alexis

Two second half goals from Boateng and Muntari at San Siro have left Barça with a mountain to climb in the second leg of the Champions League’s last 16. The clash of titans at the San Siro has ended with AC Milan celebrating their 2-0 win over FC Barcelona as if they had won the title. The Barça forwards failed to create a single clear-cut opportunity and in defence allowed Milan to take practically the only two real chances they had in the entire game. On the 12th of March, FC Barcelona will be looking for yet another magnificent night in front of their own fans to turn around a tie that currently sees them in a very tricky situation indeed.

Two second half goals from Leo Messi turned the result round after Ighalo had put a brave Granada ahead and gave Barça three more points in their title bid. With the World Number One leading the team though, Barça put in an impeccable second half performance and set things up nicely for Wednesday’s trip to San Siro, when the Catalans will be playing AC Milan at the Champions League last 16 first leg.

A great performance from Barça to beat Getafe with goals by Alexis, Messi, Villa, Tello, Iniesta and Piqué. In the absence of midfield maestro Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi directed a free-flowing Barça attack while assistant coach Jordi Roura was able to rest some of his overstretched players. The game was the first morning kick-off seen in the Camp Nou for several decades.

Valdés, Piqué, Puyol, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc, Pedro, Villa, Alexis, Messi, Mascherano, Alves and Adriano will play for their respective national teams on Wednesday in friendlies. Alexis Sánchez, who was named to Chile's national team, will make the shortest trip, seeing that his national team is set to play in Madrid. On the other hand, Spain, with nine Blaugrana named to the team, will travel the farthest. The Spanish side will play in Qatar against Uruguay. Carles Puyol could play his 100th match for the Spanish national team.

Barça and Málaga drew in the Spanish Cup’s quarter final first leg. Camacho’s late goal cancelled out Barça’s comeback and leaves everything wide open ahead of the return leg in Andalusia. Iturra put the visitors ahead and although Barça almost immediately bounced back with goals from Messi and Puyol, not even against ten men after Monreal was ordered off were they able to extend their lead.

Goals from Messi, Cesc and Thiago gave Barça their 18th win from the first 19 Spanish League games, the championship record. The three points keep Barça 11 ahead of Atletico Madrid and stretch their advantage over the reigning champions Real Madrid to 18 after an incredible first half to the campaign. The win was a perfect example of Barça’s collective spirit, with a wonderful performance of possession football that left Malaga with no options whatsoever.

Thiago scored his first two goals of the season; Villa also got two, the first after a terrific individual move, and Alexis got back to his scoring ways with a brace. With this win, Barça reach the Spanish Cup quarter finals. Next up will be Malaga and Pellegrini. The first leg is next week at the Camp Nou and the return in a fortnight’s time at La Rosaleda Stadium. The downside to the night was injuries suffered by Sergi Roberto and Villa.

In Cordoba, yet another brace from Messi has put the Spanish Cup quarter finals well within reach for FC Barcelona. It was a wonderful all-round performance for Barça at the Nuevo Arcángel in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Barça they will still have to make sure of qualification when the sides meet again at the Camp Nou on January 10.

The Spanish League leaders get their eighth straight win on the road and in all their 14th of the season. Messi put Barça ahead with two early goals to beat Müller’s record. Betis pulled a goal back before the break and hit the post three times in the second half. Messi and Jordi Alba also hit the wood work.

Tests have confirmed that the Chile international player has damaged a ligament in his right foot. FC Barcelona’s player Alexis picked up the injury in Wednesday’s friendly between Chile and Serbia in Switzerland.

Barça’s Boss insisted that Messi, who missed training this morning as his first son was about to be born, will be available for Saturday’s game against Celta de Vigo. Vilanova also stated that Piqué “will be back in training with the rest of us in a few days’ time”.

A wonderful game and goals from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas gained FC Barcelona their second win in their Champions League group stage. Benfica were outplayed for most of the 90 minutes, especially in the second half. Puyol was forced to withdraw with yet another injury and Busquets was sent off towards the end of the game.

Barça, who have a 100% record in this season’s Spanish League, will debut in the 2012/13 Champions League against Spartak Moscow at the Camp Nou (20.45 CET). Alexis Sánchez, who hasn’t been declared fit to play, was named by Tito Vilanova to the team.

FC Barcelona’s Manager thinks winning all three points at the ever-difficult Coliseum Alfonso Pérez would be the best way to deal with the problem of so many absent international players being away this week. On the five-point lead over Real Madrid, Vilanova says “the important thing is that we’ve got nine points”.

Two second half goals from Messi turned around an early strike by Osasuna’s Joseba Llorente to give Barça the points in Pamplona. Real Madrid was defeated by Getafe. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will play the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup Final next Wednesday.