Fittingly considering the last article was about lazy journalism this is the first thing I've written in a week. And even more aptly, it's not even mine, but lifted from the Guardian. But it's a fantastic piece by Dr Sid Lowe, who you will be familiar with from the site and from Football Weekly, the excellent Guardian Football Podcast.

San Siro success may be muddied by some very interesting news indeed.

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

Here is a video dug up from the archives that exposes Tuesday night's 'Portuguese' referee stating at 2:38 "Soy de Milao" meaning "I am from Milan".

The moment many Barcelona fans have been waiting for... It's not Cesc but Javier Mascherano in the blaugrana strip

19.10.1999 - A much younger blogger journeys to London, discovers the hotel he's staying in isn't so much a hotel as a scary version of Fawlty Towers, with a very strange man behind the counter whose nose surely can't be human.

MYB travels to Wembley Stadium and for the very first time meets with strangers from the internet as the Arsenal Mailing List hold a pre-game getogether.

From the moment the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga started, there have been various counter accusations from both Arsenal and Barcelona fans. Blogs are the medium of communication in the modern world and promptly became the battle ground between Gunner and Cules. I believe the whole story started with Guillem Balague writing about a meeting that has taken place between Fabregas and Arsene Wenger He reported that Fabregas requested Wenger to allow him to move to Barca.

Sigh...here we go again:

Xavi's been opening his mouth again:

If we don't manage to get his signature this season then Arsenal only really have him on loan for a year because there is nothing they can do to stop him joining next summer. Arsenal need to understand they are only delaying the inevitable.

I cannot confirm nor deny anything. In the last six months, this story has made our lives difficult. At the moment, what is important is that when Cesc comes back, that he comes out. For me, I have nothing more to add. The conversations with the players have to be private because I cannot come out every time I speak with a player.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has spoken out about Javier Mascherano's impact on the club. The Argentine left the club in controversial fashion at the end of the transfer window, and while Barcelona fans are looking forward to seeing him at the Camp Nou, Liverpool are left figuring out how to regroup.

Today, one of football's greatest derbies (using the term a bit loosely) is once again in the spotlight El Clasico. The matchup between Barcelona and Real Madrid is always the most anticipated match in Spain, and we have it covered here on The Offside. Our Barca and Real blogs are two of our most popular, and they've both been working all week to get ready for the big match.

Any Barcelona fans thinking about ordering a DVD of Monday's El Clásico? Well, don't bother. This compilation has everything you need from Sergio Ramos kiss-blowing to dramatic views from the stands of the Camp Nou to the intricate touches of Lionel Messi to the despair on Iker Casillas' face.

Barcelona's quest to repeat their incredible feat of winning six titles this season seems to have taken a major knock when they were humbled by Sevilla 2-1 at the Nou Camp in their 1st leg tie of the last 16.

The Andalusians were the first to score on the stroke of the hour thanks to Diego Capel.

Andres Iniesta went boom. Then Barcelona fans went boom boom. And now we have the Andres Iniesta boom boom boom. Get it? After that goal, the one above for those with 8 month memories, it would appear there was a lot of celebrating in Catalona. A lot. Lots of champagne and bubbly then led to questionable decisions [.

Only one place to start today and that is with this morning's spectacular Champions League draw, pittingus against Barcelona in a repeat of the 2006 final. Messi, Henry and co come to the Emirates on March 31, with the return leg in the Nou Camp six days later.

The gasp in the auditorium when the draw was made told its own story this is one for the purists, and a tie the whole footballing world will be watching in earnest.

The Captain (Via Flickr)

Since I'm new at EPL Talk, I'd like to talk a little bit more (before I discuss Wednesday's match) about my history as an Arsenal fan. Slowly becoming a soccer fan in college, a 2006 trip to Europe with my girlfriend really cemented my love of the Gunners.

Morning all from a tired and somewhat voiceless me. Two nights in Barcelona have taken their toll somewhat but dammit it was fun, despite the result.

What can I say about the game that hasn't already been said? The players we had missing were too important for us to really challenge on the night, nevertheless there was that glorious two minutes when we were beating Barcelona.

It was Clubber Lang pounding on Rocky Balboa. One of those nights when Barcelona fans and haters were waiting for the team to emerge and at least draw at the Giuseppe Meazza. In the end it did not happen. They were left black and blue- or should I say neroazzurri- after being beaten in all aspects of the game.

We Should Hire AS' editorial team to be the referees of Liga BBVA...I'd like to highlight my deep disturbance and irritation at the Madrid-based press over 2 few things that has been going on in the Spanish Media (which consequently filter through to the world media). They both started out as mere comments and criticisms.

