Real Madrid battled back from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday and go top of the Spanish League with Rafael Van der Vaart grabbing a dramatic stoppage time winner.

After 10-man Barcelona were held 2-2 by Almeria, the incentive was on Real who had the chance to go ahead of the Catalans on goal difference, and they managed it in dramatic fashion at the Bernabeu. They slumped two-goals down an own-goal from Xabi Alonso and a Ivica Dragutinovic free-kick which caught out Real keeper Iker Casillas. But Real piled on the pressure with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos drawing their side level. It appeared as though Real would have to settle for a draw before a grandstand finish saw Van der Vaart slot home from close range.

A brace from Leo Messi rescued a point for Barcelona at Almeria. Domingo Cisma put the home side in front after he beat Carles Puyol in the air to head past keeper Victor Valdes. Messi equalised, though, after a contentious free-kick was awarded for a foul on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. An own-goal from Puyol and then the expulsion of Ibrahimovic for kicking out put Almeria firmly in the driving seat but Messi was Barca's saviour, scoring his second from close range mid-way through the second half.

Earlier, a fine strike from Jose Guardado helped Deportivo la Coruna come from behind to beat Tenerife 3-1. Deportivo had plenty of early possession but poor defending saw Juanlu Hens give Tenerife the lead. Juan Rodriguez headed Deportivo level and while they continued to press forward it was Tenerife that went nearer to scoring again when Juan Nino saw a close-range shot saved by keeper Daniel Aranzubia shortly before half time. A powerful left-footed drive from Guardado found the corner after 55 minutes and from there Deportivo never looked back with Diego Colotto adding to their lead.

Defender says his side must stop Xavi this weekend…

Almeria defender Chico has insisted that his side must contain Xavi if they wish to contain Barcelona this weekend.

The Andalusians host the Blaugrana on Saturday and Chico took the time to reminisce about the man marking job he attempted on Xavi when the two sides met earlier this season at Camp Nou, insisting some Catalonians may have gotten the wrong impression of him.

“I usually prefer to play the ball,” he told Barca TV. “That was the story of just one game. Everybody knows I like to be in contact with the ball, bring it out of defence and enjoy the game.”

Chico’s side went down 1-0 that night and the former Barca B man went on to reveal he felt controlling Xavi would be the key to his side avoiding defeat this weekend.

“We all know how good Barca are at holding onto possession and that the game works through Xavi. If we could control him, then the others around him would be affected and they’d struggle to hold onto the ball.”

President reminds fans there’s a lot of football to be played before El Clasico…

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted the league title is unlikely to be decided in El Clasico when his side travel to the Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid next month.

“We’ll see how important the match is,” he told FCBarcelona.com.

Barca currently sit just two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish Primera Division and many are already talking up the match as a championship deciding fixture. Laporta however, has reminded supporters that there is a lot of football to play before then.

“If both teams keep up their current rhythm we might arrive at the Bernabeu with the same lead and it could be an important match. But something might happen before then and the Bernabeu match won’t be decisive."

The clubs are scheduled to meet on April 11th and Laporta admitted that Spanish football fans are enjoying a real competitiveness this season with both clubs in excellent form.

“La Liga is very competitive. Both teams are at a great level and the competition is really entertaining," he concluded.

El Guaje could play on the left wing and also as an eventual replacement for Ibrahimovic...

According to Barcelona-based daily Sport, Barcelona are set to take another stab at signing David Villa this summer after failing to do so last year. As outlined in a report released by the publication, the Valencia striker is highly rated by both coach Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain.

Sport speculates that Barca are looking to sign a left-sided attacker who can also serve as an alternative to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the central role, thus opening the doors to El Guaje. Whilst not Barca's ideal replacement on the left wing, with Sport reporting that Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Valencia's Juan Mata, Valencia's David Silva, and Benfica's Angel Di Maria are all possible additions ahead of Villa, the Spanish striker could make a fairly seamless replacement for Thierry Henry. The Frenchman is not billed to be at the Camp Nou next season and Villa would also be able to interchange with Ibrahimovic in the central role.

Villa already plays in the flank position when partnering Fernando Torres in the Spanish national side or when Nikola Zigic is fielded at Valencia. Villa is currently on 17 goals in La Liga and, despite his 28 years, is one of Europe's most coveted prospects. His transfer fee is anticipated to be in the €50 million range.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are again the biggest moneymakers in world football.

The Spanish rivals took first and second place in Deloitte's annual study of the sport's finances, with English champion Manchester United slipping a place to third because of the weakness of the British pound rather than its 716.5 million pound ($1.07 billion) debt.

Madrid generated 401.4 million euros ($567.3 million) in the 12 months ending June 30, according to the report released Tuesday by British accountancy firm Deloitte.

European champion Barcelona was ranked second in the list of 20 biggest clubs according to revenue with 365.9 million euros ($517.2 million), moving up a place to return to the position it occupied two years ago.

Although the economic downturn meant that nine clubs showed a decrease in revenue in local currency, the combined income of the top 20 clubs was up about 26 million euros ($36.7 million) from the previous year at 3.9 billion euros ($5.5 billion).

"We continue to assert that the game's top clubs are well-placed to meet the challenges presented by the difficult economic environment," said Dan Jones of Deloitte's sports business group. "Their large and loyal supporter bases, ability to drive broadcast audiences and continuing attraction to corporate partners provide a strong base to underpin revenues."

Despite a disappointing season in which it finished runner-up in Spain to Barcelona and again failed to progress beyond the second round round of the Champions League, Madrid kept first place in Deloitte's list for a fifth straight year.

Madrid's contract with Mediapro helped push up income from broadcast 18 percent to 160.8 million euros ($227.3 million). Manchester United generated 43.7 million euros ($61.8 million) less from broadcasting than Madrid despite receiving 18.1 million euros ($25.6 million) more from Champions League distributions.

"The ability of Spanish clubs to sell their broadcast rights on an individual basis gives the country's larger clubs a substantial competitive advantage compared with their English, French, German and, from 2010-11, Italian peers," Deloitte said.

Manchester United generated 327 million euros ($462.2 million), including 127.7 million euros ($180.5 million) in match-day revenue.

The club's success in retaining the Premier League title and again reaching the Champions League final meant it would have stayed in second place had the pound's value against the euro not dropped by 7 percent over the year.

"It is still likely to be Real Madrid and FC Barcelona that contest the top two positions in the Money League for the immediate future, particularly if English clubs continue to suffer from a weak exchange rate," Jones said.

Even so, England was the most strongly represented club in the list with seven clubs.

Boosted by income from a property development on the site of its former stadium, Arsenal moved up a spot to fifth behind Bayern Munich and swapped positions with Chelsea.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola felt his side were back to near their best during their 2-1 home win over Malaga, even though they needed a late strike from Lionel Messi to seal the points.

Guardiola admitted earlier this week that his sextuple winners were struggling to find top gear but he was far happier following last night's victory which kept the Catalan giants two points clear of Real Madrid at the Primera Division summit.

Madrid had briefly taken over top spot with their 5-1 defeat of Tenerife earlier in the evening but Barca reclaimed pole position thanks to Messi's 84th-minute winner.

That goal came three minutes after Malaga had stunned their hosts by drawing level, but the three points were no more than Barca deserved after spending the majority of the match on the attack.

"We had probably one of our best games at home. We can say we've done well. We've been much better than in recent games,'' said Guardiola following the win.

"We didn't deserve to be 1-1. We've returned to being ourselves, we played a very good football match and this is the path to follow.''

Barca captain Carles Puyol echoed the thoughts of his coach, saying: "We've gone out strongly and with a lot of intensity, it was a shame that they got level but the important thing is the three points.

"We're back to playing our game, which is what we were looking for. We suffered when they equalised, but the team reacted well and we've won.

Barcelona seeks to bounce back from an unconvincing midweek display in the Champions League when it hosts Malaga, while Real Madrid attempts to close a two-point gap on the leader when it visits Tenerife in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Barcelona salvaged a 1-1 draw from its visit to Stuttgart in the round of 16 first-leg game although it was a sub-par performance by the champion.

"If you're not quite right things are hard," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "The result isn't bad but we know we have to do better if we want to push for titles."

A recent concern for the Catalans has been the form of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede has scored 12 league goals in his first season in Spain and he equalized against Stuttgart. However, since Christmas his scoring has slowed and Guardiola said his movement off the ball needs to improve.

"He moves, but sometimes it's hard to find him," said the coach. "I want him to score goals because a No. 9 is judged on that basis."

Although Barcelona beat Racing Santander 4-0 in the league last weekend it was an uninspired showing which prompted former Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff to call it the "worst game of the Guardiola era."

Saturday's opponent Malaga struggled near the bottom of the table early in the season but is now 12th after a four-game unbeaten run.

With 56 points, two less than Barca, Real Madrid knows it could go top this weekend if the champion slips up.

With Tenerife in the relegation zone, Madrid should be confident of winning in the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium. However, in the corresponding fixture in 1992 and 1993, losses to Tenerife in the final game of the season handed Barcelona the league title and Madrid will be wary of dropping points.

A 1-0 loss against Lyon in the Champions League on Feb. 16 was a rare blip in a run in which Madrid has won five league games in a row.

Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez appears to have recovered from an injury although he is still a doubt for Saturday. If Guti does not play, coach Manuel Pellegrini could replace him with Lassana Diarra. However, the France midfielder's ability to combine with Xabi Alonso was questioned earlier in the season.

"I don't have any problem with Xabi Alonso," Diarra said. "I think we can both play in the team. We're all Real Madrid players and we're available to the coach, who is the one to decide."

Also, third-place Valencia visits Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Valencia is on 46 points, 12 off the lead, and is aiming to stay in the Champions League spots, while 13th-place Atletico is aiming to find some consistency in an erratic league season.

One of Atletico's problems has been in goal, with first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea injured and Sergio Asenjo enduring a crisis of confidence which has at times sparked the ire of his own fans.

"The Calderon has more than enough reasons to boo me but I'm trying to turn the situation around," said Asenjo. "I need to improve my performances to change the boos to applause."

A string of fine saves during Atletico's 1-0 defeat to Almeria last weekend will have doubtless helped change the fans' opinion.

Also Saturday it's: Getafe vs. Zaragoza.

On Sunday, it's: Xerez vs. Espanyol; Villarreal vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Valladolid vs. Mallorca; Racing Santander vs. Almeria; Sporting Gijon vs. Osasuna; and Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao.

European champions Barcelona have been savaged by critics in their past two matches, without losing either of them, prompting coach Pep Guardiola to try and dispel the perception that his team just have to turn up to win.

On Saturday, Barcelona thumped Racing Santander 4-0 in La Liga, only to have it dubbed one of their worst performances of the last 18 months.

Their 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday would have delighted most teams, yet Guardiola was again grilled on why his team had played so poorly.

Having won every title possible in 2009 - the Champions League, Spanish league and cup, and the Club World Championship - traditionally high expectations seem to have been blown completely out of proportion.

"People just assume it's all over and done with," Guardiola said. "People think we are just going to win the game whatever happens, because we are reigning champions. But that's not the case. Everything is hard work. The other teams are very well prepared."

Guardiola spent most of his analysis after Tuesday's match trying to explain that Barcelona had to do more than just simply turn up to win a match.

"There are times when things flow and times when they don't. The team always try to do the right thing; sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't," he added.

The coach did admit, however, that his team can play better.

"The result was relatively positive but we have to improve to win any titles. We know what we have to do and I have no doubt that we will do it."

Barcelona, who lead La Liga by two points from arch-rivals Real Madrid, fell behind to a 25th-minute goal by Brazilian-born German international Cacau. A perfectly delivered cross from Timo Gebhart found Cacau on the far post, who headed the ball powerfully beyond Victor Valdes's outstretched arm.

And Barcelona could have been in even more trouble if Stuttgart had taken their chances.

However, the visitors were a different team after Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly after half-time, heading the ball past veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann at close range after the German managed to block his first attempt

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has demanded his side improve if they want to retain their Champions League title after being held to a 1-1 draw by Germany's Stuttgart in the last 16 clash.

"We had to fight, it was a hard game," Guardiola said after Tuesday night's match at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz Arena.

"In the second half we were able to free ourselves up and it was a good result. But if we want to go for the title in this competition, we are going to have to work hard and get better."

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scorer of Barca's crucial second-half equaliser, agreed that it was a hard game, but predicted an improved performance in the second leg at their Camp Nou fortress on March 17.

"Stuttgart is a good team, they showed that today," he said.

"We next play at home, we are good at home and I think it will be a different game."

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who was famously sent off in Arsenal's ill-fated 2006 Champions League final against Barca, said there might be an upset.

"Maybe we'll score a goal. And then they will have to come back, and then it will be a hectic English style game. That would be nice," the ex-Germany star said.

But Stuttgart's coach Christian Gross, who has turned his side's fortunes around after taking over from the sacked Markus Babbel in December, was under no illusions.

"Now we have to go and get a result in Barcelona. We can't be too optimistic," he said.

The German side gave all they had on Tuesday night, particularly in a high-tempo first half, but they managed to convert only one of their many chances when Brazilian-born striker Cacau struck in the 25th minute.

Stuttgart's goal came when a perfectly delivered cross from Timo Gebhart found Cacau on the far post, fresh from scoring four goals against Cologne on Saturday, who headed past Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

A string of other chances followed as the home side ran rings around the ragged-looking Spanish league leaders, but the German underdogs were unable to capitalise.

The tide turned as Barca's class came through in the second half when Stuttgart began to tire.

Swedish striker Ibrahimovic broke Stuttgart's resistance on 52 minutes, equalising by slotting the ball underneath Lehmann at close range after the German managed to block his first attempt.

Stuttgart only really looked dangerous again on 63 minutes when Sami Khedira, like Cacau a member of the Germany squad, had a chance to put his side ahead, but his shot went wide.

Barca never looked like losing as their all-important away goal knocked the stuffing out of Stuttgart who became increasingly desperate.

In the last 10 minutes, Barca closed the game down and the tired Germans hardly got a look-in.

"Hats off to Stuttgart, they played a very good match," said Barca's French star Thierry Henry.

Holders Barcelona visit VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday in a Champions League last-16 tie which may have looked easy when the draw was made but has since taken on a completely different complexion. When Stuttgart came out of the hat on December 19 they were 15th in the Bundesliga, with two league wins, and only goal difference stood between them and the relegation playoff spot. Since then the Germans have jumped to ninth in the table after seven wins in eight games under coach Christian Gross and they go into the first leg against Barca full of confidence.

Another warning

Stuttgart sounded another warning on Saturday when they won 5-1 at Cologne, helped by four goals from Brazilian-born striker Cacau who returned after a month out through injury. “Now we are looking forward to Barcelona. We need to focus our energy for that one then we can cause an upset,” said Cacau, who played four matches for Germany last year and is still nurturing hopes of a World Cup call-up.

Spanish league leaders Barcelona put their injury concerns to one side as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday.

The Catalan side had seen their lead at the top reduced to two points following their first league defeat last weekend against Atletico Madrid but they were comfortably in charge from the start against Racing.

Despite missing several key players including Dani Alves, Xavi Hernandez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barca went ahead after seven minutes through Andres Iniesta who latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area.

Racing went further behind through a tame goal when a Thierry Henry free-kick went straight through their wall, but then minutes later another from almost exactly the same spot was struck perfectly by veteran Mexican international defender Rafa Marquez and went in off the post.

Racing offered few moments of danger on the counter-attack and their newly discovered prodigy Sergio Canales had a quiet game.

There were fewer clear-cut chances in the second half but substitute Thiago Alcantara made Barca’s win more emphatic with a deflected goal six minutes from the end.

Later on Saturday Sevilla condemned Mallorca to their first home defeat of the season as they ran out 3-1 winners and took a crucial advantage in the fight for a Champions League place.

The result means that Sevilla have now gone four points clear of fifth placed Deportivo la Coruna while Mallorca, who have been enjoying one of the best seasons in their history, suffered their second successive defeat.

Mallorca went ahead through Mario Suarez but Sevilla were well worth their equaliser when Jesus Navas beat the Mallorca defence to the ball and then slotted home.

The referee then took centre stage sending off Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo – his second red card in as many matches – followed by Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis in what appeared to be very harsh decisions.

After the break Ivica Dragutinovic put Sevilla ahead and Diego Perotti slid home a cross from Navas for their third.

In the final minute, Sevilla were reduced to nine men when Didier Zokora was dismissed after a second yellow card for dissent.

A couple of goals within the first seven minutes saw Deportivo La Coruna beat Spanish league bottom side Xerez 2-1 and move up to fifth in the table.

The home side made a quick fire start scoring from the penalty spot after just two minutes when Vicente Moreno was punished for holding Diego Colotto.

Mexican Jose Guardado made no mistake to put Deportivo ahead and soon Xerez, in disarray, were further behind.

Ivan Riki latched onto a through ball and kept his composure before shooting past keeper Renan Brito.

Xerez had a mountain to climb but did come back into the game as Deportivo took their foot off the pedal and Mario Bermejo pulled a goal back with a header.

In the second half, Deportivo tightened up at the back and Xerez were unable to find an equaliser. In fact, it was Deportivo who went closest to scoring again with a long range effort from Juan Rodriguez which came back off the crossbar.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said on Thursday he is confident that Arsenal captain and fellow Spanish international Cesc Fabregas will rejoin him at the Catalan giants in the future.

Fabregas has been linked to a return to La Liga with a move to either Real Madrid or to his boyhood club Barcelona, who he left to join the Gunners in September 2003.

But Pique, who spent several years with Fabregas in Barca's youth team, said he did not believe Fabregas would ever join Barcelona's arch-rivals and it is only a matter of time before he returns to the Catalan side.

"I still think he?ll be wearing the Barca shirt one day, he is a fan and I know he?d love to come back. When? That?s another matter entirely," he told a news conference after a training session.

Last week Barcelona issued a statement to deny reports that Fabregas had reached a "verbal agreement" to join the club at the end of the season.

The midfielder is under contract with Arsenal until 2014. He was part of the Spanish side that won the Euro 2008 title.

Britain's Daily Mirror reported last week that the London club have written to Nou Camp officials warning them not to publicly express their interest in securing the player's signature.

Fabregas has also recently downplayed talk of a move away from the Premier League.

"I have a cool head, I am very happy at Arsenal and in England there is still a lot for me to do," he told Spanish sports daily Marca in December.

The former coach full of praise for the present boss...

Galatasaray coach Frank Rijkaard has heaed praise on Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and central midfielder Xavi.

Guardiola took over from Rijkaard as Barca coach at the end of the 2007/08 season and the Dutchman has acknowledged that his successor has since proved himself to be the best in the business.

"He's the best. He has shown it, right? It's no surprise, with the progress Barca is making, he is doing a great job, great. In light of the results, Pep has done better and deserves it," he said at a press conference ahead of his sides Europa League tie against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.

Rijkaard also praised Barca midfield playmaker Xavi and said that he has improved under Guardiola's tutelage.

"He also deserves everything that is happening. He is one of the best players in the world. He is very talented and I don't think he is where he is from working with me, but for what he is achieving with Guardiola," he noted.

Barcelona injuries leave La Liga wide open

Barcelona's injury concerns have worsened after two key first-team players picked up problems during their 2-1 La Liga defeat at Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.

It was the Spanish giants' first league setback this term and the news that Xavi and Seydou Keita are to be ruled out through injury has only added to their woes.

Keita limped out of action in the opening exchanges and a muscle tear will see him missing for around a month.

Influential midfielder Xavi has a thigh strain in his right leg and will miss the domestic fixtures against Racing Santander and Malaga, along with the Champions League fixture against Stuttgart in Germany.

They will join Eric Abidal, Yaya Toure, Dani Alves and Dmytro Chygrynskiy in the Barca treatment room.

Meanwhile, Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano believes Barcelona will struggle in La Liga as their injury problems continue to grow.

His side have suffered with problems of their own throughout the current campaign, but with many of their prized assets returning to the fold, he is predicting a brighter future.

The Brazilian headed home in the 1-0 win against Osasuna on Sunday but the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit remain a huge 16 points off Barca, who sit atop the table.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "The Liga race is open because Barcelona will suffer from their injuries.

"I think that with the recovery of our important players, one will see Sevilla return to our winning ways.

"We suffered a lot from injuries and we are going to get back to winning our important matches.

"We played well yesterday and surely we will play even better in the next few matches."

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Further injury blow for Barca

Barcelona have been dealt another blow with the news that Xavi is set to be sidelined for a fortnight

The influential midfielder was forced off towards the end of Barca's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Tests have since revealed that the Spain international has suffered a thigh injury and is likely to be out of action for up to 15 days.

"I noticed a problem during the match and after speaking to the doctor I decided to go off to avoid making the problem worse," said Xavi.

"We are experiencing a difficult time with injuries at present but the squad has the character and quality to cope."

Options

Xavi's absence will be keenly felt by Barca, though, as they have seen their options in the middle of the park take a battering.

Seydou Keita also limped out of the Atletico defeat at Vicente Calderon, while Yaya Toure missed the game through injury.

Sergio Busquets picked up a yellow card in the shock weekend setback, Barca's first league defeat of the season, and he must now serve a suspension.

All of this means Pep Guardiola is set to be missing key men heading into a crucial stage of the season.

Barca are due to face Racing Santander, Malaga and Almeria in the Primera Liga over the next three weeks, while also taking on German outfit Stuttgart in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Atletico Madrid blew the Spanish championship race wide open by defeating previously unbeaten leaders Barcelona 2-1 in an enthralling game here on Sunday.

Barca's lead over title rivals Real Madrid was reduced to two points after Pep Guardiola's defensively depleted side crashed to defeat in the Spanish capital.

Missing the injured Eric Abidal, Dani Alves, Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Yaya Toure, along with Rafa Marquez and Gerard Pique suspended, Barca struggled from the start while Seydou Keita soon limped off to add to their problems.

Diego Forlan coolly put Atletico ahead from an excellent Jose Antonio Reyes pass that sliced the defence wide open before Sergio Aguero missed an excellent chance to add to the lead.

A well-placed Simao free-kick did extend the home side's advantage before Barca began to find their feet.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled a goal back with a close-range volley but while Barca pressed throughout the second half they could not find the equaliser and succumbed to their first defeat of the season.

"I would like to congratulate Atletico on a good game. They were very well organised while we were not at our best and did not get our passing rhythm going," said Barca coach Guardiola.

"I say nothing against our players because they did their best but we were not on our game. When we lost the ball we did not position ourselves well.

"The league now depends on Real Madrid and us, there is a long way to go and the pressure we put on ourselves is important so that we do things well."

Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores was delighted with his side's performance.

"This is a moment we should really savour and we ought to be really pleased with the way we played," he said.

"We tried to play a compact game and keep it tight so that they did not have the chance to break and we succeeded in that. To beat Barcelona is really a difficult feat."

Earlier, a Luis Fabiano goal gave Sevilla a 1-0 win over Osasuna and lifted them into a Champions League place.

Sevilla leapfrogged Mallorca, who play tomorrow night, into fourth place after a workmanlike performance.

The visitors took the game to Sevilla and had the chance to go ahead but a Javier Calleja shot was blocked by Andres Palop.

Brazil international Luis Fabiano also had a good opportunity before he scored the only goal of the game with a bullet header from an excellent cross by Diego Capel.

Deportivo La Coruna's European hopes were dealt a blow as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Espanyol.

Espanyol went ahead through Joan Verdu after 38 minutes but it was the expulsion of Antonio Tomas that really turned the game in the favour of the home side.

He was shown a red card for elbowing Francisco Chica after the break and Jose Callejon soon added a crucial second goal.

Getafe lost the chance to move to within a point of Deportivo in sixth when they drew 2-2 after conceding an injury-time equaliser against Almeria.

Pablo Piatti put Almeria ahead but Getafe turned the game on its head through Francisco Casquero and Roberto Soldado before Fernando Soriano's goal ensured a grandstand finish.

Honours were even as Valladolid drew 1-1 against Zaragoza in a crucial relegation battle.

Zaragoza were looking for their third successive win but were pegged back by a Diego Costa goal.

Against the run of play Humberto Suazo equalised for Zaragoza and they hung on in the second half despite the sending off of Ander Herrera.

Malaga gave their own survival hopes a boost with a comprehensive 3-0 win away at Racing Santander with Weligton, Salvador Caicedo and Victor Obinna scoring the goals.

Mallorca are enjoying one of the best seasons in their history and they meet Tenerife in a new, controversial Monday night slot which has caused plenty of controversy.

The Canary Island side are particularly unhappy as the match coincides with their famous carnival festivities.

Real Madrid had piled the pressure on Barca on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice in a 3-0 win over bottom side Xerez.

Third-placed Valencia earned a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon, while Villarreal saw off Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in a stormy game that culminated in three red cards.

A late penalty save from Villarreal's Diego Lopez led to a heated finale with Javier Martinez and Pablo Orbaiz dismissed for Bilbao and Diego Godin for the home side.

Fans at Wembley last summer thought Barcelona had sent a second-rate side. In fact they witnessed the arrival of a new star

Back in the sunny days of pre-season, Barcelona dropped in at Wembley Stadium to take part in a friendly tournament designed to get the muscles working again and rake in a considerable sum for the organisers. A healthy and diverse crowd showed up, keen to catch a glance of the Champions League winners, whose goalscoring escapades throughout 2008-09 had captured the imagination of anyone who likes football.

But when Barça cantered on to the pitch, Yaya Touré was the sole representative of their iconic treble-winners on show. Pep Guardiola sent out a gang of understudies, the next hopefuls churning along their outstanding production line. Any disappointment in the audience soon turned to intrigue. Who were these exceptional kids? "There are three, four, five, six players who are top class," noted Guardiola.

One of them in particular caught the eye with magnetic force. Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma, a little winger from the Canary Islands with an artistic left foot and not a bad right one either, seized the opportunity to prove that he was not one for the future, but for the right now.

Naturally much was made of the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic over the summer and the tactical and technical shift it would bring to the Barcelona front line for this season. But what few realised then was that Samuel Eto'o would not be the only player to make way. Pedro has become part of the establishment, and has shone dazzlingly enough to elbow Thierry Henry out of the way. You have to hand it to Guardiola. Last season he polishes an attacking trident that scores well over a century of goals between them and breaks all manner of scoring records. This season he replaces two of the three cogs, and his team is going just as well. Extraordinary.

Pedro is nowhere near as famous as the other 22-year-old, 5ft 7in bundle of attacking weaponry at Barca, but he does balance Lionel Messi. And his knack for scoring valuable goals is particularly helpful now that Ibrahimovic is going through a dry spell.

Pedro has 14 goals from 29 appearances this season, an exceptional return from his first full season. Henry, who is increasingly distant from the starting line-up, has five goals from 26 appearances.

It has all come as a beautiful surprise for Pedro. "It's so difficult to get a look-in with the fantastic players we have," he says. "To play even a few minutes is an absolute privilege and you have to take advantage of every single moment on the field. Things have happened so quickly for me, but I'm taking it all in my stride."

Pedro is a true Guardiola prodigy. The coach had a strong feeling for the boy's development because they had worked together for Barcelona B before both were promoted. Guardiola is not shy about rewarding promising youngsters, and he did so in the most perfect way imaginable when he gave Pedro a substitute's run-out in stoppage time of last season's Champions League final. "I was so thrilled," Pedro says. "I think that was his way of saying thank you for the hard work put in by all of the youth-team players during the year. I won the lottery and was the one who got the chance and I am so grateful, even though I didn't quite manage to touch the ball." The club wasted little time tying him to a five-year contract with a release clause of €75m (£66m).

