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FC Barcelona News: 18 March 2011; Barcelona Drawn Against Shakhtar Donetsk, Messi Back In Training

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Successful surgery for Abidal | ESPN
"During the operation, which lasted for approximately three hours, the medical team removed the tumour through laparoscopic surgery without any complications," a Barca statement read.

Messi in the penultimate session | FCBarcelona
Pedro, with a hernia, Maxwell, with a groin strain, and Puyol were all out for fitness reasons, as well as Abidal, who successfully underwent surgery for a liver tumour on Thursday. With so many absentees, Guardiola drew on defender Andreu Fontàs, who will be a member of the first team until the end of the season, and also right back Martín Montoya.

Barca stars undergo tests | Sky Sports
A statement on the club's official site read: "Uefa doctors paid a surprise visit to Barca's training this morning and carried out routine drug tests on 10 Barca players. "This is the second time Barca have received Uefa's routine visits this season, after three last year."

Champions League quarter final against Shakhtar Donetsk | FCBarcelona
FC Barcelona have been drawn against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League quarter finals. The first leg is at the Camp Nou on April. If Guardiola’s side qualify for the semi finals, they will meet either Real Madrid or Tottenham.

If Barcelona Don't Put Shakhtar Out, It Will Be One Of The Tournament's Biggest Ever Shocks - Experts Analyse Champions League Quarter-Final Tie | Goal
There is no denying the fact that Barca head into the tie as overpowering favourites, much as they are to emerge triumphant overall. Shakhtar may have dismantled Roma in the last sixteen, but the Italians are a team in crisis, and the manner in which Guardiola’s side sliced through Arsenal en route to their 4-3 aggregate win suggests that it will be monumentally difficult for Mircea Lucescu’s side to stand in their way.

Talented dark horses | FCBarcelona
Coached by Mircea Lucescu for the last seven years, Shakhtar go for an attacking kind of football, and have the players to do it. They have a young and talented set of Brazilian forwards in Luiz Adriano (8), Eduardo (5) and Douglas (4), who are their top scorers in the Ukrainian championship, which they are leading in commanding style, being nine points ahead of Dynamo Kiev.

Messi: United not amongst favourites | ESPN
"Ourselves, Madrid and Chelsea are the favourites for this year," the Barcelona forward is quoted as saying in The Sun. "Here, everyone knows their role and we complement each other. All of us make each other better. It's the greatness of this team."

Barcelona B Coach Luis Enrique In The Frame For Getafe Job - Report | Goal
Luis Enrique recently announced that he won't stay with the Catalans after this season and is believed to be interested in taking over at Getafe. He's not the only alternative to Michel though as Getafe have also been linked with Bernd Schuster and Levante's Luis Garcia.

Real honour former boss Del Bosque | Eurosport
Real Madrid have awarded an honorary membership to World Cup winning coach Vicente del Bosque, eight years after he was unceremoniously dumped by the Spanish club.

Sao Paulo Doctor Tells Real Madrid's Kaka He Requires Another Knee Operation - Report | Goal
Sao Paulo team doctor Rene Atala has told Real Madrid playmaker Kaka that he needs further surgery if he is to shake off the knee problem that continues to blight his season, Cadena Ser reports.

UEFA ban Wenger and Nasri | Eurosport
UEFA said in a statement: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and midfield player Samir Nasri have both been suspended for one UEFA club competition match following charges of improper conduct."

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