my idea. I'm much more on what and why, in my view should be made to adapt the Camp Nou to the current requirements .

The first thing to consider is that the "letitmotiv" of Football stadiums were to watch games. Nothing more. This has changed: now, they are places to do business or, bring the family to spend the day. Therefore, what is needed is for people to be 1-2 hours before and to leave 1-2 hours after the game.

I've been in some stadiums in Europe. The first thing about the Camp Nou in favor is the immense space around what is the building itself. Neither Alvalade XXI, nor St. Jakob, nor Old Trafford, nor Aviva (Dublin), etc. have it. The esplanade behind the area "Lateral" (opposite the Main Grandstand), does not exist in any of these venues. And, this should be exploited. I recommend that anyone who can, go to Oslo, at the National Stadium, where, incidentally, Barça played this summer, and you can see that even there is a Hotel behind the stadium, which communicates with it and is used for the concentrations of the National team. It was a place to have a very clear idea of ​​the things you could do with the space around the stadium.

Then we have the lower side of the Stadium. In all these places, this area is full of shops, bars and restaurants. But, at Camp Nou, the area is just to access the seats and many of the doors are closed (for this about saving money). Couldn't they reorganize these spaces? The non-used gates are removed, 4-5 gates are put together and the remaining space can be used.

Let's go inside. The "Lateral" area (which is the one I know best), historically had 22 seats per row. It was right. The previous Board (Joan Laporta ), decided to put one more seat per row. They are 23. Now it is quite uncomfortable (tight). The worst thing is that the current Board (Sandro Rosell ), has not changed it. If you want commodities, 21 would be a suitable number, 20 would be more than fantastic. Today, you can not even move without taking a hit to the neighboring seat .

Then there is the whole area inside the Camp Nou, under and behind the stands. Today (and always), there are only 4 bars with exorbitant prices, with quality and quantity of a product that are not up to what the modern stadiums need. In all these places we have said (and many more) , all these areas are closed, with Restaurants and Bars with chairs and seats, where people can talk freely before and after the game. Where you can eat (snacks, meals, etc.), sitting comfortably and with prices (taking into account the difference in living standards between most of these countries and ours), far more affordable than here. But far more. And they remain places of passage to go from one part of the Stadium to another. That is, that the function of corridor is not lost. This is the more wasted space in the Camp Nou and the most exploited elsewhere. Given that the Camp Nou has three levels (rings), imagine the amount of dead space at the stadium. By the way, taking advantage of this, you could make a much more suitable toilets. Some 3rd Division stadiums have them much better.

At the time of Núñez, some "VIP Boxes" were built in the area of ​​the 2nd level. In many of these stadiums we have said, these areas for Sponsors and similar have a previous space where this people can sit quietly and do business or talk about what is appropriate. As we are saying, is about taking profit of all the spaces. Do we have to demolish some stairs or change them of place? Let's do it. Rearranging interior spaces is, as already stated , the great problem of Camp Nou.

In the main stand behind the bench, there is a kind of " VIP Box", since the capacity of the "Honour Box" is not very large. In every stadium that I know, these areas are located on the back, not in front. Basically, for two reasons. One is that, if it rains, people do not get wet. The second, that they have access to the Bar where they can take a drink quietly and watching the game if appropriate. Again, use of interior spaces.

There is a point that has also been discussed many times: Cover or not cover all the stands of the stadium. I support it. First, when it rains or is cold is much better. And if we are talking of commodities for the people who will watch the game, this is one. It is true that we do not have the weather they have in all these places located farther North, but to be under the rain, when you can not even open the umbrella because you are annoying your neighbor (back to the 23 seats)... The second reason is the sound effect. Any of these stadiums I have said have an incredible sounding. One of the reasons that makes listening to "You'll Never Walk Alone" at Anfield or Celtic Park, and the songs of the supporters of Borussia at the Westfalenstadion put the willies is the wonderful sound effect, as the cries of the people bounce off the deck and back into the field, multiplying the effect. At the Camp Nou, much of the noise is going to air. And surely, the neighborhood  would also appreciate, as it would a lot less of noise going outside.

All of this, however, nothing has been explained at all. Only that the reform will bring inconvenience for the fans. We already know all. But if it is not explained why and how you want to do, it seems that this is the excuse for a new stadium.

