Sports

After their hard won win in Gijón, FC Barcelona top the Spanish League. If we look back over the last few years, Guardiola’s team have certainly got the experience to stay up there.

An early goal from Adriano gave Guardiola’s men the three points in Gijón which take them to the top of the Spanish League’s table for the first time this season. On the negative side, Abidal was forced off with an injury.

Leo Messi set another record in the game against BATE Borisov when he equalled Ladislau Kubala’s record of 194 goals for FC Barcelona, to draw level with Barça’s second highest goal scorer of all time. That’s one more record for the Argentinean –who is still only 24 years old.

Barça destroyed BATE Borisov with goals from Messi (2), Pedro, Villa, and an own goal, and came away with their first win in this season’s Champions League. Messi has drawn level with Kubala as the second top scorer in the history of FC Barcelona.

FC Barcelona visit BATE Borisov in the second game of the Champions League (20.45 CET) in search of a very important victory, following the draw against AC Milan. Alexis, Iniesta, and Afellay are all out through injury.

Josep Guardiola has named 20 players for the Champions League game on Wednesday against BATE Borisov. These are the 18 fit first team players plus Isaac Cuenca and Jonathan dos Santos from the reserves.

FC Barcelona have destroyed Atlético Madrid with a formidable display of tactics and skills. Villa, Miranda (og) and Messi put the home side ahead after just 26 minutes and the best player in the world was simply amazing in the second half.

Valencia and FC Barcelona shared the points in a great match at the Mestalla stadium. Valencia were on top in the first half, and led 2-1 at the break, but Guardiola’s team responded in style after half-time, and ended up picking up a vital point.

Barça’s manager, Pep Guardiola is convinced that the Spanish League game against Valencia will be “a great match”, but warned of the problems Emery’s team could pose, especially given the great moment of form they are enjoying. Guardiola also talked about Qatar, the Qatar Foundation and the board’s decision to make the club’s general assembly to validate the agreement reached.

Gerard Piqué took a full part in Monday lunchtime’s training session ahead of the midweek trip to Valencia’s stadium Mestalla. A total of 19 players from FC Barcelona’s first team squad and four from the B team took part in the training.

An exquisite performance saw Barça put eight past Osasuna-five in the first half- at the Camp Nou tonight, with strikes from Messi (3), Villa (2), Cesc, Xavi and an own goal from Roversio.

The Barça manager Josep Guardiola has defended his team’s methods against Real Sociedad and AC Milan despite the results. “I only expect my players to behave like they have done these last few days”, he said.

FC Barcelona have started their European title defence with a bittersweet draw with the Italian champions. Pedro and Villa neutralised Pato’s shock opener after 25 seconds, but when Barça looked assured of a 2-1 win, Thiago Silva headed an injury time equaliser.

The Champions League kicks off at the Camp Nou this Tuesday night (20.45 CET) with a sparkling game in store between AC Milan and FC Barcelona - the Spanish and European Champions against the reigning Italian title holders.

FC Barcelona have drawn at Real Sociedad in a game that seemed under control after Xavi and Cesc had scored early goals. However, the Catalans lost control of things in the second half, and allowed the home to score twice in a minute.