FC Barcelona News: 12 January 2012; Maxwell Set to Join PSG, Iniesta and Alves out Against Osasuna

Barça to travel to Pamplona without Iniesta, Alves, and Maxwell | FC Barcelona
It was during this training session when Dani Alves felt some discomfort in his right leg and has been left out of the squad for the game on Thursday, as a precaution. Also not selected are Iniesta and Maxwell, who have not been called up for technical reasons. Cuenca, Montoya, and Sergi Roberto are all in the squad.

Guardiola: "We must think that we still have work to do" | FC Barcelona
The manager remembers the problems suffered by the team last season in the same round of the competition against Betis, despite the 5-0 win in the first leg, and opted for a more cautious approach. "Last season Betis did what they did. The Cup is very special. There are 90 minutes left and Osasuna have their virtues, which we already know about. It's our duty to think that we still have work to do," he said.

Xavi, you have company – Paolo Maldini, Thierry Henry, Raul & the greatest players never to win the Ballon d'Or - Goal.com
This writer's fascination with the genius that is Xavi is well known – I label the little Catalan as the "best centre midfielder of all time". While Xavi's (as well as Barcelona and Spain's) style of play – which positions technique and talent above legs and lungs – means that he could conceivably remain world class for another two or three years yet, there is no doubt that he is likely to end his career without Ballon d'Or gold.

The Question: Will the three-year rule do for Barcelona? | guardian.co.uk
To suggest Barcelona are in decline is, of course, premature, but the fact remains that they are now five points behind Real Madrid. They beat them impressively enough before Christmas to suggest they remain, by some distance, the better team, but to have failed to win five of eight games away from home this season is more than a blip.

Barça will display the World Club Champions logo in Pamplona | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will display, on Thursday in Pamplona, ​​in the Cup match against Osasuna, the World Club Champions logo, awarded to the winners of the FIFA Club World Cup. Barça can wear this distinction on their shirts in all games played until after the end of the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. The gold emblem, which will include the Club World Cup and the inscription "World Champions 2011," will be located above the Qatar Foundation logo.

Initial agreement with PSG for the transfer of Maxwell | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have come to a preliminary agreement to transfer Maxwell to the French team. The Brazilian will travel to Paris this afternoon, with the Club’s permission, to finalize the details of his new contract with PSG. Once Maxwell and PSG resolve the Brazilian’s contractual details, he will undergo a medical exam and the transfer will become official.

Guardiola: Barca's major weakness - Yahoo! Eurosport
"In other years it has not been like this: we have to improve away from home. "Winning means that if you score the first goal you do not rest but look to find a second. If not, we lose points. He added: "Away from home we do not have the numbers to be champions and we have to behave differently.

Afellay returns to Barcelona after completing part of his recovery process in the Netherlands | FC Barcelona
The big news on Wednesday at the Training Ground was Ibrahim Afellay, who has returned to Barcelona to continue his personal recovery and physiotherapy work plan. Coinciding with the first team's trip to Japan for the World Club Championships, it was decided that the Dutchman would continue his recovery process in the Netherlands under the supervision of the Club's Medical Services. As planned, Afellay has returned to Barcelona this Wednesday.

Barcelona closing in on Valencia's Jordi Alba - report - Goal.com
The Catalans first showed an interest in Alba ahead of the 2011-12 campaign, but they decided not to make an offer for the Spain international back then. Nevertheless, Barcelona are now back in for Alba and have reportedly already informed the defender of their intentions to lure him back to Camp Nou. Alba is a product of the Barcelona youth academy, but left the Blaugrana in the summer of 2005.

Khedira likely to miss Copa tie - Yahoo! Eurosport
"We are talking about an injury that could keep the player out for about a month," club doctor Alfonso del Corral told local radio after Real published the results of tests on the ankle on their website. Khedira had to be replaced by his Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil just before half-time at the Rosaleda following a heavy challenge from Malaga defender Sergio Sanchez.

Alfredo Di Stefano: Real Madrid fans have the right to jeer Cristiano Ronaldo - Goal.com
"The whistles against Cristiano Ronaldo? The people in the crowd are the ones who pay, and they are always right," said Di Stefano to Agencia Atlas. "If the spectators demand from the players that they do their utmost and score goals, the players shouldn't question this. "The fans are always right. If they whistle or jeer someone, it's because they want him to be effective."

Copa del Rey round-up | Sky Sports
Valencia, Levante and Epsanyol all booked their places in the last eight of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Valencia came through their clash with Sevilla on away goals after a 2-1 defeat saw them draw 2-2 on aggregate. Valencia will now face Levante, after they progressed with a 4-0 win over Alcoron, which came after they lost the first leg 2-1.

Espanyol confirm they are in negotiations with Malaga over the sale of Carlos Kameni - Goal.com
Espanyol have confirmed that they are in talks with Malaga over the possible sale of Carlos Kameni. The Cameroon international is not part of coach Mauricio Pochettino's plans, and is yet to make a first-team appearance this season, with Cristian Alvarez the Barcelona-based team's number one.