And if it is really needed to do it, let's do it. But it seems that there is no interest in adapting the Camp Nou to European levels. It seems that it has to be new, yes or yes, and I do not buy that. They have to show us all drawings, studies, etc. because after all, as I have said many times, the "owners" of the Club are we, the Socis.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

STILL LYING. AND STILL TAKING US FOR IDIOTS

A few days ago, when I made the previous post, I dind't think about making a sequel. In fact, I overlooked to mention the "journalists" because I thought that  they did not deserve a half line. I still think the same, but the degree of cynicism and servitude that I detect (and I 'm not the only one), is so outrageous that maybe they do deserve something more than good night and have fun .

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots. They have lied, by action or omission, when they do not explain everything that happens. If you do not know, do not say anything, but do not throw the stone and hide the hand. Because the first thing they do with this is to degrade and denigrate their work. Their first job is to report and then give opinions, if that is the case. But there are a lotr that just give opinions, withou giving any information. And, this is not right .

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action), when they want us to believe that we play as always, and, if not, it is because they had to do a transition that the "Demon" in Munich didn't do. And I wonder: Was it raised to the Board? Did they let him to do that? If you know, say so, but do not say things by halves. Are you sure everything will be fixed when Messi is back again ?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots  (by omission), when there is no a half line of concern about the actual cost of the signing of Neymar  The clauses do not care. The money difference between what the Clubs says and what is said in Brazil do not care. What kind of " journalism " is not investigating this? Was the issue of Neymar's Foundation in the deal? We know nothing. Thank you.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action) when now is dangerous that you have children without ticket into the Stadium. A few months ago, were all congratulations at the match against Getafe . Now, they say this is dangerous. Because there is a Regulation. Regulation that existed that day. Not new two months ago.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots ( by omission), if they say nothing about "Viagogos" and the established parallel resellers. Is this not important for the "share-holder" that they defend with such spirit? That we don't have to know where it goes all that money?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by omissions), for not to report about the agreements on advertising on the shirt and the stadium. The Board said that it explained at the time the General Assembly. May be they weren't there that day , because we read/watched/ heard very little about it, if anything.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission), when they talk about potential signings and players leaving. From the famous cover of Valdés, they have signed a handful of goalies, some of them for the simple fact that they played well against Barca. Now, it seems to be one determined to come. What is the reason behind? To be their friend? Or someone tells them to do advertising for all we believe is the ideal? (And I do not get into any assessment of him. It is not the case) Why no articles calling minutes for the youth players of the squad? Or, to say that they do not deserve it, if that's the case? Why are there so few reviews about the campaign of Barça B?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission), when they talk about building a new stadium. How you can let out one of these saying that "if San Mamés was demolished, you can also do it with the Camp Nou "? What argument is that? Is it time to defend a new stadium because the Board says it? Investigative journalism.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission) , when they say that nothing happens with Messi. Nobody has missed the rise of Juanjo Brau. Paulorrosso is in Argentina and nobody asks why. Is not he the responsible for the physical preparation of the team? Why is he leaving? Is it true that Messi is upset because Neymar gets more money than him? Is it true that he does not want to leave, but with everything that happens is he in doubt ?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by omission) when they blame the LFP schedules. Clubs (their Boards) have sold their rights and have failed to negotiate this issue. Look at England, Italy or Germany. They get more money and have better schedules. But no, the fault is not theirs. Like the "FIFA virus" . The Clubs are the ones who decide in each Federation and these Associations that decide on FIFA. If 150 Federations choose to say the same thing  (whatever), and make it public, I shall count and what will come out when the song takes FIFA.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots ( by action, by omission, and all together), because they have to explain what is happening and not what the Board says. We, the share-holders, are Club's owners and we deserve respect from their part, because we are (everyday less, and there must be a reason ), consumers of their product. If the Board does well, they must say it; if wrong, too. Not to silence the wrong things, because, in the end, we end knowing everything .

Do not continue lying. And do not continue thinking we're idiots .

