FC Barcelona News: 1 February 2012; Hleb Released from Contract, Cuenca Officially Extends Barça Stay

Valencia-Barça: Did you know? | FC Barcelona
In the semifinals of the 1989/90 season, an incredible goal from Ronald Koeman 10 minutes from full time saw the Catalans through to the final. With the 1-0 at the Luis Casanova stadium, Barça was virtually eliminated from the competition, seeing that the away leg ended with 2-1. Barça won the trophy in the championship match over Madrid (2-0).

Guardiola: "Let me believe that we can win again" | FC Barcelona
With the quality football that’s been produced under his tutelage, with the titles the team has won under his management and with a firm belief in the squad he has at his disposal, Josep Guardiola called upon Barça fans and members to believe in this team ahead of the Cup semifinal away leg against Valencia.

Cuenca signs extension to contract | FC Barcelona
The extension and improvement of Cuenca's contract was signed at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, minutes before the second training session of the dayThe player and club announced last Friday that they had reached an agreement until June 30, 2015 and this was set down in writing this afternoon. Cuenca is now a professional first team footballer, wearing number '23'.

Barcelona release Alexander Hleb - ESPN Soccernet
Barcelona have announced that midfielder Alexander Hleb has been released from the final six months of his contract.Hleb, 30, signed for Barca from Arsenal in 2008 for a €15 million fee, but he failed to live up to expectations and in the last three seasons he has spent time on loan at Stuttgart, Birmingham and Wolfsburg.

Pep Guardiola responds to Callejon's criticism: Barcelona do not complain about referees - Goal.com
"Barca do not complain about referees," Guardiola told reporters. "But a different thing is to say if in this or that situation we could have been awarded a penalty. "If that is complaining, then we complain. The only thing I know is that we do not help referees and we do not do them any favours.

Barcelona still interested in Valencia's Jordi Alba - report - Goal.com
Valencia wing-back Jordi Alba remains one of the top transfer priorities for Barcelona, who want to lure the Spain international to Catalunya at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, El Mundo Deportivo reports.

Emery looks for two-goal margin - Soccerway
Valencia coach Unai Emery is optimistic about Wednesday's first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona. Emery feels that his side does not just need to beat Pep Guardiola's side to stand a chance of reaching the final, but stressed that they cannot afford to concede and need to win by at least a two-goal margin.

Mirandes Cup run hangs in the balance - Yahoo! Eurosport
Having disposed of La Liga clubs Villarreal, Racing Santander and Espanyol in previous rounds, the lowly club from Miranda de Ebro are dreaming of a final against Barcelona or Valencia. However, they were rocked on their heels when Llorente netted his fifth goal in two games to put the visitors two ahead.

Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso doubtful for Getafe trip with muscular injury - Goal.com
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has yet another injury to manage as Xabi Alonso is in doubt for Saturday's trip to Getafe, AS reports.The 30-year-old midfielder, who was replaced by Lassana Diarra on the hour mark of Saturday's 3-1 victory against Zaragoza, is suffering from muscular overload in his right leg.

Official: Free agent Victor Sanchez signs for Espanyol - Goal.com
Former Barcelona player Victor Sanchez has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Espanyol. The versatile midfielder, who can also play in defence, had been without a club following the financial collapse of former employers Neuchatel Xamax, who were declared bankrupt last week.

Official: Levante secure Abdel Kader Ghezzal on loan - Goal.com
Levante have announced the signing of Abdel Kader Ghezzal on loan for the rest of the season. The forward had been on a year-long loan from Bari to Cesena but the Algeria international has now move on to the Liga outfit.

Tziolis leaves, Gullón arrives | LFP
Racing de Santander have brought in Marco Gullón and, at the same time, have moved Tziolis out, to AS Monaco FC. The Greek player thus breaks his ties with the cantabrian club after a stay of eighteen months. The twenty-two-year-old Marcos Gullón, for his part, has signed a contract that will bind him to Racing for the remainder of the current season and all of the next, with the option of a further season as well.

Liga - Gullon quits as Villarreal sign striker - Yahoo! Eurosport
Marcos Gullon has left Villarreal for Racing Santander on a free transfer but the club have signed Alejandro Martinuccio from Fluminense.Midfielder Gullon, 22, failed to make an impact on the Yellow Submarines first-team after making his debut in 2007.

Official: Catania loan Pablo Alvarez to Zaragoza - Goal.com
Catania have agreed to loan Argentine defender Pablo Alvarez to Zaragoza until the end of the season. The 27-year-old has struggled to impose himself at Catania since his arrival in 2008, making just six Serie A appearances since the start of the season.

Sporting part with Preciado | Sky Sports
Sporting Gijon have sacked coach Manuel Preciado and are preparing to approach Michael Laudrup as a swift replacement, according to reports. The Cantabrian club have taken drastic action after securing just 18 points from their opening 20 games.

Bhoys moved for Molina | Sky Sports
The Bhoys made an improved offer for the 29-year-old on Monday, but it was rejected by the Primera Liga club. Agent Domingo Sevilliano has hinted his client was interested in a move to Parkhead, although it was out of their hands. The clubs held talks prior to the transfer window closing, however, Betis wanted a higher figure to part company with Molina.