In fact it'd be correct to say they've experienced a renaissance ever since Joan Laporta became president in 2003, and after him his previous chum and now bitter enemy, Sandro Rossell.

When Laporta turned up at the club they had not won a major title since 1999 and the self-confidence of the squad had plummeted. He brought on board Frank Rijkaard as team coach, who after a slow start started winning matches; and his right hand man (at the time, till they slid out and he resigned from the Barça board) Sandro Rossell used his contacts to sign Ronaldinho.

While the Brazilian player definitely had talent[**] he hadn't necessarily done much with it. Nevertheless he probably did show a lot of flare with FC Barcelona even if they weren't making the turnabout required.

That turnabout happened when Barça signed Edgar Davids for the second half of the season. Whether it was his arrival at the club, or whether his arrival coincided with everything coming together is impossible to point out. What's certain though is that the club started winning game after game. And at last the beaten down Barcelona rose up again and started to become the team it is today.

The club went from strength to strength after that, although Davids decided to return to his old club after the half season loan. While he might have been missed, the fortunes of the club continued to improve and Barcelona won the second season under Laporta. After that the team continues to go ever upwards and unde Pep Guardiola were the first tea, to win the treble – la liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey.

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It seems the pitch is 2 metres or so below ground level and done so as to increase the stadium’s capacity at some specific point in its history. The Nou Camp was opened in 1957 and although it has been extended and expanded since that point, at one time it could hold more than 100,000 spectators. However , there days out as the stadium is all-seater it can only hold 98,000 – that is still lots of folks.

With such a huge crowd you could think it takes forever to empty the stadium after a match. But it is highly surprising that it empties so fast and in reality the club claims to can empty in just 5 minutes. The streets round the stadium get pretty packed though and transport it tough. The roads get blocked by folk, buses full and the metro is log jammed with folks – fortunately I was inside walking distance.

When I initially began going to watch Barça play it was after a period of comparatively inadequate performance and it is fair to say that Laporta inherited a club that had lost any faith in its capability to win prizes.

But with Frank Rijkaard as coach and stars such as Ronaldinho, the club started to win. Though they did not win the Spanish League that year they actually did the following. As significantly they revived their self-esteem and crowds started to come back to watch them play. Nowadays it’s much more difficult to get good seats at all but matches against the lowliest of teams as season tick holders and club members have the pick of what’s available.

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But while Barcelona definitely does have numerous players acquired in to brace the side, the core of the team went thru Bara’s youth academy and have been playing together for some time. This is perhaps one of the reason’s for Spain being so robust in the South African FIFA World Cup in 2010 as the majority of the team were FC Barcelona players.

Players like Lionel Messi, originally from Argentinia, Xavi Hernandez, Carlos Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Gerard Pique were all talent spotted by Bara’s agents when they were young and signed up for the “masia” as it is known. Even Pep Guardiola attended the masia when he was younger.

The youth academy is one of the most barely regarded in the world and costs about 6 million per year, mainly for accommodation for the boys who stay there full time. The minimum entry age is just 6 years old and so by the point they are prepared to play in the youth selection plenty will have been signed to Bara for a bunch of years.

The academy was suggested by Johan Cruyff when he was Barcelona’s manager as he had benefited from the youth academy of Ajax in Holland.

The success of the academy is simple to see in the present day's squad. Lionel Messi was 11 years old when he signed with Barcelona; he had been seen playing in Argentina, but suffered a problem that affected his expansion and part of the deal with FC Barcelona was that they'd pay for his treatment. Given that he is a extraordinary goal scorer that could have been one of their best investments ever!

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The Spanish League got off to a late start after the first round was deferred thanks to a strike by the players’ organisation. A considerable number of clubs in the top two divisions are in administration and dozens of players have not received incomes as a consequence. The action against the league was to get them to put into place measures that would guarantee payment or permit the players to end their contracts and transfer to a club that might afford to pay them.