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

THEY ARE LIYING. AND THEY TAKE US FOR IDIOTS

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots. Between what they say and what goes in newspapers, television, etc. it seems that the redemption of our sins is getting closer. And, it's not true.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we are led to believe that the way of playing that made the team by the now "demonized" was boring. 14 out of 19 with unanimity around the world, from China to the United States and from Finland to South Africa is boring? The same "Demon" that has made Jurgen Klopp, the latest victim, to say that he does not want to coach the best team. He says he now coaches to beat the best team.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that the way of playing is not important. What matters are the titles. It has nothing to do one thing with the other. We always want to win. Always. But we always want them to play well. And of course, we all accept that you can play poorly and win someday. It is clear. Perfection does not exist. Now, get closed in the back playing at Nou Camp against a Granada with 10 players to go on the counter ... What can I say.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when there are 40M€ (about 6,600M pesetas, to get an idea ), for the signing of Neymar that nobody knows where they are. Confidentiality clauses, they tell us. Commissions, they tell us. Everything is very clear. The problem is that in Brazil they say something different. Santos has gained 17.5 M€ and the club has paid 57.5 M€. 40M€ confidential?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say it's dangerous to have children without entry at Camp Nou. This has always happened. Now, it may be that the Holy Spirit has appeared and, therefore, there has never been any disgrace. It shall be unlawful, sure, because there is a law that says so. Illegal is not the same as dangerous.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say they do not know how to stop the "official" resale (not talking about the one on the street), of " Viagogos " and similar. How can it be that there are no tickets in the "Seient lliure" (Free seat system), and there are in these places ? How can it be that these people is selling tickets within not know how many games ? How can it be that a "Tribune seat" that costs 150€ or 180€ is sold for 1000€?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, with all the mess of advertising on the shirt and the stadium. When did they said that there would be a private company on the shirt ? When did they say that the company logo would be put on the seats of the North Stand? When did they say that the mural gallery with all Club players would disappear to make way for advertising of the sponsor of the shirt?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that everything is going well and that the Technical Secretariat is doing a great job . Why is Valdés leaving? Why is being so long the renewal of Iniesta? Why Bartra and Montoya are they thinking about it? Why Sergi Roberto wants to leave in January? Why Sanabria not want to renew? Why Muniesa left, or Thiago? Will Deulofeu return? Why the signing of  so "old" players for the  "B" team, when it should be used to promote youngsters?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they talk about building a new stadium. One of the officials goes saying to media that there are no specific studies, but that a new venue would generate 30-40% more revenue than the current one. How do you know if you have not made ​​any study (this is what the same official said)? Why is not good now the " Foster" project (which, if I remember correctly, was ordered when when Rosell was Vice President)? Didn't they have seen Stadiums in Europe? Allianz, Dragao, Alvalade XXI, Galatasaray, etc. All of them, with structures very similar to the Camp Nou. Both inside and outside. Why is it so important ? Who's going put the name? One thing is clear: if a stadium can cost 1000M€  and it's free for the members ("socis"), there is something else.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say that nothing happens with Messi. In summer there were 2% of people who were dissatisfied with the Argentine star. Now, it's a rare day that there is something that praises Neymar (which is fine,  do not confuse things), but at the expense of Messi. That if the "megaoffer" of Adidas, that if Juanjo Brau, if this, if that.  They have to explain what is, if anything, and if there is nothing, they have also to say , because he is a player of the Club. And the best in the world.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that these are the timetable for the matches and nothing else can be done. What if the Chinese, Japanese or American market. They deserve all the respect in the world. The ones that go to the stadium are much closer and also deserve respect. Rain, cold or heat, rain or snow trips, morning or late at night. And we are the ones that went to Basel, Seville, Wembley, etc. by bus, car, plane, losing hours of study and work. Or to Geneva or Paris to attend the basketball "Final -Four". To return with the tail between the legs, but thinking to be back next year.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, because the owners of the Club are we, the partners ("socis"). Those on the Board is because they have been chosen for that. They haven't bought anything . And as much they think and they believe it, they can't buy are "shares". We have no shares. Barçaa is not a Corporation. As much as we are anonymous and we aren't  in newspapers or television.

