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Friends Of Don Quixote: Up In The Air
Pep Guardiola may well go on to become another Alex Ferguson, but nothing was accomplished towards that end this week.
Jan 22, 2010 2:43:00 AM
By David Mosse
Folks in Catalonia have a right to be a little paranoid. Barcelona supporters have certainly seen their fair share of heroes exit through the back door, and the longer Pep Guardiola remained non-committal about his future only fueled speculation his name would soon be added to that list.
And so Wednesday's announcement was greeted with a great deal of relief, as Guardiola stood before a packed press conference and pledged to return for at least another season. Provided, of course, he and the new president can agree on financial terms, and see eye-to-eye on the direction of the club.
But has anything really changed? Guardiola is still unwilling to put pen to paper on even a one-year deal until he learns who his next boss will be. It seems far fetched to think anyone would find fault with a manager who has captured six different trophies in his first 18 months on the job, but the incoming president might not acquiesce to all of Guardiola's wishes.
Word is the 39-year-old is seeking to become the de facto sporting director with complete control over all transfer activity - the kind of power given to most top managers in England. But that goes against the Spanish way of doing things and, frankly, for all of his success on the field, Guardiola hasn't exactly distinguished himself when it comes to recommending new signings.
It is a potential sticking point that needs to be addressed, which is why Guardiola preferred to wait until after the season before making any decisions. However, the Barcelona coach also felt the continuing uncertainty over his future was becoming a distraction for the players, so he approached Joan Laporta this week and the two hatched a scheme to create the illusion of stability.
The soon-to-be-former president was only too happy to oblige, as shaking hands with Guardiola represented one of his last big photo opportunities. Indeed, Laporta told the media that securing the services of the popular manager was the eighth trophy won the past two years (he considers last season's 6-2 victory over Real Madrid to be the seventh).
What Laporta neglected to mention is that he had his heart set on Jose Mourinho as a replacement for Frank Rijkaard two years ago, and had to be talked into Guardiola by former director Evarist Murtra.
Guardiola wants to make sure he has the full backing of the next man in charge, and he will test Barcelona's faith by demanding a great deal of power this summer.
If Guardiola gets his way, don't be surprised to see him sign a long-term extension and enjoy the same kind of run with a single club as Alex Ferguson has with Manchester United. But if any trouble arises, Guardiola also knows he will have plenty of options, including perhaps succeeding the Scotsman at Old Trafford. The possibilities remain endless, despite rumors to the contrary.
On the field this week, Sevilla virtually assured itself of a place in the last four of the Copa Del Rey with a 3-0 thrashing of Deportivo in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie. Luis Fabiano and Diego Perotti both returned from injury, as Manuel Jimenez's side played its best match in two months. Getafe is also in very good shape after knocking off Mallorca 2-1 at the Ono Estadi.
Racing Santander picked up a win in its opening leg against Osasuna, while Atletico Madrid was held to a draw at home by Celta Vigo. Atletico's crosstown rivals were busy taking on Albanian powerhouse Gramozi Erseke in a friendly that netted Real a cool 2.5 million euros. The Merengues were forced to endure a 90-minute delay at the start of the second half due to a power outage.
First Quest: Deportivo vs. Athletic Bilbao
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Injuries are beginning to catch up with manager Miguel Angel Lotina. Deportivo suffered through a miserable week, falling to Mallorca last Sunday in the league and three days later getting hammered by Sevilla at home in a Copa Del Rey clash. The defeat at the Ono Estadi dropped the Galician club out of a Champions League position.
The good news for Lotina is that striker Ivan Riki is prepared to make his return against an Athletic Bilbao side brimming with confidence after last week's upset of Real Madrid. But Andres Guardado remains sidelined with a ruptured leg muscle, and Filipe Luis looks set to miss out due to a calf problem. The in-form Brazilian has started every league match this season.
Athletic moved to within three points of a Champions League spot with the win over Madrid. Midfielder Javi Martinez should be available after recovering from an illness that slowed him down earlier in the week, but the onus, as always, will be on striker Fernando Llorente to find the back of the net against a tough Deportivo defense.
Second Quest: Real Madrid vs. Malaga
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
The defeat to Athletic Bilbao has seemingly resurrected the career of Jose Guti, as the veteran midfielder is expected to play from the start against Malaga. Guti's return will likely come at the expense of Marcelo, while Karim Benzema should keep his place up front after a positive outing in Bilbao. Gonzalo Higuain isn't due back until next week at the earliest.
