FC BARCELONA

Filipe Luis has recognized that the defeat against Barcelona last weekend, "it hurt a lot" but "is to learn."

"The team emerges stronger from this game thinking it's a valiant and united together in that line and definitely reach the goal. It is a lot but there is no time for more mistakes," he said in an interview with the club's website.

"We stood up the best team in the world, we had our chances, we had the game in our hands. We did not know and take advantage of our mistake at the end points we have left," he added.

Filipe Luis cree yet to be forgotten because of the clash and focus on the following, which will play this weekend against Sevilla in the Andalusian capital with notable absentees.

"It will be a tough game in their stadium but we with our guns and our choices, despite the decline in Godín and Falcao which are very important, we can take this party forward. Believe in that and is central to the goal "he said.

"They smell the desire we have to start now to win the top, to add those points that are not only three points but at the same time take away three points to them. It is time to take a blow on the table and say that we come back long ago and starting to get that streak going good for hooked up "he said.

Asked about Simeone, does not hide that his move has been instrumental in changing the mindset of staff and that "it shows the growth of many players" since.

"The coach is a person who has been here long, who was champion here. Besides all very smart and knows everything we need to avoid falling into what we fell in the past. Getting cuddly with a game, think that a game is won ... know very well all these issues, it remains for us to relax for a second. "

"Each one as it enters the skin is left field. It is also a great coach tactically, both offensively and defensively. We are delighted to have him and hopefully I can stay here a long time," he added.

Also claims to have known how to free them from the pressure to achieve the goal of entering Champions: "We did very well forget about the goal. When the coach arrived was ten points. Started studying game as well with the opposition."

"We know we can come close but two weeks and lose games and back away. We have to think about winning, and no doubt we'll be in the top four," he said.

Finally he referred to his season on a personal level: "I am very happy with the season I'm doing. I'm taking minutes but I want to personally go with the collective. If the team achieves the goal will have been a great season on a personal level , otherwise it will not be much, "he said. (via SPORT)

In an action set pieces, and scattered athletic defense, Argentine sealed the match with the seal of the best player in the world.

Messi did not perform his best game at the Vicente Calderón. Neither she needed. Leo was not the player destabilizing other occasions when the ball was running on the battered grass mattress. Among the very poor pitch conditions and extreme hardness exhibited red and white behind, the Argentinian star was very irregular until minute 81. But at that point, the genius rubbed the lamp and the football world went on with another of those great goals to be framed as works of art.

This time, the culé star had to break the game pieces. It was in an isolated, almost at the edge of the area of Atlético de Madrid, when Pérez Lasa ruled a foul ball away, and while trying to sort desgañitaba Courtois is a defensive barrier, Xavi came the ball, mumbled something about the Messi low and rushed to the ball. The rest, one of those shots worth repeating a thousand times. The launch stratospheric rose and fell so close to the final squad of Courtois that she could only show a face stunned by the brilliance and genius of Messi. Embraces a few timid protests and a defense that paid the big mistake of wasting time on a barrier that never asked for the Blaugrana attack intertwined while Calderón had his hands to his head.

But Messi was not an accident. And who better than Atlético Madrid to verify in their own skin that nobody, absolutely nobody can sleep while Leo standing on a field. But it seems that the mattress did not learn in your day. We need to go to another Barça-Atlético Madrid, this time at the Camp Nou, to recall an oversight of the goalkeeper Coupet which gave an entire post for the Argentina star will overflow while unceremoniously requested a sterile barrier. Leo is one of a kind, among other things, details like that yesterday magnify further his career. (via SPORT)

The Barça players highlighted the difficulty of winning at the Vicente Calderón. The squad agrees: “We’ll fight until the end. That’s this team’s spirit”.



Important victory in a difficult stadium (1-2) to keep in the hunt for La Liga. Barça’s first team, through captain Carles Puyol, sent a clear message of optimism to Barça supporters: “we will fight for La Liga until it is mathematically over. It’s difficult [to win it] but we must try and win the three points each week.”

Along these lines, the Barça defender talked about the squad’s ambitions: “we have always competed. We will not give up, we’ll keep on trying until the end.”

Great team attitude

After claiming three vital points in Madrid, Puyol talked about the match against Atletico Madrid: “we had a test by fire tonight and the team showed our character.”

