Sporting Gijón 0-1 FC Barcelona (Matchday 6 La Liga 2011/2012)

Barca's first league win under Guardiola had come at this ground in September, 2008, with a spectacular 6-1 success, and the Catalan giants began this match in familiar fashion with some excellent passing in midfield.

David Villa threatened against his former club with a fierce effort from the left, but saw his shot go just over the crossbar.

The Catalans then took the lead as Xavi struck the post with a powerful shot from distance, before Adriano followed up with a rebound and his effort took a deflection before nestling in the bottom right-hand corner of Juan Pablo's goal.

Barcelona continued to dominate the play after that, and Villa tested Juan Pablo with a fierce right-footed effort which the Sporting keeper did well to save low to his left.

The visitors were well on top and the home side showed their frustration in the 33rd minute when Nacho Cases brought down Sergio Busquets with a bad challenge, resulting in the first booking of the evening.

A minute later, Barcelona were appealing for a penalty as Lionel Messi was brought down in the box after making a run towards goal, but the referee remained unmoved.

Sporting almost levelled in the 41st minute, when David Barral took an elegant first touch in the Barcelona box, only for Eric Abidal to clear it before he could strike at goal.

The second half was a tepid affair, with neither side truly threatening.

The Catalans appeared to show some fatigue towards the end of the match as they began to squander possession, and they had to rearrange their back-line when Abidal went off with a suspected hamstring injury.

The away side created the last chance of the match when Messi’s shot towards goal found the feet of Dani Alves, only for the assistant referee to stop play for offside.

Barca were comfortable in the end, and move to the top of the table heading into the international break, with 14 points - the same total as Levante, who beat Betis earlier on Sunday.

Almeria 0-3 FC Barcelona (2nd Leg Semi Finals Copa del Rey 2010/2011)

Barcelona and Real Madrid set up a tantalising Copa del Rey final after both posted wins in their semi-final second leg matches.

Leading 5-0 after the first leg with Almeria, Barca scored another three goals in the away leg to run out comfortable 3-0 winners at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Despite resting Lionel Messi, Xavi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta, Pep Guardiola's men still had far too much firepower for Almeria, who they thumped 8-0 in their last league meeting on November 20.

Brazilian defender Adriano opened the scoring after 34 minutes before Thiago Alcantara doubled the advantage eight minutes after half-time.

Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay added the third after 66 minutes as Barca progress to just their second Copa del Rey final in 13 seasons.

Real Madrid were less convincing in their semi-final, and after enjoying a 1-0 away win over Sevilla in the first leg they posted a 2-0 victory on Wednesday.

Germany international Mesut Oezil opened the scoring in the 82nd minute before substitute Emmanuel Adebayor scored on his home debut to seal a 3-0 aggregate result over the holders.

The April 20 final will be Real's first in the Copa del Rey since their 2004 defeat to Real Zaragoza.

Barcelona seal Adriano switch

Spanish champions Barcelona on Saturday completed the signing of Brazilian utility player Adriano Correia from rivals Sevilla on a four-year deal.

Barcelona will pay Sevilla 9.5 million euros for the 25-year-old, plus another four million euros depending on results.

The champions also have an option to extend the deal by another year.

I did not think twice about joining Barca, says Adriano

Newly recruited Barcelona utility player Adriano Correia said Monday he did not hesitate when the Spanish champions offered to sign him from La Liga rivals Sevilla.

"I was very excited. I didn?t think twice about it and now I?m really pleased to have the chance to defend the Barca colours. This was something I couldn?t let pass by," he said during his official presentation.

"I?m very happy. I have worked hard to achieve this," the 25-year-old Brazilian added.

Barcelona completed the signing of Adriano, who can play at full-back or as a wide midfielder, on a four-year deal on Saturday after the player passed his medical tests.

The Catalan side will pay Sevilla 9.5 million euros for the 25-year-old, plus another four million euros depending on results.

The champions also have an option to extend the deal by another year.

"I?m comfortable playing in any of the four positions out wide. This is the best team in the world and I?m going to give everything for this club," said Adriano.

Adriano had been at Sevilla since 2004, twice tasting success in both the King's Cup (2007, 2010) and the UEFA Cup (2006, 2007).

He is the first player to move to Barcelona since the arrival of new club president Sandro Rosell at the beginning of July.

Barca have already completed the signing of Spanish international striker David Villa, who arrived from Valencia for a fee close to 40 million euros.

Barça and Sevilla agree Adriano deal

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FC Barcelona and Sevilla CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of Adriano Correia that will see the Brazilian move to Camp Nou for an initial fee of €9.5 million and a conditional €4 million extra.

The deal depends on the utility star passing a medical at Barça and the signing of his contract. Adriano will arrive in Barcelona on Saturday in order to undergo a series of tests.

Swapping places

Adriano is set to become the second signing of the summer after David Villa made the switch from Valencia before the World Cup Finals. The 25-year-old has shone during his six seasons at Sevilla as he proved that he can play in a variety of positions.

Different positions

Able to play in either full-back position Adriano can also push forward and perform on the left or right of midfield and has even proven his worth in the centre. His vision and desire to help out in attack has won him many admirers and made him a regular in a Sevilla side that has enjoyed winning several major honours in the past few seasons.

Alves again

At Barça next term Adriano will team up once again with former Sevilla colleague Dani Alves. The pair spent four seasons together at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán winning the UEFA Cup twice, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the European Super Cup.