FC Barcelona News: 26 November 2011; Adriano Declared Fit, Montoya and Bartra Close to Extending Contract

Adriano declared fit but Iniesta out for Getafe | FC Barcelona
Adriano joined them for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury ten days ago, and has been declared fit for inclusion in the 20-man squad that will travel to Madrid. Dani Alves also returns after missing the AC Milan game through suspension, and there is also another chance for the B team's Isaac Cuenca.

Barca starlets to sign on | Sky Sports
Barcelona starlets Martin Montoya and Marc Bartra are on the brink of shunning moves to England by signing new contracts at the Camp Nou. The defensive duo have both been linked with moves to the Premier League in recent weeks.

Good ball retention starts from the goalkeeper | Zonal Marking
Keeping possession has become the way to play football. Long ball football is extremely unpopular and broadly unsuccessful, and even counter-attacking is less obvious than before the tiki-taka obsession started with Spain’s Euro 2008 win. Almost every side wants to have possession of the ball for the majority of the game, and a key way to impose this on a side is by getting the goalkeeper to play short. Barcelona’s Victor Valdes is a master of it:

Guardiola: "We have a fascinating build-up to Christmas, and it all starts against Getafe" | FC Barcelona
Josep Guardiola is treating the trip to Getafe very seriously indeed, with some crunch games to come in an action packed December, which includes big journeys to Madrid and Japan. "Between now and Christmas we have a fascinating month ahead of us, and everything clearly begins tomorrow," he said.

For me it's clear who should succeed Pep Guardiola at Barcelona - and it's not Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho, says Johan Cruyff - Goal.com
"Guardiola is renewing his contract yearly and that's normal," Cruyff was quoted as saying by Spanish news agency EFE. "But as long as he is happy he will stay at Barca." When he does leave, however, the Dutchman claims he has earmarked the ideal candidate to succeed the 40-year-old, who is already the most successful coach in the history of the Catalan club.

Jose Mourinho 'wanted Pep Guardiola as assistant' at Barcelona - ESPN Soccernet
Jose Mourinho wanted Pep Guardiola as his assistant had he been given the job as Barcelona manager, according to former Barca vice-president Marc Ingla. Ingla claimed Mourinho was in the frame to replace Frank Rijkaard, whose tenure as Barca coach finished at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Keeper hoping for Barca switch | Sky Sports
Argentina starlet Esteban Andrada is hoping that Barcelona come back in for him again after they failed to sign him from Lanus last season. The 20-year-old goalkeeper was on the verge of moving to Camp Nou in the summer only for the two clubs to fail to reach an agreement.

Xabi Alonso won't force a yellow card against Atletico Madrid because only Real Madrid players aren't allowed to, says Jose Mourinho - Goal.com
"He is not going to force a booking tomorrow because every game is important to us and Real Madrid players are the only ones who aren't allowed to force a yellow card. "Xabi is a very important player and that's why he plays most of the time. He feels strong and biological age isn't important in many cases.

Mourinho hails strike duo | Sky Sports
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is delighted to have both of his main forwards Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain on song ahead of the derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Benzema has scored seven times in the Primera Liga and four in the UEFA Champions League, while Higuain has bagged 11 goals in the league and one in Europe's premier club competition.

Falcao to miss the derby | LFP
Atlético de Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has lost his battle to reach the required level of fitness for Saturday's derby, which sees the rojiblancos visiting Real Madrid. The forward trained apart on Friday, alongside Antonio López, Tiago and Pizzi, and only the latter was, finally, deemed fit enough to be called up and included on Manzano's list.