FC BARCELONA

Yesterday was the first time this season that both Alexis and Pedro scored in the same match.

Alexis Sánchez hadn’t scored since February, when he netted twice away to Bayer Leverkusen.

Good news for FC Barcelona. Two of the team’s strikers, Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez, are back in the business of scoring goals as Barça gets ready to face the most decisive stretch of the season. Yesterday, against Getafe, was the first time this season that both players netted for FC Barcelona in the same game.

In Pedro’s case, it’s been a while since the Spaniard scored in two consecutive matches. In fact, it’s been more than a year. The last time Barça’s striker managed to score in back-to-back games was against Racing (Liga), Almería (Cup) and Hércules (Liga), in February 2011. With the goal against Zaragoza and the yesterday’s goal against Getafe, the striker has shown that he’s back on form. His goal-scoring tally this season currently sits at nine with at least nine matches still to be played.

Pedro’s goals have been decisive for FC Barcelona. It was the Spaniard that opened up the scoring in the Champions League final in Wembley, he forced overtime in the Club World Cup in 2009, and he secured passage for Barça to the semifinals of the King’s Cup in the quarterfinal return leg against Real Madrid.

Alexis has also recovered his goal-scoring form. Before yesterday’s match, the Chilean hadn’t scored in almost two months - since the Bayer Leverkusen-Barça game (1-3), where he scored twice. In fact, Alexis has managed to score three braces this season, his first was against Rayo Vallecano (4-0) at the Camp Nou.

The Chilean has scored 13 goals this season; 8 at the Camp Nou and 5 away from home. Of these 13 goals, 5 of them were go-ahead goals. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Barça's victory shined with four great goals that shook the Camp Nou with joy and excitement.

It was on the half hour mark when a nasty cold wind began to push at the Camp Nou. The gale Leo broke a little later, in minute 43, sensing that Iniesta was able to infiltrate the opponent at that speed you, that makes him invisible, removing the defense to leave the ball in the opposite direction.

Leo was unsure how to invent and Andrés Iniesta pass that would have bet an arm that Messi would be there to pick up the ball. He touched first to dribble but spread that fashion shoot without affectation, strong, tall, unstoppable, launched a devastating left hook.

Iniesta scored well against Athletic, Leo scored the 1-2 in Zaragoza with the same forcefulness and seen the success formula repeated that shot last night to certify romperredes (2-0) that Barça, with the victory and entrained by Alexis, the Messi enabled with a chest support, it became a point behind. Another thing is that the athletic gods awaken from their slumber today.

At the end would be a pim PAM (Pedro-Alexis-Messi), pam for the team azulgrana, running more than laughing but having the time, sweep resistance Getafe with that inspiration which is neither casual nor be given away.

Because there is much work and effort behind that another goal of Alexis also breaking the network of a header from Cuenca, which yesterday crossed another boundary, the 12 goals for his best year in Italy, raised to 13 and possibility of establishing its own roof in the first year of azulgrana.

As there is faith, enthusiasm and tremendous fellowship brutal behind the goal by Pedro - ball Leo placed on his head gyro-,acclaimed as the Camp Nou in their heyday.

The stadium fell apart because Peter, now rising from its worst, this boat represents the sublimation of illusion and a case of supreme talentoen transformation efficiency, goals and titles.

Four goals, another whack to la Liga and a soft pillow to sleep on the minimum distance from that Madrid which, however, have given too much.

And Messi finally cheered on the brink of all legends, it has 9 straight games scoring in La Liga, about to reach 10 Mariano Martin and Ronaldo scored one more goal being to a Cristiano in his record of 62 goals in a course. Follow Leo. (via MD)

Life is full of chances, and wanted the game tonight against Getafe Alexis Sánchez achieved his best scoring person, 13 goals, scoring the first of them curiously at minute 13. The Chilean has scored a goal in each half and both have been separate bill.

The best version of Alexis
Assuming that the best version yet to come and that the scoring form can still increase in six league games missing, plus the outstanding Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey, Alexis Sánchez has passed his best scorer in a season: 12 goals wearing the shirt that managed Udinese, before becoming a new player blaugrana the July 21, 2011.

