Barça will have to make do for one more game without Toure Yaya and Samuel Eto’o. Toure’s Ivory Coast qualified for Thursday’s semi-finals thrashing Guinea 5-0 in Sekondi on Sunday. They now play Egypt on Thursday in Kumasi for a place in the final, kick off is at 9.30 (Spanish time). Cameroon and Eto’o beat Tunisia 3-2 last night in a close game that went to extra time. They now face hosts Ghana in the other semi final in Accra which also takes place on Thursday, kick off at 6pm. Keep reading →

You can thank my Dad for telling me about this article and interview with our little Argentinian maestro Leo Messi. I thought I’d share it with you. I’ve added links below to the goals mentioned at the start of the article.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,2249095,00.html

Messi’s hat-trick against Madrid

Messi versus Getafe

Messi against Mexico

A goal from substitute Xavi three minutes from the end gave Barça three vital points which kept their title chances alive. After Madrid lost yesterday it was imperative that Barça beat Osasuna today, but their lack of ideas in front of goal threatened to end the weekend with disappointment until Xavi made the most of a rebound to beat Ricardo from 20 yards. Keep reading →

Defeat in the quarter finals of the African Cup Of Nations is the last possible chance of Samuel Eto’o or Toure Yaya coming home early. If Toure’s Ivory Coast lose to Guinea on Sunday or Eto’o’s Cameroon lose to Tunisia on Monday, they will be back to play at Sevilla next Saturday. If their teams get through we will have to wait until the following weekend’s game at Zaragoza to see them again as Blaugranas. Keep reading →

Frank Rijkaard has named the eighteen players he has available for tomorrow’s match with Osasuna, with the exception of Sylvinho who has been left out. With international matches in midweek it is unlikely that Rijkaard will rest anyone, so Barça should start with the best eleven available. Rijkaard will have to reorganize the defence due to Carles Puyol’s thigh injury. Keep reading →

Bad news for Barça as doctors have confirmed that Carles Puyol has a slight muscle tear in his leg. Puyol had to be substituted at half time of yesterday’s game with Villarreal and today’s scans have shown the tear is about two centimetres long. Puyol has been told that he will need three to four weeks before he is back in action which makes him very doubtful for the Champions League first leg match with Celtic on February 20. He may also miss the Copa del Rey semi final first leg on February 27. Keep reading →

The LFP have announced the kick off times for next weekend’s games. Barça will play Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday 9th and the game will kick off at 10pm. This game will be shown live on Spanish TV on the La Sexta channel and on TV3 in Catalunya.

Luis Aragonés has included Barça striker Bojan Krkic in Spain’s squad for next Wednesday’s friendly match with France in Malaga. If Bojan plays he will become the youngest player to play a full international in Spain’s history. The current record is held by Angel Zubieta who was 17 years and nine months old when he made his debut against Czechoslovakia in 1936. Next Wednesday Bojan will 17 years, 5 months and 9 days old. Keep reading →

If there was one constant to January it was the solidness of the defence. Since conceding two against Alcoyano at the start of the month, Barça have only conceded two goals in the last eight matches. Subsequently this month’s top five is dominated by the defence, though Thierry Henry has done well since returning from injury scoring two vital goals in the Copa del Rey. This month’s top five is: Keep reading →

Barça have been drawn to face Valencia in the Copa del Rey semi finals. The first game will take place on February 27 in Camp Nou and the second leg in Mestalla will be on March 19. The dates may change a day this way or that depending on the TV companies. Keep reading →