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Diego Simeone wants Fernando Torres to build on his first La Liga goal since returning to Atletico Madrid in Saturday's 2-0 win over Getafe.
Torres finally broke his Liga duck at the 10th attempt with a wonderful header from Koke's thrd-minute free-kick at Vicente Calderon.
And Simeone has challenged the former Liverpool and Chelsea man to hit the goal trail as Atletico look to secure their place in the top four.
"It [Torres' performance] was better, [playing] with more coordination with his team-mates," Simeone said.
"We need more of the same. He knows that requirement and he is accustomed to that.
"He lives for goals and needed to score in the league. There's nice competition between him and [fellow striker Mario] Mandzukic, who for us is a decisive player.
Modric brilliant, but Ancelotti on the brink as Rakitic shines just as bright
23 March 2015 01:01
One coach is the toast of his city and the other reportedly on the brink of the sack - Sunday's El Clasico gave a contemporary take on one of the famous fixture's recurring storylines.
Luis Suarez's 56th-minute strike secured a 2-1 victory for Barcelona and their coach Luis Enrique, who has steered his side to a four-point advantage at La Liga's summit from their great rivals Real Madrid.
For Carlo Ancelotti in the Real dugout, rampant mid-season performances are now a distant memory as a baying Madrid press pack sharpen their pens and their knives.
The names that have dominated this fixture in the modern era continue to loom large. Luis Enrique will look to Lionel Messi to lead a potential sweep of silverware at the season's end, while Ancelotti will reckon that Cristiano Ronaldo - scorer of Real's equaliser at Camp Nou - can force a late turnaround.
But when the din of Spain's bitterest club argument subsides, the bosses should identify Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric as pivotal figures in their current, contrasting plights.
Highly skilled midfield performers on the ball, the Croatia international team-mates are the velvet-footed jacks of all trades, knitting together the sparkling tapestries of the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.
Suarez would ultimately steal the weekend headlines but not before Modric showed his value by inspiring Real's best period of the contest.
Now in his third season with Madrid, Modric returned from a lengthy thigh injury absence this month to find the smoothly functioning team he helped to orchestrate earlier this term badly misfiring.
How they had missed the razor-sharp anticipation that disturbed Barca's hypnotic rhythm and turned the midfield battle in Real's favour.
Every pass from Modric has a purpose, none more so than the slide-rule effort that picked out Karim Benzema to tee-up Ronaldo's leveller.
Rakitic and Barcelona were the ones needing half-time, but the frailties in Ancelotti's Modric-light side that Atletico Madrid and Schalke exploited over recent weeks reappeared after the break.
The former Tottenham man was powerless to stop Barca tearing through their rivals at will after Suarez's goal, with only goalkeeper Iker Casillas preventing a rout.
Nevertheless, Modric had pointed the way back to the form that closed 2014 with 22 consecutive wins; after Ancelotti's men once again showed their problems, he offered a solution.
Rakitic's seamless introduction to life at Barcelona since moving from Sevilla last year has proved as remarkable as it has under-stated.
During the club's halcyon tiki-taka days under Pep Guardiola, Xavi was the on-field embodiment of the 21st century's most influential tactical philosophy.
The great schemer's advancing years restrict him to a squad role nowadays but what should have felt like a major void has at times gone unnoticed, with Rakitic's comfortable and intelligent two-footed style providing the perfect foil for Andres Iniesta.
Camp Nou rose to acclaim Xavi's cameo for a record-equalling 42nd Clasico appearance during the closing stages, a cause for celebration and not trepidation on Raktic's account.
The Croat was himself rested among the substitutes for both of Barcelona's 2015 Liga defeats to date, a now established risk Luis Enrique will be unlikely to take again having seized a healthy lead at the top of the table.
Inside the first minute on Sunday, Dani Alves extinguished Ronaldo's first foray down the left flank and Rakitic emerged, unflustered, with the ball to set the tone for Barca's early control.
His place in the pecking order of superstars was perhaps confirmed when Suarez got in the way to stop Rakitic from converting an Iniesta cross.