I know some Arsenal fans were a bit troubled by the comments made by P-Diddy H to the W Dawgzizzle when he suggested Cesc wouldn't get in the Barcelona team.

I wonder then what Barcelona fans would make of the comments made by Joan Laporta, High Chief of Cunt, when he said of Cesc:

Offering €35 million for a player like him is a fair market price.

1. Spain probably aren't crap after all. 2. David Villa took the opportunity to show Barcelona fans what £35m of striker gets you. 3. Unfortunately, it apparently doesn't get you penalty-taking ability. 4. Gonzalo Higuain perhaps has Uri Geller-esque ability to make people miss penalties. 5. Gerard Pique is in the wars.

Barca Captain Steers Spain To Final

Spain setup a mouth watering World Cup final clash against Netharlands after seeing off a much fancied, but young German side confidently. The Spanish National team dominated the match, depriving their opponents off any meaningful possession. For all their possession it took a second half goal from the most unlikeliest of source, Carles Puyol from a Xavi corner to see off the Germans.

Spain's celebrity fans continue to celebrate
I wish I had thought of that title on Sunday. Although the game wasn't 1990 Final boring.
So let's talk about Catalonia for a second. I've long suspected that the reason Spain hasn't won a World Cup before wasn't because Spanish players weren't good enough, and that the political divisions were nothing more than a convenient excuse that simultaneously bashed the rival club (cf.

Game number three of our pre-season preparation takes place tomorrow as Newcastle welcome PSV Eindhoven to St James' Park for what should be a tough test. Tomorrow is also a special day for both sets of fans, for England fans, Barcelona fans, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Fulham, West Brom, Ipswich and football in general as it will [.

Liverpool Football Club. Even just the name sends a tinkle down the spine.

In what has been a turbulent twelve months for the Merseysiders with the change of management, player unrest and off field antics involving two American owners, you get a sense of fresh optimism growing within the Liverpool camp.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now labeled his one-time coach at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, as a 'small time' boss.

These big words [being directed at a coach of one of the world's most elite clubs] for a highly overpaid striker who didn't produce during his stint with Barca.

The 28 year-old hit-man has made a return to Italy, joining AC Milan, after previously spending time with both Juventus and Inter Milan.

I'm not sure how many Barcelona fans have witnessed Yaya Toure with his new club Manchester City, but he seems to be doing great with the club. Being used more as a central midfielder that attacks more (rather then the defensive midfield position that he played at Barcelona) Yaya has been very effective for the Billionaire club and Kompany is confused as to why Barca would let him go.

Lionel Messi got hurt in a game against Atletico Madrid. I never seen so many people on twitter freak out over an athlete getting injured. It was like he died or something.That being said I have discovered two types of Barcelona fans: those who were fans before Messi and those who were fans after.

Good news, Barcelona fans... Lionel Messi is back training following his ankle injury.

Messi sustained his injury following a strong tackle by Atletico Madrid's Tomas Ujfalusi during Barcelona's 2-1 win last Sunday at Camp Nou.

On Monday, Barca confirmed that Messi's injury was not as bad as first thought, and the 23 year-old Argentine international made his way back to a bit of light training on Friday.

Wembley Stadium holds special memories for Barcelona fans. It was there that they won the European Cup for the first time after beating Italian side Sampdoria back in 1992.

It had been a long wait for the Catalan club who, despite being one of the biggest clubs in Europe, had failed to win the continent's greatest prize and had been forced to watch bitter rivals Real win trophy after trophy over the years.

El Clasico Day, It's the biggest day in European Footballing Calendar

Ok, FC Barcelona have to deal with Pananthanaikos before even thinking about next Monday's clash against their eternal rivals. The inability to seal the Champions Laegue qualification by now could come to hurt us still.

On a random Football note, F.C. Barcelona are said to be the most popular sports club on Facebook. With over 7 Million fans, the Catalan giants have registered more fans than rivals Real Madrid and Premier League club, Manchester United.

"This is further evidence that FC Barcelona is the most supported club in the world, way ahead of the opposition.

Barcelona and Real Madrid made stumbling starts to the 79th Liga season but as they go into a short Christmas break it is business as usual for Spanish football's biggest teams.

After 16 games eight points separates Villarreal in third from second-placed Real Madrid. Titleholders Barcelona are two further ahead and also boast a far superior goal difference – +42 – thanks in no small part to Lionel Messi's 17 league strikes.

Barcelona and Real Madrid made stumbling starts to the 79th Liga season but as they go into a short Christmas break it is business as usual for Spanish football's biggest teams.

After 16 games eight points separates Villarreal in third from second-placed Real Madrid. Titleholders Barcelona are two further ahead and also boast a far superior goal difference – +42 – thanks in no small part to Lionel Messi's 17 league strikes.