Under the slogan ‘Also in health, more than a club’, FC Barcelona has unveiled its ‘Smoke-free Camp Nou’ campaign on Monday whose two objectives are to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco and to encourage people not to smoke in the stadium.
Seydou Keita has spoken to Barça TV about why he thinks this team has been so successful, about the difficult times regarding Abidal’s illness and about the run in to the end of a season where the squad is still hoping to win everything.
Éric Abidal is now back home, after having a tumour removed from his liver. The FC Barcelona’s medical services report that his post-operation progress has been satisfactory.
FC Barcelona announces an agreement with Dani Alves to extend his contract with the club for another three seasons, until June 30, 2015.
FC Barcelona have been drawn against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League quarter finals. The first leg is at the Camp Nou on April. If Barça qualify for the semi finals, they will meet either Real Madrid or Tottenham, with the second leg in Barcelona.
Andreu Fontàs will form part of the first team squad for the rest of the season. Despite being only 21, Fontàs has already had experience playing for the first team under Guardiola.
A tumour in Barça’s French international defender Eric Abidal’s liver has been detected. The player will have surgery this Thursday.
The draw in Seville on Sunday was Barça’s 26th La Liga (Spanish League) game on the run without defeat, which equalled the Club record that had stood since the 1973/74 season.
Despite being clearly the better team, Barça had to settle for just a point in Seville tonight after a second half Navas goal neutralised Bojan’s first half strike. Messi had a goal disallowed and Barça also hit the woodwork twice.
On a magical evening, Barça outplayed Arsenal to make amends for the 2-1 defeat in the first leg. Leo Messi made it 1-0 before the break, and the Catalans clinched it in the second half through Xavi and Messi. Barça are back in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Catalan Juan Ferrando is the personal trainer of the Arsenal’s captain. Ferrando is training up some of the best football players in the English league. He left Catalonia looking for greater working experiences.
Barça play host to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 (20:45 CET) aiming to overturn the 2-1 result at the Emirates. Barça are without Pique and Puyol, whilst for Arsenal Cesc and Van Persie are doubtful.
They deserved more, but Barça had to settle for a solitary Keita goal to overcome Zaragoza on a day that saw the presidential box filled with women. Guardiola’s side has an overnight lead of ten points on Real Madrid. And on Tuesday, it is Arsenal.
FC Barcelona host Zaragoza tonight (20.00 CET) in another important game after winning away to Mallorca and Valencia. The good news is that both Valdés and Jeffren are back in the side.
Following a medical examination this morning, Barça's coach Josep Guardiola has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. The Barça manager will be treated with drugs and epidural injections, and his hospital discharge will depend on how successful that is.