Hercules 0-3 FC Barcelona (Matchday 21 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola said he is unconcerned about the prospect of facing nemesis Hercules in La Liga on Saturday.Hercules, currently 12th on the table, caused the upset of the season when they defeated the Catalans at the Camp Nou 2-0 four months ago - a loss that sparked the Spanish champions into a 28-match unbeaten streak in all competitions...

FC Barcelona 5-0 Almeria (1st Leg Semi Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Barça got the job done with an excellent result in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi final against Almeria. Goals from Messi (2), Villa and Pedro in the first half and a late strike from Keita have FCB as good as in the final.Almeria have been absolutely torn apart by Barça this season. After crashing to 8-0 home defeat in the league, today the Catalans...

FC Barcelona 3-0 Racing Santander (Matchday 20 La Liga 2010/2011)

Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta allowed Barcelona to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Racing Santander at the Camp Nou this evening to edge further clear the top of the Primera Division.The Blaugrana took the lead after just ninety seconds of play, and Messi's penalty before the break was added to by Iniesta's low shot in the second period,...

Real Betis 3-1 FC Barcelona (2nd Leg Quarter Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Barcelona will not take a 5-0 aggregate lead in their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis for granted, says coach Pep Guardiola.The reigning La Liga champions demolished Betis at the Camp Nou last week, but Guardiola insists his side will be fully focused for the return leg at the Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera on Wednesday."The most important thing...

FC Barcelona 4-1 Malaga CF (Matchday 19 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barça thrashed Malaga 4-1 after another sublime first half performance and finish the first half of the Championship stronger leaders than ever. Iniesta, Villa (2) and Pedro were on target for Guardiola’s men as they ran up their 13th successive leagGames at the Nou Camp have become synonymous with spectacle and party time and this Sunday was no exception as...

Barcelona 5-0 Real Betis (1st Leg Quarter Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Lionel Messi crowned his triumph in winning the Ballon d'Or this week by hitting a stunning hat-trick as FC Barcelona took a huge stride towards a place in the Copa del Rey semi finals with victory over Real Betis.The Argentinian paraded the award that he received on Monday in Zurich in front of the fans before the game in Camp Nou and then proved why he was...

Messi surprised at winning world award

Argentina forward Lionel Messi said he "wasn't expecting to triumph" after fending off FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or in Zurich.Argentina forward Lionel Messi beat off competition from FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or award at a gala ceremony...

Messi wins Ballon d´Or

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or, while Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho was named FIFA World Coach of the Year.Messi received world football's most prestigious award ahead of team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi at an award ceremony in Zurich on Monday, capping an astonishing year for both club and country for the Argentina international.The...

Deportivo La Coruna 0-4 FC Barcelona (Matchday 18 La Liga 2010/2011)

Barcelona extended their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to five points with a 4-0 rout at Deportivo La Coruna.Goals to David Villa, Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Pedro ensured the Catalans romped home after a lacklustre start at the Riazor.Villa broke the deadlock in the 26th minute; his shot somehow making it through the legs of Deportivo...

Guardiola praises Deportivo stability

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised rival club Deportivo La Coruna as one of the most stable clubs in La Liga.Guardiola's league-leading side travels to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Sunday, and the Spanish manager had the utmost respect when speaking of the club that sits 25 points behind them on the league table."I think that Depor(tivo) are an...

Xavi on Ballon d´Or honour

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez would consider winning the Ballon d'Or an honour, but is happy just to be in contention.Xavi, 30, has been nominated for European football's most prestigious individual award along with national and club teammates Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.He faces stiff competition for the prize from Iniesta, who scored the winning...

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona (8th Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Abidal’s first ever goal for FC Barcelona has qualified the team for the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey after 90 passionate minutes at San Mamés. Getafe or Betis await in the next round.The two teams that have won this tournament the most times provided the expected footballing feast at San Mamés, Bilbao. There was no end of intensity, emotion and also two...

Ronaldinho set for Brazil return

Ronaldinho appears to have rejected a move to Blackburn Rovers and remains on course to rejoin Brazilian club Gremio.The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward is due to bring an end to his three-year spell with Serie A side AC Milan following the arrival of Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria.Ronaldinho has been widely expected to return to Gremio,...

Barca brace for Bilbao challenge

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will be looking for a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey when they meet on Wednesday.Bilbao held the Spanish champions to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Camp Nou and Barca head coach Pep Guardiola says his team is not taking the upcoming match lightly."We have shown that on many occasions, and we are up for the...

Blackburn confirm Ronaldinho offer

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed a sensational bid for Ronaldinho, just one day after denying any such interest in the AC Milan star.Rovers have tabled a 20-million-pound offer to lure the Brazilian playmaker to Ewood Park for the next three years.The bid was first reported by Sky Sports News on Tuesday, and Blackburn's owners Venky's have confirmed an approach...

Guardiola praise for Xavi

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola praised the longevity of midfielder Xavi after he equalled the club record of 549 appearances for the Catalans.Xavi played in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Levante on Sunday, and Guardiola predicted there are many more matches to come for the 30-year-old."This game belongs to Xavi. I reached 300 matches and that seemed an outrage....

Guardiola welcomes signing Afellay

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has praised the talents of new signing Ibrahim Afellay, joining the club from PSV Eindhoven.The Dutch international is unavailable for the La Liga champions for their Sunday fixture against Levante due to a transfer window technicality, which frustrated Guardiola given the absence of stars Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Carlos...

FC Barcelona 2-1 Levante UD (Matchday 17 La Liga 2010/2011)

It’s turned out to be a very happy new year for Barcelona as they register their first victory of 2011 with a 2-1 win over Levante. A brace from Pedro Rodriguez ensured no Christmas hangover and created a five point gap between themselves and Real Madrid at the Spanish summit. The champions had to construct a makeshift back-four due to the absences of Gerard...