By Chris Wright

Time to put the welding goggles back on, as we've managed to get our hands on a few more photos of the new Barcelona kits, this time in their full monstrous majesty as modelled by Thiago Alcantara and Andres Iniesta, who is sporting the clearest 'I really don't want to be here, doing this' smile we've seen in quite some time.

Real Madrid and Barcelona returned to their winning ways on Sunday after a torrid week which saw them both exist the Champions League. Real Madrid were 3-0 winners over Sevilla at the Bernabeu while Barca thrashed Rayo Vallecano 7-0 to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Madrid's win keeps them only one game away from their first League title in 5 years!

Viernes 20 de Abril de 2012 - Morelia vs Atlante 20:10 hrs
ESTADIO: Morelos
FECHA: 20/04/2012
HORA: 20:10
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Francisco Chacón Gutiérrez
ASISTENTE UNO: Juan Joel Rangel Maya
ASISTENTE DOS: Victor Efrén Barreto Rivas
CUARTO ARBITRO: Fernando Guerrero Ramírez
ASESOR: Raymundo Sánchez Villadoble
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - Querétaro vs Toluca 17:00 hrs
ESTADIO: La Corregidora
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 17:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Antony Zanjuampa Rojo
ASISTENTE UNO: José Luis Camargo Callado
ASISTENTE DOS: René Domingo Chanona Aquino
CUARTO ARBITRO: Miguel Ángel Ortega Rojas
ASESOR: José Francisco Ramírez Díaz
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - San Luis vs Tijuana 17:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Alfonso Lastras Ramírez
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 17:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Erim Ramírez Ulloa
ASISTENTE UNO: Salvador Rodríguez Gorrocino
ASISTENTE DOS: Miguel Ángel Hernández Paredes
CUARTO ARBITRO: Marco Antonio Rodríguez Moreno
ASESOR: Jaime Luis Molina Snchez
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - Cruz Azul vs Estudiantes 17:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Azul
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 17:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: José Alfredo Peñaloza Soto
ASISTENTE UNO: Carlos González Cervantes
ASISTENTE DOS: Israel Valenciano Torres
CUARTO ARBITRO: Mario Alcantara Gonzalez
ASESOR: José Arce Arce
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - Chivas vs Atlas 19:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Estadio Omnilife
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 19:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Mauricio Rafael Morales Ovalle
ASISTENTE UNO: Alberto Morin Méndez
ASISTENTE DOS: Mario Jesús López Carrillo
CUARTO ARBITRO: Miguel Ángel Chacón Viveros
ASESOR: Gerardo Martínez Bravo
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - Santos vs Tigres 19:00 hrs
ESTADIO: TSM Corona
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 19:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Jorge Antonio Pérez Durán
ASISTENTE UNO: Alejandro Ayala Valderrama
ASISTENTE DOS: Juan Carlos Salinas Salinas
CUARTO ARBITRO: Jorge Eduardo Gasso Flores
ASESOR: Raul Cuauhtemoc Reyes Rayas
Sábado 21 de Abril de 2012 - Monterrey vs Pachuca 21:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Tecnológico
FECHA: 21/04/2012
HORA: 21:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Jorge Isaac Rojas Castillo
ASISTENTE UNO: Victor Hugo Romero Lupercio
ASISTENTE DOS: José Alfredo López Cruz
CUARTO ARBITRO: Jesús Fabricio Morales Bojorquez
ASESOR: Jose Aurelio Perez de Hilario
Domingo 22 de Abril de 2012 - Pumas vs Jaguares 12:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Olímpico Universitario
FECHA: 22/04/2012
HORA: 12:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Roberto García Orozco
ASISTENTE UNO: Marvin Cesar Torrentera Rivera
ASISTENTE DOS: Andres Hernández Delgado
CUARTO ARBITRO: Carlos Manuel Martínez Soto
ASESOR: Carlos González Iribarren
Domingo 22 de Abril de 2012 - Puebla vs América 16:00 hrs
ESTADIO: Cuauhtémoc
FECHA: 22/04/2012
HORA: 16:00
ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Ricardo Arellano Nieves
ASISTENTE UNO: Marcos Quintero Huitron
ASISTENTE DOS: Jesús Sevilla Palafox
CUARTO ARBITRO: César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos
ASESOR: Pedro Rebollar León
Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Messi celebrates goal in narrow victory over Levante (Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea)

A second-half brace from Lionel Messi earned Barcelona a hard fought 2-1 victory at Levante, trimming the gap atop the La Liga standings to four points ahead of next weekend's El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot in the first half and Andres Iniesta added a third goal after the interval to guide Barcelona to a 3-1 win over AC Milan at Camp Nou, sealing a fifth consecutive semifinal berth for the Catalans.

The defending champions had expressed concerns over the aerial ability of Milan's in-form striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but it was actually Antonio Nocerino who scored the visitors' only goal.

