Italian sports paper Tuttosport claims that Juventus is ready to sign permanently Barcelona loaned-out defender, Uruguayan international Martin Caceres (22).

Caceres joined Barcelona on 4 June 2008, with a reported transfer fee of 16.5 million euros (unconfirmed) from Villarreal. A buyout clause of 50 million euros was included in the deal, which expires in June 2012. Unable to break into the starting eleven permanently, he was used sparsely by the Catalan team during his first season at Barcelona. He was only the fourth choice defender, behind the Catalan captain Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Gerard Pique.

On 30 July 2009, it was announced by Barcelona that the Italian Serie A club agreed to take Caceres on loan with the option to buy him at the end of the 2009-10 season. On 12 September 2009 Cáceres scored his first goal with Juventus in his debut Serie A match against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.

The paper claims Juventus is willing to dish out 17 million euros for Caceres during the summer transfer window with its sports director, Alessio Secco reportedly already starting negotiations with Barcelona about the permanent transfer deal.

For a Madrid based sports paper, and one that is seen as putting Real Madrid ahead of other teams, the result is kind of surprising.

Following the disclosure of the short-list of the five players nominated for this year’s FIFA World Player, Marca organised an online survey among its readers and the result is pretty clear; the three Barcelona players are way better than Real Madrid’s two candidates.

Nevertheless, being a Spanish-language paper, it is no wonder that Xavi Hernandez, for everything that he has achieved with Barcelona and Spain, was polled ahead of Argentine’s Messi.

What’s amazing is that, after a total of about 37,500 votes so far, even Andres Iniesta is polled better than the best Real Madrid player, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.

It can also be assumed that almost everyone, including fans of Barcelona and Real Madrid, do agree that the Brazilian maestro Kaka does not deserve the award, and some, due to his mediocre season with his former club, AC Milan, even question his inclusion in the short-list.
For those wishing to vote can do so here: Marca’s 2009 FIFA World Player survey

The current poll is as follows:

46% – Xavi Hernandez (Spain, Barcelona)

24% – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

14% – Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)

13% – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)

2% – Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid)

In the Champions League pre-match press conference last night, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola stressed that his players will play their usual game even if a draw or even a small defeat would still ensure their qualification to the next round: “We cannot stop being who we are. We will maintain our predisposition to create goals because only by scoring are our qualification that much more assured.”

The Barcelona coach stressed the importance of leading the group to secure a second-leg home-ground advantage in the knock-out stage, and warned of the danger of taking things lightly: “If we go with the idea that 0-1 serves our purpose, there is a chance in the end that we might lose by a three or four goals difference. I don’t want to transmit to my players that a 0-1 result is enough for us.”

True to form, Guardiola praised his rival, Dynamo Kiev for their strength, while at the same time acknowledged that he had studied them well as he always did with all his opponents, emphasizing their inclination to counterattack: “Dynamo is a team that rely on (captain and striker) Milevsky a lot. They have a very good strategy, and in defence, they have individuals who are physically very strong.”

“It is imperative that we dominate possession and not be drawn into their game.”

Despite his intention to play offensively, Pep Guardiola also ensured that the team “will not be sloppy (in defence)”, a mistake that they will have to suffer dearly in a competition such as the Champions League.

“I don’t want to have to live with the consequences.”

As always, departing with final wisdom word for the press, the ever pragmatic Barcelona coach reminded them that there are still a lot of football to be played before anyone can be crowned the champion, and ensured them of Barcelona philosophy of taking things one match at a time: “You don’t win the Champions League in December, but you can always lose it then and there.”

Reports in both Portugal and Brazil claim that Barcelona loan-out and Benfica forward Keirrison (21) might move to Liverpool in a six months loan deal. Barcelona’s summer move for the Brazilian disappointed Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez who had been tracking the youngster for some time and had failed with a move in the last January transfer window. Keirrison’s loan move to Benfica was supposed to allow the player to get used to the European style of play but the young Brazilian’s chances in the first team have been limited. Barcelona are reportedly unhappy at their striker’s lack of playing action at Benfica and are willing to loan him to another club in Europe or back to Brazil where several clubs are targeting the player.

Keirrison has enjoyed a prolific record in Brazilian league, where he has played with Coritiba and Palmeiras and was the best scorer in the year 2008. His record in his homeland speaks for itself so it’s of no surprise that a number of European clubs had been alerted to his talent. Despite Keirrison’s young age he has already shown just how prolific he can be. Last season alone he has scored an impressive 20 goals in just 31 league appearances, 30 from starting lineup. This is a remarkable feat since this was only his second league season after scoring 12 goals in 32 league appearances in his first campaign. Few youngsters in world football have boasted such an impressive strike rate as 37 goals in 70 league appearances.

Liverpool were one of a list of interested clubs last summer that included Arsenal, Olympiakos, Real Madrid and Valencia. Rafa Benitez has reportedly declared his interest in bringing Keirrison to Anfield in a short-term loan deal to provide competition for both Spanish international Fernando Torres (25) and French youth international David N’Gog (20).

(The aim is) TO QUALIFY AS THE GROUP LEADER.

Barça knows that to reach Bernabéu, they must first win against Dynamo.

Pep’s message is clear: ‘We must score and forget about the Inter – Rubin match’

Dinamo Kiev – Barça (20.45, Tv3)

Guardiola and 11 Barça players, nominated for the UEFA’s best team (2009).

[Non Barça Related]

Madrid qualifies as group leader easily.

Losing by a goal or drawing is enough to qualify, but Guardiola has no doubts: ‘A VICTORY IS THE ONLY GOOD RESULT FOR ME’

Dinamo – Barça (20.45, Tv3)

Barça wants to qualify as first of the group to avoid playing against Chelsea or Manchester United…

…But they could be tied with Ronaldinho’s Milan or Van Gaal’s Bayern, anyway.

In the picture: Guardiola taking shelter from the cold.

[Non Barça Related]

Madrid qualifies as first of his group. Olympique 1 – 3 Madrid.