Ibra: Hasil Lawan Barca, Awal Bagus

Paris - Menghadapi Barcelona di laga ujicoba pramusim, Paris St Germain sempat mampu memaksakan hasil imbang meski akhirnya kalah adu penalti. Untuk Zlatan Ibrahimovic, ini adalah awal bagus untuk PSG yang kini diperkuat sejumlah pemain anyar.

Dalam pertandingan di Parc des Princes tersebut, Minggu (5/8/2012) dinihari WIB, PSG dan Barca berimbang 2-2 sebelum akhirnya laga mesti ditentukan lewat adu penalti, di mana Barca tampil jadi pemenang.

Di laga tersebut, Ibra berhasil menyumbang satu gol untuk PSG yang baru ia bela musim panas ini usai diboyong dari AC Milan. Ia menjebol gawang Barca, yang juga mantan klubnya, pada menit 60.

Ibra sendiri diturunkan sedari menit awal untuk bahu-membahu bersama salah satu pemain baru PSG lainnya, Ezequiel Lavezzi. Sedangkan Barca sendiri langsung menurunkan pemain terbaiknya, Lionel Messi, yang ikut menyumbang satu gol.

"Ini malam yang fantastis, terutama atmosfer para suporter di stadion," komentar Ibra di situs resmi PSG.

"Malam ini kami membuktikan bahwa kami bisa memberikan perlawanan ketat untuk sebuah tim tangguh. Semakin sering kami tampil bersama, kian baik permainan kami. Ini baru sekadar awalnya saja," tegas si penyerang asal Swedia.

 

detikSport

Pique backs Drogba on diving

koclokindoblog, 24 April 2012, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has backed Didier Drogba amidst accusations the Chelsea forward is a diver.

Drogba was criticised for going to ground too easily in last week's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge but Pique defended the Ivorian, who scored the decisive goal in Chelsea's 1-0 win.

"I don't think we should criticise him," Pique said.

"If he keeps doing it then we'll see, but I believe in Drogba and in his honesty.

"I have dealt with him on many occasions, he is one of the best players I've seen.

"He is very complete and has been competing at the highest level for many years. I think it will be a very difficult duel - if I'm on the field, of course."

Pique has been in and out of the Barcelona line-up in recent weeks and was dropped to the bench for Saturday's devastating 2-1 El Clasico loss to Real Madrid.

Speaking on the eve of Barcelona's crunch Champions League semi-final second-leg at Camp Nou, Pique insisted the Catalan outfit are not a one-man side despite losing the last two games in which Lionel Messi has failed to score.

The Argentine netted a brace in Barcelona's La Liga win over Levante on April 14 but was goalless against Chelsea and Real Madrid.

"Rival teams know about our strike force," Pique said.

"Messi helps us a lot but this is a team and we have other players who can score and decide a game. I don't believe in a Messi-dependency."

Pique rubbished suggestions he has fallen out with Pep Guardiola, and revealed that he desperately wants the Barcelona boss to remain at Camp Nou beyond the end of the season.

Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to give any indication as to whether he will sign a new deal with the Catalans.

"I would put my hand in the fire for Pep to stay on," Pique said.

"Even though some people doubt it, my relationship with Guardiola is fantastic. We talk a lot more than people think.

"Being on the bench is a new experience for me, but it's the boss' decision and I have to respect it.

"And I'm confident that Guardiola will continue (with Barca) because he loves this club and this job."

 

soccerway.com

Pique relieved after Barca win

koclokindoblog.blogspot.com, 25 maret 2012,

Gerard Pique expressed relief after Barcelona managed to overcome the dismissal of Thiago to record a 2-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday.

Barca took the lead midway through the first half with a free-kick from talismanic forward Lionel Messi, but they lost Thiago to a second booking during the second period.

However, Pep Guardiola's men dug in and sealed victory courtesy of Pique, who fired home with just over 10 minutes remaining to ensure that Barca stayed in touch La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who they trail by six points with nine matches remaining.

"It was very hard to win, especially with 10 men," Pique said. "The three points are very important and we deserved them.

"We tried to control the match; they wanted to equalise, but we played well with 10 players and the most important thing is that our title hopes are still alive.

"All that really matters is winning and we've managed to earn a great victory. Winning matches in La Liga and Champions League reinforces out morale."

Barca face AC Milan at San Siro in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday before welcoming Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou next weekend.

soccerway.com