SoccerBlogs

Lionel Messi might not be able to play in Barcelona's second leg game against Paris Saint Germain for the Champions League quarter final round. Messi did not return to the pitch after half time in Tuesday's first leg against PSG. The Argentinian suffered a hamstring injury, and manager Tito Vilanova decided not to risk aggravating the possible injury as a precaution.

By Ogo Sylla

The holding midfielder, or defensive midfielder, or number 6 as we can also call it, is a thankless task that often gets overlooked in today's football of marauding fullbacks, twinkle-toed playmakers and dead-eye strikers. However what is most underappreciated about the number6 (as we will refer to it from henceforth) are its complexities that most fail to recognize.

• FC Barcelona opens a two-point lead in La Liga .
• Adriano wonder strike gave Barca three points against Valencia.

Adriano celebrating after Scoring against Valencia

FC Barcelona went back to the top of La Liga with a really hard fought 1-0 victory against Valencia.

• FC Barcelona will Face Osasuna in their First Away Trip.
• Barca will be looking to avenge last season defeat.

Lionel Messi against Osasuna

The defeat at Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona kind of sealed our La Liga fate last season.

• FC Barcelona wins the First Clasico of the season.
• Pedro, Messi and Xavi scored for Barca in a five goal thriller. .

FC Barcelona will be taking a narrow 3-2 lead into the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup El Clasico, which will be held at the Santiago Bernebeu.

• FC Barcelona and Arsenal has agreed deal for transfer of Alex Song.
• Barca has agreed to pay Arsenal £15 Millon for the Cameroonian International .

Barca agree on Alex Song Deal

FC Barcelona has agreed on a £15 Million deal with Arsenal to bring the Cameroonian midfielder to Camp Nou.

Mascherano Extends Barca Stay

Javier Mascherano signed a new deal today which will keep him at Barcelona till the end of June, 2016. The club has raised his buyout clause to 100 million Euros, which may be an indication of how important he has become in the scheme of things at Barca.

Javier Mascherano has confirmed he is close to agreeing a contract extension at Barcelona. The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined Barca from Liverpool in 2010, is currently contracted to Barca until 2014 but he is set to sign on for an extra two years.

Mascherano told El Mundo Deportivo:

"It is on the right track and I hope it will be signed shortly.

By Chris Wright

Just Gerard Pique and his furry little friend enjoying a sandwich, a refreshing glass of naranja and a chat in Barcelona's Parc Güell...

Look at Gerard's little face! It must be nice to be lining up alongside someone a bit taller than Javier Mascherano for once.

FC Barcelona have announced the signing of Spain's left-back Jordi Alba from Valencia for €14 million

The 23-year-old Alba, who can also play as a winger, has been one of revelations of Euro 2012 after standing out because of his speed.

His run down the left flank and well-placed cross for Xabi Alonso's header gave Spain its opening goal in the 2-0 win over France in the quarterfinals.

Tonight brings down the curtain on the Spanish football season as Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona will meet in the Copa del Rey Final in Madrid, in what will be Pep Guardiola's last game in charge of Barca.

But if Guardiola is going to leave with another winners medal, he is going to have to do it with a injury riddled squad.

I don't think we have ever taken as many hit in Europe as we took when we visited Paris last week. The two goal conceded and the last minute draw was not only the bad thing, what worried us more was the injuries to Messi and Mascherano. With Mascherano out we don't have any proper center back option to chose from for tomorrow night, assuming that Abidal don't start.

• Barca Mesmerises Camp Nou on Tito Vilanova's Debut.
• Jordi Alba made his Debut in a match where Puyol, Messi, Pedro and Villa scored.

Carles Puyol Celebrates Scoring

Tito Vilanova started his La Liga campaign of 2012-13 seasocn with a 5-1 victory against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

What on earth is happening at Liverpool FC? Now I know I will probably end up with loads of abuse at the finale of this blog, seeing as though I am an Evertonian and I am writing about ‘our nephew' Liverpool. Even though I have no positive attachment to Liverpool, their current crisis gives me no sense of enjoyment.

So Liverpool have finally released their financials for last year and despite Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre's spin, these numbers do not make good reading.

Liverpool's total income last season fell by £1m to £184m, with TV and media £14m down due to Liverpool not playing in the Champions League.

So Liverpool have finally released their financials for last year and despite Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre's spin, these numbers do not make good reading.

Liverpool's total income last season fell by £1m to £184m, with TV and media £14m down due to Liverpool not playing in the Champions League.

Gerard Pique, Shakira, Cesc Fabregas and his girlfriend Daniella Semaan were at one of their favourite hang-outs, the glitzy W Hotel in Barcelona for dinner last night (a simply breathtaking place!) They were joined by the entire FC Barcelona squad, which comprised of Pep Guardiola, David Villa, Messi, Xavi, Mascherano, Ibrahim Afellay and newly-crowned Zamora (Best Goalkeeper) winner, Victor Valdes.