Messi misses training | FC Barcelona
Four B team players joined the available first team squad -Tello, Miguel Ángel, Quintillà and Gustavo, whilst Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué both continued to work on their recovery from injury, working hard on the training pitch apart from the rest of the group.
Tito Vilanova: "In principle, Messi will be okay for the game" | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi was given permission by the Club to miss this morning’s training, so that he could deal with a personal matter, but Tito Vilanova explained to this lunchtime’s press conference: "in principal he will be okay for the game. It’s no big deal that he misses one day’s training".
Xavi gives Asturias cash to charity | Football Espana
The prize saw him rake in €25,000 but he has redirected it to a project which combats child poverty in his hometown of Terrassa. The Blaugrana playmaker has been an ambassador for the project – which works with children at risk of social exclusion – since January of this year.
The Celta Connection | FC Barcelona
For first team manager Tito Vilanova, it will be a chance to renew acquaintance with the team that handed him his First Division debut as a player. In 1992, following on from his apprenticeship in the Barça youth teams and a loan spell with Figueres, Vilanova signed for newly promoted Celta. He spent three seasons at the Balaidos, making 29 appearances and scoring one goal.
Javi Varas back at the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
Just over a year ago, on 22 October 2011, Javi Varas put on an incredible performance at the Camp Nou, when Seville visited Barcelona and he made seven great stops – Barça had 21 shots in all – causing Pep Guardiola to praise him after the game, claiming: "you have to praise Javi for his performance - you’ve seen tonight that keepers also play!"
Arbeloa back for Real Madrid - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Spain international was injured on duty with the world and European champions last month and joined fellow full backs Marcelo of Brazil and Portugal's Fabio Coentrao, who are both still out of action, on the sidelines. Real have hauled themselves up to fourth after a poor start to their title defence but remain eight points behind Barca and Atletico Madrid, who are second on goal difference.
Atletico Madrid keen to re-sign Wolfsburg's Diego - ESPN FC
"Diego's father has received a call from Atleti," he said. "Wolfsburg are having a dreadful season and have fired [former coach Felix] Magath. "At Christmas, or at the end of the season, Diego could sign for Atleti. His family like the idea."
Simeone backs under-fire Pellegrino - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Simeone, who won the Liga and Copa del Rey double with Atletico as a player in 1996, said: "(Pellegrino) is working with a lot of enthusiasm. "He is a very intelligent lad and with the team he has in Valencia for sure he's going to have a great season, I have no doubt about that."
Negredo puts Sevilla in charge in Copa - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Federico Fazio headed in a corner after three minutes and the visitors levelled in the 70th following a brilliant run and shot from Christian Alfonso. Defender Cala bundled the ball in for the hosts from another corner in the 83rd minute before Espanyol full back Ernesto Gallan was shown a second yellow card for a foul in the area and Spain striker Negredo netted from the spot.
Toulalan back for Malaga - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Long-term injury casualty Julio Baptista (Achilles tendon) and Nacho Monreal, who has been out since last month with back trouble, are continuing their recovery in the gym, Malaga said in a statement on their website.