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21 players train ahead of Champions League debut | FC Barcelona
The first team squad continued preparations for Wednesday night’s Champions League opener against Ajax at the Camp Nou, with a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning. Tata Martino worked with all 21 players available, plus captain Carles Puyol, who joined in part of the session. Puyol explained on Friday that he is nearing full fitness and should soon be available to play.
Cristian Tello: "Tata knows what we are missing and gradually we will get better" | FC Barcelona
Cristian Tello, who made his first start of the season on Saturday night, spoke to the press after training this lunchtime and with one eye on Wednesday's Champions League opener against Ajax, explained: "The Champions League is really important for us and the best way to go into the game against Ajax is with a league win behind us".
Barcelona sign nine-year-old Swedish wonderkid - Yahoo Eurosport UK
The Catalan giants have signed Zico Jr Marecaldi from Swedish fifth division club BK Olympic after he impressed during a Barcelona recruitment camp. Zico Jr may have the name of a Brazilian legend but he says that Barca's Argentine star Lionel Messi is his true hero. The youngster has already been followed by the Swedish press such is his early promise.
Amsterdam-Barcelona: A journey that started in the 70s | FC Barcelona
The relationship between FC Barcelona and Ajax started in the 70s, when Johan Cruyff signed with for the Catalan Club (1973). Forty years later, and keeping in mind that the two teams have never faced off in an official match before, we’re taking a look at the players that have signed for Barça from Ajax, vice versa or players who have simply played for both teams.
Bojan: "You defend a shirt for 90 minutes, there are no feelings" | FC Barcelona
Bojan Krkic will return to the Camp Nou on Wednesday just months after he played against the Blaugrana in the Milan strip. On this occasion he’ll be playing for Ajax, the team he’s been loaned out to this season. The Catalan forward is very excited for Wednesday’s match even though he knows what it’s like to play at the Camp Nou with a kit that’s not Barça’s.
How Cristiano Ronaldo landed record-breaking €105m contract - Goal.com
Cristiano Ronaldo's new Real Madrid contract makes him not only the best paid footballer on the planet, but also the best paid individual in the history of the sport. Under the terms of the five-year deal announced by the Liga club yesterday, the Portugal international is to be paid a basic salary of €21 million net. Ronaldo will earn performance bonuses and substantial image right payments on top.
Athletic inaugurate new stadium in Bilbao with win - Yahoo Eurosport UK
Celta forward Charles dampened the party atmosphere when he put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute. Bilbao levelled four minutes later when Mikel San Jose pounced on a loose ball and fired past goalkeeper Yoel. Captain Andoni Iraola made it 2-1 to Bilbao in the 61st minute and Benat sped clear and finished clinically to put them two goals ahead in the 68th before Santi Mina scored for Celta in the 79th to set up a nervous finale for the home side.
Duo battle for dire draw | Sky Sports Football
Elche and Valladolid both made progress in the Primera Division table following a dire goalless stalemate at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Juan Ignacio Martinez's Valladolid moved up four places to 10th thanks to the point, while newcomers Elche gained one place and sit 17th after three draws in their first four matches.
Real lose Zurutuza, gain Agirretxe | Football Espana
For Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Sociedad are without David Zurutuza through an Achilles injury, but welcome Imanol Agirretxe back. The Basques are hosting Shakhtar in the opening round of group stage fixtures in the Champions League tonight, but must do without one of their influential midfielders.