Arsenal and Manchester City have missed on Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze after the club confirmed their star man agreed to join Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the most coveted talents in Europe but it is the Bavarian giants who have won the race after triggering the forward’s £32million (€37m) release clause. The deal makes him the most expensive German player ever. The…
TEAM NEWS Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola could play the same XI that won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu last week. Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto replaces Victor Valdes – the 36-year-old understudy has played every cup match this season. David Villa is out with a broken leg, while Mali’s Seydou Keita is away at the African Cup of Nations. Jose Mourinho has said controversial Real defender Pepe will play if fit….
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refused to be dragged into the argument surrounding Mario Balotelli’s alleged stamp on Scott Parker. Guardiola said the controversy must be dealt with by the English authorities and Manchester City to deal with, and not his business. “It’s not our business – it’s the clubs business and the people. I know the rules all around the world are different,” he said. “So the rules in England…
Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain thinks Jose Mourinho’s motivational skills will be key to beating Barcelona in the sides’ Copa del Rey quarter-fin The coach led Real to victory over the Catalans in the final of last season’s edition of the competition. But Mourinho has come off second best overall to Pep Guardiola’s men, losing two out of three league meetings against Barca, as well as seeing his side edged out…
Andres Iniesta will be out of action for 15 days after sustaining an injury in Barcelona’s 9-0 drubbing of Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey. Iniesta collided with Hospitalet goalkeeper Carlos Craviotto midway through the first half, forcing the midfielder to be substituted. Barcelona later allayed fears by stating on their official website that Iniesta’s injury was not as serious as first thought. The reigning European champions will rest during…
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said it is up to coach Pep Guardiola to decide whether or not to add Santos attacker Neymar to the squad. The Brazil international is continually being linked with a move to Camp Nou, among other clubs, and reportedly asked Guardiola to take him to La Liga in the wake of Santos’ 4-0 Club World Cup final loss against the Catalans on Sunday. Rosell has made…