Naturally, Barcelona are chuffed that another of their graduates is making waves. The club were almost beside themselves after their recent win in Gijón (when Pedro scored the only goal of the game) because eight of the starting line-up were graduates from their academy, La Masia.

There is another reason for the self-congratulation. It has something do with somebody else's emotions rather than just their own. The second coming of Real Madrid's galácticos has upped the stakes in the sniping department, and the chest-beating is part of a revived game of one-upmanship. As was to be expected after their squad was so expensively renovated, Real have improved, and are growing stronger.

Not only do we have a genuine two-horse race for La Liga, it is not stretching the imagination too much to wonder if – draw permitting – these two Spanish heavyweights will be slugging it out in the Champions League final. With the trophy being defended by Barça, and contested in the Santiago Bernebéu, they both feel an extra frisson about this edition of the competition.

Real have the harder task in the last 16 – a stage they are determined to hurdle for the first time in five years – as they take on Lyon. Barça will surely not be losing any sleep about Stuttgart. Not that Guardiola will let his team get carried away with themselves.

Tempting as it is to daydream about a glorious return to the Bernebéu, where their last visit delivered a memorable 6-2 win which virtually wrapped up last season's La Liga title in the faces of their foe, there are three clubs in particular who are desperate for the chance to get one back at Barcelona. Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid want their say between now and May.

Catalan giants dismiss reports Arsenal captain has agreed five-year contract

Barcelona "flatly deny" they have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas that would see the Arsenal captain return to the Nou Camp at the end of the season. Reports in Spain suggest Fabregas, who has always said he would love to play for Barca, has come to a verbal agreement with the Catalan giants and will sign a five-year contract in the summer.

However, Barca have released a statement dismissing such reports. It read: "Given the exceptional repercussions created by the stories that have appeared in different media with respect to an agreement with Arsenal FC player Cesc Fabregas, Barca flatly deny that there have been any negotiations or agreements with the player.

"In accordance with Fifa regulations, FC Barcelona's contract policy has always made it a priority to negotiate with the club of origin before making any particular agreement with the player.

"FC Barcelona wishes to stress that it has always maintained excellent institutional relations with Arsenal FC."

Fabregas has long been linked with a move back to Barca, where he spent six years as a youth-team player before joining Arsenal in 2003. The 22-year-old is enjoying his best campaign yet and has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season.

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh insists he has not agreed a deal to move to Arsenal but admits he is unlikely to remain at the Stade Chaban Delmas once his contract expires at the end of the season.

Chamakh has long been linked with a move away from the Ligue One giants and has always professed his desire to move to the Premier League.

Reports this week suggested the Moroccan international had signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal, who were one of the clubs that had a bid for the forward turned down last summer.

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, maintained yesterday that no deal has yet been done and Chamakh has reiterated that stance.

"I haven't yet signed at Arsenal," he told French reporters. "But as the days pass I feel less and less a Bordeaux player."

Chamakh, 26, was Bordeaux's leading scorer last season when he fired them to the league title; he has scored nine goals so far this season.

Meanwhile, Fifa has no plans to review the controversial transfer window system despite vociferous criticism from a plethora of senior footballing figures. Numerous managers and players have hit out at the current set-up, which only allows clubs to purchase players between July and the end of August, and then in January. The recent January transfer window saw overall spending by Premier League clubs nosedive to £30m from £170m last year – the lowest total since the system was introduced in 2003.

"For the time being, FIFA is not considering reviewing the principles of the regulations on the status and transfer of players which includes the registration periods," a Fifa spokesperson said.

Fifa refused to comment on the legality of the transfer window system, while the Football Association confirmed that it is unable to change the transfer system as it is a member association of the world governing body.

Many believe the current system drives up prices of players and contracts and therefore does not encourage financial responsibility, particularly from buying clubs.

Last week Sunderland's Steve Bruce became the latest high-profile critic of the system by predicting it would only be a matter of time until the transfer windows were challenged in the courts by footballers.

Arsenal's star midfielder and captain, Cesc Fabregas, has struck a verbal agreement with Champions League holders Barcelona to return to the club next season, Cadena Ser radio reported on Tuesday.

"There is a firm agreement between Barca and Cesc Fabregas even if it is only verbal," the Spanish station reported without citing its sources.

"Several meetings have taken place and, following those meetings, Cesc told Barca that he wanted to rejoin them from next season," it added.

Cadena Ser said the deal would be subject to agreeing a fee with Arsenal.

The reigning Spanish champions have neither confirmed nor denied the report.

Fabregas, a 22-year-old Spanish international, is Arsenal's top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions this season and is under contract with the Gunners until 2014.

But his future has once again been the subject of much speculation this season and media reports have consistently linked him with a return to La Liga.

Those reports said Fabregas will move to either Real Madrid or his boyhood club Barcelona, who he left to join the Gunners in September 2003.

Arsenal have been keen to ward off potential suitors from their prized asset.

Britain's Daily Mirror reported on Tuesday the London club have written to Nou Camp officials warning them not to publicly express their interest in securing the player's signature.

Fabregas, who was part of the Spanish side that won the Euro 2008 title, has also recently downplayed talk of a move away from the Premier League.

"I have a cool head, I am very happy at Arsenal and in England there is still a lot for me to do," he told Spanish sports daily Marca in December.

Swedish striker claims he is still contributing to Barca's success

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims he is unfazed by his lack of goals since the turn of the year and claims assisting a team-mate is as important as scoring.

The technically-gifted centre-forward has suffered a barren spell in front of goal in 2010 after a scintillating start to his Barca career following his mega-money summer switch from Inter Milan.

Ibrahimovic flew out of the traps in the first half of the season, scoring 11 goals in La Liga to help the Spanish treble winners soar to top spot, but the Swedish international has not scored in the league since 12th December.

But the former Juventus and Ajax man insists there is no need to be concerned and that it will be just a matter of time before he hits the goal trail once again.

"I'm not worried, this has happened to me other times," Ibrahimovic told El Periodico de Catalunya.

Rollercoaster

"In my first year at Ajax I started very well, then things went bad, then well again... a rollercoaster.

"It's normal, because you have to adapt to many things and in very little time. The same thing happened when I arrived at Juventus and at Inter, a season with ups and downs."

Ibrahimovic believes he is still contributing to Barca's success after supplying seven assists this term and the Catalans remain at the Spanish summit, five points clear of Real Madrid.

And the 28-year-old, whose side scored have netted 16 goals in a six-match winning streak, reckons setting up a team-mate is as important as scoring himself.

"Obviously, being the number nine and a centre-forward in a team like Barcelona, it's important to score goals, but that's not everything - at least not for me.

"If you participate in the play and set up team-mates, I feel just as good,"

"An assist is like a goal, because you are making a team-mate happy. And this is as important for me as scoring.

"I'm not worried about this poor run because the goals will end up coming. If you play well, you help the team. If you create chances, you score."

With Barcelona's Gerard Piqué sent off for a wild and late challenge on Getafe defender Rafa midway through the first half, this looked like being the day Real, who hammered Espanyol 3-0, closed the five-point gap at the top of La Liga, but Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta played second-half keep-ball and so Barça made it 21 games unbeaten this season, prevailing 2-1.

Messi had already put them ahead after eight minutes with another ridiculously good goal – a shot that seemed to curl its way around the entire Getafe defence before swerving just inside goalkeeper Jordi Codina's near post. Messi made the second on 67 minutes, breaking away, drawing in the enemy and then releasing team-mate Xavi to score.

Henry 'promoted' at Barça

The France captain Thierry Henry can be thankful his national team coach Raymond Domenech does not share Fabio Capello's obsession with his players playing week-in, week-out. Henry, who watched last week's 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon from the bench was all set to watch Barcelona's victory over Gefafe from the stands before an injury in the warm-up to defender Dani Alves meant Henry was "promoted" to the bench as one of Barça's seven subs

Barcelona have played down Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal drought as they continue their drive towards the title against La Liga bogey team Getafe on Saturday

The Sweden striker hit the ground running after moving from Inter Milan in the close season, quickly notching 11 league goals.

Ibrahimovic, though, has only found the net once in their last nine matches in all competitions.

"He's already scored a load of goals in the league so it's no problem if he goes a few games without scoring," team mate Seydou Keita told reporters.

"If he doesn't score there are others who will because we are a team so we aren't worried."

Ibrahimovic has said he expects more from himself but coach Pep Guardiola and his squad have praised the towering frontman for his contribution and the way he brings others into the game.

Visitors Getafe have proved awkward opponents for Barca, drawing their last two visits to the Nou Camp, but arrive distracted by a King's Cup semi-final.

La Liga's seventh-placed side lost the first leg 2-0 at Sevilla on Wednesday and have promised to go all out for their third final appearance in four years, in next week's return leg.

"It won't be easy but we aren't calling it quits," coach Michel told reporters. "We are at home and this should help us to try and turn it round."

Unbeaten Barca lead Real Madrid by five points, with Manuel Pellegrini's side welcoming struggling Espanyol to the Bernabeu on Saturday (2100).

Real defend their 100% home record without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo unless a second appeal against the ban is successful.

Valencia are eight points adrift of Real in third spot and host Real Valladolid on Saturday (1700).

Two new coaches take the stage after sackings early in the week with Onesimo Sanchez stepping up at 17th-placed Valladolid and Juan Carlos Garrido replacing Ernesto Valverde at Villarreal (10th).

Onesimo has a tough task to fire Valladolid's climb away from the relegation places at the Mestalla. His club have taken only two points from five games.

Garrido has his eyes fixed on a place in Europe next season and leads Villarreal to fifth-placed Real Mallorca on Sunday (1600).

Mallorca have won nine from nine at the Ono Estadi.

'Titi' returns to training with Barca...

After training before the clamour of 5,000 fans yesterday in Palafrugell, Barcelona returned to a more serene training session today, with Thierry Henry the notable addition after having recovered from the stomach flu that kept him out of yesterday's session.

As reported by Sport, the Frenchman returned to normal training with his team-mates whilst Dani Avles and Eric Abidal continued their respective recoveries from knocks away from the rest of the squad. Both are anticipated to be available for this Saturday's match against Getafe.

Guardiola also called up Albert Daimau and Marc Muniesa from the reserve squad, both of whom are candidates for a spot in the Barca defence this weekend as captain Carles Puyol will be unable to take the pitch, forced to serve out a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Barca continue to set records, this time in a simple training session, as the Blaugrana prepare for another weekend Liga fixture...

A throng of fans, a number that topped 5,000 as reported by the club's official website, attended Barcelona's training session held in the Catalunyan municipalitiy of Palafrugell today. Barca held their training in the neighboring city in celebration of the local club's 100-year anniversary.

In their first training session of the week, the team pose,d for photographs with the Palagrufell players, along with some of the 5,000 fans who came to watch their idols train.

Coach Pep Guardiola's training session today was an animated one, with the fans cheering every clever touch by the players. Thierry Henry was the only absentee from the session, as he continues to recover from a bout of stomach flu.

Xavi has dismissed suggestions from Madrid newspapers that Barcelona are given special treatment by referees.

Barcelona are currently five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after a Pedro goal secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon on Saturday, but there was controversy as Marca and AS both felt the goal should have been ruled out for offside.

The newspapers, both based in Madrid, have written about Villarato - their feeling that Angel Maria Villar, the head of the Spanish football federation, encourages referees to make decisions in favour of Barcelona because Barca had voted for Villar in the elections for the post while Real Madrid had not.

However, Xavi believes that Pedro's goal was legitimate and that the campaign is simply a means of increasing the papers' sales.

"Pedro's goal was not offside and there was a penalty on Zlatan Ibrahimovic that wasn't called, but no one speaks about that," he told TV3. "They need to sell newspapers and they haven't finished digesting the fact that we went five points clear."

Xavi did acknowledge, however, that Madrid are a force to be reckoned with in the title race this season.

"I think Madrid are strong," he said. "They have made good signings and spent masses of money. They don't have so many players coming through the academy as we do, but they have great players with a lot of quality. They will fight until the end."

Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has come in for criticism of late after scoring just one goal in his last eight games, but Xavi feels he remains a key part of the side.

"He is contributing to the team, just as he was before when he was scoring goals," he said. "I don't believe that he is nervous."

Meanwhile, Xavi again hailed Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas, who came up through the Barcelona academy, is expected to be at the centre of the election campaigns as Barca prepare to elect a new president this summer.

"He has everything," Xavi said. "He has Barca DNA as well as commitment and he is decisive in his club, like [David] Silva and [David] Villa."

There was no change at the top of La Liga as Barcelona and Real Madrid both won away from home on Saturday.

Leaders and champions Barca stayed five points ahead of second-placed Real after Pedro's first-half goal gave them an unconvincing 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon.

Manuel Pellegrini's side impressed without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as a Karim Benzema brace helped them beat Deportivo la Coruna 3-1 - their first win at the Riazor in 18 years.

In the day's other Liga match, Luis Garcia struck on 58 minutes as Espanyol beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to move three points clear of the relegation zone.

Spain U21 winger Pedro's 15th goal of the season was enough for Barcelona as they toiled to fend off their battling hosts Sporting in poor conditions.

He drilled home a low finish after a quickly-taken free-kick on the half hour as Barca, well below their high standards, even lost track of their passing game in the second half, with Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic particularly disappointing.

Sporting, however, lacked the cutting edge to truly test them and, despite a late rally, were unable to snatch an equaliser.

Initially Barcelona passed rings around Sporting, who looked for the occasional break with a degree of success, although striker Mate Bilic had left his shooting boots at home.

The Croatian scuffed one finish wide while, three minutes after Barca took the lead, he headed straight at Victor Valdes after a right-wing cross from Luis Moran.

Otherwise it was all Barcelona, with Andres Iniesta denied by two defenders sliding in, Ibrahimovic heading against the post Lionel Messi drilling just wide.

Messi's usually sublime first touch was letting him down - that low effort across goal came about after his mis-control inadvertently put him past Gregory Arnolin, while on two more occasions the ball came heavy off his foot when played in.

Fortunately for Los Cules, rising star Pedro was in typically ruthless form, drilling low into the bottom left after a quickly-taken free-kick allowed Iniesta to release him with a majestic slide-rule pass.

From that point on the metronomic Barcelona pass-and-move machine was in full flow, although - a criticism coach Pep Guardiola recently made of his charges - they failed to create any more clear-cut chances before the break.

The second half was mostly poor, not helped by the driving rain as Barca struggled to maintain the same rhythm and pressure on the ball.

Neither side created anything until the 74th minute, when Pedro missed twice in quick succession, putting one finish over an open net and seeing another blocked by Alberto Lora.

Sporting keeper Juan Pablo was in good form, snuffing out the danger on two occasions when Ibrahimovic was played in, and tipping a late drive by Pedro round the bar.

Injury time saw Barcelona holding on, giving away a succession of free-kicks and defending desperately, but Sporting failed to capitalise and the visitors took the three points.

Real Madrid were more convincing, dominating a Deportivo still reeling from a horrific broken leg suffered by left-back Filipe last week.

With Ronaldo suspended for two games following his sending off against Malaga last weekend, Raul stepped in and he worked well with Benzema, who forced a superb save from Daniel Aranzubia with one effort before Esteban Granero headed home following a mix-up in the Depor defence.

Benzema almost set up his veteran strike partner with a low ball that was somehow missed by the Madrid club captain, while Aranzubia was again at his acrobatic best to deny Raul from close range.

France striker Benzema spooned the ball over after a great low ball from Kaka as Madrid turned the screw, doubling their lead on 40 minutes after a superb break.

Deportivo had gone close after a decent spell of pressure was snuffed out by Marcelo. Iker Casillas launched Kaka down the left, who slipped the ball inside to Guti.

Confronted with the onrushing Aranzubia and two defenders, the veteran midfielder back-heeled the ball first-time to Benzema, who rifled his finish into an empty net.

Aranzubia saved from Kaka early in the second half but Real stepped off and allowed Deportivo to keep the ball.

The hosts were toiling though, until moment of madness from Marcelo allowed sub Riki to rob the Brazilian and draw a foul from Sergio Ramos just inside the penalty area.

The ex-Real reserve drilled the spot-kick past Casillas into the bottom right to set up a nervy finish.

But Madrid stepped it up and restored their two-goal advantage when Benzema got his second on the night and seventh in La Liga this season, drilling home from 12 yards after a good run from Alvaro Arbeloa.

DON'T MISS THE NEXT MATCH: BUY YOUR FC BARCELONA TICKETS NOW AT WWW.FCBARCELONA.EATB.ES!

The week when Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid and sealed their place in the Champions League final has prompted a surge in births in the Catalan capital of almost 50 percent, according to a survey by a local radio station.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has stood up for his team mate Lionel Messi after Real Madrid used video of the Argentine forward to try and get a Cristiano Ronaldo red card rescinded.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red during Sunday's 2-0 win over Malaga after catching defender Patrick Mtiliga with a flailing arm and breaking his nose.

As part of their appeal against the card, Real presented evidence to the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) which included video of an incident when Messi used his arms to shake off a Sevilla opponent who was holding him back.

Messi was awarded a free kick and the RFEF ruled that as the referee had not mentioned the incident in his match report it was not relevant and, in any case, no injury had been caused.

"You have to assess the intention of each player," Xavi told reporters on Wednesday.

"Leo wants to carry on playing and Cristiano wants to break free of the defender with a swipe of his arm," added the Spain international, who is one of Barca's club captains.

"Leo is the number one and you can't damage his image in any way. He's humble, hard-working and always thinks about the group. Not like other footballers."

The RFEF's disciplinary committee decided Ronaldo's actions were not wilful or reckless, which would have meant a longer suspension, but that he had been guilty of dangerous play.

Real have said that if their appeal was unsuccessful they would take the case to Spain's Sporting Disciplinary Committee (CEDD), a body overseen by the government sports council (CSD).

"For me, the (Ronaldo) incident is very clear," Xavi said. "It's a red and the two-match ban is extremely fair."

It's the halfway stage in La Liga and Revista has assembled an expert panel to give their reports on the big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The arch rivals are of course first and second in the table respectively and look set to battle it out down the stretch again.

Guillem Balague is in the studio and Graham Hunter live from Barcelona to assess what we have seen from the first half of the season, but we will also be getting the inside track from four men who know all about the qualities of the big two and who are best-equipped for the title race.

We will be asking Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, his Valencia counterpart Unai Emery, Getafe coach and ex-Real midfielder Michel and Atletico Madrid number one Quique Sanchez Flores on the differences they noticed in their clashes with the titans so far.

Both sides won at the weekend again, but the major talking point was a second red card for Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid colours - after scoring both goals in their 2-0 win over Malaga. With the gap at five points, what will his forthcoming absence mean to their hopes of catching Barca?

There will also be a look back at all the other goals and talking points from Week 19 in Spain while, if you are a fan of Ronaldo, why not enter our competition to win a signed print of the man himself?

1958: Antonio Jesus Lopez Nieto: A Primera Liga referee since 1988, Lopez retired in 2003 due to the age restrictions enforced by the Spanish football federation. He was named winner of the Don Balon refereeing award for being the leagues top official on four occasions. On the international stage he set the record for most bookings in a World Cup game, showing 16 yellow cards and 2 red cards in the Germany - Cameroon game in 2002.

1970: Roberto Fernandez Alvarellos: Osasuna goal Roberto started his career at Celta Vigo but failed to breakthrough to the first team. He joined Sporting Gijon where he won the Zamora Trophy in 2005/06, once unbeaten for 825 minutes but left in 2006 to join the Navarran side.

1980: Xavi Hernandez: Now in his 12th season in the Barcelona first team, Xavi has graduated through the ranks at the Catalan club to become one of the most influential figures in the team's history. A visionary playmaker, he has won both Don Balon awards for best breakthrough player and best player in Spanish football. Including last seasons sextuplet of trophies, he has won four league titles, a Copa del Rey, two UEFA Champions Leagues and more and was also instrumental in Spain capturing the European Championship in 2008, being named as the tournament's best player. To date he has played 562 times for Barca and has 83 international caps.

1984: Robinho: Brazilian striker Robinho joined Real Madrid as a highly rated teenager in 2005. Despite 132 appearances in his three seasons at Madrid and two Primera Liga trophies, Robinho departed in 2008 in a surprise move to Manchester City. He has been rumoured to be making a return to Spain with Real's greatest rivals and current champions Barcelona however speculation has failed to materialise. For Brazil, Robinho has 20 goals in 71 games.

Barcelona swept aside Real Valladolid 3-0 away to move eight points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday, reaching the mid-point of the season unbeaten for the first time.

Xavi, Daniel Alves and Lionel Messi scored to round off a positive week for the champions, in which coach Pep Guardiola ended speculation over his future by agreeing to a one-year contract extension.

Barca have 49 points from 19 games. Second-placed Real Madrid can cut their lead back to five when they host Malaga at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

In the late game, Deportivo Coruna overcame Athletic Bilbao 3-1 at home to climb to fourth on 34 points.

Earlier, Sevilla beat Almeria 1-0 with an Alvaro Negredo to go sixth with 33 points.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has agreed a one-year extension which will keep him at the Nou Camp until the end of next season.

The 39-year-old is set to sign his contract on 1 July after elections for a new club president have concluded.

Guardiola led Barca to six trophies in 2009, including the Spanish league and the Champions League.

"Guardiola told me he was committed to staying for at least one more season," said Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The Catalan giants are undefeated in the league this season and top La Liga by five points from rivals Real Madrid.

The Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola should agree a contract extension that would keep him with the Spanish and European champions beyond this season, midfielder Xavi said yesterday.

Guardiola has yet to commit to a new deal and president Joan Laporta said on Monday the La Liga club were resigned to rivals trying to lure away the 39-year-old, who led Barça to an unprecedented six trophies in 2009.

"I can't imagine Barça without Guardiola," said Spain international Xavi. "He is a fundamental cog in this machine and I think his contract renewal is imminent," he added.

Laporta has said Guardiola should decide by the beginning of April whether he plans to stay on and that he also wants the sporting director Txiki Begiristain to agree a new deal.

"I believe [Guardiola] wants to continue and that he is content here, that he feels important within the club," Xavi said. "To me he looks like he is enjoying the work with the same enthusiasm as the first day," he added.

Seville midfielder Aldo Duscher believes his side now have the "responsibility" of going all the way in the Spanish Cup after eliminating Barcelona in the last round. Duscher travels to former team Deportivo la Coruña in the first leg of the quarter-finals tonight. "After knocking out a great team like Barça, it's clear that now we have the responsibility to go as far as possible," said Duscher. "We have to fight to the death against Deportivo, believing in ourselves."

Barcelona are resigned to rival clubs' interest in luring away coach Pep Guardiola but want to persuade him to extend his contract, president Joan Laporta said on Monday.

FIVE POINTS CLEAR: Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal as Barca won 4-0 at the Camp Nou, while Athletic Bilbao battled to a 1-0 win over title challengers Real Madrid

Lionel Messi scored his 100th Barcelona goal on Saturday as the Spanish champions thumped Sevilla 4-0 at the Camp Nou to go five points clear of Real Madrid.

Messi, 22, scored twice in the final five minutes to make it five goals in his last two matches and take his career total to 101, becoming the youngest player in the club’s illustrious history to reach the landmark.

An own-goal from Julien Escude and a Pedro Rodriguez strike capped a miserable second half for Sevilla, who paid a heavy price for knocking Barcelona out of the Kings Cup in midweek.

Real had crashed to their third defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao earlier on Saturday and Barca made them pay for the slip-up, notching their first home win of the year to open up a five-point cushion.

“There is the whole second half of the season to go, so we shouldn’t get too complacent,” said Messi, who leads the goalscoring charts with 14.

It was the third meeting between Barca and Sevilla in 11 days and after losing out in the Kings Cup, Barcelona set the score straight as Sevilla fell to a fourth consecutive league defeat and now languish down in sixth.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned from suspension for Barcelona and should have scored in the sixth minute, but arrived too early to convert Thierry Henry’s cross.

Henry almost scored himself on 12 minutes, but Andres Palop rushed out to block the French striker’s poked effort. Palop also tipped over a Lionel Messi deflected shot before halftime.

Barca got the early breakthrough in the second half with Gerard Pique’s shot deflected in off Escude.

For the subsequent quarter hour, Barca put their foot down as Palop made three saves to deny Messi and Henry, while Ibrahimovic had a header ruled out for offside.

A second goal was coming and it arrived 20 minutes from time with Xavi threading an incredible pass to subtitute Pedro, who lobbed Palop and the goal had the whole crowd on their feet applauding.

Messi scored five minutes from time and added his second in stoppage-time.

Athletic Bilbao are now level on points with Sevilla after their battling 1-0 win over Real Madrid at the San Mames.

Spanish international forward Fernando Llorente headed the decisive goal after just two minutes and Bilbao survived an onslaught — with Karim Benzema, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo all going close — to hold on for an historic win.

“We created the chances to get a better result and there was almost only one team on the pitch,” Real coach Manuel Pellegrini said. “However, you have to have some luck to convert these chances. When you lose you have obviously not done something right. There is a long way to go in the league with more than half of it remaining. Now it is important we beat Malaga at home [in the next league match].”

Bilbao hit the woodwork twice in the first minute. Carlos Gurpegi thumped the left hand post and the ball came out to Gaizka Toquero, who then crashed his shot against the other upright from inside the penalty area.

It was a warning, but Real didn’t take enough notice as they conceded a minute later.

A corner from the left took a slight deflection and Llorente powered a header past international teammate Iker Casillas.

Real had kept three consecutive clean sheets, so the goal was a shock and they responded in the best fashion with Benzema forcing a save from Gorka Iraizoz.

Real thought they had equalized when Kaka’s threaded pass found Benzema, but the Frenchman’s shot came back off the post into Iraizoz’s grateful arms.

Ronaldo, constantly jeered by the home fans, almost equalized on the hour mark, but Iraizoz thwarted him and it was the same story in stoppage-time with the goalkeeper keeping out a low drive from the Portuguese star.

In Saturday’s other game, Osasuna defeated Espanyol 2-0, with both goals from Juanfran Torres and Walter Pandiani coming in the first 10 minutes of the match.

Guardiola not to blame for defeat says skipper

Carles Puyol has dismissed Pep Guardiola's statement that he let the Barcelona players down at Sevilla and revealed the Catalan team's renewed determination to win the Spanish title and UEFA Champions League.

The Blaugrana trainer said that he felt responsible for the away goal defeat by Sevilla in the Copa del Rey as he tried to take the pressure of his squad.

Club captain Puyol did not agree, however, and instead preferred to look at the positives after Barca saw the defence of the first trophy from their historic treble-winning season end.

"[Guardiola] didn't let us down at all. He prepared the game really well and we only just lost," the defender told a press conference on Thursday.

"I've always said that it's the players who win or lose games. We are very proud of the boss.

"We're not happy about being knocked out, but we have to use it to make us stronger. Now we have to fight even harder for the league and Champions League titles."

Barcelona won the game in midweek thanks to a goal from Xavi, but Sevilla's 2-1 win in Camp Nou last week meant that the Andalucian outfit sneaked through on aggregate.

