FC Barcelona News: 27 January 2012; Valencia Set Up Barça Clash, Lionel Messi Interviewed by TIME

Interview: Lionel Messi on His Sport, Cristiano Ronaldo — and Argentina - TIME
On the field, he shows little of the petulance and amateur dramatics of so many soccer players, including one or two in Barcelona colors. When he scores, he always raises two forefingers to the sky, dedicating the goal to his late grandmother. When he's fouled, he rarely — rarely — exaggerates his pain: he's too much in a hurry to get the ball back at his feet.

Cup semifinal schedule, confirmed | FC Barcelona
The schedule for the King’s Cup semifinal matches have been set. FC Barcelona, whose opponent will come out of tonight’s Levante-Valencia match, will play the first leg away from the Camp Nou. The first match will be played on Wednesday, February 1 at 21.00. While the return match at the Camp Nou will take place a week later, Wednesday the 8th, also at 21.00.

Cesc: "The Cup win will strengthen us" | FC Barcelona
According to the Catalan midfielder: "we are where we wanted to be – in the Cup semi-final, sitting second and trying to catch Madrid in the league and waiting for the Champions to start again". Cesc Fàbregas also reflected on the two quarter final games - full of incident and in the balance right till the end – claiming: "I'm proud of the team over the whole 180 minutes".

Tears, dull eyes & thousand-yard stares - how Barcelona reacted to losing last season's Copa del Rey to Real Madrid - Goal.com
The night was topped off by the footage which zipped around the world of Sergio Ramos dropping the trophy as Madrid’s bus toured the capital en route to their traditional place of celebration, Los Cibeles, and the trophy emerging battered from under the wheels. It was a metaphor for how Barca felt.

Recovery work after last night’s game | FC Barcelona
There were plenty of happy faces on the training ground this morning following last night's qualification for the Cup semi final. That titanic battle obviously took a lot out of the players and this morning they basically did recover work, whilst Iniesta and Alexis – both injured against Madrid – were not at the session.

Andoni Zubizarreta: Isaac Cuenca will soon sign a new deal with Barcelona - Goal.com
The Spain Under-21 international has an expiring deal at Camp Nou, and clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are believed to be closely monitoring Cuenca's situation. Nevertheless, Barcelona are not afraid that the youngster will leave the club this summer and expect Cuenca to sign a new deal shortly.

FCB Escola starts operating in Indonesia | FC Barcelona
The FCB Escola project is continuing to expand around the world. On Tuesday in Jakarta the project was presented for two new FC Barcelona soccer schools in Indonesia. One will be a residential training centre for children aged between 12 and 18 on the outskirts of the capital. The other school will be for children aged between 5 and 12.

Valencia thrash Levante, set up Barca tie - Yahoo! Eurosport
Aritz Aduriz set the 2008 Cup winners on their way to a 3-0 quarter-final, second leg victory from Piatti's pull-back after 25 minutes before the provider turned scorer five minutes later, sprinting clear to net in a one-on-one. The Argentine midfielder wrapped up the win at Levante's Ciutat de Valencia stadium near the end after the hosts' new signing Oscar Serrano was sent off on his debut, 18 minutes from time.

Unai Emery: Valencia can beat Barcelona in Copa del Rey semi-finals - Goal.com
Emery admits that Barca, who defeated Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, will be a difficult opponent, but insists his side's chances must not be written off. "Yes, it will be hard," he said after the match. "But we can do it. We will try. "In terms of motivation, yes, we will be favourites."

Mourinho's 20 million reasons not to quit - Yahoo! Eurosport
But Lopez's newspaper AS has now reported that Mourinho will have to pay his employers an incredible 20 million euros - or two years' salary - if he walks out on them. The contractual clause cuts both ways, however: should Mourinho's employers axe the Portuguese coach for his apparent inability to get the better of Barcelona, they would have to pay him the same amount.

Real Madrid to appeal Sergio Ramos card, Sergio Busquets slammed - ESPN Soccernet
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has revealed that the club will be appealing his sending off in Wednesday night's El Clasico against rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. "I am happy that the club are appealing my second yellow card because even though some don't stop rolling around [on the turf], I didn't touch him [Busquets]," the defender wrote.

Juventus confirm Sevilla's Martin Caceres undergoes medical - Goal.com
Juventus have revealed on their official website that Sevilla defender Martin Caceres is currently undergoing a medical at the club, and will sign a contract with the Old Lady upon passing his physical tests.

Sevilla put off by Tottenham's 'exorbitant' Giovani Dos Santos fee - ESPN Soccernet
Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has ruled out a potential move for Giovani Dos Santos, claiming that the wantaway Tottenham forward is too expensive. Dos Santos, 22, has played just 14 games for Spurs in four seasons and is desperate to leave White Hart Lane in search of first-team football.

Simeone seeking new talent | Sky Sports
Diego Simeone is keen to add some new faces to his Atletico Madrid squad before the end of the January transfer window and says there is still plenty of time for deals to be done. The Argentinian - who made more than 100 appearances for Madrid as a player - took control of the Primera Liga club last month, but has yet to put his own stamp on the team by signing any new recruits.