Furthermore, the two goals embodied in the Camp Nou against Gefate are diverse, showing two of the qualities which dazzled Guardiola for the Santpedor be done with the services of Chilean. On the first play has proven ability to partner, speed when assembling the leg and hitting ability, while in the second action Alexis read well the band played in Cuenca, has raised a compelling and have connected a great header, beating the defense and the goal of 'Geta'.

With these two goals, and Alexis Sánchez added 10 points in the league, becoming the second top scorer of Barca in League, after the immeasurable Leo Messi, scorer of the championship with 39 goals. Ten goals to which we must add the two Champions League and the Copa del Rey, some numbers are not bad if you count the numerous games that has been lost due to injury. (via MD)

The midfielder said that “there is still a lot of Liga left” and that the team is on a “good trajectory”.

The Barça players dedicate tonight’s win to Abidal, who underwent liver transplant surgery today.

Muniesa: “It’s an honour to finish the game with 10 players from the youth system. I hope we can some day finish a game with 11”.



Barça closed the gap with Real Madrid, who still have a game in hand, to one point tonight after the Catalans beat Getafe 4-0 at the Camp Nou. “Madrid are the leaders, they have the advantage. But there’s still quite a bit of Liga to play. What we have to do is win the games we have left,” said Andrés Iniesta. The midfielder said that his teammates must have their “batteries charged” in order to take advantage of any slip up that Madrid might have from here until the end of the season. Despite the one-point difference, the Azulgranas aren’t giving up on the title: “things have changed and we’re still fighting for the title, and we’ll keep fighting for it until the end.”

Goal express

Iniesta was the man that supplied Messi with the assist in Barça’s second goal. “The goal was scored after a very fast one-touch play. When they close themselves off we have to play as quickly as possible. It worked out well,” mused Iniesta, who also said that the team “is on a good trajectory” and that “we took advantage of our chances.”

Barça’s next match will be away to Levante. The Azulgranas place a lot of value on this Saturday’s match seeing that the Valencia-based team are currently holing a Champions League spot in the table.

Victory dedicated to Abidal

Most of Barça’s players dedicated tonight’s victory to Abidal, who underwent liver transplant surgery today. Iniesta said: “I’m happy to dedicate this win to Abi. This is for you!” Another hot topic among the footballers after the match was the fact that Barça ended the game with 10 home-grown players on the pitch.

Barça’s footballers will be keeping a close eye on tomorrow’s match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. “This is a match worth watching because it’s a derby, and derbies are always intense. I’ll be watching it, but Madrid is capable of winning and Atlético is playing at home. Without a doubt, it will be an exciting game,” said Iniesta.

Here are the statements made by the FC Barcelona players after the match:


Montoya:

“It’s very easy to play with this team because they are the best. We have to win all of our matches and hope that Madrid drop points. We’re working really well and we’re on the best form we’ve been on all season. We have to pressure our rival [Madrid].

“Being one point away from Madrid after being 10 away is beautiful and we have to continue the trend. We have to keep on working.”


Valdés:

“The boss always tells us what we need to hear. We’re in the final stretch of the Liga and we have to grit our teeth, it’s almost over. We’re one point away, we’ll see what Madrid does tomorrow. The work that needed to get done today, is finished.

“Fantastic match from the team and now we’re only a point behind the leaders. I have to highlight the fact that we finished the match with 10 players form the youth system on the pitch.”


Adriano:

“We have to keep on running, the best part of the season is ahead of us. This was a good game, we were able to attack and keep our patience. We earned a good result. We believe we can win the title. We’ll keep on fighting until the end because there are still a lot of points still in play. We have to hold on to this thought and work really hard.

“Levante have always been a difficult team. It’s an important match. We cannot allow ourselves to repeat the errors we’ve committed in the past.”


Pedro:

“The fans were spectacular, I don’t have words. Great work from the team and great victory. This is for our friend Abidal.”


Cuenca:

“This victory is for you, Abi. Be strong, we eagerly await your return!”


Muniesa:

“It’s an honour to finish the match with 10 players from the reserve side. I hope we can someday finish a game with 11.”


Alves:

“Great work from the team. The show must go on.”(via FCBarcelona.com)

Getafe coach, Luis García, has said after the defeat of his team 4-0 in the Camp Nou if Barça plays with all his figures as "very difficult" to snatch a point.

"They have a show, have not missed a pass, were tight and pulled out. When you play at this level is very difficult", said at a news conference in Madrid coach set.

