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Mission - overturn the deficit | FCBarcelona
Barça are on a mission: Overturn the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg 3 weeks ago. If they succeed they’ll reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is, therefore, the moment of truth, where failure is not allowed.
Guardiola: "The fans will carry us into the quarter finals" | FCBarcelona
Moreover, Guardiola is not crying over the absence in defense of Puyol, injured, and Piqué, suspended The Barcelona manager recalled that in the final of the Cup and the Champions League two years ago Barcelona played with some players missing, and said: "If we don’t make it to the quarter finals it won’t be because Carles and Gerard are not there".
Wenger vows to attack Barcelona | ESPN
Wenger, though, hinted Arsenal would not follow Inter's blueprint because his team is incapable of reproducing the Jose-Mourinho-masterminded defensive masterclass due to their wealth of attacking talent. Wenger is mindful of the fact Arsenal do not have the extra goal buffer that Inter had and that a 1-0 loss would see the Gunners eliminated on away goals.
Robin Van Persie Included In Arsenal's Champions League Squad To Face Barcelona | Goal
Wenger's side’s chances of advancing to the next round of the Champions League are significantly improved with Fabregas, Wilshere and Van Persie all included. Fabregas and Wilshere are both expected to start but it remains to be seen whether Van Persie will be fit enough for kick-off having suffered his injury just over a week ago.
Busquets: "We have to stay calm" | FCBarcelona
To qualify for the quarter finals Barça have to overturn the first leg result. Sergio Busquets pointed out the importance of "staying calm and being ourselves. 90 minutes is a long time and we shouldn’t get nervous".
Maximum concentration before Arsenal | FCBarcelona
The team has trained at the Camp Nou for the last time before the important duel with Arsenal. Once the session was over, the players went back to Hotel La Florida, where they will stay until two hours before the match.
Carles Puyol & Gerard Pique Out, But Sergio Busquets Shouldn't Be Barcelona's Defensive Alternative Against Arsenal | Goal
Most intriguing, though, is the fact that Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique were missing from Barca’s back four in the second tie last April, and both World Cup winners will be absent once more. Pique’s late yellow card in London finds him suspended, while Puyol’s debilitating bout of tendonitis extends his absence from his role as captain. As a result, Guardiola is faced with a defensive dilemma, but one he believes he has formulated an answer to.
Fabregas relishing Barca 'exam' | Eurosport
"We have played so many games where we shown we have character, we have potential and that we are the present," said Fabregas, who was sidelined for the shock Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham at Wembley. "We want to win things for the club and this is obviously a fantastic exam for all of us a team and individually."
Arsenal Match Is Like A Final - Barcelona's Andres Iniesta | Goal
"For us there are no doubts," said the Spain international midfielder, according to Football365.com. "This is the first final of this season and we cannot fail at home and with the support of our fans."
Barcelona Legend Johan Cruyff Questions Arsenal's Ability To Perform In Big Games | Goal
Former Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff has questioned Arsenal's ability to beat the Catalans in Tuesday's Champions League game. The Dutch legend pointed out that the Gunners have a history of failure in big games and doesn't expect Arsenal to be able to eliminate the Blaugrana.
I Don't Know Marouane Chamakh But Any Arsenal Player Deserves Respect - Barcelona's Victor Valdes | Goal
With Robin van Persie's availability for Arsenal's Champions League last 16 second leg against Barcelona in doubt, coach Arsene Wenger needs to make a decision as to who will lead his line in attack. And it would seem that Marouane Chamakh may get the nod, because Barcelona know little about the forward.
No 'anti-Messi' plan | Eurosport
Lionel Messi is a player who is so hard to work out because he plays as a forward but he is not often in that position on the pitch. He gave us a lot of trouble before the game because he helps give Barca a numerical advantage in midfield. Your defenders have to come up to follow him but that creates a gap at the back - either that or they stay back and you are outnumbered in the middle.
FCB-Arsenal: Did you know that... | FCBarcelona
Arsenal return to the Camp Nou a year after losing 4-1 to Barça, with a memorable performance from Leo Messi. Here are other interesting facts about a European football classic.
Real Madrid's Emilio Butragueno: I Hope Barcelona Beat Arsenal | Goal
"We are all Spanish and even though Barcelona are one of our biggest rivals in La Liga and in Europe, I still hope that they qualify for the quarter-finals," said Butragueno to AS. "The match between Barcelona and Arsenal will be a great game. They both like to have possession and have some superb players who know what to do with the ball."
100,000 euros for the Red Cross | FCBarcelona
Before the game, Carles Puyol will receive a cheque for 100,000 euros from UEFA after being named captain of the 2010 Team of the Year by users of uefa.com. He will donate the money to the Red Cross.
Milan doubt Kaka chances | Sky Sports
"Kaka's return to Milan? Ricardo earns too much, because in Spain they pay less taxes," Galliani told RaiDue. "I am sorry that he has problems in Madrid, but to come back to us he would have to drop a lot his salary.
Fit-Again Hercules Star Royston Drenthe Prohibited From Real Madrid Clash | Goal
The Real Madrid loanee, who suffered a three-inch tear to his right hamstring less than a month ago, was not expecting to be fit in time for the clash with his owners. Nevertheless, a clause in the Dutch winger's contract prohibits him taking to the field against Los Blancos.
Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain To Return To Action In April - Report | Goal
The Argentina international underwent surgery in January to shake off a back problem and was initially expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. However, the attacker's recovery is going very well and he could make his comeback within four weeks.
Dátolo faces surgery in Argentina | LFP
Espanyol midfielder Jesús Dátolo has decided to return to Argentina to undergo surgery on tendons in his right ankle - after falling injured in the recent meeting with Mallorca.
Fabiano out for six weeks | Eurosport
Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano will be out for around six weeks after injuring his right knee in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao. The Brazil international was stretchered off with around 20 minutes left at Bilbao's San Mames stadium and it was initially feared the injury was more serious.
Gavilán out for six months | LFP
Getafe midfielder Jaime Gavilán suffered a serious knee injury during the weekend meeting with Sporting and will miss the rest of the season.
Bad news for Tote | LFP
The season is over for Hércules centre-forward Jorge López Marco 'Tote' who learned on Monday that he has sustained one of the most feared injuries amongst sportsmen.
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