The captain, like other Barça players, was disappointed with the poor pitch condition, “the pitch wasn’t good for our type of play, but the team worked hard today.”

Here are the statements made by some of the players after the match:

Javier Mascherano:

“Coming here and playing is always difficult.

“We fought for this match, they played with a lot of intensity.

“Draws don’t suit us. If we want to have a chance, we have to win all of our matches.”

On Messi’s goal: “I was really far away, but it seemed to me that Messi didn’t ask for a wall.

“La Liga will be difficult to win. They have a 10 point advantage over us, but we are professionals and we have to keep on fighting. We’ll try to do our absolute best.

“We can’t allow ourselves to lose focus. We’ll try to win all of our matches until the end of the season.

“Atletico got a bit lucky. They also had the fans behind them and they hadn’t lost any games with their new manager. However, we managed to sort out the situation with our game

“What Guardiola told us stays in the dressing room. He congratulated us on how we competed.”

Dani Alves:

“The supporters need to keep on believing in us. We’ll fight until the end as long as there is a chance of winning. That’s the spirit of this team. We’ll keep on competing.

“I’m very pleased with the goal and for the team’s victory.

“We know that it was a difficult ground. The pitch was almost unplayable.

“Winning in stadiums like this one makes us stronger.

“I saw the space and Cesc’s excellent pass allowed me to score an easy goal.

“I dedicated the goal to my children, they are on holiday and I miss them.”

Víctor Valdés:

“Hard-fought victory in an imposing Calderón. We’re continuing our work and we’re earning points to fight for the Liga.”

Andres Iniesta:

“It was a very intense match and it was a great victory in a difficult stadium. Now it’s time for the national side.” (via FCBarcelona.com)

Víctor Valdés, Barcelona goalkeeper, admitted today that the league title is "complicated", but stressed the importance of the victory against Atlético Madrid (1-2).

Víctor Valdés, Barcelona goalkeeper, admitted today that the league title is "complicated", but stressed the importance of the victory against Atlético Madrid (1-2) and stressed that "winning games like this," will continue trying to reach Real Madrid, leading by ten points ahead of the azulgranas.

"In the second half, Atlético has tightened a lot, but the team did a good job," praised the goalkeeper, who stopped two final actions Juanfran Torres and Gabi Fernández crucial to keep the 1-2 in favor of Barça in the marker of the Vicente Calderon stadium. (via AS)

The captain did not give up and said, despite maintaining the difference of 10 points less per day with a dispute that "La Liga is very difficult but we will fight until the end."

After the victory of his team at the Calderón, with whom he maintains Barça 10 points difference with Real Madrid, FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, declined to give the League for lost and said his team would fight to the finish for the title. "La Liga is very difficult but we will fight to the end. Not go down the arms. While not a mathematician, fight for the three points every day," said Puyol. (via AS)

Diego Pablo Simeone, Atlético Madrid coach, lamented his team's defeat against Barcelona (1-2) by a "genius" of Messi in Barca's second goal. "We will not discuss whether it is a problem of the barrier, whether to have it or not, if there Busquets penalty or whether it was necessary to expel Alves in the second half," he joked Simeone. "The referee was perfect although there were little things," he added with a smile on his face.

"The results are always fair. We try to do our game, playing in a certain way, trying to close the spaces. In the first half cost us a little more and in the second half saw a more open game and we could get ahead, but a genius left us with nothing, "he said. Atlético coach said his team had chances to win in the second half. "We had one of Juanfran, Falcao another" and that during that period could achieve victory. "The team played as I wanted, but did not leave a genius," he said. (via AS)

BEST: The entire credibility of the world. The ten points that Real Madrid has over the Barça did not fairly reflect the difference between azulgranas and whites in this league. The bad luck at times, lack of sight, and over a refereeing decision has deprived Guardiola classification of a fair and consistent with reality. But still, there is hope. Because the way to win one of the most formidable rival in the championship, and on stage where they did, gives all the credit. You can still dream.

WORST: defensive forgetfulness. Barça managed a convincing win at the Calderón, although their precise defensive forgetfulness almost cost were very expensive. A failure at the exit of a corner led to the equalizer of Falcao. And, not for Valdés-saving two in the final minutes paradones-la Liga and would be lost. And that, after making another great game, it would have been another undeserved punishment. (via SPORT)

The Barça manager said that his team remained true to their style of play, and that they beat a “very strong” Atletico Madrid side in a “very tough” match.

