FC Barcelona News: 22 October 2012; Training Focused on Recovery and Celtic, Atlético Madrid Keep Barça Pace

Focus on recovery and Celtic | FC Barcelona
A crowded fixture list means that there’s no time for the players to sit back and enjoy the victory away to Deportivo. The squad reported for training at midday on Sunday with the aim of recovering from the Saturday’s evening’s game and preparing Tuesday’s CL group home match against Scottish champions Celtic.

Jordi Alba, the tenth to score | FC Barcelona
Jordi Alba has settled in very quickly since joining Barça in the summer but few could have imagined that he would score his first goal just nine matches into his Barça career, especially considering his defensive role. Cesc set him up early in the first half against Deportivo and Alba took his opportunity to score a goal reminiscent of his goals for Spain against Italy in the final of EURO 2012.

Messi, King of the stats | FC Barcelona
Messi has already scored 71 goals in 2012 and is now just four away from Pelé’s long-standing record. He has also now scored more hat tricks than any other player in the Club’s history. Here’s everything you need to know about these and other stats from Saturday’s match.

Demanding week for Barça as Celtic and Rayo clashes loom | FC Barcelona
After the victory away to Deportivo de la Coruña, the men managed by Tito Vilanova are focusing on thier Champions League match against Celtic FC. Barça will train this Monday, at 18.00, in the Camp Nou. On Tuesday the Blaugrana will once again take to the pitch at noon ahead the match against Celtic FC, champions of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic FC, a familiar acquaintance at the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
This Tuesday at 20.45, Celtic FC will return to the Camp Nou for Matchday 3 of the Champions League Group Stage. This Tuesday’s match will be the Scottish team’s fifth visit to the Camp Nou.The first time was in 1964 in the second round of the UEFA Cup, FC Barcelona won the match by 3-1 thanks to goals from Zalua, Seminario and Rifé.

Fran Gonzalez is excited about the possibilty of his son joining Barcelona - Goal.com
Gonzalez added: "There was a tournament where he had the opportunity to play against children two years older than him from Barca, Madrid and Porto, and he was lucky enough to score three goals. "Nothing has stopped from then, and now there is an opportunity [for Nicolas] to go to Barca, which is an idea I love."

Brilliant Falcao grabs late win for Atletico - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
A superb late free kick from Falcao saw high-flying Atletico Madrid secure a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Anoeta in La Liga. One of Europe’s most in-form teams, Atletico travelled to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad in fine form. On the back of nine consecutive wins Atletico were confident of coming away with maximum points again, but La Real were on an impressive run of their own, having only lost once at home in the last 13 encounters.

Montanier blames ref for Atleti win | Football Espana
Montanier said although he was pleased with his team’s performance it was the official who was responsible for swinging the match the way of Diego Simeone’s men. Gamez showed a yellow card to five Sociedad players against two from Atleti and failed to signal what looked a clear penalty to the Txuri-urdin towards the end of the first half.

Michel stunner seals Levante win | Sky Sports Football
Michel's stunning 35-yard strike three minutes from time handed Levante all three points from an otherwise turgid 1-0 victory over Getafe at the Alfonso Perez Coliseum. Both goalkeepers had comfortably dealt with long-range efforts all afternoon as neither side looked capable of breaking the opposition down until the Levante substitute latched onto a loose ball just inside the Getafe half and took a touch before looping his effort over the helpless Miguel Angel Moya.

Stuani the hero for Espanyol | Sky Sports Football
Leo Baptistao had headed Rayo into an early lead but two goals from Joan Verdu either side of half-time put Espanyol 2-1 in front before Leo slotted home his second of the game just after the hour mark. However, after both sides had been reduced to 10-men as Diego Colotto and Mikel Labaka both saw red it was substitute Stuani who was the hero as he powered home Sergio Garcia's cross to bring relief to the Cornella El Prat.

Zaragoza survive 10-man Granada fightback | ESPNFC.com
Real Zaragoza survived a late scare to beat 10-man Granada 2-1 at Nuevos Los Carmenes. Helder Postiga headed the visitors in front from Victor Rodriguez's free-kick after just three minutes and the latter then added a second 25 minutes later with a simple finish from Abraham's cross.

Osasuna held at home | Sky Sports Football
The 37-year-old Punal lined up in midfield to break the club's record of 463 appearances, but the match itself proved a largely frustrating experience as Betis stood firm, and the visitors would have won the match but for an assistant's flag denying Ruben Castro a first-half goal.