FC Barcelona News: 3 February 2012; Players Train for Real Sociedad Clash, Oier Olazábal to Extend Contract

Frigid post-Cup training session | FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona first team was greeted by Catalonia’s frigid weather as they trotted out to the pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The cold, which has settled on the Catalan capital, forced the players to train in coats, stocking caps, and gloves. The only player to don shorts was Dani Alves.

Spotlight on Real Sociedad | FC Barcelona
Real Sociedad are based in the Basque city of San Sebastian - or Donosti in Basque- and are one of Spain’s most famous clubs, founded more than a century ago. They won their two league titles between 1980 and 1982 – a golden era for the club -and in 2007 they were relegated after 40 consecutive seasons in the top flight. Three years later they were back and last year they finished 15th in the league.

Puyol's double 'ruleta' | FC Barcelona
Carles Puyol, the man that brought Barça level on goals with Valencia, also offered a fine display of skill with a double ‘ruleta’ (as they say in Catalonia). The defender spun past Albelda and then Rami in the 63rd minute.

Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez match fit for Real Sociedad clash - report - Goal.com
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has received some promising news from the treatment table in the build-up to the upcoming La Liga match against Real Sociedad, as versatile attacker Alexis Sanchez has been deemed match fit, Sport reports.

Thiago Alcantara insists Barcelona does not depend on Lionel Messi - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports
"Messi was a born winner," Thiago told a news conference. "Yesterday, he was brave enough to take the ball and take the responsibility for the penalty. He did not score, but that is not a problem. We have the best player in the world amongst us, but we do not depend on him.

Oier Olazábal to renew contract with FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona and the Barça B keeper Oierl Olazábal have agreed to extend the player’s contract through the 2014/15 season. The keeper’s buyout clause will be set at 12 million euros while he remains a Barça B player and climb to 30 million when he’s promoted to the first team.

Keita once rejected Real | Sky Sports
"Barcelona had had three complicated years," Keita told L'Equipe. "Many people advised me not to sign for them. "I had advanced contact with Real Madrid and Juventus and both those clubs were putting pressure to sign me and offered me more money. "But I had given my word to [then Barca technical secretary] Txiki Begiristain."

Valencia's Soldado: Barcelona president's comments influenced referee - Goal.com
Soldado has now claimed that Pinto's offence was clear and suggested that the match official had elected to give the Barca man the benefit of the doubt because of Rosell's outburst. "Here when our president speaks and complains about referees it is not taken into account," the striker is quoted as saying by Marca. "But it would not surprise me if the words of Rosell influenced the referee's decision not to whistle for the hand ball.

Just two defeats after 1-1 in away leg | FC Barcelona
The stats certainly support the idea that a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg of a Cup tie is a positive result for Barça, with the team knocked out on just two occasions after similar results and going through in the other five ties.

Liga - Paper Round: Mourinho wants Chelsea return - Yahoo! Eurosport
The Sun cites one of the Portuguese manager's "closest confidantes" as saying: "Jose is leaving Real Madrid for sure and going back to England for sure." Mourinho's plan, apparently, is to become the first manager to win the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga by guiding Real Madrid to the title this season: "When that is done, Jose will tell all his critics in Spain to 'f*** off!' and go happily back to England."

Real Madrid's Esteban Granero: We must not be complacent at Getafe - ESPN Soccernet
Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero has urged his team-mates not to underestimate Getafe ahead of this Saturday's trip across the city to the Coliseum. "The cushion we have in La Liga will not be a reason for us to relax," Granero told Real Madrid's official website. "We know we still have to play practically the entirety of the return leg and many of our games will be like finals.

La Liga: Jose Luis Caminero delighted with Diego Simeone - ESPN Soccernet
Atletico Madrid sporting director Jose Luis Caminero has hailed the confidence instilled in the team by new coach Diego Simeone. The Argentinian has steered Atletico to three straight wins and a fourth, over third-placed Valencia on Sunday night, will leave the Rojiblancos just four points behind them.

Agent suggests Giuseppe Rossi may seek Villarreal exit - ESPN Soccernet
"At the age of 25 he has the desire to win something and to do that you need to be playing in an important club," Pastorello said. "I'm not saying that Villarreal are not an important club, but to win the Champions League or a championship then you have to be playing for one of the top five or six clubs in the world."

Sao Paulo: Nilmar deal has collapsed - Goal.com
This culminated on Thursday, when Sao Paulo director of football Adalberto Baptista explained that the Brazilians were pulling out of negotiations. "Unfortunately there was no agreement with the player's agent to ensure the negotiation's success, which for now has led us to pull out of the deal," the official affirmed in a statement published by Globoesporte.