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FC Barcelona News: 12 January 2014; Barça and Atlético Madrid Share Points, Andres Iniesta's Injury Not Serious

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno

Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona: Thrills but no goals (0-0) | FC Barcelona
Barça played serious, intense football throughout, trying to stay faithful to their possession and passing game, with Atlético Madrid concentrating on a more direct approach, with much reliance on counter attacks and dead ball situations. But neither side managed the ultimate breakthrough and Barça can celebrate the honorary title of being ‘winter champions’.

Andrés Iniesta knock not too serious | FC Barcelona
Andrés Iniesta, who was taken off at half time on Saturday, has a badly bruised left knee, but no other complications. Tests carried out this morning confirmed that the player's recovery time will determine his availability for future games.

Martino believes the match against Atlético will make FC Barcelona stronger | FC Barcelona
Martino explained that Messi and Neymar weren’t ready to start the match, and that’s why he opted instead for Pedro and Alexis. On Messi, Martino said, "the other day he played 30 minutes and this Saturday, 45. We wanted him to play less but Iniesta’s injury changed our plans. Atlético Madrid’s defensive set-up is hard to break, even for him."

FC Barcelona were solid, says Cesc Fàbregas | FC Barcelona
Cesc Fàbregas left the Vicente Calderón pleased with how his team played against Atlético Madrid: "We ended up pinning Atlético Madrid back in their own area, we were a very solid team." The Catalan also praised the Colchoneros: "We took a step forward today, Atlético are one of the best teams in Europe and they defend really well."

Facts and figures from the Atletico Madrid game | FC Barcelona
Pedro has scored 48 goals in the 150 league games he completed against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and is just seven matches away from making it 250 appearances in all competitions for the Club. Xavi is now just one game away from game number 700 for the Club. Last night saw him start alongside Busquets and Iniesta for the first time since the game in San Mames.

FC Barcelona warm up at the Vicente Calderón | FC Barcelona
Here's a video of the Barça players warming up ahead of the game at the Vicente Calderon. Look out for the passes between Messi and Neymar and Alves and Alexis!

Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona curiosities | FC Barcelona
Simeone has never beaten Barça as a manager. He has lost three league games and drew twice in the Spanish Supercup earlier this season. Former FCB man David Villa’s last goal for Barça was against his current team on September 24, 2011, in a 5-0 win.

Barcelona angry after Rosell targeted over Neymar contract - Yahoo Eurosport UK
"Barcelona Football Club wishes to express its most energetic indignation about the report by the state prosecutor on the signing of Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior," Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es) on Saturday. "The operation to sign Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior was complex, an example of business engineering, and we have repeatedly expressed the confidential nature of some of its agreements," they added.

Athletic Bilbao win 6-1 | Sky Sports Football
Midfielder Mikel Rico opened the scoring with just six minutes played and Ander Herrera doubled the lead just four minutes later. Aymeric Laporte made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark, but Helder Barbosa gave Francisco Javier Rodriguez's side faint hope by scoring before half-time. However, further goals from Aritz Aduriz put the hosts further ahead and a double from substitute Ibai Gomez completed the rout.

Carrico denies Elche victory | ESPNFC.com
Cristian Herrera's 82nd-minute effort had looked set to earn the struggling hosts a crucial three points, but their hopes of moving four points clear of the bottom three were dashed. Instead they gained a two-point cushion over the drop zone, the draw no more than they deserved from a match in which they frustrated European hopefuls Sevilla for long periods.

Charles rules for Celta | Sky Sports Football
Valencia had been rejuvenated under coach Juan Antonio Pizzi since he took over at the end of 2013 and pushed towards European qualification, while their opponents were looking at the other end of the table. But despite going behind to a Dani Parejo goal after 23 minutes they did not lose heart, Charles netting twice (50 and 78) to earn them three important points.

Baptistao joins Betis from Atletico - Yahoo Eurosport UK
With the Verdiblancos struggling in the relegation zone, they have acted quickly to reinforce the squad, and this afternoon have revealed that the youngster has signed until June from Atletico Madrid. "I have come to a big club with fantastic players," he told the Real Betis website. "I am happy and eager to work to help the team in every possible way."

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