FC Barcelona News: 11 January 2012; Seydou Keita Leaves for Africa Cup of Nations, Soriano Could Leave for Benfica

How Pep Guardiola unlocked the secret to Lionel Messi’s magical powers at Barcelona| Sport360
The outstanding tactical decision of Guardiola’s coaching career came in May 2009 when he surprisingly moved Lionel Messi in from the wing to play centrally as a 'false nine' for the first time in a big game. Messi was outstanding as Barca destroyed Madrid 6-2 at the Bernabéu and within weeks they had wrapped up an unprecedented La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble.

Puyol: "Five points is an important distance but it's recoverable" | FC Barcelona
During today’s press conference, FC Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol, talked about Barça’s current situation in the Liga after the one-all draw at Cornellà-El Prat, a result that leaves the Catalans five points adrift of Real Madrid. "Five points is an important distance, but there’s still a long way go." Puyol is aware that his team’s margin of error is getting smaller and that Barça is forced "to falter as little as possible."

First training session of the week, Keita en route to Africa Cup of Nations | FC Barcelona
Seydou Keita was the main absentee today. He is with the Mali national team getting ready for the African Nations Cup which starts on the 21st in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Whenever he returns depends on how the side performs, in a tournament where they share a group with Ghana, Botswana and host nation Equatorial Guinea.

Soriano happy with Benfica link - Soccerway
Jonathan Soriano believes he will not receive a contract extension at Barcelona, and has described a move to Benfica as a 'good solution'. The former Espanyol forward is out of contract at the end of the 2011/12 season and considers there to be little chance of an extension.

Santos' Neymar: I did not meet with Barcelona on Tuesday - Goal.com
Santos forward Neymar has stated that he did not hold talks with Barcelona on Tuesday. Spanish sources had claimed that Raul Sanllehi, director of football for the Catalan giants, had met with Neymar in Barcelona, where the Brazilian sensation spent the day shooting a commercial for a sponsor.

Copa del Rey: Benzema secures Madrid's progress - ESPN Soccernet
Real Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Tuesday night - and a probable clash against Barcelona - by seeing off Malaga.Leading 3-2 after last week's first leg, they wrapped up an aggregate 4-2 victory courtesy of Karim Benzema's 72nd-minute goal.

Real Madrid's Sami Khedira sustains ankle injury during Copa del Rey win over Malaga - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could have to make do without the services of holding midfielder Sami Khedira after the Germany international sustained an ankle injury during his side's 1-0 Copa del Rey last-16 win over Malaga on Tuesday.It's not yet exactly known how long Khedira will be unavailable due to the ankle problem as he has yet to undergo further examination to clarify the extent of the injury.ankle

Real Madrid keen to ship Esteban Granero out on loan - report - Goal.com
Real Madrid are trying to find a club to loan Esteban Granero out to, SER Deportivos reports. The 24-year-old attacker has been strongly linked with a new challenge after a disappointing start to his third season at the Santiago Bernabeu, with only seven competitive appearances to date.

Valladolid want 'solid offer' | Sky Sports
Rangers boss Ally McCoist has confirmed his interest in Guerra, who boasts an impressive strike rate for second division side Valladolid. Reports have claimed the 29-year-old would cost in the region of £2million and Valladolid's technical secretary Alberto Marcos is waiting for offers.

Courtois wants to extend loan deal - Yahoo! Eurosport
The Belgian joined Atletico on a season-long loan last summer but he is hopeful he can spend another season in Spain. He told reporters at a news conference: "a second year would be fine" and added: "That is a decision that depends on Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and me."