One imagines Luis Enrique would place few ahead of the player who has contributed so much to a relative air of serenity now awash in Catalonia.
And as the flames engulf Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, Modric offered the latest demonstration of why he should lead the firefight.
Sergio Ramos insistis Real Madrid can still catch La Liga leaders Barcelona despite their 2-1 Clasico loss on Sunday.
Goals from Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez either side of Cristiano Ronaldo's equaliser sealed Barca's victory at Camp Nou.
The win saw Luis Enrique's men climb four points clear at the top of the table with 10 league games remaining.
Ramos, partly culpable for both of Barca's goals, lamented his side's inability to take their opportunities – but feels they can still catch their rivals late in the season.
"We showed a great level in the first half, had a bit of control and had to put our chances away, which we didn't," he told Canal+.
"We should've killed the game off in the first half. That’s what we were lacking in the game.
"We've let them get away from us. Four points is nothing towards the end of the season.
"There are still games to go and we're going to keep fighting towards the end of the season."
Mathieu headed Barca in front in the 19th minute, but Ronaldo levelled when he got on the end of Karim Benzema's first-time backheel.
Suarez's goal in the 56th minute would prove to be the winner as the Uruguayan took a long Dani Alves pass before finishing well.
Ramos said the key for Real would be to take the derby passion into every other game.
"We need to take the intensity from this game into future games. This type of game requires a level of concentration that's very high," he said.
The left-back has made it clear that the Champions League holders will keep fighting for the title right until the very end, regardless of Sunday's defeat at Camp Nou
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has stressed that the Santiago Bernabeu side refuse to throw in the towel in the race for the Liga title irrespective of their 2-1 loss against Barcelona on Sunday.
Goals from Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo strike gave the Blaugrana the points in a tense affair at Camp Nou.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are now four points behind the Catalans in the table, but Marcelo has made it clear they will keep fighting to catch their rivals again right until the end.
"We are never going to give in, we are going to keep battling and be aware of our faults so that we do not make them again," Marcelo told the official Madrid website.
"Now we do not depend on ourselves and it is more difficult, but we are going to fight on until the end.
"We played better in some parts of the game and we had more possession than Barcelona in the first half and at the beginning of the second half, but in the end they were better.
"It was a key game where we could have gone ahead of them, but there are games left and we are going to keep fighting."
Madrid resume La Liga action at home against Granada on April 5.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale's car was punched and kicked by angry fans following their 2-1 Clasico defeat to arch rivals Barcelona on Sunday.
Images captured by Spanish television station Cuatro showed supporters repeatedly strike Bale's vehicle as he sped away from Valdebebas training ground following Real's return from Barcelona.
Team-mate Jese Rodriguez made the mistake of winding the window down as he left the complex before being greeted with abuse despite only playing 10 minutes at Camp Nou as a second-half substitute.
Defender Sergio Ramos confronted the fans upon his departure from Valdebebas, asking them "what's the matter?" and "do you think that's the right attitude?".
Real slipped four points behind league leaders Barca with defeat in Catalonia, which came as Luis Suarez scored a 56th-minute winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Jeremy Mathieu's opener.
The out-of-form Bale had a first-half goal chalked off due to Ronaldo being in an offside position and received heavy criticism from the Spanish press for his performance, with Marca stating that Real president Florentino Perez had paid "€100million for a player worth €20m".
Real Madrid suspend club member over Bale and Jese car attacks
By Mark Doyle
Mar 24, 2015 01:22:56
Three irate fans tried to kick and punch the vehicles of Gareth Bale and Jese as they tried to leave the club's training complex after their Clasico defeat in Catalunya
Real Madrid have suspended one club member and identified the two other supporters responsible for insulting and kicking some players' cars after Sunday's Liga loss to Barcelona.
Footage emerged of one fan striking Jese's car window and two others trying to kick and punch Gareth Bale's car.
The pair were also verbally abused, as was coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is under increasing pressure after the 2-1 loss at Camp Nou left Madrid four points behind Liga leaders Barcelona.
"Following the incidents that occurred involving three individuals in the early hours of this morning outside Ciudad Real Madrid, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to outline the following:
"1.- The Club has already identified the individuals responsible, one a Real Madrid member, for these aggressive and violent actions against several of our players.