García indicated that the Barça starting line, with Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Alexis, among others, had "the best players in the world" and that if the tournament will play with these players would have no choice rivals.

Getafe coach recalled that in the Coliseum were able to beat them, so he said he would sign each season add 3 of the 6 points to play against Barça.

On the Argentine Leo Messi, who has scored a goal and has participated in the other three, Getafe coach has said he will make a splash.

"He's a player who can afford to receive the foot and from there create. He's the best player in the world, but in addition to much. It spectacular things, is on par with the best and will mark a time," has sentenced Luis García.

However, despite the win, Luis García wanted to congratulate his players for the effort they have made ​​and has urged his team to focus on Monday's game against Sevilla.

The coach said that no team can win the fight for Michel "being the best, and that for the people of Getafe is very nice." (via SPORT)

The manager dedicated the victory to Éric Abidal, who underwent liver transplant surgery this Tuesday

“I’m very pleased with today’s performance because it’s difficult to attack a team that puts nine men behind the ball,” said the manager.

Josep Guardiola wanted to encourage Éric Abidal, who underwent liver transplant surgery today, by dedicating Barça’s victory over Getafe to the Frenchman. “We’re very pleased to be able to dedicate this victory to Abidal and his cousin Gerard. It’s a special day because we knew that he was in surgery.”

On the match, the manager is pleased with the performance of his players against a team that came to the Camp Nou to defend the initial scoreline: “we’re very pleased because it’s never easy [to play against] such a defensive team. We found our patience, and we scored fairly early, we created goal scoring chances... we controlled the match.” He added that “it’s very difficult to attack a team that defends with nine players.”

The manager knows that he can’t influence tomorrow’s match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. However, he said “we’re on a good streak and we have to focus on our own work. We have to start thinking about one of the most difficult matches we have left away from home like the one against Levante and Rayo. These two games will mark our course [in the Liga].”

Carles Puyol turns 34 this Friday. Guardiola said that “beyond his physical qualities he can play football. He lives for it and he takes care of himself. He lives each training session as if it were his last and he performs like it’s his first. I’m very pleased with him and even more so after last year. It’s encouraging because it helps me think we can prolong his career and that’s good for him and for Barça.”

Just as he did after the match against Zaragoza, Guardiola highlighted Pedro’s performance. “We need his goals until the end of the season. It’s great that he’s recovering his confidence and I’m happy that the fans cheer him on.”

Lastly, the manager played down the fact that Barça finished the match with 10 La Masia graduates. “The foundation of the Club is made up of players from La Masia, but in the end everyone is part of this team.” (via FCBarcelona.com)

Getafe president but also a partner of Real recalled that the advantage in the championship is still all blanco.

The Getafe president Ángel Torres, naturally took the defeat of his team in Barcelona (4-0) and, as a member of Real Madrid, said that the advantage in La Liga is still all blanco. "At the moment the la Liga Real Madrid will win," said Getafe president who disagreed with those who think in a certain defeat Real Madrid team at the Camp Nou. "Everyone assumed that Madrid will lose here (Camp Nou) and I have none so clear", and stressed the importance of the clash against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid dispute on Wednesday. "It is a the most important game. If you win at the Calderon think it will be champion, "Torres told Digital Plus.

On the game of Getafe in Barcelona took the inferiority of their equipment. "We have come but we have not been present. This is not our league and now weigh in on Monday." "We came to see if we could surprise in a campaign rare in that we have always been in tow and on Monday we have a big game that will set our aspirations," said Torres. "For them to get to a point in Madrid was an incentive and an encouragement and come out with everything. We already beat them in the first leg and is very difficult to repeat," took over. (via MD)

Barça’s victory this Tuesday over Getafe saw Gaurdiola equal Rijkaard’s record of 112 victories in La Liga.

Josep Guardiola continues to break records as FC Barcelona’s manager. After today’s victory over Getafe, he’s now the manager with the second most amount of wins in La Liga in the history of FC Barcelona. Guardiola is level with Frank Rijkaard in second place, both with 112 victories. The Catalan manager reached this mark after leading his team in 146 league matches, with a winning rate of 76.8%, the highest of any Barça coach in the history of the Club. Rijkaard’s win rate in La Liga is 56.9%.

