Bartra out of Granada squad | FC Barcelona
Gerardo Martino has named 18 players for Saturday’s game at Granada (8 PM CET). Centre back Marc Bartra pulled his right hamstring in training this morning and although the injury doesn’t seem too serious, he is being rested this weekend as a precautionary measure. The injured Jonathan Dos Santos, Víctor Valdés, Gerard Piqué, Isaac Cuenca and Carles Puyol also miss out, while there is no room for Ibrahim Afellay either.
Bouncing back after European exits | FC Barcelona
Going out of Europe’s premier club competition has come as a tough blow to Barça, but there is no time to dwell on that, because on Saturday at 8.00 PM CET there’s a crucial league match to be played in Granada. And if recent history is anything to go by, then FCB have never let disappointment in Europe dent their morale in the domestic championship.
Heads up and back to work | FC Barcelona
Barça were back at work on Thursday morning following the disappointment of 1-0 defeat at the Vicente Calderón, which has put an end to this season’s European adventure. Now it’s time to pick up the pieces and soldier on, for there is a crunch Liga fixture on Saturday at 8.00 PM CET away to Granada.
FC Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao, Sunday 20 at 9.00 PM CET | FC Barcelona
The game was originally scheduled for May, supposing that Barça made it into the semi-finals of the Champions League, but as this was not the case, it will instead be played on the weekend planned at the start of the competition. The time of the game between Real Sociedad and Espanyol has also been moved, in that case to Saturday 19 at 8.00 PM CET.
Three classic FC Barcelona league games in Granada | FC Barcelona
Barça’s record in league games in Granada amounts to eleven wins, four draws and four defeats. Most of these games date back to before 1976 and the old Los Cármenes stadium, where despite the Catalans usually getting the upper hand, some older fans still remember a historic trouncing of FCB in the 1940s. Here we look back at three particularly memorable games between the two sides on Andalusian soil.
Stats show how Barcelona's Lionel Messi failed to influence Atletico Madrid game - ESPN FC
Messi's average for previous Barca games in the competition this season is 8.2 km. According to UEFA, his pass completion figure against Atletico was also surprisingly low, just 60 percent, compared to 77 percent over his seven Champions League games this term.
Johan Cruyff - Do not blame Tata Martino for Barca failings - ESPN FC
"Martino does what he can, but it is very difficult when you want to be in control and they do not let you," Cruyff said. "The coach should decide in the dressing-room, but for four years it is not the coach who is in charge. It is logical that is happening. Those above [are to blame]."
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo doubt for Copa del Rey final vs. Barcelona - ESPN FC
Cristiano Ronaldo is now a serious doubt for next Wednesday's Copa del Rey final meeting with Barcelona, and even the Champions League semifinals, after tests revealed the Real Madrid star had a thigh strain to go with his existing knee problem.
Bayern Munich meet Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid face Chelsea - Goal.com
Holders Bayern Munich will take on Real Madrid in the standout tie of the Champions League semi-finals. Chelsea, meanwhile, will meet Atletico Madrid in their semi-final encounter, with Thibaut Courtois set to be pitted against his permanent employers as Jose Mourinho bids to claim another Champions League title.
Borussia Dortmund seal permanent Sahin signing - Goal.com
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they will activate their option to sign Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid on a permanent deal at the end of the season. The former Liverpool midfielder is currently starring during his second spell with Jurgen Klopp’s side, a loan agreement that expires on June 30.
UEFA release Courtois statement | Football Espana
"The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA. Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match."
Valencia beat Basel 5-0 to overturn 3-0 first-leg deficit | Sky Sports Football
Basel's dominant performance at home a week ago had left Valencia with a mountain to climb back at the Mestalla, but Alcacer set them on the way with a 38th minute opener before Eduardo Vargas added another two minutes before half-time. Alcacer's second of the game with 20 minutes to go ensured extra-time before Basel had both Marcelo Diaz and Gaston Sauro sent off for second bookable offences in the first period.
Sevilla come back to stun Porto with a 4-1 win (4-2 on aggregate) | Sky Sports Football
Sevilla fought back from a first-leg deficit to claim a 4-2 aggregate win over Porto in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday evening. Unai Emery's side began the night trailing 1-0 in the tie, but were in control after just 30 minutes as they scored three times.
Europa League semi-final draw: Sevilla face Valencia and Benfica meet Juventus | Sky Sports
Sevilla have been drawn against Valencia in the semi-finals of the Europa League, while Benfica will tackle Juventus. The first leg matches will take place on 24 April, with the return legs on 1 May. The Juventus Stadium in Turin will host the final on 14 May.