Taking Stock after the International Break



Iniesta in Action Against Villareal



Ok, finally it was ruled today that this weekend's fixture of La Liga will go ahead as planned. I have to admit that I was praying for this weekend's fixture to be called off. But now that's the judge's decision, we have to face Villareal on Saturday. We always struggle coming from an international break and this fixture has more issues to deal with other than that. There is a growing list of injuries which have to be dealt with . Boja Krkic, who suddenly found some form has suffered a sprained ankle while playing for Spain's U-21 team. He has not been ruled out for the Saturday's match but everything will depend on how he makes the progress in coming days. Lionel Messi is the latest to be added in the injury list, eventhough its not yet clear about the extent of his injury. The Argentinian coaching staff has denied that he is injured but there is some issues which kept him out of the goalless draw against Costa Rica.

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Dani Alves Signs till 2015

Thank God, Finally he signed. Yes it is official. Dani Alves has extended his stay at our club till 2015. This was going like a never ending saga. Tha club wanted to extend his contract, everyone knew. The player wasnted to exntend the contract and so did the the fans. Dani Alves was looking to get a better monetary structure but the club was not willing to break the salary structure. The fans never wanted to see him go away from the club, simply because he always provides most assist in a season. On his day, which happens often he is simply a terror on the right wing. The eventual breakthrough in the contract negotiation happened when Dani Alves signed a deal with Adidas last week. It is believed that the club was behind that deal.

FC Barcelona - 2, Getafe - 1

FC Barcelona increased the pressure on Real Madrid ahead of the Madrid derby with a 2-1 win over visiting Getfae side. Bojan and Alves scored for Barca and Manu scored for Getafe on the night. We wasted a number of good chances and the late goal from Manu made the ending a bit more nervous. With Abidal out mostly for the season, Milito and Pique formed the centre of defense, Adriano and Alves formed the rest of the defense in their usual flying back positions. The midfield had Mascherano, Iniesta and Xavi. Villa, Bojan and Messi formed the attacking trio.

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FC Barcelona to Face Shaktar Donetsk in Champions League Quarter Final

So, its Shaktar who will be facing Barcelona in the Quarter Finals of this season's Champions League. We play the first leg at home and the second leg away in Ukraine. Eventhough Shaktar could be a very difficult opposition, especially considering that they play the crucial away game at home; still Barca fans across the world are pretty happy with the draw. There was a chance of drawing the likes of Real Madrid, Inter, ManU and Chelsea, we have to admit that we got the second best draw. The best went to defnding Champions Inter Milan who will be facing German side Schalke. Meanwhile Real Madrid will face Totenham and Chelsea will face Manchester United.

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Champions League Draw to be held Tomorrow

Eric Abidal would be under going the operation today and everyone associated with Barca is eagerly waiting to know how it went. We still don't know how serious the tumour is, but if some reports are to be believed - this could be a small and preliminary stage tumour. That's one rumour everyone of us want to believe. All our prayers are with Abidal and his family through this very tough times. Meanwhile the final players for this season's Champions League Quarter Final has been emerged and as expected most of the big teams are there. The final line up are Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, Shaktar Donetsk, Schalke, Inter Milan, Totenham and Real Madrid. Schalke is emerging as the firm favourite among Barca fans as a potential opponent. Just as a reminder - there is no restriction this time around for the draw. So we can get anyone when the draws are done tomorrow.

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Eric Abidal to Undergo Operation on Friday

Update: The Operation has been brought forward to Thursday, as informed by the club.

A tumor has been detected in Eric Abidal's liver and the player will undergo operation to have it removed on Friday. He will be operated on by Dr. Josep Fuster Obregon in the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona on Friday, 18th March. Eric Abidal has been one of Barca's top performer this season. So missing him at such a crucial juncture could be very crucial for us. All our prayers should be with Abidal and his family for a successful operation and quick recovery. We will be eagerly praying and waiting for our Frenchman's return.

