FC Barcelona News: 3 December 2012; Lionel Messi Equals César's Record, Barça Launch Anti-Smoking Campaign

Messi equals César’s record | FC Barcelona
The Argentine has reached this total in just 228 matches, compared to César’s 287. On 20th March this year, Messi overtook César to become the highest scorer in the history of the Club in all competitive matches. If we include friendlies, the ranking of the Club’s top scorers is as follows. First, Paulino Alcántara (369), second Josep Samitier (333), third Messi (303) and fourth César (301).

Barça consolidates lead: match stats | FC Barcelona
Barça has widened the gap over Atletico Madrid to a season-high six points thanks to the 5-1 win against Athletic Club. Barça has made the best ever start to a league campaign with 13 victories and just one draw. Along the way the team has scored 48 goals and conceded just 16.

Busquets: "We can’t relax" | FC Barcelona
Speaking to reporters after Barça’s 13th win in 14 league matches, Sergio Busquets told Barça TV’s ‘El Marcador’ programme: "I’m really happy to have made the best ever start to a league campaign. Let’s keep on winning. The important thing is that we have won nearly all our games in all competitions". Nevertheless, Busquets is keeping a cool head: "There’s a long way to go in the league and we can’t relax".

Week marked by Champions League match against Benfica and La Liga match away to Betis | FC Barcelona
Barça will close out the Champions League group stage on Wednesday when Benfica visit the Camp Nou. With a spot in the last 16 already secured, the Blaugrana will attempt to close out the competition's initial phase with a victory over the Portuguese side. Four days later, Barça will travel to Seville to face Betis for matchday 15 of La Liga.

Barcelona launch unique anti-smoking campaign - Goal.com
Barcelona have teamed up with the European Commission to help football fans quit smoking. Some of the club's biggest stars including Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Carles Puyol are calling on supporters across Europe to say 'no to smoking' and have pledged to offer guidance and support to fans wanting give up cigarettes.

Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Simeone goes 4-4-2, Real score through a set-piece and a break | Zonal Marking
Real Madrid triumphed in a hugely disappointing match. Jose Mourinho named a familiar side, basically the 2011/12 Real Madrid team. Fabio Coentrao was at left-back, while Luka Modric was only on the bench with Mesut Ozil starting in the hole. Diego Simeone named a 4-4-2 side, which meant Diego Costa playing upfront with Falcao, and Koke on the right side of midfield. Cata Diaz came into the side very late, at left-back.

Mauricio Pellegrino: Valencia sacking was 'unjust' - ESPN FC
Former Valencia boss Mauricio Pellegrino has called his sacking "unjust" and criticised club president Manuel Llorente for acting out of anger and fear following Saturday's 5-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad.

Soldado: Players to blame for Valencia struggles - Goal.com
"When things go wrong we look to the sidelines and not at ourselves," Soldado told AS. "But now we have to think about what we [the players] can do to improve the situation. "It is the players who have to admit the responsibility for our current situation. After what happened yesterday [Saturday] I want to apologies to all the fans."

Arsenal-owned Campbell inspires Betis to win - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Costa Rica international, on loan from Arsenal, cut in off the right flank to finish with style in the 77th minute after struggling Deportivo had battled back to level at 2-2 in the second half. Betis have 25 points from 14 games, four behind Real Madrid in third after a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo helped the champions to a 2-0 home win over Atletico Madrid in the city derby on Saturday.

Roger denies Celta at the death | Sky Sports Football
Roger's 89th-minute strike rescued a point for Levante as Celta Vigo failed to make their dominance count at Estadio de Balaidos. Enrique De Lucas got the benefit of a marginal offside call to put his side ahead in the first half, yet despite dominating possession after break the home side could not add to their tally.

Zaragoza hang on on for Mallorca draw - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Zaragoza had defender Glenn Loovens sent off for a foul in the area after only 13 minutes, but their keeper Roberto made a great save to deny Victor from the penalty spot. Two minutes later, Portugal striker Helder Postiga pounced on a loose ball to put the visitors ahead and Mallorca, without a win in 11 matches in all competitions, laboured to react. Victor finally made amends for his penalty miss with an 86th-minute header for the equaliser.

Granada and Espanyol remain in drop zone after draw - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Liga strugglers Granada CF and Espanyol played out a 0-0 draw at Estadio Los Cármenes on Sunday. Granada CF had possession for 59% of the match and took 24 shots, including seven on target. Gabriel Torje had an early chance for the hosts which was blocked on five minutes by Juan Forlin.