US economy slows to 1.6% in Q1 of '24 – BEA    EMX appoints Al-Jarawi as deputy chairman    Mexico's inflation exceeds expectations in 1st half of April    GAFI empowers entrepreneurs, startups in collaboration with African Development Bank    Egyptian exporters advocate for two-year tax exemption    Egyptian Prime Minister follows up on efforts to increase strategic reserves of essential commodities    Italy hits Amazon with a €10m fine over anti-competitive practices    Environment Ministry, Haretna Foundation sign protocol for sustainable development    After 200 days of war, our resolve stands unyielding, akin to might of mountains: Abu Ubaida    World Bank pauses $150m funding for Tanzanian tourism project    China's '40 coal cutback falls short, threatens climate    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Ministers of Health, Education launch 'Partnership for Healthy Cities' initiative in schools    Egyptian President and Spanish PM discuss Middle East tensions, bilateral relations in phone call    Amstone Egypt unveils groundbreaking "Hydra B5" Patrol Boat, bolstering domestic defence production    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Health Ministry, EADP establish cooperation protocol for African initiatives    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Ramses II statue head returns to Egypt after repatriation from Switzerland    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    EU pledges €3.5b for oceans, environment    Egypt forms supreme committee to revive historic Ahl Al-Bayt Trail    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Acts of goodness: Transforming companies, people, communities    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egypt starts construction of groundwater drinking water stations in South Sudan    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Cup title gives Barcelona its 27th trophy in last decade
AP Published in Ahram Online on 23 - 05 - 2016

Only by Barcelona's incredibly high standards can winning back-to-back doubles seem like a disappointment.
The team led by Lionel Messi added the Copa del Rey to its Spanish league title on Sunday, but fell short of repeating its treble from last season. The ultimate goal, winning yet another Champions League title, ended at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals.
''It was a positive season, we have won four of six titles,'' Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. ''We had a challenge to win everything again but, unfortunately, it wasn't possible. Your opponents have a say as well.''
Barcelona was trying to win its third treble of the decade, a feat it achieved last season and in 2008-09 under coach Pep Guardiola.
On Sunday against Europa League champion Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final, the Catalan club won 2-0 in extra time. Barcelona also won the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup this season.
Not bad for most clubs. But not for Barcelona, which has won 27 titles in the last decade, and seven in the last two seasons.
''It was a very good season. You cannot always win the treble, but the double is a great season,'' said Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who scored the decisive goal on Sunday seven minutes into extra time at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid. ''But we and the fans have to appreciate the titles we are winning with our level of play.''
It was the seventh season in the last decade in which Barcelona won at least two titles, and the seventh time in team history that it won both domestic trophies in the same season. The team also went 39 games without a loss to set a Spanish record for most unbeaten games in a row.
''The team's trajectory in recent years is magnificent,'' Barcelona central defender Gerard Pique said. ''We want to keep winning titles and adding to our honors.''
Over the last decade, Barcelona has won seven league titles, four Copa del Rey trophies and six Spanish Super Cups. Barcelona also dominated internationally, winning four Champions League titles, three European Super Cups and three Club World Cup titles.
''This team did not have to prove anything,'' said Luis Enrique, who has won seven of nine titles in his first two seasons. ''They keep winning with different coaches. They have fun doing what they do. They know how to overcome adversity.''
Besides missing out on the Champions League title, Luis Enrique also lost the Spanish Super Cup last year.
The coach vowed to do better, and he just might if Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta all stick around and keep performing.
''We have a squad that can keep winning,'' said Iniesta, who along with Messi has won 28 trophies with the club, ''and we can be optimistic for the future.''
(For more sportsnews andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/217436.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.