Mahamadou Diarra returned from the African Cup of Nations with a knee injury that will sideline him for 15 days, and Manuel Pellegrini may soon be forced to contend with an even shorter bench. Ruud van Nistelrooy is on the verge of finalizing a return to the Premier League with either Stoke City or Tottenham, and Fernando Gago is pushing for a loan back to Boca Juniors.
After a disastrous start to the campaign, Malaga has played better of late with two wins and two draws in four league games. Manager Juan Ramon Muniz must make do without several key players like midfielder Antonio Apono. He will be out of action for a month and a half after suffering a muscle injury last Sunday against Getafe.
Ladies-in-waiting: Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
Atletico Madrid lost a great deal of momentum with a disappointing draw at home against Celta Vigo in the Copa Del Rey. Newcomer Tiago did find the back of the net and defender Mariano Pernia made his first appearance in six months following a serious car accident, but Atletico will need a much stronger performance away to city neighbors Getafe.
Los Azulones fell to Malaga last week but remain within striking distance of a Champions League spot. Getafe has won three in a row at home and bolstered its attack with the addition of striker Miku, who found the back of the net in his debut midweek against Mallorca. It remains to be seen whether Michel will alter his formation so Miku can partner Roberto Soldado up front.
Ladies-in-waiting: Valladolid vs. Barcelona
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Pep Guardiola received some good news this week in the form of Mali's first-round elimination at the African Cup of Nations. Midfielder Seydou Keita should be available, as Barcelona travels to Valladolid to take on a struggling side on Saturday. The hosts haven't won a game since before the winter break and must now contend with the unstoppable Lionel Messi.
The Argentine has scored five goals in the last two league matches and remains level with David Villa in the race for the Pichichi. His explosion comes at a perfect time, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suffering through his first dip in form this season. Barcelona may also welcome back youngster Jeffren Suarez, who has been sidelined the entire month of January with a muscle injury.
The Impertitent Curiosity: Other Games
Sevilla vs. Almeria
Espanyol vs. Mallorca
Villarreal vs. Real Zaragoza
Sporting vs. Racing Santander
Tenerife vs. Valencia
Xerez vs. Osasuna
“Friends of Don Quixote” appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out “Men of La Mancha” on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the previous weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
Folks in Catalonia have a right to be a little paranoid. Barcelona supporters have certainly seen their fair share of heroes exit through the back door, and the longer Pep Guardiola remained non-committal about his future only fueled speculation his name would soon be added to that list.
And so Wednesday's announcement was greeted with a great deal of relief, as Guardiola stood before a packed press conference and pledged to return for at least another season. Provided, of course, he and the new president can agree on financial terms, and see eye-to-eye on the direction of the club.
But has anything really changed? Guardiola is still unwilling to put pen to paper on even a one-year deal until he learns who his next boss will be. It seems far fetched to think anyone would find fault with a manager who has captured six different trophies in his first 18 months on the job, but the incoming president might not acquiesce to all of Guardiola's wishes.
Word is the 39-year-old is seeking to become the de facto sporting director with complete control over all transfer activity - the kind of power given to most top managers in England. But that goes against the Spanish way of doing things and, frankly, for all of his success on the field, Guardiola hasn't exactly distinguished himself when it comes to recommending new signings.
It is a potential sticking point that needs to be addressed, which is why Guardiola preferred to wait until after the season before making any decisions. However, the Barcelona coach also felt the continuing uncertainty over his future was becoming a distraction for the players, so he approached Joan Laporta this week and the two hatched a scheme to create the illusion of stability.
The soon-to-be-former president was only too happy to oblige, as shaking hands with Guardiola represented one of his last big photo opportunities. Indeed, Laporta told the media that securing the services of the popular manager was the eighth trophy won the past two years (he considers last season's 6-2 victory over Real Madrid to be the seventh).
What Laporta neglected to mention is that he had his heart set on Jose Mourinho as a replacement for Frank Rijkaard two years ago, and had to be talked into Guardiola by former director Evarist Murtra.
Guardiola wants to make sure he has the full backing of the next man in charge, and he will test Barcelona's faith by demanding a great deal of power this summer.
If Guardiola gets his way, don't be surprised to see him sign a long-term extension and enjoy the same kind of run with a single club as Alex Ferguson has with Manchester United. But if any trouble arises, Guardiola also knows he will have plenty of options, including perhaps succeeding the Scotsman at Old Trafford. The possibilities remain endless, despite rumors to the contrary.