Guardiola said that Messi is the type of leader that “steps forward when things get complicated”.



Josep Guardiola considers that his team remained true to their style of play this Sunday at the Vicente Calderon. Barça’s victory allows the team to take the three points in a “very complicated” match against a “very strong” opponent. The Barça manager believes that his team passed “a very good test” against an Atletico Madrid side that was “really good at the start of the second half,” when the home side scored the equaliser, and that Barça did well to “react.”

The manager had special words of praise for Lionel Messi, who broke the deadlock with a clever free kick: “there are different types of leadership. When things get complicated, Messi takes a step forward. Throughout these past four years, this player has always done that.” When asked about the Argentine’s absence in next week’s match against Sporting, Guardiola jokingly said, “everyone asks me to give him a break and now he will rest, just like Pepe will.”

The win over Simeone’s team keeps Barça 10 points adrift of Real Madrid. In reference to the existing point gap, Guardiola said, “I don’t think we will win the league, but we’ll compete to [be the team] that we have been in the past.” He added, “it was a complicated match against a very intense rival, and the pitch condition was very poor, but we survived. Also, Victor once again showed that he’s a quality keeper.”

Guardiola said that Barça’s intention is to continue competing in each match: “I have the impression that we will not win La Liga, the point difference is very big, these games give us the opportunity to be the team we are, to play like we have. We will continue competing in every match.” (via FCBarcelona.com)

The Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner was proud of the work of the azulgranas and praised jugadorez both Messi's incredible.

"It was a difficult game, but the team worked and have been enjoying the end. I stay with a goal that has been invented Messi. A goal of genius," said the microphones Cardoner Canal Plus after the match.

The corporate vice president of Barça cree that after the victory at the Calderón, the options of winning the league are still there, even though Madrid did not fail. "A lot of league and we will keep fighting. Must continue to rely on this team," added Cardoner, recognizing that ended at the meeting between Villar and Rosell of last week there was talk of the Cup final, which still unknown location. (via SPORT)

A clever goal from Leo Messi on 81 minutes gave Barça the three points against a tough tackling and competitive Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon tonight.

The footballing Gods were certainly fair to Barça tonight and a cheeky strike from Messi towards the end of the game gave them a thoroughly deserved win that keeps them in the chase for the title. After a dominant first half against an ultra defensive Atletico Madrid topped off by a Dani Alves strike, Barça were stunned after the break by Simeone's team, who got an early goal, but Guardiola's men kept their heads, withstood the pressure and hit back with Messi's winner.

Barça made perhaps their brightest start to a game all season and after Xavi shot just wide early on and Messi had a great goal disallowed for an earlier handball, they dominated their hosts and kept them penned back in their own half with some careful patient football.

Xavi then brought a great save from Courtois from a 20th minute free kick and the team were boasting an astonishing 83% of possession, with Atletico trying to claw their way back into the match with a more physical approach . It was the creative team who got the rewards though, as on 36 minutes Messi played a clever ball out left to Cesc and the Catalan's pinpoint pass set up Alves to score.

Although the goal spurred Atletico to come out of their shell and Valdes made a good save to cut out a dangerous looking attack, Barça immediately took control again and finished the half in the lead and clearly the better team. Then, just after the break, as Simeone pushed his lines forward for a more attacking approach, Atletico got the equaliser through Falcao after Busquets had failed to clear a corner. Now it was the home team who imposed their trademark more intense and vertical style of play on the game.

Guardiola reacted on the hour mark by switching to a 3-4-3 formation - a high risk strategy that nearly backfired when Falcao forced a great save from Valdes. Alexis then had a couple of good opportunities – one of which he put away, but was ruled out for handball - before Messi took the home team by surprise with a quick free kick before the wall was set to give Barça the lead with about ten minutes left to play.

The team defended bravely in the closing minutes with Valdes again standing strong. It was a great win for the team, who celebrated the win together in the centre circle. (via FCBarcelona.cat)


[Match Stats]
Atlético de Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Koke (Salvio, m. 77), Gabi, Tiago, Arda Turan (Silvio, m. 86); Falcao and Adrián.