"Nobody likes to be eliminated from a knock-out competition and it doesn't make me feel any better knowing we lost to a good team like Sevilla," Puyol added.

"Nobody can accuse us of anything about last night's game. We gave a good account of ourselves and we kept fighting till the end."

Holders Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey when they won a thrilling last-16 second-leg clash at Sevilla 1-0 but were eliminated on the away goals rule after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate

The Andalusians beat Barca 2-1 at the Camp Nou in the first leg and goalkeeper and captain Andres Palop was the hero in the return, producing a string of superb saves to deny Pep Guardiola and his players a repeat of their 2009 triumph.

Barca can no longer match last year's feat of winning an unprecedented six titles and it was the first time they have been eliminated from a competition since April 2008 when they lost to Manchester United in the Champions League semis.

Sevilla, the 2007 winners, will play Liga rivals Deportivo Coruna in the quarter-finals after the Galicians came from two down at home to draw 2-2 with Valencia for a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Getafe overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to come through 6-3 against visiting Malaga, and Osasuna progressed on away goals against second-division leaders Hercules to set up a last-eight tie against Racing Santander.

Racing were held to a 0-0 home draw by lowly third-tier Alcorcon, conquerors of Real Madrid in the last round, but advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

Barca came under early pressure on a sodden pitch at the Sanchez Pizjuan and Ndri Romaric tested goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto with a firm downward header after three minutes.

Barca found it hard to keep the ball on the slippery surface but Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a chance just before the half hour which he sliced well wide.

The visitors stepped up the pressure at the start of the second half and Palop saved superbly from an Ibrahimovic header and denied Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry with equally impressive stops.

A fine strike from Spain midfielder Xavi in the 64th minute gave Barca hope and the rampant Messi fired a shot against a post in the 69th.

Guardiola brought on forwards Bojan Krkic and Pedro with five minutes of regular time remaining and Barca pressed for the goal that would send them through but Sevilla held firm, with Palop producing another brilliant save from Messi at the death.

After claiming a surprise win at Camp Nou, los Rojiblancos travel back home to defend their advantage...

One Of The Three

Sevilla and Barcelona are scheduled to go head-to-head three times during January. Already the Rojiblancos have sprung something of a surprise on the Blaugrana, claiming the advantage in their Copa del Rey encounter against the Catalan giants, with goals at Camp Nou coming from Renato and Alvaro Negredo.

Part two of the trilogy takes place at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday evening, with the Andalusians needing only to avoid defeat to progress in the Copa del Rey and approach the concluding episode of this mini-series on Sunday in a fine psychological state.

Despite their terrific win in Catalunya, Manolo Jimenez’s side have not made a bright start to 2010 overall. A last minute defeat against Atletico Madrid on the opening weekend after the winter recess was painful to take, but a 2-1 loss against Racing Santander on Saturday was equally frustrating.

“Rather than others losing respect for us at home, we have lost respect for ourselves," lamented the coach after Sevilla’s latest set-back. "There are no excuses, we played a disastrous first half.”

Looking impotent in attack and febrile at the back, there can be little doubt that Sevilla need to raise their level once again if they are to cling to their 2-1 advantage.

Five Star Showing?

For the opening half hour of Saturday’s Liga match against Tenerife, Barcelona were made to look distinctly second rate by their opponents, who carved open the Blaugrana back four with alarming ease on several occasions.

This was an exaggeration of Barca’s previously under par showings in 2010. A home draw was the very most they deserved when Villarreal visited Camp Nou a week past on Saturday, while their first leg Copa defeat against Sevilla did not see the Catalan side at their champagne best.

Victor Valdes and the framework of his goal, in addition to some lamentable finishing, came to Barca’s aid in the Canary Islands, allowing them to conjure up a stunning spell of football in the minutes immediately approaching half-time. Led by Andres Iniesta, Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola’s side would have a match that they seemed intent on losing won by half-time.

The second half was something of a formality, with Messi’s hat-trick goal, a chip of unquestionable brilliance, an undoubted highlight.

Guardiola will not have forgotten the opening half hour, when his side could easily have lost two or three goals, and will certainly demand better of his defenders on Wednesday.

FORM GUIDE

Sevilla

LOST 2-1 (h) Racing Santander (Liga, January 9)

WON 2-1 (a) Barcelona (Copa del Rey, January 5)

LOST 2-1 (a) Atletico Madrid (Liga, January 2)

LOST 2-1 (h) Getafe (Liga, December 19)

WON 1-0 (a) Sporting Gijon (Liga, December 13)

Barcelona

WON 5-0 (a) Tenerife (Liga, January 10)

LOST 2-1 (h) Sevilla (Copa del Rey, January 5)
 
DREW 1-1 (h) Villarreal (Liga, January 2)

WON 2-1 aet (n) Estudiantes (Club World Cup, December 19)

WON 3-1 (n) Atlante (Club World Cup, December 16)

TEAM NEWS

Sevilla

Sebastien Squillaci will be sidelined after undergoing an ankle arthroscopy in Paris with the aim of curing his discomfort. Luis Fabiano is still missing too.

Didier Zokora, Arouna Kone and Frederic Kanoute are on international duty.

Otherwise there are no players ruled out, though neither Diego Perotti nor Abdoulay Konko trained on Monday.

There is better news regarding Jesus Navas and Fernando Navarro, both of whom took part in regular training earlier in the week.

Probable Starting XI: Palop; Konko, Escude, Dragutinovic, Navarro; Romaric, Duscher; Jesus Navas, Renato, Diego Capel; Negredo

Barcelona

Both Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita are on African Cup of Nations duty but there are no serious injury problems to concern the coach, with the standard bumps and bruises being attended to.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from suspension and, as the scorer of their consolation in the first leg, may well be employed from the outset at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Gerard Pique was rested over the weekend and is another man who is available.

Probable Starting XI: Pinto; Dani Alves, Milito, Pique, Abidal; Xavi, Thiago, Iniesta; Bojan, Ibrahimovic, Pedro

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sevilla

Veteran goalkeeper Andres Palop’s goal is likely to come under a barrage of shots on Wednesday night, with Barca intent on turning around their first leg deficit. While he undoubtedly needs plenty of cover from his defence, the 36-year-old, who has been with Sevilla since 2005, will likely see his rearguard breached on a few occasions by the Catalans and will therefore need to be near his best to repel their advances.

Barcelona

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been starved of action over the course of the last week, reduced to a bench role in the first leg of this Copa del Rey tie and suspended at the weekend. Expect the Swede to come out firing on all cylinders, eager to strike down a Sevilla team who hold a narrow advantage over his team-mates. He found the net against them during his cameo last Tuesday, and it would be a brave punter who decided to back against him doing likewise this time around.

PREDICTION

Sevilla’s squad has been stretched by injuries and suspensions, and Wednesday night may well be the time it finally breaks. They’ve been unconvincing at home at the best of times this season, while Barca will be riding high on a wave of confidence following their stunning weekend success. Expect Pep Guardiola’s men to get the goals they need not only to win this game, but also this tie.

Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona

The midfielder is named Catalan Sports Person of the Year...

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has insisted that his side can overcome Sevilla in the second leg of their fifth round Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday night.

The current cup holders trail the Andalusian outfit 2-1 from the first leg and must score at least two goals at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville in they are to progress to the quarter finals and keep their title defence in tact.

"We know we're at a good stage and in position to win all the titles," he said, as reported by Sport, after collecting the award for Catalan Sports Person of the Year for 2009.

"We believe we can overcome Sevilla. The first 90 minutes of the tie we were good, but there are 90 more to play and this team is capable of winning at any venue.

"We will give everything. We will not stop. Come what may all we think about is winning. Here we are not allowed to draw. We are Barca."

Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick as champions Barcelona nudged Real Madrid off the top of the table crushing Tenerife 5-0 away for their first victory of 2010

Barca scored three times yesterday in a destructive nine minutes with Ballon D'Or winner Messi scoring two of them (36, 45) before clinching his hat-trick with a nonchalant curler late in the second half to join Valencia's David Villa on 12 goals at the top of the goalscoring charts.

"It was complicated for us at the beginning but we scored some quick goals and that changed things," said Messi. "I am delighted with my three goals and more importantly the team won, however, it is a bit unfair on Tenerife."

Real Madrid had leapfrogged Barca with a 2-0 home win over Real Mallorca earlier on Sunday but Pep Guardiola's side responded to move back to the summit two points ahead of Real.

Barcelona's next challenge is at Sevilla in the second leg of the last 16 Kings Cup tie in which they trail 2-1 from the first leg.

Madrid had moved top of the Spanish league for the first time since the end of November with goals from Esteban Granero and Gonzalo Higuain overcoming Mallorca as they maintained their flawless home record with a ninth consecutive win.

"When Real Madrid are on song we are difficult to stop," said Granero, nicknamed 'The Pirate'. "I am happy to get on the scoresheet and that we beat a difficult rival in testing conditions.

"We just have to carry on like we are doing and Barcelona will have to slip up at some stage," said Granero.

However, Real's stay at the top was brief as Barca recovered from a shaky start to put Tenerife to the sword with Messi so inspirational that even the home Tenerife fans were applauding him at the end.

Carles Puyol was also on target with an Ezequiel Luna own goal completing the scoring after great footwork from Pedro Rodriguez.

It was tough on Tenerife who lost 6-0 the last time they hosted Barcelona in the top-flight back in 2001.

Tenerife's Alejandro Alfaro could have had a hat-trick in the opening quarter hour hitting the crossbar and forcing Victor Valdes into action.

Barca had been quiet but Bojan Krkic ghosted past his man in the 36th minute and cut back for Messi to score.

Tenerife were aggrieved and it got worse for them as Barca scored twice in two minutes.
A minute before the break Messi curled in a devilish free-kick and Puyol used the pace of the ball to glance in a header.

On the chime of half-time Andres Iniesta's sublime pass released the effective Bojan who set up a tap-in for Messi and a 3-0 lead they didn't deserve.
Thierry Henry smacked the post early in the second half before Messi showed why he is the best player on the planet curling in brilliantly from 20 yards as if he were still in a training session.

Freezing temperatures and snow in the Spanish capital saw some Real fans at home but for the players gloves and undergarments were the order of the day.

Kaka returned for Real in his first appearance since injuring his groin at the end of November and almost scored on his return.

Mallorca had won 3-1 at Real last season but got off to a nightmare start conceding after just seven minutes.

Higuain cut inside and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner with his left foot that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Substitute Granero volleyed in expertly minutes after the break to clinch the points.

Valencia lie six points behind Real in third after making it seven wins from nine on the road defeating bottom side Xerez 3-1 yesterday.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid have a high number of points and in past seasons we would be top or close to them with the points tally we have," said Valencia coach Unai Emery.
Spanish internationals Juan Mata, David Silva and Carlos Marchena were all on target to clinch victory at Xerez and boost confidence for Thursday's last 16 King's Cup match at Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo are four points behind Valencia in fourth after a 1-0 home victory over Osasuna on Sunday thanks to a Juan Rodriguez goal.

Barca's training facility was inundated by over 6,000 fans this morning...

There was much publicity made of the 2,300 fans that came out to Real Madrid's world-class training facility to watch the team train, but such a number was just a fraction of the amount of fans that came out in droves to watch Barcelona today.

In the cold and in the rain, more than 6,000 fans celebrated a morning of training with the Blaugrana first team on Thursday, as reported by Sport.

The fans cheered their idols as Pep Guardiola counted on his entire squad, save Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure who are taking part in the African Cup of Nations, and Jeffren and Eric Abidal who are out with respective injuries.

The highlight of the morning training session was a practice match in which the thousands of fans cheered each and every goal as if it were an official game.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has backed Dmytro Chygrynskiy after a poor performance by the Ukraine defender in Tuesday's 2-1 King's Cup defeat by Sevilla provoked whistles from the home fans at the Nou Camp.

"Dima is a fantastic player and the more he gets whistled the more support we will give him because he has many years ahead of him here," Guardiola told a news conference.

The 23-year-old, who joined Barca from Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of August for 25 million euros ($36 million), gave the ball away several times and conceded the penalty that led to Sevilla's winner in the first-leg match.

"It will cost him more than others (to settle in) because of where he has come from and the price we paid but if anyone is responsible it's me not him," Guardiola added.

The Barcelona boss also assumed full responsibility for Barcelona's Copa del Rey defeat to Sevilla, but remains confident the defence of their crown is still salvageable.

''We've lost and therefore I was wrong,'' said Guardiola, who also pointed out that he had made mistakes before but ''as we were winning, there were no complaints''.

However, with Barca still chasing fresh honours on three fronts this season, Guardiola insists he will need to carry on utilising his whole squad if the Catalan giants are to continue their remarkable run of success.

''I'm the one who takes the decisions,'' he added. ''I make changes because I'm the one in charge, at least until the president gets rid of me.

''I make changes for the health of the changing room, because all the players deserve it and I want them to play. I need them all. The six titles were won by all of us, and not only 11 players.''

Despite the home loss, though, Guardiola has faith that his side can turn things around in next week's second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and book their spot in the quarter-finals.

''There's no doubt that we are going to bounce back. What we need to do is attack and score goals,'' he said.

Barca boss ready to put faith in youngsters

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Barcelona are not planning to venture into the transfer market to cover for African duo Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita.

Ivory Coast midfielder Toure and Keita of Mali are both on international duty at the African Nations Cup and their absence will leave Barca short during January.

A host of names have been mentioned as possible new recruits but Guardiola maintains that he has no plans to look outside his squad.

The Barca boss has faith in the club's younger players and intends to give the likes of Jonathan dos Santos, Thiago Alcantara, Victor Vazquez and Gai Assulin the chance to shine.

"As far as I know we have nothing planned," said Guardiola when asked about the likelihood of new arrivals this month.

"It's not worth it to bring in a player for one month.

"In the centre of midfield I've got a lot of options. I have five central midfielders, plus the players in the reserves.

"For one month I'd prefer to give them an opportunity, I know them and I know they will do well."

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola could leave his job at the end of the season and take a break from football, according to his father. The 38-year-old, who won six trophies in his first season in charge, has not signed an extension to his contract which runs out at the end of the season and Valenti Guardiola has hinted his son is considering a sabbatical.

Guardiola snr said: "I don't know if [he] will stay at Barcelona [beyond the end of the season] or if he will take a break from football and relax. The dad is always the last to know about these things."

Guardiola broke Terry Venables' 25-year-old record of league matches unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal. Venables' Barça squad went 15 games without losing in the league in the '84-85 season and this point made it 16 for Guardiola's team, although with Real Madrid now too close for comfort it was a draw that tasted like defeat.

Pedro scored on seven minutes from a rebound after Thierry Henry hooked a Dani Alves cross on to the bar. But after having two clear penalty claims turned down Villarreal equalised through David Fuster.

The marquee matchup in this tournament is finally upon us.  The two teams that were expected to be in the final of the Club World Cup are there.  Estudiantes and Barca are ready to go at it and there are two teams that fit the bill for a cahracteristis matchup-  history vs. hunger.  The only difference here is that Barcelona and Estudiantes could fall on either side of this discussion.  This is what makes this year's edition of the final so captivating. 

Not as easy as they might think

For Barcelona fans Estudiantes is a relatively unknown commodity with the exception of Juan Sebastián Verón.  ¨We have to take things step by step in order to prepare appropriately.  We might not know most of the players from Estudiantes but we will by tomorrow,¨said captain Carles Puyol in an interview with Argentine radio station La Red.  

Estudiantes captain Juan Sebastián Verón is looking to make some history of his own as he will emulate his father, the great Juan Ramón Verón, in beating  Europe's best.  The "Original Witch" was part of the great Estudiantes sides of the late 60's that dominated South American football.  Verón, alongisde then teammate and World Cup winning coach Carlos Bilardo, constantly talked about during those days that their rivals were no longer Boca and Gimnasia.  Their rivals were Manchester United and some of the other European sides that they faced during that incredible run.

The elder Verón was part of the 1968 side that defeated Manchester United in the Intercontinental Cup, which was played throughout two legs back then.  His son is now in a position, 41 years later, to repeat the same feat with the same club as his father.  Sebastián Verón mentioned in an interview earlier in the week that after returning to Argentina after being in Europe for well over a decade, his ultimate dream was to win this title. 

  The Argentine media have been very blatant in pointing out that Estudiantes are a battle-tested side that will not allow Barca to play.  It is part of their style to reduce spaces and mark Xavi really tight; suffocating any breakouts and not giving Barca the freedom to move around the way they did against Atlante.  The defense will have to solid stalwarts in the middle in Germán Ré and Leandro Desábato. 

 In the recent months, Mexican international Rafa Márquez has become a liability as injuries and lack of continuity have contributed to his regression. This poor run of form in addition to the problems that Dmytro Chygrynskiy has had adapting to life at the Nou Camp expose Barca in the event of an injury; even if Gabriel Milito is back in the mix after an 19-month absence. 

With all of this said, Barca are still steamrolling.  Their first step in disarming Estudiantes is to take the ball away from Verón.  There has been a tendency in tha past few games that the Argentine international has played in to be playing further back than he usually does.  To have a Verón handling the ball so deep in his own territory could signal bad news for the Argentines.  This would force Enzo Pérez to step into the spotlight a bit more as Boselli's attacking duo partner. 

Éric Abidal will also have to keep a close eye out on Clemente Rodríguez.  The former Spartak Moscow and Espanyol man is the Argentine version of Dani Alves but is a bit more responsible on defense.  His excursions could be trouble for the Barca backline especially if he can connect with Boselli inside the box with any crosses. Rodríguez gave Pohang a great deal of headaches on the right and his lethal crosses had air raid sirens sounding in the Steeler backline everytime.  That is why the former Boca Juniors man was arguably the best player on the pitch.

Guardiola's lineup is in Sharpie except for the left forward.  Common logic would say that Pedro would start especially after scoring his historic goal on Wednesday against Atlante.  Henry is not going through a good run of form while the youth side phenom is turning heads everywhere he goes.  Yet another start for Pedro could mean that Henry's days at the Nou Camp are definitely nearing the final months. 

Key Players

Mauro Boselli (Estudiantes):  The former Boca striker stepped out from behind the shadow of Martín Palermo and was unwisely dumped by the Xeneizes.  Now he has become his own man with El Pincha.  The injury to Marcelo Carrusca, the failed attempt to repatriate Bayern Munich man José Sosa, and the sudden retirement of José Luis Calderón hampered Estudiantes' attack as far as manpower is concerned; but there is a certain something about this team that finds a way to figure things out in the long run.  The one that really affected the team internally was the retirement of Calderón. 

The 39-year-old striker was still in great shape although he was seeing limited playing time under Sabella after coming back from Arsenal.  Calderón did not help his cause out too much by making comments to the local press talking about his desire of becoming the next coach of Estudiantes "in the very near future".

Depite all of this Boselli has been abel to generate space and clean up the area for his teammates.  He was a crossbar away from scoring the goal of the tournament and missed by an inch on Leandro Benítez first goal of the match, but he might not be as forgiving with the Blaugrana on Saturday. 

Benítez could also be a problem for Barca.  Fresh off his brace against Ponhang Steelers, "El Chino" can score from inside and from the outside.  This makes him a fresh option for El Pincha, especially on set pieces.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona):  If I really have to explain why, then we have a problem.  In this match he will be a big factor not when he has the ball but when he is moving around in space.  All eyes will be on him.  To play devil's advocate, Argentines know Messi and that they have two compact lines so recurring to fouls could be a realistic option for them. Look for the lines to be compact as usual and see

The big problem for Estudiantes is trying to matchup against Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  The big Swede can move back, go to the wings, push up and challenge the defenders.  His mobility is a tough factor to matchup against as well.  Also expect a big game from Touré Yaya.  His ability to play off of Messi and Dani Alves could be a field day on the right. 

Probables

Estudiantes:  Albil; Rodríguez, Desábato, Ré, Díaz; Núñez, Verón, Braña, Benítez; Pérez, Boselli

Barcelona:  Valdés; Alvés, Piqué, Puyol, Abidal;  Touré Yaya, Sergio Busquets, Xavi; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Henry (Pedro).

Lionel Messi scored within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to help Barcelona complete a 3-1 comeback win over Mexico's Atlante on Wednesday and reach the Club World Cup final against Estudiantes.

Forward Guillermo Rojas put the CONCACAF champions ahead in the fifth minute and midfielder Sergio Busquets equalised for Barcelona after 35.

Ballon d'Or winner Messi came off the bench to wild cheers from the near-capacity 40,952 crowd at the Zayed Sports City in the 53rd minute and put the European champions ahead almost immediately.

"When he (Messi) goes on to the pitch the dimension changes completely - he comes from a different galaxy," Atlante coach Jose Guadalupe Cruz told a news conference.

"You have to recognise that he's brilliant but also the team co-ordination helps a lot."

Barcelona increased their lead when a fine run down the left and into the box by Andres Iniesta ended with Pedro scoring from close in.

Barca meet Argentina's Estudiantes, the South American champions, in the final on Saturday.

Atlante went ahead after five minutes when their Argentine keeper Federico Vilar punted a free kick deep into the Barcelona half, defender Rafael Marquez missed the ball and Rojas darted through, lobbing keeper Victor Valdes and turning it into the net.

Vilar dived to his right to save a header by Busquets from a corner from the right taken by Xavi in the seventh minute.

The Mexican side could have had a second three minutes later when right back Navarro sprung the offside trap to run through on goal, but instead of shooting he elected to pass, failing to find his two team mates in the middle.

Busquets equalised 10 minutes before halftime with a low right-footed, first-time shot from the left after Yaya Toure had flicked on with his head a corner from the right by Xavi.

Messi, having been a doubt for the match with a right ankle injury, came on for midfielder Toure and within two minutes had put Barca ahead.

He made a diagonal run into the box from right to left, racing on to a fine through pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and rounded Vilar who managed to get a touch to Messi's shot but could not prevent it from going in.

"It's not the first time Messi gets on to the pitch and scores. He's very competitive and he always decides the final score, he goes on to the pitch and he is a fighter," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

"His physical state is good and his mind is in a perfect frame to go out and win."

Pedro added the third goal in the 67th minute when he hit the ball past Vilar after Iniesta had won it on the left and made a jinking run into the box.

The 22-year-old forward now has a remarkable record of having scored in all six competitions Barca have taken part in this year.

Atlante striker Rafael Marquez broke away on the right with a good chance to reduce the deficit but his shot was saved one-handed by the advancing Valdes.

Substitute Bojan Krkic fluffed an excellent chance right in front of goal to increase Barca's lead and they could have scored again from several late moves with Messi causing havoc in the Atlante defence.

The most spectacular was Ibrahimovic's effort from 35 metres out on the left that was pushed away for a corner by Vilar's diving save.

The Catalans' tilt at a clean sweep of trophies begins today in Abu Dhabi

Barcelona's quest for a sixth title in 2009 begins today when they take on Atlante in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Last season Barça became the first La Liga team to win the treble of league, cup and European Cup, and Pep Guardiola's team added two further trophies at the start of this campaign, winning the European and Spanish Super Cups.

Two more victories in the United Arab Emirates this week would give the Catalan club the set, with the Mexican side providing the first hurdle tomorrow, then their opponenst in the final will be the Copa Libertadores champions Estudiantes who beat AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers 2-1 on Monday.

Aside from completing an unforgettable year on a high note, Barça will also be desperate to do well in Abu Dhabi to make up for the disappointment of their appearance in the competition in 2006. Then, Barça lost to the Brazilian side Internacional de Porto Alegre in the final after going down to an 82nd-minute goal from Adriano.

The Barça midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who played in that match, told El Mundo Deportivo: "To close 2009 with the sixth title would be something fantastic. We are highly motivated and this time we are not going to let it escape."

Another Barça player who will be desperately hoping for successful trip to the UAE is their young winger Pedro Rodriguez, although for more personal reasons. Prior to August, Pedro had not struck a senior goal for the Catalans, but he could enter the record books this week as the first player to score in six different competitions in a season having already scored in La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey and the two Super Cups over the last five months.

"For me it would be a perfect year, as well as for the whole team," said the 22-year-old Canary Islander. "We are in the midst of a good period and hopefully our good run can continue and we can claim the title. We are looking forward to it and, if I can get a goal, then even better."

Barça go into the competition on the back of one of the best starts to a league season in their history, with Saturday's 1-0 derby success over Espanyol leaving them with 12 victories and three draws from their opening 15 games – equalling the unbeaten run set by the team in the 1984-85 season.

That success has also left Guardiola's team with a five-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga, although Barça have played a game more due to their Club World Cup commitments this week.

The big doubt for Barça heading into today's game is the fitness of Ballon d'Or winner, the Argentine Lionel Messi, who has been struggling with injury and has been undergoing individual training this week.

Atlante are underdogs but go into the match on the back of a 3-0 defeat of Auckland City in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Atlante's Argentine winger Santiago Solari, the former Real and Atletico Madrid player, admits his side could be in for a tough time.

"There's a group of teams that stand out at the end of the decade. It's not just that they've been the best team over the past year and a half in performances and results; this FC Barcelona is one of the best teams in the history of the game," Solari told the official Barcelona website. "Obviously Barça hold all the trumps. But all the onus is on Barça as well. We know that.

"We'll try and play our football as we always do. Then, how far we get will depend on the problems Barça create for us."

Barcelona's bid to close a historic season with a sixth major trophy begins Wednesday when the European champions play Mexican club Atlante in the Club World Cup semifinals.

Barcelona is favorite to lift the former Intercontinental Cup after winning all five trophies available since May -- the Champions League, the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Supercup and the European Supercup.

Pep Guardiola's team will go down in history if it can complete a clean sweep of titles.

"There's no need to obsess over it, but to be remembered as great you have to win the Club World Cup," sport director Txiki Begiristain said. "The truth is that we would like it very much because it's the only title that Barcelona is missing."

In its two previous appearances at the competition, Barcelona lost 2-1 to Sao Paulo in 1992 and 1-0 to Internacional -- also of Brazil -- in the final three years ago.

Coach Pep Guardiola was a member of that first losing team, and is keen to avoid the team's previous mistakes.

Barcelona, then led by Ronaldinho and coming off a league-Champions League double, went on a sharp decline from the final in Yokohama, Japan, that left the team without a trophy until Guardiola's arrival at the start of last season. Guardiola became the first coach to lead a Spanish club -- and only fifth in Europe -- to three trophies in one season.

"This year we've won every title that we've played for," midfielder Andres Iniesta said. "All that's left (is this)."

Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi is available, but a start does not look promising due to an ankle injury. The Argentina forward, who has scored 12 goals, should be on the team list for the match at the Zayed Sports City stadium despite missing Saturday's 1-0 win over Espanyol.

Although it's already likely, a sixth trophy would cement Messi's standing as the world's best player and likely herald a FIFA Player of the Year award.

"It's the last championship of an historic 2009 and we want to end it well," said Messi, who is the team's joint leading scorer with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Before the Catalans can look ahead to Saturday's final against either South Korean club Pohang Steelers or Estudiantes of Argentina -- who play Tuesday -- it will have to overcome some fatigue to first get past Atlante.

Former Real Madrid player Santiago Solari, now at Atlante, is fully aware of Barcelona's strengths.

"They're not only the best in the world the last year and a half for their play and results, but this Barcelona is also one of the best teams in the history of football," Solari said. "You have to take your sombrero off to them."