Stop lying. And stop thinking we're idiots.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

ORTHODOXY

The original of this entry can be found in the following link:

http://www.martiperarnau.com/tactica/la-ortodoxia/

Thanks to @martiperarnau

ORTHODOXY
A few days ago, following an article by Martí Ayats (@martíayats) on "Control", he, Martí Perarnau (@martíperarnau), and myself, we had a little debate on twitter about the subject of orthodoxy in football and, if IT was well regarded . Martí Perarnau asked me if I was able  to write an article and, here.
Today it seems that, to write about whatever topic, you have to look for difficult words or award different namesto things that already have one. If you don't do so, it seems that your are "old" and that your ideas are outdated.
Many of us have been using, in Coaching Course, the books by Mariano Moreno when he was the Director of the Coaches School of the RFEF. You can liket it more or less, but the truth is that the books include a definition of Principles of Football (Offensive and Defensive) and, a Terminology, which is lacking in many countries. In England and in the United States, there are many differences between what some consider principles and for others not. This, as is often said, is neither good nor bad. This is true. From there, sure you can open a debate about if what you have there improved or renamed, and sure it can be.
Guardiola's Barça received compliments and congratulations from around the world of football by playing so showy, which obviously accompanied the results. If not, hardly, they have reached such a high degree of unanimity. Beyond the "positional play" , the "false 9", the "lavolpiana" building-up and a whole lot more, for me, in the strict sense as Coach, what characterized this team was the application stricter of the Principles of Football that we talked about before.
We saw the "delay" of Xavi , saw "uncheck" (breaking, with Villa getting behind the defense to receive a pass from Iniesta, and support, with Messi "falling" to join Xavi and Iniesta to have a 3v2) , we saw "support" with Busquets dropping between the Center Backs for playing form the back with the ball, but also what we were saying about Messi. We saw "ball conservation" (Of course!). We saw "changes of direction " (from right to left and vice versa) and "spaces" and "walls" ( hundreds of them) (N.A: wall is 1-2 combo).
And this, in attack. In defense, we saw the "pressing " (And what a pressing!), the "cover" and "swittching" between Alves and Pedro or, between Pique and Puyol, we saw the "anticipation" and, together with it, the "interception" (How many balls per game stolen?) . The "delay" (also defensive). We saw "charges" and "tackles" (Mascherano, Keita and Yaya Toure scraping balls is a "classic") .
We saw all that in that team. And much more. All this I just put are Principles of Football. Those which are explained in the textbooks of Coaching Courses in Spain .
I keep putting some stuff, literally, of these books :
- Switching between retention and accelerated ball game. The hability to change the pace is an important factor for the effectiveness of a team.- Although the game of attack must always be oriented in depth, in no way excludes lateral and backward passes, to open gaps within the opposing defense .- Pressure and speed is one of the essential principles of an effective attack .
I could spend hours putting more things from these books. I don't think it's needed. In the same way, I don't  think anyone should hide to follow, and use, these principles. You can be great or creative doing things in a "regulated" way. Does the winger comes in and the full-back overlaps him? Well, okay. Does the full-back go inside and the winger outside? Also worth. 1 central midfielder. A double pivot. A "big" center forward. A "false 9" . Three "Shorties" in midfield. A Center Back with 1.75m. Classic wingers. Wingers with "switched side". Anything goes, as long as we apply the concepts, except to have the team split in two, while we know what to do with and without the ball .
All this (which Pep did at Barca) is pure orthodoxy. It's what the books say. No more. No less. That is already a lot.
Let no one be afraid to be orthodox, to follow the canons. Cruyff said the hardest thing was to make things easy. And I think that he was quite right. Invent what we want, that creativity is always good, of course, but do not confuse the terms (N.A. literal translation is "to mix bacon with speed") or orthodoxy with immobility, which are different things.
I just hope that if one day Guardiola read these lines, he forgives me for calling him orthodox. The geniuses, geniuses are.
Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

THE DEBATE

It was enough that Piqué said that Barça, basically at Guardiola’s era, was "slave of tiki-taka" to ignited the debate about the club's playing style. Pautasso (Gerardo Martino's assistant), said in the previous of Rayo-Barça on Saturday that sometimes you didn’t have to be so offensive, that if Barça was leading 2-0 against Sevilla, you could be more or less close at the back and go to the counter. What's more, Barça, after a lot of official matches, had less possession than his rival, precisely against Rayo.

