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Squad of 20 for Donetsk | FCBarcelona
The absentees are the injured Puyol and Bojan, who on Saturday suffered a partial rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that will keep him sidelined for between six to eight weeks, plus Abidal, and also Iniesta, suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. Barça will travel with three goalkeepers - Valdes, Pinto and Oier probably because Pinto, despite playing against Almeria, is still suffering with his left ankle sprain.
Pedro: "We don’t take any team lightly, and certainly not Shakhtar" | FCBarcelona
After the important win against Almeria, Barça are now thinking about the next match in Donetsk, in the return of the Champions League quarterfinals. Despite the 5-1 first-leg win, the Barça squad is being cautious. Pedro Rodriguez served as spokesman in Sant Joan Despi. "We don’t take any team lightly, and certainly not Shakhtar, because they are a great team," he told a press conference.
Iniesta has only missed ties that the team have ended up winning | FCBarcelona
The other games he’s missed this season have all been in the Cup competitions and Barça have always got through despite his absence. Iniesta has been an ever present in the league so far this year and he’s only missed out on the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, a Champions League Cup game and four Spanish Cup matches.
Barcelona don't need to win all four upcoming games against Real Madrid - Johan Cruyff | Goal
"Barcelona have to win only two games against Madrid. It's all about victory in the Copa del Rey final and in the second leg of the Champions League final. One win will secure a trophy, while the other will probably send you through to the final. No Barcelona fan will be happy if Barcelona win three games, but miss out on the Champions League final."
Henry Winter: the Premier League beware, the Spanish are coming, led by brilliant Barcelona and Real Madrid | The Telegraph
In an age when La Liga can boast Messi and Ronaldo, the Premier League stages a show without a real box-office star. The PFA shortlist for Player of the Year reveals as much: Samir Nasri, Gareth Bale, Nemanja Vidic, Charlie Adam, Scott Parker, Carlos Tévez and Rafael van der Vaart are all worthy nominees but lacking the golden allure of a Ronaldo or Messi, Iniesta or David Villa.
Thiago Alcantara determined to make the most of his chance at Barcelona | Goal
"Being with the first team is a reward for me. I’ll take the opportunity with everything I have. The reserve team players are there to help whenever necessary. We're ready for anything they might ask of us," said Alcantara to Barca TV. "Being with the team in big games, even more so if it’s against Madrid, is fantastic."
Kaka : I need to impress fans | ESPN
The Brazil international has been sidelined for significant parts of the campaign due to injuries and Saturday night's game at Athletic was his first start since February and only his 13th appearance in all competitions this term.
Valencia put five past Villarreal | ESPN
Valencia took a giant step towards securing themselves a third-place finish in the Primera Division with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over local rivals Villarreal at the Mestalla.
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