At the end the 1st match of the season failed to happen and for some considerable time it seemed like the second match also would not occur either. However , the 2 sides reached a last minute compromise and so it was that week two was played. Week one has been put off to Jan, when the second 1/2 the season was scheduled to start, with that match now happening in May.

Barcelona naturally played for two more major prizes. First there was the Spanish Supercup, this year against Real Madrid. Madrid’s coach managed to be as petulant as normal and bad feelings spilled over onto the pitch with one or two red cards awarded at the end of the match yet again.

At the end Barcelona took that prize and then the European Supercup, against Porto, which was way more friendly. Apart from that they played Napoli in the Gamper Trophy. And one of the top items of FC Barcelona reports is that Cesc Fabregas is now on board, who has quickly fallen into place and added to the goal tally.

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The 2010/11 season was an incredible one any person with FC Barcelona tickets, with just two Spanish League matches conceded in 38 games and only 6 draws, they finished on an incredible 96 points; it should be indicated that Real Madrid racked up an impressive total of 92 points, which in any ordinary year should have been enough to take the title.

In the event Madrid was compelled to accept 2nd place in Jose Mourinho’s first year as the coach nonetheless it is far from the disaster many people paint. What in almost any other year would have taken Real Madrid to a victory just isn’t ok currently, with a Bara side so dominant that their opposition must start each match fearing the worst.

Part of the key to Barcelona’s success this season surely goes back to the FIFA World Cup, won by Spain in July; the Spanish squad started with no less than seven Bara players in the Cup Final. Out of Spain’s World Cup win that core of Bara players stared the 2010/11 season on a high.

However well Real Madrid picks itself up going into the subsequent season – and make no mistake, Jose Mourinho will be going out of his way to take the Spanish League title – FC Barcelona will be on a high following their Champions League win. This is their fourth EU title and the third time since 2006 that they have lifted the trophy; in 2006 they beat Arsenal and, while in 2009 they also faced Manchester United. That implies Spain’s top two teams will both be doing all they can to win as many games as practicable waiting for the other team to slide up.

How long can Bara stay at he top of their game?

However , it is uncertain how much longer Pep Guardiola will want to stay at Bara and whether a Bara squad under a new coach will be able to perform to the standard they currently display.

While on one hand Guadiola is FC Barcelona thru and through – he played as part of Cruyff’s “Dream Team” and before being first team coach he was training Barcelona B – but on the other he has said that he does not wish to be in the job for 25 years like Sir Alex Ferguson, delivering results year in and year out – the pressure of doing that must definitely be huge.

It's therefore perfectly comprehensible for Pep Guardiola to need to search for challenges outside of the club, somewhere where he'll apply his considerable managerial abilities to built up a team and give them the same sort of lucky streak he has done while Bara’s coach. The 2011-2012 season could then be Pep Guardiola’s last at FC Barcelona as he looks for other issues; it is also your last opportunity to see them play at such a high level as it is by no means certain that they will be able to retain their current streak of form.

If you would like FC Barcelona tickets for the 2011/12 season make sure you order online. The Spanish League fixture list will be available in July but there will be two Clasicos in the summer, when FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face one another in the Spanish Supercup. Check out FC Barcelona tickets for la liga 2011/2011 now!

When you think about the team and its talent, you have to start with Lionel Messi. The number 10 for the squad would also be the number 10 for the entire globe if the whole world fielded one team. He’s basically a unanimous choice as the best player right now in the game, and he’s a dynamic scoring threat with either foot, with amazing play making, speed, passing, footwork and more. Instilling a deep respect – and probably fear too – into the other team, his opponents struggle to stop him.

When Messi is playing the other players who they need to do less, as he always seems to find himself in the right spot. And they are also aware that with the other team focused on what he is up to if they get into position they have a good chance of making an attempt on the goal too.

One of the newer additions to the FC Barcelona roster is another great striker, David Villa. Villa has a fantastic shot and he can curve it with the best of them. On the Spanish World Cup team and now on FC Barcelona, he always gets himself to open balls and wins toss-ups in order to unleash his great shot and put his team ahead.