First consideration: has anyone explained to Mr. Pautasso in which Club is he? What do the members and fans of the club want? Has anyone said him that here is not enough to win, much less at the Camp Nou ?

Second consideration: precisely those media that have been more considerate "Barça" (ie, very close to the current Board), are the ones that have given more reason to Piqué, that it is enough of such possession and passing game, that you need to play in another way. Interestingly, those media that charged more against Pep Guardiola at that time. Coincidence? I do not think so. And the nonsense I'm reading lately on the newspapers is confirming that many talks for not being silent and that many write because they have to fill pages, no matter what they say.

Third consideration: the "tiki -taka" was born with Maguregui, as I have said more than once and he referred, ridiculing, this game touching and passing. The current problem is that many of those who criticize this kind of game do not even know what it is and, above all, how it is worked (trained). It is not to touch for the sake of touching, or to pass for the sake of passing. The first thing to consider is what Cruyff said: If I have the ball and you do not have it, and you have two problems to score a goal. The first one is to have the ball The second thing to consider is what Guardiola said : Do not touch (pass), if you are not pressed . That is, FIRST running with the ball than passing.

Fourth consideration: the basic for the possession game is the position, but not the position of the players. It is the team's position. It is that the team keeps the shape wherever you have the ball and whoever the player who has it, and it is what Guardiola said also, that I have said many times: The ball give us order. Depending on where it is, the players have to be. Whatever you do, whether playing with "false 9”, either the cross comes from the full-back or the winger, either you have one or two players arriving from second line, etc. everything depends on the positioning of the players. Whether players are poorly positioned, the attack is bad and causes the turnover many more options for the opponents. Maybe people should start looking at this, before we talk about changing the style.

Fifth consideration: Any Club must have a structure where everyone plays the same idea. The same game is impossible, since players are not the same and, therefore, every team will have variants depending on the type of players. There are not two equal right full-backs, or not two equal central midfielders, and there are no two Messi. It's that simple.

Sixth consideration: With everything I've said before, it can be a debate about the style, obviously. Now, this debate has to be clearly about football ideas, and not poisoned with "politic ideas" on the issue (the newspapers are full on this and other: just remember that cover about Valdes saying "leaves us on the floor" or Racionero’s writings about Valdés or, what Vehils said on Iniesta about selling the “cracks" or, everything that has been said about this "change of style" ), and that is a debate that affects the way FC Barcelona plays. All teams, not the first team. Why to make the left back of U -14 or U -16 to play in one way if, when they arrive to the first team they play in a different way? Does anyone see any sense on this ?

Final consideration: Barça has got the respect and admiration of football’s world because how they won in previous years. About this, no debate.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

JELOU, MAI NEIM IS ANN

(NA: Spanish pronunciation for “Hello, my name is Ann”)

For various reasons I have been many days without putting anything in the blog. I wanted to talk about different things, but I’ve found this as the one that I think it deserves some thought now.

Like many people, yesterday I saw how Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Olympics. Like many people, I saw how they said “NO” to Madrid, for the third time. If you watch the Spanish press (newspapers, TV, Radio, whatever), Madrid's bid was the best, the one that offered more, the one that did better presentation, the one that...

IOC members, however, are a bunch of corrupts, who think only about their interests, that have no idea and therefore they didn’t chose Madrid. Some media said that the candidacy of Madrid had secured 50 votes (that means absolute majority on the first ballot). Suddenly, just 26. What about the others 24? Have they been bought by the enemy? Have they added wrongly?

