FC Barcelona News: 3 March 2012; Copa del Rey Final Venue Announced Next Week, Alexis Returns from USA

Cup final date and venue to be announced on Tuesday | FC Barcelona
The reasons for rejecting the Santiago Bernabéu as an option were also explained: "At today’s meeting, Real Madrid verbally announced that they have to do building work. It is not our intention to cause any controversy with Real Madrid. It is the Federation that should judge the reasons if it wishes to judge them".

Options to cover for Messi, Busquets and Abidal | FC Barcelona
Barça have already played several games this season without Messi, Busquets or Abidal, the first two are suspended this weekend, while the Frenchman is injured. The Argentinian has not started 6 matches, Busquets has missed 14, and the French defender has been out for 9. The following are the different options available as cover.

Alexis trains with the first team | FC Barcelona
Alexis Sánchez returned to training with the Club this Friday afternoon after playing for Chile against Ghana midweek in Philadelphia, USA. Under the orders of Josep Guardiola, the Azulgrana striker joined 18 other players on field Number 1 at the Ciutat Esportiva to prepare the league match against Sporting Gijón.

Barcelona secure first refusal on Boca Juniors players - Goal.com
Barcelona revealed that they have reached an agreement with Boca Juniors which secures the Blaugrana's first refusal on the Argentine outfit's players. As part of the deal, which was announced on the Blaugrana's official website on Friday, the Catalan Division giants will transfer their 'La Candela' coaching project to Boca.

Guardiola: "Clemente's teams have character" | FC Barcelona
The game this Saturday at the Camp Nou will be somewhat atypical. Without Messi, Busquets and Abidal, FC Barcelona will have to face a Sporting Gijón led by a veteran of the Spanish League, Javier Clemente: "His teams are difficult to beat. They are aggressive, direct and they have character." The Barça manager, however, isn’t anticipating a physical match.

Lionel Messi wants to be coached by Marcelo Bielsa - here are the possible successors to Pep Guardiola at Barcelona - Goal.com
It seems like a dream job. Coaching Barcelona would surely be an attractive proposition for many a top coach; it is the chance to lead a team described as the best in history, an opportunity to work day in, day out with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta et al. But Pep Guardiola will be a hard act to follow, to say the least.

AC Milan confident of resisting Barcelona interest in Thiago Silva - ESPN Soccernet
Barca are expected to attempt to add to their options at centre-back this summer and Thiago Silva, 27, has long been touted as a target. However, Galliani believes Milan will be able to keep the Brazil international at the San Siro. "Thiago Silva has a long contract with us - until 2016 - so I don't think he can be abducted by Barcelona," Galliani said.

Argent downplays Marc-Andre ter Stegen like with Barcelona - Goal.com
Reports had circulated that the Spanish champions were looking at the 19-year-old, who made his debut for Germany Under-21s in midweek. However, his representative, Gerd vom Bruch, says that the Catalan giants are exploring several options and that his client has is going nowhere for the time being.

Spotlight on Sporting | FC Barcelona
Real Sporting Gijón are many Spanish Football fans’ second favourite team and in their 107 year history they have played 40 seasons in the top flight, ending up as runners up in 1979 and reaching the Cup Final in 1981 and 82. Sporting have been back in La Primera since 2008.