FC Barcelona News: 3 October 2011; Barcelona Victorious, Abidal Injured

Barcelona labour to table-topping win - Yahoo! Eurosport
Barcelona usurped Levante at the top of the La Liga table on goal difference after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon at El Molinon. Pep Guardiola's side were in front as early as the 12th minute courtesy of a strike from Adriano and, despite a relatively sluggish and lethargic showing, the Spanish champions preserved their slender lead throughout.

Abidal out for between 7 and 10 days | FCBarcelona.cat
Eric Abidal suffered a hamstring strain during the game against Sporting and will be out for between seven and ten days . The French international defender picked up the injury on 54 minutes of tonight’s game and after coming off, club doctors diagnosed a strain in his left thigh.

Cosmetic changes at Barcelona not necessarily for the better - SI.com
It didn't start with "an exciting interpretation of the 3-4-3 formation," but Barcelona admitted a move from pop to pretension with that teaser. As brilliant as Pep Guardiola's team has been at times this season its winks at the pantheon have left it the kind of self-conscious that can be crippling.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho asks reporter to speak Spanish, not Catalan in press conference - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has asked a reporter to pose him a question in Castilian Spanish as opposed to Catalan following his side's 4-0 victory over Espanyol in Barcelona, Marca reports. Mourinho understands Catalan from his time as assistant to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Real Madrid's arch rivals, Barcelona, but his visits to Catalunya since his departure from Camp Nou have been less than amicable.

Real Madrid fine Jose Mourinho for failing to wear official suit - report - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been fined on at least three occasions for failing to wear the club's official suit, El Periodico de Catalunya reports. Mourinho has often preferred to wear his own suit, flouting rules which state that he should wear only official Real Madrid suits. The coach's staff have also refrained from dressing in the expected clothing.

Caballero sets new record | LFP
Málaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero has broken the club record for going the longest time withouit receiving a goal. The Argentinean has gone 479 minutes unbeaten, to break the previous record of 429 minutes set by 'Koke' Contreras in the 2002-2003 season.