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Copa del Rey draw: Barcelona paired with Alaves, Real Madrid take on Alcoyano - Goal.com
Reigning Copa del Rey champions Barcelona have been paired with Segunda B side Alaves in the round of 32 in this season's edition of the tournament. The Catalans beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the final of the competition last season, but they will now have to deal with the 2001 Uefa Cup runners-up first if they are to defend their title.
[Copa del Rey bracket: click here]
Barça's internationals, with the exceptions of Messi, Mascherano, Alexis and Song, returned to training this afternoon | FC Barcelona
After 10 days without its internationals, FC Barcelona was back to nearly full strength for this Wednesday’s training session at Sant Joan Despí. The Spanish internationals (Valdés, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Cesc and Villa), the U-21 Spanish internationals (Bartra and Montoya) and the Brazil international Ardiano, all returned to Barcelona.
Six goals and more than 2,000 minutes | FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona first team internationals played a total of 2,075 minutes for their national teams this week. That’s 300 more than the last time, despite only 13 players travelling, as opposed to 17 last time. The following is a review of all of their activity, classed by positions.
No African Cup of Nations absentees this winter | FC Barcelona
Alex Song and Cameroon’s shock exit from the African Cup of Nations against Cape Verde means that there will be no Barça players involved in the finals in South Africa next January and February. It is the first time in nine years that Barcelona will not be missing anybody to the biennial tournament.
Digital hangout with Gerard Piqué | FC Barcelona
Gerard Piqué will be the first FC Barcelona player to host a Google+ Hangout – the videoconferencing system on the North American company’s social network – with Barça fans from around the world on October 24 at 17.30 (Catalan time). The Hangout will also be broadcast live on the Club’s webpage: www.fcbarcelona.com
Extra Time: Barcelona goalkeeper Pinto to produce music record - Goal.com
Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto revealed on Twitter that he has signed a contract to produce rap band Delahoja. The former Celta player has put pen to paper on a deal with Sony Music Spain to help promote the group he has been working with for nearly two decades.
Eusebio in praise of Deulofeu | Football Espana
"We’ve changed things a little with regard to [former boss] Luis Enrique’s way of doing things and mine and I hope that people enjoy watching the team. When results improve then I’m sure more spectators will come to the stadium to see my players," said Sacristan. "Deulofeu is a great pupil who wants to be a great player so he has to continue improving certain things in order to make a difference."
Spanish Liga: Injury-hit Real count cost after bruising international break - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Forward Higuain suffered a knock to his ankle while helping Argentina to a 2-1 win in Chile, while his strike partner Benzema hobbled out of France's draw at the Calderon clutching his left knee. "I hope it only looks bad and that we haven't suffered any bad luck with the strikers," Alonso added. "I hope they will both be ready for Saturday."
Ronaldo honoured by Uefa after winning 100th Portugal cap - Goal.com
Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured by Uefa after racking up 100 games for Portugal. Prior to the 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland in their latest World Cup qualifier, the Portugal captain was awarded a special plaque and cap by Uefa officials.
Varane misses Madrid training due to muscle injury - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has received some disturbing news from the treatment table in the build-up to this weekend's La Liga match against Celta as he will possibly have to make do without the services of Raphael Varane due to injury.
Chile midfielder Gary Medel released following assault allegation - ESPNFC
"Medel remains free after an investigator ascertained that journalist Natalia Marambio, of a showbiz television programme, did not suffer any form of injury, as she had claimed," a Chilean police spokesperson was quoted as saying by Spanish news agency EFE.