So much of what Barcelona is known for though is their majestic passing game. They control the possession, they keep the ball, and they make myriad quick, fast, accurate passes. The two maestros in the middle of the field are Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. Those two will not only frustrate any opponent into submission, they seem to completely control and dictate the game to their own wills and desires.

But even with all of that quality upfront and in the middle, at some point the other team is going to mount its own attack. FC Barcelona isn’t too shabby on the defensive front either. They boast huge stars back there like Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and Daniel Alves, a standout player from Brazil. And guarding the goal is Victor Valdes, so clearly focused on keeping the ball out and quick to bark orders at his teammates.

As you can see, the FC Barcelona team keeps on winning for a very good reason. They have a huge range of stars, starting with the world’s best, Messi, and going from there. And that combination is too good to miss seeing – make sure to reserve FC Barcelona tickets in advance and that way you’ll avoid being disappointed.

And when the match kicks off that excitement spills over and becomes uncontained. The passion and excitement create an atmosphere that is electric – and if you’re a football fan going to see Barça play is a must, particularly at the moment with such a great and successful team.

The 2010-11 season was an extraordinary one for FC Barcelona despite not achieving the treble of 2009 – the Copa del Rey went to arch rival Real Madrid instead.

As I write this the season is over and we’re counting down the (many) days until the season gets going again and the transfer window is open.

 After the 2010 World Cup, which had an impressive tally of Barça players in the lineup for the final including new signing David Villa, the players were really fired up for the start of the season.

That translated into win after win with a huge goal tally and even Real Madrid, a team never to be underestimated, was demolished against the might of Barcelona, who completely humiliated them with a 5-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in November.
For a time scoring 5 goals seemed to be par for the course but they peaked with an 8-0 awaqy win against Almerica. Of course that kind of run could not last, but it does show how much Barcelona dominated the season.

Barcelona’s success is at least partially due to their high possession that comes from knowing each other’s play intimately and extremely high levels of fitness. They are almost always a joy to watch, with the ball kept in possession for long periods at a time and frequently seeing 70 percent possession. Passed from player to player they just control the match until an opportunity presents itself, which it almost always, sooner or later, does.

While not everything he does works out, at least it is good to watch and what he can do with the ball seems sometimes to be magic. And while Carles Puyol has been out for some time due to injury he has recently undergone further surgery and expected to recover within 2 months, well in time for the start of the 2011/12 season.

Of course all that is appreciated by Barcelona’s fans, or Cules as they are known. Matches often take place in a party like atmosphere as great play and hopefully great results melt away everyone’s problems in life into the background for the 90 minutes of play for what for some is a quasi religious experience. You can experience the atmosphere and excitement of the Nou Camp too by buying FC Barcelona tickets online. That way you avoid disappointment and get to see one of the best football teams in the world today.

The top two teams in Europe faced each other at the end of May 2011 for the final of the Champions League, which took place at Wembley. FC Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 and despite a few worrying minutes while they took some time to find their feet, Barça ran rings around their English competitor. Clearly Pep Guardiola’s team were at the top of their game.

How long can FC Barcelona stay at he top of their game?

However, it is uncertain how much longer Pep Guardiola will want to stay at Barça and whether a Barça squad under a new coach will be able to perform to the standard they currently display.

Guardiola is thoroughly Barça as he played in Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” and coached the Barça B team before being offered the job of coaching the main squad. While he may have ties to the club that go deep, he has already stated that he wouldn’t want to stay at any club too long, pointing out Sir Alex Ferguson as an example; he’s been at Man Utd for 25 years.

Pep Guardiola definitely has strong credentials as a world class football coach, and while his skills are well matched to Barça it is perfectly understandable if he wants to apply those skills at another club. Next season, which starts in August 2011, running through to May 2012, could well be, therefore, Pep Guardiola’s last with FC Barcelona. It could also be the last opportunity to see them play as the best team of the world as a change in the coach could be the end of their current domination.

