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The FC Barcelona manager is hoping for a packed Camp Nou and for the team to enjoy the match. “You will see two great teams put on a very good show. The rest doesn’t matter” he insisted. “I hold reverential respect for Real Madrid. They are the worst team we could expect to play on Wednesday”.

With the win in Málaga, Barça finished the first half of the Spanish League season in second spot, with an exceptional home record and Leo Messi equalling César’s goalscoring record. However, the away record is not as good as recent seasons.

A sensational display from Barça at La Rosaleda against a threatening Málaga side. A stunning hat-trick from Messi, and another goal from Alexis, reflected the FC Barcelona superiority. Víctor Valdes made a vital triple save in the 15th minute.

Gerard Piqué offered his views on the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Spanish Cup game. The Barça centre back has never lost to Madrid, and was delighted with yet another victory at the Bernabéu. When asked about Pepe treading on Messi’s hand, he said that others are to judge, not FC Barcelona players.

FC Barcelona presented their manager, who on Wednesday celebrated his 41st birthday, with an epic comeback win at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Spanish Cup. Puyol and Abidal scored the goals.

The balance of Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona’s Manager, against Real Madrid is eight victories, three draws, and one defeat. Guardiola confirmed that Pinto will be the starting goalkeeper in the clásico and that his assistant, Tito Vilanova, will travel to Madrid.

The French player renews his contract with FC Barcelona until June 30th, 2013. The agreement contains a provision to extend the contract until 2015.

Barça beat Betis 4-2 at the Camp Nou after the Seville team had fought back from 2-0 down in the second half. Xavi, Messi (2) and Alexis were on target for FC Barcelona. Betis’ two goals were the first Barça have conceded at home in this season’s Spanish League.

The Barça manager stressed at the press conference before the Spanish League game against Betis that “there are 63 points left to play for and we’d like to believe that we still have a chance to win the League”.

Two goals from Alexis and Sergi Roberto gave Barça a 1-2 win in Pamplona against Osasuna which safely sees them through to a Spanish Cup quarter final clash with Real Madrid. The first leg, the first ‘clasico’ is set for 22h00 CET January 20th.

The Brazilian player travelled to Paris, with FC Barcelona’s permission, to finalise his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The PSG made him an offer that he wants to accept it. Barça Manager, Pep Guardiola, gave him a free hand.

The Argentinean star is named by FIFA as the best player of 2011. This is Messi’s third straight Ballon d’Or Award. Messi equals Platini, Cruyff and Van Basten, the only players to ever win three Ballon d’Or titles. The Barça boss, who won 5 titles with FC Barcelona in 12 months, beat last year's winner, José Mourinho, and Sir Alex Ferguson. Guardiola dedicated the title to his assistant coach, Tito Vilanova. Besides, 5 Barça players are in the FIFA's Best Eleven of the Year: Alves, Piqué, Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi. Two of them are Catalan and four are home grown players.

Espanyol and Barça shared the points in the season’s first Catalan derby after FC Barcelona hit the woodwork on three occasions. Cesc Fàbregas opened the scoring within the first quarter of an hour and Alvaro hit a late equaliser. The draw leaves Barça five points behind Real Madrid in second spot.

Barça clearly defeated Osasuna in the first game of the new year, thanks to 2 goals each from Cesc and Messi. FC Barcelona are well on their way to going through to the quarter-finals of the Spanish Cup.

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has named the FC Barcelona midfielder the best playmaker in the world for the fourth year in a row. Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta are second and third behind Xavi.