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20 players in Anoeta squad | FC Barcelona
Tito Vilanova has named 20 players in the party that travels to Anoeta on Saturday (18.00, GolT, Canal + Liga). Everyone of the available first team members are included apart from Jonathan Dos Santos. Also missing is David Villa, who is still having trouble with the femoral biceps in his right thigh, as well as Cuenca, Muniesa and Abidal.
Tito Vilanova: "Valdés deserves a good departure from the club" | FC Barcelona
The Barça manager spoke with respect for that decision, and defended his goalkeeper. "Everyone is free to work where they like" he said. "Víctor did not ask to leave, he just said he’s not renewing his contract and we have to respect that … As long as he is with us, he’ll be our goalkeeper and we have to help him as he would help us".
Zubizarreta: "We respect Valdés’ professional and irrevocable decision" | FC Barcelona
"We were holding the first meeting to initiate the process for renewing Víctor’s contract. The meeting began with us expressing the club’s desire to extend his contract, because we consider him to be a top class goalkeeper. But before we could make any proposal or discuss anything, his agent said the decision was already made and meditated, and that he will not be staying any later than June 30, 2014.
Alexis Sanchez will overcome struggles, says Zamorano - Goal.com
"Everybody in Chile feels that he is an extraordinary player and believes he will resurface again at some point," Zamorano told Marca. "Alexis is a great player who always does his utmost for the team. He will never let down his team-mates or not give his all. Every player goes through a difficult period at some point in his career.
Barcelona stars praise Guardiola’s Bayern choice - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
His former assistant Tito Vilanova, now in charge of Barcelona, backed the move. "I am very happy that he is returning to football," he said. "I did not know where he was going as there was a confidentiality agreement. "I do not know how many teams or what kind of contracts he was offered, but I am sure they were all top level. He has had time to think about where to go.
Kodro: "Barça? Football doesn’t get any better" | FC Barcelona
The man overseeing affairs from the bench at the Real Sociedad reserves is a familiar face at FC Barcelona. His name is Meho Kodro, who played for the club for one season (1995/96) after enjoying a period of success at Real. In the build-up to the meeting between the two clubs, he has spoken to Barça TV and www.barcelona.cat. "Barça? Football doesn’t get any better than that" he says.
Xabi Prieto: "I take my hat off to Barça. They’re verging on perfection" | FC Barcelona
The leader and captain of Barcelona’s opponent on Saturday at 6.00 in Anoeta, Xabi Prieto, has described his home ground as "a place where we have got a lot of points and where we have some very passionate fans. In the last two years we have always made things very difficult for Barça, with one win and a draw".
European match of the weekend: Valencia v Real Madrid | Pitchside Europe - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Two sides underperforming by their own standard in La Liga this season go head-to-head at the weekend as Valencia welcome Real Madrid. The match will be the second time in a week the two teams have met each other after the midweek Copa del Rey clash, which Real won 2-0 at the Bernabeu thanks to a Karim Benzema strike and an own goal from Andres Guardado.
Kaka must take pay-cut - ESPN FC
However, if the deal is to go ahead, it would appear Kaka needs to take a substantial wage cut and, though he is said to be ready to accept a significant loss on his €10.5 million-a-year salary, the Rossoneri would seemingly need him to halve his pay.
Baena strike sinks Mallorca | Sky Sports Football
Simao Sabrosa gave the home side the lead but strikes from Giovani Dos Santos and Javi Marquez put Mallorca in the driving seat at half-time. Joan Verdu then levelled things up again with a penalty and, after the visitors saw Antonio Luna sent off, Baena ensured the points would stay at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat with his late effort.
Granada confirm signing of Carlos Aranda from Primera Division rivals Zaragoza | Sky Sports
The well-travelled 32-year-old has penned a contract until summer 2014 with the Andalusian outfit. Sporting director Juan Carlos Cordero told club website: "We spent time negotiating with Zaragoza for Aranda. There is a transfer fee of 500,000 euros. "We have signed him for this season and one more. He's a player we wanted and we needed. Has has many attributes that will help Granada."
Jose Manuel Fernandez comes to Zaragoza from Cordoba > LFP
Real Zaragoza and Cordoba CF have reached an agreement over player, Jose Manuel Fernandez’s incorporation to the Real squad. Once the contract has been signed and the player has undergone a medical, the players incorporation will be made official.