FC Barcelona News: 26 January 2012; Barça Advance to the Semi Final, Iniesta and Alexis Injured in El Clasico

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid: Real press, continue it for longer, but waste too many chances | Zonal Marking
Real started and ended strongly, but a strong five minute spell for Barcelona before half time was enough for them. Pep Guardiola named an unchanged side from the first leg, with Jose Pinto continuing in goal. Jose Mourinho named a very attacking side, with Kaka coming in as the central playmaker annd Gonzalo Higuain upfront. Pepe moved into defence.

Real Madrid rallies, but Barcelona wins and reaches Copa del Rey semifinals -- Graham Hunter - ESPN
For those of you who are non-believers, please excuse me, but when you either attend, play in or simply watch a football match such as the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal between Barcelona and Real Madrid, I contend that it's incredibly hard not to feel that there is a superior being.

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (4-3 agg) | The Guardian
Early in the second half, the chant went up: "Mourinho, stay!" The problem for the Real Madrid manager was that it was the Barcelona fans who were singing it. Just as it was the Barça fans who unveiled a mock advert that ran: "Wanted: a worthy rival for a decent clásico. Ask here for details."

Barcelona suffer dual injury blow | FIFA.com
Spain midfielder Iniesta limped off in the 29th minute and examinations revealed he had a torn muscle in his left leg. Further tests will be held today to determine the extent of the injury and an estimation of the player's recovery time. Alexis was substituted 11 minutes from full time with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss between one to two weeks.

Guardiola: "We were just winners after 180 minutes" | FC Barcelona
Guardiola believes that the overall score of the tie reflects Barça’s superiority: "in 180 minutes we were the just winners." He added "the fact is that we played a great tie and we qualified for the semifinals. We would have preferred to have fewer problems against Madrid, it’s difficult to beat them." He finished by saying that "we were up to the challenge the tie."

Barcelona's Dani Alves relieved to beat 'phenomenal' Real Madrid - ESPN Soccernet
"They were phenomenal, closed down very well and made it very hard for us to attack. The most important thing is that we are through. "We knew this tie would be decided in both matches, not just the first one. We are very happy to go through."

Xavi: "We beat a super team" | FC Barcelona
Xavi Hernández recognised that "we suffered more than we thought we would against a super team, even though we dominated up until the 15th minute of the second half." the midfielder admitted that the team showed their best play in the away game: "at the Bernabéu we were superior, today, not so much, but be won the tie. It’s time to enjoy it and celebrate."

FC Barcelona - Real Madrid: the Camp Nou, fit for big occasions | FC Barcelona
Guardiola’s biggest wish was to see the Camp Nou supporters answer the call to cheer on the team and fill the stadium to the brim. The members and fans didn’t disappoint the manager and they flocked to the stadium to push their team to the semifinals of the King’s Cup. In fact, the 95,486 spectators set a record for the highest attendance for a match at the Camp Nou this season.

UEFA reveals €1.6 billion losses for Euro clubs - ESPN Soccernet
Europe's top-flight clubs have reported annual losses totalling a jaw-dropping €1.6 billion (£1.3bn), UEFA's latest club licensing report has revealed. The latest figures, for 2010, show overall losses from the leading leagues around the continent are up from €1.2 billion (£1bn) the year before - a 36% rise

Mourinho not happy | Sky Sports
"We came here with the intention of going through. We knew it would be difficult, but that is what we came here to do," he revealed. "However I have heard in the dressing room it is impossible to win here. "I have played here with Chelsea, Inter (Milan) and Madrid various times and this is nothing new. "I will congratulate Barcelona for what they did at the Bernabeu last week but not for the qualification."

Happy birthday, war is over - Feuds forgotten after Clasico comeback & Real Madrid ready to battle Barcelona for biggest titles in Jose Mourinho's 50th year - Goal.com
But on Thursday, in the cold light of day, as he emerges from another Clasico hangover, there will be less birthday cheer for Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese turns 49 today but he is unlikely to be in any mood to celebrate following yet another disappointment against the team becoming a near nemesis in his ultra-successful career.

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas admits to insulting referee in wake of Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona - Goal.com
Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has admitted to insulting the referee in the wake of his side's Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Barcelona. As the game concluded, Casillas approached Teixeira and proclaimed: "Texeira, now you can go out and party with Barca!" Speaking in the wake of the match, the 30-year-old attributed the insult to the passion the clashes between the two sides stir up.

'Football did not want to reward Real Madrid' - Emilio Butragueno after Copa del Rey exit to Barcelona - Goal.com
Real Madrid's director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno, has claimed that the capital club were not rewarded for their efforts in the 2-2 Copa del Rey draw with rivals Barcelona, whilst praising Jose Mourinho for the job he is doing for the club.

Freak own-goal helps Athletic finish job - Yahoo! Eurosport
After last week's first leg at the San Mames ended 2-0 to the Basques, time was already running out for Mallorca when Ivan Ramis played an innocuous-looking pass back to Calatayud in the 76th minute at the Iberostar stadium. As the keeper prepared to control the ball, it popped up off the turf and rolled past him into the net to end the Balearic Islands club's hopes of repeating their 2003 Cup triumph.

Juventus set to seal deal for Sevilla defender Martin Caceres - report - Goal.com
Juventus are on the verge of completing the signing of Martin Caceres from Sevilla. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bianconeri have agreed to pay an initial €1.5 million to take the Uruguay international on loan for the remainder of the season before purchasing the player outright for €8m in the summer.

Datolo exits Espanyol | Sky Sports
Jesus Datolo has had his contract rescinded by Espanyol and is set to sign for Brazilian outfit Internacional before the end of the week. The Argentine winger chose to leave the Blanc i Blau after being given limited chances in the first team by coach Mauricio Pochettino and making just five appearances this term.

Diego Costa loaned out to Rayo | LFP
Atlético de Madrid have loaned Brazilian striker Diego Costa to neighbours Rayo Vallecano until the end of the season. The 23-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury last July and since then, has struggled to win his place back in the side.