RBNY vs. FCB tickets
What does the best club in Europe do in the offseason? They reload.
This past week, reigning UEFA Champions League winner FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls' opponent on Aug. 12 at Giants Stadium, signed two standout players who featured prominently in the 2006 World Cup Final: Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta and France's Lilian Thuram.
The friendly between the two sides is coming fast and the additions of Zambrotta and Thuram have only added even more star power to the game.
Likely to feature in almost any Starting 11 in the world, Zambrotta and Thuram have the ability to stifle the best attacks. They are now among 13 Barcelona players who played in the World Cup - a list that includes two-time reigning World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, 19-year-old Argentine Lionel Messi and Mexico national team captain Rafael Marquez.
"They're two very good players," said Red Bulls interim head coach Richie Williams of Zambrotta and Thuram. "Barcelona, being one of the biggest clubs in the world, is able to bring the best players in. They already have a full set of stars and then they bring two more in and it's just going to add to their success."
Zambrotta, a former Juventus player, is known for his dynamic and tireless runs up and down the wing, serving up dangerous crosses with ease at full back. He was instrumental in helping Italy win their fourth World Cup this summer and was part of a defense that only conceded two goals throughout the entire tournament. Also, he is the only Italian player who saw action in the recent World Cup on Barcelona's current roster.
A French international with 121 caps for his country, Thuram enjoyed a renaissance during the 2006 World Cup, as he was universally touted as one of the best defenders in the competition. A part of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning sides, the veteran 34-year-old looks to bolster the already-stingy FC Barcelona defense.
"He's obviously very solid in the back and France had a great showing going to the World Cup final," Williams said. "You can see he's fit and he's still at it, so he'll be playing for at least two, three more years."
With only days left, seats are quickly selling for the Red Bulls-Barcelona showdown, so order your tickets now!
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And, for local soccer clubs, attending the Red Bulls-Barcelona match could net you the ENTIRE natural grass soccer field used for that game in Red Bull New York's "Field of Dreams" promotion. Click here for more information.
