FC Barcelona News: 11 February 2012; Pedro Given Medical Green Light, Real Madrid not Keen on Hosting Copa del Rey Final

Pedro, declared fit, will travel to Pamplona | FC Barcelona
Pedro Rodríguez has recovered from the muscle strain in his left leg and he’ll travel with the team to Pamplona with 18 other FC Barcelona players included in Pep Guardiola’s squad to face Osasuna tomorrow. On the other hand, Sergio Busquets has not recovered in time from the knee injury he picked up last weekend.

Pep's key to success: "fight, effort and belief" | FC Barcelona
"We’re in an extreme situation, the only good result is victory. We have to move forward with a fighting spirit, effort, and belief," said Pep Guardiola ahead of the Osasuna match tomorrow. The manager said that he wouldn’t allow his players to "give up" until the end of the season.

Barcelona coach Guardiola can understand why Madrid against staging Copa del Rey final - Goal.com
"It is a fantastic stadium and has a large capacity, but I understand the reluctance of Madrid to host the game against Athletic there," the former Spain international told reporters during his press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Osasuna. "I understand that in a final, if there is no predetermined venue like in the Champions League, you must seek out a neutral setting.

Barça used to winning after reaching cup final | FC Barcelona
The first cup final qualification of the Guardiola era came on March 4, 2009. That day, Pinto was the hero in Mallorca when his late penalty save meant FC Barcelona were off to the final in Valencia. Three days after that emotional semi final, Barça beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at the Camp Nou in a Liga fixture, with goals scored by Busquets and Messi.

Anti-Spanish sentiment, Barcelona's 'obsession' & Catalans celebrating at Cibeles - why Real Madrid don't want the Copa del Rey final at the Santiago Bernabeu - Goal.com
There is only one problem: currently, no venue has been decided for the Copa's climax. And, as it turns out, that's quite a big problem indeed; both Barca and Athletic want to play the final at the Santiago Bernabeu - but Real Madrid do not and will do everything in their power to avoid the fixture from taking place at their famous fiefdom.

Fair Play leaders in First and Second | FC Barcelona
Halfway through the season, FC Barcelona find themselves top of the Fair Play table in both the top divisions. Guardiola's team has 41 points (the lower the number the better in this classification), followed by Malaga (47 points) and Real Madrid (57 points), after 22 games. The ranking is based on the number of cards received in the competition.

Liga: Three new match dates confirmed | FC Barcelona
This Friday, the LFP confirmed three new La Liga match dates. FC Barcelona will play against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 21:30; Sporting on Saturday, Mar. 3, at 20:00; and Racing on Sunday, Mar. 11, at 18:00. Barça will play the Champions League last-16 return leg against Bayer Leverkusen at the Camp Nou in between the Sporting and Racing matches.

Objective: Continue Barça B's good run | FC Barcelona
Eusebio Sacristán’s men haven’t lost in their last three Second Division matches. In total, they’ve drawn once (0-0) and won twice, both times by a margin of two goals. To the team’s good form of late, we must add Barça B’s excellent performances when they play at home: since the defeat to Guadalajara in October, Barça B hasn’t lost a game at home.

RVP rubbishes Real interest | Sky Sports
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has denied saying he would be excited to play for Real Madrid. Spanish newspaper Marca on Friday afternoon quoted the Dutchman as admitting he would be interested in a move to the Bernabeu. Van Persie said on Twitter on Friday night: "Contrary to reports in Spain I have NEVER spoken to Marca newspaper and never gave any interview. Enjoy your day."

Wenger slams Spanish press | Sky Sports
"Frankly, Marca is as creative as some English newspapers. That means you cannot believe every word that is said in Marca," the Arsenal manager said. "They don't care, Marca, at all. I think they are even far more from real evidence than any English newspapers. They create just stories."

'I was not disrespectful to Valencia', says Jordi Alba on Barcelona remarks - Goal.com
"It is clear that for any player of Barcelona's youth squad their dream is to play for the club's first team," Alba said during a press conference. "I had to get on with my life elsewhere and Valencia gave me that opportunity, that is it. "I was not disrespectful to Valencia in any moment and I did not say anything that was out of this world."

Albín sidelined for three weeks | LFP
Espanyol striker Juan Albín has had medical tests which have shown that the player has a longitudinal tear in the rectus femoris muscle in his right leg, which has put him out of action and in the treatment room. The Uruguayan forward is expected to be out for at least three weeks and the speed of his recovery will determine exactly when he can return to training.

Spotlight on CA Osasuna | FC Barcelona
Osasuna were in fifth spot at Christmas this season, despite losing 8-0 to Barça and 7-1 to Real Madrid, and only lost their first game at home in the Cup against Barça in January. Their success has been mainly down to their great form at the Reyno de Navarra – with the passionate local fans making Pamplona a tough place for any team to visit.

Green light for Cejudo and Calleja | LFP
Javier Calleja and Álvaro Cejudo have been called up for Osasuna's fixture with Barcelona after being given the green light by the club doctors. Satrústegui is the most notable absentee from the call-up, along with Masoud and Sola, both injured, and Ricardo, Echaide, Roversio, Rubén and Annunziata, who have all been dropped.