FC Barcelona News: 7 April 2012; Barça Hope to Reduce Lead, Xavi Still Struggling With Injuries

Zaragoza-FC Barcelona: The game of hope | FC Barcelona
Both Zaragoza and Barça’s form will be put the test on Saturday evening at La Romareda. The Aragonese outfit has just won three games in a row and are now just four points away from the safety. Meanwhile, the Catalans have just won eight games on the trot and have cut Real Madrid’s ten point lead down to six.

Five wins in last six visits to La Romareda | FC Barcelona
The last two games at La Romareda have been especially spectacular. A year ago, Messi bagged a brace in a 2-0 Barcelona win, and the Argentinian was also the star the previous season. That time he got a hat-trick, including one goal in which he took the ball single handed out of midfield. Barça won that game 4-2, making it two out of two in the Guardiola era.

Xavi doubtful for Zaragoza clash - Goal.com
The 32-year-old was bothered by muscular problems ahead of Tuesday's Champions League win over AC Milan, but still featured for a little over an hour before being replaced by Thiago Alcantara. Nevertheless, there seems to be a realistic chance that Xavi will be rested against Zaragoza. "Xavi has done well in training. He’ll play when he’s ready. It’s the kind of thing that happens to him now and again through tiredness.

Guardiola: "Games like these are the most difficult there are" | FC Barcelona
Josep Guardiola knows they’ve got a tough game ahead of them at La Romareda. "Undoubtedly we are facing Zaragoza in their best moment. They have found good form and have beaten teams like Atlético Madrid and Valencia. I’ve watched them and they’re very intense. It will be a tough game because there’s a lot to play for. Let’s see if we can recover from last week’s exertions and deal with the next three games."

19-player squad to face Zaragoza; Piqué | FC Barcelona
Gerard Piqué will not play against his ex-team in Zaragoza. The centre defender continues to have issues with the injury he picked up against AC Milan on Tuesday and will not travel to Aragón. Guardiola has named the same players to his team as he did against AC Milan with the exception of Piqué. 19 Barça players will travel to La Romareda, the 16 available first-team players plus Montoya, Muniesa and Tello.

Iniesta called to give me encouragement, reveals Cassano - Goal.com
The 29-year-old's career looked in jeopardy following a bout of cerebal ischemia on the flight home from AC Milan's 3-2 win over Roma on October 29, but he admitted that the compassion shown to him was a crucial factor in his recovery. "Iniesta called me [before my operation]," Cassano told Studio Sport. "It was then when I realised how many people cared about me."

When Iniesta strikes, his teams never lose: The World Cup hero's amazing scoring record for Barcelona & Spain - Goal.com
Despite being hailed as one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation, Andres Iniesta is not a player who scores a lot of goals in comparison to some of his contemporaries. But when he does score, you know that it will be something special. Just ask Chelsea and the Netherlands.

Barcelona are better than Chelsea & are Champions League favourites, says Zenden - Goal.com
"Barcelona are the favourites to win the Champions League. They are a better team than Chelsea. They have more quality and it's a big advantage that the second leg takes place at Camp Nou," Zenden said to COMRadio. "The tie between Bayern and Madrid is much more even. It's hard to say how that one will go."

Inter ready to bid for Barca winger
A report in La Stampa claims Inter Milan are ready with an offer for Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay. The Serie A club were keen to sign the Dutch international before his move from PSV Eindhoven to the Camp Nou in January, 2011 and are set to revive their interest in the player.

Terry - My kids love Messi - Yahoo! Eurosport
Terry's five-year-old twins, Georgie and Summer, have their own Messi shirts to go alongside their Blues strips, with the Barca star having become almost as much of a hero to them as their own father. "My kids love him," Terry said. "It's a pleasure because when you finish and you look back - and the guy's still going to be going strong - you've tested yourself against the best. And, quite clearly for me, he's the best ever."