Barcelona picked up another victory on Saturday to keep their trail with Real Madrid remain on six points, aside from the 2-0 success, one thing that Barca coach, Josep Guardiola, strongly credited his team's is their attitude.

Barcelona once again were forced to play with 10 men against Mallorca as Thiago Alcantara received a marching order in the second half, but it didn't disturb the team's shape as they even managed to double their lead after the sending off.

Lionel Messi is set to make Barcelona history yet again.

After some recent adjustments to the total goal-scoring tally, the 24-year-old striker is one goal away from tying Cesar Rodriguez for Barcelona's all-time leading scorer. La Vanguardia newspaper in Spain, in collaboration with Barcelona, revised Rodriguez's total tally down to 232 goals.

According to Marca, negotiations are ongoing between Barca and Pep Guardiola's agent Jose Maria Orobitg that would keep him and Tito Vilanova on for next season. Barca is keen on re-signing their most successful coach while Guardiola has talked about taking a sabbatical from the sport.

Barca cannot proceed with their future signings without knowing who their coach will be next year.

Italian-born Barcelona midfielder, Thiago Alcantara whose father just happens to be former Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho has spoken up about how difficult it is for professional footballers to make it in the game these days. Of course, his insights are not far from the truth.

They may have lost to Osasuna over the weekend, but don't blame it on lady luck, por favor! Here's a snapshot of Barcelona's 'girlfriends club' at the Nou Camp last week during Barca's Copa del Rey semi-final fixture.

From left : Antonella Rocuzzo (Lionel Messi) Daniella Semaan (Cesc Fabregas) and Julia Vigas (Thiago Alcantara) all cheered their men on from the stands.

Full credit to Osasuna who played like they had nothing to fear against their vaunted opposition. Pep Guardiola resting Xavi, Iniesta, and Fabregas on the bench for the Bayer Leverkusen CL first leg sent in Thiago Alcantara, Pedro, and Sergi Roberto. The latter breaking into the first squad, all of four games old, completed the rejiggered midfield.

Valencia served a reminder of its proud heritage as a football team holding Barca and then denied Leo Messi a PK goal in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals first leg.

Jonas gave the home side the lead at the Mestalla but Carles Puyol who seems to have made a career scoring very important headers equalized for the Blaugrana.

Estudiantes vs San LuisESTADIO: 3 de marzoFECHA: 13/01/2012HORA: 20:10ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Miguel Ángel Chacón ViverosASISTENTE UNO: Marvin Cesar Torrentera RiveraASISTENTE DOS: Carlos González CervantesCUARTO ARBITRO: Oscar Macias RomoASESOR: José Francisco Ramírez Díaz
Jaguares vs ChivasESTADIO: Victor Manuel ReynaFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 17:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Miguel Angel Flores RodriguezASISTENTE UNO: Carlos Ayala CuéllarASISTENTE DOS: Victor Efrén Barreto RivasCUARTO ARBITRO: José Roberto Méndez LeónASESOR: José Arce Arce
Tigres vs QuerétaroESTADIO: UniversitarioFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 19:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Fernando Guerrero RamírezASISTENTE UNO: Alberto Morin MéndezASISTENTE DOS: Miguel Ángel Hernández ParedesCUARTO ARBITRO: Ricardo Arellano NievesASESOR: Jaime Luis Molina Snchez
Pachuca vs PueblaESTADIO: HidalgoFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 19:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Miguel Ángel Ayala RamírezASISTENTE UNO: José Luis Camargo CalladoASISTENTE DOS: Victor Hugo Romero LupercioCUARTO ARBITRO: Felix Augusto López CarrilloASESOR: Raymundo Sánchez Villadoble
Tijuana vs MonterreyESTADIO: CalienteFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 18:00L20:00CÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Miguel Ángel Ortega RojasASISTENTE UNO: Alejandro Ayala ValderramaASISTENTE DOS: René Domingo Chanona AquinoCUARTO ARBITRO: José Alfredo Peñaloza SotoASESOR: Raul Cuauhtemoc Reyes Rayas
Atlas vs Cruz AzulESTADIO: JaliscoFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 20:45ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Paul Enrique Delgadillo HaroASISTENTE UNO: Victor Calderón CalderónASISTENTE DOS: Andres Hernández DelgadoCUARTO ARBITRO: Antony Zanjuampa RojoASESOR: Eduardo Muro Lobo
Atlante vs SantosESTADIO: Andrés Quintana RooFECHA: 14/01/2012HORA: 21:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Mauricio Rafael Morales OvalleASISTENTE UNO: Jesús Sevilla PalafoxASISTENTE DOS: José Alfredo López CruzCUARTO ARBITRO: Mario Alcantara GonzalezASESOR: Pedro Rebollar León
Pumas vs MoreliaESTADIO: Olímpico UniversitarioFECHA: 15/01/2012HORA: 12:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Jorge Antonio Pérez DuránASISTENTE UNO: Salvador Rodríguez GorrocinoASISTENTE DOS: Mario Jesús López CarrilloCUARTO ARBITRO: Jorge Isaac Rojas CastilloASESOR: Gerardo Martínez Bravo
América vs Toluca Toluca ESTADIO: AztecaFECHA: 15/01/2012HORA: 16:00ÁRBITRO CENTRAL: Erim Ramírez UlloaASISTENTE UNO: Juan Joel Rangel MayaASISTENTE DOS: Juan Carlos Salinas SalinasCUARTO ARBITRO: Jorge Eduardo Gasso FloresASESOR: José Guadalupe Martínez Olvera Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