If Guardiola’s number of wins is impressive, then the amount of games he’s lost is even more astounding. Of his 146 matches at the Barça helm, he’s only lost 10 games and drawn 24 times. His team have scored 392 goals and conceded 103. In terms of points, Guardiola’s Barça have earned 354 points over these past four seasons.

Only Johan Cruyff has led FC Barcelona to more victories than Guardiola. The Dutchman won 183 matches on the Barça bench from 306 games. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Andoni Zubizarreta expressed his gratitude to the fans of Barça for his tribute to Éric Abidal, who on Tuesday underwent a liver transplant.

Azulgranas supporters dedicated a heartfelt ovation French defender in the 22-minute number that Abidal looks back at Barça, the match against Getafe at Camp Nou.

"We appreciate the applause exciting in that minute, more than ever. Do not know anything about the operation yet," said the director of professional football's FC Barcelona.

The leader also alluded to the statements of Pep Guardiola, who yesterday said he has asked his players to run less and laugh more. "You have to work hard," he said.

Zubizarreta, moreover, would not argue with Madrid coach José Mourinho, or his deputy, Aitor Karanka: "I only know what I mean, I like football and enjoy it," he said. (via SPORT)

The tenth straight win in the league allows Barça set at a point behind.

Alexis and Messi have signed the first two goals before the break, always from the front.

The Chilean and Pedro have finished the game in the second half with two headers great.

If this had been a test Tuesday, FC Barcelona have returned to take honors. Getafe has shed a delicious football, and placed at a single point behind leaders Real Madrid, who play Wednesday at the Vicente Calderon under intense pressure. The set of Guardiola has caught an almost perfect match from start to finish, initiated with goals from Alexis and Messi in the first half and signed with two others header of Chilean and Pedro, who has followed two days marking.

Thus, Barça, which has added its tenth straight win in the league, you can begin preparing for Saturday's game and at the revelation of la Liga, Levante, waiting for what happens on Wednesday in the Madrid derby.

Guardiola knew the significance of the meeting and have not booked anything. Home has aligned a team with only three defenders and six offensive profile players such as Xavi, Iniesta, Cuenca, Pedro, Alexis and Messi. The meeting was presented as a battle for the midfield, because Luis Garcia has also invested heavily in the media line, in order to contain as much as possible to Barça.

It has failed because Barça has been a whirlwind since the beginning, and soon found with both Alexis, who has shed his namesake in Getafe to sign the first with a tight shot from the front. He has strongly held the Camp Nou, which has agreed Abidal 22 minutes from both sides.

Getafe has only made ​​it through the center circle in three consecutive virtually actions after half an hour. With Miku as lone striker, the rest of the machine has to stop Barça associations, who have repeatedly completed centers Pedro and Cuenca, left and right, respectively. Inside, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi brought Alexis and header to the visitors' defense. All have had the second goal in their boots, but it was the Argentine who has found a phenomenal wall after Iniesta, also in the front. Before the break, 2-0 and an overwhelming dominance.

After the break, wind and rain water at the Camp Nou, factors that have cooled slightly the meeting to the quarter final hour, when FC Barcelona has again put the pedal to secure the three points. What has made the least common: two headed goals. The first work of Alexis, all power in the jump, after a brilliant move and a better center of Cuenca in the right wing. The secondwith Pedro nodding back a free-kick by Messi. After the storm ceased two goals: it was party night at the Camp Nou. (via FCBarcelona.cat)


[Match Stats]
FC Barcelona Valdés; Mascherano (Muniesa, 84), Puyol, Adriano (Montoya, min.75); Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Messi, Iniesta; Pedro (Tello, min.80), Alexis and Cuenca.

Getafe Moyá; Miguel Torres, Cata Díaz, Alexis, Masilela; Casquero, Juan Rodríguez (Barrada, min.69), Rubén Pérez, Ríos (Artoyo, min.89); Diego Castro (Gavilán, min.69) and Miku.

Goals: 1-0, min.13: Alexis Sánchez. 2-0, min.44: Messi. 3-0, min.73: Alexis. 4-0, min.74: Pedro.

Referee: González González, Castilian-Leonese committee. Showed yellow ? (min.50) and Gavilán (min.74).

Subs: Match the 33rd game of the match at the Camp Nou against esèctadores 76,041.
In 22 minutes the fans cheered with a minute's applause for Eric Abidal, operated on Tuesday at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona for a liver transplant.

