Let's Get The Good Feelings Back

How about we all follow Andres Iniesta's example and look ahead instead of behind? Don't let the serious expression fool you, he's not stressing over the loss against Hercules. Though admitting that it was a very odd game, he affirmed the team's desire to win and is still optimistic: "You just want to win again and get the good feelings back."

That doesn't mean he isn't wary about tonight's match: "We'll need to charge our batteries and have the right heads for such an important match. The Champions League is a very demanding competition and you pay the price for any mistakes." Obviously, Andresito's got the right outlook on things.

David Villa, Excited & Eager

I think David Villa pulls off this fuschia top better than anyone on the squad. Maybe it's the fact that he's no stranger to pink shirts, or maybe I'm finally getting used to the flashy contraption.

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Anyway, this is him at a press conference at the Joan Gamper sporting complex two days ago, where he declared that he's able to play alongside Ibrahimovic:

"I am compatible with Ibrahimovic. Totally. In football there is nothing incompatible and less so with such quality players like him. I know we have a great squad and the quality to win it all."

He also talked about his excitement and readiness to play for Barcelona:

"I will give my best in every training session to be 100 per cent but it's not me who decides. I hope to soon be at 100 per cent and make my debut. The team will need goals and that's my job. With daily work and the help of my colleagues I hope to score the maximum possible."

"Being on the field is where I feel most comfortable. Many times I have dreamed of my debut for Barcelona. Since being introduced as a Barcelona player I have wanted to fulfill the dream of playing for the team and hopefully it comes as soon as possible."

That makes two of us then.

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Adriano & Andres In Conference

Here's Barca's newest signing Adriano looking fine and fresh as he and Andres Iniesta attended press conferences at the Joan Gamper sports complex in Barcelona. Andresito explained that he would welcome the transfer of German midfielder Metsut Ozil to Barcelona:

"I didn't know him at all before the tournament but, when I saw him play with Germany and given his age, I saw that he has quality and personality."

"Whether Ozil comes or not is not something I have any control over. If he comes, he will be welcome. If not, we'll just continue as we are."

As for Adriano, he expressed his eagerness to face his old team tomorrow as Barca meet Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish SuperCup:

“I’m really looking forward to playing this match.”

“I’m delighted with my time with Sevilla and now I’m excited about going back."

He's confident in Barca's squad, but also warned that Sevilla will take the match very seriously:

"I don’t think the squad lacks depth. People always say that but the team wins titles. If we need a player we have the reserves where there are enough players to fill in if there is anyone missing."

"I don’t think Sevilla will hold anybody in reserve. They’re focussed on the match against Barça because it’s a final, a chance of a title. I’m sure Álvarez won’t reserve anyone."

Lio's Sleepy Press Conference

Lio Messi and Pep Guardiola did a press conference in Beijing today, and I can't say which of them looks more exhausted to be there. It's understandable that they're jetlagged and suffering from media headaches, but poor Lio was actually fighting to stay awake all through it.

Still, Lio managed to answer some questions through his yawns, saying that he's looking forward to playing alongside Cesc Fabregas someday and also revealing that he wanted Maradona to stay on as Argentina's coach.

Pep confirmed that Lio will play in this Saturday's match against Chinese champions Beijing Guoan, and Lio himself is excited about it: "As a player I always want to play. There is no problem with my physical condition and I haven't had any problems in training."

Zlatan Announces His Barca Stay

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who apparently has a strong disregard for belts, yesterday gave a press conference in which he announced that he'll continue to play for "the best club in the world."

Zla said that he never spoke with any of the clubs that he was linked with over the summer, and went on to thank those clubs and the media, saying that he considers it "free publicity."

As for the questionable issue of his spot on the squad now that David Villa is here... at the end of last season he said, if I'm not mistaken, that the day Villa joins Barca would be the day he leaves. Well, looks like he's had a change of heart. 'He's a great signing. I'm happy he's here because he is one of the best in the world," Zla said about the Spanish striker. "We will be stronger and we'll have more opportunities to win.''

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Our skyscraper swede isn't worried about Mourinho coaching Real Madrid either. Mou may be "an expert at taking teams to the top", but as Zlatan reaffirmed, "we are the best team in the world."

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Pep's Preseason Press Conference

Pep holds his first press conference of the season, and looks sharp while he's at it. The shirt and jeans ensemble is all good, a big upgrade from the horrific sweaters he annoyingly persisted to wear in the last press conferences of his that I covered, back in December; and I'm loving those shoes on him too.

Anyway, back to the point. It was one hell of a conference, with Pep answering 55 questions in 75 minutes and covering everything you could possibly think of, and I really mean everything.

But of course, the real point of all of this is Pep's inability to do a press conference without the involvement of epic tongue action and plenty of water.

The Hero Does Not Rest

Iniesta's name is the one on every tongue these days, and the man himself is being kept very busy. Sunday he's scoring the most decisive goal of his career and winning the World Cup with Spain; Monday he's arriving in Madrid with the rest of the national team to an incredible welcome from the fans, not to mention meeting with the royal family; Tuesday, its straight to Barcelona for a press conference. Spain's hero is totally casual in all his scar-kneed glory, showing up in a Nike 'CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO' tee and skater shorts.

He talked about everything under the sun: the pricelessness of the joy of the Spanish people; his desire to win more titles with Barca; how Cesc would bring the club a 'tremendous leap in quality' were he to join. Well, he's got that right!

But back to those scars. Would you look at his knees, his calves? The World Cup has really left him battered. I didn't fail to notice that he was getting kicked around alot throughout the tournament, and it totally sucks when players resort to that kind of thing. He was out with injury for too much of last season, hopefully we won't see a repeat.

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UPDATE: Looks like Iniesta is up to some wild tricks as well - reportedly, he's planning a rockin' night out with British band Kasabian!

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