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The wait is over. After the international break La Liga finally returns with FC Barcelona playing Racing Santander (Saturday, 20.00 CEST). Yesterday the Spanish Super Cup draw was held and Barca were pitted against L’Hospitalet. L’Hospitalet are a Segunda División B side located to the immediate southwest of Barcelona. In football unrelated news, Barca fan favorite Hristo Stoichkov was named honorary consul for the Bulgarian government in Barcelona.
Barça to play L’Hospitalet in the cup | FCBarcelona.cat
This is the first time these sides have ever met in an official fixture, although they did meet on a semi-official basis in last season’s Copa Catalunya, when Barça beat the Division 2B club 2-0 with goals from Dos Santos and Soriano in what was a largely meaningless game, as Espanyol had already secured the trophy.
Focussed on Racing | FCBarcelona.cat
Cesc Fàbregas was also back on the field to continue his recovery programme. He was joined by another injured player, Alexis Sánchez, who already did some rehabilitation work on the pitch the day before.
Pep Guardiola: I understand Bojan Krkic's disappointment with Barcelona - Goal.com
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has responded to Roma striker Bojan Krkic who said he would never go back to Camp Nou. "He [Bojan] did everything to help us. I have good memories of him and I understand his disappointment as I used to play football too," Guardiola told the press.
Barcelona interested in Valencia's Jordi Alba - report - Goal.com
The 22-year-old defender has established himself as one of the most in-demand players in La Liga after an impressive start to the season at Valencia. Barca coach Pep Guardiola is reportedly keeping an eye on Jordi Alba, who spent part of his youth career at Camp Nou, as he plans to solve his problems at left-back.coach
Stoichkov made Bulgaria consul in Barcelona - FourFourTwo
Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov was officially made Bulgaria's honorary consul in Spain's north-eastern provinces of Catalonia and Aragon on Friday. "Mr. Stoichkov, welcome to our team," said Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov at the official ceremony.
Banned from the stadiums - How Spanish radio has been affected by the Premier League's efficiency in monetising football - Goal.com
The difference between TV and the written press is that newspapers and magazines are held to be providers of information, while TV provides entertainment. Hence football believed that, just as broadcasters pay rights fees for music as entertainment, so they should pay for match coverage (also in consideration of the logistical upheaval demanded within stadia).
Madrid draw minnows Ponferradina - Yahoo! Eurosport
Tiny Ponferradina were drawn against holders Real Madrid and another third-tier side Hospitalet were pitched against Barcelona in the draw for the last 32 of Spain's Copa del Rey. Segunda B's Ponferradina are from the town of Ponferrada in north-west Spain, whose population of around 70,000 would fit inside the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the home of the world´s richest club by income.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho confirms that Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to face Real Betis on Saturday - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has stated that star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has shaken off a knock, and will play against Real Betis on Saturday.The former Manchester United forward played for Portugal in the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Iceland and Denmark, despite medical staff stating he needed a rest.
Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho rejects Portugal links - Goal.com
However, the former Inter boss claims there has not been an approach from his country's national team this time around. "That is one big lie," he told reporters at a press conference. "It does not make sense. It is clear to me, to the federation and to Madrid that it is impossible.
Jose Mourinho is 'best coach in the world', says Fabio Coentrao - ESPN Soccernet
Fabio Coentrao has described Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho as "the best coach in the world". "Mourinho is the best coach in the world. He is special and is a fantastic person," he told Real Madrid TV. "Mourinho means a lot to me. He was the one who wanted me to play for Madrid and I admire him greatly."