After having qualified for the Spanish Cup final and just before the Champions League gets back under way, Barça’s attention turns back to the Spanish League campaign. The Catalan side hopes to over take Real Madrid, who are seven points ahead.
FC Barcelona, the Kings of the competition, qualified for another Spanish Cup Final after beating Valencia at the Camp Nou, thanks to goals from Cesc and Xavi, one in each half. Guardiola’s team will play the Cup Final against Athletic Bilbao for the second time in 3 years.
FC Barcelona Manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that the Spanish Cup match against Valencia this Wednesday will be “very demanding,” and that the “players need match ready” in order to get to the final. On the players that are dealing with minor fitness issues, he said, “Xavi is OK, Alexis is getting there and Busquets’ fitness is the most doubtful”
Barça wins “the Oscars of sports”. FC Barcelona beat out the Dallas Mavericks, the Red Bull Formula 1 team, the All Blacks, the English national cricket side and the Japanese women’s national football side to win the Laureus World Team of the Year award. Messi and Abidal were also nominated. This award, which gives FC Barcelona worldwide recognition, will be added to FC Barcelona’s athletic and social achievements.
Barça overcame freezing temperatures and an injury to Busquets to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Camp Nou. Tello and Messi scored for the FC Barcelona. The Catalans continue their race to overtake Real Madrid topping the Spanish League.
Barça managed to get a valuable draw in Valencia in the first leg of the Spanish Cup semifinal, in a game where Jonas put the home side ahead, and Puyol equalised with a header. The Camp Nou will decide who’ll go through to the Spanish Cup Final.
A hard working display from Barça wasn’t enough to see off Villarreal in a hard fought game the visitors had the best chances in, including a shot against the woodwork from Cesc on 78 minutes.
Vila-real vs FC Barcelona is a crucial game for the Catalan club. Barça go to Vila-real with important absentees as they chase three more points to keep Spanish League leaders Real Madrid in their sights.
The FCB Escola project is continuing to expand around the world. Barça will open two schools in Indonesia in 2012, where football is growing exponentially.
Barça drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in an electrifying Clásico, taking them into the semifinals of the Spanish Cup. FC Barcelona went ahead before the break with goals from Pedro and Alves, but Real Madrid tied up the match in the second half.
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.