FC Barcelona resumed domestic action last night following their triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup and helped themselves to a 9-0 rout over third tier side L'Hospitalet in the Round of 32 of the Copa Del Rey (Spanish Cup).

Barcelona, who already led 1-0 from the first leg of this tie, played a relatively strong side against their Catalonian neighbours and had Pedro to thank for getting the ball rolling after just 11 minutes when converting a penalty to open the scoring.

By Chris Wright

After just pipping the first leg 1-0, Pep Guardiola covered his arse by naming an incredibly strong side in the return leg against Hospitalet at the Camp Nou last night and it payed off, with Barcelona crushing the third-tier outfit thanks to goals from Pedro, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and braces from three players aged just 20: Isaac Cuenca, Thiago Alcantara and substitute Cristian Tello.

Could Spain's second XI beat England? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

While watching David Silva and Spain dismantle a dogged and compact Scotland on Wednesday, it struck me: this was hardly Spain's best outfit and they were dominating.

Silva cemented his bona fides as one of the top half-dozen players in world football and Spain, with a team featuring second-choice players like Thiago Alcantara, Jordi Alba and Santi Cazorla, passed Scotland into an uneasy submission.

Messi and Pique take on Sporting Gijon (Photo: Viktor Drachev/Getty Images)

This Sunday, the "Pep Team" returns to the stadium where they recorded their first La Liga victory in the 2008-2009 season. Some would say that " El Molinón" was where it all started for Guardiola and his players, having thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 after a festival of football.

Valencia vs Barcelona – 9.21.11

"Beautifully released by Lionel Messi. Mathieu is all over Lionel but he can still measure it to split millimeter perfection on the run under pressure – means nothing to him. Still another red carpet pass."

"Pep Guardiola keeping the ex-Valencia man, David Villa, sat on the bench twitching like a greyhound to get out of the traps.

1-0 T. Alcantara 25' <!--[if IE 6]>�� �<![endif]--> 2-0 Fabregas 45' <!--[if IE 6]>�� �<![endif]--> 3-0 A. Sanchez 47' <!--[if IE 6]>�� �<![endif]--> 4 - 0 L. Messi 52' <!

Arsenal provided one of the worst performances in victory that I can remember for a long, long time with a 1-0 win over Udinese tonight doing little to ensure a place in the Champions League for the coming season.

The Italians, who finished 4th in Serie A and sold most of their best players over the summer, came to the Emirates and played all the football, and were unlucky not to get any reward for it.

Barcelona's new number four was unveiled at the Camp Nou this afternoon and the headline on the Barcelona web site said it all "Back Home"

Eight years after leaving for Arsenal, Cesc (he is no longer Cesc Fabregas, he is just Cesc) has come home to fulfill a dream. Before taking questions from the media today, Cesc stared open-mouthed at the video showing images of Fabregas in the youth teams.

No, you're the greatest Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been up to some interesting antics yet again. While on international duty for Italy last night, he hijacked Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara's interview with Spanish channel TVE to declare that the young midfielder is the greatest. With the director no doubt sweating about what would [.

By Chris Wright

In which, after Italy's 2-1 friendly win over Spain last night, Mario Balotelli sneaks into shot during Thiago Alcantara's post-match interview and, with everyone fearing the worst, merely tells the wee Barca sprog that he's mas grande which, our beginner's Spanish guide tells us, means 'the greatest' or something thereabouts.

It's only a friendly but Wednesday's match between Italy and Spain is a huge match for both clubs as he head towards the 2012 Euro's next summer.

Italy suffered a nightmare defence of their crown at the last World Cup, finishing below New Zealand at the bottom of Group F.

They have shown signs of improvement under Cesare Prandelli, and lead their Euro 2012 qualifying group by five points.

By Chris Wright

It's Sunday morning so I'll keep this brief: Manchester United ensured they ended their pre-season tour of Yankland with a 5-for-5 record by beating Barcelona 2-1 in front of nearly 82,000 fans in Washington DC last night.

