The Tourmalet is back
Barça go to Mestalla tonight (22.00h CET) for the first of a series of tough away matches. Xavi and Alves are back after missing the Mallorca game, and Guardiola will also travel.
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Vilanova: “We have always found Valencia tough”
Tito Vilanova, the FC Barcelona assistant coach, has confessed to a press conference that Barça never find it easy to travel to Mestalla. “We have always found Valencia hard. We’ve never won there” he said.
Three great goals sink Mallorca (0-3)
FC Barcelona may have been without Valdés, Alves, Puyol and Xavi for the game in Mallorca, but they again demonstrated the depth in talent that Guardiola has at his disposal. Messi, Villa and Pedro were on target in the 3-0 win and Montoya made his first team debut.
Guardiola: “We are who we are and I’m sure we’ll respond”
Pep Guardiola has full faith in the players in the FC Barcelona squad and doesn’t think it will matter that five of them are out for the game in Mallorca on Saturday.
Xavi: "I’ll be ready for València"
Xavi Hernandez downplayed the seriousness of the injury that will keep him sidelined for between 7 and 10 days. The midfielder hopes to be available for next Wednesday's match with València.
FC Barcelona and Guardiola sign the new contract
This morning, FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and Pep Guardiola signed the contract that will guarantee the services of the FC Barcelona manager until June 30, 2012.
Barça shows winners’ character (2-1)
Barça had to dig deep to overcome Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp tonight. An early David Villa opener and a 77th minute Messi goal gave them the win which reinforces their position at the top of the table.
Guardiola makes century
Josep Guardiola will be on the bench this Sunday against Athletic Bilbao for his one hundredth league game. Since his debut away to Numancia, Guardiola has led his players to several records.
The Gunners bounce back (2-1)
Barça lost away to Arsenal in a vibrant Champions League quarter final first leg. Two late goals cancelled out Villa’s opener, but all has yet to be decided at the Camp Nou.
Guardiola: “We both want the ball and suffer without it”
Pep Guardiola won’t be giving up on the team’s trademark style for the game against Arsenal, even though the team will be up against a side who share their attacking instincts.
All 18 plus Thiago heading for London
Pep Guardiola is taking all of the fit first team players he has to London for the first leg of the Champions League encounter with Arsenal. Thiago is also picked, but Puyol and Jeffren are out through injury.
Regal Barça equals top Cup winners
FC Barcelona has now taken 22 Spanish Cups, equalling Real Madrid’s own record. The win in Madrid tonight also means that Regal Barça retained the title they won last year – the first time that’s been done since Aito’s Barça achieved it in 1988.
Villa's magic saves a point (1-1)
FC Barcelona picked up a valuable point at El Molinón thanks to a beautiful finish from Villa just ten minutes from the end. Barça had trailed for the whole game after Barral’s early opener.
Guardiola: “There is no place like this, but we have to keep winning”
Barça's coach has given his first press conference since extending his contract by one more season and used the occasion to speak about motivation. “The day I lose my passion and strength, I’ll leave” he said.
Barça's new Masia will be finished in June
La Masia-Centre de Formació Oriol Tort, the new FC Barcelona's sports residence in the midst of the Ciutat Esportiva, will be finished by next June and the building will be up and working for next season.