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Record number of away goals | FCBarcelona
Thiago’s goal at Anoeta was Barça’s 45th away strike of the season, beating their record 44 set in the 2008/09 season. Below are some of the other stats from the [Real Sociedad] game.
Champions League: Frank de Bleeckere to referee Barcelona v Real Madrid | The Guardian
Uefa has named Belgium's Frank de Bleeckere as the referee for Real Madrid's visit to Camp Nou for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. It will not be the first time De Bleeckere has been involved in a Champions League tie involving a José Mourinho side: last season he was in charge when Mourinho's Inter lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Iniesta set to tackle Real | Sky Sports
Spain World Cup winner Andres Iniesta has given Barcelona a timely boost by returning to training ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid. Iniesta, 26, missed the 2-0 first leg win over Real and Saturday's 2-1 league defeat against Real Sociedad with a calf strain, but is now back running and training with his team mates.
Mourinho must not be allowed to overshadow Messi's brilliance | Daily Mail
Because of Mourinho, Real Madrid won't get much sympathy now - and they don't even have the consolation of winning the game! The big shame is that Mourinho's behaviour has overshadowed Barcelona's quality. I would rather have talked about Lionel Messi's brilliance in scoring one of the best Champions League goals of all time.
Real Madrid petition to Uefa for suspension of six Barcelona players - report | Goal
Madrid have allegedly demanded two-match bans for Dani Alves, Sergio Busquets and Pedro for their unsporting behaviour, and have also asked Uefa to suspend Javier Mascherano, Seydou Keita and Victor Valdes for one game for their involvement in various altercations.
A love-hate relationship - how Jose Mourinho fell out with Barcelona | Goal
“Barca, in my heart – today, tomorrow, and forever.” It may be hard to believe now, but those words were uttered by Jose Mourinho in 1997. The Portuguese stood alongside Bobby Robson on the balcony of the Generalitat in the centre of the city and swore eternal love to the club, in front of thousands of Barcelona fans, through a loud microphone.
Alan Hansen: Manchester United are ill-equipped to stifle Barcelona's brilliance | The Telegraph
In 2008, United squeezed past Barcelona, in the final year of Frank Rijkaard’s reign, on their way to winning the Champions League against Chelsea in Moscow. The problem is that, since that point, Barcelona have probably gone up a level in terms of the quality of their performances. United have dropped down two.
Juventus ponder swoop for Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay - report | Goal
Versatile midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has caught the attention of struggling Serie A giants Juventus with his performances for La Liga titans Barcelona and Netherlands' national side, AS reports.
Hitzfeld slams Mourinho’s ‘shameful’ tactics | IOL
“Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work,” Hitzfeld wrote in German football magazine Kicker. “Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real, it's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club.”
Karanka to take Madrid press call | ESPN
Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka will speak to the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona instead of coach Jose Mourinho.
Pochettino wins new Espanyol deal | Sky Sports
Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2014. Pochettino, who took charge of Espanyol in January 2009, has done a good job at the Barcelona-based side and they are currently in eighth spot in La Liga.
Duscher ruled out of Athletic clash | LFP
Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the list of players called up for Monday's game against Athletic Club, the most notable absentees are Duscher, who is suffering a sports hernia, and Javi López, suspended for accumulation of cards.
Atletico Madrid's Tiago Mendes suffers lower back injury | Goal
Atleti's medical team reported that Tiago suffered "a lower back contusion and a mild cervical strain", meaning the Portuguese is likely to be ruled out of his side's upcoming meeting with Malaga on Saturday at the Vicente Calderon.
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