United went ahead in the 22nd minute when Nani poked a shot in off Victor Valdes' gooch only to see their lead pegged back by a peachy strike from Thiago Alcantara in the 70th minute.

Manchester United vs Barcelona 2011 Highlights 2-1 Goals Video Score FedEx Field is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Manchester United vs Barcelona 2011 Highlights 2-1 Goals Video Score FedEx Field is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Manchester United vs Barcelona 2011 Score and result:- Manchester United vs Barcelona 2-1 ( Michael Owen, Luis Nani/ Thiago Alcantara) FedEx Field- 7/30/2011- Pre-Season Soccer Friendly- Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011 Man [.

Manchester United defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 in their World Football Challenge international club friendly at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. on Saturday night. Nani (22nd) and Michael Owen (76th) scored for the United while Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara's stunner tied the match at 1-1 in the 70th. The meeting was a rematch of Barca's 3-1 win over the [.

Barcelona took on Bayern Munich Wednesday night in front of a sold out crowd at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany for the final of 2011 Audi Cup.

Both sides chose to play a host of young players along with a few of their normal strong starters. Barca mixed up their lineup somewhat from the previous tie against Internaccional and chose the combination of Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara in the midfield which proved to be a solid decision.

After a cavalcade of circumstantial evidence pointed to Cesc Fabregas's final season at Arsenal there are now increasing doubts whether he will finally leave for Barca, his boyhood club.

Simply put the financial figures for Barca are not very flattering. The club has the highest wage bill in the world, a stupendous €234.

The Udinese winger now doing duty for Chile at the Copa America has signed for £40m to be paid in installments with a down payment of £25m.

His transfer fee has been seized by Arsenal who are now demanding a minimum of £35m for the services of their captain. This puts another wrench in the proceedings.

Image Àlex Caparrós (FCB).

Just two days after winning the Euro U21 Championship, FC Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara went straight to the plastic surgeon for a celebratory nose job!

Ok fine, the real reason he went under the knife was to fix nagging respiratory problems, and we hear the operation went off without a hitch.

SPANISH FOOTBALL & 20 year old FC BARCELONA young midfield sensation THIAGO ALCANTARA for come to an agreement with his Club to extend his contract until 2015 & raise his contract release clause to a whooping 90M€. This way Barça keeps at bay the wolves that have been circling their "young puppy" this last week.

The midfields of both Real Madrid and Barcelona are beginning to resemble Japanese trains at rush hour. If Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola continue to pack more and more players in, it is likely they will struggle to keep each one happy and in form. Something has to give. So who will survive the cull, and who will earn starting midfield berths in 2011-12?

Reports this week have surfaced that Manchester United have tabled a £15million offer for Barcelona starlet Thiago Alcantara. If this rumour turns out to be true and the Spanish sensation does end up at Old Trafford, then it won't be long until Sir...
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Queens of the Stone Age playing Long Slow Goodbye

There are signs that football's longest soap opera may finally be coming to a close. Arsenal has signaled its intention to negotiate after Barca indicated they're willing to improve on their previous bid for Cesc Fabregas. Sandro Rosell sent out a statement that the Gunners are looking at a figure in the region of £35m.

By Chris Wright

With the senior side already hogging both European and World bragging rights, Spain's wee nippers took the Euro U21 title with a 2-0 win over Switzerland yesterday courtesy of goals from Atletico Bilbao's Ander Herrera and an oppurtunistic 45-yard free-kick from Barcelona whippersnapper Thiago Alcantara (who, by all accounts, is the reason why Barca are never going to really need Cesc Fabregas).

Span's U21 side beat Switzerland 2-0 in the final, with Thiago Alcantara capping off the victory with a superb free kick.

UEFA U21 Championship Final, Aarhus, Denmark

Spain 2:0 Switzerland
Herrera 41', Thiago 81'
Att: 16,110
Spanish football wrote another chapter in its golden age as its Under-21s bagged the European Championship in Denmark this evening with a convincing 2:0 win over Switzerland.

Pele's favourite player and the biggest Brazilian hope in years has spurned interest in joining the big European clubs. All the rumours were that Real had beaten Chelsea to the signing by meeting Santos's mind boggling demand of €45m.

Today after days of the Spanish tabloids touting a done deal the striker said in no uncertain terms that nothing would separate him from his club with his focus squarely on the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol.

Herning, Denmark, 20:45 CET
Starting Lineups:
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1) - Frank Fielding, Michael Mancienne, Ryan Bertrand, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson, Daniel Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Kyle Walker, Thomas Cleverley, Danny Rose
SPAIN (4-1-2-2-1) - David de Gea, Alvaro Dominguez, Javi Martinez, Jeffren, Adrian, Juan Mata, Martin Montoya, Didac Vila Rosello, Ander Herrera, Thiago Alcantara, Alberto Botia
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