FC Barcelona News: 4 December 2012; Six Barça Players Up for UEFA Team of the Year, Valencia Name New Coach

Six Barça players in contention for uefa.com Team of the Year | FC Barcelona
Six FC Barcelona players are in contention for places in the uefa.com Team of the Year. Defenders Alba, Mascherano and Piqué, midfielders Xavi and Iniesta and striker Leo Messi are the FCB players in the shortlist of 40 to be selected for the best team of 2012. One year ago, Alves, Piqué, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi were all in the uefa.com all star XI.

Piqué: "Such a good start gives us peace of mind" | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona have got off to a record breaking start in La Liga. They are six and eight points clear of the second and third placed teams, and that means Gerard Piqué, one of the main reasons for such success, can breathe easily. "This good start gives us plenty of peace of mind ahead of what’s we still have to come. We are in a great position, and if we can carry on like this, we have a lot to win".

Andoni Zubizarreta: "Tito’s strength is the way he makes decisions" | FC Barcelona
It was Andoni Zubizarreta who proposed Tito Vilanova as the new first team manager. In an interview with El Pais, the FC Barcelona director of sport has spoken about the Barça style that was masterminded by Guardiola and consolidated by Tito. "We’re in good hands", he commented, highlighting Vilanova’s strong personality and confident methods.

Barca to reward Adriano | Football Espana
Barcelona are reportedly interested in offering a new contract to Brazilian full-back Adriano, as reward for his work so far this season. The 28-year-old, who signed for the Catalans in July 2010, currently has a deal with the club until June 2014. La Blaugrana are said to be impressed with the player’s improved fitness this term, in reaction to a number of previous injuries.

Champions League: Ten days for Benfica to prepare for Camp Nou visit | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona already have top spot guaranteed in Champions League group G, but their visitors in Wednesday night’s game at the Camp Nou have much more to play for. Benfica are currently second, but level on seven points with Celtic, meaning they will need to at least match whatever the Scots achieve in their final fixture at home to the already eliminated Spartak Moscow.

Mourinho refuses to comment on exit rumours - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Madrid-based sports daily Marca said on Monday Mourinho was planning to leave the club at the end of the season, his third in the Spanish capital. "I am not going to speak about this. Speak to your colleague about it, the one who has written the story," Mourinho countered with his standard deadpan look at a news conference. "Organise a meal with that person. I'm not saying a single word."

Atleti eye deals for trio | Football Espana
Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen on sorting out new deals for Coach Diego Simeone, defender Joao Miranda and forward Adrian Lopez. The club are understood to have identified these three individuals as priorities to agree to new deals and to have them signed in the early stages of the new year.

Valencia name Valverde new coach - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The 48-year-old Spaniard replaces Pellegrino, who was sacked on Saturday after a 5-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad left the side 12th in La Liga. Valverde led Olympiakos Piraeus to a Greek league and Cup double last season and has extensive experience in La Liga. He has worked with Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol, who he guided to the UEFA Cup final in 2007 where they lost to Sevilla.

Surprise package Valladolid win at Sevilla - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Miroslav Djukic's side have 21 points from 14 games, one behind Malaga in fifth and Getafe in sixth who are tied on 22 points. Wildly inconsistent Sevilla, who have beaten third-placed champions Real Madrid and fourth-placed Real Betis at home this season, left the Sanchez Pizjuan to whistles from the crowd and are 11th with 18 points.