On the field this week, Sevilla virtually assured itself of a place in the last four of the Copa Del Rey with a 3-0 thrashing of Deportivo in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie. Luis Fabiano and Diego Perotti both returned from injury, as Manuel Jimenez's side played its best match in two months. Getafe is also in very good shape after knocking off Mallorca 2-1 at the Ono Estadi.
Racing Santander picked up a win in its opening leg against Osasuna, while Atletico Madrid was held to a draw at home by Celta Vigo. Atletico's crosstown rivals were busy taking on Albanian powerhouse Gramozi Erseke in a friendly that netted Real a cool 2.5 million euros. The Merengues were forced to endure a 90-minute delay at the start of the second half due to a power outage.
First Quest: Deportivo vs. Athletic Bilbao
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Injuries are beginning to catch up with manager Miguel Angel Lotina. Deportivo suffered through a miserable week, falling to Mallorca last Sunday in the league and three days later getting hammered by Sevilla at home in a Copa Del Rey clash. The defeat at the Ono Estadi dropped the Galician club out of a Champions League position.
The good news for Lotina is that striker Ivan Riki is prepared to make his return against an Athletic Bilbao side brimming with confidence after last week's upset of Real Madrid. But Andres Guardado remains sidelined with a ruptured leg muscle, and Filipe Luis looks set to miss out due to a calf problem. The in-form Brazilian has started every league match this season.
Athletic moved to within three points of a Champions League spot with the win over Madrid. Midfielder Javi Martinez should be available after recovering from an illness that slowed him down earlier in the week, but the onus, as always, will be on striker Fernando Llorente to find the back of the net against a tough Deportivo defense.
Second Quest: Real Madrid vs. Malaga
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
The defeat to Athletic Bilbao has seemingly resurrected the career of Jose Guti, as the veteran midfielder is expected to play from the start against Malaga. Guti's return will likely come at the expense of Marcelo, while Karim Benzema should keep his place up front after a positive outing in Bilbao. Gonzalo Higuain isn't due back until next week at the earliest.
Mahamadou Diarra returned from the African Cup of Nations with a knee injury that will sideline him for 15 days, and Manuel Pellegrini may soon be forced to contend with an even shorter bench. Ruud van Nistelrooy is on the verge of finalizing a return to the Premier League with either Stoke City or Tottenham, and Fernando Gago is pushing for a loan back to Boca Juniors.
After a disastrous start to the campaign, Malaga has played better of late with two wins and two draws in four league games. Manager Juan Ramon Muniz must make do without several key players like midfielder Antonio Apono. He will be out of action for a month and a half after suffering a muscle injury last Sunday against Getafe.
Ladies-in-waiting: Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
Atletico Madrid lost a great deal of momentum with a disappointing draw at home against Celta Vigo in the Copa Del Rey. Newcomer Tiago did find the back of the net and defender Mariano Pernia made his first appearance in six months following a serious car accident, but Atletico will need a much stronger performance away to city neighbors Getafe.
Los Azulones fell to Malaga last week but remain within striking distance of a Champions League spot. Getafe has won three in a row at home and bolstered its attack with the addition of striker Miku, who found the back of the net in his debut midweek against Mallorca. It remains to be seen whether Michel will alter his formation so Miku can partner Roberto Soldado up front.
Ladies-in-waiting: Valladolid vs. Barcelona
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Pep Guardiola received some good news this week in the form of Mali's first-round elimination at the African Cup of Nations. Midfielder Seydou Keita should be available, as Barcelona travels to Valladolid to take on a struggling side on Saturday. The hosts haven't won a game since before the winter break and must now contend with the unstoppable Lionel Messi.
The Argentine has scored five goals in the last two league matches and remains level with David Villa in the race for the Pichichi. His explosion comes at a perfect time, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suffering through his first dip in form this season. Barcelona may also welcome back youngster Jeffren Suarez, who has been sidelined the entire month of January with a muscle injury.
The Impertitent Curiosity: Other Games
Sevilla vs. Almeria
Espanyol vs. Mallorca
Villarreal vs. Real Zaragoza
Sporting vs. Racing Santander
Tenerife vs. Valencia
Xerez vs. Osasuna
“Friends of Don Quixote” appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out “Men of La Mancha” on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the previous weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
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