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FC Barcelona News: 11 March 2013; Preparations Begin for AC Milan, Atletico Madrid Lose Second Place

David Ramos

AC Milan and Rayo, FC Barcelona's two rivals this week | FC Barcelona
This week will decide FC Barcelona’s future in both the Champions League and the Liga. FC Barcelona will play two home games in the span of five days. The first will be on Tuesday at 20.45 against AC Milan, for the return leg of the Champions League round of 16, and the second will be on Sunday at 21.00, for Week 28 of the Liga, against Rayo.

Sunday training to recover from Deportivo game | FC Barcelona
The squad trained on Sunday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with the emphasis on recovering from the match against Deportivo. Xavi Hernández took a full part in the session and continued his fight back to first team action following his appearance on the bench against Depor. The seniors were joined by Jordi Masip (reserve keeper) and Joan Àngel Román from Barça B.

Barça keeps a clean sheet after 13-match run | FC Barcelona
José Manuel Pinto featured in the opening line-up against Deportivo at the age of 37 years 121 days and so beat the league record previously held by Alexanko (37 years 32 days). If the Valdés ban is upheld, he will extend his lead as the oldest player to appear for Barça in the league.

Azulgrana RoundUp, Week 23: Andrés Iniesta and Xavi's Interviews | FC Barcelona
"I’m fairly optimistic despite the 2-0 from the away leg," said Xavi to Mundo Deportivo earlier this week when asked about FC Barcelona’s chances of overcoming the two-goal deficit on Tuesday against AC Milan. "We still have 90 minutes, maybe even 120 minutes. A lot can happen in a match. In any given moment they can score on you, they are talented.

Dani Alves: "We're approaching the match on Tuesday without fear" | FC Barcelona
The Brazilian, who was interviewed on Barça TV’s ‘El Marcador,’ noted that the team’s "objective was to win and to reach Tuesday with a boost of confidence." On yesterday’s match against Deportivo, he said, "we went out [on to the pitch] to enjoy ourselves, we did what we always do." On the upcoming match against Milan, he said, "hopefully we’ve learned our lesson and on Tuesday we compete like we know how."

Camp Nou to feature Barça mosaic against Milan | FC Barcelona
This Tuesday, for the match against Milan, Camp Nou will look at its best for another great night of European football. Members and fans will have the chance to show the world a mosaic in the Barca colours and the colours of the Catalan flag. The central slogan of the mosaic will read "Som un Equip" ("We are a team"), in one of the most important matches of the season.

Pazzini out of Barcelona clash - Goal.com
The striker was forced off with an ankle injury after scoring in the win over Genoa, and has been omitted from Massimiliano Allegri's 22-man squad for the trip to Camp Nou Giampaolo Pazzini has been ruled out of AC Milan's Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.

Ronaldo brace ensures Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured Real Madrid came away from Estadio Balaídos with all three points following a 2-1 win against Celta de Vigo. Los Blancos struggled to come to terms with an incredibly high defensive line from the hosts as they were caught offside no fewer than eight times in a scoreless first half.

Courtois clean sheet run ended by offside goal - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Diego Simeone’s side lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad after Xabi Prieto's 53rd-minute strike, which was proven by television replays to have come from an offside position. Atletico’s previous record of 800 minutes came from former coach Abel Resino, who was keeper during the 1990-91 season, but on-loan Chelsea man Courtois would have been happier to miss the mark and win the match.

Levante fail to strike | Sky Sports Football
Levante missed the chance to move closer to the Europa League places as Getafe survived a one-sided goalless draw at the Ciutat de Valencia. The east-coast outfit reached 36 points and 10th place courtesy of the stalemate - their highest-ever points tally at this stage of a Primera Division season - but they were left to rue a chronic lack of incision in front of goal.

Muniain wins it for Bilbao | Sky Sports Football
Iker Muniain scored his first goal of the season as Athletic Bilbao overcame Valencia at San Mames to record a victory that eased their fears of being dragged into a relegation fight. The result was also a blow to Valencia's plans of qualifying for the Champions League, as Ernesto Valverde's side missed the chance to capitalise on Malaga's draw on Saturday and claim fourth spot.

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