"2.- Details of this member's identity have been sent to the Club's Discipline Commission, requesting that it expel the individual from Real Madrid for what is considered a very serious offence.
"3.- This afternoon, the Discipline Commission held an emergency meeting and decided to open a disciplinary investigation and provisionally suspend the individual's rights as a member and access to the Santiago Bernabéu or any Real Madrid facilities.
"4.- Real Madrid has notified Spain's National Anti-Violence Commission of the incidents that took place, as well as the identities of the individuals responsible, requesting that it apply those sanctions that it considers appropriate.
"5.- Furthermore, Real Madrid will take any applicable legal action against the individuals responsible for these incidents."
Sergio Ramos was also present at the time and he intervened when he saw Jese being targeted in the car in front of his.
"This should not happen," the defender said. "These guys were my age. I drove up behind Jese's car and heard what was said, so I took a stand.
"I stopped the car, rolled down the window and told them they were in the wrong.
"The best thing I did was beeping Jese to drive away. Sometimes the fans wants to express themselves but not in this way."
Bale joined Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur last summer and played a key role in the club winning the Copa del Rey and the Champions League in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, his form and fitness have come under mounting scrutiny this season and he has been booed during some home games.
El Clasico hero Luis Suarez has backed Barcelona team-mate Neymar to be crowned the best player in the world during his career and win the Ballon d'Or.
The Uruguayan was the matchwinner in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Camp Nou as Luis Enrique's front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez proved too strong for the visitors.
After a mixed start to life at Barca, Suarez is now one of Luis Enrique's key fixtures and could have scored prior to his winner, had Neymar opted for a pass rather than a shot.
However, the former Liverpool striker backed 23-year-old Neymar to follow Messi and win the Ballon d'Or.
"After the run that Neymar went on, he had to go for it rather than pass. Strikers are selfish," Suarez told RAC1.
"He's a very determined player and I'm convinced he'll win a Ballon d'Or or two.
Having scored his first Clasico goal on Sunday, Suarez also discussed the ever-improving relationship with Messi and Neymar, in arguably the world's finest front line.
"I was brought to Barca to score goals," he added.
"I use Messi and Neymar's movement and they use mine.
"You don't need much time to discover Messi's quality. The connection with him has been very easy.
"The goal from [Sunday] has an added meaning because of the opposition, because of the situation and because it strengthens our position at the top of La Liga."
Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid must look to continue along the same path after he agreed a new long-term contract at the Vicente Calderon.
Simeone is now tied to Atletico until 2020 after winning plenty of silverware since arriving in 2011.
Having helped the reigning Spanish champions to domestic and European success in recent seasons, Simeone is clear what the immediate future should look like for Atleti.
Asked about the club's aims, he told reporters: "To be at least, for the next three years, in third place or better and to have economic stability that allows us to grow in sporting terms.
"It is not going to be easy, because our rivals, in this case Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal, grow as well - they work hard.
"But we have to stay on our path. We have to try and grow in sporting terms, of course growing accordingly to what our budget allows. But our path is clear, to improve every year.
"I think this is the best thing the club has, very clear ideas. This allows us all to push forward in the same direction."
Atletico look set to relinquish their Liga title this season - they trail Barcelona by nine points with 10 games remaining - although Simeone maintains the future looks bright.
"We don't think about the team we'll have next year, we think about the team we have today," he added.
"We think about making the most out of [Fernando] Torres' arrival, about having Raul Garcia at his best level, in the daily improvement Raul Jimenez is showing, in [Mario] Mandzukic's moment, about [Antoine] Griezmann, who is very close to scoring more goals than he has ever scored before.
"These are the players who will carry us to the goals we need to achieve."
Majority of fans want Bale out of Real starting line-up
24 March 2015 10:17
A majority of Real Madrid fans want to see Gareth Bale removed from Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI, a survey has revealed.
The study - conducted by Spanish website AS.com in the wake of Sunday's 2-1 Clasico defeat at Barcelona - found that 68.3 per cent of supporters would back his removal from the side.
