Thiago: Messi should claim top prize

Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara believe his team-mate Lionel Messi should win the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Argentina international Messi is up against Barca team-mate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the annual FIFA award, and the 20-year-old feels the South American deserves the title.

"Leo Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or ahead of Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a pleasure playing alongside him," the Spain international told Marca.

Thiago has made big strides under Barca coach Pep Guardiola, and is eager to progress further as a player during the next 12 months.

"In 2012 I want to continue working, learning from my peers, and continue the work of recent years," he said.

Barcelona have been drawn against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey last 16, with the first leg to take place on Wednesday, and Thiago feels his side are in the right physical condition to get a victory.

"We are alright, have no problems, and we are perfectly in order to play against Osasuna," he said.

THE BARCA 1X1

VALDES: 6 Irregular. I miss game of Victor did a concert with the ball at his feet, but in tackling the ball was so successful, especially in a move that lost the ball and ended innocently for a corner. In the goal was not guilty.

Puyol: 6 Desperate. It certainly went wrong when the captain to defend the right wing because Ibra fell in your area and is anticipated to almost all their actions. Fortunately, there was room and ended the game in style.

MASCHERANO: 7 Leader. Barça defense came out with a three and Argentina took her galvanizing role in the game. Always very attentive to all the courts, was used to fund when it was necessary. The jefecito `do you still maintain its high level.

ABIDAL: 6 Flashing. The French defender had many problems in his band, reaching to lose balls incomprehensible. Fortunately, his game improved in the second half and gave much more packaging and safety on defense.

Sergio Busquets: 7 Ready. The Ciutat Badia is a real crack. He converted his private preserve area, dividing always the best option and retrieving balls everywhere. She sewed for kicks, but is so chaste and never throw in the towel followed.

XAVI: 10 Keynote. A party to frame the egarense who took all the excellences of his game: possession, control, intelligence, continuity, pressure, clear and on top of a goal by crack. Joaquim and Maria Merce Thanks for everything!

Keita: 9 Awesome. It took all the air balls have or might have, eventually winning the game at this point a whole Ibrahimovic. If we add to this that unfolded as he wanted with the ball, we can only say great match.

THIAGO: 8 Virtuoso. Seeing this guy do what he did yesterday in San Siro is something unique. No one plays like angels but also tactically worth a Potosi. We are talking about someone who is called to do great quotes.

CESC: Relentless 7. A combination of him with Leo Messi penalty led to the play of Xavi Hernandez.The Arenys was one of the most pressured and rushed, ending bottomless. Guardiola rested, releasing Peter.

MESSI: 9 omnipresent. He opened the pass to Keita’s band to focus and ended up in goal, the penalty that led to turning over and gave assistance to Xavi in the third. Need I say more of this great crack?

VILLA: 6 jinxed. No luck in front of goal, although he tried in every way. Especially one that finished off at close range and repulsed Abbiati does not know how. In any case their contribution is vital to the team for their dedication and claw.

ALEXIS: 8 Valiente. He entered the field and threw himself into the line of fire, fighting with all the defenses.

PEDRO: 7 Electric. He began to run around the field to hinder the ball out of the opposing defense.

DOS SANTOS: sc Testimonial. The youth was released in the last minutes paa give strength in midfield

http://www.soccer-facebook.com/blog/?p=1576

PETER LOOKS AT THE NEW TALENT: ALEXIS, CESC AND THIAGO

The Barcelona striker, Pedro Rodriguez, gave an interview that went through the feelings of current staff and the next Mundialito Barca club

The canary Pedro Rodriguez was interviewed onFifa, and again showed his natural humility that has made ​​them successful in the Barca first team Pep Guardiola’s hand.

On the current status of all Barca, Pedro and said he was confident that the club should be considered favorite in every tournament that dispute, because “we have a great team.” He noted that “this year, with the arrival of Cesc, Alexis and the emergence of Thiago, we have a more compact equipment, with greater depth in which each brings something different: Alexis, overflow in band, Cesc, verticality, balance and concentration ; Thiago is very dynamic. ”

In relation to the competition that it implies, the striker looked on the bright side: “There was always plenty of competition on the computer, and a huge talent in attack positions. That’s good, because not only are stronger, competition forces us to make the best of us. And if we have to rotate, so be it. The idea is to get many titles, and we need the highest possible quality. ”

Questioned by the motivation of the team after having won everything, the canary sought the perfect example. ”When you train alongside Carles Puyol and you realize his ambition, but can not infect you,” said the player strongly.

About the Club World Cup

Peter, who in two years has raised all possible trophies with the club, spoke of the next meeting of the Catalans club in the World Club Cup, a tournament that took unexpected role two seasons ago, so essential to helping the club to be achieved for the first time in its history, the mentioned competition.

No doubt that feat brings good memories: “We won that tournament and also there I had the chance to get something incredible, which was score a goal in all competitions that year. It was a beautiful event, hard fought, in which I I really enjoyed because I could score in the semifinal and final, and that’s crown us champions. ”

Then, the canary analyzed the new edition to be held in Japan in less than a month: “We know that teams compete very hard.’s Santos of Brazil, which is very dramatic and has a very nice football. Nor should we forget the Monterrey, the Mexican teams are very seasoned but very quick to go against. ”

Asked about the star of Santos, Neymar, Pedrito spoke with admiration. ”I have been fortunate to play against him. I know it’s a very quick player who is comfortable sticking to the band, has a good hit with both legs and pretty goal. It’s a brilliant player and will be taken into account, no doubt, “he said the canary, aware that Neymar will be the main threat to repeat the success of two years ago.

BARCA TO WIN WITH ROTATIONS

Barca now plays three vital points on the pulse by the League with Real Madrid, but Pep Guardiola does not forget that on Wednesday, plays another decisive match against Milan in the fight to end as group winners of the Champions.

Therefore, the Santpedor bet on rotations to align the players who are better and they do not run the risk of losing the match against the Italians as a result of accumulated fatigue by international commitments.

Sure who will be in the starting lineup is Leo Messi. The Argentine came with a dual commitment notable fatigue with Argentina, but the rest came in handy Thursday, retrieved and transmitted forces Guardiola his desire to play against Zaragoza. The technician will take into account the determination of the crack and now has the job locked in the up front.

In attack, the young Isaac Basin has many papers to accompany him. Alexis Sanchez is discarded only after participating in training and have forced the machine to Chile, so the Reus is the best candidate to fill the right wing. The third front will come between Villa and Cesc.

The `Guaje did you participate in 180 minutes with the selection, whereas Fabregasdid not play full games either, nor to England nor against Costa Rica. Iniesta is in a situation similar to Villa. He gave a great performance cona selection, but also accumulated many minutes.

In midfield, Keita has emerged as the holder and defensive midfielder who has worked all week at the Ciutat Esportiva. Xavi, who arrived less loaded than the other international points to eleven, with Thiago, who has also enjoyed more time to recover.

In defense, Abidal will rest as it is fixed for Milan in the absence of Alves, suspended, and Adriano, who did not arrive in time to San Siro due to muscle injury suffered inBrazil. Guardiola could opt today for a line of four with Alves, Piqué, Puyol partner and Maxwell covering the left flank.