A goal from Puyol and a hat trick from Leo Messi, which served to take him past Gerd Muller’s previous record strikes in a European season, gave Guardiola, cheered all night by the crowd, another win at the Camp Nou. Two hours later, Real Madrid was winning the Spanish League title in San Mamés.
Coinciding with the European Central Bank Governing Council organised in Barcelona, the President of the Catalan Government, Artur Mas, met with Mario Draghi and other members of the ECB Governing Council. Mas took the opportunity to explain to the ECB the Catalan Government’s austerity measures and its efforts to reduce Catalonia’s public deficit. He also spoke of his party’s support to all the reforms taken at Spanish level, despite being unpopular. However, Mas warned the ECB President that reducing the deficit too fast in the middle of an economic recession might worsen the crisis.
Tanja Niederstein and Maja Grigat have come to Barcelona with the European Voluntary Service and spend most of their time doing voluntary activities such as helping handicapped students, teaching English or playing with sick children.
Goals from Messi (2), Alexis, Keita, Pedro (2) and Thiago gave Barça a record win at Vallecas in a game the Catalans totally dominated. Further good news for FC Barcelona was the return of Ibrahim Afellay after his long injury layoff.
The Russian company Lukoil has reached an agreement with the Catalan company Meroil to build 13 new oil tanks at Barcelona Port, which are able to store 360,000 cubic metres. Furthermore, Barcelona Port is the only Mediterranean port ready to host the largest and deepest oil tankers. The Catalan President, Artur Mas, unveiled the infrastructure and emphasised Catalonia is strengthening its position as “Europe’s gateway for goods coming from Asia and North Africa”. He also noted Catalonia’s attractive position for foreign investment. Barcelona Port is linked by international width standard railway with Central Europe and has the Zona Franca logistics and industrial district next to it.
The substitute of Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, who will be FC Barcelona’s 2012/13 manager, has shown that he’s more than capable of managing the team after five seasons as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. As a footballer, Vilanova was at La Masía and he played in first division with Celta de Vigo.
Tito Vilanova, Guardiola’s assistant, will take over and become Barça’s next Manager. Pep Guardiola has announced to FC Barcelona’s President and the squad that he will not be staying at FC Barcelona after June 30, when his present contract ends. Guardiola justified his decision is “worn out and empty” after 4 years being the coach of the best team in the world. He emphasised that Barça’s Manager needs to be full of energy and therefore, the best for the club is he stepping down. The club’s President expressed his “eternal gratitude” to Guardiola’s job.
Barça dominated against Chelsea over both legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-final: shots, completed passes, possession, corners… except one – goals scored. Xavi Hernández made more passes during the Camp Nou game than all the Chelsea players combined.
Barça have crashed out of the Champions League after drawing 2-2 in the semi final with a Chelsea side that managed to equalise after the home side had gone 2-0 up through Busquets and Iniesta. Busquets put FC Barcelona ahead shortly before Terry was sent off for kneeing Alexis in the back. Iniesta increased Barça’s lead but shortly before the break, a long range chip from Ramires put Chelsea back in control. Barça hit the post twice in the second half, once from the penalty spot. A late Torres goal while Guardiola’s side was deep in the Chelsea half settled the game in injury time.
Barça host Chelsea in the Champions League semi final second leg as they seek to make amends for 1-0 defeat in London and qualify for the grand final (20h45 CET).
The Spanish Government has taken this measure for the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council that will be held in Barcelona from May 2nd to 4th. The cancellation of the Schengen Protocol comes after a request by the Catalan Minister for Home Affairs to prevent the arrival of violent protesters and guarantee security during the meeting. This precautionary measure will come into effect from April 28th to May 4th, both included. It will be combined with 6,500 police deployed on the streets of the capital of Catalonia. All these measures will be taken after an evaluation of the risks of trouble during the event.
The Barça defender talked about the decisive match against Chelsea, the defeat in the Spanish League Clásico against Real Madrid, and his recent absence from Barça’s starting line-up.
Barça have lost to a practical and effective Real Madrid, but have come out of the game with their heads held high. A Cristiano Ronaldo goal just after Alexis had equalised was enough to sentence the clásico at the Camp Nou. Barça are now seven points adrift of the Spanish League leaders.
FC Barcelona Manager notes that their only objective against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou is to “win to prolong the competition.” He adds: “if they win or draw, the Liga is theirs”. Guardiola considers that, whatever the result is, that “Barça have already won,” in regards to how well the team have played in recent years. The manager warns of the dangers that Real Madrid bring to the match: “they dominate all aspects of the game ... they’ll come out to win”.
The 21st edition of Catalonia’s International Tourism Fair takes place between April 20th and 22nd in Barcelona. In this annual trade fair, the sector displays its best offers and trends. This year sport tourism, wine tourism and the camping sector are some of the main attractions. More than 200,000 people are expected to visit the event. Tourism represents 12% of Catalonia’s GDP, employing more than 400,000 people. The Catalan tourist industry welcomed 23.5 million visitors in 2011 and earned €11.3 billion; estimates for 2012 expect figures to increase by 7%. National Geographic included the Costa Brava as one of its top 20 destinations worldwide.