A total of 8,532 fans participated in the poll, heaping yet more pressure on the Welsh winger, who has come under the spotlight following a series of disappointing performances.
Bale's car was attacked by angry fans following Real's return from Barcelona, with the reigning UEFA Champions League winners having slipped four points behind their rivals in La Liga.
Bale will head to Israel on international duty with Wales later this week.
James Rodriguez has taken a step closer to a return to action with Real Madrid after joining his team-mates for training on Tuesday.
The Colombia international has been sidelined since early February after he required surgery on a broken metatarsal injury sustained in a 2-1 victory against Sevilla.
Rodriguez, who moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in a big-money move from Monaco in July, has been working on an individual plan in recent weeks and was able to take part in a group session with those that are not away on international duty.
Real have struggled in recent weeks and having Rodriguez available for the run-in would be a boost to Carlo Ancelotti's side, who trail Barcelona by four points in La Liga after losing 2-1 to their rivals in Sunday's Clasico.
The Real Madrid Castilla coach joined Will Sagnol and Claude Makelele in Germany as they aim to complete their Uefa Pro Level Three licence
Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane has travelled to Munich to pick up some coaching expertise from former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.
The former France star, currently head coach of the Real Madrid Castilla side, has already been earmarked as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of the senior side at Santiago Bernabeu.
Along with former international team-mates Claude Makele and Willy Sagnol, Zidane has joined a delegation attending Bayern's training centre on Sabener Strasse to watch Guardiola lead a session on Wednesday.
Zidane, Makele and Sagnol - currently head coach of Bordeaux - are attempting to acquire their Uefa Pro Level Three coaching licence as they look to begin their careers in the dugout in earnest.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge welcomed the group at the training ground ahead of their three-day spell in Germany.
Zidane, who has also visited Marcelo Bielsa at Marseille in the past few months, is currently enduring a tough spell with the Castilla side, who have lost four games in a row.
Guardiola's Bayern are currently 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and will take on Porto in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The successful Argentine coach has decided to sign a renewal with the reigning Spanish champions for three additional seasons
Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Diego Simeone over a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2020.
The 44-year-old's previous deal with the Vicente Calderon side was due to expire in the summer of 2017 and a number of clubs were allegedly keeping a close eye on his situation in the Spanish capital, including Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Simeone has now ended all speculation about his future by agreeing a three-year extension.
"This is a very important moment. The club has shown faith in the staff and I really appreciate this," Simeone commented at a press conference.
"I want to thank all the players, both the ones who have left the club and those who opted to stay put. This would not have been possible without them.
"We are all looking forward to the new stadium and it is a great prospect to be part of the opening.
"I chose to be here at Atletico because I believe the club will keep developing. We all hope to enjoy as much success as in recent years."
The successful coach joined Atleti from Racing in December 2011, succeeding Gregorio Manzano, and has since turned the Calderon side into a force to be reckoned with again.
Simeone guided the Madrid side to Europa League glory in his first season in charge, followed by the European Supercup and Copa del Rey in his second year in charge, only to then go on and beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the Liga title in 2013-14 and win the Spanish Supercup this term.
Atletico currently sit fourth in the Liga table, while they are still in the race to win the Champions League, too, having been paired with arch-rivals Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
'Ronaldo must face ban or fine for Clasico celebration'
By Miles Chambers
Mar 25, 2015 09:40:51
LFP chief Javier Tebas believes the Real Madrid forward should be punished for gesturing towards Barcelona fans after his goal in Sunday's Clasico
Cristiano Ronaldo's provocative celebration in the Clasico “must” see him face a fine or suspension, according to La Liga president Javier Tebas.
The Real Madrid forward taunted the Camp Nou crowd with a 'calm down' gesture after scoring the equaliser in Sunday's clash with Barcelona, although Jeremy Mathieu's opener was eventually added to by Luis Suarez.
The LFP chief is adamant players should not bate opposition fans in the way that Ronaldo did and says he will push for the Portugal international to be sanctioned.
"We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators,” Tebas told reporters.
“It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."