Well, let this aside, which is not the subject of this article. Beyond Spain's economic problems, beyond not to be strong enough with the issue of doping, beyond that many structures of sport in Spain must be removed, I am with something else: The first thing to change is the Spanish educational system. To see the Prime Minister how he only spoke Spanish and to see the level of English of the Mayor of Madrid suggests that something is wrong. When traveling through Europe, you see children 11-12 years with a level of English unthinkable in Spain. Most children can have a more than acceptable conversation in English at that age. And they learn it at school. No private academies. Spanish children, a little bit more than "Good morning" and "My name is...". And, later, of course, it happens what it happens. At 18 there is no one who is able to have a conversation in English, except those who have studied on their own. Those who have studied it at school, nothing at all. And, many of these are then going to be later the country's ruling class. And they have to go abroad to negotiate, whatever. Of all the Presidents of government that has been in Spain since democracy, I think that Calvo Sotelo was the only able to speak English. The others, nothing, zero. Neither Suarez, nor Gonzalez, and Aznar (unless he does it in private, as he does with Catalan, according to him, of course), nor Zapatero and nor, obviously, Rajoy. They leave home with a translator, because they can not ask for "café con leche" (NA: coffee with milk), as Ana Botella said yesterday (which, for those who do not know is the wife of Aznar) . Let them say whatever they want, but it is not acceptable. In any way. I felt embarrassed listening to them. And I did not understand anything she said. From what I've seen, more than one member of the IOC didn’t understand anything neither.

I remembered that Louis de Funes movie, "The Gendarme in New York", where the group received English lessons. The pronunciation was obviously horrible. Like yesterday. To do this, it is better to make the speech in Spanish: it’s bad, but no one laughs at you. And we're talking about the person who runs 5 or 6 million people, many more than those who live in many countries. Then, the usual talk about that if there is a “mania” against the Spanish, if they are not wanted in the world, if this, if that. How do you want to be loved if they do not understand what you say?

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

AND GUARDIOLA TALKS

The “thing” was relatively quiet, with the usual rumors as all summers, whether this player goes here or there, whether or not that manager will start the season, about the millions this or that club is spending when, suddenly, all went crazy.

Pep Guardiola, now Bayern’s coach, during the pre-season the team is doing in Italy answered to a question from a journalist on the statements of Vice-President of Club Santos. It seemed like it would not be a complicated answer and suddenly, Guardiola was about 5 minutes talking, breaking faces right and left, accusing the Board of Sandro Rosell of not getting him along.

Guardiola reminded us that press conference at the Bernabéu Stadium, before the Champions League match against Real Madrid, where he made famous the phrase "fucking boss". Angry, but without losing his composure, said everything that was hurting him, or at least, all he said was hurting him.

At another point, he was asked about Thiago Alcantara, and he confirmed that he had said Bayern to do everything possible to sign him. Much has been talked so far this season on Thiago’s buyout clause. Until August 1st, it is 18M€. Given what has been paid for some players, it looks like a cheap player, seeing its enormous potential. And, to be clear, I personally think that Thiago should remain at Barça.

Well, with these two things, the mess we have now is amazing. All the “usual” have come to give their opinion. And the feeling I get is that everyone is very nervous, too much nervous. Sandro Rosell plans tomorrow (Monday), to go to a TV station, which is supposed to discuss the issue and tell his.

Until now, it was that if Manchester United or Real Madrid wanted Thiago, that was fine. If Bayern (Guardiola) wants him, this is not good. Guardiola said he was not going to sign players under contract at Barça. Right. But it turns out that the player, for whatever reason, that I will not comment, as it is not my idea here, wants to leave. And it appears Guardiola, who knows him well and says he wants him. And everybody beat him from everywhere. I do not understand. What is the difference between these clubs? Those do not take advantage of circumstances and this one (Bayern) does? Depending on who do things, they are lawful and correct and, depending on who do, these are not?

At the time, a newspaper from Barcelona put in the cover that Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova had not seen each other in New York when the latter disease. Guardiola was very clear and explicit. Yes, they did. This same newspaper on Friday harshly criticized what Guardiola had said the day before, asking for clarity in their "accusations". Need more light? Still? Because the question and the answer were in Catalan. That is, there are no problems of bad translations and/or interpretations. And something that must be very clear: The Club is NOT the Board. Barça is a club owned by more than 160,000 people and the members elect the Directors. And, many times, if someone has disagreements with the Board (without addressing if he's right or not), seems to mean attacking the Club. And that's not true. In any way.

The most important, however, in my point of view, was when Guardiola said that if any of what he said was not true, it had to be told, but as he said, not through intermediaries or friends. Come those involved and say if it's a lie. Will it happen?

Guardiola never let one indifferent. You like more or less what he says and how he says it, but always thought provoking. And the other day I think everything was understood everything, or almost everything. Guardiola talks. The "fucking boss" is back.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP