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Barca win ugly to go 10 points clear | Eurosport
Lionel Messi scored a late goal as Barcelona opened up a commanding gap atop La Liga with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Valencia. In a disjointed affair at the Mestalla, Barca were well below their best, riding their luck at times in a scrappy clash that had been billed as boasting Spain’s two best passing sides.
Yet more records broken | FCBarcelona
The previous record for an undefeated streak on the road belonged to Real Sociedad. Managed at the time by Alberto Ormaetxea, the Basques didn’t lose an away game for 19 matches between the 32nd game of the 1978/79 season until the 33rd of the next.
Barca coach Guardiola hospitalised | Eurosport
The 40-year-old former Barca and Spain midfielder had to cancel a news conference on Tuesday because of the complaint and looked in pain during the champions' 1-0 win at Valencia on Wednesday.
Josep Guardiola has a herniated disc | FCBarcelona
Following a medical examination this morning, Josep Guardiola has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. The Barça manager will be treated with drugs and epidural injections, and his hospital discharge will depend on how successful that is.
Alves: Don't annoy Messi | Eurosport
"He missed a few which normally doesn't happen and he was a bit angry at halftime," Brazilian Alves said. "And the worst thing that can happen is that Leo gets angry."
Xavi is fighting fit | Sky Sports
The midfield star, 31, had missed Saturday's 3-0 league win over Real Mallorca with a calf injury. But the Spain international played the full 90 minutes in Valencia, proving his fitness ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal on 8th March.
Villa: "The day had a happy ending"
The Barça striker said he was pleased "to have been able to play with the team" and didn’t feel that the morning’s events had affected him in the slightest because he had arrived at the hotel at two o’clock. Ultimately he was delighted that the day had ended so happily.
If It Ain't Broken, Don't Fix It - Sergio Busquets Remains Barcelona's Best Defensive Midfield Option | Goal
Even with the summer arrival of Javier Mascherano from Liverpool, Busquets has retained the role of first-choice defensive midfielder. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Xavi hailed his compatriot as “the best midfielder there is, playing one-touch”.
Financial reality bites for Barca | Eurosport
One danger for Barca is that outside of the first team, their staff wages are less than spectacular. They recently lost the head of their famed Masia academy to a similar role in that footballing hotbed of Dubai. He cited "a fresh challenge" - his bank manager will see a sixfold increase in wages. The Catalans were keen to avoid a repeat of the situation which saw them lose Cesc Fabregas and Gerrard Pique to England in 2003, but Arsenal acted legally, if immorally, in the dog-eat-dog world of football.
Juventus Keen On Barcelona's Bojan Krkic - Report | Goal
La Vecchia Signora are eager to add some fresh blood to their attack in the summer transfer window and sporting director Giuseppe Marotta considers the 20-year-old to be the perfect addition to the Turin giants' ailing squad.
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Hints Cesc Fabregas Could Return For Barcelona Tie | Goal
The Spanish international suffered a hamstring injury in his side's 1-0 win over Stoke a week ago and missed Sunday's Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham. And his manager is hopeful to get the midfielder back in time to face his former club.
Arsenal Chase Barcelona's Victor Vazquez - Report | Goal
The playmaker is a product of Barcelona's La Masia academy, but is finding first team action hard to come by at Camp Nou. Vazquez scored his first goal for the Blaugrana in the 2-0 Champions League win over Rubin Kazan earlier this season, but has mainly been warming the bench.
Pellegrini returning at tricky moment for Real Madrid | Reuters
Under Pellegrini, a softly-spoken, elegant man with a professorial bearing, in contrast to the brash and flamboyant Mourinho, Real amassed a club record La Liga points total of 96. However, they still finished second to Barcelona, were humiliated in the King's Cup by third-tier Alcorcon and slumped out of the Champions League in the first knockout round.
Mourinho lashes out at 'hyprocrites' | Eurosport
In a colourful performance at a news conference on Wednesday, the flamboyant Portuguese called one Spanish journalist a hypocrite to his face, though he later apologised and said he had only done it to make a point.
Real Madrid Make Defender Pepe Final Contract Offer - Report | Goal
Spanish giants Real Madrid have issued centre-back Pepe a contract ultimatum, telling the Portugal international that he'll be sold this summer if he doesn't accept the offer, according to a report in A Bola.
Higuain steps up recovery | Sky Sports
Higuain took part in some light training as he looks to return to action before the end of the season. The Argentine ace was expected to be sidelined for between three to four months after being forced under the knife.
Fabiano wants Brazil return | Sky Sports
Sevilla's Brazil international striker Luis Fabiano has revealed that he has his heart set on a return to his homeland rather than continuing his career in Europe.
Espanyol lose Dátolo | LFP
Espanyol midfielder Jesús Dátolo is expected to be out of the game for the next two and a half months while he recovers from an ankle injury. The Argentinean will undergo surgery this week to repair damage to ligaments in his right ankle.
Atletico Madrid Interested In Manchester City's Felipe Caicedo - Report | Goal
AS reports that Los Colchoneros are in the market for attacking reinforcements because of the ongoing uncertainty as to the future of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero, and they reportedly see Caicedo as a good replacement in case either should leave the club.