FC Barcelona - 3, Real Betis - 1 | Messi Penalties give Barca Vital Three Points

Barca kept their pursuit of the league leaders Atletico Madrid by raking up a not so impressive victory against Real Betis at home. Two penalties from Lionel Messi and an own goal gave Barca 3-1 victory. The team was no where near its best but still the three points gained again was vital as Atletico Madrid won earlier. Real Betis played well for most of the part and would consider themselves pretty unlucky having to concede two soft penalties and an own goal. Martino went with a very strong side against the bottom placed Real Betis. Neymar, Alba and Cesc were omitted from the starting line-up ahead of Wednesday's 2nd leg match against Atletico Madrid. Pinto, Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi and Pedro all started at the Camp Nou.

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FC Barcelona Banned from Transfer Market by FIFA!

This news is bad, extremely bad. It is reported in FIFA's website that FC Barcelona has been banned from the transfer market for two consecutive transfer windows after they were found in breach of a number of regulations regarding international transfer of minor players. As per the report Barcelona would not be allowed to sell or buy players until the summer of 2015. Please visit FIFA site for more details - FC Barcelona Banned from Transfer Market. The Club's first response has been on the expected line with a promise to look into it and appeal the same. It was not only Barca who were sanctioned, but the Spanish Federation was also fined for alleged breach of regulations. It has to be seen whether Barca's defense of this issue would revolve around Spanish federation allowing the registration of players?

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Atletico holds advantage with a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou | FC Barcelona - 1, Atletcio Madrid - 1

Atletico Madrid holds a slight advantage going into the second leg after scoring a precious away goal in a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou. FC Barcelona has to go for the kill at Vicente Calderon in eight days time. In a very tight match two brilliant piece of individual skill proved decisive. First was Diego's brilliant goal which opened the scoring in the night. Barcelona's equalizer came from a collective brilliance of first Iniesta who played a brilliant pass and then Neymar's whose finish showed his class; at least Martino can justify his selection of Neymar now. But the real change in Barca's tempo came after the introduction of Sanchez, and that is something for Matino to ponder over in the second leg. As I wrote in the preview, Martino went with an eleven I predicted. Cesc and Neymar found their way in to the starting eleven ahead of the in form Pedro and Sanchez. So we had more or less the same eleven apart from Pinto, which started against Real Madrid and Manchester City. Neymar, Messi and Iniesta formed the front trio. Xavi, Busquets and Cesc made up the midfield. Alves, Pique, Mascherano and Alba formed the defense in front of Pinto. Putting rest to all the rumours about a late injury, Diego Costa started for Atletico Madrid along with Villa, Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Koke, Gabi, Tiago and Arda Turan.

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