FC Barcelona News: 21 January 2012; Many Question Pepe's Sincerity, David Villa's Recovery Going Well

Finally there is some good news on the injury front as Pedro trained without limitations this morning. He hasn't been given the all-clear from the medical staff yet, but considering the lack of option for the front three, Pedro should be named to the 18-man squad for the La Liga game against Malaga. Meanwhile Andreu Fontas underwent surgery this morning. Fontas is expected to miss four months and is not going to play again this season.

The agent of Barcelona B midfielder Marti Riverola has stated that the promising youngster will leave Barcelona in the summer. He will join Italian Serie A side Bologna in June and will sign a 4 year contract. The deal has also been confirmed by the president of Bologna, Albano Guaraldi.

Barcelona's Pep Guardiola celebrates 41st birthday with technical staff - Goal.com
Barca's incredible run in 2011 saw Guardiola win the Coach of the Year award earlier this month, and the retired midfielder made sure to tell his staff just how important they are. "You are a group of excellent professionals, you are vital to make this team work," Guardiola told his co-workers "I need you all. "Thanks to you, I have the strength to continue, you motivate me to keep going.

David Villa’s condition improving | FC Barcelona
The Asturian has been describing his road to recovery on social networking sites and this Friday published a picture of himself on an exercise bike, along with a text saying "It's a month since the operation and I'm able to pedal a bike. The leg is getting better each day and I'm getting stronger".

Barcelona's Carles Villarrubi: No-one believes what Real Madrid's Pepe said - Goal.com
"Pepe tried to make a rectification that does not exist," Villarrubi told RAC1. "He did not say that he made a mistake, only that he did not wish to do it. "No-one believes that." Vilarrubi added that Madrid are to blame for the situation as he believes that los Blancos are too lenient when handling aggressive incidents.

Joan Gaspart: Real Madrid's Pepe should apologise properly for his stamp on Barcelona's Lionel Messi - Goal.com
The centre-half issued a statement on Thursday saying that while he was sorry for any offence caused, he had not deliberately stamped on Messi. Gaspart is having none of it, though, and has pleaded with Pepe to admit he has done wrong. "He still has time to apologise," the former Barcelona president told AS. "And not in this kind of 'light' manner, where he is almost saying, 'Well, [I'm sorry] if you were offended ...'

Schedule confirmed for three matchdays | FC Barcelona
Barça have been handed their La Liga schedule for matchdays 22, 23, and 24 - corresponding with the games against Real Sociedad, Osasuna, and Valencia. Barça B also knows when they will have to face Villareal B, Cartagena, and Deportivo.

Pele: Messi is not at my level | Football365
Pele added: "He's a great player for Barcelona, but when he plays for Argentina he doesn't have the same success. "The three-time World Cup winner admits Messi has matched him in technique, but was quick to point out that he was a complete forward who could shoot with both feet and head the ball with accuracy.

Former Barcelona playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme in awe of 'amazing' Andres Iniesta - Goal.com
The 33-year-old Boca Juniors star also expressed his admiration for a number of Iniesta's team-mates, including Lionel Messi and Xavi, but he feels that Spain's World Cup final hero has effectively redefined what constitutes effective midfield play. "To do what Iniesta does is amazing," Riquelme is quoted as saying by SPORT. "Playing well is to play as he plays for Barcelona."

Real Madrid defender Pepe to miss two weeks of action - report - Goal.com
Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to miss the next two weeks for his side with a hamstring problem, according Marca.The Portuguese defender was substituted during the game with a hamstring strain, although Jose Mourinho was unhappy with his player's performance, after his poor marking allowed Carles Puyol to get the Catalan side back on level terms.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Michel: It is too late for Pepe to change - Goal.com
"I think it is too late for Pepe now," Michel told Radio Marca. "This is a complicated situation, it will bring prejudice. "He says he is sorry. A player can make a mistake and he does not know why it happened. I have seen Pepe regret what he did to Casquero and three years have passed since then. "It is surely too late for him to change."

Jose Mourinho: Equaliser the killer blow in El Classico - ESPN Soccernet
"We were winning 1-0 and that is a great result at home in a two-legged tie, but then we concede a goal from a dead ball and you cannot do that against a side with the quality of Barcelona," Mourinho said. "After that it is normal that our players were a little bit deflated and their players get a great boost from a goal just after half-time, and that was the key to the game."

Màlaga CF: Ambition to be great | FC Barcelona
Barça’s opponent this Sunday, Málaga, was one of the most active teams in the transfer market this summer. Since 2010, coinciding with the influx of investors from Doha, the Andalusian team has succeeded in securing big-name transfers. Men like Baptista, Demichelis or Maresca, and the manager Manuel Pellegrini, arrived at the Club last season.

Koke to leave Rayo | LFP
Sergio Contreras Pardo, known as 'Koke', has severed his links with Rayo Vallecano, according to an announcement made on the official club web-site. The player signed for the madrileño team in the summer of 2011 and has made five Liga BBVA appearances for them, scoring once.

Apoño moves to Zaragoza | LFP
Antonio Galdeano Benítez, nicknamed 'Apoño', has become Zargoza's third signing of the winter window. The midfielder has gone on loan from Málaga to the Aragonese club until the end of the season, as both clubs have announced on their web-sites, and will re-join the Andalusians on July 1st.