Atlante beat New Zealand's Auckland City 3-0 to reach the last four, but Solari and his teammates believe all of the pressure is on Barcelona.

"All of the responsibility falls on Barcelona. This we know," the Argentine midfielder said. "We'll go out and try to play our football."

Atlante could look to exploit an "exhausted" Barcelona, as Guardiola put it, which has faced a crowded December schedule due to the trip to Anu Dhabi.

European champions Barcelona must win the Club World Cup at the third attempt if they are to be considered truly great, sporting director Txiki Begiristain said on Sunday.

Lionel Messi’s ankle injury has ruled him out of Barcelona’s league derby with Espanyol on Saturday, and makes him doubtful for their opening game of the Club World Cup, the European champions said on Thursday.

The Argentina international twisted his right ankle in Barca’s 2-1 Champions League victory away to Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.

After Saturday’s visit of Espanyol in La Liga, Barca travel to the United Arab Emirates for the semi-finals of the Club World Cup next Wednesday.

The final, if they reach it, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19 after which the Spanish league goes into its two-week winter break.

Lionel Messi scored with a free kick in the closing minutes to give visiting Barcelona a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday as the defending champions advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Barcelona only needed to avoid a large defeat to advance, but Artem Milevskiy gave the visitors a scare with an early goal for Dynamo. Xavi Hernandez then tied the game in the 33rd minute after sustained pressure from Barcelona. The second half saw few clear chances for either side, before Messi curled in a free kick in the 86th minute.

The loss means Dynamo finishes last in Group F and is eliminated from European play.

"It was an important game today and all our players put in maximum effort to get the win," Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola said. "It was important to win the group and we were playing with that in mind. It was a physically tough game, but it's going to get even tougher from here."

Dynamo needed a victory and showed its intent early on with a lively start, opening the scoring in the second minute. A free kick from the edge of the area on the left found Milevskiy clear in front of goal, and he slotted past the Barcelona goalkeeper.

That was as good as it got for Dynamo, as Barcelona began to find its rhythm and control possession. Messi should have put the Spanish champion level in the 13th minute, when Oleksandr Shovkovskiy in the Dynamo goal miscued a clearance straight to him.

Shovkovskiy redeemed himself, however, with an excellent reaction save diving to his left.

Barcelona kept attacking, and the equalizer finally came when Eric Abidal pulled the ball across the face of goal from the left and Xavi side-footed home.

The first chance of the second half came in the 54th minute, when Dynamo's Leandro Almeida met a free kick by Andriy Shevchenko at the back post but put his header just wide.

Barcelona had a chance to take the lead in the 73rd minute, when Messi beat two players before shooting from the edge of the box, but a defender blocked it.

And it was Messi who gave Barcelona a deserved victory in the 86th minute, curling a free kick into the top corner from 20 yards. He could have had another in the final minute when he raced through on goal, but Shovkovskiy got down sharply to save.

"We didn't concentrate in the last few minutes against Inter, and now we lost to Barcelona in the last few minutes," Dynamo coach Valeri Gazzaev said. "In all games, we have strived hard to win and get through the group, but we didn't have enough luck, skill or experience to gain qualification."

Holders Barcelona can secure a place in the Champions League knock-out stage even if they lose at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, but Inter Milan face a winner-takes-all home encounter with Rubin Kazan.

All four teams in Group F will go into their final group games with hopes of going through, but it is pool leaders Barcelona who hold the strongest hand.

Pep Guardiola’s side have slipped into top gear in recent weeks, defeating Inter 2-0 in their last Champions League assignment and edging domestic rivals Real Madrid in the first ‘Clasico’ of the season.

“This is the biggest game of our season so far and it will define the rest of our season,” said Guardiola after his side’s 3-1 win at Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday evening. “I’m confident that we will preform well. We cannot go out of Europe and we have to finish top of our group,” he added.

Barca can afford to lose by any two-goal scoreline other than 2-0 in Kiev, due to their 2-0 victory over the Ukrainians in the reverse fixture, while a 0-0 or 1-1 draw will be enough for Inter at home to freshly crowned Russian champions Kazan as long as Dynamo do not win.

Inter’s lead at the top of Serie A was cut to four points when they lost 2-1 at Juventus on Saturday but they will be bolstered by the return to fitness of Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

“We are disappointed because we wanted to win the big game against Juventus,” said Inter’s Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Liverpool’s catastrophic exit from the competition made the headlines in Group E, with Fiorentina travelling to Anfield on Wednesday knowing that victory will secure top spot in the group ahead of Lyon.

With Liverpool already assured of a place in the Europa League, coach Rafael Benitez is likely to use the visit of the Viola to test the fitness of Fernando Torres and hand a first start to Italian summer signing Alberto Aquilani.

Should Fiorentina fail to beat Liverpool, Lyon must win by two goals at home to the group’s bottom side Debrecen to snatch top spot and secure a potentially favourable draw in the last 16.

Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, who sacked coach Ronald Koeman at the weekend, cannot make the next round but will take the Europa League qualifying spot with victory at Standard Liege.

 Lionel Messi expressed his hope on Sunday that his winning of the coveted Ballon d'Or title would be the first of many more honours in his career.

After an exceptional year with Barcelona, winning the Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Cup titles, Messi received the biggest percentage of votes since the award for the European player of the year was created in 1956.

"I hope to win another after winning something with Argentina," said the 22-year-old winger.

"It would be great, but it's going to depend on the way things evolve with Barca and the World Cup."

And he agreed that the fact that there were six players from La Liga and four from Barcelona in the top ten proved that the Spanish first division was the best in the world.

"Yes I think so," he said.

"With the English league, they are the two strongest in the world. It's not by chance that they are the clubs and the championships who always go far in the Champions League."

Messi hoped that his success would be savoured by all Argentina.

"I'm very proud to be the first Argentine to win the the Ballon d'Or," he said. "I would love to relive a year like the one that has just finished and win titles with Argentina."

And he admitted his pride at being compared to Diego Maradona.

"For me he was the best player in history. There won't be others like him. So it's an honour to be compared to him."

Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored Wednesday to give Barcelona a 2-0 victory at Xerez to open up a five-point lead over second-place Real Madrid in the Spanish league.

On the same day that FIFA opened a disciplinary case against Henry for a blatant hand ball that helped put France into the World Cup, the Barcelona striker turned Maxwell's pass through the hands of goalkeeper Renan Soares in the 46th minute for his second league goal.

Ibrahimovic chipped over Renan in injury time to make up for missed chances by Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. It was the Sweden striker's ninth league goal.

Barcelona, which played Wednesday to make up for a missed league round when it competes at the Club World Cup, has 33 points from 13 games. Madrid, which plays on Saturday against Almeria, has 28 from 12 games.

Sevilla is third with 26 points, one better than both Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna. Xerez remained in last place with seven points.

Messi, awarded the Golden Ball as Europe's best player on Tuesday, started the match from the bench alongside Ibrahimovic, fresh from his winning volley in Sunday's 1-0 win over Madrid.

Xerez showed intent early through Fabian Orellano, but Barcelona went on to take control with Bojan Krkic and Seydou Keita coming close to scoring within 15 minutes.

Yaya Toure was clear inside the box just before halftime, but headed straight into the hands of Renan.

Messi and Ibrahimovic came on in the second half as the Catalans looked to consolidate their lead, but Xerez remained defiant with speedy winger Orellano forcing Valdes to save a rising shot in the 71st minute.

Henry, who could be suspended for the first game of the World Cup for his hand ball in World Cup qualifying, was replaced by Iniesta in the 84th minute.

In injury time, Messi drove a low shot past Renan that came back off the far post moments before Iniesta sidefooted a centring pass from Ibrahimovic.

 Lionel Messi is now officially the best footballer in Europe after being announced as the winner of this year's Ballon D'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in the game. The Barcelona striker was quick to thank his teammates for his award.

"I want to thank my colleagues, as I always say, this is thanks to them too, they are what made me win this. I am happy to have won the award also because of the way I won it. The voting was overwhelmingly in my favour and that was very nice. I am very proud to be the first Argentinian to have won this award. Even though Diego (Maradona) didn't win it because at that time we couldn't enter the contest. Otherwise he would certainly have won it more than once for sure," said Messi.

For Messi, it doesn't matter if it is Manchester United in the Champions League final or Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Ray.

The Argentine has summoned his magic all the same to leave his opponents mesmerised, stunned by a craft that has no parallel on the football field now.

Barcelona have won everything in sight with Messi leading the line and his selection for the Ballon D'Or couldn't be more justified.

The year 2009 started with one of the most stunning displays in the La Liga - a brilliant hat-trick grounded Atletico Madrid and with it started a magnificent seven-game winning streak for Barcelona.

After slaying all opponents, it was time for the big stage - the Champions League where Messi orchestrated one of the most compelling 43 minutes of total football ever seen as Bayern Munich was smashed.

Within days, the El Clasico was reduced to a Messi show as Barcelona blew away Real Madrid 6-2.

Stamford Bridge wailed in frustration as the impudent Argentine conjured a heart-breaker in the dying minutes for Andres Iniesta to find the leveller.

The Spanish giants never had it so good as Messi would go on to strike 38 times in the 51 games he would play last season, coupled with 18 assists.

After pocketing the La Liga and the Copa Del Ray came Messi's finest moment, tormenting Manchester United before eventually leaping high to power Xavi Alonso's cross past Edwin Van der Sar to cap a fine performance as Barcelona completed an unprecedented, glorious treble.

Touted to carry forward Maradona's legacy for Argentina, Messi is now well on his way to script an entirely new place for himself in football history.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's superb second-half volley secured 10-man Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in 'El Clasico' at the Nou Camp and saw the Catalans move back to the top of the Primera Division standings after 12 matches.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry shortly into the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves' cross. Barca went down to 10 men with almost half an hour still left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence. However, Madrid later had Lassana Diarra sent off for a second yellow card.

Elsewhere, Roberto Soldado grabbed a hat-trick as Getafe blitzed 10-man Xerez with five goals in the space of 17 minutes either side of half-time to come from behind and hand out a 5-1 thrashing.

Artiles Aythami had headed Xerez in front in the 33rd minute, but the game turned dramatically in the space of two minutes just before half-time. Soldado scored his first in the 44th minute and moments later, David Prieto hauled down Daniel Parejo to earn a red card and give Soldado the chance to put Getafe ahead from the penalty spot. The assault continued in the second half as Parejo made it 3-1 in the 57th minute before Soldado sealed his treble moments later and Javi Casquero completed the scoring on the hour.

Tenerife came from 3-0 down with less than half an hour to go to claim a 3-3 draw at Real Valladolid and secure their first away point of the season. The Pucela had appeared to be on their way to a convincing victory - and only their second at home this season - when two goals from Diego Costa and a penalty by Fabian Canobbio saw them ease into a 3-0 lead with 27 minutes to go. However, two goals in eight minutes from Francisco Nino and Rodriguez Angel set up a nervy finish for Valladolid and Garcia Ayoze pounced four minutes from time to stun the hosts.

Athletic Bilbao continued their recent revival with a 4-1 thumping of Almeria at a rain-drenched Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos. Two goals in four minutes from Javi Martinez and Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora just prior to half-time set Athletic on their way and second-half strikes from Fernando Llorente and Oscar De Marcos made it four before Almeria pulled a late goal back through Kalu Uche's penalty.

Javad Nekounam's first-half header earned Osasuna only their second away win of the season and condemned Real Zaragoza to a rare home defeat.Nekounam got on the end of fellow Iranian Masoud Shojaei's 27th-minute free-kick to nod home what would prove to be the only goal of an entertaining game at La Romareda. Deportivo La Coruna ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win at Racing Santander .to move level on points with fourth-placed Valencia. With just 14 minutes remaining, Albert Lopo struck to give the Galicians their eighth league success in 12 matches.

Atletico Madrid moved out of the relegation zone by registering an emphatic 4-0 win over Espanyol. Much-coveted striker Sergio Aguero was the star of the show, scoring two and making two - for strike partner Diego Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez - as the hosts claimed just their second win of an underwhelming season so far.

Don't miss the next match at the Camp Nou Stadium: buy your tickets now at www.fcbarcelona.eatb.es

On Sunday, two of sport's fiercest rivals recommence battle in the cauldron atmosphere of the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

As the players representing Barca and Real Madrid fight to defend the honour of their club's shirt before nearly 100,000 maniacal fans, one man adored by both sets of supporters will watch as a neutral.

Michael Laudrup, one of the most gifted footballers of his or any generation and a man who brought success to both Barca and the Bernabeu, will be that rarest of observers during the clash that splits Spain in two - an impartial one.

And despite having played with such distinction for both clubs in his trophy-laden career and competed in the fixture on numerous occasions, Laudrup is almost salivating at the prospect of this El Clasico.

"I want to see a great game of football and I'm pretty confident that will happen," the 45-year-old told BBC Sport.

"This match, it has absolutely everything. Even if you are watching on television you can see it is something very, very special.

"The fans of both clubs treat most games like you would in England if you were going to the theatre - they expect to be entertained. But in this game, they behave differently. It is like the Champions League final, only more important and the noise they make is incredible."

Laudrup is one of the few footballers on Earth who knows what it means to play for both Barcelona and Real Madrid and is arguably the only one who is still loved in Spain's two biggest cities.

Usually, moving between the two - or even playing for both - is considered tant amount to treason by supporters of the jilted party, such is the intensity of their rivalry.

It is often said that Barca and Real, symbolising the essence of the areas of Catalonia and Castile where they are based, mean more to their respective cultures than most teams. When they meet, there is more at stake than just the bragging rights of two of the world's biggest clubs.

Bernd Schuster and Luis Figo are still vilified for swapping Barca's blue-and-red for the all-white of Real; Luis Enrique's reputation in Madrid was left in tatters when he left to join Barca in 1996; and Brazilian Ronaldo and Argentine Javier Saviola upset Catalans by then playing for Real.

Figo's switch from Barca to Real in 2000 caused so much anger that, when he returned to the Camp Nou the following season, he had a pig's head thrown at him as he went to take a corner.

Laudrup, in contrast, is still a hero to both Cules and Madridistas - no mean feat when you consider that, in the summer of 1994, he committed football's most unthinkable act: he left Barcelona to join Real Madrid. Given the animosity between them, why?

"I was at Barcelona for five years," said Laudrup. "When I arrived in 1989, Barca were winning La Liga on average every seven or eight years. It's hard to imagine, but they were comfortably the number two team behind Real Madrid, who had won four titles in a row.

"At Barca, we finished third at first and then won La Liga four times in a row, the European Cup in 1992 and enjoyed the most successful period in their history. They even called us the Dream Team, but after five years I felt it was time for a change.

"I'd tried everything and, under Johan Cruyff - the most important coach I ever played for - we won everything. I heard stories I'd fallen out with Cruyff, that other things happened, but none of it was true, none of it was behind my reason for leaving.

"There was another issue - the 1994 World Cup in USA. Barca had nine players in the Spanish squad plus Ronald Koeman, Hristo Stoichkov and Romario, all going to the US.

"I knew from experience that the season after can be difficult if you have a lot of players who have been to the World Cup, with injuries and so on. So I thought, this is the moment to leave.

"I didn't want to go back to Italy as I'd already played there for six years with Juventus and Lazio, I didn't want to go to Germany, France would have been a step down and none of the big teams in England made an offer.

"So I looked at Real Madrid. They had only a few players going to the World Cup, had a new manager in Jorge Valdano and everything was being readied in preparation for that 1994-95 season. Also, they were now the number two team and were desperate to be first again.

"In football terms, it was the only decision to make. But of course, it wasn't that simple..."

Laudrup knew he was making anything but a purely footballing decision and the 20,000-signature petition of Barca members begging him to stay did not make it easier.

Since Lucien Muller left Real to join Barca in 1965, only one high-profile player had switched between the two; German schemer Schuster inducing a red-and-blue mist that still lingers at the Camp Nou by leaving for the Spanish capital in 1988.

But despite acknowledging the delicate nature of the decision, Laudrup's resolve was firm: on 1 July, 1994, one of the world's best players crossed the ultimate footballing divide and - to the horror of the Catalans who had worshipped him - donned the famous white shirt of Los Merengues.

"Of course I knew it wouldn't be received so well in Catalonia," said Laudrup, without a hint of sarcasm. "That was my major cause for doubt about the whole move and I thought about it a lot.

"I wasn't overly worried about how people would react, but I had five great years at Barca and when they came with the petition, of course that had an affect on me.

"But there were no death threats, it never got too nasty and I convinced myself I had to make the decision based only on football."

Laudrup's last meeting with Real Madrid in a Barca shirt had ended with a thumping 5-0 win for Cruyff's side and his first two meetings with his old employers were equally electric.

"I won 5-0 in the Camp Nou and then signed for Real," he said. "Can you imagine that they weren't too pleased to see me arrive, the Madridistas? There I was, this guy who had helped to stop their team winning anything for four years, suddenly playing for them.

"But a year later, we beat Barca 5-0 in the Bernabeu. So in 12 months, in by far the most important fixture of the season, I had won 10-0!

"The second time we met in that first season, it was my first return to Barca as a Real player. Well, picture the scene: it's the third last game and if Real win, we are champions of Spain. Imagine them winning the title in the Camp Nou - it's a nightmare for every Catalan.

"It turned out to be a horrible experience for me. Nearly 100,000 people whistled every time I got the ball and it was the only time in my career when things outside football influenced me. I played very badly as a result.

"I knew a lot of people would be angry that I left, but I didn't realise it would be so bad that night. When you look back, it's logical - I was a hero, I crossed over to the other side and I went back.

"I will always remember the words of Valdano on the plane back to Madrid. He said: 'Well Michael, tonight I realised how much they loved you'. I was a little sad, of course, but I guess he was right."

Fifteen years on, most Barca fans have forgiven Laudrup for his betrayal, even though he did eventually win the title with Real in 1995, becoming the only man to win five La Liga titles in a row with two different clubs.

Should he decide to leave his home in Madrid to take in one of the world's greatest fixtures, there is no doubt he would be welcomed back with open arms in the city he once adorned.

"I went back to Barcelona for a testimonial game for the Dream Team in 1999, and it was absolutely fine," added Laudrup. "There will always be that 1% or 2% who will never forgive me, but today I can go back and the other 98-99% treat me very well.

"I'm Danish, after all. I'm not Catalan, I wasn't born in Madrid, I wasn't raised by either club and I didn't leave anyone on bad terms.

"It's not the same as if Lionel Messi or Andres Iniesta went to Real Madrid, or if Iker Casillas joined Barca, nothing like the same, because those guys have been at those clubs since they were just kids.

"In Madrid, I will never forget how magnificently I was treated when I arrived, even coming from the all-conquering Barcelona team as I did. The people were incredible and it will stay with me forever.

"The most asked question I've had since I retired in 1998 is 'who do you like most, Barcelona or Real?' Now what sort of question is that?

"I don't care who wins. They are my two teams, both of them."

It’s difficult to define the relationship between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The tempestuous and passionate rivalry on and off the field is world renowned, both enjoy boundless success over the decades, their fans and presidents are mercilessly demanding, and the players are expected to play only the finest brand of attacking football.

Yet, both clubs have vastly different tradition and history. One club runs like a business while the other is run for the people. Both have different ways of attaining success and like polar opposites, neither can be on top of the world or down in the dumps together.

A good case in point is the build up to El Clasico over the past few weeks. A fortnight ago, it seemed all doom and gloom in the Spanish capital when Cristiano Ronaldo looked unlikely to feature at the Camp Nou due to his injury while Barca could simply do no wrong. This week, however, CR9 has almost all but confirmed his return – barring a late setback – and it was the Catalans who suffered a blow with news that Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be sidelined.

Just to make things more interesting, Madrid reclaimed top spot of La Liga at the weekend and suddenly, the Blaugrana had gone from hot favourites to underdogs, at least in the eyes of the press. But now that they have negotiated Inter in the Champions League and Messi has been greenlit for a comeback, the tables have turned again.

But by far the most apparent difference between the two clubs is, ofcourse, their ideologies. The contrast has been highlighted even more glaringly over the past year as the Camp Nou outfit go from strength to strength and more and more prodigious young talents emerge from their cantera, while over at the Santiago Bernabeu, the capital giants can barely get a single promising youth player to surface from the shadows of the superstars.

There’s also a wide divide in transfer policies. Madrid’s exploits need no further introduction, or another accounting lesson, and their decision to splash absurd amounts of money in a single summer has drawn acerbic criticism. Barcelona, however, refused to jump on the bandwagon and club president, Joan Laporta emphasised repeatedly that he will not spend beyond what the organisation can afford.

He did dish out €69 million to recruit Ibrahimovic from Inter, but he made it sound just that less outrageous an expenditure by explaining that he only had to cough up €49m (presumably well within their means) as the other €20m came from Eto’o’s exchange.   

The truth is that there is no right or wrong philosophy. Each club have their own way of running the show, just like how each athlete has his or her own way of training, each business have their own organisation and structure.

Madrid could spend €250 million investing in youth development, there would still be no more of a guarantee for success than Perez’s current galactic project. The ‘Quinta del Buitre’ era in the 80’s, for instance, boasted five home-grown players who utterly dominated Spanish football, but they never had a sniff of the European Cup, although they did win back-to-back UEFA Cup crowns, which if you recall, wasn’t such a Mickey Mouse competition back then.

At the moment, Barcelona could have up to six or seven players who grew up at the famous La Masia youth academy in the first XI and they would still steamroll past any opponent. But remember, they were equally just as successful and captivating during the Frank Rijkaard dynasty when the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco, Samuel Eto’o, Ludovic Giuly and Mark van Bommel were stealing the headlines week in, week out. In fact, in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal, Rijkaard only had three Spanish players – albeit all Catalan – in the starting line-up: Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol and Oleguer.

The truth is that grooming young players doesn’t work for every team. Arsenal, for instance, are a club who purchase fairly unknown footballers at a young age and slowly blood them into big stars. They are, perhaps, the second most attractive side to watch after Barcelona but they haven’t had much success in recent years. Chelsea and Manchester United, on the other hand, aren’t afraid to spend, either for established stars or young starlets, and they have had considerably more silverware to show off. For Madrid, youth just simply doesn’t work at the Bernabeu.

The key difference between Los Blancos and the Blaugrana’s fortunes is that the Catalans have a specific style and identity. Regardless of who is in charge of the bench and who is sitting on the president’s chair, Barca will always turn to Johan Cruyff’s footballing model as a blueprint.

Not only that, the wide-eyed youngsters who are brought up through the ranks are taught how to play like Cruyff. They polish their basic skills, their technique, ball control, and they are encouraged to embrace the Total Football philosophy. That’s why players like Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro can all play in various positions or take on different roles, while others like Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique can attack as well as they can defend.

Madrid’s style, on the other hand, is all about showmanship. It doesn’t matter how they go about it, what structure, or what system is deployed. As long as there are enough flicks, tricks and dribbles, the fans and the president will be happy.

The constant coaching and administration changes at the ‘White House’ doesn’t help matters either. Players are unable to familiarise themselves with one specific style of play for any more than a couple of seasons. If and when they do, a new president takes power, hires a new coach, clears out the dressing room and everything goes back to square one.

With no template to follow, each trainer and his coaching staff will introduce a completely different set of ideas. That could explain why Raul has gone on a steady decline. Ever since Vicente del Bosque’s departure, Madrid have changed coaches every two seasons on average, and poor old Raul has been left with no choice but to adapt to a new style and integrate with a new squad each time. It’s as if he’s had to move to a different club every two years.

But Madrid’s philosophy has always been to spend big, right or wrong, love it or loathe it, successful or not. It’s not something that Florentino Perez pioneered during his first reign. It has always been the way the ‘Casa Blanca’ has functioned ever since Don Santiago Bernabeu rebuilt the club from scratch after the Spanish Civil War.

The Merengues do have as many aspiring youngsters as Barca fighting to get their hands on that elusive first-team contract, but unlike the Catalans, Madrid normally tend to wait for that one true gem – the next Raul or the new Casillas – to emerge by pure chance, rather than bide their time and spend a few years waiting for the player to blossom.

There is no way to determine categorically which philosophy works best. One formula will succeed during one particular cycle, the other will fail, then the tables will turn. Barca’s reign, like it or not, will eventually end. Messi, Pedro, Busquets, Pique, et al. may be young and may seem like they will be around forever and ever, but that's what everyone thought about Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, about Cristiano Ronaldo staying at Manchester United or Kaka at Milan, or about an eternally youthful Raul going on and on and on. Yet, look how each and everyone has turned out.  

Diversity in football is what makes the game fascinating. After all, wouldn’t it be more satisfying when your club and their unique principles trump the arch nemesis?

‘Mourinho, go to the theatre,’ sang the Barcelona fans as normal service was resumed at the Nou Camp.

The holders outclassed Jose’s Inter Milan side and his comment about Leo Messi’s supposed ‘play-acting’ in a 2006 tie against Chelsea came back to haunt him.

This was Mourinho’s big chance to push Barca towards the Champions League exit, but instead the Catalans recaptured some of the form that saw them beat Manchester United in last season’s final. They will now go through if they avoid defeat in Kiev.

Mourinho cocked his ear to the 98,000 Barca fans the second time they taunted him. It was an uncomfortable return for the coach who slid along the Nou Camp touchline to celebrate a Chelsea goal the last time he was in the visitors’ dug-out.

‘Barca were spectacular,’ he admitted afterwards. ‘Obviously Pedro is not Messi but he is a very good player. The story changed a little bit in the second half but in the end they were much better than us. They are so good at passing the ball around at pace.

‘But we can still win the tournament. Real Madrid think they are favourites, Chelsea think they are favourites, Barca think they are favourites. Being beaten by them doesn’t mean we can’t beat them in the later stages.’

Messi could afford a wry smile on the bench as the crowd wound up Mourinho. He was an unused substitute, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Their absence left Thierry Henry back in the role of central striker, flanked by Andres Iniesta and Pedro.

Inter’s Samuel Eto’o started against his old team and embraced former team-mates in the tunnel before being given an incredible reception by the home support. The niceties were soon forgotten as every Eto’o touch thereafter was whistled.

Henry looked especially motivated and on 10 minutes he flicked on Xavi’s corner for Gerard Pique to put Barca ahead.

Henry then had a shot beaten out by Julio Cesar and that was the cue for Barca’s second goal. Xavi spotted Dani Alves bombing down the right and found him with an exquisite pass inside Cristian Chivu.

The full-back’s first-time cross was bundled home by Pedro. In three touches, Barca had gone from the half-way line to 2-0 up.

There were more hugs for Eto’o as he came back on to the pitch after half time. His old club were killing him with kindness.

Mourinho brought on Sulley Muntari for Esteban Cambiasso but little changed. In a rare Inter foray, Eto’o had a weak penalty claim turned down as he was muscled off the ball by Alves after running on to a Milito pass.

Alves then reprised his part in the goal, surging down the right and planting a cross on to Xavi’s head. The Spain midfielder’s effort was palmed away by goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Muntari brought down Henry and from the free-kick Alves forced Julio Cesar into another save.

Having cleared the resulting corner, Eto’o sprinted down the left but he ran out of steam and his cross-shot sailed wide.

His and Mourinho’s return had done nothing to make Barcelona regret their departures.

