FC Barcelona News: 4 May 2012; Cesc Fabregas Turns 25, Europe Places Still Up for Grabs in La Liga

All executive decisions on the 2012/13 season have been tabled until after the King's Cup Final | FC Barcelona
"We will start to plan for the next season on the 25th. "We have to respect the time frame and the priorities of the Club and the team," said Andoni Zubizarreta on Barça TV. All executive decisions and planning for the 2012/13 season have been tabled until after the King’s Cup Final, which will be played on May 25th in Madrid against Athletic Club.

Pedro: "I’ll continue to work 100% to make the Cup Final" | FC Barcelona
Since Pep brought him into the first team, Pedro has had a great impact, but injuries have really limited him this season and he admitted: "it’s been a really irregular season with my injuries, but now I’m back, on the pace, getting my confidence back and keen to play . We’re all working to prepare the Final and take the Cup. I’ll continue to work 100% to make the Cup Final".

Messi deserves to win every individual honour, claims Malaga boss Pellegrini - Goal.com
"I don't know the parameters for the Ballon d'Or," the Argentine coach mused. "I only know that Messi deserves to win every trophy." Pellegrini was also full of praise for outgoing Barca boss Pep Guardiola, who announced last week that he will be standing down at the end of the season.

Barcelona interested in Alaba - report - Goal.com
The Blaugrana are looking to add some fresh blood to their defence ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, and have long been linked with a search for a new left-back. Valencia defender Jordi Alba remains the club's first choice for the position, but they are also taking an interest in the 19-year-old Alaba.

'You can't expect Mourinho teams to be aesthetically pleasing or to play well' - Tito Vilanova - Goal.com
"It cannot be that a coach says each week whatever he wants and when someone answers him, he jumps on top of them. In the end, Mourinho is a football coach who never talks about football, and we don't like that," Vilanova told La Vanguardia in 2010.

Jubilant Real Madrid fans celebrate title - Yahoo! Eurosport
Thousands of jubilant Real Madrid fans converged on the centre of the Spanish capital to hail their conquering heroes and celebrate the club's first La Liga title in four years. Coach Jose Mourinho, captain Iker Casillas and the players were driven along the thronged Paseo de Recoletos in an open-topped bus decked out in the club colours to the Cibeles fountain, traditional site of Real's title celebrations.

Focus turns to battle for Europe - Yahoo! Eurosport
Valencia, in pole position to secure the third automatic Champions League qualification slot, are 29 points adrift in third on 58 from 36 games. They are three points ahead of Malaga in fourth, who, if they can hang on to their place, will have the chance to reach the Champions League for the first time via the final qualifying round in August.