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FC Barcelona's medical staff has given Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets medical clearance to play tonight when Barça take on Real Betis. Lionel Messi is also expected to take some part in the game. That, however, can not be said about Pedro Rodriguez, who is suffering from a stomach bug, and will not be available for selection.
Adriano: "The season is not all over yet" | FC Barcelona
"We’re feeling much better now" he says. "The way the semi-final went was a big blow to all of us. But we were more cheerful in training today and have managed to turn our minds back to Betis, a game that’s like a final for us… Everything seems black now, but the season isn’t over. We still have to finish off the league".
Cruyff rubbishes talk that Barcelona's era has ended - Goal.com
Former Barcelona and Netherlands icon Johan Cruyff has dismissed claims that the Catalan outfit are at the end of their winning cycle. Despite bowing out of the Champions League on the back of a crushing 7-0 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich, Tito Vilanova's men are well on course to sew up their 22nd Liga title.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are symbolic of Spain's pain | The Observer
The Spanish are fond of seeing football through a political prism, with what happens on the field often said to mirror what happens off it. So when Real Madrid and Barcelona conceded eight goals between them in 24 disastrous hours, eventually getting knocked out of the Champions League, the joke was inevitable and came laced with a bitter sting.
FC Barcelona B-Lugo: Two points slip away (2-2) | FC Barcelona
Barça B added to its undefeated streak this afternoon, but the players left the pitch with a sour taste in their mouths as Lugo managed to score the equaliser on the 88th minute at the Miniestadi. Barça B’s intense and aggressive start yielded a fruitful two-goal lead.
Spotlight on Pepe Mel's Real Betis Balompié | FC Barcelona
Barça took the three points from the Benito Villamarín in December when the Catalans were hosted by Real Betis. It was a nail-biter of a match as Messi scored an early brace – taking his tally of goals scored in a calendar year past Gerd Müller’s record – just to see Betis pull one back before the break. Betis went on to hit the post three times in the second half, but they were unable to equalize.
Betis impressing away from home | FC Barcelona
On Sunday at 21.00, the Camp Nou welcomes Betis. Without making a big song and dance about it, the green-and-whites have been one of the best away teams this campaign. Only Barça (12) and Real Madrid (9) have won more times on the road than Betis (7). They have accumulated the fourth highest number of away points.
Jeered Mourinho moves closer to Madrid exit but Ronaldo remains Real deal - Goal.com
Mourinho was booed before the match as his name was announced over the loudspeaker. Days earlier, as Madrid sought a comeback of epic proportions in their Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Borussia Dortmund, the Real fans had got behind their coach and applauded as his name was read out. Not now.
Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid in seven-goal thriller - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Ronaldo scored a brace as Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid 4-3 at the Bernabeu. League leaders Barcelona will have to wait at least another week to wrap up the La Liga title after the result - if Real had failed to win, victory for Barca against Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Sunday would have secured a fourth title in five years as they would have been at least 13 points clear with only four games left and 12 points available.
Ronaldo closes on milestone | Sky Sports Football
Cristiano Ronaldo made it 199 goals for Real Madrid in less than four seasons as two towering headers helped earn an entertaining 4-3 win over Valladolid. The hosts bounced back from their Champions League elimination at the hands of Borussia Dortmund to keep the Primera Division title race alive for one more weekend at least.
Valencia thrash Osasuna to stay in Champions League hunt - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Valencia striker Roberto Soldado started the rout at the Mestalla in the 39th minute when he netted the rebound from a Jonas shot and Ricardo Costa nodded a second for the home side a minute before halftime. Osasuna defender Alejandro Arribas was shown a straight red card in the 58th minute when he felled Soldado as he bore down on goal and Ever Banega stroked the resulting free kick in off the underside of the crossbar.
Huge victory for Granada | Sky Sports Football
A solitary goal by Odion Ighalo saw off Malaga and handed Granada a huge boost in their bid to avoid relegation from the Primera Division. The Nigerian's goal midway through the first half took Lucas Alcaraz's side further clear of the drop zone and struck a blow to Malaga's already slim hopes of reclaiming fourth spot from Real Sociedad.