If the LFP decide to suspend Ronaldo for one match then he will be absent for their first clash after the international break at home to Granada, though a harsher ban could see him miss games with Rayo Vallecano and Eibar.
In addition to criticising Ronaldo, Tebas also questioned Real Madrid's reluctance to allow the Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona to be played at the Santiago Bernabeu later this season.
“I wish it were the Bernabeu,” he added. “However, it is the decision of the club and we must respect their decision not to allow it, for whatever reason.”
Real Madrid were eliminated from the Copa del Rey at the last-16 stage by Atletico, who were subsequently dumped out of the competition by Barca in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo could face suspension over Clasico celebration
25 March 2015 08:33
Cristiano Ronaldo could face a suspension over his goal celebration in Sunday's Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
The Real Madrid star equalised after Jeremy Mathieu had put Barca in front, only for Luis Suarez to score a second-half winner at Camp Nou.
Ronaldo celebrated his goal by gesturing towards the home fans to 'calm down' in a typically white-hot Clasico atmosphere.
And Spanish football chief Javier Tebas has revealed Ronaldo likely faces sanction, as authorities attempt to clamp down on violent behaviour.
He told supporters: "We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators.
"It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been punished in recent weeks due to chants from their fans about Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in other games.
Real were reprimanded after their fans chanted insults about Messi in a game with Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Barca fans poking fun at Ronaldo's infamous birthday party in the wake of his side's 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid also drew sanction.
Thomas Vermaelen has trained with Barcelona for the first time since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in December, the Liga leaders said on Wednesday.
The Belgian defender has been plagued by injuries since arriving from Arsenal in August and is yet to make an appearance for his new club.
Vermaelen arrived at Camp Nou with a hamstring problem sustained at the World Cup, but made a brief return to training in September.
The 29-year-old looked set to to make his first-team bow later that month, but discovered he would require surgery in November.
Vermaelen is now well on the road to recovery from the procedure and was one of 10 players to participate in training on Wednesday, with the rest of the squad away on international duty.
Defender Raphael Varane says the difficulties at Real Madrid this season have helped him improve as a player.
The France international has been a largely peripheral figure at the Santiago Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti's side have fallen off the pace in La Liga, thanks partly to Sunday's Clasico defeat at Barcelona.
Varane looked set to become a regular in Real's back line, but, with Sergio Ramos and Pepe often preferred, the 21-year-old has spoken of his desire to make his mark on the team.
"I've played less this season with Madrid, but regularly with the national team, which has helped me not to lose rhythm," Varane told La Voix du Nord ahead of France's friendly with Brazil on Thursday.
"I've participated more in the second half of the campaign, but that was when the team was going through a rough patch.
"But it's during tough times that you learn the most. I'm determined to make my mark within the team.
"It's a goal for me that I try to move forward. When you are at Real, it's a challenge every day but I like that - I need these high goals to keep moving forward."
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has announced he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Germany international has fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, making just three league starts for Carlo Ancelotti's men.
And Khedira has now confirmed that he will depart the Spanish capital at the end of the current Liga campaign.
"This is not a decision against Real, but I want to find a new challenge in my career and continue to develop myself," he told Kicker.
"I've had a great time in a great team and I will do everything I can to contribute in the forthcoming weeks."
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Schalke have all been linked with a move for Khedira, but the 27-year-old insists his destination is yet to be decided.
David Villa is hoping for a reunion with former Barcelona team-mate Xavi in MLS, when the midfielder's contract expires.
Villa has made a promising start to his career in the United States with new franchise New York City.
The 33-year-old hopes Xavi will join him in the US, and maybe in New York, rather than choosing to head to the Middle East – with Al Sadd already heavily linked with a move.
"Yes, we have talked about it [moving to MLS] but he is now at Barcelona," said Villa.
"He still has another year of contract. I don't ask him a lot on his future plans and if he tell me it's not normal I made them public.
"Xavi would be suitable in any competition or club all over the world. I am sure everyone of MLS would welcome him nicely.
"Obviously, I would like to have him here but it's just a wish. There are several times in this life you wish something and not always can be done.