18 players have exercised the first team and Montoya, Muniesa, Bartra and Tello, Barça B.

Dani Alves has worked with the group and Gerard Piqué, left out.

The first team has conducted Tuesday at noon the last training before receiving the Getafe (21 hours). The session was held at the Camp Nou, and involved a total of 22 players, 18 first team and Montoya, Muniesa, Bartra and Tello, Barça B.

Men's first team, Dani Alves has worked with the group, while it has continued Piqué apart from their peers. It has also been trained with the group Ibrahim Afellay, even without the high. At the meeting, therefore, have only missed Abidal Fontàs and Villa, who still low.

After the training, the team has eaten it and then every player has gone home. They are summoned to the Camp Nou at 19.30 hours, 90 minutes before the game against Getafe. (via FCBarcleona.cat)

The fight for la Liga is more alive than ever and, with Real Madrid within four points, the guys at Pep Guardiola will have the opportunity to get closer than ever to Mourinho's pupils if they can win at the Camp Nou against the visit of Getafe.

After being ten points, Barça could be at just one point of the set target pressure to be carried on in their grief at the Calderón against Atlético Madrid in a derby in which the red and whites struggle to re-enlist to Europe. A high voltaja Madrid derby that will become more sense once the azulgranas have managed to do their homework before one of his betes noires this season: Getafe.

The group led by Luis García was the first team that got beat Guardiola in this championship and this time, visit the FC Barcelona installed in the quiet area of classification and glancing posts with access to Europa League. However, Barça gets to clash with the inertia of the team that accumulates nine consecutive victories in the league.

Pep Guardiola warned that they must only look at its own navel and passed the examination only to defeat the dark blue set. However, the coach himself and emphasized the precarious situation in behind Barca and bind to 'reinvent' the only possible absence of Alves - who trained with his teammates but could rest almost certainly - and Pique. Montoya already played some minutes in Zaragoza come to the forefront with Mascherano and Puyol to complete the Barça defense.

The possible absence of the suspended Cesc will also be one of the setbacks that coexist with Barça against Getafe. After the break of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets in Zaragoza, you may decide to return to give Pep entry into the starting lineup at the expense of Keita and Thiago.

In search of the goal is, as usual, Leo Messi who have the support of Alexis Sánchez at full fitness. The big question is the companion of the Argentine and Chilean with Pedro, Cuenca and Tello as major candidates. However, it seems that Isaac Cuenca part with some advantage over their peers to try to open the field as much as possible against an opponent that will be enclosed as it did back in the tie against Milan. (via SPORT)

Getafe coach, Luis García, facing a visit to the Camp Nou by signing a draw beforehand, with the peace of mind in their pocket almost stay in Primera Division.

The fight for the title with Barcelona four points behind Real Madrid, has been red hot. Luis García, Barcelona's next opponent, but still see it out "favorite" the whole of José Mourinho.

"Barça can now see la Liga before looked very difficult. Although for me is still favorite Real Madrid, they will go to a thousand," he said. "My players have said, believe in you, as you do. Here we could win. Have to compete hard."

With the tranquility of being virtually saved and the chance to fight for more, Getafe will be planted at the Camp Nou with a change of system: "It is the most difficult match we have left. His numbers are impressive at home. They have won everything except for a tie. "

"I will make some changes to look cool. Maybe we play with three midfielders like we did at home. It is an option that we have valued although we could not prepare almost anything at the tactical level. It is an option to cover the combinations that are inside . I think they will not make any rotation, "he said.

And expects his opponent to play with three back line and covered at the time of Argentine Leo Messi who praised: "When you play with three defenders do more damage but are justitos ago. Those who go are just as good at removing Messi is a notch above others. "

"We will remain very special surveillance over him, but that we do all the coaches and the end always marks. Sometimes you can not stop it. What you are doing this kid is something abysmal, not only because it makes it so generated when the catch, "he praised.

Luis García sucks that his team can discuss possession to Barcelona, ​​although he stressed that the key is to be "effective and forceful" on the occasions they have. "If we do not have the most options."

Therefore, the technician said that he was not "drop the Rings" by admitting that he would sign the draw at the Camp Nou as "Real Madrid would do." After this game, Getafe have dream matches for Europe. "There are twelve points for playing at home of which nine are against teams from the lower area."

