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Alves' Brazil held by Italy (2-2) | FC Barcelona
The U21 sides from Spain and Norway played this evening at Salto del Caballo stadium in Toledo. The team managed by Julen Lopetegui defeated the Northern European side by 5 to 2. Cristian Tello grabbed a brace after Norway had netted the opener. Thiago, Muniesa, Bartra and Deulofeu also featured for Spain.
Night of international match-ups | FC Barcelona
The next couple of days will see 12 FC Barcelona players feature for their respective countries. Spain, with Valdés, Piqué, Alba, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Busquets, Villa and Pedro, will face off against Finland at El Molinón (20.45), on matchday six of the in World Cup qualifiers.
Leo Messi eyes Maradona's goal mark of 34 goals with Argentina | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi still has a lot of challenges ahead of him with FC Barcelona and Argentina. The highest goalscorer in official matches for FC Barcelona will feature for his country in the coming days against Venezuela and Bolivia, and if he's on target, he could break Diego Maradona's goalscoring record with Argentina.
Del Bosque: Villa is back to his best - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Spain forward’s travails extended into this season, but he has scored in his last two matches, with performances to match. "There has been a change in David Villa, he is exuding a joy and optimism now," Del Bosque said. "He is happy with his form and we have regained the greatest goalscorer in the history of Spain’s national team."
Who's the greatest? Guardiola v Xavi - Goal.com
Just over two decades on, Xavi was captain and Guardiola the coach as the Catalans claimed the trophy again; the two men stood together in London at that same stadium - they had come full circle. Guardiola had been Johan Cruyff's 'cerebral' midfielder in the Dream Team - an extension of the coach on the pitch. For Pep, that man was Xavi.
Jordi Alba, a safe bet at full back | FC Barcelona
Alba, who was signed to strengthen a position weakened by Abidal’s illness and the injuries to Adriano, has played in 35 of the team’s games so far this season – starting in all but three of them -after performing last summer in the European Championships and the Olympic Games
FC Barcelona's Wembley hero, Ronald Koeman, turns 50 | FC Barcelona
It was the 111th minute in the first half of overtime in Wembley Stadium when Ronald Koeman unleashed one of his trademark free kicks to give the Blaugrana a one-goal lead over Sampdoria. His goal, perhaps one of the most emblematic of Barça’s storied history, sealed the first ever European Cup title for FC Barcelona.
The most important race for second place - SBNation.com
We’ve all been there or, if we’ve led limited or emotionally uncomplicated lives, we’ve seen it in the movies: a relationship where the passion runs all one way. It is in this category that the long affair between Madrid’s two biggest clubs belongs. For Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid barely exists. At most, Atlético is an irritation, a bothersome flea. For Atlético, Real is a big, towering, handsome beast.
Valdano: Fifa must act in Mourinho row - Goal.com
The former Real Madrid sporting director believes that Vicente del Bosque won the Coach of the Year award fair and square. Former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano has urged Fifa to prove that the voting for the Coach of the Year award was not rigged after Jose Mourinho's claims earlier this week.
Alan Hutton rejuvenated by move to Mallorca after Aston Villa frustration | Sky Sports
Alan Hutton says he has been rejuvenated by his loan move to Real Mallorca after feeling he was 'wasting away' at Aston Villa. The 28-year-old secured a loan move to Spain in January following a disappointing stint at Villa Park, where he was overlooked by manager Paul Lambert.