FC Barcelona News: 19 August 2011; BarcaTV Interviews Cesc Fabregas, Fate of Strike Decided Today, Atletico Sign Falcao

La Liga - Spanish league bids to avoid strike - Yahoo! Eurosport
The Spanish league (LFP) will resume talks with the players' union (AFE) on Friday to try and stop strike action that is threatening to halt the start of the season in the country's top two divisions this weekend.

"Eternal, legendary, unrepeatable and honest" | FCBarcelona.cat
"They made an enormous effort. They showed what they are like: eternal, legendary, unrepeatable and honest, people who like to train and `play football... Honestly, looking at how they responded, it is a privilege and an honour to be their manager", he said.

Cesc: "I haven’t come to retire Xavi" | FCBarcelona.cat
"We played some very good championships with that team and we were very together. They were the best years of my life. But talking about it, no we didn’t. I don’t think that any of the three of us ever imagined that one day we’d play together in the first team".

Sanchez doubt for Porto clash | Sky Sports | Football | Primera Division | News
Barca have now stated that Sanchez will be out of action for at least a week after a medical test on him verified the extent of the damage, putting his participation in the Super Cup into doubt. The Catalan giants, who won the Champions League in May by defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the final at Wembley, will confront last season's Europa League winners Porto in the one-off encounter in Monaco on 26th August.

Starting a riot - Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho must stop inciting violence in Barcelona games before someone really gets hurt - Goal.com
Mourinho, and the mild-mannered Iker Casillas, both accused Fabregas of exaggerating the contact from Marcelo. As he fell to the ground, however, the midfielder’s pain was evident and although he emerged all smiles later on to celebrate with the trophy and then speak to the press, he did so with an ice pack pressed to his knee. Hardly a feigned injury, then.

Barca supremo in Jose jibe | Sky Sports
"Expanding on Pique's comments, I must say that Mourinho is a blight on Spanish football," Vilarrubi told RAC1. "I'm convinced that Madrid as an institution cannot support their coach in some cases like yesterday, so we'll see what happens in the coming hours." He added: "I don't know exactly who, but someone has to act on this matter and I hope that they do it."

Phil Ball: Super Supercopa as Barcelona beat Real Madrid - ESPN Soccernet
Barcelona lifted the Supercopa trophy at precisely one o'clock on Thursday morning, with a stadium full of dancing Catalans, quite a few tourists and a conspicuous absence of Real Madrid players, down in the dressing-rooms cooling off (physically and figuratively) and probably wondering just how they can ever get the better of their current nemesis.

Mourinho tries to counter Messi’s false nine role by pushing Carvalho up the pitch | Zonal Marking
The obvious answer is to push up a centre-back onto Messi – as Jonathan Wilson suggested before the Champions League final, to leave a bank of three at the back – two narrow full-backs tracking Villa and Pedro Rodriguez, a centre-back staying at home as a sweeper, and another playing high up the pitch on Messi.

La Liga - Atletico buy Porto's Falcao - Yahoo! Eurosport
Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign Colombia striker Radamel Falcao from Porto for a fee of 40 million euros. The deal is subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms, the Portuguese champions said before adding the fee could rise to 47 million euros depending on variable conditions.

Ustaritz goes on loan to Betis | LFP
Athletic Club de Bilbao have announced via their official web-page that they have reached agreement with Real Betis to loan them the central defender Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora. The now ex-rojiblanco player will play for the Seville-based side until June 30th 2012. The agreement, as announced by the Basque club, does not include any option for Betis to purchase the player.

Fenerbahce confirm Dani Guiza will join Getafe - Goal.com
"Spanish striker Dani Guiza will return to the Primera Liga with Getafe after playing for Fenerbahce for the last three seasons. "Fenerbahce would like to wish Guiza all the best for the future." Guiza played for the Madrid-based club between 2005 and 2007 before joining Mallorca. He moved to Fenerbahce following a great showing with Spain during Euro 2008.

El Zhar to leave Liverpool | Sky Sports
A statement on Thursday read: "Liverpool football club this evening confirmed they have reached agreement to release Nabil El Zhar from his Anfield contract. "The player is now expected to join Spanish side Levante, who have announced on their website they expect to finalise a two-year deal in the coming days."