European champions Barcelona were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao, a result which leaves Real Madrid top of the Spanish Liga.
Earlier Saturday, Real had scored a controversial 1-0 home win over lowly Racing Santander. Real have 28 points from 11 games, Barca - who have drawn their last three away games - have 27.
This means that Real will go to Barcelona for next "Clasico" one point ahead of their historic rivals. Barca turned in another flat display in Bilbao, partly because of the absence of several key figures through injury or swine flu.
Lionel Messi should have given Barca an early lead, but the little Argentine is in poor form. At the other end, Javi Martinez should have headed Bilbao ahead. Nine minutes into the second half Xavi set up Dani Alves to make it 1-0 to Barca with a low drive.
But just nine minutes later supersub Gaizka Toquero levelled for the hosts with a clever half-volley, after tall striker Fernando Llorente had headed on a long ball. Barca dominated the final phase but failed to create any clear chances. "We have dropped two more important points tonight," said playmaker Andres Iniesta, another Barca player out of form. Earlier on Saturday Real had beaten luckless Racing Santander 1-0 at home. "We have to improve our football," said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini. "It is always a risk to get to the end of the game with just a one goal advantage," he added, "but we had chances to score more goals." Gonzalo Higuain put Real ahead, Sergio Canales had a late equalizer for Santander wrongly disallowed for offside. Real, still without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, looked sharp in the first half. In the 23rd minute Santander keeper Tono pushed out a Kaka centre to Ezequiel Garay, who calmly set up Higuain to make it 1-0 from close range.
The whites could have increased their lead before half-time. Santander finally came out of their shell and should have been given an equalizer 13 minutes from time but Canales was wrongly ruled offside. The final whistle was greeted with more relief than joy in the Estadio Bernabeu, with almost as many jeers for the hosts as cheers. Earlier Saturday Sevilla consolidated themselves in third place with a 2-1 win away to lowly Tenerife. South Americans Diego Perotti and Renato scored for Sevilla, Nino struck late for Tenerife.
Saturday's other early game saw Deportivo Coruna score a late 2-1 win at home to troubled Atletico Madrid. Sergio Aguero gave Atletico the lead after just three minutes, only for defender Daniel Colotto to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute with a powerful header. Deportivo dominated the second half but Atletico seemed poised to take home a point. In injury time, however, Pablo Ibanez pulled down Alberto Lopo for a clear penalty - and Andres Guardado made no mistake from the spot.
Messi injured
Barcelona's star striker Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday's crucial Champions League clash at home to Inter Milan, the European champions announced Sunday. The little Argentine pulled a muscle in his left thigh in Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao. Against Inter Barca will also be without Gabi Milito, Eric Abidal, Rafa Marquez, Yaya Toure and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, coach, Mr Josep Guardiola, is hoping that all of these players will be fit for next Sunday's "Clasico" at home to Real Madrid.

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Saturday's La Liga clash at Athletic Bilbao with a new thigh strain, the European champions said on Thursday.

The striker damaged a left thigh muscle against Real Mallorca two weeks ago that has kept him out of the Sweden squad but tests on Thursday revealed a new injury in the same area, Barca said on their official website

The striker has netted seven La Liga goals in nine appearances for the Catalans since his big money move from Inter Milan in the summer, and has helped them to the top of the table.

Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday and then welcome Real Madrid in La Liga the following weekend. The club did not say how long the striker would be out of action.

Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito, who has been out with a serious knee injury, played his first match for more than 18 months on Wednesday morning.

Cesc Fabregas has sidestepped questions about his future amid a battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign the Arsenal captain.

The Gunners are bracing themselves for a raid from Spain's big two next summer, but Fabregas insists he is only concentrating on the short-term - neither committing his future to Arsenal nor his home country.

Arsene Wenger has no intention of selling his midfield marvel, but Barca in particular are pressing ahead with plans to seal a return to the club he left as a 16-year-old

Pressed by Spanish journalists about his future, Fabregas said: 'I'm comfortable at Arsenal. We have started strongly in the league and Champions League. We will see how it goes and hopefully injuries will be kind to us.

'My future? I'm focussed on the short term and don't look beyond that. I have a great responsibility to my club and now is not the time to think beyond that.'

Carles Puyol, captain of the European champions, believes Fabregas talks in ambiguous terms about his plans out of respect for Arsenal, who helped him develop in a way that Barcelona could not.

'It is not easy for him to talk much because he has his club, although it is clear that we would like because he's a great friend and one of the best players in the world,’ said Puyol. ‘He knows the philosophy of Barcelona very well.

'Cesc would have had his reasons to go (in 2003) and he would not have had the same opportunities (with Barcelona) that he's had at Arsenal.’

The Barca veteran now fears the cost of bringing Fabregas back to Catalonia.

'The market dictates the value and you pay a lot for players of a high level but if he comes I hope we don't pay much,' he said.

Fabregas is set to play for Spain against Austria on Wednesday night at the scene of their Euro 2008 triumph.

The international break has given the Spanish Press plenty of opportunity to once again raise the spectre of the 22-year-old's return and Barca players Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique wasted no time this week in saying Fabregas would be warmly received at the Nou Camp.

Former Manchester United defender Pique, who is close to his Spain team-mate, did his best to embarrass Fabregas in a joint TV interview by jokingly introducing him as a 'future Barca player'.

More seriously, he went on to say: 'My desire is for us to wear the same kit like we do in the national team, so he can be with me at Barca in the Nou Camp.'

The price-tag speculated in Spain could be around the £50million mark, though Barca could reluctantly offer Yaya Toure and Bojan Krkic in part exchange.

Real Madrid are also interested and haven't been shy in splashing the cash.

An intriguing subplot in the transfer tussle is the rivalry between Nike and adidas.

American sportswear manufacturer Nike would be keen to see Fabregas, an athlete they work with, go to Barcelona if he did leave Arsenal.

However, it would be a great coup for adidas, who supply Real Madrid's kit, to be able to use Fabregas in promotional material wearing the iconic white kit of the Spanish capital's biggest club.

Madrid are negotiating a new deal with the German company and the signing of Fabregas could push up the value of the contract.

Sandro Rossell, a former Nike executive who wants to be the next president of Barcelona, will equally be using his influence among former colleagues and it has been claimed that he has held informal talks with Fabregas about a move to the Nou Camp this summer.

Spanish newspaper AS claims Fabregas has a gentleman's agreement with Wenger, allowing him to leave the club after June 30, but the Arsenal boss recently insisted he had not agreed to his star man's exit.

Meanwhile, Fabregas is set to be invited to play for Catalonia against Argentina on December 22 at the Nou Camp.

The game was hoped to see a head-to-head between Catalonia boss Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona, two Barcelona legends. However, the Argentina coach was handed a two-month ban by FIFA for insulting comments made at a press conference so cannot take charge of the national team.

The Brazilian says Barca's success means Messi has to claim the award...

Real Madrid star Kaka has revealed that he believes Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be crowned the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2009 after the success the Blaugrana had last season.

Messi has finished second in the poll for the last two years, behind Cristiano Ronaldo last season and behind Kaka in 2007 and Los Merengues playmaker has his eye on recapturing the accolade next season.

"I think it is probably for Messi won everything with Barcelona last year," he said according to Marca.

"You must have a good year with your club and national team. Next year it will be chosen from those who do well at the World Cup. My goal is that Brazil finishes as champion and then let's think about individual awards."

The 19th annual FIFA World Player of the Year will be revealed on Decmember 21 with a list of five players chosen as finalists from the 23-man list nominated last month.

Agusti Benedito feels the upcoming elections to replace Laporta as president are going to be "dirty"...

The race is already hotting up to elect the successor to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, whose term comes to an end on June 30, 2010.

While some, including the likes of Angel Fernandez, have already ruled themselves out of the running, Catalan businessman Agusti Benedito is the second candidate after Sandro Rosell to declare that he intends to participate in the elections.

Benedito resigned as a member of the club's social committee earlier this year, claiming that Laporta had betrayed some of Barca's ideals, and has reiterated that stance in an interview with El Mundo Deportivo.

"[I feel] disappointed with Joan Laporta," he mused.

"When I was inside [the club], people told me a lot of things about Laporta but when I asked them if they had proof, they had none.

"The first evidence I had was when he admitted that his office had mediated in a bid by some Uzbekistanis to buy Mallorca.

"The main thing is ethics. There can be errors in any management, but ethics are essential.

"There are things that he wasn't able to do, and things that he didn't want to do. He was in a unique position to establish an irreversible change, but he left the path, lost control."

When Benedito was asked about the forthcoming elections, he indicated that he is concerned that the other candidates will not play by the rules.

"I think it will be dirty. I hope I'm wrong, but I've noticed people are tense," he concluded.

He will be the first player to score in six tournaments in one season if he finds the back of the net at the tournament in Abu Dhabi...

Barcelona starlet Pedro has said that he is hoping to score in the FIFA World Club Championship for the Blaugrana, as it would complete a memorable record for the 22-year-old striker.

Having already scored in the Primera Liga, UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey for Barca, Pedro will become the first player ever to score in six tournaments in one season if he manages to find the net in Abu Dhabi next month.

"I hope I can get lucky and score there [at the club World Cup]. It would be something very nice for me and a very big achievement," he is quoted as saying by Sport.

Pedro has revealed that goalscoring is not a quality he is known for as a footballer and said that it will be difficult to maintain his current scoring run. He also said that scoring goals with Barcelona is made easier by the quality of his team-mates.

"Scoring goals is not one of my strengths, but I'm getting lucky. To continue the streak will be very difficult. In recent games I've scored having received great assistance from Xavi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic... It is always easier to play with these world class players," he added.

Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has played down speculation linking the Catalans with a move for Manchester City forward Robinho.

The Brazilian is reportedly unsettled in England and pushing for a transfer from Eastlands in January, although those rumours were have been quashed by City's executive chairman Garry Cook.

City are currently preparing for the friendly against the UAE national side in Abu Dhabi, and the arrival of a Barcelona delegation in the Gulf state has increased speculation over Robinho's future.

Begiristain, director of football Raul Sanhllei and board member Albert Perrin are in Abu Dhabi as representatives of Barca to attend the draw for next month's FIFA Club World Cup.

With Robinho present as part of the City squad at the Emirates Palace training camp as he recovers from an ankle injury, the presence of Barca officials has been taken as a sign transfer talks are imminent. But Begiristain insists talk of meeting City representatives is premature and revealed a possible bid for Robinho has not been a topic of discussion between himself and Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

''We won't be meeting with City,'' Begiristain said. ''There's a prior stage missing, which is a meeting between Guardiola and me. Once the decision has been taken, we will follow the strategy for any signing.

''This meeting - between the manager and the technical secretary - hasn't taken place yet. So we're going to see the City match and that's all.''

Meanwhile, City manager Mark Hughes has not ruled out the want-away striker making his comeback from injury against Liverpool at Anfield on November 21.

"I wouldn't close the door on it," confirmed Hughes. "He probably needs a couple of weeks to get up to speed before he is considered for selection and I would imagine the Liverpool game will be too close. It would be a big ask, but we will see how he goes next week."

If Robinho does not make Anfield, he would probably face Hull at Eastlands the following week.

The Blaugrana march on with Bojan and Pedro in fine form...

Barcelona put five second half goals past minnows Cultural Leonesa to secure a comfortable passage to the fifth round of the Copa del Rey with a dazzling and dominant display at Camp Nou.

The Copa champions were completely dominant from start to finish but had to wait until six minutes into the second half for the breakthrough as Bojan Krkic began the rout, tapping home after fine work from Jeffren.

Barca were comfortable from the off and their dominance in possession coupled with their two goal lead from the first leg suggested that it was always going to be a comfortable night for Pep Guardiola's men.

Despite almost total ownership of the football and some industrious work from Bojan and Pedro up front the Blaugrana went in at the break scoreless with Jeffren testing Calzado from 12 yards shortly before the interval being as close as they came to taking the lead.

Once Bojan found the first goal after the half-time break the floodgates opened as three more goals followed within thirteen minutes to well and truly put the tie to bed.

Minutes after his first, Bojan added his and Barca's second latching onto Pedro's pass to knock it past the advancing goalkeeper before finishing from an acute angle.

The third goal came shortly after the hour as substitute Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta linked well before finding Pedro in space in the area and he smashed a drive across goal and into the far corner.

The exhibition continued as Messi produced a sublime solo effort moments after the restart, skipping his way past three Cultural defenders before lashing to the roof of the net past a hapless Calzado. He could have made it five minutes later but Calzado advanced well to save at the feet of the Argentinian.

Barca were clearly enjoying themselves and the fifth and final goal arrived fifteen minutes from time when Xavi rose to head home from a delightful cross from Pedro. Calzado, beaten for the fifth time was helped to his feet by Messi as a section of the Camp Nou faithful unfurled a banner reading 'Forca Alcorcon', compounding Madrid's misery.

It was a terrific night for Barca, five goals, no injuries and another fine performance from some of Pep Guardiola's fringe starlets. The champions march into the fifth round draw and look in good shape going into the international break.

The away leg was comfortable for Barca, and Guardiola will be happy with more of the same at Camp Nou...

After managing a convincing away win in the first leg, Barcelona's lesser-knowns will be given another chance to shine on Tuesday night and will no doubt be aiming to give coach Pep Guardiola food for thought going into the international break.

Following their 4-2 home win over Mallorca at the weekend, Guardiola said his side can do better. That continued demand for excellence will continue to drive the supremely successful Catalan outfit.

Those who do line up for Barca in this tie may find that a run out here may prove more than just an opportunity to impress the coach. With the dreaded international break almost upon us, any injuries to key first team personnel may provide one or two fringe players with the chance to feature more regularly in the first team. Those who shine may be called upon sooner than they think.

Fantasy Football

The visitors travel in hope rather than expectation. They must defend with real resolve if they are to trouble the treble champions at all in this tie. An early goal may give them faint hope of causing a miraculous upset but in reality Barca's win in the first leg makes such a comeback pure fantasy.

They managed a win at the weekend but still languish at the wrong end of the Segunda B table. This tie at Camp Nou will provide the Cultural players with an unforgettable experience - one they must simply aim to enjoy.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Nov 7 Barcelona 4-2 Mallorca (La Liga)

Nov 4 Rubin Kazan 1-1 Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)

Oct 31 Osasuna 1-1 Barcelona (La Liga)

Oct 28 Cultural Leonesa 0-2 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)

Oct 25 Barcelona 6-1 Real Zaragoza (La Liga)

Cultural Leonesa

Nov 8 Cultural Leonesa 3-1 Barakaldo (Segunda Liga B)

Nov 2 Eibar 2-0 Cultural Leonesa (Segunda Liga B)

Oct 29 Cultural Leonesa 0-2 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)

Oct 25 Cultural Leonesa 1-1 CD Lugo (Segunda Liga B)

Oct 19 SD Compestela 0-1 Cultural Leonesa (Segunda Liga B)


TEAM NEWS

After resting Xavi and Lionel Messi from the start against Mallorca, Guardiola is likely to rest a number of his top names while giving youth another chance for this tie.

PREDICTION

With the tie already looking more than comfortable for Barca, it's a case of how many they add to the two goal advantage. If they are in the mood it could be a serious thumping.

Barcelona 4-0 Cultural Leonesa

Pedro netted twice and Thierry Henry scored his first of the season to set leaders Barcelona on their way to a 4-2 win over Real Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday that kept the champions a point clear of Real Madrid.

Second-placed Real, missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, held on for a 3-2 win at city rivals Atletico in the late match despite going down to 10 men in the 66th minute.

Real were cruising after Brazilians Kaka and Marcelo scored first-half goals and Gonzalo Higuain added a third on 64 minutes before Sergio Ramos was shown a straight red for a foul on Sergio Aguero.

Roared on by the home crowd, Diego Forlan pulled a goal back with 11 minutes of regular time left, Aguero added another three minutes later and Iker Casillas produced a superb save to deny the Argentina striker at the death as Real held firm.

Barca have 26 points from 10 matches, Real have 25 and Sevilla, who host Villarreal on Sunday, have 19 in third. Atletico remain in the relegation zone on seven points with just one win.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admits only time will tell how good a result their goalless Champions League draw with Rubin Kazan was - but knows that two wins in their last two games will guarantee a place in the Round of 16.

Holders Barca went into the match looking to bounce back from their shock 2-1 home defeat to Rubin a fortnight ago, but despite bossing the game they could not find the breakthrough against the Russian champions in freezing conditions in Kazan.

The draw saw Barca slip to third in Group F after Inter Milan defeated Dynamo Kiev, although there are still only two points separating all four sides.

"We will see if the point is good or bad at the end,'' said Guardiola. "There are two games remaining and we have to try to win them. If we don't manage to do it then we don't deserve to get through to the last 16.

"It's a case of throwing away the calculator because we know that we have to win the final two games.''

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who came closest to breaking the deadlock when, after just three minutes, when he struck the far post after being put through on goal by Andres Iniesta, felt his side lacked luck.

"It was a similar game to the one in the Barcelona. We had a lot more chances (than Rubin) but we haven't had the luck,'' said the Sweden international.

"There are still two games to go and if we do things well then we will not have to worry. We will do everything to finish first in the group.''

Midfielder Xavi added: "We depend on ourselves.''

Rubin Kazan followed up their shock victory against Barcelona a fortnight ago with a defensive masterclass to leapfrog their Catalan opponents in Champions League Group F.

Barcelona were the victims of one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history when goals by Aleksandr Ryazantsev and Gokdeniz Karadeniz guided the Russians to a 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp a fortnight ago, also the first game they had won in the competition.

Although Barca dominated possession tonight they produced few clear-cut chances as the Russian champions produced a perfect defensive display and they could even have taken all three points had Alexander Bukharov taken his chances after being introduced as a substitute with a little under half an hour remaining.

Barca started brightly and should have been ahead in the third minute.

The visitors forced two corners before Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the home defence for dead and clipped the ball over the goalkeeper who had gone to ground only to see the ball hit the post and bounce out.

The Russians were working hard to close their visitors down and the bobbly pitch was preventing Barca from employing their usual slick passing game with Lionel Messi unable to make any real contribution.

However, the Catalan side were prepared to play a patient game and Xavi chipped just over.

Ibrahimovic then chested a lofted ball on to Messi who bustled through but he was denied by Sergei Ryzhikov smothering the ball at the Argentinian's feet and Seydou Keita failed to connect properly with a Dani Alves cross as Barca dominated.

Messi sent a shot wide but a rigid, disciplined Russian defence meant Barcelona were unable to create clear-cut chances and it was the hosts who almost took the lead five minutes before half-time.

Rubin broke quickly with a ball out to the right and with Eric Abidal nowhere to be seen Karadeniz found himself in acres of space.

The striker made his way into the box and sent in a fierce shot which Victor Valdes did well to save down at his near post.

The Russians then momentarily lost concentration when Ibrahimovic had a free-kick in a central position outside the area but rather than blast the ball, the Sweden striker played it short to Andres Iniesta but Ryzhikov was alert to save the shot.

Ibrahimovic produced a snap shot which was hit straight at the keeper and the half ended goalless.

The second period opened in the same fashion, the Russians closing down and stifling their opponents.

Yaya Toure sent in a fierce 25-yard shot which the keeper palmed down without anyone following up and Iniesta put a shot wide after wriggling through although Ryzhikov had it covered.

Alejandro Dominguez wasted a free-kick when he was in a promising position on the left by floating the ball onto the roof of the net.

However, Rubin had a great chance in the 74th minute when Dominguez sent a ball over the defence to Bukharov who was half a yard ahead.

But the striker chose to chest the ball down rather than head it or shoot giving Valdes the chance to come out and smother.

Valdes then dived at Bukharov's feet as the Russia international ran in on goal and Carles Puyol cleared the danger with the goalkeeper out of his area as Rubin caused confusion in the visitors' defence.

Bukharov then went narrowly over from Dominguez's corner before substitute Thierry Henry had no time to react when he appeared to be be taken by surprise when the ball came to him yards from goal.

The former Arsenal striker then blazed yards wide in the final minute when Messi set him up on the left of the area but Henry was way off balance.

Barca boss tells players to adapt to freezing temperatures

Pep Guardiola has told his Barcelona players to get over the sub-zero temperatures if they are to get a result in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash at Rubin Kazan.

The holders may have overcome the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United en route to European glory last season, but the Catalan outfit face a new challenge when they play in Russia midweek - the freezing weather conditions.

With temperatures expected to plummet to minus seven Celsius, there will be no less than 25 degrees' difference to what the Barca stars are accustomed to at the Camp Nou in Spain.

And as Barca aim to keep top spot in Group F, boss Guardiola has warned his players that they must adapt to the climate instantly or risk endangering their chances of defending the trophy.

"It's going to be cold and that's the way it is, we can't afford to think about it a second longer," Guardiola said in Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"If the team wants to achieve great things this year it has to be able to cope with cold places and muddy pitches."

Unfazed

Argentina forward and World Player of the Year front-runner Lionel Messi admitted he had never played in such temperatures before but insists it will not faze him or his team-mates.

"To win we'll have to just ignore it," he said after acclimatising to the bitter environment in training. "The important thing is to play a good match."

Group F, which contains four national champions, is currently the tightest group in the competition and no team can secure a spot in the knockout round on Wednesday.

Barca, Rubin and Dynamo Kiev are level on four points from three matches while Inter Milan sit bottom on three after drawing with Kiev at the San Siro.

Rubin pulled off the shock of the tournament in the previous gameweek, beating Barca 2-1 in their own back-yard and Guardiola confessed that he was not expecting Inter or his side to coast into the next round.

"It's going to be hard for all four teams," he said. "It's a very high quality group."

Dani Alves has been included in Barcelona's squad for the Champions League match against Rubin Kazan after recovering from injury sooner than expected.

Barca feared they would be without the flying full-back for around three weeks after he sustained a thigh injury during the first meeting with Rubin just under a fortnight ago.

But the Brazil international, who is rated as one of the world's finest right backs, has been given the green light to return on Wednesday after missing only three games.

Alves is one of 19 players who will make the trip to Russia, where Barca will attempt to bounce back from their shock 2-1 defeat to Rubin at the Nou Camp - with injured defenders Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Gabriel Milito the only men missing.

A disastrous stoppage-time own goal by Gerard Pique denied Barcelona the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday as the champion saw its lead over Real Madrid cut to a single point.

Barca looked poised to win in Pamplona after Seydou Keita followed up his hat-trick against Real Zaragoza last weekend with a 73rd-minute strike but with seconds left former Manchester United man Pique diverted a cross into his own net.

Barcelona now faces a trip to Russia to take on Rubin Kazan in Wednesday’s Champions League match and will need no warning about a potential slip-up, having lost 2-1 to the Russians at the Camp Nou in their last European match.

On the domestic front, unbeaten Barca stay atop after 10-men Real closed in with a 2-0 home win over Getafe courtesy of a brace from Gonzalo Higuain.

Real bounced back from its mid-week King’s Cup shambles against Alcorcon by defeating its derby rival despite playing almost three quarters of the match with ten men.

Argentine Higuain was the hero, scoring twice in three minutes (53 and 56) as Real eased the pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini following its 4-0 first-leg cup defeat to tiny Alcorcon on Tuesday.

“After a terrible week this was just the boost we needed,” said Higuain.

“We now have Milan and Atletico so it was important to start with this win against Getafe.”

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, 31, celebrated signing a new contract until 2013 this week and showed his versatility by deputising for the injured Dani Alves at right-back against Osasuna.

French striker Thierry Henry was back after a fortnight on the sidelines following a leg injury sustained on international duty with France and began on the bench.

Barcelona are preparing to 'do a Cesc Fabregas' by tempting trying to poach 16-year-old striker Benik Afobe from Arsenal.

The European champions lost 22-year-old Fabregas to the Gunners six years ago and are now faced with an asking price approaching £40million to get the Spain midfielder back.

But they could get revenge by signing England Under 17 star Afobe after reportedly watching him score two and make two in his country's 6-2 victory over Kazakhstan recently.

It is claimed that Barca were so impressed that they are willing to offer him a £5,500-a-week deal and a place in the reserve team coached by Nou Camp legend Luis Enrique. 

Pedro scored twice to give holders Barcelona a 2-0 lead over third-tier side Cultural Leonesa in the last 32 of the King's Cup on Wednesday.

It's a dream tie for the Segunda B minnows who welcome Spain's first ever treble champions to Leon...

Lifetime Experience

Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa operate in Segunda Liga B, Spain's third tier, and only ever played top flight football once in their 86 year history, way back in 1956/57. Since then they have played in the second and third levels of the game in Spain and currently they lie at the wrong end of the Segunda B table.

They progressed to the fourth round thanks to two wins on penalties and a 4-0 win over fellow Segunda B side Union Estopona in the second round. For these players this game, over two legs, will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Building Experience

Losing to Russian champions Rubin Kazan last week in the UEFA Champions League was surely the biggest upset of the season in Europe so far, and if Pep Guardiola's side were to relinquish their Copa del Rey crown to Cultural Leonesa, Camp Nou will probably be hit by a meteorite or a plague of locusts.

You can never say never but surely this will never happen. Instead coach Pep Guardiola can use such fixtures to monitor the progress of players in the youth ranks and give them valuable experience of rubbing shoulders with some of the senior staff.

It should also provide the likes of Rafael Marquez and Bojan Krkic with the opportunity to improve on their match fitness, whilst allowing some of Barca's fringe players to demonstrate their hunger and show the coach that they are ready whenever they are called upon.

FORM GUIDE

Cultural Leonesa

Oct 25 Cultural Leonesa 1-1 CD Lugo (Segunda Liga B)

Oct 19 SD Compestela 0-1 Cultural Leonesa (Segundda Liga B)

Oct 12 Cultural Leonesa 1-1 Racing Club de Ferrol (Segunda Liga B)

Oct 8 Ontinyent CF 0-0 Cultural Leonesa (Copa del Rey)
        (Cultural Leonesa won 5-3 on penalties)

Oct 5 Zamora CF 3-2 Cultural Leonesa (Segunda Liga B)

Barcelona

Oct 25 Barcelona 6-1 Real Zaragoza (La Liga)

Oct 20 Barcelona 1-2 Rubin Kazan (UEFA Champions League)

Oct 17 Valencia 0-0 Barcelona (La Liga)

Oct 3  Barcelona 1-0 Almeria (La Liga)

Sept 29 Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kiev (UEFA Champions League)

TEAM NEWS

A number of first team regulars will be rested so Barcelona won't be anywhere near full strength for this tie and Guardiola has drafted in Ivan Benitez, Gai Assulin, Andreu Fontas, Jonathan dos Santos, Jonathan Soriano and Jordi Masip from the second string for the trip to Leon.

PREDICTION

Barca's basketball team may be the ones used to putting double figures on the board but, over the two legs, the European champions, with a mix of youth and experience should go close against these third tier minnows.

Cultural Leonesa 0-4 Barcelona

Barca claim seven out of nine player awards...

Lionel Messi grabbed two awards and Pep Guardiola was also honoured as Barcelona dominated the list of individual player awards for the 2008/09 season at the Professional Football League (LFP) awards ceremony held in Madrid on Monday night.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas claiming the award for best goalkeeper as Barca cllected all but two of the Primera Liga awards. Veteran Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Juan Valeron collected the Fair Play Award for the Primera Liga while newly promoted Tenerife dominated the awards for the Segunda Division.

