- News
- Editorials
- Live
- Transfer Zone
- Clubs
-
Europe
- Europe Home
- Europe News
- England Home
- England Table/Results
- Italy Home
- Italy Table/Results
- Spain Home
- Spain Table/Results
- Germany Home
- Germany Table/Results
- Champions League Home
- CL Fixtures/Results
- Europa League Home
- EL Fixtures/Results
- Rest of Europe Home
- Rest of Europe News
- World Cup 2014 News
- World Cup 2014 Fixtures/Results
- Asia
- Goal Rich List 2013
- Americas
- Champions League
- Europa League
- World Cup
- Video
|
|
Sandro Rosell outlines plans for Barcelona domination
The Barca president hopes his side can break the mould as they go in search of more silverware and that Tito Vilanova remains at the helm for many years to come
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £57.50 | Draw £44.00 | Barcelona £15.71 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £37.50 | Barcelona £16.20 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £15.71 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £60.00 | Draw £41.00 | Barcelona £15.30 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £40.00 | Barcelona £15.70 |
|
The Liga runners-up, whose current squad is regarded by many to be the best in the world, have enjoyed an immensely successful period over the past four years including two Champions League successes and a host of domestic titles.
Yet despite their achievements to date, Rosell firmly believes that their golden era can stretch beyond the usual three or four-year stint.
"Normally in football cycles last three years, then you tend to go back down," he told Sport.
"This cycle has already lasted four. This year we started well and hopefully it'll be five, six... we're trying to break the myth that good cycles only last three years.
"For now, we have Tito Vilanova during the next two years and I wish they were two, plus two, plus four, plus three... because it would mean that everything is going well and our decision [to hire Vilanova] was correct."
Much of the club's recent success has been attributed to the quality of players coming through their youth system, and Rosell singled out two academy graduates in particular for special praise.
"I would love for Xavi to hang up his boots here," he continued.
"If he is well and the staff considers it right we'd love that he retires here. With [Carles} Puyol it is the same case. It says a lot and is part of our values, and they have also started here."
One criticism aimed at La Liga is a lack of competition to Barca and Real Madrid's dominance over the rest of the division, and Rosell admitted it is an issue that needs to be addressed in the near future.
"After the 2014-15 season, we need to do a complete reexamination of the distribution of TV revenues," he added.
"We have to change this a bit to make it more competitive and so it does not seem that Barca and Real Madrid are champions in advance. This is not good for football.
"We must reduce the league from 20 to 16 teams. It would probably mean you would double the size of the Champions League to 64.
"Competitiveness must be improved no matter what happens in other leagues because [a lack of competition] in the medium to long-term is bad news."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Make Your Prediction
Espanyol - FC Barcelona
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Espanyol 1-3 FC Barcelona
- 17.87 %
-
Espanyol 0-3 FC Barcelona
- 9.86 %
-
Espanyol 1-2 FC Barcelona
- 7.83 %
-
The Dossier: Stop Martinez, stop Bayern
With the Mario Gotze missing through injury, Marco Reus will be charged with the task of stopping Javi Martinez from dictating proceedings in the middle of the park
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
-
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
-
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