FC Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves (Cuenca, m. 71), Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Cesc (Pedro, m. 77), Alexis (Piqué, m. 84) and Messi.

Goals: 0-1, m. 36: Dani Alves culminates at the far post Cesc center. 1-1, m. 48: Falcao volley shot from a corner. 1-2, m. 81: Messi, when Courtois-kick put the barrier.

Reeree: Pérez Lasa (C. Basque). Admonished the local Godín (c. 24), Juanfran (c. 25), Arda Turan (c. 30), Tiago (c. 61), Koke (c. 74), Miranda (d. 81) and Falcao (m . 85) and visitors Messi (m. 8), Cesc (c. 45), Alves (c. 71), Alexis (c. 77) and Xavi (m. 90).

Subs: game for the twenty-fifth day of the season, played at the Vicente Calderón stadium before about 53,000 spectators.

The group led by Josep Guardiola is already in Madrid where tonight, starting at 21:30 h, will face Simeone's team at the Vicente Calderón.

The day began very early to the first team of Barça, who has come from the esplanade of the Camp Nou at 9:45 pm to go to the airport of El Prat. The plane has to move to FC Barcelona took off at 10:42 h, and landed at 11.30 h. Madrid has received the issuing azulgrana with a temperature of ten degrees.

Once at your destination, Pep Guardiola has led directly to the team hotel, where it remains until it's time to move to the Vicente Calderón, where they will face Atlético Madrid at 21:30.

After the match, Barca team will undertake the journey back to Barcelona at one in the morning and is scheduled to arrive at its destination an hour later. In this round, 12 players who will not undertake the return trip because the focus Monday with their respective teams. This is the case of the 8 players of the SpanishValdés, Piqué, Puyol, Busquets, Thiago, Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc, Tello and Cuenca that will be with the under 21, and Dani and Adriano, who play a friendly on Tuesday with the national team in Switzerland against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In addition to the 19 man squad and technical staff, have moved to Madrid vice president Jordi Cardoner and managers Antoni Freixa, Pilar Guinovart and Javier Bordas. He has also traveled the sports director of professional football Andoni Zubizarreta. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

FC Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué shared with his fans on Facebook a picture in which you could see his partner, the Colombian singer Shakira, playing the popular Scrabble.

"I'm making someone at Scrabble! ... Look at that face," wrote the social network Piqué, enclosing the image of Shakira thinking what word to put on the board. How could it be otherwise, soon had received about 3,000 more than 21,000 comments and 'I like'.

Piqué played an important game of League Sunday, against Atlético Madrid, so Saturday night activity should be limited to little more than play Scrabble to pay in full the Calderón. (via SPORT)

In a very demanding game and against an opponent on a roll, Guardiola tried the more incumbent team today.

This league does not support Barça and more failures in a week without more than today's matches at the Vicente Calderón, it sounds very normal to rehearse yesterday afternoon Pep Guardiola in the final preparatory session before playing with the team gala to address tonight enrachado Atlético Madrid. Talking gala alignment also depends on the time of the season and, today, a blackboard on which are the names of Valdés, Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi and Cesc probably subscribe to many fans the culés.

It is already great news for the Barça that the technician can have all its staff to travel by plane early in morning to Madrid, with the exception of the three long-term injured, Villa, Afellay and Fontàs. Guardiola is also available to Keita, after participating in the selection of Mali in the African Nations Cup, in a list that complete Pinto, Thiago, Mascherano, Peter, Adriano Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello, who despite being officially the subsidiary has linked and many first team appearances for the help of his excellent run of form.

One of the most encouraging findings is that Xavi has left behind his troubles in the soleus, confirming the prediction made ​​by the brain itself azulgrana earlier this week. On the other hand, Alves and Mascherano return a call after serving federal sanction against Valencia.

In short, after many weeks to lose weight in the team, Pep Guardiola will now have a 'once' Gala and the only major absence of David Villa, who could return in April.

Messi and Busquets, a card suspension
Although it seems difficult to understand its playing characteristics, Leo Messi is just one booking away from suspension. For now, the crack of Barça and now has four warnings, so if you see one more card will be sanctioned with a match and need to rest by force. At the same disciplinary situation is Sergio Busquets, who will also be suspended if you see a yellow.