The full list of awards was as follows:

PRIMERA DIVISION

Best Player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Best Coach: Pep Guardiola (Barcelona)

Best Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Best Defender: Daniel Alves (Barcelona)

Best Midfielder: Xavi (Barcelona)

Best Attacking Midfielder: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Best Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Best Breakthrough Player: Sergi Busquets (Barcelona)

Fair Play Award: Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo La Coruna)

SEGUNDA DIVISION

Best Player: Juan Francisco Martinez 'Nino' (Tenerife)

Best Coach: Jose Luis Oltra (Tenerife)

Best Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad)

Best Defender: Marc Betran (Tenerife)

Best Midfielder: Abel Aguilar (Hercules, now Real Zaragoza)

Best Attacking Midfielder: Alejandro Alfaro (Tenerife)

Best Striker: Juan Francisco Martinez 'Nino' (Tenerife)

Best Breakthrough Player: Mohamed Diame (Rayo Vallecano, now Wigan Athletic)

Fair Play Award: Javier Farina (Hercules)

Seydou Keita hit a hat-trick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted twice to lead Barcelona to a 6-1 thrashing of Real Zaragoza and send the La Liga champions three points clear of Real Madrid on Sunday.

Real and Barca had both lost in Europe in midweek but after a depleted Madrod side drew 0-0 at Sporting Gijon on Saturday, Pep Guardiola's team grabbed their chance to pull emphatically away at the top of the standings.

Barca have 22 points from eight matches to Real's 19, and Sevilla remain in third, three points further back, after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Espanyol on Saturday.

Zaragoza kept a dominant Barca at bay for the first 24 minutes at the Nou Camp until Keita leapt to nod Lionel Messi's precise cross into the top left-hand corner.

Ibrahimovic doubled their lead five minutes later with a thunderous, long-range free-kick that Juan Pablo Carrizo could only palm into the roof of the net and the Sweden striker then turned provider just before the break.

Xavi sent him clear on the left and he squared for Keita to thump the ball into the empty net.

The Mali midfielder returned the favour 11 minutes after the break when he crossed for Ibrahimovic to volley past Carrizo for his seventh La Liga goal, taking him joint top of the scoring charts, before Jorge Lopez beat Victor Valdes with a low drive.

Lionel Messi made up for several missed chances when he lifted the ball over Carrizo for Barca's fifth and Keita completed his hat-trick with another fine header in the 86th

Behind Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium stands a traditional, 18th century, Catalan stone farmhouse that has played perhaps an even more significant role in the club's history than the colossal soccer arena that dwarfs it.

Holders Barcelona suffered their first Champions League defeat in 10 matches on Tuesday when goals from Aleksandr Ryazantsev and Gokdeniz Karadeniz gave Rubin Kazan a shock 2-1 win in their Group F clash.

Barca were rocked back by the Russian champions in the second minute at the Nou Camp when midfielder Ryazantsev let fly from distance and the ball arrowed past Victor Valdes into the top right corner.

Pep Guardiola's side had plenty of possession after falling behind but found it tough to break down Rubin's well-organised defence until Xavi picked out striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a lofted pass in the 48th minute.

The Sweden striker controlled with his chest and crashed a low shot past Sergei Ryzhikov from the right of the area but Barca fell behind again after a swift Rubin break engineered by Alejandro Dominguez.

The Argentine striker released the pacy Karadeniz and the Turkish international finished with ease past Valdes with 17 minutes of normal time left. 

Ibrahimovic sent an acrobatic volley against the crossbar, Xavi stung Ryzhikov's hands with a fierce drive and Yaya Toure headed against a post in the fourth minute of added time but Barca were unable to find a second equaliser.

The final whistle prompted wild celebrations among the small knot of Rubin fans in the vast Nou Camp arena and Inter's 2-2 home draw with Dynamo Kiev means Rubin are in with a real chance of advancing to the knockout phase.

Barca, Rubin and Dynamo all have four points after three games in Group F.

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains doubtful for Tuesday's Champions League match against Rubin Kazan, coach Pep Guardiola said on Monday.

The Swede missed Barca's 0-0 draw at Valencia on Saturday after injuring his knee on international duty and Guardiola said a final decision would be taken on Tuesday.

"I hope he can play but the injury is in a place where you have to proceed with great caution," Guardiola told a news conference at the Nou Camp before the Group F clash against the Russian side.

"He has pain in a lot of places and he can cope with it surprisingly well. But when he says it's enough, it's enough."

Even though the European Champions are top of the four-team group after an away draw with Inter Milan and a home win over Dynamo Kiev, the situation remained "tricky", Guardiola said, and victory over bottom side Rubin was vital.

"It will be an important step toward getting through if we win tomorrow," he said.

"We will be three or four points away from qualification for the knockout round and it's very important to beat Rubin considering the other matches we have coming up."

Guardiola defended his Argentina forward Lionel Messi, top scorer in last season's competition, against critics who have said his performances for his country are not of the same calibre as those for his club.

"To me he is the same as always," he said. "He is the same player here as he is in Argentina and he is just as likely to have an off day here or there.

"As far as I am concerned he can play badly as many times as he likes. He'll still be the best."

Rubin's Spanish central defender Cesar Navas, who played for Malaga and Racing Santander before moving to Russia, said he had not given coach Kurban Berdyev any help in preparing for the match.

"We see a lot of Spanish football on TV in Russia and the coach knows exactly what to expect," Navas said.

"He is always perfectly well prepared for our matches in Europe and in that sense he didn't need any tips from me."

Robinho has revealed to a Spanish newspaper that he would relish the chance to play for Barcelona, but has heard nothing official regarding the European champions' latest reported interest in him.

"Of course I would like to play for Barca, who wouldn't?" Robinho told Barcelona-based El Mundo Deportivo. "We could have so much fun. It would be a pleasure to play next to [Lionel] Messi, to my compatriot [Dani] Alves, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic... with all of them. They are a great team.

"I've played against them and I know their quality. But at the moment I can only do it [play with them] on the PlayStation. It's an honour that a coach like him [Pep Guardiola] speaks highly of Robinho, and rates me as much as I read he does."

However, Robinho insists that until an approach is made he will be doing his best for Manchester City. "I can assure that at this time, my father, who is my only representative, has not told me anything about Barca.

"As well as that, out of respect to Manchester City, it must be the two clubs who talk about my loan or transfer and then they will tell me. It's not correct that we talk about this hypothetical transfer or loan until there is something more concrete.

"It's not a question of going on loan or being transferred, either in the winter transfer market or in the summer. It's a question of sitting down to talk when there is a serious and concrete offer.

"Now it wouldn't be right to make more comments which could be misinterpreted. What is clear is that I have a contract with City and, like the professional that I am, my responsibility is to them.

"I'm focused on doing the best I can. Now we are thinking big, we have built a very strong team which aspires to win the Premier League with [Carlos] Tevez, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, [Joleon] Lescott and [Gareth] Barry."

Barca could field the player only days after he withdrew from the Spain squad because of injury...

Xavi Hernandez could return to action for Barcelona on Saturday despite withdrawing from the Spain squad last weekend due to a knee injury.

The Catalan playmaker trained with Pep Guardiola and the rest of the Blaugrana players on Wednesday and club medics are optimistic he could feature on Saturday, according to Barcelona's official website.

After Spain's game against Armenia both Xavi and Carles Puyol returned to Barcelona because they would not be able to appear in the last World Cup qualifier, against Bosnia.

While Puyol is suspended for the Bosnia match, Xavi suffered a knee injury against Armenia and was given permission to return home for treatment.

His commitment to the international cause was questioned by reporters and the news that he could play in Barca's next game may cause further consternation in Madrid.

Xavi stated earlier this week that he is delighted that Guardiola allows him to decide when he should and should not play as he is not part of the rotation policy.

To liven things up at training, Barca's boss put a new twist on things...

Pep Guardiola chose to do a role reversal for Barcelona's training session on Thursday, sending his six first-team players to train with the youngsters.

Thanks to the round of international matches, the Blaugrana boss has only Victor Valdes, Jose Manuel Pinto, Maxwell, Jeffren, Pedro and Bojan Krkic at his disposal this week.

On previous occasions Guardiola has cherry picked the players from the club's B team, Barca Atletic, and asked them to step up and join in his training session.

This time, the trainer felt it would be a different experience if the six players joined in Luis Enrique's practice.

Moving up from the youth ranks to join in with the session were Albert Dalmau and Marti Riverola, and with that duo a full-sized match was organised.

Pinto, Dalmau, Maxwell, Armando, Benítez, Romeu, Riverola, Luque, Jeffren, Bojan and Pedro were on one side, while Masip, Montoya, Bartra, Fontas, Espasandin, Rueda, Jonatan, Ilie, Edu Oriol, Elvis and Nolito were on the other.

Andres Iniesta has indicated he is ready to join the growing ranks of players committing their futures to reigning Spanish and European champions Barcelona.

Iniesta is one of the finest talents to emerge from the club's cantera, or youth setup, in the past decade and Barca are keen to secure him on a longer contract as they have done with fellow academy graduates Xavi, Lionel Messi and Victor Valdes.

Having spent the past five years as an integral member of the Catalan side, Iniesta is ready to sign an improved contract and it is believed that the formalities could be completed within the next two weeks.

"I have never asked for anything from the club,'' said Iniesta. "It's the club who got into contact with me, and once we reach an agreement, it will be done, that's what's most important. If it comes about at the end that my deal is improved then it will be very welcomed.

"What's most important is that the club knows what I do for them. And if they believe that I deserve this improved deal then let's hope it's the right one. The two parties have to come to an agreement but I don't think there will be any type of problem.''

"I don't know if in the next few days I will sign the improved deal, but I believe that above all it is good the club value their players and not only the people that come in from outside. I think what's important is that a player feels valued in his team and I can tell you about me as an example.

"I recently played the Champions League final with seven players from the youth team which is very difficult to happen, and the club exists for the value they place on this work.''

Mexico defender Rafael Marquez says he wants to finish his career at Barcelona.

The 30-year-old Marquez has played at the Camp Nou since joining from Monaco in 2003. He has won seven major trophies in just over five seasons, including two Champions Leagues and three Spanish league titles.

Marquez said on Barcelona's Web site: "I'm in the best position to sort out (renewing my contract). My idea is to finish my career at Barca. I feel so proud to be part of a club that is more than a club."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta backed the idea with Marquez out of contract at the end of the season, saying: "We don't want to lose him."

That's the trouble with man-marking this Barcelona team - just where do you stop? You put a bodyguard on Xavi, you assign another to Lionel Messi, you have someone shadowing Andres Iniesta, another on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and you even have someone following Daniel Alves all over the pitch... and then Pedro pops up and scores the winner. Almeria were determined not to suffer the fate of the last two visitors to the Nou Camp, who were hit for three and five goals, and coach Hugo Sanchez had his team man-marking Barca's five most dangerous players.
But dangerous player number six, 22-year-old winger Pedro, appeared unmarked on the half-hour to rifle a shot into the top left-hand corner of the Almeria net after being played in by full-back Maxwell. The latest player off the Barcelona production line was replacing the injured Thierry Henry and his goal was enough to take Pep Guardiola's team to within a match of yet another record.
If they beat Valencia in a fortnight at Mestalla, that will be seven wins out of seven - the best start ever to a season for the current La Liga champions. For once it wasn't pretty, much thanks to Almeria's tactics.
Midfielder Xavi moaned afterwards: "I have been man-marked before but never so obsessively. It was crazy and the player asked for my shirt after the game. I just had to try to keep playing the ball first time and not be affected by it but it's a shame when teams come here just to defend."
Sanchez defended his tactics afterwards saying: "The man-marking worked because we limited them to so few opportunities. We are content but not completely satisfied because we failed to take even a point from the game."
Elsewhere in Spain, Atletico Madrid beat Real Zaragoza 2-1 to keep coach Abel Resino in his job for another week. They secured their first win of the season with goals from Jurado and Antonio Lopez. Brazilian striker Ewerthon pulled one back in the second half and Jermaine Pennant was impressive as a late substitute, but Atletico held on for the three points. In the Netherlands, Steve McClaren continues quietly to rebuild his reputation, at least at club level. Yesterday his FC Twente side moved to the top of the Eredivisie after an impressive 3-1 win at Heracles Almelo. The home side went ahead after eight minutes through Everton but Bryan Ruiz equalised before second-half strikes from Blaise Nkufo and Theo Janssen settled it.
Twente are two points ahead of PSV Eindhoven, who were held to a goalless draw at fifth-placed FC Utrecht.
Inter back on top
Wesley Sneijder took Jose Mourinho's Internazionale back to the top of Serie A with a 93rd-minute goal that earned a 2-1 win over Udinese. Sneijder ran on to a pass from former Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o to score the winner and move Inter back above Sampdoria who could only draw with Parma.
The Milan coach Leonardo left Ronaldinho out of his starting line-up but it was the Brazilian who scored as a second-half substitute to grab a point against Atalanta. He came on at half-time and poked in at the near post to score Milan's first goal in four games. Despite playing against 10 men from the 40th minute, after Ivan Radovanovic's red card, Milan struggled for fluency.
Player of the week
Ronaldo spent so long in the Premier League he has forgotten how to roll around in agony every time he is fouled, according to his Real Madrid team-mates. Senior figures in the Real dressing room are understood to have urged him to start acting up more. Anonymous Madrid players have been quoted as telling him: "This is not the Premier League, if you don't protest they will keep kicking you."

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol was able to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his debut with a victory as a defensive Almeria came unstuck

A terrific strike from Pedro Rodriguez helped Barcelona equal their best ever start to a league season with a nervy 1-0 home victory over Almeria on Saturday.

Barcelona’s sixth successive win, matching a club record set in 1991 and 1998, also sees the defending champions replace Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.

Pedro, the latest Barcelona youth player to make the breakthrough, turned sharply before rifling home an unstoppable 31st-minute shot to follow up his goal against Dinamo Kiev in midweek.

“It is always nice to score and win, however, the coach won’t be happy because we misplaced a lot of passes in our build-up play and didn’t create as many chances as in other games,” Pedro said.

It was a special day for Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, 31, who celebrated a decade at the club having made his league debut against Valladolid back on Oct. 2, 1999.

Coach Pep Guardiola handed Andres Iniesta his first league start this season and the Spanish international found Lionel Messi with a fine pass after 10 minutes but the Argentine’s shot did not have enough curl to creep into the net.

Almeria were breaking the game up with a string of fouls and referee Velasco Carballo was jeered by the home fans for failing to dish out yellow cards to the perpetrators.

With 31 minutes gone Pedro scored a goal from nowhere, receiving a pass with his left foot before turning swiftly and unleasing a fierce curling shot into the corner with his right foot.

It was a superb strike from the 22-year-old and the home fans sung his name to show their appreciation.

Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez was an exciting striker for Real Madrid but his side packed men behind the ball in the second half as if they were the ones defending a 1-0 lead.

“It is a real shame that teams just come here to shut up shop and stop us playing, but we will have to get used to it,” Barcelona midfielder Xavi said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, celebrating his 28th birthday, almost continued his record of scoring in every Barcelona league game but his 80th-minute drive was saved by Diego Alves to deny him a sixth goal of the season.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid finally won their first league game of the campaign defeating Real Zaragoza 2-1 at home to lift the pressure on coach Abel Resino.

Midfielder Jose Jurado, back at the club after a season on loan at Real Mallorca, gave Atletico the lead after just two minutes.

But the side from the capital were indebted to 18-year-old goalkeeper David de Gea for saving a 20th-minute penalty from Jorge Lopez.

Injuries forced Resino to hand a league debut to third choice de Gea and he came up trumps with his penalty save which proved crucial as Antonio Lopez doubled Atletico’s lead in the 65th minute before Brazilian Ewerthon pulled one back with another Zaragoza penalty.

Atletico climb to 13th and will hope to build on this success as they target the top four.

Deportivo La Coruna continued their impressive start to the new campaign by climbing up to fourth with a 1-0 win at Tenerife.

Tenerife had a 100 percent home record following wins over Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna but Deportivo ended that run thanks to a goal from defender Diego Colotto.
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Lionel Messi and Pedro struck in each half to give holders Barcelona a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in their Champions League Group F match on Tuesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic caused the Dynamo defence some early problems but it was Messi who opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he cut in from the right and struck a low shot that had enough power to beat Olexandr Shovkovskiy.

The Argentina forward had several chances to double Barca's lead before Pedro picked up Ibrahimovic's pass in the 76th minute and sent a precise shot into the bottom left corner.

The result puts Barca top of Group F on four points from two matches after Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Rubin Kazan earlier on Tuesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has settled quickly at Barcelona and his continuing fitness will be vital as Pep Guardiola's team seeks to defend its European title.

Barca host Dynamo Kiev in Champions League Group F on Tuesday (Wednesday morning, Beijing time) with striker Thierry Henry doubtful due to a thigh strain, and Bojan Krkic injured, leaving Ibrahimovic as the only fit center forward.

The Swede, signed from Inter Milan, started on the bench against Malaga in La Liga on Saturday to recover from an ankle strain.

But he was forced to come on for Henry in the first half and immediately lifted Barca's game, scoring the opener in a bruising 2-0 victory. He has now scored five in five league games.

"He (Ibrahimovic) wasn't 100 percent but he's a strong player who doesn't complain if he's thrown on," Guardiola said.

"More important than the goals he scores are the various alternatives he gives us in attack."

Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi are in a rich vein of form and Saturday's victory was Barca's fifth in a row in La Liga this season.

But it was not as easy as the scoreline suggests and the depth of Guardiola's squad remains debatable.

"We'll have to see how we recover before the Dynamo Kiev game after so much effort and sacrifice," Guardiola said.

"If one player cannot be replaced by another we'll turn to the youth team."

The European champions drew 0-0 at Inter in their opening group match and Dynamo took top spot with a 3-1 comeback win over Russian champions Rubin Kazan.

Dynamo also lead the Ukrainian league and warmed up for the trip to Barcelona with a 2-0 victory over Zarja Lugansk. They are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions.

Midfielder Olexander Aliyev played against Lugansk after two months out with injury.

Barca will be favorites to win but the last time Dynamo visited the Nou Camp, in a Champions League stage match in 1997, Andriy Shevchenko scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory and the former European Footballer of the Year is now back at Kiev.

Russian champions and competition debutants Rubin Kazan welcome Inter to their refurbished 30,000-capacity stadium, with the Italian champions traveling without Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder (hip injury).

While Barca were maintaining their perfect La Liga start, Real Madrid, aiming to win a record-extending 10th European Cup at their Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in May - also won their fifth successive league match by beating Tenerife 3-0.

Real won 5-2 at FC Zurich in their opening Group C match and host Olympique Marseille on Wednesday with the French side reeling from their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season.

"I didn't recognize Marseille," defender Cyril Rool said after Saturday's 3-2 loss at Valenciennes. "Obviously, it would have been better to win before going to Madrid."

Trio win

Three of the four English challengers won in the Premier League at the weekend, with Manchester United going top for the first time this season after a 2-0 victory at Stoke City.

Liverpool crushed Hull City 6-1, Fernando Torres scoring an outstanding hat-trick, and Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0 in a London derby at Craven Cottage. Previously unbeaten Chelsea went down to a shock 3-1 defeat at Wigan Athletic.

United, who began their Group B campaign for a third successive Champions League final appearance with a 1-0 win at Besiktas, host Wolfsburg knowing the German champions have conceded 14 goals in seven Bundesliga games.

Liverpool travel to Fiorentina in Group E with the English side having beaten Debrecen of Hungary 1-0 in their opener and the Italians having lost to Olympique Lyon by the same score.

Chelsea should follow up their opening 1-0 win over Porto with another victory in Group D against APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, especially if England midfielder Joe Cole continues his rehabilitation from his long injury layoff and plays.

APOEL gained a point from a surprise 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid two weeks ago and the Spaniards, at the wrong end of La Liga without a win in five matches, will be hoping to kickstart their season in their trip to Porto.

Arsenal, who came from two goals down to beat Standard Liege 3-2 in their Group H opener, host Olympiakos Pireaus, while Liege travel to AZ Alkmaar.

Injury concerns over Thierry Henry and Dmytro Chygrynskiy aren't helping Pep Guardiola's preparations for a Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev which Barcelona needs to win to kickstart its title defense.

Despite winning all five Spanish League games to be neck and neck with Real Madrid in the domestic competition, Barcelona was held 0-0 by Italian champion Inter Milan in Champions League group play two weeks ago and now faces the side at the top, Kiev having won its opening match against Russia's Rubin Kazan.

Another draw or a loss would put pressure on Guardiola and he could go into Tuesday's game at Camp Nou without both striker Henry and Ukraine defender Chygrynskiy, who were both injured in Saturday's victory at Malaga in La Liga.

Henry is a doubtful starter with a left thigh injury while Chygrynskiy, signed from UEFA Cup winner Shakhtar Donetsk on the final day of the transfer window, has knee ligament damage and is out for up to three weeks.

At least Barca easily won that game against Malaga and France defender Eric Abidal believes its domestic form has given the Spanish club a boost to beat Kiev at home.

"It is always better to win before a Champions League game to give you confidence," Abidal said. "Dynamo won their opening match (against Rubin Kazan) and we drew. We know that all Champions League games are hard to win but we are preparing well for this one."

Despite the new injury problems, Barcelona has the strength in depth to beat the Ukraine champion at home in a competition where all the leading contenders avoided defeats in the opening round of games and should be confident of reaching the knockout phase.

Inter travels to meet the Russian champion in Group F and, although the winner of the last four Italian titles comes off a 1-0 defeat at Sampdoria in the Serie A, it should rebound with a victory on Tuesday to stay in contention for a title it has not won since 1965.

One of the highlight games of the week's group matches is Bayern Munich at home to Juventus in Group A on Wednesday. The German club leads the group by two points.

Neither team won at the weekend, however, with Bayern losing 1-0 at new Bundesliga leader Hamburg and Juve held 1-1 by Bologna to squander a chance to return to the top of Serie A.

Five-time European cup winner Liverpool visits Fiorentina in Group E and is level on points with Lyon, which goes to Hungarian league champion Debrecen.

A 6-1 victory over Hull on Saturday is the ideal preparation with Fernando Torres scoring three times for Liverpool to take his tally for the season to a Premier League best eight.

"He is the kind of player who can change a game and the way he is working at the moment you can see the best from him," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. "When a striker, especially, scores goals he has more confidence. After last year, when he was injured a lot, he wanted to do well this year again.

"Our players want to win trophies and the big names have to perform, because the other players will follow them."

Chasing an elusive 10th title in European football's biggest club competition, Real Madrid began with a 5-2 victory away at FC Zurich in Group C and now hosts Marseille on Wednesday.

Like Barcelona, it has begun the domestic season with five straight wins but coach Manuel Pellegrini, whose club has twice broken the international transfer record price to build the most expensive squad in the world, sees room for improvement.

"The team is still working on many aspects of the game," the Chilean coach said. "We are improving on many of them. We've scored 16 goals so far, more than three on average per clash. We are also the least scored-upon team. We have to improve on several things, but I think we are on the right track regarding others."

AC Milan, a seven-time winner of European football's top prize, is trying to shrug off some poor domestic form - including a 0-0 draw with Bari on Sunday - and hosts Zurich, which is joint top with Madrid.

Runnerup last year, Manchester United began with a routine victory over Turkey's Besitkas in Istanbul and now hosts German champion Wolfsburg for the first time.

Alex Ferguson's team is boosted by going to the top of the Premier League on Saturday with an expected 2-0 victory at Stoke and will open up a three-point lead in its Champions League group if it wins at Old Trafford.

Arsenal and Olympiakos both won their opening games in Group H and meet at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, when AZ Alkmaar welcomes Standard Liege.

The Dutch champion lost 1-0 at Utrecht Saturday, its third in a row, and another loss will likely increase pressure on coach Ronald Koeman.

"We need to go back to the basics," captain Stijn Schaars said. "We must look back at our form from last season. Hopefully, things can change with victory against Standard Liege."

Chelsea leads Group D but lost its perfect start to the Premier League season on Saturday when it surprisingly lost 3-1 at Wigan. Now it goes to APOEL Nicosia, which did well to capture a draw with Atletico Madrid two weeks ago. The Spanish club hopes to rebound with a victory at Portuguese champion FC Porto.

Sevilla tops Group G and faces a lively atmosphere at Rangers on Tuesday, while Stuttgart heads for Romanian champion Unirea Urziceni buoyed by a 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, where Julian Schieber scored twice.

Just four weeks into the Spanish season, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the best strikers in the world, are already forging a rivalry that has fans drooling.

The superstars of Real Madrid and Barcelona have scored five goals each in four matches played so far, leaving their clubs atop the Primera Liga.

"I only want to win, not to be the 'pichichi' (top scorer)" of La Liga, claimed Ronaldo, known as 'CR9', after scoring a great solo goal in the first minute of Real's 2-0 defeat of Villareal on Wednesday.

"I'm lucky to play alongside team-mates who play very well," said Messi, after two spectacular goals that helped European champions Barcelona crush Racing Santander 4-1 on Tuesday.

Their rivalry is exciting fans and the Spanish press alike.

"CR9-Messi, the duel of la Liga," said the sports daily Marca, anticipating a 'mano a mano' contest throughout the season alongside the battle between 'new Galacticos' of the big-spending Real and the Spanish and European champions Barcelona for the league title.

Ronaldo, 24, fast and powerful, was the winner of the Golden Ball award for 2008. The impish Messi, 22, sharp and agile, is the favorite to pick the World Player of the Year award for 2009.

Ronaldo, transfered from Manchester United for a world record 94 million euros, is desperate to make an impression at the club where he always dreamt of playing when he was a child kicking a ball around in the streets of the Portuguese island of Madeira.

"I am not trying to be Messi. What is important for me is to give the most in every match for Real," he said.

The Argentine Messi, who emerged from Barca's youth programme, has just extended his contract until 2016, which will see him pick up a whopping 10 million euros a year,

But both paradoxically have failed to show the same devastating form with their national teams, who are in danger of failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

"I would like to be as good (with Argentina) as I am here in Barcelona," said Messi.

Two-time World Cup champions Argentina this month slipped to fifth in the South American World Cup qualifying standings, a place below the automatic qualification slots, after suffering four defeats in their last five games.

Portugal also risk elimination from their qualifying group, dominated by Denmark and Sweden.

So it's possible the World Cup in South Africa will be without Ronaldo and Messi, who many view as the two best players in the world.

The consolation for fans around the world would be if the two Spanish club giants face off in the Champions League final in 2010.

Leo Messi scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Racing Santander 4-1 for its fourth win in as many games in the Spanish league on Tuesday.

Barcelona improved to three points clear in the standings, with Real Madrid due to play on Wednesday. Barcelona has the maxiumum 12 points, with Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla all three behind.

Sevilla handed Mallorca its first defeat by 2-0 with first-half scores from Sebastien Squillaci and Diego Perotti.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed Messi’s cross from close range and the shot bounced in off defender Henrique for Barcelona’s opener in the 20^th minute.

In the 24^th, Xavi Hernandez and Messi exchanged passes on the edge of Santander’s area before the Argentina winger scored with a left-footed shot.

Three minutes later, defender Gerard Pique controled Ibrahimovic’s backheel from inside the area and shot past goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez.