"Therefore, it's not something which I can deal with. Hopefully, he will come here but if not, I wish him the best for his future because he is a big friend of mine and a great football player."
Paul Scholes views Gareth Bale as a "natural fit" for Manchester United and thinks the forward could become an Old Trafford "great" if he makes the move from Real Madrid.
World record signing Bale's future has been the subject of speculation after becoming a target for angry Real fans this season.
The Wales forward's car was damaged following the Clasico defeat to Barcelona last weekend and United legend Scholes hopes the 25-year-old will opt to return to the Premier League by joining Louis van Gaal's side.
The former England midfielder wrote in his column in The Indepedent: "My feeling is that he would be perfect for Manchester United,
"Of course, as a fan of my former club I would like to see him there but, looking at it objectively, I always felt that Bale was a natural fit for United as he developed at Tottenham from a left-back into one of the best attacking footballers in the country.
"He would be loved at Old Trafford. In return I believe he could turn Louis van Gaal's team into serious title contenders next season. In my years at United I witnessed some signings who, over their careers, transformed the fortunes of the team.
"From Eric Cantona when I was an apprentice, to Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney. These were great footballers who became great United players. Bale has the potential to make as much of an impact as any of them.
"All good players need to be appreciated. Bale would be coming to United in a time of change when the team is looking for leaders. Madrid will always be in a state of upheaval, with new presidents and a fresh intake of players each summer.
"At United there has also been great change in the past 22 months, but the club is trying to move towards stability in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era."
Bartomeu: Vilanova not to blame for Neymar tax case
By Stefan Coerts
Mar 27, 2015 13:16:52
The Barca chief was interpreted by some as suggesting the legal proceedings are the late coach's fault, but he insists his words have been twisted
Josep Maria Bartomeu has hit out at those who have suggested he was blaming the Neymar tax case on deceased former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova.
The Barca president is facing a potential prison sentence if found guilty of misdemeanours with regards to the financial aspect of Neymar's transfer in 2013 and a video of Bartomeu addressing public prosecutor Judge Ruz emerged on Friday showing him saying it was Vilanova's idea to bring forward the move by a year.
That led to claims Bartomeu was pinning the blame on the coach, who died of cancer in April 2014, but the Barca supremo is claiming his words have been twisted from their original intentions.
"It's a wrong interpretation to say I was blaming Tito," he said. "I don't like people playing with Vilanova's name. I'm disappointed and we are against those who want to tarnish his reputation.
"Sandro Rosell carried out the signing as he was the most known in Brazil. The coach asked us to make sign him as soon as possible and that is how we could sign Neymar one season before.
"Tito is not responsible of anything, just of bringing Neymar to Barca. And that is great, as we are pleased the player is here."
The quotes Bartomeu was referring to were spoken at a hearing in February and Cadena Ser published a video of the Barca chief's explanation.
"We spoke to our coach, who at that time was Tito Vilanova, and he asked me and the then president Sandro Rosell if we could bring forward the signing of Neymar by one year as he felt that the team needed a player with his characteristics," Bartomeu said in legal proceedings with Judge Ruz.
"He wanted to make the signing in 2013 instead of bringing him over in the summer of 2014. The plan was for Neymar to finish the World Cup in Brazil and then move to Barcelona but we wanted to carry out the wishes of the coach.
"Rosell, had a good relationship with his father, spoke to him and we saw how they’d forged a deal to bring him to Barcelona a year ahead of what was originally scheduled.
"The coaches don’t get involved in the price of players. He told us that he only had one match-changing player and wasn’t interested in keeping David Villa. He wanted Villa to leave and that we'd sign Neymar as a striker.
"If Neymar coming wasn’t realistic we’d stick with David Villa who had another year left to run on his contract. We understood the needs of the coach; this happened in New York in February 2013."
Bartomeu then went on to reveal that Rosell was the one who eventually made the deal happen, stressing he did not play any role in the transfer.
"In this case as it was a Brazilian player and, as Sandro had lived there, he knew the market well, so it was Sandro Rosell who dealt in all negotiation with Neymar’s father.
"Did I get involved with any negotiation with Santos or Neymar’s father? No, no. At no point."