Dani Alves new hobby
Dani Alves was surprised yesterday with a picture on his twitter that he is seen playing guitar and where indicated, "This is what I do in my spare time." Perhaps after the time off has happened in Granada, where he attended the concert of singer India Martinez, he has awakened his musical vein, and perhaps most flamenco.

Twelve culés stay overnight in Madrid
After today's match, twelve players will stay in Madrid to join their teams tomorrow. Are those of 'La Roja' (Valdés, Puyol, Piqué, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, and Cesc Thiago), those of the Olympic (Cuenca and Tello) and Argentines (Mascherano and Messi). They also have games Alves and Adriano (Brazil), Abidal (France), Alexis (Chile), Dos Santos (Mexico) and Montoya (Olympic team). (via MD)

FC Barcelona visit Atletico on Sunday (21:30 h) with the firm objective to get the three points to continue their pursuit of Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola's team come to the appointment of Vicente Calderón reinforced after his landslide win over Valencia (5-1) in the last game of the season, and with Leo Messi, who scored four goals in the meeting-in top form.

Passed an overwhelming schedule with games on weekends and weekdays, Barcelona seems to have regained his best pitch. And much of its strength, as the Barça coach finally able to complete a call with 18 with the first team, besides the young Cristian Tello.

With Messi in the form, Iniesta and recovered from his injury and waiting for what appears Xavi Hernández complaining of muscle aches, Barcelona has its most fearsome weapons, in addition to Chile's Alexis Sánchez and also recovered Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodríguez.

Atlético have improved since the arrival of Diego Simeone as coach. Today is just one point of fourth place and has nine games undefeated. The rojiblancos only lost one match this year in their stadium, which has added six wins and four draws.

Argentina coach keeps the question of Turkish Arda Turan, with an overload, and has low muscle injury the Brazilian Diego Ribas, a key player in his scheme, and Antonio López. (via SPORT)

The Catalan manager believes that the Altético Madrid boss has transmitted his “strong and intense take on the game when he was a player” to the Colchonero side. Guardiola believes that Barça will have to be “alert, brilliant and skilled” if the Catalans want to come away with a victory in the Spanish capital.



Pep Guardiola warned that Atlético Madrid has completely changed under the tutelage of El Cholo Simeone on the Colchonero bench. “Simeone has changed the dynamic [of the team],” said the Barça manager, “it’s obvious that the team has the manager’s mark.” Guardiola said that the Atlético Madrid side “has a soul, they are intense, aggressive ... all of the players work and put in a strong effort.” The manager believes that the Atlético players’ attitude is a reflection of Simeone’s attitude when he was a footballer. “You watch the team, it’s an expression of their manager. His strong and intense take on the game when he was a footballer has been transmitted to his team.”

Guardiola believes that he’s prepared his team well ahead of the visit to the Vicente Calderón. In order to win, Guardiola believes that the team “must avoid [Atlético] counterattacks and not allow them to attack us on the wings, [we must] try and play in a way that favours this team. We’ll have little time to think, we’ll have to be alert, brilliant, and skilled.”

“When a team is 10 points behind the leaders the mindset isn’t to mount a comeback.” Guardiola knows that it won’t be easy to fight back and cut into Real Madrid’s lead, therefore the objective from now on is to “win each game” as they come. He added that “our plan is to be calm and try to win the match. We can't focus on anything else.” He added: “in this house there is always pressure but they [they players] know that they can’t give up. The Liga is complicated, we have to take it a game at a time.” The manager said that the team’s outlook until the end of the season should be one of “joy because of what we’ve done so far this year, and believe that we can play at the level we’ve played at this whole time.”

Guardiola believes that his team’s level of play this season isn’t different compared to past seasons. “The tendency has been to play at a high level, without too many up and downs,” said the manager. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Josep Guardiola named his team ahead of tomorrow’s match against Atlético Madrid. All of the first-team players plus Barça B’s Cristian Tello will travel to the Spanish capital. The team completed their final training session ahead of the League match at the Vicente Calderón.

Barça’s first team completed a closed-door training session at the Ciutat Esportiva, their last before tomorrow’s Matchday 25 League game, at 21:30, against Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón. All of the available first-team players trained plus Tello, Balliu, Sergi Gómez and Lobato.