Barcelona kept possession for long spells throughout and in the first half Santander failed to conjure a single serious chance.

“Mentally it’s better when you have the ball, you enjoy it more and a high level of possession is what we look for in every game,” Xavi said.

In the 45^th, Ibrahimovic received a yellow card for a loose challenge on Nasief Morris and Messi appeared to score his second of the night at El Sardinero Stadium on the stroke of halftime, but he was ruled offside.

Ibrahimovic, who has scored in all four league games, needed treatment after injuring his ankle in the 46^th. He returned to the field but was replaced in the 53^rd by Pedro Rodriguez.

Barcelona appeared to relax in the second half, but Messi raised the temperature in the 68^th, drifting past the Santander defense on the edge of the area and sending a left-foot shot into the top left corner of the goal. His fifth goal of the season made him the league top scorer.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola took off the Argentine a minute later and sent in Andres Iniesta, who recently returned from injury.

Santander finally got on the scoreboard in the 71^st, when winger Oscar Serrano dribbled through the Barcelona defense and fired a left-footed shot into the top-left corner.

In the 87^th, Santander’s Laszlo Sepsi appeared to pull down Rodriguez in the area but referee Mateu Lahoz waved play on.

At Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, defender Sebastien Squillaci headed in from an assist by fellow Frenchman Julien Escude in the 16^th minute.

In the 25^th, Jesus Navas combined with Luis Fabiano and passed for midfielder Perotti to head home in Sevilla’s third win in four games.

Forward Alvaro Negredo, who moved to Sevilla from Real Madrid in the summer, had several chances in the first half but failed to get on the scoreboard.

In the second half, Mallorca replaced injured goalkeeper Dudu Aouate with German Lux.

In the 55^th, Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero went on for Fernando, who had narrowly escaped a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Perotti moments earlier.

In the 63^rd, goalscorer Perotti received an ovation from the crowd as he was replaced by fellow Argentine Diego Capel. Fernando Navarro then went on for the lively Navas on the right of midfield.

Villarreal’s Argentina midfielder Ariel Ibagaza suffered muscle damage to his right leg during Sunday’s match against Athletic Bilbao and will be sidelined for up to six weeks, the club said on Tuesday in a statement on its Web site.

On Wednesday it’s Espanyol vs. Malaga, Villarreal vs. Real Madrid, Xerez vs. Deportivo La Coruna, Tenerife vs. Athletic Bilbao, Valladolid vs. Osasuna, Atletico Madrid vs. Almeria and Getafe vs. Valencia. On Thursday it’s Sporting Gijon vs. Zaragoza.

Argentina striker Lionel Messi has signed a new seven-year contract to tie him to European champions Barcelona until the summer of 2016.

The 22-year-old has been at the Camp Nou since 2001 and his new deal includes a buyout clause of 250million euros.

A statement on the club's official website confirmed: "Leo Messi has extended and improved his contract which links him to FC Barcelona.

"The Argentinian will be azulgrana until 2016 and has, from now, a release clause of 250million euros.

"Having previously had a contract until 2014 with a clause of 150million euros the club have improved the player's deal.

"With this new contract, Leo Messi ensures he will be azulgrana for 15 years, having started his career at Barca in 2001, in the youth sectors of the club."

Barca head coach Pep Guardiola added: "It's an immense piece of news for the club and for the player that Messi is renewing his contract. As it also was when Victor Valdes and Xavi did so.

"People go to football to see the best and that's what they are. It's a privilege for Barca to have some of the best footballers like Messi."

Meanwhile, UEFA president Michel Platini has hailed Barcelona's style of football and believes the Spanish side deserve the tag of European champions.

The Catalan club won the Spanish league, domestic cup and Champions League last season and Platini has waxed lyrical about the quality of football played at the Camp Nou.

Speaking after watching Saturday's 5-2 La Liga rout of Atletico Madrid, Platini enthused: "In Barca, the ball runs not the players.

"Their passing tires out the opposition. Therefore they always manage to control the game."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daniel Alves, Seydou Keita and two goals from Lionel Messi put Atletico to the sword and helped keep Barca at the top of the La Liga table.

Argentine star Lionel Messi celebrated his new deal with Barcelona by scoring twice in the European champions' 5-2 win over floundering Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Messi signed a two-year contract extension on Friday which will keep him at the club until 2016 and with a buy-out clause rising from 150 million ($221 million) euros to an even more staggering 250 million euros.

But he showed his value to the defending champions on Saturday as Barcelona made it three wins in three games to stay top of the table.

"It was a strange match perhaps down to the way both teams played," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

"I think that if we had not had that level of intensity we would not have won.

"Both sides attacked but we were not clever enough with the ball. We did not take enough advantage of the way their defense pushed up. We need to play the ball around more and wait for openings to develop."

Atletico coach Abel Resino lamented his team's lackluster start.

"We were 2-0 down straight away and it was only then that we began to find our feet," he said.

"We did not begin at the level in which you have to be at to face sides like Barcelona who scored four goals with their first five shots."

New signing Alvaro Negredo scored his first goal for Sevilla who defeated Osasuna 2-0.

In the days preceding the Champions League match between Spanish giants Barcelona and Italian heavyweights Inter, the headlines touted Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s and Samuel Eto’o’s reunions with their respective former teams as the mother of all main events, pitting the two strikers in a head-to-head duel to determine who was the better buy after the summer’s transfer shenanigans.

But after Wednesday’s tense encounter in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, we are reminded that the sport of football is much bigger than the individuals who play the game, that it is not a star goalscorer that single-handedly beats the opposition, but teams; a collection of 11 players and the tactics they employ that determine the outcomes of matches.

Sure, a star player can tip the balance in his team’s favour, but more often than not, the sport does not rely solely on the brilliance of one individual, but the level of understanding achieved between all of a team’s components for success to arrive. In Wednesday’s clash, the match of the week in Champions League football, Eto’o and Ibra were relatively anonymous and virtually nonexistent if one takes into account the media-induced hype that surrounded the two players before the match, almost willing both the Swede and the Cameroonian to put on an exhibition of goals. Instead, a hard fought 0-0 draw in which neither striker would find the back of the net prevailed.

If one is to insist upon comparing the two number 9's, Eto’o was the more dynamic player, doing far more running than his counterpart and pursuing the ball with his typically urgent tenacity. He served in more of the second-striker role, a position that does not suit him because of his incredible sense of composure in front of goal, but one in which he performed to the best of his ability as he held the ball in midfield in a patient effort to spring a counterattack and occasionally fed balls through to strike partner Diego Milito.

Ibra, who did not produce a whole lot of ‘cadabra’ in this match, had the better scoring opportunities and did manage to threaten the Inter goal on a few occasions, but for long stretches of the match, was wholly overlooked by his team-mates and, despite his height, was not provided with many balls to latch onto in the area. He did manage to draw out a few reactions from the crowd as his infrequent touches on the ball were greeted with very familiar, very unfriendly whistles; how quickly one can go from hero to villain in this sport with nothing more than a flick of a pen.

Instead, the match was far more a duel between the cerebral coaches, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, who were yelling out orders across the pitch (at one point when Eto’o was fouled at the sideline near the manager’s box, Mourinho bent over to whisper a few words of advice into his striker’s ear) and furiously masterminding their team’s strategies in an effort to break the deadlock.

The difference between the tactics employed by Guardiola and Mourinho could not have been more at odds. “One can also play football without the ball” noted the Portuguese manager in his post-match press conference - a philosophy that Guardiola would not dream of entertaining and one that, had Mourinho been selected as the new Madrid coach this summer, would have seen 'The Special One' run right out of the Spanish capital.

Inter played well if “playing football” entails throwing nine men into the area to defend and close down passing lanes. The Italian side relied on dogged defending and the hope of catching Barca on a counterattack to score. But as the match progressed, one could hear the frustration in the San Siro crowd begin to build as Inter’s brief spells of possession were quickly wasted time and time again with a booming clearance in the direction of nothing but orange shirts.

Perhaps that's why the Catalans chose this colour as their second kit: a glaring, blaring neon orange that hypnotises opponents into gift-wrapping the ball to them. 

The Nerrazzuri did create a few chances to score, but for the most part Mourinho was satisfied trying to stifle Barcelona’s attack by throwing an army of blue shirts into his own box. For all intensive purposes, the Blaugrana should have won this match. The referee inexplicably kept his whistle silent after a clear penalty when a Dani Alves through ball struck Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic on an outstretched arm - a call which Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said he could have made from his vantage point all the way on the other end of the pitch.

Barca, as they always do these days, dominated possession of the ball, comfortably holding it for a whopping 64% of the match, an incredible feat given the fact that they were playing an away match against one of the best sides in Europe and a statistic that is clearly indicative of the style of football that Guardiola strives for his side to play.

As Andres Iniesta said somewhat euphemistically in his post-match commentary, “Barca and Inter have two very distinct interpretations of football”. And while Guardiola’s high-pressure style deserved at least one goal, the reality of the result shows that Mourinho’s tactics also have their merit. One must remember that had this been a Champions League final match, Mourinho’s tactics would have sent the contest into extra time and perhaps even beyond.

Perhaps 'The Special One' has conceded that the only way to beat an historic Blaugrana side is through the game of chance that is the penalty shootout. Perhaps at that time a direct comparison between Eto’o and Ibrahimovic would then be relevant.

Inter and Barcelona shared the points in a 0-0 draw at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the opening game of their respective Champions League Group F campaigns.

Both sides went close in an end-to-end encounter, but neither could find the breakthrough to bring even a single goal to what was an engrossing goalless draw.

Lionel Messi went closest to breaking the stalemate but was uncharacteristically off target in the second half from close range, while Dejan Stankovic escaped unpunished for what looked to be a clear handball inside his own area after coming on as a substitute for Inter on the hour mark.

As if the pitting of Italian title holders Inter against reigning European and Spanish champions Barcelona was not enough of a spectacle to begin with, the added hype regarding the Samuel Eto'o versus Zlatan Ibrahimovic contest heightened expectation before kick-off.

The two swapped clubs in the summer, with many maintaining it was the Milanese outfit who got the better deal. Those critics would have been rubbing their hands in self satisfaction after eight minutes as it was Ibrahimovic who went closest to scoring first, but missed terribly. A dinked pass from halfway allowed the Swede to take the ball wonderfully on his chest, but from 15 yards and with the goal at his mercy he failed to hit the target in front of a vociferous Curva Nord.

By that stage, Messi had already tested Julio Cesar with a low shot, while it was right-back Maicon who had Inter's first meaningful effort and not Eto'o when he raided forward and drilled over the bar from 25 yards following Barca's brighter start.

Josep Guardiola's side shaded control of the game throughout but Inter had their fair share of chances too, with Diego Milito - on his Champions League debut - twice working Victor Valdes, while Wesley Sneijder's rising shot kept the flow of opportunities going.

However, the visitors came the closest to scoring as Xavi Hernandez just missed contact with a Messi cross, and Seydou Keita rushed a shot wide inside Inter's penalty area. Messi then forced Cesar to tip a rasping effort over the bar on the stroke of half time as the score remained goalless going into the interval.

The second half started in as breathless a manner as the first had played out, with Ibrahimovic flagged offside when in on goal and Sneijder rasping a low shot inches wide from the edge of Barcelona's area. Ibrahimovic then toed the ball onto the roof of Cesar's goal as he tried to turn in a cross-field Xavi pass at the far post.

Inter were kept on their toes defensively as Walter Samuel and Lucio both had to clear with danger lurking, and Messi had a shot blocked at the far post as Barcelona continued to pressure the home side. The Argentine then spurned arguably the best chance of the game from four yards as he slid in front of Daniel Alves and slung Thierry Henry's cross-goal ball well over.

But the Nerazzurri were not without their own near misses as Stankovic whipped a wicked shot inches over from the edge of the penalty area, before almost conceding a penalty at the other end. The Serb left an arm out which altered the path of the ball inside his own area, but referee Wolfgang Stark waved play on as Barca players appealed virulently.

The game became stretched inside the final quarter of an hour as both sides tired, and it was the visitors who looked the likelier to catch their opponents on the break for a late goal. Samuel was again called into action as he hooked the ball clear inside Inter's six-yard area as Barcelona probed the home defence.

Patient in their build-up play, Guardiola's men survived a late volley from Maicon which was blocked to win a free-kick in Inter's half inside the final minute, but Messi's delivery flew past everyone and out to preserve the goalless scoreline as full time arrived.

Next up for Barcelona is the visit of Dynamo Kiev at Camp Nou, while Inter face a trip to Russia to face Rubin Kazan.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hopes to make a winning return to the San Siro to face his former club Inter Milan on Wednesday night when Barcelona begin their Champions League title defence.

The Swedish striker, who was last season's top scorer in Serie A, opted to sign for European champions Barca this summer.

Ibrahimovic notched his first goal with Barca in last weekend's 2-0 win at Getafe and he hopes to fire his new team to victory in Italy.

"I'm not sure whether I will celebrate if I score," said Ibrahimovic. "It depends on the emotions I feel at the time.

"What I do know is that I will do everything to score, whether it is against Inter or any other rival because Barca is now my team."

The Giuseppe Meazza stadium will be sold out for Wednesday night's Group F clash with fans wanting to witness the duel between former Barca forward Samuel Eto'o, who moved to the San Siro as part of Ibrahimovic deal, and the Swedish frontman.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho praised Eto'o, who scored the opener in Inter's 2-0 win over Parma on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday's clash.

"Eto'o is the best striker in the world," said Mourinho.

"Last year it was Ibrahimovic but now it's Eto'o.

"All my players are the best."

Ibrahimovic believes Mourinho's Inter has done a fantastic job in the summer transfer market by luring the likes of former Genoa stars Diego Milito and Thiago Motta.

He even thinks his former team is the favourite to win the European crown this season.

"It's a very strong team," he said. "It's stronger than in previous years as Inter have reinforced the squad with the signing of important players.

"That makes them favourites for the Serie A title and for the Champions League."

Mourinho knows his team faces a stern test but is confident they can upset the Primera Liga champions.

"Barcelona can play with their eyes shut," said the Portuguese tactician. "They only made one or two changes in pre-season and kept the same core of players.

"We are a team in construction but the game starts 0-0 and we believe we can win this game."

Eto'o agrees with his coach. He said: "Barca is the best team in the world. Few teams can beat them.

"But we can do it, we have the possibility to win."

Ibrahimovic expects a balanced encounter between two sides that are managed by two coaches who are very thorough in their preparations.

Pep Guardiola won the Champions League, Primera Liga and Copa del Rey treble in his first season as coach while Mourinho led Inter to the Scudetto in his debut campaign in Serie A.

"Mourinho prepares the game very well," said Ibrahimovic. "He is very clear about what the team needs to do, I know he will be ready and will do everything to win.

"Guardiola's case is similar as he looks at every detail when preparing a game."

Inter, who are fourth in the Serie A standings after three games played, have lost just one of their 15 home encounters against Spanish opposition.

Barcelona and record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic go into Wednesday's Champions League group opener at Inter Milan in high spirits after collecting maximum points from the first two league outings.

Ibrahimovic joined Barca from Inter in a massive 69-million-euro deal and will be full of confidence for his return to the San Siro having scored two goals in as many games.

After heading in a debut goal against Sporting Gijon, Ibrahimovic scored the opener and set up Lionel Messi for the second goal in Barca's 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday.

The Swedish international is still not fully fit as he recovers from surgery on a hand injury so Barca fans will hope there is much more to come.

"I have scored two goals and I am really happy," said Ibrahimovic. "I am still not 100 percent fit but the most important thing is to be getting games under my belt.

"The Inter game will be a difficult game but very special for me because I played there for three years and have some fond memories of my time there. I am coming back in a different shirt and couldn't be happier."

Ibrahimovic, who has been nicknamed 'Ibracadabra' in the local press, won three league titles in Italy with Inter before opting for a new challenge in Spain.

A few eyebrows were raised when Barca coach Pep Guardiola made Ibrahimovic the second most expensive player in history, behind Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, but the coach is happy with what he has seen.

"He (Ibrahimovic) was extraordinary (against Getafe)," said Guardiola. "He moved away from the play and created some good chances. He could be the focus of our attack. I feel good about him."

The formidable Barca attack was a key factor behind their unprecedented league, Kings Cup and Champions League treble success last season and new boy Ibrahimovic said playing with Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta made life easy.

"They (Messi and Iniesta) make it so easy for you," said the former Juventus man. "They create space and defenders don't know how to mark because normally they mark the best player on the pitch but then all of a sudden there are three dangerous players."

Messi has been having a torrid time with the Argentine national team but continues to sparkle at Barca while Iniesta made his first appearance in three months as a second half substitute against Getafe.

Iniesta had not played since the Champions League final win over Manchester United in May after suffering from a torn thigh muscle.

Andres Iniesta's return to fitness after three months out with injury is a welcome boost for champions Barcelona before their trip to early pace-setters Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.

The treble winners were shown to be vulnerable after breaks for internationals last season, and with lingering doubts over the strength in depth of their squad this time round, a visit to giant-killing specialists Getafe is a tough assignment.

"Iniesta's return is very important for the team as he is a unique player of outstanding quality. He can decide a game on his own," Barca defender Maxwell told a news conference.

"It's difficult to work when there are so many players away and it is possible that Getafe have the advantage. But we aren't looking for excuses."

Madrid-based Getafe flirted with relegation last year but under former Spain and Real Madrid midfielder Michel, they have undergone a rapid transformation.

Since losing his opening game at the helm last April, they are unbeaten in 15 consecutive matches between the end of last season, pre-season friendlies, and their opening day thrashing of Racing Santander 4-1.

Real Madrid proved they were a work in progress in their laboured 3-2 home victory over Deportivo Coruna, and will be seeking an improvement away to Espanyol on Saturday (1800).

It will be a momentous day for the Barcelona-based hosts who will be playing their first competitive match in their new stadium Cornella-El Prat.

It will be an emotional one as well, as they play their first league game in front of their own fans since the sudden death of defender Dani Jarque from a heart failure last month.

"It's a big game for us, it fills us with motivation, and we are going to give our all for it to be a great encounter," Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

Real have Spain full back Sergio Ramos back in contention after three months out with tendinitis.

One match in and Atletico Madrid's board are already on the defensive ahead of Saturday's visit of Racing Santander (1600).

Their 3-0 defeat at Malaga quickly wiped away the joy at having qualified for the group stages of the Champions League last month.

Fans unhappy with the side's failure to make any significant moves in the transfer market, particularly after having achieved their place in Europe's elite competition, are planning protest demonstrations at the Calderon.

"Before they criticised us for signing too many players, now they say we don't sign enough. I don't understand it," president Enrique Cerezo told Spanish state radio.

The Spanish international midfielder says he is fully focussed on an 'important year' for the Gunners...

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has denied any connection to the potential presidential candidacy of Sandro Rosell at Barcelona.

Rosell is believed to be one of a number of possible candidates set to challenge current club president Joan Laporta in next year's elections, but Fabregas insists he is not involved.

"I have not spoken to anyone at the moment, there is nothing," the 22-year-old told Marca.

While he stated that his immediate focus is on Spain's World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Wednesday, Fabregas added that he doesn't know what will happen next year..

"I do not know if I will leave the Premier League next year. I am happy an it is an important year for the club. I have not spoken to anyone, if something has to happen will happen, but currently there is nothing," he stated.

The former Barca youth player confirmed that Real Madrid had shown interest in him and he claimed that although he was flattered, it was never serious.

"Two or three years ago, there was something. [Real] Madrid and its fans have always been very good to me and for that I will be forever grateful," he said.

"There has never been anything serious with another team since I joined Arsenal."

The Barca supremo is putting all his faith in Pep once more...

Barca president Joan Laporta has expressed confidence in his side's ability to continue winning trophies into the new season.

The Blaugrana have won five trophies in this calendar year, and Laporta does not see any reason for the success to stop. Speaking to AS, he praised Pep Guardiola's role, saying, "In the difficult moments of last season, Pep knew how to correct our mistakes. "

"For example, the 6-2 win at the Bernabeu was the best night of our season. We won everything, but that is all over, and we are in the present.

"It is still a pleasure to remember last season.

"We must continue with the same effort of last season, putting trust in the coach who brought us those results."

Barcelona are ready to end Robinho's troubled Manchester City career as early as January, with coach Pep Guardiola closely monitoring the situation of the Brazilian

Guardiola considered signing Robinho before he joined City last summer, but the fact that he was then a Real Madrid player constrained his options.

But there will be no such problems in January and Robinho is understood to be desperate to make the move happen, wanting to link up with the European champions and play again in Spain.

Barca would be happy to bring Robinho into their squad mid-season, not least because he is still eligible for Champions League football.

But the sticking point will inevitably be the fee. The Catalan club would offer around £15million, but City's owner, Sheik Mansour, is unlikely to sanction such a deal after paying £32m for him. However, the clubs maintain a close relationship after City played in Barca's pre-season tournament last month and a deal will be discussed.

Over the coming months, City will find themselves in a similar position to the one they put Everton in over the Joleon Lescott affair: having to choose between keeping an unhappy player or allowing him the move he desires.

Barcelona have offered new long-term contracts to Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, according to reports in Spain.

Messi and Iniesta were two of the most instrumental figures in Barca's historic 2008/9 campaign, which brought UEFA Champions League success and a domestic double.

The Catalan giants confirmed last month that they were looking to reward the pair and they are now understood to be close to committing their futures to the club until 2016.

Messi's negotiations are said to be at a more advanced stage but Iniesta is also expected to have put pen-to-paper by the start of October.

Both new contracts are set to include buy-out clauses of around €200million (£175million).

Laporta expects to reach agreement

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident of reaching an agreement with Carles Puyol over a new deal.

The long-serving centre-back, who was linked with a move to Manchester City during the transfer window, has held discussions with the European champions.

There have been suggestions that the two parties are still a long way from striking a compromise but Laporta expects the issue to be resolved soon.

Puyol has been Barca captain for the past five years and Laporta insists manager Pep Guardiola is determined to keep him.

"There have been meetings with Puyol's representative and we'll shortly have an agreement," Laporta told RNE radio.

"It is the will of both us and our captain. It is very clear that Pep Guardiola and the club want him here."

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is hoping for a swift recovery from Bojan Krkic after the young striker picked up a leg injury during their win over Sporting Gijon.

Bojan limped off with 10 minutes left of the 3-0 win after damaging his thigh and he is set to be out for between 15-20 days.

Although the upcoming international break means the amount of Barca matches Bojan could have missed is lessened, the 19-year-old might still be unavailable for the league games against Getafe and Atletico Madrid, as well as the Champions League trip to Inter Milan.

Guardiola said: 'I hope we get him back as soon as possible, because we need
him. I have a lot of confidence in him.'

Summer signing Maxwell also picked up a thigh injury in the Primera Division opener against Sporting and, although initial thoughts are that it is not serious, he will undergo further tests on Wednesday.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was keen to thank his team-mates for their support after finally getting off the mark for his new club in their 3-0 win.

Ibrahimovic joined Barca in July, but it took a while for the new boy to break his duck for the treble winners.

A hand injury meant he had to wait until the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Manchester City a fortnight ago to make his Barca debut, but he he was unable to score in either that match, or the subsequent games against Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk.

His performances in those outings had not been particularly memorable either, but the tall hitman has now at least chalked up his first goal for club after heading home late on in the win over Sporting.

After the match Ibrahimovic wanted to pay tribute to his team-mates, saying: 'They are helping me a lot. I don't feel at 100 per cent yet but I'm happy because I played 90 minutes and bit by bit I'm getting my fitness up.'

Barca coach Pep Guardiola added: 'I'm pleased that he scored. He played the 90 minutes and that's a good sign, I'm happy with his work.

'Sooner or later he will do very well. He's still in the process of adapting, and little by little he will get there.'

Barca midfielder Xavi was also pleased to see the big-money import get off the mark, adding on his club's website: 'Ibra is a goalscorer and he likes to score. It's his first goal with Barca and we are happy for him because he is working very hard.'

Club record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late debut goal as Barcelona began their title defence with a convincing 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon on Monday.

Birthday boy Bojan Krkic, who turned 19 three days ago, and Seydou Keita had put Barca 2-0 up at the interval before Ibrahimovic, a 69-million-euro capture from Inter Milan, netted his first goal for the club on 82 minutes.

It was a largely disappointing debut from Ibrahimovic, who was upstaged by brilliant teenager Bojan, but the goal will certainly lift some of the immense pressure to prove he is the equal of departed hero Samuel Eto'o.

Last season Barcelona lost 1-0 to Numancia on the opening day of the season but there was no slip-up this time around in a convincing win.

After a marvellous pre-season in which they won the Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to make it five trophies in a year, Barcelona went into their first game on a high but missing some big names.

Andres Iniesta failed to recover from injury and Lionel Messi was away on international duty with Argentina so several fringe players were given a chance to stake their claim.

European Super Cup hero Pedro Rodriguez, the latest off the club's infamous youth production line, started the match in Messi's right wing slot while Bojan played on the left of central striker Ibrahimovic.

With just five minutes gone the tall Swede had a great chance to score a debut goal but fluffed his lines, scuffing his shot wide of the target.

At the other end Sporting almost took a shock 10th minute lead with Brazilian debutant Maxwell, recruited from Inter Milan, preventing a certain goal with a last-ditch tackle.

It is the type of quality defending Barca will expect from their new 25 million euro Ukrainian centre-half Dmytro Chygrynskiy who watched on from the stands.

With 17 minutes gone the hosts opened the scoring from a corner with Keita's header falling to Bojan to convert at the back post.

Bojan, a real menace throughout, showed quick feet to create a chance for himself on 40 minutes but his shot was deflected for a corner.

But Gijon could not hold out and two minutes before the break Dani Alves curled in a brilliant cross for Mali international Keita to head home.

In the opening stages of the second half Barca coach Pep Guardiola was forced to make a change with the injured Maxwell coming off for Eric Abidal.

The reorganising defence were almost caught cold and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes had to pull off a reflex save to deny Mate Bilic.

Sporting, who had the worst defence in the league last season, were looking vulnerable at every corner and Keita hit the post with a 68th minute header.

Bojan's evening was ruined in the 80th minute when he had to be subbed off injured and Guardiola will hope that the injuries to him and Maxwell are not serious.

With eight minutes left Ibrahimovic got his debut goal smashing in after a cross from Alves to complete the scoring.

The international break means the Spanish league resumes in a fortnight with Barcelona travelling to Getafe who won their first match 4-1 at Racing Santander.

 Injured Barcelona pair Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez have not made sufficient progress to be available for the champions' opening La Liga match against Sporting Gijon on Monday.

Lionel Messi of European champions Barcelona was named the European Club Player of the Year on Thursday for helping his side lift the Champions League trophy last season.

Argentine Messi was also named forward of the year with his club mate Xavi Hernandez, who also played a key role for Barca last season, named as midfielder of the year ahead of a third Barcelona club mate Andres Iniesta.

Chelsea and England skipper John Terry was named defender of the year while Edwin Van der Sar, of last season's Champions League runners-up Manchester United, was named goalkeeper of the year.

Thee awards are for their performances in the Champions League.

UEFA president Michel Platini presented a special award to Paolo Maldini, who won five European Cups with AC Milan during a playing career that spanned more than 20 years until he retired at the end of last season.

