Twenty defenders pre-selected for the FIFA FIFPro 2012 team: Alba, Alves, Mascherano, Piqué and Puyol | FC Barcelona
FIFPro and FIFA have revealed the list of 20 defenders who have been selected for the FIFA FIFPro 2012 World XI. The chosen four -the four best defenders of 2012- will be presented at the Ballon D’Or Gala to be held on January 7th 2013
Tito ‘managing the dressing room’ | Football Espana
"Between Pep Guardiola and Vilanova there are hardly any differences, the two have always known what Barcelona is," reflected the Dutchman in unveiling his latest book this week. They understood that the most important thing is that they are a team and everyone has a place and a role. To Coach a team like Barca you should not teach anything to the group."
Xavi confident of signing a new contract at Barcelona - ESPN FC
Xavi's current deal at Barca runs until 2014, with an option to renew for two more seasons. In September his agent Ivan Corretja told Catalan television that negotiations had begun to extend this deal, while the player told the club website on Thursday that both sides were making an effort to come to an agreement.
Champions League: Possible opponents in the last 16 round | FC Barcelona
Malaga, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United have all won their groups and like Barça, they will be drawn against a second place team. Only two sides have already been confirmed as runners up in their groups – AC Milan and Real Madrid and since teams from the same federation can’t be drawn against each other in the last 16, the Italians are, for the moment, the only possible opponents for Barça.
I have no relationship with Ronaldo outside of football, says Xabi Alonso - Goal.com
"Between him and me there is appreciation and professional respect," he told ETB. "Clearly not everyone in the locker room are friends of mine and outside there is almost no relationship between us. But inside the dressing room, we get along. Cristiano is no diva."
Del Bosque: Atletico have a real chance of beating Real Madrid - Goal.com
"[Atletico] are playing like a team and of course I think they have a real chance of winning at the Bernabeu," the 61-year-old told reporters. "Atletico's role makes our league more exciting. Obviously we have two huge clubs, Madrid and Barcelona, but 'Atleti' is there in the mix.
Garcia sends holders through | Sky Sports Football
Holders Atletico Madrid booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Hapoel Tel-Aviv at the Vicente Calderon. Raul Garcia's fifth goal of the season after just seven minutes was enough to take all three points as the Spanish side were not punished for their profligacy in front of goal.
Levante claim last 32 spot | Sky Sports Football
Levante ensured their first adventure into European football will continue into the New Year as they comfortably saw off Helsingborg to progress through to the last-32 of the Europa League.
Athletic Bilbao out of Europa League | Football Espana
But despite their match not going ahead, the San Mames side have still been eliminated from the competition. Sparta Prague and Olympique Lyonnais drew 1-1 in the Czech capital, which means with two games remaining the Basque club can only get a maximum of seven points, whereas Vitezslav Lavcika's men are currently second in the group with eight points.