If you’d like FC Barcelona tickets for the 2011/12 season make sure you order online. The Spanish League fixture list will be available in July but there will be two Clasicos in the summer, when FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other in the Spanish Supercup.

Cruyff’s team, now dubbed the “Dream Team” after the US basketball team (which was composed of professional NBA players) that played at the 1992 Summer Olympics hosted by Barcelona. As well as Spanish players such as Pep Guadiola, Txiki Beguiristain, Jose Mari Bakero and Jon Andoni Goikoetxea, as wel as Romanian Gheorghe Hagi, Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov, Dutchman Ronald Koeman, Brazilian Romario, and Dane Michael Laudrup.

The Dream team had a remarkable string of titles, winning the Spanish league four years straight between 1991 and 1994; they beat Sampdoria to take the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1989; a Ronald Koeman free kick at Wembley Stadium gave Barça the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup, the forerunner the Champions League; the 1990 Copa del Rey (King’s Cup); the 1992 European Super Cup; and the Supercopa de España on three occasions, played between the winners of the Spanish League and the Copa del Rey.

Many people wonder how the dream team achieved so much; Cruyff was certainly an able manager and despite having some of the best footballers around none of them seemed to be too big headed. They all kept their egos under control, whether through their own control, or careful management by Cruyff.

Cruyff was much loved by Barça fans for several reasons; as well as being a first class player he stated that he could never have played for Real Madrid thanks to its support by General Franco, the Spanish dictator – he later refused to play in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina because of the military Junta.

He also gave his son a Catalan (the region of Spain in which Barcelona is found) name when he was born, Jordi. In his first year at Barça, Cruyff was awarded the title of European Footballer of the Year and helped the club win their first Spanish League title in 14 years – along the way they humiliated Real Madrid 5-0 when they visited the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cruyff earned a reputation for his style of play learnt while still playing with Dutch team Ajax. His style of play was called “total football” and allowed players to move into vacant positions on the pitch when their team mates were out of position. This dynamic style of play allowed players to effectively play in any position on pitch. This inevitably trickled down to his players and allowed them to function as a cohesive, winning unit.

Many football lovers dream of seeing FC Barcelona play at the Nou Camp when visiting the city. If you’re planning a trip to this fantastic city make sure you don’t miss out – order FC Barcelona tickets online.

The club is often known simply as Barça, Spanish league matches at the Nou Camp are massively popular among tourists visiting the city for the weekend. Following the 1992 Olympics Barcelona was put back on the map as a short stay destination thanks to easy access from the UK and other European countries thanks to low cost airlines Easyjet and then Ryanair and other budget carriers. When Joan Laporta took over as club president Barça had been experiencing a few lean years, however the renaissance under Laporta meant that within a few seasons attendance skyrocketed .

Although Laporta had fallen out with him during his tenure as president, Sandro Rossell has successfully taken over as president and retaining Pep Guardiola as coach his first season has been nothing short of spectacular, succeeding Frank Rijkaard whose own reign, although successful, ultimately fizzled out.

Although the names often change – Ronaldinho experienced his career highs during his first seasons at Barça and Samuel Eto’o was another hugely successful figure  One of the big highlights of the last few years has been the growth of Lionel Messi as a player, brought up through the ranks of the youth club and now one of the best players in the world, , although as well as his own talent he has Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Carles Puyol to thank too.

While attendance figures were at one point low, even the current economic crisis can’t prevent fans from seeing the current team live and their passion is infectious. If the visiting team is Real Madrid then that passion is displayed at full force, venting Catalonia’s longstanding feud with Madrid .

The stadium can seat just short of one hundred thousand spectators and when at capacity the noise from the crowd is really deafening. Football in Spain is often treated as a family event, so you’ll find people of all ages attending matches including family outings with grandparents and grandchildren.