Swede says no other club could have prised him away from Inter

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that Barcelona is the only team he would have left former club Inter Milan for.

The Swedish striker was linked with a move to Barca's rivals Real Madrid before securing a club record move to the Camp Nou believed to be in the region of £58million, which included the transfer of Samuel Eto'o to the San Siro.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was reportedly eyeing up the 27-year-old as he splashed out around £250million on building a new galacticos era at the Bernabeu, but Ibrahimovic admits his head was never turned.

"I had an agreement with my president at Inter that whoever came, whatever team came I want him to reject," said Ibrahimovic. "(But) I said if Barcelona comes, then you at least discuss.

"It's the club that can make me a better football player than I am today, I want to be part of this project and history that Barcelona is making now."

League Debut

The classy forward could make his league debut on Monday as Barcelona prepare to launch the defence of their Primera Division title against Sporting Gijon at the Camp Nou.

The former Ajax and Juventus striker has been successful throughout his career, winning two Dutch titles before adding three Serie A medals during his three years at Inter.

"Wherever I went I won. I let my results talk for me," said Ibrahimovic, who admits there is pressure to deliver in his debut season in Spain.

"Of course there is pressure. You play for Barcelona. I had a lot of pressure also on me when I went to Inter, when I went to Juventus I also had a lot of pressure, wherever you go in top football you will have pressure.

"There should be pressure. If there is no pressure it's not a challenge."

Ibrahimovic will link up with Lionel Messi to form a potentially lethal partnership as Barcelona look to repeat last season's treble feat which included the league, Spanish Cup and Champions League.

The pair combined well in Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Supercup as the Swede set up Messi for one of two goals and he feels they linked up naturally on their competitive debut.

"We are two players who like to create situations for each other. It is not difficult to play with a player like Messi," he said.

Language Barrier

The Swede, who already speaks four different languages, is currently learning Spanish and Catalan to fit in at the club and although he is not fluent just yet, he insists there has been no breakdown in communication with Messi so far.

"With Leo I speak pretty good, pretty much football language. We understand each other," he said. "It's no problem at all."

"I believe I can use my qualities a lot more here than I did in Italy because it's totally different football in Italy."

With Real Madrid having invested so much into their squad this summer, many critics have suggested they are favourites to reclaim the Spanish title from Barcelona, but Ibrahimovic feels different.

"Real Madrid is a top club, they need to win. So what they do (is) they buy players to win," he said.

"But I'm coming already to a winning team so I think the advantage is with Barcelona. They (Madrid) have a lot of pressure. Everybody's waiting for the results."

The Blaugrana coach has told the press that the Ukrainian defender has the qualities he is looking for in a centre-half...

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola told a press conference the reasons why he is so keen to bring Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy to Camp Nou.

"He has some things in a central defender that are hard to find," said Guardiola.

"He knows what to do with the ball and he is a young player."

Guardiola says that signing the 22-year-old Ukraine international will be difficult as Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov "does not want to sell the player".

Negotiations continue between the clubs and Chygrynskiy sat out his side's 2-0 victory over Turkish side Sivasspor on Tuesday night, which suggests a deal may be imminent.

Guardiola is wary but proud of the fact that six of his players are nominated for UEFA awards, which will be presented in Monaco before they contest the Super Cup final against Shakhtar on Friday.

"It's not a comfortable situation, we go [to Monaco] to win the final, not to collect awards but the players deserve it so hopefully they do win," added the Blaugrana coach.

Pep Guardiola is approaching his second season at Barcelona with trademark gusto, even with an historic treble to defend and with a keen rival buying up the world's best players in a bid to replace the Catalan club at the top.

Following a debut season that included league, domestic cup and Champions League triumphs, the 38-year-old Guardiola must be relishing the challenge even more now that it involves a revamped Real Madrid to contend with.

Madrid has spent a quarter of a billion Euros ($360 million) to recruit the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema. But Barcelona remains favorite for the Spanish league, mainly due to the disciplined football that Guardiola has instilled in the team.

"There's no secret -- he gives everything and doesn't want to stop to take a breath," midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "He's crazy for football. I'm not sure if he's aware of his own intensity."

A former Barcelona player, Guardiola has been described as methodical and tireless, with a dedicated eye to detail and a tendency to being obsessive over video and tactics.

"It is the intensity -- that was key in the success of last season," defender Rafael Marquez said.

That intensity comes from stern discipline, which Guardiola quickly brought to a locker room left in disarray after Frank Rijkaard's departure before last season.

Guardiola showed superstars Ronaldinho and Deco the door and this season sold Samuel Eto'o to Inter Milan as part of the euro66 million acquisition of Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In Ibrahimovic -- Barcelona's record signing -- Guardiola saw Serie A's leading scorer as the perfect counterbalance to Lionel Messi and the two have already displayed an understanding in only 115 minutes of playing time together, most notably in Barcelona's Spanish Supercup victory on Sunday.

Guardiola sees a team with improved character following Eto'o's departure -- of which he is taking full responsibility for -- even if the Cameroon striker was an integral part to the team's three league and two Champions League titles over the past five years.

"When the coach says that the best thing is to replace the striker because of a feeling, you have to respect the decision," defender Gerard Pique said. "You have to agree with the coach always because if he arrives and he makes the team win the treble, you have to respect all of his decisions."

Guardiola's personality has obviously rubbed off on his players, who enjoy playing the possessive, one-touch football that has prevailed at Barcelona since Johan Cruyff arrived from Ajax.

"I'm surprised at the attitude shown since our return and the intensity with which they are training," Guardiola said of the pre-season work. "I haven't had to talk with them much. I get the feeling that with our character we'll be competitive this season."

His emotional personality -- and even his dress sense -- has made Guardiola something of an icon, and Barcelona fans are hoping he renews his contract beyond this season. Guardiola is committed to the club whatever the outcome, even as he confesses that nothing is certain.

"It's going to be very tough. There's always great possibilities that we won't succeed again," Guardiola said.

But his legacy -- although he is still early in his tenure -- already gives the Catalan club an edge in the upcoming fight with Madrid.

"Barcelona has the advantage of a team that is already set, the same coach, and we already know our system of play," Xavi said. "I think we have a certain advantage. And I think that's something we need to take advantage of."

Brilliant Barcelona added another piece of silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet on Sunday night after clinching the Spanish Supercup following a one-sided second leg against Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.

Barca never looked in trouble despite a goalless opening period, and a second-half brace from Lionel Messi plus another from Bojan Krkic earned Pep Guardiola's a 5-1 aggregate win following last weekend's 2-1 success at San Mames.

The victory adds the Supercup to the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles Barca won last season, and the Catalan giants could another crown on Friday when they play Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Supercup.

Guardiola, having opted to use a mixture of youth and experience for Wednesday's Joan Gamper Trophy defeat to Manchester City here, selected arguably his strongest available line-up for this clash with only the injured Andres Iniesta missing.

Summer signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell were both included, with the Swede making his first start for the club having appeared as a second-half substitute in the friendly against City.

However, while Barca were boasting most of their big guns, it was actually Athletic who fashioned the first effort of note in the 21st minute when Pablo Orbaiz's long-range free-kick was pushed over the bar by Victor Valdes.

Nothing came of that corner though, and for the rest of the first half - and indeed for most of the second as well - Athletic were forced to withstand a Barca onslaught.

At times, the visitors' goal seemed to lead a charmed life, and Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was the busiest man on the pitch as he made vital saves to deny Messi, Gerard Pique and Ibrahimovic, while Thierry Henry and Xavi both failed to hit the target from close range.

Iraizoz produced his best stop six minutes before the break to deny Ibrahimovic a memorable first goal for Barca after the 66million euro man had chested down Messi's cross and sent an acrobatic volley flying towards the top corner.

Barca did not exactly help themselves either though, with Seydou Keita mis-kicking with the net at his mercy before the Mali international then saw a goal-bound effort inadvertently blocked on the line by his team-mate Yaya Toure.

Athletic had ridden their luck to stay on level terms with Barca before the break, but that fortune ran out just four minutes after the re-start when a piece of Messi magic put the hosts ahead.

The Argentinian superstar still had work to do after picking up an Ibrahimovic lay-off, but he made it look ridiculously easy as he skipped past Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora before coolly dinking the ball over Iraizoz.

Athletic, who are in the midst of a Europa League qualifying round tie against Tromso, were finding it virtually impossible to get out of their own half and they had more let-offs as Xavi's shot was deflected wide and Carles Puyol headed against the crossbar.

It seemed only a matter of time before Barca increased their advantage, and that proved to be the case when Messi made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Dani Alves had gone down in the box.

That was in the 67th minute and 2-0 become 3-0 just four minutes later as Barca finally got the rewards their overwhelming dominance deserved.

Bojan, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes after replacing Ibrahimovic, was the goalscorer as he capitalised on a dismal back-pass by Ander Iturraspe before skipping past Iraizoz and walking the ball into an empty net.

That proved to be the final goal of the game as Barca took their foot off the pedal in the closing stages with the damage already done.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his Barcelona debut in a 1-0 preseason defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Sweden striker had several shots saved by Man City goalkeeper Shay Given after replacing Bojan Krkic to start the second half with the Spanish champions trailing from Martin Petrov’s 28th-minute goal.

Barcelona held nearly three-quarters of the possession but failed to beat Given as coach Pep Guardiola mixed his regulars with many of the club’s youth team players.

Lionel Messi also came on with Ibrahimovic, whose left hand was wrapped following bone surgery this month, to create the European champions’ best opportunities. Jonathan dos Santos hit the post in the 71st before Ibrahimovic was twice stopped by Given.

Messi also hit the post in injury time as Man City won the Joan Gamper Trophy in front of a near capacity crowd of 90,000 fans. City has already started its season with a victory in last weekend’s opening round of the English Premier League.

Barcelona, which is also defending the Copa del Rey trophy this season, suffered its first preseason defeat.

The young Spaniard wants to prove himself at the Camp Nou...

Pedro has been in impressive form this pre-season, becoming Barcelona's top scorer with four goals, and he has now revealed he is in negotiations with the club regarding a new contract.

"This year I would like to play more minutes, I know it will be hard because the competition is very hard, but I am working, I am tranquil and I hope I will have more opportunities and I will do it well," Pedro told COM Radio.

"I want to solve this situation as quickly as possible, I am very happy in the team and I would like to continue here for many years."

Pedro shone against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, scoring a goal and making one assist, but the 22-year-old winger has now played down that showing.

"I do not think I played very well in Bilbao," he noted. "I had the luck to score a goal and to make the pass but I do not think I played very well.

"That's how things are, sometimes it is good to score a goal because it gives you a lot of joy. But well, I have to continue working to continue improving."

The young winger stressed that part of his current success with Barcelona is because of the teaching of his coach, Josep Guardiola.

"Guardiola has taught me many things, not only in the game, but also how to place myself on the field," Pedro added. "I have learned a lot with him, I have a lot of appreciation for him, not only as a coach, but also as a person.

"I think he is a brilliant coach, he has shown that, and I hope he will continue for many years."

Six players who helped Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in May's Champions League final were included in the list of nominees for Uefa's Club Footballer of the Year awards to be presented in Monte Carlo next week.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, defender Gerard Pique, midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta and forwards Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, now with Inter Milan, were on the list released by Uefa.

The six other players come from English clubs Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool.

Ronaldo nomination

The three United players are goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defender Nemanja Vidic and forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has since joined Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of $131.1 million.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender John Terry and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard were also nominated.

The players were proposed by the coaches of the 16 teams that reached the Champions League knock-out phase, with votes cast for a winner in each position as well as the overall Uefa Club Footballer of the Year.

The announcement will be made during the Champions League group stage draw on August 27.

Nominations:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Defender: Gerard Pique (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Midfielder: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona)

Forward: Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi (both Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Barcelona hit back from a half-time deficit to win 2-1 and earn a narrow advantage in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Oscar de Marcos gave hosts Athletic the lead with the last kick of the first half but, in similar fashion to the Copa del Rey final between these two when Barca recovered from an early deficit to win 4-1, Pep Guardiola's side bounced back impressively.

Xavi drew the treble-winners level in the 58th minute before Pedro Rodriguez smashed home a fine strike 10 minutes later to give Barca a 2-1 lead heading into next Sunday's return meeting at the Nou Camp.

Unlike May's cup final, when Athletic started strongly and took a 10th-minute lead through Gaizka Toquero, it was Barca who were quickest out of the blocks and they might have been four goals up inside the opening 30 minutes.

Bojan Krkic came close to breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute when his 25-yard drive was tipped onto the crossbar by Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz, who soon after produced another superb one-handed save to deny Dani Alves from long range.

Barca midfielder Xavi, usually such a cool customer in the middle of the park, then suffered a rush of blood to the head as he blazed over from seven yards out with the goal at his mercy, before Bojan saw another chance go to waste.

Athletic rode their luck early on, but they gradually came back into the match and it was Barca's turn to be pushed backwards towards the end of the half.

The home side's first decent effort came in the 32nd minute when Aitor Ocio fired over from Andoni Iraola's cross, a miss that left the big centre-back with his head in his hands.

Summer signing De Marcos went even closer four minutes later when he attempted an audacious 40-yard lob over Victor Valdes, forcing the Barca goalkeeper to back-pedal rapidly before tipping the ball over for a corner.

It was an impressive effort for no reward from De Marcos, but the rub of the green went the 20-year-old's way on the stroke of half-time as he gave Athletic the lead.

De Marcos did well to skip inside Gerard Pique to fashion himself a shooting chance, but he then received a huge slice of luck as his left-footed shot took a crucial deflection off Carles Puyol before flying over the committed Valdes and into the roof of the net.

That was the last action of an entertaining first half and Athletic would have been hopeful at the break of holding some sort of lead for the second leg.

However, the Basque side had the upper hand for just 13 minutes of the second half before Barca drew level.

Seydou Keita's cross beat everyone before reaching Pedro at the far post, and he cleverly feigned to shoot before sliding the ball inside to Xavi, who coolly slotted into the net.

Worse was to follow for Athletic as well, as soon after the same two Barca players combined to put their side ahead.

Xavi laid the ball off to Pedro 30 yards from goal, and the youngster took a few steps forward, easing past the challenge of Markel Susaeta in the process, before unleashing a superb swerving shot that flew past Iraizoz at his near post.

Pique and Keita had chances to increase the lead but failed to hit the target, while Iraizoz produced another fine stop to push Alves' 30-yard thunderbolt onto the crossbar as Barca finished as they started - on top.

The Blaugrana are keen to try and lure the midfielder back to Catalunya, but they know it won't be easy...

Barcelona have not given up hope of landing Cesc Fabregas this summer, according to reports from Spain.

The Blaugrana are keen for midfield reinforcements ahead of the new season, and would love to bring the Arsenal captain back to the Camp Nou.

Ona FM claims that Fabregas is still a priority for the Catalans, who are willing to pay up to €30 million for him. However, given the Gunners' recent insistence that he would not be leaving, they will have their work cut out.

With the Premier League starting next weekend, Barca are ready to submit one bid to test the water, although they are aware that it is unlikely to be accepted.

It is believed that the main aim of the move will be to progress towards a deal for next season, as Fabregas maintains that he would love to return one day.

Successful Spanish team concludes three-game exhibition tour at Candlestick Park

You sense there is something special in the air when a soccer club employee is entrusted with toting three trophies halfway around the world. And those trophies have a special spot on the dais.

Uruguay international Martin Caceres has joined Juventus on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Spanish club have confirmed.

The 22-year-old defender made only 13 appearances as the Catalans claimed the treble last season and has been told he does not feature in the plans of Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

The deal gives Juve first option to sign Caceres permanently at the end of the season, with Barcelona slapping a €12m euro price tag on the player's head.

Caceres took part in a training session with his new team-mates on Thursday afternoon and will attend Juve's pre-season friendly against Villarreal in Salerno on Friday.

Lionel Messi scored the opening two goals as Barcelona beat the Seattle Sounders 4-0 in a preseason friendly on Wednesday.

In a dominant performance by the reigning European champions, Barcelona required its top players for only half the game to beat the Major League Soccer club and extend their winning preseason form.

Messi beat Seattle keeper Kasey Keller in the 21st minute with a left-footed punch from outside the penalty box that the former Tottenham stopper only got a fingertip on.

Twenty minutes later, Messi gathered Xavi's perfectly judged cross about 8 yards out and in one move split Keller's legs with his left foot shot.

Messi's preseason form indicates he will pick up right where he left off at the end of a 2008/09 season when he scored 38 goals as Barcelona won the unprecedented treble of Champions League, Spanish Liga and Spain's Copa del Rey.

Many in the crowd of 66,848, the largest to see a football match in Seattle, craved more of Messi and fellow Barca stars Thierry Henry and Xavi, but only got one half as coach Pep Guardiola carefully tunes up his squad.

Barcelona beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 last Saturday and will wrap up the three-match trip on Sunday against Mexico's Guadalajara in San Francisco.

Wednesday's win was tarnished by the loss of central defender Rafael Marquez, who tore his left calf muscle in morning training and will miss 10 to 15 days. As well as compromising his preparation for the approaching season, it also means Mexico's captain will likely miss a key home World Cup qualifier against the United States on Aug. 12.

Barcelona outshot Seattle 16-3, peppering Keller the entire first half with precision, creative passing leading to a constant flow of scoring attempts. Henry had scoring chances, as did emerging 18-year-old Bojan Krkic. Messi nearly netted a hat trick, but his chip shot past a charging Keller in the 39th minute hit the far post and stayed out.

The scoring was completed by fringe squad members Jeffren Suarez in the 75th minute and Pedro Rodriguez in the 89th.

The match meant little to Seattle, which has an important MLS game on Saturday at Real Salt Lake. That's why regulars like Keller and Freddie Ljungberg played just the first half. Former Arsenal winger Ljungberg, who missed last Sunday's MLS match at San Jose after dealing with a migraine during last week's MLS All-Star game, had Seattle's best scoring chance early in the match.

Barcelona reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto let a sloppy pass roll up the middle of the penalty area and right to Ljungberg's feet. The Swedish star settled the ball, but his right-footed shot went wide. The Sounders, who lost to Chelsea 2-0 in another friendly on July 18, have scored just one goal in five matches.

Barcelona are working on a new contract for star man Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain and Italy.

Both El Mundo Deportivo and Gazzetta dello Sport have suggested the Catalan club are to offer the 22-year-old £8million per year in an attempt to secure his long-term future.

Barca are also keen to raise the buyout figure in Messi's deal, which currently stands at £127m to £254m.

The mooted new deal would see Messi overtake recent signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the best paid player at the Nou Camp.

The Argentina international has spent his entire career at Barcelona having come through the club's youth system.

He made his debut in 2004 at the age of 17 and has gone on to score 54 goals in 109 league appearances.

After starring in Barca's successful Champions League campaign last term he is widely viewed as the favourite for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. 

David Beckham scored a spectacular free-kick as LA Galaxy went down 2-1 to European champions Barcelona in front of over 93,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Beckham equalised Pedro Rodriguez's close-range opener with a bending set-piece from 30 yards on the stroke of half-time.

However Jeffren Suarez sealed victory for Barca in front of the biggest American crowd for a football match since the 1994 World Cup.

Beckham again suffered abuse from the American fans but following his goal received a better reception when he was substituted in the 87th minute.

"Quite a few are still reacting the way they react," he reflected. "But out of 93,000 people you have 95 or 97 per cent who are incredible. Then you have the odd minority - but that is life.

"Back in 1998 (following his red card against Argentina in the World Cup) it was 100 times worse and it affected me 100 times worse. This is nothing."

MLS commissioner Don Garber defended the England international, who has come under fire for extending his loan deal at Milan and therefore missing the opening of the domestic season with Galaxy.

"It has got to be an emotional time for David," said Garber. "The opposite of love is not hate. It is indifference.

"I don't support the way they (Galaxy fans) have treated him. We need to start to put all this behind us."

Beckham also revealed the reason for his confrontation with a supporter at a recent MLS game in Kansas City while pledging his future to the Californian outfit.

"He insulted my wife," he added. "If you insult my family members I am going to stick up for my wife and family.

"But if it happens again I wouldn't even look at him. It is not worth the time and energy.

"I am contracted to the Galaxy and the MLS and I will be here next year."

Alexander Hleb will spend next season on loan at Stuttgart from Barcelona, the European champions have confirmed.

Hleb had been expected to be part of the exchange deal which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o switch allegiances earlier this week.

But the 28-year-old has opted against joining the Cameroon forward at the San Siro due to the limited prospects of regular football under Jose Mourinho, and instead decided to return to the Bundesliga.

After a difficult season with Barca, Hleb was keen to find a club which could guarantee him first-team action and Stuttgart had been monitoring his situation for several months.

The Swabians intensified their interest in the player after seeing moves for Real Madrid's Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Vagner Love of CSKA Moscow break down.

The Belarus midfielder left Stuttgart four years ago to move to Arsenal, where he spent three years before moving on to the Nou Camp last summer.

Stuttgart finished third in the Bundesliga behind Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich last term and offer Hleb Champions League football once again next season.

Hleb told Stuttgart's official website he had moved to Markus Babbel's side because of their prospects for the coming season.

"I have opted for VfB (Stuttgart) because the team has great potential and I am convinced that we can achieve a lot together," the 28-year-old said.

Stuttgart general manager Horst Heldt added: "We have signed a world class player with Alexander Hleb. He will increase the quality of our squad even further."

The Blaugrana’s frantic programme for the 2009-10 campaign has already begun…

Barcelona may still be in pre-season mode but their demanding schedule for the upcoming campaign begins tomorrow, after flying out to the United States for their tour.

Included in the convoy is their latest superstar recruit, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has opted to join the squad to assimilate with his new team-mates despite being ruled out of any match action following his hand operation.

And according to Sport, an estimated 160 personnel, including 26 players and all their big guns, 10 executives and president Joan Laporta, made the trip.

Their first match will be in Los Angeles on August 1, 20:00 local time, against LA Galaxy, before they take on Seattle Sounders on August 5 and Chivas three days later. In between games, the Blaugrana will attend three promotional events: one for Nike and one for the ‘Malaria No More’ campaign in association with UNICEF, and they will also visit the new Microsoft headquarters.

‘El Tricampeon’ will return to Barcelona on August 9 and will play their first competitive game of the season a week later against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames in the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa.

On the 19th, they will entertain England’s bid spenders, Manchester City, in the Joan Gamper Trophy, a match in which Ibrahimovic is expected to make his debut. They will then welcome Athletic to the Camp Nou for the return leg of the Supercopa, and if all goes as planned, ‘Ibra’ could take his place in the starting XI for the first time.

Barca will aim for the second of a possible six trophies on August 28 when they face-off with Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Super Cup. Three days later, they kick-off the defence of their Primera Division title at home against Sporting Gijon.

All in all, Pep Guardiola’s side will have eight matches to play in the month of August.

Don't miss the first match, buy your tickets at www.fcbarcelona.eatb.es now!

New Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he would not have been allowed to leave Inter Milan for any other club.

The Sweden international was unveiled to the press and more than 50,000 fans at the Nou Camp after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola's side, with Samuel Eto'o going in the other direction.

Ibrahimovic had made little secret of his desire to join the Catalan club and told Barca TV a deal with Inter president Massimo Moratti was key to the move.

"I made an agreement with the president of Inter that the only club they could sell me to was Barcelona," he said. "The others could ask but they wouldn't get a reply.

"The only one I answered was Barca. That gives me a special feeling. "The move from Malmo to Ajax was good, I was happy. From Ajax to Juve was an important move but emotionally it was a normal event.

"I thought I would have to keep on playing. The transfer from Juve to Inter seemed like an important fact but it didn't change my mood. In contrast, this transfer has made me feel nervous.

"Barca has an historic tradition. Everyone wants to be part of this great club, they've made history and I want to be part of that history."

The 27-year-old has had surgery, described by the club as successful, on a fracture in his hand revealed in the player's medical. The striker will travel with the team to the United States for their upcoming tour but will not play.

He will also miss the friendly with Manchester City on August 19, but Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain announced that he is set to return for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao four days later.

When he does finally get to represent his new team, he is confident he will slot in without trouble.

He said: "I think I'll fit in really well because it's the way I want to play, the way I want to train, the way I want to learn, because this style of football is what I tasted at Ajax. It really suited me and I learned a lot."

Ibrahimovic feels teamwork has become one of his big strengths since his time in Holland.

"It's one of my qualities that I learned in Italy," he said. "It's important to know how to play as part of a team.

"If you don't play as part of the team it's impossible to achieve the objectives that your club is looking for. You have to help your team-mates and your team-mates have to help you."

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved to Barcelona from Inter Milan and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o went the other way on Monday in a swap deal worth more than 66-million euros.

The two forwards signed five-year contracts, both clubs said in statements.

With Eto'o being valued at 20-million euros, Barcelona announced they were paying a separate 46-million-euro fee and loaning Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to Inter for the season.

Italian champions Inter, who have yet to confirm Hleb's arrival, will have the chance to buy the former Arsenal player for 10-million euros plus variables next year.

Barca added that Ibrahimovic, 27, needs immediate surgery on a bone fracture in his left hand.

"I'm not coming as a substitute for Eto'o because I am a very different player. I come to bring something new," Ibrahimovic told a news conference that had been delayed more than an hour due to a last-minute complication with the deal.

"No one knows this but months ago I told (Inter president Massimo) Moratti I wanted to play for Barca. I told him there was only one team who would be able to buy me. There are many great clubs, but only one like Barcelona."

Swedish striker looking to bright future as he arrives at Camp Nou

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he wants to create history at Barcelona after arriving at Camp Nou on Sunday.

The Swedish striker is set to complete his dream move to the European champions in a deal which will see Samuel Eto'o move the other way and the Serie A side receive 45million euros (£38m).

Ibrahimovic spent around 15 minutes at Camp Nou where he was photographed in front of the Barcelona badge and will dine with club president Joan Laporta and other officials on Sunday night.

He is then set for a medical on Monday and - should all go to plan - he will be presented as the treble winners' latest recruit later that day.

Looking forward to this new stage of his career, Ibrahimovic told Barca TV: "I want to form part of Barca's history."

He added: "It's hard to describe my feelings. Everything seems to be all set, it just needs my signature.

"I'm really pleased and enjoying everything that's happening.

"I really am very, very happy and when this is all settled I'll be the happiest man in the world."

The Cameroonian forward appears to be on the verge of reaching an agreement with Inter...

Contract negotiations between Inter and prolific hitman Samuel Eto'o have been going on for a while now, but an agreement appears to be on the horizon at last.

The Barcelona man's agent, Josep Mesalles, initially refused to speak with the Italian press, but he has now made it clear that he's optimistic about the deal after meeting with Inter's Rinaldo Ghelfi.

"We'll proceed negotiating tomorrow. There will be another meeting, but I'm very optimistic that we will reach an agreement in the near future. Even though there are still a couple of things that need to be discussed," said Mesalles to Sky Italia.

"Eto'o wants to move to Inter and he'd be happy to join the club. We've made some great steps forward since yesterday. We're not there yet, but we I think we can complete the deal on Thursday."

Not Settled Yet

Eto'o is allegedly seeking a pay-off from Barcelona. This news was followed by a report that the Blaugrana may be willing to remove Eto'o from the deal altogether and simply pay for their Inter target, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, the latter case is seemingly less and less likely as the move seem destined to go ahead.