Upon completion of the training session, Josep Guardiola named his squad ahead of the trip to the Spanish capital. The 18 first-team players plus the young Cristian Tello were included in the manager’s list.

On Sunday, the group will meet at the Camp Nou at 9:45, from there they will go to El Prat Airport. The plane is scheduled to takeoff at 10:30 and touchdown in Madrid at 11:30. Upon arrival, the team will go directly to the hotel, where they will stay until they go to the Vicente Calderón. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:30.

Once the game is over, the Barça team will return to Barcelona at one in the morning. The plane is scheduled to land in Barcelona at 2:00. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Atletico Madrid are one of the most successful teams in Spain, having won both the La Liga and Cup titles 9 times, including the double in 1996. After an all too familiar frustrating start to this season, the team have really upped their game since the arrival of Simeone at Christmas.

The Athletic Madrid club was founded in 1903 by two Basque emigrants and for nearly 20 years they served as a feeder club for Athletic Bilbao. They became independent in 1921 and were one of the founders of the first Spanish League Championship. After the Civil War, they changed their name to Athletic Aviacio de Madrid after merging with an air force team, before becoming Atletico Madrid in 1947. The immediate post-war years saw them take four league titles and they also won two in the 60s and two more the following decade. Their most successful period in recent history came under Radomir Antic, when they won the double in 1996 whilst European success came with an Intertoto Cup in 2007 and the Europa League and European Super Cup in 2010, to add to 1961’s Cup Winners Cup. The low point came in 1999- 00 when despite reaching the Cup final they were relegated and did not get back into the top flight until 2002 . The 2010 European success under Quique Sanchez Flores couldn’t be built on though, and after finishing seventh last season, the manager was replaced by Gregorio Manzano, who was then himself sacked after a poor run in December 2011 and replaced by Diego Simeone.

The Club’s history over the last thirty years or so has been overshadowed by the figure of Jesus Gil, a businessman and politician who ran the club between 1987 and 2003. Gil i Gil’s direct style meant he rarely suffered managers who didn’t bring instant success and figures of the calibre of Menotti, Clemente, Ron Atkinson, Alfio Basile, Maturana and even club legend Luis Aragones were hired and fired in quick succession by the club chairman. Maybe Gil’s biggest misstep though, was to scrap the club’s youth academy in 1992, forcing a promising young striker named Raul to cross the city and join rivals Real Madrid – the rest is
history.

Atletico’s games with Barça have become a guarantee of goals and excitement over the last few seasons, with an average of over 4 goals a game over the last 20 years and to more than 5 under Guardiola, when Barça have lost twice in Madrid: 4-3 and 2-1, as well as winning 1-2 last season, whilst winning 6-1, 5-2, 3-0 and 5-0 at the Camp Nou.

Since Diego Simeone took over at the helm at Christmas, Atletico have been transformed, with four league draws and three wins and conceding only one goal- last week at Sporting, as well as beating Lazio 4-1 on aggregate to make the last 16 of the Europa League. Leo Messi’s record of 17 goals in 13 games against Atletico makes it tempting to focus on Madrid’s Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois, who may well be kept busy by the Argentinean,
but undoubtedly the man of the moment for Simeone’s team is Radamel Falcao, signed in the summer from Porto for a club record €40 million. The Colombian, who was a sensational success for the 2011 Europa League winners, scoring 17 times in 14 games, has already chalked up two hat tricks for Atletico this season and bagged 14 goals in his 20 league appearances so far. His pace and two footed ability, combined with a real aerial threat make him a very complete forward and somebody the Barça defence will need to keep a very tight rein on. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Simeone faces his first match against FC Barcelona to face Atlético Madrid and spared no praise for the azulgranas and to his coach, Pep Guardiola.

"It will be a serious game, hard. Should be paid attention to detail and have a great concentration. Must be 110% to get the win," he said. And he added: "It's a difficult game and we must find a way to hurt them. I feel admiration for his work, how they manage to keep winning and stay motivated. I admire Guardiola and his players," he added.

Simeone also remembered Alexis Sánchez who agreed with River Plate. "I have great memories of him. He has had great coaches like Guardiola and Bielsa, which have strengthened as a player. It is a decisive player," he said.

