Barcelona edged their way into the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-2 draw over Real Madrid. The cup holders, who were reduced to 10 men late on, lost 4-3 on aggregate in a pulsating affair. Despite Real Madrid looking the better side for the majority of the first-half, the home side grabbed the lead in the 43rd minute when Pedro coolly slotted home after an excellent Lionel Messi run….
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 coach Pep Guardiola lauded Andres Iniesta as “unique” after the Spain international helped the Champions League holders ease past Viktoria Plzen. Iniesta, who has only recently returned from a hamstring tear, played a key role in the 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp, including scoring the opening goal in the 10th minute following a superb piece of skill. Guardiola said of the 27-year-old World Cup winner: “Andres, when he’s…
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will be out of action for a month with a hamstring injury. Iniesta suffered the injury in the holders’ Champions League Group H match at home to AC Milan on Tuesday, the Spanish club said. Iniesta was replaced by Spain teammate Cesc Fabregas shortly before halftime at the Nou Camp, before Barca conceded a stoppage-time goal to draw 2-2 with the seven-times European champions. “Tests have…
Spain take on Italy on Wednesday, looking to improve on a mixed record in international friendlies since becoming world champions. Vicente del Bosque’s Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, adding to their 2008 European crown and cementing their status as the best team on the planet. They have impressed in Euro 2012 qualifying, winning every match to top Group I, and comfortably defeated the…
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has sidestepped Real Madrid’s latest referee criticism and is already looking to the Champions League final. Barcelona progressed to the decider at Wembley in London on May 28 at the expense of arch-rivals Real Madrid, who Guardiola and his men were facing for the fourth time in 18 days. True to form, Tuesday’s match was not without its controversy – even with Guardiola’s opposing manager Jose…
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is free to play in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid after escaping punishment from UEFA for allegedly getting deliberately booked. Iniesta was cautioned in the first leg of Barca’s quarter-final against Shakhtar Donetsk and that meant he was suspended for the return meeting in Ukraine. A further ban would have seen the Spain star miss the Bernabeu encounter between the teams next…
Barcelona have launched an appeal against the proposed ban of playmaker Andres Iniesta for the UEFA Champions League first-leg clash against Real Madrid. The midfielder could miss the match at the Bernabeu on 27th April after he picked up a yellow card during Barcelona’s commanding 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at Camp Nou earlier this month. The card meant he missed the return leg but would have a clean sheet…