He reminded the party of the first round, when they managed the feat of beating Barcelona, ​​to highlight the desire of vengeance of Pep Guardiola at a time which can not fail. "We will find a spectacular team at home. Going to go out to the fullest and take into account that we beat them here. It will encourage more. I see them able to win every game. You can not allow a setback after they have cut but we go with the idea of ​​adding more points, "he said. (via SPORT)

The manager reminded the packed press room that no team in the history of La Liga have ever fought back to overturn a 10-point lead held by Real Madrid and that Barça still have a lot of work to do, starting with the match against Getafe.

Guardiola said that his team must focus on the Getafe match in order to overcome the Madrid-based side’s fantastic defence.



Josep Guardiola played down Barça’s situation in La Liga, now only four points adrift of the leaders after Los Blancos were held by Valencia this weekend. The manager is very aware of the enormity of the challenge before his squad seeing that no team in the history of La Liga have ever fought back to overturn a Real Madrid 10-point lead. “It seems as though we already have it [the title], but the reality is that four points are a lot of points. There’s a lot of work to do. People need to start doing the math. We do our own calculations. I’m not interested in the calculations done 600 km away,” said the manager. He added: “this league title is practically impossible.”

Along these lines, Guardiola insisted that “four points are a lot to fight back from” and he added that Mourinho’s side have the luxury of being able to “drop points” where as Barça cannot allow itself to lose any. “I still believe that it’s a practically impossible task,” he said. The Azulgrana manager is very clear that if his players want to have “the slightest chance at the title,” they have to win the seven remaining games left on the schedule. “You never know, but it’s evident that we cannot lose points.” In order to add to Barça’s nine-match winning streak, the team must beat Getafe tomorrow: “our job is to think that Luis García’s Getafe are coming tomorrow, they have always made it difficult for us to overcome their fantastic defence; they beat us the first time around.”

The manager urged everyone to “not confuse the situation the team is in.” He went on to say that from this point on until the end of the season that the team’s difficulties “will be greater now” as opposed to when Barça trailed by 10 points. He added that the team will be “in for a surprise” if they aren’t ready. “It’s a given that everything will be simple from now on, when the reality is that we have very tough games ahead of us,” said Guardiola. On the upcoming Clásico, Guardiola said that Madrid will come into the game “knowing that if they win they’ll be La Liga champions.”

The manager had a very clear message for his players: “the players know what I’ve told you and what we must do for the rest of the season, and that’s smiling a little less and running a little more. There has been very little relaxation in these players.” He added: “in order to win we have to run more and when the good times come, smile. What I don’t want is for my players to focus on things they shouldn’t. I want these players to have a good time, smile - but in order to win we have to run. They say that we won’t lose anymore matches for the rest of the year, I don’t know which self-help book they’re getting that from, because we have tough matches coming up. We need to be fresh and very brilliant on defence, where we’re stretched so thin.”

Lastly, the Barça manager said that both Gerard Piqué and Dani Avles “are doubtful” for the Getafe match. Guardiola won’t make a decision on whether to field the players until after tomorrow’s pre-match training session at the Camp Nou. On the other hand, the Competition Commission has yet to meet, which means that Cesc has yet to receive confirmation that he will be banned for one match due to picking up his fifth yellow card in the match against Zaragoza. Guardiola, however, said that “Cesc is out and he cannot play.”

The Champions League

Guardiola is prudent ahead of the Champions League semifinal clash with Chelsea: “we can lose in the Liga, and Chelsea can eliminate us. We weren’t educated that way; it’s ugly to say that we’ve already eliminated Chelsea. We only celebrate what we earn. We need to be inconspicuous and get to work, that’s how things are won. In a two-leg playoff, we have to be wary because Chelsea have players that are capable of anything. They will be a terribly tough rival.” (via FCBarcelona.com)

The Brazilian international continues to nurse a sore left thigh muscle but was able to work alongside his team-mates for part of Monday’s training session. However, Piqué exercised away from the main group.



Guardiola continued his preparations for the Getafe match with the first team squad plus Bartra, Montoya, Tello and Muniesa from the reserves.

The players trained on Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday’s Camp Nou clash with Getafe (9 pm). Dani Alves, who picked up a slight thigh strain in the game against Zaragoza, was able to follow part of the session with the other players. The Brazilian was one of 18 available first-team players who took part in the session together with Ibrahim Afellay, who is still working his way back to fitness.