The 'Cholo' does not believe that the fact of facing rival the likes of Barça players should make their loose focus to keep adding as they have done so far. "There are only three points. Work with the same idea . Come with humility and enthusiasm. try to do things as we have been doing. After the low and changes against Lazio, the response has been good. Hopefully the players will recover well and the team keep the excitement and intensity "he said.

The Argentine coach, still undefeated in front of rojiblanco played down his success merits and recalled that the work is only of the players. "Work is good for the players. They have found its best and that makes everything natural. Coaches rely on the results and what today goes well tomorrow can go wrong. To me what worries me is to keep the style , regardless of the ups and downs you have in football, "he said.

The Vicente Calderón will be filled to encourage Atletico. "I think the Barcelona players are not going to scare to see the full court, because they are used and have played a lot of late. I makes people happy and because there is a good communion between audience and players. This is crucial, "he said. (via SPORT)

Conscience Barça prepares visiting a euphoric Calderón to continue clinging to the dream of la Liga.
Recovered its best against Valencia, and now plays to strike at the table away from the Camp Nou.

The staff of the Barça is aware that the league goes this weekend in Madrid. While waiting for a slip the Real in Vallecas, one of those fields in which gain and lose the big teams championships, eleven azulgrana has to win to start cutting the ten points separating him from the leadership. A impossible? No, at least for a winner like Guardiola, who thoroughly prepared his visit to the euphoric Calderon to continue clinging to the dream league.

Barca recovered its best last weekend against Valencia (5-1, with four goals from Messi infallible) and now plays to strike at the table away from the Camp Nou, where the culés have left out a stream of points that Madrid has taken advantage of Mourinho, whose hobby is already celebrating the title at Cibeles.

Morning visit to pay plays a traditionally complicated scenario for the azulgrana side, who has only won 5 of their last 20 visits to Calderón in la Liga. A feud in which, incidentallythe Barça can be played also the title of Copa addition, all Pep will face 'Simeone effect' that has permeated some euphoria and self-esteem on a roll mattress convincing results that are leading both in the domestic championship and in Europe.

The azulgrana know they are to a great match. In the penultimate training session before the clash against Atletico, Pep worked hard tactics with his players. The Santpedor not want to leave any loose ends. Yesterday's was a closed session for the media who are not club. Today is repeated, starting at 18.00, also on the premises of Sant Joan Despí.

The coach Culé, who has lived another week of rumors and comments about their future, will come with all his arsenal to Calderón, the scene of star dulel goalscorer Messi- Falcão. With Keita ready to play again after his participation in the African Nations Cup, Guardiola has only low to Villa, Afellay and Fontàs, while Xavi has recharged batteries, like Alves, who has had five days off to 'disconnect '.

The visit to the Manzanares, where Barça and Atlético have fought great battles, it may mean a turning point for azulgrana ahead as more favorable schedule in March in which the culés will host Sporting and Granada, and will visit Racing, Sevilla and Mallorca.

With the 1/8 finals of the Champions almost finalized items, the advantage Culé compared to Madrid is that whites have yet to close their tie against CSKA Moscow. In addition, there are low by injury Benzema and Di Maria. For Barça, now or ever. (via MD)

The Turkish Arda Turan, Atlético Madrid midfielder is doubtful for Sunday's game against Barça by an overload in the adductor of the right thigh, suffered in training on Friday.

The footballer, who retired from the meeting for that reason, and subsequently underwent medical tests ruled out the break and confirming the overload. Their presence in the match against Barça depend on your progress in the coming hours and training on Saturday in Majadahonda.

Arda Turan's injury was the only mishap in the return to work Atletico after Thursday's victory against Lazio (1-0), in second leg of the knockout phase of the Europa League, the Madrid confirmed that all qualified for the next round of the competition.

The session also Adrián López and Argentine Eduardo Salvio were trained outside the group by an overload and a blow on his right ankle, respectively, but neither is of serious ailments and both will be available for Diego Pablo Simeone the duel against Barcelona.

Also be ready for that shock the Portuguese Tiago Mendes, now recovered from a contracture that had turned the last league match against Sporting and the first leg of the European League against Lazio. The center-half and went on Thursday in the call to the Italian, but did not play any minute.

The coach has only two low secure for the match against Barcelona's Brazilian playmaker Diego Ribas, who suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's clash against Sporting Gijón and Antonio López, who continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. (via SPORT)