FC Barcelona News: 6 October 2011; Puyol Feared for his Career, Montoya to Extend Contract, Mourinho and Vilanova Suspended

Thiago, a Guardiola fixture | FCBarcelona.cat
He’s winning his place, game after game. Thiago Alcantara, thanks to his hard work, commitment, and tactical discipline, in addition to his extraordinary talent as a footballer, is surprising almost everyone. The son of the Brazilian World Cup winning international, Mazinho (1994), is already, at the start of the season, a Guardiola fixture.

Martin Montoya set to sign Barcelona contract extension until 2014 - report - Goal.com
Martin Montoya is on the verge of signing a new contract with Barcelona after agreeing terms on a two-year extension to his current deal, Sport reports. The defender's contract is due to expire at the end of the season and both sides had been in talks about a new deal for several months.

Lionel Messi, a goal scoring machine | FCBarcelona.cat
14 goals in 11 official matches. Top goalscorer in the current League season, a player who has scored more goals in the history of the Spanish Super Cup, second top scorer in Barça history, tied with the legendary Kubala, and in the Champions League he’s already amongst the twelve players with most goals scored this year

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol feared injury would end his career - ESPN Soccernet
"It's been eight months of suffering," Puyol told Spanish TV station Antena3. "It was a bad time because I didn't see a solution. "I lost the strength in the leg and I couldn't play. It even went through my head to have to leave football.''

Mourinho banned and fined for eye poke - ESPN Soccernet
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have handed Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho a two-match ban for poking Barcelona's assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye during the Spanish Super Cup.Vilanova has been given a one-game ban after reacting and slapping Mourinho during a mass brawl and both men have been fined €600.

Maragall visits training session | FCBarcelona.cat
Pasqual Maragall, ,who was President of Catalonia between 2003 and 2006 was present at pitch number three of the Ciutat Esportiva this morning, as Guardiola put the remnant s of his first team squad through their paces with the B team players. Sr Maragall spoke after the session with Guardiola, Iniesta Pinto and Maxwell.

Returning star Higuain gives Mourinho selection headache - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Or should that be for Higuain to exploit - all the more impressive since the Argentine had started just one game since being injured a year ago and was only selected as the usual front man because Karim Benzema was out with a thigh strain. Higuain didn't disappoint, just as he hasn't for much of his career.

Malaga's Martin Demichelis faints during Argentina training session - Goal.com
An ambulance was immediately on hand to attend to the player, but Demichelis came around and was given fluids by team doctor Daniel Martinez. He then gingerly got to his feet and walked slowly to the dressing room, giving a thumbs-up sign to confirm that there was no problem.