Meanwhile, Gerard Piqué trained separately from the group as part of his recovery from a thigh problem.

Four members of the Barça B squad, Bartra, Montoya, Tello y Muniesa, also took part in the session.

The final training session before the game will be held behind closed doors in the Camp Nou at 12 noon on Tuesday. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Cesc, suspended for tomorrow’s match, didn’t play at the Coliseo Alfónso Pérez against Getafe in the first half of the season. Getafe ended Barça’s unbeaten streak with a 1-0 scoreline.

November 26, 2011. An unlucky Barça lost its first game of the season when the Catalans visited Gefate. The Madrid-based side, with an incredible defensive display and a solitary goal from Valera, handed Barça their first defeat of the season. Half a year later, both teams meet again, this time at the Camp Nou. The defeat to Getafe put Barça six points behind Real Madrid. Now, the gap is only four.

Barça’s balance so far this season in La Liga is 23 victories, 6 draws and two defeats. One of the defeats was at the hands of the men led by Luis García, the other was to Osasuna at the Reyno de Navarra. Moreover, Barça haven’t lost a match in the Copa del Rey or the Champions League.

Cesc Fàbregas, due to injury, wasn’t on the pitch when Barça lost its first match of the season. The Catalan midfielder will also miss tomorrow’s game. Cesc is suspended for Tuesday’s La Liga clash after he picked up his fifth yellow card in the match against Zaragoza this weekend.

Five months ago, Barça came into the match against Getafe after beating Zaragoza 4-0, Puyol scored in that match - it was his first of the season. Also, AC Milan faced off against Barça just before the Getafe clash. The match at the San Siro ended in a 2-3 for Barça with goals from Van Bommel (og), Xavi and Messi. The buildup to tomorrow’s match is almost identical to the one five months ago: Barça beat Milan in the Champions League quarterfinal (3-1) and Zaragoza (1-4).

Despite the coincidences, the match on Tuesday at the Camp Nou shouldn’t topple Barça’s nine-game winning streak. Guardiola’s men know that they must win to keep their La Liga title hopes alive. (via FCBarcelona.com)

FC Barcelona’s first team will train twice before hosting Getafe on Tuesday and train two more times before the clash with Levante this weekend.

FC Barcelona will exclusively focus on La Liga this week. On Tuesday the team will take on Getafe at the Camp Nou and on Saturday the Catalans will be hosted by Levante, before travelling to London to take on Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal tie. Here is Barça’s schedule for the week:

Monday, 9th: Training at the Ciutat Esportiva at 18:00. Josep Guardiola will hold a pre-match press conference after the training session.

Tuesday, 10th: At the Camp Nou at noon, the team will complete their final training session before the match against Getafe (GolT, Canal + Liga and Radio Barça).

Wednesday, 11th: Recovery session at 11:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva. It will be the first session ahead of the clash with Levante.

Thursday, 12th: The only day off the team will have all week.

Friday, 13th: Last training session before travelling to Valencia. Josep Guardiola will hold a press conference after the session.

Saturday, 14th: Travel to Valencia and match against Levante (22:00, TV3, La Sexta and Radio Barça).

Sunday, 15th: The team, after staying the night in Valencia, will return to Barcelona in the morning. Upon arrival, the team will train at the Ciutat Esportiva at 12:30. (via FCBarcelona.com)

After the victory at La Romareda, Barça trained this morning at the Ciutat Esportiva. Alves, with a stained muscle in his left thigh, is doubtful for the match against Getafe.

Guardiola worked will all available first-team footballers and Barça B’s Tello, Montoya, Muniesa and Bartra. Barça’s U18 A keeper, Sergi Tienda, also participated in the session.



FC Barcelona held a closed-door training session this Sunday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The starters against Zaragoza did recovery work while the players that didn’t feature against the Aragón side completed a more intense work out. Four Barça B players, Tello, Montoya, Muniesa and Bartra, plus the U18 A keeper Sergi Tienda, participated in the session.

The Brazilian underwent tests to determine the extent of the injury he picked up against Zaragoza. The results indicate that the player has pulled a muscle in left thigh. His recovery will mark his availability for this Tuesday’s match against Getafe at the Camp Nou.

Gerard Piqué trained apart from the group. The Barça defender, who didn’t travel to Zaragoza, continued his recovery work. (via FCBarcelona.com)