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Barca - 1, Sevilla -1; Barca held at Sevilla

In an overtly physical match at the Ramon Sanchez stadium in Sevilla, Barca were held to a 1-1 draw. FC Barcelona now find their lead cut down to five points off their arch rival Real Madrid. A goal from Bojan Krikic put Barca ahead in the first half but Navas equalised for Sevilla early in the second half. Guardiola lined up his best available eleven for the match. In the absence of Puyil, Pique and Abidal made the centre of defense with Adriano and Alves playing in the flying full back roles. Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi made the midfield. Messi, Villa and Pedro formed the attacking trio.

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FC Barcelona vs Arsenal Match Pics

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FC Barcelona -3, Arsenal -1; Magical Night Put FC Barcelona Through

Two Goals From Messi and One From Xavi Put Barca Through

Played them off the park is an understatement describing tonight's performance, FC Barcelona moved into the quarter final with a 3-1 victory against Arsenal. It was the exact scoreline I predicted. If last time around it was master class from Messi, this time around it was a master class from the World's Best Team. We played Arsenal out of park, they never had a shot on target actually not shot at all, the only goal from a nonsense Busquets on goal. We ahd 20 shots of that 12 was on target. Arsene Wenger completed the biggest surprise to the build up of the match by naming Robin Van Persie in the starting eleven. Arsenal eleven had - Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs, Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie. Meanwhile Guardiola decided to partner Abidal and BUsquets in the centre of defense with Alves on the right and surprisingly Adriano on the left. Busquets moving into defense meant that Mascherano played the holding midfielder. Iniesta and Xavi formed the rest of midfield. Villa, Pedro and Messi formed the usual attacking trio.

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FC Barcelona Training Pics

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FC Barcelona vs Arsenal Preview - The Most Important Night of the Season

FC Barcelona would be looking to overturn the first leg result

Once again FC Barcelona and Arsenal build upto to a crucial tie in completely contrasting fashion. Three weeks ago Arsenal was playing some of the most brilliant football of their season and it peaked with the win over us at the Arsenal. In contrast we went into that tie with a sudden dip in the form and ended losing a match we shoudl have comfortably won. This time around there is a simple change in the actors - we had got over that lose and had stinged three tough victories, meanwhile Arsenal had a more rocky ride - losing a cup final and drawing on Saturday. The injury list of Arsenal has also grown substantially in that period - as of now Van Persie, Song and Walcott all have been ruled out. Barca also is matching them for that list with Puyol being ruled out and Pique is missing due to suspension. The last time Arsenal played at the Camp Nou we operated with a make shift defense and that served us well. So there is no need to panic there.

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FC Barcelona vs Zaragoza Match Pics

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FC Barcelona - 1, Zaragoza - 0

FC barcelona overcomes a very tough Zaragoza challenge

FC Barcelona went once again ten points clear off Real Madrid with a hard fought win over Zaragoza. The final scoreline of 1-0, could be considered a bit of unfair but all credit to Zaragoza keeper who made at the final count 10 saves. With Tuesday's match being the most important, the eleven saw some key players missing. Victor Valdes as expected started in the eleven. The defense had Alves, Milito, Pique and Maxwell. The midfield has Xavi, Keita and Mascherano. David Villa was rested and Bojan started along with Pedro and Messi in attack. Puyol has not received the all clear from the medical team and it made sense to give some essential playing time for Milito. Guardiola once again made it to the stadium but looked very much in discomfort.

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Valencia - 0, Barca - 1

Pep Guardiola registered his first away victory at the Mestalla with a really hard fought 1-0 victory. Pep Guardiola has now won at every first division ground in La Liga. Hard fought has to be an understatement to describe tonight's match, but Lionel Messi's 27th league goal put us now 10 points ahead of Real Madrid. Real plays Malaga tomorrow and have a chance to reduce the lead, but the pressure on the Capital side will be enormous. Guardiola who was struggling from back pain in the build up to the match. But it wasn't clear whether it was Valencia or the back pain which was troubling him. But he did look in some pain throughout the match. The eleven picked for tonight's match was Pinto, Alves, Adriano, Abidal, Pique, Mascerano, Xavi, Busquetsa, Iniesta, Messi and Villa. We were playing three man central defender with both Alves and Adriano playing like a kind of wingers.

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